Jane Zacharias (?-1906)
Jane Zacharias was born in Frederick, Maryland, one of seven children born to the Rev. Daniel Zacharias. Zacharias, who was fondly known as Miss Jane or Miss Janie, was an active member of the Woman’s Literary Club of Baltimore during its early years. She was both a writer and an accomplished musician, and chaired the Committee for Music. She also organized musical events and played the organ in several area churches. Her only known publication is The Newsboy’s Christmas Party, a short novel inspired by the friendly and supportive relationship she developed with local newspaper boys. Many of boys were her pupils or attended meetings held by several organizations she helped establish, including the Newsboys’ Association and the Newsboys’ Reading Rooms. The boys, said her obituary in the Baltimore American, considered her a kind of surrogate mother, “something good and wonderful, yet human enough to understand their trials and joys.”
Sources
“Lived for Her ‘Boys’: ‘Miss Janie’s’ Death Causes Deep Regret Among Friends.” Baltimore Sun, Oct. 10, 1906: 12.
“‘Miss Janie’ Zacharias Dead.” Baltimore Sun, Oct. 9, 1906: 7.
Obituary. Baltimore American, Jan. 6, 1906: 14.
Contributors
Ju’waun Morgan