Watson's Tin Box meeting summary - February 16, 2026

On the third Monday of each month, the Watson's Tin Box of Ellicott City scion meets at Union Jack's in Columbia MD and we gathered on February 16 for another great gathering of members - 28 in total - and it was a rowdy bunch! 

As always I took a census of where people were attending from, and Columbia MD was the winner, and we had two first-time visitors! Al Hafner lives locally, and decided it was time to convert his lifelong love of Sherlock into sitting around with a group of Sherlockians and talking about it! and our guest speaker Emily Miranker was also a first-time visitor to WTB. Wonderful.

The story of the meeting was Norwood Builder.

After introductions, we moved to the toasts. Evy Herzog have the toast to 'The Woman' (Irene Adler), and Liane Luini presented a toast written by April Curnow and published in Irene’s Cabinet Vol 9, 2011.

Another Medical Minute, Circa 1895 To Brandy
by April Curnow

Not the gin of the slum
Nor the docksider’s rum,
It’s highly respectable: brandy.
A drink most restorative,
Nothing pejorative
In a delectable brandy.
So let’s drink to brandy! It’s really quite handy
For treating the faint and the weak and the ill.
It revives the dulled senses at modest expense
And it’s far more relaxing than taking a pill.
A medicinal tot will just hit the spot.
Administer one shot, or possibly two.
Any doctor of worth keeps a flask of the stuff
In his little black bag. No mere tonic will do.
So let’s drink again! Fortifier of men
And ladies with vapours and delicate souls
Most in need of support. If you haven’t got port
Or claret on the sideboard, try brandy.

Tom Fahres then delivered his traditional Haiku for the story:

A bloody thumb print

Is the key to solve the case

For Lastrade, or Holmes?

We then moved on to Announcements - (I hate to say I've lost a page of notes so these are limited)

• The BIG NEWS from Liane Luine is that the 2026 Irene's Cabinet will be available for purchase at the March WTB meeting, then available more widely (while issues last). We are all SO EXCITED that our annual journal is back.
• The DC Whiskey and Sodality meeting will again take place on March 1st at 2pm at Shelly's Back Room, 1331 F Street NW. As always, contact Terry McCammon for details. "Excellent ventilation, excellent pub type food. Good whisky and draft beer list. I have cigars to share." Smoking optional ; ventilation excellent.
• The next Red Circle next meets on Saturday March 14 - details here - I will be speaking.... about the Dancing Miners.

OK the next part of our meeting is becoming a wonderful tradition. The exceptionally creative Michelle March shared a range of new Sherlockian creations. Some were inspired by Watson's Tin Box, some by the canon - and all are amazing.

 

 

This is a lamp, the shade is a deerstalker. Hanging from the lamp are 20 prisms each with three sides, and these 60 spaces contain an artwork from each of the sixty canonical stories! Attached is a magnifying glass so that you can examine those illustrations closely, and underneath is a pipe, with a glowing light installed. It is AMAZING.

Next was a fantastic t-shirt design for 'Norwood Builder' which was a prize for the quiz:

Jonas Oldacre

Lower Norwood

1 star out of 5

Would not recommend. Drafting department only does suspicious wills. Design department only does malicious schemes. Attic seems smaller. Sounds like a rat's nest in wall. Door handle installed without door. Billed twice, second time by a "Mr. Cornelius, who never even showed up."

Michelle also shared a new Rubix cube, with Sherlockian designs on each square:

Finally, for every person present, Michelle had made a personal Watson's Tin Box (!!!). Inside was a hammer, the first of many charms that will be added as we discuss the stories. We also received a BRAIN if we attended the recent Mycroft quiz.

We thrill and we marvel at Michelle's creativity. There is a book in Michelle's future that captures all of her Sherlockian creations.

Speaking of the Mycroft Quiz, we were able to present Victoria Wood with her 'Strangers' Room' prize, which she will care for till 2027. Victoria was THRILLED :

We next moved on to our story for the month: Norwood Builder. As always, Debbie Clark presented the contents of the evidence box. This box had a LOT of documents, some very original. I've placed here a layout of all the items from the evidence box - you can look at all the items here in detail at the Watsons Tin Box website.

There are some wonderful items here: a mutilated photograph of a young woman, telegrams, a very small horse-drawn fire engine, an original (not faux-original) will, cheques (or checks), and of course a thumbprint in wax.

The story discussion was a good one!! We all decided we wanted to know a lot more about Jonas Oldacre's colluding housekeeper... she was arrested at the end of the stories, but how involved was she? Did she kill the rabbits? Start the fire? What else?!?!?? There was a lot of discussion about the hidden room.... how do you not see a door, and well.... did he go to the bathroom in there?

The new fingerprint, and the method of creating it, was disputed. Luckily for us Al brought his career to the meeting as a crime-scene expert and confirmed that yes, it is absolutely possible to create a copy of a fingerprint from a mould (or mold). 

Emily Miranker was our guest presenter for the evening. Emily is a second generation Sherlockian, tagging along to scion societies until after college when she started attending ASH and Priory School meetings and the Birthday Weekend, getting her shilling in 2015. She is in the first cohort of women members of the Speckled Band of Boston; an erstwhile attendee of Sons and Daughters of Copper Beeches of Philadelphia, Norwegian Explorers of Minneapolis, Scowerers and Molly Maguires of San Francisco, and her local Scion is the Red Circle in DC. 

It was a wonderful presentation. I do not describe the details of our presenters - they are usually evolving into articles. Emily spoke about American women in the canon, and drew on examples from other Victorian and mystery literature. Emily's slides were amazing, and she spoke about the Victorian view of America - it's space and the social freedoms it provided compared to class-restricted British life.

I can't wait to read Emily's article, and I'm exceptionally thankful for her taking the time to spend an evening with us.

We ended with with traditional quiz, set by our torquemadae Olivia Millunzi. Olivia's wonderful quiz is shown below.

And so under - where the giants rest

I was listening to the latest IHOSE episode this morning, interviewing Peter Eckrich and Rob Nunn on their new anthology of articles on impactful Sherlockians. The book is available from Wessex Press, and is titled 'On The Shoulders of Giants: Great Sherlockians Remembered'. 

I started reflecting on where these Sherlockians rest now, and a previous post of mine on the resting places of prominent Sherlockians (titled 'There Was No Mistaking It For Anything But A Newly Dug Grave'). There is already some overlap between the interments I'd included, and Rob/Pete's new book. One difference is that my list included British people also, and some of my list included actors and illustrators who were impactful on the popularity of Sherlock without being Sherlockians/Holmesians themselves.

So I thought it might be nice to create a list of graves that complemented the Table of Contents of the new book. As I put the list together I hope to crowd-source a couple of solutions. One that still lingers from my previous post is: where is Edith Meiser resting? I still don't have an answer to that question.

I often wonder whether brass Sherlock markers would these graves. Then I remember that they'd likely be stolen.

1. Christopher Morley, written by Steven Rothman

The grave of Christopher Morley (1890 – 1957), the man who founded the Baker Street Irregulars, and well-known author and journalist. Morley is buried in Roslyn Cemetery, Roslyn, Nassau County (Long Island), New York, USA.

Christopher Morley

Born Haverford, Penna.

May 5, 1890

Died Roslyn, New York

March 28, 1957

2. Edgar W. Smith, written by Rich Krisciunas

The grave of Edgar W Smith (1894 – 1960), the man who wrote early influential articles, self-published via his imprint 'The Pamphlet House', led the Baker Street Irregulars, founded the Baker Street Journal and was its first editor. In 'real life' Smith was prominent as Vice-President of General Motors. Smith is buried in New Vernon Cemetery, New Vernon, Morris County, New Jersey, USA.

Edgar Wadsworth Smith

Apr 1 1894 - Sept 17 1960

To me, this is an eminently American grave marker, with minimal information and no biographical details. It is in some ways surprising that someone as successful as Smith would have such a modest marker.

3. Ben Abramson, written by Bruce Harris

The grave of Ben Abramson (1898-1955), first publisher of the Baker Street Journal and founder of the Argus Bookshop in Chicago and then New York. Abramson does not appear to have a grave. The Chicago Tribune gives a clue that he was cremated - which may or may not have been taken place:

Chicago Tribune - Sun, Sep 25, 1955 ·Page 207

Ben Abramson made a final request which may be unique even among bibliophiles... He asked that his body be cremated and his ashes strewn on the steps of the Newberry library.

4. Vincent Starrett, written by Ray Betzner

The grave of Charles Vincent Emerson Starrett (1886 – 1974), the man who wrote 'The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes', Sherockian, bibliophile. Starrett is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Ray Betzner created a lovely blog post on the cemetery, Starrett's grave, and other nearby important graves (such as Alan Pinkerton).

There's also a wonderful book by Don Izban titled 'Sherlock Holmes Visits a Cemetery' (Battered Silicon Despatch Box, 1999) that highlights graves in Gracelands Cemetery. The centerpiece is Starrett, but it also includes the Allan Pinkerton grave among others.

5. James Montgomery, written by Burt Wolder

James Montgomery (1898-1955), a renowned singer, released a recording of Baker Street songs and created Christmas annuals. Stephens is interred at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Montgomery

James Stephens

1898-1955

6. Katherine McMahon, written by Tamar Zeffren

The grave of Katherine McMahon (1907-1999), one of the original solvers of the Sherlock Holmes Crossword Puzzle, and among the first women welcomed into the BSI. McMahon completed the puzzle correctly in 1934, but she was not extended an invitation because she was a woman. Her resting place is at Sunset Memorial Park Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA - Sec RG Wall 1, lot 7. I am yet to source a photograph of the cremation plaque.

 

NO PHOTO

7. Edith Meiser, written by Erika Dowell

The grave of Edith Mesier (1898-1993), the woman best-known for creating the first Sherlock Holmes radio play series from 1930 onwards. Her resting place is:

NOT KNOWN

8. William Anthony Parker White, pen name Anthony Boucher, written by Terence Faherty

The grave of Anthony Boucher (1911 – 1968), mystery writer, critic, and writer of Sherlock Holmes radio dramas. Boucher is buried in Mountain View Cemetery Oakland, Alameda County, California, USA. Currently

NO PHOTO

9. William Baring-Gould, written by Phillip Bergem

The grave of William Baring-Gould (1913 – 1967), the man who created the first annotated Sherlock Holmes,  chronologist, and author of a fictional biography of Holmes. In real life, he was a creative director at Time Magazine. Baring-Gould is buried in Pound Ridge Cemetery, Pound Ridge, Westchester County, New York, USA.

NO PHOTO

10. Frederic Dannay, one half of the pen name Ellery Queen, written by Ira Brad Metetsky

The grave of Frederic Dannay (1905 – 1982), half of the team that made up the famous Ellery Queen mystery writer and compiler. Dannay is buried in Mount Hope Cemeterym Hastings-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York, USA.

Frederic Dannay

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather

(Seeking translation of Hebrew)

Oct 20 1905 - Sept 3 1982

11. E.W. McDiarmid, written by Erica Fair

The grave of Errett Weir McDiarmid (1909 – 2000), librarian and academic who volunteered for and donated to the University of Minnesota Special Collections unit, and founded the Norwegian Explorers scion. McDiarmid is buried in Greenwood Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, USA. Currently resting place:

NOT KNOWN

12. Lenore Glen Offord, written by Sonia Fetherston

The grave of Lenore Glen Offord nee Glen (1905 – 1991), literary critic, mystery writer and the first female member of the Baker Street Irregulars. McDiarmid is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Oakland, Alameda County, California, USA. 

Robert A. Glen 1855-1955

Lenore G. Offord 1905-1991

Ann Mary Offord 1931-1995

13. John Bennett Shaw, written by Matthew Hall (me!)

The grave of John Bennett Shaw (1913 – 1994), the man who made evangelized, corresponded, and collected Sherlockiana. Shaw is buried in Rosario Cemetery, Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, USA.

SHAW

John Bennett Oct. 10, 1913 - Oct. 3, 1994

Dorothy Rowe Apr. 29, 1924 - Nov. 24, 1999

Catherine Mary Nov. 20, 1951 - Dec. 6 2010

14. Ely Liebow, written by Ray Betzner

The grave of Dr. Ely Liebow (1924 – 2007), academic and Sherlockian who wrote a definitive biography of Dr. Joseph Bell. I believe Ely is interred at Shalom Memorial Park, Arlington Heights, Cook County, Illinois, USA, plot 4 CARMEL / 1089 / 4:

Beloved husband, father, grandfather

Ely M.

(translation required)

May 23, 1924 - March 30, 2007

15. Francine Morris Swift, written by Liese Sherwood-Fabre

The grave of Francine Morris Swift (1938 – 2007), Sherlockian and long-time member of the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes. I believe Francine is interred at St. Alban's Columbarium, Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues, NW, Washington DC. As of now I have:

NO PHOTO

16. Paul Herbert, written by Mike McSwiggin and Ralph Hall

The grave of Paul Herbert (1938 – 2018), Sherlockian author and scion founder. Paul is buried at Arlington Memorial Gardens, Mount Healthy, Hamilton County, Ohio, USA. The lovely touch is that this headstone bears a Sherlockian reference:

HERBERT

The best and wisest man whom I have ever known

Paul D 1938-2018

To him she was always "the woman"

Barbara A 1941-

20. Susan Rice, written by Curtis Armstrong

Susan (died 2020) was a Sherlockian mentor to many, and in the first cohort of women welcomed into the BSI in 1991. Thanks to Susan's wife Mickey Fromkin, and can share exactly where Susan reside - Manhattan: "This Sherlock Holmes ceramic tobacco jar (surmounted by her post-chemo wig and tiara) contains most of Susan’s ashes. Some have been, or will be, scattered in significant spots. I brought the jar to her memorial gathering and put it on a chair with a Tito’s vodka martini. She would have approved." Thank you Mickey for sharing.

21. Helen Elizabeth Wilson, written by Vincent W. Wright

The grave of Helen Wilson (1878 – 1902), the first Sherlockian and chronlogist. Helen died in Manhattan, but is buried at Grove Cemetery, Bath, Steuben County, New York, USA with her family:

Helen E Wilson

Only daughter of B.C. and Martha D. Wilson

Born Oct 4 1878

Died Nov 14 1902

The searching continues..... this post will be updated.

17. Gordon Speck, written by Joe Ekrich

18. Susan Diamond, written by Marsha L Pollak

19. Jon Lellenberg, written by Julie McKuras