Helen "Nellie" Kennedy was downtown near the wharf to see her niece Marguerite Beel (with her husband Jethro Richard Beel, Jr.) off on the excursion and picnic. Jethro Edward Beel, the nearly two-year-old son of Jethro Richard and Marguerite, was held in Helen's arms. Helen and Jethro Edward watched the tragedy unfold before them.