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subsequently bought it back after the new owners drove it into the ground. Whilst in the process of salvaging the publication, Holbrook passed away, leaving Eliza Jane at the helm to bring the near-bankrupt paper back to profitability. A true feat given the precarious times as New Orleans was recovering from the effects of the Civil War. Reconstruction lasted until 1877, and "it was a period of great upheaval socially, politically, and economically," explained Amanda McFillen, The Historic New Orleans Collection's associated director of museum programs. "Also, the hot summers regularly brought outbreaks of yellow fever which took a huge toll on the population." Not one to cower, she took charge. On March 26, 1876, Eliza Jane announced on the front page that she had taken over ownership and began to make significant changes to the daily, to appeal to a wider audience. She added a society column, a children's section, expanded coverage of the local arts scene, and a subscription to the Associated Press for current international news. She would also instate the Weather Frog, a beloved lagniappe of the paper which is still intact today.

Eliza Jane Nicholson; between 1892 and 1894; collodion print by Eugene Simon, photographer; The Historic New Orleans Collection, gift of Mrs. Ashton Fischer and Mrs. Carl Corbin, 1981.369.44

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