How did she get the job of continuing the Oz series?
William F. Lee, one of the partners in Reilly and Lee, was looking for someone to continue the Oz series after Baum’s death. He saw Ruth’s work in the Ledger, and offered her the job. Since this meant a steady income and support for her invalid sister, she accepted, a deal was struck with Baum’s widow, and Ruth turned out nineteen books in nineteen years before her retirement as a regular contributor to the series. Since Thompson never met Baum, there is no truth to any of the rumors that she was Baum’s niece or secretary, or otherwise got the job through her connection to him.
