This chronicles her youth in Western Nebraska and the move to Arizona with side visits to Texas and California.

INTRODUCTION

Esther Myrtle Jackson was born Oct. 9, 1897 in Gering, Scottsbluff Co., Nebraska, daughter and first born of Joel and Rosa Emma Russell Jackson. These notes have been transcribed and slightly edited by her son, Lester LeMay, for the enjoyment of the many who would like to see what ordinary life was like in the early part of this century. Footnotes will expand on the persons and places mentioned about which something is known. For all others, your input is desired. Use your "Find" capacity to search for specific names, places, etc.

Lester LeMay  Tempe AZ

e-mail: LemayLL@yahoo.com

Oct. 3. Miss Lackey and Mrs. Gatliff worked on my dress. A cold rainy cloudy day.
Oct. 4. Took Grandpa to S.S. A cold cloudy day.
Oct. 5. Came back. Same.
Oct. 6. Same! Grandma Mills was sick. Same.
Oct. 8. Same. Mrs. Mills washed today. Got 9 S’s in Latin. Grandma Mills is better to-day.
Oct. 9. My Birthday. Washed dishes. Walked to school with Snow Bird. Cold all day. May go home tomorrow if Mama doesn’t come down.
Oct. 10 Fri. Same. Mama drove down and I met her after school. That evening we drove over to Gering5. I stayed all night at Morse’s. Mildred, Mrs. Morse, Mama and I went to the movies at night.
Oct. 11 Sat. Went over to Scottsbluff in the morning, had biscuits at McCreary’s and fooled around. Mildred and I went down town 3 times this eve but didn’t get to go to the movies after all.
Oct. 12 Mama took me over to the Bluff in time for S.S. Went home with Francis Lackey. Dan came down today. After dinner Lillian, Opal, Darld, Linus, Louse and I went in one buggy. Dan and Frances in another and Agnes, Birdie and Don in another. We all went down to Bartly? Camp 9 miles northeast. They are building a big reservoir there. There were lots of men, horses, wagon, houses and machinery. They are building a large cement tunnel which some of us went into and I have a slight remembrance of a broad (prop) giving away and I got a fall. My right leg and left arm is blue from the effects. Doram Lillian brought me home. About 16 miles it was and awful nice moonlight night. We left the camp at 6 o’clock just as the sun went down. Got to Mills at 8:30. Miss Mills and Mrs. Mills stayed all night at Clarence Mills’ tonight.
Oct. 13 Same. Went over and gave Mona another music lesson to-night.
Oct. 14 Started to walk to school; an auto came along and took us the rest the way.
Oct. 15 Same. Walked part way to school. Mrs. Mills came after us.
Oct. 16 Got up at 4:30 walked all the way to school. Had to stay in after school to get my Latin. Stayed all night in town, went to the movies.
Oct. 17. Got up at 6:30. Miss Mills got breakfast. I combed Bernice’s and Mona’s hair, put up my dinner and hurried off to school. Miss Mills came after us.
Oct. 18. Got up at 6:30. Wiped the dishes then ate my breakfast. Went to town in the afternoon with Mrs. L. Mills. Got me three gold fish at Brown’s drug store. A cold sharp night. Mr. Mills and Walter went to town.
Oct. 19 Went to S.S. A cold windy day. Bernice, Mrs. Mills, Rossie and I stayed to Grandma Mills for dinner and home in eve.
Oct. 20. Mrs. L Mills took us to school. It snowed last night. Walked home to-night. warmer. Same.
Oct. 21. Walked part way to school. Got a ride part way. Bernice slept with me last night. Mrs. Mills came after us, has been raining all afternoon. Went up town.
Oct. 22. Same. I walked to school got a ride from Bolte’s. Went up town. Mrs. Mills came after us to-night.

Oct. 23 Walked to school. Had a headache in the evening so stayed all night in town. Felt better after supper. Nettie and I went to the movies. Truant day.

Oct. 24. Felt all right this morn. Went down to the train but didn’t see any one. The train was on time so I went home. When I got off the train at Henry I fell and hurt my back which was sore for a day or so. Nice day.

Oct. 25. I helped with the work. A cold snowy day. Mama fixed over a skirt for me

Oct. 26. I took Grandpa to S.S. Rather cold out, but there were 15 to S.S. Went up to Aunties in the afternoon.

Oct. 27. Came down on the train. Nettie Mills has gone on a visit. I stayed all night with Mrs. R. Mills.

Oct. 28 Done up the work in the morning. Went to school; came home for my dinner. We all went to the Harvest Supper at the M. E. Church in the evening. Stayed all night in town.

Oct. 29 Helped with the work, put up my dinner, went to school. Had exam in Phy. Geog. and Eng. Grandma Mills came out and stayed all night.

Oct. 30. Got up 5:30. Washed the dishes. Mrs. Mills washed to-day. Grandma went back with us. Hazel stayed there tonight. Had exam in Algebra.

Oct. 31 A rather cool day. School was out 3:00 o’clock or as soon as you could get your exam through. I was up to the barn and had the horse all hitched up before the girls came. The folks went to a party and I stayed with the children. They haven’t any hired man.

Nov. 1. A warm day. I helped with the work in the forenoon. Went to town with Mrs. L, Mills and children in afternoon. Got a pair of shoes. Bernice slept with me.

Nov. 2. Got up at 6. Bernice and I went to S.S. Mrs. Mills had the headache. Had dinner at 2: talked to Mama in afternoon. They played the phonograph.

Nov. 3. Some snow on the ground. Didn’t get up till after six and then just ate my breakfast, put up the dinners and went to school. Evening Same. Hazel stayed in town tonight.

Nov. 4 Got up at Six. Same

Nov. 6 “ “ “ “ “ Nice day. Got my coat to-day. Mills butchered to-day. Hazel stayed in town.

Nov. 17. Got up at 6:50 got down in time for breakfast, put up the dinners, got my horses ready and went to school.

Went up town at noon. with Mabel, Sylvia and Mae.

Mrs. Mills had supper almost ready this eve when we got home 6 o’clock. Glenard and Howard Poltes, & Raymond Harrison got smart and tried to get a ride on the back of our buggy. They got fooled. Washed the dishes this evening.

Nov. 18 Same as Nov. 17 in morning. Got home at 5:15. Stayed at school ten minutes to talk about domestic science.

Nov. 19 Cold day; have the sore throat; got home 5:20. Hazel had to stay in.

Nov. 20 Throat no better, cold day.

Nov. 21 My throat is a little better. Went and stayed with Lewis Mills children while they went to a dance. Got home at 4 o’clock in the morning.

Nov. 22 Went home in the evening. Miss Lackey went home this eve.

Nov. 23 Went up to Auntie’s in afternoon.

Nov. 24 Mama washed. I’m staying home this week.

Nov. 25. Ironed and sewed some. Went up to Mrs. Gatliff’s in afternoon.

Nov. 26. Boys went over to Gilmores--brought them a turkey. We had turkey for supper.

Nov. 27. Went down to Uncle Ralph’s for Thanksgiving dinner had a dandy time.

Nov. 28. Went over to town in the morning, to Harley daughters in the afternoon.

Nov. 29 Grandpa churned this morn. Mama and I went to town in the afternoon.

Nov. 30. We went up to McClurg’s for dinner

Dec. 1. Went down on the train to school showed almost all day. Lewis Mills came after us. I slept with Bernice

Dec. 2. Snowed till about noon. They took us down and came after us tonight.

Dec. 3 Mrs. Lewis Mill took us down and stayed all day.

Dec. 4. Mr. L.M. took us down. Mrs. C. B. came after us. Rained almost all day. Bernice home, and Hazel’s arms are all hurting.

Monday Dec. 8. Arm hurts like fancy.

Tues. Stayed in bed till 11:30. Didn’t go to school.

Wed. Better. Went to school.

Thus. No better. Went to school.

Fri. Better. Went to school, they took us all week.

Sat. Arm pained me.

Sun. Went to S.S. Arm better. Got an awful cold.

Mon. 15 They took us to school. Arm feels better.

Tues. Drove.

Wed. “ Stayed all night at L H M

Thur. “ “ “ “ “ “

Fri. “ Went home. Harry took me to the Depot.

Sat. 20 Home

Sun. 21 Helping

Mon.. 22 with the

Tue. 23 work

Wed. 24 and

Thu. 25

Fri. 26 sewing

Sat. 27 some.

Sun. 28 Home [This is the format Esther had in her diary.]

Mon. Dec. 29. Mrs. Gatliff came down. I went home with her.

Tues. 30. Mama came up to Gatliff’s after me

Wed. Snowed all day

Esther helped her grandfather get the manuscript prepared for a book he had privately published in 1913 entitled New Theory on how the Ice Age was produced.

with a chapter on “How the Bible and Geology may be Reconciled.” A. B. Wood of Gering was the Publisher and copies were sold for 60 cents, single copy or 40 cents wholesale in lots of five or more. It was 21 pages long and nicely printed.

1914

May 8th, North Platte Valley Declamatory Contest was held at the Opera House in Mitchell, Nebraska. Esther Jackson delivered “Katrina’s Visit to New York” in the Humorous Section and received an award.

1915

Feb. 19 Scottsbluff Christian Endeavor Societies Presented “A Prophecy Fulfilled, or Mrs. Church’s Baby” at Mitchell Opera House. Esther Jackson played a part and also gave a reading.

1916

April 1, 1916. I am at home. Have been going to Scottsbluff B.C. but came home 5 weeks ago to substitute as a teacher for our school because Miss Marvel Ripley (teacher) is sick.

Today I helped with the washing, finished making a hat and tried to trim mother’s. Mother, Sam and I went to town in the Ford car.

April 2. We went to Mitchell today to a district Sunday School convention, all but Sam, he stayed with grandpa. We went to Uncle Henry’s for dinner. Doris French came down to see me so she went along. We had to hurry home for fear it would storm. We just got home when it began to rain and now it is snowing.

April 3. Mon. night. Clear, some snow on the ground, but soon melted. Taught until 2:15 when the folks came along and I went to Scottsbluff and heard Bryan speak. Saw several of the college. Went through the new building. It is fine, much nicer than the old one. We got home at 8 o’clock.

April 4. A beautiful day, as near like spring as any one would want to see. Mail day. Taught some as usual. Got a letter from (or an invitation to) a surprise on Everett & Ruby. Mama & Elvin went to Morrill.

April 5. Somewhat cool and cloudy in the morning. Afternoon blew up cold and soon began to rain. About dark commenced to snow and is still snowing. Got up at the usual time 6 o’clock, helped some with breakfast, etc. went to school at 8. About the usual happenings at school. Came home with Papa in the rain. He was coming from Morrill with a load of coal and gasoline. Had a headache, but got over it after supper.

April 6. Ground is covered with snow, but clear & cold. I went home with the Baker girls and stayed all night. Had a good time. Got a letter from Marvel in which she said she expected to come back Sunday eve. Also heard Uncle Henry had come in on the train.

April 7. Wind blew cold all day, but most of the snow is gone. At school about the same routine. Got home & they thought they would surprise me about Uncle Henry, but I already knew it. Although it was quite chilly we went to a farmer’s meeting at Mr. Child’s. Had a pleasant time; got home about 12:20.

April 8 Nice day. Did the usual Sat. cleaning such as sweeping, mopping and baking.

April 9. Sunday went to S.S. I taught a class of small girls; came home and we got dinner. Went up to Gatliff’s and over to town to meet the teacher, so I don’t have to teach anymore. We are boarding the teacher.

April 10. Monday. Did some sewing, mending etc. and helped with the work in general. Mama went to Morrill in afternoon. Nice warm day. I made a batch of doughnuts and we baked bread.

April 11. Tuesday. Washed today and ironed some. Has been a nice day although it is cloudy tonight & looks like rain. I’m somewhat tired.

April 12. Did up the usual morning work. In the afternoon the social club met here. There were 15 here, had quite a jolly afternoon.

April 13 Walked over to the school house and got the mail, same as ever. Helped do the work in the evening. Marvel & I went through our evening exercises of running, swinging our arms, etc.

April 14. Friday. Fooled around all forenoon. Went over to school in the afternoon & helped them practice for a programme. We walked over to Gilmores & then back home. Got ready, Marvel & I, to go to the surprise party. Elvin took us over in the car and Add and Fred brought us back. Ruby & Everett were surprised I guess. There were about 30 there. We had a dandy time. Got home 1:45.

Sat. April 15. Was sleepy this morn but got up at 5:30 and went over to the train with Marvel as she goes home every Sat. morn. Did usual Sat. work.

Sunday April 16. Went to S.S. about 25 out; pretty good attendance. I taught a class & played for them. We went home for dinner. After dinner Uncle Ralph & Lawrence came up. In the evening we went over to town after Marvel. I drove the car over there & back. Nice day.

Monday April 17. Went with Uncle Henry up to McClurg’s after a load of corn. Got rather chilly as a cool wind was blowing.

Mrs. Wyman came over a few minutes with Mr. Wyman.

Tuesday April 18. Foggy in morn & cleared up. We went to Morrill. I drove the car down there. In the eve we went over to Barker’s to give Ruby & Ada their parts for a dialogue which we are going to have at the school entertainment.

Wed April 19. Washed today. Wind blew all day & got some sand in the clothes.

Thurs. April 20. Wind blew all day. Ironed this morn & cleaning up house this afternoon. Uncle Henry bought Roger from Sam for 65 & started a horseback for Glenrock yesterday morn. Elvin & Mama have gone to Morrill. Riddle’s sale.

April 30. About the usual occurrence the last 10 days. Went to Club at Mrs. Gatliff’s Wed. the 26th & I stayed over night. She helped me with a dress. The club got her a coffee percolator for her birthday which was Friday.

Mon. I went up to Gatliff’s & she was washing. I helped her. When we got through she cut out my dress for me. It is made of striped voile, trimmed in black velvet ribbon. Went to practice that afternoon. I went up to French’s and Doris & I walked to the school. We ran on to a rattlesnake the 1st of the year. It was a real warm day.

Today, Sunday, it is snowing. The wild currants are in bloom. So are the trees. Everything is springing up.

May 1 Mon. A beautiful day. Done the usual morning’s work. In afternoon went over to the school house to practice our dialogue.

May 2 Tuesday. Wind blew during the night & today. I had intended to wash, but it’s too cold.

May 3 Wednesday. Beautiful day. Washed in forenoon, cleaned out storm room and did up work in afternoon. Also went over to the schoolhouse & helped Marvel clean the organ. We fixed it all right. It won’t go, only on wheels.

May 4 The folks went to Torrington this morn. I did the ironing this afternoon & then Marvel and I met the train as her sister Loy came up. Dilbert Phiney’s have a new little girl today. I heard also Ruby Ray was married.

May 5. Got up real early. Marvel, Loy & I went over to the school house at 6:30 to try to finish the organ. We got about a bushel of dirt out of it but six keys persist on staying down and growling.

Mrs. Ripley & Dick & Earl Hammond came after Marvel in the P.M. I wanted her to stay & go to Wyman’s with us. The farmers met; there were quite a number & mostly in Fords. McClurg’s have a Ford. I spoke “A Little Boy in a Dime Museum”-- it seemed to take fine.

May 6. Got up with a little sore throat, but did up the parlor & dining room work. Finally I felt so bad I had to go to bed.

May 7. Sun. Was in bed all day. The wind blew sand all over the house and anywhere it could get in. They met Marvel at the train, but she had gone to Wyman’s for fear I might have something contagious. Papa & the boys dug a new well & put up a windmill yesterday.

Mon May 8. Mama & Elvin took me down to Morrill to Dr. Beard. He examined my throat. I have tonsillitis on the right tonsil. He gave me some medicine. I went home and went to bed.

Tues. May 9. Felt lots better. I can swallow without it hurting me this morning and talk some. Surely want to get well for Thursday night. I’m leading lady on stage in a Dialogue. Ha Ha. Marvel was over to see me this morn a few minutes before school called. The girls practiced today & yesterday. If I keep on I’ll be able to practice tomorrow.

Wed May 10 Don’t feel as good as I did yesterday morn. Some of the girls came but we didn’t practice. Will meet tomorrow forenoon here.

Thurs May 11 Feel about the same. Am saving my voice for tonight. Girls came & we practiced. I talked as much as I could. Mrs. Ripley, Haley & Earl came up on the train. Mrs. R. brought a cake so Mama didn’t have to bake any. Wind blew up cold this A.M. Made myself well enough dressed in my new dress & bundled up like a baby. We went over about 8. The house was full. I talked quite a bit. Ray Hudson, his mother & some other people came down from Wyncote. Ray sang alone, he and his sisters to fill in. It helped all right. Marvel spoke & Everett tooted his horn. On the whole everything went off smoothly. Sam brought me home as soon as the ice-cream began to sell. We brought home a dish. It was good. They had 5 gal. but a ball at the bottom was salty so everyone didn’t get all they wanted. I went to bed before they came home, but didn’t get to sleep. I talked & really felt good.

Mrs. R Haley & Earl went on over to Henry so as to take the train in the morn. Marvel stayed here--1st she had stayed this week.

Friday Morn. My throat is still sore; don’t feel like swallowing. They took in $12.50 at the social. I got 50 cents for printing programs, etc. Throat began to hurt worse, so had an onion poultice put on when I went to bed. Cold & rainy.

Sat. Rainy & cool wind all day. Tonsil is swelling. Elvin went to Morrill after Doc. He came out gave me some medicine & took a knife and dug around in my throat, said it would stop the swelling, make it bleed & hurt too. I could breathe better when he got through, but it hurt all day. Didn’t eat anything.

Sun. A cold dreary rainy day spent in bed with an onion poultice and other useful articles--hot water bottle, etc.

Mon. Feel some better. Can talk more & eat some but am still in bed. Cold, bright & cloudy day. One of them “what-chee-call-it” days. Snow-shine-rain-shine.

Tuesday. Got up & dressed. Feel pretty weak, but fooled around at my dress. Throat still sore. During the storm Mama had an old hen & chickens in the house, 5 goslings, 5 little turkeys & two black kittens. Daddy killed them this morning cause they make so much noise. Has been a bright day, but a cool wind this afternoon.

Got a letter from Uncle Henry & one from Aunt Mollie. Excuse writing; it shows about the way I feel.

Wednesday May 17. Bright in the morn. Cool wind from east; it’s raining this eve. Don’t feel quite so spry; guess I’ve worked too much. Have been making a dress. The trees are almost leafed out. Hope this doesn’t turn to snow.

Thursday May 18 [This is the first entry where Esther spelled Thursday correctly in her diary. Most other places it has been Thrusday, which I corrected. LL]

Cloudy, rainy day. Mama & Elvin washed. Daddy went to Morrill after coal & corn. Am feeling pretty good; have my dress nearly finished. Am awful lazy though. Elvin’s pansies are blooming beautifully; so is wild varieties.

Friday. Still cool & cloudy. The clothes didn’t get dry by a whole lot. Finished my dress this morn. Have been writing some letters today. I, or rather my throat, feels about the same--a little better I think.

Sat May 20. Rained in the night & still rainy. Has been continual rain all day. Mr. Boggs, the S.S. missionary, was here for dinner, also the Dizer boy who is batching on the Shawver place. He comes over & sees the boys. Sam has gone to Henry. Elvin & Tugh have gone up on the river to get trees if it is raining. Feeling better. Mama doesn’t feel very well today.

Sunday May 21. A cool wind blowing in the morning so I didn’t go to S.S. Papa and the boys went in the lumber wagon and took the organ and chairs which had been borrowed for our school entertainment. It was the 1st we have had S.S. this month. Each Sunday has been rainy or windy. Uncle Lawrence & Warren came up in their tractor engine today.

Rolf & Virgil were here and played with the boys this afternoon.

I am feeling about as yesterday, had a headache, but slept it off. In an hour have written a couple of letters & some on the typewriter today. Nice & clear tonight. Think we will have nice weather for awhile. Grandpa don’t feel so good today.

A car came along with 2 men in it & it wouldn’t work so they left it & walked on to Mitchell. Nice muddy walk today.

Mrs. Wyman intended to come over, but guess...

Monday May 22. Clear windy day. Sewed most all day. Made a waist & finished a skirt.

Elvin went down to Uncle Ralph’s & got some wheat, also another dog at Uncle Lawrence’s his name is Sport & he is yellow.

Mama & Sam went to Henry this eve and I got supper. Feel pretty good.

The car that was here--some men came after it in a Ford. Doubt if they get there as it was heavier than the Ford.

Tuesday, May 23. Did the work forenoon while Papa and Mama washed. Sewed this afternoon. Uncle Herb, Nelle & Keith were over a few minutes this eve. Has been quite a nice day, but clouded up and threatened to rain, but didn’t.

Wednesday May 24. Did some sweeping & patching this morn. Got the headache this afternoon. Didn’t do very much. Wrote a letter to Aunt Mollie. Mama went to Circle at Wyman’s. They aren’t going to meet for a month.

Thursday May 25. Helped with the work & did some sewing. Had a headache & went to bed and slept a while in the morn. Effie came in a few minutes while Oll went up to Katzer’s. It was the first time I had talked to her since she has married. Jan 1 she was married.

Friday May 26. Feel O.K. today. Baked a cake this morn & helped with work. Mama went to Henry & drove old Woody. I did the work, sewed some buttons. Mama and the boys went to Morrill last night to hear a Dry speak. They got home about 10. Daddy had a spell with his side and doesn’t feel well yet.

Sat May 28. 1916. Did usual morning work. Daddy went to Morrill. Phone won’t work. Papa & the boys went up to French’s after theirs. Went to sleep & slept a few hours this afternoon. Got up and washed dinner dishes and got supper.

Has been a nice day, only the wind blew some.

Sunday May 28. Fine day. All of us went to S.S. & Grandpa too. Came home, got dinner, stayed at home all A.M. The boys went over to Rolf’s a little while. In the evening after Grandpa had had his supper & gone to bed we went over to Henry to Church.

Monday May 29. Mama washed today while I did the work. It is a grand summer day. I think summer has come indeed. I have a little headache.

Mrs. Wyman came over a few minutes while Everett & Mr. W. cleaned some millet.

Mrs. Rosier came over a little while too. I was certainly glad to have people come. It cheers people up.

Tuesday May 30. Mama and I went down to Scottsbluff to the Decoration Programme. We went to Ripley’s for dinner. They have their house nearly done.

We went to the doctor. He says Mama needs attention right away & I know it. He said I was a pretty strong girl, only my throat needed attention. It is a beautiful summer day today, nicer and warmer than we’ve had this month.

Wed May 31. Last day of May & a beautiful one, too. Mama isn’t a bit well today. I’ve did all the work, ironed this morn & knocked the plastering off of some of the dining room this afternoon. We are getting ready to put wall board on it where the plastering is loose. Elvin is irrigating this week & Sam is dragging.

Thursday June 1, 1916. Fine day. Elvin & I worked all day on the dining room. Got quite a bit of plaster board on.

Everett & Mrs. Wyman came by in Gordon’s car. He wanted me to go to Mitchell Sat night with G. He was going to take Beryl. I told him I’d let him know. Papa thinks it would be all right. Mama says for me to do as I please. I don’t think I’ll go, though.

Friday June 2. Elvin & I worked on the ceiling until we run out of nails. We went to Morrill in the afternoon. We went to the Farmers’ Union. I spoke & they asked me to speak at the District Meeting. June 6 at Gering. I am trying to learn it. Beryl tried to coax me but didn’t succeed.

Saturday June 3. Dandy Day. The boys went fishing, caught two. Did the usual Sat. morning work. Went fishing in the eve, but didn’t catch anything. Rolf went with us. Mama & Sam went on over to town

Sunday June 4. Fine dry wind came up this eve. It may bring a storm.

We went to S.S. this morn. Drove the car over, then went over to Henry this afternoon & when we got over there we discovered there was Church--so went to Church after Church. Then we went for a ride around to the headgate & up to Nealy’s & back to U.H.G.I. We saw the new train go through.

I drove the car over to Henry & back. Saw Fern but just waved at her.

Monday June 5, 1916. Helped with work. My throat is kinda sore yet. We are getting ready to go to Gering to the Farmer’s Dis. Meeting.

Tuesday June 6. Elvin’s 16th birthday. He drove the car all the way to Gering & back. We went over to Scottsbluff for dinner & we children had our pictures taken. Hope they are good. I gave a recitation “Farmer’s Union” in the afternoon. it was a cold windy day. When we went we caught the parade of farmers at the Mitchell bridge. When we got to the Bluffs, about 100 cars were lined up. The town claimed they didn’t know anything about it & of course were very much surprised. Had a good time. Stopped on our way home & said Hello to Marvel. They are papering & painting their new house.

Got home about 6:30.

Wednesday June 7 1916. Clear windy cool day. Didn’t do anything more than we had to. I slept 2 or 3 hours. My throat still hurts some.

Thursday Nice day. Fooled around most all day. Went to Morrill. I drove the car part of the way. The Doctor says my throat may not be well for a month yet. It is still swollen on the right side.

Friday. Mama got Tugh to help her wash, & I did the work. Elvin, Daddy, Rolf, Mr. Gilm. and Mrs. Wyman took a trip to Fort Laramie to see the government work. had a shower of rain in the afternoon.

Saturday June 10. Had an awful electric storm last night; not much rain though. Grandpa had a spell this morn, not very bad. I’ve been moping around all day; did the churning while Mama mopped. We got our proofs & they are all quite plain. Don’t know which to decide on. It has been a warm day & a cool shower this eve.

Sunday. Cool, cloudy day. Mama, the boys & I went to S.S. and then on over to Dan Phiney’s for dinner. I drove the car home. Am getting so I think I can drive it.

Monday June 12. This is Rolf’s birthday. He is 15. Fooled around & did up the work. Cloudy, cool & somewhat windy in the forenoon. Right after dinner white stormy clouds began to roll up and by the time we had gotten the turkeys in and Elvin just got home from Morrill it began to rain & blow & hail awful hard. It tore the screens off the north windows & broke 7 lights out of the school house. Almost all the leaves were knocked off the bushes & lot of the trees. The country looks as if it had snowed--all white. I guess the grain that is up at all is ruined. Don’t know as there ever was such a hail storm here before. Several chickens killed. The boys made some ice-cream. Hail still on the ground at night.

Grandpa isn’t near as well tonight, has been out of his head all day and seems weaker.

We went to Church Sunday eve. A new man preached. He is a Latter Day Saint.

Tuesday June 13. Hail still on the ground this morn. The boys made ice-cream for dinner. The folks washed; I did the rest of the work. Grandpa has rested all day. He was very restless all night. Papa was up with him most of the nite. Rec’d a letter from Blanch Tanner today.

Wednesday. Same old thing.

Thursday. Mrs. Gatliff & Dot were down a little while in afternoon. Nice Day. Boys & Papa are finishing the hay.

Friday. Did the usual work. Have the house all torn up. Are getting ready to have the parlor & dining room papered tomorrow. Mrs. Rosier came in the afternoon and I went over to Baker’s with her. Elvin, Virgil, Papa & I went over to the Farmers Union. Got home about 12 o’clock.

Saturday. We have a Jew here papering but he never got through. Sam, Papa & I took Virgil home this afternoon. We stopped at Dan Phiney’s & took Agnes over to Pizer’s & back for a ride. She took Frances’ baby with her. I drove the car as far as the Phiney’s Nice warm summer day.

We heard Pete Jensen was found dead in his yard about noon today.

Sunday: Fine day, cool wind all day in the east. Katzer’s were down here today. The boys went to Gilmore’s. All of us but Mama went to S.S. After Katzer’s went home I drove the car up to Gatliff’s. Mama & Papa went along of course. We all went over to Henry to Children’s Day Programme this eve. It was quite good, but the [ ] couldn’t have it as much. Herb’s didn’t come because Keith got a fall and cried a long time, but guess it was nothing serious.

Monday June 19. Cool, cloudy, windy day. Sprinkled some. Papa & the boys went to Pete Jensen’s funeral this morn. We did usual work & tore the loose paper off of the parlor. The Jew came in the afternoon & finished the rooms. They surely look nice & clean, but we are going to have a whole week’s cleaning to do.

Elvin went to Morrill this afternoon. I took a sleep & felt pretty good tonight.

Baker’s got a telegram that Grandma Baker died yesterday at 11:25 PM

Tuesday. Foggy morn & a cool day. I thought I would get the parlor all fixed but felt so bum that I only got the mopboards washed, the floor mopped & oiled, rug down & curtains fixed.

Wednesday June 21. We bought a paper yesterday telling of Grandpa Peckham’s death which occurred last Tuesday June 13.

Cool, windy, cloudy day.

Felt somewhat better today. Finished the parlor & have the dining room nearly finished. Things are beginning to look nicer.

Thursday 22. Nice windy day. Dust flew like sixty, but we went over to Dan’s to the club. I drove over there & Sam back. Mrs. Bowman went with us.

Friday 23. Windy in forenoon & nice in afternoon. I have my finger all bandaged up. It is swollen around the nail. Can hardly write. Elvin & Mama went to Henry. I stayed at home & cleaned windows, etc.

Saturday. Did usual work. Baked a cake & got ready for company. Uncle Ralph’s are coming tomorrow.

Papa & Sam went to Morrill. We kids ran over to Henry a few min. this eve. Has been a nice day.

Sunday June 20. Nice hot summer day. Went to S.S. got home & had dinner ready when Uncle R’s came. Went to Church in eve to hear Mr. Nicely, a L.D.S. His belief is certainly different than I ever heard before.

Monday June 26. Washed today; the boys doing the work, and Mama bossing. Are going over to the school house to practice this eve for Children’s Day.

Uncle Herb’s were over awhile this P.M.

Tuesday 27. Hot day. I ironed in forenoon & went to Morrill in afternoon. Stayed n Morrill with Effie & went to the show--the small animal show--it was quite good.

Wednesday June 28. Effie & I nearly talked our heads off. We hadn’t been together for a visit since she was married the first of January. We finely got the work done up and went calling on one of her neighbor’s, then down town. Got some things for dinner, came back with Oll. in the car. Ate dinner and did up work & then tried to keep cool. Oh, but it was hot. I took the 4 o’clock train. The boys & Mama were to meet me. Rolf came over and recited his piece this eve for Children’s Day.

Thursday June 29 1916. Warm or hot day, regular summer weather.

Mama didn’t feel very well & I was kept busy with the work. The boys went a fishing & caught enough for a meal.

Daddy & I went up to Gatliff’s a few minutes in the car.

The little Baker girls came over and we all went to practice again for Children’s day. Last practice! We’ll perform next Sunday.

Friday June 30 1916. Quite a warm day, a cool breeze from the east.

Have been cleaning up the house some. Am moving my things in the south room.

Washed my head today. Sam is mowing this afternoon.

We have lost 3 little calves with something. The other day one was found dead in the garage. Yesterday one was seen floating down the ditch & today one was dead in the pasture.

Saturday July 1 1916. Nice in forenoon, afternoon a rain south of us & hard wind here.

I walked over to the mail box office but it was warm.

Mr. Rev. Woten & family came over for supper & he preached at our S.S. schoolhouse and went on to Lane’s. Stayed all night & on down to Gering Sun. morn.

Sunday July 2 1916. Got up at 4:30 to see if I could find some flowers for Children’s Day. The program is coming off today.

We got over to the school house at 9 o’clock. The program went off O.K.; children did fine.

We went to Braziel’s--Mama, Papa & the boys went to Richardson’s I drove the car all along.

When we got home McClurgs were calling & wanted me to go home with them and go to Ft. Laramie the 4th, which I want to, of course, but don’t know as yet whether I will or not. The folks went to Church, but Elvin & I stayed at home.

Monday July 3. We washed today. Hot summer day. Daddy & Sam went to town in the afternoon and said McClurg’s were over to town & would wait at Gatliff’s for me so I hurried up & got ready & Elvin & Mama took me up to Gatliff’s

Tuesday July 4 1916. Started at 7 o’clock. Got up there between 10 & 11. Got stuck in a mud hole, but got out. Saw lots of new country & had a dandy time. There wasn’t much going on but saw several I knew. Was with Blanche T. awhile. We saw R.H. wrestle but only one round as we had to go. He won 1st place.

We got back at 7:45. Tired, but a good time.

Wednesday July 5. Awful sleepy this morn. but had to get up. Ate breakfast, washed dished, was getting ready to go up to Martin’s. Fern & I, when Mama & Elvin came, so I had to go.

Heard this morn Harry Decker was in the country. He came down here & stayed all night. Says his mother is better.

Thursday. Hot day. Uncle Herb came over a few minutes.

Papa & Elvin went down north of Mitchell to see some Holstein cows. Uncle Ralph went with them. They got back about 3 o’clock. Mama isn’t well. We went over to town in the evening. Coming back our lights went out on us, so will have to get them fixed.

Friday July 7. Nice day, cool breeze from east. Mama feels better today. I’m kind a on the bum, but took a nap so feel better. Am doing usual work. A bee stung me on the foot today. It hurt for a little while. Went to the Bluffs with Wymore’s

Saturday 7 - 8. Hot day. Mama & Elvin went to Morrill in forenoon. I swept & scrubbed the house. In eve we ran over to Henry for a ride. Sam stayed all night with Virgil.

Sunday 7 - 9. We all went to Morrill this morn to attend the 1st of Chautauqua. Papa & Mama stayed at Phiney’s for dinner and Elvin & I came home. The little Wilson boys were here for dinner. Sam & I are alone tonight; the rest have gone to Chautauqua.

Monday July 10 1916 I washed this forenoon, went to Chautauqua in afternoon & stayed until evening. We went to Powell’s for supper.

Cool & cloudy in morn but got warm in afternoon.

Tuesday July 11 1916 Ironed in forenoon. Went to Chautauqua in afternoon & eve. Daddy & Sam went this time. Was around with Effie & Mell awhile. Went up to Phiney’s for supper. Went home with Miss Powell. Stayed all night.

Wednesday July 12. Had a nice visit. Awful warm day. Eva & I went to Chautauqua in the afternoon. Mama, Elvin & Tugh (of course) came in the evening, Mama staying all night at Phiney’s & I coming home.

Thursday July 13. Stayed at home all day doing the work and looking after Grandpa. Sam & Daddy went down in the evening and got Mama.

Friday. Car out of fix. Elvin & Tugh worked on it all forenoon & finally got it working. We went down to the Bluffs in afternoon so Elvin & I could see the last of the Chautauqua. Got home about 8 o’clock. Stopped at Elmer Peckham’s a few minutes. What I saw at Chautauqua was all very good.

Saturday. Hot day. Mopped & scrubbed the floors. Daddy & I went over to Henry in the car & I drove. Saw Fern & talked a minute.

After we got home Ripley’s or rather Marvel & Earl, Hallie & a Mr. Gregory & Mrs. Ripley went past on their way up to the grove for a night’s camping out.

Rev. Woten preached at Kellum’s S.S.

Sunday Warm & clear in morn; evening trying to rain. Went to S.S. & the Scottsbluff guys were there too making quite a crowd. We went over to Henry in the afternoon; stopped at Uncle H. G’s awhile. The boys, Papa and I went over to Yocum’s to see some Holstein cows. We saw the cows but the people weren’t at home; came back to H G. Papa & Uncle Herb went to Church. Mama & I stayed & visited with Aunt Nelle.

Monday: Nice day. Sewed all day and made the waist to Mama’s dress. She has the skirt done.

Mama went to town & drove old Woody, because he had to be shod.

7 18 Tuesday. Washed today; got it all out before noon and did most of it myself. Mama did the house work. The men folks have started haying. Pizer’s came along in their new Maxwell.

Dan Phiney’s baby is reported very ill. They sent for a doctor at Scottsbluff and he said with careful care & treatment he could save it. We surely hope so.

We went over to Daugherty’s this evening to tell them the Club was put off a week.

Mrs. Gatliff sent me the nicest corset cover today. The top & around the sleeves were crocheted. It is certainly grand.

Wednesday July 19 1916. Ironed this forenoon. Mama went over to Gilmore’s as she could talk on the phone better on that line. She is planning on having an ice cream social Sat. night here at our place. The proceeds to go to the Church fund.

Mama, Papa & Elvin went to Morrill tonight.

Virgil is over here playing with Sam now.

Thursday July 20, 1916. Helped with work, cleaned up my room & put in another bed.

Went over to town in the evening to make some more arrangements for the ice cream social, etc.

Had three swarms of bees come off today. Keeps Daddy & the boys busy seeing to them.

Friday. Baked a cake this morn. Nora & the kids stopped a few minutes. I went up to Gatliff’s a few minutes while Elvin & Mama went to Henry.

We heard Marvel won the car & we hope it is true. -- which it is!

Saturday July 22 Don’t feel very well today, but managed to get the house straightened up. Elvin went over to Henry & got the ice cream.

The crowd began to come at 8 o’clock. There was quite a crowd. Sold $20 worth of cake & ice cream. All seemed to have a dandy time.

Sunday July 23. Stayed at home. Didn’t go to S.S. because I didn’t feel like it. About 10 o’clock Mrs. Elmer Peckham, Gladys & Guy and Clarence & Bessie Beebe came up. We had a nice time. All went over to Henry & ate ice cream; then they went home.

In the evening we went up to Katzer’s. Mrs. Katzer’s brother & wife & two children are visiting there. I stayed all night.

Monday July 24. Helped with the work & Ethel & I cut up lots. We took a nap in the afternoon and played the phonograph.

Tuesday July 25. Did about the same as Monday except we went out car riding in afternoon.

The folks came after me in the eve.

Wednesday July 26. Helped with work & got ready to go to club. Ethel, her mother and Mrs. K. were going to take Mama & I but they were so long coming, we went in the car alone.

Had a nice time. Met at Mrs. DeLaMatter, intend to meet with Mrs. Weathers next time.

When we got back to our gate I had a flat tire so I left the car & came on with them. Ethel stayed all night. Of course we had a pleasant time.

Thursday July 17. Ethel’s folks came real early to go over to Wilson’s. After she went I gathered up my clothes & washed them.

We started to Mitchell and got stuck in a mud hole at Mihan’s so we came home and went over to Rosier’s to tell them there would be Church Sat. night.

Friday July 28. Cleaned up the house, etc.

Drove old Woody over to town to meet Blanche Tanner. The folks had gone to Morrill to a show. They didn’t think it very good.

Blanche & I got home at 9:30 & talked until after 12.

Mama brought Mrs. Wilbur & children home with her so we had lots of company.

Saturday Jul 29. The girls made a cake & I made some pies. We visited and had a general good time.

In the evening I took them over to the train & got back O.K.

Went over to Church but the preacher didn’t come so we had a ride.

Sunday July 30. We girls got ready to S.S. but the car had to be fixed & it took longer than they expected so we didn’t go and besides it just rained & rained all day. In the evening Everett came over & we girls went over to Wyman’s Then we went to Henry & ate ice cream. The roads were awful muddy. Came back & sang & played & listened to the phonograph. The folks came over but Everett was bound to take us home so he did & the folks came back alone. Ha Ha.

Monday July 31 Cloudy & rainy. Rained nearly all night, but cleared up about 10 o’clock and Fern & Howard McClurg came after Blanche. They wanted me to go along but Grandpa was sick & Mama didn’t feel good, so I didn’t go. After they went I put the water on and did the washing in the afternoon.

Tuesday Aug 1. Baked bread, cake & pies and fried chicken besides doing part of the ironing. It was a clear hot day.

McClurg’s and us are planning on taking our dinner & fishing up at the grove tomorrow. I was certainly tired but of course I wasn’t so tired when I got a chance to take a ride in a car.

Everett Mintle from Scottsbluff came to see Blanche and as she wasn’t here I went to show him the road up to McC. Some road about 8 or 9 gates, but got there before they got to bed. I got home at 1:05 in the morning.

Grandpa has been pretty sick. Papa was up all last night with him.

Wednesday Aug 1 Nice clear summer day.

After the boys went over to the creek after minnow for fish bait we started up there. Got there about 11 o’clock. I caught the 1st fish. It was a catfish about 4 or 5 inches long. Among the bunch we caught 5 or 6 fish all day. McClurg’s got there about noon. We ate dinner about 1:00. Mrs. Spillman & I went wading. Once while I was fishing I got a fish & my foot slipped & it got wet. About 3:30 we loaded up and went to town for Blanche had to take the 4 o’clock train.

Mrs. Ripley and Marvel and a bunch of girls came up to camp a few day.

After supper we went up to Katzer’s because their company was going away tomorrow and we wanted to tell them good-bye.

Thursday Aug 3 Hot day. Mama started to clean up her bed but got everything out of it & that was all. I did the work and canned 4 qts of pie-plant. Guess I’ll not go anywhere tonight although I wanted to go to the Bluffs. It rained a little this eve.

Grandpa is better today; seems like himself again.

Friday Aug 4 1916 Cool day. With Sam’s help we papered the northwest bedroom overhead & all were sure tired.

Saturday Aug 5 1916. Washed mop boards and floor, swept other rooms and mopped them. Clouded up and rained some. Daddy & I went to town in a lumber wagon. The folks brought Weather’s over to the train so I went up to Uncle Herb’s for supper & stayed until 8:30.

Sunday. Went to S.S. Nicely preached but we had left grandpa alone so we had to come right home. Ate dinner. Ran over to town in the afternoon.

After supper we went to Gatliff’s and visited awhile.

Monday Aug 6 1916. Got down to DeLaMatter’s at 7 o’clock. They were waiting. Mrs. Clark & I & Mr. D. went to Minatare to the county convention. There were lots of good talks by Mr. Kimberly and Miss Brown. Mrs. C & I went to a Mrs. Foster’s for dinner.

Mr. D & Mrs. C started back but I saw Mrs. White & she invited me to stay with her. Went to evening session. It was a talk & views on Korea by Miss K. It was certainly good!

Came home on the 4 o’clock train. Had a good time and learned much with many ideas. Daddy met me at the train with old Slim.

Saw Uncle Henry as we went through Mitchell. Uncle Lawrence got a piece of steel in his eye and has gone to Omaha to have it removed. Last reports, better.

Wednesday Aug 9 1916. Did the work, sweeping, making beds, etc. After dinner got ready. Run the car over to Mrs. Wyman’s & took her to Club. Came home and took her home then drove over to Henry & took the cream.

Warm day but quite windy at times.

Thursday. Warmer day. Did the usual work ran over to town in evening and ate some ice cream.

Friday Aug. 11 1916. Sam’s birthday. He is 14.

I washed today, was quite tired when I got through. Didn’t get through until afternoon.

Saturday Aug 12 1916. It was a cold chilly day. I was cold too. Went to bed in the forenoon after I had done the churning. Sure felt bum. Mama & Elvin went to Morrill in afternoon.

Sunday Aug 13. Cloudy, foggy & threatening rain. Rained some but it cleared up and Papa & we children went to S.S. There were 12 there so we had quite a nice S.S.

Came home for dinner. After dinner all the folks but me went over to Wilson’s I stayed & done the dishes and baked bread. They got home at 6 o’clock. Did the chores & we kids & Mama went over to Wyman’s. Mrs. Wisner & Dorothy were there visiting now. We had a pleasant evening.

Monday. Aug 14. Grandpa had a bad spell last night and is a little restless today. Washed today. Sam helped me so I’m not so tired as I could be. Mama and I oiled the parlor floor.

Tuesday Aug 15. Ironed all forenoon. Took Elvin over to Wyman’s to work in afternoon. Very hot, clouded up but didn’t rain. Wyman’s brought Elvin home and stayed an hour in the evening.

Wednesday, Aug 16. Cut out my dress and went to town in forenoon. Was up to Aunt Nelle’s a few minutes.

Sewed all afternoon. Uncle Ralph’s came up a few minutes in the evening. Forenoon very hot. Clouded up and rained quite a shower this afternoon.

Thursday Aug 17. Worked on my dress nearly all day but didn’t get it finished. Papa, Sam & I went over to town in afternoon. There is a show in town. Sam & I went to the side show. Saw snakes & alligators, etc. In the evening all of us went over but Papa. It wasn’t very good, but I suppose it was good for a small town like Henry.

Earl Berry took Fern and I in. We got home at 11:35.

Friday night. Washed in the forenoon. Took Papa and Mama & Grandpa over to town. Came home & washed & oiled the car so it shone. Aunt Lena called and said the Mill’s girls were coming up on the train tomorrow eve if it was all right with me, so I’m expecting them.

Sat Aug 19 1916. Baked, churned in forenoon, scrubbed some and went over to town. Train 1:30 minutes late.

Met the girls O.K. Came home, ate supper, etc. Came up a thunder storm so we went to bed instead of going up to the grove.

Sunday Aug 20 1916. Cloudy, cool, rainy day. We got ready to go to S.S. It started to rain so we didn’t. Cleared up after dinner & we went up to Gatliff’s. The girls had a good time with Mrs. G’s niece, Delores Phelps.

Monday Aug 21, 16. Washed in morn & finished my dress in afternoon. Mama and the girls went over to town in morn. Girls helped with work.

Tuesday Aug 22. Ironed until ten o’clock. The girls & I went down to the mail box. While we were gone, Mill’s phoned. They were in the grove & would be down after the girls in the afternoon. We fixed a short luncheon and went up there and ate our dinner, but didn’t see Mills. I drove the car.

Wednesday Aug 13. Felt tired all morn. Did what work I had to. Went to bed right after dinner, slept until 2 o’clock. Got up, dressed & took Mrs. Wyman & Mama to Club to Moyer’s.

Thursday Aug 24. Uncle Herb, Daddy & I went to Gering, I driving the car about half the way, Herb the rest. Stopped at Uncle Ralph’s & Henry’s a few minutes. As far as we know Uncle Lawrence thinks he can come & stay with Grandpa while we go on a trip.

Friday. Baked, washed, swept, etc. Am some tired tonight. Are getting ready to go on a 5 days trip to Colorado.

Saturday. Did the work in general. Uncle Lawrence came up in eve and Warren too. He stayed all night. Are all packed, ready to start in the morning. We are taking enough bedding & tarps for Papa & the boys & Mama & I if necessary.

Sunday morn. Aug. 27 1916. I was sick nearly all night. had chills and pains in stomach, but would give up not to go. Very cool & foggy in the morning, but when the fog cleared it turned off warm & I got warmed. We left home about 10 o’clock, going towards La Grange. Saw some new country, but not much different than around home. Just hills, hills & more hills, once in a while coming up to a ranch on a creek. We ate dinner on Bear Creek the other side of La Grange on the Frank Jones ranch. Got to Cheyenne about 5 o’clock. Went to Minneha Lake & Park which is very nice. Ate our supper under some trees by the side of the park and built a campfire. A man told us we couldn’t camp there though, but we ate supper anyway. After supper an official came & told us where the public camping ground was. Mama & I stayed at a hotel & Papa & the boys camped on the prairie out of town.

Monday Aug 28. Nice, bright morn. Papa & the boys were waiting for us when we got up. We left Cheyenne without eating breakfast. Drove into Colo. & coming to a little store, we bought a few things & ate our breakfast. Not much scenery in Wyoming or Colorado until we came to Dover. From there on through Pierce, Ault, Eaton & Greeley clear on into Denver we saw many orchards, mostly apples, and large beet, potato & bean fields. Stopped at Greeley about noon, got a few things & went out of town a little & ate our dinner under a big tree. Passed many small towns on our way to Denver. Got into Denver about 4 o’clock. Drove around some & came to city park where people were allowed to camp so we drove in & prepared to camp, building a campfire & getting supper, fixing a place to sleep. The boys looking at the animals. We went to a free band concert in the park out by the lake. There were lots of seats fixed out in front of an Auditorium where the band played, the lake being on the side of it. It was certainly grand. The young folks hired canvas boats & went boat riding while the band played. In the middle of the lake was a fountain which threw water up in the air and it changed colors, sometimes like the rainbow and sometimes all red like a prairie fire, again green like a forest & yellow like sheaves of wheat. It was certainly grand. I never saw anything like it.

Tuesday Aug 29 16. Got up about sun up and built a fire & got breakfast.

Our car needed fixing and we intended to take it to a garage. We told one of our neighbor campers and he came over and looked at it and began to work on it. He worked all day cleaning it, putting in new bands, etc. and then didn’t get it finished.

Elvin stayed with the car. The rest of us went sight seeing. We went through Carter’s Museum, seeing many curiosities, lots of stuffed animals, many paintings & different kinds of precious stones, etc.

In the afternoon we ate dinner at a Restaurant. Elvin was with us now, & then Mama & I went shopping & Papa & the boys went sight seeing. It is certainly wonderful--the crowds & street-cars & policemen in the city. I don’t see how there can be as few accidents as there are.

We bought some new shirts & socks for the boys & Papa, and Mama & I each a new hat. I broke my ten dollar bill, but guess I didn’t spend it quite all. We fooled around, didn’t know hardly where to go or what streetcar to take, so finally we went to the Depot where I wrote some cards to the friends & neighbors in the neighborhood. Then we took a streetcar to the park. Got there all right. Papa & the boys weren’t there yet so we ate a lunch for supper. They came pretty soon and we all went to hear the band. Sam & I went on the lake in a gasoline boat & then we went & got some ice cream. When we found Papa & Mama, Papa was real tired so he and Sam went to bed & Mama & I hunted Elvin & we went boat riding & listened to the band some more & went back to camp also.

Wednesday Aug. 20. The car was fixed so we loaded everything ready to leave. We went through the Capitol building & mint & museum. For dinner, we went out south to Washington Park ( & rode on our first Boulevard) and had a picnic dinner. There was a place to swim there, but it was cloudy & threatening rain, so we didn’t stay long. We went downtown, where Mama had ordered some glasses. Going down a police man called us down for crossing the street before the semaphore said we could, but nothing serious was the result. It is certainly some trick to know when to go & to turn, etc. in the crowded city streets. While we were waiting for Mama to get her glasses we saw many tourists called down so we weren’t the only ones.

Left Denver for Golden up in the mountains. Went on some mountain road & when we came to the first curve, we saw a car turned over. The accident had happened only 30 minutes before. One woman was quite badly hurt, but no one seriously. Went up to Golden. Saw Mount Lookout at a distance, but didn’t go up there because of seeing that accident. We were so nervous about that accident that we wanted to get out of there. We drove on going to Ft. Collins, and made an old ranch where Papa had worked many years ago. Papa got a bed for Mama & I. They slept out on the lawn.

Thursday Aug 31. Got up real early and started out without eating our breakfast. We were on the Lincoln Highway and could go past many apple & cherry orchards. Stopped one place & picked up a bushel of apples for 50 cents. Went through Longmont, where they holding a county fair. Saw an airship up in the air performing all kinds of stunts, turning over, etc. Saw Hughes party come in, but didn’t see him for sure. We soon went on and intended to make Cheyenne before night. Once we got off the road, so finally about 9:30 we pulled up to the side of the road and camped out. We were about 6 miles from Cheyenne.

Friday Morn. Got up before sunrise. Ran into Cheyenne and built a fire and had breakfast at the public camping ground. After breakfast we went around Ft. Russell & saw the soldiers drilling. It is very interesting. We went down town, filled up with gas, and started for home at 9:30 over the same road so the scenery was just the same. Ate our luncheon on Bear Creek by an old abandoned ranch. Ran on to La Grange. Stopped & visited Carson’s about 30 minutes and then came on home. Got home at 4:30.

Went to town & got some kerosene & got supper & did usual supper work.

Saturday Sept 2. Did usual morning work. Peeled a lot of apples & put on to stew. Went to town in P.M. & took the cream. Saw a lot of the neighbors. Some didn’t know we had been gone until we got back. Mrs. G. hasn’t gone to Denver yet and doubtful if she goes. Will do all I can to get her to go.

Sunday Sep 5. Got up & made a cake while Mama got breakfast. Did up the work & went to S.S. Didn’t get home until 1:30, because we had a new long-winded preacher.

Rolf came home with the boys for dinner. We had our first green watermelon.

Hot wind all day. I slept about an hour. Cloudy & threatening rain in afternoon. It didn’t rain so we went to Church. The minister came home with us.

Monday Sept 4 1916. Started the washing and then went over to Henry, taking the preacher & Elvin & Rolf. The boys started to school at Henry so we took them over in the car. Came back and did my washing. Nice day. Went after boys in eve.

Tuesday Sep 5. Ironed, finished it in forenoon. Took the boys over & Sam went after them.

Wednesday I went over to Henry in the morning & Mama went along. Coming back I ran over a board with a nail in it & punctured two tires. They were flat when we were about a mile from home. I walked on home and Sam came up & took the tires off & came in on the rims. I helped clean out the chicken house & cleaned off the bunkhouse & helped pump up the tires. Was some tired at night.

Thursday Sept 7 1916. Papa & I took the boys over to town & we stopped at Frazier’s. I went to see about the threshing machine.

Friday Sept 8. Took the boys over along. Went up to Aunt Nelle’s a minute & got home in 40 min. Cleaned up the whole house. Was looking for Mrs. Edgar, a temperance worker. She came but stayed in Henry. Everett W[yman]. rode out with us. He had just gotten home from Lincoln.

Sat. Worked all forenoon. Cleaned out the south room for the teacher to move in. She’s coming in the afternoon.

Baked bread & got dinner. Mama & Elvin went to Mitchell, got home at 1:30. Came up a little shower. I got ready & went over to town, brought Mrs. Edgar out & took her over to Phiney’s.

Sunday Sept 10. Did usual morning work. Went to S.S. & heard Mrs. Edgar’s lecture. She came home with us for dinner & in the evening we took her over to Henry.

Eva Powell, the teacher, came and she went over with us.

Monday Sept 11. Took Elvin over to school; came home did the washing & cleaned

up the kitchen. Evenings are getting cooler; some frost in the country, but none noticeable here.

Tuesday Sept 12. Elvin & Rolf drove to school. I commenced the ironing and ironed until 10:30 when Papa said we would have the threshers for dinner so I stopped and helped get dinner. Finished my ironing after dinner.

We had about 40 bushels of wheat & 78 of millet up on Mama’s forty.

Wednesday. Did usual work. Went up to Katzer’s a few minutes in evening. Stopped a minute at Gatliff’s. Mrs. G. had gone to Denver Tuesday evening.

Thursday. Mama and the boys went to the fair and I did the house work. I dried some corn & washed some towels & dish towels. Was busy all day long and tired at night of course. I visited with Miss Powell as I do each evening.

The folks didn’t get home until 10 o’clock. Grandpa isn’t so well.

Friday, Sept 15. Papa and Mr. & Mrs. Gilmore & Mrs. Bowman went to Mitchell to the fair, I driving the car all the way & got back all right.

Saw lots of nice exhibits & lots of cars & people so many people I didn’t get to see our nearest neighbors.

We got home just after sundown, tired but having had a pleasant time. I went to dinner at Bristol’s

Saturday Sept 16. Did Saturday’s work, made a cake & some fruit salad & swept and cleaned up the rooms.

Went to Dry lecture by Mr. Boggs, a S.S. missionary.

Sunday Sept 17. Rather cool today. Has been cold nights lately & killing frosts this week.

Went to S.S. Mr. Bloomer preached. Came home, ate dinner. We had a watermelon. Went up to Gatliff’s in the eve. The boys stayed at home & I drove the car. Miss P. went with us. Mrs. G. was sick abed but was better than the day before. She went to Denver Tues., came back Thurs. stopped at the fair and then went to the fair Friday, so she was nearly played out.

Monday Sept 18. I washed, of course. After I got through with the washing I laid down & slept 3 hours, after which I felt better.

Tuesday Sept 19. did up the work etc. about noon when we built a fire for the bread. I put on my irons & ironed until 2 o’clock

I visit Miss Powell nearly every eve. She is teaching how to crochet a cap.

Wednesday. Fixed & retrimmed a dress, did some patching & crocheted, besides other work.

Sept 21, 1916. Was thinking of going over to Aunt Nelle’s but didn’t. Did the usual house work & worked a few minutes on my book-keeping. Grandpa took a bad spell in forenoon, another before supper & at bed time. Aunt Lena & Uncle Ralph came up & stayed all night, but Grandpa wasn’t very restless.

Friday Sept 22. I washed a few things & after the washing laid down & slept 3 hours. In the eve the boys, Miss Powell & I went over to Wyman’s to the Farmers’ Union. Had a nice time, got home about 11:30, but I was so nervous I didn’t get to sleep until 2 o’clock. Grandpa was very restless & Papa didn’t get hardly any sleep.

Saturday Sept 23. Mama & Sam went to town & I stayed & did the work & watched Grandpa. Miss P. didn’t go home this week so she was in her room washing. I cleaned the parlor & dining rooms before they got home, made a cake in afternoon about 5 o’clock. Herb & I went over to town. I stayed with Aunt Nelle and Uncle Herb came back to sit up with Grandpa. Orvill Jones, an old neighbor from Cornelius, Ore. who is visiting in the country came out with him & I guess they were up nearly all night.

Sunday. Aunt N. & I stayed all alone without getting caught. We got up about 6:30, did usual morning work & visited, got dinner & visited, played on the piano, etc. The boys & U. H. came over about 5 o’clock, had a flat tire & didn’t get it fixed enough until 6 o’clock. Sam & Rolf went on & got home before Elvin & I did. Wyman’s came over in the eve in their new Maxwell.

Nice warm Autumn day. The leaves are turning yellow fast & falling off. They, the trees, will soon be bare.

Monday Sept 25. Washed as usual and crocheted in afternoon. Was quite tired.

Papa went to a sale.

Tuesday. Ironed & worked on a dress some. Grandpa has been resting, hasn’t eaten much & quite weak.

Bad wind storm came up & blew sand all over. Cool & cloudy tonight.

Wednesday, Sept. [27] Did usual housework and some. Fern came down & stayed all day. Her mother & father, Papa & Mr. G. went to a sale. Cold all day. We stayed in the kitchen by the cook stove.

Thursday. Still cool but bright. Mr. McClurg, Papa & Mr. G. went to Morrill to have some sale bills made out. Got them [ ] eve. Am feeling mean.

Fri. & Sat. Grandpa better.

Sunday, Oct. 1, 1916. Went to S.S. Dan Phiney’s were there in their new car. We talked Dry Fed until 12:30. Are going to meet next Thurs eve to see what can & will do.

Uncle Herb came over & they, the boys & Papa went to Mitchell & around to distribute bills.

Monday Oct 2, 1916. Washed in forenoon. Ironed & patched in afternoon. In the evening after supper I went Miss P’s room & tatted.

Tuesday Oct 3. Sewed almost all day trying to make a new dress out of an old one, got the skirt finished. Real cool night.

Wednesday Oct 4. Sewed some on waist. Cleaned up kitchen because I spilled a lot of grease on the floor. Went to pick up a 5 gal. jar with some melted grease on it--on the reservoir-- & the bottom came out. Likewise the floor was greased & so were my clothes. The Circle meets this P.M. with Mrs. Katzer. Mama got ready, but no one came along so she didn’t go. I didn’t feel like running the car or Papa would have stayed here I took care of Grandpa and let Mama & I go.

Thursday Oct 5. Puttered around with housework in the morn. Papa is digging potatoes and we have 2 extra men for dinner.

After dinner I washed the dishes and went out to the potatoe patch with Papa. I picked up about 3 bu. myself.

There was a Dry meeting at the Kellum school house. Papa & Sam went. I should have but didn’t feel like it. Instead Miss P & I tatted. We call ourselves “The Tat & Chat Club.” Ha Ha.

Sam started to school Tuesday. Papa & the dogs caught a porcupine Wednesday. Papa brought it up to the house in a pail and put it in an empty rabbit pen. Don’t know what we’ll do with it.

Friday Oct 6. Mama is washing some. I picked over some green & ripe tomatoes & cut them up, and patched some.

Did usual work. Mrs. McClurg, Fern & Beatrice came down to see about food for the sale. M. & Elvin went to Morrill after school.

Saturday Oct 7 1916. Washed dishes, then baked some pies & a cake. Helped get dinner. After dinner Mama & Elvin went to a sale. I did up the dinner dishes & Saturday’s sweeping and mopping. Effie W. came and stopped a few minutes. Of course, we had a nice visit, only she didn’t stay long enough. Cool day and threatening rain. Uncle Henry R. came up to stay all night.

Sunday Oct 8. Mama and we children went to Sun. School, came home, started dinner, called up Wyman’s & they came over for dinner. Had a nice visit. Very cool & raining hard tonight.

Elvin took Uncle H. down to his place & brought Miss Powell home, or rather up here. Wrote letters until bedtime.

Monday Oct 9, 1916. I am 19 today. Mama gave me $1. Snowing hard from 6 until 9. Then it quit and remained cool, cloudy all day. After it quit storming I did the washing. It got dry enough to iron this eve. Howard McClurg was down here to dinner to help fix fence for the stock to keep them in at the sale. Mr. French was down in the P.M. to help.

Oct 10, 1916. Cool and a SE wind. Were afraid it would storm, but cleared up. Papa gave me a check for $100 for a birthday present, wasn’t that fine!

Worked around at numerous things getting ready for the sale tomorrow.

Elvin & Mama went over to Henry after Elvin got home from school & got the neat, bread & tin cups.

Oct 11, 1916. A heavy fog came up about 6 o’clock & lasted until 10. Very cool, but as soon as it cleared off it warmed up.

McClurgs got down here about 8 o’clock. We didn’t have the work started. Of course Grandpa has to be taken care of.

Didn’t many people come until eleven. then a number came. We fed over 200 people. There were 50 women & children here.

The sale turned out fine. Everyone seemed to be satisfied that were in the sale.

Thursday Oct 12. Rained in forenoon, but clear in P.M. There were 3 men here for dinner after cattle. Art Hughes’ son Frank and another man. Papa and I went to town in the Ford.

I went up & saw Aunt Nelle and her sister who is visiting her.

Friday Oct 13. Washed in forenoon. It is the nicest day yet. There were two extra men here for dinner. C. Daugherty and Mr. McKinney. They came after a cow. Got my clothes ready to iron, then Papa and I went to Morrill. I visited Effie in her new house while Papa tended to his business. We got home 5:30. I finished my ironing & was pretty tired, but Miss Powell visited me awhile.

Saturday, Oct. 16. Fooled around all forenoon packing and getting things fixed. Uncle L. & Warren came up a few minutes. Sam took Uncle Herb and his brother-in-law to Torrington. After Sam got back, he, Papa & Warren went over to Wilson’s & bargained for some sheep.

When they got home they went to Woten’s. Papa M & S Elvin went duck hunting, got 6 ducks. Sam got a cornet of Mr. Woten. I did the Saturday’s cleaning, etc. was mighty tired when night came.

Sunday Oct 15. Mama, Elvin & I came down to Scottsbluff, were at Hughes’ for dinner. After dinner Elvin took us and my things up to Munson’s where I stay and then Lizzie & I went to choir practice at the C.C. I went home with her & we went to C.E. and then to the Methodist Church to hear Miss Mays who gave the story of “The Man who Forgot.” It was a temperance story. Then I found Verna Montz & she goes past where I stay so I didn’t have to go alone. Beryl was already there, ready for bed.

Monday Oct 16. Slept good, got up & ate breakfast, was ready for school at 8. Came & got a seat with Blanche Tanner. Lots of new students & a few old ones came back to M for dinner. Studied until 5 o’clock. Then I met Beryl on the street & we bummed around until six. I studied until 9, then Beryl came from studying at Phen’s and we washed Mrs. M’s dishes as she was called away to help sew for some poor people whose baby had died.

Tuesday Oct. 17 Got up about 6. The girls laugh at me for waking so early. Martha Wolfe & Mabel Laughorn are boarding there too. In the P.M. the B. C. gathered up in two wagons & went to the Bluff. Verna Montz, Blanch T & I didn’t & several others. Two of the boys & girls got their feet hurt--the boy’s run over with the wagon & the girl’s sprained. We got back about 6 o’clock & had a dandy time.

After supper I went to the Lyceum to a miscellaneous musical programme. Mrs. Warner & Dorothy went. Beryl went car riding. I got home about 9:30, she in just a few minutes. Grand day, nice & warm & clear. No sign of storms.

Wednesday Oct 18. Cloudy & cold in the morning. Along towards evening it began to snow & hard, too. I bought me a pair of rubbers. Have been having a hard time with my bookkeeping, but think it is nearly O.K. now. Eat & sleep as usual.

Thursday, Clear & cold in morn, warmed up and melted lot of snow. Have my bookkeeping difficulties cleared up this morn, and went on to BK O.K. Munson’s to D & supper.

Friday. Got to school at 8, studied until 12, back at 1, studied until 3, then was excused to take the train as it was reported on time, and when I got up to the depot it was over an hour late, but I didn’t get back to school. Went up to the P.O. but didn’t get any mail. Train came at last & was on my way home.

A B.C. girl who lived at Wheatland and was going home, so I visited with her until I got to Henry. Elvin & Rolf waited from school & it was after dark. Roads are awfully muddy, more snow up here than at the Bluffs, lots of drifts.

Saturday Oct 21 Washed in forenoon after dinner I washed my head, looked over old clothes and ironed. After dark was quite tired, has been a nice day. I feel as if I have taken cold.

Sunday morn. I have quite a cold & it seems to have settled in my right eye. It is swollen & sore this morn. Fooled around all day. Made out an order to The National for a coat, etc. Started to rain in afternoon. The folks took me to train about 5 o’clock. The roads were terribly muddy & it got dark so early. I stayed at Fugate’s until 8:30 train time. About dark it turned into snow & snowed all night.

Beryl went down on the train too. A friend of hers from Torrington carried our suit cases up to Mason’s Mr. Mason is at home. It seems funny to have a man in the house.

Monday Oct 23 Snowed all night. I have a fierce cold but guess I’ll get rid of it as I am doping up enough. Snowed all night, quite a bit of snow on the ground.

Got up at 6:30, dressed, breakfast at 7:30. Then I went to school & it was colder than Greenland. Warmed up in afternoon, studied a while after school & went to my room & studied.

Tuesday. Cloudy & cold in morning, but for a wonder it was warm in the B.C. Mrs. M. was away & Mr. M. had dinner ready. Blanche wasn’t to school yesterday nor today so Verna & I called up her brother & found she had gone home. Beryl went to Latin Club last night. The other girls went to a picture show so I had the house to myself. I studied long & hard, but didn’t succeed in getting all my examples.

Wednesday Oct 25. Dawned a clear day, snow melting fast, hope it will soon be gone. Had a good dinner today.

My cold seems to be worse, guess it has settled in my lungs. I borrowed an onion and stewed it & took it all & doped up good with mentholatum. Went to bed quite early, about 9.

Thursday Oct 26, 1916. Rec’d a letter from Mama this morn. Short, but sweet. Had a terrible coughing spell this morn. I hope that I get over this cold some day. It is so cold up at the B. C. I can hardly write.

Friday Oct 27, 1916. Nice day. Studies, etc. about as usual. The train was reported 15 min. late so I waited at the school house and nearly missed it. Ran part of the way.

Elvin waited after school & met me, was awful glad to get home. Visited Eva in the eve & tatted. Grandpa seems much weaker. Daddy’s rheumatism is bothering him some since he hasn’t but one cow to milk.

Saturday Oct 28, 1916. Washed my dirty clothes. While I was washing Mrs. Wyman & E. came over & brought some meat. Then went back & pretty soon Elvin came back with a little cart trailing behind his car which their hired man had gotten instead of a harrow cart, & after many trials etc. we got the harrow cart attached to the car & he went merrily home.

Eva & I did some cooking & got our box ready to go the box social. We had our box together & used the same box I used at the Bluffs last year. I ate with George Braziel, Eva with Clarence Kellums. Had a real pleasant time. We got home at 10 o’clock & I tatted until 11.

Sunday. Went to S.S. in forenoon. Had Eva come over for dinner, while we’re eating Mrs. W wants to know if I’ll go car riding with [her]. I said, “You bet!” So after a while she & E came over and we all went up & looked at Gordon’s new house. While we were there Elvin, Eva & Mama came up after us. So we went on to Wyman’s & heard the phonograph. Then I went home with the folks. We then went over to Uncle Herb’s & stayed there an hour or so before train time.

Beryl came down on the train & a H. S. carried our suitcases up for us. Something was wrong with the electric lights & the north side of town was all dark.

Monday Oct 30. About the same routine except we had pancakes for breakfast. Studied in eve until 5 o’clock. while going home saw the Ripley girls and stopped & visited them until suppertime. Certainly enjoyed myself. Marvel & I had a regular old fashioned time.

Tuesday Oct 31. Having beautiful weather this week. Usual routine, stayed at home in eve & studied, crocheted, etc. Beryl went over to [Rehes] & had a good time. It being Halloween there was lots of noise & pranks being played around town, but nothing near us.

Wednesday Nov 1. A lot of boys got run in last night. I was there as they were turned out this morn. Had a laugh at some when they came to school. Got two letters today.

After school I was walking up with Blanche & her sisters & they asked me to go home with them for supper. I certainly did & had a nice time. They brought me back after supper. There was a dance at the skating rink last night & we heard the music until we went to sleep.

Thursday Nov 2. Got up as usual. B.C. 13 of us went through the factory this afternoon. Were somewhat tired, having to walk about a mile. Blanche & I Georgia & May were with us & some boy started ahead of the rest & Blanche’s uncle came along in his car & we got to ride to town. Then I went up to the B.C. & studied until 5.

The ones whom I saw that I knew at the Factory were Mr. Moyer & Edison, Roscoe Nolan, Jay Yocum & Harley Tanner.

Beryl got a letter form her folks & they want us to help in a Halloween doing at Nichols Saturday night. I have written to the folks that I was going to stay over so I guess I will, although Beryl wants me to go.

Friday Nov 3. Pancakes for breakfast. Cool & foggy. We may get a storm.

Am very much undecided whether to go home or not, didn’t hear form the folks so didn’t go. Stayed at the college & studied until 5 o’clock although must of them left at 3 to attend the basket-, I mean foot- ball game between Scottsbluff & Sidney. Of course Scottsbluff won. Bummed around town with one of the college girls, Maude Phiney, until quite late. Then went to he P.O. & waited my turn at the window for about a half an hour and when I did get there I got a large package. I could hardly wait until I got to my room to open it. My coat & muff, etc. I was awfully glad. Crocheted until supper. After supper I went over to Wisner’s played the piano, crocheted & talked until 9 o’clock. It seemed almost like being at home. Went to bed about 10 o’clock.

Saturday Nov 4. Got up at 6:30, made the bed, etc. After breakfast I washed out a suit of underwear & a doz. handkerchiefs, went up to Wismer’s a minute & back, then over to Ripley’s & down town, but no mail. Came home or to my room & wrote 3 letters, when Mrs. Wyman came. She said I could go home with them if I wanted to. It was such a pretty day I decided to go. Went home with Mr. & Mrs. Wyman, was there for supper & went over to the Farmers’ Union with them. Beryl, Lena, Rosa & I were ghosts, who escorted people into the parlor. Mama & the boys came over & then I went home. We got home at 12 o’clock. They served pumpkin pie with whipped cream on it, coffee and doughnuts. This luncheon was delicious. They had a small programme, etc. Had a nice time.

Sunday Nov 4. Cool, foggy morn. Got up late and Elvin was sick so we didn’t go to S.S. Did up the work etc. & played on the piano, had pumpkin pie & duck for dinner. It was certainly fine. Mrs. McClurg & Fern came down awhile. The day soon passes. Papa & Sam were gone most all day looking for a horse.

Went over to town in evening, up to Uncle Herb’s awhile & down on the train. A couple of H.S. boys overtook us & carried our suitcases up. B. & one of them got into a discussion & likewise we stood on the porch quite a spell. Finally adieux were said & off we went to bed.

Monday Nov 6. Up at 6:30 although I felt real sleepy. Breakfast & to school. Got some buttons & mailed to Fern for her new dress, also mailed a card to the folks & got a letter they mailed to me Saturday. A letter was in it from Uncle Henry in which he enclosed a check for $10 to buy chewing gum. He must think I don’t chew, or do.

Windy to-day & cool, nice moonlight evening. Studied until 5, then came up to my room & left my books & went to Wisner’s to see if the girls were going to the Lyceum. They didn’t know so after supper Frank came & told me they were so we 3 girls went. Beryl had a date. C. It was quite good music, reading etc. got home about 10 & writing this & intend to finish a letter before I go to bed. Eva Royce is married.

ELECTION DAY

Tuesday Nov 7. Election day - presidential too. Everyone is guessing who will be elected. We had a straw vote at school & Wilson was 43 to Hughes 11. Nice cool day. Mr. Roush was up to the college and gave an old fashioned talk from 2:30 until 4. Are talking of organizing a literary, appointed a committee and suggested a debate for Thursday night. Resolved that we should have woman suffrage.

In the evening Mr. & Mrs. Munson & I went to a recital given by Miss Gifford’s class. they were all good, some of them fine. No sure reports, but some people are staying up all night to see who is elected. Are two election dances in town. Can hear the music of one very plain. Called Mrs. Mills up & she invited me out to see them, etc.

Rained some today; thought it was going to snow but it cleared up.

Wednesday Nov 8. Nice day. Everyone is still excited over election. I heard this morn that Neb. went Dry & Wilson was ahead. Hurrah.

Rec’d a letter from, I mean a card, from Mama today. Went over to Mrs. Edgar’s to see if she had any rooms. Mrs. M. has moved a little 3-quarter bed in our room & our bed in the dining room where she is going to sleep. I tell you somebody was provoked.

Beryl is staying all night at Dot’s tonight.

I called Mabel B. up she said she was afraid she couldn’t come Friday. I hope she does because I’ve written Mama that she was coming.

I am rather sleepy if it is only 8:15. I hear shouting on the street. “Wilson is in the parlor talking to the ladies. Hughes is in the chicken coop a-washing nigger babies.”

Thursday Nov 9. Nice day. Usual occurrences, nothing special. Went down to Brown’s to the I.C. sale & spent $1.76 for numerous things.

Friday 11/10 1916. Talked to Mabel & she consented to come home with me. Mr. Roush was up to B.C. all day bustling around as if he was somebody. [ ] writing he put on the board. We had heat up at B.C. for once, because the business men are doing it. Started snowing about 3 o’clock real hard, but I didn’t give up but got ready to go home. Met Mabel at Dier’s store and Beryl, Mabel & her mother & I went to the depot. Train 15 minutes late. Snowing to beat the band. It was Mabel’s first train ride and her knees shook most of the way up here.

The boys, Rolf & Elvin were waiting with the car. Roads were pretty bad, but now awful.

Saturday Nov 11, 1916. I washed some in forenoon & ironed in the evening. We made Taffy, popped corn. Eva came in and joined us although she has a sore throat. I didn’t go to bet until 12 o’clock. I worked on a cap and Mabel on quilt blocks.

Sunday Nov. 12. We girls didn’t get up until 8 o’clock. Then we got breakfast for ourselves, did the dishes & fooled around.

Mama was sick so we got dinner, had Eva come in.

The snow was so bad I didn’t think we could go to take the train, but Elvin said he could in the car and Everett W. went to to Morrill so we did. We ran on low until we got to Frazier’s and from there the road had been dragged. We waited at the P. O. & depot, certainly had some fun.

Mabel’s beau met her at the train so that is where we left her. Beryl & I went on to our room. No one suddenly appeared on the scene this time.

We had two beds in our room because we complained about one being so small there wasn’t much cover on them and we nearly froze, so Beryl came & crawled in with me. My bed was the wider.

Monday Nov 13, 1916. Beryl & I were the only ones for breakfast. Mabel & Martha moved Sunday. I had a sore throat. The B.C. Students were told Monday forenoon that the B.C. was no more, that Mr. K had gone bankrupt, etc. so our notes were no good. The college is going on this week but I telephoned I’d be home Tuesday eve. My throat was getting sorer & I knew I’d better get home.

Tuesday Nov 14. I got up & ate my breakfast, then went back to bed and slept until noon--throat getting worse. Packed my suitcases. Mr. M. took one down to the depot for me. I went down town about 2, called on Mrs. Ripley a minute and took my junk to the depot, checked one suitcase. Train was 2 hours late but I thought I would be better off to stay in the depot. Talked with several B.C. boys who were waiting for the train.

Saw Mr. Woten & talked with him a while.

Everett Mintle was down to the depot & carried my suitcase to the train.

Elvin was waiting with the car & mighty hard driving part of the way.

Wednesday.

Mama is still sick with sore throat. Papa has been doing the work. I have been helping as much as I can, although my throat is quite sore.

1917

Jan. 1 Monday. Went up to Gatliff’s last night after taking Ruth over to the town. My throat felt a little sore so I doctored it some, but it was real sore this morn about 3 o’clock. Uncle Henry came up after me. It had been blowing real hard all day. I was feeling so bum they thought it best for me to stay up there so I did. I played checkers with Mr. G. Some times I’d beat and sometimes he. Went to bed about 11 o’clock.

Jan. 2 Tuesday. Got up about 8:30 made up the beds, had breakfast about 10. I swept the floor and fooled around. My throat was still quite sore. Mamma came after me about 2 o’clock, stayed awhile, then we came home. When we got home Mr. and Mrs. Katzer had come to see us. Elvin has a sore throat too. My throat hurts real bad to-night. Eva went to Lodge with Bessie & her father. Wind blew some to-day but not as bad as it has been.

Wednesday Jan. 3. I guess I feel better this morn, not near well though. Somewhat cloudy and not so cold today. May snow.

Thursday, Friday & Sat. Nothing in particular happened. My throat is not so sore, but have a bad cough and cold.

Sunday Jan. 7 1917. Uncle Ralph’s came up for dinner we had turkey. McClurg’s came down in the afternoon & wanted me to go home with them but I nixed it. If I could go anywhere I’d rather go to Scottsbluff, but it seems as if I’m not meant to go for I coughed lots to-day.

Papa and the boys and Lester, who came up last night, went to S.S.

Jan. 7-14 Stayed in all week. Sewed most of the time got some quilt blocks and patched etc. Papa bought a cow of Mr. Wilson & traded the manure spreader for another. Went after them Sunday

Wind blew quite a bit, but a few nice days.

Snowed Sunday. Eva and I went to Gilmores for dinner Uncle Herb and Uncle Lawrence walked over from Henry. Uncle Lawrence stayed all nite. Got the things which I sent to the National for. Wore my shoes down to G’s--some stylish shoes.

Monday January 15-17 Uncle Lawrence went down to Morrill with Everett so he can catch the noon train. Papa went over to Henry & got Aunt Nelle’s waist patterns. I cut out a pink waist.

Tuesday. I sewed all day & got the waist nearly finished. I didn’t feel extra good.

Wednesday. Nice clear day until at noon the wind came up blowing a merry gale but we hitched up Old Wood & went. It was only to Gilmore’s. There were 6 there: Mrs. Rosier, Mrs. Casteel, Mrs. Wyman, Mrs. Clark, Mama and I and Mrs. G decided to meet with Mrs. Wyman in 3 weeks. It was rather disagreeable coming home. We brought Eva home with us, overtook her on the road.

Thursday: Nice day I made another waist. It is tan colored linen.

Friday: We washed & ironed some, scrubbed the kitchen and took a bath. Was pretty tired at eve.

The men folks have been hauling manure before the spreader is taken away. Also working on the chicken house, fixing the roof on, so they can have a dining room.

Saturday: Jan. 20 Did sweeping & parlor & mopping dining room. They put the roof on the chicken house, had Mr. Gilmore, Harold R., & Fred W. helping.

The boys went to Morrill after a game board which they had sent for & it came by Express instead of mail. Eva went along & stopped at her mothers. Her mother cut her little finger nearly off a week ago last Saturday. When they got home Mamma & Elvin went to Henry.

Sunday 21 Didn’t get up until nine o’clock real cold & a blizzard.

Monday Jan. 22-3-4

Tuesday & finished my waists and did usual house work.

Wednesday Jan. 24. We washed and I churned after dark made 4 or 5 lbs. of butter

Thursday Jan. 25. Mamma and I tied a comfort and it took us nearly all day too. It was a nice day and snow melted some.

Friday Jan. 27 Clouded up and then would go over. Wasn’t cold so Uncle Henry & I went up to Katzer’s. They had gone to town so we came back and visited at Gatliffs. They were very glad to see us of course. When we came home it was snowing hard. but quit when we got home.

Saturday Jan. 27 Did some Saturday’s work. Papa, the boys and Uncle Henry & Eva went to Morrill. Just Elvin went, Sam is down to Uncle Ralph’s after a load of beets. They are having revival meetings at Henry so we went instead of going to Literary. A lady preacher and her husband are holding the meeting. Their names are Wheeler. She is a sister of Matthew Mark at Henry. And a very good speaker she is. The house was crowded to its uttermost.

Sunday, Jan. 28. We went to S.S. Not many there but had quite a good S.S. We went over to Church to Henry. Harvey Lippincott came over to see the boys in the afternoon. Francis, her baby and Opal came over in their car. We women folks went for a ride over at Henry. The baby was real good and stayed with Papa.

Monday Jan. 29. Wind blew quite a bit. We tied my crazy quilt. Went to Church. Mrs. Gatliff & Mrs. Moyer drove. Mr. & Mrs. Katzer were there & went into the Church. A Methodist Church was organized over there. A number are being taken into the Church.

Tuesday Jan. 30. A real nice melting day. Mrs. Gatliff walked to town. We cut out my silk waist and started to make it. I took her part way home. It begin to cloud up, real dark clouds & a strong north wind came up. When I got home it had been reported that the worst blizzard ever known was going to strike. The wind blew & snow flew, but all was over by midnight.

May 30, 1917 Mama drove down to Morrill and I took the train down to the Bluffs, went up to Tanner’s. Harley & his wife had just gotten there. They have been married about a week. Blanche was going home Saturday as school would be out. I was glad I got to go & see her before she went home.

May 31. Rained all day. Blanche & Lillian and I went down town & nearly got wet. I took a treatment. I went to Gothenburg with Gladys & her mother.

July 4. Spent with Ray Hudson at Scottsbluff and had a grand good time.

Aug 1 Went up to Wyncote & visited Blanche. Ray took us with a load to a chivari. Had a nice time.

The next eve he & Juanita came over & spent the eve. Came home Sunday eve Aug. 5. The folks met me. Harry was there but I didn’t see. Have gone to Church & several parties with Harry Kissack.[confused writing, looks like: “I had last of Aug he had him. went over on his plain on ale.”

Sept 12-13-14. Spent all these days at the Co. Fair. First day not many there. 2nd day along in the P.M. ran on to Fern & her bunch so spent the rest of the day with them & Albert Rose. I stayed all nite at Uncle Henry’s in Mitchell.

3rd day. Fooled around all day until the auto race. Johnnie Powell took me a ride on the Ferris Wheel etc. & brought me home in a Ford. The next Sunday I went car riding with A. H. R.

Monday Oct. 1, 1917 Washed in morn and did usual work. Harry, Ernest & Nelle K came down in the eve & ate watermelon. Tues. Oct. 2. Mama & Sam went to Morrill, then took the noon train and went to Scottsbluff returning the eve train. Uncle Herb’s brought Mama over from the train & stayed a few minutes.

Wed. Oct. 3 Did the ironing and house work.

Went over to town in the eve & visited with Fern & her folks.

Thursday Oct. 4 & 5. Washed again, ironed & cleaned the house. Thursday eve Daugherty’s & Clark’s came down & ate watermelon all right.

Mama & I went to town Friday afternoon, saw Mrs. G. (we were up there Thursday afternoon) and I decided to go to the Bluffs with her tomorrow.

Sat. Oct. 6. Gatliff’s came along at 8 o’clock for me. I drove their car part way down to Morrill. We took the noon train to the Bluffs coming back on the 4 o’clock train.

I stayed in town until after the oyster supper & Albert brought me home of course. It has been nice weather all week.

Sunday Oct. 7. Cold all day, rained a little in the morn & froze hard at night--first hard freeze. Uncle Ralph’s all came up & ate lots of watermelon. Went to E.L. because I had to lead -- only about a dozen there & several of them froze out.

Oct. 8 Monday. Canned peaches & went to town in afternoon. Rather cool all day.

Oct. 9, Tuesday. Picked up potatoes in the forenoon & rested in the afternoon after 3:30. Although I suspicioned something I was rather surprised when so large a crowd here -- a surprise party. Those present were Harley Daughtery’s 5, Mr. Rob’t Kissack’s 7, Mr. Wyman’s 3, Katzer’s 2, Hazel Blanch and Floyd Kellums 4, Jim Lippincott 1, Mrs. Rosier & Harold 2, Mr. & Mrs. Gatliff 2, Edison Moyer 1, Loraine Hassy 1, McClurgs, Fern & Harry 4, Wood Morford’s cousin 1, Susie Stephenson 1, Albert Rose 1, Mr. & Mrs. Casteel 2, Miss Powell 1, Rolf Gilmore 1. Total 39. I got lots of nice presents: two boxes of candy, an apron & handkerchief, a centerpiece, a book, a bottle of toilet water, a plate & pickle dish & cup, a crocheted yoke. I shall remember my 20th birthday awhile.

Wed. Oct. 10. Picked up spuds most all day. Went over to Rosier’s after Mama & Mrs. Wyman who had gone to Circle. Took Mrs. W. home. Came home & saddled Cricket & went after the cows.

Real warm today, wind blew a little this evening.

Oct. 11 Thursday. Took the cows out to pasture & then went over in the field to pick up spuds till noon. Didn’t go to the field after dinner as they were almost through. Rested most of the P.M.

Friday Oct. 12. Mama & the boys went to Morrill. I did usual work. Canned some watermelon pickles and cleaned up my room.

Oct. 13, Sat. Nothing special. Made a cake & some pies. Uncle Herb & Keith were over a few minutes. Aunt Nelle’s father came with a car of stuff Thurs. morn.

Oct. 14 Sunday. Went to S.S. at Henry. Fern came home with me. Rev. Bloomer & his son James were here for dinner. We all went to the Kellum school house in afternoon. My brothers, Fern, James & I rode in our car. Papa & Rev. went in his buggy & Mama went with Mr. & Mrs. McClurg. Everett fixed the telephone line. It had been broken a week. When we got home from Church Edison brought Ross’s down & then Fern & I got a ride in his new Studebaker. He had just left when Albert came in his Buick and we went to Church. They have the furnace in the Church now & it is real cozy.

Mon. Oct. 15. Did a big washing and the churning. Wrote some letters in the eve. Rolf came over a few minutes.

Tea Oct. 16. Did usual work. Mrs. Rosier & Harold came over after some cabbage. Did a little canning.

Oct. 17. Baked & ironed. Cold windy day. Mrs. Wyman & Everett came over after some tomatoes.

Oct. 18 Thur. cut out my dress & did a little basteing. Awfully cold wind all day. Fern called up about 4 o’clock & said the folks were going out to the place & she would be alone so she came over after me & I went over & stayed with her Wed. eve.

Thurs Oct. 18 Stayed all day with Fern. Her folks got home about 3 & she brought me home about 4.

Friday Oct. 19. Did usual work. Nothing special. Still cold.

Saturday Oct. 20. Took Mrs. Clark & her mother, Mrs. France, & sister-in-law & little niece down to Morrill. Her sister-in-law & baby took the train for her home in Lexington. About froze my fingers driving down, but it was warmer coming back. They stayed at our place for dinner. We didn’t get home until 2. I took them on home about sundown. Albert came about 6:30 & I went over to his place to an oyster supper. They called it the spud-picker’s reunion. Had quite a nice time. Other young folks were Miss Cromer & Susie Stephenson. Those were the only girls, several more young men. Nice evening, only a little chilly.

Sunday Oct. 21. We all went to S.S. & Church at Henry. Went home with Katzer’s for dinner, had a real nice time. Windy part of the day. I went to E.L. & Church in the Buick.

Monday Oct. 22. Cold, windy day. Wrote a few letters and helped with the work.

Tuesday Oct. 23. Did the washing and some ironing. Went up to Mrs. G’s to see about getting my cap made. Came home. Was quite tired.

Wednesday. Went up to Gatliff’s quite early. Worked on the cap until noon. We went to Circle at Mrs. Moyer’s in the afternoon. Stayed all night at Gatliff’s. Rained & snowed a little in the night.

Thu. Sam brought the car up and I drove it back & then Mama & I went up to Clarks after some meat. Fern came over after some cabbage and I went over to town. Took the car to get it fixed and visited Aunt Nell, Mama & I. Sam drove the car home.

Friday. Cool but not bad. Cleaned the parlor & dining room.

Saturday Oct. 27. Took Mrs. Gatliff up to a nurse’s with whom she is taking treatment. I came home & then went over to town with Elvin & Mrs. G. They came right back home & I stayed and rode home with Kissack’s. I had Mrs. G’s tickets for the dishes that were given at Anderson’s, also ours. Mrs. Gatliff came the closest so I brought out her dishes.

Walked home from the gate. Albert came at 8 and stayed. We went over to Wyman’s, got ewer & went to K. and over to town, but didn’t find Nelle, so we went back to Wyman’s & spent the eve. It was snowing when we came home from Wyman’s Sunday morn.

Sunday. Still snowing and cold all day. Didn’t do anything but write letters & read. Cold & clear tonight. Nelle & Everett & Albert came over and spent the eve.

Monday Oct. 28. Only 6 below zero this morn.

Tues. Washed.

Wed., 31 Went up to Mrs. Clark’s & they helped me with my dress. Nice eve. We went over to Gilmore’s and the boys went on over to Casteel’s.

Thursday. Mama & El. & I went to Morrill. Aunt Nelle came over a few minutes but couldn’t stay only a minute. Nelle Kissack came down & we made our boxes for the social Sat. night.

We went over to Daugherty’s & stayed an hour or so.

Friday Nov. 3. I did up the work & Mama baked pies for the pie social. Mrs. Clark & her mother came down & we worked on my dress all day, but couldn’t get it done. Did it all but putting on the collar, so I didn’t get to wear it to the social.

Mrs. Powell had a nice little program & they sold Shadows for the pies. Mine went the highest. Johnnie Powell bought it, etc.

Sat. Nov. 3. Worked hard all forenoon and went up to Mrs. Gatliff’s & got the collar put on my dress all O.K. & wore it to the box social. A. R. came over after me. Ben Russell got my box.

Sunday Nov. 4. Went to S.S. & Church at morn. Took our dinner & went up to where the government ditch is let contract at Springer, Wyo. Elvin stayed at home and so we took Mrs. France with us to see the country. Went to Church & E.L. of course.

Monday Nov. 5. Washed. Took Mrs. Gatliff up to Kinsely’s.

Tuesday Nov. 6. Mama & I went to Morrill.

Wed. Nov. 7 Ironed & did some mending. Mrs. Clark & her mother walked down and while they were here Peckham’s came along going up to their house so they rode back with them.

Thursday, Nov. 8. Hurried up with our work and baking & went over to Dougherty’s for dinner, Mama & I.

Friday, Nov. 9. Darned socks and went after the mail.

Saturday, Nov. 10. Cleaned up the house etc. Went to town in the P.M. to a class meeting. Went to a business meeting of the League in eve. Nice weather all week.

Sunday, Nov. 11 1917. Went to S.S. at Henry and Nelle & I went in their car over to Bills to get them but they didn’t come. Nelle came home with me. Everett came over and also Albert. Went to Church over south and then back to Wyman’s and then to Church and E.L. and home again. A dandy day.

Monday Nov. 12. Fine day. Walked. Took a nap in the afternoon.

Tuesday Nov. 13 -17. Did usual work. Mr. Mabry & Rev. Staniforth were out soliciting for the Y.M.C.A. Mrs. France walked down a few minutes. Mama & I went over to W.C.T.U. in afternoon, came home, and all went over to hear Rev. Johnson of Gering give an interesting Y.M.C.A. talk.

Wednesday. Baked & ironed.

Thursday - Did some patching, etc. Mr. Moyer was here for dinner. Mama & I went to Ladies Aid at the parsonage. There were 30 present. Had a nice time. Kissack’s came down in the eve.

Friday. Same. Went up to Clarks & spent afternoon. Mama & I, Papa & Elvin went on up to Je__s.

I forgot, had a thunderstorm Tuesday night. Most of the week has been nice.

Saturday. A cold wind. Did usual Sat. work.

Sunday Nov. 18. Went to S.S. & Church & home with Nelle the rest of the day, and to Church with A. as usual, etc.

Monday Nov. 19. Washed, went over to the mail box with Elvin & walked back. Cleaned up kitchen and out the stove.

Tuesday Nov. 20 Washed windows and varnished a chair, music cabinet & stove. Darned some socks.

Wednesday Nov. 21. Drove the team to circle at Mrs. Shull’s & then went on the Phiney’s after chickens.

Thursday Nov. 22. Did usual work. Put a comfort in the frames to tie. Got it started. The threshers came.

Friday. Swell day. Got through threshing before noon. Had 4 men for dinner. Finished tying comforter that day.

Sat. 24. Did usual work. Went over to town as it was ticket day, but didn’t get any dishes. Beryl V. got them. Our class had a meeting and decided to serve tea and wafers & homemade candy at the booth at the bazaar. Went to E.L. program with A.G.R. Spoke “Pa’s Economical Ways” & “Katrina’s Visit to New York.” Cool & sharp.

Sunday, Nov. 25. Cold, stormy-like morning. A little sleet, but we went to S.S. anyway & when we got home Rev. Bloomer was there. It had cleared off and not a bad day. Went over south to Church but very few there. Came home. Albert came soon and we went up in the Springer neighborhood. Got back in time to go to E.L. & Church.

Monday Nov. 26 to 29. Washed, etc. Did usual work. Made candy for bazaar, etc.

Thursday 29. Went to the Ladies Aid play. It was quite good and there was a big crowd. They took in over 58.

Friday Nov. 30. Went over town & helped fix our booth. Stayed all night at Uncle Herb’s.

Sat. Dec. 1. Worked all day. The class cleared $15 and their pledge was $10 for the Church. The Ladies Aid took in 192. Everything sold well & everyone was good & tired when night came.

Sunday Dec. 2. The folks went down to Uncle Ralph’s. A. came after me & we took Nelle & Blanche to S.S. & then went to Wyman’s for a Thanksgiving dinner. Edison & Ernest were there besides others named and a niece & brother of Mr. Wyman’s from Basin, Wyo. We had a grand dinner--turkey, cranberry sauce, grape juice, two kinds of cake & pie and lots of other stuff. We like to never got over it. We all went to E.L. & Church in Everett’s car. Another day is over. Rather chilly eve.

Monday Dec. 3,4,5. Just have done the work. Mama not feeling well. I have a touch of sore throat. Cool & disagreeable weather. No snow as yet. The rest of the week did very little. Cold & disagreeable. Nothing special doing. Went to town Sat. Sat. eve. Everett brought Nelle, Blanche & Ernest down & A. came over. Snowing in & blowing some, but they got home O.K.

Sunday, Dec. 9. Snowed all day. All stayed at home & tried to keep warm. Have a terrible cold.

Monday Dec. 10. Cold better. We baked & churned today. Rather cold all day.

Dec. 22. The last weeks have been usual routine and trying to make Xmas presents.

I was over to Wyman’s Wed. & Thu. Mrs. W. wasn’t feeling well. Was to town this afternoon & saw Nelle, of course. Had rec’d many nice presents. She gave me a nice handkerchief. Went down to Uncle Henry’s for Xmas dinner Sunday Dec. 23. All of the Russell’s were down there. 22 for dinner. Had a nice time & a good dinner!

Monday Dec. 24. Ruth came home with us last night. We got home at 10, stayed down there until after church. Was cold and stormy all day, but cleared off at night. Elvin and Ruth went with A. & I to the Xmas tree. We got home at 9 and played games until 11. Had quite a time of course.

Tuesday Dec. 25. We all went over to Pope’s for dinner. Had a nice dinner, turkey, etc. for Xmas. Elvin gave me a handkerchief, bottle of perfume & ivory comb. Sam a hand-painted cup & saucer. Ruth a crepe de chine handkerchief. Eva, a wash rag & handkerchief. Aunt Mollie a nice center-piece & handkerchief. Nelle K a handkerchief, Mama a box of stationery. Tillie, a nice bath towel set. Gladys, she & Clarence’s picture. Blanche, her picture. A.R.H. a nice money purse. And lots of other nice little remembrances.

Wednesday Dec. 26. A real nice day. Went over to town and was to Uncle Herb’s for supper. Ruth and I took the train to Mitchell. It was the nicest eve.

Thurs. 27. Colder. Wrote a number of letters and visited, etc.

Friday 28. Still real cold. Ruth had some of her friends come in for a 5 o’clock dinner. The girls that came were Norma Godbey, Cora Sanford, & Elizabeth Eastman. They were certainly a gay bunch & we had a nice time.

Sat. Dec. 29. Went over to Curry’s & played the phonograph in afternoon. Ruth, Doris, Aunt Blanche & I went to the picture show and it wasn’t so bad.

Sunday. Went to S.S. in Mitchell. The girls didn’t have any teacher so I taught them. Went out to Uncle Ralph’s for dinner. Elvin, Albert & Clarence came after me.

Went back by R & C stayed. Elvin coaxed Albert to go to Pope’s & we brought Marie home with us. We all went to Church & Sam took the folks & Blanche. They were up to Kissack’s today. Coming home we had a blowout and went about 2 miles on the rim. Then fixed it after he got here so it will be all right to get home with. Nice warm day & not very chilly tonight. Certainly nice weather for Dec.

Monday Dec. 31.

1918

During the week did usual work etc. Made Mama a dress. Went to circle Wed. Jan. 3 and decided it would be postponed for awhile. Elvin has been working on our car at the garage in Henry. It is being overhauled. Nice weather almost all week. Went to town Sat. and came home with Wyman’s & then went over to Uncle Herb’s with Everett & Nelle to practice some songs. Got home at 10 o’clock.

Sunday 1/6. Snowing in morn, but we children went to S.S. Blanche K. went with us. When church was out the sun was shining. Albert and Fern & Blanche came home with me & also Mr. Pope & Ross with the boys. We had dinner & went over south to Church. We enjoyed the sermon very much. Went to E.L. & Church. Sam, Blanche & Fern rode in the back seat going and S & B going back. “Such is life, I suppose.”

Monday, Jan. 7 1918. Washed & cut out my green crepe de chine waists.

Tuesday 1/8-18. did up work & sewed some. Went to Morrill to a red cross meeting in afternoon. Drove the jitney rather cool, but not bad.

Wed. Jan. 9 1918. Finished my waist. Made a cake. Ironed some, etc. Snow & blowing all day, very disagreeable weather. A. came over though in the eve, so Elvin got to ride home with him, snow a-flying & wind blowing. Sure didn’t envy A.H.R. his trip home when he got ready to start the engine had frozen, but we happened to have a tea-kettle of hot water & it was soon thawed. There was to be a surprise party on one of our neighbor’s but there wasn’t.

Thur., Friday & Sat. cold & stormy most of the time. Elvin stayed over town two nights. I went over with Sam Sat. night when he went after E. and stayed with Fern.

Jan. 13 Sunday. Attended church services three times. It was a red letter day for the Henry M. E. Church as it was dedication day. Lots of people and 5 or 6 different preachers were there. Nice day.

Monday Jan. 14. Washed & scrubbed. Rather cool, but clear.

Tuesday Jan. 15. Ruby & Gordon came down & stayed for dinner. Gordon helped Papa butcher a beef.

Wed. 16 Cold, windy day. A. came over in the eve. We had thought some of going to Morrill, but decided not to. So he stayed & spent the evening.

Thurs Jan. 17 & 18-- Did usual work.

Saturday Jan. 19 --18. Did Sat. work. Went over to Henry in afternoon to draw the set of dishes--the last and largest set. We are quite proud of them. We all went to the W.C.T.U. contest Sat. night. It was good. Mrs. Lewis won the medal. There were 7 contestants. Cold & Clear.

Sunday Jan. 20. Went to S.S. & Church at Henry. Bloomer didn’t come as the snow was so deep. A & I went to E.L. & Church in the evening, etc.

Monday 21. Cold 20 degrees below zero. Throat a little sore and wisdom teeth trying hard to get through. Just done a little work. Ruby & Gordon came down. Papa wanted G. to help him. Mrs. Daugherty & children came over & Mrs. Gilmore and Rolf stopped a few minutes, so we had a regular visiting day.

Tuesday 22 Not quite so cold. Washed & ironed some. Wind came up & is blowing real hard tonight. Elvin stayed over to Herb’s last night & tonight. He is working at the Garage.

Wednesday Jan. 23. Usual work. Went up to Gatliff’s in the sled. Some snow drifted, but not very good sledding.

Thurs. 1-24 Usual.

Friday 1-25 Ruby & Gordon were down all day. Was real warm last night, but what a change. Cold east wind & snow flying. Some reported a blizzard, but it went over & we went to Henry to the entertainment, which was good. Snowing quite bad before we got home, but not a very bad blizzard.

Jan. 26 Sat. Fooled around & didn’t do much of anything. Went to town with Gilmore’s. Cold, clear day.

Sunday Jan. 27. Clear nice winter day. Mama & the boys wet down to Pope’s. I went to Fern’s. Felt like anything. A. brought me home.

Monday Nice day. Nelle & I went over to a business meeting of the cabinet meeting of the E.L. Got home about dark.

Tuesday Jan. 29 until Friday, Feb. 1. Have had the sore throat and have felt miserable, lazy, not doing any work unless I must. Has been very cold. Last night 22 degrees below zero which is the coldest it has been this week, but warmed up & thawed a little today, which is more than it has done for several days. I hope it keeps it up. Elvin came home tonight as he has been gone all week staying at Uncle Herb’s. Sam has stayed home from school since Tues. He has a bad cough & cold so we are running a hospital for the present. Saw by the paper that E.M. was very sick in Kansas City. Haven’t heard anymore. Hope he gets better soon.

Sat. Feb. 2. Feel a little better. Helped dress some chickens for Sun.. Albert came over in the evening, but I was afraid to risk going to the social so we didn’t go.

Sunday Feb. 3. Was able to go to S.S. Mr. Pope & Marie came home with us and we went over south to hear Rev. Bloomer, came back, and in about 15 min. A. came. We girls washed the dishes and Elvin & A. helped. I made some candy and was feeling fine--too fine I guess. We went to E.L. & Church. I played for E.L. & sang in the choir and we heard the new evangelist Mr. Fitt, an Irishman. He is sure a funny fellow, but it remains to be seen how much good will be done.

Monday Feb. 4. Wanted to wash but didn’t feel very much like it, but got the clothes sorted, and one boiler-full on. Ruby & Gordon came down as Papa wanted Gordon to help him butcher. Sam stayed at home from school, too. My head hurt me some so at 3 o’clock I laid down & took a little nap, got up at 4, went to bed with the hot water bottle at my cheek. Neuralgia was the disease and stayed until 8:30 Tues. morn.

Feb. 5. Don’t feel very good so went back to bed and stayed until 12:30. Feel better, but nothing to brag about. Sam and Papa have gone to Morrill. Mama is lying down. She finished washing the clothes I started yesterday. Warm yesterday & today. Didn’t hardly freeze last night. Hard wind all day and water where the snow drifts were, and dusts other places. Quite a thaw. Am getting over my cold.

Feb. 14 They are holding revival meetings in Henry. Mr. Fitt is the name of the evangelist. He is an Irishman & full of Irish wit. Mr. & Mrs. W M Nichols, Mr. & Mrs. Bishop & Mr. Fitt were here for dinner today.

The roads are getting good now as we have had nearly two weeks of thawing weather, but the wind today has been below freezing and a report of zero weather. Had gone to Church every night this week but didn’t go last week as I had a cold and feared would catch more. A. came Wed. Feb. 6 and also Sun.. night. We had quite a conversation & nearly ____ but he came back Tuesday & we went to Church, etc. He went forward Sunday Feb. 10, 1918, I’m glad to say.

Feb. 28. Have been down to Scottsbluff since Thursday. Went down with the intentions of going to school, but took German measles so came home Thursday. Stayed with Blanche while I was down there. She & Lura are batching. Mr. Stearns wants a bookkeeper so I may go down to Morrill in a couple a week. Eva, Miss P. is staying here now. As Mrs. G. is going to move to Mitchell. She had a sale the 26th.

Friday Mar. 1-8 Swell day. Am just fooling around. My eyes hurt some.

Mar. 2 Did usual Sat. work.

Mar. 3 Went to S.S. at Henry. Came home with A. Mr. & Mrs. Bloomer were here for dinner and Mr. Pope. Swell day. Gatliff’s came down and went to Church with us also Mrs. France.

Mar. 4 Elvin didn’t go to work and we all went down to Scottsbluff & got my things.

Tues. Elvin is quite sick with measles.

Wed. through Sat. Sewed a good deal this week. Elvin sick but well enough to go to S.S. Mar. 10. We stopped at Gatliff’s for dinner. Mrs. G. didn’t tell us, but she could hardly walk on account of rheumatism. I stayed until church time. Janet Howard came to visit them this week.

Monday Mar. 11 Washed, ironed and cut out a dress. Nice warm weather, but oftentimes windy.

Tuesday Mar. 12 Went to the Bluffs with Wyman’s to a Farmers’ doings. Sam is sick with the measles this week. We each have our turn.

Wed. Mar. 13. Went to Henry & run out of gas so Gatliff’s took us over. Came home & went over to Kellums after some meal which we had ground. Cold wind came snowing & some, almost a blizzard.

Mar. 14 Mrs. Stearns called up and wanted me to start to work BK immediately, which I did. Came down this morn. I stayed at Phiney’s the rest of this week. Sam came after me Sat. night. Got home 10:30.

Mar. 17 Went to Henry to S.S. & Church & A. and I went to Fein’s for dinner--had a grand dinner. Fern & Woody, Howard & Hazel & Albert & I went out to the government ditchwork near Springers. Saw the drag line work and had a good time in general. Went to E.L. & the S. S. night.

Mar. 18. Mama came down with me & helped me get a room fixed to light housekeep in. She stayed with me too & cooked my meals Monday & Tuesday noon.

Mar. 19 She went home so tonight I’m batching. There is a lady with four little boys downstairs which makes it real nice and not so lonesome.

Mar. 20, 1918. Got up at 6 and got breakfast, went to work at 8, back for dinner at 1 o’clock and supper at 6:30. Got a letter from A., wrote several letters & cards today. Nice warm windy day. Talked to Mama on the phone. Talked to Mrs. Berry. She came down to take the train to visit her home in Denver. Mrs. Daugherty was in town & I talked to her some too. Wasn’t so very busy today.

Mar. 24. Sunday. The week has been of about the same routine. Came home last night. Went to S.S. & Church & up to Uncle Herb’s for dinner. They brought me home. The folks went to Pope’s for dinner. They have a new girl 3 days old. When I got home A. was there and brought me down to Morrill in time so that he could go back and take his folks to church, and I went to church with Mrs. Dogan and Miss Whipple.

Monday Mar. 25. Mr. Stearns left for Lincoln at noon so I will have things my own way although I would rather he would be here to help me find my mistakes. Have gotten along pretty well this week. Went to the surgical dressing class with Mrs. L and ? ? Wed. night. Think I’ll try & go all of the time. Went home Sat. night. The folks came down after me. Went to Church at Henry in the forenoon and at Kellums in the afternoon. Elvin brought me down this afternoon and the two Pope girls came too. Miss Whipple & I went to Church.

Sunday April 6. It has been somewhat stormy this week, about a foot of snow fell Tues. Most of it has thawed now but roads are still muddy. I didn’t go home last night, but am waiting for the folks this morn to come by to go to Uncle Ralph’s. It isn’t very pleasant this morn as it is cloudy & an east wind is blowing.

Monday night I went to surgical dressing class & also Thursday night as they didn’t have enough compresses made.

Fri. eve. A. called up to take me to a doings here in Morrill, but I didn’t go.

Sat. afternoon the store closed for an hour & a half for a liberty bond talk.

Sunday April 6 Monday Apr. 7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14.

Went to surgical dressing as usual. Helped Mrs. L a little with her sewing. Finished my apron.

Thursday night 11th I went up on the train to Henry & saw Ray wrestle with Norval. They wrestled for two hours & neither threw.

Friday night the folks came down in their new car. Chilalet [Chevrolet?] to a play given for the benefit of the Red Cross.

Sat. night April 13. It was raining so Mr. S. let me off & I went up to Henry on the train. Saw Mrs. Shannon & baby on the train. We went up to Uncle Herb’s & stayed all night & it rained nearly all night.

Went to S.S. & from there over to Wyman’s with the boys for a surprise given for Everett’s birthday. Had a nice time. [...] Rained all week & snowed some. Although

Sunday April 20 was dry, it blowed all day. We went to Katzer’s. During the week we attended the service class doings here in Morrill & enjoyed them, the play & class prophecy especially.

April 27. Didn’t go home on account of the roads being so muddy as it snowed all day.

Thursday. Soc. Did some washing etc. but went to Church both morn & eve. Cleared up the last of this week. Roads dried out but very rough.

A. came after me Sat. night.

Sunday May 5. Went to Uncle Herb’s for dinner and to S.S. Convention in afternoon. Was very bad in the afternoon & didn’t do anything but ride around in the Buick. Went out North of Henry & Morrill also. Had a real nice time.

Sunday May 13. Last night Elvin came after me & I actually stayed at home all day Sunday. The roads were very bad & muddy & we had been having rain & snow. Miss W. expected to come home with me, but her brother came just as she was ready. Went up to Phiney’s for supper last Tuesday night. Went & called on Effie Monday night. The oldest child has been sick & looks so pale. Effie is working quite hard too.

Don’t take much time to write in this anymore as I am busy so much of the time. Mornings & evening doing my work & trying to help Mrs. Bogan sew some. Although we’ve been taking strolls this week after dark around over the beet dump & the Y. etc. we all need exercise. I’m getting quite fleshy. weight 132 lbs now, have gained 10 lbs since I came down here.

May 30, 1918. It has been rainy all week until to-day it cleared off & was like summer again. The store closed at 10 & opened at 4. Mr. Stearns took Mrs. Huff, Thelma & I out to the cemetery in his car & then to the Hotel to dinner. Wasn’t that nice?

Mama & Elvin were down a few minutes this eve. It is raining now a little bit--a summer shower. Went to the picture show, The Birth of the Nation, last night. Albert, Sam & Clarence came down. I thought it was quite good.

I have a cold & it has settled in my throat but guess it will be better soon.

Elvin came after me Sunday, I mean Sat. night. as the roads were muddy, but we didn’t go to S.S. or Church, too muddy, we thought. Tom Anderson’s & Mr. Wotens were over for dinner. A week ago last Sunday Elvin, Mama & I went up to Ft Laramie to Pope’s. We went up to the Whalen dam & to Old Fort Laramie & had a nice time. Everett Wyman took a bunch down to Melbeta that day & I was invited. I wanted to go, but had written Marie that I thought I would come up there. Went to a Program this P.M.

June 19 1918. It has been a long time since I’ve written in this. Have been home every Sun.. The last two Sunday nights Albert has brought me down each Sunday. I drive our car some. Papa is still working at the Tri-State Spillway.

The last two weeks have been awfully hot, but sure good haying weather.

Went out to Powell’s a week ago tonight & enjoyed myself very much.

Sept. 13, 1918. It has been a long time since I have written. I don’t know where the summer has gone.

The 4th of July I spent at home in the grove with Nelle & Fern & Helen & Albert took me home.

Have been to several parties, one at Pearson’s when Elmer was back on furlough about the 10th of August.

Have gone home every Sat. night excepting one. That night Miss Fisher & I were together & then the folks came along & took us to Mitchell. That is where her home is & we attended the Sunday School convention.

Miss Fisher & I batched together for 3 weeks during the later [part] of August. Her brother’s went on a vacation & we stayed at their house 10 days and when they came home she stayed with me until Mrs. Logan got back. She went to visit her father in Hastings. Merle went along & Jay & Mutt. Dean & Ray went to Casper & visited their father.

Was to a party at Nichols a week ago lst Tuesday (Sept. 3) night. Had a nice time only it rained quite badly. Albert came after me. He left the next night for training. I went up on the train that night & came back with him as far as Morrill. It seems like 6 weeks ago instead of 10 days. He is at Camp Grant now. I heard from him twice.

Yesterday I went down to Mitchell on the noon train. Mama & I went to the fair. We stayed all night & came back on the noon train today. Tonight thought I would go down to Powell’s & stay all night, so I saw a neighbor who I thought I could ride out with, but they had just washed the car & couldn’t get it started, so after waiting an hour, I decided it was too late to go, so came back & put Ray & Mutt to washing dishes, & had Jay put to bed. Ate some bread & milk myself & decided I’d scrabble a little in this for a change. It is certainly warm tonight , almost sultry.

9-17 Mailed a letter on the train tonight. 4 of the Morrill boys went away to Military school. They were: Cliff Preston, Charles Light, Louis Medlin & Ralph Andrews. Everett Wyman expects to go soon, but didn’t go tonight.

9-19 Thursday. A cold, dreary dull autumn day. Yesterday was fine. Thelma & I took our dinners out in the park. Rec’d two letters today. One from Albert, the other Winnie. Mrs. Logan has gone to a dance tonight. Ironed & saw that her boys went to bed after telling them stories, etc.

Nov. 17, 1918. Haven’t written for a long time. Am just now getting over the influenza. Took down last Mon.. noon. Have been in bed ever since. Irene & Miss Zink took down the same day. Irene was back to work Friday, though, so she got over it sooner than I. Haven’t heard from Miss Zink. Vern & his wife were sick all last week

Oct. 10, the evening of it. The Gatewood girls took Irene & Miss Zink & I down on the river for a wiener roast. We built a camp fire & made coffee & roasted wieners & marshmallows. Had a real nice time and no serious accidents. In going through the gate Ansel turned too short & broke the gatepost, & Miss Z. hurt her finger a little by pushing the post out of the car.

A couple a weeks ago the Mex. woman died here in the house where I stay, of the Flu, etc. Irene had me come up & stay all night with her that night. Last Sunday

Nov. 10, Mama & I spent out to Rose’s. Clarence & Mrs. R. came after us. We had a real nice time.

A week ago last Thursday Papa & the boys left for Texas in the car. Mama & I plan on going on the train in a couple of weeks. The folks had a sale Oct. 15. Not much of a crowd. Things sold only fair, cattle good & horses poor. Uncle Henry & Harry D. came down a few days the 1st of Nov. Uncle H. is going to Cal. in a couple of months & I’m planning on going with him. Won’t that be nice? He gave me $100 to start on when ever I wanted to. So I coaxed Mama to wait & we would go on the train together to Texas.

Sure was lucky she stayed, for I needed some one to take care of me & now I want to get up. She thinks I’d better not today as a cold wind is blowing. So far this week has been real nice & warm.

Nov. the 7th. The news came out the war was over & a lot of us got tin pans & marched all over the streets & celebrated proper. The fire-bell rang a long time & the boys shot guns. At night there was a big bonfire in the street at night and they hung a dummy for the Kaiser & set it afire.

The next day we heard we had celebrated all for nothing. It was a fake report, but we celebrated anyway, and Monday we really did get the news or rather the real thing did happen, so our celebration wasn’t for nothing anyway, only a few days ahead. I hear from A. once or twice a week. He was transferred to MacArthur, Texas, last week.

Rec’d a card from Harry this week also. He is still over the sea. I heard Mrs. Daugherty was sick last Sunday, having lost a little boy. Nelle is helping them.

Mrs. Rosier left for Calif. about the 20th of Oct. H. stayed here.

Lots are having the flu & most of them here in town are getting along O.K.

Nov. 18. Uncle Ralph’s stopped at the door & asked how I was last night. Dean went down after the mail, but to no avail. L.N.

This morn I tried to get up & dress. I did, but my knees were pretty shaky. Anyway, I crocheted quite a bit & sewed about forty buttons, more or less. Rose’s went past in the forenoon & stopped to ask how I was.

Swell day & an awful pretty night, but I’m not allowed out of the house or even down stairs today. Maybe tomorrow.

In this intervening time, Esther and Rosa made their train trip to Texas in their move from Nebraska to Arizona.

TEXAS VISIT

December 5, 1918

Am visiting in Chillicothe, Texas, at my Uncle Wes Jackson’s. Three of the children are at home. John, a soldier boy, who has just rec’d his honorable discharge and Helen a girl about 25 and Winnie about 20. They are teaching the home school here. Mama & I came down on the train a week ago leaving Morrill at noon and getting here at midnight Thursday night. Snow all the way and snow here too. It seemed real cold, but it wasn’t nearly as cold as it is up home.

Dec. 14. Haven’t written much, but have been going some. Papa and the boys left this morn for Ariz. Last night Will, Carlie & Jewell came over & Eugene Murphree, Winnie’s beau & Vernon Hoffner one who works at the Experimental Farm with Elvin & Sam. It made two tables of four and we played 42 until 10:30.

Wednesday nite Dec. 11. Vernon & Eugene were up also & played 42.

Wills had the flu a couple a weeks ago and Sam went over to do their chores, so like wise he got it. So they are just able to get out of I was over there and stayed all night last Friday night the 6th I went over early in the morn & we went to Quanah the county seat of this county. That same day Uncle Wes, Papa, Elvin & John went to Burk Burnett where there are many oil wells. John went to get a job or see about it.

Wednesday afternoon the 4th. We went up to cousin Jim’s for dinner. Mama, Aunt Mollie, John, Elvin & I. Then we went over to the Mounds where they are prospecting for oil.

Thursday the 5th. John & I went to visit the girls school about 3 o’clock. It was at recess so they asked John to give a little talk, which he did and a very interesting one of the war, etc. Then I made a fool of myself by trying to speak “The Little Boy in the Dime Museum.” Then the girls dismissed school, so we didn’t get to visit school at all. So we went over to the lake & went a boat riding.

Sunday Dec. 8. We all went to Sunday School & then over to Will Johnson’s or cousin Wills for dinner all excepting Elvin. Elvin wasn’t feeling good. Helen, Aunt Mollie, Uncle Wes, Papa & grandpa. When we went town the young folks of us. Sam, Winnie, Jewell, John & I got the mail

We girls were so tired we went to bed quite early. J. went back to town & stayed until about 10.

Monday Dec. 9. They butchered four hogs and Will & Sam came over to help them so there were several here for dinner. Mama & I washed a little in the eve. I helped grind sausage until about 6:30. J & I didn’t get in in time for supper so we boiled some eggs, two a piece and had some supper. They had lots of fun trying to tease us about our supper. Oh, we saw three airplanes flying over Chillicothe this morn. Oh, I forgot we did go to town in the morning.

Tuesday Dec. 10. Mama went with us & we went to take J. to the train but it had gone at 10:40 & we got there at 11:30. So we came back & we made candy & had a nice time. So the next morn Dec. 10 we went & we got to the train on time.

It rained all night Thursday to 12, but quiet.

Dec. 15 1918 Went to S. S. this morn home for dinner. one of Winnie’s chums from town came over and they started out & met Eugene so they all went for a ride and Jewell with them. Helen & I went down to see Mrs. Bond who is sick down to the experiment farm in the meantime a soldier boy & another man stopped and asked for Miss Jackson. It was a Mr. Myers from Austin, an old school friend of Helen’s. The other one was a Mr. Conley, so we all got in their roadster and came back up to the house. In the meantime Winnie and her bunch came so we had a dandy time and lots of fun. Abut five they left so Winnie and Eugene asked us, Helen & I, if we wanted to go for a ride. Jewell was along and we stopped at the experiment farm & got Vernon Hoffner and went over to the lake & back, got home about 6 and I guess that’s enough experience for one day. I’ve decided to go to bed early.

Monday Dec. 16. Rather cool dark day. The girls didn’t have to teach as school was closed on account of the influenza. I cut out Mama and my waists and sewed on them most of the day.

Tues. Dec. 17 Rained most of the day. We fooled around I finished the waists in the evening. We girls decided to all write a letter to John. While we were deciding what to write in stepped George Breeding and Vern Hoffner so they helped us and we wrote it in rhyme. After that we played Pit until after 10.

Wed. Dec. 18 Was a nice clear day and we all washed. I guess that was about all..

Thurs. Dec. 19 Rained again to beat the band. We girls took turns in ironing and got it done by noon. Afternoon we all went to bed and had a good nap.

Helen was called out of bed by a telephone call from Mr. Myers saying the reason they didn’t come Wed. night they hadn’t rec’d our invitation for Wed. night until too late to come. Would come some other time. I was so sorry for we were going to have a good time.

We were going to Bonds but it was too rainy

Friday Dec. 20. Quit raining last night. We decided to start today so Uncle Wes hitched up to the wagon and loaded in the trunk, so Aunt Mollie & Uncle Wes rode on the front seat, Mama & Helen in chairs, & Winnie & I on the trunk. Some bunch you bet. Went over intending to stay all night & take the 5:15 train in the morn but found we could take a train that eve & take a different route, although we didn’t know anything about the route until we started. Vernon Hoffner helped us on the train. He had come over to take a later train to go home Xmas. The train that eve was very crowded. We sat across the isle from a soldier boy (there were several on the train). We conversed some and one was going to show us some pictures. While he was getting them out of his coat across the aisle, a couple of ladies came & took his seat. I guess he didn’t care very much for then he sat with & showed us pictures. He lived somewhere in Texas. We were moved to another car. He came too & got off soon at about 10 o’clock. He said his hobbies were skating & dancing? Ha Ha. His name was Norman Myers for he showed us his discharge. We went to Amarillo Tex. about 12. Went to a hotel and thought we had to leave at 7:35 but the train was only five hours late.

Dec. 21 Ate breakfast at a cafe and left the hotel about 12 for the Santa Fe depot. The train came about 1 and such a crowd we could hardly find a seat, but finally crowded in with a couple who were going to Calif. to visit his mother. They lived in Ark. Their names were Rhodes.

On the train all we saw was snow. It was a sparsely settled country. One place we saw a pig on the porch. Some one said that [happens] in Texas. There were six soldier boys who sat across the aisle, or four did, the others in the next seat. They were from S Carolina going to Washington. Their homes were in Washington & Idaho. They were going back to their home camp to be discharged. They belonged to the signal corps. Two of them were very talkative; the others I presumed were married. One told me he was. They had their camp kits with them & their food & I understood they got a dollar a day. At least one of them said “Well if we are on here a million days, why, we will have a million dollars.” One little short fellow with glasses talked to me mostly he came over and showed me a lot of snapshots. His hobby was photography. He said he had been at it for 7 years. He lived at Tacoma, Washington. His name was Clarence Chessimen. When we got off the train at midnight he asked me my address & name & I gave it to him. We all changed at Albuquerque, New Mexico. Got there about one & waited until eight.

ARRIVAL IN ARIZONA

Sunday Morn Dec. 22. It happened we all boarded the same train. Mr. C. helped us with our baggage very nicely. While at Albuquerque a lady asked me if I wasn’t the State Food Administrator of New Mexico. I thought that quite a compliment. All day it snowed, part of time blizzard, part of the time snow all the way. Went through some mountains. At the continental divide saw a placard 7248 [ft. elevation]. We went lots higher than that in the mountains near Flagstaff. At midnight we changed at Ashfork for Phoenix. We arrived Phoenix at about 10:30. Our train for Gilbert left at 8:10 so we laid over all day & night at Phoenix. We looked up in the telephone directory & found Shawver’s & Anderson garage so we called up & Vera answered. She seemed real glad to hear from us and came down to meet us. We went up to the Garage & then she sent us up to her folk’s home & we had a nice little chat with Mr. & Mrs. Shawver. We walked back to town & got Vera to go with us & she showed us the Capitol & the grounds. Saw some orange trees with oranges on them. Also all kinds of desert cactus. We saw lots of it from the train. It is all over the desert & it is all desert around here where there isn’t any irrigation.

Tuesday Dec. 23. We arrived at Gilbert about 11. Charlie Barnes’ were in town & we got to see them Mr. B. came down to the depot & carried our suitcases up. Uncle Clarence had started down & his car had a flat tire. The streets were all mud & water. Some thing unusual for this time of year they say & it is quite cold too it froze a little ice some nights. We can see mountains from here & snow on them too. They took us to Mesa Tues. afternoon. Mesa is almost a city about nine miles from here. all paved streets.

Wednesday Dec. 25. Aunt Mabel cooked a big turkey & a dandy dinner. Uncle Lawrence came and Mr. & Mrs. Cardell & baby (the school prin. here). They live next door.

Thursday Dec. 26. We rec’d a card from the folks they are held up about 175 mi. from here for repairs. We were certainly glad to hear from them as we were beginning to get worried on account of the bad weather. Xmas eve we went for a ride out on the desert out to some people by the name of Barnett.

Friday Dec. 27 Aunt Mabel has a bad sore throat so we decided to go to Phoenix. We went to a picture show & bummed around some got home at dark & Papa & the boys were here for which we were very glad.

Sat. Dec. 28 1918. Did usual work. Went out to Barnes in the afternoon. We went out with Mr. Barnes & Sidney & Elvin came after us it was so late we stayed until after supper.

Sunday Dec. 29, 1918. Uncle Clarence, Sidney, Harlan,61 Papa & Elvin & Sam went out to Superstition mountain to hunt wild pigs. Aunt Mabel,62 Mama & I walked down to the P. O. this morning. Mrs. Cordell came over in the afternoon & we played 42 until the men folks came. They didn’t get any game but were mighty tired.

Monday Dec. 30. School started this morn. Sam Started. Did usual work. All the boys were crazy to go to the picture show so we went. Papa & Elvin went over to stay with Uncle Lawrence last night. After we got home from the show John Springer & some of his family drove up about 10. They came from Uplands Calif. Mr. & Mrs. Springer, Avice & Arlan & a Mr. Smith consisted of the party.

Dec. 31 1918 Got up rather late then we took three cars & commenced looking at land. We went over to Chandler, a pretty little town, & out to an Ostrich farm. Arlan climbed over in the pen but got out again pretty quick. I drove the car some & A & I were in the front seat Avice & Mr. S. in the back & Elvin. Going out to the Ostrich farm coming back from Chandler Elvin & Arlan & I were in our car & Avice & Mr. S. in Uncle Charence’s.

1919

Jan. 1 1919 Springer’s stayed all day & we looked at more land. Mr. Springer was looking for land for his son-in-law to be & also Arlon.

Jan. 2 Springers left this morn about 11. We just fooled around the rest of the day.

Jan. 3 Helped clean up the house. Stayed with Sidney while the rest went down town. The other evening Sidney & Sam were wrestling & some way Sidney got his leg broken or rather one bone below the knee was badly cracked.

Jan. 4 1918. We all went to Phoenix & bummed around all day. Elvin & I went up to the Capitol building & looked around. We were all very tired when we got home so we went to bed about 10 & got up at about 10.

Sunday Jan. 5. Did usual morning work, didn’t have breakfast until 11 o’clock about 2 we all Uncle Clarences & just we Jackson went for a ride out to the date farm. I learned that dates grew on palm trees. If I ever knew it I had forgotten.

We went past an Indian village. The houses were mostly made of reeds or grass.

We rode in the desert for about 10 miles trying to find a place, but decided we had gone far enough so turned around & came back. The desert isn’t bare. There are shrubs, mesquite & other trees on it & cactus. Went past one bee ranch on the desert. Here they put hives out at different places in the county to get honey. They build a kind of a shed over them. We came back past the ostrich farm & the town Chandler.

Around home about 6. After supper Aunt Mable & I after a lot of scheming went over to Cordells & played 42.

Monday Jan. 6, 1919 Mama went down town in the morn in the afternoon Aunt Mabel & I walked down, did some work for Uncle C & Elvin brought us home. Elvin & Papa went to Phoenix to get some things they bought Saturday. We all fooled around played 42. Aunt Mabel took sick about 9:30 & was sick most of the night.

Tuesday Jan. 7 1919. Mama got up and got breakfast. Aunt M being sick. did up the work & Mama & Elvin moved over to Lawrence’s. Tonight it is very quiet as just Uncle C & I am here. A Mrs. Barnett called this PM & she is going to Cal. in a few days I expect to go with her.

Wednesday Jan. 8 School was closed again on account of flu. The boys are studying at home. I listened to Sam & Sidney recite & Aunt Mabel took care of Harlan. In the evening I went over the Lawrence’s with the folks had a dandy time with U.L. he is so jolly even though he doesn’t feel that way, played flinch until quite late. Today was daddy’s birthday I think he was 66.

Thursday Jan. 9 1919. Papa, Mama Elvin & I started out to visit Timer Shawver’s who live west & north of Phoenix about 3 miles. We didn’t exactly know the way, so likewise we didn’t find them very easily, so at noon we went to Glendale & ate dinner & started out, we inquired at a number of houses but no one knew them. We saw lots of orange & grapefruit & lemon trees on Central where the multimillionaires live. Finely we went back to Phoenix & happened to run on to Old man S., he gave us directions & we went right out O.K., so we stayed all night got along O.K. by sleeping three in a bed. They have 5 children [including] a small baby.

Friday Jan. 10. Went back to Gilbert about 1 o’clock. When we got there, Mrs. B had phoned she would leave Sat. to-morrow, so I stayed all night at Uncle Clearance’s & finished packing, etc.

Saturday, Jan. 10. Went out to Barnetts with Uncle C came back. after dinner the folks came over & Elvin decided to take me to Phoenix in the car, so away we went, after buying my ticket & checking my trunk I went up to Shawver’s Garage & visited with Vera & her mother, the Vera took me to the WYCA where I stayed until train time. At 6:20 our train went. Mrs. B & I used one berth in the Pullman & got along O.K. My first experience in a Pullman. The dressing room & the porter gave us bags to put our hats etc. A sailor boy had the berth over us so we had a conversation with him in the morning.

ESTHER’S CALIFORNIA INTERLUDE

Sunday Jan. 11 We got up about 6 o’clock & after we were dressed happened to think the time had changed an hour so we were all dressed before anyone was up while the porter made up our berth we had to move into another seat so we talked to the sailor boy. He was a Russian & had been in Mesa several years finely he asked Mrs. B her name was Barnett she said yes & he said he was acquainted with her husband.

We arrived at L.A. O.K. I saw Mrs. B on her train & commenced to look for someone to meet me. I went into the depot & found a phone & called cousin Maude. She said John & Sam had left quite a while ago, & for me to wait. Well I waited almost an hour & was just deciding to call again, when Uncle Sam came up. They had come down to the depot & had looked on the wrong train had gone clear back home & Maude told them I was there so they came back & got me.

We stayed at home all day except Aunt Mollie & I went for a little walk in the evening. She didn’t feel like going to Church U.S. went. A nephew of U.S. visited them all day. He belongs to the aviation corps of the navy. He told us many interesting things about the navy, etc.

Monday Jan. 13 Stayed at home most all day in afternoon walked down to a little store a few blocks & went over to Maude’s they just live next door. Maude & John came over & spent the evening.

Tuesday Jan. 14 1919. Aunt M & U.S. washed I helped what I could. At noon Maude said she was going down town to a musical etc. so I went with her. saw lots of things & lots of people, bought a new hat & waist, got mighty tired though my feet did. At the musical heard Harry Tally sing with himself, which was good. They called us out to look at the colored circles around the moon.

Wednesday Jan. 14, 1919 I did the dishes while Aunt M started the ironing patched my waist & then pressed out my clothes. worked on my gingham dress awhile. Went over & got Alice & we went over to the shoe shop after my shoes, then to the P.O. We walked & walked at last arriving to the P.O. We enjoyed out walk very much. Am just staying home & writing a letter as usual tonight.

Thursday Jan. 16 Washed my black dress or rather Aunt Mollie did it for me. In the afternoon we walked over to the park, went through the exposition building, saw many exhibits of woods, oils and many other things. I want to go there again & take a few notes on it. I washed my head right after dinner. We saw Uncle Sam bowl awhile at the park and he didn’t see us. When we got home, I had a letter from the folks & Mrs. Wyman & a card from Nelle R. The news from Neb. were very sad. A train had struck Mr. Nichol’s car, while they were going to Scottsbluff & all of the occupants were killed except the Jap woman and I heard that she died. Those in the car were Mr. Wm. Nichols, Mr. Rose, Mr. J.O.Bissell & Ono, a Jap his wife and baby it is certainly a terrible accident. In the eve I went over to cousin Maude’s awhile played the piano & victrola.

Friday Jan. 17 1919. Did usual housework went up to a drug store and bought some pen points after luncheon. Aunt Mollie & I went out to Inglewood & visited Mrs. Ellis (an old friend from Kansas) We had a nice little ride on the streetcar & saw some beautiful scenery. Brought home a bouquet of flowers --roses, verbenas, Chinese lilies, etc.

Saturday Jan. 18, 1919 helped Aunt Mollie with the work in forenoon & took a bath. After dinner Alice & I went for quite a long walk down to 48th park & then back by Exposition in time to come home with Uncle Sam. In the eve I went over to Alice’s’ & we worked algebra awhile.

Sunday Jan. 19, 1919. Alice & I went to S.S. at the Normandie M.E. Church. None of the rest went. The people were all very friendly to me. Aunt M didn’t go as she wasn’t feeling good. Alice & I took a walk in the afternoon going through the exposition building & coming back with Uncle Sam.

Aunt M, Uncle S & I went to Church in the eve.

Monday Jan. 20. Some what misty & rainy this forenoon, but clear up late in the afternoon. I helped with the usual work & U.S. A.M. washed. A house burned up the street and I went up to see it. Saw the fire men & water wagon. They put the fire out, but the house was ruined and almost everything in it. No one seemed to know the exact cause. Did some darning & fixing this afternoon.

Jan. 23 Wednesday & Thurs.

Sewed on my dress since yesterday and today. Alice & I have did gym lately until our muscles are quite sore, also taken walks in the P.M. Rec’d 3 letters today so am feeling fine.

Jan. 24 Friday sewed all day Alice & I took a walk in the eve & then Aunt & I went over to Johns & listened to the Victrola awhile

Jan. 25 Saturday. Sewed on my dress some finished all the machine work on it. After dinner Alice & some friends of hers & I went down on Vermont to a picture shop to get some pictures I had left there.

Auntie & I went over to Mrs. Dickerson’s we thought she was alone but she wasn’t so I go acquainted with her son John about 50 an old bach.

Sunday Jan. 26 1919 Alice & I went to S.S. & Church then came home & we were all over to John’s for dinner. Had a fine dinner a rabbit dinner. After dinner John took us, U.S., Harold, Alice, Maude & I to the beach at Santa Monica & Venice. Saw the ocean the deep rolling seas once more, some in bathing, & lovers spooning on the shining sand. The crowd almost as many as there are at our county fair. Cars & cars strung along the road as far as you can see & with lots going the other way. We arrived home about 6:30 & Alice & I went to Epworth League & Church getting home about nine. Quite a full day.

Monday Jan. 27 1919 We washed to-day & I fooled around at different things went & spent the eve with Mrs. D. as she was alone. Rec’d two letters one from A the other [---].

Tuesday Jan. 28 1991 Ironed. Run down to the store with Alice a few times. although very sore, we did Gym as usual.

Wednesday Jan. 29 1919 Helped with work, did gym & sewed fasteners on my dress. Alice & her grandmother came over & spent the evening. I tried to help Alice with her Algebra.

Thurs. Jan. 30 Aunt M & I were going to the city but company came so we never. The company was Mrs. Clark & two boys & Mrs. Larson & baby. Rec’d a letter from Albert today, Was over to John’s a few minutes this eve & fooled around.

Friday Jan. 31. Maude, Alice, Aunt M & I all went up town awhile. Aunt M & I intended to go out in the country, but it looked too rainy & yet it didn’t rain.

Saturday Feb. 1 1919. Had a thunderstorm last night and some rain too. Went out to Mrs. Ellis in the afternoon, quite a cool wind.

Alice’s brother Lawrence came & she had a surprise on him & Veryl Boyd the boy next door. There were 12 there, although older, I had a dandy time as if I’d been sweet 16.

Sunday Feb. 2 Alice & a girl friend & I & Lawersina Veryl and another neighbor boy all went to S.S. & Church. As we came home it started to rain & drizzled all day but didn’t do any more. Maude took L & his little brother home & I went with them also. Alice & I didn’t go to E.L. as we were somewhat tired.

Monday Feb. 3 1919. Rec’d three letters this morn. Washed as usual & I started a dress for Mamma.

Tues.: Ironed & other usual house work.

Wed. Aunt M & U.S. cleaned the whole house etc. -- company coming tomorrow. Alice has started to school.

Thursday Feb. 6, 1919 Mr. & Mrs. Damon & Mrs. Damon’s son Mr. Coffee & his little girl about 10. Mrs. Damon is a 3rd cousin of ours on the Dier side of the house. They are visiting her son they live at Long Beach. Damon’s home is in Canada. We had a good visit & took a car ride out to Exposition Park.

Friday Feb. 7. Still Sewing on Mama’s dress or rather trying to finish it when Maude came over and wanted to know if I wanted to go bumming so of course I said yes & so we took Harold & went down town to the picture show & then over to the laundry & who should we see but Uncle Henry just arriving, so we all came back in John’s car.

Sat. Feb. 8. Finally finished Mama’s dress. Didn’t feel very good but Alice wanted to go to a football game so Uncle H. & I went. Throat doesn’t feel very good.

Sunday. Throat not very good so didn’t go to S.S. with Alice went to bed & slept a while then walked up to the drug store & got some mints for my throat. Aunt Molly & Uncle Sam have gone to Exposition Park to a memorial meeting for Roosevelt.

Feb. 20 1919 Have been to Riverside almost a week. Visited Mrs. Decker. Charlie D’s family and Ed Friends, Uncle Sam’s nieces.

We left Los Angeles Friday Morn Feb. 14 about 9:30. Uncle H.& I we went in the bus; cost us 1.35 apiece. arrived at Riverside about noon, so ate dinner at a cafe then went on up to Auntie’s. I visited with her until evening then Charles & U.H. came along & took me up to Fanny Friend’s to stay all night. Fanny took me to the show called “Don’t Change Your Husband”--it was very good. Had a good moral to it in some respects. Miss Friend, a maiden lady, was also at Fanny’s really it is her home, she is away quite a bit; her occupation is nursing. I like her very much. She said I seemed as one of the family and that made me feel very much at home.

Sat. Feb. 15 I visited there until about 11, then went over to Auntie’s. She lives by herself in two rooms in a rooming house, but Charlie’s have rented a large house in town and have an extra room, which they have fixed for her & she is moving in with them to-day. I stayed at Charlie’s tonight. They aren’t hardly fixed around yet but we got along O.K. I slept with Hazel & U.H. with Paul. Letha is very nice--doesn’t let the work bother her much.

Sunday Feb. 16 Letha & I went to Church. Hazel had to study in the forenoon. In the afternoon Letha, Hazel, Uncle H.& I all went to the Fairmount Park to a band concert & looked around over the park & took a swing in a real rope swing etc.

Monday Feb. 17. Uncle H.& I went to San Bernardino to the orange show. Saw many nice oranges & orange displays, etc.

In the afternoon we got back to Riverside. Letha & I went out for a ride in the buggy out to their old place & saw some nice scenery of pretty drives with orange trees on both sides all full of oranges. It was certainly nice.

Tues. Feb. 18. Crocheted & visited with Letha. In afternoon we went up town to the picture show in the eve we went to a Sons of Veterans Meeting. U.H. went with us we got home about 10.

Wednesday Feb. 19. Visited with Auntie a little while in the morn. Then we went over to Fanny’s for dinner then she and I went down town to see the human fly a man, who was going to climb up the side of a building. Well he went up the top all right, but he had plenty of help. Most of the crowd went away disgusted. I stayed all night at Fanny’s Ed her husband seemed very much inclined to joke & all are jolly.

Thursday Feb. 20 Mamma’s birthday today. Went over to Deckers about 11 o’clock, ate dinner with Auntie. We left on the Pacific Electric went through miles of orange & lemon groves & lots of eucalyptus trees around the groves, also many vineyards. The grape vines now look to me like nothing but stumps in the ground, also saw many walnut groves, etc. Got to L.A. about 6 o’clock. We went to a cafe & ate supper then took the car out here arriving about 7:30. Had four letters two from Mama & two from A.

Friday Feb. 21 1919. Washed out some of clothes in the forenoon. Aunt M & I went down the country to their old place. Things seemed very much as it did 13 yrs. ago of course more building etc. Their place is made up of Jap buildings.

Sat. Feb. 22 Went up to a dentist & had my teeth cleaned. When we got back Avice Springer had called up from the Pacific Electric depot. So she came up for luncheon & then I went with her down to The Trinity Auditorium to a recital by Hoffman. It was very good. We met Mrs. Springer & Mr. & Mrs. Burton down at Bullocks & I went home with them to Uplands. Rained, got my feet wet

Sunday Feb. 23 Visited & had a nice time came back to L.A. about 6 o’clock U.H. met me at the depot.

Monday Feb. 23 1919 Got up at 6:30 ate my breakfast in a hurry & went to the laundry with John & started to work as assistant for the bookkeeper, Miss Leeper. She is very nice & pleasant. Took a long car ride out to Hollywood. Enjoyed it very much the scenery. Uncle H.& I went to Edith Crosby McBride’s for supper & spent the eve had a splendid time.

Wednesday Feb.. 26 I’ve been going to work each more with John. Have been quite tired evenings but hope to get on to the work soon.

Thursday Feb. 27. Went to work with John in the machine & Uncle H.came after me & we came back on the streetcar. Am enjoying the nice weather & beautiful trees & flowers blooming.

Friday Feb. 28, 1919 Went to work & back with John in the car. Quite a bit of work to be done as it is last of month. Rec’d a letter from Mamma, Mrs. Wyman, Albert & some pictures from Clarence Chessman that he took on the train when I was going to Ariz. from Texas. The pictures are fine.

Mar.. 1 1919. Uncle Sam went to the laundry with me & Uncle Henry came after me as usual. Rec’d a nice long letter from Mama & one from Marie Pope. Miss Leeper the bookkeeper is very nice & patient with me. We posted most of yesterday & today.

Sunday Mar. 2 1919. Alice & I went to Sunday School & Church in the morn came home and ate dinner then Uncle Henry and I went for a streetcar ride out to East Lake Park all kinds of amusement, merry-go-round, boating & roller coaster, and of course a crowd. There was a botanical garden. It is several hot houses with different kinds of plants & flowers, nice ferns and some large leafed plants, some of the leaves were two feet or more wide sure some sight. We got home at 6 about 7:30 Uncle Sam & Henry & I all went to the Christian Church there was a fine choir of young folks but not much of a crowd. They invited us back.

Unk, our S.S. teacher said they had missed me & would surely let me know when they had the next party etc.

Monday Mar. 3, 1919 Went to work at 7:20 on the car all by myself & of course had through O.K. Did usual work of posting answering phones etc. Uncle H.came down & came back with me. Wrote some letters tonight.

Mar. 4 Tuesday. Went to work on the car, by myself came home with John. Fine day a little frost in morn. Rec’d letters from Hubert & Helen tonight. Wrote one to Mama. U.H. has gone to Glendora to visit friends.

Mar. 5-6 usual occurrences went to work etc. Uncle H.came back Thurs. eve about 9 o’clock.

Friday Mar. 7 Went to work etc. Uncle H.came down, we went up town to get our supper & then went to a picture show. The pictures weren’t so great, but the music was great a fine pipe organ & a nice orchestra & a swell whistler a sailor & then two girls sang some dandy songs. In the play was a thunder storm & the old organ roared like thunder & it was all dark & we could see the lightening flash. We got home about 9:30.

Saturday. Work as usual took a walk around the block in the eve, saw a lady that I met at S.S. She was very very friendly & talkative.

Sunday Mar. 9. Uncle H.& I went to Long Beach. Edith Coffee & her father & Mr. Damon met us & showed up all over. Amusements galore. Went through the crazy house. Rode on the merry-go-round and airships--took a goat ride & oh the rolly-coasters whoopee some fide for a dime!

Monday Mar. 10 Nice day Went to work as usual on the streetcar. Uncle S left the lunch basket on the car/train. He is working up at the Laundry this week painting. So we had to buy some sandwiches & milk. Aunt Mollie & I went over to Mrs. D in the evening and I learned to make idiots delight.

Tuesday night we went over to Ayles & spend the eve play the funny graph & piano. They are very friendly.

Wednesday was over to John’s a few minutes in eve. It started to rain this evening.

Thurs. Mar. 13 Raining hard in crossing a street I went in water over my shoe tops so had to stop at a store & buy some dry hose & borrowed a pair of shoes from Mrs. Kenny.

Friday March 14. Still raining some & somewhat chilly this eve it hailed until the ground was white at the laundry but didn’t here at Uncle Sam’s I guess that was the finish of the rain.

Sat. Mar. 15. Can see the mountains covered with snow, but it is nice & bright if it is a little chilly. I came home with John in the car. He came by their cottage on a hill sure some hills in L.A. I must say.

Sunday Mar. 16. Alice & I went to S.S. sure is a swell day just as nice as can be. Aunt M & U.S. have gone to Church. Went with John’s up to the mountains. Some people by the name of went along Maude drove their car. Veryl Boyd, & I & Harold, cousin John & U.H. was in John’s car. We ate our dinner by the side of a mountain stream, then climbed around the canyon, etc. It was surely nice went about 60 miles. Came back after dark & saw a bright full moon coming up over the mountains. Sang songs & enjoyed ourselves immensely only wished Alice had been along. During this week it rained some. I went to work as usual.

Sunday Mr. 23, 1919 Went to S.S. Alice & I. Then after dinner U.H. & I went to Venice & Santa Monica, strolled along the beach for a mile or so & hunted up the address I had for Kibbes but no Kibbes there. I walked so far in my high healed shoes & I nearly blistered my feet. They were more tired than I ever had them.

Sunday Mar. 30. Went to S.S. then Aunt Molly, U.S. Uncle Henry, John, Harold & I all took our dinner & went for a long ride up in the mountains. Walked through Fremont Pass made in 1847. Had a nice time.

Sat. eve Mar. 29 U. Henry & I went over to Dollie Burns for 6 o’clock dinner. They were very nice & pleasant people.

Tuesday April 1 Uncle Henry left early this morn on the Last Lakes hated to see him go all right. Went to a party with the Dolil girls they are married but they girls anyway. It was the Mizpah Class & their gentlemen friends one soldier, a sailor & a Y W. Then we had a fine time & had some April fool candy stuffed with cotton & rubber etc. had a good time in general.

Thursday April 2. Miss Leeper & I went to the Y.W.C.A. & watched them gym quite interesting. I came home on the car all alone.

Sunday April 6 Alice & I went to S.S. Wind blew like old Nebr. didn’t go anywhere only over to Alice’s & wrote some letters. Went over to Miss Ayles & got her to go to E.L. with me.

Wed. April 9 Just been going to work early & coming home late this eve Miss Leeper, Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Anton, Mr. Calvert cousin John & I went to Mr. Harps. He was one of the drivers & died with double pneumonia & the flu. Today his little boy has the flu too. It was very sudden as he has only been away from work for 3 day.

April 20. I spent a Long Beach at Mr. Coffey’s & Damon’s had a very nice time & took my first plunge in the ocean. It was certainly fine. I surely enjoyed it. Miss Damon & I sure had a nice time. She leaves for her home in Kalamazoo, Mich., soon. We had some pictures taken & oh what a crowd on the beach. You wonder where all the people come from.

April 27. Went to S.S. in morn. P.M. Uncle Sam & I went to the mission play in afternoon.

May 10, 1919. Aunt M. & I went to Riverside in the evening to visit Deckers & Fred Friends. We left here at 4 & arrived there at six went up to D’s for supper & I stayed all night there & Aunt M went to Friends. Sun.. I went to Church with Miss Friend & was there for dinner. Mr. Friend & I went out to the park to a band concert; came back about 5. I went on over to D’s & got to see Clarence a few minutes before he went to work. He just came home from France. He was certainly disgusted with the people of Europe especially the French & Belgians. It was amusing to hear him talk.

Sunday May 18. Went to S.S. in A.M. intended going to Wilkinsons for the P.M. Miss Leeper & I were going together but Miss L fell & hurt herself Sat. eve & wasn’t able to go so I didn’t care to go unless she did.

So Cousin John took Alice, Lawrence, Veryl, Dorothy & I to see an aerial circus. There were 24 planes in the air at once & two balloons bombs were dropped & different stunts were performed. They were taking people for rides for $10 each. I didn’t go, but I sure bet it would be thrilling.

Sun.. May 4. Uncle Sam & I saw a sham battle over at exposition park & two war tanks.

Sat. eve May 17. Miss Ayles & I went to see the Shepherd of the Hills & then I ate supper at Ayles & sang & played the piano awhile. Saw an Aerial display last night & nite before last sure was pretty. They looped the loop etc. dropped bombs.

May 30. We had a holiday & I washed my head & Aunt M & I went to the cemetery with Maude. The S.S. Class I’m in gathered up in cars & we went to Santa Monica & took our supper ate it at the beach, fried fish & I helped with the cooking. They pronounced Mr. Taylor & I chief cooks. We did do most of the cooking all right. There were 25 of us together some jolly crowd. We got home at 9:30 two cars of us the rest stayed for some more good time.

Sunday June 1. Maude & her mother & Harold & I went to Uplands in their machine. It is about 45 mi. I visited Springer’s & they visited their cousins. had a very nice time & enjoyed the ride.

June 4. Miss Leeper & I have been working to beat the band to day the Laundry got afire & of course we were excited. it was the roof of the boiler room, but not a great deal of damage was done.

It has certainly been warm this week. We have kept the electric fan going all day every day this week. Miss L fell & hurt her arm two weeks ago Sat. night. it was her right arm so I’m having more work to do lately. I think her arm will be O.K. soon. I hope so.

Sat. June 14. Miss Leeper had an operation in her nose so I was alone all day in the office got along splendidly. Cousin John & Maude left for Salt Lake & The Yellowstone Fri. the 13th so I am having to go on the streetcar to work generally leave about 7 o’clock have gotten to see Elizabeth Knewshaw & Imo Van Auken several times on the car during the week. Thurs. nite June 19 Beaulah Mancus stopped for me & we went to Gym & Phoebe & Elizabeth were there & we all came back together.

Sat. June 21 I didn’t go to work. Miss L wished that I might stay away & I wanted too for our S.S. class are having a house party at Manhattan Beach. I thought I would have to go alone on the streetcar, but right at the last minute one of the girls called & said if I’d come over to her house I could go in the machine so I surely went over to her house. There were six of us in the machine besides bedding & eats some crowd. We got out at the beach at 3. Our house was up on a sand hill facing the beach. It was certainly fine. I went over in Ben Miles machine, our teacher Unk. Ruth Hays, Florence Burnham & I & Elizabeth. Manhattan is all sand, but is quite well paved. I helped at supper in the evening. There were 25 for supper & not a very large house either the dining room & living room were together & we pulled the dining room table out as far as we could then added a small library table, sewing table & stand to that & put boards on each side to sit on. We had a dandy dinner (6 o’clock) Baked beans, scalloped potatoes, meat loaf, hot Boston brown bread & pie. There was another crew put on to wash dishes & the boys got breakfast, so no one needed to help but once. There was a piano in the house, also a porch swing & both were kept going most of the time. Ruth & I fixed the beds. There was one bedroom with two large beds in it & we put a cot at the foot of one of the beds so I slept there. There was a small bed room with a bunk in it & we put another cot in there. Then there was a room with 4 bunks in it & 4 boys slept in there. Ruth & I slept on the floor of the porch & 3 girls slept on a sanitary cot out there & two on a single cot. Two of the boys slept in their mac & 3 married couples slept out doors on their cots. We went for a walk on the beach about 11 o’clock & we got to bed about 1. I did some didn’t until later & we girls set the alarm to go off at 4 just for meanness so we didn’t get a great deal of sleep, but we sure had some time. The boys got breakfast at 6 o’clock, then we had S.S. at 7:o’clock. then a bunch of the girls put our bathing suits on & went in the ocean. It was great. It was a long time till noon. I got out & played catch for about an hour & got my neck sunburned a little, but not bad. Got home about 8 o’clock, came with Mr. & Mrs.. Carvin, Mildred Swanson Elida McClure.

July 25 1919. Have been very busy this month attending chorus every Tues. eve & Gym every Thursday. Rec’d word from Mama that she wanted me to come so that is where I am now in Ariz. We are at Clarence’s house as they have gone on a 6 weeks vacation to Cal. They all hated for me to come out here when it was so hot, but I came.

On Sat. eve the 19th one of my friends Phoebe Blockson called up & said she & Elizabeth were going to take their supper down to the park & wanted me to come. So I did & there were twenty there boys & girls for my benefit. We had a very nice time & the class gave me a box of stationary & Blonde asked to take me home so I told him I wanted to take my girl friends too so we took Netha Imo & Florence. Had a very pleasant ride.

Sunday the 20 Uncle Sam, Aunt M & I went to Long Beach & visited had a very nice time went down to the ocean but didn’t go in. It was high tide & the waves were dashing very high.

Monday the 21. I worked we got a new woman in the afternoon so I told her all I could think of.

Maude had Miss Leeper & Miss Ayles, Uncle S & Aunt M & I over for dinner Mon. eve. We stayed until 11 listening to the Victrola then I went home & finished packing my trunk didn’t go to sleep until 1:30. Imo & Miss Ayles gave me a pretty camisole.

ESTHER RETURNS TO ARIZONA

Tuesday July 22. Just fooled around Aunt M didn’t feel very well. Mr. D Came over & gave me a nice crocheted pin-cushion. John took my trunk & Uncle got my ticket. Then he went down to the train with me about 2 o’clock. It was quite warm on the train but I read all afternoon. At supper time the porter brought me a table & a glass of ice cold water & asked me if I wanted a bottle of milk. I talked to several who were going to Phoenix & they informed me it would be hot in Ariz. & it certainly was. Mama & E. met me at the train, then we went up town & saw Uncle C’s as they were starting for Cal. We are staying at their house now.

Monday July 28. Not so warm today & yesterday it rained some. & a cool breeze part of the time. Met quite a few at League last night also went to a party at Mesa Thurs.. night & met a bunch there. we didn’t get home until two o’clock.

Am trying to wash a little today didn’t get up until 9:30.

Aug 1 1919. It is raining this morning & it is cooler. I has been cooler all week & we have had several rains. It seems mighty hard for me to acclimated--still feel very lazy. Attended S.S. Sunday. went over to see Uncle L awhile in the afternoon. Elvin has helped Uncle L irrigate this week. Mama & I have been alone several nights. I milked the cow one night first time for about a year. Went to Riverside with Epworthians & took our supper had a very nice time. It was about 30 miles. Riverside is just a resort, they have a public swimming pool & outdoor one also an out door picture show free & dancing of course & numerous other amusements. Cecil Lacy & his girl & Carrie Welsh went with us in Uncle L. machine.

Aug 14, 1919 Have been very busy as well as very hot. Mama went home or rather to Nebr. on the 4th. Since then Elvin & I have been alone here at Uncle Clarence’s place. E. has been working for Uncle L. & so I would be here alone all day but now he is working at the school-house, started to work there Tuesday.

Uncle L. took Elvin & I to Mesa to supper & the picture show. Last Sat. night on the way home we stopped & got two chickens at home & E & I dressed them before going to bed. I had McConnells & the Springer boys come over for dinner. The S. boys came over here to get work. They are working at the school house too & boarding here. So my occupation now is cooking. I’ve been feeling better but I sure do sweat. It just runs off of my chin.

Monday the 11th I helped Mrs. McConnell. She is looking for company. We were over there last night & there company was there an aunt & uncle of Mr. Mc.

Have dabbled along in my washing this week until today. I think I finished & have it sprinkled to iron. Marie Barbour called on me Sat. A.M. the 9th and Ruth Bruten called Tues. the 12th. Mrs. McConnell came along & we went to Mesa with her & I bought me anew waist Georgette with beads on it.

Sunday the 17th of Aug. Have been doing usual work of cooking etc. last week. Got up late this morn baked biscuits for breakfast, which the boys pronounced good. Some one knocked & it was Ben. Elvin, Ben & I went to S.S. Arlon & Darrell had some work they wanted to do.

Got home from S.S. & the boys wanted to take our dinners & go to granite reef so they helped me get ready & we went. The boys went swimming & I Sat. in the car & read. Got home in time for league & I played the piano both at S.S. I am appointed leader next Sunday eve.

Friday Aug 29. Have been making up grapes all week. Mrs. Mc C & I got some yesterday. It has been quite warm but there is a cool breeze this eve.

Yesterday eve. the boys had their bosses & some of the men where they work over to eat ice cream then at 9 We kids all went to a party & had some more ice cream & cake likewise to-day I have a cold & a little sore t. but did my ironing & work anyway. The boys have gone over to our place & also to go for a swim. The boys that they had a fine time at the party. I’m glad they did.

Sep 1 1919 Have a few minutes to spare. Uncle Clarence got home Sat. night Aug 30 about 4. Elvin had tonsillitis hasn’t worked since Wed. Arlon laid off Thurs. part of the day with a headache. There were 18 here at the league. they said they enjoyed themselves, I hope so. Mr. Whitley was over Wed. eve & asked if he could help any & came early Thurs. eve in time to help some. Mrs. Mc made a cake & a freezer of cream we didn’t open the freezer, but we ate the cake all right. The S. boys bragged on my cake. I had the doc for Elvin Fri. the 29th was up two or three times Thurs. Friday & Sat. nights & rubbed E’s throat was sure tired as we didn’t get to bed until 2 o’clock Thurs. night. Went to Church Sunday & League & then went for a little ride with Uncles C. & H. & the S. boys. Arlon is thinking of getting a steady job & staying here this winter. The Springer boys went home.

Dec. 21 1919 I’ve missed quite a bit lately. Elvin & I are now in Phoenix going to the Lamson Business College. Papa & Sam have gone up to Chino Valley where Papa bought a place. They went up Dec. 5. Mama is here with Elvin & I so I’m getting very lazy.

Mr. Gray bought our place near Mesa. Last Tues. Dec. 16 Mr. McConnell fell from the top of Uncle Clarence’s building in Gilbert & hurt his spine very bad & the bone in his neck is crushed. He is paralyzed below the waist. They brought him down Wed. morn & Mrs. Mc Stayed all night with us. Uncle C’s came in the next day & she went back with them. The children stayed at Uncle Clarence’s. They were all down to day. Mama went home with her Friday night and helped her with her washing. Sat. Mama went back with them to-day. E & I went to night school as usual Friday night. Went in the car & took one of the girls home.

Sat. I washed a little, ironed etc. Studied until 12 last night didn’t get up until 8:30 this morn, had to go some to get to S.S. but went, even if we were late & stayed for Church.

Our term at the Lamson B. C. ends Feb.. 27, 1920.

Feb. 28, We packed our stuff & stored it in Wilky’s hall then we went to Gilbert Sunday morn & out to Barnes’ for dinner, took a ride in the afternoon and took the girls to league and Church and stayed all night at their house.

Mar. 1 We took the girls to school & then went over to McConnells. Elvin trimmed some of their fruit trees & I helped what I could with the work. We stayed at McConnells most of the time.

Mon. March 1 Ate supper & spent the evening at Welch’s had a very nice time.

Wed. Mar. 3 I helped Mrs. M start her washing & then went to Phoenix with Uncle C’s. We got home about 7 o’clock & Elvin was over to C’s so we stayed for supper & spent the evening.

Tues. Mar. 2 Spent the evening and ate suppers at Wilbur’s in what they called Mr. Whitely’s house. They gave the supper in honor of Mr. W’s birthday. Miss Howerton & Miss Crank were there we had a fine time spent the evening playing games.

Thursday eve Mar. 4. We stayed at Mc. & visited.

Friday Mar. 5. We went over to Mesa & visited Law’s staying all night and until afternoon the next day. Had a very nice visit.

Sat. eve Mar. 6. We were at Uncle C’s for supper.

Sun. Mar. 7. We went to S.S. came back ate dinner & went out to the canal where the three oldest Barnes girls were being baptized. Came back at 3 & took Mr. Mc & family out for a ride around the country. The ride didn’t seem to hurt him at all.

Mon. Mar. 8. We left Mc about noon drove to Phoenix, tended to our business & loaded our belonging & drove out to Timer Shawver’s & stayed all night. Had a good visit.

MOVE TO CHINO VALLEY

Tues. Mar. 9. We left Shawver’s at 7 o’clock for Chino Valley. Found roads very rough most of the way. Had to be pulled across the Agua Fria River at Canon at Mayer the roads were fine and we made good time from there on arriving in Prescott at 5 o’clock. We found our nearest neighbor in Prescott so waited until they were ready to come out as our place is about 16 miles north of Prescott across a sparsely settled country.

We arrived home about 8 & the folks were glad to see us as they had been looking for us for several days.

April 3 1920 Went on a S.S. picnic to the diversion dam had a very nice time climbed over boulders & around to the big dam nearly wore out a pair of shoes & stockings.

Elvin & Mr. Clark left for Gilbert on the train Sat. nite. Sam took them to Prescott & he spent the evening. Papa went with him so they got home at 12.

Sunday April 4. Went S.S. as usual, then after dinner Anderson’s came over & we took a little ride. The wind blew as usual.

Tuesday April 5. Ironed in forenoon & went to Sawyer’s in the P.M. stayed until after dark.

Wed. April 7. We went to Prescott & spent most of the day. Sam took us as he didn’t work.

April 8. Went over to school house & practiced on the piano for Mrs. George to sing. Papa * I drove the car.

Sunday April 11, 1920. Went to S.S. & Church. Elvin & Mr. Clark came home last night having left Gilbert Tuesday. They were very tired. Everything looked fine in the valley & they didn’t notice the cold until they came to Dewey.

We all went to Anderson’s for dinner Sunday. Had a very nice time. We went to preaching Sunday eve at the little church on our corner. The preacher was from Glendale. To-day is a fine day yesterday morn was blustery & windy all day.

Monday April 12, 1920. Fine all day. Mama & I washed in the forenoon & Elvin & I planted flower seeds afternoon. Sam started to school again after being absent about a month while working on the ditch.

April 16. Rather threatening this morn, rainbow in the west, was windy yesterday. Have been sewing some this week. Went to White’s Wed. P.M. to practice a song with the children for Sunday.

Tues. the 13th. Mr. Potts, the S.S. man & 4 other young men came out from Prescott as a gospel team. They sang some good sacred pieces & gave very good talks.

Mama is dyeing an old summer coat of mine this morn. Sam went to work on the ditch instead of to school this morn.

Rec’d two letters last night from Feron & Blanche. Was glad to hear from them.

4-23 Has been nice several days now. We went to Prescott Tuesday. Elvin & I spent the evening at Sawyers. The Holiness are holding revival meetings in the Church; have missed two nights this week. Last night we went to the school house to a farm talk & a few sleight of hand tricks.

Monday April 26, 1920 There has been revival meetings in the Church all week.

Everyone busy irrigating. Papa irrigated all night and Sam helped a neighbor last night. Not many out to S.S. yesterday on account of irrigating. We had preaching and then at 3 o’clock the Gospel Team and the minister of the Methodist Church South came out. The minister preached a fine sermon on the parable of the sower of the seeds on the four soils and what the soils needed to produce or to cause the seeds to grow. So with our own lives to make our heart fertile we must keep it cultivated to plant good seed & reap a good harvest.

The Gospel Team, 4 of them, stayed for an evening service. Mr. Sawyer’s & two of them came home with for supper as Mr. Hilbourne & Mr. Weinberger. They seemed to enjoy themselves and we enjoyed having them.

May 1 1920 Sat.

Somewhat tired today. Went to Sawyer’s for supper & we had a surprise on them. There was quite a crowd & we just sang & sang. Mr. Potts, Hillbourne & Weinberger were out from Prescott. Coffee cake & cocoa were served.

The weather has been fine this week, some wind. The leaves are now all out on the trees. We, Mama & I drove to the Junction one A.M. Have practices with Dixie Lee Herring and her mandolin twice this week.

May 3 Went to the school entertainment & played for the scholars. Went to Prescott the 6th. Fine weather this week.

May 16 Mr. Potts & three others of the Gospel Team came out in the afternoon & organized a C.E. The whole Jackson family received more than their share of offices. We kids, three more from the Junction, & Mr. Hillbourne, went to Mrs. Anderson’s for luncheon, had a very nice time.

May 23 Sunday School as usual. Mrs. Herring, Mrs. Murray & myself met at Mrs. White’s in afternoon to talk up children’s day.

Mrs. Arthur Edwards was at our place when I got home. Went to C.E. at 7:30. Not a very large crowd, but pretty good for a beginning.

Tues. May 25 -- Work as usual. Picked our first strawberries this forenoon. Mr. Potts & Hillbourne brought the Baptist minister out & he preached in the Church this eve. A very good crowd were there.

June 5. We had a party of the C.E. & S.S. There were about 50 here. We served ice cream & cake. Mr. Hillbourne & Potts brought two young ladies from Prescott. They are certainly a jolly bunch. Everyone seemed to have a good time.

Owen & Bert Welch have been here this week. Their father came up with a wagon load of stuff & has gone back to load a car and bring the rest up.

Have been very busy practicing for children’s day.

June 10. The rest of the Welch came. They were here over night as all of the car of stuff wasn’t unloaded.

Sunday June 13, 1920. We had our Children’s Day exercise. Mr. Potts was there & gave a talk. He came home with us for dinner. The boys worked all day with the hay because they were getting water at 6 o’clock. Elvin made a hurried trip to Prescott with Welch’s. Owen had an accident of an axe flying off of the handle and hitting him in the face on the upper lip, cutting it and knocking 3 teeth out.

All of us that could went to the revival meeting at Prescott at night. Mr. & Mrs. Anderson & the Welch girls went with us (Mama & I). We got home, but I twisted the steering gear out of whack some way.

June 14. We washed & Mrs. Cummings called on us in the P.M. Mrs. White & Murray were here a minute. Mama & I went over to Welch’s in the evening. Papa went to a farmer’s meeting.

Tues. June 15. Just done the work & in the P.M. took the buggy & horse & went up to Mrs. Hager’s taking her with us. We went to Clarks & Sawyer’s.

Sat. June 19. We left for Grand Canyon at 5:45, ate our breakfast about 30 miles from here in the forest among the pines. Sam shot a rabbit so we had rabbit to eat. I saw my first Century plant in blossom. We got to Ashfork about 10 & stopped for gas. The road from there to Williams was the worst road we had to go over. There is one long rocky hill to climb with a curve in it. We arrived at Williams about 11:30. That was the last town until coming to Grand Canyon. We stopped & ate our dinner among some trees several miles the other side of Williams.

We arrived at the canyon about 5. It is certainly a wonderful sight, so vast, immense, grand, etc. the eye cannot comprehend it at the first glance. One must needs study it for hours to realize they are looking at such a great distance, and at places you can see the Colorado as it rushes along its course. We camped in the public camping grounds with the car on one side and the pines all around with the blue sky for the ever changing ceiling. I feign would have stayed a week.

Sunday June 20. The boys left camp early and hiked to the River & back by 2:30. Mama, Papa & I rested until about 10 & then strolled over to the brink of the canyon & looked & looked, seeing more & more. Every step we took there would be a change of scenery.

In the eve we, all but Sam, drove about 15 miles up to Grand View. It is surely a wonderful view. The river laying, apparently up in the mountains instead of down at the bottom of the Canyon as it appeared before in the other views we had gotten of it.

We watched the sunset on the canyon from the benches in front of El Tovar Hotel. As the Sun sinks over the horizon, the canyon changes into different colors--first purple, then red and yellow, bringing out very distinctly the many different strata of the rocks. It is impossible for one to explain all there is to be seen.

Mon. Jun 21. Started home about 7 in the morn & arrived home about 7 at nite. Had a blowout about 10 miles from here, which delayed us some. Everything was in fine shape. Mr. & Mrs. Hager did our chores while we were gone. The wind has been bowing quite a bit lately, but no rain. The boys loaded a car of hay this week. I went to Prescott with Gills? Fri. June 25 & stayed all night with Miss Allmendinger, coming back on the train in the P.M.

Sunday School & Endeavor as usual. Mrs. Sawyer & two nieces & children came home with us for dinner. Mrs. S’s sister-in-law is in the hospital & I visited her awhile Sat. P.M.

Tues. June 29. Mama washed & I just did the work and picked about a gallon of strawberries.

June 30. The folks all went to town, but Papa & I. About one o’clock Mr. Potts & Hillbourne stopped on their way back from the canyon & Flagstaff. I persuaded them to pick some strawberries & then eat them. Vaida Cook & sister Amy called on me this P.M.

July 3 Sat. Welch’s & us went to the Frontier celebration in Prescott. Sam is staying down there all four days. We brought Miss Allmendinger home with us. Anderson’s rode with us until we had a puncture, then Jack Cummings came along & after the tire was fixed, then they went on with Jack.

Sunday July 4, 1920. We went to S.S. & then after S.S. took our dinners & went to the Verde River. There were about 35 of us. Some of the girls & boys went fishing (not our crowd). Swimming were the Welch girls & Miss A. I had too bad a cold. We got home about 6:30. Got ready for C.E. & fixed a little lunch. Mrs. Murray was prepared to lead & I couldn’t persuade Mr. Hillbourne to so had to perform myself.

Mr. Hillbourne, Potts & Warner were out from Prescott & Miss A went back with them.

Friday July 9 -- Have been sick with a cold all week; today is the first I’ve been up. Rev. Cole preached at the Church last night. Mr. W. bringing him out. I didn’t go.

Sunday July 11, 1920

Sept. 6 1920 -- Have been very busy picking strawberries, raspberries, cucumbers & taking care of them. Was to a S.S. picnic Aug 29. Have been to several little parties.

Pearl visited us a week in July. We also have a new piano, which I appreciate very much. The boys are up to Welclh’s at least twice a week to take Spanish. I go some times, but generally something happens I cannot go. We drove over to Fair Oaks, quite a pretty but some mountain road. It is about 25 miles from here--just an orchard; we got a few apples.

Last Tuesday night, Aug. 31, Mr. Potts brought Rev. Morris out to preach to us, but a Baptist missionary of Northern Ariz., Mr. Holland by name & he preached instead. He stayed until Sunday eve preaching every night. Mr. Potts was out Thursday night. Mr. Potts, Miss Alllmendinger and another young man & lady came out Friday night to services & stopped here a few minutes.

Sat. night Miss Allmendinger came out with Welch’s and stayed all night. She was going to stay until Sunday eve, but got sick so we had to take her to the train Sun. afternoon about 5 o’clock. The Welch girls, the Langdon twins & Noah came over & we sang awhile, then Mr. Potts came & we sang some more & learned some specials which we sang at C.E. Tonight the folks have gone to the Jct. & I’m alone. Mrs. Hill, Hager, Mama & I done some sewing for Mrs. Beebe last week. I was informed she had re-named her baby Esther so I have a namesake.

Sept. 9. Went to Prescott & visited Miss Allmendinger until Monday Sept. 13. Had a fine time.

Tues. Sept. 14 -- Mr. Potts stopped a few minutes & we persuaded him to stay for dinner.

Monday eve Sept. 20 Mr. Potts, Miss Allmendinger, Miss Sisson, Mrs. Hu & Roberts came out & spent the evening.

Oct. 9 The people had a surprise on me for my birthday. Miss Allmendinger Mr. H.& Roberts & Myrtle W came out in Mr. Potts’ ford. They brought me a lovely present--an ivory brush & comb.

Oct. 10. Mr. & Mrs. Murray were here & spent the day. Some people stopped for sorghum. The little Herring girls, Dorothy & Dixie Lee lead at C.E. & we had a fine crowd out.

Tues. Oct. 11. I canned tomatoes all forenoon & afternoon. Papa brought two men up from the fair at the school house for dinner. Mama & I went down after dinner and saw the exhibits. The best were then taken to the County Fair in Prescott. It frosted the night of the 10th.

Wed. Oct. 13. It snowed some. Papa, Mamma & I took a load of exhibits to Prescott to be entered. the 14, 15 & 16. All of us went in to the fair I stayed at Dalke’s. Cornie, Paul, Walter & I went down to the band concert & then came back & played rummy.

Sunday Oct. 17 went to S.S. was so tired went to bed right after dinner. Papa & the boys raked hay in the forenoon. After dinner Elvin & Papa went to Prescott. Cornie & Mrs. Miller came while was asleep. The house was in a mess but Mama Sat. them down on the porch & came & woke me up, knocked some dust off of the piano while I dressed & we got along very nicely if I was almost asleep. They only stayed a few minutes. Soon after they were gone Mr. Wiener & a Mr. Mickelwait came & stayed until after C.E.

Oct. 19. Daddy has been laid up with rheumatism for two days & Mama isn’t very well.

Oct. 20 Elvin has been sick all day, don’t know what is the matter with him. It may be La Grippe.

Friday Oct. 22 The Nazarenes commenced a meeting at the Church

Sunday attended S.S. & Church, etc. Mr. W & M surprised me by running in a few minutes Sun. afternoon. Mr. & Mrs. Langdon & Mrs. McKisson came & stayed from 5 until 7.

Mon. & Tues. & Wed. Elvin & Daddy & I all have colds. Elvin was sick in bed last week the 20, 21 & 22. have attended Church every night & twice in the P.M.

Nov. 2 I voted for president & all & my candidates won.

Nov. 3 Mr. Potts called a few minutes & wanted me to go to a S.S. convention in Prescott but was too busy.

Last Revised 6/17/1999

Grandpa is Calvin Wesley Russell (1832-1917), Rosa’s father. Esther’s other grandpa, George Spargo, died in 1869 in Ellenboro, WI.

S.S. stands for Sunday School. Evidently at a nearby location a Sunday School with occasional preaching was provided. There was also a Methodist Church in Henry, and another nearby. The nearest Christian Church seems to have been in Scottsbluff and/or Gering and was only visited occasionally because of the distance.

 “Grandma Mills” is not a relative, but the matriarch of the two Mills families where Esther boarded while attending school in Mitchell, NE. Two Mills men married sisters so the relationships are rather tight.

 Mama is Rosa Emma Russell (1870-1946) Born in Grant Co., WI, she married Joel Jackson as his second wife in 1896. They had 4 children, but Agnes, the second daughter, died at age of only two days. Surviving were Esther (1897-1993), Elvin (1900-1996), and Sam (1902-1932)

 Scottsbluff County’s main road goes from the town of Henry on the Wyoming border, through Morrill, 7 miles SE, to Mitchell, 6 miles away, to Scottsbluff, the county seat 24 miles SE of Henry. All run parallel and north of the Platte River. Lyman is six miles directly south of Henry across the Platte. Gering is further, 3 miles south of Scottsbluff.

 Bernice and Mona are the Mill’s daughters.

 See footnote #5 on page 1.

 Probably the Methodist Episcopal Church in Henry. The Jacksons supported several different churches by their attendance.

In 1920 census: Charles H 63 and wife E. L? 58, Kiowa Precinct.

James Ralph Russell [1868-1930] and his wife, Lena Ewing Russell [1881-1964]. Ralph was a younger sibling of Esther’s mother. In 1920 Census James R[alph] 51, Lena E 38, Eva M 17,m Lester H. 15, Thomas C 13, James C 11, John H 9, Clem W 7, Amy E 5.

 Calvin Wesley Russell [1832-1917], father of 11 children with wife, Lydia Esther Spargo, who had died Feb. 1896. Rosa married Joel the following December.

 Probably for Lewis Mills.

 Scottsbluff Business College. Esther chose to go here rather than to High School in Scottsbluff.

 William Jennings Bryan, popular politician and speaker.

 Henry Ellsworth Russell, brother of Rosa. He was born 1865 in Grant Co., Wisconsin and died 1947 in Scottsbluff. His wife was Blanche Nichols [1871-1946] Children were Warren, b 1899, Ruth b. 1902, and Doris b. 1911. We will meet them later in this MSS.

 Lawrence Sherman Russell [1875-1964]. He was a twin to Clarence. He was married to Nora Cochran, but their marriage was “on the rocks” and she doesn’t appear much in Esther’s writings. They had a son Alva Calvin, called Jack, [1905-1957]

 In 1920 census Lemuel J 60, Jennie C 26, Everett A 20. Kiowa Precinct

 I think Roger is Sam’s horse.

 Glenrock was a ranch in Wyoming nearby where Joel and Henry had worked as cowboys. The family lived there when Esther was very young.

 In 1920 census: Delbert 39, wife Pearl A 29; Galary? P 4 11/12; Alberta C 3 7/12.

 Mollie Jackson Newell, Joel’s sister. She lived in Los Angeles.

 From verb “To batch” or live alone, from batchelor. No longer commonly used.

 “Dry” is for a supporter of Prohibition of alcoholic beverages. This was a prime political issue at this time, eventually resulting in the 18th amendment of the Constitution ratified Jan. 16, 1919.

 I presume Tugh is one of the “hired men” that they had on their farm.

 Herbert George Russell [1879-1951 and wife Nelle [Robertson] Russell [1890-1981] had sons Keith [1913-1993] and Arthur born 1922. Herb was the teacher in the school Esther and her brothers attended.

 Ann Atkinson Peckham [1836-1916] wife of Joshua Peckham and parents of Charles Fremont who had married Mary Russell, Rosa’s oldest sister. Most of the Peckham’s lived in Gothenburg, Nebraska.

In 1920 census: Cary? 66, Ida M wife 55; Thomas A 27. Kiowa Precinct.

In 1920 census: Andrew B 48, wife Hattie 44, Lewis W. 20, Thelma E. 19, George L. 16, Inez M. 13, Albert E. 11, Harold V. 7 and 2 boarders.

 Torrington and Ft. Laramie were in Goshen Co., Wyoming on the road going northwest from Henry. Ft Laramie was about 30 miles from Henry, Nebraska.

In 1920 census: Enoch E 57, wife Katie E. 43, Walter F. 17, Everett M. 16, Etta H 12, Raymohd J 12, Amos H, 10, Iris 7. Kiowa Precinct.

 Elmer was a younger brother of Fremont Peckham, therefore brother-in-law to Rosa Jackson. He was a poet and published “Peckham’s Poems” privately about 1918.

In 1920 census: Clarence M 23, brother Roy W. 21, sister Blanche L 21 Wesley F “N” 43.

In 1920 census: Robert M 66, wife Mary C 61. Kiowa Precinct.

 Charles Evans Hughes, vice-president of the U.S. with Woodrow Wilson. Elected in 1916.

 Ruth is perhaps daughter of Henry & Blanche (Nichols) Russell. Ruth was b. 1903, d. 1978.

 Henry (1865-1947) is a brother of Rosa’s. He and his wife spend all their lives living in this area.

 Lester Russell [1904-1988], son of James Ralph & Lena.

 Eva May Russell [1902-1985], sister of Lester.

 Herbert George Russell [1879-1951], youngest sibling of Rosa.

 Lawrence Sherman Russell [1875-1951], twin of Clarence, and sibling of Rosa.

 Nelle G Robertson Russell [1890-1981] Herbert’s wife.

 Probably the hired hands. This was a working farm/ranch and had several workers.

 Lena Mabel Ewing (1881-1964), wife of James Ralph Russell. She was daughter of Thomas & Lucy King Ewing.

 Elvin Russell Jackson [1900-1996] Esther’s brother.

 Samuel Calvin Jackson [1902-1932], youngest of the Jacksons. Sam was tragically electrocuted in a power line accident just as he was planning to get married and start a family in 1932.

Harvey was the census enumerator for this Kiowa precinct, taken 2 Jan. 1920. Last family in census was: Lippincott James W 43, wife anna M 40, Harvey R 19, James L 17, Velma L 11, Harold W 7.

 Albert Rose, often called just “A” or “A.H.R.” in the diaries, was a close friend of Esther’s. If they had not moved west, Albert and Esther may have married. But it was not to be.

 Epworth League, the Methodist youth organization.

In 1920 census: Ide 41, wife Lottie E 36. Kiowa Precinct.

 Esther’s favorite mount. She mentioned him often in her later life.

 Ralph Keith Russell [1913-1993], son of Herbert and Nelle (Robertson) Russell. Esther’s cousin.

 Nelle, Herbert’s wife, was daughter of Prince and Laura Belle (Allen) Robertson, so Prince Robertson is the person mentioned here.

In 1920 census: Abraham 44, wife Augusta M 39 immigrant from Germany, George F 23, Gladys C 20, Edith A 16, Manley L 13, Raymond? F 8. Kiowa Precinct.

 Not sure who this refers to, but Rosa’s oldest sister married Fremont Peckham and they settled in Gothenburg in south central Nebraska. This may be a relative of this family.

 Womens Christian Temperance Union, a national organization which claimed Esther’s allegiance all her life.

 Likely Albert Rose.

 Mollie is Mary Teresa Jackson Newell [1856-1950], Joel’s sister. She and her husband Sam Newell lived in California.

 Doris Russell, Ruth’s sister. Doris was born 1911, died 1995.

 Probably parents of Henry Russell’s wife, Blanche. William and Nancy (Mitchell) Nichols.

 At Stearns Mercantile Store in Morrill.

 Bookkeeper

 Esther seldom talks about World War I which was being fought at this time. However here, she speaks of a civilian help to the war effort, rolling surgical dressings for the troops.

 Melbeta is 8 miles SE of Gering.

 Esther’s cousin Winnie Jackson of Texas. More about this family later when the Jackson’s visit them.

 The influenza epidemic claimed more lives than have been lost in all wars combined. Esther’s diary doesn’t explore the national conditions, but death was near her, too.

 Henry Jackson, Esther’s bachelor cowboy uncle, brother of Joel. He was born 1860, died 1938.

 Albert Rose’s parents. Wish I knew their names.

 Joel’s brother Alfred Wesley Jackson [1858-1946] married Mary Tongate [1858-1941] and had the following children: Edward [1880-1945], Carlie [1882-1957], James Bailey [1885-1968], John Lewis [1888-1951], Roy Dale [1891-1955]. Katy Helen [1893-1982], Joe Samuel [1895-1982], and Winnie Davis [1898-1979]. Although the parents were from Indiana, they were pioneer settlers in Hardeman County, Texas.

 42 is a game of bids and suits played with dominos. It is quite popular in Texas. Some say it became popular when playing cards were outlawed and people could play a similar game with dominoes.

 Carlie’s husband Willliam Wardlow Johnson [1875-1951]

 William & Carlie’s daughter Jewel Florence Johnson [1902-1958]

 Shawver’s were Nebraska neighbors who had moved to Phoenix.

 Clarence Herman Russell [1875-1948], Rosa’s brother and Lawrence’s twin. He married Dora Springer and had two sons, Sidney [b 1903] and Clarence Harlan [1908-1984]

 Clarence’s wife had died and in January 1918 he had married Mabel Murphey [1888-1967] They had a son, Justinan [1920-1995] and a daughter Marian b. 1921.

 Many years later Chandler remembered this Ostrich boom and began annual Ostrich Festivals and Parades in the spring of each year.

 Esther was right. Joel was born in 1853 in Owen Co., IN, son of Samuel and Sarah Jane (Laffoon) Jackson.