Wednesday, September 30, 1914

Mr. Niedermeyer, who was called to his home in Decatur by the death of his father Friday returned today. He looks nice in his new black suit.

Monday, September 28, 1914

Mr. Potter seated in the middle

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Miss Martha worked at Mrs. Krause's. She had already made Mama's black dress. Friday Papa, Mama, and Miss Martha went to Pocahontas and ate dinner at Calame's. Mr. Potter came Wednesday evening. He was over Saturday morning to tell Miss Martha good-bye but she was uptown. Saturday afternoon Mrs. Krause came around and took us to the 3:50 train to see Miss Martha off. She didn't want to go at all but she had promised Harriet Krause she would be there today to make her dress for the VP Ball. Mr. Potter was here for supper Saturday.

Cecil and Ruth were baptised here yesterday at 9:30 by Mr. Potter. Calames were over for dinner yesterday. Mr. Potter left early this morning for Witt to visit Winters and the settlement of Calames around there.

Born -- September 23, 1914 in Los Angeles

Gilbert Edward Mojonier

Sunday, September 20, 1914

"Uncle Charlie's" kids: Gladys, Paul (Muryl's future husband), Adele and Cecil Robert

Miss Martha is going to be here all this week. Saturday afternoon Aunt Lillie and Miss Rachel M. came over. Sunday afternoon we went out to Uncle Charlie's. Krauses came too and Howard Hawk with them. Mrs. Krause, Helen, Harold, and Howard came home with Papa and the rest of us came in the auto. Uncle Charlie's have painted everything except les petite mezzau* (spelling doesn't count in French) and have built a new silo. The place looks fine**.

Last Monday we stayed at home. Tuesday Mama, Aunt Lillie, and Miss M. spent the day at Mutrix's. Wednesday our family all took supper at Smiths. Thursday Mama, Miss M., Mrs. Hubbard, and Miss Rachel spent the day at Aunt Lille's. Papa and I went after them and after dropping Mrs. Hubbard, we took a ride before supper. Friday our family took dinner at Mrs. Krause's. After school we went auto riding. Yesterday we stayed at home till after supper when we went over to Mrs. Enloe's. Just at present everybody but me is asleep. We're going riding when they wake up. Mr. E. Bruce came from St. Louis Friday. He is going to work in the Paris tailoring shop.

* La Petite Maison ("the little house"): Euphemism for the outhouse

**A note on the usage of the word "fine" which is one of Muryl's favorite adjectives. I believe she uses it in the sense that was more prevalent in her day than ours, and is described in this 1850s-era Webster's dictionary:

"The uses of this word are so numerous and indefinite, as to preclude a particular definition of each. In general, fine, in popular language, expresses whatever is excellent, showy or magnificent."

So when Muryl says something, or some event was "fine" she means it was excellent!

Friday, September 11, 1914

Muryl (L) and 8th Grade friends

Had a fine time with the Provost family Sunday evening. Started to school Monday. It is fine but it seems like no matter which way I turn I miss Mr. Mitchell. He is teaching in the Iowa State Normal this year. I suppose it's a good thing for him that our school board dropped him like they did but anyway it was a dirty trick.

My teachers are

Algebra Miss Colcord

Latin " "

English Miss Sewell

Ancient History Mr. Simpson

Music Mr. Niedermeyer

Oh, how I miss Mr. Mitchell's tenor in music. I never knew how I loved that tenor until Mr. Niedermeyer started singing bass the other day. He doesn't get us worked up over singing like Mr. Mitchell did. Lets us choose the songs ourselves.

Miss Martha came Monday evening. Wednesday Miss Hoefut (the singing teacher for the upper grades) was here and has started two Glee Clubs in high school -- one boys' and one girls'. She is really cute. Wednesday evening Mama, Miss M., and I went to the band concert. Ina, Irene, and Blanche were there too. Yesterday afternoon Mama and Miss M. were invited to Mrs. Kruger's and I was invited to come after school. Helen and I went together. Refreshments were banana salad, cookies and brick ice cream.

Sunday, September 6, 1914

Muryl and Ina

School opens tomorrow.

Force -- Prof. S.S. Simpson, Supt.

Prof. A.W. Niedermeyer, Princ.

Miss Knowls

Miss Graff

Miss Colcord

Miss Sewell

I don't know how many of them I will run up against.

I don't remember what happened the first part of week before last. Friday, Helen came over to learn a lace pattern and Adele Hite came over

with Dorothy. Last Sunday Mr. Armet was here and the whole day was taken up in meetings. Monday Virginia and Frances came over. Later, Mrs. Biggs came, and still later Mrs. Hull and Mrs. Tuckey. We girls skipped to Irene's. Tuesday we washed, Wednesday we ironed. In the afternoon I went to the Ladies Bible Reading. In the evening we went to the band concert. I was with Ina a little while. Thursday morning I started a crepe nightgown and in the afternoon Ina and I went to see Virginia and Frances. They were out at the farm so we came over here. We went around by Blanche's to see if we could get a glimpse of her but didn't see her. She just got home from Three Lakes that morning. Irene's Sunday School class had walked to Smithboro and expected to come home on the train so we went down to meet the 5:21. Alice and Margaret had gone too. When we got home little Walter Dilzell came out to meet us so the whole crowd turned in here. After supper Mama and I went to prayer meeting. Friday Pearl J., Mary G., Helen and Gertrude Oeschner, came over and we finished those tracts Neva Young left.

Yesterday we sewed until about 4:30 when Mrs. Mange came over. We got a letter from Martha Bibes announcing that she expects to arrive for a visit tomorrow at 6:008. Earl and Fay Provost and their baby, Ethel, of St. Louis, are coming over for supper this evening. Irene, Margaret, Alice and I went skating by moonlight Friday night. Ruby Hawls was with us a little while. We went in at about 8:45 and played "Rook" at Irene's till 9:30. I just got through writing to Neva.

We have four kittens at the barn -- 1 maltese, 1 gray, 2 black, the awfullest eaters I ever saw.

Monday, August 24, 1914

Thursday Irene entertained her Sunday School class and she asked me to come. We played duets for them and had a fine time in general. Aunt Lillie, Ruth, and Gladys were here for supper. Friday we were invited up to Mrs. Kruger's for the afternoon. On the way we went up to Mrs. Johnston's to see Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Davis, Emma, and Nina who were here for a few days. Those present at Krugers were Mmes. FA Smith, Geo. Smith Reed (of St. Louis), Allen Krause, Grandma Krause, Rutschley, Mama, Helen, Harold, and I. (Also, 8-wk-old Esther Allen). We had ice cream and cake, and a very nice time.

This afternoon we entertained Mmes. FA Smith, Geo. Smith Reed, Rutschley, and Krause and Helen. Yesterday we took dinner at Mrs. Rutschley's. We have been having enough RAIN to more than make up for our long dry spell.

My time is mostly taken up between tatting and reading war news. England, France, Belgium, Russia, Serbia, and Japan are all working on Germany and Austria. So far the Allies are getting the worst of it.

Tuesday, August 18, 1914

Famous Barr Building

I have missed putting in a lot of nice things but I can't remember very far back. Last Tuesday Mrs. Gerke's Sunday School class was entertained at Mrs. Fridelle's and Irene and I played for them. After the program was over Irene, Wilbur, and I served. We had 3-of-a-kind ice and 2 kinds of cake. Tues. evening we went to the Children's Fairy Fete in Hoiles Grove on Beaumont Ave.

Wed. afternoon we went to St. Louis. Thurs. Mrs Classen went 40 miles up the river with us. In the evening we went to the New Grand Central. they were showing Brazilian Travels of Burton Holmes. http://www.burtonholmes.org/life/bio.html

Friday we took dinner at Mrs. Cuendet's. Supper at Classen's and spent the evening at Forrest Park Highlands. Sat. we took dinner and supper at Mrs. Provost's. In the afternoon we walked over to Earl's and to O'Fallon Park.

Sun. morning I walked to meeting. no one was there when I got there but the Wilson boys. We went home with Mrs. Cuendet for dinner. Martha is staying there since her mother dies and she said maybe she's give us a visit this summer. Hope she will. After dinner Helen and I went to Sunday School. I was in Mrs. Smith's class. (All boys except Dorothy Jacobson) We took supper at Smith's. In the evening Mr. Armet preached. Yesterday we went shopping. I dumped my breakfast on the street and didn't dare to eat much dinner for fear it would treat me the same way. I was hungry when I got home. We went six stories up in Famous*. I wanted to go clear up but Mama wouldn't. We got home at 6:08 last night.

*Famous-Barr was a department store built in 1914.

Thursday, July 30, 1914

So many things have been happening that I haven't had time to write them. Last Thursday Uncle Chas. and his family, Mrs. Krause and the kids and Mama and I went to Camp Ground for a picnic. We went in the auto with the Krauses and certainly enjoyed ourselves. In the afternoon Miles took the Robert kids for an 8 mile ride and when they got back, the rest of us went to see Mrs. Blacet. Helen said she wouldn't have missed it for 8. On the way home we stopped to see Mr. Gasa. Mrs. Krause and we kids peeped in the kitchen window to see what was there -- and we saw. He invited us to go into the front room but he couldn't ask us to sit down because there was only one chair and the floor was too dirty to sit on. When we got home we cleaned up and went to prayer meeting. Dr. Wait, Mr. Tom Calame and Ethel Armet had just arrived at Krause's in an auto as they started for meeting. Mr. Krause, Harold and Dr. Wait stayed at home but the rest came on as soon as they had lunch. They went to Nokomis the next day. Sunday we took dinner at Uncle George's. Monday we went over to Gerke's and up town in the afternoon. After supper Irene went riding with us. Tuesday afternoon Irene and I went up to Ina's. She is going to start on a 4 days river trip to-morrow. We hadn't been there long till Frances and Virginia came so we had a fine time. We were all working on the same kind of lace. Ina served cake and lemonade. Coming home we all got weighed. Irene and I weigh 109.5, Frances 103, Ina 95, Virginia 94. Yesterday we went up to Mrs. Kruger's. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were there and Mrs. Kruger's niece. I didn't understand her name. She has a little girl just three weeks younger than Frances. It was a picnic to watch those babies play. Last night Irene and I practiced.

Monday, July 21, 1914

Friday Mama and I went over to Krauses again. Alice and Margaret and I played croquet in the morning. Irene came home Saturday on the 4 o'clock train. They didn't expect her till 7 and her mother was uptown. I went over as soon as I heard she was here. She said I gave her a warmer welcome than her mother did. ha! ha!

Yesterday Aunt Lella, Paul, Adele and Evelyn were here for dinner. We had lots of fun out of Evelyn. I gave her a doll with a trunk full of clothes that I was getting ready for Marguerite Cook. She was perfectly delighted. She said that she thought that was almost too much for her but she guessed she ought to keep them.

Neva Yong left for Iowa Friday noon, She has a fine position in a lawyer's office there. She was too busy to come over but she telephoned for us to go over there and tell her good-bye. We went Thurs. afternoon.

Tuesday, July 14, 1914

The mercury reached 108 degrees Saturday. Sunday was 105 degrees. The kids (Gladys, Paul and Cecil) were in Sunday night. It was too hot during the day. They brought me home. Just a little after I got here the fire alarm blew. Papa and I started to the fire. We heard that it was Jernigan's livery barn. When we had gone two blocks from home Papa said I had better come back after Mama. When I got here she and Maude Dulaney were already starting. The fire did about $8.900 worth of damage. It burnt the livery barn with seven horses, a second hand store next door and a brick house across the alley besides damaging the Thomas House, Advocate building, Potthast's store and our building. Did about $550 worth of damage to us.

Yesterday I went over to see Helen K. We played golf and checkers.

Saturday, July 11, 1914

Got a card from Irene yesterday. Last night we were down at Uncle George's. He got home Tuesday.

Mama and Cecil are up town getting Cecil a new suit. We did everything yesterday so I've nothing to do today. I got a piece, variations on Old Black Joe Wednesday. It came while I was out at Uncle Charlie's. I can play most of it now.

Old Black Joe by Stephen Foster

Gone are the days when my heart was young and gay,
Gone are my friends from the cotton fields away,
Gone from the earth to a better land I know,
I hear those gentle voices calling Old Black Joe.

Chorus:

I'm coming, I'm coming,

for my head is bending low,

I hear those gentle voices calling

Old Black Joe.

Why do I weep, when my heart should feel no pain,
Why do I sigh that my friends come not again?
Grieving for forms now departed long ago.
I hear those gentle voices calling Old Black Joe.

Where are the hearts once so happy and so free?
The children so dear that I held upon my knee?
Gone to the shore where my soul has longed to go,
I hear those gentle voices calling Old Black Joe.

Thursday, July 9, 1914

Went to the ladies Bible reading Wednesday afternoon. Mama, Papa, Raymond and I played croquet in the evening. Mama and Raymond beat Papa and me in the 1st and Mama and I beat Papa and R. in the 2nd.

Thursday night we went to prayer meeting as usual. Friday afternoon I went over to see Margaret and Alice Dilzel who are visiting the Waits from New Orleans. They have a little brother Walter, about 18 months old since the last time they were here. Sat. (July 4th) we had our first spring chicken for dinner. In the afternoon we drove to Pocahontas. Broke our single tree* on the way and had to borrow one from Mr. Seiver. We got there about 4 o'clock. Mr. and Mrs. Calame were at the store and we stayed up town awhile. I went over into the park. Saw a little boys' sack race and nearly died laughing. Saw Katie. She w1s w3th 1 b215 s4 3 th45ght 3'd b2tt29 84t b5tt 38 18d sp21k t4 h29, 2sp2c3166y 1s sh2 d3d8't s22 72. 3 h1pp282d to k84w f947 4th27s' 2xp29328c2 th1t g396s w3th b215x d48't w18t th239 63tt62 s3st29s t1gg38g 1648g.** Ha! Ha!

We had a great big supper at Calame's and after supper Papa went to the store with Mr. Calame while Mama, Mrs. Calame and I went down to see the lots.

Monday morning I went over to Irene's to get the Etudes. I have them all while they are in Chicago. She was going on the 1:40 PM train and had been ready ever since 8 o'clock. We played some of the duets over before I came home.

In the evening when we were out riding I saw Louise and the boys over at her grandmother's. Didn't know she was here. I haven't had a chance to go over there and I don't know whether she's still here or not.

Tuesday I got a card from Katie asking me to go to the county graduating in the evening. I had already told Mrs. Krause I would go to YPM (Young Peoples' Meeting) at her house so I couldn't go. We finished lunch at Krauses at almost ten o'clock and then I went home with Paul and Gladys. We got there at about 11 0'clock. 3 th38k 3t w1s 1 63tt62 1ft29 482 17 wh28 G61dys & 3 w2nt t4 s622p. 3'7 g61d 7171 c18't 921d th3s d3162ct.***

Yesterday evening Papa and Mama came out after me. I had some music lesson today. Miss Plant gave me a new book -- Czerny Book I. She said it might be too easy for me and if it was I could exchange it for Book II.

*The pivoted or swinging bar to which the traces of a harnessed horse are fixed; a whiffletree.

** Code Translation 1: "She was with a beau so I thought I'd better not butt in and speak to her, especially as she didn't see me. I happened to know from others' experience that girls with beaux don't want their little sisters tagging along."

***Code Translation 2: "I think it was a little after one AM when Gladys and I went to sleep. I'm glad Mama can't read this dialect."

Tuesday, June 30, 1914

I have been sick naturally after having such a good time as that last recorded. Saturday I didn't feel well but I had to do most of the morning work so Mama could finish Aunt Lillie's waist. Uncle George went in her place so she didn't call for it till about noon after all Mama's hurrying to get in done in time for her to put the lace on and wear the waist when she left at 11:05. Saturday afternoon I went to bed and stayed there till a little after five when Mama woke me and told me Papa's feet hurt and he wanted me to hitch up and go after him. I did and when I got home I lay on the couch until Mama got back from taking Papa to the store after supper. Then I had to unhitch (Mama doesn't know how). After that I stayed in bed till a little after twelve Sunday. Aunt Lillie and Ruth came home to dinner with Mama, and I got up when they came. I stayed on the couch the rest of the day. Yesterday I felt pretty well but tired. Raymond Howell and I played croquet all afternoon. He beat 11 to 3.

Saturday, June 23, 1914

I haven't written for so long I hardly know where to begin. Louise went home that Monday evening.

A week ago Friday we girls were all over at Irene's. Irene, Frances and I played duets. They we played a game of Flinch and after that was finished we played Pig* until Mrs. Gerke brought in the orange ice cream and cake. They were fine. Then we played Pig some more until it was time to go home.

Blanche is going to Three Lakes with her Aunt Ida the 20th of next month.

Yesterday was Ina's 15th birthday, She had us all over there. She certainly knows how to entertain. Edward C. took a lot of pictures of us in a good many ridiculous positions and 2 or 3 sensible ones. Then we played croquet till lunch time. For lunch we had potato salad, cucumbers, some Massachusetts pickles, lemonade, fruit salad, and sandwiches -- 1st course; ice cream and cake 2nd. We ate so much we could hardly wiggle. About 6:30 we began playing tennis. I am learning pretty well they tell me. I actually returned 2 balls. We played until Papa and Mama called for me in the buggy. Mr. Hunt had died and they were going down to see Aunt Lillie. She expects to go to Burma (Ill.) this morning at 11. Mama is making her a black waist now. If she doesn't go Uncle George will.

Well, I'm supposed to be carrying some cream to the basement. Guess I'd better go after it. 3'7 h1v389 18 1wf56 t372 w3th 7y st4ck38gs. 3 h1v2 84 c49s2t 48 18d 3 64182d 7y g19t29s t4 39282 y2st29d1y s4 3 h1v2 84th38g t4 h46d 7y st4ck38gs 5p.**

*"Pig" is a card game also known as "Spoons".

** This is a code Muryl uses frequently from this point on. Translation:

"I'm having as awful time with my stockings. I have no corset on and I loaned my garters to Irene yesterday so I have nothing to hold my stockings up." (courtesy of my code-cracking dad)

June 8, 1914

Friday evening was spent at Mrs. Hull's and at home. In the afternoon after we took our baths we went over to Gerke's. No one came to the door so we went over to Mrs. Wait's. Pretty soon Mrs. Gerke telephoned over there and said that she was out in the back yard when we came and Irene was upstairs and thought she would open the door. Later on we went back there. Mrs. Gerke showed me a new crocheted lace.

Sat. morning Gladys came in after Helen and me and we started out at about 9 a.m. Got there about 10. We had a fine time. Late in the afternoon Helen, Gladys, Adele, Cecil and I went down to the school house and played school. We had lots of fun even if it was a baby game. When we came back Cecil took Helen and me to see an army worm and a chinch bug. Helen took a ride on Prince and when she got back Evelyn and I had one. After supper we played statue until Aunt Lella called us in to get ready for bed. Helen, Gladys, Adele and I were to sleep together on the floor. We got all ready for bed and then with nothing on but our nightgowns and shoes, took a stroll to the well. We went to sleep about 11 p.m. Long before the next morning Helen and I bumped heads and woke up. After a long time Gladys and Adele woke and then we had a big time till Aunt Lella called us to get up. Helen, Gladys and I came in the buggy. Helen and I felt cheap in meeting with our sporting garb on. She had a 10-cent hat. I had my prayer meeting hat and my middy. Louise was there. She said she didn't know whether she'd go home today or stay all week. Adele stayed in with Ruth. Yesterday afternoon I slept from 2 till 4:30. We were about done up.

Well, I'm supposed to be mopping the bathroom floor so I guess I'd better get at it.

Friday, june 5, 1914

Talk about good times and hot weather! I don't know which is the most plentiful.

I think I forgot to record that Calame's were over for dinner SUnday. Also Paul and Adele.

Monday Louise was over for supper. Irene came over in the afternoon and we played the piano and croquet. Louise is sweeter every time you are with her. Tues. afternoon Helen was over and we played croquet all afternoon. In the evening we went down to the hothouse and got some flowers. Mr. Zbinden gave me an awfully pretty petunia. From there I went to the Y.P. Meeting. Only Helen, Gladys, Paul, Cecil and I were there besides Miss Neva. They served refreshments and Mrs. Krause came after Helen just in time to get some. Mrs. K and Helen brought me home and then Mama and I took them back as far as the library.

Wednesday afternoon we went to Ladies Bible Meeting. After Meeting Gladys asked Helen and me if we could go home with her Sat. afternoon of she came after us. Of course we could. In the evening we went down to Uncle George's. Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Kruger, Francis Harwood, Mrs. Krause, Helen and Harold were over. In the evening we went to prayer meeting. Met Louise on the way. Now I am waiting for Mama to finish her bath so I can take mine.

Sunday, May 31, 1914

Exams over. My grades

Eng 96

Alg 100

Lat 94

Physiography 98

Not so good as last month but they're as good as Ina's so I don't care.

Louise is here but I haven't seen her yet. We were going over Fri. evening and it rained so hard we couldn't. Mr. Smith told me when I asked him if she might come to supper Sat, that she was engaged but I could have her anytime next week. When she called me up this evening I asked her if she could come tomorrow and she said she could.

We had big Decoration Day doinses here yesterday. The schools had charge and it was a fine program. Saw Katie. Irene and I went together.

Going back to Friday (I always begin at the end and go backward). We finished our exams in the morning in the afternoon Mrs. Gerke and Irene came over and we (Irene and I) made 3-of-a-kind ice cream in their freezer. We had a peck of fun.

Wednesday, May 27, 1914

Exams, exams, exams. I've had physiography and algebra, but the worst is yet to come -- Latin. I've studied till my back's sore from leaning over and my head aches from eyestrain and still I don't know anything. Last night Irene and I studied together. We worked from about 7:30 to 8:30. She was nearly undressed to keep cool. At 8:30 Papa and Mama came by in the buggy and we got in and drove up to the concert of the Apollo and Chaminade Clubs where Mrs. Gerke was. We stood and listened awhile then came back and Irene and I studied again till 10 o'clock, when her father and Roscoe came home. Mama is up town and I'm so tired I can't study anymore so I don't know what to do. The reason the writing is so bad is that I'm sitting on the arm of a rocker holding my book in my hand.

Monday, May 25, 1914

The principal's name isn't Weedenhamer, but Niedermeyer. I guess one's about as bad as the other though. He was at school all day today. He isn't bad looking, though not handsome at all except that he has a very nice figure. Mr. Mitchell has him beat by a mile in looks. He's real jolly and everyone seems to like him.

It's as hot as a furnace today. It wouldn't be taken as an insult at all if someone was called "crazy with the heat", because it's very likely.

I went to see Adele Hite's baby yesterday and again today. She was born Wed. at 12:10 AM. Her name is Dorothy Virginia. She's awfully sweet. Irene went with us today.

Adele R. spent from Thurs. to Sun. with me. We were over to Krauses for supper and had a fine time.

Wednesday, May 20, 1914

We're all mad. Mr. Mitchell isn't coming back next year. A man by the name of Weedenhamer has been elected. Of all the shameful stunts that the board has done I think this is about the shamefullest. I suppose they'll take Miss. Graff again. She's taught for 37 years and I guess she's good for 37 more. Mr. Mitchell tried to raise the standard of the school and she kept it down. Now they've driven him away and I suppose they'll keep her. They say the new man is a swell singer and I suppose we'll have to make the best of him.

Beginning with Tuesday I have one exam a day next week.

Tuesday, May 19, 1914

Saturday, Mama, Miss Rachel, Aunt Lillie, Ruth and I went out to Uncle Charlie's in our buggy and spent the day. We had a fine time. Adele is going to spend a few days with me sometime soon. Sunday Calames came over for a little while and Enloes were over for supper. Ethel Armet is here. Edwin Bruce was here Sunday and Monday. Mrs. Perry and Grandma Krause are here too. Ina has invited me to a Christian Endeavor picnic tomorrow night. Oh, I forgot the most important thing. Mr. Mitchell went away Saturday. Ruth Sewell is serving in his stead.

Monday, May 11, 1914

I haven't a drop of ink and I must write about last week's doings and I'll just use a pencil. We were to give a recital at the auditorium Friday evening ("we" means the chorus) and we had to practice every day last week. Thursday afternoon we went down to the auditorium and gave a rehearsal. It turned cold while we were there and we nearly froze coming home. Mr. Mitchell's fiancee (a pretty young lady from Terre Haute) came Friday afternoon. Result: the prof was the last one to arrive at the auditorium in the evening. (It was a lovely moonlit night). We had an awful crowd. Don't think I ever saw the auditorium so full. Mr. Mitchell said we did fine and so did those present.

Saturday afternoon we celebrated Virginia's seventeenth birthday which came yesterday. Of course we had a perfectly swell time. For souvenirs we had little sachets. Mine is lavender. I am wearing it now. Yesterday afternoon we went out to Mutrix's.

Last Tuesday there was an electric storm and only Paul Breuchaud and I were at the Young People's Meeting. He talked too.

Virginia Breuchaud's 16th Birthday (1913)

Muryl, Frances B., Irene Gerke, Virginia B., Ina Maynard, Blanche Baumberger

Friday, Apr 24, 1914

I didn't have time to write Wednesday after all. I've got lots of things to write this time and little time to write them.

We had our annual supper Apr. 6 and lots of fun with it. Apr 1 being Blanche's birthday, we all surprised her at Virginia's. We made popcorn and fudge and went up in their attic sitting room to eat it. It's swell up there.

Gladys came in last Friday to take the 8th exam Sat. Katie was in too but she didn't come over. Last quarter Ina got 96 2/5, Glen Wilson got 96 1/5, and I 95 2/5. The three best in H.S. I got $1 for it. The other day Miss Graff put me on the front seat and a few days later assigned Ina the same seat. We are occupying two front seats now.

Wednesday April 22.

March 31, Tuesday, 1914

I don't care if I never get over that English review. I'm going to spend five minutes with my diary. A week ago Sunday Uncle George's were over to dinner and last Sunday we were over to Enloe's for dinner. Last Sunday they worked me into going into Mrs. Smith's S.S. class. They got me there about 2 years ago and I stayed one Sunday and went back. Mrs. Smith says she isn't going to let me get homesick this time. She'll have to work pretty hard if she intends to keep me because I almost got homesick last Sunday. Guess I will break loose sure when Mrs. Kruger gets back. It wouldn't be so bad if they'd move someone else forward at the same time but it's awful lonesome to be the only little kid in that class of big girls.

5 minutes is up but I must finish by saying that Mr. Pietsch told Mary that he was coming back here before he goes to Japan. We are going to have our first young people's meeting to-night at Miss Neva's.

Wednesday, March 18, 1914

Monday night I went to Miss Neva's. Mama went along to keep Miss Lila company. They went upstairs. Those present downstairs were Evelyn, Mary, Pearl, Grace, Miles, Howard and I and Miss Neva. We decided to have a young people's meeting on Monday nights to ask questions. We elected Mrs. Smith to answer them. We are going to have a circulating library with it. We had cookies, candy and lemonade.

Last night we went over to Mrs. Smith's. Mr. and Mrs. Calame were there but they went home about 8:30 (getting sleepy I guess).

Guess I'll work on my "unfinished lab". I usually have about a ton left over.

Monday, March 16, 1914

Riggin Children before Fannie's death: Bernice, Curtis, Louise, Katie, Muryl

Friday Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Calame were over to supper. Friday evening the Junior-Senior reception was to take place and they let us out at 3:15 so the juniors would have time

to prepare. Blanche, Irene, Ina, Virginia and I went walking till about 4. The company stayed

till about 10 and we washed dishes for about half an hour.

Saturday Mr. Smith (Ed) came to the store and asked papa if I might take dinner with them

at the Thomas House Sunday. Just before Mrs. Smith died (she was buried Friday) she told Louise everything and he wanted her to get acquainted with us. I didn't care about a family reunion at a hotel but mama told Mr. Smith to send them all over after dinner which he did.

It was almost as new for me as it was for Louise. I had been with Curtis about 5 minutes last October. I had seen Louise but didn't know who she was and I never had seen Katie that I know of. I just love them all. Louise will be 12 the 23rd of June, Katie will be 18 the 2nd of July, and Curtis' birthday comes on the 22nd of January. He didn't say how old he was but I guess he's 20. They stayed till 2:30. Louise had to meet her father at the Thomas House then and the other two went with her. Louise plays fine. I wish we lived in the same town so we could chum together. As it is I guess we'll have to chum by mail.

I'm invited to Miss Neva's this evening. She's going to have all us kids. I missed S.S. yesterday so Mrs. Smith said if I'd come up this week she'd go over the lesson with me. Of course I jumped at a chance to go over there. Guess I'd better get to work. I've got 20 min. left to get Physiography and algebra.

Tues Mar 10, 1914

I've been trying to get at this for ages and haven't had time.

Mr. Pietsch left Tuesday, Feb 17. We certainly enjoyed him. We had a young people's meeting at Krause's Sat. evening. We got in bed at 12 P.M. The Green girls went to bed at 1 A.M. Sunday he spoke in S.S. and in a sermon at 3 P.M. besides the regular meetings. Tuesday we had another young people's meeting at Uncle George's. We asked so many questions that we didn't get onto a Bible lesson at all. I guess he thinks we're awful ignorant. When he left he sent back a list of ten questions for us kids to answer. I got mine in last Friday. They were pretty hard.

Last Sunday I ate dinner at Krause's. Pearl J. and her father were there too and we had a fine time. Yesterday Mrs. Krause and Helen were over. We popped corn and had a good time.

I forgot to write that Gladys was here from Feb 29 (Sat.) to March 3 (Tues.). We had a grand time. We made this statement (I'll have to write it or I'll forget it) "On March 3, 1918, where will I be, what will I be doing and what will I be thinking of? (at noon)"

Yesterday in Lab, Ina and I were playing in a beaker full of mercury. We got some out and of course got it all over our rings. The

y were a sight. We both used silver polish on them and now they look right respectable. Irene was over last night. We worked till they called her home. That reminds me -- We sent off for some sweet potatoes (otherwise ocarinas) and now our mas won't let us practice on them. It's awfully provoking but I don't blame them much. Papa calls them fog horns.

Miss Graff just now made Blanche move back one seat. I am wondering why for two days she hasn't moved me. I guess my turn will come this afternoon. It's not like her to let me sit two consecutive days in one place.

We had a fine dinner of baked squabs yesterday. Harry Mc. gave them to us. Think we'll have beef stew to-day. Hope so.

Well, I guess I've wandered over enough territory. I've spent just exactly 20 precious minutes out of a precious period. I don't care tho'. I don't believe in killing myself. Anyway, I have all my English and as much as I can get of my Latin. The English wasn't hard to get -- the same as yesterday. Guess I'll run over

the personal pronouns (I mean the Latin ones) and see how quick I can get rid of 7 minutes so I can get some dinner before I starve.

Muryl (L) and school friends.

Blanche Baumberger, Frances Breuchaud, Irene Gerke, Virginia Breuchaud, Ina Maynard (R)

Feb 11 Wednesday 1914

I have no business to waste time writing in this thing

but there are some things I have to write.

We had exams week before last. I got

Latin 95

English 97

Algebra 99

Physiology 100

Got a quarter out of them.

Mr. Pietsch is preaching here this week. He's

German. His home is in Brooklyn. He has been in

Canada and is on his way to Japan as a missionary.

He's awfully funny but he's fine. He scolds us for

flirting and everything else. He seems to think we're

terrible but I don't think he says anything but what

strikes someone. Last night when he gave out the

second hymn he said, "Now everybody sing! I was looking

around the room and not more than half of you were

singing. If you've got no more interest in the meetings

than the way you sing, it's a pretty shallow salvation

some of you've got!" That's the way he yanks us up

about everything.

Uncle George went to Highland today and brought

George Raymond up for a visit. His folks have scarlet

fever and he can't go home. He was so delighted to

get there his back didn't hurt him a bit all day. Well,

I've got to get at my English.

We're going to have a young folks meeting Friday

night. Bet he'll give it to us then. They must want a

crowd. They had Mr. Mitchell announce it in school

this morning.

Monday Jan 19, 1914

I have been wanting to write ever since I got back from the

Xmas vacation but haven't had time.

I wanted to write during the vacation too but I didn't have

my book at home.

We had three weeks vacation on account of scarlet fever.

I had 3 days before Xmas and worked in the store.

I made $1, the first I ever worked for -- no, I'll take that

back. I'm sure I worked for that money I made mowing

the yard last summer. There goes that pesky bell.

Wednesday, Dec 10, 1913

Went to hear the Chicago Ladies' Orchestra Monday night.

They were fine.

We had a Latin test yesterday and I made a 93.

As Ruth S. said of herself and her 90, "That's pretty good for a mutt like me."

I guess I'll quit and work tomorrow's algebra,

but I want to write that I got a kitten from Mrs. Morris last Fri.

She is awful cute but tears everything up.

Monday, Dec. 1, 1913

This looks like a diary with a month between entries. I have certainly had a time for the last week. Learned to play tennis last Monday. Ina, Irene, Blanche and I played on DeMoulin's court. In the evening we went to hear "The Sign of the Cross." It was a beautiful play and well acted but I have no taste for crying in public and that's what it made me do. I wasn't the only one though. I can hear that little boy screaming yet. It didn't end a bit nice. I wanted Mercia and Marcus to get married and instead they were both burned.

Well, Tuesday and Wednesday were spent preparing for Thurs. Mr. and Mrs. Armet came Thursday morning. They stayed at the Smith's as usual. We had a lecture at 2:30. After that came supper. Clara DeMoulin (in place of Mary G.), Evelyn G., Helen K., Pearl J., Isabel B., Ruth, Helen B. and I served. Harold K. was on hand too, to do what the rest of us didn't have time for. I never saw such eaters as those people were. We started serving about 4:45 and didn't get to eat till about 5:45. We made up for lost time then. Mr. Greene brought us whatever we wanted. We got 2 big plates (Helen, Clara, Evelyn and I were eating together) full (and piled up) of cake and ate it all. That was on top of a stack of sandwiches. Mildred and Viola Gaffner had eaten with the crowd and they came up there with us. My! What a lot of pickles they put away -- and after every one they'd say they couldn't hold another one. Mildred told me she was sick Friday and I don't wonder. After we finished eating Mr. G. gave us some money for chewing gum. We chewed it all during the 7:30 sermon.

Friday morning Mama and four others went up to clean things up. I thought we never would get through washing dishes. Then we had to wash the seats and scrub the floor. I forgot to say that when we got out Thurs. night it was raining cats and dogs and puppy dog tails. Aunt Lella and Paul had to go to our house after her coat and I went with them. I put on my raincoat and rubbers and cap, grabbed Mama's rubbers and 3 umbrellas and Aunt Lella's coat with an old rubber coat of mine for her and got into the buggy again. They took me as far as the pavement and I went alone the rest of the way. The rain went right through my umbrella but it was fun. When I got there I saw a big row of hats on one seat. A lot of women had left their hats and pinned papers over their heads. We waited about half an hour and then went home. A lot of folks waited longer than we did.

Friday afternoon I didn't do anything. Mr. Armet went to Highland to see George Raymond. He is getting lots better. His back hurts him but the doctor says it's not the bullet, it's just from being on his back so long. They haven't given him any solid food yet. He has been converted since he was there. Mr. Armet said the last time he was at Raymonds' George stayed out in the field but he was very glad to see him this time.

My Good Times Book: Saturday, Nov. 8, 1913

It has been a long time since I wrote anything in a diary but I think I'll start over now. I started a book last summer and lost it (just my luck). Well, I neglected getting another and there are a whole lot of good times that I didn't get to record. There were the Moss Grove picnic (I don't think I put that in volume 1) and all kinds of fine times last summer besides that terrible day playing at the fair and having the girls Monday before last, and that Halloween evening at Ina's. Well, I'm going to put that in right now.

Two or three days before Halloween I got an envelope with (inside it of course) a black cat n a pumpkin. I think I have it now. If I have I'll put it in my keep-sake box. On the back of the pumpkin was written this verse:

"Assemble, assemble ye ghosts,

With Dame Witch and her cat as hosts.

At 7:30 on Friday night

To make merry by the dim weird light."

410 N. Spruce St.

I recognized Ina's handwriting immediately and of course I went. We were all dressed like ghosts and Ina was dressed like a witch. We had lots of fun. Mama told me and Irene to meet her at Mrs. Stewart's at 9:30. We went at 10:30. Those present were Irene, Blanche, Frances, Virginia, Pearl Riley, Ina and I.

We have been cleaning house all day. I'm awful tired and Mama promised Mrs. Clarkson we'd come up this evening. I guess I'll have to.

Welcome to my grandmother's diary

This blog is a gift to my father. I have the originals of his mother's diaries. I intend to post an entry from her diary nearly daily. If the entries need background information, clarification or other complementary material, I am hoping my father will collaborate with me in providing those.