Sunday, July 8, 2012

1917 Feb 24 - Falling Down

Feb 24 1917 Saturday

After breakfast all the Elders met here and we divided out the bills, of which we had 3000, to scatter over the city. I had 300 to my share, so we all spent most of the day working at that. In the afternoon I came home, took a bath, got cleaned up, did some studying and ofter supper Elder Lymon and I called for the girls and went over to Sister Blair's, where we spent the evening in practicing singing for Conference, which will be tomorrow.

On the way home from Blair's, I never laughed so much in all my life. I laughed until I cried, for La-Rose and i were going along as nice as you please, when all at once she slipped on the ice, for the sidewalk was very slick. She fell flat on her back and when she fell she kicked my feet from under me and I fell flat on my stomach on top of her head, and her trying to get up prevented me from getting off. I just snorted out and by laughing so, I was too weak to do anything until I finally rolled on my back and just screamed. It didn't hurt either of us, only it was so funny and to cap it all, a large bunch came along just in time to see it all. We finally got up and laughed, we both ducked our heads and beat it and laughed all the way home.

You see, that's what happens when we are not allowed to take hold of the ladies' arms, for as Elders we are not permitted to take hold of the lady missionaries' arms, or any other ladies, while walking along the streets. The people who saw us fall, I guess they thought we were crazy. I sure felt like a fool.

1917 Feb 23 - Sing & Skate

Feb 23 1917 Friday

This morning all the Elders pent the forenoon with us here in the house where we laughed and talked and sang to our hearts content. In the afternoon we had to show the Elders a time, so we all went to a show and after supper we went out to the skating rink where we sure did enjoy ourselves.

1917 Feb 22 - Presidents Day

Feb 22 1917 Thurs

I spent the forenoon in talking to the new Elders who came in to conference and then it was George Washington's Birthday, so in the afternoon we all went to the show, the tickets were 5cents and at night we held a meeting at Griffin's place. But I spent most of the time keeping the cockroaches off from me during the meeting for they sure had me going some. They are about the same size as a spider and their house is just full of them. I would sit and watch them crawl around on the wall, when all at once one got on my neck and oh my I could hardly sleep, thinking they were still on me. After the meeting we went down for the mail and then Elder Lymon and I went up to the dancing hall and watched them cake walk for a prize. It was sure some dance. We then came home and went to bed.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

1917 Feb 21 - 104 Tracts

Feb 21, 1917 Wed

After breakfast I wrote a letter to LaVern and a card to Olga. I then studied until noon and after dinner I went to the post-office where I received a letter from LaVern. After that we went out tracting which was sure great sport. One old lady took my tract, went back in the house and I turned to go when the door opened like a shot and the old lady came and out and said

you Mormon! and said take these tracts back and shook her fist in my face. I don't want such trash around my house. I am 70 years old and I know all about you. I say take these tracts, take them, take them and then she slammed the door in my face.

I couldn't get a word in edgewise but I took it as a joke and laughed. In my travels I got rid of 104 tracts so that was not so bad. After supper the two girls and us 4 Elders went out visiting some Saints and also Mr. Andrews and family. He was sure some talker.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

1917 Feb 20 - Song Practice

Feb 20, 1917 Tues

I studied until noon, went and called for mail, got a letter from Roy & Ann. After dinner we Elder Lymon and myself went down to see Lois and LaRose to practice some songs for Conference, which is to be next Sunday. I gave Lois one of my pictures. We then came home. I wrote a letter home and after supper we went out to visit a family of investigators, Mr & Mrs Tatro, where the girls and I did some playing and singing.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

1917 Feb 19 - Laundry Talk

Feb 19, 1917 Mon

I took our washing over to Sis Kildridge and Hatch and had a fine talk with her and her son for two hours. We then came home, had dinner, studied for about 4 hours, went down for the mail where I received a letter from home . I came back and studied until bed time.

1917 Feb 18 - Sunday School Lesson

Feb 18, 1917 Sunday

I had a bath cleaned up and then studied my Sunday school lesson until church time. We went to church at 2 00 pm, held Sunday school until 3 00 pm and then Meeting from 3 to four. I gave a lesson in Sunday School on our first parents in Eden and in the Meeting I had to speak.

After Church we came home, had supper, after which we all went over to Sister Blair's and spent the evening in singing. We then callede for mail. I got a letter from LaVern. Came home and went to bed.

1917 Feb 17 - Day Off

Feb 17, 1917 Sat

After breakfast I spent all the forenoon in studying and after dinner my eyes were so tired of looking in a book so long, that Elder Lymon, Hatch, Weaver and myseld called for the girls and we all went to the show for a change. The ticket only cost us five cents each, some price eh? After the show we had supper, went out visiting a while, came home, I wrote a letter to LaVern and then went to bed.

1917 Feb 16 - Smashed Hats

Feb 16, 1917 Fri

I studied until noon and then Elder Weaver made a date for the two girls, Elder Lymon and myself to go out to Miss Maud Da-Saw, who has been sick for two years, to sing to her, of which we did after dinner. We sang for her for about 2 hours and she sure enjoyed. She is not a member of our faith, but she seems quite interested. After we left there, we came home, cleaned up, had supper and then we had our time - the three girls LaRue, Lois, Eva, Savoy and Elder Lymon and myself walked out three miles to visit some investigators. Elder Weaver and Hatch were already out there - they went out during the time we were out singing.

Laugh, I thought I would just die, for I have never laughed so much in all the time I have been out here. The snow was only about two feet deep and we had a narrow path to follow that led us over the hills and around the mountain to the place. It was dark and we couldn't see very good and if we piled up once on our backs we did twenty times, and coming home Elder Hatch and Lymon mashed both their hats in by falling on them. The girls sure did act crazy and of course we boys didn't do anything at all. It was the best time I have had since I left home, but I was glad to hit the bed when we got back after walking six miles on such a bad road, but it was sure funny the way we would all be on our backs before you could bat your eye.

1917 Feb 15 - Sightseeing

Feb 15, 1917 Thurs

I studied all forenoon, had dinner, did some more studying and then we went out for a walk around in the city sightseeing. I also called for my photos, came home for my supper and then we went over to Mrs. Griffins and held a meeting. We had a real nice time after meeting - the girls played the piano while we guys sang to them. At 1030 pm we left, went down for the mail and then came home.

1917 Feb 14 - First Letter from Home

Feb 14, 1917 Wed

After breakfast we studied until about 11 am. I went and called for my suit which was being cleaned and pressed. I came back, had dinner, called for mail, in which I received a letter from LaVern, the first I have received since I left home, just one month to the day. I also received my cheque from headquarters which was 25 bones.

We then went down for our big time on the skating rink. It was the first time I had been on skates for 6 years, but we all were about alike at it. We had a dandy time, had our pictures taken five times while on the ice, by our missionary girls who were also skating.Elder Lymon fell down and cut his face quite bad. He had to go to the doctor, who put two stitches in the cut.

After supper the six of us went out and visited Mrs. Suprises, a woman with 4 daughters (that's where the Elders shine, so we are told). At ten pn we came home and went to bed.

1917 Feb 13 - Post Card Photo

Feb 13, 1917 Thurs

Due to it being so cold we stayed in the house all forenoon and studied and after dinner Elder Hatch and I went down for my laundry and i had my picture taken on post card size, walked around for a while, came home, did some more studying, had supper and went out to visit some Saints, called for mail and then went to bed.

Monday, May 28, 2012

1917 Feb 12 - Pop-Corn and Candy

Feb 12, 1917 Monday

Got out of bed at 730 am. Had breakfast and studied until noon. Had dinner, went down and called for mail, came home, washed my head, did some more studying, had supper and went down to the Lady Missionary place and spent the evening. Sure had a time. They fed us on pop corn and candy and we sang everything we knew while the girls played the piano. At 10 30 pm came home and went to bed.

1917 Feb 11 - First Sunday

Feb 11, 1917 Sunday

This morning I got up early, had a bath and cleaned up. Did some studying and went to church at 10 am to fire up the place and get it warm. We held Sunday school at 2 pm and at 3 pm we held meeting in which I had to speak. They gave me the first chance, for they said I was the new Elder, for they all wanted to hear the new Elder talk, so I did. I spoke on the life of Joseph Smith and how glad I was to have a chance to be out here for the cause of my faith. After meeting I came home, had supper and wrote a letter to Ann and Roy Jettis, we then went out and spent the evening at Sister Blair's place. The lady missionary girls met with us and we sure had a fine time. We sang everything we knew of and some we didn't know too. At 10 30 pm left and went and called for mail. Came home and went to bed.

1917 Feb 10 - Dinner Appointment

Feb 10, 1917 Sat

After breakfast we studied for 3 hours. Went down for the mail, visited four families and at the fourth one we stayed for dinner. It was the first dinner I had out to any of the saints since I came. It was at Sister Blair's. She gave us a fine meal. After dinner we administered to her for she was sick, sang a few songs and left. Came home and wrote three letters: one to Father, Fonzo and one to Niels. Did some more studying, had supper, and when that was over we went down fixed up the church house, came home and made out our weekly a.p., our living for the first week that I am here. We lived for $1.64 for the whole week. Some cheap living, eh? $0.27 per day.

1917 Feb 9 - Tracting

Feb 9, 1917 Fri

After breakfast for the first time in my life I went out with Elder Hatch & Elder Lymon tracting. The first house I went to I was shaking like a leaf. I suppose it was due to such cold weather. The second house I got turned down. The lady said no thanks, I wouldn't spend my time reading such stuff. I thanked her for her answer and went on talking until I made her feel foolish for what she had said and at last she took the tracts and promised she would read them, being that I was so good natured about it. I distributed 30 tracts. I was never asked in the house once. I was then so cold, I decided I would go home.
Had dinner, called for mail, went and called on some of the sick and at night Elder Lymon and the Lady missionary girls and myself went to visit a family. Had some time, gee it was cold, snow ablowing to beat old harry, but we got our fill on candy and pop-corn. I ate till I thought I would die. Came home and went to bed.

1917 Feb 8 - First Talk

Feb 8, 1917 Thurs

Got out of bed 730 am. Went down for breakfast and it was as usual. We are some Batchelars [sic]. Elder Lymon is the cook and Elder Hatch and myself are dish washers. I spent the day in writing to my folks and in this book. At night we held a meeting and I gave a little talk on the love of God to his children here on earth and his judgement to us. Came home and went to bed.

1917 Feb 7 - The New Elder

Feb 7, 1917 Wed

Got up at 800 am, had our breakfast of mush & bread & butter, after which we read a while and went out visiting the Saints, for they all wanted to see the new Elder. Ha ha. Came home for dinner and it was as usual: mush, butter & bread. After which they took me downtown to see the sights. Spent the afternoon, came home and went out to see some more saints and from there home to bed.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

1917 Feb 6 - To Vermont

Feb 6, 1917 Tues

I had my breakfast early, packed my suitcase and left New York at 1040 a.m. for Vermont where I am to Labor. My ticket cost me $8.60. Travelled all day, landed in Vermont at 815 pm. Two of the Elders were at the station to meet me (Elder Hatch and Elder Lymon). Went to our room and had supper which was a Batchlars meal, mush, butter and bread, but it tasted good to me as I was hungry. After supper went out visited a family of saints, Mrs Blair's.

[Note: An entry from Mar 4 1917 has "Leaving Burlington, Ver" written at the top of the page in red highlight pencil, suggesting that his first area of service was the city of Burlington, Vermont.]

University of Vermont has compiled several postcards from early-20th-century Burlington which help illustrate what the city would have looked like at the time.

1917 Feb 5 - Set Apart & the Hippodrome

Feb 5, 1917 Mon

It was snowing and blowing to beat the band. After breakfast we went down to 33 West where we held a meeting and were set apart to our field of labour. My appointment was to Vermont Conference. After meeting I got all my books which cost me some over $18.00. Took them to my room and then at night we went to the big show [at] the Hippodrome. It seemed more like a dream to me, for it was wonderful. 7 or 5 people played. The hall will hold 6 or 7 thousand people. 300 people working around the place. After the show we had supper. Came home and went to bed.

1917 Feb 4 - Fast Day & Grant's Tomb

Feb 4, 1917 Sunday


We went to Priesthood Meeting and if ever I attended a meeting where the Spirit of the Lord was present, it was there. Bro Monson sure did give a fine talk. After Priesthood we went to Sunday School and meeting combined after which we went down and saw Mr Grants and his wife's monument. We then had supper, the first I had that day, as it was fast day and they don't let you eat out here until night. After supper we went to Mutual, after which I wrote a letter home and one to LaVern.

[Note: It is assumed that the speaker was W.P Monson, President of the Eastern States Mission.]

1917 Feb 3 - Woolworth Building

Feb 3, 1917 Sat

Linton Jeffery took us around sight seeing, took the ferry across the river, saw the big ship owned by the Jeamans [sp], we then went up to the top of the Woolworth Building, the highest in the world. [Note: World's tallest building from 1913 to 1930]

Went through the parks and through the Aquarium, we were then good and tired, so I did a little shopping and went to bed.

Monday, May 21, 2012

1917 Feb 2 - New York

Feb 2, 1917 Fri

I had my first breakfast with the Elders, Batchlars, and it was some meal, mush and bread and butter, but I didn't care as I knew it was near on to dinner time and then I could go downtown and have a square meal. After breakfast we went out sight-seeing. They took us down to the museum of Natural Art and of History and it was sure great. I saw the bones of a Great Amphibious Demosaur Bontosaurus [sic], 66 ft 2 inches long, 15 ft 8 inches tall, weight 40 tons. At night we went to a show called (Have a Heart), (but a song, have a heart) and one You said something when you said you loved me.

[Transcriber's Note: Sometimes the punctuation and spelling from the entries can be inconsistent or incorrect, but the meaning is usually clear. This passage was particularly difficult to interpret, but it has been transcribed exactly as it was written.]

1917 Feb 1 - to New York

Feb 1, 1917 - Thurs

We took the 8 15 train in the morning for New York and the sights were sure great riding alone on the train on the banks of the Hudson River. Saw the ships sailing up and down the river. We landed in New York at 7 30 pm. Linton Jeffery met us at the station and he was sure one tickled boy to see us. He took us to our rooms. Had supper and went to bed as we were tired.

1917 Jan 30 - to Buffalo

Jan 30, 1917 Wed

We went around taking in some more sights and then went out to see Sears Roebuck Co and believe me it was sure some store. The guide took us around and told us all about everything. They send out 2000 orders per hour, making 40 car loads per day. At dinner time he took us in the dining room, told us to stay there as long as we pleased and eat as much as we pleased. And we sure did too, as we were good and hungry.
We went back to the city, took the 2 30 train and landed in Buffalo at 8 35 a.m. on the 31st. We had a guide take us to the Hotel, had breakfast and went to the Falls, where we spent the entire day. It was sure a beautiful sight. We took the car up and down the river and went across the river on the trolley cart. Some joy ride away up in the air.
Went back to Buffalo at 7 30 pm, wrote a letter to LaVern and went to bed.

1917 Jan 29 - Chicago

Lesllie Stevenson and I walked out to the beach and took in the sights of the City. At 1 30 we went to see the greatest thing in the world, it the great packing plants and the stock yards. They killed 80 000 sheep , 65 000 hogs and 22 000 head of cattle per day, making a total of 167 000 head of stuff per day. 3 500 men and women are working there. That is just one company, but there are two other such companies but not quite so large. Swifts, Libbic, and McNeel. I also saw them make butter without cream. We went back to town and at night went to three shows.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

1917 Jan 28 - Chicago

Jan. 28. 1917

We walked around a while. took in a few of the sights in the fornoon. Went out to the mission headquarters, went to church in the afternoon. Sang in the choir and went to meet at night again. At night we got some rooms at a German place down in a cellar.

1917 Jan 27 - Omaha & Chicago

Jan. 27, 1917

We sailed along very nicely and we landed at Omaha at 800 a.m., stayed there one hour. It sure looks funny through this country Iowa. All they raise here is corn and [figs? brigs?] -- the country is sure full of trees. We landed in Chicago at 10 50 p.m. that night. A conductor met us at the trina nd took us to the Majestic Hotel which was recommended to us by the Church. Paid 200 for my bed.

1917 Jan 26 - Wyoming

Jan. 26, 1917

I woke up at 7 30 a.m. and found that we had only travelled 40 miles during the whole night for we were snow bound again in snow to the top of the cars. Oh that Wyoming country, but excuse me, give me Canada. During the day we all snag songs and cheered one another up the best we could. At 4 30 p.m. we got out of the snow drift and went on our way.

1917 Jan 25 - Snowbound in Wyoming

Jan. 25, 1917

Our train was snow bound at Hanona, Wyoming. Stayed there all day took my dinner in the Hotel. At 6:40 p.m. we started out again. I was tired so I went bed. Parley and I slept together.