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DIARY
Written by Virginia Claire Day [Fritscher]
July 12, 1933 to December 31, 1936
Age 14 to Age 17.5
Jacksonville, Illinois
This diary, in which a real, dramatic, human narrative unfolds, is a small leather-bound book, with gilt on the exposed edges of its pages, measuring 4 inches wide and 5.5 inches tall by .75 inches thick. The brown-leather cover is imprinted on the front cover with 16 small fleur de lis (six red, ten gray) surrounding a gray crest, under which is printed in gray: Five-Year Diary. Front and back covers are slightly padded between leather and board to give a soft, rounded, comfortable feel.
The diary is secured with a small leather strap, attached to the front cover, which is missing its end: a bronze metal clasp that fit into the small lock on the back cover. The lock has a tiny key hole and the key is long gone. The locking leather strap was torn and the key lost during the tumultuous time of the writing of this diary when competing boyfriends, who knew of the diary, struggled to read it, and sometimes tore out pages that for the most part were glued back into place.
Written with a refillable fountain pen in indelible ink, the handwriting is neat, legible, and sometimes features shorthand for privacy. Each white page, now creamy yellow with age, is printed with a day’s date at the top (January 1 to December 31) and five entries for five years down the left side of each page. Each entry space for each year is three light-blue lines, fifteen to a page, with six red lines, each separating one year’s entry from the next.
To read the Five-Year Diary chronologically means turning through it front to back five times as each page, like the page for December 25, for instance, has five sections allotted for five Christmases, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937—although entries were made only from July 12, 1933 to December 31, 1936. The diary covers Virginia Claire Day’s life: 1) immediately before meeting George Fritscher; 2) the meeting of George Fritscher when she was sixteen and he was nineteen; and 3) the first fourteen months of their courtship.
In every instance, the printed text is an exact replica of the handwritten original’s abbreviations, spelling, and punctuation.
—Jack Fritscher
Handwritten inside the front cover:
Age 14, Virginia C. Day, 217 Kentucky St.,
Jacksonville, Ill.
Given to me July 12th on my 14th birthday by
Grace Rogers, 515 S. Church St.,
Jacksonville, Illinois,
my best friend.
1933
Age 14 This Day
July 12. Grace ate my 14th birthday dinner with me. I got this diary from her, and a birthday card. Went uptown in afternoon. Went down to State [Jacksonville State Hospital and School for the Blind and Deaf] to dance and play golf in evening [with teen patients who taught her American Sign Language and empathy].
July 13. Went to library and dentist in the morning with [younger brother] Harold. Went uptown in afternoon. Sold a pair socks in evening. [Her first job was selling hosiery and socks.] Took a walk with Grace and Paul in evening.
July 14. Dorothy set my hair in morning. Went uptown in afternoon and got all kinds of birthday presents. Sent off my hose order in evening, and Grace and I played with Charles [Ford].
July 15. Played with Charles in morning. Went uptown and got 3 Musketeers [candy bar] in afternoon. Went to Church [Our Saviour’s Catholic Church]. Went shopping with Fords in evening. Mrs. Ford got new living room suite.
July 16. Got sick at 4:20 in morning. Sick all day. Grace and Catherine came in afternoon, but I was asleep. Went with Daddy in evening. Got my hose order. Stayed home rest of evening.
July 17. Went uptown with [oldest brother] John in morning, and I also delivered hose. Went to see Oliver Twist at Majestic in afternoon. Went with Daddy in evening. Had lots of fun.
July 18. Played with Charles in morning. Went uptown in afternoon with Grace and Charles. Saw Beulah Draper and Gertie and her husband. Went down to State [Hospital] in evening, rode merry-go-round 6 times. Teetered with Jimmie Templeton.
July 19. Went to Grace’s in morning to sell hose. She bought a pair. Went to park for dinner. Watched them swim. Had lots of fun. Grace, Catherine, and I got candy and soda pop. Went with Daddy in evening.
July 20. Went uptown in morning. Got letter from Sister Ernestine. Played with Charles in afternoon. Went to Catherine’s. She, Charles, and I got an ice cream cone. Made candy at Grace’s in evening. Went uptown, got popcorn. Came home to her house. Made lemonade.
July 21. Played with Charles in morning. Went to Mayfield’s in afternoon and sold 3 pair of hose. Went uptown and got some candy kisses. Went to Catherine’s in evening. Went uptown to get some popcorn, and Pete Biggs and Billie Cannon wanted Grace and I to go riding.
July 22. Grace [who gave her the diary ten days before] is moving to Chicago. We went to Grace’s house in the morning because they were moving. Went over there in afternoon and they left on 3:07 train. I got their dog Fluffy to keep till Monday. Came home. Went with Daddy in evening and got some candy.
July 23. Eustacia and Betty came up and Eustacia gave me a bracelet and a pair of anklets for my birthday. We ate dinner, played piano, played ball. Took a walk, and we all went on a picnic at the park. Came home, sat in car to sing.
July 24. Helped wash the car. Went to Catherine’s house in afternoon for awhile. Erma Gotch, her husband and three children came from St. Louis. We took a ride, ate supper, went down to State Hospital and watched them skate. [Interaction at the Hospital was part of the social life in Jacksonville as people often went there to play miniature golf with the patients.]
July 25. Played with Charles in morning. Miss McGinnis came down in afternoon and I got Charles. Took a little nap. Stayed home in evening. Got a letter from Audrey Gotch.
July 26. Went over to Catherine’s in morning. Played with Charles. Went up to Mary Frances’ house in afternoon and had lemonade and cake. Went over to Catherine’s and made fudge in evening.
July 27. Went out and sold 4 pair hose in morning. Took Charles to get an ice-cream cone. Went over to Spreen’s and ate supper there. Went down to State in evening and rode merry-go-round 4 times.
July 28. Played with Charles in morning. Catherine and I went uptown in afternoon. Came back and went to her house and her Aunt B set our hair. In the evening I went with Daddy to deliver.
July 29. Went uptown in morning with Catherine and Charles. Went by for Pooch. Charles, her, and I went uptown and got some candy. Gave Fluffy [the dog Grace left behind] away. Went with Dad in evening. Went to Church.
July 30. Went to dinner and Communion. Went with Daddy in afternoon to make city collections. In the evening I took a walk and then stayed home rest of evening. Had company.
July 31. In morning stayed home and read. In the afternoon I went uptown and got a darling new pair of rayon pajamas, also went to see Mrs. Ford. Catherine came over and we went with Daddy.
August 1. Went over to Fords. In afternoon, Stella Ford, Ruth Moore, Charles, and I went down to see Mrs. Ford. We went to Ferrys and got a chocolate fausfate [phosphate]. Went to carnival in evening at our Church.
August 2. Played with Charles in morning. In afternoon, Ruth, Louisa, Stella, and I went swimming at park. Went to stand and got a barbecue. Went with Fords in evening and got an Orange-Crush.
August 3. Played with Charles in morning. Went down to hospital and uptown with Stella and Charles and got some candy. Got a letter from Grace. Went with Daddy in evening.
August 4. Played with Charles and Stella. Went uptown in afternoon and got a soda, and a box of butter popcorn with Stella and Charles. In the evening I went to Fords for awhile. Stayed home rest of evening.
August 5. Went over to Catherine’s for awhile in morning. Went uptown in afternoon with Harold. Sold 3 pair of hose. In the evening went to Church and went with Daddy.
August 6. Came down to Eustacia’s to spend my vacation. Went to park in afternoon. Went to a party at Janet’s house in evening. Played all kinds of games and had lots of fun.
August 7. Down at Eustacia’s. Worked in morning. Went down to library and confectionery in afternoon. In evening we went to the show to see Slim Summerville and Zazu Pitts in Her First Mate.
August 8. Down at Eustacia’s. Went to Kampsville with the mail. Saw twins [the Kamp twins after whose family Kampsville was named] and Aunt Mag [Margaret Day Stelbrink, her father’s only sister and her only aunt by blood] and Cecilia [Stelbrink, cousin]. Came home to Eustacia’s. Went to farmers’ sale. Got some candy and popcorn. In evening took a ride in truck.
August 9. Down at Eustacia’s. Came to Kampsville to stay all night with Aunt Mag. Ate dinner there. Played all afternoon with twins. Ate supper at twins. The twins and I took a walk and went up to the park.
August 10. Twins and I played croquet. Cecilia and I went to Mrs. Duksmeyer and the Germans. Ate a chicken dinner at Aunt Mag’s. Went back to Carrollton with the mail. Came home in afternoon.
August 11. Worked in morning. Went uptown in afternoon and got some Cutex. Came home and Ruth manicured my fingernails. In the evening I stayed with Mrs. Ford while the Fords went riding.
August 12. Mowed the lawn in the morning. In the afternoon I went to the show to see Arizona to Broadway with Blanche. We got some candy. In the evening I went with Fords and got an ice-cream cone.
August 13. Went to Church and Communion in the morning. In the afternoon I went uptown and got some popcorn and ydnac [pig latin for candy]. In the evening I went down to the cottage grocery and got some ydnac.
August 14. In the afternoon I went over to Poochie’s [Blanche Gilmore] and rode a bike. She came over and we made chocolate fudge. In the evening I went over to Pooch’s in the evening and played on a wagon. [She had a mad crush on Pooch’s brother, Gilly Gilmore.]
August 15. Stayed home in morning and afternoon, trying to sew up some play shorts. Pooch called me up and wanted to go down to State in evening. We went down and rode the merry-go-round.
August 16. Pooch and I and Jane Spreen and Pooch’s little cousin went uptown and got some candy. Jane stayed all day at our house. In the evening I took her home. I got a Baby Ruth.
August 17. Played with Charles in morning. In the afternoon I went over to Pooch’s and played all afternoon. We were going to go to the State, but Pooch couldn’t go. Stayed home.
August 18. Played with Charles. Went over to Poochie’s. In the afternoon stayed home, and rode Donald’s bike all afternoon. In the evening, Marjorie and I rode the bike.
August 19. Played with Charles. In the afternoon, Pooch came over and we rode the bike all afternoon. I got a new orange shirt, too little. Pooch and I took it back. Stayed uptown a long time and got candy. Ate supper at Pooch’s and got a Butterfinger.
August 20. Went to Church. Played with Charles. Pooch called me up. Pooch came over and we rode the bike and got some candy. In the evening I took a car ride. I made some fudge.
August 21. Pooch called me up. She came over in the afternoon. We went uptown and I got this fountain-pen [to write the diary] and some candy. We delivered some hose. In the evening we saw a horse buck a man.
August 22. In the morning, Pooch and I sold 7 pairs of hose. Eustacia came up. In the afternoon Eustacia and I went to see Bob Montgomery and Helen Hayes in Another Language at the Illinois Theater and got candy and popcorn. In the evening went down to State and got some more candy and rode merry-go-round about 5 times.
August 23. In the morning, Eustacia and I played jacks and went up to Kroger’s and got some candy. Eustacia went home around noon. Rode the bike all afternoon and read the funnies. Rode the bike all evening.
August 24. I went over to Pooch’s and we sold 3 pairs of hose in the morning. I ate dinner there. In the afternoon, we sold 6 pairs of hose. In the evening, I sent in a hose order and I fell down and cut my leg.
August 25. Pooch came over in the morning. In the afternoon Pooch, Harold [younger brother] and I went to the show. Harold paid my way. I got a new pair of two-toned tan oxfords at K Lines. I paid half. Stayed home in evening.
August 26. In morning Mr. Peters brought my hose order. Pooch and I delivered them in the afternoon. In the evening, I collected some of the money and Norine [older sister] and I went uptown and got some candy.
August 27. Went to Church and Communion. Didn’t do much of anything in morning. Worked a little. In the afternoon I got a frozen whip. In the evening I took a walk with Harold and got some popcorn. Went to Spreen’s.
August 28. Read Sunday papers in morning. In the afternoon went uptown and put some money in the bank for my hose order. In the evening I took a walk uptown with Catherine.
August 29. Catherine called me up in morning. In the afternoon, I delivered hose and sold one pair. In the evening I went down to the State [Hospital] and rode merry-go-round 2 times.
August 30. Blanche came over to stay all day. We played with Charles and went to the store 3 times. In the afternoon, we went to the girls’ ball game at State. Rode Donald’s bike and made fudge in evening.
August 31. In the morning Blanche and I sold some hose. We sold 6 pairs. In the afternoon I stayed home and rested. In the evening Harold and I went to the fair and bought all kinds of things. I won a sign.
September 1. Played with Charles in the morning. In the afternoon I went over to Neomi’s house and we found Baby Ruth candy wrappers. Went over to State Hospital and rode merry-go-round twice in evening.
September 2. Played with Charles in the morning. In the afternoon I went uptown, and got a compass and some candy. In the evening Daddy, Mamma, Harold, Norine, and I went riding.
September 3. Went to Church and Communion. In the morning I took a walk. In the afternoon I helped Mamma get supper for Father Lawler and Father Ingram [Two priest friends of the family; Father Lawler was a cousin]. In the evening went to Fords.
September 4. In the morning Aunt Mag Kelly [not the same as Aunt Mag Day-Stelbrink; “Aunt Mag Kelly” was a friend of her mother, Mary Pearl] came up to spend a couple of days. In the afternoon I went to Poochie’s. Sold Geneva a pair of hose in the evening.
September 5. Started to school. Registered in the morning. In the afternoon went uptown and looked for a dress and got some books. In the evening I stayed home.
September 6. Went to school all day. In the evening after school I got a new blouse and skirt. In the evening stayed home and studied and rode the bike.
September 7. Went to school. Got some candy at noon. Walked home from school until Wilma, Norine, and I went to nurse’s graduation in evening at Church.
September 8. Went to school all day. Walked home with Wilma. In the evening Harold and I went down to the State Hospital and rode the merry-go-round with Susie Abbot.
September 9. In the morning I sold some hose. In the afternoon Wilma, Harold, and I went to the show, Shanghai Madness and saw “Blackstone the Magician” [live onstage]. Went to Pooch’s in evening.
September 10. Went to Church and Communion. In the morning I made a cake. In the afternoon I went to see the air circus with John and Harold. In the evening we took a car ride.
September 11. Went to school as usual. John left for school [oldest brother off to Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis where he studied for the priesthood], Mamma, Harold and Jim Magner went too. In the evening I got some candy and sold hose. In the night I studied and Mary Rite came over and we made candy.
September 12. Went to school as usual. In the evening Mamma and Harold came home from St. Louis. In the evening I studied and went to the store.
September 13. Went to school. In the evening we went with Daddy. When we came home, we went riding in the rain in Willie’s Buick. Came home and studied.
September 14. Went to school. Drew a map. In the evening we initiated the “Freshies” [at Routt High School] and how! In the night I studied.
September 15. Went to school. After school I played. In the evening I went over to Poochie’s. Tommy Devlin came over and we rode his bike all evening.
September 16. In the morning I got a card from Eustacia. In the afternoon went down to Church. I got an ice-cream cone. In the evening we went with Daddy.
September 17. Went to Church and Communion. In the afternoon Eustacia came up. We went out to the park and all afternoon we watched them play “Rook” and swim. I got some candy.
September 18. Went to school. After school I got some candy and walked home with Eileen. In the evening I played with Doris Jean. After supper I rode Donald’s bike and copied over my English.
September 19. Went to school as usual. In the evening I rode Donald’s bike. In the night I studied my lessons. Gloria Hanley took me a piece home. [Colloquial for “walked me part way home.” Gloria joined convent as nun 12-27-36.]
September 20. Went to school. After school Gloria Hanley and I went to the show, Pilgrimage. In the evening I read the papers and studied my English and got it and my geometry.
September 21. Went to school again as usual. Walked home with Wilma. In the evening I went up to Gloria’s and studied. We also went into the Public Library.
September 22. Went to school. Walked home part way with Wilma. After school I read the papers. In the evening I went with Daddy down to Gloria’s and I made candy.
September 23. Went to the show in the afternoon. In the afternoon Mamma, Norine, and I went uptown. In the evening I sold a pair of hose.
September 24. Went to Church and Communion. In the afternoon I took a walk with Norine, and Dorothy and M. Clay. In the evening Harold and I went uptown and got some popcorn.
September 25. Went to school as usual. After school I got a big sack of candy and I rode Donald’s bike. In the evening Gloria came down and we studied.
September 26. Went to school. After school I walked home with Loretta Longergrin. In the evening I read the funnies and got my lessons. Then I went to bed.
September 27. Went to school as usual. After school we had Glee Club. In the evening Mother, Harold, and I went up to the style show and got some candy.
September 28. Went to school. After school Gloria and I translated our Latin. In the night we went to the football game. Routt [where soon George Fritscher, winning an athletic scholarship, will become a student whom she will meet and marry] vs. Quincy. We won 28-0. We got some candy bars.
September 29. Went to school as usual. Gloria took me a piece home. We had Glee Club. In the evening Gloria came down and we made fudge and played cards.
September 30. Went uptown with Pooch. It rained and I ate supper with Pooch. After supper I delivered some hose and went uptown and got some candy.
October 1. Went down to Kampsville [where she was born] and Hamburg [where her father was born and his relatives lived]. Ate dinner and supper with Aunt Mag Kelly. Saw the twins and Aunt Mag Stelbrink, Celia, and everybody.
October 2. (Mom’s 45th birthday) Went to school as usual. In the evening I went down to Gloria’s house and studied and played cards. The ladies surprised Mamma.
October 3. Went to school. Went over to Poochie’s after school. In the evening I bought some marshmallows and we roasted them. I sold a pair of hose.
October 4. Got a free day on account of Father Formaz’s feast day, Gloria, Loretta, Charlie, and I went to the show to see Doctor Bull with Will Rogers.
October 5. Went to school. After school I played with Charles. In the evening I got my lessons, and read the papers.
October 6. Went to school. After school we had Glee Club. I got a tea-pot for Mamma’s birthday. In the night I read my book, Her Father’s Daughter.
October 7. Played with Charles. In the afternoon Pooch and I went uptown and got some candy. In the evening Billie Cannon, Wilma, and I went riding in the Austin.
October 8. Went to Church and Communion. In the afternoon, I studied and went to the show, Penthouse, with Wilma. In the evening, I went to Church.
October 9. Went to school as usual. After school, we had Glee Club. In the evening, I studied my lesson for Latin exam.
October 10. Had Latin exam at school. I got B-. Gloria took me a piece home after school. I went to Church for 40-Hours Devotion in the evening.
October 11. Went to school as usual. Didn’t have any exams. Routt “Sophs” had their weiner roast. Had lots of fun. Came home and studied.
October 12. Went to school. I studied for exams. Had History and Geometry exam. Got 96 in History and 100 in Latin. Studied for English exam in evening. Got my new dress for homecoming game and dance.
October 13. Had English exam. I went to the game and dance with Gloria and Agnes. We won 13-0. Had good time at dance.
October 14. Played with Charles. Made some candy for John in the afternoon. Played with Charles. In the evening Mamma, Harold, and I went uptown and to Church.
October 15. Went to Church and Communion. Went to see John at St. Louis. Ate dinner at Webster Groves. In the afternoon went to Dolphy’s and rode all over Carondelet Park in St. Louis. [She was visiting May McNulty whose sister had married into the Dolphy family. The sister’s son died suddenly and they received a telegram, “My darling son King was drowned today.”]
October 16. Went to school as usual. After school had Glee Club. In the night, Wilma came up and we played cards and had lots of fun.
October 17. (Daddy’s 46th birthday.) Went to school. Played with Charles after school. In the evening stayed home and studied, played cards and etc.
October 18. Went to school. After school had Glee Club. Then we went to the park on a weiner roast. Mamma, Harold, Jimmie [older brother, second child] and I went to the show to see Smilin’ Thru.
October 19. Went to school. After school I got my new sweater at Montgomery & Ward. In the evening I studied and Harold and I played checkers.
October 20. Went to school. Wore my new sweater. After school played with Charles. In the evening we played bridge. Had fun.
October 22. Went to Church and Communion. Wilma, Pooch, and I went out walking in the afternoon. In the nite Spreens came over. We played.
October 23. Went to school. After school had Glee Club. I got a carmeled apple. In the evening I got my lesson and we played bridge.
October 24. Went to school. After school I got a new tam [hat]. After supper Dorothy came over and we got our lessons. Dorothy stayed all nite.
October 25. Went to school. After school had Glee Club. We are going to have an operetta and I was appointed as “Bridget.” In the evening I studied and got some candy.
October 26. Went to school. After school played with Charles. After supper I studied my lessons. We had a Latin test this morn.
October 27. Went to school as usual. After school I stayed home. We got out early on account of them moving the seats. Went to football game with Wilma and Catherine. Routt vs. Normal, we won 19-12.
October 28. Sold hose in the morning down at Gloria’s. In the afternoon Mamma and I went uptown. In the evening I got some candy. I went down to Wilma’s and played cards.
October 29. Went to Church and Communion. In the morning I played ball. In the afternoon Catherine and I went to the show, Too Much Harmony. It was swell.
October 30. Went to school as usual. After school we had Glee Club. After Glee Club played with Charles. In the night Roberta, Catherine, and I went Halloweening.
October 31. Went to school. After school I fooled around. After supper went down to “Halloween party” at Routt given by Wag staff [the Wag was the Routt High School paper]. Carl Rief brought me home.
November 1. Didn’t have school. Fooled around home in morning. Went down and saw a little dog in the afternoon and took a walk with Mrs. Ford and Charles.
November 2. Went to school again. After school played with Charles. After supper Gloria and I went to the library and tried to get our English.
November 3. Went to school. After school we hung around school and played. After supper we (Gloria and I) went to the football game. We beat St. Theresa, 19-0.
November 4. After I finished working around, I went down to Gloria’s. Went uptown in afternoon. Harold and I got lots of candy. Eustacia and I and the rest went uptown in the night. I saw Carl.
November 5. Went to Church and Communion. After Church I got my lessons. After dinner Catherine called me up to come over and we went walking uptown.
November 6. Went to school as usual. After school we had Glee Club and practiced Act 1 of our operetta, Miss Cauther’s Return. After supper Cat [Catherine] and I went down to the store.
November 7. Went to school. After school I played with Charles. After supper I got my lessons. Then I played bridge.
November 8. Went to school. After school we had Glee Club. After supper I got my lessons and fooled around awhile.
November 9. Went to school. After school I played with Charles. After supper I got my lessons and then we played bridge.
November 10. Went to school. After school Gloria and I walked around town. In the evening went down to Gloria’s to play bridge with them.
November 11. Went down to school to practice for the play. After that Gloria and I went uptown and down to Church. Sat. eve I went uptown.
November 12. Went to Church and Communion. In the afternoon Catherine and I went walking. Then we made fudge. Gloria came down and we took her a piece in the dust storm with all the lights out and real windy and Daddy lost his hat.
November 13. Went to school. After school we had Glee Club. After supper I studied until about 10: o’clock. Then talked awhile and went to bed.
November 14. Went to school. After school Gloria and I took a walk uptown. I went down there after supper. We studied and made fudge and Gloria wanted me to stay all night.
November 15. Went to school. After school we had Glee Club. After supper I got my lessons and wrote in this and I played bridge with Mary.
November 16. Went to school. After school I played with Charles. After supper I studied. And by now I forgot what else I did (November 21)
November 17. Went to school. After school we went down to Carrollton to Eustacia’s birthday party (supper). After supper we took a walk and also a ride.
November 18. We went down to practice our operetta. Gloria and I went uptown afterwards. After supper stayed home and fooled around.
November 19. In the afternoon Loretta Lonergan, Gloria [Hanley], Jean [Hoecker], and I went walking. Gloria came down after supper and we took her home in Willie’s car.
November 20. Went to school as usual. After school I delivered some operetta posters. After supper I got my lessons and read the funnies.
November 21. Went to school. After school played with Harold. After supper I read the papers, wrote in this and last but not least got my lessons.
November 22. Went to school as usual. After supper we practiced for our operetta. After practice we (Gloria, Angela, May) went down to Ferry’s and got a Coke.
November 23. Went to school. Had 6-weeks exams in English and Geometry. After supper Catherine came over and we played the piano.
November 24. (No school). Friday morning we practiced for operetta. Ate dinner with Gloria. After dinner went to football game, Routt vs. I.S.D. We beat 18-7. Hurrah!
November 25. Went down to Gloria’s to get my costume. Had my shoes fixed. Ate chili supper with Gloria. Stayed all night. Jean, Angela also. Went uptown after supper.
November 26. Gloria, Jean, Angela, and I went to Church. I stayed and ate dinner with Gloria. After dinner she came down. Jessie set my hair.
November 27. Went to school. After school gave our operetta, Miss Cauther’s Return, for the “Irish.” After supper I got my lessons.
November 28. Went to school. After supper we practiced. Bergsneider kid brought me home. After supper I studied my lessons.
November 29. Went to school. After supper we put on our operetta. I had to sing by myself, “New York Is Run by the Irish.” Put it on in Routt auditorium.
November 30. (Thanksgiving) Fooled around in morning. In the afternoon Gloria, Angela, and I took a walk. After supper I stayed home and played some bridge.
December 1. In the afternoon Gloria, Angela, and I went to the show to see Sweetheart of Sigma Chi. After supper stayed home, played bridge.
December 2. Went down to Gloria’s. Harold and I got a “Snow Ball.” We went uptown and looked around. After supper I stayed home and made fudge.
December 3. Went to Church and Communion. After dinner Gloria came down. Mrs. H. [Hanley] and us went riding out to Chapin. I ate supper with Gloria.
December 4. Went to school as usual. After school we had Glee Club. After supper Gloria came down and we got our lessons.
December 5. Went to school. After school Gloria and I went uptown. After supper I went down to Gloria’s and we studied.
December 6. Went to school. I went up to Gloria’s and we went to Angela’s.
December 7. Went to school. After school we went down to Wally’s station and uptown. Angela, Gloria, and her aunt came down.
December 8. Went to Church. Went uptown. Gloria and I went to library, and uptown. After supper I stayed home and read.
December 9. Fooled around in morning. In the afternoon Gloria and I went uptown. After supper went with Fords.
December 10. Went to Church. Mary P. came down and spent the day. In the afternoon we went out to her house. I stayed at Gloria’s all nite.
December 11. Went to school. After supper I stayed home and studied. After school we had Glee Club.
December 12. Went to school. After school I went to Gloria’s. After supper I went to the show at the State with Catherine to see Professional Sweetheart.
December 13. Went to school as usual. After school we had Glee Club. After supper I went down to Gloria’s and studied.
December 14. Went to school. After school Gloria and I went uptown. After supper Gloria and I, and Norine went to the library.
December 15. Went to school as usual. After supper I went down to Gloria’s with Harold, and we walked home with Catherine.
December 16. Played with Charles. After dinner I went uptown with Mamma and Norine. After supper I went to basketball game, Routt vs. I.S.D. We beat!
December 17. Went uptown and to Church. After dinner I went down to Gloria’s and we studied. After supper I studied and went up to the P.O.
December 18. Went to school. We had our Glee Club party in the night. I had a date with Carl Reif. We also went on a scavenger hunt.
December 19. Went to school. After school I fooled around. After supper Catherine wanted me to go to the show, but I stayed home and studied.
December 20. Went to school. After school I had Glee Club and John came home [from the seminary] for Xmas. After supper Gloria came down and we studied.
December 21. Went to school again as usual. After supper, the Glee Club went out Xmas caroling at the Sisters’ house [the convent] and other places.
December 22. Went to school. After supper Gloria and I went to the football game, Routt vs. Quincy. We got beat both games. Too bad!
December 23. Mamma, Norine, and I went uptown and looked for a dress for me. In the evening Harold and I went down to Gloria’s.
December 24. Christmas eve. Went to Church. After dinner I went up to Gloria’s. We took the car out by ourselves and went riding. Went to bed early.
December 25. Christmas. Got up at 3:15 A.M. and went to 5:00 o’clock Mass at Carrollton. John was sub-deacon [on the altar at the Mass]. I went up to Gloria’s and Harold, her, and I went to the show, Alice in Wonderland.
December 26. Fooled around in morning. In the afternoon Mother and I went to a party at Gloria’s. After supper stayed home and fooled around.
December 27. Stayed home in morning. In the afternoon Harold and I went to the show, Zasu Pitts and Will Rogers in Mr. Skitch. In the evening I played checkers.
December 28. In the afternoon I went down to Gloria’s. Gloria and I went to the Yuletide dance at the State Hospital. Gloria stayed all night with me.
December 29. Gloria stayed down for dinner. After dinner we went up to her house and then we went uptown. After supper I stayed home.
December 30. Fooled around with Charlie in morning. After dinner Mother and I went uptown. After supper we fooled around at home.
December 31. Went to Church. After Church I played with Charles. After dinner I went down to Gloria’s house. After supper I listened to the radio.
End of “good old ‘33’” Ha! Ha! Virginia C. Day
1934
Age 14, will turn 15 on 12 July 1934
January 1. Went to Church. Went down to Ruyle’s at Carrollton to spend the day. In the afternoon we took a walk. Came home, ate supper and read.
January 2. Fooled around in morning. Had my shoes fixed. Played with Charles in morning and afternoon. After supper I went to the housewarming at W. school.
January 3. Started to school next day. After school we had Glee Club. After supper I stayed home and studied and played cards.
January 4. Went to school next day. After school went over and played with Charles. After supper I got my lessons and went to bed.
January 5. Went to school. After school fooled around. After supper went to basketball game. Routt vs. Spaulding. We lost.
January 6. Went over to Poochie’s in afternoon. In morning Poochie came over. John left. He went back to school [the seminary]. Went uptown in evening.
January 7. Went to Church and Communion. After dinner Gloria and Angela came down. We played cards and went to show in night, Midshipman Jack.
January 8. Went to school. After school we had Glee Club. Went to see Charles after school. After supper I studied.
January 9. Went to school as usual. After school I went to the show with Margaret Cain and saw Little Women. Studied at night.
January 10. Went to school again. After school we had Glee Club. I wanted Gloria to stay all nite but she couldn’t. Dorothy came over.
January 11. Went to school. After school I went over at Charlie’s. After supper I studied and played a couple games of cards.
January 12. Went to school as usual. After school went to the store. After supper there was a b.b. [basketball] game. Routt vs. Barry. We won. I didn’t go. It was raining.
January 13. Went to store and looked around in morning. After dinner went uptown. After supper went to b.b. game (Routt vs. Springfield, we lost) with Gloria and Jean. Carl asked me to go to the dance and party.
January 14. Went to Church. After dinner, went up to Gloria’s. Margaret and Jean were down there. I stayed all night. So did Jean. After supper, Carl Reif and Frank Wiedlocker came down.
January 15 Went to school. After school we had Glee Club. After supper, I stayed home and studied. After I studied, I went to bed.
January 16. Went to school. After school I went to see Charlie. After supper I stayed home and studied, then went to bed.
January 17. Went to school in morning. I stayed home in afternoon. Got a semi-formal and new pair of shoes for dance. Went to dance and party. Had lots of fun.
January 18. Went to school. After school played with Charles. After supper I stayed home and studied. Had geometry test next day.
January 19. Went to school as usual. After school we had Glee Club. Virginia Smith called me up and asked us to go to party. Went to b.b. game, Routt vs. Cath. They won.
January 20. Fooled around in morning. Went up to Gloria’s in afternoon. We went uptown. Went to party at Va. Smith’s house. “I won booby prize.” Gloria, Angela, Dorothy, M. Eliz, Norine, Virginia S, G, & R.
January 21. Went to Church. M. Pat. came down and spent the day. Poochie came over. Norine, M. Eliz, Dorothy, Virginia S. and I went walking and went to Ferry’s, played bridge in evening.
January 22. Went to school as usual. After school had a Glee Club business meeting. I didn’t go. Went to see Charlie. Studied in evening.
January 23. (Norine’s 18th birthday) Went to school again. After school I went uptown with Gloria to get Norine’s present. Norine [only sister] had a birthday party. We had lots of fun.
January 24. Went to school. Semester began. I wrote English in morning. Got 94. In the afternoon didn’t have to go. Jean came down to dinner. We helped Sister Roberta in afternoon.
January 25. Went to school. Wrote Latin in morning. Got 86. Wrote History in afternoon. Got 92. In evening studied for geometry test.
January 26. Went to school. Wrote Geometry test. Haven’t got my grade yet. In afternoon went down to Gloria’s. We went down to school. Went riding uptown in Irene’s car.
January 27. Fooled around. Our gas stove got on fire. Called the fire department. Went skating with Poochie in afternoon. Went up with her and Harold. [Hilarious fire details, page 158]
January 28. Went to Church. Read the funnies. Ate dinner. After dinner I went to Gloria’s. We went riding. After supper Stephanie came over.
January 29. Didn’t go to school in morning. Too cold. After dinner I went to school. After school came right home. After supper I studied my English and Latin.
January 30. Went to school. After school came home. After supper I studied and played cards with Catherine and Loretta. They came over for awhile. Went to bed.
January 31. Went to school as usual. Looked in some of the stores after school. After supper I studied and went to bed.
February 1. Went to school again. After school Gloria and I went uptown. Came home, went to the store. After supper I studied and went to bed.
February 2. Went to school and brought my dinner. Went uptown at noon with Maggie. After school went over to Charlie’s. Gloria came down after supper and we made candy.
February 3. [Brother Jim’s 21st birthday ] Went to school. I’ll take it back. It was Saturday. Fooled around. After dinner I went to Church. Pooch called me up. I went to show at State and saw Half Baked Truth with Catherine and Alberta.
February 4. Joe [Pedrucci, early boyfriend whose father owned the local movie theater] tore this page out trying to read it when he was over July 17, 1935. George [Fritscher] tore this in two trying to read it February 27, 1935. [Each page in this diary had room for five entries for five consecutive years.] Went to Church. Saw Gloria, she told me she had a date for the Prom. Catherine, Buddy, Harold, and I rode Bud’s bike. We got some candy.
February 5. Went to school as usual. After school I had Glee Club. I went over to Kathryn’s house after supper and went over to Loretta’s.
February 6. Went to school again. Brought my dinner to school. After school came home, went over to Charlie’s. After supper I got my lessons.
February 7. Went to school again. After school I had Glee Club. After supper I studied and went to bed.
February 8. Went to school. After school went over to Catherine’s. After supper I stayed home and studied.
February 9. Got up. Got sick. Went back to bed. Stayed home from school all day. Mrs. McGinnis came down in afternoon.
February 10. Sat. morning. Stayed in bed until about noon. Still sick. Stayed home in afternoon. In nite Mom, Harold, and I went uptown and I got some new things. We got some candy.
February 11. Went to Church. After dinner Catherine and I went roller skating. Gloria came by for me to go to Jean’s. After supper went down to Gloria’s.
February 12. Went to school again. After school I had Glee Club. Walked home with Loretta. Studied at nite. Went to bed.
February 13. Went to school again. Gave out some comical Valentines. After school came home. Gloria stayed all nite. We studied and went to bed.
February 14. Ash Wednesday. Beginning of Lent. Gloria and I got up at 5:30 and went to Church. Ate breakfast at her house. Went to school. Went to Church at nite.
February 15. Went to school as usual. After school went to Church and said “Stations of the Cross.” Gloria took me a piece home. Studied at nite at home.
February 16. Went to school again. After school for Lent said the “Stations” at Church. Went to Church at nite with Gloria. Went to basketball game. We beat.
February 17. Went down to play basketball with Gloria at Liberty Hall. Went down to Gloria’s after supper. Made candy, stayed all nite with Gloria.
February 18. Gloria and I went to 8:30 Mass. Ate breakfast there. It snowed. Gloria ate dinner down at our house. After dinner we made candy. Went to Church.
February 19. Went to school again. Had Glee Club after school. I went to Church after school. After supper I studied my lessons.
February 20. Went to school. After school came home. Gloria took me a piece home. After supper Mamma, Harold and I went to show and saw Mert and Marge. It was swell. Joe [Pedrucci] got my World’s Fair bracelet. He wears it all the time. Looks cute on him. He’s cute anyhow.
February 21. Went to school as usual. After school had Glee Club. I ate supper with Gloria and then we went to Church.
February 22. Went to school. After school came home with Loretta. Went to Church and after supper went over to Loretta Lonegan’s.
February 23. Went to school. After school went down to O’Meara’s with Daddy to write insurance. After supper stayed home. There was a b. b. game.
February 24. Mamma was sick. Went down to play b. ball in morning with Gloria. After dinner went sleigh riding. Went to bed rite after supper.
February 25. Went to Church. After Church I went to the store and went sleigh-riding. After dinner Harold and I went again. We got some candy.
February 26. Went to school. After school we had Glee Club. Gloria and I went to Church. Came home. After supper studied and played bridge.
February 27. Went to school.
March 5. Went to school. After school I picked Catherine’s presents. Went to her party at nite. I bought her a box of candy. We had a good time.
[March 9. Younger brother Harold’s 13th birthday]
March 13. Went to school. After school Carl Rief said he would come down in nite. We went to dance at D.P. Had a swell time. Afterwards went to Peacock Inn.
March 16. Carl Rief, Ed Cox, Gloria, Jim C [Chumley who would marry Norine], Norine, and I were going to dance. They were coming down, but Carl couldn’t come. Rest did come. Carl came next nite.
March 17. In afternoon went uptown to look at formals. In nite Frank W, Carl, Ed, came down. We went up to Gloria’s house to dance.
March 18. Went to Church. Catherine and I went up to Gloria’s in afternoon and we went riding. Went to Church at nite. Saw Carl.
March 19. Went to school as usual. After school we had Glee Club, but I didn’t go to school in afternoon. Went uptown to get my formal. Catherine and I went down to Gloria’s in nite.
March 20. Went to school again. After school made my appointment for my permanent. After supper I washed my hair. Loretta wanted me to come over.
March 22. Stayed home from school. Got a permanent in the morning at Ambassador for the Prom. Went to school in afternoon. All the kids liked it.
April 3. Prom! I went with Carl Rief. Double-dated Gloria and Ed Cox, Bud Simon and Margaret Cain. Had a grand time. Went riding afterwards.
No entries made in the ten months
between April 4, 1934, and February 4, 1935
1935
Age 15, will turn 16 on 12 July 1935, begins dating
February 4. I was “Mrs. Pendleton,” the old cleaning lady, in play called Daddy Long-Legs. Had my first date with Joe Pedrucci after the play. Had a good time. He sure is cute! We went riding with B. Belz, R. Smith, J. Corbett, L. Mallen. Joe wanted to X me [kiss me]. Tried, but I wouldn’t let him. It made him mad.
[Marginal note written later: “Joe tore this page out trying to read it when he was over July 17, 1935. George tore this in two trying to read it February 27, 1936.”]
February 26. I got my 3rd note from Joe. We write one a day to each other. Had fun in Lab and also in Latin. Going to have Chem. test tomorrow.
March 1. Went to school. After school Jack H. asked Joe and I to go to his party that nite. We went. Had a swell time. I let Joe X me [kiss me] for the first time.
March 2. Went to dentist. Eustacia came up. We went uptown in afternoon. Jean and Gloria came down in the nite for awhile.
March 3. I went down to Gloria’s in afternoon. After supper Joe called me up. He came down. We went to show with Jim and Norine to see Gilded Lily.
March 4. I wrote Joe a note. Had lots of fun in religion [class]. Nothing exciting happened. We worked for the Prom afterwards.
March 5. I got a note from Joe saying that they could go to the Boarders’ party at Gloria Hanley’s. [The Boarders was the name used for the athletes like George Fritscher who lived at the boarding house run by Routt College, which was a two-year college with a high school.] I went to the play called As Thousands Smile. Joe was a girl in the play. I met him after the play. We went to the party and danced. Had a keen time. I let Joe X [kiss] me [in exchange] for his picture.
March 6. Went to Church. Joe gave me his graduation picture. This morning in the hall. It’s swell. We talked again at noon. The principal caught us. I wrote a note to Joe. Gave it to him at noon.
March 16. Joe came down. Jim and Norine were here getting ready to go to a dance. Joe brought me a different picture. Had a swell time.
March 17. Joe came down. We went out to Smith’s. Had a keen time. Took a walk. Went down to Merrigan’s. Then came home.
March 22. Joe and I came down to see the auto wreck from school. We went skating in the nite all over town up and down streets. Had a swell time.
March 23. Joe and I, Beulah and Jome [nickname for “Jerome”]. Barry, Rosemary, and Billy all went skating all over town. Then we came down at my house. Swell time.
March 24. Went to Church. In eve. Joe came down after Church. We stayed home and talked. Had a swell time.
No entries from March 25, 1935 to April 23, 1935
April 23. Prom. Went with Joe Pedrucci. Had a grand time. Had a swell corsage and a swell formal. Double-dated Ed Cox and Jean Hoecker. Did we have fun?
April 28. Had a date with Harry Buoy to go see Roberta. Went with Carl Weidlocker and Beulah Draper. Good time. In evening had a date with “Joey.” We came home and danced. Grand time.
April 29. Boarders [of whom scholarship athlete George Fritscher was one at Routt] went on a strike because their cook was fired. None of them came to school. Father Formaz made them come 6th period. More fun. They were in the basement of the boarding house yelling, etc.
May 2. Joe’s birthday. I didn’t know it though until it was over. I sent him a belated birthday card. It was right cute.
May 3. Joe and Skeets came by and wanted me to go skating. We went by for Mary Baban. Had lots of fun. We fell about 6 times.
May 4. Joe went skating with M. Baban. I went with J. O’Neil. Joe got mad and took Mary home right away and came with O’Neil and me. More fun. Was he mad?
May 5. Joe and Jim came down for supper. Came down about 3:30. We went to see Reckless. Had a swell time. Came home [with] them until time for Joe to go.
May 6. Went to school. Joe wrote me a note. Told me he had a swell time. In the nite we went to the library. Had lot a fun.
May 7. After school went to library. Joe took me home. After supper went to French lecture at D.A.R. [Daughters of the American Revolution Hall] It counted as our test. Ed Cox and H. Buoy brought Margaret Cain and me home. Good time.
May 8. Went riding on bicycle with Harold. Lacy took me a ride. Then Joe did. Keen time. Came home. Beulah and I went to library. Came home with Belz and Corbett.
May 9. Didn’t go to school in morning. Went to dentist. Joe introduced me to his cousin. He came after Joe because his grandmere was sick. Joe’s cousin is awful nice. Went skating in eve.
May 10. After school we played baseball. After supper we went skating. Beulah and I dodged the cop at College. More fun. Laughed and laughed.
May 11. Had my pictures taken in my formal to give to Joe for graduation. One big one tinted for mother. Little one for Joey. Mother and I went to Merrigan’s.
May 12. Beulah and I went down to Davison’s in evening. Was with C. Weidlocker and Bud Simon. Joe was home. No date.
May 15. I got the proofs for my pictures. Pretty good. They had a hard time deciding which one they liked the best.
May 18. Joe and I kinda mad. He thought I was mad at him. We didn’t have a date. He wrote me a note next day and explained.
May 24. Joe asked me to go to Wag staff party with him (Friday, May 24). We went. It was also a dance. Had a grand time with Joey and everyone.
May 25. Went to dentist all morning. In afternoon Beulah and I went walking. Went down to Merrigan’s. In evening went uptown with Beulah.
May 26. Sunday. Played ball in afternoon. Routt vs. Winchester. They beat. I played for Winchester. Wally said I was a swell player.
May 27. Monday. Semester exams start. I’m mad at Joe on account of Sunday nite—with M. girls at Davison’s. He said I snubbed him. Had Latin test.
May 28. Tuesday. Had French test in A.M. at noon. Joe and I made up. Had English in P.M. Joe called me up in nite. Talked a long time. More fun. (I wrote wrong from May 24. They are supposed to be a day ahead. I was a day off.)
May 29. Norine, Beulah, and I went to dance at park. All seniors came out after their party. I danced with all the kids. Danced with Joey most of evening. Went walking with him in park.
May 30. Beulah and I went to dance again. Joe was out there. I danced with him. We were kinda mad about nothing. Had a good time though. Came home with Chumley’s.
May 31. Went to school to get our grades. I passed. I’m a senior now. Joe and I made up. I pressed his cap and gown for him. He came down in evening. We went to Davison’s twice, the Silver Jewel, and Merrigan’s [where brother Jimmie worked]. Grand time.
June 1. In afternoon Mother and I went uptown. Got my new suit for Joe’s graduation. Got my pictures to give to him (a big tinted one). Everyone thought they were swell. Went uptown again in evening.
June 2. Went down to Davison’s with kids in afternoon. In evening Joe called me up. He came down. We stayed home, took a little walk around block. I gave Joe his present. He was crazy about it. Kissed me right in front of Jim and Norine. He X’ed me goodbye about 20 times.
June 3. Stayed home in afternoon. Was expecting Joe’s parents. Didn’t come though. In evening Joey graduated. He introduced me to his parents, sister, aunt and I already knew his cousin. Very nice. I almost cried. Joe said goodbye and said he would write.
June 4. Tues. nite lonesome without Joey. Went skating with J. Sweeney, M. Hefferman, A. David and G. Hanley. Went to Davison’s. Had keen time.
June 5. Went on picnic at park with Beulah, Sweeney, Heffie, Gloria, C. Priper. Grand time. Good eats. Watched them dance. Paul Chumley brought us home.
June 6. Norine, Beulah, and I went uptown. More fun acting nuts. They got new dresses. In evening Beulah and I went to show, 4 Hours to Kill. Grand, scary. More fun and how!!! [Seven years later, on this date, June 6, 1942, she gave birth to Bob Fritscher.]
June 7. Went uptown and looked for a job. In evening Gloria and I went up to Angela’s. We went down to Davison’s. Had fun. Mildred [Mildred Horn, who became an English teacher and eventually married Jimmie Day] came home with Jimmie and stayed all nite.
June 8. Beulah didn’t go to school. In afternoon we went uptown. She got a new pair of shoes. We got some ice-cream cones. Swell time. In evening went riding with Dad and Mom.
June 9 and 10 missing. The following item was written as entry on page for June 8.
George [Fritscher] tore out June 9 and May 24. Those pages said, “I got a darling letter from Joey. I went out to Margaret Cain’s in afternoon and rode horseback. Joe was supposed to go to Europe in 2 weeks.”
June 11. In afternoon went up to shop with Beulah. Miss Benson was going to cut my hair, but she didn’t get time. In evening went skating again with same kids. Went to Davison’s.
June 12. Jome and Lil Mallen and Orville [whom she later dated when George left to go back to Minnesota] came up from Hardin. Jome had a date with Lil and I had a date with Orville. Went to dance at park. Swell time. He’s a keen dancer. He wanted to X me. I wouldn’t let him. He begged.
June 13. Wrote a letter to “Joey.” Asked him to come over Sun. Went to dentist in afternoon with M. Cain and Viola. We went to Hamilton’s and Matthew’s.
June 14. Went uptown with Mother to get her a dress and shoes. In evening Beulah, Norine, and I went walking. Went to Hamilton’s Confectionery. We had lots of fun.
June 15. Beulah, Norine, and I cooked dinner. Mother went to Springfield. In afternoon, Beulah and I went uptown. In evening we went riding with Dad and Mother. Then we went to Davison’s with Jim and Norine.
June 16. Joe didn’t get to come over. It rained terribly hard. In afternoon Beulah and I went to sleep. In evening Jean, Gloria, Beulah, Harold, and I went riding with Mary & C. Abraham. Went to dance at Woodland Inn. On way home we had a flat tire.
June 17. In afternoon I went up to Angela’s. She treated me to a Coke. In evening Virginia Smith came down. I took her a piece home. We had fun. Norine was in Carrollton.
June 18. In afternoon I went up to Gloria’s. We went uptown. It rained. In evening we went riding with Dad. Oh yes! In afternoon I learned how to drive the car.
June 19. In evening went on weiner roast with J. Sweeney, J. Horchen, M. Hefferman, and Gloria. In evening we went to dance. I danced 9 dances with Johnnie Watkins and 1 with Paul Chumley.
June 20. Went down to Kampsville. Had lots of fun. No one knew me, hardly. Everyone said I was cute. I got a letter from Joe in the morning. Darling letter from a darling boy. [Three years later on this date, June 20, 1939, she gave birth to Jack Fritscher.]
June 21. Charles Ford was up all day. In the evening I got 2nd lesson in driving the car. I drove all the way out of town and in. In evening Frances Lacy and I went bicycling.
June 22. Mother and I went uptown. I got a new dress. In the evening we—Gloria, Jean and I—went to the dance at the park. Danced all the time. Grand time.
June 23. In afternoon Angela and I took a long walk. Had lots of fun. In evening the Shanahan girls, Harold, and I went riding. We followed cars all over. Fun!
June 24. Went down to Kampsville. I stayed with Aunt Mag, while Dad, Mom, John went to Hamburg. Had swell time with the twins. Aunt Mag and them wanted me to stay. I couldn’t.
June 25. Wrote 2nd letter to Joey.
June 29. Went to work at Woolworth’s at 11 o’clock. First time. I had a keen time. Beulah came to meet me then we went riding. More fun with Paul.
June 30. Went up to Angela’s. She treated me to a soda. We went walking with Gloria. In evening Beulah and I took a walk. Went to Hamilton’s and swiped about 100 napkins.
July 1. Went uptown and got a new 3-piece pink dress. Cute. Went to Angela’s. Forget what we did in evening.
July 3. Beulah and I went uptown. Walked all around in colored glasses. Went to Merrigan’s. In evening I played ball on our team.
July 4. In morning went bicycling with Vivian Connolly, Gloria’s g.f. from Rockford. In afternoon got a darling letter from Joey. He sent me a darling picture of himself. In evening went to dance. Swell time.
July 5. Bud came over again. He looked cute. He said I was getting better-looking every day. In afternoon Marty, Lil, Joe, Gloria, Angela and her girl friends and I went on a picnic out to Jean’s. I took pictures with my camera.
July 6. Beulah, Gloria, Vivian, Patty and I went to dance last nite. Danced with a darling guy from St. Louis. He danced swell. Frankie Smith wanted to give me some ice-cream.
July 7. Angela came down and Beulah and Angela and I took pictures. In the evening Beulah and I took a walk. Went to Hamilton’s. Saw Frankie.
July 8. Beulah and I went uptown. I got a new white purse. Went to Hamilton’s. In evening we went riding with Mary and Catherine.
July 9. Went uptown. Got my pictures I had developed. Beulah and I went to Majestic to see The Ghost Walks. We had a lot of fun. It was scary. I wrote a letter to Joey and sent him a picture of myself in shorts.
July 10. Went up to Angela’s in afternoon. In evening Frances Lacy, Beulah, and I went to park dance in Yellow Cab. More fun. Charlie Scott wanted to take me home.
July 11. Beulah’s sister came after her. She went home. We cried and so did she. In nite went to Fox-Illinois Theater to see Charlie Chan in Egypt with Charlie Scott.
16th Birthday
Three years later she was married on this date
July 12. [sixteenth birthday] Stayed home. Gloria came down. Gave me a pair of gloves for my birthday present. In evening we went riding. Went down to Swift’s Cone Shop.
July 13. Norine and I went uptown. In evening we went riding. Didn’t do much.
July 14. Mildred was up. We went swimming in afternoon. Got sun-burnt. In evening we went to show, Ginger. Swell show. Then we went down to Merrigan’s and got a sundae.
July 15. In afternoon Mildred and I went up to see Jimmie [who worked] at Merrigan’s. He gave us a great big soda. In the nite I went to bed early.
July 16. Went up to John’s office. Had lots of fun. Went to Angela’s. In evening Mildred and I went to show with Harold, The Quitter, at the Majestic. Good show.
July 17. [Brother John’s 23rd birthday] In afternoon Joey called me up. He came down to see me. He looked swell. Said I did. We had a grand time. Went to Merrigan’s and Davison’s. He hated to leave. Wanted to stay all nite. I hated to see him go. In evening I came to Carrollton. Stayed all nite with Eustacia.
July 18. Mildred brought me to the river [to cross to Kampsville]. I came over in the little boat. Ate dinner with Beulah. In afternoon was with the twins. In evening with Beulah.
July 19. Went to post office with twins. I got a letter from Mother. In afternoon went riding in Clark’s old Ford. Clark said I sure was good-looking. In evening went to show with Beulah to see Tomorrow’s Youth. Grand show.
July 20. Went up to picnic with the twins. Ate dinner there. Rode on Ferris-wheel. Good time. We met a cute kid from St. Louis. In evening went to dance with Cecilia, Joe, Beulah. Keen time.
July 21. Went to Church in K’ville [Kampsville]. In morning went to picnic at beach. Ate dinner there. Had a swell time. In evening had a date with Tom Ballard. Went to beach again. Came home [to Jacksonville] with Jimmie.
July 22. In afternoon Mr. Benson asked me to work for him. I went to work in evening at 6:30. Made 60 cents. I like it fine.
July 23. In afternoon I took a nap. In evening I worked. I made 61 cents. Came home with Imojean Williams.
July 24. Margaret Cain came in afternoon. We went down to chicken supper for awhile. Went to work at 6:30. Made 86 cents.
July 25. Rosemary and L. Lonergan came down. We went bicycle riding. In evening went to work at 6:30. Made 36 cents because Norine worked too.
July 26. In afternoon the shell-man wanted Norine to work for him and give out souvenirs. He saw me and wanted me to work also. He hired me because he said I had a “Quaker-Oat smile.”
July 27. Mildred and I went swimming in afternoon. Had a keen time. In evening I worked at cone shop. Made 62 cents.
July 28. Mother and I went uptown in afternoon. I went to work at 4 o’clock. Worked inside. Had a good time. Made 75 cents.
July 29. Tuesday morning. Got up. My jaw was all swollen up. Went to dentist. I couldn’t work that night. Went riding in evening.
July 30. My jaw still swollen. Slept most of the day. In evening we took a ride. Went down to cone shop. Bill and Mr. Benson came to see me all the time.
July 31. I didn’t do anything. Didn’t work. My jaw still swollen. In evening I took a ride. In afternoon got a card from Margaret Cain in St. Louis.
August 1. I didn’t work. Got a card from Joey in Chicago. Went to dentist. He said if it didn’t go down he’d have to lance it. Went out to Rosemary Smith’s in afternoon. Took a ride in the evening.
August 11. Rosemary, Ginny Devlin, Virgilene Easily, Frances Craig, Edith Lonegan and I went out to airport. Rosemary and I went up. Then we went to Margaret Cain’s. Bud drove me home racing at 75 miles an hour. More fun.
August 20. John [brother] called up and said he had found a job for me. I went up and interviewed the man from the Ideal Bakery. Said he’d call me for eve. I went to hotel and Miss Murgerman and Brown explained it to me. Eustacia came up.
August 21. Started to work. We went to Roodhouse and gave out samples of “Youth Breath” and took orders. Miss Murgeman, M. Keller, Thompson, M. Rutherford, and Riley and I worked.
August 22. Part of us went to Carrollton and part to White Hall. Hazel and I went to Carrollton with Mary. Had lots of fun. Ate dinner there.
August 23. Finished up at Carrollton. We ate dinner with Mr. Hale and Mrs. Connors at Linsay Hotel. Then we went to Jerseyville and started working there. Fun.
August 24. Went back to J’Ville and finished up in morn. In afternoon demonstrated in McGuire’s stores giving out samples of bread and jam. Came home with O. Harris, sales manager.
August 25. Harold and I went to show to see Broadway Gondolier at Fox-Illinois with Dick Powell and Joan Blondell. Swell. In evening went down to Bill’s and got a cone with Mildred. Also to Merrigan’s.
August 26. We didn’t work. I got a permanent from Dolly. Neato perm. I like it. M. Cain came in. We went to dentist and then went with her to pick out a present. In evening Mildred and I went to Merrigan’s.
August 27. Mr. Hale and Mr. Mack went with us. Mary didn’t go. We went to Virginia in morning and Chandlerville in afternoon. We had lots of fun sampling and everything.
August 28. Mack and Mr. Hale took us. We went to Tallula and Petersburg. Swell time walking up and down hills in Petersburg. Came home rather late.
August 29. Jack Mack went with us to-day. We went to Havana. Had a good time. Swiped 2 watermelons on way home. Went to Millie’s and ate one. Then Mack took all of us to the show, Front Page Woman. Swell time.
August 30. First we went to Greenview. I drove the Dodge all around town. Next to Mason City, then to Easton. I went with Mack. He’s swell. Had a good time. Ate the other melon on way home.
September 20. Went to Springfield. Ginnie and I went with Howard Anderson. We cheerleaded. Played Springfield. It was broadcasted. The announcer told how we were dressed and how much pep we had. We lost 19 – 0. Had a good time. Howard asked me for a date but I wouldn’t go.
September 21. Bud Simon came over after school. He introduced me to Jim Nolan. Darling. He’s going to send me Catholic newspaper. He autographed my books.
September 23. We went upstairs after school to try out for cheerleaders. Father Johnson said he’d pick them next day. More fun waiting!!!!
September 24. Was chosen as cheerleader out of about 20 kids that went up. Practiced yells after school. Played softball in evening on team.
September 29. In afternoon M. Cain and I took a walk. Raphael Behrens and Lowell Gwinn took us home. We had my dog, “Speed.” Everybody though he was darling. In evening Raphael came down. We took Gloria and Jean a piece home and came back.
September 30. Had our first “pep” meeting. Did pretty good. Father Johnson wanted to know what I did Sunday! Ha! Ha! He! He!
October 1. Sister Ernestine tried to take a letter I wrote to Joe away from me, but I wouldn’t give it to her. Was she mad? Not much! After school I met Bob Thomas uptown. He bought me a soda and brought me home.
October 2. (Mother’s birthday) I went to see Top Hat. Next evening came down again. Bob Thomas, said that Boarders [at Routt, including George Fritscher who has yet to enter the diary] said M. Cain and I were the best-looking girls in Routt. Came down again in evening.
October 3. In evening I had a date with C. Ryan. M.C. Wacker, H. Selimann, L. Zellen and F. Weidlocker went with us. Good time. Bob came down again. We took my dog walking.
October 4. Didn’t have to go to school in afternoon. Jean, Gloria, Angela, Marg. and I took my dog walking. Had fun. Gloria and Angela came down in evening.
October 5. Worked all day at Montgomery Wards. Had fun. In evening V. Smith, Norine, and I went down to Merrigan’s after work.
October 6. Came up to Angela’s and had dinner and supper. Went to Winchester with Bonensingers. Got a letter from Joey who said that anybody who had a date with me was lucky.
October 7. Senior weiner roast. Had a date with “Curly.” Went riding with George Wagner. Followed kids all over town. Grand time. He’s nice.
October 31. Went to Halloween party at school. Had grand time at dance. Went to midnight show with Lowell Gwinn. Had a good time.
November 1. Went to party at Angela’s. Grand time. Swell refreshments. All the kids over there. We started a club.
November 2. Went to work about 3 o’clock. After work went to Hamilton’s.
November 3. Slept all afternoon. Gloria, Jean came down. We went down to Davison’s. Had fun as usual.
First mention of George Fritscher
who is 19 and a scholarship athlete
boarding at Routt
November 4. In History, Geo. Fritscher told me to keep an open date for Friday nite. Wrote me a note at noon, asked me for a date Friday and Homecoming.
November 5. I answered the note and said I’d go. He wrote me another one. He’s real cute. Thrills!!!
November 8. Had a date with George. I was supposed to go to “Jo” Johnson’s party. F. Weid. and V. Easily went with us. George had a radio in his car. Swell time!!
November 9. Margaret and I went to library. Then went around to look at formals. Had fun.
November 14. Marty had the club. We danced all evening. Had a grand time. Came home about 11:15. Next time we meet at Lil’s.
November 15. Homecoming. Played I.S.D. in afternoon. Got beat. In evening George and I went to dance. I got a new dress and shoes. C. Pike went with us. They came by at 8. We rode around an hour, then went to dance. Grand time. I like George a lot. He asked me for a date for Sunday nite next week.
November 18. I got a note from George. He told me if I went with C. Ryan he was through with me. I don’t know why yet. [They had been dating for only two weeks.] He said he had something to tell me what S. Girard said about him and me. Sister Girard said Sister Isabel wanted me to come Saturday for junior play.
November 22. No school. I went up town in afternoon with Norine. George came up in evening. We went to show Anna Karenina [for two movie fans, their first movie together]. Greta Garbo. Good. Swell time. I think he’s swell.
November 23. George came down in afternoon. Routt rushed the show. [“To rush” means a group of people, usually young, who all decide to crowd into a place like a theater, harmlessly helter skelter, for the fun of it, like a Flash Mob, without paying—as in this case, a bunch of Routt students having a good time in a small town where everyone knew each other.] We went together to see Every Nite at 8. He’s swell. After show went down to Davison’s.
November 24. Stayed home all day. Dorothy and Lee McGinnis came down in evening. We ate hamburgers. We called up George and kidded him. More fun.
November 25. Next morning he (G) asked me if I called up and I said no. He wrote me a note and told me all about it. Did I fool him?!!??
November 26. George wrote me a note and told me the varsity Letter-Man’s dance was Monday nite. He asked me a long time ago to go. Marty and Harry are going with us.
November 27. George wrote me a note wanted to know what we would do during vacation. Said he’d call me up before to come down.
November 28. Eustacia stopped by on her way to Champaign. I stayed home in afternoon. In evening Ruyles came again. Stayed all evening. Good time.
November 29. Friday nite. Gloria’s party. I was getting ready to go. George came up. Norine and Jim went with us. [Both couples soon married.] We went riding. Went down to Merrigan’s. Grand time.
November 30. I worked from 2 to 9. George called me up at the store. He wanted me to get off work. He met me after work and we went to the show with Charlie Barber and and Betty Hoops to see In Old Kentucky with Will Rogers. George gave me his basketball “R” [varsity letter, eight inches tall, five inches wide, half-inch thick, wool, purple on gray]. Gee, was I glad. Swell time.
December 1. Went to show in afternoon with the girls to see Smilin’ Thru for the third time. Went to Matthew’s afterwards. In evening stayed home. Fooled around.
December 2. I wore my “R” to school. George and I really got razzed. He said he didn’t care so long as he had me. Boy, some of the girls were jealous. Was I proud?
December 3. George wrote me a note and said if I didn’t come to b. ball [basketball] game Sat. he couldn’t play. He asked me for my picture. He said he had something important to tell me when we got together again.
December 6. Went to b. ball game. Routt vs. Ashland. We won 14-13. Saw Georgie play. He made 5 points. When I’d give a yell, they’d all yell “Fritscher.” His brother [Clarence Pieschel] was there and laughed so hard when the kids razzed George and me. After game George and I had a date. I met Geo. Elliot. He had the car. We rode around, came home. Swell time. George is swell.
December 7. Went to ball game. We lost 35-6. George only made 1 point tonite. He came down at Davison’s after me. Geo. Elliott had the car. He came after us. We went riding. Went out to Wagner’s. Had swell time. George is keen. G. Elliott is nice too.
December 8. We rode out to George’s house. Then he came by here and honked. We girls went down to Davison’s in afternoon. In evening M.L. Maloney, A. McGinnis went with George and me. George told me what he had to tell me. He said [what he said is written in shorthand which she learned in high school]. We went to Winchester at a hotel and danced. G. said if we fell out it wouldn’t be his fault. He came in for awhile. Keen time.
December 9. George wrote me a note and asked me if I believed what he told me last nite. He said I acted cold. Cute note. He was going to try to sneak out and come down tonite, but he couldn’t get out. I stayed home.
December 10. George came down at 6:30. Stayed till 8:00. He was 15 minutes late for study. We had fun. I met Weezie [Louise] and Norine and we went to Davison’s. Fun!!
December 11. Norine, Weezie, and I went up to Merrigan’s. Then down to Davison’s. We met Pat and Corby from the college. Walked home with them. Had fun.
December 12. I wrote George a note and Sister Gerard got it. He wouldn’t give her permission to read it. He sneaked out at 9:15 and we went with M.L. Maloney and Albert. They went to dance. We rode around in the Packard while they were there. Came home at 11:30. Swell time!!
December 13. George wrote me a note and said Father Formaz didn’t know he was out [of the Boarders’ House after curfew]. Skeets fixed everything up. I had my club in evening. Angela couldn’t come. We had a good time. George said he was going to break up the party.
December 14. I worked from 11 to 9. George played b.b. in Springfield. I promised him a X for each point he made. He said he hoped he was lucky. He wanted the odds 10 to 1.
December 15. Cathedral beat 26-10. George made 4 points. Albert and M.L. Maloney went with us. George and I went to the show, Barbary Coast. Pretty good. Went riding afterwards. Good time as usual.
December 16. George wrote me a note and asked me what I wanted for Xmas. In evening Norine, M. Eliz., Dorothy, and I went uptown. Then we went to Davison’s. Had fun.
December 17. George sneaked out. He came down. Then Albert and M.L. came by for us. We went riding. Had lots of fun. George put cardboard in door [of the Boarders’ House] to get back in.
December 18. George wrote me a note and asked me if I was trying to make him sore the way I acted last nite. I answered and explained everything. He didn’t have b.b. practice after school, so he met me and came down and stayed till supper time. Fun!!
December 19. George met me as soon as I came to school and told me they didn’t have study tonite. We packed candy after school for our Xmas party. He came down at 6:25. Stayed till 9:40. He made Harold [age 14] tell him what I wanted for Xmas. We had fun. Stayed home. Too cold to do anything.
December 20. George made 10 points. We played Quincy, lost 21-22. Had our Xmas party at school. I was an angel. George made me laugh. He had my name [for the gift drawing]. He gave me a bottle and nipple and a hot-water bottle. He gave me his present—candy too. B. ball game in evening. George met me at Davison’s. The Quincy fellows congratulated George in his choice in his girl and told him to bring me along when he came to Quincy. G. Elliott came after us. Swell time.
December 21. George came in the store and said we were going to the show with Charlie and Betty. We saw Storm over the Andes. Swell show. We went riding and out to Julienne afterwards. We laughed and laughed. George told me he bought me something. Swell time.
December 22. George and Al came by. We had George’s car. Went out for M.L. Went riding. George and I had an argument. Was he ever sore at me. He said I was too touchy and I didn’t care for him. Finally we made up. We went to Wagner’s then brought M.L. and Al home. George came in. He was swell then. Had fun. He brought Jim home.
December 23. Worked till 9. Then went out to party at Gloria’s. Was supposed to go to a potluck supper time. We exchanged presents. I got a little box of guest puffs from Angela. Came home about 11. Good time.
December 24. Christmas eve. George was supposed to have a date with me after work, but Albert McGinnis didn’t come by for him and didn’t let him know he wasn’t coming until too late. Was I mad? Stayed home. Got lots of nice Xmas presents. George was mad too.
December 25. Christmas. Marty, Gloria, and I went to see Collegiates at Illinois Theater. Swell show. Gloria ate supper here. I stayed home in evening. In afternoon Jim came in. All of us kids went to Hamilton’s. They love my watch.
December 26. Lil, Gloria, and I went uptown. I got a new wool skirt. We went to Matthews. In evening George called me up. He came up. Explained everything about Tuesday. I got a 5 lb. box of candy from him. I gave him his muffler and my picture. He liked them. We stayed with Harold until Daddy and John came home. Then we went out to Wagner’s. Swell time. He wanted to go to Springfield.
December 27. Mildred, Norine, and I went up to Merrigan’s. Had lots of fun. George came by and honked and honked. We came home with Jimmie and Jack Shumny after they closed up. [Should not be confused with “Chumley” into which family her sister Norine married. Jack Shumny, who lived next door to Virginia Day, became George Fritscher’s roommate. He invited George to move into his house which was next door to the girl next door. His name is sometimes spelled in diary as “Shumley.”]
December 28. George is nice. Lil, Gloria, and I went up to Matthew’s. Lil invited me down for supper, but I didn’t go. After supper Jimmie, Mildred, George, and I went to show, Frisco Kid. Had swell time. We went after George and brought him home. Swell time. Went down to Merrigan’s. I won 2 packs of candy.
December 29. Mildred and I went to show in afternoon, Annapolis Farewell. Swell show. Went down to Merrigan’s in morning. Stayed home in evening.
December 30. George came up at 8. We went to the alumni dance with Al and M.L. Went to Davison’s afterwards. Swell time. I wore my new blue dress and George wore his new suit.
December 31. George and Charlie came after me at 7:30. We went after Betty. Went out to Wagner’s. Then went out to Charlie’s house, played pinochle, danced. Had fun. Then we went to midnight show. Grand time. After show went to Moore’s. George told me what he had wished on my ring after the show. He said, “He hoped things keep going on like they have been.”
End note: End of good old ’35 when George and I had our first date on November 8.
1936
Age 16, turns 17 on 12 July 1936
Has known George Fritscher for six weeks
January 1. We went down to Ruyle’s to spend the day. Eustacia Ruyle and I went riding around town in afternoon. Then we took her aunt and uncle to the river. Had a good time. Got home about 9.
January 2. Marty, Lil, Gloria, all the gang and I went uptown. Went to Matthew’s. Marty wanted us to come out in eve, but, I didn’t go. Stayed home and played cards.
January 3. All of us kids went uptown again. Went to Matthew’s. Stayed up until about 5. In eve. we all went out to Gloria’s. Came home in a taxi. Good time.
January 4. George called me up about 2:30. He and Jim came up for supper. We went to the show, It’s a Great Life with Joe Morrison and Paul Kelly. We went down to Merrigan’s afterwards. George bought me a little Santa Claus. Grand time. George threw Joe’s picture on the floor and upside down and everything else. I kept picking it up until he got mad so I left it lay. Mother picked it up next morning.
January 5. George came home with me after Church. Stayed till 11:30. Called a taxi, went home. Beulah came up in afternoon. Was I surprised? Marty and Gloria and all the kids came up. Beulah left about 5. George came up at 5:30. We listened to the radio and then went to show, Shirley Temple, The Littlest Rebel. Grand, grand time. George told me I should put Joe’s picture away and not in my room. More fun! George asked me to go to the Prom with him.
January 6. School started again. George was talking to me at noon. Said Father didn’t say anything yet about him not staying at [moving out of] boarding school. After school I gave him my history notebooks. He had to practice it.
January 7. George asked me if he could come down in eve. He came down about 7. We stayed home. Played pinochle. Some fun!!!
January 8. I stayed home and studied until 10 o’clock. Then I went to bed.
January 9. Sister Ernestine tried to get a note from me. I tore it up before I gave her the pieces. George came down in eve. We went to Davison’s with Weezie and Norine.
January 10. At noon, Sister Ernestine had pieces of note pasted together and put up on bulletin board. George took it off and put an answer back. George went to Hannibal to play b.b. He made 11 points. He called me up after the game.
January 11. In afternoon went uptown with Marty, Lil, and the kids. Then we went to Church, saw the players leaving for White Hall. We went out to Gloria’s in eve. Had swell time.
January 12. George came home with me after Church. He stayed for dinner. We went to the show, The Bride Comes Home. He stayed for supper too. We stayed home after supper. Swell time.
January 13. Went to school. George was talking to me at noon, asked me to do some Latin for him. He wanted me to call him up in eve. but I wouldn’t do it. Stayed home and studied.
January 16. George came home with me after school. Stayed til about 5:30. Had fun. Stayed home in eve. and studied for semesters.
January 17. Marty, Lil, and I went to the game in eve. We played I.S.D., got beat 35-14 or something like that. George made 10 points. We had a date after the game. Went to Davison’s. Then came home.
January 18. George came down a little while before supper. After supper we went to the show, 3 Live Ghosts. Swell show, swell time. Went to Matthew’s afterwards. G. got mad because I wrote a letter to Joey. He started to go home.
January 19. George came home after Church with me. We studied our history. He called me up about 3:00. Came back up about 7, stayed home. Had fun!!!!
January 20. Our semesters started today. I wrote 8 tests this morn. Geo. came home with me. In afternoon I wrote History. So did George. We girls went to Davison’s after tests.
January 21. Today I wrote Typing and Shorthand. George came up in eve. We played pinochle for awhile. Had fun!!
January 22. Wrote French this morn. George and Charlie came after me to bring me home. Boy, is it cold? Geo. called me up about 6:30. Talked a long time. Norine is having a birthday party.
January 23. George came down after school. Stayed til about 6. Didn’t do anything after supper. Studied.
January 24. We played Murrayville. Got beat. George made 9 points. Afterwards we went to Davison’s. Then came home. Swell time. 23-19 above.
January 25. George came down about 2:30. Stayed til he had to leave for Quincy. After supper I stayed home. Got beat 30-5.
January 26. George called me up about 2. Came up about 2:15. Stayed for supper. After supper we played cards. Swell time.
January 27. Went—no didn’t go to school in morn. Geo. didn’t go all day. Margaret Cain came over in eve. We went to Matthews. George called me up. Swell time.
January 28. Went to school. In evening George and Jim came up. We went riding. Had lots of fun as usual.
January 29. George and I went to the library. Came home and fooled around. Had fun.
January 30. George didn’t go to school. He came up after school. Had a new hat. Did he look cute. We (Daddy and I) took him home. In nite we went to show, Three Musketeers. Good. Went to Hamilton’s afterwards. Swell time.
January 31. I went to the game, played Cathedral. Lost 26-6. George played on 2nd team. Last quarter of 1st team game. Met him at Davison’s. Had fun. Came home. We got mad at each other. Got over it again.
February 1. Went to game. We played Winchester. Lost 17-11. Met George at Davison’s. He was going to quit playing, but Wally asked him if he was keeping training, and he said “No.” So Wally told him to turn in his suit and he said that was just what he was going to do. So he did come down to Davison’s, drank 5 beers, bought everybody hamburgers and beers. Jim came after us. We went riding. George was feeling kinda good. I was mad. He said he didn’t blame me. He promised me he’d never do it again. We’ll see. [He never did it again in his whole life.]
February 2. George and Jim came up in aft. Too cloudy for me to take pictures with my camera.[Her father gave her a Brownie Box Camera when she was fourteen, and her mother said later, “I couldn’t figure why your Daddy gave you a camera when you were such a young girl. I never thought you’d be taking it on your honeymoon.”] They stayed for supper. We went to show after supper, Rose of the Rancho. Swell. Went to Davison’s afterwards. Norine was mad at Jim. I was mad at George. We made up. He said he’d lots rather see that smile of mine than a frown. Had a swell time as usual.
February 3. [Despite George’s stopping playing for Routt High School] We went to Letter-Man’s party. Swell time. I won an everyday diary. Wally and his sister were chaperones. She tried to get George to play b. ball again. We danced and played all kinds of games. Really had fun.
February 4. Jimmie had a party. Jack Shumny, V.L. Davis, Rob. K., Polly Galke, Mildred, & George. Had a grand time. Played cards and danced. George got the boobie prize (a Valentine heart). He gave it to me. George and I went to see Midsummer Night’s Dream in aft. Wasn’t good. Had fun at show.
February 5. Didn’t go to school in morn. Went to school in aft. George didn’t go all day. M. Cain, Marty, Gloria, Jean, Angela, Jo, Lil & I went to library. Went to Matthew’s afterwards. Swell time. Came home and wrote letters to Joey and Bob.
February 6. The boys had to stay in till 8 o’clock. Then George came by here & stayed. We played cards and fooled around. Had fun. He’s swell. How thrilling!!
February 7. Fri. eve George came home from school with me. In nite we went to see Bill Powell in Rendezvous. Good. Met Jimmie and Mildred at Merrigan’s afterwards. Stayed there for awhile. Came home. Grand time.
February 8. George came up about 7. We went to b. ball game together. We played McCooly. Got beat 16-13. Went to Davison’s afterwards. Swell time. Came home, about froze coming back.
February 9. George came up about 2 o’clock. We went to the show, Tale of 2 Cities. Swell show. He stayed here for supper. After supper we went out to Charlie’s house. Then went to Davison’s. Swell time.
February 10. George came home with me after school, stayed for supper. After supper we played pinochle. Had lots of fun. I got a cute letter from Joey in morn. Not bad, eh!
February 11. George told me in a note that Father Coonen said he had too much nite work. Whoa! He wanted to see me after school, but boys had to stay in and girls had Glee Club. Said he’d call me up. I stayed home and studied.
February 12. Went to school. In eve. George came up. Jimmie, Mildred, he, and I went down to Merrigan’s. Boy, was it slick out. George and I fell down right in the middle of the street. Had a swell time.
February 13. Went to school. After school went to library. George sent me a lovely big red heart by Jimmie. He called me up. I thanked. Gee, is it swell. He’s keen. I love it.
February 14. Valentine’s Day. I didn’t go to school. Had too bad a cold. Mildred and I went to get George a Valentine. Got him a real cute one. He didn’t go to school either. He got mine in aft. He came up in nite. We stayed home with Jimmie and Mildred. We opened our hearts. We had Mrs. Lapping bring us 4 Cokes. Had fun as usual.
February 15. George came up in aft. Said Kennett’s [house where he stayed] had scarlet fever. He had to move. Jack Shumny [her next door neighbor who on this date became George’s roommate] was over here. Jack said George could room with him. He moved in about 4:45. Swell—neighbors! He came over after supper. We went to the show, If You Could Only Cook. Went to Davison’s afterwards. Swell time. There was a b.b. game, but we went to show. Harold [younger brother] was in amateur hour. Did swell.
February 16. Went to 8:30 Mass. So did George. He came over about 10:30. Stayed for dinner. Went home. Came back about 6:30. Played cards. Went down to Davison’s. George got mad at me, said I acted like I didn’t want to go out with him. Gee, we almost broke up. We argued about 3 hrs. He finally said he’d stop it because [line completed in shorthand marks].
February 17. George wrote me a note and said he’d thought it over and thought I ought to explain why I had acted that way Sunday. I told him I wouldn’t tell him. He walked home from school with me. We argued and argued. He left and said, “When you decide to give me another date, let me know.” Gee, I thought we were through forever, but he came over in the eve. We played cards. He left early. Oh, gee, this is gettin’ awful!
February 18. George wrote me a note and said he still wanted to know and he hated to think of it if I didn’t tell him. He waited for me after Glee Club, but I didn’t walk home with him. He came over, but I wasn’t home. He came over in eve. He and Jack. I helped Jack with his French. Jack left at 10:20. George left at 10:30. He didn’t tell me good-nite. I don’t think he even came to see me. He just came because Jack came. I got Jack’s [Shumny] ring.
February 19. George came over. Wanted me to go to show, but I had to study. We stayed home. Fooled around. Made up. Had a good time.
February 20. George and I went to see Captain Blood. Good show. Went to Merrigan’s afterwards. Jack brought us home. Had fun!
February 21. George and I mad again. He came over and went uptown with Jimmie. They were uptown for a long time at the garage. Came home. We had lunch, fooled around.
February 22. I was invited to go to a surprise party for “Jo” Johnson Sunday nite. George came over. I asked him if he cared. Said we were supposed to go with Jack and Rita to the show. Dad gave us the car. We bought Jo’s present. Went down to Merrigan’s. They both got mad at me. I decided not to go. Then G. and I argued awful for about an hour when we came home. Went home mad.
February 25. George had to stay in. Margaret and I went to the library and to Matthew’s. George came over in eve. Didn’t do anything. Talked. Had fun.
February 26. Got a cute note from George. He walked home with me. He went to Winchester in eve. Stayed all nite. Margaret and I went to Church then to Matthew’s. Had fun!
February 27. George didn’t go to school. He was here when I came home from school. He got mad at me again, came over in nite. O.K. He read my diary. I got mad. Then we played cards and danced. Then he got mad because I still write to Joe. He read it in my diary. Went home without telling me good night again. Oh gee! I wonder when this is going to let up.
February 28. At school, George would just look at me disgustingly. He wanted me to write him a note. I wouldn’t. He didn’t write me one either. He walked home from school behind me. I went uptown to get some new shoes. Jack came over, told Mom Geo. wouldn’t come. Jack came over and told me that G. was almost ready to bawl, he wanted to come over so bad. He asked me if he could. I said, “Yes.” He came over, we made up. He made me promise not to write to Joe anymore. We went to Merrigan’s.
February 29. George came over in morning and afternoon. We went to show in nite and saw Show Them No Mercy and amateur show. After show we went to Merrigan’s. Had fun as usual.
March 1. George came over when I was eating breakfast. Stayed for dinner. Went down to Merrigan’s in aft. In nite went over to Springfield to hear “Horace Heidt.” Saw Exclusive Story. Had a keen time. They were plenty good.
March 2. George walked home with me after school. Came over in eve. We went down to Merrigan’s with Norine and Mildred to meet Jimmie. George got mad at me and went up in front of store. I left and went out to car. Was I sore. We came out pretty soon. Boy was he sore. We made up when we came home. George [shorthand marks]
March 3. George was sick and didn’t go to school. In eve. he sent Harold over and wanted me to write him a note. I had one written so I sent it. He came over in eve. We fooled around.
March 4. George is still sick. Didn’t go to school. Came over in eve. We played cards. Had fun.
March 5. I didn’t go to school and neither did George. He came over. He got mad because I took off my ring that he wished on and he lit a cigarette. He went home. He came over in eve. Had fun, made up. We went to the show, So Red The Rose. Swell. Went to Merrigan’s afterwards.
March 6. Went to school in morning. In afternoon stayed home. I was so sick I stayed in bed all afternoon. In eve. George came over also in nite. We went to Davison’s. He didn’t want to.
March 7. George came over in morning and afternoon. In eve. we stayed home. Then went down to Merrigan’s about 9 o’clock. Came home. Almost broke up. He said he wouldn’t go with anyone else. We just couldn’t say goodbye.
March 8. Sun. morning. I walked to Church with George. He came over after Church. In afternoon we went down to Merrigan’s. In eve. we went riding, then went after Jimmie. He stayed for supper.
March 9. I went to school, but Sister Wilfred sent me home in afternoon on account of my terrible cold. George came to see me after school in eve. Stayed for supper. Stayed home of course. Had fun!
March 10. Didn’t go to school. Stayed in bed all morning. George came to see me after school. Also came over in nite. He treats me swell now while I’m sick. He always does, though.
March 11. Didn’t go to school. George didn’t go in afternoon. Stayed over here all afternoon. Said he wouldn’t go when I wasn’t there. Jack comes to see me every eve. George came over in nite too.
March 12. Didn’t go to school. George came home because Sister Gerard [one of his teachers] was sick and he didn’t have any classes. He came over then went uptown. Came over in eve. We played cards.
March 13. George didn’t have to go to school again in afternoon. Came over. Stayed all afternoon. In eve. we went to Church and then shop. Saw Whipsaw and Patty O’Day. Swell. Came home. Argued over everything mainly because I turned away when he wanted to [shorthand marks]. I told him we saw too much of each other. He went home mad. Went to Blessie’s with Jimmie and his girl.
March 14. George didn’t come over today. After supper G. Eliot came by here looking for him. I told him he might be at Merrigan’s. I went there to meet Norine and Weezie. George, Charlie Bayless, and Clint came in. George wouldn’t talk to me. I took a ride with G.E. & Chas. Chas asked me for a date Tues. nite. They brought me to Hamilton’s. Met Weezie and Norine. They both were arguing as to who would take me home. OK, me! What next? Poor George, I hope he gets over it.
March 15. I was going uptown. G. Eliot picked me up. In aft. G. Eliot called me up. He asked me to go riding with Charlie and him. I didn’t want to. I was sitting in the car with G. Eliot and Chas. B. and George came up and sat in the back with us. In nite I wrote him a note. He came over. We went to the show, The Country Doctor. Grand. Afterwards we went to Merrigan’s. He told me everything he did. He got mad. We made up. He said he hoped it never happened again.
March 16. George didn’t want to go to school. He was here when I came home. In eve. we listened to radio and studied. Also played cards. Had fun!!
March 17. George played b. ball in nite. Came over afterwards. I studied and washed my hair. He stayed til about 11. Fun as usual. George stayed for supper.
March 18. George and I didn’t go to Church on account of his ankle. I studied a long time. We didn’t do much, played cards awhile.
March 19. Had my graduation pictures taken. V. Smith, Weezie, Norine, and I went to the game to see George play at D.P. [He re-joined the team as it was part of his athletic scholarship.] It rained and snowed. We got down there when the game was over. Went down to Merrigan’s. Got a hot dog. Came home. George came over. Stayed till about 11:30.
March 20. We went to Church. George and I came home. Listened to a couple plays on the radio. Ate lunch. Went down to Merrigan’s in our car. Took a ride.
March 21. George came over in afternoon. I went uptown and got our proofs. They were terrible. In eve. we went uptown. I got my new coat. Then we went down to Merrigan’s. Came home. Everybody liked my coat.
March 22. Went to Church. George and I went up and had our pictures taken over. In aft. we went walking. In nite went to show to see Mary Burns, Fugitive. Grand at Majestic. Went to Hamilton’s afterwards. Then took a walk. Had fun.
March 23. Went to school. George and I went up to get our proofs after school. They were good. After supper, Jack came over. He’s here now. George is playing b. ball. He came over after he was finished. Had fun!
March 24. George and I, Rita and Jack, Bob and V. Lee, and Rex and his wife all went skating. Did we have fun? Went to Merrigan’s with our skates on. Came home.
March 25. The Seniors played the underclassmen at L. Hall. I yelled for the Seniors until I was hoarse. Afterwards all of us kids went to Hamilton’s. I was supposed to meet George. He and Jack were here when I got home. We went skating. Went to Merrigan’s.
March 26. George played b. ball at D.P. Norine, Weezie and I went. They played Routt underclassmen. Won. Afterwards Weezie, Norine, and I went to Hamilton’s. Was George mad? He said I was supposed to meet him. I came home at 10:30. George didn’t come home. He was at Merrigan’s. Came home with Jimmie.
March 27. George was mad and wouldn’t go to school. Came over after school and gave me the “dickens.” Said Jimmie and he and I were going skating. Well, we went. I fell down and split my head open in 3 places. It bled. Jimmie and George were scared stiff. It knocked me out. I came home. George took me to the doctor’s. I said, Please don’t cut my hair. George was so sorry. He said it was his fault because he wanted me to race him on Dunlap Court. I almost broke the pavement. More fun!!!
March 28. George couldn’t sleep. Came over to see how I was. In afternoon he came again. I went uptown and got a new hat. Boy, is it cute. G. sure likes it even if it is red. [He prefers her in blue.] After supper we went to the show Music Goes Round. Good. Went to Merrigan’s afterwards. We argued about Joe coming Easter.
March 29. George came over. We took pictures out in back. Took a walk. Went to Cordes. In eve. we played cards. Took a walk. Went to Merrigan’s. Argued some more.
March 30. I didn’t go to school on account of my head. G. came over after school. Letter-Man’s initiation in nite. Came over about 9:30 and we still argued over trifles.
March 31. Didn’t go to school again. Mother and I went uptown. Went to Merrigan’s. G. came over after school. I told him about Joe coming Easter. He said to write and tell him not to. Finally, he gave in. In eve. we went to Merrigan’s. Fun.
April 1. I went to school. Everyone was asking me about my head. G. came home with me. We went up and got our pictures. They were cute. After supper we went riding with Jack and Rita.
April 2. Had cute History test. Jean H. and I went uptown after school. I missed G. after Glee Club. He came over later. In nite we went to show to see Timothy’s Quest and Hot Off the Press. Swell. Went to Merrigan’s afterwards.
April 3. George came over and we went to Church. After Church we went to Merrigan’s (I think that’s what we did).
April 4. I worked. George met me. We came home right after work.
April 5. George ate dinner. He didn’t feel so well. We took a walk and went to Merrigan’s. We stayed home and messed around.
April 6. George didn’t go to school. We went to Carrollton with Jimmie and Mildred. We went to the confectionery. Didn’t stay long. I got a letter from Joey. I told George. Was he mad!
April 7. George didn’t go to school. He was here when I came home. In eve. we went to Merrigan’s. George went home mad.
April 8. Jean and I went to Church after school. George was here when I came home. In eve. we went down to Merrigan’s.
April 9. Jim came home. George, Norine, Jim, and I went riding. Went to Merrigan’s. George and I went to Church together in morning.
April 10. George, Harold, and I went out to the lake and shot the rifle. In nite we went to Church. George, Jim, and I went to Merrigan’s afterwards.
April 11. I worked. George met me after work. We went to Merrigan’s. When we came home there was a great big Easter egg here for me from George with my name on it. It was full of chocolate. John came home.
April 12. George and Jim were here for dinner. After dinner we took a walk. Went out to Wagner’s. In nite we went to show, Callin’. Good. Came home.
April 13. George came over. We went down to Wagner’s. Fun. Jim and Norine went too.
April 14. George and I studied for awhile. Then we went to Merrigan’s. Elam’s house was robbed. Came home. Went over there.
April 15. George and I studied. Then the police came down to Elam’s house, two doors down. We thought there was someone in there, the police didn’t find anyone though.
April 16. George told me not to write this in here, but it really showed he cared for me. Joe met me and I gave him my picture. George sure was burning up. Called me up. Said to come up to Rings Drug Store. We went up. Boy was he mad!! He tried to make me get out of the car. I wouldn’t and I came home. He was there. Joe left about 8. Did George and I have it. He got it back from me tho. I skipped school in afternoon to go uptown and get some white shoes. Joe came over in his big Olds. Brought his cousin. When I came home he was here. Was I surprised. I took a ride with them. After supper Norine and I went to Davison’s with them. (George wouldn’t let me keep this page in here for a long time, but he finally consented and we decided it was best.)
April 17. George was rather hurt at school all day on account of Joe. All the kids were asking me about him. In nite, George and I went riding. Went to Merrigan’s.
April 18. George came over in morning. In afternoon we went uptown to get some seat covers for the car. In evening George and I took a ride in the car. Brought some ice cream home.
April 19. George and I went to Church together. He ate dinner with me. In afternoon Norine, Mom, Dad, and Harold and George, and I went to K’ville.[Kampsville] Had a grand time. Took pictures. Ate at Aunt Mag’s. Went to dance after supper. Orville Snow asked me to dance. George wouldn’t let me.
April 20. Went to school. After school the Wag staff seniors had their pictures taken. Played b. ball after school. Seniors vs. Soph. They won 7-6. I made all our 6 points. Boy, was I tired after supper. George, Jimmie, Mildred, and I went to show, Follow the Fleet, then to Merrigan’s. Took a ride. George went home mad.
April 21. George came over. We studied. He was rather sore because I wouldn’t let him see my diary. We took a ride. Had a rather confidential talk. Then we went to Merrigan’s. He was swell. We had fun.
April 22. George wrote me a note. Said he wouldn’t get mad at me anymore without a very good reason. I played b. ball in eve. Beat freshmen 8-0. I made 3 points. In eve. George and I went to see Brides Are Like That. Then we went to Merrigan’s. Came home. Show was swell.
April 23. Didn’t go to school in morning. Went in afternoon. In evening George came over. We studied. Then went down to Merrigan’s. Fun as usual.
April 24. George, Jack, Rita, Jimmie, and I took Mildred home. We went to dance at Carrollton (KC Hall). Swell time. Went to confectionery. Got home about 2.
April 25. I worked all day. George met me in the evening. We went to Merrigan’s. Came home.
April 26. George and I went to Church together. He had been trying to see Father Formaz all the time. [He wants to change schools and learn to fly airplanes.] Went over after Church. Ate dinner with me. Saw Father after dinner. Father said he’d do all he could for him. Saw Sister Ana. She said she would too. Father Coonen wouldn’t. We went to show in nite Wife vs. Secretary. Good. Went to Merrigan’s.
April 27. George wasn’t going to come to school, but Sister told him to. He did. In evening we studied. Then went to Merrigan’s. We played b. ball against Juniors. They won. I made 3 points.
April 28. Went to school. Picked our rings and invitations afterwards. In evening George and I studied. Took a ride. Went to Merrigan’s. Had fun!!
April 29. I went out to Marty’s with Gloria. We worked on the way. Had fun. George came after me about 10. He was mad because I went. We took a ride. We beat the sophomores 14-9. I made 13 points.
April 30. George wrote me a cute note. I skipped 7th period. Mother and I went uptown. Got a new dress. In evening we studied. Then took a ride.
First mention of marriage
May 1. George, Norine, Corky, Weezie, and I took a ride. Went to Merrigan’s. Brought them home. George and I took another ride. He told me that after he took up his course in aviation, he was coming back for me. He said he hoped I still felt the same towards him. He said to write this down as I wouldn’t forget it. He’s swell. Said some fellow was going to be awful lucky and he wanted it to be him. He’s coming to visit me. After he’s got a job, he wants to be married if I will.
May 2. I worked all day. George met me after work. Went to the dance at park. (Opening for summer.) Took Weezie and Norine with us. Swell time. Went to Wagner’s. I drove. We took a ride. Swell time.
May 3. George and I went to Church together. Came home. Ate breakfast. He stayed for dinner too. In afternoon we went riding. We went down to Carrollton with Jimmie. Went to confectionery. Fun!
May 4. Went to school. Started baseball after school. I pitched. Fun. George came over. We studied.
May 5. Went to school. George came over after supper. We studied.
May 6. Went to school. Played b.b. after school. We got 3rd place in the tournament. George came over in evening. We had fun. Studied.
May 7. George came over. We studied. We took a little ride. Fun as usual.
May 8. We stayed home. Fooled around. That’s all I can remember.
May 9. Worked all day. George met me. We went to park dance. Grand time.
May 10. We went to Church. George was over all day. We went to show to see Shirley Temple in Captain January. Swell!!
May 11. Played b. ball [baseball] for first time. I pitched. Fun. After supper George and I studied.
May 12. George was over. We studied.
May 13. Studied. Then we took the kids out to the dance. We rode around. Had fun.
May 14. Gloria had her party. We kids went. Had a grand time. George was just sick because I went. He wrote me a long note that evening. He couldn’t stand to see me leave. He left.
May 15. We took a ride, I guess, Georgie and I. Anyhow, he was over. I got my permanent. It looks swell. George likes it.
May 16. I worked all day. George and I went to the dance. Had a swell time.
May 17. We went to Church. George was over all day. We went riding in afternoon. I drove. In evening went to show, Under Two Flags. We didn’t like it.
May 18. I played b. ball. In evening George and I studied.
May 19. George and I studied after supper. We took a ride afterwards. Fun!
May 20. I got my golden slippers for Prom. We played b. ball. Played the 8th graders. Beat them so bad. In evening George and I went to the dance. Swell time.
May 21. George and I studied awhile. Then we took a ride.
May 22. Prom! Got home at 3:30 A.M. Went with Georgie! He sent me a grand corsage. He looked grand. Said I did. Grand time at Prom. After Prom went to “Puddy’s” at Springfield. Swell time.
May 23. Worked all day. Didn’t go to dance afterwards. Was too tired. George and I took the kids out. Took a ride. Fun!
May 24. George was over all day. So was Weezie. Mom and Dad went to St. Louis. George and I had a fight over my diary. He took it. In evening we went to show, Small Town Girl. Good.
May 25. We play baseball against Winchester. The old ladies played us. They won. Got home about 6:30. After supper George and I studied. I drove the car.
May 26. Had Glee Club. George and I studied in nite. I drove George down to Davison’s. In nite we took a ride. Fun as usual.
May 27. Semesters started. Wrote English in morning and History in afternoon. George was here for dinner. After supper I took Mom and George for a ride. Went to dance after supper. Swell time.
May 28. Didn’t have to go to school in morning. Mom and I went uptown. Got my new dress. Took Shorthand in afternoon. George was here for dinner and supper. After supper we took a ride.
May 29. Took Typing test in morning and French in afternoon. Practiced after school. George was here for dinner and supper. After supper Wag gave seniors a dance. George and I went. Grand time. After it Coxie, Marty, George, and I went to Springfield—Puddy’s Inn. Swell time. Got home about 2.
May 30. Didn’t work. Decoration Day. George was over all day. We went riding. After supper went to dance. Grand time.
May 31. George went to early Mass. Our class went to Communion in a body. The Juniors gave us a breakfast afterwards. It was swell. Father Formaz gave us all a Missal [prayer book]. George was here for dinner and supper. After supper we went riding. We took pictures at Lil’s in afternoon.
June 1. George and I went down to school to get our grades. In afternoon we went riding. After supper—graduation—got lots of nice presents. I […entry inked out].
June 2. Fool around all day. George and I went to the Carnival. I won a little dog. We rode on Ferris Wheel. […rest of entry cut off with scissors]
June 3. George and I took a ride in afternoon. We didn’t go to dance. Stayed home. Had fun!
June 4. George and I had the car. We went out to Cain’s. Shot around with the rifle. Had fun. Mary asked us to come out Monday. After supper we went riding.
June 5. Harold, George, and I went out to lake and shot around. Had fun. After supper we went down to Silverfrost. Jim and Norine too. We all had hot-dogs and it was Friday! Came home. Had fun!
June 6. I didn’t work. I stayed home with George. We went to Church together. In evening I got a ducky new hat from Norine for graduation. We went to dance. Had a keen time. Went to Wagner’s afterwards.
June 7. George and I went to Communion together. I wore my white suit and hat. We went on a picnic after Church. Jim, Norine, and us. Went swimming, boat riding—played ball. Jim had a cabin. Grand time. We got sun-burned. After supper we went to show, Showboat. Grand. Swell day.
June 8. George and I had our first date 7 months ago. George was over for dinner. After dinner we went out to Cain’s. John took us out on his way to Springfield. We rode horseback. Swell time. After supper we went riding. Went down to Silverfrost. He went home mad. George got a spec. d [special delivery letter]. He has to leave Thursday [on the bus to see his brother, Clarence Pieschel, in Dixon, Illinois, up north near Chicago. Clarence was the son of George’s mother, Amelia Haberman Pieschel Fritscher, whose husband before Joseph Eugene Fritscher was a man named Pieschel who died of typhoid around 1902 in Heron Lake, Minnesota.]
[June 9 and 10 are missing. The following note is hand-written at bottom of June 8]
“June 9 & 10—George tore out [the pages] because Joe’s name was on them.”
June 9. George and I went swimming. Swell time. Afterwards we went to the hot dog shop. We went to dime show, Secret Patrol. Had fun. Went to Merrigan’s afterwards.
June 10. [Written on June 11 page] George packed all his things. We went swimming and riding in afternoon. In evening we went to the dance with Jim and Norine. Grand time. The last dance they played “The Beautiful Lady in Blue” and “It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie.” George told me to wear my blue dress. He liked the bows. We went boat-riding and over to the dance with Charlie and Betty. When we were leaving the dance they played, “If I Should Love You.” We went to Wagner’s afterwards. Last thing we drank together was a milk-shake. When he left that night he cried and cried. I felt so sorry for him I cried too. I couldn’t hardly stand it. Neither could he. He’s coming over in morning.
George Fritscher leaves on June 11, 1936,
to go to Dixon, Illinois
June 11. George came over at 8. We had breakfast together. Went uptown. Told Jimmie, Daddy, and everyone goodbye. We ate dinner together. Then I took Georgie up to the hotel in the car. He drove up, I back. He cried when he told Mother and everybody goodbye. We were both crying while sitting in the car. He kissed me goodbye so much. The last thing he said was, “Goodbye, darling.” Then he hollered “bye” again on the bus. He kept waving from the bus. (over) [On June 12 page, June 11 entry is continued] I could hardly drive home. I cried and cried when I came home I was so lonesome. Everybody misses him—neighbors, everyone. Margaret Cain came in afternoon. After supper I went to Church with the kids. Gee, was I lonesome. I love him so! He said he wished we were going on our honeymoon. He said how he wished we were going away together.
June 12. I went to show with the kids to see Desire and Florida Special. Swell. After supper Mother and I went to Merrigan’s with Jimmie. Came home. Went to bed.
June 13. I got my first letter from Georgie. Darling letter. I worked at dollar store from 4 to 9. Came home—went to bed early. Lonesome for George.
June 14. I went to Church with Norine. It seemed so funny without George. Finished his letter. Weezie, Norine, Virginia Smith, and Margaret Cain came by and took me riding. In evening I stayed with Mother and Daddy. Missed George.
June 15. Went out to Gloria’s. Came home. I was so lonesome for George. I cried. Bill and Rosemary came by. I went to Matthews with Lil and Jo and Marty. Went out to Gloria’s in evening.
June 16. We, all the kids, went out on a picnic to the park. Went swimming and boat-riding. Missed Georgie. In evening we went to Church and then went up and got a milk-shake. I went up to Merrigan’s with Jim and Norine.
June 17. Stayed home. Went to hospital with Mother to visit Aunt Mag. In evening went to Church with the kids. Went to milk-shake place. Came home, went to bed.
June 18. Went out to Margaret’s and spent the day. Rode horse-back. Swell time. In evening went to Church with the kids. Came home. Went uptown with Jim and Norine.
June 19. Stayed home. Went to hospital with Mom in afternoon. Aunt Mag went home. In evening Norine and I went to cone shop and Hamilton’s.
George makes a surprise return to Jacksonville.
June 20. I went to work at 4. Surprise! George came down at 6:30 with his brother Clarence. I didn’t even know he was coming. He stayed here till I came home. They sent me out to the kitchen and there he was. I yelled, “George!” I was never so thrilled in all my life. He looked darling. I could have cried with joy. Clarence has a brand new Pontiac and we got to use it to go to the dance. Was it swell. It seemed like heaven again to be with him. We went to Merrigan’s and after the dance we went to a place on So. Main. He’s still swell or sweller than ever. He stayed here all night. He left his car here.
June 21. We went to Church at 7:30 in the car. Went out to his brother’s. He sure is nice. Then G. Elliot and George and I went swimming. Cold! Fun! Came home. Ate dinner. Then Jim, Norine, and George and I went to show, Private Number. Grand. George and I talked and talked. He asked me if I would [shorthand mark] in the show again. He’s swell. He had to leave at 6. Neither of us could hardly eat a bite of supper. We went out on the porch and waited for his brother to come. It was hard to part from each other, but we did it (barely). I was so lonesome. He said he was too. I went uptown with Jim and Norine. Charlie Bayless called me for a date. I refused. Said he’d call again. George doesn’t want me to go with Charlie and I won’t.
George leaves Jacksonville
June 22. Went to dentist in morning. In afternoon I made a cake. Pretty good, ha! In evening I went to Merrigan’s with Norine and Weezie. We took Frances McGinnis home. I wrote a letter to George.
June 23. Stayed home in evening. Margaret came in in afternoon. I got a letter from George in morning. Answered in afternoon. We went uptown. In evening I stayed home. I was so lonesome I went to bed and cried myself to sleep.
June 24. Baked some cupcakes in morning. In afternoon went to sleep. In evening went to dance with Weezie and “Jo.” Pretty good time. Missed George too much to have fun. Beulah and Jane were there too.
June 25. Went up and got my dresses from cleaners. They look swell. Got a darling letter from Georgie. Was over at Mary’s and Catherine’s all evening. Wrote a letter to George, I think.
June 26. I didn’t do much all day. In evening took a walk with Mary and Catherine. Went to Davison’s.
June 27. I worked at Grant’s from 1 to 9. I like it. I work in the candy department. John and I went uptown and got us a Coke after work. Missed George as usual.
June 28. Eustacia came up. We went riding in afternoon. Missed Georgie. Went to Merrigan’s. In evening I wrote him a letter. Went riding with Mary and Catherine.
June 29. Joe came over in afternoon about 12:45. I didn’t know he was coming. He called me up first. He and his cousin came. We went out to Liberty and danced all afternoon. Had fun but not as much as if it had been Georgie. He brought me a nice graduation present. They left about 4. In evening Weezie, Norine, and I went to Merrigan’s in eve.
June 30. I worked at Mace’s [a local drug store] from 9 A.M. to 10 P.M. Had fun. Mother, Dad, and Harold and I went riding afterwards.
July 1. Worked at Mace’s again till 6. In evening didn’t do anything but write a letter to my honey. I got one from him in morning.
July 2. Worked at Mace’s from 8 to 12. Finished up. Made $4.60. Mildred and I went uptown in afternoon and spent it. I got my new dress.
July 3. In morning Bud Simon came over in his cute truck to see me. Said he just came to see those he was interested in. I worked from 1 to 9. Were we busy. Came home with M. Helena and Paul. Went to Davison’s.
July 4. Mildred and I took a ride. We went out to State with John. Saw dull parade. Went on too long. In evening went up to meet Jimmie. We went to park for dance. Then went to Liberty. Came home. Was I lonesome for George.
July 5. Norine and I went riding. Lil and I went to see White Fairy in afternoon. Swell. In evening went up to Angela’s. Bob Austin wanted a date in afternoon.
July 6. Mildred [Horn] and I went down to Merrigan’s. In evening we took the car and went down to meet Jimmie.
July 7. Mildred and I went down to Merrigan’s. I stayed home in evening, I guess. Can’t remember what I did!
July 8. Margaret had a party. Had a swell time. Got home about 6. Stayed home in evening.
July 9. Didn’t do anything in afternoon. In evening, Harold and I went to see The Ghost Gets His Wish. Swell.
July 10. Went up to Angela’s in afternoon. Didn’t do anything in evening. Took a ride.
July 11. Worked at Grant’s from 2 till 9. We were expecting George to come down. I got a letter from him. Cute. We then took a ride.
July 12, 1936
17th Birthday
July 12. (My 17th Birthday) Margaret came in and stayed all day. We went riding in morning. In afternoon we went swimming. I got a new swim suit for my birthday. Cute. In evening went up to Angela’s. Came home and wrote George a letter.
July 13. Went down to hospital with Margaret S. to see Mary. In afternoon Weezie, Norine, and I went down to Merrigan’s. Went to cone shop. Came home.
July 14. Went up to Angela’s in afternoon. In evening we went riding. Nothing to do since George left. Miss him a lot. Got a letter from Joey in morning.
July 15. Weezie and I went swimming. I had the car. Brought Mahlon Gaumer and some other kid home. Went down to hot-dog stand. Stayed home in evening.
July 16. Mother and I went riding in afternoon. In evening we all went riding. Went down to Silverfrost. Came home. Norine and I went uptown.
July 17. Aunt Della [Lawler, wife of Mary Pearl’s brother, Uncle Jim Lawler], Bob, and Boots came up [from St. Louis]. Stayed all day. In afternoon I went up to Angela’s. In evening Weezie and I went up to Merrigan’s. Had fun!
July 18. I worked at Grant’s. Afterwards I went to the dance. Danced all evening with Don Baptist and Luke Zeller. Came home with Luke, Bob, and Marty. We went to Davison’s. Had fun. He asked me for another date. (I missed George.)
July 19. Went down to Eustacia’s. Ate dinner at Mildred’s. In afternoon we played games at the Church. In evening I had a date with Dean McPherson, Eustacia with Jack Drew, and Janet with Popeye. Went to Jerseyville and Greenfield. Seemed funny without George. Went riding with Jouett in V8 to river and all over. He wanted to take us to dance in evening. I wouldn’t go.
July 20. In afternoon Eustacia and I played croquet with Betty. In evening went riding with Jouett and another kid. Had pretty good time.
July 21. I was sick all day. Eustacia and I went to the show to see Laughing Irish Eyes. Good, but I was so weak I could hardly stand up.
July 22. In afternoon we went to 4H-Club style show. In evening we went riding with Neil Simonds. He took us to the confectionery. Met the kids. Had fun! Went to river to fish.
July 23. Went to Jerseyville. Came home about 6. In evening Jimmie, Norine, and Jim came after me in our new Plymouth. Was I surprised? I didn’t know they were going to get one. They got it Wed. I came home in evening. I got a real important darling letter from George.
July 24. I wrote George a letter in afternoon. Took a ride in our new car. In morning I drove it. It’s keen. After supper walked uptown.
July 25. Went to work at 1. Came home after work and Mother and I went uptown. Went to Hamilton’s.
July 26. Worked at cone shop in evening. Made $1.08 counting 25 cents I found. Got a letter from Joe. I had the car all day. Norine, Virginia Smith, and I went riding. Went to Wagner’s. In evening we went to K’ville. Went to dance. Danced with Jouett, Raphael Behrens, and everyone. I stayed all nite. Jouett wanted to take me home, but I wouldn’t let him.
July 27. I sent George a real cute birthday card. Were with Kamp twins all morning. Had fun. In afternoon I came home. Went uptown, got a new dress. In evening all the kids came down. We went to Merrigan’s and to skating rink. Had fun!
July 28. Lil and I went to show to see The Crime of Dr. Forbes and The Moon’s Our Home. Swell. Went to Hamilton’s afterwards. In evening went riding.
July 29, 1936
George’s 20 Birthday
July 29. George’s birthday [his twentieth]. I had the car. Mother and I went uptown. Then we went for a long ride. In nite, John, Dad, Mom, and I went to see Little Red Schoolhouse. Swell. Went riding afterwards.
July 30. Can’t remember what I did. In evening took a ride.
July 31. I got a letter from George and Edwina Kamp [one of the twins in Kampsville] and Eustacia. In afternoon Mother and I went out to Margaret’s. She and I rode 5-1/2 miles on horse. Grand time. Was with Angela in evening.
August 1. Worked at Grant’s. In evening came home and Mother and I went uptown.
August 2. I went to see Shirley [Temple] in Poor Little Rich Girl with Marg, Jean, and Angela. Eustacia came up. I wrote to George. We went to skating rink and Davison’s and Black Cat.
August 3. In afternoon Eustacia and I went uptown. Went to Merrigan’s. In evening Norine, Eustacia, and I went to skating rink and Merrigan’s. We rode 20 miles in our car. Charlie called me up.
August 4. Mother, Eustacia, and I went uptown. Went to Merrigan’s. In evening Eustacia and I went skating. Keen time. Went to Hamilton’s. Went riding with Paul Chumley. Went to Wagner’s.
August 5. I worked all day at Monkey’s [Montgomery Wards]. In evening Eustacia and I went to potluck supper at Gloria’s. Keen time.
August 6. I worked all day. Eustacia went home. I stayed home.
August 7. Worked all day. Stayed home in evening. Had been expecting a letter from George all week. Am I mad??
August 8. Worked. Went to bed early. Still no letter. I guess he’s forgotten me. I told him he would.
August 9. Went to St. Louis to see my Aunt [Della]. Keen time. Got home about 11 o’clock. Went the new way.
August 10. Worked all day. Went up to Angela’s in evening. Jean was there. We went to the skating rink.
August 11. Angela came down. We went uptown. Fooled around rest of evening. Worked all day.
August 12. Didn’t work. We had McNulty’s from St. Louis to spend the day. Margaret and I went uptown in afternoon. In evening I went to dance with Jim and Lil.
August 13. Went on a picnic to park. Swam, played tennis and everything. Did I get brown. I learned how to float on my back and also went down slide. Keen time.
August 14. Mother and I went uptown. I got a new dress and a new pair of shoes. Wrote to George. I got a special-delivery letter from him and a letter from Joe.
August 15. Jimmie came home from Colorado. Fooled around in morning. Baked a cake in afternoon. In evening Lil and I went to the dance. Had a good time. Jim and Norine came after us. We rode around. Went to hot-dog joint.
August 16. Had the car in morning. In afternoon, Mary came in. We took a walk. Went to Davison’s. In evening Lil came up. We went skating. Had fun.
August 17. Lil came up. We went to the dentist. In evening we went riding.
August 18. I had my hair fixed. In evening we went riding. Went up to hot-dog joint.
August 19. I had the car all day. Mother, Harold, and I went riding all afternoon. Had lots of fun. In evening we went riding with Jim.
August 20. I had the car. Mother and I went riding. In evening Harold and I went down to Merrigan’s. We got caught in the rain.
August 21. I slept in the afternoon. I was mad because I didn’t hear from George. Margaret came in. The telephone rang and it was a telegram from George. Was I thrilled. I went up the office after it. I can hardly wait to see him. I took Mother, Norine, and Harold on ride in nite. Then Mother and I went walking.
August 22. Couldn’t hardly do anything I was so excited waiting for George. Mildred and I went down to Merrigan’s. In evening we went riding and Mother and I went uptown.
August 23. Went to early Church. Norine and I went riding in morning. I couldn’t wait till George comes. In nite he called me long-distance and said he was at Monmouth and would see me in the morning. Glad he called, but I was disappointed. Still something to look forward to.
George returns to Jacksonville
August 24. Harold and I went uptown after my belt. George came meanwhile. I didn’t think he was coming till noon. I came home he kissed me in front of Mother. He looks keen. I’m so glad he’s here. Did I miss him??? George and I went riding in afternoon. In evening we went to show to see Suzy. Had fun. Went to Merrigan’s.
August 25. George and I rode around all day. In evening we went riding (Jim and Norine too). We went to Wagner’s. Keen time. George is still the same. George and I took Father Andy 8 miles east of Carrollton for a sick call [to take Communion to the sick]. Had fun coming back. Stopped at Carrollton.
August 26. George bought me the most beautiful vanity set I ever saw. I love it. He picked it and then took me along to get it. He’s a darling. We went to show in afternoon. Saw Jailbreak and It’s Love Again. Everyone loves my vanity set. In nite we went to Carrollton with Jimmie, saw Shirley Temple again. Good.
August 27. George and I went riding in afternoon, went to milk-shake place. In nite Charlie, Betty, Joyce Wilday and Archie DeSollar, and George and I went to Liberty. Had lots of fun. It rained and rained.
August 28. George and I went to show to see Message to Garcia and My American Wife. In evening we went to Carrollton.
August 29. George and John and I went hunting. In nite we went to the dance. Had lots of fun. Were with John and Betty awhile.
August 30. We ate dinner in Carrollton with Mildred. George and I and Jimmie and Mildred went to St. Louis to ball game. Saw Dizzy [Dean] pitch. Went out to Aunt Della’s afterwards. Had oodles of fun. Ate supper in Alton. Grand time.
August 31. In afternoon we went riding. In nite we went to see To Mary Watkins. Swell. Afterwards we went riding. Went out to Wagner’s.
September 1. We went riding. In nite we went to Carrollton. Had fun as usual.
September 2. Some fellow bumped me on the square. Cost him $3 to repair our fender. In afternoon we went riding. In evening we went to the chicken supper. It was out to the State hospital. We went to the dance. Had fun.
September 3. Took the car up to have it fixed. Went riding. In evening went to Carrollton to Fair. Swell time. Mildred and I walked about 2 miles. Then we got in the car and locked George, Jimmie, and Norine out. Was George mad. We made up. Had lots of fun.
September 4. In afternoon saw President Roosevelt. In nite went to show to see Straight From the Shoulder and The Bride Walked Out. Went riding afterwards. Fun.
September 5. George went hunting [squirrels and pheasants] in afternoon. In evening we went to the dance with Jimmie and Gwenn. Then went riding. “Swell time.”
September 6. Rosemary Lambert [cousin] and all of ’em came up from St. Louis. In afternoon we all went riding. In evening went to show to see Texas Rangers. Swell.
September 7. George went hunting. In evening we went to Carrollton with Jimmie. Had lots of fun.
September 8. We went out to Margaret’s. Rode horseback. Had a swell time. In evening we rode around. Had fun.
September 9. In afternoon we went to see Let’s Sing Again and Case of Velvet Claws. Swell. We went to dance in evening. Larry Thompson’s orchestra. Swell. Afterwards went riding till real late with Jim, Norine, Gwenn, and Jimmie. Went to hot-dog joint. Swell time.
September 10. George went hunting in afternoon. In evening we had the car. Went out to Wagner’s. Rode all around. Had a keen fight. Got Mother from her party. Fun.
September 11. In afternoon we went to see China Clipper and Hollywood Boulevard. Swell. Went to Merrigan’s. In evening Chick and Pat, Jimmie, Gwenn, George, and I went out to Snyder’s and danced. Then rode around. Swell time.
September 12. I had my carbuncle lanced twice. Dr. Norris did it. [In June 1939, Dr. Norris delivered George and Virginia’s first child, Jack, while the entire multi-generational family lived at 517 S. Church Street.] George and Mother went with me. In evening we went to the dance. Had a swell time. Went to Wagner’s afterwards.
September 13. Went to show in afternoon to see His Brother’s Wife. Swell. Went to Merrigan’s. George is mad now. He wants to help me write in my diary. He wanted to make up so we did. We went uptown and fooled around.
September 14. I worked at Deppe’s [the department store—in Jacksonville on the square—where she was paid 25 cents an hour, and bought her wedding dress]. George worked with Chumley’s [construction company]. In evening we went to Carrollton with Jimmie. Fooled around. Went to confectionary.
September 15. I worked. In evening Jim, Norine, and George and I went riding. Went down to Silverfrost. Fun as usual. Fight as usual.
September 16. I didn’t work. In evening Jimmie, Gwenn, Bob K., Ethel Heurty, and George, and I went out to Snyder’s. George and I went to the dance first. Swell time.
September 17. I worked. In evening Jimmie, Gwenn, George and I went to show to see Half Angel and Love Begins at 20. Met Jim and Norine and we all went out to Wagner’s. Had loads of fun.
September 18. I worked. In evening George and I went to the show to see State Fair and Three Cheers for Love. Went to Merrigan’s afterwards.
September 19. I worked. Got off at 8:30. Got a new hat and a new pair of shoes. George and I went to the dance. Fun. Came home and Norine and Jim and we went to Julienne. Rode around. Fun.
September 20. George and Mildred and I went to see 3 hr. picture, The Great Ziegfield. Pretty good. In evening we rode around and went up and got Jimmie.
September 21. Jimmie worked at Merrigan’s. We went up to get him. Rode around. Went to Wagner’s and came home.
September 22. George and I went to the show, Kelly the Second and High Tension. Swell. Went to Merrigan’s.
September 23. George and I went riding in the rain. Went up to Silverfrost. Had lots of fun. Good fight.
September 24. George and I worked. Mother and I went riding. George and I had a fight. I told him [short-hand marks]. He didn’t X [kiss] me once today. He went to bed. Mom, Norine, and I stayed up a long time.
September 25. George got up and was going home. He wouldn’t even speak to me. He went uptown and came home and wanted me to make up with him, so I did. Everybody’s happy now. Ha.
September 26. In the morning fooled around. I went to work at $ store [the dollar store, a 5 and 10 cents variety store] at 2. We went to dance afterwards. Swell time. Went to Julienne.
September 27. Mother, George, Norine, and I went to see Gorgeous Hussy. Good. In evening we kids stayed home. Fooled around.
September 28. In afternoon, Mom and I went riding. George worked. In nite we saw His Second Wife and King of the Royal Mounted. Swell.
September 29. George worked. In afternoon, Mother and I went riding. In nite we had the car. Went riding.
September 30. In afternoon George worked. Mother and I went riding. Jimmie came home and gave us the car. We went riding. Went down to Creed’s.
October 1. In afternoon, Mother and I took a ride. In nite George and I went to see Devil Doll and Back to Nature. Swell.
October 2. (Mom’s 48th birthday) George ran a nail in his foot working at Chumley’s. Doctor in afternoon. Went riding. Home in evening.
October 3. Mother and I went uptown. George stayed here. In nite we saw Bengal Tiger. Swell. Went to Merrigan’s. Mildred, Jimmie, George, and I went down to Creed’s.
October 4. Norine, Mildred, Jimmie, George, and I went to Champaign to see Jim. Had a wonderful time. Ate chicken dinner at Perkin’s restaurant. Swell place. Went to show in afternoon, Swing Time. Grand! Ate supper at Stanley’s restaurant. Swell joint. Came home about 12:00 o’clock.
October 5. In afternoon George and I went to show, Sing, Baby, Sing. Good. In evening, Shorty, Louise Gilmore, Jimmie, George, and I brought Mildred home. Had lots of fun. Went to confectionary.
October 6. Rode around in afternoon. In nite we had the car. Had a fight. Went out to Julienne. Made up. Came home early.
October 7. Went to show in afternoon, Yours for the Asking and Front Page Lady. Good. In evening Shorty, Jimmie, Gwenn, Kay Kerger, and George and I went to dance at Palace ball room. Had fun. Gwenn and I left. Went to Merrigan’s. Was George mad. He wouldn’t go to the dance anymore. Stayed in car.
October 9. Went riding in afternoon. In evening, we went out to Liberty. Shorty, Jimmie, Gwenn, W. Lendie, George, and I. Had swell time. Gwenn told orchestra to play “Beautiful Lady in Blue” for Mr. and Mrs. George Fritscher. Were our faces red! [Friends begin teasing the couple who seem suited to marry.]
October 10. I worked at Grant’s. George was still sick. Stayed home after work.
October 11. Shorty, Jimmie, Marg. Cain, Mildred, George, and I went to weiner roast at park. Swell time. Then went to Carrollton.
October 12. Gloria [Hanley] came up. She’s going to be a nun. Came home from school. In evening we went with Daddy. Then went to a party out to Gwenn’s. Fun!
October 13. We took a ride in afternoon. In evening went to show End of the Trail and Grand Jury. Good.
October 14. In afternoon Mother and I went riding. In evening we went to Carrollton with Jimmie. Went to confect. and out to see Mildred’s school. Had fun. We got to Carrollton in 25 minutes. Raced Paul Chumley. Was I scared?
October 15. Took a ride in afternoon. George and I walked uptown. Came home. Made candy.
October 16. George and I washed and Simonized the car. Looks swell. In evening, Weezie, L. Gilmore, Shorty, George, and I went out to Liberty. Had fun.
October 17. (Daddy’s 49th birthday) I worked. Went riding—Jim, Norine, George and I after work.
October 18. George, Mom, Dad, Harold, and I went to see John [at Kenrick Seminary]. Ate at Dolphy’s. George and I went riding in afternoon. Had lots of fun. Got home about 8:30.
October 19. George slept. I went uptown and got a new “over-night bag” (yum!). In the evening went to show, Thank you, Jeeves and Spendthrift. Swell. Went riding afterwards.
October 20. The club gave Mother a surprise party. George and I had to fill in. Played pinochle. Fun.
October 21. Went to Carrollton with Jimmie. Fooled around. Went to confectionary.
October 22. George, Gwenn, Shortie, Norine, and I went out to Liberty. Had fun!! As usual.
October 23. George and I, Jimmie, Mildred Ash, Shortie, and Norine all went out to Liberty. Good time. Went riding. Came home.
October 24. I worked. After work George and I went to the party at Grant’s. Swell time. Went to Wagner’s.
October 25. Went to show, saw Big Noise and Alibi for Murder. Good. I got sick that night. Scared George stiff.
October 26. I was sick. Stayed home. We played pinochle. I won every game but one.
October 27. George, Mom, Dad, and I went to Kampsville. Mom and Dad went to Hamburg. We saw Beulah and the twins. George and I ate at Aunt Mag’s. I had my hair set.
October 28. Went to Carrollton with Jimmie. Saw Satan Met a Lady. Went to confectionary. Came home.
October 29. Mom and I went uptown. I got a new skirt. Shortie, Jimmie, George, Norine, Gwenn, and I went out to Liberty. Swell time.
October 30. Jimmie, Bernice, Mother, Shortie, Norine, and I went out to Snyder’s. Swell time.
October 31. Worked at Grant’s. After work went to a party at Gwenn’s. Had treasure hunt and weiner roast. Swell time. Got home about 2.
November 1. Went to Carrollton with Jimmie. Went to Jerseyville. Saw My Man Godfrey. Rotten. Ate supper with Mildred. Went up to confect. after supper.
November 2. George slept. I went uptown and got a my new shoes. In evening went to show Cain and Mabel. Grand. Went to Merrigan’s afterwards.
November 3. In morning George and I went uptown. In afternoon we took a nap. Took mother uptown. In evening went to the show Women Are Trouble and Sea Spoilers. Good.
November 4. In afternoon went riding. In evening we played cards. Mother made hot choc. Had fun! Gwenn stayed all nite.
November 5. Jimmie, Thelma Graves, George and I, and Shortie and Norine went out to Liberty. Had lots of fun. I got my new coat and hat. George thinks its swell.
November 6. Shortie, Norine, Jimmie, George, and I went to Carrollton after Mildred. Came home. Went to Merrigan’s. Then George and I went riding.
November 7. I worked. George met me. Rode around and then went out to Julienne. Came home. Went to bed.
Inside the front cover of the Diary, is a tiny scrap of a yellowed clipping torn out of the Jacksonville newspaper, dated November 10, 1936. The headline reads, “To Return North.” The four-line text reads, “George Fritcher [misspelled] expects to leave this week for his home in Heron Lake, Minn., after spending several days with relatives and friends here.” Virginia’s note on the clipping, handwritten in ink, says, “Jimmie’s trick,” meaning her brother Jimmie Day, who, to tease the young dating couple, had sent in a notice to the Jacksonville social column.
Dating for a year, George leaves for Minnesota to attend Mankato State College from November 1936 to return in the summer of 1937 when he came back to Jacksonville to become engaged to Virginia, and worked for three months with future brother-in-law Jim Chumley’s dad’s construction company. Jim was the son of Alderman Thomas C. Chumley, 1231 South Clay Avenue, Jacksonville. In the fall of 1937, George returned to Minnesota, and in the early winter of 1938 his fiancée Virginia took a train to Mankato and stayed a month with George’s sister, Agnes Tschohl, and her husband Harry, and their children. She paid special attention to their then youngest, Bill, on whom she doted. That month cemented the positive certainty of the relationship. George returned to Jacksonville on April 12, 1938, the very day Aunt Mag (Day-Stelbrink died) and George said, “Let’s get married on July 12 on your birthday and your parents’ anniversary.” So he got a job at Producer’s Dairy where he worked when their first child, Jack Fritscher [John Joseph Patrick Fritscher], was born June 20, 1939.
1936 continues
November 8. George and I have been going together a year today (Swell). We went to show in afternoon to see Pigskin Parade. Grand. In nite played cards and went riding. Had a fight.
November 9. Went riding in afternoon. In nite stayed home and popped corn. Fun!!!!!
November 10. In afternoon I slept. In evening we went riding. In nite played cards and then Shortie, Norine, George, and I went riding.
November 11. Armistice Day. In morning we saw parade and went riding. In afternoon my honey, Georgie, and I went to show The Road to Glory. Swell. This is probably the last show we’ll see together for some time. I sure hate to see him go. [Notes in shorthand] tonight?? We took a walk and then played cards. We won the tournament. Ha! Last time we’ll tell one another goodbye for a long time. We kissed each other on the steps as usual. That night we both broke down. We just can’t say goodbye. We both love one another. Went to bed about 1 A.M. I guess this is the last time George will help me write him into my diary for a long time. He hates to leave, but we guess it’s for the best.
George leaves 12 November 1936 until June 1937
November 12. George and I got up early on account of his leaving. Went up and told Jimmie, Shortie, and Mrs. Holmes goodbye. When he told Norine goodbye, he cried like a baby. I felt so sorry for him. I started in then too. He said he hated to leave me and our crowd. He kissed Mother goodbye and told Dad goodbye. (I wrote George a letter in nite.) His eyes just filled up. I couldn’t take it. I took him up to the bus depot. He kissed me several times. I cried and so did he but we managed to smile goodbye to one another. I came home and cried and cried. I miss him so much. In afternoon Mother and I went uptown. Took a ride. In evening I wrote my darling a letter. Then went with Dad and mailed our letters.
November 13. I got a letter from George, card from Charlie. We went to Springfield to take Norine over. I drove. In afternoon we fooled around in the stores. In nite I wrote him a letter and Mother and I went up to mail it in the car. Missed George so much.
November 14. I got another letter. Was I troubled? I worked in afternoon. Mother met me. Then we took a ride and went after Jimmie. Missed George not meeting me.
November 15. Went to Church. Missed George. I wrote him a letter. In afternoon Gloria and Marg. came up. Went to Hamilton’s. In nite went to Springfield after Norine with Jimmie, Shortie, Mother, and Mildred. Missed George an awful lot tonight.
November 16. Mother and I went riding in afternoon. In evening I went up to Merrigan’s with Norine and Weezie. Had the car. Took V. Smith, and M.E. Spaulding home.
November 17. I got a letter from my sweetheart. Mother and I walked uptown. In evening I wrote my “Georgie” a letter. Mother and I went up and mailed it. Took a little walk and came home. I always miss George every place I go.
November 18. In afternoon Mother and I took a ride. In evening we went to Carrollton with Jimmie. Ran into a surprise party at Eustacia’s. Fun. As usual, miss George.
November 19. I got a nice letter from George. In afternoon Mother and I wrote George a letter. Norine and I went up and mailed Jim’s and George’s letters. Went to Merrigan’s. We both missed our honeys. Jack Shumny called us the two “widows.”
November 20. Mother, Dad, and I went to Springfield. I drove. I got a darling new sweater. Mother did a little Xmas shopping. Went to Sugar Barrel. Got home about 5:30. In nite Norine and I wore our little sweaters and went up to Merrigan’s with Dot. I had the car. Norine was with Shorty. Did I miss George?
November 21. Got the most gorgeous special letter from Eustacia. Gee, it made me feel swell. In afternoon I worked. Mother met me. We went up after Jimmie. Came home, went to bed. Guess I’ll always miss ole “Georgie.”
November 22. Went to Church and Communion. Missed George. In afternoon Mother and I went to see Dimples, with Shirley Temple. Got his picture. It was darling. Made me cry. Missed George at show. In evening wrote George a letter.
November 23. In afternoon Mother took me to the doctor with my toe. He said I’d have to go to the hospital. I was scared stiff. Took a ride. Wish George was here to go with me.
November 24. Went to the hospital at 8. Made me go to bed and put an operating gown on me. I took a hypo. I was on the table over a half hour. The gas made me sick. In afternoon Margaret came to see me. In nite Shorty and Johnnie came down. I got a letter from George. Sure miss him.
November 25. Stayed in bed practically all day. I was sick. Mother wrote to George. I sure miss him. Gloria called up.
November 26. Thanksgiving. Thought I’d get a letter from George but didn’t. Jim was up for dinner and Mildred was up for supper. I was blue all day. Missed George.
November 27. I got a darling letter from George. He wrote to know what I want for Xmas. Mildred took Mother and I for a ride in afternoon. Went and got a Coke. Wrote George a letter. Miss George terribly since my foot is sore.
November 28. Couldn’t work. Sure seemed funny. Stayed home all afternoon. In evening we went with Daddy. Went up to get Jimmie. Got a swell special letter from George. Wrote to him. Miss him more than ever since I was operated on.
November 29. Couldn’t go to Church. Jean, Gloria, and Margaret came in. Stayed all afternoon. We took a ride after they left. Played cards in evening. Wrote George a letter. Missed George.
November 30. Mother and I went up to the doctor’s. They dressed my foot. Then Mother and I came back uptown. I drove first time since I was operated on. Picked out George’s robe. It’s darling. Expected a letter. Miss him so much.
December 1. Washed my hair. Expected a letter again today. Boy, he’ll wait till I write to him!! He must care a lot! He’d bad. I miss him. Why doesn’t he write?
December 2. Mother and I took a ride in afternoon. When I came home there was a darling special from George. He asked me if I wanted a ring with a watch for Xmas. In evening Shorty, Norine, and I went up to mail my letter I wrote to George. Went to Merrigan’s. Missed George.
December 3. Mom and I went to the Doctor’s. He took the stitches out of my foot. Did I yell? Auntie and Angela came down. Stayed till 12. Had fun!!
December 4. Dorothy came in. Brought little Barbara Ann. I played with her. In evening I went down to Merrigan’s with Norine and Beulah. Rode home with Jimmie. Had fun. Miss my little George. I always do and always will, I guess.
December 5. Wrote George a letter in afternoon. In morning got a lovely special letter from him. He’s so sweet. In evening Mother and I went with Daddy. Cold and raining. Missed George.
December 6. I cooked dinner. Made some pumpkin pies. They all liked them. Mom is sick. Jean, Rosalind, and I went to show, Love on the Run. Grand. Missed George so much because we always went. I wrote George a letter in nite and got a cute special from him asking me why I didn’t write and I always do. Gee, I hope it didn’t get lost.
December 7. Mother and I went up to the Doctor’s. In morning I wrote George a letter. Weezie came over and we played cards. Missed George as usual.
December 8. Went to Church. In afternoon Mother and I went uptown. Aunt Mag and Cecilia and Joe came up for supper. Wrote George a letter in morning. In evening stayed home. Got a darling special-delivery letter from George.
December 9. Roths came up. Stayed all afternoon. In afternoon wrote George a letter. In evening stayed home. Missed George.
December 10. Wrote George a letter in morning. In afternoon Mother and I went to a party at Maurer’s. Got a letter from George. In evening stayed home. Missed George. Got my shoe on for the first time since I was operated on.
December 11. Went uptown in afternoon Mother and I. Got a letter from George. In evening Jean came in. We and Joe went walking. Went to Hamilton’s.
December 12. I went to work at 12. First time since my foot was operated on. Got a lovely special from George. Mother and Norine met me. Went to Hamilton’s and Black Cat. Missed George meeting me.
December 13. Wrote a letter to George. Marty came up in afternoon. Went down to Merrigan’s. In nite Norine and I went riding with George Brainerd.
December 14. Went to work at 12. In morning I got a letter from George. Wrote to him in evening. Norine and I had the car. Went and mailed it. Got M.E. Spaulding. Went to Merrigan’s.
December 15. Got a darling letter from a darling boy. Worked from 12 to 5:00. In evening wrote to George. Norine and I had the car. Went to Merrigan’s. Was with Jimmie and Shorty.
December 16. Did some of my Xmas shopping. Went to work at 12. Wrote Georgie a letter and got a darling one from him. He thinks I’m mad but I’m not. He didn’t even owe me any. He’s so sweet. I can’t wait till I get my watch.
December 17. Stores started staying open till 9 o’clock. I worked from 12 till 9. Mother met me. We went and got a Coke, came home. Wrote to George in morning.
December 18. Wrote a letter to George. Worked from 12 till 9. Mother met me. We went and got a Coke. Came home.
December 19. Worked from 12 to 9. Mother met me. We went and got a Coke. Got cigarettes for George’s robe [to hide as a gift in the pocket].
December 20. Went to Church. Washed my hair. In afternoon I wrapped George’s presents. Joe came up in afternoon. We went to Hamilton’s. In evening wrote to George. Norine and I went to Merrigan’s.
December 21. I had Daddy mail and insure George’s package. I hope he gets it Wed. I wrote him a letter. I get one from him every day. It’s sure swell. I worked from 12 to 9. Mother met me. We got a Coke. Came home.
December 22. Worked from 12 to 9. Mother met me. I got a special from George. He said I should get my watch the same time as I get the letter, but I didn’t. I was so excited. Mother and I got a Coke. Came home. I couldn’t sleep I was so excited.
December 23. Wrote George a letter. Worked from 12 to 9. Gee, I thought I’d get my watch, but I didn’t. I was so disappointed. In evening Mother met me. We went and got a Coke. Came home. I couldn’t sleep.
December 24. Christmas eve. I wrote George a letter, mad too, and got one, but still my watch didn’t come. I guess it’s lost. When I came home from work to supper, it was here. I couldn’t wait to get it open. It’s simply darling. George is so sweet. He had the cutest card with it.
December 25. Christmas. Gee, I got lots of lovely things. Everything I wanted, but Georgie. I missed him so much. Everybody loves my watch. I got a blue satin negligee, blue pajamas, blue town sweaters, blue powder jar, and boudoir brush. Darling!
December 26. Fooled around in morning. In afternoon Mother and I went uptown. I got a new pair of sno-boots. Darling. I got a letter from George. I wrote him one. In evening Gloria had a potluck supper. Played bingo. Had a keen time. Everyone loves my watch.
December 27. Went to Church. In afternoon we went to a coffee at Margaret’s, in honor of Gloria [who’s off to the convent to become a nun]. We all gave her a goodbye gift. She cried. Came home, we all went down to Lillian’s. Had fun! Went to Hamilton’s.
December 28. I got a letter from my honey. Went to Angela’s in afternoon. In evening Norine, Weezie, and I went down to Merrigan’s. I wrote George a letter. We mailed it.
December 29. In afternoon I went up to see Angela. Slept awhile. In evening Jean, Gloria, and I went to Majestic and saw The General Died at Dawn and Ticket to Paradise. Swell. Missed Georgie. Went to Hamilton’s afterwards. 2 A.M.
December 30. Had the car in afternoon. Aunt Mag and Joe came up. Aunt Mag has to go to the hospital again. In evening, Jean and I went walking out to Gloria’s and to Merrigan’s. Had lots of fun. Real cold.
Aunt Mag Day Stelbrink dies 100 days later on April 12, 1938, the very day George returns from Minnesota to propose marriage.
December 31. Aunt Mag was operated on. Joe, Cecilia, and Uncle Cap [Stelbrink] were here for dinner. John and I went to the b.b. game in Roodhouse v. Routt. Took Jimmie and Mildred to Carrollton. Sure missed George. I was with him a year ago tonite.
End note written inside back cover
“End of 1936, the most wonderful year, I believe, I ever spent. George and I went together the whole year. Wonderful times. And I got my wrist watch from George this year (Xmas).”