1934 DIARY

by

Minnie Gladwyn Conklin

F O R E W O R D

(Witten by Granddaughter - transcriber/website host)

Once again it has been a privilege to transcribe, electronically, another diary written by my grandmother, Mrs. Minnie Gladwyn Conklin. The diary, prefaced by the diarist’s words, “a simple record of commonplace events,” was written during the year, 1934.

Mrs. Conklin, the daughter of William R. and Priscilla Wallace Gladwyn, was born November 27, 1867 at Sackets Harbor, N. Y. On June 2, 1897, she married Herbert D. Conklin, the son of Theodore and Laurentine Wallace Conklin, of the Town of Hounsfield in Jefferson County, N. Y. Yes, Priscilla and Laurentine Wallace were sisters. Minnie and Herbert lived on the Conklin farm, established in 1836, located on what is now called Evans Road in the Town of Hounsfield near Brownville, New York.

In 1934, the Conklin homestead housed two families -- Minnie and Herbert lived in the northeast side of the double home and their adopted son, William, and family, lived in the southwest portion. The every-name index appearing with the hardcopy typescript does not include the family members’ names -- however, I shall list them here:

Grandmother Conklin lived another twenty years after penning this 1934 diary. She passed on during the first week of June in 1954, the anniversary week of so many important events in her life. Throughout the next twenty years, she contributed immensely to her family and her church, leaving behind many treasured diaries and poems.

......A SIMPLE RECORD OF COMMONPLACE EVENTS

December 29, 1933 25 degrees below. Mrs. C. K. Parker passed away Dec. 28th. A noble woman. Bert attended funeral. I did not go on account of the cold. Rev. B. G. Miller preached from Tim. 1:12. Rev. C. M. Smith offered prayer. For Christmas we were invited to Anna’s (step-mother, Anna Getman Walts Gladwyn) and also to Rosamond’s (niece, Mrs. Carl Hynes for dinner Dec. 24. William & family (son) went to Grandma’s (Mrs. Gladwyn) and were with us for dinner Dec. 25th. Also Bert Gilmore (next-door neighbor). Will reserve our invitations until better weather. New Years Eve finds us all in good health. Hitherto - henceforth.

January 1, 1934 Rain followed by snow. Dinner at William’s. Sparerib(s), dressing, pumpkin pie, etc. A quiet, fine day.

Clipping followed:

Funeral Saturday for
Mrs. Charles K. Parker

December 30, 1933 -- Funeral services for Mrs. Alice Gilmore Parker, 78, wife of Charles K. Parker, who died about noon Thursday at the family home at Brownville, will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 at the home. Rev. B. G. Miller, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church of Brownville, and Rev., C. M. Smith, retired Methodist Episcopal minister, will officiate. Burial will be made at Brownville.

Mrs. Parker had been ill for about a week and for about four days had been suffering from pneumonia.

She was born at Fairlee, Vt., Nov. 13, 1855, a daughter of the late Frank and Martha Gilmore. She had lived at Brownville the greater part of her life, moving there from Vermont when she was a child. She was married to Charles K. Parker in Watertown 52 years ago.

Mrs. Parker was a member of the Brownville Methodist Episcopal church.

Surviving are her husband; a daughter, Miss Martha Parker, Brownville; two sons, Ralph E. Parker, Washington, D. C.; Fred C. Parker, Brownville; three grandchildren.

Parker Rites Held

Brownville, Jan. 3 -- The funeral of Mrs. C. K. Parker was held on Friday afternoon at 2 and burial was made in Brownville cemetery.

The bearers were Roy Congdon, James Lingenfelter, Joseph Pepper, John Mosher, Washington, D. C. arrived here two days before his mother’s death. He left Sunday morning for home. Mrs. Frank Gilmore and son, Frank, of Geneva, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Parker and family and Miss Mattie Parker of Cape Vincent were among the relatives who attended the funeral.

The deceased was a charter member of the Woman’s Foreign Missionary society of Brownville M. E. Church which was organized 53 years ago. She was a lifelong intimate friend of Dr. May Carlton, for many years a medical missionary in China.

Newspaper clipping below the day’s entry.

MOTHER FOUND DEAD BY CHILD
Stricken With Heart Disease At Her Home

Mrs. Lizzie W. Parker, 46, wife of Fred C. Parker, was found dead on a bed about 8:30 a.m. Friday at the Charles K. Parker homestead near Brownville, Town of Hounsfield. Death was due to heart disease.

Mrs. Parker had been in poor health for about three months. She suffered a severe heart attack the latter part of November. Recently, however, she had been able to be about the Parker home. Friday morning she was in her usual health and after breakfast went upstairs to do some housework. Shortly after- ward her daughter, Helen, 7-1/2, went upstairs to get her mother’s permission to go out-of-doors. She then found her dead.

Dr. Clarence Fowler of Dexter was summoned and pronounced death due to heart disease. Mrs. Parker had been dead only a few minutes when her daughter found her.

Mrs. Parker was born at St. Lawrence, Nov. 29, 1887, a daughter of the late Watson E. and Amelia Weithey Walrath. She was a graduate of the Brownville- Glen Park High school. She had lived for 18 years near Brownville, town of Hounsfield, and formerly lived in the village of Brownville.

She was married to Fred C. Parker, July 14, 1910, at St. Lawrence by Rev. Mr. Rathburn. She was a member of the Brownville Methodist Episcopal church and the Brownville Study club.

Mrs. Parker was a daughter-in-law of Mrs. Alice Gilmore Parker, 79, wife of Charles K. Parker, who died at the Parker homestead Dec. 28th, last.

Surviving her are her husband and daughter, Helen.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at the Parker homestead. Rev. B. G. Miller, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church of Brownville and Rev. C. M. Smith of Brownville, retired Methodist Episcopal clergyman, will officiate. Burial will be made in the Brownville cemetery.

January 7, 1934  Went to church and S. S. -- Bert, Elaine, Leonard, and myself. A universal feeling of sadness over the sad events in the Parker Home. Text: I am the Almighty God: Walk before me and be thou perfect. Missionary Day in S. S. First program prepared by Nellie Ford, as missionary superintendent. Bert Gilmore here for supper. Mild.

January 9, 1934 Received word that Michel is very sick. Jennie sick, too. (Michel was Michel Thomas, the husband of the deceased Adelaide Hamblin, the diarist’s cousin. Michel was from France and was a very good friend of the family. Jennie was his second wife.)

Clipping follows:

Lowville, Jan. 10 -- The death of Michael Thomas, 81, a retired farmer of Hamblin Corners, occurred on Tuesday night at his home. Death was attributed to a complication of diseases.

He was born in France, Feb. 20, 1852, and had been a resident of Lewis county and of the town of Lowville for many years. He was twice married. His first wife being Addie Hamblin. After her death, he married Jennie Savell who survives him.

Funeral services will be held from his home Friday afternoon at 2 with Rev. James K. Keeling of Watertown officiating.

January 12, 1934 The children and myself stayed with Grandma Gladwyn this P. M. and Bert, Wm., Doris and Bessie attended Michel’s funeral. Text, Psalm 46.1. Remains placed in vault. Jennie sick and has a nurse. Weather cloudy as it has been for the past two weeks. No snow, some ice, about 32 degrees. Bert and Nellie Lamphear (Brownville residents and members of the M. E. church) came and spent the evening.

Sunday, January 14, 1934 Wm. took Elaine and Leonard to S. S. Rain yesterday followed by a little snow. About 20 degrees above. William and Doris were over to see Anna and Bessie. (Anna, was diarist’s step-mother; Bessie was Bessie Walts, Anna’s daughter.)

Thursday, January 18, 1934 Sunny and cold. Have read The Bride of Mission San Jose and (am) giving it to Bessie for her birthday. Wrote to Jennie. Finished some knitting for Bert and started cheese work balances. (cheese work balances were a part of the tasks in the bookkeeping job at which the diarist worked since 1914 - in her home) Made crochet sample for Nellie L. and also same for myself. Help Elaine (diarist’s oldest granddaughter) evenings with music. Transposed song for Lawrence LaPoint -- Home on the Range -- for E-flat saxaphone.

Friday, January 19, 1934 Missionary meeting at Mrs. Miller’s but did not go. Cold and windy. Letter or card, rather, from Mrs. Dunway saying Jennie is gaining slowly. Bought pansy and garden seeds from Anna Holder. (Anna Holder lived on the next-door farm.) She gets a violin for herself and brother as a prize. Bessie here in evening.

Saturday, January 20, 1934 Weather still around zero. Bert not well. Wm. & Doris went to Watertown. Sent for 2nd grade music book for Elaine.

Sunday, January 21, 1934 Another zero morning -- Keen wind. Could not go to church.

Tuesday, January 23, 1934 Mild, windy. Rain this A. M. William busheling up oats for E. Parker. Marion Farrington here last evening about Ladies’ Aid work.

Thursday, January 25, 1934 A. M. rainy. P. M. Wm. and Doris went to W (Watertown) for auto license (Back in those days, all vehicle licenses were renewed before February 1st) and to Dexter to see Dr. Fowler. Took sample of urine for Bert for analysis. Evening, William took Bert to see Dr. Fowler. Serious trouble.

Friday, January 26, 1934 Zero morning. Paid taxes $89.69. No snow.

Sunday, January 28, 1934 Rainy. At home. Wrote cards to Jennie, Rosamond (diarist’s niece) and Mrs. B. G. Miller (a pastor’s wife). Looked up a book of choice, sacred solos and played some of them. Bert is feeling better. A nice, quiet day.

Monday, January 29, 1934 Zero and keen wind. Elaine did not go to school. Started couch pillow for W. F. M. S. sale at the summer picnic. Helped Elaine make valentines. Bert not as well this afternoon.

Tuesday, January 30, 1934 Still cold. Four Sisters of Mercy and driver drowned as car plunges into canal at Black River. Mrs. Roosevelt says White House to serve wines but no distilled liquors. Anna’s birthday.

Wednesday, January 31, 1934 Wm. & Richard (probably Richard Buckminster, the nephew of Doris) finished cleaning up 500 bu. of grain for Earl Parker. Received (no amount written in).

Sunday, February 4, 1934 William’s 31st birthday. The family and Bert Gilmore here for a chicken dinner. Bessie here in evening. Anna has a cold. Husband apparently is better (is she referring to her own husband?). Enough snow to cover the ground.

Tuesday, February 6, 1934 Carl and Rosamond came last evening and we were glad. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd took their 5-year old boy to the hospital yesterday. He has spinal meningitis. (The Lloyds were neighbors who lived on a farm about a half mile up the crossroad between the Conklin and Hamburg Farms - southwest of the Conklin farm - the stone house and buildings on this farm were soon abandoned and at the present day are visible only as ruins. The home was never visible from the road.) Elaine received an average of 94 in her recent test. 20 degrees below zero this morning. The neighbors are having colds. Anna Holder has measles. Nice letter from Jennie and Ella G. (Jennie was Jennie Thomas and Ella G., was probably Ella Giles)

Saturday, February 10, 1934 This was dear father’s birthday. Bessie here a few minutes this evening. Elaine has been in bed since Tuesday night with measles. Dr. Hoyt at William’s for dinner Friday and played checkers (with William - a favorite pastime between these two for many years). The Lloyd child is in a plaster cast for T. B. A very cold week.

Sunday, Februry 11, 1934 At William’s for chicken dinner. Wrote letters & read. Bert has been to Dr. Fowler again and is much improved.

February 16, 1934 The World Day of Prayer. Missionary meeting, Mrs. Eigabroadt. Nice letter from Mabel (a friend, Mabel Fulton) and program of Union lenten midweek service. Letter from Mrs. Davis (cannot identify) with lenten booklet -- Fellowship of Prayer. Elaine is better. We are cutting out pieces for each of us a quilt.

Sunday, February 18, 1934 Fine day. Roland has measles. Leonard about sick. Tomorrow is Ida Randall’s 66th birthday. Wrote to her, Ethel Williamson & Mrs. Giddings in all.

Friday, February 23, 1934 The boys have been quite sick with measles but are better. Elaine goes to school. Letter from Anna. Many people are having trouble with frozen water pipes. Bert & Wm. still have to thaw our pumps every morning to water the stock. New York City and the east has had the worst snow and windstorms since 1888. King Albert I of Belgium dead.

Sunday, February 25, 1934 Clear and cold. Elaine says to write “this is the first morning we have eaten breakfast without a lamp.” Wrote to Minnie G. (Minnie Gladwin, a friend and a very distant cousin)

Thursday, March 1, 1934 Clear 5 degrees above -- 8 A.M. Storm that did damage in the midwest reached us Sunday night. Roads heavy. Mr. Allison (name may have been Ernest - he lived in the Dexter-Hounsfield area - had a daughter, Mary Jane) hurt with engine last eve. Boys are taking turns eating with us again. Fine letter from Rosamond Sharpstein (cannot identify).

Sunday, March 4, 1934 Have had a rain and thaw. Went to church. Bert, Elaine, and I. Sermon by Mr. Miller. Subject -- The value of the soul. Carl & Rosamond here. Sent a can of pears to Mrs. Smith who is still in bed. Sent clippings of Dexter news to E (?) and Harry Yerdon, Seattle.

Tuesday, March 13, 1934 Rosamond’s 32nd birthday. Carl & Rosamond, Jean and Hazel Hynes came for 6 o’clock dinner. Fine day.

Thursday, March 15, 1934 Bert & Nellie Lamphear here for 5 P. M. dinner.

Saturday, March 17, 1934 Ethel Sheldon and Virginia Scott here for dinner, the latter as a guest of Elaine.

Sunday, March 18, 1934 At home. (“at home” appears in several subsequent diaries - this apparently means that the diarist did not attend church that Sunday)

Sunday, March 25, 1934 The past few days have been cold. Tied my comfortable. (comfortable was apparently used for, “comforter”) Bessie here yesterday. L. A. (Ladies Aid) division supper at Melissa Farrington’s next Thursday P. M. Leon came to board with us tonight. Have written letters this P. M. to Hester Gilmore (wife of James Gilmore -- the couple lived near Mobile, AL for the winters), Mrs. Ross (probably from Brownville - she had a daughter Grace, who married Roy Congdon), and card to Frank F., who is in the hospital. (Frank was the diarist’s schoolmate and I think there was a romance between the two -- cannot prove it because the diarist’s 1884 diary is in Pittman shorthand - a method not read nowadays; however, in this diary of 50 years later, the diarist makes many referrals to the 1884 diary - watch the clues about this romance unfold as you read through this diary) W. F. M. S. anniversary meeting at our church this eve (60th). Rev. C. M. Smith gives the address Tuesday, 27th. Warmer, rain & snow. Made mattress cover for my bed. Bert G here & played checkers.

Wednesday, March 28, 1934 Fine day. Letter and program from Mabel F about last Sunday evening service.

Sunday, April 1, 1934 Easter. 1900th anniversary of the resurrection of our Saviour. Heavy rain last night. Cloudy and mild today. At home. Finished lenten daily readings. Wrote letter of thanks to Mrs. Davis.

Clipping followed:

Mrs. Ida M. Reeve Smith, 78, wife of Rev. Charles M. Smith, retired minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, died at 3:30 Sunday afternoon at her home at Brownville after an illness of several years. She had been confined to her home for the last eleven weeks.

Mrs. Smith was born at Willow Grove, Trenton, N. Y., March 8, 1856, a daughter of the late James and Esther Sherman Reeve. Her early life was spent n the Town of Newport, Herkimer county. Her father, a farmer, owned a large farm on Newport Hill.

Later, the family moved to a farm in Trenton, which the family afterward sold to the Methodist Episcopal church because it was desirable for the camp meeting grounds, containing a great grove of trees. It is known as Trenton Assembly Park and for many years camp meetings have been held there.

The family then purchased a farm on the outskirts of Trenton, later moving to that village.

Mrs. Smith attended the public schools and Whitestown seminary. She became a talented musician under the instruction of private tutors. As a young girl she became a member of the Baptist church in Poland, but while a resident of Trenton, she was active in the Methodist Episcopal church, serving as organist and as Sunday school teacher.

On April 18, 1889, she was married to Rev. Charles M. Smith of the Northern New York Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, at her home in Trenton. The conference had just been held and Rev. Mr. Smith was appointed to the Antwerp charge. They remained there for five years.

They then moved to Black River, where Rev. Mr. Smith served as pastor and where his wife was active in church affairs. She played an important part in the activities of the Sunday school there and was also superintendent of the large primary class for more than four years.

Mrs. Smith was active in church affairs of the various charges that her husband served. She organized a Woman’s Home Missionary society at three of the charges, St. Regis Falls, East Hamilton, and Brownville, and was resident of one of the Women’s societies in several fields. She was corresponding secretary of the Herkimer District, Woman’s Foreign Missionary society, while her husband was pastor of the Mohawk church.

Rev. Mr. Smith served for seven years as pastor of the Turin church and three years at the Great Bend church. At the time of the World war, Mrs. Smith knitted more than 100 pairs of stockings for soldiers while she was living in the Philadelphia parsonage and supplied with testaments, the young men in the church who went to war.

Surviving her are her husband, son, Merwin R. Smith, and a grandson, Merwin G. Smith.

Another clipping regarding Mrs. Smith followed:

SMITH RITES HELD

Brownville, April 6 -- There was a large attendance at the funeral of Mrs. C. M. Smith on Wednesday forenoon at the Methodist church. Fourteen ministers were present. Prayer was made by Rev. B. G. Miller, sermon by Supt. E. C. Love, and passages of Scripture were read by Rev. W. D. Aubrey and Rev. F. A. Miller. The bearers were J. W. Bigwood, J. H. Lingenfelter, Morse Hart, Marcus Harrington, E. C. Hall and C. F. Dano.

Among those from out of town to attend the funeral were: Rev. and Mrs. W. D. Aubrey, of Antwerp, Rev. and Mrs. F. A. Miller, Rev. Mr. Love, Rev. E. O. Spaven of Watertown, Rev. and Mrs. C. B. Wallace of Adams, Rev. and Mrs. Allan Moore of Cape Vincent, Rev. F. M. Churchill of Martinsburg, Rev. F. J. Brown of Copenhagen, Rev. E. E. Cheeseman of Philadelphia, Rev. Albert Abbott of Dexter, Rev. C. E. Hastings, Theresa. Rev. A. L. Potter, George and Edward Pohl of Black River, Rev. A. Scott, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Zapf, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Dodge, Mrs. Ralph Gates, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Soults, Mrs. Floyd Miller, Mrs. Clark Jonas, Mr. and Mrs. E. Kohler, Gladys Kohler and Mrs. William Pennock of Great Bend.

Wednesday, April 4, 1934 Bert and I attended Mrs. Smith’s funeral. A very impressive service for a fine woman. Leon went away Monday to look for work.

Thursday, April 5, 1934 A youth who gave his name as Roy Edwards came to William’s hungry -- stayed all night. Nice letter from Laura Pope telling us that Frank F’s (diarist’s schoolmate, Frank Fitzgerald) condition is quite serious. (Laura Pope was a niece of Frank Fitzgerald.) Easter vacation this week and Elaine and I are tying her quilt.

Sunday, April 8, 1934 A fine day. Bert and the children went to church. I took a little cold at the funeral.

April 10, 1934 Bert’s 65th birthday. Chicken supper at William’s. Rev. C. M. Smith with us. Rosamond and the children here a little while.

April 12, 1934 Rain turned to snow during the night and the ground is white today. Fred Wood passed away yesterday and Mrs. Arthur Calkins today. Bessie here.

April 13, 1934 Wm. finished work on car for Mr. Holder. Received $14.00. (Apparently, all income among the adult family members was recorded. This, I believe, was because Herbert, Minnie, William and Doris were partners in the farm operation. During the depression years, I think this caused considerable resentment because Wm. & Doris were raising their family and as I understand it, the deal was lopsided.)

April 15, 1934 The 69th anniversary of the death of Abraham Lincoln. Wm. Eigabroadt -- 93 today. William and family went to (blank) for a picnic dinner. Nice day but ground damp. Carl, Rosamond and the children here.

Sunday, April 17, 1934 Heavy rain yesterday P. M. Fine today.

Wednesday, April 18, 1934 Wm. went to the Creek (Muscalonge Creek -- about a mile and a half away toward Dexter on what was called the Bagg’s Corners Road) fishing last eve. Doris baked suckers (fish from the Creek - catching fish at this Creek and cooking them was a favorite springtime ritual for all the people in the neighborhood) for all of us today. Rev. & Mrs. Miller here this P. M.

Thursday, April 19, 1934 Rainy, cleared away at night -- Doris and Bert are housecleaning upstairs. Elaine slept in a room by herself last night for the first time and she is pleased.

Friday, April 20, 1934 Missionary meeting at Anna’s. Bessie here in evening.

Monday, April 23, 1934 A. M. Letter from Laura Pope. P. M., went to hospital to see Frank. William & family here for supper in honor of Rolla’s 4th birthday.

Tuesday, April 24, 1934 Figured first sale of cheese for this season. Rainy. Wm. & Mr. Holder went to Chaumont fishing last eve. Doris & Bert kalsomining her bedroom and ours.

Friday, April 27, 1934 Cleaning house this week. Weather cool, evening, and a considerable rain. William keeps us supplied with fish. Elaine went to a birthday party yesterday 4 P. M. for Arlene Skinner. (from Brownville, I think)

Saturday, April 28, 1934 Read John 16:24, Mark 11:24, Phil. 4:6-9 with new meaning.

Sunday, April 29, 1934 Bert, Elaine and I went to church and S. S. The boys have colds. The Lloyd’s youngest child is very sick. Cool. Rev. Miller’s subject today was “Sell your garment and buy a sword.”

Tuesday, May 2, 1934 Weather fine. Mr. & Mrs. O. M. Cleveland celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary yesterday. Alvin (Alvin Hasner, Doris’ brother) made a doorway between clothespress & kitchen for Doris. (Doris and Wm. lived in the west part of the Conklin homestead. The clothespress area would become the bathroom, with running water at last, in 1956.) Wm. went to Oswego with George Hasner after Alice, (George and Alice were Alvin’s son and daughter) who is attending Oswego Normal.

Thursday, May 3, 1934 Figured a sale of cheese. N. N. Y. Conference (Northern New York Conference - the regional organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church) opened today at Little Falls. Bert & Wm. went to W -- Brought home a refrigerator. (more at an icebox - the home was not equipped with electricity and wouldn’t be until 1944 or 1945.) Wm. is trustee for our school district. (In 1934 the Town of Hounsfield had many school districts, each with its own operating school program. The area spoken about here was Musacalonge -- as of October, 1998, the structure is still standing, but barely. The Conklin children, however, did not attend school at this schoolhouse.)

Sunday, May 6, 1934 Weather fine. Grandma Gladwyn here Friday eve. Wm. has had twelve applications for the school -- one of them Pearl Congdon. (for teacher) Hasn’t hired because the district is considering making it a contract school. (This probably meant that they were considering sending the district’s children to Dexter, which they did do.) He has been to see B. W. Alverson and school superintendent, Mr. Ceigler. Wm. favors it for our children. Elaine & Leonard went to the upper woods after May flowers, A. M. (this was another annual ritual on the homestead) Mr. & Mrs. Evans & Bert (both neighbors) were here in evening. Fred Utter (cannot identify) died from auto accident.

Thursday, May 10, 1934 The anniversary of my dear mother’s birth. Weather cool this week, warmer today. All went to W this A. M. Bought a new blue spring hat. Nice letter from Minnie Gladwin.

Friday, May 11, 1934 A 35 degree drop in temperature overnight. Doris and Elaine surprised me by hanging a fine Mother’s Day motto in my room. Bessie brought a bouquet of tulips, jonquils and narcissus and hyacinths.

May 13, 1934 Bert, Elaine, Leonard and I attended Mother’s Day service and S. S. Weather cool. James Brennan has been in the hospital the past week with bladder trouble. They have had severe sandstorms and drought in the middle west covering a large territory. (probably a reference to the Dust Bowl) Glad that Rev. & Mrs. B. G. Miller are returned to us another year. The Ladies’ Aid will have the Parsonage painted inside and repapered this coming week. There was a reception at Dexter for Rev. Albert Abbott, returned. Received a fine letter from Hester Gilmore and read it to Bert G. this evening. They have early vegetables and berries in Alabama. Have set out peach, apple, fig, orange and pecan trees. Michel Thomas was buried May 10th at West Lowville beside cousin Addie Hamblin, his first wife -- near Grandpa & Grandma (the graves are not that close - the Gladwyn graves are in the front part of the cemetery and the Thomas graves are more to the center right).

May 15, 1934 Weather continues cold. Changed our milk from Hygienic to cheese factory this morning. Figured a sale of cheese today. Evening all attended special school district meeting at schoolhouse where it was voted to send pupils by bus to Dexter school. So our grandchildren will go to the school that I attended.

Friday, May 18, 1934 Attended W. F. M. S. meeting at Nettie Brown’s. (Nettie was the sister of James Lingenfelter, whose name you will see often throughout this diary.) Called at Mabel Fulton’s before and after the meeting. Bessie here in the evening. Leonard went to the meeting with me. 9 present. Made Pearl Congdon a member. Bert and William are working at the Parker farm this week.

Sunday, May 20, 1934 A thunderstorm about churchtime kept us at home. Max Walker (cannot identify) who is at the hospital suffering from a self-inflicted wound is improving.

Tuesday, May 22, 1934 Wm. is having callers looking after the school bus job. Kilbourne, Vogt, and from Dexter, McRobbie and Mr. Baker. District missionary meeting at Carthage. Expect Nettie B took Mabel Fulton, Nellie Ford and Mrs. Graham..... Rain about noon. Lawyer Kilbourne here -- tuned Wm.’s violin and played for us. Doris accompanying at the piano. One hundred years ago yesterday America’s first iron steamboat was launched at Savannah, Ga. Length 110 ft. -- 36 horsepower.

The diarist’s former teacher died and here’s a short obit:

Miss Mary L. Winn, 83
Passes Away at Dexter
(Special To The Times)

Dexter, May 23 -- Miss Mary L. Winn, 83, died about 11:30 his morning at her home in this village. She had resided here practically all her life.

Funeral services will be held at the home Saturday afternoon at 2. Burial will be made in the Dexter cemetery.

Note: The diarist wrote on the clipping, “My teacher.”

May 23, 1934 Miss Winn was my school teacher at Dexter 54 and 55 years ago.

May 24, 1934 Weather cool. Bert & Wm. finished work at the Parker place today. Fitted the ground and sowed 33 acres. Rec’d (blank) in trade.

Friday, May 25, 1934 Wm. worked with the tractor for C. K. Parker. Figured a sale of cheese. Gave Elaine my check for new shoes for promotion day at school.

Saturday, May 26, 1934 Wilfred & Bessie at Wm.’s today to have car repairs. Leon Kellar here -- doing C. C. C. (Civilian Conservation Corp) work at Sackets Harbor before going to Harrisville.

Sunday, May 27, 1934 Bert, Elaine & I attended church & S. S. The ladies could not go to the missionary meeting at Carthage last week as expected.

Monday, May 28, 1934 Cheese work to day. Milk netted $1.05. (another mysterious Pittman shorthand note)

Tuesday, May 29, 1934 Doris took us to the Brownville & Dexter cemeteries with flowers to decorate the dear ones’ graves. Uncle John, Uncle Andrew, and Albert Rohde (a family friend? -- doesn’t it seem like it should be spelled “Rhode?”) at Brownville and our family plots at Dexter. Also Uncle Frank Conklin and Grandma and Uncle Will Wallace -- also Aunt Mary Ann Gage, who was with my mother at my birth, having walked several miles in Nov. weather to be there for the occasion, if needed.

A clipping followed:

Sackets Harbor, May 29 -- One hundred and twenty-one years ago today one of the most important battles of the War of 1812 was fought at Sackets Harbor. After the war was over the government recognized the importance of Sackets Habor as a military post and established the permanent post of Madison Barracks in 1816. Only monuments and markers are left to remind one of the famous battle which occurred 121 years ago.

Another clipping:

Fire Raged Through
Adirondack Timberland Today

Tupper Lake, May 29 -- Men by thousands were summoned to check its fury. Eight hundred men from four C. C. C. camps were being mobilized to fight the fires while a call for 1,000 volunteers from this village went forth.

Steam was up on a locomotive and a special train was at a siding of the New York & Ottawa railroad waiting to take volunteers to the scene of the worst of fires.

Three serious fires broke out between 10:30 and 12:30 p.m. today.

Wednesday, May 30, 1934 Memorial Day. Wm. & Doris took the children for a fishing trip and Bert and I went along. Had our picnic lunch at Rosamond’s farm at Indian River. No small fish but plenty of mullet. Stopped by Charlie Corps at Perch River. Bert, Wm., and Bert Gilmore have gone back to Indian River tonight with lamp and spears. Canned six pineapples this morning. Bert helped prepare them.

Thursday, May 31, 1934 Men arrived at 12 last night with 7 mullet. Wrote to Rosamond, etc. while they were gone. Doris and the children tired and went to bed. Made out certificate of transfer for transfer of $175.00 worth of cheese factory stock for Mr. and Mrs. Ross Parker. Made cream cookies this morning. Fine weather this last week of May. Bert, Wm. and Leonard planting potatoes. Doris weeding her garden. 81 fighting craft (at) naval parade New York harbor.

Saturday, June 2, 1934 This is the thirty seventh anniversary of our marriage. I did baking, etc. Bert and William went to Watertown in A. M. after corn and millet. In P. M. William fitted land on the flat. Bert sowed corn. Received letter from Laura Pope saying that my friend and schoolmate, Frank Fitzgerald, passed away last night at 10:30 at the hospital. Weather warm and dry. Forest fires still raging near Saranac Lake.

Frank’s obit followed:

Chaumont, June 2 -- Frank John Fitzgerald, 67, life long resident of Pillar Point, died at 10:30 Friday evening at the House of the Good Samaritan, Watertown, where he had been a patient since March 12. He had been in failing health for three years. Death was attributed to heart disease and complications.

Mr. Fitzgerald was born Oct. 10, 1866 on the old John Fitzgerald homestead at Pillar Point and had always resided there. He was a son of the late John and Arabella McMillen Fitzgerald. By occupation he had been a farmer virtually all of his life.

He attended the district school and later was graduated from the Dexter Union school. Mr. Fitzgerald was unmarried.

Surviving him are a sister, Mrs. L. J. Adams of Dexter, a nephew Frank Q. Adams of Pillar Point, and three sisters, Mrs. Laura Pope of Dexter, Mrs. John Laing of Buffalo and Mrs. Clifford Bowman of Pillar Point.

Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Frank Q. Adams home. Rev. J. R. Campbell, pastor of the Dexter Presbyterian church, will officiate. Burial will be made in the family in the Dexter cemetery.

Note: Beside the clipping, the diarist wrote:   “June 1 -- A life long friend”

Another clipping:

(Diarist penned in the date, June 16)

The regular meeting of Dexter grange was held Saturday, June 2, at 1:45 p.m. Two members were suspended for non-payment of dues.

Brother Brayton Adams and Sisters Grace Timmerman and Ruth Lee were appointed as a committee on resolutions for our late Brother Frank Fitzgerald.

The memorial meeting in charge of the chaplain, opened with a solo by Sister Harriette Reeves. Tributes were paid to the following members who have died since May, 1933. Edward Allison, Florence Van Allen, Julia Angell, Charlotte Allen, Alice Parker, Anna Poole, Minne Dwelly, and Frank Fitzgerald. Floral tributes were placed on the altar during the service which followed with appropriate music.

The charter was draped and resolutions read in honor of the late Brother Frank Fitzgerald.

Sunday, June 3, 1934 Fine June day. Attended Frank’s funeral. Doris took us. Went to the cemetery. Very nice service voicing eternal life. I know that my Redeemer liveth. Fine appointments. Saturday, with family. (Pittman shorthand note -- one I believe the diarist truly wanted to be kept private!!!)

Monday, June 4, 1934 Mr. and Mrs. Walker and daughter, Esther, came over with cheese returns. Price: 12-3/4 (cents) Milk nets $1.06 per hundred. Reverend and Mrs. B. G. Miller called in the evening. Warm weather continues. Saturday was 93 degrees. This is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life. 1 John 2:25

Wednesday, June 6, 1934 Severe thunderstorm soon after midnight. Some rain. Midwest has rain and cooler. The boys brought me the first yellow rose and two pink ones Mon. Have new fire for the flowers beside the porch. Doris has set out asters. Have pansies in receptacles in front. Sent by Doris & Wm. for a 2-burner oil stove. C. K. Parker sick with grip. Bert planting corn.

Thursday, June 7, 1934 Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Soper came Tuesday to invite Wm. & Doris to a shore dinner at Guffins Bay for the Cozy Corner Class to be given last evening. They went and had a fine time. 25 present including the teacher, Mrs. Lingenfelter and Jimmie. Hot wave broke yesterday P. M. Temperature dropped 35 degrees or to a low of 49 degrees above. The Adirondacks are again open to the public.

Friday, June 8, 1934 Had dairy tested - 3 reactors. Grandma Gladwyn came in the evening. Brought pieplant and canned it for me.

Sunday, June 10, 1934 Children’s Day. Bert, Elaine & Leonard marched from the village to church with the S. S. led by the village band. Mrs. Miller spoke on “Digging Wells” also sang “The Lost Chord,” taught our S. S. class. Mrs. Brasie was there. Have had fine rain. Wm. & Doris bought 2 cherry and 3 pear trees yesterday -- also spirea, roses, etc. C. K. Parker and James Brennan seriously ill. Rosamond came about 7 P. M. They are spending the summer at Campbell’s Pt.

Tuesday, June 12, 1934 Bert attended a cemetery meeting at Muscalonge. Everything growing after the rain. Figured a sale of cheese. Price 1.31-1/2 and Sheffields (the creamery) 1.39-1/2 for 3.5 (ratio of cream/butterfat in the milk) milk.

Wednesday, June 13, 1934 Rev. C. M. Smith here for dinner with us today. Also Wm. & family except Elaine, who was in school. Had a little fire in the furnace.

What follows is a peek into the diarist life at age 16 - here, the diarist translates from her diary done in Pittman Shorthand.

Thursday, June 14, 1934 Am reading a diary which I kept in shorthand 50 years ago. Was sixteen years old. Attended Dexter school during the winter. Took my first teacher’s examination Friday, April 4th, 1884 under the supervision of School Com. W. H. Everett. Passed 90. Began my first term of school on Pillar Point Monday, April 28. Closed school Aug. 1st and attended Dexter school that winter. First teachers’ institute was at Watertown week of March 18th - 1884. Grandma Wallace passed away Sept. 21, 1884. We received word of her illness Aug. 8th. Her daughters, Aunt Laura (Conklin), Aunt Mary Ann (Gage), Aunt Harriet (Rounds), and Mother (Priscilla Gladwyn) took turns helping a wonderful woman, patient always. Sarah Dorchester was my seat mate and Frank F. my favorite............ (appears to be a deliberate omission here - part of the mystery about using referrals the 1884 Pittman shorthand passages!!). Text, Sept. 5th was Psalms 126 and brings comfort.

Sunday, June 17, 1934 Beautiful day. Bert, Elaine and I went to church -- Grandma Gladwyn went with us. Sermon by pastor B. G. Miller. Subject: Angels. Text, Acts 12.8. Taught S. S. class. Glenn (Herbert’s cousin) & Leonard picked wild strawberries. Doris made shortcake for all of us. Mrs. Hasner spent the day with Doris. Read Psalm 116 and found comfort in it. Choir sang today, “In heavenly love abiding” as an anthem. One of my favorite hymns. A son, Niles Wm., born to Agnes Kitto this A. M. Ralph Parker came to see his father who is a little better, but still seriously ill.

June 17, 1884 -- Thirty-four factories offered over 3,000 boxes of cheese on the Watertown board Saturday. There seemed to be a feeling among the producers as well as the buyers that a hard struggle would have to be made to obtain an offer of over nine cents.

Note: This was probably a clipping which appeared in “50 Years Ago Today” column of a Watertown newspaper. -- perhaps the Watertown Daily Times. The typist has included the item because Mrs. Conklin was the bookkeeper for a cheese factory. It is also interesting to note from old family letters, that the diarist’s parents worked in a Brownville cheese factory prior to their marriage. The Town of Brownville was said to have had 7 cheese factories at one time in its early history.

Monday, June 18, 1934 Cheese work today and tomorrow. Glenn went to Roy’s. (Roy was Roy Conklin, Glenn’s brother - the cousins of Herbert - they were the sons of Frank & Eva Ball Conklin.). Found a pleasant event in my diary for 50 years ago (Pittman shorthand note -- more cryptic references to what I believe was a romance between the diarist and the recently deceased Frank Fitzgerald.) Was at Lowville Spring House near Aunt Lottie’s (Lottie was Charlotte Gladwyn Prame - the only sibling of the diarist’s father, Wm. Gladwyn.) several times in 1886 and on later occasions.

(Penned in 1884) The Lowville Mineral Spring House will be opened for guests on Thursday, June 19.

The event will be celebrated with a concert by the Lowville silver band and an orchestra of six pieces.

Monday, June 19, 1934 Rainy forenoon. Bert & William went to an auction at Pamelia. Alba Hoover ?? Rained last evening also. Wm., Doris, Elaine & Leonard went to Brownville to attend an ice cream social on Kilborne’s lawn (this stone house faced the two paper mills after one crosses the bridge from Paddy Hill to Brownville) for the Cozy Corner Class. Went to J. Lingenfelter’s instead on account of the rain.

June 20, 1934 Word was received at Brownville yesterday of the death of the infant son of Maybelle Gilmore Warnick at their home at (probably Bridgeport, MI).

A clipping about old acquaintances followed:

Mr. & Mrs. Byron E. Corp quietly observed the 50th anniversary of their wedding at their home, 328 Academy street on Monday. Both Mr. and Mrs. Corp are in good health.

The couple was married at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. Washington Hill in the town of Clayton on June 18, 1884. Rev. D. F. Pierce, pastor the the Clayton Methodist Episcopal church at that time, performed the marriage.

Mrs. Corp, before her marriage, was Miss Alice M. Hill. She was born in the town of Clayton, June 20, 1860, a daughter of G. Washington and Mary Boyce Hill. She will be 74 years old Wednesday.

Friday, June 22, 1934 Wm., Doris, Wilfred & Bessie and the Hasner young people and their friends had a weiner roast at Washington Park Wednesday evening. 25 pupils and teacher, Miss Doris Wiley, from the 4th grade Brownville school came for a picnic dinner yesterday. This is Elaine’s grade. Came by truck. Doris (which Doris? Doris Wiley or Doris Conklin? - there is reference to Dr. Fowler being Doris Conklin’s doctor, so it was probably she) strained the ligaments in her ankle when her shoe heal caught on the stairs. Went to see Dr. Fowler. Bessie here in the evening. Also, Bert Gilmore who comes often to exchange magazines and papers.

Saturday, June 23, 1934 Wm. & Doris went to Watertown and the children all ate dinner with us instead of one of them as usual, all stayed here over night also as Wm. & Doris were away in the evening.

Sunday, June 24, 1934 Bert, Elaine and I went to church. Subject -- The voice of God. Text - Hebrews 1:1-2. Sermon by our pastor, Rev. B. G. Miller. Rev. C. M. Smith taught our S. S. class. Review lesson on the closing months in the life of Christ, as told by Matthew. C. K. Parker was dressed and ate dinner with the family -- first time since his illness. Mr. & Mrs. Martin Hasner (Doris’s brother) have a baby girl, born last night. (Transcriptionist has the birthdate as 6/24/1934 - was she born during the early morning hours of the 24th? - her name -- Jean Marilyn Hasner) Mrs. C. F. Dano is in bed from a slight shock. All of our family went to see Carl & Rosamond at the Cottage at Campbell’s Point in the evening.

Monday, June 25, 1934 Cousin Libbie Ball’s birthday -- 60th, I think. Glen returned last night. Bert commenced mowing today. We attended the grade exercises in the evening at the Brownville School auditorium. Elaine had a part.

Thursday, June 28, 1934 Harold Buckminster (Doris’s nephew, son of sister Beryl Hasner Buckminster) graduated last eve. Was valedictorian. Wm. & D attended. Bert, Doris and the boys went to the Parker farm to pick strawberries. Got (blank). The rest have been setting out cabbage and celery plants. Fine day. Three young people from the Watertown High School were drowned Monday near Madison Barracks. Boat overloaded. The victims were Robert Case, 184 Park Ave., Raymond Butterfield, 643 Cooper St. and Cecelia N. Kamalsky, 671 Grant St.

Saturday, June 30, 1934 The month of June is gone. A month of serious thoughts and comparisons with June 50 years ago -- regrets for mistakes -- yet a hope that memories may not cause me to make other mistakes in the present. Glenn is building a cottage below Sackets Harbor for Joe LaPointe. Princess Wales Regiment - 225 men -- officers and band in Watertown today. June 28th was the 20th anniversary of the assassinations of Archduke Franz-Ferdinand of Austria Hungary which started the world war. 15th anniversary of Versailles treaty signing, officially closing the war.

Sunday, July 1, 1934 All went to hear the band from Canada play at Paddock Park. Fine. Went to church. Had a little part in a S. S. missionary program. Mr. & Mrs. Fred Knapp here and stayed for lunch. Our pastor, Rev. B. G. Fuller, preached a patriotic sermon from Deut. 4.7.

Tuesday, July 3, 1934 It is 33 years ago today since my dear mother passed away. Made out cheese checks, netted $1.23. Had green peas from our garden today.

Thursday, July 5, 1934 Wrote a letter of thanks and appreciation to Laura Pope. Madame Currie dies.

Friday, July 6, 1934 Scripture verse for today: If any man serve me, him will my Father honour. John 12-26. Have tried to serve -- though many times with sorry failure and wait to prove the promise. Bert is very busy these days, sowing buckwheat, cultivating corn and potatoes and haying. Grandma Gladwyn came in the evening -- went home early on account of a thunderstorm.

Sunday, July 8, 1934 Bert, Elaine & I went to church and S. S. Sermon by Rev. B. G. Miller. Subject - “Of what use is religion.” Text, Micah. 6.8. Rev. C. M. Smith taught our S. S. class. Grandma Gladwyn brought a bouquet of white lilies in memory of my father who died July 7, 1929. A dear, good father.

Tuesday, July 10, 1934 Fine weather. Bert sowed buckwhat in the forenoon. Drew in hay and Doris helped. Glenn finished LaPointe’s cottage and went to work for Will Congdon today. 50 years ago today I was teaching school on Pillar Point and the weather was fine. 50 years ago last eve, Minnie Woodhead and I (& Frank F) spent at Luna Timmerman’s. Figured cheese at $1.165 per hundred.

Wednesday, July 11, 1934 Everybody busy. Did the washing alone this morning. Canned peas, beets and beet greens. Wrote a letter to Hester Gilmore, Alabama.

Friday, July 13, 1934 Went to Watertown with Wm. & family. Doris bought a new dress. I didn’t seem to find one suitable -- so only got hose for myself -- shirts & overalls for Bert. 50 years ago today I wrote in my diary (in shorthand) “I pray that I may be guided by my Father’s hand.” That is my prayer today. Grandma Gladwyn & Bessie here in the evening.

Saturday, July 14, 1934 Methodist S. S. picnic at Maloney’s beach today. Too busy here to go. Fine weather. 50 years ago, Sat., July 15, had planned to have my school picnic -- rainy day and Sunday, July 16 went to Luther Hill to S. S. Weather cold.

A clipping was inserted here:

Miss Ruth F. Miller and
A. L. Robinson Married

July 14 -- The marriage of Ruth F. Miller, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis C. Miller, 323 West Lynde Street and Arthur L. Robinson of Brownville took place this morning at 10 at the parsonage of the Methodist Episcopal church at Brownville. Rev. Benjamin G. Miller, pastor of the Brownville Methodist Episcopal church officiated.

A wedding breakfast was served at the home of Mrs. Howard Robinson in Brownville, parents of the bridegroom at the close of the ceremony.

Mrs. Robinson has been employed as a clerk at the J. J. Newberry store in this city. Mr. Robinson is an employee of the Brownville Paper Company.

Sunday, July 15, 1934 Bert, Elaine and I went to church. Sermon by B. G. Miller. Subject: What is the measure of life. Text, Luke 2:52. C. M. Smith taught our class. J. W. Bigwood absent. Lesson, God’s care for Elijah and for us. Wm.’s family went to Christopher’s cottage - Point Salubrius this P. M. (The Christophers were family friends -- their son, Ralph, worked for Wm. at one time.) Glenn came in the evening. Had been to Roy’s for the day.

Monday, July 16, 1934 Doris and I canned 8 pints of stringed beans. The men drew hay and Doris drove for them. Doris also did a washing. Bert mowed, etc.

A clipping was placed near the July 16th entry -- the clipping was dated July 17, 1934:

Mrs. Kenneth L. Warren, 67
Expires in Quebec

Funeral service for Mrs. Elizabeth Morgan Warren, 67, wife of Kenneth L. Warren, paper mill executive, who died suddenly at her home in Rebiere du Loupe, Quebec, early Sunday morning, will be held from the home of her niece, Mrs. Ernest E. Adams, Dexter, on Tuesday. Burial will be made in the Dexter cemetery.

Mrs. Warren was born in Dexter on Aug. 30, 1866, a daughter of James A. and Alvina Ferguson Morgan. On July 19, 1899, she was married at Dexter to Kenneth L. Warren, formerly superintendent of the Frontenac Paper mill in that village. Mr. Warren was associated with F. W. Spicer and Louis Lansing in the operation of the mill.

Shortly after the marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Warren moved to Rebiere du Loupe and have since resided there. Mr. Warren is superintendent of a paper mill in that place.

Mrs. Warren was a member of the D. A. R.

Surviving her besides her husband are two nieces, Mrs. Adams of Dexter, and Mrs. Nellie Morgan Fuller of Cambridge, Mass.

The body of Mrs. Warren will arrive in Watertown this evening and will be taken to the Adams home by A. B. Chidester & Son, Dexter, funeral directors.

Friday, July 20, 1934 A busy week -- washing, ironing, cheese work, canning swiss chard and beets. The men busy haying. Doris driving tractor to load the hay.

Saturday, July 21, 1934 Bert, Doris, Elaine, Roland and myself attended the W. F. M. S. picnic at Mabel Fulton’s cottage. Fine weather and fine dinner. Bought two bouquets contributed by Mrs. Hill and we took them to the Dexter cemetery to my parents’ and to Bert’s parents’ graves.

Sunday, July 22, 1934 A quiet day with Bert and the children. Wm., Doris & Mr. & Mrs. Walter Farmer (friends who lived on Pillar Point) took a trip to Lake Placid, 361 miles. 6:30 A.m. to 12. Glenn helped milk and took the milk over. Wrote to Minnie Gladwin, Los Angeles. Looked up references in regard to the future life or the (e)state of the spirit between death and the resurrection.

Wednesday, July 25, 1934 Fine weather. Need a good rain. Have done the usual routine of work. Drop in cheese from 13-1/2 to 10-1/2. Net .80 per hundred. Glenn has been here two days, helps with the haying, etc. Clarence & Ethel Peck (Doris’s cousins) were here Sunday eve while Doris was away.

Two clippings followed -- they pertain to the July 26th entry:

Dexter, July 24 -- A surprise party was given Mrs. Belle Huff Monday evening (23rd) in honor of ther 65th birthday. She was presented with a purse of money and several individual gifts from the 37 neighbors and friends present from Copenhagen, Black River, Watertown and Dexter.

The second clipping was probably from the “50 Years Ago Today” column of the Watertown Daily Times:

July 23, 1884

Wilbur F. Porter left this morning for New York City on business.

Thursday, July 26, 1934 Mrs. Huff’s father was trustee during my second year of teaching on P. P. (Pillar Point) 49 years ago. (ref. clipping above) Wilbur F. Porter offered me a position as stenographer 48 yrs. ago. (ref. clipping above -- Mr. Porter may have been a judge, since the position offered was court stenographer, or so Grandmother used to tell us.) Was physically unable to accept. There was a beautiful sunset tonight. Elaine said it looked like the edge of heaven and a bridge across it and it seemed so to me. Thought of eleven things that concerned (a Pittman shorthand message) for which am thankful to a kind providence.

Friday, July 27, 1934 A little rain last night but need more badly. Green corn for supper. Men haying. Wm. & Doris saw these mountains (ref. clipping below) on their recent trip to Lake Placid. Grandma and Bessie came with Wilfred in the evening. Glenn went to Roy’s at Alexandria B. Commenced a serial story in the Times, The Girl from Glengarry by Ralph Connor.

An undated clipping appeared below the July 27th entry:

Ross W. Barker and Roy D. Bonney of this city returned home Monday from the Adirondacks where they went on a mountain climbing trip near Lake Placid. A group of members of the Adirondack Mountain Climbing club accompanied them. Mr. Barker is a member of the club. They climbed Haystack mountains, which is 4,918 feet high. Skylight mountain, which is 4,920 feet high, and Mount Marcy, which is 5,344 feet high. The local men left here Friday afternoon and started on the climbing trip Saturday morning with overnight equipment.

Another clipping from the “50 Years Ago Today” column of the Watertown newspaper also followed the July 27th entry:

July 27, 1884

Sales of county factory cheese are reported at prices of eight and three- quarter cents and nine cents a pound.

Sunday, July 29, 1934 Jimmie Gilmore and family arrived at B (Brownville) from Alabama last evening. Started Wednesday. Bert Gilmore came up to exchange papers and magazines in the evening. Glenn’s car went wrong near Depauville and he walked in from there last eve. Wm. and family went with him and towed the car in this morning. Afterward, took Bert, Elaine and me to church. Sermon and solo by Rev. B. G. Miller. Solo, Sometime. Sermon, The Gateway to Heaven. Text: The gate of the temple which is called Beautiful -- Acts 3.2. Gateways, vision, wisdom, moral responsibility, the Bible faith. C. K. Parker was at church for the first time since his illness. It fell to me to teach our S. S. class. Jimmie Gilmore and family came in the evening. This was William Conklin’s birthday (brother of Bert).

Monday, July 30, 1934 Mr. Walker (cheesemaker) came over with the milk book. (The milkbook was a book into which each farmer’s delivery of milk to the factory was entered - in pounds.)

Tuesday, July 31, 1934 Bert, Doris, Elaine, Leonard, Rolla and I attended the Dexter S. S. picnic at Bolton’s Beach. Saw quite a number of old friends. After a fine dinner went to Rosamond’s cottage at Campbell’s. Took a fancy pillow to Sally for her birthday. William drew hay. Glenn worked on his car. Rather cool but no rain here. Severe drought in Kansas and other parts of the west. 50 years ago -- the month of July was “rather cool with frequent rains.”

Wednesday, August 1, 1934 Fine weather. Washed and ironed. Two months ago tonight the “Presence” was passing near. “Signalings from some highland.” (The diarist was probably referring to the passing of her old friend, Frank Fitzgerald.) My first term of school on Pillar Point closed 50 years ago today.

Thursday, August 2, 1934 Went to Watertown with Wm., Doris & Elaine. Bought navy blue silk crepe for a new dress.

Friday, August 3, 1934 Wm. and family & Glenn went to Boyleston to pick red raspberries. Virginia Gilmore (youngest daughter (of 4) of James and Hester Mallet Gilmore) was here and spent the afternoon. Bert finished haying.

Saturday, August 4, 1934 Weather cool. The family went to Boyleston again after raspberries. Elaine & Rolla stayed with me. Carl (Diarist’s niece’s husband, Carl Hynes) came a few minutes. Made 15 glasses of jam, canned 3 qts. & 1 pt. Bert Gilmore came to exchange papers.

Sunday, August 5, 1934 Bert, Elaine and I went to church. Sermon by Dr. Leech. Subject - The Incredible Triangle. Text -- Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. I am Jehovah. Lev. 19:18 William & family and Glenn went to LaPointe’s cottage for dinner. Saw Mrs. Minnie Witt, Syracuse, at church.

Tuesday, August 7, 1934 Warm weather again. Cheese sold for 12-1/2 and netted .95. Am making my blue dress. Virginia Gilmore here to spend the day with Elaine. Glenn out to the farm working for Carl. (This farm was probably the Wm. Conklin farm located near Evans Mills overlooking the Indian River. It is possible that the farm was once known as the Allen farm.)

This clipping was placed near the August 7th entry:

Dexter, August 8 -- The Methodist Episcopal church of this village will be re-opened on Sunday with appropriate services. Services of worship will be held at the church each Sunday morning and evening in the future. There will be a meeting of the church school each Sunday at 10 a.m. under the superintendency of Louis Dingman.

A feature of the re-opening service of worship will be the unveiling of a memorial bronze tablet which will be dedicated to the memory of persons who have left bequests to the Dexter Methodist Episcopal church. Names appearing on the tablet are: Mrs. Jacob Bruce, Mrs. John Owens, Mrs. Austin Phelps and Mrs. David Soules.

The special services will begin at 11 a.m. Rev. Earnest C. Love of Watertown, superintendent of the Black River District of the Northern New York Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church will deliver the sermon. Attorney Charles A. Phelps of Watertown and members of the congregation will take part in the unveiling of the tablet.

Rev. Albert Abbott, pastor of the church, will preside at the morning worship and will read a paper which was read at the re-dedication of the church in November, 1900. There will be special musical numbers. The service is open to the public.

The church has been closed since July during which time Lorenzo Wait of Watertown, painter and interior decorator, renovated the inner of the church.

Saturday, August 11, 1934 Wm., Bert and Glenn went out near Depauville to see where the forest fires have been raging. Called at Jay Hartman’s Cooler. (Mr. Hartman was married to the diarist’s cousin, Addie Wallace.)

Sunday, August 12, 1934 Bert, the children and myself attended the services at the Dexter church. The paper read in 1900 was written by my father and seemed to be much appreciated. Several spoke of W. R. Gladwyn being their S. S. teacher. A fine service. Rosamond and family came a little while toward evening.

Monday, August 13, 1934 Glenn left this morning. (Without being rude, the transcriptionist feels the need to explain Glenn’s comings and goings. He, as I was told, was quite mentally unstable -- he would get upset over a matter and leave for places unknown. I think his last mention in this diary finds him in Miami, Florida. Family lore tells us that he left for the last time in 1942, never to be heard from again. Research points to the possibility that he died in 1962 in the State of Nevada, perhaps Reno) Washed (with Bert’s help) & ironed. Cooler but no rain. Wrote a poem yesterday for the Getman family reunion and Doris is typewriting several copies for me to give to members of the Getman family at the reunion Aug. 19th. (The poem was not found among the poems used for “Spoken Kindly,” this transcriptionist’s compilation of the diarist’s poetry.)

Tuesday, August 14, 1934 Had a severe thunderstorm last evening but a nice rain. Glenn returned last evening -- has gone to the farm to work for Carl.

A clipping followed:

Aug. 15 -- Mrs. Fannie Enos Moyer, 81, resident of the village of Dexter for more than a quarter of a century, died at noon today at the residence of her son- in-law and daughter, Rev. & Mrs. Barrie B. Fairchild, Dexter, with whom she had made her home for the past 20 years. She had been in ill health for the past two years.

Mrs. Moyer was born July 5, 1853, at Newport, a daughter of John and Lucy Windsor Enos. Her father and mother were members of Herkimer county families.

James O. Moyer, husband of Mrs. Moyer, died September 9, 1927, at the age of 78 years at the Fairchild homestead.

Her marriage to Mr. Moyer took place December 25, 1871.

The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Moyer, Fred E. Moyer, enlisted in the Ninth Infantry and went to the Philippine Islands where he was stationed until he was invalided home. He died a few weeks after his return home.

Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Barrie B. Fairchild, of Dexter; one granddaughter, Miss Ruth Fairchild, of Dexter, and one sister, Mrs. Grace Desmore of White Plains.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the residence of Rev. and Mrs. Fairchild. Rev. B. B. Gibbs, minister of the Universalist church at Portland, Me., will officiate in the absence of Rev. Dr. Harry Westbrook Reed, minister of the Dexter Universalist church. Rev. Mr. Gibbs is a friend of the family. Interment will be in Dexter cemetery.

Thursday, August 16, 1934 Grandma Gladwyn and Bessie came in the evening. Ida May Walrath (Doris’s 2nd cousin -- also related the Grandma Gladwyn) & 2 sisters were there (the two sisters were Catherine Walrath McFarlane and Ella Marie Walrath Fults). Afterward, Mrs. Arthur Kentfield and three daughters and Mrs. Bertha Adderly (Carrie Lawton Kentfield and Bertha Lawton Adderly were Rosamond’s cousins - their mother was Sarah Chapman Lawton) and daughters came. Enjoyed the visit with them.

Friday, August 17, 1934 This is Leonard’s 6th birthday and the family came over for chicken dinner and birthday cake. A fine occasion.

Sunday, August 19, 1934 William & family and ourselves attended the Getman family reunion at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Peron Kirchel (probably meant to spell it Kiechle) near Philadelphia. (The Conklins were not directly related to the Getmans in any way -- their presence probably resulted because Minnie’s step-mother was Anna Getman.) Picnic held on the shore of Indian River. Earl Knapp read the poem that I wrote for the occasion. Nice rain in the evening. Will help the garden but more rain is needed.

A clipping about the Getman Reunion was pasted into the diary at this point:

August 19-- The second annual Getman family reunion was held Sunday at the camp of Mr. and Mrs. Peron Kiechle on Indian River.

Dinner, served to about 73 members, was followed by a business meeting called to order by the president, Joseph Getman. Officers for the coming years are: President, Joseph Getman; vice-president, Emery Paul; secretary, Mildred Flath; and treasurer, Bessie Walts.

Those present at the reunion were: Andrew Getman, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Timmerman, son Lyle; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Getman, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Getman, children Harold and Alice Marie; Ray Howard, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Getman and son, Douglas; Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Stanton and son Ralph; Miss Lois Van Alstyne, Paul Getman, all of Lafargeville; Anna Gladwyn W. H. Chapman, Bessie Walts, Mr. and Mrs. William Conklin and three children; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Conklin of Brownville; Matilda Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Chester Paul, Corinne Paul, Helen Goode, Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Walts and son, Allison; Mr. and Mrs. Orville Walts, Ida Mae Waldrath (Walrath) all of Evans Mills; Mr. and Mrs. Emery Paul and son Jack; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Knapp, Earl Knapp, Helen Tunney, Earl Getman, Shirley Getman of Watertown; and Mr. and Mrs. Albert Getman and son, Harold of Theresa; Mr. and Mrs. George Eaton, David and Martha Joan Eaton of Mannsville; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Allen, Martha Getman, Carrie Allen of Limerick; Frank Clemons of Depauville; Niles Horton, Jean Ormsby and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Flath of Dexter.

Wednesday, August 22, 1934 Wrote a poem yesterday entitled, “Beyond the Sunset Glory.” (This was a family favorite - it appears in the transcriptionist’s compilation, “Spoken Kindly,” a collection of the diarist’s poems.) Doris has typewritten it for me. Wm. cleaned a car for Mr. Robbins.

Friday, August 24, 1934 Bert and William helped Eddie Evans (a neighbor) draw grain yesterday P. M. Mailed my little poem to E. S. Lorenz. 50 years ago today Grandmother Wallace was very sick. Mother had been with her but came home that day. Father and I went to church. The text was from Zechariah 4.6 and it seems to me that it applies to me just now.

Two clippings followed - both marriages:

KESLER-WARN -- In this city, Aug. 24, in the pastor’s study at Asbury Methodist Episcopal church by Rev. James W. Wilson, Lyle G. Kesler of 931 Salina street and Miss Eleanor M. Warn of Brownville.

LEE-RATHBUN -- In this city, Aug. 25, 1934, at l24 Monroe avenue by Rev. G. Eugene Durham, Methodist student pastor of Cornell University at Ithaca, Chester H. Lee of Henderson and Miss Doris E. Rathbun, 124 Monroe Avenue.

Note: Miss Warn was the sister of Doris’s sister-in-law, Edith Hasner. The Lees were acquaintances from Pillar Point.

Sunday, August 26, 1934 Weather cool -- no rain. Bert, Elaine & I went to church and S. S. Rev. Leech preached from Moses’ call at the burning bush or the value of the detours of life. Also taught the S. S. as one class. Lesson from Micah, The unchanging love of God. Glenn here. 50 years ago today, Father was elected trustee of the Dexter school. P. S. He hired A. D. Van Allen, Clara Strange and Nettie Parker as teachers a few days later.

A clipping followed for August 28th:

PICNIC IS HELD

Brownville, Aug. 28 -- A party of 17 went to Alexandria Bay Saturday and by host to Rev. B. G. Miller’s cottage on Grenadier Island where they held a picnic and passed the day there.

Those attending were: Rev. H. B. Leech, wife and daughter, Miss Helen Leech of Newark, N. J., A. B. Chidester of Dexter, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Starkweather, Arthur Walrath, Mrs. Estella Walrath, Mrs. Lucy Hall, Mrs. Ida Fowler, Mrs. Fred Snyder, Mrs. A. S. Gove, Mrs. Evan Davis and Misses Elizabeth Parker, Jessie Hall, Ethel Shelden and Nellie Ford of Brownville

Wednesday, August 29, 1934 Bert, Wm. and Glenn are drawing wood and sawing it with the buzz saw for winter use. Have about 25 cards started today. We did not attend the picnic Saturday at Rev. B. G. Miller’s cottage.

Thursday, August 30, 1934 Weather cool this week. 56 degrees in the shed at 9 A. M. today. 40 degrees when Bert got up. Corn, buckwheat, etc. touched with frost. William & family, except Rolla, went to Watertown to outfit the children for school.

Friday, August 31, 1934 Pleasant. The summer months end today. Hester Gilmore and daughters, including Maybelle Warnick of Bridgeport, Mich., here. Very glad to see her & the rest. Bert has commenced cutting the corn with the reaper because it was hurt by the frost.

Saturday, September 1, 1934 No cheese work this week. Grandma Gladwyn here last evening. Wilfred, Bessie, Mr. & Mrs. Roacher (neighbors from Muscalonge) and children and Allan Phillips (another neighbor) were at William’s. Had considerable music and singing. Elaine played two selections from her study book.

School Reopening is announced by the next clipping:

Dexter High school will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 4

Sept. 1 -- Burt W. Alverson, A. M., science and higher mathematics; Clinton S. Maldoon, B. S., science and agriculture; Robert C. White, B. S., physical education; Mabel G. Helganz, A. B., languages; Mrs. David Steel, A. B., history; Persis Foster, A. B., English and library; S. Pauline Hamilton, B. S., home economics and science; Marion Dickson, A. B., mathematics and English; J. Raymond Brown, commercial; Thelma Field, music; Roger B. Allison, grade 8; Lucy M. Lonsdale, grade 7; Genevieve B. Pound, grade 6; Mrs. Ross Liddle, grade 5; L. Maude Thompson, grade 4; Edna M. Bayley, grade 3; Mrs. Greta Smith, grade 2; Allie L. Sills, grade 1.

Miss Field of Brattleboro, Vt., the new music teacher, graduated from the Ithaca music school in June, 1934, and will teach vocal and instrumental music. Miss Foster graduated from Albany State college in 1932 (?) and taught last year in Cape Vincent. She is a graduate of Dexter High School and training class. Mr. White is a graduate of Cortland with advanced work in Chautauqua. He was a member of the varsity football team and taught physical training in Cortland grade schools.

The agricultural courses are proving to be very successful and are free to students from localities not having them. The school census of the village has just been completed by Mrs. Percy Voodre and shows 408 under 16 years.

Sunday, September 2, 1934 Had a little rain last night. Rev. & Mrs. Miller were back with us at church today. Mr. Miller preached a labor day sermon from the text -- In him was life and the life was the light of me. John 1.4. Elaine taught her S. S. class. Miss Hall said she was sorry to lose Elaine from her music class at school because she was a prize pupil -- carried things forward.

Monday, September 3, 1934 Labor Day. Warm and pleasant. Quiet and thoughtful. Dexter looks much the same as it did when I left there 37 years ago. Some new buildings and improvements. But the faces have changed. Heard that W. C. Reeves has been taken to Ogdensburg. (Ogdensburg was the site of a State Mental Hospital.) Lou (Mr. Reeves’ wife - Lou Chapman Reeves) is with Rosamond.

Tuesday, September 4, 1934 School began today. Elaine and Leonard started for school soon after 7 on the new schoolbus. Doris took snapshots just before they started, separately, and with the bus and Lawyer Kilborne, driver. They liked their first day at Dexter. Leonard went in the same room where I went -- 60 years ago now. Mabel Fulton came in the P. M. Mr. Walker brought cheese returns. A little rain this forenoon. 50 years ago today, Ella Rockwood and I went to Sarah Dorchester’s, to Angie (?) Emerson’s and to a Republican rally at the hall in the evening. A change last evening of company and occasion and my thoughts were busy among the treasured scenes and memories of long ago. (Wonder what she meant by change of company and occasion?)

A clipping concerning the wife of the deceased family friend, Michael Thomas, followed:

Deer River, Sept. 4 -- A birthday party was tendered Mrs. M. Thomas at her home in Hamblins Corners Sept. 2 in honor of her 80th birthday. It was arranged for by her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Hitchcock, and her granddaughter, Mrs. Vera Soper of Syracuse and was a complete surprise to her.

The cake was made by the granddaughter, Mrs. Vera Soper of Syracuse.

Those present were, besides Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Susan Smith of Adams and son, Adelbert Smith of Los Angeles, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Hitchcock and son, Reginald, of Lowville; and son, Billy of Syracuse; Mr. and Mrs. Alden Higgs of Adams and Mrs. C. E. Dunaway of Deer River.

Note: The children belonging to Mrs. Thomas were hers by a first marriage. Also, note the difference in spelling of the name Dunaway -- in previous sightings, it was spelled “Dunway”

September 5, 1934 Figured cheese, net 1.03. Rec’d nice letter from Laura Pope. 50 years ago today Grandma Wallace told me she hoped I would always be a good girl & take comfort. 2 years ago Labor day, called to see (blank) and invite him here.

Thursday, September 6, 1934 Hester Gilmore had an emergency operation early this morning. Jay (the family dog) has disappeared and Wm. is hunting for him. Put ad in The Times today.

Saturday, September 8, 1934 No trace of Jay. Wm. & Glen helped thresh at the Parker farm, Wed. P. M. and Thursday A. M. Wm. and Doris went to the State Fair yesterday -- took Mr. and Mrs. J. LaPointe (this is the same LaPointe family who ran a little general store on Paddy Hill - not sure if the store was in business at this time, though) and George Hasner (Doris’s nephew, son of Alvin Hasner). Grandma Gladwyn, Bessie and Wilfred here in the evening. Nice letter from Jennie Thomas. Has rained nearly all day today. Made chili sauce. Had a chicken dinner for the children last night and all stayed all night here. (The reader should be reminded that the two families lived in a double farm house -- completely separate living quarters -- the only access was to go out into the “woodshed” and enter thru the back door or go out the front door, walk across the lawn and enter thru the other’s front door.)

Sunday, September 9, 1934 At home. Some little stomach trouble. Fine weather. Mr. Robbins told Wm. about a dog at the milk station at Limerick and he went to see if it was Jay but was disappointed.

Tuesday, September 11, 1934 Carl, Rosamond came this morning to tell us that Will Reeves passed away Sunday eve. Funeral at Rosamond’s tomorrow. Jimmie Gilmore here yesterday. Hester is gaining rapidly. Remember September 11, 1932. (Transcriptionist believes this entry pertains to the Sept. 5 entry above, where Minnie invited Frank to the Conklin home. That diary and many others were destroyed soon after Minnie died - very unfortunate.)

A clipping about the September 9th death of William C. Reeves was pasted into the diary at this point:

William C. Reeves, retired chair designer and pattern maker, died Sunday afternoon at 5:15 at his home at Dexter. He had been in poor health since 1925 and since that time he had been confined to his bed intermittently.

Mr. Reeves was born at Oxbow, a son of the late George and Susan Patterson Reeves. His early education was received in the schools of Oxbow and vicinity and later he attended the Ives seminary at Antwerp.

About 35 years ago he married Lucina Chapman of Theresa at Theresa. Rev. Silas Ball performed the ceremony.

Mr. Reeves for about 25 years was employed by the old H. C. Dexter Chair company factory at Black River as designer and pattern maker and while a resident of Black River he took an active interest in village affairs.

Later he moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., where he was employed by the Miln Chair company in the same capacity until about 1925.

Private funeral services will be held at the home of his niece, Mrs. Carl J. Hynes, 129 Ward street, Wednesday afternoon at 2:30. Rev. John R. Campbell, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Dexter, will officiate. Burial will be made in the Oakwood Cemetery at Black River.

The following have been selected to act as bearers: Edward Taylor, George Finney and Clarence Hardy of this city and William Slack, Charles Porter and Fred Howland of Black River

Note: The diarist has penned the margin with: “Fine man, quiet, honorable, and capable. ”

Thursday, September 13, 1934 Went to a picnic up the river at Dexter 50 years ago today and to Grandmother’s in the evening. Rev. & Mrs. B. G. Miller came while we were at the funeral yesterday. Also Marion Farrington, soliciting for something for a food sale Saturday at Bigwood store for the Ladies’ Aid. Made out cheese report today, etc. We did not attend the primaries. Fine September weather.

Friday, September 14, 1934 Wm. found his dog today in an old well on the flat. Hi went to see Carl and he phoned the state troopers to come. Doris and I went over to the farm where Uncle Alson used to live to see Glenn. (Not sure where this was located - perhaps it was in the Town of Hounsfield, on the Black River Bay, near the old Lodi School.) He is working there for a few days for Tilda Amans Elsby’s (?) husband on the John Harris farm now. Sent my little “sunset” poem to The Times day before yesterday and it was printed today. Made cream cookies to send to the food sale tomorrow. Grandma, Bessie and Martha Getman came over with Wilfred Chapman (one day Wilfred would become Bessie Walt’s husband) in the evening.

Sunday, September 16, 1934 Bert Gilmore here last evening as usual to exchange papers. Said Jimmie expected to bring Hester home last evening. Wilfred & Bert G took Jay out of the well and buried him. Bert, Elaine & I went to church & S. S. Mr. Miller gave a talk on home missions and the newly elected officers of the home mission society were installed. My simple little poem received favorable comment. Food sale yesterday netted nearly $11.00. Rainy toward evening.

Tuesday, September 18, 1934 Bert and Wm. attended an auction of cattle at Mr. Allison’s on the Jim Gilmore place (this may have been the old Andrew Conklin farm, located near the Muscalongue Cemetery). Figured a sale of cheese. Price 12-1/2, net $1.00. Doris & I set out 2 oleanders, 2 ferns, 1 fuchsia and 1 hyacinth (S. W. Pike).

Wednesday, September 19, 1934 William and Doris are putting up posters forbidding hunting, trapping or trespassing on this farm, signed H. D. Conklin & Son. (probably because they felt considerable liability for incidents involving the dug well on the flat into which the dog had fallen)

A clipping was inserted here:

Sackets Harbor, Sept. 21 -- The 59th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gilmore of Sackets Harbor is Saturday.

They formerly lived in Dexter but have lived on their farm and in the village of Sackets Harbor for the past 46 years. The couple was married at the home of Mrs. Gilmore’s parents in Dexter by the Rev. Henry M. Dodd, pastor of the Presbyterian church of Dexter. People now living who were guests at the wed- ding include: Mrs. Kate Snook of Watertown, sister of Mrs. Gilmore, Mrs. Ehle Vrooman, Mr. W. B. Hill and Mrs. Alice Field, mother of Fannie Kilbourne, the authoress.

Mrs. Gilmore before her marriage was Miss Minnie L. Dakin, a daughter of James Barrett Dakin, who was a descendant of Colonel James Barrett of Revolutionary fame and Mary Bassett Dakin, a native of Martinsburg. Mr. Gilmore’s father was a native of Vermont and was James E. Gilmore. His mother, Susan Livermore, came from the Mohawk valley, and settled with her husband in Dexter.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gilmore were members of some church choir for 60 years and Mr. Gilmore’s bass voice is still heard in the Presbyterian church choir at Sackets Harbor. Mrs. Gilmore usually sang alto parts but two years ago suffered an illness and since that time has not been able to take an active part in the church choir.

Saturday, September 22, 1934 Attended missionary meeting yesterday at Martha Parker’s. 11 present. The same officers we have had were elected for the coming year. Grandma Gladwyn came in the evening with Wilfred and Bessie. The children, Bert and Doris have been gathering hickory nuts. Some rain this A. M. Bruno Richard Hauptmann, a German ex-convict, has been arrested in connection with the Lindburgh baby kidnapping at Hopewell, N. J., March 2, 1932.

Sunday, September 23, 1934 Grandma Wallace was buried 50 years ago today. Bert, Doris, Elaine and I went to the cemetery before church and took a few flowers. A fine day. An old neighbor, Mrs. Libbie Hamburg Greene (?) and her son, Claude, were here today. Glenn came for the weekend.

Wednesday, September 26, 1934 Fine autumn weather. Bert has been reaping buckwheat. The usual work for the rest of us. 50 years ago today, I went with Sarah Dorchester and was weighed - 102-1/2. Today weighed 99 - Bert, 148 - Leonard - 50. Elaine weighed 70#.

Three undated clippings were pasted into the diary here:

Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal church following the summer vacation was held at the home of Miss Martha Parker on Friday afternoon. There was the annual election of officers. Those elected were: President, Mrs. Hiram Fulton; vice president, Mrs. H. D. Conklin; secretary, Miss Nellie Ford; treasurer, Miss Martha Parker; secretary of stewardship, Mrs. Fannie Graham; secretary of mite boxes and literature, Miss Bessie Walts.

 

Dexter News: Miss Jane Foster, daughter of Edson Foster; Miss Eileen Pope, daughter of Mrs. Laura Pope, and Miss Antoinette Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Irving Smith, have left to enter St. Lawrence university, Canton, for their freshman year. Alexander Fowler, son of Dr. and Mrs. Clarence T. Fowler, has returned to St. Lawrence University for his junior year.

 

Mrs. Frances Mullin, who entered the House of the Good Samaritan Monday, was on Tuesday operated upon for appendix removal. Dr. F. R. Calkins is the attending surgeon. Mrs. Mullin was on Wednesday reported to be doing well.

Thursday, September 27, 1934 Nice rain, probably not enough to help the wells. Pump the lower well dry for the cattle each day. The yacht, Rainbow, sailed by Harold Vanderbilt and F. O. M. Sopworth’s (was this meant to be Stopworth?) Endeavour have been competing for the cup. Rainbow 4 wires (?) Endeavour, 2. Have finished the serial story The Girl from Glengarry by Ralph Conner. A story of the stock market and panic. Dem. convention at Buffalo nominated Gov. Lehman for re-election. Rep. convention at Rochester nominates (blank).

BROWNVILLE CAST TO PRESENT COMEDY,
“WHO IS NELLIE BLY?”

SEPT. 28 -- A cast of 50 persons from Brownville and nearby towns will present a humorous trial. “Who Is Nellie Bly?” on next Thursday and Friday evenings in the Masonic Hall auditorium under the auspices of the Ladies’ Aid society of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Proceeds from the entertainment will be used for the benefit of the church. The comedy is being directed by LaVerne Barrett of Rochester.

The mysterious “Nellie Bly,” plaintiff in the case, is suing J. W. Bigwood, well known Brownville merchant, for breach of promise and the comedy of the play revolves around the pair.

Note: Diarist penned in, “Net proceeds $68.94.”

Saturday, September 29, 1934 Another rainy day. Field Day at Glen Park. Dizzy and sick at night. Bert Gilmore came and spent the evening. Wm. took his family to a movie, The House of Rothschild. Gave Elaine money for her III Grade music book.

Sunday, September 30, 1934 Bert, Elaine and I went to church and S. S. Sermon by B. G. Miller. Subject, Abraham a pioneer. Text -- For he looked for a city that hath foundations whose builder and maker is God -- also tribute to Livingston and present day pioneers for progress.

An obituary notice followed:

ROORBACH -- At Dexter, Sept. 30, 1934, Edward Henry Roorbach of Dexter, aged 62 years. Funeral services Tuesday at 2 p.m. at his home. Rev. J. R. Campbell, pastor of the Dexter and Brownville Presbyterian churches, officiating.

Tuesday, October 2, 1934 A frost Sunday night. Weather cool. Commenced a serial story entitled, The Harvesting, by Irving Bachelor. (not sure if these serial stories appeared in the Watertown Daily Times or in one of the magazines which came to the home) Leonard was home from school sick today.

Note: A clipping was found near the above entry which served as a mini-review of Mr. Bachelor’s book, “The Harvesting.” This undoubtedly proves that the serial was an offering of the newspaper:

This romance of the North County begins in that long-lasting evil time that followed the panic of 1873 -- one of the dire results of the Civil War. It is a cheerful tale of big and little folk, a country- side and a time familiar to me and vividly remembered. Its first episode is like a dramatic leap of the river whose power was the food of its people. The story flows on as naturally and as picturesquely, I hope, as the river itself mirroring the shores, laughing over the slants, turning into shadowed areas and whirling mill wheels on its way through the sown lands.

October 3, 1934 Wm. & Doris attended a pre-nuptial party given by the Cozy Corner Class in honor of Cecil Barrett and Lucy Delano. Wm. was bridesmaid at a mock wedding and Doris, father of the bride. Party was held at the Sills’s cottage near Campbell’s. The class presented them with an electric lamp.

At this point in the diary, there were several clippings spread out on four pages. Each of the articles contains a date, but their placements here will not follow the chronology of the diarist’s entries:

The date of October 3, 1934 appears at the top of a picture of Mrs. Christina E. Calkins, of 131 Winthrop St. (probably Watertown). The picture is captioned, “89 Years old.”

Note: The diarist, in her April 12th entry, refers to the death of Mrs. Arthur Calkins - the relationship, if any, is unknown.

Another clipping about the play:

October 4 -- A mock trial, “The Trial of a Century,” or “Who is Nellie Bly?” will be staged for the benefit of the Methodist Episcopal church at Brownville tonight and Friday evenings at the Masonic Hall, open at 8:15.

The cast includes the following: Judge, Alfred Soper; court clerk, Morse Hart; court crier, Herbert Ball; foreman of the jury, Earl Hall; attorney for the plaintiff, LaVerne Barrett; attorney for the defense, James Lingenfelter; witnesses for plaintiff, Harry Bly, Ray Paul; Nellie’s aunt, Mrs. Morse Hart; postmaster, Mrs. Charles Wilson; friend of Nellie, Mrs. Albert Warnick; minister, Arthur Sproul; insurance man, Mr. Donaldson; doctor, Howard Robinson; jeweler, George Blake; witness for the defense, a friend of Mr. Bigwood, Earl Brown; defendant, J. W. Bigwood; jury, Arthur Robinson, Orton Sills, Albert Warnick, Clayton Taber, Clifton Doull, Mr. Gracey, Mrs. H. Robinson, Mrs. E. A. Munson, Mrs. Blanche Seeber, Mrs. Harry Woodworth, Mrs. H. Bell, Mrs. George Skinner and Arlene Skinner.

Sadie Ann, James Gilmore; Washington Lee, Giles Empie; Lost Chord quartet, M. F. Gordon, Mark Barrett, Everett Kitto, Louis Schultz; Professor ZuZu, Arthur Walrath; assistant, Harry Woodworth; subject Gerard Haley; messanger boys, Frank Woodworth, Otto Evans; police girls: Ellen Robinson, Barbara Tolbert, Barbara Scott, Cora Brundidge, Harriett Oatman, Doris McAllister; pianist, Gerald Munson.

Dexter, Oct. 5-- Mrs. Frances Mullin, who underwent an appendix operation at the House of the Good Samaritan two weeks ago, returned to her home with Mrs. Belle Huff on Tuesday.

Next:

The Prohibitionists have nominated Rev. S. M. Warn, of Brownville, for congress, and Warren Gardner, of Evans Mills, for assemblyman in the second district.

Another church-related clipping:

Brownville, Oct. 4 -- The Cozy Corner class of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday school gave a surprise shower on Tuesday evening at Orton Sills’ cottage near Knobby Knoll in honor of two of their members, Miss Lucy Delaney and Cecil Barrett, who are to be married soon. A roast pork supper was served and Mrs. James Lingenfelter, teacher of the class, presented the couple with an electric bridge lamp. A bride’s cake was made by Mrs. Robert Merriam. A sketch given by Mrs. Merriam and Mrs. Ferne Griffith represented a young colored couple. There was also a mock wedding. Miss Verna Peebles, acting as minister; Alfred Soper, the bride; Mrs. Dorothy Warnick, groom; William Conklin, bride’s maid; Mrs. Georgia Empie, best man; James Lingenfelter, flower girl; Miss Louine Haller, ring bearer; Mrs. Doris Conklin, father of the bride; Albert Warnick, train bearer.

Those present were Mr. and Mrs. James Lingenfelter, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Warnick, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Soper, Mr. and Mrs. William Conklin, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Congdon, Misses Lucy Delaney, Louine Haller, Verna Peebles, Bertha Biggers, Mrs. Giles Empie, Mrs. Robert Merriam, Mrs. Ferne Griffith, Messrs. Cecil Barrett, Orton Sills and Ira Ackerman.

October 7, 1934 Bert, Elaine and I attended communion service. Missionary program in the S. S. and Elaine and I had a little part. Richard Buckminster was attacked by a bull today. They sent for Doris and she went to the hospital with them. Stitches were taken in the head and in the rectum. This is Doris’s 30th birthday. Had a birthday dinner here at 5 P. M. William’s family & Wilfred and Bessie were here and Glenn.

A clipping about the wedding of Lucy Delaney and Cecil Barrett followed:

Brownville, Oct. 8-- Miss Lucy Adeline Delaney, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Delaney of Evans Mills, and Cecil Mark Barrett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Barrett of Brownville, were married at 7:30 Sunday morning in a wedding ceremony solemnized at the home of the bride’s parents by Rev. C. M. Smith, retired Methodist minister of Brownville.

Miss Elizabeth Delaney, sister of the bride, was maid of honor and Orton Sills of Brownville, friend of the bridegroom, acted as best man.

The bride was gowned in maroon tailored crepe with black accessories and carried a shower bouquet of white rosebuds and baby breath, tied with silver ribbon. The maid of honor wore a gown of rust crepe with brown accessories and carried a bouquet of Talisman roses and white snapdragons.

The home was decorated in yellow and white, the ceremony taking place under an evergreen arch.

The wedding march was played by Lorena Van Allen, a friend of the bride. At the close of the ceremony a wedding breakfast was served.

Another clipping about the death of an acquaintance:

Baker, near this city, Oct. 6, 1934, James E. Baker, 302 Chestnut street, aged 58 years.

Funeral services Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. from his home and at 2:30 in the First Presbyterian church, Dexter, Rev. J. R. Campbell, pastor, and Rev. C. J. Sargent, pastor of the Hope Presbyterian church, officiating. Burial at Dexter.

Mr. Baker was born at Pillar Point, September 8, 1876, a son of the late David S. and Addie B. Ackerman. He married Miss Ruth E. Leonard of Dexter, April 12,1898, at Dexter. Rev. Hiram Church, uncle of Mr. Baker, performed the ceremony.

Surviving him, besides his widow, are a son, Leonard D. Baker of Syracuse; a daughter, Mrs. A. Walter Ayles of Dexter; three grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Adelbert C. McLean, 513 Hamlin street and Mrs. Sherman Anderson of Dexter.

Brownville, Oct. 8 -- Richard Buckminster, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Buckminster, was quite badly injured Sunday while in his father’s barn on the farm on the Perch River road. He was attacked by a bull, receiving a scalp wound and an injury to his arm. Dr. Clarence Fowler was called and had him taken to Mercy hospital where he was attended by Dr. Cooper.

October 9, 1934 Two years ago today had a birthday dinner -- Doris, Elaine, Jean and friend, Frank. (Who is Jean? Was this Jean Hynes and a little friend, Frank Taylor?) Figured cheese today. The men threshed our buckwheat at Gilmore’s. Had 34 bags.

October 10, 1934 Busy. A pleasant fall day.

October 11, 1934 Rainy. The rest made sauerkraut.

No date -- King Alexander of Yugoslavia was assassinated in France yesterday. His young son, Peter II, is now King. R. Hauptman has been indicted by a New Jersey grand jury for murder of the Lindburgh baby. Francis Marsch Mullin and her husband, Frank Mullin, were my schoolmates 50 years ago and Rev. S. M. Warn was my pastor at Dexter.

Friday, October 12, 1934 Gave Elaine a little wrist watch we intended to keep until her birthday but decided not to wait. She was pleased.

The funeral of Nicholas A. Lee, 64, who was found dead in the water on the shore of Black River, just above the dam at the Frontenac mill, Saturday afternoon, was held from his late home Tuesday at 1:30 and from M. E. Church at 2:00. Rev. Albert Abbott, pastor of the church officiating. Burial was made at the Dexter Cemetery.

Mr. Lee had gone out alone to hunt ducks about 5 o’clock in the morning. He apparently fell out of the boat. The gun he was using was still in the boat which was right side up. One of the oars was stuck in the muddy pond.

He married Josie H. Marks in Brownville on August 21, 1895, his 25th birthday. Rev. George Ernest performed the ceremony.

He attended the M. E. church at Dexter and taught a Sunday school class of boys at the church.

Three nephews and a niece, Hugh, Howard and Paul Marks and Jacqueline Marks, lived with Mr. Lee, he having brought them up after their parents died.

Mr. Lee was a strong Prohibitionist all his life. He was an ardent duck hunter and had a camp on Black River Bay.

Surviving him are his widow; two brothers, Freeborn M. Lee and George E. Lee of this village; three sisters, Mrs. Olive Jones of this village, Mrs. B. B. Gibbs of Portland, Maine, and Mr. and Mrs. William J. Gardenier of Herkimer.

The church was both shocked and saddened at the sudden leaving us of one of our members and regular attendants, Brother Nicholas Lee. Nothing but the very finest things can be said of his entire life. Steady, quiet, dependable, a genuine Christian in the home, the Church and the Community. For many yeaars he taught a class of young people, and had a wonderful Christian influence upon their lives -- they all, today, love and respect him, and will remember his memory.

An ardent supporter of all that was good, in every deed a father to the father, and a good husband. He will be mourned by the community, missed in the Church and Sunday School, and “home” cannot be the same any more without him. The prayers of the church were said for Sister Lee and the children on Sunday past, and as this is written, the sympathy of the whole church is extended to them and to the (torn off).

Note: The diarist has penned in “And our sympathy, too.”

Thursday, October 18, 1934 Bert, Elaine and I spent the evening with the Gilmores at Bert’s.

Friday, October 19, 1934 Went to the missionary meeting and gave a review of the lesson from the study book, Japanese Women Speak. Grandma here to spend the evening. Wednesday, P. M., Rev. & Mrs. B. G. Miller came for a call. Had an interesting visit and talk about heaven. Last Monday was Mrs. C. G. Hart’s birthday. She received cards and flowers. She has been ill for several months.

Saturday, October 20, 1934 This is our dear Elaine’s 10th birthday. Had a dinner and birthday cake. William’s family and Virginia Gilmore. Glenn and Ralph Christopher (Ralph worked for the Conklins when young - perhaps at this time) were with us. This evening, she has gone to the City with Daddy & Mother to get a new school bag.

Sunday, October 21, 1934 Rain. At home. Had planned to go to Lowville today but Wilfred Chapman, Anna & Bessie came last evening to let us know that Wilfred wasn’t able to go.

Monday, October 22, 1934 Papered our bedroom (Bert & I). Hauptman has been taken to New Jersey to trial.

Wednesday (same date) Fine weather. Richard is home from the hospital and was over to see Doris today.

Thursday, October 25, 1934 Heard through Lillian Allison (daughter of Ernie Allison) that Ida Randall (Canada), an old school friend, isn’t well. Wrote to her this morning.

Friday, October 26, 1934 Mabel Fulton came yesterday P. M. to see if I could go to the W. F. M. S. meeting of B. R. (Black River) District at First Church of Watertown today. Could not go on account of a cold. Rainy today.

Saturday, October 27, 1934 A brief hail storm. Lillian Allison was here to spend the day with Elaine. Leonard and Rolla had dinner with us, too. She wrote in my old album on the same page where her grandmother, Lillian Randall, wrote Dec. 27, 1881. (that album was never found) Wm. & D. paid their school tax last eve. $40.80. Our men are ditching the flat.

Sunday, October 28, 1934 At home. Cool & windy. About 25 degrees above zero this morning. Sometimes, (I) like a quiet, restful, thoughtful day like this and feel refreshed by it for the week to come.

Tuesday, October 30, 1934 This week, Mon. thru Sat., is open season on pheasants. Wm. got two yesterday. Martin Hasner took Roland home with him for the afternoon and supper yesterday and brought him back in the evening with new blue overcoat and toboggan. Have painted our kitchen walls azure blue. Windy, rain, snow, hail.

What appears to have been a clipping taken from the “50 Years Ago Today” column of the Watertown Daily Times followed -- no indication of the date, however:

The girls in Woodhead Corners school district on Pillar Point had a Hallowe’en party at the home of Miss Kathryn Adams on Wednesday night. There were seven girls present.

Friday, October 31, 1934 Elaine went to Virginia Gilmore’s for supper and the evening. The girls wore masks and costumes. Passenger service on the Watertown and Sackets Harbor railway has been discontinued. My mother saw the first train that passed from Watertown to Chaumont. B. Q. Gilmore here in interest of farm bureau. Marion Farrington here for Ladies’ Aid sale.

Mrs. Hart’s obit appeared next:

Brownville, Nov. 1 -- Mrs. Georgina Morse Hart, 62, wife of Charles G. Hart, of this village, died Wednesday night at 9:30 at her home here. Death was at- tributed to heart disease.

Mrs. Hart was born Oct. 16, 1872, on Dry Hill in the town of Watertown, a daughter of George Morse and Louise Watkins Morse. She was married to Charles G. Hart of East Hounsfield on Oct. 16, 1892. Mrs. Hart was a member of the local Methodist Episcopal church and was teacher for many years of the Happy Thought class of the church. She was a past president of the Brownville Study club and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Besides her husband, she leaves a daughter, Mrs. George Munson of Brownville, a son, George Hart, Brownville; four grandsons, Ralph and Reginald Munson and William and Lloyd David Hart, all of Brownville. She also is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Reuben Scott of Rices Station and Mrs. E. E. Eveleigh of Sulphur Springs and three nieces and three nephews.

A clipping with a November 2nd dateline followed:

Sackets Harbor, Nov. 2-- Funeral services for Mrs. Ella Wood Taylor, who died at the home of her foster daughter, Mrs. Fred Lewis, will be held from the Dexter Methodist Episcopal church Saturday afternoon at 2. The pastor of Asbury M. E. Church of Watertown will officiate.

Tuesday, November 6, 1934 Election day. We went to the E. Hounsfield Library to vote then took Leon Kellar to Mr. Moulton’s near Rices (a small community south of Watertown) for some radio parts. Gov. Lehman re-elected. Local returns, Republican. 50 years ago today wrote in my diary, (a Pittman shorthand message). Cool wind.

Mr. and Mrs. Freeborn M. Lee observed the golden anniversary of their wedding Tuesday, election day, at their home in Dexter where they have resided for the past 29 years. Mrs. Olive Jones, Dexter, sister of Mr. Lee, entertained the couple at a family dinner in the evening.

A clipping followed:

New York, Nov. 7 -- Mrs. Emma Clark Lehr, 67, Malone and Edward B. Folsom, 72, of Watertown, N. Y., were married in the municipal chapel here Nov. 5 last by Deputy City Clerk Philip A. Hines.

This is the second marriage for both Mr. Folsom and his bride. Mr. Folsom’s first wife died in 1914 and Mrs. Folsom’s former husband, Lewis F. Lehr, died in January 1932, at the age of 66 at Burlington, Vt., where he was a patient at the Lake View sanatorium.

Friday, November 8, 1934 Trees and ground were white with snow this morning and very pretty but gone before night. Elaine had tests at school today. Arithmetic and spelling 100, History 84, Geography 91, Music 99, Nature study 100, English 92, Writing 83, Average 93-5/8 - Fifth Grade.

Brownville, Nov. 8 -- The annual election of officers of the Sunday School of the Methodist Episcopal church took place at a meeting of the Sunday school board at the church on Tuesday evening. Following is a list of those elected: Superintendent, E. C. Hall; assistant, Cecil Barrett; secretary, Gerald Munson; assistant, Miss Grace Post; treasurer, A. L. Soper; missionary treasurer, J. W. Bigwood; pianist, Mrs. Roy Congdon; assistant, Gerald Munson; custodian of papers, Mark Barrett; primary superintendent, Mrs. Earl Hall; missionary super- intendent, Mrs. Albert Warnick; missionary secretary, Mrs. Hiram Fulton; tem- perance superintendent, Mrs. James Lingenfelter; home department superintendent, Mrs. Melissa Farrington; cradle roll superintendent, Mrs. E. K. Brown.

Teachers whose names were presented to the board for confirmation were Mrs. Arthur Robinson and Miss Evangeline Thompson.

Thursday, November 15, 1934 Drop in temperature Tuesday to about 20 degrees above zero. Windy today and cloudy. Jimmie Gilmore and family left this morning by auto for their home in Alabama. Bert here in the evening. Wm. is fixing a tractor for John Mosher.

Friday, November 16, 1934 Mild and mostly cloudy. W. F. M. S. meeting at the home of Mrs. Schultz. Couldn’t go because Wm. was away fixing tractor. Anna came in the evening. Bessie attended the meeting. 10 present.

November 18, 1934 My father and mother were married 68 years ago today. Bert, Elaine and I attended church and S. S. Sermon by Rev. Miller. Subject -- God’s estimate of the value of a man. Text -- of what more value is a man than a sheep. Carl, Rosamond, and the children here in the afternoon -- invited all of us there for Thanksgiving dinner.

November 19, 1934 Mild, dark. Figured a sale of cheese (1.15). They are giving Rev. C. M. Smith a shower of birthday cards at Buffalo. Sent a card. Ordered my Christmas cards. Bert’s father was born 90 years ago today.

A November 19th clipping was pasted in here:

November 19 -- Thirteen members of the Methodist Episcopal choir gave Mrs. John Hamburg a surprise party Monday evening, it being her birthday. A social evening was enjoyed and refreshments served.

Note: This item may have appeared in the 50 Years Ago Today column -- there is no indication of a date.

Wednesday, November 21, 1934 Indian summer weather. Worked on a khaki work coat for Bert. Went to a birthday party 50 years ago Nov. 19 at Bert Adams’ in a load with Cody (?) Emerson. Bert went to Watertown with Wm. to get a pair of rubber boots.

Friday, November 23, 1934 Rain. My diary for 50 years ago says rain and showers.

A clipping, dated November 24, followed:

ROUNDS -- At Dexter, Nov. 24, 1934, D. Wellington Rounds of Dexter, 82 years. Funeral services Tuesday at 2 p.m. at his home. Rev. J. R. Campbell, pastor of the Dexter Presbyterian church, officiating. Burial in Dexter cemetery.

November 25, 1934 Bert, Elaine and I went to church. Rev. B. G. Miller preached from Luke 12:26. Ethel Williamson & Blanche Seeber came in the afternoon and brought yellow chrysanthemums from the H. T. (Happy Thought) Class.

Monday, November 26, 1934 Bert and Doris went out selling turkeys. Wm. went to the Times office in the evening to have an ad in the paper for fowls. The clipping followed:

TURKEYS 20c, chickens 14c alive. W. B. Conklin, Brownville

Tuesday, November 27, 1934 Mild and cloudy. Ironed, picked out butternut meats for cookies, etc. Elaine here for breakfast and supper as usual and Rolla for dinner. My 67th birthday. At William’s for birthday dinner at 5 P. M. yesterday. Elaine had arranged favors and place cards. Received a pocketbook, apron, hat, water bottle, 3 cake tins, a book for a diary and fruit. Have also received 14 cards and 3 letters. Mother said it was cold 67 years ago. William and Doris went to a Cozy Corner party at Ola Liddy’s, William St., Watertown. Children stayed with us. Bessie & Wilfred came. Also, several turkey & chicken buyers.

November 28, 1934 A busy day waiting on customers. Have sold 38 chickens, receiving $23.98 and 18 turkeys, $38.65. (Depression years -- looks like people couldn’t afford to buy turkeys, but bought chickens instead) A fine mild day. A marriage notice followed:

EVELEIGH-BLOOM -- In this city, November 28, 1934, at the manse of All Souls Universalist church by Rev. Dr. Henry Westbrook Reed, Charles R. Eveleigh, salesman for the Smith-Eveleigh Motor Sales corporation, and Miss Flossie C. Bloom of Dexter

Thursday, November 29, 1934 All went to Rosamond’s to a turkey dinner. Carl, Bert, Wm. & Dr. Van Doren went to a foot-ball game at the fairground. Aunt Lou there. Rain.

Friday, November 30, 1934 Cloudy. Rain in the late afternoon. Rev. C. M. Smith and Mrs. Brasie called. Wm. & Doris went to Watertown after Elaine who stayed at Rosamond’s yesterday. They had other plans for her so she didn’t come home. Doris nearly finished my Christmas shopping for me. Temperature about 58 degrees.

Saturday, December 1, 1934 Rainy day. Temperature 60 degrees morning and 50 degrees at night.

Sunday, December 2, 1934 Temperature about freezing. Bert and I went to church & S. S. Bessie joined the church today, also Mrs. Arthur Robinson. Mr. Miller preached an excellent sermon from Psalms 24 “Lift up the gates.” Carl brought Elaine home in the early evening. Martin also came in the evening to let Doris know that her mother (Mrs. Hasner) is worse.

Two obituary notices followed:

BANKS -- At Dexter. Dec. 2, 1934, Mrs. Isabella Roseboom Banks, widow of C. Carlton Banks, aged 71 years. Funeral from home Thursday afternoon at 2:30.

ROSE -- At the Mercy hospital, Dec. 2, 1934, Mrs. Lorena Sills Rose, wife of Roy J. Rose of Dexter, aged 43 years. Funeral services Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at the home and 2 in the Methodist Episcopal church at Dexter, Rev. Albert Abbott, pastor, officiating. Burial in
Brownville cemetery.

Monday, December 3, 1934 Washed and ironed (Bert and I).

Tuesday, December 4, 1934 We cleaned the parlor.

Wednesday, December 5, 1934 Mr. Walker & Mrs. Relyea here on cheese business.

Wednesday Eve., December 5, 1934 The children all stayed here last night. Mrs. Hasner is very sick. Wm. & Doris are there most of the time. Am figuring the last sale of cheese for the season. Net $1.16.

Thursday, December 6, 1934 Fred Warn and Gordon Hayes came over last evening about 7 o’clock to let Doris know that her mother passed away at 6:15. Wm. & Doris went up there and stayed until 12. The children stayed all night with us. Doris went to see Mr. Doolittle about conducting the service.

Mrs. Hasner’s obit appeared in the Watertown Daily Times on December 6, 1934. It follows:

MRS. CORA A. HASNER DIES
HAD BEEN AN INVALID FOR SEVEN YEARS
MOTHER OF MARTIN G. HASNER

Mrs. Hasner, Widow of George Hasner,
Was Born in the Town of Clayton--
Lived at Son's House Here For Three Years

Mrs. Cora E. Hasner, 74 widow of George Hasner, died at 6:15 Wednesday evening at the home of her son, Martin G. Hasner, 336 South Indiana avenue, bookkeeper at the Jefferson County Savings Bank. Mrs. Hasner had been an invalid for seven years following a stroke. For the past seven years she had been confined to a wheelchair, her left side being paralyzed. She had been confined to her bed only since Saturday.

Mrs. Hasner was born Jan. 10, 1860, in the town of Clayton, a daughter of the late Alvin and Alida Lingenfelter Putnam. She was married to George Hasner at Clayton, Nov. 29, 1877. Mr. Hasner died at Glen Park in 1928.

Most of her life had been spent at Brownville. For the past three years she had resided with her son here.

Surviving her are two sons, Martin G. Hasner, with whom she resided, and Alvin C. Hasner, Watertown, Route 1; two daughters, Mrs. Lewis Buckminster of Brownville and Mrs. William B. Conklin, Dexter, Route 2; two half-sisters, Mrs. Truman Daniels of Glen Park, and Miss Elizabeth Harter of Watertown; a half brother, James Harter of Burrville, and eleven grandchildren.

Two daughters are dead. They were Nina Hasner, who died 33 years ago, and Mrs. Sadie Schenck, who died two years ago in California. A sister of Mrs. Hasner, Mrs. Prudence Bent of Limerick, died in 1929.

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 at the home of her son here. Burial will be made at Depauville.

Friday, December 7, 1934 8 degrees above zero this morning, but still & sunny. Made out the cheese factory dividends, net 1.5%. Mabel Fulton & Hi came. It rained 50 years ago. Went to William’s for oyster supper.

Saturday, December 8, 1934 A zero day. Wm. & Doris went to the funeral. The children stayed with us. Had supper ready when they came home. Doris brought us some lilies and roses from the floral basket sent by the Savings Bank men.

Sunday, December 9, 1934 At home. Still cold.

Monday, December 10, 1934 Another zero morn. Card from Glenn from Miami. Made cookies. Made out cheese factory report for the state. Bert and I did the washing. Elaine here for breakfast -- Rolla for dinner, Elaine & Leonard, for supper, the usual weekday arrangement.

Tuesday, December 11, 1934 Another cold day. Wrote Christmas cards to Mrs. Witt, Libbie Ball, Ella Giles and Delia Abbey (cannot identify - also unsure of writing).

Tuesday, December 11, 1934 (a second entry) A zero morning and was (in) 1884.

December 12, 1934 Attended a service of the Dexter church celebrating the 100th anniversary of American methodism. S. M. Warn presided. Rev. Webster preached.

Sunday, December 16, 1934 Between rain and snow, Bert, Elaine and I attended church and S. S. Rev. B. G. Miller preached a beautiful sermon from Matt. 26:6-13. Sub.: The mystery of the rose bowl. William fixed my radio so it is in fine working order. 50 years ago there was to be a birthday party at Maggie Moffet’s -- snow so deep we could not go.

Wednesday eve., December 19, 1934 Fine weather since Sunday until this P. M. when it began raining and still rains. Bert Gilmore isn’t well and William took him up to see Dr. Hoyt tonight. Also, took our Christmas gifts to Rosamond’s as we had a letter from her saying that Carl’s folks from Syracuse were coming and they couldn’t come here. Have invited Grandma, Bessie & Wilfred. Have been busy with Christmas mail and getting things ready for the children. Heard Edgar Guest recite 3 of his poems over the radio last evening. Heard messages from the Byrd party this evening.

Friday, December 20, 1934 Rosamond sent Christmas gifts for the children and for us last evening not to be opened until Christmas. The children had a tree at school today. School closed for two weeks. 50 years ago yesterday my school in Dexter closed for vacation. Temperature was 30 degrees below zero 50 years ago today. About 20 degrees above today. Bert G. came this evening.

Saturday, December 22, 1934 A zero morning and wind. Have a slight attack of grip. Could not go to the W. F. M. S. meeting at Mrs. Eigabroadt’s. Mrs. Brasie reviewed the lesson from “Japanese Women Speak.” Bert & Wm. dressed a hog yesterday for our own use. Elaine & Leonard attended the Christmas tree and concert at the church and Elaine took part.

Sunday, December 23, 1934 A zero morning but warmed up 20 degrees later in the day. Could not go to church but have heard some nice things over the radio. Heard an hour of good music Sunday eve put on by the Fords, came through Minneapolis-St. Paul. Elaine and Grandpa got the dinner.

Tuesday, Christmas Day Clear but not too cold. Had the Christmas tree presents -- then breakfast at Wm.’s. Failed to hear the broadcast from Bethlehem. Heard England’s round the world program from King George. Doris and Bert got most of the dinner. Wm.’s family, Anna, Bessie, Wilfred Chapman and Bert Gilmore here for dinner and Wm.’s folks for supper. A fine Christmas. Many gifts, cards, and letters.

Wednesday, December 26, 1934 Lorena was buried today. (See note below), She used to be in a number of my S. S. classes. It has been a dark day -- rain, snow and a cold wind. The children are enjoying their Christmas gifts. I shall especially enjoy a fine pair of shoes from Bert and outing sheets to match our room -- a gift to “us” from William and Doris. Also some especially nice stationery from Rosamond.

Note: The obituary for Lorena Rose appears after the December 2, 1934 diary entry. It is possible that the date was incorrectly typed as December 2nd. Those doing genealogical research should be aware of this discrepancy. Transcriptionist did not have the original diary while re-doing it on computer.

Thursday, December 27, 1934 This was Aunt Lottie’s birthday. She passed away three years ago yesterday -- just beore her 80th birthday. Maggie Wallace passed away December 24 three years ago today. It has been a zero temperature all day.

Friday, December 28, 1934 My diary for 50 years ago today says: Went to church to hear a sermon read that was preached 100 years ago. Mrs. C. K. Parker passed away a year ago today. It was extremely cold. Not so cold today but a raw wind. Doris is preparing to entertain the C. C. C. Monday eve. (Cozy Corner Class).

Saturday, December 29, 1934 A nice winter’s day. About 8 inches of snow. Very pretty. Roads drifting some tonight. My cold is improving. The children are enjoying their vacation time.

Monday, December 31, 1934 And so the year is finished. Sunshine and shadow. Accomplishments and failures left in the hands of our wise and tender heavenly Father. Memories of this year will live while life and sense last. Am especially grateful for the pleasant relations in our home life -- the kindly spirit -- Wm. & Doris are well. Their outlook is bright. The children are healthy & mentally efficient. Bert’s health is better than a year ago. I am as usual. Our church relations are promising. Doris & William entertained the Cozy Corner Class this New Years Eve with (blank) present. Bessie has united with the church. May spiritual blessings rest upon us all, our friends and our church.

Signed ‘An Old Subscriber’ Watertown, N. Y. Aug. 4, 1933. (wonder if Mr. Congdon was from the Congdon family which lived near Brownville) The poem follows:

The following obits were not a part of the diary, but have relevance to Frank Fitzgerald’s family. They were given to the transcriber by Bonnie Poole Fisher whose ancestors
lived in the Dexter, N. Y. area.

The first concerns Mrs. Elizabeth Fitzgerald Adams:

Widow of Wm. Adams Dies

Dexter, Jan. 16 (1938) -- Mrs. Elizabeth Fitzgerald Adams, 78, died of a heart attack at 1:40 a.m. yesterday at her home here after an illness of four weeks with influenza.

Mrs. Adams was born in the town of Brownville, September 20, 1860, daughter of John and Arabelle McMellen Fitzgerald. She was married June 20, 1883 to Mr. Adams of Pillar Point by Rev. Mr. Dodd, then Presbyterian pastor at Pillar Point. Mrs. Adams spent her entire life at Pillar Point, moving to Dexter about 20 years ago following her husband’s death.

She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Laura Pope of Dexter, Mrs. Clifford (Arabelle) Bowman of Dexter and Mrs. Hazel Laing of Buffalo; one son, Frank Adams of Dexter and nine grandchildren, Mrs. Aileen Fuller of Cambridge, Mass., William B. Adams and Virginia Kilburn of Dexter, June Laing of Buffalo, Barbara Bowman of Watertown, Rachel Bowman of Willimantic, Conn., and Kermit, Marjorie and Harold Frank Bowman of Pillar Point. One brother, Frank Fitzgerald, died in 1934.

Private funeral services will be held at the home at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow, followed by public services in the Presbyterian church at 2. Rev. James Campbell,pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Dexter cemetery.

Friends may call at the home this evening from 7 until 9.

The next obit was dated March 4, 1945 for Mrs. Laura Adams Pope, the niece of Frank Fitzgerald. Laura was mentioned many times throughout the diary.

Mrs. Laura Pope Dies

Mrs. Laura Adams Pope, 90, former Dexter area resident and widow of Frank J. Pope, died Saturday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Robert Fuller, Belmont, Mass. She had suffered a broken hip in December.

The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home. Rev. Edward Eskra, pastor of the Dexter Presbyterian Church, officiating. Spring burial will be in Dexter Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Robert (Aileen Fuller, Belmont, Mass., a sister, Mrs. Arabella Bowman, Pillar Point; a brother, Frank F. Adams, a patient at the Samaritan-Keep Nursing Home, Watertown; two grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

Born on April 30, 1884 at Pillar Point, a daughter of William H. and Elizabeth Fitzgerald Adams, she was graduated from Dexter High School and was a teacher in area schools before her marriage Jan. 7, 1914 to Frank J. Pope, Smithville.

Mrs. Pope was employed as a bookkeeper at H. E. Clark Store of Dexter and the Dexter Hardware. After his death in 1939, Mrs. Pope went to live with her daughter in Belmont, MA

Note: The son of William and Elizabeth Fitzgerald Adams, Frank G. (?) Adams, died May 29, 1975. An obit was found by Bonnie Poole Fisher, but I am uncertain in what newspaper the obit appeared. The obit follows:

Frank G. Adams

Dexter -- Frank G. Adams, 86, of Pillar Point, Dexter, Route 1, died Sunday morning May 29 in the Samaritan-Keep Home Watertown where he had resided since August.

The funeral was Tuesday at the Johnson Funeral Home. Burial was in Dexter Cemetery. Donations may be made to the memorial fund of the Dexter Presbyterian Church.

Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Maud O. Adams; a daughter, Mrs. Clifford (Virginia) Kilburn, Dexter; a son, William B., Watertown; a sister, Mrs. Arabella Bowman, Dexter; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Born Sept. 22, 1888 at the family homestead, Pillar Point, son of William and Elizabeth Fitzgerald Adams, he had always lived there. He married Maud O. Gilmore of Dexter, March 3, 1914, at the home of the officiating clergyman, Rev. Philip Tonkin of Dexter.

The couple continued to reside on Pillar Point and operated the farm until 1954, when fire destroyed the barn and other buildings. Mr. Adams then worked at other jobs until retiring in 1960.

Mr. Adams was a member of the Dexter Presbyterian Church, a retired elder of the church, a 55-year member of the Dexter Grange and a member of the Pillar Point Farm Bureau and Dexter Rod and Gun Club.

Note: Mr. Adams’ brother-in-law was Harry Gilmore. He was the son of Bert Q. Gilmore, whose name is mentioned in the diary above. Bonnie Fisher sent me his obit, which appears to have been published in the Watertown Daily Times sometime in 1977. The penciled-in date is not legible.

Harry Gilmore, Dexter, Dies

DEXTER -- Harry O. Gilmore, 77, North Shore Road, a retired employe of the Augsbury Oil Co., died Wednesday night at the House of the Good Samaritan, Watertown, where he was admitted Feb. 3.

There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Becker Funeral Home, Chaumont, with Rev. Roswell G. Williams, rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Watertown, officiating.

There will be no calling hours.

The body will be cremated and the ashes will be scattered over Lake Ontario.

Contributions can be made to the Dexter Free Library or the Dexter FireDepartment Rescue Squad.

Mr. Gilmore is survived by his wife, Mrs. Helen W. Gilmore; a son, Harry O. Gilmore, Jr., Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister, Mrs. Frank Adams, Samaritan-Keep Nursing Home,Watertown; four grandchildren and a niece
and nephews.

He was born at the Gilmore home on the Airport Road Sept. 12, 1899, son of Bert Q. and Minnie Otis Gilmore, and was graduated from Dexter High School.

Mr. Gilmore married the former Helen Waterman, Ogdensburg, Sept. 25, 1926, by Rev. Dr. William C. McIntyre, pastor of the Ogdensburg First Presbyterian Church.

He traveled several years in the employ of Oneida County Creameries, as a district relief manager. In 1939, he joined the George Hall Corp., Ogdensburg, and retired in 1961 from Augsbury Oil, a subsidiary of
the George Hall firm.

Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore observed their 50th wedding anniversary last September with a dinner given by their relatives and friends.

Mrs. Gilmore is retired from teaching at the Indian River Central School, Philadelphia.

Mr. Gilmore was a member of Watertown Lodge 49, F. & A. M. and past
master of Dexter lodge and a former member of the Watertown Rotary Club.

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