1938 DIARY

by

Minnie Gladwyn Conklin



§ Jan. 12, 1938 Have been in bed from a heart attack since Dec. 21. Gaining. One year ago today Dr. Gardner was here to see Burt. Rosamond & children came today.

§ Sunday, Jan. 16 Wm. and Doris went to church. Alan had the grip and has gone to Ottawa.

§ Wed., Jan. 19 Out in the sitting room for an hour or so yesterday. Extremely cold.

§ Tues., Jan. 25 Mild, windy, dark, rainy, like a year ago today. Sitting up some in the sitting room. Shirley's 6 mos. old today. Came over to see me. Mr. Harrison here Friday. Nellie Ford brought plant (tulips) from S.S. class. Cards from Rosamond on way to Miami. William and family all lovely to do for me. God is love.

§ Sat., Feb. 5 Again it is Sat. night as Bert used to say. A year has gone by since he left me. Wm. is 35 years old.

§ Sat., Feb. 26, 1938 Beautiful day. Gilbert brought over a carload of school girls this P.M. and they are skating on the flat. Am sitting up and comfortable. Doris brings my meals yet. Have had a number of callers. Mr. & Mrs. Fulton, Mr. & Mrs. Eigabroadt, Carl Hynes, Aunt Lou Reeves, Bessie and Anna among them. Also nice things brought me to eat, fruit, jam, etc. This, with my good family and my trust in God, make the time pleasant.

§ Mon., Feb. 28 Cold. Elaine went with Harry S- to the play, "Parents on Trial," held at the church last evening. It was good. The newspaper clippings pasted on this page follow:



FOX--In this city, Dec. 26, 1937, Mrs. Allie

B. Fox, 120 Park avenue, widow of Myron H.

Fox, aged 70 years.



Friends may call at the Howland Funeral chapel

from 2 to 5 this afternoon and 7 to 9 tonight.



Funeral services at the Howland chapel Tuesday

at 2 p.m. Rev. Dr. Darwin F. Pickard, minister

of the First Presbyterian church, officiating.



Burial in Brookside cemetery.





Married



WELLS-STOPFORTH--In this city, July 1,

1937, to Wesley Wells, core assembler,

227 West Main street, and Miss Hilda Stop-

forth, 613 Frontenac street.





Song is Printed



Because of the demand, copies of the "Christmas

Song," written by Mrs. Bert Conklin, have been

printed by Junior and Senior Epworth Leagues of

the Brownville Methodist Episcopal church.









SHAVER--At Lyons Falls, Feb. 3, 1938,

John Clinton Shaver, aged 59 years.



Funeral services at 9 a.m. Monday from

the home and at 9:30 from St. John's

church, Lyons Falls.



Burial in Croghan cemetery in the spring.







PARKER--At Wilton, Feb. 21, 1938,

Mrs. Elizabeth G. Zimmerman Parker,

1112 State street, widow of Edward E.

Parker, aged 74 years.



The body will be brought to the William

R. Box company Funeral home and later

be taken to the home of her son, Earl W.

Parker, Brownville, for funeral services.



Burial in Brownville cemetery.





Also pasted on this page was a picture of Carl J. Hynes, District Attorney of Jefferson

County. Mr. Hynes was the husband of the diarist's niece, Rosamond Conklin Hynes.





§ 1938 (no date specified) Cheese Co. voted me an increase in pay and plenty of time to do the work if I am able to do it. Mr. Harrison sent copies of the song Spirit of Christmas. Receive beautiful cards and letters and God is good to me these days. Newspaper clipping followed:



Brownville, March 9--The stockholders and

patrons of Brownville cheese factory held

their annual meeting at firemen's hall on

Friday. Frank Relyea was elected president

and Mrs. Minnie Conklin as secretary and

treasurer.



Walter Walker will again make the cheese.

Last year the average price of the milk was

$1.40. James Brennan, sr., was again chosen

as salesman.





§ March 19 Sat. night again as Bert used to say. Lovely weather but muddy. Allan returned Monday. Doris boards him for me. I get breakfast for Elaine and myself now. Bought congoleum rugs for my bedroom and Doris' sitting room and she selected them. Have been writing another play for Mother's Day.

§ Sunday, April 10th, 1938 This was dear Bert's birthday. Roads nearly blocked with snow. Rosamond is home from Florida. Wm. C. Morgan came today and tested my eyes for glasses.

§ Easter Sunday, April 17 Beautiful services at church today. Was at Wm's for dinner. Ralph C. and Olive there. Bessie & Wilfred came to invite us to their marriage next Sat. eve. Ina Starkweather brought me a hyacinth from the Study Club. Wm. C. Morgan came today to adjust my glasses. Newspaper clipping followed:





District Attorney Carl P. Hynes returned to

Watertown Monday night after a two weeks'

motor trip to Hollywood and Miami, Fla.

He was accompanied on the return trip by

Mrs. Hynes and their two daughters, Jean

and Sally, who had been at Hollywood since

Jan. 18.



§ Carl and Rosamond came Monday eve -- brought me oranges, grapefruit -- orange blossom honey and pecans. Mr. & Mrs. Fulton came this (Sunday) afternoon.

§ Sunday, April 24 Wm. Morgan and wife came Friday eve and he tested my eyes again. This time my glasses are fine. At William's for dinner today. Will Christopher, Rochester, at Wms for dinner. He came to attend Charles Webber's funeral. I could not go to the wedding but am glad Bessie is married. Doris made the cream. They sent me flowers. Dr. Fox comes occasionally. Here Monday. Am gaining in strength. Weather is fine and springlike. The newspaper clippings included a picture of Dr. Robert F. Gates (a family doctor), his obit notice, and an article about the wedding of Bessie Walts, the diarist's step-sister.

GATES--At Brownville, April 3, 1938,

Dr. Robert F. Gates, of Brownville, aged

77 years.



Masonic funeral services at his home

probably Wednesday.



Burial in Brownville cemetery.





(date April 25, 1938)



Miss Bessie M. Walts and Wilfred H. Chapman, both of Brownville,

were married at the home of the bride's mother, Mrs. Anna Gladwyn, at

Brownville Saturday evening. The ceremony was performed by Rev.

Herbert Harrison, pastor of Brownville Methodist, Episcopal church.



Mr. and Mrs. William B. Conklin of Hounsfield were the attendants.

Guests at the wedding included Andrew Getman of Watertown, Mr.

and Mrs. A. E. Seeber of Rochester and Miss Elaine Conklin of

Brownville.



The couple will live in Brownville. Mr. Chapman is employed in a paper

mill in that village.



§ Undated entry - Rolla attended this little party and he wanted this clipping saved. He was 8 yrs. old Sat., April 23. The clipping followed:



Brownville, April 25.--Mrs. Susie Chapman and her assistant, Mrs.

Howard Robinson, gave a party on Thursday morning at the

Methodist Episcopal church parlor to 16 little people of their

class of the Sunday school.



§ April 28 This is conference week. Held at Rome. Mr. Harrison has gone. Have a sale of cheese to do. Dr. Fox has made a change in my heart tonic, changed from digitalis to crabaezn. Don't know results. Harry Bull here.

§ Sunday, May 1 Wm & D. went to church. Mr. Babcock, Adams Center, preached. Mr. Harrison came home from conference for Mr. Orville Cleveland's funeral. Was at Wm's for a fine dinner. Mrs. Volk, Mr. & Mrs. Wm Congdon, Anna and the bride & groom here. Brought me flowers, jelly, etc.

§ May 3 Conference is over. Mr. Abbott was appointed to First Church, Watertown and W. H. Bradley to Adams.

§ Thurs., May 5 Yesterday, Grace Congdon brought me 1 doz. oranges. Mrs. Ross & Mrs. Kellar came. Today Doris, Shirley & I went to Rosamond's. My first ride since Dec. 19. Tomorrow is Carl & Rosamond's 10th anniversary.

§ Tuesday, May 10, 1938 My dear mother was born 97 yrs. ago today. Wm., Doris, Elaine and I went to the play that I wrote, Sunday evening. This is The Times comment (referring to a newspaper clipping copied below).



"The Coronation of Mother," a drama, written

especially for the evening service by Mrs. Bert

Conklin, was well received and presented.



§ (continued from Tuesday, May 10, 1938) Bert, Uncle Alson & wife and I visited Mrs. Atwood (see below) at Clayton before our marriage. Gordon Shaver (referring to another clipping) was hurt driving a truck from New York. This is Mary Giles picture (referring to a small photo) taken with the Henderson school "Press Club." They have a school paper. At the General Conference held at Birmingham, Ala. the three American branches of Methodism voted to unite, making 7,250,000 in U.S., 26,000 preachers, 45,000 churches (see clipping info).

ATWOOD--In this city, May 6, 1938,

Mrs. Emogene J. Cleveland Atwood,

119 Thompson boulevard, widow of

James L. Atwood, aged 90 years.



Funeral services Sunday at 2 p.m. at

the home of her daughter, Mrs. F. E.

Ladd, 119 Thompson boulevard,

Rev. R. H. Bowen, pastor of Emanuel

Congregational church, assisted by

Rev. Dr. H. W. Reed, minister of All

Soul's Universalist church, officiating.



Burial in Depauville cemetery.





SHAVER--At Tuxedo Park, May 11, 1938,

Gordon Shaver, Lyons Falls, aged 24 years

.



At exactly 6 o'clock on Friday evening, April 29, the vote was announced: --

434 in favor of the union and 26 against--the breach of American Methodism was healed.





Married



LINGENFELTER-JARDINE -- In this city, May 14,

1938, at Asbury Methodist Episcopal church by

Rev. Dr. George Harlan McClung, pastor, Francis C.

Lingenfelter, Brownville, and Miss Vera Miller

Jardine, 101 Winthrop street, city.













AVERY -- At Dexter, May 29, 1938, Charles E. Avery

aged 79 years.



Funeral services from his home in Dexter Wednesday

at 2 P.M., Rev. John R. Campbell officiating and at

2:30 at the Presbyterian church.





George M. Tolbert and Mildred L. Tolbert, his wife, town

of Brownville, to L. Otis Fox and Anna B. Fox, his wife,

town of Brownville, parcel, town of Brownville.



§ Monday morning, May 23 Had the pleasure of attending the Aldersgate evening service in company with Wm., Doris and Elaine, last evening. The 200th anniversary of John Wesley's "heart warming" experience. A drama was presented. Rev. and Mrs. C. J. Sargent called here yesterday. Dr. Fox here today. Newpaper clippings referring to Rev. Herbert Harrison, including a photo, followed:



Rev. Herbert Harrison, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church of

Brownville was elected president of the Methodist Ministers' association

of the Black River district at the meeting held today at the Woolworth

Memorial church of Great Bend.





Brownville, May 19--A gold wrist watch and a watch chain with attached

cross were presented to Rev. Herbert Harrison by the members and

friends of the Methodist Episcopal church at a reception held for him at

the church on Wednesday evening.



Miss Ellen Robinson in behalf of her Sunday school class presented their

teacher, Mrs. Harrison, with a pocketbook, and from the Ladies' Aid

society, a wall lamp was presented by the president, Mrs. Earl Hall.

There was also a bouquet of snapdragons for the pastor's wife.



§ 1938 Monday, Memorial Day About sick with a cold. Wm. & Doris went to cemetery Sat. with plants & flowers.

§ Sunday, June 5 Wm. & Doris gave a party last eve for Ralph Christopher and wife --married May 15. Jean Hynes has measles. Carl here today.

§ Tues., June 7. A small Muscalonge cemetery meeting here today. Rainy in the P.M.

§ Sunday, June 19 Doris, Shirley and I went to the cemetery Friday -- took roses, etc. And I went to missionary meeting at Mabel Fultons. Very glad to go to both places. Much cheese work. Two clippings followed:



Life is not measured by our years or tears,

Nor by our worldly fears or cares,

For life is measured and treasured only

By our dreams,

Our deeds,

Our prayers.





KILBURN--ADAMS---At Pillar Point, May 25,

1938, at the home of the bride by Rev. John R.

Campbell, pastor of the Dexter Presbyterian

church, Clifford Kilburn of Dexter and Miss

Virginia D. Adams, Pillar Point.



§ Friday eve, June 24, 1938 Elaine graduates from VIII grade tonight & received the price of $5.00 given by the Study Club for the highest regents average in her grade. Leonard's June test marks were 92, 95, 98 and three 100's. Roland also had two 100's. Wasn't well enough to go. Clipping along the side of entry:



DAVIS-HOLDEN--At Dexter Metho-

dist church parsonage by Rev. Paul A.

Roy, pastor, Clinton L. Davis, jr., and

Miss Margaret A. Holden, both Dexter,

R. D. 2.



Note: Typist believes this is a misprint; Holden probably

should be Holder.



§ Wed., June 29 Figured large sale of cheese. Bought a used Ford, 1935 car -- nice, roomy. Went to Watertown with Wm and to the cemetery with Doris and children. Called to see Bessie and Wilfred in their new home. Alan's brother and wife from Ottawa here yesterday.

§ July 3 Elaine & I went to church today. Fine Doris and I went to Watertown Friday and paid for a "new, second hand" Ford car. Nice. Wm., Elaine & I took Madonna lilies to the dear ones at rest Sat. and Elaine bought a "new second hand" bicycle at Dexter using her prize and gift money. Ralph Christopher and wife are at William's.

§ July 4 Went with Wm and family to see the new International Bridge nearing completion. Richard Buckminster took Elaine through a submarine on exhibition at Alexandria Bay. The rest of us saw it from a short distance. Mr. Harrison went to Trenton Institute this A.M. as one of the faculty. Three clippings followed:



BISHOP-PETERS--At Brownville, July 1, 1938

at the First Methodist Episcopal church by Rev.

Herbert Harrison, pastor, Lieutenant John J.

Bishop of Ithaca and Miss Luella A. Peters,

Brownville.



CALKINS--In this city, July 3, 1938, Mrs. Christina

E. Calkins, of 359 Keyes avenue, a widow of Walter

Calkins, aged 92 years.



Funeral services Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 (E.D.T.)

from the family home and at 2:30 (E.D.T.) from the

Dexter Methodist Episcopal church, Rev. N. A. Darling, Cape Vincent, will officiate.



Miss Lavantia Mantle Fox, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James A.

Fox, Brownville, and Leslie M. Cooper, city, son of Mrs. J. A. Manjeske,

Alexandria Bay, and the late Frank E. Cooper, Philadelphia, were mar-

ried with a ceremony quietly solemnized at 4 Saturday afternoon at

the manse of Rev. John R. Campbell, Dexter, pastor.



§ July 10, 1938 Doris, Elaine and I went to church. Rev. Harrison preached a fine sermon about "real values" -- christian aims.

§ July 14. Figured cheese sale. Went to Watertown with Wm and called to see Mrs. Corp. Had a very enjoyable visit. Drove around City Park.

§ July 16 Called on Hester Gilmore who recently returned from Alabama. Elsie was married and remained there.

§ July 17 Sun. eve. service at City Park postponed on acc't of rain but we drove up to the Park.

§ July 18 Service held at Park. Kibby's Band. Rev. Harrison was the speaker.

§ July 18 (sic) Wm went to the dentist. I went to Anna's at their new home.

§ Sunday, July 24 Bessie brought me gladiolus Fri. eve. Took them to the cemetery today and Elaine & I went to church. Sermon - fine. Psalm 23.

§ Mon. July 25 Shirley's first birthday. No special dinner but she, Leonard and Alan (Flanders) celebrated their brithday's together with a few presents. Shirley had shoes, dress, ball, etc.

§ Sunday, July 31 Rosamond & children have been here recently & Hester G. came. Elaine & I went to church. Rev. Harrison preached from Psalm 91, fine. Taught Happy Thought Class. Sub., Samson & Delilah. Doris and I went to Mr. Walker's funeral and afterwards to the Dexter cemetery. Mr. Walker's obit notice followed:



WALKER--At Brownville, Aug. 2, 1938

Walter E. Walker, cheesemaker, aged 62 years.



Funeral at 2 p.m. Friday from the home.

Brownville, Rev. Herbert Harrison, Methodist

Episcopal pastor officiating.



§ Sun., Aug. 7 Elaine and I went to church & S.S. Heard Douglas Miner. Subject: "Tolerance."

§ Sun., Aug. 14 Elaine and I went to church & S.S. J. Malcolm Carelli had charge of the service. Sub. The value of a Christ like life. Peace not confusion.

§ August. 19 -- Wm. & I went to cemetery and to Otis Lonsdale's. Called at the Congdons. Yesterday Wm. & family were at the bridge ceremonies -- heard Pres. Roosevelt. 25,000 people in attendance. Cost of bridge $3,000,000. Shirley, Rolla, Alan, with me.

§ Aug. 21 Elaine and I went to church and S.S. Rev. H. Harrison preached about "Sin." Psalm 51. Mrs. Witt's funeral today (Bob's mother). Raymond Shaver, wife, sister and mother here Tuesday.

§ Tues. Aug. 23 Wm. and I went to see Dr. Fox and his new office, also called on Mabel Fulton and Nina Waters.

§ Friday, Wm & I stopped at the County Fair and called to see Rosamond, Carl's 41st birthday.

§ Sat. Was surprised & pleased to have for callers Mrs. Oscar Conklin & Mrs. Zachery, Illinois.

§ This page of entries was flanked with 8 newspaper clippings:



New York, Aug. 8. (U.P.)--The Queen Mary, pride of the Cunard

White Star line, broke the record for the westward crossing of the

Atlantic today when she sped past Ambrose Channel lightship

three days, 21 hours and 48 minutes out of Europe.



GILMORE--In the House of the Good

Samaritan, Aug. 15, 1938, Mrs. Addie

` E. Leonard Gilmore, widow of James A.

Gilmore, aged 82 years. Funeral Wed-

nesday at 1:30 (E.D.T.) from her home in

Dexter and at 2 p.m. (E.D.T.) from the

Dexter Presbyterian church.



Today the great Thousand Island international bridge is being dedicated.

Over eight miles of bridges and elevated highways connect the

United States and Collins Landing and Canada near Ivy Lea at

one of the most picturesque points in the whole St. Lawrence River.



COLEMAN-HOLDER--At Brownville, Aug. 18,

1938, at the Methodist Episcopal church by

Rev. Herbert Harrison, pastor, Earl W. Coleman

and Miss Eva E. Holder, both of Dexter R.D. 2.



FULLER-POPE--At Dexter, Aug. 23, 1938, at

the First Presbyterian church, by Rev. J. R.

Campbell, pastor, Robert S. Fuller of Cambridge,

Mass., and Miss Aileen Pope of Dexter.



Miss Rita M. Coseo, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Coseo,

1022 Gill street, became the bride of Lawrence A. Lapointe, son of

Mrs. Alice Lapointe and the late Joseph Lapointe of Brownville, at a

nuptial mass said at 8 Monday morning at Holy Family church by

the bride's brother.



PHIPPEN--At Campbells Point, July 26, 1938,

Mrs. Alzada Alice Phippen, widow of Chauncey W.

Phippen, aged 87 years.



Funeral services Thursday at 2 p.m. (E.D.T.) at the

home of Walter Phippen, Sackets Harbor road.

Rev. Paul A. Roy, Dexter, officiating.



Burial in the Dexter cemetery.





LINDSEY--At Brownville, July 26, 1938,

Lewis Whitney Lindsey of Brownville, aged

72 years.



§ Sun., Aug. 28, 1938 Fine day for the last Sunday of the summer months. Elaine and I heard Rev. J. N. Pauley, Sacketts Harbor, preach in our church on the "new birth." Fine. Jennie Cummings and Eathel Phelps came in the P.M.

§ Sept. 4 Elaine and I heard Rev. Spaven preach in our church a Labor Day sermon. Sub: Sin, the curse of the world. Christ, the remedy. Rev. & Mrs. Smith were recent callers. Cool weather. Letter from Mrs. B. G. Miller.

§ Sun., Sept. 11 Went to Dexter cemetery and Elaine and I went to church & S. S. Rev. Harrison preached on A rendezvous with Life. D. & W. went to C.C.C. supper last evening at the Lingenfelter cottage.

§ Mon., Sept. 19 Elaine, Leonard, Rolly & I saw the home talent drama, "White Baners" by Lloyd Douglas at our church last evening. Went to cemetery, Friday, took Salvia plants & bouquets, Doris & I called at Pearl Congdons, went to missionary meeting at Martha Parkers.

§ Sept. 29 Elaine and I went to church Sunday. Gladys Campbell, ill and couldn't come for visit. Stella Hall wanted to come also but couldn't. Mr. Harrison called. Planning for addition to our church building. Filled silo yesterday. Muscalonge Bridge used for first time yesterday.

§ Oct. 2 Wm, D, Elaine & I attended church in the evening to hear Dr. Julian Roth, a jewish exile from the Hitler regime.

§ Oct. 9 Wm, Elaine & I attended morning service. "Harvest gifts" for Salvation Army. Last Sunday, Mabel Fulton and family brought flowers and took me to cemetery. Friday was Doris' 34th birthday.

§ Oct. 16 Wm, Doris, Elaine and I went to Dexter to church and heard Mr. Roy preach. Took a few flowers and went to the cemetery after church. Beautiful weather. Jean's birthday is Oct. 15th. Nice girl. Wm. was a bearer at Mr. Seebers funeral. The new addition on our church is being built.



Jean Hynes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl J. Hynes, was

hostess at a supper party for twelve guests Friday evening

on the occasion of her ninth birthday.



SEEBER--In the House of the Good

Samaritan, Oct. 16, 1938, Albert

Edward Seeber, Brownville, aged 68

years.



Miss Dorothy Adams of Dexter was a guest Thursday of Miss

Elaine Conklin, who celebrated her 14th birthday at a dinner

given in her honor.



§ Oct. 20 Elaine's 14th birthday. At Wm's for supper. Dorothy Adams there. Made candy here in the evening. Very enjoyable occasion for a fine girl.

§ Oct. 23 Wm, Doris, Elaine and I went to church in the morning and out to Berdi Brady's in the afternoon. Rosamond and family came while we were gone.

§ Nov. 1 Beautiful day. Rev. C. M. Smith came for me to go to a W.H.M.S. (sic) meeting at their home. Elaine came on the bus and we were there for supper which was fine. Mrs. Davis had a splendid program for the meeting.

§ Nov. 6th, 1938 Armistice Sunday. Beautiful day. Elaine and I attended morning service & S.S. Wm., Doris, Elaine, Rolla and I attended evening service -- a drama -- "The Enemy" by Channing Pollock.

§ Nov. 21 Our family (except the children) attended a service conducted by Rev. Roy at our school house. Good attendance, fine sermon from Hebrews 2,3. I played for the service. Sunday eve -- took part in a Thanksgiving drama written by Mrs. Lingenfelter.

§ Nov. 28 Elaine and I were at Wm's Tuesday eve to a Cozy Corner Class meeting and supper, Thursday, to a turkey dinner and last night to my birthday (71st) -- a chicken supper. Grandma Gladwyn, Bessie & Wilfred came in the afternoon, brought me silk dish covers. Elaine & Doris gave me a lace tablecloth, rec'd cards. The new addition to our church was dedicated last eve.

§ Wed., Nov. 30 Dedication supper served to 200 last eve. The Happy Thought Class sent flowers from the church by Ina Starkweather.

§ Monday, Dec. 5 Harold Sargent's orchestra played at our church last evening. Sorry not to have gone. Mild weather. Wm and I took my flowers to dear Bert's grave this afternoon. Very glad to go.

§ Sunday, Dec. 11 Wm, D, Elaine and I attended evening service, heard the Stone St. religious dramatic club present, "The things that are Caesars."

§ Wed., Dec. 14 -- Have just finished the last sale of cheese for the cheese factory. 34 sales. Thank you, God, that I could do it. Beside these three entries were the following newspaper clippings:



ALEXANDER--WALKER -- At Brownville,

Nov. 24, 1938, at the Church of the Im-

maculate Conception by Rev. James J.

McGowan, pastor, Gerald E. Alexander,

231 East Main street, and Miss Esther

Walker of Brownville.



At Brownville, Nov. 26,

1938, Miss Lucy S. Chapman of Brown-

ville, aged 75 years.



Funeral services Monday at 2 p.m. at the

William R. Box company funeral home,

Rev. Herbert Harrison, pastor of the

Methodist Episcopal church of Brown-

ville, officiating. Burial at Theresa.



Dexter, Nov. 29--John Charles Markham, 67, died at 11 this

morning at the home of his sister, Mrs. Harry Flanders, in

Dexter after a long illness.



Mrs. Conklin's final entry for the year, 1938, was made on December 14. She did not resume her record until Monday, Jan. 2, 1939.


Return to Diary Index

Return to Shirley Farone's Homepage