Between 1902 - 1903, Julia was adopted by Frank and Stella Tollerton Smart, of
Daysville, Richland Township, Oswego County, New York, at that time her name was
changed to Vesta Lucretia Smart. In photographs taken by Stella around the time of
the adoption, Vesta always looked sad and lonely. She used to tell stories about her
childhood to her grandchildren, we were told that she was abused when she was at the
orphanage, being hit, beaten and on one occasion, being thrown down a flight of stairs by
the Matron at the orphanage.

Although Vesta knew her biological father, George McCarthy, was still living in the area
in Mexico, Oswego County, New York, and had even seen him walking down the street
on one occasion, they never spoke to one another and never saw each other the rest of
their lives. George McCarthy died in Mexico, New York on October 10, 1930, he is
buried in Daysville Cemetery, the same cemetery Vesta is buried in.

Being a baby of under 3 years of age, her sister Georgia McCarthy was adopted right
away, adoption date being November 14, 1900, adopted by an unknown family. Vesta
never saw her baby sister again. Florence McCarthy was discharged from the orphanage
the day before Vesta, but orphanage papers do not tell whose care she was discharged
into. Florence McCarthy married a man by the name of Jack Buckley and they lived in the
city of Oswego, New York and owned a bar or a restaurant there. Although Vesta knew
of her sisters whereabouts, she always told her Grandchildren that, by orders of her
husband, George Cates, she was not allowed to see her sister because of the kind of
business Florence and Jack were running. Family information on Florence McCarthy
Buckley is not known.

Vesta grew up to be a lovely young lady, and caught the eye of a man 3 years her junior.
George Frederick Cates was from the Mexico, New York area, it is not known exactly
how they met, but love letters that started in 1916 between the couple were found by their youngest Granddaughter in their home in 1997, give some clues to their courtship. George and Vesta were married at her parents home in Daysville on  October 09, 1917. In 1921 a daughter was born to them, an only child, Florence Stella Cates, she was named for Vesta’s sister Florence McCarthy, and her adoptive mother, Stella Tollerton Smart.

Vesta’s adoptive father, Frank Smart, died May 26, 1923 of a heart attack in Syracuse,
New York while selling his poultry at the Farmer’s Market with his son-in-law, George
Cates. Stella Tollerton Smart married a very short time later, November 28, 1923, to her
next door neighbor, William Duncan Hardie, a 68 year old widower. Stella moved into
William’s house and it was there, after his death on August 31, 1933, that George, Vesta
and daughter Florence moved to in 1934, to be able to take care of her ailing mother.
George and Vesta worked the farm started by William Hardie, and by 1936 they opened a
small grocery store that included a Texaco gas station. Florence was married on May 15,
1938, her 17th birthday, to Clarence “Pete” Litts. 

Through out Vesta’s diary, she refers to herself as having “heart attacks”, when she was 80 years of age, her heart was checked and she had only expected damage for a person of her age. She was however diagnosed as having epilepsy, a form of which, the doctor explained, could have caused her to feel like she was having a heart attack. Vesta died at home at the age of 85 years, on November 19, 1980, just 5 months and 15 days after her husband George had died of prostate cancer.

Dear Vesta,      Mexico, New York - July 6, 1916
 Thot I'd take up some of my spare time in writing. Hope you had a good time the
fourth. I would have like to went with you but I just couldn't. But I did get around to go
to the lake a few minutes. My folks got home the fourth at night had a good time they
said.
 I will try and be over Sunday evening if it is alright with you. Don't believe I can
get away Saturday evening because we are busy haying it and it is late when we get thru
chores. Believe me I'll be glad when haying time is over, then we can take in the picnics
and shows. Well guess this will be all for this time. Write. Tom Cats as Guy told you, or
for short, Geo. C  Mexico, NY  R. D. 2    P. S. It is 9:30 or I would write more and I am tired and sleepy. Will try and do more next time.

Dear George,     Pulaski, New York  July 10, 1916
 I received your letter Saturday - so I will write a few lines in reply.
 We had a lovely time the fourth. We left home at eight and joined some friends in
Pulaski. We went straight to Adams and the crowd there was immense. We then went to
Henderson Harbor where we ate dinner. It is just lovely there. We drove along beside the
water for a long way. The roads were fine, state roads all the way.
 Claude Calkins and his family and John Manwarren and family and ourselves made
quite a picnic party. From there we went up to Sackett's Harbor and saw the parade, some
soldiers, sailors and the campfire girls. And a number of clowns in costume, it was a pretty
sight. We left there and went back thru Watertown, there was a ball game there and a
balloon ascention but it was over on some fairground and we didn't bother to look it up.
 We went on thru to Adams and watched a ball game between Adams and Oswego.
Papa and Florence and I went down to the field together to see it.
 We then went up to the home of an uncle of papa's and ate supper and left for
home at 7:30, got here at nine with no accidents at all. I thot we had quite a trip and a
very good time.
 We didn't go to Pulaski Friday evening, went to Mexico shopping instead. I guess
we are going to Pulaski this Friday evening as mother has invited a friend to go with us.
 Well I guess I will close and go to work as I have plenty to do. We will begin
haying this week I think. I suppose you have yours nearly done.
 Well I must say good-bye this time.     Vesta

Dear Vesta,     Sauk City, Wisconsin - September 28, 1916
 Thot I drop a line to let you know that we were getting closer to Montana. We are
about 300 miles from St. Paul, Minnesota. We had one blow out today about 12 o'clock,
got it fixed and run about 5 miles and got stuck in the mud. Car dropped down into a rut
in to the axle and had to get a team to draw us out. It has rained here in Wisconsin for
four days straight and is raining out now. The roads are something fierce. The soil is black
as coal and slippery as ice.
 Down in Ohio it was so dry that dust was about 3 in. deep all over. We have a tent
so we keep dry and warm. We see lots of cattle thru here and a few sheep. Will see more
sheep and horses as we get west farther.
 Wish you were along to see the country, would have some fun. I'll bet the lady in
the telephone office is glad that I have gone so that she won't have to ring 12872 so much.
 We have traveled about all day and have gone only about 46 miles. Went 100 miles
yesterday thru mud almost to the hub. I had to shovel the car out of the mud last night.
We get stuck about every day. Roads were good till we got to Chicago. But we sure get it
now. Haven't struck very much Parrie land yet.
 We all enjoy the country although it is muddy. Don't see any state roads thru this
country. Guess this will be all this time.
Write to George Cates  Edwards, Montana   Care of W. Cates
P. S. I will be there before I get your answer.

Dear Vesta,     Edwards, Montana - October 12, 1916
 We have at last reached Edwards, Montana and I thot I would drop you a letter to
let you know that I had not forgotten you. Received your letter and was sure surprised to
hear of some of the news that were on those clippings.
 We got here Tuesday Oct. 10 and I have beginning living a western life. We are
only 50 miles from a railroad or telephone lines and the only thing you can see around here
is sage brush, buttes (or small mountains) and once in a while a sod shanty. See quite a lot of game such as coyote, jack rabbit and antelope. I haven't been out a hunting yet, but am going before long.
 We had a fine trip up here, camped every night and cooked our own meals most of
the time. We run out of gas only once and that was in the eastern part of Montana. I
walked six miles to town after two gallons of gas that time. People around here don't think
nothing of walking ten or twelve miles, but believe me when I walked to town and back
after that gas, 12 Mi. I was ready to sit in the car and ride. My limbs haven't got thru
aching yet.
 We get our mail here twice a week so that isn't so bad. They most always go to
town saddle horse after the mail. The post office is only about three miles from here so it
don't take long to mail a letter.
 Have you saw Guy lately. Tell him when you see him that he had better come up
to this country where he can learn to ride broncs and shoot coyotes.
 Well guess I will have to quit writing because it bed time 9:45. Write and tell the
news.
George Cates   Edwards, Montana       P. S. Excuse all the mistakes because I have wrote
in a hurry. Will try and do better next time. Tell your father he ought to get his potatoes in
North Dakota where they are only 80 cents a bushel.

Dear Vesta,     Edwards, Montana - October 29, 1916
 Received your letter today and was glad to hear from you. Also was glad and
thank you at the same time for those clippings that you cut out. Because I do like to hear
about the old times back there.
 You wanted me to locate Edwards. It is in the eastern part of Montana and 50
miles north of Sumatra our nearest railroad station. Edwards isn't on the map because it is
to small a place. I am staying with my uncle on his ranch. He has lots of horses so I ride
most of the time looking the country over. I can see the snowy mountains from here, they
are ninety miles away and are covered with snow year round. As you look at them they
seem to meet the sky.
 I haven't been hunting much lately but have seen antelope, coyote and jack rabbits
while riding. I shot a few jack rabbits and cotton tails a while back. But I have got lazy
and don't like to pack a gun.
 The coyotes have taken quite a few chickens around here this fall. They go into the
hen houses along towards morning and do there raiding and it is pretty hard to get them in
the morning around here. Because no one gets up till 8 or 9 o'clock.
 A coyote is an animal that is about the size of a small dog and they are grayish
color in the winter and ground like color in the summer.
 The people around here are mostly new settlers from all states and are well
educated people. You never see a bum around here. The people are mostly homesteaders
and they run cattle and sheep for a living. They don't raise much crops because there is no market for their product.
 There is a fellow that lives a little ways from here that came into this country four
years ago a drunken sheepherder without a cent, that is now worth between twenty and
twenty five thousands dollars. Going some isn't it?
 This country is all right if you have a nice little girl to help you hold down a homestead. But this going out and holding down a homestead three years alone isn't what it's cracked up to be. Well guess I will close and retire.
Write soon, From a fitful and trusted companion, good night. George Cates
P. S. When I come back in the spring have some good places to go because I am going to
take father's car and we are going to have one good time, believe me. Oh say, how about
that trip next fall?

Dear Vesta,     Edwards, Montana - November 6, 1916
 Have got a few minutes to spare so thot I'd drop a few lines to let you know I was still in Montana. I have quit ranching and have gone to working in a store here in
Edwards. I have been here about a week now and I like it first rate. I suppose Clough
makes his regular trips yet on the road peddling.
 Were there many over to that party you were going to have? I would have like to
have been there to help you have a good time. Did you go out Halloween night and did
anyone molest you people? Out here people like to go to bed like they ought to Halloween
night because it is so far from one shack to the another that they would be all tired out
before they could get to the first shack.
 Would like to be out there some Sunday. We could take a ride and have a good
old chat once again but the winter will go quickly and then I may come back to New York
to live. Oh say! Has Edna announced her man and have you heard when she intends to get married. Guess I will come back before long because every one will be married and then my chances will be shot. Don't you think so?
 You wanted me to send down a piece of sage brush, I never thought of it when I
was out hunting. But I will try and think of it next time and send you a piece.
 Tell Clough when he comes along that he ought to have his store up here where
things are double what they are there. The post office is right in the store where I am
working so I don't worry about going after my mail anymore. Say I could write better if
they weren't so many people around me. But I guess you can make this out in time if you
study hard enough on it.
Good night. Write, Your George Cates   Edwards, Montana

Dear Vesta,     Edwards, Montana - November 23, 1916
 Received your letter yesterday and was glad to hear from you. Wish I were out
there to help you sing those new songs that you have just got. Believe me it would not
take us long to learn them because as you know it is easy for me to sing those ragtime
songs or about our lord. How they can ramble?
 It hasn't rained since I came into Montana and it is pretty dry around here. We had
a cold snap about a week ago and it was twenty below zero for about three days. Guess
you would have to go some to beat that back there in the first part of November wouldn't
you? I didn't happen to freeze write, but guess I froze my ear a little. But I was tickled I
didn't freeze any more than that. I slept nights in a printing shop thru the cold snap and it
was up in the top of it, where I bumped my head on a nail every time I raised up.
 Is there any good shows in Pulaski this fall? And have you been to many. I would like to be there to see some good shows for awhile. I haven't seen a show since I cam into Montana, but I have seen lots of other things that are just as interesting as shows.
 I am intending now to go to Roundup, Montana after awhile. It is about a hundred
miles from here and is a mining town.
 You wanted me to tell you the size of Edwards, it has got me, one store, one
blacksmith shop and one printing office. It is a pretty small place but they do lots of
business here.
 I think when I come back in the spring that I will farm it at home till I begin to
farm it for myself and that will be as quick as WE make up our minds.
 Guess that there is no more news so will close hoping to hear from you soon.
Yours, George Cates   Edwards, Montana
P. S. I was sure glad to get those clippings and thank you very much for cutting them out.

Dear Vesta,     Edwards, Montana - December 6, 1916
 Don't know whether it's my turn to write or not but to make sure I am going to
write, so here goes.
 We are having a western blizzard out today and I am spending the most of my time
by the fireplace reading, smoking, or whether I am watching the other fellows smoke.
 I suppose you had a good time Thanksgiving day. I took in a party at night that is
about seven miles from here. Another fellow and I rode horseback. I wish you could have
been here to rode horseback. It was sure a good sport and we had a good time.
 I expect to leave this country and go west about a hundred miles to a place called
Roundup, Montana. This place called Roundup is quite a nice little city so I have heard
and it is a railroad center. So I figure that ought to be quite a swell town or city.
 I have been a little sleepy today, guess it is because I got up fifteen minutes early. I
got up fifteen minutes to eight this morning and I generally get up at eight. But sometimes
it is 8:30 o'clock. People in this country believe in getting up very early or going to bed
very late.
 Wish I were back there to take another ride behind our horse Jack wouldn't it seem
good? Have to call him our horse you know because it probly will be ours. Yours and
mine, if all our plans make good.
 Well if you have any new plans let me hear them. Not much news so I will close. 
Write soon.  George Cates
P. S. Write to George Cates  Roundup, Montana  Care of Walter G. Cates

Dear Vesta,     Roundup, Montana - December 29, 1916
 Received your letter a while back and was glad to hear from you. We got here in
Roundup about a week ago all o.k. and had Christmas dinner at my uncle's place.
 I haven't been out hunting lately but think in a few days that I will go over in
mountains after bob cats. The Bow mountains (or foothills to the Rockie's) are only about
a mile away and they say they are full of bob cats and jack rabbits. I wish you could go
along to because it would please me to see a bob cat chase you. Of course I wouldn't let
him hurt you on a bet you know.
 How is Guy now days and do they like it at Mexico in the store. I think that I
would rather farm it wouldn't you?
 Trains have been eight and nine hours late from the east for quite a while on
account of the weather. It has been 30 and 32 below zero here for about ten days now and no hopes of it warming up any. Don't suppose you are having such cold weather back
there?
 New Years night wish I was back there with you, would have some fun. Guess this
is all this pencil will write so good night.
Write soon,   George Cates   Roundup, Montana

Dear Vesta,     Roundup, Montana - January 17, 1917
 Received your letter a short time ago and was glad to hear from you, also pleased
to get the paper clippings. I have been working here in Roundup for about ten days back
and like my work o.k.
 Have you been to any shows lately and are they having any good ones? Think
maybe I will be back between now and spring and then I figure you and I will take in a
few. And sing a few songs on Sunday nights again.
 We are having good weather here now, no snow on the ground and I haven't saw a
cutter since I came into Montana. I suppose there is good sleighing there.
 I saw some people from New York today that came out here since I came and
from the way they talk, they like New York better than they do Montana.
 I only have to work eight hours a day, begin at eight and quit at five so I have lots
of time to smoke and look the town over. Get up about six in the morning and eat
breakfast then read a story before I go to work. But just the same I miss my dear little girl
back east and wish I was there to take you for a ride behind Jack.   Again getting late.
Write.  Your devoted George Cates

Dear Vesta,     Mexico, New York - May 22, 1917
 Enclosed you will find a bill for your birthday present. I forgot to give it to you
before I left Sunday night. Will explain next Sunday night why I didn't buy anything. Am
in a hurry so I will close.
Yours,    George Cates

Dear George,     Pulaski, New York - June 29, 1917
 Well this looks very much like concert weather doesn't it? Father has gone to see if
he can find a horse. We went down to Gib Robbins' last night, took the puppy with us.
He's not as large as his mother.
 Would like to have you come over Sunday and take dinner with us, as we are
going for an auto ride afterwards. We will have dinner at twelve o'clock sharp so we can
have a longer time to enjoy a trip. We will expect you unless we hear from you. Be sure
and come early.
 Father and I went to Syracuse Tuesday, George went with us. I stayed at Mrs.
Beley's and in the afternoon she took me to the Savoy Theater where we saw Freckles
played in the movies. It was certainly great, I enjoyed it so much. There were two others,
one a comic play, the other scenery along the Great Lakes to Winnepeg. But Freckles beat
them all.
 What have you been doing this week? I've been sewing and I have a lot more piled
ahead yet. Don't know when I'll get it done.
 Now dear, don't disappoint us - we'll look for you Sunday morning.
    Give my regards to your people.       Lovingly yours,    Vesta

Dear Vesta,     Clay, New York - August 12, 1917
 Well here I am located for a few days or more and have worked the team couple of
days.
 Wish you were here today we would go over to Long Branch and buy a few ice
cream stands out if they would trust us and take a boat ride. Suppose you had a good trip
Thursday going after your Aunt.
 The old man (or papa) went to the city yesterday with chickens and came back
around where I was working. He said that they wanted teams in Parish on good roads. So
Roy and I are going to put our teams out there if they try to put it on us hard here. It's a
good job so far but some of the other teamsters say that it is going to be harder later. I
couldn't think of any news this time so have wrote on 'teaming it'. Our horse Barney has
stood it pretty good so far, his neck isn't quite so sore.
 Write to George Cates  Clay, NY  R. F. D. Care of Roy Cates
 P. S. Better burn this or people will think I never saw a school house. But I have
because I go by one everyday I go to work. Ha. 
 Have to excuse all the mistakes and writing I'll try to do better. My poor old hand
shakes or I could do better now. But if you follow the lines with your glasses and you can
read it maybe.
 
 

1932
January 1, 1932 - Friday, Cloudy with a strong east wind, snowed hard all p.m. turning to
rain late in evening. We all went down home to dinner.
January 2 - Saturday. Cloudy, cold. George and Flo away all day.
January 3 - Sunday. Pleasant and warm. Went to church after dinner. Flo went sliding over on the gravel bed hill. In evening we went over to Charles Krebs.
January 4 - Monday. Pleasant. Flo at school. I washed and George and I went to Pulaski.
January 5 - Tuesday. Cloudy and warm. Flo at school. George over at Bill Jamerson’s
drawing hay. Bill has moved onto Coe Worden’s farm near depot on what is known as the
Hungerford farm. Down home in evening.
January 6 - Wednesday. Rained hard, warm all day. George’s father at Pulaski. Milk for
December $1.18.
January 7 - Thursday. Cloudy and warm, snow all gone. Rob (George’s brother) here, he
and George went back home and brought Gordon (Rob’s son) here to stay a few days.
George at Erson’s in evening.
January 8 - Friday. Clear and warm. Flo at school. In evening Bill and family and Harold
and Dorothy Calkins Nicholson were here. Mervin Robbins called so drunk he could
hardly walk, he finally went over to John Atkinson’s.
January 9 - Saturday. Pleasant, warm. Rob came and took Gordon home with him. We
went to church at a meeting of the Home Guards Class last night (which we didn’t attend)
I was elected vice president. In evening we went down home.
January 11 - Monday. Pleasant, 10 above zero, but wind changed and warmed it up fast.
Flo at school. George at Bill’s drawing ensilage.
January 12 - Tuesday. Pleasant & warm. I washed. Gordon here over night, also Mildred
Skotniski. George went home with Rob after chores.
January 13 - Wednesday. Rainy & cloudy until about 4 then cleared away, warm &
pleasant. George took Gordon home and brought Gilbert Stewart home with him.
January 14 - Thursday. Pleasant, outdoor thermometer stood 70 degrees on back steps all
day. George to Syracuse with 15 pullets he sold to Edward Bender of Baldwinsville for
$14.00. In evening went up to Morgan Edwards (Mexico) with my folks. There we saw
some people from Flint, Michigan driving through to Rome to attend a funeral. They
hadn’t seen any snow since they started from home and didn’t even wear a heavy coat it
was so warm.
January 15, 1932 - Friday. Cloudy & rain, clearing towards night. Bill’s farm was sold at
auction today, Sayles White bid on it for $3000. In evening we went to card party at Port
Ontario.
January 16 - Saturday. Pleasant. Home all day, paid taxes $66.66.
January 17 - Sunday. Rainy. Went to church, after dinner went to Mexico.
January 18 - Monday. Rain turning to snow in p.m. George and I went down home and
took mama with us to Pulaski, coming home we called on Bill and Lulu Jamerson.
January 19 - Tuesday. Colder, cloudy, a light snow cover. Flo at school. George and I at
Mexico, he helped his father draw hay in evening. We went to Dorothy’s to a small party.
January 20 - Wednesday. Pleasant & warm. Flo at school. Father & Mother Cates, Gilbert
Stewart, Bill Jamerson & Harold North here drawing hay, drew up small stack, finished it
all about 3:00. Floyd, Jessie & John Atkinson here in evening. We girls beat the two boys
three games of Pedro.
January 21 - Thursday. Cloudy. Flo at school. We went down home and helped Father
Hardie draw in his hay in p.m. It snowed & rained.
January 22 - Friday. Cloudy, colder. George after chickens. Barn inspector here, passed
o.k. Flo over at Pauline’s for supper, a small party for Norma Jean, 7 years old.
January 23 - Saturday. Rainy. George at city with his father.
January 24 - Sunday. Snowy. Went to church. Willard Manwaring and his sister Gladys
Filsinger called, sold her seven dozen eggs .20 cents. Down home in evening.
January 25 - Monday. Snowed hard all day. George washed for me. In p.m. he went over
to Bill Jim’s.
January 26 - Tuesday. Pleasant. George and I went to Pulaski, took Mama with us. Gilbert Stewart stayed down there to help Father, his father has an awful cold. In the evening we we went over to Floyd Atkinson’s. My Father’s (Smart) birthday, age 63.
January 27 - Wednesday. Raining, strong cold west wind, rain, hail and some soft snow all
day. In evening we went to Fernwood to Home Guards Class night. Men did entertaining,
furnished hot hamburger sandwiches, coffee cake and ice cream.
January 28 - Thursday. Bright & warm. Flo’s 6th grade examination, Arithmetic 95.
George at Mexico in a.m., Pulaski in p.m.. I stayed down home while he was gone. Mrs.
Buck called a few minutes in a.m.
January 29 - Friday. Cloudy, strong east wind. George down to his folk’s, helped dress
some chickens for city tomorrow. Went to card party at Port Ontario in evening. Bill &
Lulu Jamerson went with us. Rained hard all p.m. and night.
January 30 - Saturday. Colder, pleasant. George at city, brought Lawrence Cates home
with him and took him to Mexico after chores. Mr. Rich, our Minister, called this evening.
January 31 - Sunday. Cold, heavy northwest wind and blizzard. All went to church, were
baptized and taken in on probation for joining in March.

February 1, 1932 - Monday. Pleasant, very cold. Flo at school, passed all her exams, 80
was the least she stood in anything.
February 2 - Tuesday. Rainy. I ironed all day. George at Syracuse with Bill. Grace Stock
here over night with Flo. George at Erson’s in evening.
February 3 - Wednesday. Rainy & warm. Rob here for dinner, George went home with
him to help do chores. Rev. and Mrs. Rich came about 3:30 p.m., here to supper and left
about 8 o’clock.
February 4 - Thursday. Warm. Flo at school. Addison & Gordon Cates and Curt Pond
here in p.m. I have lumbago in my back.
February 5 - Friday. Snowing. I’m in bed and can scarcely move. All day my back hurt so
I couldn’t get up. George at Mexico. Flo to school. George took our eggs and chickens to
Mexico tonight.
February 6 - Saturday. Pleasant & warm. Flo and George did all the work. I am in bed and
can’t even dress.
February 7 - Sunday. Pleasant. I was in bed all day on couch. After dinner George went
down home and brought my folks up and then his folks came down. My mother stayed
until after they put me to bed and George took her home. Charles Krebs called a little
while in a.m.
February 8 - Monday. Cloudy. My back better, I can sit up a little. George took Flo to
school and went for her at night. I got up and helped get breakfast, then washed dishes
and milk pails to help Flo out. George cleaned hen house and after dinner had to wash all
the dishes as I had to go to bed. Turned colder in p.m.
February 9 - Tuesday. A beautiful day, the wind died down in the night and although it’s
cold, it‘s pleasant. George and Charles went down to Art Spaulsbury to see about cutting
ice. I swept all through with linoleum broom and dusted some and got dinner. Such a
funny winter the creek hasn’t been frozen over at all so far, has been open all winter, some days frozen a little along the edges but very high and swift. Emily Twitchell’s mother died yesterday, that leaves her father alone, poor old man, except for her. Charles Krebs was here to dinner and Harold Nicholson was here in p.m. George went to Harold’s and played checkers in evening.
February 10 - Wednesday. Pleasant. George at Pulaski for groceries, his folks called in
p.m. Went down home in evening, Sayles & Luella White were there.
February 11 - Thursday. Rainy, heavy thunder shower at 5 o’clock this morning, lightened
sharp and cracked over phones a number of times. George to city with his father. Flo at
school. Willie Holden came in p.m., walked from Mexico down railroad tracks. Went
down home again in evening. My back is a little better, but aches most of the time unless I lie down. I’m doing my own work now.
February 12 - Friday. Pleasant & warm. No school. Willie has gone visiting various
neighbors. George at Bert Deans for chickens.
February 13 - Saturday. Pleasant, colder. Willie left on 3:30 train, a blessed relief from so
much yap! George at city with his father. Chickens from 15 to 20 cents per pound, eggs
21 to 23 cents per dozen, at Pulaski 16 cents per dozen.
February 14 - Sunday. Stormy & cold. Went to church and after dinner, down home.
February 15, 1932 - Monday. Pleasant, cold. Flo at school. Dr. Bales here, tested cows for
T.B. Rob here to dinner in evening. George went with Harold and Harry Nicholson, Bill
Jamerson and some others skating on a pond near Daysville school.
February 16 - Tuesday. Pleasant, cold. George and I took mama and went to Pulaski. I
got some groceries. We were down home for dinner. George played checkers with Roy
Hardie and got beaten very badly. Went over to Rob’s in evening, George went skating
again with boys.
February 17 - Wednesday. Cold, sleet. Flo at school. Were over at Charles Krebs in
evening. George at Mexico in a.m.
February 18 - Thursday. Cold, snowy, clear in p.m. Went up home in evening. Floyd
Atkinson & Harold Nicholson here in p.m.
February 19 - Friday. Cold & pleasant. George went after chickens, heavy rocks 15 cents.
Floyd & Jessie Atkinson and Rob here in evening. Cows had clear test, we now have
accredited herd.
February 20 - Saturday. Pleasant, cold. George at Syracuse with his father, sold out and
back at Mexico at 2:30. Got some new B batteries at Sears, $2.19 each. Rob Cates came
home with them and helped do our chores, then George went home with him to do his
chores. After which they came back here and they played checkers and Rob stayed over
night.
February 21 - Sunday. Pleasant, cold. George took Rob home after breakfast and helped
him do his chores. After he came home he took Flo and I to church and we rode back with
Dorothy Nicholson. In evening we went down home.
February 22 - Monday. Cold. In afternoon George took a motor load of kids to Pulaski
High for Washington’s Birthday exercises, they got home about four. Rob here a few
minutes. I washed in a.m. and ironed all p.m. In evening we went over to Bill Jamerson’s.
February 23 - Tuesday. Cold. In a.m. Charlie Krebs here and he and George went to ice
pond but only 6” of ice yet. In p.m. George over at Bill’s helping fill his ice house.
February 24 - Wednesday. Pleasant, cold. George, Mother Hardie and I at Pulaski, I
bought a new silk dress $5.00 black with green figures, very pretty. Had dinner down
home, then went to Bill’s. Lulu and I went up town in p.m. and then over at her sister Inez
Waite’s for a few minutes. In evening George went to Mexico for Willie. He brought his
trunk and suit case and has come to stay.
February 25 - Thursday. Pleasant. George and Willie on ice this a.m. drew 3 loads of ice
for our ice house before dinner. A cow freshened this a.m., heifer calf. In p.m. Father
Hardie and Earl Adsit came up and helped Willie pack ice. Father Cates and Rob were
here a few minutes. Rob drew us 1/2 ton gluten .95 cents per 100 pounds from Fernwood.
Bill and Richard Jamerson here for supper. George and Willie unloaded truck of ice after
milking. Bill Jamerson and family and Harold Nicholson here in evening to finish packing ice.
February 26 - Friday. Pleasant, a regular spring day, very warm and bright. Boys on ice
filling Harold’s ice house today, and got it all done, begin for Charles Krebs and Guy
Salisbury tomorrow. Father Cates was down a few minutes this a.m. George and Willie
took the eggs and chickens up to Mexico tonight. It’s terribly hot all day so warm out of
doors and then the fire inside made it quite warm. I’ll be glad when the icing is done.
George’s hide will be on the fence if it lasts much longer.
February 27 - Saturday. Pleasant. George and Willie on ice, filled Charles Krebs ice house
today & Guy Salisbury put two tiers of ice in his. Went down home in evening. Mildred
White and friend came a little after we did.
February 28 - Sunday. Cloudy. Went to church and Sunday school. All went to sleep after
dinner. In evening George’s folks were all here.
February 29 - Monday. Cloudy, wind east and spitting snow. George and Willie helping
Father Hardie with his ice. George came for me at noon and I went down with him.
Snowed hard all day.

March 1, 1932 - Tuesday. Cloudy, thawing all day. Finished both Father’s and Sayles
White’s (on Bill Jamersons farm) ice houses. I went down home with George and stayed
all day.
March 2 - Wednesday. Cloudy, thawed all day. George washed for me today. After which
he and Willie finished packing the ice and went to Mexico, brought Florence from school
when they came home. Col. Charles Lindburg’s baby has been kidnapped and the whole
nation is aroused, no clues up until 7 o’clock tonight by radio.
March 3 - Thursday. Pleasant. George & Willie over at Rob’s in p.m. We all went down
home in evening, played cards.
March 4 - Friday. Pleasant. Florence came from school at noon. Went down to see Mrs.
Buck in p.m., in evening we took Bill and Lulu Jamerson to card party at Port Ontario.
Willie went over to Herman Krebs in evening.
March 5 - Saturday. Pleasant. I ironed while Florence did dishes and milk pails. George at
Syracuse with his father, eggs sold 2 dozen for 45 cents. After he got back to Mexico he
took his father’s truck and drew a load of ice for League ice house at Mexico. Charles
Krebs and family here in evening.
March 6 - Sunday. Cloudy. Went to church and after dinner Eva, Gordon and Mother
Cates came down for the p.m.
March 7 - Monday. Stormy, very heavy wind and a blizzard, but not cold. George went
with Harold to factory to help shovel, car gets stuck every little hill or drift, snow is heavy
and wet. They got to Pulaski about 1 p.m. and went to Lacona after load of milk and got
back to Pulaski about 4:30, they started home but got as far as Howard Nicholson’s and
stayed over night. The snow plow went through about three and back at 5:30, but the
wind blows a gale so the road drifts in as fast as they plow it out. Bill Jamerson started
with his truck and got to the Port at four o’clock, that road was awful, the plow had hard
work to get through and cars were stuck every few rods. Bill finally got to Pulaski but left
his truck at Walt Griffin’s and came home on the 8:30 train.
March 8 - Tuesday. Stormy, wind gone down some, not so strong but still blowing, but from the southwest instead of northwest as yesterday. Snowing hard and colder than yesterday. Windows are frosted today and weren’t yesterday. No school. The Easter vacation I guess will be this week instead of in two weeks as first planned. No news as yet of the Lindburg baby.
March 9 - Wednesday. Pleasant, cold. Boys went to factory with milk. Charles Krebs
came here and Harold Nicholson came down, George went on hill for Guy Salisbury’s
milk then all three teams went on together, at Harold’s they put Howard Nicholson’s team
on ahead of Harold’s, making four horses on those sleighs and put our horse Bobbie in
with one of Charles horses and they went on. They got up to Pulaski at three o’clock and
got back home about seven o’clock, boys were nearly frozen as wind blew dreadfully all
day. Got the mail for this week and some groceries.
March 10 - Thursday. Stormy, cold, strong winds. Boys did not go with milk today just
did necessary chores and rested up the remainder of day.
March 11 - Friday. Pleasant, wind gone down. Boys went with milk today. Snow plow
was at work on State Road and had eight or ten men along shoveling, snow is so hard the
little tractor plow got as far as Bert Dean’s on Port Road but got into a hard snow bank
and was still there at six tonight. Boys got home about 5:30, had good luck.
March 12 - Saturday. Pleasant. Harold Nicholson came for milk, is going to go alone
today. George has hard cold, didn’t sleep much last night. Snow plow tractor came as far
as the bridge and laid around until nearly six then turned around and beat it for Pulaski.
March 13 - Sunday. Pleasant, cold. Snow plow came through this morning. Harold
Nicholson started with his truck but got stuck on the hill between here and his tenant
house and left it in the road. Plow went up to it and cleared a good track and Erson drove
it out and went to Lacona to draw milk. The big plow came through and cleared road to
the pavement and pushed the sides way back so two cars cam meet and pass. Willie
shoveled our driveway out.
March 14 - Monday. Pleasant, cold. Flo at school. Lewis Geer brought us another load of
coal. Father and Mother Cates were here in p.m. George a little better, but weak yet.
March 15, 1932 - Tuesday. Cloudy, cold. Flo’s at school. Chickens $44.78. Windows
frosted tight, wind northwest. Willie drove to school for Flo tonight. Awful cold and such
a strong wind.
March 16 - Wednesday. Pleasant, much warmer. Charles Krebs came over in p.m. and
helped George get car out and went to Pulaski with him. I rode as far as Mother’s and
stayed while they were gone. The snow plow went through to Fernwood and back.
George managed to get part of a track shoveled to garage, had to take frequent rest
periods but Willie helped a little after he got the chores done. Willie went to Fernwood for
feed, Frank Weaver rode over with him, he came for the money George owed him for
some chickens $3.68, 23 pounds of rock hens, .16 cents per pound. This grippe has nearly
finished George, he is so weak, he weaves when he walks.
March 17 - Thursday. Pleasant, warm. Flo at school. In p.m. George and Willie went
down home. I can hardly speak aloud this cold is all settled in my throat. George got
dinner and washed the dishes. I went to bed and slept a couple hours, so I feel pretty
good. George is better today he says, and I believe he is some.
March 18 - Friday. Pleasant. George took the car and drove to Mexico had to go through
Fernwood and around by Maple View but didn’t leave the eggs nor chickens as his Father
had enough of his own.
March 19 - Saturday. Stormy. All home and feeling better.
March 20 - Sunday. Pleasant, cold. We did not go to church, none of us feel well enough.
In p.m. we went down home, Roy’s folks came down also.
March 21 - Monday. Cloudy, cold. George to Fernwood. Rob here in p.m. Flo at school.
March 22 - Tuesday. Cloudy, sleet, Rained & froze all night, icy this morning. Flo at
school.
March 23 - Wednesday. Colder. Flo at school, her 4-H Club had a meeting and lunch at
school tonight.
March 24 - Thursday. Pleasant, warmer. George and I at Syracuse on market. Chickens
went quickly, but eggs dragged dreadfully, .18 - .20 cents and could hardly move them.
After the market closed, we went to Sears Roebuck and bought paint and paper for the
kitchen and bathroom, and paint for Flo’s room.
March 25 - Friday. Stormy. I papered nearly all of the bathroom after cleaning and
washing woodwork and tearing off old paper. Sayles White called tonight and bought our
stack of hay $45.00. Luella was with him, they’d been down to the farm, they stayed a
short time then went on.
March 26 - Saturday. Cloudy, warmer. A flock of robins came from the south this
morning. George went to Syracuse with his Father, brought home a bushel of Gilflower
apples, they were delicious. Have a very sick cow tonight, think she may have milk fever,
George got Harold Nicholson to come help him, but she is all right again.
March 27 - Sunday. Pleasant, warm. Went to church and we three joined the church
today. In evening we took the gallon of ice cream I made this morning down home and
froze it. Marge and Bertha Howard were there. George went to Mexico and got his
Father’s truck to draw ice tonight. He went down but there was so much water and slush
over the ice they couldn’t cut. George got home at 11:30.
March 28 - Monday. Stormed and blew hard all day. We washed this a.m. After dinner I
went to bed and George and Willie went to Pulaski. Are going to draw ice tomorrow if it
freezes a little. Bill Jamerson and Erson Gokey came down while George was gone and
got stuck in the mud in our back yard. Flo at school.
March 29 - Tuesday. Warmer, cloudy. Flo at school. George took truck to work on ice,
he drew 6 loads and came home at 4:45 a.m., slept until 7, ate breakfast and went back
and drew 3 loads and came home at 1:30 p.m., all through.
March 30 - Wednesday. Pleasant and warm.
March 31 - Thursday. Pleasant. George at Pulaski. Flo at school.

April 1, 1932 - Friday. Rainy. I finished painting kitchen in p.m. George took Florence to
Pulaski after supper and home in evening. Snowed hard all evening.
April 2 - Saturday. Snowy. George at city with eggs .17 cents, .12 & .13 cents in town. I
finished painting kitchen today, looks fine. We went down home in evening. George and
Willie went to Pulaski for groceries and came back down home. We brought Mildred
White home with us.
April 3 - Sunday. Cloudy, snowy. Leon Moshier came down for Mildred today, were here
to supper until 9:30 then went home.
April 4 - Monday. Pleasant, cold. I washed. Boys cut tree on flats on p.m. Went across on
Harold’s pasture and cut posts. Flo at school. Earl & Flossie Hardie called in evening and
after they left we went over to Charles Krebs. Louis & Ella Webb have a little girl.
April 5 - Tuesday. Cloudy. Flo at school. Boys cut posts. Dorothy Nicholson and baby
called in p.m., he’s so sweet, first ever. Painted cabinet and table in kitchen.
April 6 - Wednesday. Cloudy. George & Willie helped draw hay to Earl Hardie’s. Alma
Griffin here over night with Florence, their 4-H Club met at school tonight.
April 7 - Thursday. Pleasant, warm, just lovely out. Boys finished drawing hay. Eggs are
.13 to .15 cents at Pulaski. Lard, 4 pounds, .25 cents. Butter, 2 pounds .49 cents. Flour
.59 to .63 cents. George & Willie went over to George Barnard’s and bought a collie
shepherd puppy, the cutest little fellow, $2.00. I went down home in p.m., George at
Pulaski.
April 8 - Friday. Rainy. George took Flo to school. Went over to Barnard’s in p.m. but
George wasn’t there so went again in evening.
April 9 - Saturday. Cloudy. George at city with his father. Willie went to Mexico on 3:30
train to see Henry. We went over to Floyd Atkinson’s in evening. Harold Towsley and
wife and little girl were there also, from Pulaski.
April 10 - Sunday. Rainy. Went to church, Rev. Dr. Robert F. Thomas was there from Tennessee, helped in communion. Henry wasn’t in a very talkative mood as soon as breakfast was over he went to sleep and Nellie was sick so she went back to bed & Willie rode his wheel right down here. From all we can pick from his visit to Henry’s, it wasn’t very satisfactory. My folks came up for dinner and spent the p.m. after chores. We all went to church and heard Dr. Thomas talk on Tennessee. How he can talk, you can almost see the people and country he talks about.
April 11 - Monday. Rainy. Flo at school. Boys cut posts across the creek on Harold’s this
p.m. Grace Stock came home with Flo from school and remained over night. Boys
finished cutting posts and drew home 45 of them.
April 12 - Tuesday. Rainy, colder. Girls at school. In p.m. Willie drew rest of our fence
posts, making 88 in all. George went to Syracuse with Bill Jamerson after Bill’s new
truck, got home at 5:15, in evening we went down home.
April 13 - Wednesday. Snowy all day in a.m. George to Mexico in p.m., he went over to
Delano Moody’s to see a 1928 Chevy truck, but I guess he couldn’t come to terms with
Miss Moody. Their hired man said they were to have a sale at the end of the month.
April 14 - Thursday. Still snowing. George and Willie cut 75 posts on flats this a.m. Rob
was here for dinner after which he and George went to Phoenix with eggs for a man to set
for them, 2 1/2 cents per eggs, each had 420. In evening George went up to Harold
Nicholson’s.
April 15, 1932 - Friday. Pleasant, warm. I washed in p.m., painted my part of my
bedroom, woodwork. Flo at school.
April 16 - Saturday. Cloudy, cold. Florence went to Mexico with 4-H Club, girls with
teacher, Mrs. Carl, to meeting at Mexico High School. Willie started plowing Decator lot.
George helped me paper our bedroom, we got it nearly half done, all of ceiling and half of
side wall. Went down home in evening.
April 17 - Sunday. Cold, Cloudy. At home all day. Made a gallon of ice cream and ate it
all ourselves. Aunt Mate Ball called on phone, Jess Pond brought his wife Lillian home
from the hospital yesterday, she stood the trip well.
April 18 - Monday. Cloudy. George and I finished papering our bedroom, looks lovely.
Boys fixed fence until noon. Willie plowed in p.m. George went spearing in evening but
didn’t see a fish.
April 19 - Tuesday. Pleasant, cool wind. Boys fixed fence. I finished painting bedroom. In
p.m. Willie plowed. George fixed fence. I to Fernwood with my folks, I was weighed over
at the mill, 136 pounds, Mama 125 pounds. In evening George & Willie went fishing but
didn’t get any.
April 20 - Wednesday. Pleasant, warm. Boys fixed fence in a.m. Willie plowed in p.m. I
ironed all p.m. got it all done. George went fishing in evening got 2 small ones.
April 21 - Thursday. Pleasant, warmer than yesterday. George and I to Pulaski in p.m.
George fixed fence, across road all done but around potato field. In evening George’s
mother, Eva and Gordon were here, after they left George and Willie went fishing. Flo and
I went down home and stayed with mother.
April 22 - Friday. Pleasant, warm. George fixed fence. Flo at school. In p.m. George went
to Fernwood to get fish spear fixed. Flo and Alma Griffin went with him. Willie plowed.
April 23 - Saturday. Pleasant, cold north wind. Willie plowed all day. George crated eggs
and he and Flo took them to Pulaski and shipped them. In evening we went down home.
April 24 - Sunday. Pleasant, cold. We went to church, our new minister Rev. L. M.
Shepherd preached “Prodical Son”, after church we went to Mexico to Father Cates’ for
dinner. I made ice cream and we took it with us, Mother had her freezer ready and froze it
for us.
April 25 - Monday. Cloudy. I washed. Flo at school. Willie plowed. George over at
Charles Krebs, traded 5 bushel potatoes for 50 cobblers with Charles. In evening George
went fishing. Flo and I down home. Rained all afternoon.
April 26 - Tuesday. Cloudy, warm. Flo at school. Rained all day. Father Cates came down
and George went with him to Phoenix to get his baby chicks, they went to Delano
Moody’s auction in p.m. Erson and Harold Nicholson called in evening, George and
Harold went down on creek in front of house fishing but didn’t get any. Turned colder at
night.
April 27 - Wednesday. Cloudy, cold, had a flurry of snow in the night and flurries all day.
In evening we went to Home Guard Class meeting at Fernwood, had a good time, but
only 16 there counting 2 kids.
April 28 - Thursday. Pleasant, warmer. Willie dragged ground on flats for potatoes. Made
ice cream and went down home with it. Earl and Flossie Hardie were there. Men played
cards.
April 29 - Friday. Pleasant, real warm. Boys planted potatoes, a little sweet corn,
pumpkins and melons.
April 30 - Saturday. Cloudy, warm. George at city. Rained hard after 2 o’clock and nearly
all evening. George and Harold went fishing got 21 bullheads (at Texas.)

May 1, 1932 - Sunday. Pleasant. Went to church, rained hard whole we were there,
cleared in p.m., was lovely and warm. Mr. and Mrs. Wells and family were here a short
time in p.m.
May 2 - Monday. Cloudy, cold.. Rob here for dinner. George went home with him and
helped with his chores and came back again, then George went to Fernwood. Flo at
school.
May 3 - Tuesday. Pleasant. Flo at school. I washed. Willie plowed. Went down to school
meeting in evening. George’s folks down.
May 4 - Wednesday. Cloudy, cold. Willie dragged oat field. George to Fernwood after
which he took me down home. Went to Pulaski and came down for me in evening. 
May 5 - Thursday. Pleasant, cold. Willie dragged all day, in p.m. George went to Harold’s
and dragged for him with tractor. Alma Griffith here over night.
May 6 - Friday. Cloudy, warmer than yesterday. I to Fernwood with Dad. George dragged
all day for Harold Nicholson. Flo at school.
May 7 - Saturday. Rain all day. George at city and brought home our baby chicks, 265
from 410 eggs, had them hatched by a man in Phoenix 2 1/2 cents per egg, Waimore
Farms at Phoenix. Rob Cates here over night.
May 8 - Sunday. Pleasant, warm. George and Flo down home in a.m. Rob here for dinner,
after dinner we went up home and to Oswego to show “A Gay Cabellero”, good show. In
evening went over to Charlie Krebs.
May 9 - Monday. Pleasant, warm. George at Harold’s dragging for oats. Flo at school.
May 10 - Tuesday. Cloudy. George at Harold’s with drill, put in 10 acres of oats and
rolled nearly all of them. He and Harold went fishing in evening. Flo and I went down
home. Boys got 55 bullheads at Snake Creek.
May 11 - Wednesday. Cloudy. George had tractor here and fitted his oat ground by
boarder house in p.m. In evening his Father and Eva called as did Bertha and Marge
Howard.
May 12 - Thursday. Pleasant, warm. George drilled oats, 8 acres. Harold dragged potato
ground across cattle pasture and George furrowed it out, 2 1/2 acres, after he finished
oats. In evening he and Harold went fishing, got 40 bullheads. Kids had Arbor Day, went
to Stock’s woods in a.m., State Park in p.m.
May 13 - Friday. Pleasant, warm. News came by radio last evening, the Lindburg baby
found, but dead. Authorities thought it was killed right after being taken, identified only by
the clothes that it wore, dressed in shirt and night drawers, just as taken from its bed.
Planted potatoes.
May 14 - Saturday. Pleasant, warm. Boys planted potatoes and got nearly all of phosphate dropped and covered. George went to Syracuse wit Harold. Flo over at Alma’s in p.m. About 4 o’clock Flo and I went with Dorothy Nicholson to Pulaski, got home at 8 o’clock. George and Harold had gone fishing, Willie was here watching brooder fire.
May 15, 1932 - Sunday. Pleasant, hot. Flo’s 11th birthday. Went to church and down
home for dinner. Uncle James and Lida Tollerton there and Edith Tollerton and Mrs. Ladd
came just as we were to sit down to eat. I had a gallon of ice cream and a pink and white
cake for Florence. Mama gave her a very pretty dress and I had made her a black taffeta
ensemble so she was pretty pleased. Charles and Emily Krebs here in evening.
May 16 - Monday. Hot. Boys finished covering phosphate. Willie disked and dragged a
small piece by the calf yard for potatoes. I to Fernwood in p.m. with my folks. George to
Mexico. Boys at Harold Nicholson’s in evening. Stormed hard all around us, but only a
sprinkle here.
May 17 - Tuesday. Pleasant, much cooler. George at Syracuse with his Father who had an
operation on his arm, a bunch formed on his elbow and his shoulder and hand pained him
so much Dr. Pulsifer sent him to Syracuse and he had it operated on, George brought him
home. George drives up morning and evening and does the chores.
May 18 - Wednesday. Pleasant, cold. Boys planted potatoes. I washed and ironed and
baked and helped cut about seven bushels potatoes. Flo went to lake after school, 4-H
Club had fire in furnace in evening. A frost last night.
May 19 - Thursday. Pleasant, warmer. My 37th birthday. Flo at school. George at Harold
Nicholson’s planting corn. Willie worked dropping phosphate on rest of our potatoes.
Went down home in evening. George at Harold’s.
May 20 - Friday. Pleasant. George at Harold’s, finished his corn. Willie plowed for corn. I
at Mrs. Buck’s in a.m. George and Harold went fishing in evening.
May 21 - Saturday. Rain all a.m. George to city, eggs .17 cents rooster, hens and broilers
also .17 cents. Eva Cates came home with George and we all went to Oswego to show in
evening. Hoot Gibson in “A Gay Buckaroo”, a western play, good one.
May 22 - Sunday. Pleasant, cold. George brought Gordon Cates home with him this a.m.
Rob here for dinner, George went over to Rob’s and helped do his chores and they both
went to Mexico and did Addison’s (Cates). Rob here over night.
May 23 - Monday. Pleasant, cool, fire in furnace. George got Harold’s tractor and tilled
corn ground, 8 acres, dragged 3 times. Jesse and Lillian Pond came down and George and
Jess went fishing, caught 5 rock bass. Lillian stayed with me.
May 24 - Tuesday. Pleasant, warmer. George planted corn got it all in. In evening we
went to Herman Kreb’s and over at Charlie Krebs a few minutes. Flo stayed with Alma
over night.
May 25 - Wednesday. Hot, pleasant. George and Harold went perch fishing, George
caught 3 rock bass and Harold 2 small bullheads. I washed all the windows and part of
wood work in sitting room. Mother Cates here in p.m., Father’s arm worse. George
finished putting in garden, then went up and did Father’s chores, Mother got a boy to
come and stay so George don’t have to do the chores any more. Flo and Leah Griffin went
swimming, Willie did also after chores.
May 26 - Thursday. Cloudy, showers, warm and rainy. George to Mexico, crows are
taking Father’s chickens as fast as they can. George took his gun and thought he’d see if
he could get some of them, but only got one hen hawk. In evening we all went down
home.
May 27 - Friday. Rainy. Flo at school. I cleaned all through. George took vacuum tank off
milking machine and it is rusted through in so many places it’s no good any more, must
have a new one. George at Mexico for while over at Rob’s. In evening we went to
Pulaski, bought new gears or bearings for car, $6.00, came home and George took car
over to Charlie and Charlie gave him a set of used gears and he put them in.
May 28 - Saturday. Cloudy, cold. George at city, when be came home he brought a
vacuum tank from Rob’s, one Rob didn’t use. By fixing it a little, it fit over pipes and the
machine works like new. Rain all p.m. and evening.
May 29 - Sunday. Pleasant, warmer. Went to church and then down home for dinner. I took mashed potatoes, chocolate cake and ice cream. After dinner we five went in Father’s car (George drove) to Oswego where we went down to the grain elevator and walked all around it. Them came home by the Hall Road, a very pleasant drive and through some good and some poor country. Earl stayed home and played ball and Willie went to the cemetery and afterwards came home to start chores. George, Flo, Mother and I went to cemetery after we got home, lots of flowers there and people coming and going all the time. George’s folks here in the evening.
May 30 - Monday. Pleasant, hot. All went down home, boys helped Father draw in the
rest of a stack of hay. After dinner we came home and got ready and the folks came up
and we went in their car to Fulton to the doings at Recreation Park, Earl Adsit and
George saw a ball game, Mother, Flo and I rode on the ferris wheel after which we walked
and walked and walked, until George told us there was to be a balloon ascension over on
the ball diamond, so we all went over and saw it. A man was shot from a cannon (but he
slid out instead) and drop with a parachute. We came home for chores.
May 31 - Tuesday. Cloudy, clearing in p.m. with just a tiny sprinkle of rain. Flo at school.
George at Mexico all day. Willie cleaned cellar and fixed calf yard fence.
 
 

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