Wednesday, Nov. 22, 1939

Bert [Bertille] washed, ironed etc. Went to Smithton got prestone put that from last year, by Bill, & got gas went to Freeburg to see Classen Lumberman. Pretty nice day. Leo Schaum 40 Cleta Stalehebers husband died at Texas & was shipped to Rock Island Ill. for burial. He formely [sic] was at Scott Field.

Saturday, Nov. 4, 1939

Bert [Bertille] baked pumpkin pie, made chicken. Henry brought pc. beef, he butchered Thurs. eve. 3 lbs; we got so much meat yet; will have it tomorrow, made steaks for supper. Was at Columbia this afternoon to see Leo Herman about selling our horses, & etc. Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary were up, were called to see Herbert Stalhebers over at Jennie Coop were her mother Mrs. Stahlbers has 1 room there, on business. Went througth Smithton paid Bill [Klein] for Whip. repair everything also the bill from accident, $12.00; altogether $37.55 in all. Mrs. Rennecker came over to get doz. eggs 25 [cents] price here in store.

Friday, Sept. 9, 1938

Bert [Bertille] baked cookies, pumpkin pie & cake this morn. patched. Its hot again yesterday it was 98. Seen in paper that Joe Lengyl of St. Louis, she being Ethel May have a baby boy second boy now, also seen that Mrs. Eugene Fahey is going to teach Oak Grove School this term; she didn’t teach last yr. living in St. Louis. Mr. & Mrs. Otto Stadel nee Miss Norman Geodelle have moved household articles & 8 head horses by train to Waterloo, going to move with her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Jac Geodelle in Geodelletown, came from South Dakota. Hy Burckardt of Waterloo is going to start the Oak Grove Tavern now. Clifford Stahelheber wrecked his roadster last Sat. nite near Marrissa, hit into another car, he has a scratch on his chin; but now another car driving around already. Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary came awhile & Emil; It rained a little & thunder.

Saturday, Feb. 26, 1938

Pap got crushing done. Uncle Fred & pap went to Waterloo A. Wiehl wanted to see Uncle on business. Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary & papa went to Mrs. Stahleber’s sale this afternoon, household goods & farm implements. Percy Stav [unclear] Ave. Auto license came today & what No. so long. Eggs are down 13 [cents] today. Wm. Birkner is fixing Harry Kammlers chimney today, an awful cold northwest wind. Mrs. Whiel sale by Waterloo last Sat. things also brought good price, for conditions of the weather, cows average $100. sow & pigs $77.00 chickens $12.50 doz. paper says. Henry stopped in.

Saturday, Jan. 8, 1938

Nice day, cold. Emil came said pap could ride with him to funeral, Reunker went along also, down to house of Hy. Stahleheber, with service in Evangical [sic] church, then to Village cemetery.

Thursday, Jan. 6, 1938

Fried in bacon & pork sausage. Henry & Leona went to Belleville with a calf left Billy [Willis] here. Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary came up after the batteries by Probst’s this evening. We went to Renneker’s, paid up telephone dues, 50 & extra for drop tax; Emil came there & we had pinochle game – 10 games 9 to 1. Mr. Hy. Stahlebeher died, will be buried Sat. afternoon; the bell rang this morn. It is getting awful cold rapidly.

Thursday, Nov. 11, 1937

Armistice Day. H. Wittinauer’s boy stoped [sic] in this morn. Sure warm weather for this time of year. Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary came this afternoon. Lerna [unclear – could be Leona?] Meng came over to see them. Uncle went to Stahlehebers to see John, he is home today from Woodriver Ill. Mrs. Mehrmann got 5 doz. eggs @ 28¢. Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary came Bert [Bertille] went along to Floraville to Bocker’s free dance, music by Cowboys of Alton, pretty nice, bass fidale [sic – fiddle], guitar, banjo & fiddle. pretty nice crowd, present; Och. formerly Smithton boys now of Alton.

Saturday, Oct. 16, 1937

Pap got crushing done. Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary were here this afternoon; he went to Hy. Stahleber’s. Bert [Bertille] put flowers on windows. Mertz is giving tickets away for set dishes, ever $30. you get 11 pc. till you get all. Leo & Rose [Rosalia] came, this evening, played radio – W.L.S. Barn Dance.

Saturday, Aug. 14, 1937

Made catsup, canned 3 qts. tomatoes. Went to Red Bud to Beckers Mill got check cashed, got new fan belt put in Chev. $1. went to Paul Crook looking for pigs, but were just delivered this morn. went through Tipton to Pluegers, but he moved last Sat; doesn’t live there any more, moved 10 miles away; went to Waterloo to church. Henry & boys were up this afternoon got wagon; last nite they were at Waterloo big W.L.S. Show at Pautlers Hall; I had forgotten all about it. Send bu. peaches small ones with Henry; pap picked 2 bu. little more. got in mushmellons & 1 watermellon [sic]. Hugo Probst is building new house on his lot, tore the old one away; also J. Kreher’s, Siedle is building that, contract job; but Probst just day labor. J. Reheis, Klein etc. We went over to Geo. Wagners awhile. Mary & Anita were out to. Clif Stahleber had a accident with his motorcycle at Pautlers, back wheel locked through [sic – threw] him quite a distance; hurt pretty bad.

Saturday, June 12, 1937

Cut lawn, etc. Pap went to Red Bud took cement back; we went to Belleville this afternoon dentist. Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary were here, cutting lawn etc. Clif Staheleber is 21 yrs. old today, says he is going to get drunk tonite, no matter what it costs, some ideas for 21 yr. old lad. Went out to Geo Schilling’s was going to pay lumber sawing, but he hasn’t got it figured out yet; seen the doll dressed in $1. with $25.00 sure looks beautiful, ribbon band with $1. shoes & hand bag, pleated dress of $1. bills; she got it from Indiana, stopped at Clevelands paid saw sharpening; went looked at oats & berries.