Thursday, Feb. 2, 1933

Rosalia & Bertille went to church, candlemas day. Louis Rechfsichner & Colton of Belleville was here, they looked at our mules. Papa went out to Henry’s this afternoon. The ground hog will see his shadow, so I guess that means bad weather. Cyril Eichenseer was here he wanted to see if we had chickens to set, he wanted some. Wilfred came & wanted alfalfa hay. There was a girl here selling soap 10¢ bar, we bought one, she was a cripple & said had no dinner. We got 9½¢ for eggs, store pays 9¢. Cyril said Mr. Laut & Mr. Hepp are getting along pretty good here in town, but Joe Mueth died last night. Papa took the fence out at Henry’s along the road & brought a gal 1 milk along home. We went up to Mueth’s to the wake, he looks natural; we didn’t stay very long, there were so many people there, hardly standing room, anymore. We stopped at Henry’s awhile when we came back. Mrs. Cleveland & Grover stayed there & Albert & Henry went to Mueth’s. They sure got trouble again at Blackburn University.

Wednesday, Aug. 10, 1932

Papa took the mower out to Henry’s & got the frame wagon. Mr. Bershing was here & wanted to sell watermellons [sic], from 5¢ up to 25¢ real nice ones. Papa & Rosalia are putting up alfalfa hay this afternoon. In Ruma there was a cyclone yesterday evening, but we never heard if it did much damage. Lightening struck Tom Havey [? – unclear] mare, one what has a young colt, the Rendering Truck from Belleville got it this morning. Today is Chicken Supper & Pinic [sic] in Paderborn. We went out to Uncle Fred’s at watermellons [sic] then took them along to the pinic [sic] at Paderborn, they had a nice crowd. Mr. Jung our egg man from Red Bud bought 11 doz. eggs @ 15¢. Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary came here awhile, they were at Sensel’s bought a watermellon [sic] for 25¢, & they went to see Dentist Wagner at the Club House, tomorrow morn, they have to go to Belleville & get teeth fixed. It was sure hot today. Aunt Mary bought bread, flour, at the pinic [sic], 2 loaves for 5¢,  & 5¢ loaf, she bought 4.

Tuesday, Aug. 9, 1932

Papa & Rosalia went out to Henry’s & got the grass mower, & cut his alfalfa hay. We dug out 4 rows potatoes again this afternoon. Hy. Armstutz came there awhile, the way he says they had the sheriff out here from Waterloo, on account of Harry Stiffler, he wanted to see his kid & Gambachs wouldn’t let him in, so Mrs. called the Sheriff, he took Harry along to Waterloo put him under arrest. Mildred has to go in tomorrow morning. It rained this evening a good heavy shower. Bertille was in Hecker this afternoon.

Tuesday, June 28, 1932

We washed, ironed, patched. Clifford told us this morning that Mr. Gambach was found dead in the barn lying on sacks, like a stroke or something. Papa went down to Armstutz’s & got Hy’s team & mowed & cut the alfalfa hay. The New Athen’s cleaners & pressing factory where here with special prices on cleaning dresses, suits & such like all or each for 75¢ each article. Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary where here for lunch & supper, we helped to shell peas. Clara Wagner & the kids came over awhile. George went to the town meeting, then he came over when he got back. Mr. Gambach was 59 yrs. old, he took Lysol poisoning & had the gun lying beside him when they found him on sacks in the barn, he should off told Hy. Armstutz that yesterday was the day, but they watched him pretty close on the 27, but this morning he got away with it. They took him in to Belleville, to undertaking parlor. The paper says he took corsote [sic – creosote].