Wednesday, March 7, 1934

Rose & Bert went up to mass, funeral of Mr. Berg. Koch undertaker. It wasn’t so very large, few neighbors, & relatives. Pallbearears [sic] were Willie Ganley & Reagen, Huber McDermott, Tom Havey, Abrose Doyle, Joe Kunkel. Fr. made a very nice sermon, the body was viewed in back church. Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary came this afternoon & we all went to Belleville to Mr. John Birkner’s funeral, Uncles step brother, at the home of John Breutigam’s, & the most beautiful flowers & so many, they had. Gardener had charge, & Rev. Pessel, the service, nephews pallbearers, Armstuz’s, Birkners & Hepp’s; It was pretty large. Cold & snowing this afternoon. Rosalia took Aunt Mary over to Mrs. Staufenbeils try her dress, see if he fits all right. Eggs 14¢ Mertz’s. Rose Pour & Mamie came after we were in bed, Mrs. Pour wanted hatching eggs, but we haven’t none this year, no roosters. Adam Eckert has chicken pox; has pretty much fever.

Monday, March 5, 1934

Papa hauled hay. We washed. Ed Neff repaired our Whippet this morning. Papa got the mules hoofs trimed [sic]. Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary came this evening, went up to see Louise Birkner, she is getting along pretty good; then they & Rosalia went to Belleville to John Breutigams to see Mr. John Birkner, 78 yrs. old; his wife nee Armstutz died 5 yrs. tomorrow. Mrs. Anna Helfrich, died yesterday morning at the home of this daughter, Mr. Joe Karban of Paderborn, we’ll [sic] be buried tomorrow morning 8 o ‘clock mass there. That is Nic Helfrich’s mother & George Neff’s grandma, there boy is the only great grandchild. Mr. Hill was here for news. Mr. Valentine Berg died this morning & will be buried Wed. morning 9:30 Catholic Church here, & then to cemetery. He was making his home with Ed his son, in Blackjacks age 84 yrs.

Sunday, March 4, 1934

Henry & family came for dinner & supper. It is a most beautiful day; but roads are muddy, wagons & buggy passing, people went to church. We went to Joe Watchel’s played couple games 5 hand pinochle; cake was served; this evening. Mr. John Birkner, at New Athens passed away this afternoon, will be at his daughters in Bellville [sic], that is Uncle Fred’s brother. Mrs. Louis Birkner is very sick also.

Monday, Feb. 19, 1934

Henry & family, here for dinner, went to Bellville [sic], then this afternoon went to the meeting that was to be at the school house, but it was only held this morning, this afternoon at McQuillian’s School. Rose got the mail took eggs along to Eichenseer’s got 14¢.

Thursday, Feb. 15, 1934

Pap & Rosalia went out in the woods. Awful cloudy look like rain, warm; it was to warm yesterday. Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary & Josie went to Buehler’s at Red Bud, butchering today. Celcia [sic – Cecelia] Parker got a package here, what Clem gave us last nite to bring along for them. Mrs. Stehefest called up, told us to tell Aunt Mary that Willies Birkner’s got quilting, that she could come today. Uncle Fred & then came back, stop & then went out sawing wood by Oscar Birkner’s. People here from Bellville [sic] looking for fat hogs. We got bottle peruna for colds sent by mail.

Saturday, Feb. 10, 1934

Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary came, Berti rode along to Bellville [sic]. Papa went to Pleuger’s sale by Red Bud, the place where Ted hung himself. wasn’t much too it; Percy Starr sale cryer.

Saturday, Jan. 27, 1934

Bertille went to Willie Birkners, took cake up there. It was in yesterday’s paper that Mrs. Francis Eichenseer of Belleville was granted a divorce from her husband Francis, & he will have to pay $30. mo. alimony, to support her & child. Papa & Rosalia went out to Henry’s & papa went to the woods. Mrs. George Boll’s birthday today. We all went to George Wagners played 1 cards, 5 hand & 4 pinochle, Bertille had 800 kings, partner Rosalia had 100 aces, melted 10, 40 in 4 hand game; cake was served.

Thursday, Jan. 25, 1934

Henry & family came, they went to Bellville [sic] & kids stayed here. Mr. Henry Meng was here paid for his hogs. 207-179 @ $3.70. A man was around taking orders for the New Democrat, $5.00 yr. with a premium, salt & pepper shaker, flour, & sugar, & dripping bowl; we ordered it for 1 yr. A boy around had suit case full of things to sell, all kind of articles, we bought bottle of iodine from him for a dime. We went to Renneckers awhile this evening. Mr. & Mrs. Martin Fritsche also came; we played 4 hand pinochle; Mr. Fritsche & papa partners won 2 games out of seven; wine & apples were served.

Saturday, Jan. 20, 1934

Papa got crushing done. Ben Schilling brought clover seed. Geodelle the bread man stops here now. We went to Bellville [sic] this afternoon. Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary & Josie were butchering by Adam Eckerts, stop in on there way home. This evening went out to Uncle Fred’s took them all along & went to Hy. Ronnenberg to Luella’s 18 yrs. old birthday, & what a time, musci [sic] was furnished by Birkner’s, & Evansville boy’s, Kaemper & Wunderlich, with guitar & violin. Beer, wine, root beer & chicken soup; it sure was good; Evansville people Jerry Kissel & his wife had a quarrel, & also his daughter & her husband, all were feeling good; lots to drink. We came home about 2:30 this morn.

Wednesday, Jan. 17, 1934

Joe Wcthal [sic – Wachtel], Henry Rausch, got the hog this morning. We went to Bellville [sic] sold 31 doz. eggs, some for 23¢ & 19¢, also sold meat, & sausage. Wm. Ganley came & paid $32.90 Int. but still has $95.00 & Int. on that yet till 1933 is all paid up. Our heifer with the hide brought us $28.03. Redsow 9 pigs born.