Thursday, Nov. 23, 1939

Thanksgiving Day. Leo & family came had dinner & supper here, he plowed potatoe ground. Rose [Rosalia] & Bert [Bertille] went to Red Bud to Wedding mass of Marcella Gregson & Leslie Heyl; very pretty wedding, bride had long train white Satin dress with short veil & her attendants 2 sisters, one in rust & green with veils & wreath to match dresses; Walter gave her away & best man were Robert Heyl & Cletus Gregson; during the ceremony a terrible earthquake, roared just shook the church, people all went out, for a few mins, some places it was awful bad. Jerome Cortner house Chimney was cracked & did damage several other places; some plaster fell in Red Bud church, Gregson & Heyl had wedding dance at Log Cabin & Jerome Schilling & Elizabeth Shields had there wedding dance at Pautlers. Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary came here, then they went to Waterloo to dance, there is also one at Brezzy Hill tonite. Bill [Klein] came this eve. The Thanksgiving & Turkey dinner was a big run out of Turkey had to served pork sausage, had fed 600 at 2′ o clock – turkey was all; had awful crowd.

Saturday, Nov. 11, 1939

Armistice Day. Ben Heyl came & Klotz got 3 heifers $75. Wittenauer H. was here, stopped in. We went to Uncle Fred’s awhile & then to Leo’s. this afternoon. Jac. Neff came on business for Uncle Fred this eve. Bert [Bertille] took Lees Gregson’s wedding present over to Emil’s for him to give to them; we never get to see Lee; at all.

Saturday, Oct. 7, 1939

Rained a little last nite. Mr. Englerth of Smithton Bill’s grandpa died yesterday afternoon he was sick & paralize [sic] for a few years & is pretty old 83 yrs. Bill [Klein] called yesterday eve. Emil was over awhile this morn. Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary & pap went to Wm. Gregson’s sale, on the Heyl farm; he is going to move back to Hecker again in Al. Monike’s place. they say. Hess & Ludwig Ford dealers of Waterloo are having the 1940 V8 on display at Brezzy Hill tomorrow nite, with free dance & cash attendance prize, dancing 8 to 12 – 8 pc. Siegels Orch. Bill [Klein] came this eve with 1940 V8. Deluxe Maron, beautiful car, with radio & heater; we went to Smithton to his grandpas.

Thursday, Sept. 28, 1939

Bert [Bertille] baked pie. Pap dug all our sweet potatoes, 3 bus. Bert went out to Brand’s this afternoon. Fr. Simon is going around solicting [sic] for Belleville St. Henry’s College, to build some post to it, never came here. Mrs. Joe Schilling is pretty low. St. Everdine is home & all children there, doctor gave up all hopes. Lee Gregson & Vera Schmitz were married at Renault mass this morn; her brother groomsman & Mildren Rist bridesmaid, Lester Chaffeaur, dealers car going to go to Alba. tomorrow. Dan Schmidt of Waterloo & Regina Schoenborn of Belleville were married yesterday afternoon at St. Marys Rectory of Belleville.

Friday, Sept. 22, 1939

Nice cool day. Bert [Bertille] cleaned 2 rooms upstairs. Pap took chev. to Red Bud get oil changed. 5048 mi. this afternoon. Seen in paper, some thieves were around Waterloo on S. Market & Morrison Ave. took money from Wedel home & some others. Chris Buehlers celebrating their Silver Wedd. today 25 yrs. giving a free dance at Log Cabin tonite, musci [sic] by Irene, Wilma & Oliver Birkner & Dilbert Mueth; have posters up. Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary stopped in on there way down. Bill [Klein] came this eve. On Sept. 11 Lester Gregsons 10th Wedd Ann.

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 1939

Went to Orlet’s. Pap made troughs etc.; picked potatoes through, had dinner & supper there. Sure hot. Leo & family came this eve. & pap went along to Waterloo church pinic [sic]. Bill [Klein] came down, we stayed at home. Lee Gregson & Vera Schmidt were published 1st time last Sun. here. Alvin Voges & Marcella Pabst having wedding dance at Log Cabin on Sept. 24; the day of Hecker’s Firemens pinic [sic] & fish fry.

Sunday, Sept. 10, 1939

Went to mass. The Hecker Evangical [sic] church & congregation celebrating the 50th Ann. today, with service 3 times & dinner & supper. everybody welcome. Smithton have firemen pinic [sic] today. Clem Schlotmann have baby; make 2 in the family now. Pap went over to Emil’s this afternoon. Leo Gregson & Vera Schmidt were published 1st time this morn. here. Bill [Klein] came got Bert [Bertille] went to Smithton, Firemen’s pinic [sic], Bill had to take tickets at door; from 7 till 9; nice crowd for dance.

Wednesday, Aug. 23, 1939

Nice day. Uncle Fred’s Wedd. Ann.; also the weddingt today of Orville Schmidt & Loretta Braun church at 9 o clock here; wedding dance at Log Cabin; Uncle & Aunt Mary stopped in, then went down. Written cards invitation. Bill [Klein] brought 3 heifers down this morn, pap bought from Mrs. Klein $40.00. Walsh Student for priesthood was here taking order for Ex. Magzaine [sic], will be his last yr. ordered it for 2 yrs. now. for $5.00; he had dinner here with us chicken soup. They were 2 ladies here from Belleville Antique buyers. sold fruit bowl for $1. & milk pitcher corn. for 25 [cents]. Cooked catsup made carrot relish, pumpkin pie, applesauce cookies. etc. Henry was up got bu. fallen peaches for preserves & catsup tomatos [sic]. Schmidts received so many presents; cakes were served by Katzler bakery of St. Louis. Schmidt Och. played for dance. attendants were Mary Braun a sister & Dorthy Peiffer friend & Schmidt brother & Clarence Dashner of Red Bud a friend, a new home is being erected in Red Bud near Gregson’s Filling Station.

Sunday, Aug. 20, 1939

Went to mass. Martin Fahey was buried last day, he was in church on holiday 15. died suddenly. Mr. Geo Braun, of Hecker is getting buried this afternoon at Red Bud 1:30. Orville Schmidt & Lorreta Braun were published last time today, wedding Wed. morn. here at 9 o clock mass; Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary, Henrys family & Gregsons are all invited with special cards, of invitation to Log Cabin Wed eve. that is also Uncle Freds wedding day. Mr Clem Parker & Mamie Eichenseer were published 1st time here morn. Bill [Klein] & Bert [Bertille] went down Miss. bottoms this afternooon. Rained again little shower. Freeburg have Homecoming.

Sunday, Aug. 6, 1939

Went to mass. Pap went over to Emils, Levi Gregson was there also this morn. Cloudy today. Firemens pinic [sic] in Red Bud last nite & today; parade at 1:30 today. Orville Schmidt & Lorreta Braun were published 1st. time at Red Bud & Hecker today. Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary & Bill [Klein] came, went to Red Bud Firemen’s pinic [sic] & parade at 1:30. Mrs Staufenbiel also went along she went to church. Had supper here had chicken today. Totsch’s have free dance.