Saturday, Oct. 21, 1939

Pap got haircut. We went to Smithton this afternoon, went out to see Schwal’s pigs. Bill [Klein] came this eve. he was at Ed. Cortner’s to sell him a 1938 Ford; that he traded in to Baltz banker of Smithton for 1940; first trade today. They had a fire in Smithton, weeds, had fire engine called. Geo. Parkers barn on Schilling place burned this afternoon to. also from a weed fire it started; had Hecker fire department out.

Sunday, June 4, 1939

Went to mass. Leo & family came, Rose [Rosalia] & Marita went along with us to Uncle Freds, Leo went to last mass here, we had dinner & supper there. Bill [Klein] came in afternoon, we played ball & croquet. The Firemen’s have a dance tonite; at Maniers. Musci [sic] by Happy Ramblers. Country Club have opening also.

Friday, Oct. 28, 1938

Pap went up in woods stopped at Henry’s. He brought load corn, this afternoon, & told us about the fire at Jerome Cortner’s house burned to ground not much saved we didn’t no [sic] nothing about it, happened 12:30. Lorena was at Belleville, at hospital where her mother is a patient, when Jerome got to the house flames were coming out the window they say. Hecker fire department was out.

[Undated Entry]

Bert’s [Bertille] at Leo’s all this while; for 3 weeks so far. Edwin Neff & Amelia Dintelman got married Decoration Day. May 30. Catholic School children have pinic [sic]; Mrs. Jake Friedrich had sale June 4.

June 1, Elmer Haudrich & Edna Watchel were married here, attendants Cyril & Leroy Haudrich, Mildred Watchel & Lorretta Biffar; wedding dance at Kammlers Hall, Neffs dance also was there. Mr. Fritsche of here died. Mr. Jake Mehrmann had a stroke on going home from Haudrichs wedding dance & died; buried June 5. Rob. Knabe big barn burned to ground Sun. eve. June 5; 2 fire department Hecker, & Smithton were out; saved the out buildings house etc.

Sunday, Aug. 30, 1936

Went to Red Bud. Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary stayed awhile, Pete Reheis has fire yesterday, burned potatoe [sic] straw in morning. & thought they had it all out, & in afternoon starting burning again, 2 straw stacks & hay, had Hecker fire engine out, they had no water, got tanks & hauled from the creek & John Reheis. Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary were there last nite awhile. Omer & Bert went to Columbia Homecoming was pretty nice, had Ill. Central train in parade. Roy Quin & Ozark Sweehart [sic] were there. Went to Oak Grove, Sinclairs Oil Employes [sic] gave a free dance, music by Blossom City. Prize Waltz was given $1. to Hazel Flynn & 5 qts. oil to Hartmann of near Red Bud. J. Horn, Barthel, & Brand were judges. Nelson Church & Berneice Reitz had a wedding dance at Breezy Hill. Rose went to New Baden, Kettler’s 25. Wedding Anniv. Hy. Armstutz was here.

Tuesday, March 10, 1936

Pap went out & helped Henry sew oats, had dinner. A fellow from West of Waterloo was here wanted to know the road to Uncle Freds, he wanted to buy a wagon etc, but he never got out there; They were up this afternoon, making a garden, also did we, planted out onions, lettuce peas, radishes, & helped Aunt Mary with there garden, she took ½lb. butter along. Eggs are 15¢ today at the store here. Windergast barn & shed in the blackjacks burned down today; the Hecker fire department was called, but Waterloo was there about 10 mins before, so they did the work; they were burning weeds, & the wind took a spark on the old shingle roof on the barn, & started in to burning; the fire department here, went the wrong way. We sewed oats in the chicken yard; sure nice weather now.