[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. 27, 1933

We went out to Uncle Freds for dinner & supper. Mrs. Authur [sic – Arthur] Roscow came along from church up here, she went to see Mrs. Stauenfbiel; they came here awhile after we got home. Henry came up & got our truck to haul hogs to the market tomorrow. Miss Josie Keller & Miss Kuhn where here this evening for supper. Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary came to; had watermelon lunch, they left about 9:30, then the alarm ring came of Ald. Rittmeyer’s house was on fire, went over to Wagner’s, papa & George went out; everything was ablase [sic], summer kitchen & house, burned to the ground, & all that was in it, they where up at Belleville, so all they have left is what is on there backs 1 car, Smithon [sic] fire department came but no good, no water no where’s. Mr & Mrs. H. M. Hill observed there golden Wedding Anniversary today, which will be Aug. 30 Wed; all the children, grandchildren where present, lot of musci [sic] furnished.

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 1931

Papa went out to the cemetery this morning, because they are going to start to plow it over today.  But we don’t want it done to our lots.  Rosalia fried down sausage this morn.  There wasn’t anybody at the cemetery today.  Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary came up & then we went over to clean their place.  They were here for dinner.  We were just washing dinner dishes when all at once, we heard there was fire at Mrs. Deukers house.  So we all ran down there & fire was a blazing, the house burned to the ground & the shed & barn would of went too if they hadn’t called the Smithton Fire Apartment [Department].  The water was to scared or’s they could have saved the house.  They saved all the furniture down stairs, their clothing was all up stairs, that they couldn’t save.  Mrs. Ruhl just about went wild about it.  They stored all their stuff in Kammler’s Hall for the evening.  They were here this afternoon & looked at Aunt Mary & Uncle Fred’s place, it suited them allright but the rent was to high.  They went down to Barthel’s house, but the chimneys were condemned, so they couldn’t get in there.  Deukers was going to call Harold out & then talk it over with them.  Tonight they went to Walter Parrot in Red Bud.  Olivia Gregson & baby was here this afternoon while Lester helped to move the furniture.  This evening Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary, Henry & Leona & kids were all here.  The kids stayed at home with Papa, & the rest of us went to the dance down at Wiegand’s House.  Herzog gave it.  Bill Freund & Creses took Rosalia & Bertille along there.  It was a crowd there from all over.  They said there was about 500 people at the fire today.  Bill & Philip Freund was there too.  They were working at Ganleys.