Saturday, March 19, 1938

Pap went to see Chas. Helfrich. We went to Smithton this afternoon, sale, & to church. Bert took eggs up 15 [cents] . A kid Schmitling on the Gambach farm, & Oliver Birkner, had a scrap this evening, he knocked Oliver out, unconsious [sic]; for awhile. Dr. Eckert came happened between, Wagners & Watchels; quite an excitement for awhile. Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary came up awhile this eve. Pap went to Orlets inquire.

Thursday, Feb. 24, 1938

Snowing this morn. Bert [Bertille] washed, ironed a few pieces. Pap went to Smithton to see Ed. Heap, but he wasn’t at home, had gone to sale at New Athens. The St. Michael’s Dramatic Club of Paderborn are giving a play tonite there, the name is “Always in Trouble.” players are Bill Klein, Louis & John Schoenborn, Sly. Neff, Ed. Kabureck; Bud. Karban, Irene & Esther Helfrich, Opp. Rheinhardt, & Clara; Viola Kabureck, Cecila Watchel. Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary took Bert [Bertille] along to play, boy what a crowd, over 300 tickets sold; dance after play music by Schoenborn, Schilling, Boeker, between acts, & also 4 selections on guitar by Oliver Skaer.

Sunday, Feb. 13, 1938

Went to mass. Mrs. Joe Wacthel, Mrs. Clarence Wittenauer & baby girl Doris & Lucinda came last nite awhile. Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary were up all day, dinner & supper; we played 2 games pinochle; there Uncle went to see Mrs. Mike Armstutz who isn’t very good at present; Bert [Bertille] went along with them out to Mueth’s to see them, Josie isn’t so bad the rest are still in hospital, but getting along well so far. Leo & Rose [Rosalia] stopped in, went to Henry’s all day. Beautiful day 74 again. We went over to see Emil – Lester Gregsons family came also. At 9:30 car drove in here, it was Ed. Heap, looked at the pigs.

Sunday, Jan. 30, 1938

Went to mass. Rained heavy last nite, getting colder today, & windy. Bert [Bertille] went to Joe Wacthels this afternoon & Levi & Clara Gregson were here; was by Emil, but he was at Blackburn’s; came over here awhile. Leo & Rose [Rosalia], Jake & Mr. Orlet were here this eve, Jake brought his dad here, & he went along out to Lea’s. Mrs. Orlet is coming home from hospital tomorrow. Pretty cold at 9 o clock was 14 [degrees].

Monday, Jan. 24, 1938

Washed. Raining & snowing; windy, rained nearly all nite. Cleaned chicken house; barn this afternoon. Mildred Watchel was around for news. John Braun & Guker oil agents were here again, wanted to sign the lease, we didn’t yet so far.

Monday, Nov. 29, 1937

Henry & family & Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary & we each butchered 1 hog here, 179 lbs. & 168 lbs. – 170 lbs.; had lunch, dinner & supper. Leo & Rose [Rosalia] helped also. Emil came over awhile. Aug. Grahlerr Mrs. Joe Watchels father died will be buried Wed. morning at Hecker. We got 8½ for hogs today. Schmidt brought sack feed & articles down.

Friday, Oct. 22, 1937

Cold & light rain & snow. Henry & boys brought load corn. Bert [Bertille] baked cookies & cake. Emil was here all afternoon. Freedman’s Furniture Co. of Belleville brought his stove things & rug out about 4:30 this eve; put it up. There was a fellow going to sleep in our straw shed over nite, pap wouldn’t allow him there, told him to go to town jail, he says they don’t keep nobody over nite in there, he left from here anyway went back to town. Pete Wacthels called there baby boy Lee Roy. Dr Vogel of Columbia have a baby also. Pap pulled the rest of turnips out & plowed the patch; wagon load this time; so many. Henry & boys brought load cord up; this morn. going to kill heifer today.

Thursday, Oct. 14, 1937

Send a card for us to get group picture of Chas. Stookey’s Early Bird gang at KVSK. We had beef soup dinner. Schmidt brought sack mash feed; took our 4 gal. crock lard @ 12¢ lb. Mehrmann got 7 doz. eggs .21¢ & ½ bu. sweet potatoes 50¢; H. Wittenauer took ½ bu. to; sewing wheat here, yesterday afternoon & today. Cleaned bedroom, varnished furniture, & going to varnish floor tomorrow. Reports is that Mr. & Mrs. Pete Watchel have a baby boy Leroy, Tues. 4 girls 1 boy, & Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Wiegand have baby girl since Sun. morning.

Saturday, July 17, 1937

Hy. Armstutz brought sack feed for pigs this morn. Pierre Laut was here selling chances for a quilt, pillow slip & scarf, to be raffled on there church pinic [sic] on Aug. 8. Cloudy & cool; some are threshing Joe Watchel is out at Frank Birkners, going to finish there. Wm. Myerscough of New Athens died will be buried Mon. Morning. papa’s first coummioun [sic – communion] partner, they used to live near Hecker. Keims have a free dance at Floraville tonite, musci [sic] by the girls. The Country Club has its annual carnvial [sic], beginning Fri. nite ending Sun. nite, Pappy Cheshire KMOX radio stars are to intertain [sic] for an hr. tonite & tomorrow; free for all & all for fun. Bert [Bertille] went along to Floraville to a dance with Geo. Wagner’s, large crowd. Leo & Rose [Rosalia] came, from here went out to Henry’s.

Thursday, June 17, 1937

Rain last nite & all morning showers. Bert [Bertille] washed few clothes & dresses, A. [Aunt] Mary’s front door curtains. Ed. Watchel & Lester Bruns both have new second hand cars. Mrs. Jake Helfrich is being buried this morn. at Paderborn, church at St. Mary’s [ed. note – should be St. Michael’s], then out to cemetery. She is Louis Mueth’s daughter, sister to Mike, John & Joe. Helfrichs have 12 children 7 boy & 5 girls. 1 girl died; pretty large family. Jake is manager carpenter for Relief Work. on the W.P.A. Project at Belleville. She was 43 yrs. ill 3 mons. taken to hospital on Mon. Fr. Orlet has charge of funeral, Fr. was sick to, had touch of pneumonia, but is better again now. Went to Waterloo 13 bus. wheat @ $1.18 best price; got paint for house, stopped at Henry’s; he is building a toilet, in ground one. Went to Wagner’s, Berniece fainted this morn, turned real blue & pale, called doctor, he says stomach trouble, she ate to green cherries yesterday; Mehrmann got the eggs @ 16¢. we had 8 dozen.