About

This blog is mainly taken from my Great Grandfather's diary. In 2012 we are in the year 1915, after completing 1916 in 2010 and 1927 in 2011. 1915 is the year that my Great Uncle Norman was born. 1927 is the year that my Great Uncle Roger, was born. 1916 was the year that my grandmother, Annah Lee was born.

My Great-Grandfather's name was Bonnie Elmore and he worked as a clerk or secretary for the old Norfolk & Western Railroad, based in Roanoke, VA. Mary is his wife. Norman is their first born son. The Raines are Mary's parents. Skin is Bonnie's brother along with Jake.

Bonnie's work associates and friends are also mentioned quite a bit. Bonnie does a great job of blending everyday life in 1915 with the mention of some world and USA history as well. I do know from a quick glance ahead that 1915 is going to be quite different as Bonnie did not write quite as much.

After Bonnie's diary entry, I will occasionally make comments, maybe tell a little about life in 2012, possibly some current events, and some musing about the Christian faith.



Monday, October 29, 2012

Batter Cakes for Supper

On Friday, October 22, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cool-clear. Mr. Sillimon came in to see us. I shaved at night at went to two shows with Elmer Brown. Had an awfully headache all night. Read Ladies' Home Journal. Paid phone bill for Mrs. Brown. 

On Saturday, October 23, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Very Chilly. Wrote Payrolls. Mr. Sillimon in. Took bath. Went to train and met Mama and Christine. Rode up home in automobile. Papa had tooth pulled. Mary and I went to the "American" at night. 

On Sunday, October 24, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Beautiful Day. Arose 8:30. Shaved and carried out trash. Got coal thru window. Went up home at 4:30 p.m. Loam was there. We stayed for supper. Came home at 10 o'clock. The baby's barley ran short. I felt sick and tired.

On Monday, October 25, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Very Chilly. Wrote RW&BM reports for Burke. Pretty busy day. Elmer Brown and I went up town to a show: The Dancing Doll, and Dr. Robinson's office at night. Came home and retired at 9:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, October 26, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Pleasant Day. Mr. Raitt goes to Williamson to look over Leckie Spur. I got a letter from Ollie Smith and answered it. Also one from Lena. Filed and indexed mail. Shaved at night. Made cocoa. Ate supper at Mrs Raines'!

On Wednesday, October 27, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Fine Day. Mary called me up on phone. Mr. Raitt came back from Wmson. Mama, Loam and Christine down today for dinner. Doss also came down drunk. Ate brandy peaches at Mrs. Brown's. Cut wood and carried up coal. Retired at 9:30 p.m.

On Thursday, October 28, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cool-fair. Mary and Mrs. Raines came to the office with Norman. Miss Shoffner introduced to Mary in hall.  Saw Skin in car on way to MacBain's. Went to building of Police Bazaar. Stopped and talked to Mr. Raines at big garden. I shaved at night. Batter cakes for supper.

On Friday, October 29, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Fine Day. Correspondence light in office. Mary phoned me about going to "Waverly Place" to inspect a lot. Elmer Brown and I went to "Virginian" and "Bijou" at night. Came home at 10 o'clock. Mrs. Raines and I bought lots #9 and #10 at Waverly Place. Came back with Sam Mason. Fairfax and Matthews took us down in car.

This was a rather interesting week in Bonnie's diary.  He went to lots of movies and at several different theaters.  He also has batter cakes for supper and brandy peaches.  How interesting that Bonnie bought some lots in Waverly Place.  I know that general area in Roanoke today.  I wonder which ones and what he ever did with them?  Maybe he will tell us in a later entry. Here in 2012, the big news is Hurricane Sandy which is hitting the east coast and causing all kinds of havoc. But here in Roanoke, just windy, wet and cold and nothing serious...yet.         

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Tech loses to Washington and Lee

On Friday, October 15, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Fine Day. Talked to Mrs. Schick on phone. Went to the Shenandoah Club for letter from Wm. Dodd to Mr. Schick. Howard Fisher walked around with me. Corrine Mabry went home. Pay day at shops. At night: shaved, washed my hair, took a bath and caught a mouse.

On Saturday, October 16, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Fine Weather. Went up town in afternoon. Met Papa, He came home with me to supper. I stayed at home tonight. W&L Univ. beat VPI playing football.

On Sunday, October 17, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Pleasant. Shaved. Took Norman to Mrs. Raines. Papa and I went to the Calvary Baptist Church at 3:30 p.m. to hear Dr. Palmer speak. Fine sermon to men only. Mary came up to meet me. Christian Church at night.

On Monday, October 18, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Warm. Ate dinner at Mrs. Raines'. Work slow in office. Mrs. Raines came up home at night. She rolled baby to Northeast. I went down to talk with Mr. Raines at night. Brought candy home.

On Tuesday, October 19, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Rain. Warm. Ate lunch at the office. Went to American. Met Mary, Mrs. Raines and the baby. Mary examined for insurance. Went to station in p.m. Talked Robt. Moses and Lutie Steffey. Papa ate supper with us. I shaved. Mayor C.B. Moomaw died. Wrote letter to Lena. 

On Wednesday, October 20, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Damp, warm. Saw old Ronk on Market Sq. Capt. Rowan and Burke went to fair at Appomattox, Va.  Got a letter from Blaine sending $15.00. Baby fell out of chair. Talked Howard Fisher. Ate dinner at Mrs. Raines. Bought candy at Johnson's. 

On Thursday, October 21, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunshine. Letter from Jake and Mamma. Wrote Marj. Merchent. Ate dinner and supper at Mrs. Raines'. Wrote a letter to Mamma. Mrs. Raines went to Troutville in automobile.  Mrs. King came by Mrs. Raines' at night. Mr. Y.W. Young died today.

Okay, so I am behind again.  Here in 2012, I am still very busy at work and church and today was a fine day, so the family hiked up Read Mountain and now I am sore and worn out, so this won't be long. I just found it interesting that Bonnie caught a mouse on a night when he shaved and washed his hair.  Also, Virginia Tech (VPI) must have a football team in 1915 like they do in 2012! AND, how about the mention of Calvary Baptist Church!  There is a long history for that church obviously and today in 2012, I count the current pastor of that church, Donna Hopkins-Britt, as a close friend. I wonder why the special service and sermon for men only?  Mary and Bonnie also were not apparently particular about the church they went to, but they did go to church: Baptist, Presbyterian, Christian, Dunkard, it didn't seem to matter to them! Also, noticed the mention of the Shenandoah Club which is still around today in downtown Roanoke.  I have been there for a meeting of the Sons of the American Revolution. 

  

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Catching Up. End of September 1915

On Friday, September 24, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Very Chilly. Took a sea salt bath. Fair closed on this night. Traded tobacco with Mr. Brown. No letter from Mamma regrading Jake's condition. Corrine Mabry played: "Narcissus".

On Saturday, September 25, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cool-Pleasant. Walked to work with Capt. Field. Worked all afternoon on "overhead crossings of Blfd. Tel. Co."  Went up street at night. Got stick pin and candy also cigars. Cut Elmer Brown's hair. Retired 11:30 p.m.

On Sunday, September 26, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cool. Took a salt bath and shaved. Mary went to station with me. Met. Mr. Woodahl in Lynchburg. Smoked cigars and went to his office. Sent Mary card. Met a Brown bot on No. 9. Arrived in Clifton 8:30 p.m. Went to Selma in jitney - 10 cents. Paul Lawlor and Ollie Smith there. 

On Monday, September 27, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Rainy Day. Mama and I went to Hospital. Met Mr. Gleason and Diefert. Also Mr. Damewood. Girl played piano. I went back in p.m. until 6 o'clock. Mrs. Doyle and Ruth came over and stayed until 9:30. I was feeling very badly, eye strain and severe headache. Wrote to Mary, Loam and E.J. Rowan.

On Tuesday, September 28, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cool and Cloudy. Arose at 7 a.m.. Christine, Edward, Edith and I cut weeds. John came in off road. Edith ran a calf around field by the tail. Alice Ross over. Went up to see Mrs. Lindsay and Irene. Met Reed Thomas. Ate supper at Aylestock's. Teeny and I stayed at Hospital until 8:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, September 29, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cloudy-Rain. Got letter and papers from Mary. Effie and I went to the hospital in afternoon. Came home at 6 o'clock. Paul Lawlor came up and stayed until 10 o'clock. Dark and gloomy night.

On Thursday, September 30, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cold and Damp. Arose at 8:30 a.m. John Lawlor came in off road. We both shaved. Wrote to Mary and Blaine.   

Man in Water

On Friday, October 1, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Rainy. Selma, Va. Arose at 8 a.m. Baby cut a tooth. Read papers and mail from Mary. Mama and Effie went down to Riner to see man in water. Effie and I stayed at hospital with Jake from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. John was called out on road.

On Saturday, October 2, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cool. Clear. Talked to Mr. Heron. Arose 7:00 a.m. Mama gave me $2.00. Went to Hospital from 8:30 to 9:20. Met Misses Walked and Abell (nurses). Talked to Mrs. Aylestock. Met Russell West at Buchanan. Came with me to Roanoke. Ate supper at Mrs. Raines and took bath. Capt. Rowan gave me check. Went to meat and grocery store. Haircut, Shave, bath. 

On Sunday, October 3, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cool-Clear. Passiu boy killed. Arose 9 a.m. Went to office with Elmer Brown. Talked with Mr. Schick. Straightened out correspondence. Ate dinner 3:30. Went to Loam's and took supper. Went to church. Met Howard Fisher and Marie Hines. Talked to Susie Scholtz and Corrine Mabry at 9:30 p.m. 

On Monday, October 4, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Warm. Mr. Schick went to Bluestone. Mr. McIlwayne came in to see us. I went to Bank and paid bills. Bought a knife for $1.00. Bought a safety razor. Shaved with it with fine results. Went to Mrs. Raines. Paid $5.00 on coal. Will Passiu's body brought home.

On Tuesday, October 5, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Warm. Skin drove me to office in machine. Wrote up bills etc. Talked to Papa. Bought tooth brush and dental cream. Wrote Blaine and Mr. Damewood. Buried W.C. Passiu. Mrs. Raines came up at night. Mary played piano. Mr. Bell called me. Got watch from Tom Griffin. Bought a box of candy 60 cents at Johnson and Johnson's.

On Wednesday, October 6, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Steady Rain. Mr. Schick in. Shaved at night with safety razor. Corrine Mabry, Mrs. Brown, Elmer and Ethel up. Corrine played. Bought two nipples and candy. Wrote up heavy mail in office. Retired 11 p.m.

On Thursday, October 7, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Raining. President Wilson announces his engagement. Copied estimates and bills. Wrote to Jake and Aunt Emma Leslie. Mr. Raines and Papa up. Elmer Brown and I carried stove from attic and put it up. 

Okay, so I have been away awhile and want to offer my apologies to any regular readers I may have.  I have just been really busy recently.  I have had to work the past 2 weekends for the fire department and the weeks before that we had things like Springwood Baptist Church's 180th Homecoming.  My current thinking is just that I will start with October and go forward without making up any of those weeks that I missed, which would be most of September 1915.  That may change and so If I do go back and make some of those missed posts up, they will be out of order...oh well.  During this hiatus, I did pick up a new reader, Tammy, who commented on a recent post, to say that she was doing research on Dr. J.C. Burks and St. Charles hospital and found this blog.  Welcome to Tammy!  Bonnie does write about Dr. Burks and St. Charles hospital fairly frequently.  Today, in 2012 it is cold and rainy here in Roanoke.  Mom went to church with us.  Beth and Rachel ran this afternoon in preparation for the drumstick dash.  The kids have an FCA event tonight at Northside High School. It sounds as though Jake, Bonnie's brother, was in the hospital, maybe in Selma, Va. which is near Clifton Forge, and Bonnie had gone there to see him.  When Bonnie comes home on the train, he always comes through Buchanan.  I did not understand the man in the water part, that Mama and Effie went to see in Riner.  It was neat to see that Bonnie wrote about President Woodrow Wilson, who was born in Staunton, Va. announcing his engagement.   

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Labor Day

On Friday, September 3, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Rain-Cold. Paid Gravitt 81 cents for meat. Dr. Davis called to see baby. Wrote a prescription and drove me to Johnson and Johnson in automobile. I came home on car. Clarence and Mrs. Spillman came over home and stayed until 9:30 p.m.

On Saturday, September 4, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Rain-Damp. Indexed correspondence. Norman is better today. I wrote Jake a letter. Rain at night. I went up the street and stopped in at Roanoke Music Co. Bought candy and came home. 

On Sunday, September 5, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Pretty Day. Went up town to office and bought a Philadelphia Press. Shaved and went up home in afternoon. Ate supper and came home on car. 

On Monday, September 6, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Pretty Hot. Labor Day. Shaved and took bath. Went up town to "Comet" in afternoon. Ruth Edwards at our house. Also "Lou" Goodman, Mrs. Raines, Mrs. Hurst. Mary, baby, and I went to Mountain Park. Fireworks. Met. Mrs. Edwards. Home at 10:30.

On Tuesday, September 7, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Pleasant Day. Wrote up estimates. Messrs. Curtis and Shumway called at office. Also, Mr. Bottomley and Son. Stayed at home at night. Jake taken to C&O hospital with fever. 

On Wednesday, September 8, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot Day. Loam called me up on phone. Mr. Schick fell out of his chair. Went up home and ate supper.Got list of books for Christine. Skin rode me home in car of Mundy, W.P.

On Thursday, September 9, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot Day. Norman is seven months old today. Effie phoned. Jake taken to C&O hospital. I got haircut, Teeny's books and went up home in p.m. Came to office. Wrote and wired C&O Hospital. Took bath and called Effie on long distance. Borrowed Harry Raines' traveling bag.

Wow, sorry to hear that Jake, one of Bonnie's brothers, is in the hospital.  Sounds like maybe Bonnie is preparing to go there.  The "Comet" was a theater that doesn't get mentioned much.  I thought it was funny that Bonnie stopped in at the music store, didn't buy any music, and then went and bought candy and went home.  We had a good Sunday here in 2012.  Mom joined Springwood Baptist.        

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Paid Off

On Sunday, August 29, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cool-Pleasant. Shaved and met Nettie Fisher in afternoon. All went up home. Mary and I stayed for supper and came home at 10:30 p.m. Loam was at Mamma's. Cloudy and lonesome day.

On Monday August 30, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cloudy-Cool. Mr. Schick met Tracy and went to Mullens, W.Va. on county road matters between Pineville and Mullens. Mr. Raitt absent from office. Ate supper at Mrs. Raines. Went to the stable with Harry. Wrote to my dear friend, Louis Haislip, Stockton, Cal.

On Tuesday, August 31, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Rain and damp. Work dull in the office. Mr. Raitt paid for candy. Wrote up payroll chargings and J and Co. Bills. Met Papa. Paid off. Shaved. 

On Wednesday, September 1, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Fine weather. Mary is 20 years of age today. Capt. Rowan came in off vacation. Mr. Schick returned. Paid some bills. Deposited $1.00 in Bank to Norman's credit. Mailed Dr. Davis cheque for $1.50. Ate dinner at Mrs. Raines'. Had vanilla ice cream. Went up home for supper. Gave Mamma $2.00.

On Thursday, September 2, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cool Weather. Papa started in today to work for N.B.W. Ry. Co. at West End yard. Bought box candy last night. Came home from Mamma's on car and talked to Dr. Allen J. Black. Mrs. Brown and children came home from Norfolk, Va. Shaved at night. Rain at night.

I think it's funny that Bonnie mentions all these people in his posts and then says it was a lonesome day. Pretty neat to see that yesterday was Mary's birthday.  That's my great-grandmother.  She was 20 in 1915, which means she was born in 1895 and would be 117 if alive today!  The money was really flowing on September 1 and I guess that is because Bonnie was paid or "paid off" as he puts it, the day before. The had ice cream and even bought candy.  Here in 2012, it is Labor Day weekend.  We went to see a movie last night and are going back down to Mom's tonight to look at beach houses to rent via the computer.  Church attendance was a little down today.  The weather is hot, muggy with some rain and storms.      

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Lewis Gale Hospital

On Sunday, August 22, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Pretty Day. Arose at 8 a.m. Shaved. Went to Mrs. Raines. Went up home in p.m. Ate supper. Came home on car. Sid. Raines gave Norman 25 cents for his bank. Grover Mercer drowned.

On Monday, August 23, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cool and Pleasant. Elmer and W.M. Brown and I went down street to the "American" and "Bijou" at night. Mrs. Raines stayed with Mary. I talked to Mr. Hancock about Skin. Pretty Moon-light night.

On Tuesday, August 24, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cool-Nice. Papa, Jess and Christine came down home and stayed for supper. I shaved and Mary and I went to Lewis Gale Hospital to see Myrtle English. Retired at 12. Mr. Schick left.

On Wednesday, August 25, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cool-Nice. Received a letter from E.J. Rowan at Norfolk, VA. Mary, Norman, and Mrs. Raines spent the day with Mrs. Abshire. Mr. Raitt brought Elton down. I ate lunch at the office and went to see "The Right of Way" at "American". Ate supper at Mrs. Raines.

On Thursday, August 26, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Pleasant Weather. Filed mail. Read "The Yoke". Went to station for tripod. Took Lutie Steffey and Mary Randelman home to supper with me. They left at 9:30 p.m. Pretty moonlight night.

On Friday, August 27, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Gloomy-Rain. Mr. W.P. Wiltsee came in office and borrowed my umbrella. Shaved at night. Mr. Brown and Elmer left at midnight for Norfolk, VA.

On Saturday, August 28, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Rain. Got a card from Captain Rowan. Stayed at home in the afternoon and Mrs. Raines came up awhile at night.

I am a little off schedule on posting, but we are caught up to corresponding dates.  I hope to get back on schedule this weekend. Not much doing in Bonnie's world of 1915 it doesn't sound like.  There was nice weather for the most part and lots of visiting and going to the movies.  I will say that this was the first mention, I believe, of Lewis Gale hospital out of all the years I have blogged about.  That seems unusual, but neat to know that they were around in 1915! Things have gotten busier here in 2012 with school back in session and Caleb playing soccer and now also he is refereeing soccer too.  Tonight are his first 2 games as a referee. Hope it goes well!