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, May 31, 2010

Decoration Day

On Tuesday, May 30, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Sunshine. "Decoration Day". Arose 8 a.m. Shaved. Aunt Annah's goods came to house. Papa came down. Ate lunch at Mrs. Raines. Went up street to get things for Mary. Met Papa, Everett, Skin, Mr. Thompson and Capt. Rowan. Col. Jno. S. Mosby died in Washington. Ate supper over home. Mrs. R came down. Dr. J.C. Burks called me on phone. On Wednesday, May 31, 1916 Bonnie wrote: Cool-Pleasant. Arose 7:15 a.m. Got to work at 8:30. Wrote up 2 deeds (cys.) Mary began "treatment" today. Paid off. Talked to Howard Fisher, Carter Thompson, Jack Bowdell, Mr. Steffey. Worked until 5:30. Paid some bills. Got ice cream. Mary feeling "blue". Ate supper 7 p.m. Mrs. R. down. End of month note: This has been a beautiful month. A few severely hot days. We had one holiday, "Memorial Day" in May. I was ill for a week this month. Laid off at home 2 days. Two or three electrical storms. Interesting that Bonnie wrote about Memorial Day as "Decoration Day". If I have my stuff straight, Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day and was a day for remembering all those who have gone before us, not just our military and the custom was to go and decorate their graves, thus, Decoration Day. It was also apparently on May 30 and not the last Monday in May. Still apparently it was a day off for Bonnie and a time to get together with family and friends. I wonder what kind of treatment Mary was receiving? We have had some strong storms here in May 2010 as well. We had a great Memorial Day, as my family surprised me with an early Father's Day present and we traveled to Charlotte, NC after church on Sunday to go to the new NASCAR Hall of Fame. It was great and Caleb and I really enjoyed ourselves while the ladies shopped. Incidentally, I looked up Col. John S. Mosby and discovered that he was also known as the "Gray Ghost". Col. Mosby was a Confederate calvary batallion commander during the Civil War. His men, "Mosby's Raiders", were known for their lightning quick raids and their ability to elude their Union pursuers, by blending in with local farmers and towns people. Mosby was born in Powhatan, VA and graduated from Hampden-Sydney College. I love the history that is Bonnie's diary as well as the history that he notes IN the diary. Fitting that this note was on Memorial Day. Ironic that Col. Mosby died on Memorial Day.

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