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.



Tuesday, November 30, 2010

1927 on the Horizon

Don't despair. My blog will return in January 2011 possibly with a new title and a new look. Thanks to my Great Uncle Roger, I have obtained Bonnie's 1927 diary and I will be blogging with that as my guide come 2011. I look forward to seeing what Bonnie is up to 11 years later and of hearing tales about Norman and Annah Lee who will be elementary aged children now. Stay tuned!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

One Year Later

On Sunday, November 19, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cold-Clear. Arose at 7:50. Made a fire. Mary and I went to First Presbyterian church today. We all went to Elmwood Park to review the Bible Class parade. I went over home and ate supper. Daisy Dillman was at Mama's. Papa, Skin and Jake were not at home. Came by Raines' and got "funny" paper. Came home at 8:30 p.m. On Monday, November 20, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Very Warm. Arose at 7:30. Made a fire. Met Mr. Raitt on St. and we walked together to the office. Mr. King of the Knox Construction Company advised us of death of P.J. Millett. Indexed and filed correspondence. I shaved after supper. Read the paper. Skin talked to me on Jefferson St. and gave me a cigar. Retired at 10:30. Quite warm. On Tuesday, November 21, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Warm-Clear. Arose at 7:30. Made a fire. Got to work 8:30. Read "American" Magazine. Also wrote a letter to Denny Lawlor. Got my hair cut. Mrs. R, Aunt Annah and I went down street at 8 p.m. to Democratic parade. Pretty bum affair, but a very large crowd on street. I stopped by Joe Milan's and read awhile, came home at 9:20. Ate cheese. I think we have now completed a year. I started with Bonnie's Nov. 21 entry last year. There may be a brief hiatus while I decide where the blog goes from here. Another year from Bonnie's life? Something else? I don't know, I'll eat some cheese, read the funny paper, and watch a parade and see what shakes out. Stay tuned!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

SNOW!

On Wednesday, November 15, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Snow-Cold. Arose at 7:20. Made a fire. Go to see "Friday the 13th" tonight. First snow of the winter today. Mr. Schick left on #15 for Tazewell. I wore overcoat first time this year. Read my book. Wrote letters for Mr. Wiltsee. Awfully cold. Played with Norman at night. Went to "American" to see "Friday the 13th". Talked to Howard Fisher. Home 10:30. On Thursday, November 16, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cold-Clear. Arose 7:20. Got to work 8:30. Mr. Raitt came in at 10 o'clock. I wrote specifications for Mr. Wiltsee. Papa came to the office twice and stayed an hour. I drew $6 from bank for him. Mr. Wiltsee and Mr. Raitt dictated mail to me this afternoon. Mary took Norman up to her mother's before supper. I read paper at night. On Friday, November 17, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Frost-cold. Arose at 7:20 a.m. Got cigars from Sam. Stopped by and talked to Mrs. Raines. Got to work 8:50. Wrote a letter for Mr. Wiltsee about specifications to JEC. Read my book in afternoon. Submarine "Deutachland" rammed and sunk the convoying tug "T.A. Scott Jr." We stopped at Mrs. Raines at supper time. Wrote to Jack W. Kerrigan. On Saturday, November 18, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cold-Clear. Arose at 7:20. Made a fire. Met Mr. Schick on the street. Bought "American" magazine at Joe's Got to work at 8:30. Got and put on heavy underwear. Lester Steffey played Victrola at office and drove me out in his car. We put the car in garage for repairs. I shaved and took bath. Finished reading my book "w. of B.W." book. Ok, lots of stuff to comment on, even though I am very tired tonight. I was on TV early yesterday morning, for fire safety segment and traveled to Richmond and back today for a "Religious Herald" trustee meeting. Back to Bonnie's diary. Now we know that "Friday the 13th" was a movie being shown at the "American theater here in Roanoke. I looked up the movie and found that it was not a horror movie like we had been accustomed to in the late 20th Century. It was a drama and was based on a novel, which is probably why Bonnie was interested. He probably read the book. The second surprise was the early season snow fall!! Wow! Too bad, no snow today in Roanoke. We also read again about the "Deutschland" submarine that we researched earlier in a post and found that the merchant sub did later become a military submarine used in WW I. Sounds like Bonnie and Mrs. Raines worked things out after their fuss. I guess with he snow, and cold, it was time for the heavy underwear. How about the mention of the Victrola and the car? That's pretty cool.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Had a little fuss

On Sunday, November 12, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Warm-Rain. Arose at 8:00 a.m. Made a fire. Shaved. Aunt Annah went to church on the car. I rolled Norman up to Mrs. Raines ate dinner and stayed until 6 p.m. We came home on the car. Mary and Aunt Annah made tea cakes and took a "nap". I read the Bible and my book "The Winning of Barbara Worth" We retired at 10:00 p.m. On Monday, November 13, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Warm-Clear. Arose at 7:20. Made a fire. Went to Mrs. Raines. Talked to Mrs. Toombs. Wrote a letter to Geo. Dungliason Jr. and went to station to put it on train No. 7. Mr. Raitt left on No. 15 for Tazewell, Va. Mary and Aunt Annah went up to Mrs. Raines. Mr. Schick and I walked down St. together. I talked to Papa at 2 p.m. Cloudy day. On Tuesday, November 14, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Damp-Chilly. Arose at 7:30. Mary made a fire. Mrs. Raines came down. I wrote to Effie for "Friday the 13th". Got a card from Roy Miller and wrote him a letter. Aunt Annah and Mrs. Raines spent the day with Mrs. Grace Hurst. Rained today-cold. Went to see Capt. Rowan and stayed until 5:30. Had a fuss with Mrs. Raines. I guess we are all human and when you spend as much times with some people as Bonnie and Mary seem to spend with Mrs. Raines, it is inevitable that someone is not going to get along every once in a while. I still found it amusing that Bonnie wrote about his fuss with Mrs. Raines, his mother in law. I wonder what it was about? Also, one advantage I have is that I can take a little peek as to what is ahead. The "Friday the 13th" reference will become a little more clear tomorrow and there is some more excitement as well!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Comet Theater

On Wednesday, November 8, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Foggy-cold. Arose at 7:30. Mr. Echols came for orders and announced the election of Mr. Chas. Evans Hughes. I deposited $4.00 in bank today. Got money for Mr. Schick. Election undecided. Hughes still leads. Crowds around Western Union office, waiting elections returns. Mary went up home. Mr. Schick went to Welch, W. Va. on #3. Read at night. On Thursday, November 9, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cool-Sunny. Arose at 7:30 Made a fire. Got to work at 8:45. No final result on election. Not much work in the office. I read my book "The Winning of Barbara Worth". High wind today. Aunt Annah rolled Annah Lee up to Mrs. Raines' and Mrs. R came down with her and stayed until 9 o'clock. Norman is 21 months old today. On Friday, November 10, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Warm-Pretty. Arose at 7:15. Made a fire. Got to work 8:30. Election yet undecided. Mary, Aunt Annah and Mrs Raines took the children and spent the day with Mrs. Patsel. I ate lunch at the office and went to "comet" theater. Wrote specifications for Mr. Wiltsee. Read my book. Annah Lee is 10 months old today. On Saturday, November 11, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cold-Clear. Arose at 7:15. Made a fire and got in coal. Got to office at 8:30. Mr. Schick came in. Wrote three descriptions. Cut wood after dinner and took Mary's urine to Dr. Burk's. Came back on car to Mama's and ate supper. Went to the "Comet" and came home 10:15. Papa and Christine went to town for groceries.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Election Day

On Saturday, November 4, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Frost-Warm. Arose at 7:20 a.m. Mr. Raitt and Bass returned. I wrote for Wiltsee. Paid water bill. Got checks cashed for Messers. Raitt and Schick. Got shirt from Sam and Mrs. Schick's Bank book. I cleaned leaves from yards. We ate supper at Mrs. Raines'. Roy and his mother and Lola went home on #25. I went to "American". Talked to Joe Tapley, came home on car at 11 o'clock. On Sunday, November 5, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Moderate. Arose at 8 a.m. Phoned to Mrs. Seymour about Mr. Raines coming to go to silk mill. I worked awhile this morning. Met Glenn Wygle on street. Introduced him to Raitt. Went to "Dry" speaking at the "Jefferson" theater. Went over home and ate supper there with Everett. We returned hats. I came home at 8:30. Everett came to our house for first visit. On Monday, November 6, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cool-Clear. Arose at 7:20. Got to office at 8:35. Mr. Kerfoot came in office. Went to bank for Mr. Raitt. Also talked to Joe Milan. Papa ate lunch with us and I walked up town with him. Mary went to her Mother's account of illness. I shaved after supper and also washed my hair. Began reading "The Winning of Barbara Worth" Retired at 11:00 p.m. On Tuesday, November 7, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Damp-Cloudy. Arose at 7:15 a.m. Made a fire. Went to the polls to vote, and a scoundrel challenged my vote. Mr. Schick urged me to defend my right of suffrage. I voted for Hughes at 1:15 p.m. Wrote 2 letters for Mr. F.P. Turner. Ate supper with Mary at Mrs. Raines. Harry Raines and I went up street to see bulletins. Came home at 11:30 on St. car Retired at 12:15. Ok, I am very intrigued by this scoundrel who challenged Bonnie's vote. How do you even do that? Apparently I need to research the suffrage laws at 1916 in Roanoke. When he says he voted for Hughes, was that a Presidential election? Also when says that he and Harry went up the street to see bulletins I think that was election results and if my history knowledge serves me correctly and this is a Presidential election then there will be a surprise and the results will be days coming in.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Got Scored

On Wednesday, November 1, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cold-Windy. Arose at 7:30. Made a fire. Mr. Raitt left on train #15 for Tazewell, Va. Went to deposit Mr. Raitt's check. Paid some bills. Went to station to mail letter for Mr. Schick. Mary went up town. Copied "orders"! Ate supper at Mrs. Raines. Harry, Roy and Lola went down St. I shaved with Harry Raines' safety razor. On Thursday, November 2, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cold-Frost. Arose 7:20. Got to work 8:30. Went by Doris' after pictures. Mary and Aunt Annah took kids over to Mama's to spend day. Ate lunch over home and gave Mama a picture of Aunt Duck. Beautiful Autumn day. Not much work today. Mary and Aunt Annah came home 5:30. I read "The Eyes of the World" Pretty night. Retired 10:30. On Friday, November 3, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cool-Sunny. Arose at 7:20. Made a fire. Got to work 8:40. Went to "Joe's" for cigarettes for JRS. Old man "scored" me for loafing. Mary took supper at Mary Britt's. No work to do. Fine weather. Paid Hugh Hogan $2.00 on account. I got haircut. Bought new book "The Winning of Barbara Worth" Lola came home with Mary. Mrs. Raines came. I shaved.