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, August 30, 2011

Cough Still There

On Tuesday, August 30, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Sunny-Chilly. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home at 7:50. Walked down street at noon. Very busy all day. Got home at 6 p.m. Shaved before supper. Read magazine until 9:30. Ache all over. Cough is still with me. Went to bed about 9:50. Very tired.

Monday, August 29, 2011

End of Summer Cold

On Tuesday, August 23, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Hot-Sunny. Sick-off. Arose at 9:30. Mary made a fire at 8:00. I shaved. "Doctored" cold. Feel weak and sore. Read awhile. Mary is not feeling well. She cleaned house. Loam took Austin and James to Lena's last Saturday. I read some after supper. Went to bed about 9:40. Hot.

On Wednesday, August 24, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sunny. Off until Noon. Arose at 10:30. Mary got up at 8:00 and made a fire. I sat around and read awhile. Jim Drewry came over. I went to the office. Left at 5:45 p.m. Still have cold. Annah Lee and Baby Jane went to picture show at 4:30 p.m. Took James Drewry. I shaved after supper. Read until 10:00. Went to bed at 10:30. (chilly).

On Thursday, August 25, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Rain-Cold. Arose at 6:50. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:55.  Still have deep cold. Wrote to Aunt Rosa Raines. Mary is suffering with pain in her side. Didn't go out of the office at noon. Caught up my mail. School ladies called on Mary this p.m. I got home at 5:30. Mrs. Burnette came over. I retired at 10:30.

On Friday, August 26, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cold-Cloudy.  Off half day. Got out of bed 6:50. Made a fire. Dumped ashes and shaved. Feeling sore and generally bad. Didn't go to work. Mary phoned Mr. Noel. I looked over my drawing lessons. Went to office at noon. Feel awfully tired. Headaches, fingers and body ache. Got home at 6:30. Retired at 10:00.

On Saturday, August 27, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cool-Cloudy-Rain. Arose at 6:50. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home at 7:50. Busy all morning. Got home at 1:50. Cut some wood. Mary killed two chickens. I took a bath about 6 p.m. Mary ironed until 10:30 p.m. Baby Jane had her hair trimmed. I read some after supper. Went to bed 11:00.

On Sunday, August 28, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Gloomy Rain. Arose at 11:30. Feel awfully sore all over the body. Have cough, headache, and a despondent feeling. The children went to Sunday School. I sat around and read all afternoon. Norman attended Christian Endeavor. Mrs. Burnette came over after supper. Mary called Bristol.

On Monday, August 29, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Warmer-Sunny. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Shaved. Left home at 7:55.Not very busy today. Went to telephone office. Took a walk. Norman had his teeth examined by Dr. Caudill. I got home about 6 p.m. Read some after supper. Cough is severe. My whole body aches.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Electrucuted

On Monday August 22, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Rain-Cloudy. Socco and Vanzetti electrocuted. Arose at 6:45. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Very busy. Took part of Mr. Wiltsee's dictation. Have a deep cold. Dr. Spanell Gale and Rev. P. S. Miller were buried today. I didn't leave the office at noon. Mary phoned me. Got home 7:10 p.m. Ate supper at 7:30. Have a headache. Retired 9:30.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Side Lanced

On Sunday, August 21, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Fair. Arose at 10:00. Mary made a fire. I dusted. Shaved at 12:30. Harry came down at 1:00 p.m. and ate dinner. He had his side lanced and look sick. He also took supper with us. Mr. and Mrs. Gross came to see us at 4 p.m. and left at 7:00. We went to bed about 9:39 p.m.

So, not a lot going on with the Elmore's today.  About the same here in 2011 too. Tomorrow is first day of school.  Rachel and I have a church meeting tonight. Busy week coming up at work, plus the kids' school and Caleb's soccer plus, Rachel's work. 

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Kiled 2 Chickens

On Saturday, August 20, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Rain-Cloudy. Arose at 6:50. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home at 7:55. Had a lot of work at the office. Got home 1:30. Cut wood and grass. Mary killed two chickens. I took a bath at 6:00 p.m. Mary feels "tough". Read awhile. Went to bed about 10:30. Quite tired and sleepy.

I didn't even know the Elmores had chickens!  And, they more or less lived in the city.  I am sure things were a lot different in those days when it came to raising animals, etc.  I wonder if there was an occasion for the killing of the chickens? Here in 2011, we did lots of house work today and are also tired and sleepy, but it feels good to get some things done!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Auto-intoxication

On Wednesday, August 17, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sunny. Rain at night. Arose at 6:45. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:55. Conference at the office with engineers. I got deed to evergreen lot at noon. Walked home at 5:10 p.m. Paid $28.00 to Musser on grocery bill. Raining, 8:00 p.m. Read until 10 p.m.. Bathed. Got to bed about 11:40.

On Thursday, August 18, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cloudy-Hot. Arose at 6:45. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Shaved. Left home 7:55. Lot of work at the office. Mary called me at 1:20 p.m. I didn't go out of office. Annah Lee and Baby Jane went to Jane's to spend the night but they came home about 7:30. I read until 11:30.  My head and eyes hurt.

On Friday, August 19, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cloudy. Rain-Chilly. Arose at 7:00. Mary made a fire. I took out ashes. Left home at 7:50. Mary phoned me at 1:20 p.m. Didn't leave the office. Got home at 6:00. Big rain at night. Mary went to bed at 7:30. I read until 9:30. Dr. Spanell Gale died tonight of auto intoxication.

Ok, so the last word there kind of stumped me.  I thought maybe Dr. Gale really liked cars and died from it!  I had to do a little research.  It's a medical term that found favor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  It has to do with toxins in your intestines.  Though the article I read said this idea started to fall out of favor around 1920.  Obviously, somebody in Roanoke in 1927 still believed in it.  Day off from the county today in 2011, which just means that I need to get caught up on some church stuff like sermon prep, baptism prep, visits, etc.  Caleb and I ran this morning and had a good time.  Also have done a little yard and a little laundry.  Beth and the kids have gone back to school shopping.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Cemetery Lot

On Monday, August 15, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Warm. Judge Gary died. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire and saved. Left home 8:00. Light work today. Mary got special delivery from Aunt Annah. I talked to Harry at noon. Paid last installment on cemetery lot. Norman spent the night with Edward Jarrett. I ate supper at restaurant, 6:15. Wrote spec. for E.A. White.

On Tuesday, August 16, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Hot. Paid off Evergreen Lot. Arose at 6:45. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 8:00. Finished specification for E.A. White. Paid bills at noon. Paid final note on cemetery lot yesterday. Mary wrote to Aunt Annah. I shaved after supper. Norman made a board sign "Troop 29" for his troop. We went to bed at 10:15

I think it was rather a big deal that Bonnie paid off the cemetery lot since he mentioned it both days.  Which, I agree with; that is a rather big deal.  Here in 2011, busy, busy busy. Soccer practice, work, church.  School starts back next week.  We had Meyerhoeffer family reunion this past Saturday and had a great time with Beth's family at the Beach a few weeks ago to celebrate her parent's 60th wedding anniversary.  I guess all that said here just to say, family ties are important.   

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Ollie Angry

On Sunday, August 7, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Very Hot-Sunny. My day to work. Arose at 11:30. Mary got up at 7:30 and made a fire. Ollie, Baby Jane and Annah Lee took a walk. WPW is away. I read in afternoon. Mary took a nap. Ollie and I sat on front porch and conversed. Had watermelon. Harry was sick and failed to come over. We retired at 10:00.

On Monday, August 8, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Sunny-Rain. Ollie's here. Arose at 6:50. Made a fire. Shaved. Missed car. Man in auto took me to town 8:20. Mary has pains in her stomach and sides. General Leonard Wood died. We got shop wood. Harry didn't come over tonight. Ollie left the house at 8:30 and returned at 11:00. We went to bed about 10:00 p.m.

On Tuesday, August 9, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Rain. Ollie's here. Got up at 6:45. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:50. Took walk at noon. Mary phoned me at 1:30 p.m. I wrote to Aunt Rosa Raines. Cut wood after supper. Ollie was angry. She and Mary sat on front porch and talked for 2 hours. I shaved. Went to bed about 11 o'clock.

On Wednesday, August 10, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Hot. Ollie left. Mary got up at 6:00 and made a fire. Ollie left on the Virginian at 8:15 a.m. Baby Jane and Annah Lee went to station with her. Harry didn't go to see her off.  I took her films to be developed. Norman and I stacked wood after supper. Mary has pain in her side yet. We read awhile and went to bed about 10:00.

On Thursday, August 11, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cool-Hazy. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home at 7:45. Jim Drewry came over at 7:40. Had a alot of work today. Walked around at noon. Baby Jane and I stacked wood before supper. Read papers. We got to bed by 9:45. Quite chilly tonight.

On Friday, August 12, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Pleasant. Arose at 6:35. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:50. Didn't go out of the office at noon. Mary phoned me. Got special delivery letter from Aunt Rosa Raines. Mary and I wrote her. Harry came down home after supper and left about 9:30. cooler tonight. I got my hair cut at 5:30 p.m. The children serenaded tonight.

On Saturday, August 13, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Cool. Robinson's Circus. Arose at 6:45. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:55. Caught up all my letters by 1:00 p.m. Children went to a show, the "Jefferson". I cut wood and dug weeds. Mary feels tired. Very hot today. I shaved at 3:00. Took a bath at 10:00 p.m. Got to bed about 11:00.

On Sunday, August 14, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sultry. Went to church. Arose at 8:00. Mary made fire. The children and I attended Sunday School. I stayed for church. Helped serve communion. Big rain about 5 o'clock-dark. Mary lay down, not feeling well. After supper, she and I walked to 10th Avenue for exercise. Got home at 8:50. Went to bed about 9:30.

Whew. Ok, got caught up.  I am guessing that Ollie and Harry were romantically inclined and that she was staying with Bonnie and Mary, but things didn't go so well on this trip and possibly that relationship ended. Obviously there was a lot more there that went on that wasn't written about.

Friday, August 12, 2011

House Guest

On Monday, August 1, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sunny. Ollie's Here. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Paid bills at noon. Met Norman on street at 1:50; gave him 5 cents. Put film in Ollie's camera after supper. She and Harry went up town. I shaved. We went to bed about 11:00 p.m. Quite hot. Ollie and Harry came at 11:30.

On Tuesday, August 2, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sunny. Ollie's with us. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:50. Norman left at 7:40, went to visit boy in N. West. Ollie arose 7:00. I sent J.F. Heazel check for $2.00 covering wood. Met Loam at Layman's 5:30 and talked until 6:30. Got home at 7:40. Ate supper at 7:50. Sat on porch until 9:30. Went to bed at 10:00.

On Wednesday, August 3, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Rain-Cloudy. Ollie's Here. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Had lots of work to do today. Met Harry at 1:50 and talked. Paid insurance at 5:30. Got home at 6:00. Raining. Wrote John Leslie also Graves-Humphrey's. Harry came and stayed until 12:30. We retired at 12:45. Got ice cream.

On Thursday, August 4, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-warm. Ollie still here. Arose at 6:45. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Mary phoned me at noon. Ollie took Annah Lee and Baby Jane up town after dinner. We feel awfully sleepy. I cut some wood before supper. Ollie and Harry went to Lakeside at night. I read awhile. We got to bed by 9:30. Tired and sleepy. Cooler.

On Friday August, 5, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sunny. Ollie's still here. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Shaved. Called Mary at 1:30 p.m. She has a high temperature. Ollie took Annah Lee and Baby Jane up town this p.m. I ate supper at restaurant at 5:30. Wrote spec. for E.A. White. Got check from American Educational Assoc. for $5.00 on an essay.

On Saturday, August 6, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sunny-Rain. Ollie's here. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:30. Worked hard all a.m. Corrected spec. for Mr. E.A. White. Bought new tan slippers at Macann's, $4.00. Cut grass and wood. Took a bath. Washed my hair and shaved at 6:30. Talked to Ollie from 10:15 to 11. To bed 11:30.

Ollie Hampton

On Saturday, July 30, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Heavy rain-Hot. Pay day. Arose at 6:35. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Wrote only 5 letters this morning. Got my check cashed at noon. Got things on market. Cut weeds after dinner. Rain. Went to Musser's 8 p.m. Paid bill. $5.00 Got soft drinks. "Mavis" cleaned ceiling kitchen. Mary washed walls. I shaved at 10:30 p.m.

On Sunday, July 31, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Hot-Sunny. Ollie arrived. Arose at 9:30. Mary made a fire. I ate breakfast 10:30. The children went to Sunday School. I went to station at 11:30.  Harry, the children and I came home with Ollie Hampton. Harry ate dinner with us. Sat on front porch after dinner and talked.

July 1927 End of month note: "Dick" Byrd flew to France. I still feel "blue" over the Hagan affair. The children are anxious to go to Willoughby Beach (Norfolk). Varicose veins, in her limbs, are bothering Mary. We left home for the beach on night of the 15th. Had cottage with ample accommodations. Cool breeze blew every night. 

Here in 2011, we went to the beach too and now I am way behind on the blog. Be patient while I try to catch up this weekend!