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.



Sunday, October 30, 2011

Sunday Cigars and Gum!

On Friday, October 28, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Mild-Sunny. Arose at 7:00. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 8:00. Mr. Noel on jury, struck off. Mary still suffering. I took a good walk at noon. The children attended a Halloween party at Scoutmaster Hillsman's house at 7:30 p.m. They got home about 10:00.  got pint of ice cream. Mary and I ate it. To bed at 10:45. 

On Saturday, October 29, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Mild. Arose at 6:00. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home at 8:00. Didn't do much work this morning. Mary phoned me that shrubbery was at express office. Mr. Argenbright came by office for me and we got trees, (wrong bundle). Ben Piner brought our down in auto. I planted all the trees and 2 vines by 5:30. Took a bath at 10:00 p.m. Got to bed 11:00.

On Sunday, October 30, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Warm-Pleasant. Arose at 8:30. Mary made fire. The children attended Sunday School. I was too late. Had to shave. Walked to town and got cigars and chewing gum, 11:30. Walked home 12:30. H.L. Scott's baby born today. Read most of afternoon. Mary a pains in her side. Mrs. Burnett came over after supper. Bed 10:00.

In 2011, great day at church today.  Mom was there along with Bobbie, Peggy and Kay.  Also had Rachel Crawford and family there as part of my sermon. Good crowd and Harvest fest after church with lots of fun. Watched a good soccer game after church, now watching car race.  Sounds like Bonnie was really doing some planting.  Typical Bonnie in missing church by being late shaving and hen just going to get cigars and gum!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Booth Tarkington

On Monday, October 24, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Pleasant. Arose at 6:50. Made a fire. Took out ashes. Shaved. Left home at 7:55. Baby Jane got up at 7:15 and finished her lessons. I wrote to Christine. Walked at noon. Have had headache. Walked home at 5:30 p.m. Very tired. Lay on davenport awhile before supper. Norman went to show. I read until 9:15. Went to bed about 10:00.

On Tuesday, October 25, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Fine Day. Arose at 6:50. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:55. Busy all day. Walked around Hotel Roanoke at noon. Stopped at Fulwiler Hills at 5:25 p.m. and heard "When Day is Done". Walked home. Getting Dark earlier. I shaved after supper. Read paper. Mary feels bad. T talked to Mr. Argenbright until 10 p.m.

On Wednesday, October 26, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Mild-Sunny. Arose at 6:50. Made a fire. Took out ashes. Left home at 8:00. Dr. Sommardahl filled one of my teeth at 1:30. Took some dictation from Mr. Wiltsee. Walked home at night. Right tired. Got home 6:05. Read some after supper. Went to bed about 11:00 p.m. Chilly at night. Mary's side hurts.

On Thursday, October 27, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Pleasant-Warm. Arose at 6:50. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home about 7:55. Wrote good bit of mail. Took walk at noon. Walked home at night. Mary complaining of pain and tightness in her side. I read awhile after supper. Tired, and have a headache. Booth Tarkington (author) nearly blind.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Car wrecks

On Monday, October 17, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Dark-Rainy. Arose at 7:00. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Shaved. Left home at 7:55. Talked to Ben Smith. Went to Bank at 1:50 p.m., deposited $1.35. Busy all day. My head aches severely. Came home on car at 6 p.m. Raining-gloomy. Mrs. Stover died. I trimmed Mary's hair after supper. Read. To bed 10:00.

On Tuesday, October 18, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cold-Cloudy. Light snow flurries. Arose at 6:45. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Took a walk at noon. Talked to Echol Marshall. Paid $34.28 to Metro. Ins. Co. by check. Walked home in afternoon. Cold at night. Mary has had drawing pain in her side all day and tonight. She lent her coat to Hallie Stover. I retired at 10:30.

On Wednesday, October 19, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cold-Sunny. Got up at 6:55. Made a fire. Took ashes to alley. Very chilly. Left home about 7:55. Walked around 3rd Ave. at noon, and thru town. Wrote to Christine. Walked home in evening. Read after supper. Mary is still suffering from pains in her side. I talked to Dr. Burke on phone at 8:10 p.m. Got to bed about 10:30.

On Thursday, October 20, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Sunny-Pleasant. Arose at 7:00 a.m. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home at 8:00. Mary feels better today. I took a walk at noon. Walked home this p.m. Shaved at 7:00. Mary, the girls and I went to the "Roanoke" at 7:30 p.m. Enjoyed it very much. Got 1/2 pound of candy. Talked to Rev. H.H. Scott when we came out. Norman met us at car line. Got to bed 11:00.

On Friday, October 21, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Pleasant. Arose at 6:40. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home at 7:45. Pretty weather. Mildred Calhoun lent me 2 records. Took a walk at noon. Very busy all day. Annah Lee got fine report grades. I walked home at 5:30 p.m. Read some after supper. Went to bed about 10:30. Mary's side is paining her.

On Saturday, October 22, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Pleasant. Mr. Argenbright's car was wrecked. Arose at 6:45. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:55. Worked hard until 1:15. Mary is busy preparing lunch for our proposed trip to Selma on Sunday. I cut wood from 4 to 5:30. Shaved and took a bath. Annah Lee got her hair cut. Mary worked until 11:00 p.m. and was worn out at time of retiring.

On Sunday, October 23, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Beautiful Weather. Arose at 8:00. Mary made a fire at 7:15. Didn't get to go see Mama, car wrecked. I went to church. The children went to Sunday School. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman brought the baby up this afternoon. Fine day. I washed my hair. Mary took bath and washed her hair. The children went to Dunkard church. We got to bed by 10:00.

Wow, they have a lot going on right now. 

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Ringling Circus

On Friday, October 14, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Fine Day. Ringling Circus. Arose at 6:45. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Harry and Gene Ford came by at 6:30 and took the children to see circus unload. They came home 7:50. I have a severe headache today. Took a walk at noon. Walked home at 5:30. Crisp air-cool. Norman went to Scout meeting. Read until 10:00. To bed at 10:30.

On Saturday, October 15, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Crisp-Cool. Pay day. Arose at 6:55. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Made a fire. Left home 7:55. Didn't do much this morning. Got my check cashed. Got pictures for Ollie. Paid $3.00 for a pair of black shoes for Norman, at 1:30. Cut wood from 4 to 5:30. Mary suffering pain in stomach. I shaved 6 p.m. Norman went to "Roanoke".

On Sunday, October 16, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Beautiful Day. Arose at 8:00. Made a fire. The children went to Sunday School. I went to church only. Annah Lee and Baby Jane stayed for church. I helped serve sacrament. Harry ate supper with us. Stayed until 9:30. I read short while. Headache. We got to bed about 10:30. Tired. 

Beautiful Day here in 2011 as well. Good day at church.  Breakfast at church this morning.  Autumn was baptized today at North Roanoke Baptist. Church meeting tonight.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Dark and Gloomy

On Wednesday, October 12, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Rain all day. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home at 7:50. Went on car with Baby Jane and Emily Alice. Didn't go out of the office at noon. Came home at 5:35. Baby Jane is not feeling well. I read after supper. Played "Forgive Me" on Victrola. Dark and gloomy. Got to bed about 10:00 p.m.

On Thursday, October 13, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cool-Sunny. Arose at 6:50.  Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:50. Not much work today. Walked at noon. I shaved at 7:00 p.m. We went to Parent-Teachers meeting at Jackson Jr. High School. Met Miss Kelly and Miss Brown. Got home at 10 o'clock Got to bed about 10:30.

Computer acting up, that will be all for today!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Baby Dresses

On Monday, October 10, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Fine Weather. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Shaved. Left home 7:55. Hard work today. Talked to Harry at 1:55 p.m. Got home at 6 p.m. Norman went to "Roanoke". Mary, Baby Jane and Annah Lee went to Mrs. Drewry's. I read after supper. We got to bed about 11 o'clock

On Tuesday, October 11, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Fine-Day. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home at 7:55. Awfully busy today. Mr. Noel on jury half hour. I took a walk at noon. Walked home in afternoon at 5:30. Mrs. Drewry brought over baby dresses. I read until 10 o'clock. Got to bed about 10:30 p.m.

Here in 2011: Happy Birthday to my mother! A faithful reader of the blog.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Good Intentions

On Tuesday, October 4, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Pleasant. Board Meeting. Arose at 6:50. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Mary went with Mrs. Drewry and Jim to his mother's to take dinner, leaving at 9:00 a.m. I called home at 12:15. Talked to Baby Jane. Attended Board Meeting at 8:00 p.m. 13 present. Got out at 9:15. Rode to Campbell Ave. with A.R. Harris. Got home about 9:25. To bed about 10:00.

On Wednesday, October 5, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Pleasant. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Shaved. Left home at 7:55. Mary called me at noon. She feels bad. Her sides pain her. I didn't go out at noon. Got home 5:50. Cut some wood before supper. Norman did too. He went to a show. I played records. Read awhile. We got to bed by 10:30.

On Thursday, October 6, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Pleasant. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Mr. Noel came in at 2:20 p.m. I practically loafed all morning. Walked at noon. Grace Gee, Fannie, and Richard ate supper with us. Norman went to scout meeting. Grace and the rest left at 9:00 p.m. We walked to car with them.

On Friday, October 7, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunny-Hot. Arose at 7:00. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:55. Not so busy today. Waked over to N. East at 1:45. Talked to Herbert Downs. He is operating turntable at the shops. I got home about 5:30. Read papers until 10:00 p.m. Went to bed about 10:30. Warm at night.

On Saturday, October 8, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Rain p.m. Hot. Arose at 6:55. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home at 7:50. Got to office at 8:20. Very busy. Mr. Noel called for jury duty on Monday. I got home 1:40. Cut wood from 5 to 6 p.m. Took bath and shaved. Mary is feeling very "tight" and tired out. We went to bed about 11:00 p.m. Chilly at night. Slept well.

On Sunday, October 9, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Arose at 8:30. Mary made fire at 7:00. The children went to Sunday School. I went up town at 11:20 intending to go to church. Met Arthur Elmore and talked until 1:00 p.m. Read most all afternoon. Versey and Eleanor Wood came to play with the children. They left about 6:00. I read until 9:45. To bed 10:00.

As I understand it, this was classic Bonnie behavior, to be intending to go to church, meet someone to talk to and miss church all together!  It didn't just happen with church, but with other things as well.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Efficiency Meeting

On Monday, October 3, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Rain-Cloudy. Arose at 6:50. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home at 7:50. Very busy all day. Went down street at 1:45 p.m. Mr. Noel left for Columbus, efficiency meeting. Harry left books for me at Milan's. Bob Daniels brought me to Murray Ave. in his car, 6 p.m. I shaved at 8 o'clock. Read little while. We went to bed 10:00.

I am being efficient and not writing much...just not that into it for some reason.  Here in 2011 Caleb stayed home sick today.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Selma

On Friday, September 30, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sunny. Arose at 6:45. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Lot of mail to write at office. Got my check cashed at noon. Paid insurance. Jane got a letter from Mama. She is very ill. Wants us to come see her right away. I talked to Loam on phone after supper. Very tired and nervous. To bed 10:30.

End of month note for September 1927: Great many aviators lost and killed last month trying to fly over the Pacific Ocean. We thoroughly enjoyed our short vacation in Bristol from 3rd to 7th. Wayne B. Wheeler, Supt. of the Anti-Saloon League died. Collins boy murdered his parents in N.W. Roanoke on 14th. Isadore Duncan killed. Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey fought a championship battle in Chicago on the 22nd. It was a draw. Tunney still champion. Norman and I went up to Times-World building to hear the results. Big crowd on hand on account of fair today.

On Saturday, October 1, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot-Sunny. At Selma, p.m. Arose at 6:45. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:45. Went to the office. Wrote my mail. Mr. Noel let me off at 9:30. Met Jess and Loam at station 10:15. We drove to Selma by 1:00 p.m. Jess ate light dinner, and left at 3:15. Feely took Loam, Sybil and me to town. I cut some wood. Sat up until 1:00 a.m.

On Sunday, October 2, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot and Dusty. Selma all day. Arose at 10:00. Jake, Everett and Mary Francis came over. Feely, Loam and I drove to East Hill cemetery to see Effie's grave. Couldn't locate it. Left Selma 5:30. Lights burned out beyond Fincastle. Herndon Slicer piloted us to Cloverdale. Got bulbs. Home 9:20. Harry ate supper at home. We got to bed 11:45.