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, February 26, 2012

Mrs. Muire Left

On Saturday, February 20, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Clear and Chilly. Mrs. Fuqua came in to see Mrs. Muire. I stayed at home this night. Worked all day. Talked to Mr. Steffey.

On Sunday, February 21, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Beautiful Day. Arose at 12:00 p.m. Shaved and took a bath. Geo. Walters, Jack Bowdel and their wives came up to see us. Mrs Muire went out visiting. I went down to Mrs. Raines this night.

On Monday, February 22, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Pretty Weather. Pretty weather. R.E. Hale in the office. Capt. Joe Boxley died at 6:00 a.m. Wrote up Feby. payrolls and Ex. accounts.  Washington's Birthday, worked all day. Got hair cut. Mr. Raitt to North Fork.

On Tuesday, February 23, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cloudy-Warm. Mrs. Muir left. Paid her $25.00 for staying two weeks ending today. Ruth Edwards came over to finish up time. Shaved. Rained all night. Mrs. Raines came up. Harry Raines stayed out all night.  I slept in room with Mary first time since baby born.

On Wednesday, February 24, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Rained. Talked to Papa. Went down street after cigarettes for Mr. Schick. Indexed and filed. Howard Fisher came down home and talked until 11:00 p.m. Ordered coal and wood to be sent up home. Mr. H.M. Luck was in the office.

On Thursday, February 25, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Real Cold and Windy. Bought Milk of Magnesia 3 ozs. Johnson (former stenographer) in the city. Mr. Mosher and Hugh in the office. Mrs. Raines came up awhile. Very cold night with high wind.  

On Friday, February 26, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cold and Windy.  Arose at 7:00 a.m. Ate dinner with Mamma. Capt. Bob Boxley in the office for rail to be used on Jacob's Fork branch. Wrote a letter to Lena in Bedford City, Va. Shaved. Got a letter from Bob Elmore.

So, it sounds like Mary is starting to recover more from the childbirth.  The lady that they had paid to stay with them has now gone home and she got a whopping $25 for 2 weeks! Unbelievable comapred to what that would cost today in 2012.  Another lady now appears to be there to give some help, but maybe not as intense as before. Bonnie is at least back in the room.  It has been cold and windy here this weekend in 2012, but the weather today is rather nice.  Beth has gone to work at the hospital to work some over-time and Rachel is at work today too.  Caleb and I were set to watch the Daytona 500 on TV today but it is raining in Daytona.  I still need to write an article for the church newsletter.     

Sunday, February 19, 2012

1/4 Ton of Coal

On Friday, February 19, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Chilly, Frost, Sunshine. Ordered 1/4 ton of coal from Mr. Kinsley. Went up home ate supper and shaved. Walked home in company with Jack Bowdel abd James Gardner. Shaved. Luther spent the night at Mamma's. Lena with Loam.

Here in 2012, quite a pretty snowfall and it is not sticking on the roads.  The forecasts say it may get slick later tonight if the temperatures drop a little more.  We have about an inch and half right now.  We had a good day at church and attendance was nott too bad considering the snow.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Elmer Brown

On Sunday, February 14, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Pretty Day. Arose at 8:30. Took bath. Went to office. Went up home. Loam was there. Nell (Sipes) Gibson was up to see the baby.  Came home at 9 o'clock. Shaved up home. Dr. Huff came in to see Mary. 

On Monday, February 15, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Rain-Gloomy.  Arose at 6:00 a.m. Went down to Mrs. Raines after eggs. Papa and Christine came down to see the baby. Received a letter from Aunt Emma Leslie.  Stayed at home.

On Tuesday, February 16, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cool & Cloudy. Baby one week old today. Ethel (Burnett) Wade came up to see Mary and baby. Mr. Schick went out on a tour of inspection. Mr. W.W. Vail came into the office. Ruth Edwards and Maude Bowdell were in to see Mary. I went down to talk to Mr. Raines.

On Wedneday, February 17, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Pretty Weather. Arose at 6:00 a.m. Walked to work with Bernard Harrington.  Everrett St. Clair was in office. Howard came to the office. Indexed and filed. Shaved.

On Thursday, February 18, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Pretty and Sunshine. Mrs. Harvey came up to see the baby. Mr. Childress in the office. Washed my hair. Addressed letter for Elmer Brown. Teeny phoned for me to come up home to see Lena before they left for the country. 

Been awhile since I posted.  Beth and I had a great Valentines Night Date at Blue 5 in Downtown Roanoke and while we were there we saw Robert Natt who would be Bonnie's Great Grandson.  Robert's wife is the General Manager at Blue 5.  It was great food and music.  Beth is away this weekend with a friend.  Caleb and I went to a movie last night and saw "Red Tails".  It was good.  Rachel was at a friend's house.  The kids and I are home now and waiting on a forecasted big snow for tomorrow.  It will be the first real snow of the winter. Do you reckon Bonnie and Mary have not yet named the baby yet? 

Monday, February 13, 2012

Uncle Norman Born!

On Sunday, February 7, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Sunshine. Shaved. Went up home. Loam and Lena were at home. Ate supper at Mrs. Raines'. Mary feeling badly called her mother, Mrs. Muire and Dr. Huff.

On Monday February 8, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cold and Pretty. Mary sick. Stayed at home. Phoned Mr. Schick. Dr. Huff called and examined Mary at 8:00 p.m. Mrs. Raines stayed all night. Mr. Schick left.

On Tuesday, February 9, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Pretty weather. Returned to work. Mrs. Magann and Doug called by phone. Mrs. Muire came in a.m. Mary sick at 4:00 p.m. Baby born at 7:30 p.m. Called Mrs. Long. Shaved.

On Wednesday, February 10, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cold and Clear.Arose at 6:00 a.m. Made fires and went to store. Went to work. Mrs. Raines and Harry came up to see the baby. Wrote up estimates and Force Acct. Bills of J.J. Boxley and Co. on Jacobs Fork and Cucumber Branches.

On Thursday, February 11, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sunshine but chilly. Met Howard on street. Steffey was in the office. Saw and talked to Uncle Bill Jennings. Went up home and ate supper. Indexed mail. Came home on car. Loam and Lena were down.

On Friday, February 12, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cold-Clear. Mr. Raitt and Mr. Schick came in. Mrs. Poff came over to see the baby. Mrs. Muire went out for awhile. Harry and his mother came up. Shaved. Fred. E. Foster died.

On Saturday, February 13, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Beautiful Warm Day. Feeling badly. Brought some candy home for Mary. Bought breast pump. Talked to Mrs. Magann on way to work this morning. Baby 4 days old today. Went up town and Met Howard. Mr. and Mrs. Raines came up.

Sorry it has been awhile since a post.  I had a busy week and then I was worn out yesterday.  The Big event is that Bonnie and Mary's first born child, Norman was born February 9.  Bonnie wrote about it in his usually understated sort of way.  One thing to note is that Bonnie does start to take more of the form that we are used to in his diary entries on February 10 when he tells about the time he arose and making fires.  I have to get to work this morning, so maybe I will write more about these posts later!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Foggy Mornings

On Saturday, February 6, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Foggy in a.m., Rest of day, sunshine.  Mr. Schick went out on line. Wrote up estimates of contractors. Stayed at home this night. Talked to Mr. Steffey.

It was really foggy here in 2012 today too.  We went and registered Rachel and Caleb for their classes at school for next year.  I can't believe that this will be Rachel's senior year of high school, coming up!  Came home early today so we could get to the registration on time and also to watch a soccer game with Caleb.  Today was kind of "draggy" day.  I didn't get much of a weekend.  I had to work on Saturday and we had the youth group over last night to watch the Super Bowl.  It was a really good game, but man I am tired.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Private Car #5

On Wednesday, February 3, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cloudy a.m. Sunshine p.m.  Took subscription for floral design. Went to Fallon's and purchased a $14.00 wreath. Went out to Mr. Raitt's house with Claytor Noll and W.H. Burke. Mary and I went down to Mrs. Raines' stayed until 10 o'clock. Mrs. Raitt's body taken to Cin. O. on train #3. Private car #5.

On Thursday, February 4, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cloudy, dark. Ate dinner at Mrs. Raines. Indexed Miss. Bill book. Mrs. Steele, Blanche, and the baby were up to see us. Shaved.

On Friday, February 5, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Rain-dark. Staples was in the office. Jimmy Doughman returned from Cincinnati, from Mrs. Raitt's funeral. Contractors bills came in. Bought "Motion Picture Magazine".

I don't usually write ahead, but with tomorrow (in 2012) being Super Bowl Sunday, I figure I might not get to it, especially since the youth group from church is coming to our house.  Of course Bonnie would buy "Motion Picture Magazine"!  I think this was the wife of one of Bonnie's bosses who died.  The funeral was apparently in Cincinnati, Ohio. I worked all day today at "Tons of Fun" at Tanglewood Mall.  Throngs of people!  The kids helped me and we paid them.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Ten Dollar Rent

On  Saturday, January 30, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Fair-Cold. Feeling ill. Didn't go to work. Shaved. Went to store. Worked in p.m. Pay Day. Went to town with George Walters. Mrs. Raines came up.  

On Sunday, January 31, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Snow. Went up home, ate supper. Stayed until 8:30. Came by Mrs. Raines after Mary. 

End of Month Note January 1915:  Name: B.W. Elmore Address: #402 7th Ave. S.E. Roanoke, Va.
Moved to #314 Dale Ave. S.E. May 1, 1914 Rent: $10.00
Moved to #402 7th Ave. S.E. Nov. 1, 1914 (Rent: $15.00)

On Monday, February 1, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Sleet and Rain. Ate lunch down street - paid bills. Sent checks to Drs. Gill and Herbert. Mrs. Merrell and funeral party returned home. Shaved. Fog at night. Had shoes half-soled. 

On Tuesday, February 2, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Sunshine. Indexed and filed. Wrote up record of Henry E. Mecredy. Went to Dr.'s office. Got hair-cut and went to gas office about over-charge. Dr. Preston's office. Mr. Dawson in. Took a bath. Mrs. J.M. Raitt died about 6 p.m.

I just think it's kind of funny that before they had children (Norman is on the way) that Bonnie and Mary would spend their Sunday afternoons apart at their parent's houses.  I loved the end of month note that lists where Bonnie lived and how much rent he paid.  Can you imagine 10-15 dollars a month for rent?!  $300 a month now would be a huge bargain for rent and upwards of $1000 a month would not be unheard of at all. And on 2 of the days in this post, Bonnie mentions winter weather.  I sure have missed winter weather this year in 2012. I suppose that was Bonnie's boss' wife who died.