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, August 12, 2012

Electric Lights Installed

On Friday, August 6, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cool. Filed and Indexed. Mrs. Raines ate dinner with us today. She and Mary went up town. Mary brought Norman to the office and Met Capt. E.J. Rowan. We got ice cream and ate supper at Mrs. Raines. Went home at 8:30 p.m.

On Saturday, August 7, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cool, pleasant day. Arose at 7:00 a.m. and shaved before breakfast. Took bath and went up street. Mary and I went to "American" theater at night. Gave Skin 15 cents to get collars out of laundry.

On Sunday, August 8, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot. Arose at 8:30. Went up street for two papers for Mrs. Raines. Ate lunch at Mrs. Raines. Rained in pm. I went home and ate supper. Loam was there. Came home on street car and talked to John and Maggie Smith.

On Monday, August 9, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Hot-Rain. Norman is 6 months of age today. Papa and Teeny ate supper at our house. Papa talked to Mrs. Booze and Mrs. Raines about painting kitchen and fence. Shaved.

On Tuesday, August 10, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Hot. Walked to work with Bernard Harrington. Mailed $10.00 to Harry Raines in New York. Talked to Dr. Abbott on street while on way to P.O. Mrs. Raines took lunch with us.  Ate ice cream at Mrs. Brown's!

On Wednesday, August 11, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote:  Cool Day. Electric lights were installed in Mrs. Raines' home. Big Rain. Stayed at home at night and shaved. Retired at 9:30 p.m. Raining. 

On Thursday, August 12, 1915 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Hot. Mr. Schick went to Berivend, W.Va. on tour of inspection. Ate "Okre" at Mrs. Raines at noon today. Stopped in at MaGann's. Went to concert in Elmwood Park at night. Talked to Edgar Troxie at went to J&J for Barley. 

I suppose the biggest thing this week is the installation of electric lights in Mrs. Raines' house.  We take electricity for granted so much these days that I didn't even think about the homes in 1915 maybe using candles and oil lamps, etc. Wow.  Of course, Bonnie does talk a lot in other years about building a fire to heat the home and for cooking.  I also chuckled at how Bonnie spelled Okra, I think it was new to him. But he sure did enjoy the ice cream at Mrs. Brown's. I have no idea where that town in West Virginia is, we had a little trouble reading Bonnie's handwriting.  Happy 6 months to Norman!  Here in 2012, we had a great day today at Springwood Baptist.  9 people, all from one family joined the church today and 3 of those by baptism!  13 youth and about 5 or 6 adults from the church went to Kings Dominion yesterday.  We will be going to visit Longwood University on Tuesday with Rachel and going to Washington DC this coming weekend on a train to sight see and watch soccer.  Bonnie would get a kick out of knowing we were going there and on a train!      

No comments:

Post a Comment