Pay Day

On Monday, February 28, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Chilly-Sunny. Pay Day. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Read "Literary Digest". Left home 7:50. Got checked cashed. Sent 2nd payment of $5.00 to Federal Schools Inc. Mary, Baby Jane, Annah Lee, and Pauline Burnett went to Scouts' show at Auditorium at night. I shaved and helped Norman with arithmetic. Washed my hair. Rather lengthy end of month memo for February 1927: Capt. Anderson has been sick for several weeks during this month. Troops of Japan, U.S., Italy and England re still moving into the harbor of Shanghai, China. Severely chilly nights and mornings at the end of the month. Haven't felt so good this month. Senator Saulsbury died on 24th. Dr. Jos. R. Wilson brother of late Ex-President, Woodrow Wilson died of heart trouble in Baltimore. Warships and men sent by U.S., England and Italy to Shanghai, China to protect nationals, incident to a revolution there. Dr. J.C. Burks' wife died on 2nd. Lawrence Sullivan's father died of pneumonia on 12th. Miles Figgat died on 14th in hospital after an operation, was traffic manager, American Tobacco Co., in New York. Reva Gee's baby was born on Sunday afternoon 20th. Mary went up there. She fell down the steps and sprained her ankle and bruised her side. Large number of young college students committed suicide this month, cause unknown. Fair weather prevailed the greater part of the month. Bonnie helped Norman with arithmetic and in 2011 we have had to be on Caleb about his grade in Algebra, though I sure wouldn't be much help, that is Beth's territory. Also interesting that the US sent troops to China to help protect nationals as there was an uprising there in China. In 2011, the US sent a chartered ferry to Libya to help evacuate US citizens there who are in harm's way because of a violent uprising against dictator Khadffy. And what was up with college students committing suicide in 1927? The big Elmore family event seems to be that Mary fell. In 1916, which I wrote about last year, we read a lot about Dr. Burks from Bonnie's diary. This month in 1927 his wife died.

Manure

On Friday, February 25, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cloudy-Cool. Letter from Christine. Arose at 6:00. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Left home 7:50. Worked hard all day. Stayed in the office at noon. Talk around the office about retiring Capt. Anderson. Norman attended Scout meeting at Presbyterian church, 7 p.m.. I shaved. Cold and windy tonight. Fire in furnace. Got ton of coal from H.W. Harris. On Saturday, February 26, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Sunny-Chilly. Arose at 6:00. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Worked hard all morning. Cut wood from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. Spread manure over yard. Mary and the girls went to city. Mary bought a new hat. I helped Annah Lee and Baby Jane deliver papers. Took a bath at 11 o'clock and got to bed about 11:30. On Sunday, February 27, 1927 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Sunny-Cold. Arose at 6:30. Made a fire. Dumped ashes. Shaved. Mary and the children went to Sunday School. I went to church. Harry ate dinner and supper with us. He and Mary took a nap. We snapped pictures. Cold wind in p.m. Harry stayed for supper. Jim and Mrs. Drewry came by from church. Got to bed 11:00. I had never heard that Annah Lee (Granny) and Baby Jane had a paper route. Was this a routine thing or were they just filling in for somebody, or a special occasion? Sounds like a nice Sunday afternoon. We had a good Sunday afternoon here in 2011 as well. Stayed after church for a Soup/Sandwich and game fellowship. It was fun. Then we came home and read, Rachel did homework and I watched the race on TV. Tonight it is family TV watching: "Amazing Race".

Papa in Trouble.

On Thursday, July 6, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cool-Pleasant. Arose 7:30. Got to work at 8:45 a.m. Went to Joe's for tobacco for Mr. Raitt and myself. Wrote letters for Capt. Anderson. Mrs. Magann and Ms. Booze down at night. Mary went uptown and bought kitchenware at Woolworth's I went over home at 6:30. Papa in trouble. Got hair cut. Retired at 10:30. On Friday, July 7, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Hot-Sunny. Arose at 7:00. R.S. Kerfoot in. Wrote letters for Capt. Anderson. Norman is much better today. Mr. Schick attended Dr. Gale's funeral this p.m. I talked to Mazie and Herman Merchant in evening. Cut grass from 7 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. Went up to Mrs. Raines' after Mary, Aunt Annah and children. Retired at 10:30. It sure has not been Cool-Pleasant here in 2010. At 100 degrees today! I don't know what Papa's trouble was in 1916. That would have been my Great-Great, Grandfather. Maybe we will find out more in coming days. I hope everything was o.k. I have been very intrigued by my reading in Acts recently. Paul gave up his freedom in Chapters 24 and following but also gained an audience with people that otherwise he never would have in order to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. What about our preferences? Are we willing to give those up in order to follow God's will? Wow.

Decoration Day

On Tuesday, May 30, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Sunshine. "Decoration Day". Arose 8 a.m. Shaved. Aunt Annah's goods came to house. Papa came down. Ate lunch at Mrs. Raines. Went up street to get things for Mary. Met Papa, Everett, Skin, Mr. Thompson and Capt. Rowan. Col. Jno. S. Mosby died in Washington. Ate supper over home. Mrs. R came down. Dr. J.C. Burks called me on phone. On Wednesday, May 31, 1916 Bonnie wrote: Cool-Pleasant. Arose 7:15 a.m. Got to work at 8:30. Wrote up 2 deeds (cys.) Mary began "treatment" today. Paid off. Talked to Howard Fisher, Carter Thompson, Jack Bowdell, Mr. Steffey. Worked until 5:30. Paid some bills. Got ice cream. Mary feeling "blue". Ate supper 7 p.m. Mrs. R. down. End of month note: This has been a beautiful month. A few severely hot days. We had one holiday, "Memorial Day" in May. I was ill for a week this month. Laid off at home 2 days. Two or three electrical storms. Interesting that Bonnie wrote about Memorial Day as "Decoration Day". If I have my stuff straight, Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day and was a day for remembering all those who have gone before us, not just our military and the custom was to go and decorate their graves, thus, Decoration Day. It was also apparently on May 30 and not the last Monday in May. Still apparently it was a day off for Bonnie and a time to get together with family and friends. I wonder what kind of treatment Mary was receiving? We have had some strong storms here in May 2010 as well. We had a great Memorial Day, as my family surprised me with an early Father's Day present and we traveled to Charlotte, NC after church on Sunday to go to the new NASCAR Hall of Fame. It was great and Caleb and I really enjoyed ourselves while the ladies shopped. Incidentally, I looked up Col. John S. Mosby and discovered that he was also known as the "Gray Ghost". Col. Mosby was a Confederate calvary batallion commander during the Civil War. His men, "Mosby's Raiders", were known for their lightning quick raids and their ability to elude their Union pursuers, by blending in with local farmers and towns people. Mosby was born in Powhatan, VA and graduated from Hampden-Sydney College. I love the history that is Bonnie's diary as well as the history that he notes IN the diary. Fitting that this note was on Memorial Day. Ironic that Col. Mosby died on Memorial Day.

Spring Storms

On Sunday, May 28, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Very Sultry hot. Arose at 8 a.m. Harry Raines came down. I took a picture of him and Norman. Ate strawberries. Rolled children to Mrs. Raines. Big Thunderstorm. Very hot. We stayed for supper. Read N.Y. Journal. Didn't go over home. Children very hard to manage today. Mrs. Raines came home with us at 9 o'clock p.m. On Monday, May 29, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Very hot. Arose 7:20. Got to work at 8:35. Indexed and filed mail. Wrote Dr. Burks and went down St. at 11 a.m. to mail same. Mrs. Raines was sick and called us on phone. Went to freight depot to inquire about goods. Rain and Thunder in p.m. Went to see Pitzer. Cut grass at night. Norman ill. We have had some of those spring storms here in 2010 as well. Hail last night as we went to get pizza and then go play poker at Mom's house. What a blast, we had a great time. Caleb and I cut grass late this evening. Attempted to watch NASCAR Nationwide race this afternoon, but mostly napped. Worked on sermon and Sunday School lesson today. Not expecting a big crowd at church tomorrow. We also grilled steaks on the grill tonight and they were delicious.

Very Hot

On Thursday, May 25, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Warm-clear. Arose at 7:15. Got to work at 8:35. Mr. Schick in the office. Went by Mrs. Raines at 6 p.m. and shaved. Rolled Norman to Elmwood Park. Talked to Mr. Raines. Mr. Toombs has gall stones and cancer of intestines. Mrs. Raines went to Jeff. Hospital at 7 o'clock and came down home at 8:30. Thunderstorm between 8 and 9 o'clock. On Friday, May 26, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Warm Day. Arose at 7:20. Got to work at 8:35 a.m. Worked steadily all day. At eventide, cut grass in front and back yard. Mary and I rolled children up to Mrs. Raines and went to Elmwood Park. Mrs Hurst at Mrs. Raines. Mary and came home alone. Very hot night. Talked to Jeff. Steele. Retired at 10:30 p.m. On Saturday, May 27, 1916 Bonnie wrote: Very Hot. Arose at 7:20. Got to work at 8:35. (Warm day). Worked steadily. Mr. R.F. Boxley in. Mary and I finished screening porch. I shaved and all went up to Mrs. Raines after supper. I took a bath there. Very hot day, with thunder. Talked to Jones Gardner. Mrs. R came home with us at 9:15 and put Norman to bed.

Oranges...Lemon-ade

On Wednesday, May 24, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Sunshine-Clear. Arose at 7:15. Got to work at 8:30. Work dull. Mr. Schick away. Wrote letter for Capt. Anderson. Read "Life". Ate supper at Mrs. Raines. Rolled Norman around square. Got 1/2 doz. oranges at Hurst. Mrs. Raines went home with us. I made lemon-ade. Mrs. Raines went home at 9:30 p.m. We retired at 10:30. Warm night. I just think it's funny that they bought oranges and then made lemon-ade.

I Found It

Well, with a little persistence, I found information on the St. Charles Hospital of Roanoke, VA. I first found it mentioned in a history of "Old Southwest" that was written by a Frank Gusler, for the City of Roanoke in 2009. It really was just a mention, but gave the date of its opening as 1913. Searching on that information, I came across another one of Nelson Harris' historical postcards books this one entitled "Salem and Roanoke County in Vintage Postcards" published in 2005. I may need to get this book too. I may have seen it at another time but did not realize that it had a section on the city of Roanoke. In that book, on page 120 is a picture of St. Charles Hospital and this information: "The St. Charles Hospital was located at 533 Mountain Ave. It opened in March 1913 under the direction of Dr. J.C. Burke (Bonnie mentions him numerous times). The hospital closed in 1934, and the building was converted into apartments." Bingo. That is just what I was looking for. It really did exist. I may now need to go find this building and lay eyes on it. Also, the info by Frank Gusler in the history of "Old Southwest" looked very interesting too, I just haven't read all of it yet.

St. Chas. Hospital

On Sunday, May 21, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Warm-Sunny. Arose 8:30 a.m. Went to office 10 o'clock. Took letter to Post Office. Walked to St. Chas. Hospital and back home. Tried to cut Norman's hair. Ruth Doyle died on 14th-City Paint. Went to Raines' in afternoon. Rolled Norman over to Elmwood Park and ate supper at Mrs. Raines. Came home at 8 o'clock and retired 10 p.m. On Monday, May 22, 1916 Bonnie wrote: Cool-Raining. Arose 7:10 a.m. Read "Ladies Home Journal". Mrs. Raines came down home after dinner. Got candy and cigars. Copied agreement. Mary feeling ill. Went to hospital at 5:45 Dr. Burks wrote prescription at 7 o'clock. Came by J&J & met Jake. Mrs. Raines down home and stayed until 9:30 p.m. Mary feeling badly. I retired at 10:30. On Tuesday, May 23, 1916 Bonnie wrote: Raining. Arose at 7:20 a.m. Got to work 8:40. John Dillard came in the office. Work very dull. Wrote to Mrs. John Doyle. Shaved at noon. Work dull in p.m. Mrs. Raines came down after supper and stayed until 9:30. I called Dr. Burks up on phone and inquired about medicine. Rain all night. Read newspaper. Mailed letter to Jake. Retired 10:30. So Bonnie went to the office on Sunday? And the post office was open on Sunday? I am still stumped by this St. Chas. Hospital in Roanoke. I know it is not still around and I have not been able to find out anything else about it. I would love to know more like where it was. Elmwood park is still around and I know right where that is. Hope Mary is feeling better soon.

Pennington's Choice

Got some catchin' up to do. On Thursday, February 3, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Snow-Cold. Partial Eclipse of the Sun. Got to work at 8:50 a.m. Looked at sun thru eyeglass. Mary and I looked at house on Jamison Ave. in afternoon. I went to see Pace Bros. in eve. Mr. & Mrs. Raines came up at night and brought apples. Very cold. Carter Thompson came by the office at 5 p.m. On Friday, February 4, 1916 Bonnie wrote: Cold-Clear. Work at 8:45 ahead of all. Mary and I went to inspect a house on 6th Ave. Got to work at 3:30 p.m. Mike Sexton in the office. Carter Thompson and I went to American Theater at night. Talked to Jake. Came home at 11:00 p.m. on car. Phoned Ms. Fielding. On Saturday, February 5, 1916 Bonnie wrote: Cold-Frost. Mr. Schick got to office first. Correspondence very light. Rolled Norman out for first time in push-cart. Shaved in p.m. Mary and I went up to the "American" at night to see "Pennington's Choice" my second time. came home at 10:30 p.m. Wow, ok I missed some things the past couple of days. Snow in Roanoke February 1916 and lots of snow in Roanoke in 2010. At home from work today because of expected foot plus snowfall in Roanoke. Pretty cool about the eclipse too. I will be very interested to keep up with the progress of the Elmore's house search. I don't know who the Pace Bros. are. There is a Pace Bros. in Roanoke and they are an excavating company I think. Apparently Grand-daddy is having a race to see who can get in the office first each day. I am usually about the second one in for the Fire Marshal's office, Maybe fourth or fifth for all of Fire Administration. The house on 6th Ave. maybe sounds familiar. Any of my relative readers out there can comment about the house I would be thinking of. I think it was the last house they lived in before going to the nursing home. Grand-daddy still loves to go see movies. A reminder for new readers that Jake is Bonnie's brother. I don't know who Ms. Fielding is. Real Estate agent? Bonnie mentioned the new push cart for Norman the other day. I think today we would call it a stroller. I am tickled to see that Bonnie actually went to see a movie with his wife Mary!! She usually has to stay at home with the kids. Sounds like he even sucked it up and went to see a movie he had already seen because that is what she wanted to see. "Pennington's Choice" was released in November 1915 and starred Francis Bushman and Beverly Bayne who we talked about in an earlier blog post. There is a good synopsis of the plot of that movie at this website: http://www.allmovie.com/work/penningtons-choice-105851 Lots of good Bible reading here recently from Exodus and Matthew. I heard a prayer request today on Daily Audio Bible about Christians being persecuted in Egypt. These Christians were shot and killed as they came out of church. Please pray for God's protection for these brothers and sisters in Christ!

Cheese

Tuesday, November 21, 1916 in Roanoke, VA according to Bonnie Elmore (My great grandfather): Warm and clear; Arose at 7:30, made a fire, got to work at 8:30. Read "American" magazine. Also wrote a letter to Denny Lawlor. Got my haircut. Mrs. R and Aunt Annah and I went down the street at 8 p.m. to Democratic parade. Pretty bum affair, but a very large crowd on the street. I stopped by Joe Milan's and read awhile came home at 9:20, ate cheese. Mrs. R is Mrs. Raines and was Bonnie's mother in law. Aunt Annah is who my grandmother is named after and Annah Lee (my grandmother) was now about 11 months old. Joe Milan's is I think a news stand and tobacco shop that used to be in Roanoke. I like to eat cheese too. I am guessing there are many things that get handed down from generation to generation. So far today, I have been to church and prayer walked the church with the deacons, got gas in the car, started a load of laundry and now we are off to pick up Caleb from basketball practice and help my mother with some chores at her house. Gospel sing later tonight at church as a fund raiser for a church member who has cancer. Possibly more about that later.