Bennett Luther Dean
Personal Journal, 1916

February 1916

Tuesday February 1     Well Feb. came in on a nice clear looking day but it was cold and a cold wind blew from the Northwest and shriveled a fellow up. The thermometer on our back porch was 16° above at 5 oclock and still going down. The temperature changes so sudden that we cannot get used to it. Howard got along in High school better than yesterday and found his class rooms all right but he said they changed him all around again and he would have to hunt different rooms tomorrow. He got home about 4 and had to rush around and he and Grant DeWolf went down town to buy blank books that they could not buy around here and they cost him another dollar. He has paid for them all with his own money so far but I dont know whether he can pay for all to come or not.

Wednesday February 2     Ground Hog day. Clear and cold. The Ground Hog saw his shadow nearly all the afternoon although the sun was not very bright or warm he could see his shadow It was cold and considerably windy, the thermometer went from 11° up to 20° and back to 16° again. Louise is now established in B.1 and she likes every thing especially the songs and marching but she says she likes Kindergarten best but would not like to go back. The first day, Monday, she had to have Two boxes, a pencil, and Mama had to make a school bag out of blue shambray and a puckering string. She goes only 1/2 day in the morning.

Thursday February 3     Cold and windy, a little snow not enough to cover the ground. 11° at 9 A.M., 18° at 3 P.M. Howard has got pretty well straightened around at High School, he knows his room and class room and buys a lunch that they have at the school. He has to share a locker with another boy, Grant DeWolf because they do not have enough to give everyone a whole locker and there is so much thievery that they have to be very carefull how they just lay things down. Grant had the paper out of his big 45¢ pad stolen. Howard had to make a 3 minute speech today in his English class, he was nearly sick last night over it but he learned a little speech about Walter Scott and he said the teacher said "good" so he feels better tonight. It is awfully hard to get started, there are so many and every thing so systematized one has to learn the ropes.

Friday February 4     Cold. 10° at 7 A.M., up to 24°. I took Laurence down town after work, he came over to the Office and went down from there. We went to Birds but could not be suited either in shoes or an overcoat they advertised coats and shoes but I did not like [them] so went over to the W. L. Duglass store and got a pair of shoes for $2, but the stores closed and we did not get a coat.

Saturday February 5     Howard went down town this forenoon and bought himself a gymnasium suit and spent $2.50 more to add to the expense of high school and I went to a meeting of the Civil service employees held at the Hotel Stattler. I never was in the Stattler before in fact it is a new Hotel and considered a swell place. I did not get home untill 12 oclock which is very unusual for me.

Sunday February 6     A dark gloomy and threatening day but did not storm. The thermometer stood 23° to 30°. The boys went to sunday school. I wanted to go to Plymouth to see Mother but it was late before I was ready and it looked threatening, I gave it up. I hate so to get out and [go] any where that it has got to be a habit and I cannot seem to break it up.

Monday February 7     When we went to bed last night it was warm, about 26° above and when we got up this morning it was 7° above and a fearful high wind that cut like needles. It was a dreadful cold day, take it all around. The ground is covered with snow and it is winter indeed.

Tuesday February 8     Fearful cold day, 5° above at 6 but was 18° above at night. Snowed hard in the evening.

Wednesday February 9     Warmer, about 22° above. About 3 inches of snow on the ground.

Thursday February 10     The thermometer between 20° and thirty, snowed considerable.

Friday February 11     Snow and cold, about 20° above.

Saturday February 12     Lincolns birthday, but no half holiday. Snowed some and seemed cold. Thermometer down around 20° above. Aunt Dill and Inez called this afternoon, June entertained them by saying all the Mother Goose rhymes she knows and she can say a good many. It is surprising the number she can rattle off and Aunt Dill thinks she is a wonder.

Sunday February 13     Cold and bright, about 10° above this morning and there is about 6 or 7 inches of snow and the way it is piled up in shoveling the walks it looks very wintery. Howard and Bennett spent the morning riding down a toboggan slide they made yesterday and threw water on to freeze. And then they came in and went to sunday school, Laurence did not go because he went to sleep last Eve. and did not get a bath. The McLeods came over this afternoon and we had a good visit. June got up to the piano and drummed on the piano and sang "My country tiss of the" and "Annie goes to the Cabbage Patch", she showed off in good shape.

Monday February 14     Clear, bright but fearful cold, about 3° above this morning. Mrs. Kiefer called this evening. A man up the street brought Bennett home and said Bennett threw a brick on his porch. He is a man the kids take especial delight in bothering and they were out peddling valentines and they dared Bennett to throw the brick and the man was laying for them and caught Bennett and brought him to the door. We sent him to bed but some way I think the man ought to be spanked and sent to bed too. June has been sick all day to her stomach. And was pretty sick but I guess she will be all right in the morning. Howard is studying Latin and trying to talk Latin. His Mother has to help him so much that her evenings are nearly spent trying to help him.

Tuesday February 15     Warmer, started out 13° above but got up to 26°. Fine day. June is quite sick, bilious I guess.

Wednesday February 16     Beautiful day. Thawed and was slushy by night and is near raining this Eve. a fine mist. Mrs. Burns up. Aunt Dill over. June still sick but better. She has the Mother Goose book, reading it on the floor just now. June reading say "you had money I had none, that the way the noise begun."

Thursday February 17     [No entry]

Friday February 18     [No entry]

Saturday February 19     Another cold snap. It was warm when we went to bed and this morning it was down to 9° above but got quite warm by night. Anna took Bennett down town and got him a $10 Mackinaw overcoat for $5 at Birds and Laurence a suit, $7.50 one for $3.95. We have to watch bargains. Bennett paid for his coat out of his paper money, he and Howard just about clothe themselves. June entertained us at the supper table tonight and we all had a good laugh to hear her repeat Mother Goose rhymes. Howard kept track and said she repeated over 20, either all or part of them. Sometimes she would get them mixed and that was the funny part of it. June is 2 years and 8 months and can string rhymes off by the yard.

Sunday February 20     Between 20° and 30°, not a very pleasant day. The boys went to sunday school. I shaved and took a bath and not feeling very well I lay on the couch most of the time.

Monday February 21     Whew but the thermometer took a sudden drop over night. It was 5° above at 5 oclock and 4° above at 7, then got up to 20° in the middle of the afternoon then went down to about 17° in the evening. I havent felt the cold all winter as I did going to work on my bike this morning, I nearly froze my hands and face. It was a nice day but rather too cold to enjoy it. Some people are moving in the new flat next to us so I suppose from now on we will feel hemmed in. My how we have hated to have that flat built because it took away that light and air space and now we are on a 30 lot and but very little space between. Our sitting room is dark and our basement is as black as your hat where we want to have it light the worst.

Tuesday February 22     George Washingtons birthday and a beautiful day. It is bright sun shine and not very cold, up about 40° and water running in the streets from melting snow. I am home this afternoon 1/2 day holiday. Howard just came from High School, 3:15 P.M. and got the paper sacks and [went] off to peddle papers. He gets the papers in time to meet Bennett when he gets out of school. Anna has taken oppertunity and gone down town to get herself a pair of shoes which she was sadly in need of. And Louise and June are in on the parlor floor sharing a few peanuts that was left over.

Wednesday February 23     Aunt Dill over and seemed to be in a discouraged mood and had to recite them all to Anna. She is a great talker and very deaf so she is very hard to talk to, in order to talk to her you have to use her ear tube and Anna just has to hang onto that tube and get nothing [done] all the time she is here.

Thursday February 24     I bought a lunch today at noon and went down town. I went to see if I had any overtime pay coming and got 40¢, it hardly pays to go after it but they want us to come each month.

Friday February 25     Warm and spring like. Mrs. Burns up. I and the boys went to the picture show over on 14th and McGraw this Eve.

Saturday February 26     Ground covered with snow and got cold by night. June had the ear ache last night and cried nearly every minute all night long. Anna and I were awake all the time and Anna was up and down all night long so we do not feel very lively today. Mrs. Burns and Donald up.

Sunday February 27     Cold, raw and windy and nobody left the house all day it was so disagreeable. The day was long and discontented. Howard made fudge in the afternoon. June is not very well and looks thin and sick, she has a bad cold and feels miserable.

Monday February 28     Cold and clear, down to 9° above. Anna got a letter from her Mother who is in Los Angeles that she had forwarded a trunk and this afternoon the trunk came. It came by express and was free, Ed Merritt is an express agent in Pasadena and he sent it free. Annas mother expects to follow in a month or so.

Tuesday February 29     This is an Extra day in the year, I dont see but it is like any other day. Thermometer around 20° above. Howard wanted me to go down town and look at Bicycles with him this evening. I hated to go but I went. Went to Metzger on 501 Woodward and then walked to 129 Gratiot stopping on the way then we came home. I was tired out, Howard is bound to buy a new bicycle and I do not want him to.

April 1916

Saturday April 1     Rain all the forenoon. Howard went down town. Inez Hart came over. Bennett April fooled his Mama by going to the green house and buying her one carnation white then he brought it home and dared Mama to open but she would not and Bennett finally had to open it his self. Then Mama was pleased and thought it a very nice April fool. Bennett said he read in a story how a little boy fooled his Mama that way and thought he would try it.

Sunday April 2     Beautiful day. And Anna, Bennett, Laurence and I went and called on the McLeods at 89 Allendale. I wanted to see how he was getting along working for Ford. He quite Letter Carrying and got a job at Fords but so far it was as bad or worse as Carrying Mail and he hurt his back lifting and had been off 2 days and take it all around he was pretty blue. June and Louise stayed with Howard.

Monday April 3     Beautiful day. There was a white frost this morning and was a little chilly. The Post Office is counting mail this week and the first of the month too, it fairly drives us to the insane asylum. Mrs. Burns up. Anna washed today. I did not get home to dinner.

Tuesday April 4     Fine day, cool.

Wednesday April 5     Cloudy, cool. Tonight just as Anna and I were to going to turn off the light and go to bed somebody came up on the porch and in walked Mother Clarkson from Los Angles, California. We expected here to come the last half of this month but we were very much surprised to see her so soon so we got out the tea pot and made tea and ate a lunch and talked and talked.

Thursday April 6     Cold and some snow. Mother Clarkson went to Northville today to take care of her trunk and see how things were out there.

Friday April 7     Cold, about freezing.

Saturday April 8     Well this was a regular March day, cold, cloudy and wet. The wind blew and towards night it snowed a regular blizzard and covered the ground white with snow. Cold disagreeable day. Mother Clarkson came back from Northville. I could not get home to dinner I got a lunch at a restaurant. I suppose this is the last day we have to weigh and count the mail, it has been a hard week for the Post Office employees. Aunt Dill and Inez Hart was over this evening.

Sunday April 9     Beautiful day but rather chilly, about freezing this morning and the ground was white with snow but it was soon gone when the sun came out. The boys went to sunday school but besides that we were home all day. Annas Mother was here and they visited and talked all day long.

Monday April 10     [No entry]

Tuesday April 11     [No entry]

Wednesday April 12     [No entry]

Thursday April 13     Thundered and lightning and just poured. Grandma Clarkson went down to Albert Harts with Aunt Dill on 23rd near Baker.

Friday April 14     Quite cold again today, it hates to give up and be spring like. Nearly freezing. Fred Fry and Anna Fry and Charlie Blair called to see Mrs. Clarkson. The Frys have an Auto and came in that.

Saturday April 15     Fine day, warmer. Anna and her Mother went down to Elliots to do some shopping. Howard took care of Louise and June until paper time and then Laurence stayed with them until Anna got home.

Sunday April 16     Showers, warm rain. The boys went to sunday school and after noon Howard, Bennett and I took a ride on our bicycles and I called on McLeod at 89 Allendale. He has given up working for Ford and thinks he will go back to work in the Post Office, he says P.O. work is hard but Ford is harder.

Monday April 17     Cold raw wind all day, not very encouraging for spring weather. We have kept our furnace going right along it has not been out once since it was started last fall. This is vacation week for the schools and the kids are home making lots more work and confusion.

Tuesday April 18     Beautiful day, warm and fine. Anna, Grandma and Louise and June took supper with the Harts this Eve. I was invited but I had to label my case in the Post Office and I didnt get home untill nearly 7 oclock, then us boys had supper. Bennett boiled the eggs, I made coffee and most of the supper Anna put on the table and covered with a cloth and about 9:30 they came home in Frys automobile. June had a fine time she said and kept telling she had a ride in a auto. She came home with a cloth tied over her head and looked like a polock.

Wednesday April 19     Rained nearly all the forenoon.

Thursday April 20     Bright, very warm forenoon, but the afternoon was threatening and a little rain. Anna, Grandma and Louise went down town. When I came home from work for dinner the kids had the table set and potatoes boiling and some leftover meat stewing and I made coffee, and so we had dinner. June stays at home as contented as can be but is awful glad to see her Mama when she comes. She is a great hand to play by herself when Louise is at school. She gets the Mother Goose book, she calls it "Other Goose book" and she sits down on the floor with the other Goose book in her lap and turns the pages and finds the right picture and says rhymes by the score. And sometimes she climbs the piano stool and fairly risks her life to get up onto it then she drums away and sings at the top of her voice and she gets the tune pretty well too. She has a newly acquired song, Old Black Joe, and she sings quite a piece of the song. Anna, Grandma and Bennett and Howard went over on 14th to the picture show this Eve., it was Frank Daniels in some funny show.

Friday April 21     Very warm and it threatened showers all day but did not rain. Howard, Bennett and Grandma went down town this morning. I was late home for dinner on account of the heavy mail including the Ladies Home Journal and a lot of Easter advertisement stuff and they were late getting home to dinner and Anna began to think nobody was coming home to eat her Hot Cross buns.

Saturday April 22 through Friday April 28     [No entry]

Saturday April 29     Beautiful day. Bennett got something in his eye and had a terrible time all day. Then the boys went up on the Ferry Field to see a kite flying contest.

Sunday April 30     Beautiful day but rained in the evening. Grandma stayed with the kids and Anna and I went to Plymouth to see my Mother. We found her quite well, we had a pleasant day. Belle, Sam and Elmer were out too. Mother said George had been out in a bran new automobile, his wife has inherited money and they are starting out to enjoy it.

May 1916

Monday May 1     Rainy, damp, chilly and then some. Grandma Clarkson went to Northville today and she expects to stay there and make it her home at the old homestead. She has not made it her home there in several years, she has been back and forth [to] California but now that Mabel is gone she intends to stay there and make it her home. But the house is well nigh tumbled down. Grandpa has never did a thing to keep it in repair and it will be nearly impossible to ever get it in shape again but Grandma hopes to get [it] in shape enough to live there.

Tuesday May 2     Fair day but we have a fire it is so chilly. We are just beginning to rake and straighten up the yard it has kept so cold all along that nothing has been done. The high school where Howard goes has had a small pox scare and all scholars are ordered to get vaccinated. So Howard and Mama went to the Dr. but he did [not] have the necessary thing so he will have to go tomorrow.

Wednesday May 3     Rainy, chilly and horrid. Howard had such a cold that he did not go to school but this afternoon went to Dr. Northrop and got vaccinated on his right arm. He has been vaccinated two or 3 times and the last time it did not work and probably this will not either.

Thursday May 4     Wet, chilly, damp day, Horrid.

Friday May 5     Beautiful day, felt really like spring, warm and dandy. The trees and schrubs are just getting green and beautiful. Took down the storm doors today.

Saturday May 6     One day the sun shines and the next is horrid. It has rained and rained today and it was chilly. I had to make a fire in the furnace tonight so we could take a bath. Bennett rode his bicycle down to Mrs. Kerrs to take his music lesson and coming home it rained and his wheel has no mud guards and he was plastered from head to heel with mud, even his music roll was nearly spoiled and he got a new book of music that Mrs. Kerr got for him and that was damaged. I suppose he rode as fast as he could and never thought he was getting plastered up. I cut Howards hair tonight, I guess if I had good tools I would be quite a barbor. Howard wants it cut so he can comb it straight back on top of his head.

Sunday May 7     Fine day but not extra warm, the house feels cool. We all took a bath last night and this morning put our summer underwear on. And it does not feel any to warm either. The boys went to Sunday school. In the afternoon the 3 boys and Louise and I walked down to Hardenbergs and saw their new flats made out of the old house and it is fine and dandy.

Monday May 8     Rain in the early morning but was nice in the afternoon.

Tuesday May 9     Beautiful day, warm and fine. When Grandma came from California she got us all interested in playing Solitaire and June can tell a King, Queen and Jack and two spot. Louise can play one game. June today got the cards all spread out on the floor then she looked up at Mama and said "I cant do a thing mama."

Wednesday May 10     Rain and more rain. I paddled around in the forenoon in the rain. It did not rain in the afternoon untill evening. The Asams across the street moved out today they sold their place and are moving up in Highland Park on Tuxedo some where. I have been trying all the evening to get a game of solitaire, then I shaved and here it is after 10 and Anna and Howard are still figuring, fuming, and trying to get Howards lessons. Aunt Dill over.

Thursday May 11     Bright fine day but feels a little too chilly for May, we have not had much summer so far and it is rather discouraging. About as soon as supper is over June teases to go to bed and Laurence and Louise most always goes very soon after. And Bennett stays to practice then he looks at his American Boy magazine or some thing else and then he goes. Tonight after he was gone we sent Howard out after a taste of candy we were candy hungry. I played my game of solitaire but I did not get it once. After Anna got her mending done she began to play and she is playing yet and the clock just struck 10 oclock.

Friday May 12     Bright day but rather chilly especially in the house. Mama and June went over to the school this afternoon to see Louise and her room of scholars go through with their exercises. And I went down town after work to get my March and April overtime, $7.90. Met Will Osborn, an old Nankin Mill neighbor. This evening I taped Howards shoes. Howard and Bennett went up to the Ferry field to see a ball game after they peddled their papers.

Saturday May 13     Fair bright day but rather chilly air. I built a fire to warm the back room so all of us could take a bath tonight. Bennett took his music lesson as usual. The 3 boys went up on the Ferry field all the forenoon and Howard did not come for his dinner untill 2 oclock, a whole lot of help they are for their Mama. Bennett cut Mrs. Cushings lawn this afternoon and earned a quarter. Louise and Laurence helped and Bennett gave them a couple of pennies for helping. And now it is eleven oclock, the kids have had their baths and gone to sleep and Anna is still mending and I have been trying to get my solitaire game and did not get it once.

Sunday May 14     So cold we had a fire and so wet and rainy we stayed in all the afternoon and so dark at dinner time we had a light, but the 3 boys went to sunday school and Anna braved the elements and took the 11 oclock car to Northville and came back on the 7 oclock. She did not take any kids but went all by her lonesome, it was Mothers day and she celebrated that way. All the kids were with me, I had to get them dinner and wash the dishes to.

Monday May 15     My but it rained last night and thundered and lightened and poured and poured. How I hated to get up but it stopped before I went to work and did not rain all day. And was very warm and fine. Anna cleaned the bath room and nearly killed herself.

Tuesday May 16     Threatened rain but did not rain but got chilly by night and a fire would feel good. Anna cleaned the front room upstairs and that was a job and the matting is still to be put down. I went to 14th after work and got tacks to put the matting down. And this evening we are all sitting around. Bennett is practicing on the piano, he has a new piece called the forge and it is dandy. Louise and June are both on Mamas lap in the morris chair and Louise is showing how she can read The Brown Lion at the duck and goose and the black bear and the spry mouse gnawed a hole and let them all out.

Wednesday May 17     Some rain and very chilly by night, had to build a fire again. Anna got the matting down in our room. I have had a hard day of my affliction, "piles". I thought I would have to give up and go to bed but I got through the day and went to bed as soon as supper was over.

Thursday May 18     Cold, actually cold, the thermometer stood about 40°. We had a fire and I wore my winter coat and even then I was chilly. Howard is having a sick spell, he ate no supper and went to bed. Anna went to some entertainment up on the Boulevard church with Mrs. Kiefer. Bennett read a story to the kids. Bennett and Laurence sat together in the Morris chair and Louise and June sat in little chairs in front of them. June got pretty sleepy as it was a way [past] their bed time about 9 oclock, but she wanted to stay to hear the story then they all went to bed. I am alone, Anna has not got back yet, 9:50.

Friday May 19     Fine forenoon, but the afternoon was different. It rained and poured and poured and rained. We had a fire and kept comfortable inside but it was fierce outside. Teddy Roosevelt was here today but I did not see him.

Saturday May 20     Fine day and a little warmer but I put the last kernal of coal in the furnace. I think I will have my next winters coat put it though because I think we will have lots of chilly days yet. Aunt Dil over.

Sunday May 21     Fair day but chilly, the house has been uncomfortable all day but we are completely out of coal. The boys went to Sunday School but otherwise nothing doing, it has been rather a long Sunday. And the children cut up untill they got on my nerves. Howard made fudge in the afternoon and we enjoyed that. I had Louise and June on my lap and read Louises school book until I was black in the face. The Engines went clanging by to a fire somewhere and that helped a little. At supper Bennett knocked his cup of milk over and cried about it because he wanted his milk. Howard and Laurence were scuffling and knocked a chair over and broke that but they are all in bed now except Howard and he is trying to get some of his lessons.

Monday May 22     Rain all the forenoon and part of the afternoon. Cold and wet, miserable day and I had to carry out the Ladies Home Journal and it was a beastly load and raining every minute, my but we are having some miserable weather and a good many people think it is the war that does it, Well I guess the war is bad enough to do most anything.

Tuesday May 23     Well it came out good and hot today, the thermometers went up above 80° and everybody sweltered. After work I got the screens out and swept them and put them in upstairs but they all ought to be painted. The children set out pansies that they bought of Tony the vegetable man. June plays in the back yard but Louise does not want to stay and play with June, she wants to be out on the street with the neighbors children and it breaks Junes heart and [she] cries and feels dreadful.

Wednesday May 24     Another Hot day, up around 80°. Anna cleaning upstairs and it is a fearful hard to do the cleaning and regular work too. I bought some window screen and put new screen on the pantry window and one parlor window and I am awful tired too. I am no good any more to tinker around.

Thursday May 25     Beautiful day, warm. I went over my route in my shirt waist. Anna is cleaning upstairs and is nearly dead every night. I barbered Junes hair for the first time this evening out on the back porch, she was sitting high in a high chair and Mama hanging on to her, off came her curls and she was as still as could be and did not cry either, then I cut Louises too. Howard went to a show with Roy and Ernie, the show was the Peril of a Nation over on 14th.

Friday May 26     Beautiful day. Anna tacked the little bed room carpet down this afternoon and that just about finished the cleaning upstairs. And it is a good thing because she is about done up

Saturday May 27     And more rain. My how it did pour down early this morning. I felt as tho I would stay home from work but about 10 minutes to 7 it let up a bit and I made the break. And it rained nearly all the forenoon. But Howard and Bennett and some of the neighborhood boys went to the White City near the Belle Isle bridge where the newsboys go every year, the news[paper] gives them tickets for the roller coaster and dip the dip, mountain ride and all the death defying contrivences, and a bag of peanuts thrown in. Bennett had to get excused from music lessons to go, they went about 8 A.M. and came back about 1 P.M. Anna, Louise and June took a walk over to Aunt Dills after supper but there was nobody at home.

Sunday May 28     Beautiful day. The boys went to Sunday school. Mrs. Burns up all afternoon and at supper, they are building in Highland Park on the rear end of their lot and Donald is doing the work mostly alone.

Monday May 29     Mercy rains untill one wonders where all the water comes from and it rains outside now just pours, 10 P.M. Howard went to a party at the High School and is not home yet, he stood around after supper trying to decide whether he would go or not and finally he started off under an umbrella. The boys were supposed to take a girl but that was too much for Howard, he did not have courage enough to ask a girl to go with him. And the other kids are in bed and Anna is playing solitaire.

Tuesday May 30     Decoration Day and it never rained a drop. What do you know about that, it always rains on Decoration day but it was a fine day today alright. I delivered mail one trip this forenoon and this afternoon I cut two heads of hair, Bennett and Laurence. Then I cleaned up the barn, it was a terrible muss. Then I shaved and changed my clothes and after an early supper Howard, Bennett and I went to the Ringling Circus out Jefferson just beyond Owen Park. We took the side show first and saw the little man and little lady, the bearded ladie, the half lady that had no legs, the honey bee King, the Lady snake charmer, the punching bag star, the blue man, the 3 leg man and the same old "Punch and Judy". Then went in the big circus and saw the animals and then into the big tent that seemed a mile long and people and people just crowded from one end to the other. We got a seat up high and sat on a narrow board and no place to put our feet, I was so uncomfortable that I did not enjoy it very much. Howard and Bennett bought pop corn and there we sat and eat pop corn in true circus style. It was the first time that they had been to a big circus and of course it was wonderful to them. When we came out we could not get a car for an hour and we got home after 12 oclock and we got to bed as soon as we could pile in.

Wednesday May 31     Fine day, quite cool. Anna and Louise went down town at Elliots, there was a bargain sale. Louise got two 39¢ dresses and a $3.98 coat which she looked fine in. June got a 39¢ dress too.

June 1916

Thursday June 1     Beautiful day, rather cool out of the sun. Anna and Louise, June, Bennett and Laurence took a walk over on 14th to buy June birthday presents then they called on Harts on their way home. June went to bed thinking she would be a bigger girl in the morning because she was going to be 3 years old tomorrow. Howard came home from school with a sick head ache and went right to bed.

Friday June 2     Fine day except a light shower in the forenoon. June 3 years old today and she told her Mama that she was older than Mama cause she was 3 miles old. She did not get her presents untill dinner and she asked Mama in the morning where her birthday was, she wanted to see it. Grandma Clarkson came in from Northville and Aunt Dill called and Aunt Edna came to supper and brought her 2 fine dresses, one from Aunt Edna and one from Grandma Dean. And she got a beautiful dress all embrordered from cousin Ruth in California and another from Mrs. McLeod a friend, 4 dresses. Then the children all gave her candy, rubber ball, Etc. Grandma Clarkson brought a box of candy from Northville and she had a cake with 3 candles on for supper and she was so sleepy that she went to sleep in her chair at the table and we could not rouse her up to see the cake so she was put onto the couch to sleep and the rest of us ate the cake, and ice cream came later and she finally roused enough to eat the Ice cream but she did not want any cake. Then she passed the candy and tried on her dresses and had a fine time all the evening. Mrs. Keifer called and Bennett and Roy Keifer tried to play together, he on the violin and Bennett on the piano, they did first rate.

Saturday June 3     Rained a little, chilly. Hazelton put in our winters coal, 12 tons. I taped my shoes this evening.

Sunday June 4     Showers, rather chilly. The boys went to sunday school. After noon Bennett, Howard and a neighbor boy took a walk out 12th St. and said they went to the end of it out in Highland Park about 3 miles out there. The McLeods called and stayed to tea.

Monday June 5     Fine day, cool and fine. Grandma Clarkson went home today.

Tuesday June 6     Rain, always rain, it is a wonder where it all comes from.

Wednesday June 7     Rain and more rain, it never stopped a minute all the forenoon untill dinner time. Hazeltons son called this evening and we paid for the coal, 12 tons Pocohontas $48.00. We gave him a 50 dollar bill and got back 2 dollars.

Thursday June 8     Yes of course it rained nearly all the afternoon and evening. Cool. Howards school or class I dont know which, had a banquet at the school House this afternoon and Bennett and Laurence peddled the papers. Laurence knows Howards route so well he can deliver as well as Howard nearly. And they had some kind of an entertainment at the school this afternoon and were late with the papers on account of that. Anna is sewing, trying to get a white dress for Louise so she can take her to childrens day Sunday. June got a card from the church saying June would graduate from the Cradle roll to the next step but June has never attended at all

Friday June 9     Rain and more rain, cold and horrid.

Saturday June 10     Of course rain and it just came in torrents in the afternoon. Bennett & Ho ward after they had peddled their papers and had an early supper started off for Northville to visit Grandma Clarkson and come home Sunday night. I went to a Post Office employees meeting at the G.A.R. Hall.

Sunday June 11     For a wonder it was a beautiful day and childrens day at the churches today. Anna worked until midnight last night to get June and Louise fixed up presentable. She wanted June to go because June was to graduate from the cradle roll. And so we got up early and worked every minute and actually got to the Presbyterian church, cor. Trumbull and Grand River, in good time. There was lots of babies Baptised, I guess as many as 25 and when it came Junes turn to go up on the platform and get her certificate and recieve a carnation she went and didnt seem to mind it at all. We stayed untill church was over then we walked up with the Hardenbergs and Hopkins and Aunt Edna and we stopped at Aunt Ednas for a few minutes, ate some cookies and then walked all the way home. Anna, Laurence, Louise, June and I. And the boys, Howard and Bennett, came home all right about 8 oclock, they had a fine time.

Monday June 12     Beautiful day, warm and fine but the mostquitos make life miserable. They are in the damp grass and even in the day time are bad.

Tuesday June 13     Another beautiful day, 3 days with out rain, wonderful.

Wednesday June 14     Fair, hot forenoon but it had to rain in the afternoon. 3 days without rain was too much for the elements and so it rained. I went up to the cor. of Hamilton and Bethune to see Field the plumber. I have a 10 day notice to get ready for a water meter.

Thursday June 15     Fine day except it rained this afternoon as we were eating supper. The sun was shining bright and the rain was pouring down and we had quite a shower while the sun was shining brightly.

Friday June 16     Another year has gone around and I am on my vacation again, I have had 2 days so I have 13 days up to the first of July not counting Sundays. I cant do much else but lay around because we have no money to spare. Howard and I went to see the Picture show The Birth of a Nation this afternoon at the Detroit Opera House.

Saturday June 17     All I did today was to go with the kids over [to] the show on 14th this Eve.

Sunday June 18     Beautiful day. And we all had a great treat today. My Brother Geo. came and took us in his new Chalmers Auto and drove to Plymouth to see Mother. And it happened that Ernie and wife and two daughters were there and Maggie Joy Dickerson was there and Aunt Lizzie and it was quite a reunion. And [on] the way back he treated us to Ice cream and we had a dandy ride and a dandy time. There was in the auto, Geo. and his wife and son Geo, and my family Anna, Howard, Bennett, Laurence, Louise, June and myself and we were not very crowded at that. The new machine run like a top. We took an easy gait and made it in 1 hr. 10 min. It makes me want an Auto too, so bad I could cry but I guess I never can afford it.

Monday June 19     Grand day. Not much doing in the vacation line. Layed around, went to the office after my pay and I got a check for $50. They are going to pay by check now and I do not like it because I hate to ask anybody to cash it for me, but I got this one cashed at the stamp window.

Tuesday June 20     Fine day. Anna, June and I went down town at Elliots and Hudsons and Saunders. We had Ice cream and June had a highchair to sit in just like home.

Wednesday June 21     Howard passed his first term in High School. I went down town today and got some overtime and bought a new uniform cap and went to a 10¢ show. Howard, Bennett and I rode down 12th on our wheels to the river and Chope Stevens where Howard is going to work this vacation.

Thursday June 22     Anna, Laurence, Louise, June and I went to Northville and I came back this evening. All the kids passed.

Friday June 23     Howard, Bennett and I rode our Bikes around the Boulevard to Belle Isle bridge. The old bridge burned and they are building a temporary bridge. Anna and Kids came back from Northville.

Saturday June 24     Fine day. Annas Uncle Herbert Clarkson from Chicago arrived for 2 or 3 days visit this evening. He has been on an Eastern trip, Washington, Mt. Vernon, Norfolk, VA., New York City, Albany and Buffalo.

Sunday June 25     Fine day. Anna & Uncle Herbert went to Northville this afternoon and came back alone this evening. Uncle Herbert stayed there.

Monday June 26     Fine day. Howard went to work on his new job today where Aunt Edna Dean Mason has worked for 25 years, the Paige Chope Stevens Wholesale Paper House. Howard is to be office and errand boy for the summer, he is to get $6 a week and he got along all right today. I suppose it is his start in life, he has had a paper route for 2 years but that does not seem like a real job. Bennett, Louise and I took a ride to Bob Lo today but we came home on the early boat so Bennett could peddle papers. Laurence is not feeling well for a day so I would not take him for fear he would be sick. Uncle Herbert came back from Northville this evening.

Tuesday June 27     Beautiful day, a little cool. Uncle Herbert and I took a trip to Highland Park this forenoon and went through the Ford Automobile shops, they have guides to take people through. It is a wonderful place and it strikes you as a place filled with men and machines, every man and machine busy. Uncle Herbert took the train for Chicago this afternoon, I went to the Depot to see him off.

Wednesday June 28     George and his wife came over, we were eating supper, with their automobile and took the whole family over the Boulevard to Jeff. and out Jeff. to Grosse Point and back. It was a beautiful ride but automobiles are so numerous that it is dangerous. They go so fast and pass and repass you with so little room that I was on edge all the time.

Thursday June 29     And George with his automobile gave us another treat. Came over about 8:30 A.M. and took us out to his summer cottage on Lotus Lake near Waterford about 6 or 8 miles north west of Pontiac. He took all of us except Howard who was at work and could not go. We got there [at] 11 and came back before dark. George Jr. was out there but came back with us. It was a fine trip cement roads most of the way. They are cementing the last lap from Detroit to Pontiac and we had to go out of our way to get around it. But from Pontiac on it was good and bad. Nearly all roads out of the city are fine for miles and it is great riding for an auto.

Friday June 30     The last day of my vacation and I have spent it at home doing nothing. Howard got paid today 5 dollars for 5 days and he came home grinning and he pulled out a one dollar bill from as many pockets but I guess he finds his job pretty hard work. He has to deliver statements and tramp the streets 4 or 5 hours and he gets pretty tired and hungry. Anna went to the Depot with Inez Hart to see Mabel Hart off for home in Kentucky, Anna got home about midnight.

July 1916

Saturday July 1     Fine day but quite warm. And I am back on the job just as tho I never had a vacation. Howard got home today at 1:30 and cleaned up and went to Northville to visit his Grandma and he may not come home untill the 4th.

Sunday July 2     Fine day except a heavy shower about 2 oclock and it hailed some pretty big chunks of ice, some of them was as big as a walnut I guess but it did not last long. Bennett went to Sunday school but for some reason Laurence did not go. This afternoon we took pictures in the back yard, I had 4 in the cameral that I took up at the summer cottage of Geo.s' and we took 8 more.

Monday July 3     Fine day. Donald Burns and his Mother came down from Highland Park in an auto that Donald has bought second handed. He took me for a ride to show me how it would run. It is an old Grand and he said he paid $150 for it. It run pretty good but of course it did not look very new and what could you expect for that price.

Tuesday July 4     Beautiful day. Worked one trip and slept nearly all the afternoon until evening it was as quiet a 4th as I have seen in years. In the evening we had quite a display of fire works on our block, the children had a few dimes worth. Howard came home from his visit to Northville, he had a fine time. I guess he did more swimming than anything else. And all the evening we sat on the porch and watched the kids and the works all around us.

Wednesday July 5     Fine day but rather hot. Donald Burns and Mother in their auto stopped here this afternoon on their way to Highland Park.

Thursday July 6     Another fine day but it was also hot.

Friday July 7     Hot day. Howard came home from work tonight tickled to pieces, the firm gave him six dollars and he was off Sat. P.M., Monday and Tuesday the fourth, so he got paid for 2 1/2 days that he did not work. Of course the rest of the employees were paid too but he was so new he thought he would not get it.

Saturday July 8     Hot, awfully hot. Anna went down town with Bennett and they met Howard and then they went to Birds and each got a new suit. Howard a $ 7.50 for $5 and Bennett a $5 for $3.34, and they were dandy. Howard got a pair of tan shoes and they paid for them with their own money, they looked mighty fine and proud.

Sunday July 9     Cooler and just fine. Howard, Bennett and I rode out to Burns in Highland Park this afternoon but they were not at home. Donald Burns is building a house almost alone I guess. It [is] at the corner of Hamilton and Buena Vista on the back end of the lot on the N.W. corner. Then we rode our bicycles over to my Brothers house, 34 Tennyson, and they were not at home either. So we came home only to find that the Burns had been here and just gone as we came home. The McLeods were here when we got home so we had a visit with them.

Monday July 10     Beautiful day, rather hot. President Wilson and wife were in town today and I suppose they were given a great ovation. They went out Woodward to make a speech at the Ford Automobile Factory and I might have seen them if I had only known just when they would go by but I was working on my route and went about my business and just missed them by a few minutes. Mrs. Kerr called this eve., she is Bennetts music teacher and she thinks Bennett might make an organist if he would only practice but theres the rub, he acts just awful about practicing and his Mother just has to stand right over him with a club. He would rather play in the streets all day, some day he will be sorry. Anna is now putting the kids to bed, 9:45, and I guess Louise is sick. She has been rather quiet and dumpy for 2 or 3 days and Anna is going [up] stairs mixing something in a glass.

Tuesday July 11     Whew but [it] is hot, thermometer at 90° and everybody sweltering. And just about as hot at night and the whole family are sick. I guess we must have eaten something that made us sick to our stomachs. I could not eat anything for supper except a dish of ice cream. Howard was sick but he went to work and got through the day some old way. My clothes were ringing wet with sweat and I took a bath and changed everything I had on.

Wednesday July 12     (91° official, 97° on street) Well I guess it is as hot as yesterday but we had a little breeze that helped a little and I guess we are all better of our stomach sickness but we are certainly having a spell of hot weather. This evening Anna took Louise and June and went over to Aunt Dill Harts. And here it is 9:45 and she has not returned yet and the boys are out on the front porch with some of the neighbor kids. I have tried to get them to go to bed and they want to wait untill Mama come home, of course that is only an excuse but it [is] so hot that I hate to drive them off to bed. And when Anna came back she came in Frys automobile and all this time she and Louise and June had been riding with the whole Fry family all of them in a Ford. They rode out Woodward to the 7 mile road and a little way on that. The night is so hot one hates to go to bed. It is a good many years since we had such awful hot nights.

Thursday July 13     Nearly as hot but I guess it was a little cooler anyway at night. I hope we can sleep better tonight. Field the plumber came to see what was the matter with our bathroom the water was dripping down through into our dining room and I guess we will have big plumbers bill. He said we would have to take up the floor and we also have had to do some plumbing so the City can install a water meter. This forenoon Laurence and Russel Oehler all unbeknown to anybody took a long ride with their wagons. They went over the Boulevard to Grand River and down Grand River to 14th and up 14th home, it was so fearful hot they looked like boiled lobsters when they got home. Anna had just begun to look around for them, she had scarcely missed them. If she had known where they were she would have been crying. The little rascal, I do not know what ever put it in their heads to go so far away, it must be 3 or 4 miles that they covered.

Friday July 14     Some cooler and by night there was a fine cool breeze.

Saturday July 15     We had a fine cool night to sleep last night but this morning the thermometer began to climb and by 3 P.M. it had smashed the heat record, up to 92° and that is the official record, the street thermometer and the kiosk in front of the City Hall was up as high as 102°. I do not remember so long and so hot a spell before. Howard took his saturday afternoon off and went to Belle Island and went in bathing, he did not get home untill about 8 oclock, his Mother was pretty much worried and he was sun burned and tired but of course he thought he had a fine time and wants to go again.

Sunday July 16     Fearful hot, a long hot day. Howard went to the Island yesterday and went in bathing and got burned in great shape, he just about slept all day. Nobody went to sunday school and nobody came and everybody sweltered and suffered with the heat.

Monday July 17     The thermometer stays up around 90° and the nights are fearful hot. I never saw such a spell of weather in my life.

Tuesday July 18     Same heat, up to 85° and that is the weather mans record. Ordinary thermometers registered over 90°. It just seems after a hot night and a hot day I could never stand it another day but of course I have to keep going.

Wednesday July 19     Same thing, no let up. I sweat and sweat until my clothes are ringing wet and I have to take a bath and change my underwear.

Thursday July 20     Just as hot as ever untill about 3 P.M. then a high wind came up and it looked as tho we were going to have a big storm but it was all over in a few minutes and scarcely rained a drop but it cooled off quite a bit. And the papers say tonight that there was big storms and rain fall out in the state. Mrs. Burns and Donald called this evening in their auto and he took Howard, June and I for a ride and we went down to Ednas at 279 Calumet and saw Mother and Aunt Lizzie, they are in visiting in the City for a few days.

Friday July 21     Cool morning but got as hot as ever, about 89° by the weather man but 97° on the street.

Saturday July 22     Broke the record today, it was 93° by the official thermometer and over a 100° on the street. Howard and Louise went to Northville this afternoon and the rest of us are going in the morning.

Sunday July 23     As hot as ever, around 90° by the weatherman. All of us caught the 7:35 car and went to Northville to see Grandma. Anna, June, Bennett, Laurence and I. Howard and Louise were out there. Howard went in swimming to show me how he could swim. He can swim dog fasion and dive a little. Howard & I came home this evening about 10 oclock.

Monday July 24     Up around 90° by the official thermometer about 100° on the street everybody is nearly all in, quite a number have died with the heat. Anna, June and Bennett came home today and left Laurence & Louise there.

Tuesday July 25     Same old thing, as hot as ever and no signs of rain or any let up. It is perfectly terrible, I can scarcely eat and keep going.

Wednesday July 26     92° today and last night it was so hot I rolled and tumbled all night. Howard got a croquet set today and we had a game this evening but it is so hot you cannot enjoy anything. The evenings seem almost as hot as the days.

Thursday July 27     The thermometer said it was a little cooler (89°), but nobody could notice it. It is so dry that the grass is drying and the trees look listless and the leaves turn inside out.

Friday July 28     Hotter, the official weather man says 93° but the ordinary street thermometer 103°. Mother came up today to stay a few days. Aunt Lizzie came but she went back to Ednas at night.

Saturday July 29     Mercy the heat record was broken again, the official thermometer went up to 95° and the street thermometer about 105°. A good many die and everybody looks used up, dejected and can hardly eat, keep going or anything else it is simply fierce. Howard went to Northville to bring Laurence and Louise who have been there for a week home tomorrow. We tried to get ice tonight but the ice man would not let us have any, they did not get around here untill 9 oclock P.M. and would not let anybody but old customers have any, the ice is giving out and everybody just about fights for it.

Sunday July 30     Well well up she went today to 98°, broke all records and I never saw it so hot. There was not a cool place on earth. All I could do was to wash my face and hands in cool water and I did that 40 times I guess. Every body was hot sweaty, red faced and as few clothes on as possible. Mother was here and I was worried about her, she looked so old and feeble and hot and red faced. She just sat still and fanned. Howard, Laurence & Louise came home all right but they looked so hot and red and listless I guess it is just as hot there as here. Mrs. Burns and Donald called in their Auto this evening.

Monday July 31     Last night was the hottest night I ever put in, it was up around 89°, 87° untill after midnight then it got down to 82° or something like that but this afternoon a cool breeze came up and broke the heat wave and we all had one more breath of cool fresh air. I guess it must have rained somewhere but not where I was anyway. But we are thankful for the cool breeze. I guess a day or two more like that heat would have put me on the bum. I was so hot and weak for want of food I could not eat and I guess nearly every body was in the same fix of course a good many died in the City of heat. Geo. came in his auto this afternoon and got Mother and Aunt Lizzie and took them out to his cottage on Lotus Lake.

August 1916

Tuesday August 1     It was cool for a little while this morning but the thermometer began to climb and went right up again, around the 90° mark. July broke all records for heat in 45 years and no rain to speak of. It was just one hot day after another. Each day I thought I cold not stand another but day by day went by and I am still here working every day and get ringing wet with sweat. I took a bath nearly every day and changed underwear.

Wednesday August 2     Just as hot and dry, the lawns are red and trees turn their leaves wrong side out. I caught cold some old way and besides being miserable with the heat I am miserable with a cold.

Thursday August 3     Nothing but ditto ditto, hot, hot, up to 90° or more every day and that is the weatherman record, the kiosk goes on up from 5 to 10 degrees higher. We do as little as we can possibly get along with but we are wilted all the time, the nights are so hot we do not get any rest.

Friday August 4     Well it rained and rained hard last night but it does not cool off at all and it seemed hotter than ever it was so sultry.

Saturday August 5     Still soaring up around 90° and the nights are above 80° and we just sweat and pray for relief but day after day so fearful hot goes by and no relief comes. It rained last night too but it did not cool a bit. The boys and Louise put on bathing suits and had a great time hoseing each other this evening.

Sunday August 6     I guess it was up to 93° today by the thermometer it was 5 degrees cooler than last Sunday but my it was a sizzler all day, no cool place to find. I go and wash my hands and arms and my face and wet my hair and in a few minutes I have to do it all over again. The children seem to stand it better than Anna and I but they look hot and red faced. Mrs. Burns and Donald called in their Auto and they took lunch, but my it is so uncomfortable that everybody looks hot and wilted.

Monday August 7     Hot, Hot and no relief yet. We had a fearful rain and wind and lightening storm and we thought sure it would cool off. Well maybe it did a degree or two but not enough to relieve us much. Anna went down town today and paid the City Taxes, $24.82, they increased the valuation about $2.00 but decreased the percent so our taxes were a little less than last year.

Tuesday August 8     Rained this morning but fearful hot and sultry except a breeze when we could get into it. Howard and I went down to Ednas on Calumet to see Mother this evening but she had just gone home to Plymouth, I. N. came after them with his auto. Geo. brought Mother and Aunt Lizzie back to Ednas from the lake yesterday, I guess it was so hot there that they did not enjoy it very much. Edna went out there Saturday and she said she never passed such a hot night as Saturday night in all her life it was just fearful.

Wednesday August 9     Well this is better, it was a cool night last night and we had a dandy sleep. The thermometer was not much above 60° when I got up this morning and we had a dandy cool day and my what a relief, and as soon as we got cooled off we began to get hungry and we felt the need of meat. I guess we have not had meat more than 3 or 4 times since it was so hot, we ate eggs instead.

Thursday August 10     Very warm but not quite so hot as the hot spell.

Friday August 11     Near 90°, Awful hot and sultry and sweat, I was ringing wet and had to pile into the bath tub and take a bath. Mr. Cady, a real estate salesman, this evening [took] us, Anna, Louise and June, in an auto to see lots out north of here on Gray Ave. near Linwood and the new Ford Highway and then out to Grand River to see our lot in Schoolcraft. He induced us to buy on the installment plan a lot for $1050, pay $105 down and $9 a month. He claims it will sell for $1600 next spring but I dont know, we thought we would try it because it seems the only way we can increase our savings.

Saturday August 12     Fine day, cool and fine. Howard went to Belle Island to swim after his work. I went down town after supper and went to a Carriers meeting in the G.A.R. Hall, Cass and Grand River. After thinking over our lot purchase we felt rather blue about it we cant keep up payments untill it is paid for because we will just have to take the money out of the bank to meet each payment and we will have to depend on selling it in a few months. Of course the agent made it look easy and I suppose he will pat himself on the back for selling us a lot almost against our will. Aunt Dill called P.M. and Mrs. Gray called.

Sunday August 13     Real cool today but fine, not much above 70°. We got up late and the day seemed short. Howard & Laurence went to sunday school, Bennett did not go he has a peculiar sore on his hand and one on his leg looks like a ring worm and we worry a little over it and will take him to a Dr. if it does not get better soon. Mrs. Oulette and Clara called this evening they are our old neighbors when we were married and went to keeping house in one of their cottages on Noble St., cor. South.

Monday August 14     Cool and fine day. After talking over our lot purchase we wish we had not taken it and I went down to the real estate office in the Holden Building to see Mr. Applehof and see if we could not get out of it. We made a deposit of $10 and we may have to lose that. I do not know anything about law but I guess we would rather do that the [way] we feel now. Mr. Applehof of course wants us to take it and make the payments and he will help us all he can but we figure that after interest and commissions are taken out there would not be much for profit so I did not do anything.

Tuesday August 15     Getting hotter, I wish it could stay decent, it does get so hot that no body can enjoy life.

Wednesday August 16     Just about back to the same heat, around the 90° mark. This certainly is a record breaking hot summer.

Thursday August 17     Just Hot, Hot, almost unbearable. We just sweat and change clothes then sweat some more and change again. And we are well nigh all in just able to eat a little bit and crawl around.

Friday August 18     Same old thing, dito, dito and suffer and pray for cooler weather.

Saturday August 19     Same thing, hot, hot, about 90° in the street kiosk it was over a 100°. Edna came up and spent the afternoon and evening.

Sunday August 20     Over 100° in the sun. Mercy but life is not worth living it is so hot up to 96° next to the hottest day which was Sunday and it was 98°. All we can do is to sweat and mop our faces. We do not feel like eating we cant buy ice the ice man will not sell to any new customers ice is so scarce. Mrs. Burns and Donald called in their Auto but nothing doing otherwise. Laurence has two or 3 cold sores and he is a sight and they seem to grow bigger and worse. Anna puts Peroxide on them and it seems to stop them getting bigger. I think it must be the heat some way that is the cause of them.

Monday August 21     94°. Oh it is the same old hot, Hot, Heat and I just sweat so I am wet to the skin. At night I take a bath and change my underwear and I feel a little better but I am just all in. And so is every body the sun is hot and the air is hot and it is dry and the leaves rattle and every body just does as little as possible and wear as few clothes as possible and just suffer and perspire.

Tuesday August 22     Same old thing, above 90°, my but it is fierce to take a load of mail and tramp up and down steps. Some steps on the sun side of the street are as hot as an oven and when you go up them you fairly sizzle. My but I suffer with the heat and thirst, I want a cool drink so bad and it is funny so few people ever think to offer me a drink, once in a while they will give me a glass of water or maybe a glass of ginger ale or lemonade but when I am suffering the most nobody offers me a drink. I think every [day] I can never stand it to get through with my trip but for 7 or 8 weeks we have had but 4 or 5 comfortable days, the rest have been record breaking hot, stifling heat days.

Wednesday August 23     Well thank goodness it cooled off last night and today it is fine. It rained last evening and cooled off wonderfully. We had a good night to sleep and this morning it was about 60°.

Thursday August 24     Fine cool and dandy, about 80°.

Friday August 25     Cool fine day. Howard quit his job at Chope Stevens Whole sale paper house tonight, he came home with his last $6. He was proud but I guess he was glad too, it was hard to walk the streets peddling envoices. It has been so dreadfully hot nearly every since he started to work there. His Aunt Edna has worked for the firm for 25 years I guess and she gave him the job. He wants to have 2 weeks vacation before he starts High School.

Saturday August 26     Another fine day, just fine. Howard went to Belle Isle today and was gone all day untill supper. He went in bathing but he said the air was so chilly he did not stay in long.

Sunday August 27     Fine and cool. We got up early this morning and got Howard and Bennett off for Northville on the 7:35 car. I went to see them safely on the Northville car and rode up to the Boulevard and walked home. They expect to go to Northville then to Walled Lake with Grandma Clarkson for a week. Bennett had to get a boy to take his papers for a week. Laurence has taken Howards all summer. They expect to have a fine time at Walled Lake and they took a suit case full of overalls and old clothes so they would not have to be so careful. Howard can swim a little and I wish Bennett could learn. They had their bathing suits and a pair of water wings and they said they was determined to learn. The Burns in their auto came this afternoon and Mrs. Burns stayed here and Donald took Laurence and I in his auto back to where they live in Highland Park. Donald is building a house and he wanted me to see how he is getting along. He is getting along fine but they cant get a plumber or anybody to do what Donald can not do, working men are so busy it is almost impossible to get help of any kind.

Monday August 28     Cool and threatening.

Tuesday August 29     Got a card from Howard saying they got there all right.

Wednesday August 30     All went to the picture show over on 14th & McGraw. Anna and I and Laurence, Louise and June. It has been rather cool for camping on the Lake and we are wondering how Bennett and Howard are enjoying it.

Thursday August 31     Aunt Dill and Inez Hart over this evening.

October 1916

Sunday October 1     Beautiful warm day. The 3 boys went to sunday school this afternoon. Donald came after Anna and Louise and June in his auto and took them out to see their new home in Highland Park, N.W. cor. of Buena Vista and Hamilton Boulevard. And Howard, Bennett, Laurence and I took a walk to [see] how near finished the viaducts under the R.R. on Commonwealth, Lincoln and Trumbull and Holden. Lincoln is the only one that one can drive through. On our way back we met Mr. Woehler and stood and talked for an hour I guess. This evening I went to hear Billie Sunday, he spoke to an audience of thousands. I had a good seat and could hear and see fine, he is the most strenuous man I ever saw.

Monday October 2     A grand fall day, just dandy, warm and beautiful. Anna washed and our washings are so large that she ought not to do them but we are actually so poor that we are worrying about our future, every thing one eats has gone up in price untill it fairly staggers us. What the boys earn peddling papers they spend the most of it for candy and stuff. We try to keep them from doing it but they spend it just the same. We have the blues most of the time we need so many things to wear and we want to fix the house, paint and decorate, it has gone for 7 years and needs attention pretty badly.

Tuesday October 3     A beautiful day, so warm that I wore my shirt waist to work but it is warmer out side than inside, the house seems chilly.

Wednesday October 4     Beautiful day, beautiful fall colors, warm and delightfull. Howard, Bennett, Laurence, Louise are having time playing Carum. June looks on and laughs too. Anna is washing dishes. I have just wrote a letter to Lee H. Cady in the Penobscot Bldg. about a lot in the Linwood Hights that we was going to buy but had to give it up. The Chipmans moved today.

Thursday October 5     Actually Hot in the sun, the House is not near so warm. Beautiful weather. I have a little cold and June has too, her voice is not natural it sounds like a boy. But if we call her a boy she always says "no I am a Sweetheart." It is very still just now, the kids are all in bed, Anna is covering a book and the clock ticks and my pen scratches.

Friday October 6     Beautiful day and warm. I work in my shirt waist everyday. Anna and Howard went to hear Billy Sunday tonight.

Saturday October 7     Beautiful day, actually Hot. A man calling himself the Human Fly climbed the Majestic building today and Howard went down alone to see him and Bennett & Laurence came over to the Office and I ate a sanwich and went down in my noon hour. There was an awful crowd and I never got into such a jam and I had all I could do to hang onto Bennett and Laurence. They could not see out and got frightened and I had to get out and go around streets untill I got behind the crowd. We could not see so well but we saw him [go] up from window to window as easy as could be and all the way to the very roof without any apparent difficulty. He started at 12:15 and was on the roof at 1:00, 3/4 of an hour. Howard went to a football game afterward on the Goldberg grounds.

Sunday October 8     Well just about Hot, up above 80°, doors and windows open and just like summer. The boys went to sunday school and we all took a little walk up on the Boulevard to see the autos go by and after that Anna and Louise and June went to call on the Harts.

Monday October 9     Rather bad today, rain in the morning and grew colder. I cut Howards and Bennetts Hair tonight.

Tuesday October 10     Elegant day, in the sun it was warm and beautiful.

Wednesday October 11     Another grand day. I hope it will continue right along all fall and winter too. We have a little fire just to take the chill off morning and evening.

Thursday October 12     And still it is grand weather. The thermometer stands between 70 & 80° in the sun. I cleaned out the furnace tonight. I always expect that by the 20 of Oct. to start a fire for good so I am getting prepared.

Friday October 13-Thursday October 19     [No entry]

Friday October 20     Rained all night and all the forenoon a miserable rain and of course the mail was heavy and the Ladies Home Journal were in and take it all around it was a miserable day. It turned cold in the afternoon and was a real touch of winter cold.

Saturday October 21     Not very nice, damp and bad. Anna has cleaned the down stairs this week, just about killed herself in the bargain. Howard, Bennett and I went down town this evening. We bought Bennett a pair of Douglass shoes, $2.50 and then we went to the Palace Theater on Monroe Ave. It was nearly midnight when we got home.

Sunday October 22     Beautiful day, a little chilly tho. I took Laurence and Louise and went to Plymouth to see my Mother. We got there about 2 and started home on the Car about 5. Mother was feeling very good except she had been to church and stayed to an extra session and was tired. Ernie and family were there for a call and we had a nice visit. We got home about 7:30. Anna and the rest of the kids had taken a walk in the afternoon. Mrs. Burns and Donald had called.

Monday October 23     A beautiful day and was warm and delightful.

Tuesday October 24     Well not a very nice day, dark and gloomy and damp. Anna washed but the clothes would not dry and we had to bring them in wet. Louise is nearly 7 years old and has been in school nearly two years and she can just say the A.B.C.s. Today at the table she said them through without making a mistake. The new method of teaching seems queer to an old timer, we used to learn the A.B.C.s first but now they begin in the middle and work both ways. Louise can read the little stories in her reader and can spell some quite sizeable words like, and, cat, rat.

Wednesday October 25     Another rather disagreeable day, wet rainy and nasty and windy.

Thursday October 26     Nice day. Aunt Dill called.

Friday October 27     Warm and delightful. Beautiful. June was eating grapes and Mama had cautioned her about swallowing the seeds. Soon after June said "oh my I dropped one." I said what did you drop and June said "I dropped a seed in my stomach." Howard went to the Scripps Booth Library to take out a card and get a book but the book was [not there] but he got the card.

Saturday October 28     A most beautiful day, warm, bright and dandy. Howard went down town to buy a book. He has got to have read through by tomorrow at High School. He went to Library but it was out, Treasure Island. Anna has been cleaning house and working like a nigger all the week.

Sunday October 29     And another beautiful day. Got up late as usual about 9. The boys went to Sunday school. Bennett & Laurence are now out for a walk, Anna wants to go but has nothing to wear.

Monday October 30     [No entry]

Tuesday October 31     [No entry]