Sadie Fay

(1965 August 31)

The City Fathers have solved the problem of congestion in traffic here by widening the streets by narrowing the sidewalks and what a mess downtown. Saturday on errands, I found the sidewalks gone entirely in front of Speidel's [Jewelry] to corner bank [Richland County]. My errand at the A&P I nearly gave up as I had to walk on teetering boards. A big gangplank went from A&P door to street, and on the street end I found a poor old lady with one of those shopping carts stuck in the sand, not able to get it up on the gangplank and afraid to walk on it herself but determined to get a pie. I couldn't budge the cart either but helped her to maintain her balance to A&P. When we got in, she said, "Pies! Pies! Where are the pies? Say, it seems as if I ought to know you?" I said my name. A brilliant smile! "Oh, Skippy's mother. Oh, how I do remember him. How he used to come to our house for protection. Kitty used to talk to him. Ah, Kitty's gone now. Poor Kitty. Don't times change tho? O Boy O Boy - they sure do. And where is Skippy now? - Oh, I knew he'd do something good some day. I knew it. How I'd like to see the boy again." She wanted to wait so I could help her down from the A&P to the street - Miss Sadie Fay, 591 S. Park, you guessed it, but as I was just starting to shop, I asked a clerk to help.

Feedback

(1965 August 31)

Suppose school is in full swing now and letters can't be so frequent, yet I do wish you would answer my letters. It is so vacant to write your thoughts to one you want to talk to, only to have the reply on an entirely different topic with no allusion to what has come before, something like talking to an old lady with her hearing aid battery not working.

Sad story

(1965 August)

The new tenants in Lulu [Barnes]'s house [next door], the Leo Dobbs, got a man with a power saw to cut down all the smaller trees in her woods [downhill towards the Mill Pond]. It was a fearful sight with trees falling like weeds from a scythe. They all are lying there dying. That was such a nice piece of woods in the raw, loved by birds, but then, they yanked out the bird feeder too.

More Christian resignation

(1965 August)

On the front page of weekly paper I saw Father Hamilton's announcement of his resignation effective in October. He will go back to Michigan whence he came. Such bad publicity for our church. Bad news travels fast.

Senior support

(1965 July 31)

I had heard for years how hard old age can be and of course I knew sickness and death - but lately the examples have been so close. What is it that stays with us that keeps us most? A sound mind in a sound body, and money. Bags of it. I go along with the idea that one who lives wholesomely, has worthwhile hobbies, interests, accomplishments, has a rich past to face the future with - yet many a fine mind has gone. [Aunts] Mary & Lois are very normal down to earth people. Little imagination, fun loving, hard working. Lee places so much value on material comforts and show. As I write this, I think so many things I used to value seem so unimportant now. To be charitable and kind - maybe those are most desireable for all men. Yet I cannot myself always be kind and charitable. Nor can any man, I guess.

Aftermath

(1965 July 31)

Of course things have simmered down by now. Lenzes called the archdeacon, who was to see [Bishop] Hallock and call back. No reply as yet. We understand Father is feeling fine and is going on tomorrow [with Sunday service]. Just the same, I pressed L's robes in readiness [for lay reading]. I heard Nell is refusing to go as long as he is here. Isn't this all shameful. Now Mr. Lee is so ashamed of losing his temper. Don Lenz wishes he had said nothing. Father probably feels righteous. All of us are somewhat shaky over it, and being human wonder what the morrow will bring.

The altercation

(1965 July 31)

And of course by this time [when we all went home after Fr. Hamilton had been put to bed], we all knew what this was all about - he had tangled with Ellis Lee and both men have high tempers. Father H. has been antagonizing everyone by locking up the church, and when LL comes on Saturday to prepare [to serve as a lay reader], he can't get in at all and burns very brightly. The organist, altar guild, etc., all have been locked out until finally some got keys. The Sunday we went to see our aunts, Ellis Lee [also a lay reader] had the service, as Fr. H. was on vacation. It is not clear whether he locked up or not afterwards, but when Father returned, his study in the sacristy had been ransacked, a favorite gold cross bent in two, etc.

So now it is [last] Sunday, the choir lined up in basement, and Ellis Lee is in it, and wife. Don Lenz (and Fr. H.) unwisely comes down and tackles Mr. Lee about not locking up. Fr. H. joins in at first, just wondering what happened. Then it got worse and worse: "Are you accusing me? Here's the key!" (Falls of table and on floor.) Fr.: "I guess the Presbyterians knew what they were doing" and "Don't you come to Communion feeling as you do." (All samples.) Lee: "All right, Mr. Hamilton." Fr.: "Father H. if you please." The the episode of Father resigning in the church, and later another round outside when the Lees were leaving and Ellis said he was tired of working with a dictator. Childish?

Collapse

(1965 July 31)

[Father Hamilton announced his resignation as the Sunday service was beginning.] The tension was tight tight tight. Suddenly in the middle of the Epistle over he went flat on his back, fainting dead away and giving his head a good bump on the step ledge. Helen Dixon screamed, "I knew it. I knew it. I knew something like this was going to happen." Dorothy [Lenz] ran up with heart pills and the men went up. Jackie, acolyte, was dispatched to the oil station [next to the rectory] to call Dick Edwards, his doctor, also the ambulance. Don Lenz ran next door for his wife, who had gone home and changed her dress, becoming too sick and nervous to stay for the service at all. By the time the amblance got there, he came to enough to tell everyone he would not go the the hospital. So - it was $25 spent to carry him next door to his bed. Then we all went home.

Christian resignation

(1965 July 31)

There's been hell to pay in church affairs and I thot you'd like to be put next to the news. Last Sunday as I sat in my pew before church began, loud voices from the basement reached my ears. Next, Father Hamilton appeared at the sacristy door, looking, as Daddy so aptly says, like a turkey cock. Bending over the Lenzes, he said, shaking with rage, "I'm resigning from the church as of today! And then I'm resigning from the priesthood!" Following this abrupt announcement, he strode down the center aisle, stopping to repeat his to his wife, who was across the aisle from me, and again to the men in the back pews. All of us were horrified and mystified. Then he stalked outside and more angry voices floated in. Time went on, Bill rang the bell, Jean came in and started to play. However, there was no choir at all. Father started the service and repeated the above among the announcements. To clarify this at all he said he could not stand the abuse heaped upon him and would stay only long enough to be relieved by the bishop. So began the service.

May Sue

(1965 July 21)

Before he [Skip] was born, I remarked to mother-in-law [Vina] if it were a girl we thot May Sue would be fine for a lawyer's daughter. We were out for one of those long Sunday rides at the time, and many a mile went by while she went on and on about how it was a dear name, but hadn't I better consider others also? A sad end for a little joke.

Uncle Ely's sword

(1965 July)

At Fond du Lac went to Retlaw [hotel] ... then to S. Lincoln Ave. [to visit her aunts Lois & Mary]. Entering a dark house, we heard Lois snoring and thru a window saw Mary weeding the garden.... In about a minute Lois was up, amazed to see us, denying she had snored at all. Turning on her heel, she went to the stairway to get her father's brother Ely's sword for you. Mary: "What are you looken for?" Lois: "I'm getting that sword for Skip! And I put it right there and where is it?" Mary: "Don't ask me. I don't know." Lois: "I wrapped it in paper and put it there. Uncle Ely's sword." Mary: "If you wrapped it in paper and put it there, there is where it ought to be." Funny. Finally she came out with it, a Knights of Columbus sword I think. All far gone for shine. Lois: "Do you think I ought to touch it up a little?" We said heavens no and L took it out to the car to get it out of the conversation.... So now you have a sword.

En route

(1965 July)

Now to go back to Saturday [and trip to Fond du Lac]. Leaving about 10:45 we had lunch at Baraboo, not at the nice Warren hotel tho, as that had caught fire and building now for sale. Also an Alpine Restaurant closed up - so to Pizza Palace for us, right next to a juke box - loud?! Orders all twisted up....

Yard boys

(1965 July?)

We had our lawn nower cleaned so Pat couldn't cut our grass last week. Today when I called to say mower was back, I was informed by his mother Pat had too many lawns to cut ours, besides the other West Side customers were paying more. ! He had tried to call me. I told her I had been home for days and had received no call - that we had never discussed the price. Now I have a new boy coming tomorrow. Life is full of problems - surmounting this one well tho.

How to enjoy a million

(1965 June?)

Read in morning paper of a dock worker in Cleveland who inherited a million from spinster aunt. Took a day off, as his wife was sort of unsettled over it all, then back to work. May be the best way - to keep busy - but I can think of other ways to enjoy a million.

Sociology

(1965 April 21)

Daddy said to tell you Episcopal Church has been having a national survey on grand proportions. A large survey form came to Fr. Hamilton, of which he did part, gave part to Nell [LeHew, treasurer] - figures of offering, attendance, etc. Part to Jean Birkett. She farmed part of it out to me. I spent 1/2 day on phone contacting ministers to get number in Sunday School growth in 10 years of all in city. Joan P. (twin) did the high school bit. Finally all was in and last night was the big meeting at the church, to which I was not invited - select few - LL one. 8-10 when he came home with the news that the Big Wheel who was there from NYC turned out to be a Negro Sociologist! After explaining these forms, he spent much time on asking individuals "Why do you come to church?" He would record answers. On & on - And he says - when all the material is in, he will be able to tell us what is wrong with the church. How nice. How jolly.

Rum cake?

(1965 April 21)

Now I must explain about your cake. It fit into the pan so nicely, my love, because it was baked in the same pan. It is an apple sauce cake in my Settlement Cook Book. It is a cake with great keeping power, and so I thot it better to send than one of the usually thot of cakes for birthdays. More fragile, etc. It was only the frosting flavored with rum. Heavens! Surely am glad it arrived [in Kentucky]in such good condition. Misgivings. But the postage!!

Fink

Anyway, it ended with the DA being judge and Ralph Fink [LL's partner] being DA.... RF said he would take it if he could keep his office with LL. So now he has two offices. Court has again opened and things are settling down.

Democracy

(1965 April 21)

Yesterday Mr. Lownik [recently deceased county judge] was to have addressed about 50 high school students from surrounding schools who went thru court house on tour ending with lunch at Louie's [Grill]. LL was asked to give the talk and he did - on democracy. This is what Louie had to eat: baked ham, scolloped potatoes with cheese, green beans, cabbage salad, rolls, chocolate cup cakes, homogenized milk. All [diabetic] Daddy could eat were the beans and rolls.

Il gran rifuto

(1965 April 21)

Another major item is the death of Judge Lownik (see clipping). Besides the personal sadness that we all felt there was the question of who was to be the next judge. There were a lot of cases lined up for Couny Court, witnesses imported, etc. etc. I did not attend the funeral as the lawyers all went in a body and my presence went unnoticed - I mean would have - o well (besides it was cleaning day). Then the Richland Center lawyers - later - or sooner? - asked Daddy if he would take the office. I believe they select a man and then ask the governor to appoint him in cases like this. Daddy was touched and proud to think he was the man selected. But he refused the honor. (I refer you to clipping and cause of death for one reason.) Then there is a lot of running around to other county seats whose judge is sick, etc. etc. Also the campaigning when election time comes. Also less money than now.

Tornados

(1965 April 21)

When I am washing the dishes and look out on our low Pine River and see the islands in it, it is hard for me to feel the harm nature via weather can do. Palm Sunday I noticed the sky was dark as I got out my oil paints and made name eggs for our Sunday School, so I was not prepared for the news the next morning of 137 tornados in the Middle West. Barns were reduced to piles of split lumber as near as Monroe. MM saw the TV News and said she had been in many of the stores she saw shattered, as Elaine A., bridesmaid, lives at Juda near there.

Ice cream crisis

(1965 Ash Wednesday)

A crisis in the ice cream factory yesterday. A belt fell off and jammed up the works. The popsicle sticks jammed up and froze up in bars. The boss was talking long distance. In 2 minutes 25.-- damage. MM etc. hunted on hands and knees for belt. Fear it is frozen in an Eskimo Pie. Watch out.

Captains & kings depart

(1965 January 31)

I hope you came out of your ivory tower long enough to see Churchill's Funeral on TV. I saw it only a half hour but Marion Kanable listened to it on radio 4 a.m. Very impressive. England is the only monarchy that still retains all the sections of men that denote monarchy - other nations have kings who impress the people [that] kings are just like anybody else, the announcer said.

Snores

(1965 January 13)

(I hear a snore from under my bed and think someone is breaking a rule about No dogs Allowed in Mama's Room.)

Second chance

(1965 January 13)

After Xmas I went to James Hardware (on the final-day sale) and got a few little things. Saw a blue cotton Japanese pyjama jacket I wish I had got. So today Mr. Cook opened the store just for me at 1:00 and I went in and there it was! ... I will sew the trousers.

A quiet call at the vicarage

(1965 January 13)

From there [beauty parlor] to vicarage to call on Hamiltons. Here I met Father coming from church to house. Inside, Joe Rucenski was doing carpentry work. Mrs. H. put my things on her bed and resumed knitting. We talked. Soon Father came in from the church again. He clung in the doorway between dining room and living room near front door, thumped his chest, complained of pain. Mrs. H. and I got him to sit down and he was very white. After a few minutes he thot he could make it to the bed off living room (I took my coat off the bed) and we each got on one side of him and started, and down he went, heart attack. She put his feet up on a chair and I called Joe, who straightened him out, loosed his belt, took off glasses. I got a cold wet cloth for forehead and Mrs. H. took his pulse. After about 5" he wanted to try for the bed again and Joe and Mrs. H. got him to bed. At first he would not allow the doctor to be called, then consented, and Mrs. H. called Dick Edwards [with office just around the corner]. About that time I decided I had better absent myself from the scene. I put on my things, welcomed and directed Dick, went for my purse, and here was a man from the freight office with 30 barrels of water to store in the basement for Civil Defense, as our church is a Shelter. Well, there was the priest with a heart attack, there was his wife hovering over him, there was the doctor. Upstairs was the carpenter pounding away. And in the basement the men were carting the drums of water. A quiet call, indeed. I found out later we should have kept him in the chair and got the doctor. Inertia is the watchword. I called today and he had more pain.

Boxing day

(1965 January 13)

It's a wonder I am speaking to you at all after all the trouble I had getting a proper box and packing it! (I'd give an order so I'd get the box promised me. Groceries would come in bags. Me: Where's the box? Man: Someone took it. On and on.) Finally Daddy and I went after one Saturday and I packed it Monday morning, two hours and a quarter! A struggle!! ....

Back to the Box - guess we will have to noise it around Skip is fond of small gifts unless denomination of currency. Then it is OK to go big.

Lost anecdote

(1964 end of November)

P.S. Ask me how MM burned the element out of her toaster!!!!!

Like the Pilgrims

(1964 end of November)

How did you spend Thanksgiving? Marshalls gave us a turkey-duck, which I stuffed and roasted, and MM brought one of her roosters (ditto).... [Also] M's corn on cob I froze for Thanksgiving to be like the Pilgrims.

Bowen's Mill

(1964 December 4)

The old bridge at Bowen's Mill went down as a man was driving over at night. Second man also went in before flares could be put up. First man had to walk to farm house all wet and cold. Passed out etc. Another man stepped on gas instead of brake and went thru Masonic Temple door.

Treats & tricks

(1964 November 2)

Halloween we gave out 50 5-cent bars, 10 sticks gum, 2 lifesaver packages, and 23 cookies! Next morning we saw my jack with flashlight in it was stolen. Radio said some meanie on South Side sacked up her garbage and handed it out to them. And everyone is talking about the NY woman who gave out poison.

Patty Coy

(1964 November 2)

The other day there was a joke about me and the Dentist. When I got there they all burst out laughing and said, "O it's you who have the 3 o'clock appointment! We read it Patty Coy and called long distance to Cazenovia to Coys to notify Patty and no luck! No Patty." Solution: there are 2 [office] girls - Iola W. and Mary ?. Mary always writes me down Mrs. L-- K--. Iola knows me better, so P-- K--. Iola made the appointment ahead, then left for the West to visit folks and Lorna.