(1992 Memoirs)
After my brother was about 4 and I was 9 or so [ca. 1914], our family broke up because of my mother's failing health. Perhaps she did overdo at housework; my father thought she did. [She had tubercolosis.]
September 30, 2012
September 29, 2012
Ellmans
(1992 Memoirs)
Olga was the oldest [Ellman] and never married. Minnie, my mother, married a gardner; Max went off to the Phillipines to fight for his country; and Fred was a druggest who always limped [because of an accident with runaway horses] and used a cane as long as I knew him. ... Emma died young.
Olga was the oldest [Ellman] and never married. Minnie, my mother, married a gardner; Max went off to the Phillipines to fight for his country; and Fred was a druggest who always limped [because of an accident with runaway horses] and used a cane as long as I knew him. ... Emma died young.
September 28, 2012
Hoot!
(1992 Memoir)
The Ellmans, [Caroline & Frederick, came from Germany,] so their children were of German stock of which Hattie [Harriet] was the youngest. My mother, an invalid, enjoyed having Hattie come and she enjoyed the railroad trip. "Hoot!" my father would call to her. And both would shake with laughter because "Hoot" means "Hat" in German, about all the German my father knew. She was one of a family of six and a milliner by trade. She could take a straw frame, tack up the brim, run a narrow ribbon around a daisy, and you'd be proud to wear it to church.
The Ellmans, [Caroline & Frederick, came from Germany,] so their children were of German stock of which Hattie [Harriet] was the youngest. My mother, an invalid, enjoyed having Hattie come and she enjoyed the railroad trip. "Hoot!" my father would call to her. And both would shake with laughter because "Hoot" means "Hat" in German, about all the German my father knew. She was one of a family of six and a milliner by trade. She could take a straw frame, tack up the brim, run a narrow ribbon around a daisy, and you'd be proud to wear it to church.
September 27, 2012
Guns
(1992 Memoirs)
At the top of the stairs of the Kilmer house, called by some "the laundry," he kept his guns, about half a dozen shotguns, always loaded, standing leaning in a corner. "Oh, Clarence," my aunt would wail, "please take those guns out of the house. The children--" "Yup, yup," he'd say. And then in a grumbling, menacing tone, "You boys, leave those guns alone. Ya hear?" "OK, OK" the three would say. "Oh, Clarence," Aunt Hattie would wail. And there they stood at the top of the stairs, loaded, as before, as long as I was aware.
At the top of the stairs of the Kilmer house, called by some "the laundry," he kept his guns, about half a dozen shotguns, always loaded, standing leaning in a corner. "Oh, Clarence," my aunt would wail, "please take those guns out of the house. The children--" "Yup, yup," he'd say. And then in a grumbling, menacing tone, "You boys, leave those guns alone. Ya hear?" "OK, OK" the three would say. "Oh, Clarence," Aunt Hattie would wail. And there they stood at the top of the stairs, loaded, as before, as long as I was aware.
September 26, 2012
Uncle Clarence
(1992 Memoir)
As I lie in bed at this retirement home, I keep thinking of who I am and of those who came before me. Tonight for no reason at all my mind is hovering over Uncle Clarence, Aunt Hattie's husband - a Kilmer, a Canadian, I think. As Aunt Hattie was my mother's youngest sister, I went to visit quite often. The Kilmers lived in the northern part of Wisconsin where Clarence and his brother had a hardware store, the only one in Oconto Falls.
As I lie in bed at this retirement home, I keep thinking of who I am and of those who came before me. Tonight for no reason at all my mind is hovering over Uncle Clarence, Aunt Hattie's husband - a Kilmer, a Canadian, I think. As Aunt Hattie was my mother's youngest sister, I went to visit quite often. The Kilmers lived in the northern part of Wisconsin where Clarence and his brother had a hardware store, the only one in Oconto Falls.
September 25, 2012
Editing
(1992)
Skip, I hope you are editing this [memoir]. Am I repeating myself? ... Isn't this at a point where you can finish it yourself? ... And if I think of interesting incident, always can be added. [The blog is reproducing Polly's fragmentary recollections pretty much as they were received.]
Skip, I hope you are editing this [memoir]. Am I repeating myself? ... Isn't this at a point where you can finish it yourself? ... And if I think of interesting incident, always can be added. [The blog is reproducing Polly's fragmentary recollections pretty much as they were received.]
September 24, 2012
Barter economy
(1992)
My Aunt Lois gave me a $10 gold pen in a case and on chain around my neck, and I gave it for my first ride in a plane for 10 minutes. Maybe it was $5 for five minutes - whatever. Lorin watched me, would not go up, and said he was glad I was safe on ground again, but I wished for a longer ride. That was at the football field, I think.
My Aunt Lois gave me a $10 gold pen in a case and on chain around my neck, and I gave it for my first ride in a plane for 10 minutes. Maybe it was $5 for five minutes - whatever. Lorin watched me, would not go up, and said he was glad I was safe on ground again, but I wished for a longer ride. That was at the football field, I think.
September 23, 2012
Odd names
(1992)
At this time [as a college student] I often went with a girl Fern Bump, and Nick Ferris, who had an old car. I was with Warren Mutch, father a philosophy prof - like a cartoon prof. I learned that "nature abhors a vacuum" and other things.
At this time [as a college student] I often went with a girl Fern Bump, and Nick Ferris, who had an old car. I was with Warren Mutch, father a philosophy prof - like a cartoon prof. I learned that "nature abhors a vacuum" and other things.
September 22, 2012
Cousin Frankie
(1992)
[So I could attend Ripon College] my father arranged for me to live with his cousin Frances Clapp, whom I called Cousin Frankie, as others called her Frankie. She was very sweet and simple, always at every church (Congregational) service and distributed some Christian lesson books called? "Home Christian Studies" (I think this is not it).
[So I could attend Ripon College] my father arranged for me to live with his cousin Frances Clapp, whom I called Cousin Frankie, as others called her Frankie. She was very sweet and simple, always at every church (Congregational) service and distributed some Christian lesson books called? "Home Christian Studies" (I think this is not it).
September 21, 2012
Other guys
(1992)
[At Ripon I met Lorin but] I also went to the movies before that with a fellow named Parsons and in my freshman year several other guys, as the frosh were always popular.
[At Ripon I met Lorin but] I also went to the movies before that with a fellow named Parsons and in my freshman year several other guys, as the frosh were always popular.
September 20, 2012
Journalism
(1992)
It is often of interest how couples met. I think we [Lorin & I] met after school when we met with a group wanting to write for the college paper. ... I learned to be a journalist and wrote for the school paper, the "College Days," and also the literary magazine, "The Scribbler."
It is often of interest how couples met. I think we [Lorin & I] met after school when we met with a group wanting to write for the college paper. ... I learned to be a journalist and wrote for the school paper, the "College Days," and also the literary magazine, "The Scribbler."
September 19, 2012
Lyndon
(1992)
[My only sibling was] Lydon Ellman [Parsons], who met his death drowning around 20 [27]. He was in a row boat with a friend, who told me Lyndon gave him the oar to hang on to and he went under himself. [At Beaver Dam Lake, WI, in 1938].
[My only sibling was] Lydon Ellman [Parsons], who met his death drowning around 20 [27]. He was in a row boat with a friend, who told me Lyndon gave him the oar to hang on to and he went under himself. [At Beaver Dam Lake, WI, in 1938].
September 18, 2012
Pranks
(1992? Halloween)
Well Al Hallows' Eve is over for one more year. Cousin Frankie and her brother Henry, who married Lucretia out East, never tired of telling how they used to put the outhouses on top of someone's woodshed. And the goat that was found on the church roof discovered the next morning. The pastor guessed who did it and publicly asked those boys to get it down so they couldn't refuse. They were great on pranks in those days, more so than now when kids are watching TV.
Well Al Hallows' Eve is over for one more year. Cousin Frankie and her brother Henry, who married Lucretia out East, never tired of telling how they used to put the outhouses on top of someone's woodshed. And the goat that was found on the church roof discovered the next morning. The pastor guessed who did it and publicly asked those boys to get it down so they couldn't refuse. They were great on pranks in those days, more so than now when kids are watching TV.
September 17, 2012
The good life
(1992)
How did I get here from Milwaukee, Lorin's birthplace and our home too? It was thought I was used to a small town and wasn't getting acquainted in Milwaukee. So Lorin pulled up stakes after hearing Judge Bancroft tell how good life was in Richland Center. So we pulled up stakes, sold our house on Beaumont and moved to Richland Center. I was very disappointed in the house - small and inconvenient. The judge's daughter, Babe, said, "Yes, Daddy built all these houses." I felt sick and lonely. Our son couldn't get acquainted either at school. When relatives came out, they said, "A good place for a rest. Nothing to do." Gradually friends and church and school came around and now its nearly done.
How did I get here from Milwaukee, Lorin's birthplace and our home too? It was thought I was used to a small town and wasn't getting acquainted in Milwaukee. So Lorin pulled up stakes after hearing Judge Bancroft tell how good life was in Richland Center. So we pulled up stakes, sold our house on Beaumont and moved to Richland Center. I was very disappointed in the house - small and inconvenient. The judge's daughter, Babe, said, "Yes, Daddy built all these houses." I felt sick and lonely. Our son couldn't get acquainted either at school. When relatives came out, they said, "A good place for a rest. Nothing to do." Gradually friends and church and school came around and now its nearly done.
September 16, 2012
Escorts
(1992)
Jan is expected back from Milwaukee where she has been to a teachers' convention. And so I did years ago [when teaching at Linden WI and engaged to Lorin]. An incident I recalled from that era. I had come to Milwaukee and Lorin met me. A teacher I knew and had sat with on the bus naturally expected me to go around with him. But here was Lorin taking one arm, the other man the other arm -- "Polly is going with me" -- a slight pull on the arm. Daddy said, "Oh no. Polly is going with me." So I told the Linden man that's the way it was and I went to a very beautiful room at Richland Court -- I may have slept with Dede, Lorin's sister -- so long ago.
Jan is expected back from Milwaukee where she has been to a teachers' convention. And so I did years ago [when teaching at Linden WI and engaged to Lorin]. An incident I recalled from that era. I had come to Milwaukee and Lorin met me. A teacher I knew and had sat with on the bus naturally expected me to go around with him. But here was Lorin taking one arm, the other man the other arm -- "Polly is going with me" -- a slight pull on the arm. Daddy said, "Oh no. Polly is going with me." So I told the Linden man that's the way it was and I went to a very beautiful room at Richland Court -- I may have slept with Dede, Lorin's sister -- so long ago.
September 15, 2012
Roxanne
(1992)
Lying on my left side [at the Schmidt Home] I heard someone pulling out the waste basket under the night table. I opened my eyes and looked in the face of a slim girl, brown hair, pulled back in a pony tail. Hello, I said, who are you? Roxanne, she said. "Oh, you're in a play," I said. "I know," she said, "I've seen it all ready." I hadn't, so went back dozing and let her take the basket, thinking she may be a college student.
Lying on my left side [at the Schmidt Home] I heard someone pulling out the waste basket under the night table. I opened my eyes and looked in the face of a slim girl, brown hair, pulled back in a pony tail. Hello, I said, who are you? Roxanne, she said. "Oh, you're in a play," I said. "I know," she said, "I've seen it all ready." I hadn't, so went back dozing and let her take the basket, thinking she may be a college student.
September 14, 2012
Buffalo Bill stuff
(1929 August, Buffalo WY
Oh, nearly everyone at Cody is so fed up on this Buffalo Bill Stuff -- they can't abide it any more. It's played up constantly and becomes painful.
Oh, nearly everyone at Cody is so fed up on this Buffalo Bill Stuff -- they can't abide it any more. It's played up constantly and becomes painful.
September 13, 2012
Euchre
(1929 August, Buffalo, WY
The edge on the friendships were pretty thin this afternoon. Vi and Jeannette [Jurgeson] were going to play euchre and wanted me to play (Tommy was driving down a perilous mountain about then, but we had to have some diversion, hence the cards). She was quite horrid about teaching me, but I tried hard to be noble -- aren't you proud of me for holding my temper? Please do be -- it was noble.
The edge on the friendships were pretty thin this afternoon. Vi and Jeannette [Jurgeson] were going to play euchre and wanted me to play (Tommy was driving down a perilous mountain about then, but we had to have some diversion, hence the cards). She was quite horrid about teaching me, but I tried hard to be noble -- aren't you proud of me for holding my temper? Please do be -- it was noble.
September 12, 2012
Wide open spaces
(1929 August, Buffalo WY)
There are fields of horses and little colts, and plains of cows and dear little calves. So darling -- no fences -- all so free. There's something about it, somehow. -- I suppose a winter would cure me of quite a bit. -- ? --
There are fields of horses and little colts, and plains of cows and dear little calves. So darling -- no fences -- all so free. There's something about it, somehow. -- I suppose a winter would cure me of quite a bit. -- ? --
September 11, 2012
Cow boys
(1929 August, Buffalo, Wyoming)
These towns are full of cow boys with high Stetson hats, fancy boots and high heels, colored leather and stitching. Sometimes their shirts are of 6 or 7 different colors - bandana or scarf -- oh, boy!
These towns are full of cow boys with high Stetson hats, fancy boots and high heels, colored leather and stitching. Sometimes their shirts are of 6 or 7 different colors - bandana or scarf -- oh, boy!
September 10, 2012
Altitude
(1929 August, in Buffalo, Wyoming)
[Polly and three friends drove out to Yellowstone Park; on her way back she wrote to Lorin.] Have you ever been affected with the altitude? We drove over the Big Horn Moutains today, and they were worse than the Rockies. Tommy [Tucker] and I are the only ones bothered, it seems. The pressure was annoying, but when all the tubes began to pain, we nearly saw doctors. Usually coming down, our hearing comes back with a rush, but today things seemed farther away and stayed gone longer. Most odd. But we feel better now, all but a little dizziness,ich is going fast.
[Polly and three friends drove out to Yellowstone Park; on her way back she wrote to Lorin.] Have you ever been affected with the altitude? We drove over the Big Horn Moutains today, and they were worse than the Rockies. Tommy [Tucker] and I are the only ones bothered, it seems. The pressure was annoying, but when all the tubes began to pain, we nearly saw doctors. Usually coming down, our hearing comes back with a rush, but today things seemed farther away and stayed gone longer. Most odd. But we feel better now, all but a little dizziness,ich is going fast.
September 9, 2012
Paper route
(1970 June)
His [Lorin's] feet were so painful whenever he walked or stood that he would take his shoes off the moment he came into the house. As a boy he delivered papers over a very long route in Milwaukee and thus developed flat feet and bunions. A couple of years before his father died [in 1957] they were together in a car in Milwaukee riding along Lake Drive, and Lorin recalled to his father his job as a paper boy - and when he pointed out the distance he walked every morning, starting out in the dark, his father simply could not believe it.
His [Lorin's] feet were so painful whenever he walked or stood that he would take his shoes off the moment he came into the house. As a boy he delivered papers over a very long route in Milwaukee and thus developed flat feet and bunions. A couple of years before his father died [in 1957] they were together in a car in Milwaukee riding along Lake Drive, and Lorin recalled to his father his job as a paper boy - and when he pointed out the distance he walked every morning, starting out in the dark, his father simply could not believe it.
September 8, 2012
Reddish nose
(1970 January)
One time years ago when he [Lorin] was coming home from Milwaukee, his windshield wiper wouldn't go and he had to lean out of the car to see to drive. He got the wind and snow in his face and ever after had a reddish nose - the blood vessels had burst.
One time years ago when he [Lorin] was coming home from Milwaukee, his windshield wiper wouldn't go and he had to lean out of the car to see to drive. He got the wind and snow in his face and ever after had a reddish nose - the blood vessels had burst.
September 6, 2012
The blue stocking cap
(1970 January)
Some years ago ... after [Lorin had had] several experiences of walking thru a blizzard a ways - I knit him a blue stocking cap and mittens. He DESPISED being seen in that cap, but feared more some illness brot on by below zero weather, exposure, so did wear it this past - last - January.
Some years ago ... after [Lorin had had] several experiences of walking thru a blizzard a ways - I knit him a blue stocking cap and mittens. He DESPISED being seen in that cap, but feared more some illness brot on by below zero weather, exposure, so did wear it this past - last - January.
September 5, 2012
Here comes the lad
(1970 January)
Every morning we got up at 6:30 - breakfast at 7 - a tense time wondering if the paper boy would come with the paper in time to be read at the table. Sometimes Lorin would be oh-so-quaint and say, "Ah, here comes the lad." Or I might.
Every morning we got up at 6:30 - breakfast at 7 - a tense time wondering if the paper boy would come with the paper in time to be read at the table. Sometimes Lorin would be oh-so-quaint and say, "Ah, here comes the lad." Or I might.
September 4, 2012
Lawrence & Lorin
(1969 after Christmas)
[Skip and Miryam went off to a history convention.] Master Lawrence [4] and Lorin, meanwhile, spent the week from Christmas to New Year's with us. He was good, he was naughty, he was charming, he was fun! We often looked out of the corners of our eyes studying him. We came to the conclusion he was a pretty nice little boy, and he liked us too. When Lorin would wiggle his ears, Lawrence would shriek with disbelief. Some best times together were on Grandfather's lap having Mr. Toad ("Wind in the Willows") read.
[Skip and Miryam went off to a history convention.] Master Lawrence [4] and Lorin, meanwhile, spent the week from Christmas to New Year's with us. He was good, he was naughty, he was charming, he was fun! We often looked out of the corners of our eyes studying him. We came to the conclusion he was a pretty nice little boy, and he liked us too. When Lorin would wiggle his ears, Lawrence would shriek with disbelief. Some best times together were on Grandfather's lap having Mr. Toad ("Wind in the Willows") read.
September 3, 2012
Turkey
(1969 Christmas)
For years Mary M's godfather, Louis SaLoutos, gave us a turkey all hot from his oven for our family Christmas Eve supper, and this year was a repeat performance. ... I hurried around, set the table, baked a mince pie, and Skip and Bruce went after the turkey. ... Lawrence [4] watched at the window for the turkey to come and opened the door.
For years Mary M's godfather, Louis SaLoutos, gave us a turkey all hot from his oven for our family Christmas Eve supper, and this year was a repeat performance. ... I hurried around, set the table, baked a mince pie, and Skip and Bruce went after the turkey. ... Lawrence [4] watched at the window for the turkey to come and opened the door.
September 2, 2012
The HO train
(1969 Christmas)
Here I am going to tell about my last present to Lorin, the HO train, or postage stamp train. From a crack or two he let out the last couple of years, I got the idea he might like a minature train; so to Krouskop's I went and bought the last one they had, about $25, that is very high for me to go on a present. That night two boys knocked at the door wondering if I were going to keep the train as they had their eyes on it. If I were not, I should return it to Krouskop's and they would buy it. One was young Jim Clausius. Lorin kept at me - "Who was at the door, Polly?" - until I finally told him. He decided Christmas was for kids and the train better go back. But he unwrapped it and looked at it longingly and lovingly. He said that was the nicest thing anyone had thought of for him in years, and under other other circumstances he would have loved it. All right. So I brought it back.
Here I am going to tell about my last present to Lorin, the HO train, or postage stamp train. From a crack or two he let out the last couple of years, I got the idea he might like a minature train; so to Krouskop's I went and bought the last one they had, about $25, that is very high for me to go on a present. That night two boys knocked at the door wondering if I were going to keep the train as they had their eyes on it. If I were not, I should return it to Krouskop's and they would buy it. One was young Jim Clausius. Lorin kept at me - "Who was at the door, Polly?" - until I finally told him. He decided Christmas was for kids and the train better go back. But he unwrapped it and looked at it longingly and lovingly. He said that was the nicest thing anyone had thought of for him in years, and under other other circumstances he would have loved it. All right. So I brought it back.
September 1, 2012
Homemade gifts
(1969 Christmas)
This was the year of the homemade gifts. I made up a Sunbonnet Girl Quilt for Elizabeth Thursz. Aunt Olga Ellman had made the blocks years ago. And I made an Alice in Wonderland Quilt for Lawrence. I crocheted a brown and white rug for Mary Margaret.
This was the year of the homemade gifts. I made up a Sunbonnet Girl Quilt for Elizabeth Thursz. Aunt Olga Ellman had made the blocks years ago. And I made an Alice in Wonderland Quilt for Lawrence. I crocheted a brown and white rug for Mary Margaret.
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