(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.
May 30, 2010
May 29, 2010
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.
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.
May 28, 2010
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.
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.
May 27, 2010
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.
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.
May 26, 2010
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.
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.
May 25, 2010
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?
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?
May 24, 2010
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.
[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.
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