Book 1
Diary of Della (Lawson)
Mace
Various days in 1911
& 1912
(Note: Della was 15 ½
years old when she started this diary, the first of several.)
June 15, 1911, Thursday, at home on Laurel Run.
Joe Minney and Major Stalnaker was here today. Sylvia and I ironed today. It is
25 minutes till 6 now. Sylvia and I will have to set out some cabbage plants
this evening.
June 17, 1911, Saturday. I am at home today. It
is a real gloomy day for it is raining. There is going to be singing down at
the school house tonight but I don’t expect Sylvia and I will get to go. We are
going. Why? To get to go so we are.
January 3, 1912.
Hello girlie, how are you? Today is Wednesday and I was at school today but
Vernetta wasn’t. I got the head marks this evening. There wasn’t nobody but
Earsley Dobbins and I in the A. spelling class. Well, this is all for this
time. Good night, and pleasant dreams. Oh! I guess I will write some more. Mrs.
Minney has got a little girl to raise. Good night again.
September 9, 1911, Saturday. Oh dear, dear, how
the time does fly. Today is my mother’s birthday. She is 60 years old. She was born in ‘61 the first year of the war.
Dec. 18, 1911. Monday morn, at home on Laurel
Run, Rosedale, Braxton Co., W. Va.
June 18, 1911, Sunday. I am at home today. We
would have got to go over to Tanner but it is raining so it is. I wanted to go
to Sunday school so bad. We are going up to Aunt Martha’s for dinner. They are
going to have Chicken Pie for dinner. We are having good singing on Laurel now.
Well, we ate dinner at Uncle Billy’s today and this afternoon Sylvia and I went
down to Mr. Dobbins and played croquet. Herbert Frymire and I were partners and
Okey Dobbins and Sylvia were partners until Oscar and George came, then Oscar
took my place and George took Sylvia’s place. When Sylvia and I were playing,
her and Okey won every time. June 18, 1911.
September 14, 1911, Thursday. Well, here I am.
What have you got to say any way? It has turned rather cold the last few days.
Oh winter is coming on, there is no denying that. Well, the Tanner school
commenced the 4th of this month. Well, say I can’t think of any
thing to write, so I guess I will have to quit my scribbling for today.
September 24, 1911, Sunday. Well, here I am again
to write all the news. Lilly and Birt are here today and Mrs. Givens and her 3 little girls and son, and Mrs. Frymire
are up to aunt Martha’s now, and little Hanson Frymire is here at our house to.
Mr. Steve Dicks and his wife and two little girls were here all night, last
night. He was going up to Mr. Jim Nicklos but when we told him that Mr. Nicklos
was sick he didn’t go. They are having quite a siege of sickness at Mr. Nicklos
house. His smallest child Jessie came nearly dying and isn’t well yet and his
next to smallest child is sick. Orpha is her name. So you see, they are having
quite a time. Oh yes! I guess I will write Mr. Dicks two little girls names.
The oldest one years old is Tressie, the other one, 18 months old, is Goldie.
They are real pretty children.
October 1, 1911, Sunday. Howdy do! Here I am
again. Sylvia, Mary, and I went down to the schoolhouse this morning. There was
to be preaching but nobody came but the Preacher and we girls. I was over at
Lilly’s yesterday and stayed all day. Sylvia went over to Mr. Knotts yesterday
and got her a pair of new shoes. They are button shoes and they cost $2.50.
Papa got me a pair of new shoes but they are coarse shoes. He paid $2.00 for
them, and I paid him $1.80 of my own money. I got me a new dress gingham dress
at Mr. Rymers and Dypsons. It cost ten cents a yard, and in all it cost 85
cents. Mamma paid 15 ct of it for me, and Mamma made me a new apron out of what
was left of Mary’s dress gingham dress. Papa went down to Stumptown to Mr.
Conklins Saturday. Sept 30 1911. (Yesterday you know) Aunt Martha and Uncle
Billy Stalnaker are here today.
October 2, 1911, Monday. Our school commenced
today. Mary and I was there. I study Reading, Spelling, Arithmetic, Geography,
History, P , , , , , , and Language. I was foot in my spelling class this
morning but I got the head mark. I never missed any words at all.
Oct. 12, 1911, Thursday. Well, there wasn’t any
school this week. Our teacher had to stay at home and pick his apples. Oh yes,
Miss Lovie Perkins, age 15 years, and Mr. Wilbert Suell was married Oct. 10,
1911, Tuesday, about 7 o’clock and was serenaded last night. Sylvia and I
didn’t get to go. They live just over the hill from our place. Sylvia was over
to Mrs. Gay Wilson’s and helped her paper the first two days of this week. I
got me a new blue Calico dress and apron not long ago. It was .05 ct. a yard 7
yards
course
$2.00
shoes
.85
dress gingham
.35
.05 tablet
.01 pencil
.01 pencil
.10
-------
.05
.10
.05
-------
$3 .67
.51 ct for a dress that Mamma got for me for my
birthday present. “5 ct for a tablet bought Dec 30. 1911,”
$2.00
.35 Sept
and Oct.. a new dress gingham dress 8 1/2 yd. 10 ct a yard 85 ct
25 ct. a new dress
gingham apron 2 1/2
.85
$3.20 oh,
I am just guessing at the cost of the apron and how much there was in it.
a
pair of coarse shoes number 4 1/2. cost $2.00 and a new calico dress cost 5 ct a yard. 35 ct color Blue. there
was a enough left of my blue dress to make me an apron. a new lead pencil 1 ct.
and new tablet. 5 ct. Writing Paper. a new slate 10 ct. a set of side combs 10
ct. a new pair of gum garters 5 ct. yes and Papa got me a new 5 ct tablet, but
Mamma gave him the money I think today is Monday.
January 1912. Now don’t that beat you! Our
boarders and Papa and Mamma are eating breakfast now. We got up kinder late this
morning so it is half past 6 o’clock. Maybe them ornery boys will be late to
work but it wouldn’t make any difference with me. The boys that board here are
right good looking and unmarried. Ta! Ta! Well, good by then, will be in a
little bit. My, but they are tough ones, you bet,
Oct. 23, 1911, Monday. Oh! Dear me. I didn’t get
to go to school today, but Mary went. I have got 3 head marks and Vernetta
Minney has 5. Now isn’t that a shame? I have missed 3 days already. Now what do
you think of that? But I haven’t got any tardy mark yet. That’s good news isn’t
it? It looks like it might frost tonight. The sky is awful pretty and blue. It
is 15 minutes after four. It is about time Mary was coming home. Well, I will
quit my scribbling and go and make a fire in the stove and get supper.
Dec. 28. Good by. They will be in here in a
little bit so I will hide my face for a while. It is just 6 o’clock, good
night.
Dec. 28, 1911. Today is Friday. I am at home. I
was at school today and got the head mark in my spelling class, (you see), I
was head this morning and as I didn’t miss any words I got the head mark. We
only have one spelling class a day. This is only spell one on the floor, we
write the other lesson. We call it written spelling. See? Well, they are eating
their supper now. Max the sweet little fat puppy is going to Rosedale tonight.
I don’t know whether Floyd is going or not, and I don’t care much. Oh! Yes, I
will cry if he goes, Ta! Ta!
Oct. 26, 1911, Thursday. I was at school today,
and I had a fine time, My mean sister Sylvia was down to visit the school today
and she laughed out loud in time of books. Now isn’t that funny? Mr. Joe Minney
is working for Papa.
Dec. 18, 1911. Well, Hello there, how do you do?
O.K. here. Well, today is Monday but I am at home. I am awful mad because I
didn’t get to go to school. Now I will tell you what if I don’t get to go to
school tomorrow there is going to be some doings. Now isn’t that what you say?
Oh G. I am sweet sixteen today. Oh gee, I hope that I will get something for
X-mas but don’t know whether I will or not. I don’t guess I will get any more
prizes for getting the most head marks for I am having to miss so much. And I
am feeling blue about it to. You don’t blame me do you? Well, I am on page 213
in the arithmetic now. I like arithmetic fine.
January 3, 1912. Hello there. Good morning,
“howdy do!” Well, our two boarders are still here. They are all eating
breakfast but Mary and I. Mary is in bed and I am writing as you can see. Good
day.
Dec 28, 1911. Thursday. Good morning, How are you
this fine snowy morning? Well, Floyd Truman and his brother Max his brother
hasn’t been here but this one time, but Charley Petty hasn’t come yet. The
ground is covered with snow this morning. We got up at a little after 4 o’clock
this morning. It is 5 minutes after 6 o’clock now. They are in the kitchen
eating their breakfast now, all except Max. He is done eating now. I have been
going to school all this week, that there was school I mean, see? Well, good
day till I come again.
January 1, 1911, Monday. Well, here I am again.
This eve there has been a good many things happened today. First, Earsley,
Nora, and Jessie Dobbins was up at Aunt Martha’s and stayed all day or about
so. Second, that Family that was going to move up at Uncle Billy’s has moved.
They got in with a load this eve. I don’t know whether I wrote about it in this
book before or not, I don’t know their names, that is the man’s name, the
woman’s first name is Maggie. They have no children, have been married but a
short time. Then 3, Mr. Charley Petty came back this evening, but I guess he
didn’t get his job back again. Then there was a man came here this evening and
asked to stay all night, and of course Papa said he could stay. He is the man
that moved that man up at aunt Martha’s, I don’t know what his name is, so you
see, we have four here this evening. They are all eating their supper now, all
but me. Mack has come in now, he is telling a lie, Ta, Ta.
January 2, 1912, Tuesday. Well, here I am again
this cold morning. It is half after six now. They are all in the kitchen eating
their breakfast. Oh yes, that man’s name is Mr. Grover Clark that is, I think
so, and that man’s name that stayed here all night is Mr. Fergesson, but gee
whiz! I don’t know whether I spelled it right or not. Ta! Ta! I am going to
school today. Well, I guess “my little” Charley Petty Boy is going to leave to
day as he didn’t get any work. Now isn’t that bad? I expect I will cry. Boo
Hoo, now, honest Injin, this is true. Every word I am telling you . I will be
real ‘sorry” when he leaves, for I like him just fine, and that Mack, he is a
“my little fat boy”???? Ta Ta! But I don’t like him as well as I do Charley.
January 2, 1911, Tuesday. Well howdy, how are
you? I am O.K. Well “My dear Charley Boy” has gone, but my Mack and Floyd are
here yet. Ta Ta! they are all in the kitchen eating their supper now. It just
struck 6 o’clock now. I was at school today and had a very good time. Oh say, I
was mistaken in the name of that man that lives in Uncle Billy’s cellar loft,
his name is Mr. Grover Hambric instead of Clark as I had it this morning. “ha,
ha” Well I am going to quit writing for tonight for I am afraid Mack will come
in and see me writing as he has several times. So good night dearie.
January 4, 1912, Thursday. Well, how are you? I
am fine and dandy. Well, I was at school today and had a good time. It snowed
real hard today and the ground is covered pretty well now, but I don’t think it
is snowing now, Well, this is all for this time it is after 6 o’clock now, in
the evening I mean. Good night.
July 13, 1911, Thursday. Well, here I am trying
to write a little after so long a time. There has been all kinds of times since
I wrote last. Birt and Lilly are going to move over on Tanner. Birt went over
there today to work on their house, and Louis and Gay are going to move over
there to, their house will be real close to Birt’s and Lilly’s house. Gay’s
little baby died. She is nearly well now. We are having singing on Laurel now.
I like to go to singing just fine, and they have Sunday school on Tanner each
Sunday. Well! Well! Lilly and Sylvia are going to wash today. Mother and Papa
and Uncle Billy are hoeing corn today. We will soon have our corn laid by.
Well, I will have to quit scribbling for today and go slop the hogs. Ta! Ta!
Dec. 21, 1911, Thursday. Oh yes! I forgot to
write that mamma and Sylvia went over to Tanner to buy the Xmas candy, I don’t
expect to get anything for Xmas. Only candy and not much of that.
Laurel Run Rosedale W. Va.
July 17, 1911, Monday. Well, here I am again
trying to scribble a few lines this morning. Lilly, Sylvia, Mary are knotting a
comfort for Lilly. Birt went over to Tanner to work on his house. I expect that
they will move tomorrow, and I will be awful sorrow, won’t you? Yes, honey!
Lilly and Birt have been staying at home here since he has been working at his
house. Well, I will quit writing for this time. Good day.
Sept 12. 1911.
Tuesday.
Sylvia. Dec. 14. age 18.
Della. Dec. 18.
age 16.
Lilly. Sept. 19.
age 19.
Murl. Jan. 24. age 20.
Mary. May 28. age 9.
Papa. Jan. 10.
age 49.
Mamma. Sept. 9.
age 50.
Birt. Dec. 15.
age 24.
Ira Gainer
Sylvia Lee
Lawson
Murl C. Lawson
Lilly May Lawson
Della E. Lawson
Rita Mary Lawson
Mrs.
Celia Francis Lawson Mr.
Jacob Edward Lawson
July 22, 1911, Saturday. Hello! Here I am again.
There has a whole lot happened since I wrote last. Lilly and Birt have gone
over on Tanner to live. They went over the 19th Wednesday, and Gay and Lewis
have moved over there to. Mary, Mamma, Sylvia and I were over to see Lilly
yesterday. Friday? and “Sib” stayed all night with Vinnie. “Sib” and I are
going to singing tonight if it don’t rain! Oh G.! our singing school will be
out Sunday, so it will and I won’t be very sorry either. Oh my dear! such
scribbling. I guess I will just hide my face for I am ashamed Ta! Ta! You don’t say. Yes I do say.
a vain woman is hurt by a man’s indifference;
a smart woman understands it. - “Washington
Post.”
December, Turquoise, me
January, Garnet
May, Emerald, Mary
September, Sapphire, Lilly
December, Holly, me
May, Lily of the Valley
September, Poppy
January, Wild rose.
July 31, 1911, Monday. High ho! here I am honey
today is the last day of July. Oh dear me how the time skips away. We are having
singing on Laurel. One school went out July 23 and another one commenced (last)
Saturday night. There is three lessons gone of it now. I like to go to singing
very well. Lilly and Birt went over to Tanner to live the 19th of this month
and Lilly hasn’t been home since and Birt hasn’t been over but once. Well,
well, Sylvia and Mary are in bed and I expect it is time for me to be in bed
to, but I am going to write a little more first. Papa and Mamma are reading.
Uncle Billy is having him a cellar built now. He got Mr. Townson to help make
it. Oh my gracious, it has been such dry weather. This summer it hasn’t stormed
hardly any and it is such dry weather that I don’t believe anything will be any
count, so I don’t. I never did see it so dry, as long as I have lived and that
is a long time you know, it is 15 years. Ta! Ta! it won’t be long until I will
be sixteen though in Dec. the 18th, and oh how sorry I will be for I don’t want
to get old (You little silly) Oh! I don’t want to get old. Well, I expect I had
better quit my scribbling and get to bed for it is 8 o’clock. excuse this bad
writing for I haven’t got any pencil that is any count. My pencil is just about
an inch and a half long. Oh yes, I guess I will write some more. We are
quilting a quilt for Mrs. Boggs. We have already quilted 2, and have 2 more to
quilt. We get a dollar and a quarter a piece.
September 4, 1911, Monday. Well! Well ! Our
singing school is out, but the singing school commences on Tanner Sat. night.
September 6, 1911, Tuesday. Well, school has
commenced on Tanner now. Their teacher’s name is Mr. Lockney. A good teacher I
suppose. Our school commences in next month. Our teacher’s name is Mr. Leroy
Miller. He lives on Tanner. He is married. Mother is picking beans today. Papa
and Uncle Billy are sawing board timber for to make a roof for our stable and
crib and smoke house.
(August 4, 1911) Friday. Well, Well, if I’m not
writing again. Well, Uncle Billy has got his cellar tore down, now will lay the
foundation for a new one tomorrow. Saturday I expect. Mr. Townson cut his knee
and I don’t know if he will work today or not. Mother and Mary are going over
to Tanner to see Lilly this afternoon and I expect Sylvia will go to milk and
poor little me will have to stay at home for I was sick yesterday and am not
strong enough to walk so far. Uncle Billy killed our sheep today and Papa is
going to sell it out today at Rosedale. We are going to singing tomorrow night.
I expect there is just three lessons of our singing gone. Well! I will have to
quit writing for my wrist is hurting so bad that I can hardly write.
(Dec. 15, 1911.) Friday, it is raining today and
I didn’t get to go to school, Mary went though, she had to go to take
Vernetta’s grammar down that I brought home last eve. It is 25 minutes till 9
o’clock now. It is raining awful hard now.
July 4, 1911, Friday.
July 5, 1911, Saturday, “good morning!” Well, we
had a real nice rain last night. Flavy Reeder stayed at our house last night.
Oh G. I won’t get to go to singing tonight so I won’t. I haven’t missed but one
lesson yet and I don’t want to miss any but will have to tonight. Good by till
another time. Well, here I am again. Papa went over to Mr. Knotts today and
hasn’t got back yet, and “Sib” went over to Tanner to take Brother Birt’s cow
home she came over on this side today, and Mother went up to Mr. Smiths Place.
It looks like it is going to rain. Well, this is all.
Oct. 7, 1911, Saturday. Well, it rained nearly
all day today Sylvia went over to Tanner yesterday her and Mamma and Sylvia
stayed to iron for Lilly Mamma washed for her Friday Papa had to go over after
her and take a bushel of sweet potatoes over to Tanner. half a bushel was for
Mrs. Heavner, at $1.25 a bushel. Lilly’s tooth is gathered and she is having a
time with it. Mrs. Lona Rymer came over to Mrs. Dosha Whites her sisters
yesterday.
August 6, 1911, Sunday, there was meeting on
Laurel today and Sylvia and Mary and Papa was down and Miss Hetty T_______) and
Mr. Fran Wright and Curt Miller (Sibs beau) and Flavy Reeder was here for
dinner. We had a very good time. The singing teacher never come Saturday night
so we didn’t have any singing this Sat. and Sun. Oh yes, I forgot to mention
Myrtle T ). She was here
for dinner to, and Mr. Dobbins’ three little girls Earsley, Jessie, and Nora
was here this afternoon. Good by till I come again old book.
Dec. 31, 1911, Sunday. Well here I am again,
Sylvia came home this afternoon and we had a fine time, Joe Minney was here to and our to boarders Mack and
Floyd Truman brothers as you may suppose, Floyd is singing
a little song now but I guess I scared them for they have stopped. Ta! Ta! Well
I will have to go and eat my supper so good night, dearie for tonight, and wish
you a happy New Year. Hope you will be a better girl next year, Miss Dell, than
you have been this year.
August 7, 1911, Monday Eve. Oh dear to the nice
rain, Well here I am, howdy do how are you? Sylvia, Mamma and I have been
quilting today We put up a quilt for Mrs. Boggs and oh my gracious but I did
stick my fingers. it is raining real hard now. it is 20 minutes till seven by
the clock. Mr. Dobbins is here this eve. Well, I will have to quit writing and
go help Mother wash the dishes, so good by till another day.
Dec. 21, 1911, Thursday, I was at school today,
Mary and I. Our teacher let out school when it was time to let out for the last
recess, for he had to go to Rosedale for to get the candy to treat us scholars,
see? I was very glad of it for me didn’t have any grammar lesson you see I
don’t like grammar very well, I like Geography, arithmetic, Spelling and
History better than I do Psychology and grammar, I am on Page 220 in the
arithmetic. We got out of Percentage today, and Miss Vernetta Minney and I stay
right along together in the arithmetic, and help one another. isn’t that the
way?
August 16, 1911, Wednesday, hello there! All
right. Well, will try to write what has happened in the last few days. Lilly
and Birt were over last Sun., the 13th. It was the first time Lilly had been
home since they moved over to Tanner and that was the 19th of July, on
Wednesday, and Birt had been here once. I went home with them Sunday eve and
stayed till Monday afternoon. I have missed three lessons of the last singing
school, but didn’t miss any the other school. Sylvia and Mamma washed today and
I had to stay at home and get dinner for Papa. Mamma has went up to the
cornfield this afternoon, and Sig hasn’t come down from aunt Martha’s yet. Oh
gee! Birt has the sweetest little hound pup you ever didn’t see. They call him
Jack, and we have a cute little ferret that we call Bunny. He is a sleep on the
pad by my chair now. Papa caught the biggest hawk in a trap the other day that
I ever saw. The hateful thing caught our Pretty little yellow Bunty pullet. Ta!
Ta! Well good by.
September 18, 1911, Monday. Well here I am again
Now don’t say a word. We are going to make our molasses today I expect. Papa
cut the cane down this morning. We have company to-day they are eating dinner
now. I will write their names. Mrs. Tida Postalwait, Miss Goldie Wright, Miss
Amy Wright and Boyd Wright, their little brother and another girl I don’t know
what her name is. Well this is all for the present maybe I will write some more
after while.
September 19, 1911 I didn’t get to write anymore
did I? I guess not. “Oh! my oh gee whiz how it does rain.”
(Dec 15, 1911.) I wrote some in this book this
morning but I thought I would write some more. Our two boarders went away for a
few days Tuesday morning to work on a job over on Sleith but they haven’t come
back yet; Uncle Billy Stalnaker is going to take two boarders. They are going
to come there to stay all night tonight. They have been staying at Mr. Bill Snodgrasses
but they don’t like him and don’t want to stay there any longer, their names
are Groggs. I don’t know their first names. Papa and Sylvia, Mamma, and Uncle
Billy are trying to get the young stock in the barn.
September 19, 1911, Tuesday. Well, Well, today is
my sister Lilly’s birthday. She is nineteen today. she is getting old isn’t
she? Our school will commence the 2 of next month not very long of is it ? I
don’t hardly know whether I am glad or sorrow. it rained today. We are going to
make our molasses up at Mr. Jim Nicklos.
I don’t know whether that name is spelled right or not. (Sylvia wrote this)
“Nicholas” please.
September 20, 1911, Wednesday. Well it is a nice
morning after the rain. We are going to make up our cane today. Well this is
all I can think of to write now, as news is scarce.
January 5, 1912, Friday. Well here I am and in a
hurry to. I was at school today, Vernetta wasn’t there, I got the head mark.
Mrs. Minney’s little girl I mean the one she got somewhere I’ve forgot the name
now, is about 3 or 4 years Old, I don’t know which, her Papa and mamma are both
dead. Oh gee but this is cold weather it is the coldest weather we have had
this winter, the ground is covered with snow, and the wind is blowing awful. Well,
I will quit writing as I am about to freeze, so good night, your own girlie.
(Oct. 4, 1911) Wednesday. We were at school today
and had a fine time. This makes three days of our school gone.
Oct. 5, 1911, Thursday. Oh! dear, dear, I had to
stay at home today so I did, but Mary went to school. Now isn’t that a shame?
Mamma and Sylvia are going to wash today, and Papa and Uncle Billy are going to
haul rock for Uncle Billy’s chimney. Oh! my but this is a nice day. The sun is
shining so bright the chestnuts and hickory nuts and walnuts are beginning to
fall.
My Father in Law.
My father in law was very cross. He neither gave
me cow nor horse. A needle is the best pick it out for the worst, come a Juddle
and a foddle and a slungo. Shune up shune
up, shune up a rhune, shune up a snap crack away went a coon. Fun skin a run
skin foddle dink a day, came a goddle and a foddle and a slungo. a silly song.
(Oct. 20, 1911.) Friday. I was at school today
and had a fine time. Sylvia is over to Tanner now, and mamma went to Rosedale
and hasn’t got back yet.
Oct. 20, Oh yes, Mamma got me a new slate and
slate pencil today.
July 31, 1911. Oh there are voices of the
past links of a Broken Chain Wings
that can bear me back in times Which can not come again yet
God forbid that I should lose the echoes that
remain. (Aelaide)
Dec 28, 1911, Thursday. Well here I am again. We
had 3 teamsters here for dinner today, but you see I wasn’t here today for I
went to school, Mary and I, and Mamma had to get all by her self, Sylvia is
staying up at aunt Martha’s now, they have two boarders now, their names are
Mr. Levi Steel and Mr. John Cobb. they had another boarder, but he left today,
but said he was coming back in a few days. Mr. McCumbers is here tonight and his
little boy Tommy. Oh gee! my feet are about to freeze, they have me crowded out
from the fire! You see Mack and Floyd Truman take up all the room. Ta! Ta! good night
dearie. Polly
they didn’t have any singing on Tanner.
August 29,1911, Tuesday. Hello! here am again
this nice rainy morning, it rained nearly all night last night. We have been
having plenty of rain the last few days. Well, our singing school is about out
now. There is just 3 more lessons of it left. There will be singing next Sat
night and Sunday at half past 9 o’clock and then there will be preaching about
half after ten, I suppose, and then there will be singing in the afternoon
sometime. There is going to be a singing school on Tanner after our school is
out. Sylvia and I are going to attend as much as we can. Sylvia is sick today.
She was sick yesterday, her and mother both and I had to get dinner all by
myself. Mrs. Givens and her four little children were here to. The three little
girls names was Opal, Audry, and Lillah, and the boys name was Awley. I expect
that I will go down to Mrs. Whites this afternoon if it isn’t to rainy. Oh! yes
I forgot to write our singing teachers name it is a Mr. Loyd L. Karickhoff. he
is a fine singer. I like him real well. Well, this is all for the present.
August 29, 1911. Well, Well, it has rained all
day and is still raining. It is after dark now. I don’t know just what time.
Sylvia is still sick, Mother is better.
August 30, 1911, Wednesday. it is still raining
tonight. There was an awful slip up in our Pasture field today. it has been
raining 2 days and nights now and still raining. What do you think it will be
if it keeps on? The water has raised awful to. We had to stay in the house all
day nearly.
August 31, 1911, Thursday. Well here I am again.
It didn’t rain any to mount to anything today. We have been working up grapes
all day have been making jelly and grape butter. Papa gathered 3 bushels and a
half of grapes today and there is about 3 bushels on the vines yet.
Jan. 19, 1912, I was at home today I mean I
didn’t go to school, the water was up real high today, today is Friday. I was
up at aunt Martha’s.
Oct. 19, 1911, Thursday. Well, how are you today?
I am well except a bad cold. Joe Minney is here this morning. He is going to work
here today.
Dec 17, 1911. Today is Sunday. I am at home,
there isn’t any one here but the family, but there is a boarder that is up at
Uncle Billy’s and he told Papa that he was coming down here this afternoon but
I don’t know whether he will come or not. His name is Mr. Ode Grogg. Oh Gee I
got me the nicest dress the other day or rather mother got it for me. She got
Sylvia a waist for her birthday gift and got me a new dress. She got them last
Friday the 15. They are both gray and white flowered but are not alike. Mamma
got 8 1/2 in my dress and gave 6 ct. a yard for both, so you see my dress came
to 51 ct. I had to stay at home Friday. Oh my, but I did hate that some. Well,
I will have to go and slop the little Pig. Oh yes! I didn’t write about it. It
is a little white pig Papa got of Mr. Workman. He paid $2.00 for it. Good day
and a merry Xmas and a happy New Year. Della E. Lawson. Rosedale W.Va.
November 5, 1911, Sunday. Well, I have sad news
to write. Mr. Jim Nicholas’ little boy Jessie died the 1st day of this month
Wednesday, and was buried the 2nd day of this month, Thursday. It was snowing a
right smart when it was buried. It has frosted several times this month and
last, but hasn’t snowed but once a little bit. Uncle Billy Stalnaker has got
his chimney done now. We have got us a stable started now, and a shed and crib
completed; or about so. Papa has got a little of his corn hauled in now. We
didn’t have any school in the afternoon Wednesday because that child was dead
and we didn’t have any school Thursday until after noon and then Friday, our
teacher got sick and had to go home in the afternoon, but Vernetta Minney age
15, taught the rest of the day. We sure had a fine time. There wasn’t but
George Perkins, Leslie Minney, Mary and I and Pearl Wright there, and Pearl
went home at the last recess to help her sister Mrs. Dosha White to make
mangles. She is staying with her you know. I got the head mark Friday evening.
Well, there isn’t any one here today but Mamma , Sylvia, Mary and I. Pearl
Wright and little Burl, her sister Doshies boy, was here this morning a few
minutes and Mrs. and Mr. Claud Rymer’s two little boys. Pearl’s sister Lona’s
children you know, were here to, and went down to Mrs. White’s. The little boys
are starting home now. It is about ten minutes after 3 o’clock now. Well,
Sylvia is reading a book by the name of St. Elmo now and Mamma is reading the
good story Paper. Well, I am tired of scribbling so I will close this old book
and read something. Oh yes, I forgot. I just got through reading a book by the
name of One at The 28th. It is a fine book.
Dec 31, 1911, Sunday.
Jan. 7, 1911, Well here I am again. Oh gee whiz
but this is cold weather I am about to freeze, so I am, the ground is covered a
right smart with cold. The “boys” didn’t get to work Friday or Saturday. They
went out to work Friday but it was to cold. They helped Papa get wood and get
down fodder. Today is Sunday as you may suppose from the way I am writing. Mr.
and Mrs. Grover Hamric was here a while this afternoon and Sylvia was down to.
Mack went over to Millfork today and didn’t get back till a while ago. Mr. Cobb
came back with him. Good by.
November 11, 1911, Saturday. Well, here I am
again. I was over to Tanner Wednesday and stayed all day with my sister Lilly.
Mamma went over with me and washed for Mrs. Gay Wilson. Gay lives just a little piece from Lilly’s. And then I was down
and stayed all day with Mrs. Doshie Whites. Mary went with me and then Friday,
I went over to Tanner to visit the school, Sylvia and I, so you see I have got
to go a good deal this
week. Joe Minney had been working for Papa this week but has
went home now. Mamma, Sylvia, and I set out our big onions today or rather this
afternoon. Okey Dobbins has been helping Uncle Billy haul in his corn
this week. There wasn’t any school on Laurel this week because our teacher
stayed at home to get his corn. This is real pretty weather now, or has been I
should have said, for it looks like it would rain any time.
November 12, 1911, Sunday. Oh Gee Whiz! What nice
stormy weather. It rained and blowed this morning till about noon then it
turned real cold and snowed. Now isn’t that nice? Mamma, Mary, and aunt Martha
Stalnaker went down to Mrs. Doshie Whites and stayed all day. Mr. Rymers and
Mr. Tysons are having trouble among themselves, now isn’t that bad? Well, I
will have to quit writing and go to my supper. So good night, or rather good
evening.
Dec. 8, 1911, Friday. Well, I will try to write
what has happened this month. Well, the first day of Dec. my sister Lilly and
Mrs. Gay Wilson came over to our house. It was early in the morning, but Gay
went home that evening. Lilly stayed though. That was on Friday eve, then the next
day, her and Mamma went over to Rosedale and Lilly got two of her back teeth
pulled, that had been worrying her. One of them had gathered once. Mr. Dr.
Roberts pulled them for her. She stayed at home here till Sunday eve when Birt
came back. Oh yes, I forgot to tell that Birt went up to his fathers to see
about some business matter I guess. It was raining Sunday eve and Lilly and
Birt had to go home in the rain. Then the 6th of Dec. there was seven men here
for dinner. They are working in the woods cutting timber and helping set up the
stave mill that is just above Uncle Billy’s house a little piece, so you see it
isn’t very far from our house either. Then two of them, men that I just wrote
about, is boarding here now. Their names are Mr. Floyd Truman and Mr. Charley Petty.
They are unmarried I guess. Then there was two men here for dinner the seventh,
and 1 the 8 that is today you know. That one that was here for dinner today is
going to commence boarding here tomorrow night. We charge them 25 ct. a meal.
The first meal any of them ate at our house was dinner. Mamma and Sylvia have
to pack our two boarders pails for them every morning, so you see it is a right
smart of bother. The Teamsters are going to put their horses in our new barn. I
have been going to school all this month and all but three days of last month.
Our teacher gives a prize every month to the ones that gets the most head marks
in their spelling classes. Mary got the prize in the B class last month and
this month too, and Vernetta Minney got the most head marks in our class, and
Jessie Dobbins got the prize in the C class last month. But John Nicholas got
the prize this month, and I got the prize in our class. We haven’t got our
prizes for this month yet, as today is the last day of this month. There is
just two months gone of our school. The children got a pencil for their prizes.
I don’t know what we will get this time. Well, I haven’t time to write.
May peace and joy their sunshine lend to thee
My dearest earthly friend
“Don’t throw Kisses, My” Boy; deliver them in
person.”
Its dangerous to deliver them in person
sometimes, so be ware boy’s.
Dec 23, 1911, Saturday. Well, here I am again to
write some more. I was at school yesterday. The teacher said that it was his
birthday, but I don’t know whether it was or not. He told me one other evening
that he would be 28 years old and if yesterday was his birthday, he is 28 years
old. Now that is getting old, isn’t it? The teacher treated us all yesterday.
He gave us all ten sticks of candy apiece. Will write the names of the scholars
that was there after while. There was about 3 or 4 absent only, but he didn’t
have enough candy to send to them. It was raining all day yesterday nearly.
They caught Mr. Stover and another man that had broke in Mr. Moyers store. They
had their trial at Rosedale this morning. Papa went but hasn’t got back yet.
Mr. Marshall was the man that took them. He is a police man I guess, or some
such a thing. Mamma and Sylvia are baking pies. Lilly and Birt said they were
coming over tomorrow and stay till after Xmas. Bud said he was coming up this
week but he hasn’t come up yet. Don’t believe he is going to come. (at all)
Mamma was just quarreling at me for not going and feeding the chickens. Ta, Ta.
Dec 23, 1911, Saturday.
The Pupils of Laurel Run school, Mr. Leroy
Miller, teacher.
George Perkins.
Oscar Dobbins.
Floyd Perkins.
Moses Perkins.
Howard Barton.
Ray Miller.
Leslie Miller.
Earl Stover.
John Nicholas.
girls
Jessie Dobbins.
Nora Dobbins.
Tressie Nicholas.
Orphy Nicholas.
Earsley Dobbins.
Mary Lawson.
Vernetta Minney.
Della Lawson,
Ivy Reeder.
Clara Lynch and another Lynch girl. I don’t know
what her name is.
January 4, 1912. Well, I thought I would write
that little girls name that Mrs. Minney has. Her name is May Harmun. Her mother
and father are both dead. She is about 3 or 4, I don’t know which. Mamma is
getting ready to go over to Lilly’s now. The ground is covered with snow this
morning. Well, I will have to quit writing and get ready to go to school. Papa
is kinder sick today, he says he hurts all over and that his head is gathering
. Well, good-by again till I come again.
January 9, 1912. Well, here I am again. It is
awful cold weather now. The ground is covered with snow and the wind is blowing
fierce. The boys didn’t work Friday Sat, nor Monday, but Floyd is working on
the mill today. Mack went away this afternoon Mamma said, don’t know when he
will be back or whether he will ever be back. It will be kinder lonely with out
him but Floyd is still here, so you see we won’t be very lonely. I was at
school today and had a very good time. There was just nine of us scholars there
today. Vernetta wasn’t there today either. That makes 5 days she has missed
right today hand going, I have been reading a Book by the name of the great
Hatfield and McCoy feud. It is a real good book. There isn’t any one in the
house now but Mary and I. I guess Mr. Fred White that lives down below us about
half a mile has got him a phone on
the Amos line. We are on the Citizens line. Earsley Dobbins calls a phone a foam, see she does not
pronounce the word right. Now don’t you know I forgot to get my Geography lesson
today and the teacher said that I needn’t get any see, now wasn’t that a shame?
Well, good by, for I will have to go and help Mamma get supper. She just came
back from milking and she is cold. Poor old dear, howdy. I wrote some on the
other page but I wanted to write that well, Mack has come back. Didn’t stay
long did he? But he said that if he didn’t get to work tomorrow that he was
going over and work on No. 4. You
see this mill on the Parson Place is No 5 or 6, I don’t know which. They sawed
a little this afternoon but not much I don’t think.
Jan. 11, 1912. Hello! how are you? Well I was at
school today and had a very good time. There wasn’t many there. Well, it is
snowing again. It commenced about noon. The boys are working in the woods today.
We have got a new boarder. He was here for dinner. I have never seen him yet.
His name is Mr. Floyd Donnalson. Uncle Billy has 3 boarders. Their names are,
Mr. Levi Steel, Mr. John Cobb, and Mr. Postalwait. I don’t know what his first
name is, maybe I will write it some time. They are going to board the fireman.
I don’t know whether he is there now or not, nor I don’t know his name, either.
Papa is getting in the wood for night now, and Mamma is going to milk. Mary is
reading in a book by the name of “Paul the Peddler”, by Horatio Alger Jr. It is
a real good book. It is a library book. I have read it, so I know see! Well,
good by. I will have to go and get a board to make the fire burn.
Jan 25, 1912, Friday at home. Well, well, a very
sad thing happened yesterday eve. Mr. Grover Miller’s little twin baby boy got
burned nearly to death. It got its head and arm burned and died this morning.
It was an accident, as you may suppose. It’s mother set it down to go and milk
and it got in the fire some way. They have an open fireplace. I don’t know the
particulars. It will be buried tomorrow afternoon I guess, but we won’t get to
go. We have another boarder. He came late this evening. His name is Stalnaker,
I don’t know his first name yet. He is real handsome and unmarried. Mr. Floyd
Donisson is still here. Mary and I was over to Lilly’s today. There wasn’t any
school today, as the baby that died today is his brothers child. I expect Lilly
and Birt will be over Sunday and stay all day. Maybe they will come tomorrow
night and stay till Sunday evening, hope so anyway. Well, this is all for
tonight, so good night and pleasant dreams.
Jan 12, 1912. Today is Friday, and of course I am
at home as it is only 20 minutes after 6 o’clock. We had two teamsters here for
dinner yesterday. It is snowing real hard now. There is a pretty big snow on
the ground now. I am going to school today. I don’t know whether Mary is going
or not. I don’t expect the boys’ will work in the woods today. They may work on
the mill. They are all eating their breakfast now, all but me. Well, good by,
and a nice day to you.
Feb 3. 1912, Well, today is Saturday. It has
snowed a good deal since I wrote in my book last, and we have another boarder.
So you see, we have 3 in all. His name is Price Cart. Unmarried I reckon, but
he is as ugly as a mud fence with a row of tadpoles sitting on it. Now you can
imagine how ugly he is, can’t you? I have been going to school regular this
week. The boys have all gone to Rosedale tonight. It is 10 minutes till 8 o’clock
now. Well, I guess I will quit writing and read a little while. Good night,
pleasant dreams.
February 6, 1912. Today is Tuesday. I am at home.
It was so snowy that I didn’t go to school, nor Mary didn’t go either. Mr. John
Bennett went home this morning. There wasn’t any body here for dinner but Crate
and Floyd. Papa went over to Tanner this morning. He took the mule colt (Jumbo)
with him to carry the flour on him. Mr. Lloyd Stalnaker and Mr. Archie
Stalnaker are up at Uncle Billy’s now. They are his nephews. They came from
Lewis Co. to visit him. Mamma and Mary have gone up to see them. They came
about noon I think. I guess Mr. Leroy Miller is going to teach the school out,
but I wish it would close right away for I am tired of going to school. Oh! so
tired. Well, there isn’t any body home but poor little me, but I don’t care for
I will read in a little while. The cat (Spotty) is sitting on the chair. He is
awful pretty. He is white and black. Well, good by for today. I will write some
more if I live long enough some time. Farewell, good by little boy, good by.
Shuli
Old Granny Quink Quonk, laying on the bed she
came to the window and she poked out her head, saying, I’ll have meat for my
supper tonight
- chorus
-
Salibaby, aliboosilorie, shooli, shooli,
shooli, rheu, shooli, up a sock come a
salibaby too, since I first saw my Salibaby eat,
Salibaby ali, boosi, lorio.
2 went on
down till I came to the gate, the ducks and the geese began to blate, the best
of you will grease my beard.
3 I went on
down till I came to the den. out came the young ones nine or ten. says I go to
the papa fox, you’d better go again.
4 If I was
on some high hill, there I’d sit and cry my fill, till every tear would flow
the mill.
chorus
March 18, 1912. today is Monday, Mother, Sylvia,
and I washed today. Crate Stalnaker is boarding here now but expect he will
leave soon. May be he will leave in the morning. Mamma got me a new pair of
fine shoes Saturday. They cost $2.00. no. 4. and Uncle Billy got me a pair to
no. 4. fine shoes. they cost $1.50, I will work for him to pay for them. Oh
yes, and Mother got me a pair of gum overshoes and they cost 7 ct. so you see
they spent a right smart for me. Well, this is all for this evening. Will come again
some time maybe.
clothes bought for me.
March 1912. two pair of fine shoes. $1.50 and
$2.00, 3 pair of gum overshoes. 75 ct.
$1.50
2.00
.75
These few lines are intended by a friend sincere
and true, hoping just to be remembered when I’m far away from you.
angels raise the curtain,
pin it with a star,
I am thinking of you darling,
Wondering where you are.
May 31, 1912, Friday. Howdy do! how are you? I am
O.K. Well I haven’t wrote any in my little book since last winter, and there
has a whole lot happened since then. Aunt Caroline Parson died this spring, and
Ode Vanoy got killed on the stave mill on Tanner this spring also. He was the
husband of Goldie Wright. They had not been married very long, not a
year. And my cousin, Wait Smith got killed in a mine explosion this spring.
Lilly and Birt moved from Tanner to
Copen in March. Lilly nor Birt
hasn’t been to see us since they moved nor Bud hasn’t been to see us since Murl
was buried. I would just love to see
him. Uncle John Yoke is dead also. Mamma, Papa, Sylvia, Mary, and I
were over at Rosedale yesterday. We took our dinner and had a fine time. We
went to the grave yard and put flowers on Murl’s grave. I guess Lilly and Birt
are coming down to visit us in a week or two.
I will be awful glad to see them. Lilly isn’t satisfied up there. She is
awful homesick. Well, Mamma is washing bedclothes today. Mary is up there too.
Sylvia is in the kitchen reading and Papa is shelling corn. It is a real
beautiful day. We have two fresh cows and then a stripper. Well, this is all
for today. I don’t know when I will write any more.
As I was going down the street, a pretty little
dear I chanced to meet. I tell you boys, she looked so neat I could not pass
her by. Excuse me Miss, I kindly said, I could not pass her by. Here’s my hand,
take my heart or I shall surely die, Pretty little dear, she lives uptown, her
fathers a butcher and his name is Brown, I’ll tell you, boys, I’ve got her
sound, she’s the girl for me. Going to get married tomorrow night, asked the
old man and he said all right. I’m so jolly, I’ve a notion to get tight, but
thought that would not do. A nice verse isn’t it?
Ain’t he a clinker! I’ll be gee whizzly gol
dusted if he ain’t a malleable iron, double back action, self
adjusting corn cracker. May 31. 1912, Friday.
Little Old Man
Little old man came in from the West, a little
old woman , she was none of the best. Dandoo, Dandoo, This little old man went
out to plow, Dandoo, Dandoo, this little old man went out to plow, said the
little old woman is breakfast ready now?
(chorus)
come a luddle I come a lamberry, come a Jerry mi
, come a dingo derry 0,
A piece of
cold corn bread laying on the shelf, Dandoo, Dandoo, a piece of cold corn
bread laying on the shelf. if you don’t come and eat
it , I’ll eat it myself,
This little old man went out to the sheep fold,
he killed a wether, both fat and old,
He hung it up on two little pins, Dandoo, Dandoo,
he hung it up on two little pins, in
a couple of jerks he had it skinned
6 He lapped that hide around his old wife’s back,
Dandoo, Dandoo, he lapped that
hide around his old wife’s back and two little
sticks went whickety whack,
7 I’ll tell my pap and all my kin, Dandoo,
Dandoo, I’ll tell my pap and all my kin
you whipped me on the naked skin,
8 I’ll tell them all that you have lied, Dandoo,
Dandoo, I’ll tell them all that you
have lied, it’s nothing but the old sheep hide,
9 This little old man started to run away,
Dandoo, Dandoo, this little old man
started to run away, ran fourteen miles in fifteen
days, come aloodlie, come a
lamberry, come a Jerrymy, come a dingo dario.
My oldest sister Murl, died March 8, 1911,
Wednesday, and was buried the 9th of March. She died about 9 o’clock in the
morning. She was sick 9 days. Had typhoid and pneumonia fever. Dr. Roberts
doctored her. Now I will just mention all of our names so that you will have
some idea of us. Mamma’s name is Celia Francis Lawson, and Papa’s is Jacob
Edward Lawson, and my next to the oldest sister is Lilly May, and the next is
Sylvia Lee, and the next is me, Della E., and next is Rita Mary. She is the
baby. She is 9 years old. Her birthday is May 28, and Murl’s is Jan 24. She was
20 years, 2 months, and a few days old when she died. Mr. Bud Gainer was her
intended husband. He was here at the burial and a few days before she died. He
never got to speak to her after she took sick. The doctor said he had better
not. They cut her hair off before she died, but they buried it with her.
If I were a rain drop, and you a leaf, I’d burst
from the cloud above you, and lie on your breast, in a rapture of rest, and
love you today love you today love you.
(The rest of this was written by Sylvia)
Open thy silent lattice and listen to my cry I
love but thee, I love but thee with a love that shall never die; Till the moon
grows cold, and the stars are old, and the leaves of the judgment book unfold.
Do not tell us that our loved ones
Lose their earthly memories quite
when they sing among the angels
In the heavenly mansions bright,
For I know that we shall know them,
For the angel robes they wear
We shall know those gone before us
We shall know Our I loved ones there.
If cold December gave You birth,
The month of snow and ice and mirth,
Place on your hand a turquoise blue today
Success will bless you if you do. “Meanness”
The violet loves a sunny bank,
The cowslip loves the sea,
The scarlet creeper loves the elm,
But I love Thee.
Tho’ distance divide us
By land or sea,
at all times a welcome
Is waiting for thee.
Oh, send me soon a letter,
For I am very blue,
and nothing makes me better,
Than some cheery lines from you.
“Some fair tomorrow we shall know
All of life’s mysteries which hurt us so,
and our burdens shall furnish us wings
To lift us o’er all earthly things”
“Tramp”
When other lips and other hearts, Their tale of
love shall tell,
In language whose excess imparts, The power they
feel so well
In such a scene there may perhaps, some
recollection be.
Of days that have as happy been; When you’ll
remember me!
Keep something in store for me
I keep something in store for thee
Something sweet but hate to tell
Something that these letters spell.
The sea may rise the mountain fall
But my love for thee will live thro’ it all.
May is the month of pure delight
I love the flowers so pure and white
Kiss today the violet and the vine
You today will in this a question find.
I wish you was a china cup from which I drank my
tea.
and every time I’d take a sip I’d get a kiss from
Thee.
June 15, 1911.
Not a single nerve will quiver when I bid you my
last adieu. If it breaks my heart forever not a tear will I shed for you.
A little explained, a little endured
a little forgiven and the quarrel is cured.
Many a ship was lost at sea on account of tar and
rubber,
Many a girl has lost her fellow on account of
talking to another. “Smarty”
If I consent for you my heart doth burn Will you
consent to love me in return?