April 28 - May 2, 1942
(Box 5/Folder 3)
April 28, 1942
This evening finds me pleasantly situated in the Women’s Graduate House at Norman ready to start my new book. I wandered over the campus, and saw a whole series of Angie Debos there. So much of my life has been lived around this place.
Of the many stupid things I have done, I just about perpetrated my masterpiece today – lost the check that was to finance this book. I started several things that should recover it or else produce a duplicate. But I am pretty badly disgusted with myself.
April 29, 1942
I am extremely fortunate in my chance to stay at the Graduate House. The meals are so good I marvel at Mrs. Knox’s ability to finance them, the girls are capable and interesting, and there is every opportunity for study and quiet.
I worked on my book today; consequently I feel a little discouraged over the possibility of writing on such a complicated subject. I seem to remember that is my usual reaction in beginning a book.
The campus is unbelievably beautiful with the trees in their tenderest green. And a different Angie Debo meets me at every turn – the freshman so eager to enter college that she trembled until she could hardly enroll (and what a dark rainy day it was!), the disillusioned and lonely girl who carried on her studies, the horror and protest against the World War, the eager girl with the final cap and gown, the happy girl who returned for Phi Beta Kappa initiation, the graduate student, the lonely woman out of a job and carrying on research against all sensible reasoning , and so on and on. And from a personal standpoint – disregarding the horror of the world outside – my present residence is probably the happiest I have ever spent here.
I started this evening reading a manuscript for the University [of Oklahoma] Press. I think it is well done; if it keeps on as well as it started, I shall recommend its publication. It is by one Robert R. Russel of Kalamazoo, Michigan. The subject is “Improvement of Communication with the Pacific Coast as an Issue in American Politics.”
May 3, 1942
I went to church this morning with a lovely girl in the house named Miss Irby. Went driving this afternoon with the Emorys. Finished the report of the manuscript I read for the University [of Oklahoma] Press; recommended its publication.
May 8, 1942
Ima James has a group of girls planning to camp in Lake Murray State Park. They had asked Walter Campbell [a.k.a. Stanley Vestal] to go along and tell them about Oklahoma history. But he has a deadline he has to make on a book, and so that left them stranded. Ima was trying to find me wherever in the state I might be – and here I was at Norman. When I found how badly she needed me, I agreed to go.
May 9, 1942
The most wonderful and exciting news – I HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE ALFRED A. KNOPF HISTORY SCHOLARSHIP. That changes all my plans. I would have gone home this very day if I had not promised to go with the girls. This afternoon I went down through the beautiful green country to the untouched beauty of the park. (I made the very worst speech I ever made in my life, but the girls were so happy in their camping experience that they enjoyed it. I am so glad they were not critical.) A group of young Indian girls from Carter who were camping in the park came and spent the evening with us.
May 11, 1942
Packed quickly and came home. But before I left I returned the check to the Social Sciences Research Council. This check has had a varied history. I rejoiced over it when I got it, started to thank the senders for it and by mistake slipped it in the letter, started to deposit it the next day and found it gone, and a few days later in answer to a frantic inquiry (sent air mail) I got a friendly letter from the SSRC enclosing it a second time. I had planned to deposit it as soon as I got to Marshall, and now I shall not use it at all.
May 12, 1942
Worked hard all morning getting some autobiographical material together for Knopf’s to use in their publicity – a tiresome job, but not too tiresome in exchange for $1200. This afternoon I went to club. The program was nice and it closed with a gift for Evelyn Johnson, who is going away.
May 13, 1942
Worked in the flower garden all morning, read Grant Foreman’s HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA (except when I was asleep) in the afternoon. I wish I had not promised to review this book, for although it is a superb piece of work, I did find a number of mistakes in the part less familiar to Foreman – the part after the Civil War. Foreman is a great historian, but even his comprehensive mind cannot compass everything.
May 14, 1942
Washed this morning. AND ON THE MAIL CAME MY CONTRACT AND MY FIRST HUNDRED DOLLARS FROM KNOPF’S. I went down town in the afternoon and pledged ten dollars a month for twelve months for war bonds – bought my first ten in stamps. I was so happy that I was able to do it. It is hard to be a self-respecting person when one is entirely without funds.
May 15, 1942
People say it froze ice last night, and that the dew was a heavy frost in some places. I did not see it, either because we live on a high hill or because it had thawed out before I got up. But I heard it from so many sources that I think it was true.
I interviewed Mr. Castor and the Billy Foxes – enjoyed it very much.
May 17, 1942
Went to church this morning. Took dinner with the Billy Foxes and spent the afternoon with them. We all enjoyed it so much. It looked like rain and we were afraid Mother couldn’t go, but it didn’t quite make it.
May 18, 1942
I went to Red Cross from a base motive, or at least not a disinterested motive. I thought they would gossip there, and I would get in touch with all the things people are saying about War, Sugar Rations, Tire Shortages, etc. I had not gone before because I am too busy; if I thought their work were vital I would drop my own and go but it seems to me most of what they do is busy work. It was in the last war, too – just something to keep the women interested and keep up morale. But I thought it was a good chance to find what people are thinking; I shall need it in my book. I felt a little mean when people seemed so glad I came.
I heard no gossip. It was the busiest, most earnest, and most intelligent bunch of women I have seen working in my lifetime. It is heart-warming to be one of them. But I still suppose the work they do is not vital, and I am going to keep on attending from the same ulterior motives.
Mailed the review of Grant Forman’s HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA.
May 19, 1942
Interviewed Aunt Fanny Shores and Mr. George Beeby. Enjoyed it but got tired.
May 20, 1942
Interviewed Mrs. Cramer. She is the youngest in spirit, the jolliest, and the most interesting of all the pioneers I know.