January 1 - December 31, 1957
(Box 5/Folder 5)
January 1, 1957
Drove to Stillwater. Stopped and visited briefly with Mrs. Garrett. Then spent the day at Pearl Boyce’s. Anna and Bess Boyce there from Carmen. Still the same wonderful weather but a cloud in the west tonight
January 2, 1957
Not quite so warm, I attended Woman’s Guild at friend home in P.M. Lodge in evening
January 3, 1957
Another warm day. I am writing at 5 P.M. Olga and Clara Schaefer will come by in half an hour to take me to Perry to take the Train for the E.&R. Commission on higher education meeting at Philadelphia.
January 4, 1957
Reached Chicago this morning. Had several hours between trains. Called Dorothy Van de Mark. She came to the station and we visited. We had never met but had become good friends through letters about our interest in Indian affairs. Weather bitter cold in Chicago. Took Penna. train at 3 P.M.
January 5, 1957
Reached Philadelphia early this morning. Went to Bellvue [sic] – Stratford Hotel (fine hotel). Then went to Media and spent day with the Lindleys and their Quaker friends, the Baileys & Mr. Helzel. I came early so I could talk with them about Indians. Fine day. Saw beautiful countryside.
January 6, 1957
In morning attended Christ Church (E. and R.). In afternoon walked to Independence Hall and Congress Hall. Very moving experience. It is cold here but warmer than Chicago.
January 7, 1957
The meeting started today. I am greatly impressed with the quality of the church leaders who make up this commission. We were busy all day. In the evening we had a dinner meeting with a similar Congregational-Christian board and listened to a boring speaker from the Natl. Council of Churches.
January 8, 1957
Our meeting closed at noon. At lunch Dr. Scheeler head of Board of Xn education, took several of us to a wonderful sea food place. Then I spent the P.M. in the Schaeff Bldg. visiting many of the church leaders – also visited again with Mr. Lindley. Took train in evening.
January 9, 1957
Reached Chicago this morning. Spent the pla day with Dorothy Van de Mark. She is fine and so is her husband. It started snowing hard about ten. At 3:30 Max Shank came for me and started out for Lak [sic?] Bluff. The snow was worse all the time. Cars stalled but Max drove with great skill. It took us 3½ hours to make the 35 miles. Mary was worried.
January 10, 1957
I spe It stopped snowing in the night. The country is beautiful. I spent the day with Mary Shank at the publishing house where she works. Talked so long in the evening I am afraid Mary will be worn out tomorrow. -3° this morning
January 11, 1957
-3° this morning but the house is nice and warm. I went with Max when he went in to his classes at the Pier. He showed me over the plant, took me to lunch in the cafeteria and then to the station. I read a book till evening when the train left.
January 12, 1957
Reached Perry this morning. Olga and Mrs. Congdon met me. Warm day but they said it was cold Wednesday. Also there was a rain while I was gone – a good one I judge.
January 13, 1957
Went to S.S. and church. Nice to be back. I taught my class, but will not teach it again because they decided to disband it – too small. I went home with the Brysons and spent the day. Wonderful visit. Cold day.
January 14, 1957
Cold day and my house is not comfortable. I talked to August about my furnace. It is not doing the work. A man called from the Stanolind Oil Co. in the City and offered to lease my farm for $5 an acre ($800) bonus. Mr. Stuerke died this morning. I feel very sad about it. I remember him as a handsome young man with a pretty wife and baby who came here in 1903 when I was a very young girl.
January 15, 1957
The weather is very cold and so is my house. This evening I attended a meeting of S.S. teachers at the church. I am not a teacher any more but I went to report on my interview with church leaders in the Schaeff Bldg.
January 16, 1957
11° this morning outdoors; 54° in my living room, 60° dining room, 62° in my study. Furnace no good. The oil company sent me a contract but before I signed it I got a call from another would-be lessee in Hennessey. I managed to beat him up to $6. Joe Branen says better go out there but I can’t because I promised to be at U.C. tomorrow. Went to lodge this evening
January 17, 1957
Mr. Stuerke’s funeral was in the Methodist Church at 2 today. Immediately after, I drove to O.C. to participate in a panel on the Indians’ problems before a group of social workers. Am staying with Mrs. DeVore.
January 18, 1957
I came home by way of US 81 intending to drive to my farm, but called Mrs. Krause from Hennessey and decided it wasn’t necessary. After I got home I called the Stanolind man & told him of the $6 offer and he raised it to $7½ ($1200).
January 19, 1957
A Bohemian from near my farm came with a story that he could get $10 an acre from Hobrecht in Watonga, but I called H. and he had thought the farm was in the twp north. So I shall accept the $1200 and be thankful. I plan to use all of it in Indian work.
January 20, 1957
Lovely warm day. I went to church and S.S. Worked part of the afternoon memorizing the chaplain’s charge in the lodge ritual. Wish I didn’t have to do it – not good enough writing to pack one’s mind with.
January 21, 1957
Beautiful warm day. My signed lease contract with the Stanolind sight draft went into the mail today. I hope the well they are drilling doesn’t turn out to be a dry hole before they honor the draft. A man from the furnace company came and studied my house.
January 22, 1957
Turned cold in the night. Cold day and cold in my house, but not so bad as last week. I went to club meeting at Mabel Bryson’s.
January 23, 1957
It sleeted last night but warmed up and it Still very cold (outside and inside). I don’t mind the inside because the people who sold me the furnace are going to do something about it. I went to lodge and was installed as chaplain.
January 24, 1957
Sleeted during the night but it warmed up and the sleet melted off before night. I am going to get Ruby Romhild to help move furniture and wax all my floors tomorrow.
January 25, 1957
We waxed the entire floor – the first time it has waxed since Slim Chapman sanded and varnished and waxed it more than a year ago. Of course I am not hard on it, living alone as I do. Very cold day.
January 26, 1957
Still cold and snowing most of the day. Not deep but the ground is white. I should freeze except for my two electric heaters. I bought them for my mother and wrapped them up and put them away after she died, never expecting to have use for them.
January 27, 1957
Pretty cold. I went to S.S. and church. There was a surprisingly good congregation out in spite of the snowy snow on the ground and the cold.
January 28, 1957
Cloudy but warmer so that most of the snow melted. I called on Mrs. Stuerke this evening. She is taking her loss in a wonderful way.
January 29, 1957
The Woman’s Club had a breakfast at the Groce home for Betty Pruitt who is leaving for O.C. next Sat. (Her husband has a job there.) It was a very pleasant occasion. Mrs. Stuerke was there. I am glad she is going out. Cold day.
January 30, 1957
I think this was the day it snowed all day, soft wet flakes, no drifting – just what we need, only not enough. I suppose it is about three inches deep. I went to lodge – small crowd of course. Worked on art. for Okla. Almanac
January 31, 1957
Worked all day on article I am writing for Okla. Almanac. Stormy looking but not so cold – snow melting. Dr. Russell Carter came by to see me and we had a very fine visit.
February 1, 1957
Supposedly worked on Okla. Almanac but didn’t accomplish much. Warmish day. Toward evening it cleared off and we saw the sky. I got my $1200 from the oil lease.
February 2, 1957
Baked a cake and did some other things getting ready for Grace Goodman and Beth Le Hew tomorrow. Warmish day, misty as though it could rain any minute.
February 3, 1957
I went to S.S. and Grace and Beth joined me at church. They, especially Beth, was greatly impressed with the spirit of the congregation. They spent the day with me and I enjoyed them so very much. Warm and threatening rain all day.
February 4, 1957
Some reprints of my article in The Am. Ind. came today so I spent much time composing a covering letter, then cutting a stencil to send with the reprints to women’s clubs. Dean Miller put them through the mimeograph machine for me. Still wet weather but no rain.
February 5, 1957
I sent out about fifty of my articles to clubs. I hope it will do good. It is about the present desperate situation of Oklahoma Indians. More warm weather with the air so wet one can squeeze water out of it – but no rain. It finally cleared off and the sun shone.
February 6, 1957
Went to Woman’s Guild at church, then to lodge in evening. Sat up late and it started raining (with some mild thunder and lightning) before I went to bed.
February 7, 1957
It rained about an inch last night. Fine shower. It seemed wonderful to see pools of water. Nice warm day.
February 8, 1957
Nice warm day – still cloudy but no rain. I am working very hard on some writing I promised to finish by March 15. In evening attended a fine mass meeting of community citizens. They elected a steering committee to direct the work (I am one) & divided into committees.
February 9, 1957
I am a little disturbed because I was elected onto that steering committee last night. I am not the right age. But it is a fine group of people. They formed themselves into seven large groups and elected a temporary chairman for each. Each group to work on some phase of community improvement.
February 10, 1957
Went to E.&R. Sunday school, but to Disciples Church to hear a young Korean student from Phillips. He was fine. Then they asked me to stay for the basket dinner. I did and enjoyed it very much. Then in P.M. drove to Stillwater and visited Mary Graves (and Mrs. Garrett) and examined Mary’s furnace. She gets [source] from hers. I called Prof Irwin and he advised me to have ONG man look at mine.
February 11, 1957
Can’t remember what I did. Worked very hard on Civil W article War article for Okla. Almanac and too tired to make entry.
February 12, 1957
Club at Mrs. Baugh’s. Then in evening I attended a meeting of the Community steering committee (5 members) and the seven group chairmen. Every member present and on time. It was the most inspiring meeting I ever attended. Fine bunch of men and women (mostly young).
February 13, 1957
Worked hard on Civil War in Okla. Went to lodge this evening. We are having warm weather all the time. The lawns are very green after the rain.
February 14, 1957
The ONG (Okla. Natural Gas) man came – said my furnace only needs regulating. I was afraid to let him do it for the company refused to let us touch it, but I told August and I think we can do it. The company should be glad to have it put so it will work.
February 15, 1957
I got my Civil War article almost finished – all but copying.
February 16, 1957
I wrote the last paragraph – then started copying my article. But I had to take some time off this P.M. to attend a committee of the Woman’s Club planning for the guest day tea.
February 17, 1957
Went to S.S. & church. Then took dinner with Mrs. Stuerke. (Other guests – Griff & Dasiy Thompson, Mrs. Darling and Essie.) Had delightful time. Mrs. S. is so brave & fine. After dinner Griff took us all for a long drive.
February 18, 1957
Neglected to make entry. Nothing in particular happened so far as I remember. I wrote hard all day. Oh, yes, went to schoolhouse to community meeting by co-op elevators. Raining some.
February 19, 1957
Neglected entry – don’t remember anything. Wrote all day. Oh yes, it rained an inch last night. We are having lovely warm weather, damp all the time but little actual rain. Lawns beautifully green.
February 20, 1957
Went to lodge this evening. Again failed to make entry.
February 21, 1957
I believe last night was the time it rained again. But not much water fell. Very warm weather.
February 22, 1957
August Burchardt’s poor mother died at three A.M. Poor soul! She has been ill so long. Sleeted all day. Not very cold but roads pretty slick. Windshield sleets over if the car stands five minutes.
February 23, 1957
Roads pretty slick but one can manage. Not much sleet falling today but damp and cloudy. I fried a chicken and took it to the Burchardt’s.
February 24, 1957
Pretty sleety but I managed. Went to S.S. (taught August’s class), then and church. In afternoon went to Mrs. Burchardt’s funeral. In evening it was family night at the church but I had a touch of indigestion and did not go.
February 25, 1957
[No entry]
February 26, 1957
Club at Mrs. Snyder’s the roads are getting a little drier.
February 27, 1957
Missed lodge in order to attend meeting of Marshall Progress Assn. – heads of committee and some others, 20 in all.
February 28, 1957
I didn’t make entry for a couple of weeks. As I look back it seems to me it was cloudy and raining all the time but not much water. Wheat beautiful – lawns ditto.
March 1, 1957
[No entry]
March 2, 1957
[No entry]
March 3, 1957
I taught Bill Schaefer’s S.S. class. In the church it was very evident Rev. Dean had dreadful news. After we dismissed word spread through the congregation that Jerry Wilson had shot himself. He was a senior in college at Stillwater – 23 years old, a boy with a fine, sensitive spirit, and a brilliant mind. It leaves us with a heart-broken sense of failure. I am so sorry for his father and step mother – their shock and sense of failure is so much greater than ours.
March 4, 1957
I am working so hard to finish those articles I promised for the Okla. almanac.
March 5, 1957
Went to Jerry’s funeral in the school auditorium. Hundreds of people there all deeply grieved – none of the hilarity that usually marks even our funerals. The thing that kept going through my mind – all these hundreds of us who loved him failed to show him the way.
March 6, 1957
Raining all forenoon – then snow all P.M. Pretty cold tonight but not enough to hurt anything. As usual not much moisture. I went to the Woman’s Guild at the church. Good crowd in spite of the bad roads.
March 7, 1957
I got my articles all done yesterday but one and asked for some time in that one. I had to spend all forenoon in a committee meeting for the club tea next Tuesday and it cut into my writing. In the evening another committee meeting at Estelle Groce’s for next year’s club yearbook.
March 8, 1957
I had set this day aside to clean my house which has not been even touched with a dust cloth for six weeks. But in the morning Dale Wilson asked me if I could translate some French notes poor Jerry had scribbled in his geology notebook. I went over and Dale and Maisie talked their hearts out. I was so glad I went for I think it helped them. Then Estelle Groce called and asked me to come over. I found her in tears over a very cruel calling down she got from a woman who chose to be angry with no reason over a club matter. Then Ferrol Butts came, and we visited. It turned out I didn’t clean my house at all but hit the high places and it looks O.K. In the evening I went to a kick-off supper at the school for the Marshall Progress Assn. Fine meeting – 200 there. Roads dried up considerably today.
March 9 , 1957
Translated the French for the Wilsons. It was nothing personal. One was a quotation from Cyrano de Bergerac – “I can fight armies all alone . . . Bring me giants.” I hit the high places in my house and left it without cleaning. Had too many articles things I had to do today.
March 10, 1957
Went to S.S. and church. Bakes a cake in the afternoon. Planned to do it yesterday but hindered. Floy came this evening. Her husband and another man also stopped by on their way to the City.
March 11, 1957
Took Floy down to the school, where she ate lunch with the students, talked to the senior girls, and had a visit with Mr. Shades.
March 12, 1957
The club guest day. Floy spoke. Everything went off fine. All of us surely worked hard.
March 13, 1957
Floy left about noon today.
March 14, 1957
[No entry]
March 15, 1957
[No entry]
March 16, 195[7]
I got my last article for the Okla. Almanac in the mail today. Whew!
March 17, 1957
I know I went to S.S. and church but don’t remember it. Neglected to make entry.
March 18, 1957
Worked on a speech I am to give at Norman tomorrow.
March 19, 1957
Drove to Norman. Had delightful dinner at the student union given by Iva Springstead and her husband – other guests Dr. and Mrs. Bell, & Miss _________. Spoke on Indian affairs to history, anthropology, and social service students. Fine crowd. Am staying in Student Union.
March 20, 1957
Drove back through quite a rain. Nice rain. Forget most that happened today – am making late entry. Oh, yes I had a fine visit with Savoie Lottinville before I left Norman.
March 21, 1957
Worked on talk I am giving this week for Okla. Library Assn. on relation of writers & librarians. (Librarians have always encouraged regional writing in Okla.)
March 22, 1957
I drove to the City and attended golden anniversary dinner of OLA (as their guest). Very fine, Dr. Dale spoke. Met Miss Farrell & Mr. Tauber. Staying at Biltmore.
March 23, 1957
Mrs. McCullom took me to breakfast. Spoke this morning – to school librarians. Had luncheon meeting with O.L.A. Then went to visit Mrs. Devore. Am staying with her tonight.
March 24, 1957
Went to church and S.S. with Mrs. Devore. She taught the class and it was fine. Then we went and saw the new St, Luke’s church. It is beautiful. Ate dinner at the Indian grill. Then I came home. Showers all the way.
March 25, 1957
Worked all day for Mary Miller. She almost had a miscarriage a while back, and the women of the church signed a calendar to do her housework. I signed for today because I knew it would be my first free day. She is much better but weak.
March 26, 1957
Club meeting at Mrs. Groce’s.
March 27, 1957
and to end of week – caught up (almost) on my neglected correspondence. It is raining these days. I have neglected my diary so long I have lost track of the dates and amount, but it is raining. I hope our drought is broken.
March 28, 1957
[No entry]
March 29, 1957
[No entry]
March 30, 1957
I really cleaned my house – the first real cleaning since Ruby Romhild helped me wax the floor.
March 31, 1957
I went to S.S. and church. In evening attended a service by – Heppel, the church traveling evangelist, He will be here three evenings. It rained last night.
April 1, 1957
Cloudy but it did not rain. I drove to Enid and bought me a suit. Cost $34+. Also a blouse - $5. Worked this P.M. on lecture for Writer’s Conference at Canyon next week. Went to church again this evening.
April 2, 1957
Hard showers today. Tornado at Dallas. I worked some more on one of the lectures. Went to last evening of preaching mission.
April 3, 1957
Hard rain last night – more or less all day. I went to Guild at church. In evening went to home of Estelle Groce to work on club yearbook.
April 4, 1957
Neglected to make entry, but I think it didn’t rain. I worked all day on my lectures for next week at Amarillo.
April 5, 1957
Cloudy but cold and clearing. Roads drying up. I finished my second lecture.
April 6, 1957
[No entry]
April 7, 1957
Went to S.S. & church. In P.M. Dr. & Mrs. McReynolds came to ask me some questions about things I discovered about the Seminoles. (He is writing a Seminole history.) It turned cold this morning – is said to be snowing in Panhandle. Cold mist falling tonight.
April 8, 1957
I drove to Enid and left my car there. Took the plane for Amarillo. Clouds all gone. Mrs. Cash and Luella Reeves met me and took me to Luella’s nice little house Hattie Anderson had a party for me this evening – Polly, Helen White, Mrs. R., Ruth, Margaret Harper, Mrs. McCarter, Miss Graham, Isabel, Mattie, Luella. All the old crowd and how I love them. Had visit with Mrs. Rockwell this P.M.
April 9, 1957
Mattie took me to a tea at Mrs. Cornette’s. Then I visited lovely Lucy Jo Loudder. Luella took me to Amarillo in the P.M. to hear Wayne Gard at Writer’s Conference. He was fine, then then we went to see Mattie Mae Swisher in the hospital. She had broken her leg. I believe this was the evening I stopped by to see lovely Genna Louise Keeter at the dormitory.
April 10, 1957
Spent the whole day at the Writers’ Conference. Heard Hollis Summers, - a rare experience. Rode up with Mrs. De Schwinetz. A charming person. Spent noon hour with a fine Strain girl – can’t remember her name I am enjoying the conference but most of all I am enjoying being in Luella’s home.
April 11, 1957
Heard Hollis Summers again. At the noon hour I was interviewed on T.V. Rode back with Loula Grace Erdman. (Rode up with Mattie Mack.) Took it easy this P.M. for it is my turn tomorrow. I think this is the day I met Luella’s friend Dorothy Smith. She is fine. I think was the afternoon I visited the Murrays. What a fine visit I have had with Luella all week.
April 12, 1957
I was to speak at the conference this morning but the ground is covered with glassy sleet and Dr. Knott Knott didn’t think we should risk the drive to Amarillo. In the P.M. it was planned for me to speak at the museum in Canyon – so I did. No heat in the room and it was very cold but we did the best we could. Tea afterwards. Then Luella and I stopped and ate supper with Miss Richardson. What a wonderful old-time talk fest we had. Very cold this evening – streets now clear but sleet on trees.
April 13, 1957
Luella took me to Amarillo to Gladys Daeirs’s [sic?] home. Gladys had the Foreman sisters here to lunch. Then in the afternoon we went to visit Ethleen Busch and in the evening the Busches all came here and Gladys showed the pictures she took in Europe. Last night the thermometer went down to 23°, but this forenoon the sleet fell off the trees. Staying with Gladys tonight
April 14, 1957
Had breakfast with B.&P. Women as guest of Katherine Metcalf. Then went to S.S. and church with her. In the P.M. we called on Roy and Grace Whittenberg and their fine family. Also took a drive. Staying with K. tonight. For the first time met Dorothy Davis and Dorothy Mullins who live with Katherine.
April 15, 1957
Montye Keeter came after me and I spent the day with her. She took me to the airport. My plane left at 3. I wasted some time in Enid telephoning, etc., picked up my car, drove slow, and still reached home at 5:30. Easiest trip I ever had to Amarillo & Canyon. Called on her sister Catherine.
April 16, 1957
I did not make entries but I know it rained nearly every day for the following two weeks. In fact it had
April 17, 1957
rained while I was gone. The cold spell at Amarillo was here also – everything here froze. The country is green and beautiful. The wheat high and a vivid green.
April 18, 1957
But I have never seen the trees so late. The frogs are singing – the first time I have heard them for several years. The ponds are full. In fact our long drought is
April 19, 1957
broken. It is worth much to get some subsoil moisture once more, though the farmers are not able to plant their feed. (For several years they planted it but
April 20, 1957
it didn’t make a crop.) There have been some tornado alerts – one was at Kingfisher and we had rain with a heavy wind and hail – but in general the rains have been fairly gentle.
April 21, 1957
Easter Sunday, I went to S.S. and church (communion service.) Took dinner with the Webers. Other guests – the Snyders and the Schaefer girls. I think it didn’t rain though it threatened.
April 22, 1957
This was the evening of the Kingfisher tornado. Our siren sounded but I was in the celler [sic] already. The wind blew hard and there was considerable hail. People south of town saw the Kingfisher funnel. Another funnel near Perry but missed the town.
April 23, 1957
I drove to Stillwater and got a lovely Japanese girl Linda Sakuma. She ate lunch with me and I took her to the Bob Schaefer home, where she spoke to our club. Bob and family took her back that at night. It threatened rain but didn’t actually do it.
April 24, 1957
A member of us women from the E.&R. church attended the regional Guild meeting at Loyal. I rode in Olga Schaefer’s car. Again it threatened rain but didn’t actually do it. Stayed away from lodge for I have a hard trip tomorrow.
April 25, 1957
Drove to Pawnee in answer to call from tribal council troubled for fear their school will close. Talked with Albin Leading Fox, Mr. Sun Eagle, & Mr. Roberts. Visited their school. It is fine. Talked with the public school supt. Mr. Homer Shaw. Drove to Red Rock but failed to see the supt. of schools. On the verge of rain, but none fell.
April 26, 1957
Cloudy all day but I can’t rememember whether it rained or not. Failed to make entry.
April 27, 1957
More heavy wet clouds but I don’t remember about rain. Failed to make entry.
April 28, 1957
Heavy wet clouds but no actual rain. Went to S.S. and church. In P.M. took Sadie Goodnight and drove over to Stillwater where I spoke to Payne Co. Hist. Society. This is the first time I have written in my diary since Apr. 7. Filled in Apr. 8-27 from memory.
April 29, 1957
It rained all day but very softly. The world is so beautiful it puts a catch in one’s throat to look at it. The ponds have more water than they have had before for eight years.
April 30, 1957
The clouds partially cleared away and about noon the sun came out. I washed (and succeeded in drying) some things I had been saving up for many weeks. Then it clouded over again and we had a lovely shower this evening. The frogs are singing.
May 1, 1957
I went to Guild this P.M. Then at six went to committee meeting at Estelle Groce’s to work on the club year book. Then to lodge. A hard (but not violent, just nice) shower came up while we while were at lodge. Still raining. My yellow rose started blooming today. Everything is very late this spring.
May 2, 1957
Rained most of the day. I saw a funnel in the SW. It passed over town and didn’t dip. Has rained hard all evening and is still at it. Frogs singing. I went to meeting of committee members of Marshall Progress Assn. this evening.
May 3, 1957
Rained all night & most of morning. Gas man came & regulated my furnice [sic] – says it is good furnace only set wrong. All my freezing! This P.M. I drove through the rain (which stopped east of Oilton) to Tulsa. Am staying with Floy Cobb. The trees are finally getting leaves. Even the oaks show a few buds.
May 4, 1957
Floy took me to Osage Hills Country Club (magnificent view of Tulsa skyline) where I spoke to a large AAUW luncheon group on some things about Okla. history. The sun shone part of the time. Things are beautiful except that the trees are so late. John came home this P.M. The last few times I have visited Floy he has been away.
May 5, 1957
Floy and I went to church. In the P.M. I attended a Delta Kappa Gamma meeting (very fine) – sat by Faye Laird. Then Beulah Clinton took me and Louise Whitham to her home for dinner. Other guests were Floy and Rachel Van Horn. I have seldom had such an enjoyable visit. The sun shone.
May 6, 1957
I visited Janet Grant this P.M. In evening Floy and I had dinner with the Chases. At 10:45 John’s secy. who had come to Tulsa to see a dr. called from her hotel. She had got nervous and we went down and got her and brought her home. She is a beautiful girl – name Latier [sic?], granddaughter of Chief Will Rogers. She had been ill and alone and got hysterical. Sun shone.
May 7, 1957
We got up at six and put our girl on the bus for her home at O.C. She slept and rested and is a different girl. At noon Floy took me to dinner with Edith White at a nice place in Utica Square. I drove home in the P.M. Found poor Mr. Morgan died of his cancer just before I got home. Sun shone.
May 8, 1957
I was tired and didn’t accomplish much. Last night I turned the cut-off at my outdoor hydrant and today I found the water had flooded by basement. I put that new cut-off in last fall, and had no way of knowing if I turned it a certain way it would do that. Whenever I put in any new and fancy gadget it always lets water into my basement. Cloudy but didn’t rain here.
May 9, 1957
I drove I attended Mr. Morgan’s funeral this P.M. Then I drove to Stillwater and spoke about Okla. Indians to Pi Gamma Mu. Am staying at Union Club. It is raining over the state today but though it threatened it didn’t rain at Marshall or Stillwater. Some of the oaks are starting to get green. But so many dead trees along all the creeks – trees that lived thou’ Tb [too bad]
May 10, 1957
Brought lovely Linda Sakuma home with me and took her to visit our school. It is a wonderful school in the freedom and spontaneity and self control [sic] of the children and she was charmed. How the children loved her! I took her back in the late afternoon forgetting my basement and thus lost my only chance to get it pumped dry. Very cloudy and threatening but didn’t rain here.
May 11, 1957
Shower last night and more off and on this forenoon. Then the sun came out and it was beautiful. I wrote letters, etc. all day. I got a note from Frances Emory saying that Jack died Feb. 3. Poor Frances!
May 12, 1957
Beautiful sunny day. I went to S.S and church. Then a good looking fine appearing young Pawnee came to see me about his four brothers who had been brutally beaten by the police in being arrested for intoxication. In the evening I got ready to attend the h.s. baccalaureate service but it started sprinkling and so I didn’t go.
May 13, 1957
Another rain last night but a beautiful sunny day today. My pin oak, which I planted last fall, is finally putting out some leaves. Oaks are late in leafing out and it has been a very late spring. Earl Castiel pumped the water out of my cellar.
May 14, 1957
No rain last night beautiful sunny day. I went to club this P.M. and to a meeting of the club year book committee this evening at the home of Estelle Groce.
May 15, 1957
Beautiful bright forenoon. Mrs. Adams & I planned to drive to O.C. to see Il Trouvatore. About one a mean curdled looking cloud rose in the west. It rained hard with some hail but the worst apparently went north. We started out three times in the rain – turned back twice on account of the hail. Then we ignored the hail and went on. Drove out of the rain at Crescent. Enjoyed the opera very much. No rain. Stopped at the home of Mrs. Jenks, who rents out rooms.
May 16, 1957
Morning paper told of terribly heavy rain at Hennessey and Enid. First flood we have had. Previous rains have soaked into the soil. We drove to Crescent and found road was flooded in Skeleton bottom. Drove back to Guthrie, then through Coyle to Stillwater and got home. Learned how Elmer Burchardt and another man took Floyd Hedgecocks, Mewherters and McGars out of their houses with a boat.
May 17, 1957
No mail. Terribly heavy rains went to the west east (Guthrie and Stillwater, I should judge) but no rain here. Threatened all day. More roads closing all the time. The Cimarron is the greatest menace. Dover got the brunt of the May 15 rain because the Turkey Creek Watershed was in the worst of the rain.
May 18, 1957
Rained again last night, but cleared off and the sun shone a little this P.M. Many reports of the Cimarron – no crossing now except far in the west. (We still have no mail). Tulsa waiting anxiously for the crest on the Arkansas will reach it. The rain at Enid Wednesday and Wed. night was over 13 inches. That was what flooded the Skeleton here, the Turkey Creek at Dover, and now the Cimarron and Arkansas.
May 19, 1957
No rain. Beautiful green and gold day. I went to S.S. and church. Then I took the Schaefer girls on a drive to see the beautiful wheat. We found two country roads closed. Then drove across Skeleton to see where the high water had been. The Hedgecocks & Mewherters were cleaning their houses. Then on east towards Hennessey. Half where [sic] there – at the Brady Henry place – we came suddenly to where hail had struck in Wednesday’s cloudburst. From there on to Henn. All the wheat – the tall lovely wheat – is gone. Not even one head standing.
May 20, 1957
It didn’t rain today but showers started collecting in the P.M. Several bad looking ones went around south. It was h.s. commencement but it was sprinkling and such heavy thunder I thought we were in for another storm – so didn’t go. Got all ready to run down cellar if siren sounds in the night.
May 21, 1957
The heavy rain that just missed us hit Stillwater. Eight inches fell. Every highway leading to the town is closed and all the low part is under water. Our dirt road from Crescent southeast – our only link with south – is now closed – a bridge went out last night. Later – it was repaired later in the day. Clear sky – no rain at all today. I drove in the P.M. to Pawnee and talked with Indians about police brutality in arresting Indians for drinking or just for being Indians.
May 22, 1957
Very hard rain with considerable wind at about 8 this morning. Tornado warning out all day. I went in cellar during storm. No more during the day but a bad looking curdled cloud passed to the south. I went to lodge this evening. Mrs. Buster Rubrecht came in by transfer.
May 23, 1957
Neglected to make entry but I am sure we had rain. All our rains are bad now.
May 24, 1957
Cloudy all day – rains forming and going around us. I drove to Stillwater and joined library staff in a farewell luncheon for Helen Slack, whose husband is graduating. Took Sharen [sic] Enmeier along to apply for library job to help her thru college. Terrible rain this evening.
May 25, 1957
Cleared off today and the sun shone. In spite of the destruction from these heavy rains, like the one last night, the country is truly beautiful. Everything so green. But the trees killed by the years of drought are conspicuous on all the creeks.
May 26, 1957
A truly beautiful day – sun shone all day on a green world. The church had its annual picnic on the creek at Pete Fickens [sic] where the marks on the trees showed the water had been ten feet deep a week ago. A lovely service conducted by Dean. The most perfect picnic I ever attended – cool day, bright sun, bird songs, not a bug, ant, fly, or mosquito. Comfortable chairs & tables with shade.
May 27, 1957
Again it did not rain here though it threatened. High water on the rivers is still flooding lowlands and towns. Tomorrow is our club picnic. We had planned a tour of the U.S. gypsum plant at Southard and a picnic lunch in Roman Nose State Park. But Highways 81 & 51 still closed at Cimarron.
May 28, 1957
Our club had picnic at Catherine Burchardt’s lovely home. Had planned it in the yard but the sky was overcast and it started to sprinkle so carried in tables & chairs and had it on the big airy back porch. Lovely time. It didn’t rain after all but the back porch was very pleasant. Then we went into the living room and installed officers for next year. I am glad my term is ended.
May 29,1957
No rain today but bank tonight all along the west. I went to lodge.
May 30, 1957
Hard rain in the night and another this forenoon. We had begun to hope our rains had stopped. I did not go to the cemetery. It cleared off beautifully in the afternoon.
May 31, 1957
Cloudy all day and sprinkling some but no real rain, I have had to dip up and carry out several buckets of water from my basement. Learned Max and Meredith Holloway have girl born yesterday. Named Michele Lynn.
June 1, 1957
I don’t remember its [sic] raining – neglected to make entry. Novella and Virgil Martin came by briefly. I was so happy to see them.
June 2, 1957
Rained last night and drizzled off and on all day. I taught August Burchardt’s S.S. class, and attended church as usual. Violet Poindexter and her mother stopped briefly. Had seen V. only once since she was eight when she was about 18 – but I knew her instantly. People don’t change much.
June 3, 1957
Rained last night – apparently a good bit of water fell – drizzled off and on all day – raining again this evening. I am doing some preliminary work on an article for Harper’s.
June 4, 1957
Must have rained a good bit last night by the looks of things. No rain here today – in fact it cleared enough so the sun shone a little – but a hard one went around to the north.
June 5, 1957
No rain and the sun shone. It even got warm in the evening. I have been using my furnace nearly every day but I’ll have to turn it off if this keeps up. I went to Guild in the P.M. & lodge in the evening.
June 6, 1957
I went to Enid and bought a typewriter. In the afternoon we Rebekahs prepared a cold supper for the family of poor young Mrs. Hamiel who died at O.C. and was buried here this afternoon. No rain and it really got warm. I took the cover off my air conditioner
June 7, 1957
Another day without rain. I turned off my furnace. It has been only three or four days since I needed it. Grace Goodman and a man named Milward came to visit me this evening. I like Mr. M. so very much that I hope he and Grace will continue to see each other. Warm but cooler than yesterday.
June 8, 1957
Another day without rain but a very bad one with hail went around to the north – barely missed us. I cleaned the house and baked a cake. May have company tomorrow. I invited a family from Stillwater but got no answer, so think they failed to receive letter.
June 9, 1957
Hard rain last night. Wind must have blown hard. I didn’t wake up, but it blew rain across porch and into kitchen. I went to S.S. and church. Four fine youngsters confirmed. Communion service. My company didn’t come, but my cake will not be wasted for my beloved Mary Shank and Jane Taylor are coming tomorrow.
June 10, 1957
Mary and Jane came and how I enjoyed them! They got here late for nobody told them the Cimarron bridge was out west of Cushing. They followed a detour and traveled many miles off their way. Got here about 2:30. We had another very hard rain last night but warm and no rain today. Last night’s rain flooded my cellar.
June 11, 1957
No rain here last night or today, but there is a bad one now going around to the north. It got so hot I turned on the air conditioner. Roy Cromer died today. I feel very sad about it. I remember him so well as a young man in his parents’ home when we first came to Oklahoma.
June 12, 1957
Rained last night with considerable wind. Threatened all forenoon and sprinkled some. Cleared off in P.M. and I drove to Shawnee. Damage done by floods apparent everywhere. The last straw was last night’s wind, which entirely destroyed many fields of wheat around here which had stood everything up to now. Cimarron and Deep Fork valleys show effect of high water. Red hills terribly eroded.
June 13, 1957
Stayed at the Kickapoo Motel. Went in morning to college – had fine visit with Mr. Spencer and Dr. Scales. (Forgot to say Mr. & Mrs. Horsechief & Dr. S. & I got together last night on Pawnee situation.) Then I spoke to Lions on Okla. “Firsts.” Visited with Dr. Raley. Started home about three. Found it had not rained since I left but a tornado passed here yesterday evening but didn’t dip.
June 14, 1957
No rain last night or today. I managed to scrape the weeds out of hoe handle length spots in my flower garden, but the ground is still very wet. I got a letter from Dr. Knight head of A.&M. history dept., offering me very pleasant part time work teaching Okla. Hist. while Dr. Chapman is away. I may accept.
June 15, 1957
I was going to have my car washed today but the clouds threatened until I called it off. And then it didn’t rain. I cleaned my house some and made a cake and arranged the beds for Shirley and Ray Worsley who will visit me this next week. The wind blew hard all day. There have been severe storms over the state but none for three days.
June 16, 1957
Another day of high wind. The farmers are happy about it for it will dry the ground so they can get into the wheat fields if they have any wheat left. I went to S.S. and church. Am looking forward greatly to the visit with the Worsleys tomorrow.
June 17, 1957
Drove to Covington – left my car and took bus to Tulsa. Shirley and Ray Worsley drove in shortly before I arrived. Frances Emory – bless her hospitable soul – had invited us to stay with her. Also she took her car and took us to Gilcrease and other places in Tulsa. In the evening we attended the Tulsarama pageant commemorating the Okla. semi-centennial.
June 18, 1957
Frances (the darling) had us eat breakfast with her. Then she took us for some more Tulsa sights & we visited Philbrook. We left in the early P.M. & visited the Frankoma plant & the A.&M. library on the way home. Last night it started raining at midnight & rained all night & part of the A.M. at Tulsa. Marshall got 2 inches.
June 19, 1957
The Worsleys are wonderful people. We sat & visited and looked at family photos & family records. In the P.M. I took them to Enid to see the elevators & came back on 81 & 51 to show them how the Skeleton had flooded on May 15. Some wheat is still standing but yesterday’s rain makes it impossible to get in the fields.
June 20, 1957
I took Ra Ray & Shirley to O.C. (had to go around by 77) to see the oil wells around the capitol etc. We did not attend the semi-centennial. It sounds cheap. At 2 they started back on the turnpike and I came home. These 4 days are among the happiest I ever spent.
June 21, 1957
I got my beds, etc. ready for company this evening I was going to prepare a picnic supper but got a card this morning saying not to take the trouble – they would eat before they came. About 7 P.M. they drove up: Katherine Metcalf from Amarillo with three passengers. She is on her way to Philadelphia and the others are stopping at various places. Warm day: I used my air conditioner some.
June 22, 1957
Rain last night – mild but enough to prevent any harvesting. I got breakfast for my four Amarillo people and got them off at eight. It was a beautiful cool sunny day and so I washed the linens etc. I have used with recent guests. Also rearranged the beds and put the extra bedding away. A copy of the new edition of the Okla. Guide came for me to review.
June 23, 1957
Very hard rain last night with strong wind and it rained off and on all forenoon. I thought nobody would be at S.S. but there were 21 and more at church. I taught all the adults. August is at Uniting Synod and asked me to substitute and the other teacher was absent. It finally cleared off at one time this P.M. but clouded up again. So cold I wore a wool jacket to church. I need my furnace but wore a wool dress all day and didn’t light it.
June 24, 1957
Cleared off during the night. Fine sunny day, cool but not cold like yesterday. I got a letter from Mary Shank with heartbreaking news. Max has written to ask her for a divorce. It is more than the poor girl can stand. She is in a hospital in Tulsa. I told her I would go over to see her if she wants me. Thank God for Jane.
June 25, 1957
My typewriter came yesterday but it had pica instead of elite type so I drove to Enid and took it back. While I was there I suddenly bought a new divan which unfolds to make a bed. My old one does not do that and when more than two people visit me I have no comfortable place to put them. Today (or perhaps, tomorrow) the formal merger of the E.&R Church and the Congregational takes place.
June 26, 1957
It started raining just before dawn – rained about 2 in. Really a nice rain if we had needed it. Cleared off some in P.M. I went to lodge this evening. Whenever a field gets dry enough so a combine can get in they are able miraculously to save wheat that has fallen completely. They have a new picking up device. And so the wheat is not entirely lost yet.
June 27, 1957
No rain today. Perhaps the fields will dry so more wheat can be saved. They get in an occasional day between rains. Lovely Loretta Cheatham and her good husband, Bob, came and took away my divan to make a place for my new one.
June 28, 1957
I failed to make entry but I think this was the night we got a fairly mild rain and saw a terrible one go around to the north in the afternoon. I believe this was the day I decided to take an offer Dr. Knight made me to teach Okla. history part time at A.&M.
June 29, 1957
Failed to make entry but I think this was the time we got another very hard rain in the night with a hard wind. My cellar is flooded again. It has done that several times this year. I have to carry the water up or get a man to pump it out
June 30, 1957
I went to S.S. – no preaching service because pastor is away. I taught August Burchardt’s class because he went this week to the Uniting General Synod at Cleveland. In the P.M. I took the Schaefer girls to O.C. to the ordination of a very fine young man into the ministry of the United Church of Christ (first one of the new name). He is an Oklahoman, a Choctaw, named Dry.
July 1, 1957
Rained last night but not so hard as usual. 1 inch. My new divan came and it is fine. I think of poor Mary Shank nearly all the time except when I am writing or something. We are having hot sultry weather these days – a new kind for Okla.
July 2, 1957
I neglected to make entry and cannot remember what happened. Can it be possible there was no rain?
July 3, 1957
I went to Women’s Guild this P.M. – to lodge this evening. For the first time in months I dared to leave the house this evening with windows open. The lodge room was very hot. I was installed as outside guardian – a veritable “hot seat.”
July 4, 1957
For the second time since March I was able to get into part of the flower garden and cut out the weeds. Still too wet to hoe. It [sic] it doesn’t rain before tomorrow I think I can finish the wettest end. It cooled off this evening.
July 5, 1957
I cut the rest of the weeds out of the flower garden today. Now in two or three more days when it dries enough it should be hoed. But I can’t hoe it for I am going to Sasakwa tomorrow Some fullblood Seminoles asked me to come. Lovely bright cool day.
July 6, 1957
I had a very hard day. Drove to Wewoka this forenoon, ate lunch, went out to old school bldg. north of Sasakwa. Very hot – no fans. They spent whole P.M. transacting small business in Seminole – interpreting courteously to me. Then they asked me to explain Assn. on Am. Ind. Aff. It was 6:30 when I left. This was the Tallahassee Band. I am at tourist court in Wewoka.
July 7, 1957
I rested well last night but am still tired. I decided not to go to church anywhere. Drove to Stillwater in the forenoon. Spent the rest of the day with Mrs. Garrett to be ready for a trip we are taking tomorrow. Hot day.
July 8, 1957
Hot day. I took Mrs. Garrett to Jay. Stopped briefly at Tulsa and talked on telephone with Mary Shank who is at Jane’s but still ill. Poor Mary! We are visiting with Wynona Nelson and her father and husband at Jay.
July 9, 1957
Wynona invited Mrs. Garrett’s relatives and friends to coffee this morning. Then some of them took her home to stay overnight. She grew up on Beattie’s Prairie and knows all the Cherokees – related to most of them. In one evening Mr. Nelson took Wynona, Mr. Starr, and me out in a boat fishing on the beautiful Lake Eucha.
July 10 ,1957
Mrs. G. came back this morning. I took her to visit some cousins in town, then to visit another cousin, Mrs. Hunt, in Grove, and to cross Sailboat Bridge and Elk Creek Arm on Grand Lake. Other people came to visit her and this evening Mrs. Orange Starr and Mrs. Mumford had dinner here. She was tired but enjoyed it all. Kathleen had planned to take her up here and now Kathleen is gone.
July 11, 1957
We drove back this today. Stopped at Tulsa and learned Mary has managed to take her trip to Chicago to attend to things growing out of the divorce. We reached Mrs. G’s house about two. Then I drove home. I got very tired but it seemed to do Mrs. G. a world of good. I have been planning all spring to take her up there.
July 12, 1957
I was so tired today I didn’t get much done. Found my new typewriter was here but the shift and margin release keys don’t work. I shall have to take it to Enid tomorrow.
July 13, 1957
Thok Took my typewriter to Enid this morning. A piece had been broken and they replaced it. I got home about noon. Used typewriter this P.M. but I am too tired to do much. Very hot day.
July 14, 1957
Went to S.S. and church. Don’t remember anything else. Failed to make entry.
July 15, 1957
I neglected entry all this week – am writing July 21. I have been studying background on an article I plan to write for Harper’s on the influence of religious groups on Government Indian
July 16, 1957
policy. My new typewriter is fine. The weather is very hot and it had not rained since July 1 or possibly July 2. I have never seen the soil so hard. I have been hoeing my flower garden as I
July 17, 1957
have strength for every evening. I have to chop and chop and finally I loosen a great block which is harderly [sic] (literally) then the kind of rock we have here. (Of course some kinds of rock are harder but not ours.) Then I
July 18, 1957
have to break it up. This crust is about six inches deep. Under that the soil is moist. They are still combining wheat. It seems a miracle how they can go into a tangled mass of beaten straw, pick it up with a
July 19, 1957
sort of shield they have on the sickle, and salvage anywhere from 14 to 30 bu. an acre. Of course much of it is completely gone and cannot be saved. People are very happy and sort of awed about it.
July 20, 1957
I worked as usual on my article – haven’t started writing yet. Hot day as usual but some clouds. I need my air conditioner more than I did last year because there is some humidity in the air.
July 21, 1957
Went to S.S. and church. Taught class for August Burchardt who is out of town. We had a lovely rain this evening and prospect of more. We really needed it and I think about all the wheat is harvested that can be saved.
July 22, 1957
The rain last night was slightly over an inch. It certainly softened up the hard, dry crust on top of the ground. There was already good subsoil moisture.
July 23, 1957
George Thornton put in a new screen back door for me. It is the storm door type and can be closed with glass to keep rain from coming in on the porch when I go to Stillwater next winter.
July 24, 1957
We have had cooler weather since the rain. I would have painted my new door today but it was so cloudy I was afraid it would rain. Went to lodge this evening.
July 25, 1957
We had a lovely shower just before noon. Hard rain, no wind, no lightning, soon over – about ½ inch. It covered a small area but we were in it. Grace Goodman and Beth LeHew came from Guthrie and took dinner with me. We are rejoicing over Grace’s new job as house mother of a girls’ dormitory at Warrrensburg, Mo. Tonight the stockholders of the Farmers’ Co-op vote on whether to buy August Burchardt’s business.
July 26, 1957
Very bad news. The Co-op members voted against the plan of their directors and manager to buy August’s lumber and hdwe business. This is a blow for Marshall, for we shall lose the most important business we have. It is a fine up-to-date store and was really making money. Now we shall lose it.
July 27, 1957
Nothing much happened. I worked on my article for Harper’s.
July 28, 1957
Went to S.S. and church this morning. Listened to music on my record player and wrote letters the rest of the day.
July 29, 1957
Wonderful news! Sid Oliver bought the hardware store and lumber yard – so that lively business will not be hauled out of Marshall after all. Got very brief note from Mary Shank at Chicago. Jane is with her.
July 30, 1957
[No entry]
July 31, 1957
I know I went to lodge though I failed to make an entry.
August 1, 1957
These days in which I failed to make entry I was working hard on an article for Harper’s about the influence of the churches on Govt. Indian policy.
August 2, 1957
I got a letter from the Supt. of the Mescalero Apaches that Robert Geronimo is still living out there. I will drive out there to see him next week according to a plan I made with Luella Reeves last spring. I called her this evening.
August 3, 1957
I baked a cake for a party at the church tomorrow evening for the August Burchardt’s and August’s assistant Owen (and h Snyder (and his wife Ethel) who has a new job in the City. It is a surprise. Also I got ready for my trip.
August 4, 1957
I went to S.S. and church. In the evening the Burchardt’s and Snyders came, unsuspecting to a family night with cake and ice cream on the lawn, which turned out to be in their honor.
August 5, 1957
I had been dreading the drive in the heat, but the morning was almost cold. Near Amarillo I ran into rain – very heavy between there and Canyon. Reached Canyon early in the afternoon – 301 miles from Marshall. Am at Luella’s
August 6, 1957
Luella helped me drive to Mescalero. Hot across the desert, lovely rain (but hard to drive) in the mountains. We are in a good tourist camp at Mescalero called Big Chief.
August 7, 1957
Talked with Mr. Geronimo and several other people. Did not accomplish all I had hoped but made a good beginning. I think if I can come back a year from now I shoul shall learn a lot. Lovely rain again in these lovely mountains.
August 8, 1957
Drove back to Canyon. Luella did much more than her share of the driving so I should be rested for tomorrow. In evening drove to Amarillo and visited briefly with Ethleen M Busch and picked up a lovely picture she painted for me.
August 9, 1957
I left Luella’s house at about 7:30, reached home early in the afternoon. It was hot from the state line on but I did not get as tired as I had expected.
August 10, 1957
I feel somewhat limp today and so did not start resume work on my magazine article. I wrote letters and rested. Got Pearl Burchardt’s advice and hung my lovely picture.
August 11, 1957
I went to S.S. and church. Spent rest of day at home.
August 12, 1957
I started in deadly earnest on my magazine article this morning. Worked fairly well all day.
August 13, 1957
Worked some more.
August 14, 1957
Worked some more. Went to lodge this evening.
August 15, 1957
Rained almost an inch last night. Nice! But we could use more. Our subsoil, however, is moist – not dry like previous years.
August 16, 1957
Bill Burchardt, whom I never met, but whose father I knew when we were children, came to see me. He is now the editor of the beautiful new magazine, Oklahoma Today, and he wanted me to write a piece for it. This (I said, yes.) This evening there was a meeting of the Marshall Progress Assn.
August 17, 1957
More work on my article.
August 18, 1957
Nice cool day – even cold this morning. I went to church and S.S. In the evening I attended a wedding at the church – Vergene Shore and Roland Ficken. Lovely wedding. Reception in the basement afterwards. I have a tire down – the second I have had since I got the car 26000 miles ago – and both were in the garage.
August 19, 1957
I finished the article and started copying it. August and Catherene Burchardt left this evening. It makes me sad to think of losing those fine people. I am sure they are even more sad – August, especially, for he grew up here. Another cool day
August 20, 1957
Cool morning – warm in afternoon. I got my article in the mail just before the P.O. closed this evening. It will go out on the early morning mail. It sounds fairly good when I read it. I hope the editor thinks so.
August 21, 1957
These days ever since our cool spell Sunday are like fall – cool in forenoon, hot in afternoon. I went to lodge this evening.
August 22, 1957
Nothing much happened. I did some sewing. Getting ready to go to Stillwater Sept. 2.
August 23, 1957
I have no rush job right now and so I worked on my Okla. Hist. course. I have taught it before and have the plans, but so many new books have been written since, (also I know more myself) and so I am organizing it again.
August 24, 1957
Aug 25 Went to S.S. and church – taught August’s class. It will be mine from now on. Then I took Mrs. Stuerke for company and drove over to Stillwater to look at my apartment and see what it needs. Then we went to the 50th anniversary of the David Friends.
August 25, 1957
See preceding page.
August 26, 1957
Had a migraine attack this morning. I can’t imagine what brought it on. Spent most of the day resting.
August 27, 1957
Attended sale of Griff Thompson’s farm $13,500 for the [83 Ac. & the house. Perhaps this is the day that lovely Cleda Winburn came to ask me some things about the welcome she is to give the county WCTU when it meets here Friday. I miss that fine family so very much since we left the Methodist church. They are going to the Disciples Church.
August 28, 1957
Nothing in particular happened that I remember. (I am writing late.) I did go to lodge in the evening.
August 29, 1957
Perhaps this is the day I bought 50 pounds of processed sheep manure and worked it into my flower garden.
August 30, 1957
I went to Hennessey and had Dr. Binkley clean my teeth. Claudia went with me.
August 31, 1957
I have done some packing today. And how I hate it. Doing it twice a year for those years I spent at Stillwater didn’t get me to the place where it was routine.
September 1, 1957
I taught my S.S. class and went to church. Talked with Kay Seefeldt – told her she could stay with me and go to ch college. She had given up and canceled her registration. It may be too late now. I took down my curtains.
September 2, 1957
Left a little after noon. Did not close my house as I used to. Left the utilities on. Spent the P.M. arranging things, putting up curtains etc. in my apartment. Esther Anderson was very helpful. She has exquisite taste. Ready to sleep in Stillwater tonight.
September 3, 1957
Spent all forenoon putting things to rights in my apartment. Then drove to Marshall and packed some more. In evening attended a S.S. teachers’ meeting at the church. Just as we dismissed a bad dust storm came with a few drops of rain.
September 4, 1957
Packed some more. My car is chock full. In P.M. I led the Guild meeting at the church. Drove over to Stillwater in late P.M. Then unpacked some and worked on apartment.
September 5, 1957
Worked some more putting things to rights in my apartment. I am enjoying being with Esther Anderson, who is across the hall. Got a long distance call this evening from my poor heartbroken Mary Shank.
September 6, 1957
Spent most of the day scouting jobs for Mary Shank. Found none but got several interested. At four P.M. attended first faculty meeting of the year. We had good shower last night and it was pleasantly cool today.
September 7, 1957
Drove to Marshall right after lunch. Spent afternoon packing. Also watered flowers (It didn’t rain here.) It seems nice to be at home. Kay managed to change her plans, so she will be at college with me. So cold this evening I lighted my furnace.
September 8, 1957
Went to church and taught my S.S. class. Everybody so happy that Kay can attend college. I came to Stillwater in early afternoon, unloaded my car, and spent a most enjoyable afternoon and evening at the Hammonds’. Used my furnace at Marshall this morning.
September 9, 1957
Esther Anderson helped me decide and we hung pictures all forenoon. In P.M. I worked on my history course at the library. This evening Kay came. (Bless her!) Chauncy who is at home from Washington on a short visit, brought her. He is fine and so handsome.
September 10, 1957
Didn’t make entry but I suppose I worked at various things. Oh, yes – attended Arts & Science meeting in late P.M. I am in that school now.
September 11, 1957
Fine rain during the day. [Later – I found it rained two inches at Marshall.] Classes started today, but I have no Wednesday class.
September 12, 1957
My three classes met today – Oklahoma history. They are too large – 62 in one, total of 140+. In P.M. we had a history dept. meeting. I really enjoyed it. Dr. Knight is very fine and has created a fine spirit in the dept.
September 13, 1957
I spent the day (and yesterday P.M.) cleaning out the dirtiest office I ever saw. Dr. Chapman is a fine scholar and saves everything – but piles them chaotically. I put his things in boxes.
September 14, 1957
It surprised us by raining hard (also surprised the weatherman) the latter part of the night and off and on all day. I drove to Marshall. It is still raining this evening. I packed up some more things to take back unless it is raining too hard to load tomorrow.
September 15, 1957
It rained more during the night but quit in the morning and slowly cleared in the P.M. Marshall got 7½ inches this week. Everybody very happy about it. I taught my S.S. class and went to church. After Ate dinner at the Young restaurant. The Brysons came in and sat with me. Had fine visit. Drove to Stillwater this P.M.
September 16, 1957
Took my car to the garage because it had no power. They found a leak in the gas line. Cost little to fix it. They corrected a few other things – total bill five dollars plus. Good car! Never needs much.
September 17, 1957
I taught my classes again today and graded papers all afternoon. This part time job is going to keep me fairly busy. Lovely weather. Bright sun; clean sky.
September 18, 1957
Worked all day at writing letters, etc.
September 19, 1957
[No entry]
September 20, 1957
Sept. 21 (Bright beautiful day) I drove home early in the afternoon. Worked at various things that needed to be done. Or was this the day it threatened rain? I am making a late entry.
September 21, 1957
Sept. 22 Taught my S.S. class and attended church at home. Then Kay’s father came and got my rocking chair and helped me load my record player in the car. He brought a study table and chair over on his pickup for Kay. This is really the end of my moving.
September 22, 1957
Placed Entered by mistake on Sept. 21.
September 23, 1957
[No entry]
September 24, 1957
Had Linda Sakuma (now Doyle) and her husband here to spend the evening. H (And to dinner) He is a fine young fellow. I am glad Linda married so well.
September 25, 1957
Went to hear Waldo Stephens speak at International Relations Club. (Or was it a week before this?) Anyhow I didn’t care for him.
September 26, 1957
Attended the Bible reading class at Anna Oursler’s – the first time I have met with them this year.
September 27, 1957
[No entry]
September 28, 1957
Went to Marshall – Kay and Sharon Enmeier rode over with me. I enjoyed their bright conversation so much. Bright beautiful weather today and every day.
September 29, 1957
Went to S.S. and church. It was promotion Sunday and we had a film strip – so I didn’t teach my class.
September 30, 1957
[No entry]
October 1, 1957
[No entry]
October 2, 1957
Went to International Relations Club – heard a Chinese man with the English name of Lowe, who is from the embassy staff at Washington. He spoke on “How Strong is Red China?” “Not strong at all,” he said. I liked him.
October 3, 1957
Getting ready to get up tomorrow at 4:30 and start with the Hinkels at 5:30 to Durant and the ordination service of Harold Leake to be made a priest of the Episcopal Church. Will stay and visit with Harold and Dorothy a day or two.
October 4, 1957
I made no entry from Oct. 3 to Nov. 10, but I will try to supply some of the events. On Oct. 4 we left at exactly 5:30 and had a pleasant drive to Durant. Saw Harold Leake ordained as a priest of the Episcopal Church. Had luncheon in the parish house. Visited with Mrs. Gregory, then took the bus in the evening for Durant where the Leakes now leave [sic]. Benjy and Ruth and the children and Henrietta Hall here also.
October 5, 1957
Spent the day visiting the Leakes and helping Dorothy a little in getting the rectory ready for them to move in. Benjy and family and Henrjetta [sic] left this morning.
October 6, 1957
Attended the service at Hugo – heard a very fine sermon by Harold. Then the Hinkels, who had been visiting their daughter at Idabel, came by right after lunch and we drove home. Lovely bright weather – leaves starting to turn.
October 7, 1957
I remember it rained
October 8, 1957
[No entry]
October 9, 1957
I was ill with a cold.
October 10, 1957
[No entry]
October 11, 1957
[No entry]
October 12, 1957
I am about sure this is the evening I spent with the young Doyles – Miss Ricker there also – and Sada served a delicious Japanese dish of friend rice.
October 13, 1957
I drove to Marshall and taught my S.S. class and attended church.
October 14, 1957
[No entry]
October 15, 1957
There were several days of hard rain this month. I don’t remember when.
October 16, 1957
[No entry]
October 17, 1957
Oct. 13 Stayed in Stillwater to work on a talk I am to give at O.C. – an emergency. They asked Oliver La Farge and he is ill. I went to church in Stillwater – laymans’ [sic] Sunday, so didn’t hear the preacher.
October 18, 1957
[No entry]
October 19, 1957
Hard rains this week – turned cold and froze Oct. 24 or 25.
October 20, 1957
[No entry]
October 21, 1957
[No entry]
October 22, 1957
[No entry]
October 23, 1957
[No entry]
October 24, 1957
[No entry]
October 25, 1957
Drove to O.C. to attend the Governors’ Interstate Indian Council. Met La Verne Madigan there. At dinner meeting read a speech. Oliver La Farge drafted (and I added a little). It went over well. Am at Beechwood Motel. Pretty cold.
October 26, 1957
La Verne had to spend the day with Lottie Conlan, so I stayed at the Motel except to have dinner luncheon with La V. & L. Made appointments to see Savoie Lottinville and Dr. Scales tomorrow.
October 27, 1957
Had conference at Norman at nine with Savoie about branch of AA IA in state. Then to Shawnee and met Dr. Scales, Mr. Spencer & Levi Horsechief at Shawnee. Then I drove home and La V. went to Claremore for National Congress of Am. Inds. In the evening all at once I became too tired to finish unpacking.
October 28, 1957
Found I was ill instead of tired. Asian flu. Was pretty sick for three days. Called the doctor Oct. 29. He said nothing was the matter with my lungs – to stay
October 29, 1957
in bed and take aspiring. After three days I got up at short intervals but was very weak. Dr. Chapman, who happened to be
October 30, 1957
In town taught my classes both days. That made it very nice. The students enjoyed him very much.
October 31, 1957
This was the day I was going to join La Verne at the Natl. Cong. of Am. Inds. but was too ill. Grace De Motte died suddenly with a heart attack this morning. Everybody shocked. The Bible class was to meet at his house this evening.
November 1, 1957
Dear little Willa Dusch died with a heart attack today. Had been painting her chairs in the morning. Then her brother came to see her. She was visiting with him and dropped dead.
November 2, 1957
[No entry]
November 3, 1957
La Verne came over to Stillwater and talked with me. Then she went on to see some people I had planned to see with her. I am still very weak.
November 4, 1957
Grace De Motte’s funeral this morning. I was not well enough to go.
November 5, 1957
I taught my classes but had to sit down.
November 6, 1957
Went to bed again.
November 7, 1957
Stayed in bed and did not meet my classes. And there was nobody to teach them.
November 8, 1957
It rained this week. I don’t remember when.
November 9, 1957
I felt better today than I have felt before. Worked on odds and ends that have accumulated – letters etc.
November 10, 1957
I didn’t feel up to going to church, but felt better than I have felt before. Janet Grant called. It was good to hear her voice.
November 11, 1957
Called on Mrs. Haworth, Mrs. Dusch’s daughter. She is here to get her mother’s property ready to rent. I took her to luncheon at the Student Union – wanted to show her the library but she had to get back to superintend the workmen. Dean Miller called to ask me to go to Kingfisher Nov. 19. So happy to see him.
November 12, 1957
It was raining this morning and rained hard nearly all day. I taught my classes and got along fine with the first two, wilted a little on the third. I stayed at home this P.M. – thought I had been in enough rain already did not want to go through it to observe office hours.
November 13, 1957
Dismal day with sprinkles but no real rain.
November 14, 1957
Got through my classes fine today. In evening went to Bible reading at Mrs. Garrett’s – then to Roy Harris program at auditorium. (First time I have gone anywhere since the flu.) He gave premiere of a composition. I didn’t care much for it but his wife is a superb pianist. When she played Debussy it was wonderful – when she played Harris not so good.
November 15, 1957
Esther Anderson has been ill two days with flu. I took care of her in snatches. This evening they took her to the hospital. Bright beautiful day – of which we have too few this year. I took Mrs. Haworth to see the library. She has rented her mother’s house and will start back to Illinois tomorrow.
November 16, 1957
Another bright day. I went to see Esther and found her much better. Sad day for Oklahomans – OU went down in defeat before Notre Dame ending the most remarkable winning streak in the history of college football. I got my office cleared of all the accumulation of the past three weeks.
November 17, 1957
Rainy day. I spoke on Indian matters at the Unitarian Church at 10. Took lunch with the Uzzells and a music senior named Carter. Enjoyed it very much.
November 18, 1957
Lovely day. I taught my Cold day. In the evening I spoke to a small but very pleasant group at Verna Chapman’s. Met a very intelligent and fine English woman – an exchange teacher – named Miss Greenwood.
November 19, 1957
Lovely day. I taught my classes this morning. Then in the P.M. I drove to Marshall. In the evening the Drapers took a car load (Don Huffer & Louis Reim and I) to Kingfisher. (The other car had the Windlers, Dean Miller and the Brysons.) We had a very interesting meeting in the church there and I thoroughly enjoyed the drive over. Am staying overnight in my house.
November 20, 1957
Drove back to Stillwater. Got here at noon. A bright beautiful day. My Marshall trip was very pleasant. Went in evening to hear (and see) an acrobatic pianist give a concert in the auditorium. It is cold tonight.
November 21, 1957
Woke with a headache because of the cold. It is no longer good for me to sleep in a cold room. We have open gas stoves here, which have to be turned off. I certainly enjoyed sleeping with my furnace at Marshall. Tonight I will cover my head with a pillow to keep it from getting cold.
November 22, 1957
[No entry]
November 23, 1957
Brought Esther Anderson home from the hospital today. It was cold this morning but turned bright and warmed up. I did a number of things for Esther. Drove to Marshall in the late P.M. Kay stayed in Stillwater – the only week end she has not come home.
November 24, 1957
Had a very happy day. It was Mission Festival at the church. Wonderful service. Dan Schler, missionary from Ghana, and brother of our S.S. supt., preached in the morning, the Kingfisher minister in the P.M., and Mr. Schler showed some pictures and told us many interesting things about Ghana in the evening. We had dinner at the church.
November 25, 1957
I stayed overnight at Marshall. Happened to think the spaces in the wall under the porch should be closed before it gets colder. So I crawled back and did it. Reached Stillwater about ten. Bright beautiful day
November 26, 1957
Nothing in particular happened that I remember. I am making my entry late.
November 27, 1957
School closed at noon. Kay’s mother and grandmother came for her. I stayed and worked I want to get my annual letters out now without waiting for Xmas so my friends will not send Xmas mail to Marshall. Beautiful day.
November 28, 1957
I had dinner at the Boyce home. Anna and Bess were there – also Guenivieve and her boy, Weldon, a fine little fellow. Wallace Boyce died just at this time three years ago and I had them to dinner breakfast at my house. after they came back here. (This is Thanksgiving day.)
November 29, 1957
I worked on letters. In the evening went to dinner at the Juhlin home. I certainly enjoyed it and the evening that followed. The other guest was a beautiful Swedish girl here to do her master’s work in Home Demonstration work. Her name is Ingrid Sundberg. Cold today – snowed some.
November 30, 1957
It turned off nice and bright. I finished my first list of letters – 115 in all. There are 85 more printed and I shall need them to answer Christmas mail.
December 1, 1957
Lovely day. I stayed in Stillwater and attended the Methodist Church. Heard a fine sermon by the pastor, Irving Smith, who came only this year. He is fine – the best I have heard in that church for a long time.
December 2, 1957
Lovely day. Nothing in particular happened.
December 3, 1957
I drove to Marshall all this P.M. to vote. (My vote went for county option on beer.) Saw a number of friends there. Lovely day.
December 4, 1957
Another lovely day. I worked but nothing in particular happened. Local option was defeated.
December 5, 1957
[No entry]
December 6, 1957
[No entry]
December 7, 1957
[No entry]
December 8, 1957
[No entry]
December 9, 1957
[No entry]
December 10, 1957
[No entry]
December 11, 1957
[No entry]
December 12, 1957
[No entry]
December 13, 1957
[No entry]
December 14, 1957
[No entry]
December 15, 1957
[No entry]
December 16, 1957
[No entry]
December 17, 1957
[No entry]
December 18, 1957
[No entry]
December 19, 1957
[No entry]
December 20, 1957
School closed today and nearly all the students are home. Kay is waiting on Sharon who has to work tomorrow forenoon. She is acutely homesick – she and William anxious “to get out of this place.” Emphasis impossible to convey in writing.
December 21, 1957
My Kay and Sharon and William left at noon very happily. Before she left I found a very fine phonograph record for me below the Xmas tree – and the most wonderful, beautiful note. I left myself in the middle of the P.M.
December 22, 1957
I went to church – enjoyed the friends so much. Learned the school program is tomorrow evening. Think if she is free Edith Greenwood the exchange teacher from England might like to go.
December 23, 1957
Took Edith Greenwood to Marshall to see a little town Xmas program at the school. Also took her around to see the wheat. She loved it. Grew up in little town on Isle of Man and her people were farmers for a thousand yrs. Staying in my house tonight.
December 24, 1957
On my way home passed a wild cat. They were pulling the bit. Are down 5000+ ft. so plenty of drill stem. I told Edith what they were doing & asked if she wanted to stop. She did and we did. I told the drill crew she was from England and they were extra nice to her. She was greatly interested.
December 25, 1957
Celebrated my own Christmas. Wanted to see take Mrs. Garrett to see Ten Commandments in P.M. but her Xmas dinner was over too late – so went in evening. Lasted from 7:15 to 11:30. And I didn’t care for it. Too colossal, super-spectacular, magnificent and all other shallow Hollywood adjectives. Not enough sin sincerity
December 26, 1957
Ill today – some sort of virus I think. Sick in the night and weak today. Going to bed at eight.
December 27, 1957
Went to lodge – always intended to attend the Stillwater lodge but this is the first time I made it. Nice friendly group. Slept twelve hours – feel O.K. today.
December 28, 1957
I worked on an article for Oklahoma Today which I promised to get in by Jan 1. Afraid I shall miss the deadline. Sorry I was so negligent. Lovely warm day. Kay and two other dear Marshall girls – Margaret Wintler [?] & Alene Van Hauen came this evening. Came to see Ten Commandments.
December 29, 1957
Beautiful warm day. I wanted to go to church at Marshall but waited on a phone call till too late – so attended here. Saw Anna and Bess Boyce with Pearl so Pearl invited me to dinner. Fine visit. At 4 went to a tea at the Pattees. All library people. I loved it.
December 30, 1957
I worked on an article for Oklahoma Today I promised to have ready by Jan. 1. Grace Goodman came up from Guthrie – very happy about her job at Central Mo. State. I took her over our campus and took her to lunch (with Mrs. Pope) at the Union Coffee Shop.
December 31, 1957
I finished all but copying an article for Oklahoma Today. I had promised to have it in by Jan. 1 and could have done it except for the day I took off to enjoy Grace Goodman. But it will be O.K. to send it tomorrow. It will get to them as soon as their office is open after New Year’s.