Diary of Alfred E. Potter November, 1934

01.  Thursday: Oshkosh Banks are paying 2% on savings deposits and certificates of deposit from today.  They have been paid 3%. All Saints Day.  Took Donald to 8 o’clock Mass this morning.  He behaves quite well.

02.  Friday: All Souls Day

03.  Saturday: This is the day of rain.  Business at our store is normal, but the North store suffered considerably.

04.  Sunday: This is my birthday, but I don’t get much of a kick out of that.  Attended six Oclock mass then to work.  In the afternoon took Anna Heip Mary and the children to Sacred Heart Cemetery back to work at 5:00 PM.  Ann and Thres went to St. Mary’s Keeno Party.  We learn that the St. Vincent’s Bazaar was a success, the proceeds being 2640 dollars.

05.  Monday: Got in 3 ton Coke from F. Kriz today.  Jos. Palecek died Saturday evening at a Rhinelander Hospital.  He had been employed by the Diamond Match Company for years.  Move about a year ago to live with Louis at Lake Tomahawk, when Mrs. Palecek passed away.  He was born in Germany in 1856.  He was quite a character while he lived in Oshkosh.  Funeral from St. Vincent’s Wednesday morning at 9.

06.  Tuesday: This is Election Day, the Contests are hot and spirited.  Jos. Weisheipl lost to George Young by only 74 votes.  This is Emma Siewert’s birthday, she is 48.  Mrs. Clara Schneider wife of Dr. Jos. S. Schneider retired Oshkosh dentist died at her home 494 Washington Blvd. this morning at 4 Oclock.  Born October 26 – 1865.  She was Vic Leininger’s mother-in-law.

07.  Wednesday: Had Joe and Anna Heip over for the evening.  Anna had quite a time getting over the election results.

08.  Thursday:

09.  Friday:

10.  Saturday: Had Donald and Mary Ann vaccinated by Dr. Bitter this morning.

11.  Sunday: Attended 6 A M Mass.  And getting used to getting up early Sunday mornings.  Took Ed Fretchel and his boys to the cottage, worked the morning thru, after dinner took Sisters to Appleton to see Sister Christore who passed away Friday.  Back to work its six and after work took Carl Radomski, Margaret and Joe Heip to Berlin.  Harry and Agnes Kujawa were not home, so we drove out to his folks and there they were.  Well, we had a fine time.  Thres and Anna Heip played Keeno at St. John.

12.  Monday: Another Keno Party for Thres and Anna Heip, this time at the Raulf Hotel by the C. W. Club of Oshkosh.  Thres won a prize but she didn’t like it.  It was too small.

13.  Tuesday: Thres has a birthday.  She is 48 today.  Donald bought a dress, and Mary Ann bought Stockings for the birthday Presents.  Attended the first Concert given under the auspices of the Oshkosh Civic Male Chorus.  Tomford Harris is the Artist.  He surely is some pianist.  His concert was very well taken.

14.  Wednesday: Ed Fretchel and Thres are over tonite.  Fred paints the furnace in Aluminum and it looks good.  Heip and myself went to John Spanbauer’s sheephead tournament.  Heip won 50¢, I won what Paddy shot at.  Our Nyal 2 for 1 Sale begins today.  Donald is very restless tonite with the sore ear.

15.  Thursday: This is a beautiful day.

16.  Friday:

17.  Saturday: Business is pretty good today, in spite of rain.  Today is the last day of our Nyal Sale.  According to the County Board of Canvassers the official vote for Register of Deeds: Joe Weisheipl 7811 Votes Gailand Dahlstrom 7131 (Votes) Geo. B. Young 7899 (Votes) Joe loses by 88 votes.

18.  Sunday: Attended 6 Oclock Mass this morning, then on the job all day until 10.45 P.M.

19.  Monday: Pietro Cardinal Gasparri People Secretary of State under 3 Popes died last night at Vatican City.  He was one of the Church’s most eminent Statesman.  Born in Visco, Diocese Norcin, Italy made 5-1852.  Ordained to the priesthood and 1877.  Pope Pius X entrusted to him the colossal undertaking of modifying and codifying the Canon Law.  This task took him more than 12 years to complete and his accomplishment was praised by Catholic Prelates throughout the world.

20.  Tuesday: Took Sister Florence to St. Mary’s at Menasha this morning.  John D. Boeshaar 739 South Park Ave. passed away last night at 10.30.  Born July 8 – 1861.  He was one of our former neighbors when we lived on South Park Ave..

21.  Wednesday: Walter Bowen died unexpectedly at 3.35 this morning at his home 466 Washington Blvd. Walter was district manager of the New York Mutual Life Insurance Co.  Born Aug. 8 – 1883, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Bowen.

22.  Thursday: It is still raining.  This is our sixth day of rain altho we have been promised cold weather every day since Sunday by the weather forecasters.

23.  Friday:

24.  Saturday: Governor Schmedeman is back on the job today, minus his left leg, which had to be amputated some weeks back following gangrene poisoning from an injury to his foot.

25.  Sunday: Attended 6 A.M. Mass.  Then to work part of the morning.  Lena Baier was taken ill in church this morning.  Dropped in to see her during the morning, she is feeling better.  In the afternoon took the children out to Joe Heip’s.  Bill Lampert and Conley dropped in to see that Joe votes for a new courthouse at Monday mornings County Session.  Governor Schmedeman is 70 years old today.

26.  Monday: Mrs. Ed Steckbauer 704 – 15^th Street, uses her mother Mrs. Agnes Berendt.  She died suddenly this morning at 10 Oclock at her home 259 Pearl St.

27.  Tuesday: Took a drive to Milwaukee with Mr. Mueller.  Dropped in at Mutual Drug, bought some Holliday Items from John Lange.  Had lunch with George Scattergood.  Visited Drug Service Bureau in the afternoon and also John Patterson at Wauwatosa.  Back home at 6 P.M.  George (Baby Face) Nelson is killed, but the U.S. suffered the loss of two Federal Agents Samuel Cowley and Herman Hollis.  Nelson had been Public Enemy #1, this title now goes to John Hamilton former first lieutenant of John Dillinger’s Mob.  Karl W Raasch died at 8.45 this morning.  Born Feb. 8 – 1888.  Stage manager at the Oshkosh.

28.  Wednesday: The children have their Thanksgiving parties at the various schools.  Anton Girens died at St. Mary’s Hospital this morning.  Born in Luxemburg Nov.  19-1852. Father to Joe – John – William – Frank also Mrs. Joseph Len, Mrs. Peter Ronalo and Mrs. Earl Nelson Fond du Lac.  Dr. John Schneider’s (U. S.) Mother Magdalene passed away last night at 7²⁰ at the home of her daughter Mrs. Herman Zellmer are 25 Sterling St..  Born in Black Wolf Jan. 1 – 1853.  Her husband the late Philip Schneider was bridge tender on the old Main Street Bridge when I was a boy.  Went to school with Frank and D.  Survived by 3 daughters 6 Sons.

29.   Thursday: Thanksgiving Day and I am laid up with a fine general cold.  I like to be laid up on hollidays, last year I was home for Christmas and also for New Year.  It is very unpleasant weather out.  Had a fine 8 pound Turkey, but we gave it a way to Joe Heips.  Greg Sitters Brother, Doctor Stephen Sitter is married at Milwaukee at St. Matthews Church, Bride Laura Elizabeth Tanner.  Rev. Paul Tanner brother of the bride performed the ceremony.

30.  Friday: Peggy Mueller’s birthday.  She is 5 years of age.  Had Dr. Kleinschmidt over to see me this morning.  Well I should stay in bed, a few days.