Diary of Alfred E. Potter September, 1937

01.  Wednesday: Art Mueller is back on the job this morning I am Coroners Jury this morning for 3 hours.  Temperature is 96° today.  Oshkosh Day at the Fair.  The Fretchels are at the cottage and The Heips are out tonite.  It is a beautiful night on the lake.

02.  Thursday: This is Neenah Menasha Day at the fair.  Temperature is 97° at 2 P.M.  This is the 8th day with temperatures above 90-95°.

03.  Friday: Mercury goes to 95° today.  Had a short business meeting at the cottage with Art Mueller and Fred Baumgartner.  Margaret was also along.

04.  Saturday: A change of 40° in temperature from 95° to 55°.  Tried out Harold Bouchelle’s chicken lunch tonite.  Bob and Rose Gittings arrived in town from Chicago.

05.  Sunday: Six oclock Mass as usual.  Then work all day.  Took Joe and Anna Weisheipl along to the cottage tonite.  Played cards until 2 A.M.

06.  Monday: Up late this morning at 9 Oclock. Had a swell headache but got over it towards noon. A beautiful warm day. Watched the Rowboat derby racers come thru on Lake Butte des Morts. Bob and Rose Gittings visit at the cottage, took them fishing this afternoon. I had very good luck for a change. Bob caught 3 small ones. Joe Weisheipl didn't get any. I had to throw back about 30 undersized perch but had about a dozen good sized ones left.

07.  Tuesday: School begins today.  Norbert Mueller is back on the job after nine days vacation.

08.  Wednesday: Drove to Green Bay with Mr. Mueller this afternoon, in the Plymouth.  Move over to U.D. holiday line at the Northland Hotel.  Wm Webbles is there.  Dropped in for short visit at Freddie Hackbarth and Brauers Pharmacy at Kaukauna.

09.  Thursday: This is Joe Baier’s birthday.  He is 33 and he celebrates and we help him, that is Joe Hemmer –Bill Nuernberg – Andy Mauritz – Joe Tauber – Ben Bernhard –George Pommeraning and myself.  We begin at Fritz Weisheipl’s United Tavern and ended up        across from the cemetery.  Home at 2 A.M.  Joe Hemmer serves as mediator at the Max Wachtveitl home.

10.  Friday: Joe is still doing a little celebrating this afternoon.

11.  

12.  Sunday: Six oclock Mass as usual then to work.  Took a drive to Isaar with Lena Baier –Joe and Ann Weisheipl arrive there about 2.30.  Still in time for some chicken dinner.  Father Pufahl was assistant at St. Vincent’s 30 years ago is Pastor at St. Sebastian’s Church.  Met Father Peter Zey at the picnic also.  He is now at Seymour.  Matt Father Bill retired now at Green Bay was a former Pastor at Isaar.  The tragedy at Orihula late this afternoon.  Art Wolff his son Richard and Bob Wertch our drowned in the Wolf River, their boat upset.  Mr. Wertch was entertaining 3 families at his cottage. Louis Blahn and Ted Wertch were saved.

13.   Monday: Mueller-Potter party at Mr. Mueller's cottage tonite.  The North Store lost to the South Store and furnished the lunch and the beer. Ed Voelz also is there with some of his old time songs. I almost forgot to mention Mrs. Thres Fretchel with her funny songs.

14.  Tuesday: Robert Voelz leaves for Madison this noon.  He is enrolling at the University of Wisconsin to take a course in pharmacy.

15.  Wednesday: Joe Baier gets a new car.  Its a Plymouth.  Orville Rumlow is over to our house to repair some of our plumbing.  Joe Hemmer is here to inspect the wine cellar.  In the evening he brings Margaret Nuernberg along.  We try to teach her how to play sheephead.  Art Mueller buys a home.  The Mike Webster house at 414 -15^th St..

16.  

17.  

18.  Saturday: The Japanese and Chinese are fighting an undeclared war.  Much damage is done in Nanking China and many lives are lost from the bombardment of Jap planes.

19.  Sunday: Six oclock Mass as usual.  Had company at the cottage today.  Father Stern, Joe Hemmer –Margaret Nuernberg –Wm Pable and Miriam Jess Sitter and Mrs. –Joe Baier John Koelbl.

20.  Monday: Art Mueller takes off this forenoon.

21.  Tuesday: Art Mueller takes a day off.  He is getting ready to move.  Ed Fretchel helps him with some interior painting.  Took a drive out to see Rev. Leo Oberleiter to ask him to be Chairman for our Local Red Cross Drive.  He accepts.

22.  Wednesday: Took Earl Fuller –Rev. Oberleiter to Omro – Winneconne and Winchester on Red Cross Organization Drive.  We contacted Clay Stearns –Mr. Marble at Omro, Marty Williams – Mrs. Otto Ansorge at Winneconne –Rev. Anderson –Mrs. Harvey Peterson at Winchester and Rev. Mansfield at Allenville.  Took in a movie in the evening, first I’ve seen since Spring.  “Sophie Lang goes West” and Olson & Johnson in “All over Town” are the pictures had Joe and Ann Weisheipl, Mrs. Ed Fretchel with us.  Art Mueller takes this morning out.  Temperature is over 90° today.

23.  Thursday: Little Joan Mauritz has a birthday.  She is 5.  Thursday of autumn, the temperature is 93° at 1 P.M.

24.  

25.  Saturday: Visited with Mrs. Jacob Paulick this afternoon.  She is not doing very well, altho she is sitting up.  Anna Drexler is doing better.  She tells me she made a visit to Mercy Hospital last Sunday.

26.  Sunday: Frost this morning.  Attended Six Oclock Mass.  This is Arthur Muellers Sunday off.  He is nearly ready to move into his house.  Took a drive to Riverside and Sacred Heart Cemeteries is this afternoon.  Joe and Anna Heip were out to Riverside when we got there.  Took Ed Fretchel to the cottage this morning.  He is going to spend two days there doing odd jobs and some fishing.

27.  Monday: Art takes a few hours off this morning.  Thres broke her lower plate today.  I took it to Emil Belows to have it fixed.

28.  Tuesday: Art and Margaret Mueller move to their new home today on 15^th St..  Art hopes this is the last time.

29.  Wednesday: Joe Weisheipl invites me to a Stag Party at the American Legion Club House.  It’s a good time for everybody.  About 250 sat down to dinner.  Young Joe and his orchestra furnished the music.  We get a new clerk at the North Store.  Clarence Drews of Winneconne.

30.  Thursday: Took Lena Baier and Joe Heip and Anna to see Mr. White’s “Travelogue” at St. Vincent’s Hall.  Lena and Anna have a fine time but I almost fell asleep.  To Fritz Weisheipl’s after the show.  Christ Beck is 84 years old today.

Diary of Alfred E. Potter August, 1937

01.  Sunday: Six oclock mass as usual. St. Vincent's Picnic this afternoon and evening. Thres wins a broom and a smoking stand. Joe and Anna Heip are over to the house after the picnic. 

02.  

03.  Tuesday: Had a nice shower of rain today.  Took Robert Fretchel along to the cottage.

04.  Wednesday: It is quite hot.  Spent a nice afternoon at the cottage with the children.  Had a nice swim in the afternoon.  Cork Weisheipl and Joe came out around 5 oclock .  Took them fishing, had good luck about 25 nice perch – about 1 Dozen sheephead which were promptly returned to the lake.  Thres brought Joe and Anna Heip along at night.  Then the fun started, it lasted until 3.30 A.M. and its getting light out.  Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Regnery celebrate their “Golden Wedding Anniversary” today.

05.  Thursday: Temperature up to 96° today.  I’m not as tired as I expected to be.

06.  Friday: More heat.  97° today.  Brought Thres down early this morning for First Friday Services.  Back to the cottage for breakfast.  Cork is still resting when I left for work.

07.  Saturday: John Kloeckner 744 So. Park Ave. died this evening at 7³⁵.  Born in Nekimi Dec. 28 – 1879.  Son of the late Anton Kloeckner.  Brother to Frank Kloeckner, Mrs. John Schneider, Mrs. Frank Thomas – Mrs. Matt Freuen – Mrs. Harley Robinson – California.

08.  Sunday: Staid at cottage overnite.  Too hot to come to town.  Up at 5 oclock took the children along to 6 A.M. Mass.  Thres takes Ed Fretchel, Donald and Robert to the cottage.  Joe and Anna Heip are out in the evening.  Thres Fretchel and Marion are also visitors.  It is our 26^th wedding anniversary.

09.  Monday: Cork Weisheipl is heard an auto accident across the lake early this morning.  His injuries are slight, two teeth for chipped and his pants to torn.  Car in which he was is a wreck.

10.  

11.  Wednesday: Took Ed Fretchel out to trim trees at the cottage grounds.  Bill, Em Siewert –Maxine – little Billy and Bobby come out for the afternoon and evening.  Raymond Siewert and Mrs. T.  Fretchel in the evening.  Thres Fretchel is lucky at sheephead, 5 ½ games at 25¢ Each.  I win 4½ games.  Ringling Brothers –Barnum Bailey in Oshkosh today.

12.  

13.  

14.  Saturday: Temperature is at 95° today.  Visited George Thoma’s Airport Tavern after work, with Joe and Anna Heip.

15. Sunday: Six Oclock Mass as usual, then to work.  Back to the cottage in the afternoon.  Joe – Cecelia – Matt – Amanda – Marianne – Joan – Corinne Drexler went to Sacred Heart Picnic.  They find their [sic] was no picnic so they come to the cottage to have their picnic.  Its a hot day and a nice moonlight night.  They all enjoyed it and left for home at 1 A.M.

16.  Monday: Mercury hits a new high today 102°. Had more company at the cottage. Cork Weisheipl is 28 today and he celebrates his birthday with a poker party at the cottage. Besides his dad and mother, Joe Jr., Joe Baier, Joe Hemmer, Clarence Brusius were there. Ma Weisheipl also brought the birthday cake along. Party broke up at 1 A.M.

17.  Tuesday: Cooler today.

18.  Wednesday: Did some fishing today but did not last long.  The lake is too rough, we couldn’t keep or boat anchored.  Mr. Frank Bresuchan is our visitor this evening – plus the Heips, Mrs. Fretchel – Joe and Cork.

19.  

20.  Friday: Dr. Milton Zentner is married to Eugenia Bittner this afternoon 4 o'clock at Martin Luther Church on Jackson Drive. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J.E. Bittner, the bride's brother. Dr. Zentner has dental offices above our north side store.

21.  

22.  Sunday: Joe Weisheipl Jr. is 30 today. We help him celebrate in the evening by taking some of his money away from him. The temperature is 72°today.

23.  Monday: When I get home tonite I find we have company Ann Drexler, Cel Drexler, Ann Heip, Corrine, Joan, Marion Drexler. They like Bingo for their game. Temperature is 80° today.

24.  Tuesday: Mrs. Potter’s Sheephead Club spend the day at the cottage.  Clara Domann – Margaret Klemmer –Meta Schubert –Lavina Hauert – Ida Procknow – Olga Cater and Meta Brusius.  Walter Wetterau was their a taxi driver.  Fred Baumgartner manager of our North Side Store spends two days at the F W Mueller Cottage “Farney’s Point.” Temperature is 85° today.

25.  Wednesday: Thres takes Lena Baier, Annie Heip, Thres Fretschl to the Oshkosh Theatre. I stay at the cottage with Donald. Mary Ann visits at Baiers. Temperature is 87° today.

26.  Thursday: Art Mueller and family leave for Milwaukee tonight, from there to Chicago and Detroit tomorrow.  Andrew W. Mellon passed away tonite at the age of 82.  Temperature is 90° today.

27.  Friday: Took Sisters Ambrosia – Romana - Viatore two Pearl Lake to Father Victor Kandy’s cottage.  During the afternoon they had quite a hail storm there.  Temperature is 94° today.

28.  Saturday: No afternoon or evening off today. Thres came in with the family in the evening. She put her car in the garage for the first time and did a good job.

29.  Sunday: Attended six oclock mass then to work.  Afternoon St. Vincent’s Young Peoples Picnic at South Park.  Worked a short time in the evening then back to the picnic.  Norbert Mueller takes a vacation.  He’ll most probably visit Esther’s relatives at Youngstown Ohio.

30.  Monday: Our neighbors The Ray Tulledge family moved and our old neighbor Gust Geikowsky is coming back.

31.  Sunday: Sheriff Neubauer calls me for Coroner's Jury Service this morning in the Peter Hartman case. Mr. Hartman died last night of injuries sustained when hit by an automobile driven by Ralph Hess of Lohrville. Mr. Hartman was walking back of the Threshing Outfit owned by a Mr. Lanning on West Irving St.. The accident occurred on the Omro Road adjacent to the N.C. Rasmussen Farm. The family and Lena Baier go to the fair today. I went during the afternoon. Thres drove back to the cottage at night.

Diary of Alfred E. Potter July, 1937

01.  

02.  

03.  Saturday: Amelia Earhart (Putnam) and her navigator Fred Noonan of the globe and circling trip “Just for One” are down somewhere in the Pacific Ocean near Howland Island her next stop.  Amateur Radio operator at Los Angeles say they heard her S O S calls but this is not authentic.

04.  Sunday: Had several pleasant surprise this morning.  Harry Secord is in from Duluth, Geo Eigner from Milwaukee, Rose and Bob Gittings from Chicago.  Out to the cottage the company comes piling in.  The Weisheipl’s the Fretchels Harry Kujawa Family –Bob Gittings Family –Anna – Leona Drexler – Ernie Clark.  The Heips – Fretchels –Harry and Bob stayed overnite.  The ladies made us play cards as usual.  Harold Leiby is a midnight visitor.  Our party broke up at 2:30 AM

05.  Monday: Mary and Bob go fishing early this morning.  Harry gets 2 nice pike.  More company today.  Matt Drexler – Manda - Joe Drexler and his family –Caroline and Mary Drexler.  Its a big day for the children.  Plenty of Fireworks.

06.  Tuesday: Brought some company for the children Joan and Marion Drexler. They are to stay for the week. John Voss is elected President of the Board of Education.

07.  Wednesday: Temperature is at 92°. Took Thres to town and picked up motor from Clark & Lunds. Took the kids up for a swim. The first dip in the lake for me this year. The All Star baseball game beween the American and National Leagues is won by the Americans 8-3 at Washington, D.C.

08.  Thursday: Temperature is at 92° today. Joe Gernatis is at Mercy Hospital. Hurt badly in a fall in the cooling room of the Oshkosh Brewing Company yesterday afternoon at 4:30. He passed away this afternoon at 5:45. He was born at Wausau Nov. 8, 1937.

09.  Friday: More company; Celia Drexler, Ann Drexler, Anna Weisheipl, and Little Nancy Drexler. We get a General Electric refrigerator and an electric stove at the cottage. They make it more homelike for us. Temperature is up to 94° today

10.  Saturday: Matt Drexler and Ray Wolf are up to the cottage early this morning and catch a nice mess of fish.

11.  Sunday: Communion at 6 Oclock Mass, then work all day.  Carl Radomsky drops in for short visit.  He and Margaret are back from a two weeks vacation in Canada.  William McDonald 61 – 73 Otter Street driving a big 12 Cylinder Car collided with a car driven by Andrew Fish of Port Washington, about 7³⁰ tonite on Hiway 41.  Mrs. Fish is seriously injured.

12. Monday: Striking workmen at Radford's and McMillen's go back to work today after having been on strike since April 30th. Electricians are busy at the cottage hooking up the new refrigerator and stove.

13.  

14.  Wednesday: Bill and Emma Siewert spend the day with us.  Bill took a fall in lake but was not hurt much.  He said his “Adams Apple” bothered him some.  In the afternoon we took a motor ride on the lake to Oakwood then to Sunset Point – then to Plummers Point and back home.  The folks staid overnite.  Played cards until 2 A.M.  Senator Joseph F. Robinson found dead in his apartment at Washington at 7¹⁵ this morning.  He was a Democratic Leaders since 1922 and President Roosevelt’s Chief Senate adviser.

15.  Thursday: Took Margaret Radomsky and Rose Gittings and little Teddy to the cottage this morning.  Anna and Joe Weisheipl out tonite.  Played cards until 1³⁰ A. M.

16. Friday: More company today Lena Baier – Ann – Rose –Joe Baier, little Joan and Billy Mauritz – little Raymond Ostertag –Grandma Baier.  The day is ideal, not so hot.  Little Teddy is becoming attached to me, he thinks I’m his daddy.  Well I am for a few days.

17.  Saturday: Took Rose and Margaret home this morning.

18.  Sunday: To 6 A.M. Mass then to work.

19.  

20. Tuesday: Attended K C Rosary for Ed Precour at Fiss & Bills. 

21.  Wednesday: Mrs. Potter is learning to drive the new “Chrylser Imperial.” Paul Werch is her instructor.

22.  Thursday: Had a minor operation performed today.  There is much company at the cottage today.  Mrs. Frank Miller –Mary Schneider – Lena Baier –Kate Duex – Ann Drexler –Clara Mueller –Anna Frank –Rose Miller - Clara Andrashko – Anna Weisheipl – Anna Sippl – Mrs. Herman Miller.

23.  Friday: Foster Lothman employs agree on wage terms and their strike ends today.  About 300 men are employed there.  They also were out since April 30^th.  They will no doubt go back to work next week.

24.  

25.  Sunday: I’m alone to six oclock mass this morning.  Aunt Mary Drexler goes to Holy Hill with Grandma Baier – Lena – Joe and Joe Hemmer.  It is a nice cool morning.  Took the children to the South Park Ohio Street Merchants Picnic.  They staid for the Band Concert in the evening.  Frank Haidlinger –Anton Paulick –Gust Embs –Ed Fretchel and myself did a little visiting at Gus Jeschke’s.  Mary home in the evening said it rained at Holy Hill.  Moved back to the cottage tonite after work.

26.  Monday: Thres takes a drive around the Lake (Winnebago) this morning.

27.  Tuesday: Harold Mueller –Eva – Yvonne – Ginny – Billy and Barbara at the cottage for the day.  Took Joe Drexler – Cecelia –Marion –Joan and Corrinne to the cottage tonite to stay until the weekend.  Played cards six hand until 2 A.M.

28.  Wednesday: Billy Mueller stays to play with Donald.  Joe and Anna Weisheipl visit the crowd tonite.  More cards six hand until 2 A.M.

29.  Thursday: More company, Anna Drexler - Nancy - Caroline and Mary Drexler - Donald Drexler  and Tudy Mugerauer. At nite more cards until 1.30 A.M. This is Celia Drexler's birthday. She is 36. I bought a Plymouth Coupe today. We now have 2 cars. Laying the Cornerstone of the new Court House takes place today.

30.  Friday: Celia’s dad is operated this morning.  Matt Drexler and Manda are out tonite.  Matt is feeling tip top and entertains with stories.  Henry Ford is 74 today

31.   

Diary of Alfred E. Potter June, 1937

01.  

02.  

03.  Thursday: The Duke of Windsor who was King of England for 326 days and former Prince of Wales, and had abdicated his throne is married today to the woman of his choice Mrs. Wallis Warfield (American born) at Chateau de Cande Monts, France.  They were here Nathan marriage by the Mayor of Monts followed by religious ceremony by Rev. Robert Anderson Jardine who defied the ban of the English High Ecclesiastical Authorities.

04.  Friday: Had the first experience and is “Chairman of the Local Red Cross Chapter.” Our first meeting of the “New Board of Directors.”

05.  Saturday: I have a minor operation performed by Dr. H. W. Kleinschmidt.

06.  Sunday: On the job most of the day.  Took Ed Fretchel to the cottage to do more painting.  He is finishing up some of the odd jobs around the place.  It is quite cool and very windy today.  I go to bed early for change 10.30 P.M.  St. Vincent’s Young Men and Ladies have the picnic at South Park.

07.  

08.  

09.  Wednesday: We get a new motorcycle for delivering at the store, another Harley Davidson.

10.  Thursday: Our sheephead club does not meet tonite.

11.  

12.  Saturday: Jacob Paulick Sr. passed away this afternoon at 4.  He was about 83 years old.  Was over to visit him the other day.  He did not look well at all.  Born in Austria July 25^th 1854.  Joe Weisheipl Sr. leaves for “National Convention of Musicians” at Louisville Kentucky.

13.  Sunday: F W Mueller and Ed Voelz take an impromptu [sic] dip in Lake Winnebago.  They both fell in.  Ed over as head lost his glasses and two nice Sunday Suits got a good wash.  John Andrashko Jr. died this morning at 9³⁰.  He had been ill only a short time in bed, altho I think he had not felt well for quite a while.  Born Jan. 28 – 1893.  I had known John from a small boy up.  His folks used a visit with my folks at 369 – 13^th St., when we lived next door to Joseph Heinzl

14.  

15.  Tuesday: Attended funeral of Mr. Jacob Paulick.

16.  

17.  Thursday: John Andrashko laid to rest this morning.  I attended the funeral, as representative of our family.

18.  Friday: Am feeling badly, and don’t know what to do to help myself.  Today begins the 8th week of the local woodworkers strike.  The Leach Company are also out for some time.

19.  Saturday: I feel very miserable.

20.  Sunday: Attended six oclock mass this morning and then to work. During the afternoon took a ride to the cottage. The kids go in swimming. Had Ted and Mark Steckbauer along. I tried a new remedy last night and feel much better today. This is “Fathers Day.” I receive a few presents from the kids and Anna Drexler. Am feeling somewhat better this morning.

21.  Monday: F. W. Mueller and Mrs. leave for the Dakotas with Dr. Zentner, young dentist above our North Side Store.  The Doctor Is to be married shortly.  The first day of summer is a beautiful day with 92° in the shade.  We have our monthly meeting of employees at the North Store.  Badger Lumber and Freeman Furniture resume operations today.  The men have been striking since May 4^th.  Francis Stumvoll and Clarence Wirtz of Manitowoc are united in marriage at St. Vincent’s this morning.

22.  Tuesday: Dolores Kirsch is married to Leo Steckbauer this morning.  Moved the family out to the cottage for the summer.  Took Sisters Viatore and Murelda to Menasha this afternoon.  Had a nice visit with Sister Bernita at St. Patrick’s, and met Sister Bernarda at St. Marys.  St. Mary’s has a 900 school children in attendance about 300 being Hi School students.

23.  Wednesday: Thres plays cards at Ed Kremer’s Cottage near Butte des Morts.  I take care of the kids, clean up the boathouse and the cottage.  Thres and the Heips blow in about 10.30 P.M.  Played a few games of sheephead.

24.  Thursday: Had a bad night, sick stomach and could not get air, felt very bad at 4.30 this morning and wake up with a bad headache.  We are treated to a hot spell today, thermometer goes to 96°stays at 73° during the night until morning when cool winds come up.  Took Mrs. Ed Fretchel (Thres) along to the cottage tonite.

25.  Friday: The local strike enters the 9th week. The State Labor Relations Board arrived yesterday and no doubt will aid to settle it within a few days, at least we hope so. Visit Anna Drexler and Mrs. Jacob Paulick tonite.

26.  Saturday: Robert Fretchel is 10 years of age today.  His brother Leonard also has his birthday today.  He is 17.

27.  

28.  

29.  

30.  Wednesday: Requiem Mass for Mother Holzbauer this morning.  We are in from the country to attend the services.