Diary of Alfred E. Potter May, 1935

01.   Wednesday: This is Joe Weisheipl’s birthday.  He is 51.  May is ushered in with a snow and wind storm also some rain.  Attended the Strand again tonite, with the Heips.  A very fine picture showing.  “Sequoia” Jean Parker and Russel Hardie are featured.  The picture portrays Jean saving the life of a little Puma and a little Deer.  She brings them up together.

02.  Thursday:

03.  Friday:

04.  Saturday: Turns out to be a fine day.  Business is very good at all of the stores.  The One Cent Sale at the North and Werbke store is a success.  I am pretty well tired out after work tonite.  Margaret and Rose Drexler are here when I arrived home.  After a healthy lunch and a few drinks Margaret is able to walk home in my shoes, and that’s going some for a little shrimp like she is.

05.  Sunday: Attended six oclock mass down to work it 9.30 with a headache.  But I work it off fairly well.  Took a drive to Fond du Lac in the afternoon.  Picked up 6 Dozen Prep at Dana and Worms.  Stopped at Archie Romlow’s on the way back.  The kids like his giant Ice Cream Cones.  Back to work at 5 P.M. for the evening.

06.  Monday: Jackie Coogan, one time child film star is the only survivor of an auto mishap which killed his father John Coogan, Junior Durkin, juvenile movie actor, Robert Horner film actor and writer and Charles Jones foreman of the Coogan Ranch.  Their car plunged on a 40 four to embankment on a hairpin curve.  Jackie was in the rumble seat of the car.  He is now in a Los Angeles Hospital.

07.  Tuesday: Took in the Movie “Mississippi” at the Oshkosh.  Bing Crosby, W.C. Fields and Joan Bennett were the stars.  W.C. Fields was very comical indeed.

08.  Wednesday: Took a drive to Milwaukee to get some drugs.  Stopped at Drug Service Bureau and Mutual Drug.  Had a flat tire on the way back.  Picked of a man from Kalamazoo who was hitchhiking to Appleton.  His father-in-law it is John Steger.  Saw the Movie “Naughty Marietta at the Strand in the evening.  Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy with the stars of the picture.  Jesse Jack (Mrs. Ben) Hooper died this morning at 10.27 at her home 669 Algoma Blvd.  Born in on a November 8 – 1865.  Married Ben Hooper May 30-1888 at New Hampton Iowa.  She was a brilliant thinker and Speaker of ability, and was known internationally.

09.  Thursday: Another “Famous Brands” Sale at our stores.

10.  Friday:

11.   Saturday: Took Sisters Ambrosia, Maximilla –Benita –Hermanhilda to Green Bay to see the Pageant “The Girl in White Armor” depicting the life of Joan of Arc.  It was very interesting about 100 children being in it.  Henrietta Faust from here directed the singing.

12.  Sunday: First Communion Day at St. Vincent’s and its a day of rain, all day too.  I attended 6 Oclock Mass as usual.  First Communicants and Holy Name Mass at 7³⁰.  This is also Mother’s Day.

13.  Monday: Rev. John Nuernberg from Wautoma dropped in for short visit today.  He is looking well.  Joe Heip and Anna are here tonite for short visit.

14.  Tuesday: Waldo Reichardt is here, today, so is Traverse from Abbott and Hall for Merrell.  Joe Heip is called to Milwaukee for State Duty in the Liquor Enforcement Division.

15.  Wednesday:

16.  Thursday:

17.  Friday:

18.  Saturday: Well, I got plenty of exercise today.  Go to the cottage mow the grass and is that a job.  It is grown so thick I can hardly mow thru it.  It is nice and warm out, altho the evening is cool.

19.  Sunday: Attend six Oclock mass, took Ed and Carl Fretchel to the cottage to put in the dock, they did very little as the water was to stormy and high.  I worked all day.

20.  Monday:

21.  Tuesday:

22.  Wednesday: Attended the Del Wright Dancing Revue tonight at the Strand Theatre.  About 200 children took part.  It was somewhat tiresome at last, it really lasted too long, altho the performances of the children were very good.

23.  Thursday:

24.  Friday:

25.  Saturday: Drove to cemetery this afternoon to take care of our parents and Ted’s graves.  In the evening to the cottage to cut the grass.  Took Anna and Joel Heip along.  This is Matt Baier’s Birthday, he is 59.

26.  Sunday: Attended six oclock mass, took Ed and Carl Fretchel to the cottage to finish the horse-shoe course and to put in the dock.  Ed fished off the dock and caught 14 nice sized fish, mostly sunfish.  I worked at the store most of the day.

27.  Monday:

28.  Tuesday: Drove to Milwaukee today.  Took along Mrs. Fretchel and Cecelia, to see Sister Linus.  Attended Drug Service Meeting also picked up merchandise at Mutual Drug Company.  Visited also with Sisters Linus – Marina and Dorrine at St. Michaels.  Back home at 9.20 P.M. and visit Anna Drexler for short time and then home.  Find Margaret and Leona Drexler here for a visit.  Well the girls are sure good sports and Leona likes hers straight.

29.  Wednesday: Another trip to the cemetery with Mary Drexler this time. Ted's grave now is in very nice condition. Thres has her 500 Card Club to entertain while I take the children to Menominee Park. Ken Childs and Mr. Howser are in town. N.R.A. Roosevelt's National Recovery Act is declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.

30.  Thursday:

31.  Friday: An earthquake which shook Northeast India at 3 A.M. for less than one minute caused much damage. At least 20 000 are believed killed while unofficial estimates are 30 000 dead. Floods in Colorado caused the death of 28 people within one week. Damage is worst at Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Ellis "Pa" Roberts retires as postman. He has been a carrier since June 19, 1899. Joe Weisheipl's father, Max passed away this morning at 8 Oclock. Born Sept 22, 1853. Married to Miss Anna Fenzel May 20, 1883. She died May 22, 1907.