Diary of Alfred E. Potter August, 1939

01.  Tuesday: Federal Judge Ferdinand Geiger who resigned 9 weeks ago account of ill health passed away yesterday at his home in Milwaukee. He was born in Cassville Wis. Oct 5-1867. F. Ryan Duffy from Fond du Lac has been appointed tot eh Federal judgeship by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This is a good position pays 10 000 dollars a year and tenure is on a lifetime basis.

02.  Wednesday: Joe and Celia Drexler spend the day and night at the cottage. Took the ladies out fishing this afternoon. Thres caught a nice big perch. Celia dropped several in the lake. Joe caught some very nice ones and so did I. We are caught in a heavy downpour of rain on the way back, and all of us got a good soaking.  Father Bastian - Father Schorn and Josephine and Madelin dropped in on us in the evening.

03.  Thursday: Herbert Mathwig has a birthday, he is 50.

04.  Friday: The Oshkosh Hi School Band spend the evening at Mathwig's cottage, and they make lots of noises.

05.  Saturday: Mary Ann spends the day at the Drexler home with Marion – Joan and Corrine.

06.  Sunday: To Six oclock mass, then Donald and myself took our Boat Motor to Bricknell's to have it checked. Worked the rest of the morning to 1 P.M. Took a drive in the afternoon out Hi way 45 then across to Van Dyne and back to Oshkosh. Stopped at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Dropped in for a few thirst quenchers at the Airport Tavern. Back to work at 5 o'clock until 8. Took the family back to the cottage. Mrs. Ed Fretschl and Joe and Anna Heip spent the evening with us. Thres Fretschl staid overnight. Joe and Margaret Hemmer married one year ago today.

07.  Monday: Visited Joe and Margaret Hemmer during supper hour.  They are both well, and there home and are so transformed, that one would not recognize it as the same place.  Mother Hemmer is about the same as usual.  Thres has company at the cottage.  Anna (Griedl) Drexler from Spokane Washington – Mary (Bloechl) Miller – Anna (Drexler) Weisheipl – Alvina (Drexler) Putzer.

08.  Tuesday: We have rain a good share of the day, but no storm with it.  At Mercy Hospital on business this morning.  Sister Virginia tells me, she knows Michael Drexler who is to be ordained Max Saturday and she expects to attend his First Mass.

09.  Wednesday: Took a drive to De Pere this afternoon with Donald and Mary Ann. Delivered the chalice to Rev. Michael Drexler at St. Norbert's Abbey where he is on retreat. Will and Emma Siewert spend the evening with us at the cottage.

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12.  Saturday: Drove to De Pere to St. Joseph Church to witness the ordination of Rev. Michael Drexler. It was very impressive and indeed a happy day for Michael. Had the pleasure of meeting Frank (Frauzei) Drexler whom we had not seen for 25 years. Brought back Father Michael to Oshkosh after the ceremony. Frauzei Drexler and Anna are married 37 years ago today.

13.  Sunday: Father Michael Drexler offers his first Holy Mass this morning a Sacred Heart church. After the Mass a banquet at the Athearn attended by about 250 relatives and friends, about 30 priest were also there. Reception at the home, many friends come over to offer their congratulations.

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17.  Thursday: Took a drive to Appleton this afternoon. Played golf at the Butte des Morts Club, the first game in a good many years. It was fun. Played with Norm Brown, Bob Gray - Ripon,  Lester Damsteeg - Waupun, John Gallagher - Shawano, Fred Schlintz - Appleton.

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20.  Sunday: Had much company at the cottage today and it rained.  Frank and Anna Drexler from Spokane Washington were the guests of honor, others present Mrs. Theresa Bruchmiller and Grandchild, Alvina – Joe – Theresa Stadler, Caroline- Frank Elizabeth –John – Anna –Rev. Michael Drexler, – Matt – Joe –Cecelia – Corrinne – Marion – Joan and Caroline Drexler, Teresa – Leo – Mrs. and Baby Kellerman, Fred – Mary – Walter –Mrs. and Baby Dennis Schneider, - Bill – Emma Siewert, Ed – Theresa Fretchel Anna Sippl –Johanna Miller, Joe – Anna Weisheipl, Harry – Agnes – Mary – Jackie Mr. and Mrs. Kujawa –Joe Hallman, Anna – Leona – Mary Drexler, Herman – Mary Miller –Mrs. John (Anna) Drexler –Mrs. Anne Frank and ourselves a total of 55 people.

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23.  Wednesday: George Meisinger is bothered with nosebleeds. Dr. Meusel is out this evening to plug his nose.  We take a drive to Berlin tonite with Anna and Leona Drexler and Anna Weisheipl.  Joe W. meets us at Doro’s in Berlin.  From there we go to the Kujawa Farm, learn to play “Smear.” Mr. Kujawa entertained on the accordion.  Thres and Annie Heip on the piano.  Joe Hallman from Chicago is also there.

24.  Thursday: Geo. Meisinger has his nose cauterized. Two blood vessels in it had burst. Dr. Ebert does the job. Attended graduation exercises at the “Mercy School of Nursing” tonite. Marcella Stoegbauer is the only Oshkosh girl to get a diploma.

25.  Friday: War clouds are again hovering over Europe.  Herr Hitler of Germany wishes to annex the Free City of Danzig and a corridor through Poland.  It looks as if he may gain his objective, altho Great Britain wishes to protect: against invasion.

26.  Saturday: Had Joe Weisheipl out fishing this afternoon. Caught about a dozen nice perch and his hay fever is benefited. He feels fine while out on the lake. He and Anna staid until 1 A.M.

27.  Sunday: Couldn’t make six oclock mass this morning.  Attended at 9⁰⁰ at St. Vincent’s.  Took a drive to the “George Stadler Farm” this afternoon.  Frank and Anna Drexler are guests there.  After work in the evening took a drive about town.  Stopped at Anna and Leona Drexler’s.  They have company Father Drexler –Father Geigel, Frank Drexler and some young ladies from Menasha.  After more driving we landed at Harold Bouchelle’s.  Ma had to have chicken, so we must have chicken.  It was delicious with beer of course.

28.  Monday: Surprised myself tonite by attending the “Forester Meeting” at Argonne Hall. It was the first meeting I attended in years. Doctor Ray Wagner went with me. Well - the boys were glad to see us. Played some poker after the meeting, net loss 60 cents.

29.  Tuesday: Winnebago County Fair opens today.  Thres –Mary –Anna Weisheipl Donald and Mary Ann make a day of it.  They report a very good Fair with excellent acts.  Mrs. Harold Mueller (Eva) is taken suddenly ill and taken to Mercy Hospital tonite and operated for appendicitis.  I feel a cold coming on, feels like the grippe, hoping is not going to be bad.

30.  Wednesday: Attended surprise dance at Argonne Hall in honor of Frank and Anna Drexler. Thres Bruchmiller had taken them to Milwaukee and it was 10.30 before they were back. Well, the party began at 9 Oclock without them. Had a fine time but perspired much. Met a lot of folks I hadn't seen for a long time. Dancing - Singing were in order until 1.10 A.M.

31.  Thursday: Sisters of St. Vincent's have their outing at our cottage. It is a nice day but very humid. I took Frank and Anna Drexler out to the cottage for the afternoon. Took some snapshots and had a long boat ride. Frank has quite a time trying to recall some of the scenes 25 years ago. The Sisters have a wiener roast and we help them get rid of the wienies. Frank and Anna return tonite on the 11 oclock Soo Train for their home in Spokane. Mrs. was here 8 weeks, Frank about 19 days.