Sunday, October 19, 2014

Diary of Alfred E. Potter May, 1945

01.  Tuesday: Joe Weisheipl is 61 years old today.  He is still night watchman at Bell’s warehouse, the old Gunz Durler Building.
02.  Wednesday: Took Thres – Mary Ann to the Strand tonite and we see 3 technicolor pictures.  “Song of the Islands” features Betty Grable – Victor Mature “To the Shores of Tripoli” stars John Payne – Maureen O’Hara and Randolph Scott.  “Its a Pleasure” features Sonja Henie –Michael O’Shea –Marie MacDonald – Bill Johnson.  This is the first time we saw three full length technicolor is in one evening.  We were in the Strand from seven to eleven forty five, 4 ¾ hours.
03.  Thursday: Eva Jungen is 26 years old today.  Was over to see Art Abraham (Oshkosh Building and Loan) about a home for Eva.  He is to look at Adolph Seibold’s tomorrow at 719 -14th St.  To St. Johns Church tonite with Thres.  “Devotion for Peace” Thres then attends St. Johns card party, and I attended “Apollo Male Singers” Concert Donald Dickson, Baritone is the guest artist and an excellent one.  Reports state that Adolph Hitler and Herman Goebbels are dead.  There is no confirmation to these reports.  Mike Ostertag is here to paint Mary Ann’s and our bedrooms.
04.  Friday: To St. Vincents 7 Oclock.  Mr. and Mrs. Mueller move out of the Fahrney cottage for the summer.  Art helps them.  A fire in the rear of the Sherman Williams store next to us almost started a fire at our north side store 65 Main yesterday morning about 7 Oclock.  In fact the flames licked our side, but were quickly extinguished by a line of hose laid upstairs between the two buildings.   Com.  Donald – Mary Ann
05.  Saturday: [T E G] Thres – Mary Ann and self attend the Oshkosh.  “Meet me in St. Louis” starring Judy Garland – Margaret O’Brien (7) Tom Drake –Mary Astor.  Its a technicolor.
06.  Father Courtney has his last Sunday Masses at St. John’s.  This is also “First Holy Communion” Day for the children at St. Johns.  Father asks to be remembered in the prayers of the congregation at his new pastorate.  Harry Kujawa and family drive to Milwaukee to visit Margaret, Leona and Romy – and Anna.  They have trouble with their car on the way home.               Com.  Father Courtney.
07.  Monday: Germany surrenders unconditionally to the Allies, United States – England and Russia.  Mike Ostertag finishes paint job here.
08.  Tuesday: [T] This is V.E.(Victory Europe) Day. Attended Mass at St. Vincents 8 Oclock. Business in general is at a standstill. All taverns are closed for the entire day and evening. Our stores are closed during the afternoon. People are urged to make this a day of prayer and thanksgiving. Aunt Lena is with us today. Whistles blew and church bells pealed at 8 this morning to officially usher in V.E. Day. St. Vincents rang for 30 minutes. Curfew and Brown out are called off.                    Com.  Thanksgiving
09.  Wednesday: Thres and I drive to Milwaukee.  First stop Mutual Drug, John Lange is getting along OK after an operation for a tumor below his ear, on the jaw.  Had luncheon at Fritz Gust’s.  Met Josephine (Kaatz) Hosper and her sister there.  Then to McClurg’s and Yahr Lange’s, Gimbels and to 3245 – South Ninth St. to Romy – Leona Czekalski, Anna Drexler, Margaret and Gail Radomsky.  Margaret is working where Romy is employed.  After supper started for home for 7.40.  It rains and snows on the way home.  I nearly ran into a parked truck on the highway on the way.  Two men pumping a tire and no lights, with an oncoming car blinding me was the cause.  Stopped within a foot of the truck.  Home at 950 P.M.
10.  Thursday: To 7 Oclock Mass at St. Vincents.                    Com.  Petition for End of Japanese conflict.
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12.  Saturday: Thres and I take in the Oshkosh tonite.  Joan Davis is start in “She gets her Man” with Leon Errol and William Gorgan.  Its plenty comical, also “The Suspect” features Charles Laughton and Ella Raines, also All Star Bond Rally with Bing Crosby – Bob Hope.  Mary Ann goes to the “Time” Mother gets her.
13.  Sunday: To 730 Mass St. Vincents Holy Name, then to work.  This is Mother’s Day and a busy one at the store.  Had company this afternoon.  Father Michael Drexler – Matt – Joe – Al Mugerauer – and Herb Mugerauer who is just returned to the good old U.S.A. from confinement in a German prison.  He has a bad right hand and arm.  Has been injured on three occasions well in Germany.  Tonite Thres and myself visit with Al Mugerauer.  The boys took me in a poker game.  Forgot to mention Stanley Dembowiak was also here this afternoon.                     Com.  Mother Holzbauer – Thres – Mother Drexler
14.  Monday: Elizabeth Bohlson Samuel goes back to work at the West store from 12.30 to 200 P.M. to relieve Norbert for his noonday meal.
15.  Tuesday: [T] Thres takes Aunt Lena - Thres Fretchel and Mary Ann to Foresters card party at St. Vincents. This is the first time she takes the car on her own since she was sick over a year ago. Tony Sipple passed away this afternoon 5.30 at Mercy Hospital. Born in Austria Jan 9 -1884. Married to Anna Drexler Oct. 20 -1908.
16.  Wednesday: Took Thres and Lena Baier to the cottage for some cleanup work which was needed badly.
17.  Thursday: Rosary is offered tonight for Tony Sippl at Sitters.  Took Thres and Aunt Mary and Mary Ann along to view the remains.                      M.O.  Tony Sippl
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19.  Saturday: Took a drive to Berlin tonite with Aunt Mary - Thres and Mary Ann. We visit the Kujawa’s at their new location on Maple Avenue. It is a well appointed home, not new but quite modern inside.
20.  Sunday: [T] To St. Johns 730 Mass, but we did not see the new pastor.  Then to work.  This evening Bill and Emma Siewert are with us.  It is an evening happily spent.  The folks leave at 130 A.M. (Monday)
21.  Monday: Father Bastian gets news by a telegram this morning that he has been made a Monsignor by the Holy Father.  This is an honorary church title for those who have given faithful and meritorious service for many years.  Father Bastian has been with us for about 35 years, and is build a new Church – Parsonage – Sisters Home and School, and that is a rare accomplishment.  Ladies Auxiliary S.  Side Business Men have a luncheon at the Athearn, with cards later.  Thres wins a prize.
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23.  Wednesday: Took Thres – Aunt Lena –Emma Siewert to the cottage this afternoon.  Wash windows –Washed a ironed all curtains and drapes –cleaned and put on screens – mowed about half of grounds.  The grass was very long and thick, and that was enough for us for one day.  We all were quite tired by 930 when we left for home.
24.  Thursday: Took Donald and Lawrence Kinateder along to the cottage tonite for some more grass mowing.  Joe Weisheipl Sr. leaves for Camp McCoy to lead the 127th Infantry Band to take the place of Jerry Vogt.
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26.  Saturday: W.T. Grant Store, managed by Earl Smith is the scene of a drastic fire which kept firemen busy all day. The stock is a total loss and the building is badly wrecked. Harry - Agnes Kujawa and the children are here for supper. We took them down to see the Grant Store and while we were there a hold up took place at Oaks Candy store. The robber gets 460 dollars. Talk about excitement in town today.
27.  Sunday: [T] To 730 Hi Mass at St. Johns Foresters (C.O.F.) Celebrate their Golden Jubilee.  My first glimpse of Father Murphy the new pastor at St. Johns.  Work the balance of the morning.  Took Joe and Emma Baier to the banquet at the Athearn.  The C. O. F.  Have a well balanced program.  Our Jubilarians still living were present.  They are Ed Ostertag – Joe Koplitz –Fred Stein – Andrew Miller – A.J. Stadtmueller.  This evening we took in St. Vincents Graduates Play, “Toby keeps Out.” Joe Weisheipl Sr. comes back from Camp McCoy this afternoon.     Com.  Deceased Brother Foresters
28.  Monday: Took off our storm windows this evening, wash the windows and put on the screens.  Worked until 930.  We are fortunate to have light until past nine.  Had an hours visit with Joe Kronzer Sr. this afternoon.  Hadn’t seen him for a long time.  He is doing fairly well, altho he is quite nervous.  I let him use our heating pad.  No new ones available at present.  Our visit was very pleasant, talked over old times.  Joe has been ill about a year.
29.  Tuesday: Lawrence Gunz passed away suddenly in the directors room of the Security Bank this afternoon about 530 while the employees were partaking of a light lunch.  Born Feb. 20 – 1887 son of Godfrey and Susan Gunz.  Married to Minnie Dougherty Jan. 15 – 1915.
30.  Wednesday: To work this morning, it is rather cool, temperature is 58°.  Donald had Bob Zemke here for an overnight guest.  This afternoon took a ride to Sunnyview San visited Tony Pable –Walter Kraus –Oscar Schmidt.  Met Emery Clark.  He is a brother in law to Marvin Sibley.  Tony is allowed to take half hour walks.  Took Aunt Mary –Mary Ann to Riverside and Sacred Heart Cemetery.  Tonite took Aunt Lena – Thres – Mary Ann to the Oshkosh.  “Molly and Me” features Gracie Fields –Monty Woolley – Roddy McDowall.  “Nevada” features
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