Diary of Alfred E. Potter September, 1944

01.  Friday: [6M] To St. Vincents 7 Oclock Mass.                     Com.  Donald – Mary Ann

02.  Saturday: [6M] Took Ed – Thres Fretchel and Lena Baier to the Oshkosh tonite.  Joan Davis stars in “Kansas City Kitty”.  Benny Fields – Gladys George –Allen Dinehart – Roscoe Karns in “Minstrel Man.” Staff Sgt. Frances “Bill” Kierszk who was listed as missing July 29 – 1943, is now listed as officially dead.  He was tail gunner on the Flying Fortress.  The plane was seen dropping into the North Sea after a collision.  Born March 2 – 1921.  Brother to Helen Kierszk at our North Side Store.  Memorial service at St. Peter’s Monday 9 A.M.

03.  Sunday: To St. Vincents 7³⁰ Hi Mass, then to work.  This afternoon we took Ed Fretchel – Lena Baier –Betty Drexler – and Miss Kloiber to the cottage.  Stan Dembowiak takes Joe and Annie Weisheipl out.  Matt and Amanda Drexler Joe Kloiber came out also.  At night Father Michael Drexler and some of his friends from Kaukauna drop in.  This is the last Sunday Ed Weisheipl will have to work.  He will be relieved of Sunday duty until further notice.              Com.  “Happy Hour of Death”

04.  Monday: [18M] Ed Fretchel goes fishing with Bob Brand early this morning. They are out until 10.30. Score Bob about 12 nice ones, Ed nothing. My rear car bumper winds itself around one of our apple trees last night. Had quite a time removing it this morning. No company today. Took Joe Weisheipl to work this afternoon, then back to the cottage. Took the folks home at 7⁴⁵.

05.  

06.  Wednesday: Start for Milwaukee at 915.  Been raining all morning and was undecided about making the trip.  Stop at Gimbels then to Fritz Gust for luncheon.  Then to McClurgs.  Mr. Grace is their only a half hour a day.  Has been ill, not enough protein in his system.  Then to Yahr-Lange’s met Dr. Egan, Tommy Adkins.  Walter Lange waited on us.  Stopped at Bertrams novelty.  Then to the “Big Stein” and then to the Riverside.  “Mills Bros” are there in person.

07.  [T]

08.  [8M]

09.  Saturday: [2M] The Weisheipls get their new tires for the car today.  This evening took Thres and Mary Ann to the Oshkosh.  “Abbott and Costello in Society” and The Mummys Ghost stars Lon Chaney.

10.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass at St. Johns.  Took Donald out for another lesson, he drives to the cottage and also down Oregon Street.  He is doing pretty well.  Jacob Nuernberg is 79 today.

11.  Monday: W^m Stumpf is in town, suggested buying a dinner for Thres and myself if we choose the place.  I suggested trying the “Town Grill” and we were not sorry.  To say the steak was good would be putting it mildly.  It was excellent and so were the trimmings.  David Bent former pastor of the First Congregational Church.  Died at his son’s home near Mt Sterling.  Ill last Saturday evening.  He belonged to local Kiwanis club.

12.  Tuesday: Ed Fretchel is 59 today.  Took Dave Collin to Kiwanis.  Rev. W^m Otto is the speaker.  The Fretschels received news that Leonard is promoted to the rank of sergeant.  He has been in active combat and is now enjoying a rest period.

13.  Wednesday: [T] Harry Lyman is 75 years old today and still going strong.  We visit the Fretschels tonite.  Joe – Annie Heip –Lena Baier are also there.

14.  Thursday: Gustie Voelz has a stroke today.  Has affected her speech considerably.

15.  Friday: [N] A hurricane which has been lashing the eastern coast of the U.S.A. goes out to sea at Nova Scotia.  It originated in the Caribbean Sea.  Estimated damage is 30 million with 22 lives lost, New York alone reporting 12 deaths.

16.  Saturday: Loretta Mueller (Mrs. Fred Baumgartner) has a birthday.  Joe Weisheipl is thru with his job at Leach’s.

17.  Sunday: To 730 Mass St. John’s then to work.  Got a call at 10³⁰ to go on coroners jury duty from Dr. Steele.  Had to visit scene of accident near Goyke's, then to Fond du Lac to St. Agnes Hospital to view remains of Mr. Clausen who died last night, a victim of the accident.  This afternoon to the cottage to pick apples.  Worked at the store until 9 P.M. then had company at home Joe and Annie Heip –Ed and Thres Fretschel –Aunt Lena Baier.  Party broke up at 1 A.M.  Dave Collin has a birthday.  Think he’s 62.

18.  Monday: [T] Betty Drexler is in town.  I took her home from town and dropped in to see her mother Anna (Mrs. John Drexler).

19.  Tuesday: Kiwanis Luncheon, Dan Schreiber, Scout Executives is the speaker.  Our table Dr. A.C. Gifford – Ozzie Witte –Ray Banandall – Harry Brueger – Ed Shrank and myself.  Wisconsin Public Service began installing gas burner in our furnace.

20.  Wednesday: Started writing a letter to Father John Nuernberg at Mayo Clinic phoned his house and to my surprise I find he is at home.  Thres and I drive over to visit him and find he came home Monday.  Hilda did the driving.  He will be resting for a time.  Does not look any too well.

21.  Thursday: Ed and Thres Fretchel are married 35 years ago today.  I had a short visit with Dr. Will Wagner and Lill at their home this morning.

22.  Friday: Our gas unit is turned on and it is doing a good job.  House temperature is at 70°.

23.  Saturday: Took Aunt Lena Baier, Mary Ann – Thres to the Oshkosh to see Bing Crosby star in “Going my Way.” With him are Barry Fitzgerald Frank McHugh –Porter Hall –Fortunio Bonanova and Rise Stevens.  “The Eagle and the Dragon ” is a very interesting colored movie.

24.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass at St. Johns, then to work.  Cleaning up orders tonite getting ready for trip tomorrow.               Com.  “Safe Journey.”

25.  Monday: Thres and myself leave for Chicago at 11¹⁵.  Have a nice trip.  Dropped in at United Drug.  Fred Wimber says we have our room at the Sherman.  No room ready when we get there.  Had dinner at Hardings (Clark St.) to see Zazu Pitts in “Ramshackle Inn” at 11 P.M. we get room 843 which needs cleaning badly.  Stopped at “Darby Inn” for sandwich then to bed.  Aunt Lena Baier stays with the family while we are gone.

26.  Tuesday: Breakfast at Triangle Restaurant (Randolph St.) drove to McClurg’s then to 936 N. Michigan Independent Druggists Service.  Lunch at Triangle Restaurant then to Owen Roberts, Mr. Simonson is on the job, then to Bucksbaum So. Mich. St..  Dinner at Pellegrin (Clark St.) then to Studebaker Theatre to see “Kiss and Tell” then to Darby’s Inn for Sandwich and then to bed.  At home Aunt Mary and Lena have company.  Thres Fretschel – Joe and Anna Weisheipl are over for a game of cards.  Donald is bartender.

27.  Wednesday: [T] Breakfast at Landers Wabash Ave.” Then shopping with Thres to Carson Pierie  – Mandel Brothers – Boston Store – Stop and Shop.  Lunch at Triangle Restaurant.  I spend the afternoon buying at United Drug.  Thres relax is at the hotel.  Had Dinner at Pellegrin then to Oriental Theatre.  Picture A Wave – A Wac and a Marine.  Stage Show “The Minnewitch” Harmonica –Rascals “The Merrimacs” Mr. Pitts Ponies – Dogs and Monkey.

28.  Thursday: Breakfast at Triangle Rest.  And its raining out.  After breakfast I attend Directors Meeting of United Wholesale Druggist, Inc. Chicago.  After the meeting had luncheon at Central Manufacturing District Club.  Mr. Griffing and Mr. Richards from Boston are with us.  After lunch and drove back to Hotel and we checked out.  On our way at 2⁴⁰ P.M. and home at about 8 P.M.  Then to work until 10.30 P.M.

29.  Friday: Work has piled up considerably while I was gone.  Will take some time to catch up.

30.  Saturday: Florian Manor was found dead in his auto about 6 Oclock this morning at his home 332 Lake Boulevard.  Born Sept. 17-1891 in Eldorado.  He was a class mate of mine.  He was a pioneer in aviation in this part of the state.