Diary of Alfred E. Potter June, 1948

01.  Tuesday: [T] We are in for some hot weather today.  Temperature is up to 89.

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04.  Friday: [T] To 8 Oclock Hi Mass St. Vincents with Thres.  To work by 9³⁰.  This is Ralph Ebel’s birthday he is 26.  Had a surprise visitor at the store today: Mary Samer Finneman.  She was here with her husband John.  He is retired having sold his Jewelry business and Mary is all set to sell her Optometry business to a young graduate.  The banks of Oshkosh are open from 5 to 8 PM today for the first time.  They will be closed Saturdays.  Had a heavy rain tonight. 

Com.  Donald – Mary Ann

05.  Saturday: Cent bathing suit to Allis Rothbauer this morning sent it first class registered mail.  Joe Weisheipl Sr. leaves for Asbury Park, New Jersey.  He is a delegate to the National Convention of the American Federation of Musicians.

06.  Sunday: To Sacred Heart Church for the Church Service for Catholic Graduates at the Oshkosh Hi.  Fourth Degree Knights assisted at the Service.  Father Kleiber spoke.  Thres and myself had breakfast with the graduates – K C’s and Teachers.  This afternoon we take Aunt Mary to Sacred Heart Cemetery.  This evening we took Annie Weisheipl to the Oshkosh.

07.  Monday: [T] Ed and Rose Binder took us to the Oshkosh Power Boat Club for the monthly meeting of the 4th Degree K. C.  John Burke, warden at the State’s Prison and woke on spoke.  Jerry L’Estrange introduce the speaker.  An interesting meeting and a fine meal as only the Dole Unsers provide.  Cards after the meeting, and then for home.  Eddie and Rose visited a bit at our house, they left it 2³⁰ A.M.

08.  Tuesday: Harry Adams is in today, he tells me about being hospitalized for a period of two or three weeks, when I get back to Dr. Flanagan’s.  Wow am I scared.

09.  Wednesday: Appointment with Dr. Will Wagner today.  He gives me a thorough going over, no trace of sugar.  Tells me to come in tomorrow for a blood test.  Ralph Sperry has an accident, his car is hit by a driver of another car.  The driver failed to stop for an arterial.  Sperry car is badly damaged, but Ralph is OK.

10.  Thursday: [T] Carla Schloerb takes care of me at Dr. Wagner’s office.  Dr. Wagner reports to me that everything is OK.  Blood count is good, also Hemoglobin.  Thres and Emma Siewert are at the cottage to clean up.  Bill Mauritz helps to move the boat back to the boat house a.

11.  Friday: Dr. Ray Wagner and family begin vacation this morning they are on their way to Shelby Montana to visit with his brother Father James who has a parish there.

12.  Saturday: Took Thres and Mary Ann to Civic Theatre.  “Salome where she danced” in Technicolor with Yvonne DE Carlo – Rod Cameron – David Bruce – Walter Slezak.  Vaudeville: Les Lester –Ventriloquist –Mel Hall –Unicyclist –Rudy Horn M.C. –Clark and Bailey – Acrobats and good ones too.

13.  Sunday: [T  RW 2 MI 6-14]  To 7³⁰ Mass St. Vincents Holy Name; then to work, put in 5 hours today. After a nice chicken dinner to Joe Baier's to watch the Patriotic Parade. Ohio Vicinity Merchants dedicate memorial to the heroes of Oshkosh who lost their lives during World War Two. Father Bunkleman gives the Invocation. Kenny Kunde give a fine talk. Rev. David Fetter, the Blessing. I took some movies; they may not be so good. Thres attends card party at Sacred Heart tonite, no Prize. Donald is at St. Nazianz for Alumni Meet with Father Ott.

Com. Dec.  Members Holy Name.

14.  Monday: Donald and Mary Ann are beginning a course in summerschool. Donald in chemistry at State Teachers - Mary Ann at Hi School in World History.

15.  Tuesday: We take a trip to Milwaukee with Father Alphonse Wagner.  His “Fraser” is very comfortable.  Well he is at the Church Mart Thres and I are at McClurg’s.  Renee Kimmel waits on us.  Buy some Christmas Merchandise.  Had lunch at Blatz’s restaurant.  Then to Graybar Electric Co. and Mutual Drug Co.  Visit at Ed Caluppa’s at 16th and So. 5th. Nice family, only 8 children.  We are back home at 7 P.M.  Aunt Mary spends the afternoon and evening at the Weisheipl’s.  Took Annie with us to the “Judy Stillman Review.” Its wonderful.  Then to “Tads” for lunch and home.  “Campus Honeymoon” is the picture shown with the “Judy Stillman Review” starring the Wilde Twins Lyn and Lee – Richard Crane – Hal Hackett.

16.  Wednesday: James Mulva passed away of a stroke at his home in Plymouth Monday evening 9⁴⁰.  Used to work at the State Bank (now Security) years ago with Laurence Gunz.  Was also employed at the Peoples Bank of Omro, First Wisconsin Co. 1932 Chase National Bank 1937.  State banking commissioner 1943-1947.  Now V. P.  Dairy State Bank – Plymouth.  Born July 20 – 1887.  Married Catherine Sullivan Nov.15-1910.

17.  Thursday: View the remains of James B Mulva at Fiss and Bills.  Lee Conroy is over to check our insurance records.  Dave Collin dropped in at the store to say hello: He is living in California and looks pretty good. 

M.O. Jim Mulva

18.  Friday: Business is good, in preparation for Fathers Day.  I put in 10 ½ hours today.

19.   Saturday: Another busy day.  Put in 7 ½ hours today.  Tonite Thres and self are guests of Norman & Sybelle Brown at the Athearn.  Norm graduates Dale Carnegie Course in speaking.  Gust Bett –Harold Brickham – Harry Fox –George Fuhs – W^m Plank – W^m Rasmussen – Milton Rueckl – Ted Stadtmueller –Margaret Sullivan –Edna Thomas are members of this class.  We are home at 1215.  Almost forgot about George Theiss, Norm’s brother in law.

20.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass at St. Vincents then to work for 3 ½ hours. This afternoon to the Centennial Celebration of bringing Christianity to Winnebago County at Menominee Park. “M.C.” is Earl Clemans “Father Allouez” Father Leo Ott. He gives a 15 minute invocation, it is very well presented. Judge Roland Stenile is the Speaker of the Day. The weather is very good. We had Mame - Emma Siewert - Rose Binder with us. Stopped at Fritz Weisheipl's after the doings. 

Com.  Stanislaus Jarosch

21.  Monday: [T] Frances Stumvoll and Clarence Wirtz are married 11 years ago today.  Dropped in at Herbie Strykers house.  Eva is home with a baby, this is her wash day.  Baby’s name is Kathleen Ann.  Tonight took Thres and Mary Ann to the Oshkosh.  “I Remember Mama” is the picture with Irene Dunne –Oscar Homolka – Phillip Dorn.  “Trapped by Boston Blackie” is also good with Chester Morris.  Donald is at the cottage cutting grass.  WOSH begins FM Service today.  This should make reception much clearer.

22.  Tuesday: Art Mueller – Fred Baumgartner and myself to Milwaukee to buy Rexall Holiday Merchandise at the Schroeder.  Al Leonard –Kev Seperske – Gene Mitchell are there.  Had our dinner at the Maryland.  At my suggestion the boys took one of George’s Famous Steaks.  We are back home at 11 PM.  The Republican National Convention is in full swing at Philadelphia.

23.  Wednesday: [T] Al Christl stops in to see me at the store this morning to wish me improved health.  I can use a few good wishes this morning, I surely feel punk.  Al is troubled with the bad gall bladder and arthritis.  This evening our entire family visited Riverside and Sacred Heart Cemetery.  Donald is hour chauffeur.  I worked 8 ½ hours today.

24.  Thursday: This evening I took Mary Ann for a drive to Menominee Park. Took in the zoo there, the kiddy rides are doing a thriving business, also watched some fast baseball under the lights.  John Albrecht passed away yesterday afternoon 1.15 at his home 14th and Minnesota Sts. Born Jan. 24, 1874.

25.  Friday: [T] Business at the stores is off considerably today.  I worked 10 hours.  Visited at Bill Mauritz’s tonight, and listen to the Louis – Wolcott fight which had been postponed for 2 evenings account of rain.  It was to be a 15 round bout but Joe Louis knocked out Wolcott in the 11th round.  Louis is retiring from the ring, he has held the championship for over 11 years and has scored 52 knockouts in 61 fights.  Father Alphonse Wagner and Donald spend the afternoon at the cottage.

26.  Saturday: Had letters today from Sisters Virginia and Adelaide from Tulsa Oklahoma.  Get a new Johnson Sea Horse today.  Marion Mathwig is married to Albert March this afternoon at the First English Lutheran Church.  Thres and Mary Ann attend the service.  Donald takes Bill Mauritz and Ray Ostertag to the cottage this afternoon.  We have some heavy showers of rain this afternoon.  Took Thres and Mary Ann to see the century old Northwestern engines and cars.  This evening Civic Opera.  Buddy Di Vito orchestra and “Pardon my Past” with Fred McMurray.

27.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass then to work, put in 4 ½ hours today.  Thres moves out to the cottage this afternoon, takes Emma Siewert with her.  Donald and Mary Ann stay at home.  Mailed St. Andrew Missal to Sister Virginia, also a letter.  Sent out St. Joseph’s Union report for Aunt Mary. 

Com Frank Fenzl

28.  Monday: [T] Thres and Emm are busy cleaning up the cottage.

29. Tuesday: [T] Maxine Siewert calls me up about 5³⁰ this afternoon.  Her family just arrived home from their vacation.  They visited at Pierre, So. Dakota.  Bobby missed his dog very much.  Dr. Ray Wagner’s family arrived home late last night from their vacation.  The doctor took seven roles of colored movies.

30.  Wednesday: Had a card of thanks from the Jim Mulva family at Madison.  It is 15 years this morning since my mother Katherine Holzbauer passed away R.I.P.  Company at the cottage, Ray – Maxine – Bobbie – Bonnie Siewert.  Raymond tells of his vacation and trip through the “Morrell Plant” at Austin Minnesota, also the Rodeo and the Indian Parade.  Visited Monsignor Bastian this evening.  He has his bed in the library.  He is able to offer Mass every morning.  He tells me to quit working so hard.