Diary of Alfred E. Potter May, 1948

01.   Saturday: [TEG] Well we are getting cleaned up I the basement at the store. This is Uncle Joe Heip’s birthday.

02.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass at St. Vincents, then to work. Donald and Mary Ann have a day off today. This afternoon took Thres – and Mary Ann to the Oshkosh to see “Sitting Pretty” with Robert Young – Maureen O’Harra and Clifton Webb. Tom Conway is very good in “The Challenge” as Bulldog Drummond.

Com. Caroline Reif.

03.  Monday: Delivered Joe Weisheipl’s wrist watch to him. It was on Louis Heintz’s repair list for a long time. Took Rose Weisheipl to work, she tells me this is her first ride in our new Plymouth. Donald take the Plymouth in this afternoon for the 2000 mile checkup.

04.  Tuesday: [T] This morning at 3²⁰ I was awakened by a thud upstairs. Went up and found Aunt Mary sitting on the floor near the dresser, with the rocker in the room overturned. She tells me she tripped on the rocker. I put her back to bed and was happy to find she was not hurt. This afternoon Thres and I drove to Berlin to see Harry on business. Thres and Mary Ann attend Lady Foresters Mother’s Day party at St. Vincents. Had a lovely letter form Sister Mary Albert, Milwaukee. Worked 10 hours today.

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06.  Thursday: To 7 Oclock Mass this morning with Donald - Mother – Mary Ann to St. Johns and its raining. I’m busy ridding our files of obsolete price lists and catalogs. Disposed of 5 waste basketfuls. Bill Lemberger picks up our barrel of Formaldehyde. It was a leaker and the smell in our basement at times almost unbearable. Worked 12 hours today.

Com. Rev. John Nuernberg

07.  Friday: To church at 7 A.M.  Took Rose Miller home.  On the job at 8 A.M.  Temperature 31°.  When I get home this noon I learned that Aunt Mary took a fall backwards down the upstairs stairway.  She was trying to do some cleaning on the stairs and evidently lost her balance.  She is quite sore but does not seem to have internal injury.  Gene Mitchell from Rexall is in town.  He – Art Mueller and myself meet about 10 P.M. and try to get our plans revamped for the new store.  I worked 13 ½ hours today. 

Com.  Donald – Mary Ann

08.  Saturday: Joe Baier and Art Mueller both overslepped this morning, but our new part time employee Art Hazen saves the day, by telling the folks the store opens at 8.30 A.M.  Shirley Goodwin and Frances Domack are married at St. Johns.  We send them a pair of boudoir lamps.  Temperature during the night is 27° the lowest on record for any May 8th.  Over to view the remains of Charles Perkins at Spikes & McDonald’s.  To Ethel Kleinschmit’s for 2 tickets Oshkosh Civic Music Association.  Worked 8 hours today.

09.  Sunday: Last evening on the “Truth and Consequences Radio Program Tom McGinn had a lovely consequence.  His mother whom he had not seen for 18 years was flown over from Ireland to be on the program.  It was a complete surprise to him.  To 7³⁰ Mass and then to work.

10.  Monday: Had a very busy day today.  Norm Brown – Bob Kniss are in.  Worked 11 ½ hours today.

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12.  Wednesday: We are invited to the Weisheipl for an evening of cards, and it is an enjoyable one.  The Fretschl’s are with us.  Donald does the driving.  Home at 2 AM.  Thats too much for me.  Worked 8 hours today.  Ray Trovinger is in today.

13.  Thursday: On the job at 10⁰⁰ A.M.  Worked 9 hours.

14.  Friday: Harry and Joe Adams pick me up this morning at the store.  We drive to Kaukauna to see Dr. Flanagan.  He examines me tells me quite a bit of sugar in the urine.  Had an electrocardiogram at St. Elizabeth Hospital given by Betty.  Harry also takes one.  Had luncheon at the Conway Hotel, back home at 3⁰⁰ P.M.  The folks take me out to see their beautiful new home, near Eweca Park.  Back on the job at 4 PM.  Put in 6 hours.  Had a letter from Joe Gelb and Chairman of the Board – Rexall Drug.  John Lange (Mutual Drug) dropped in to see me.

15.  Saturday: Got Aunt Mary down from upstairs at 4 A.M.  Says she could’nt sleep since 2 Oclock.  She seems more comfortable downstairs.  Mary Ann has another cold.  Mailed another package to the Rothbauers Germany, charges 2⁶⁶.  Bought a new motor for the boat at Bricknells 161\⁷⁵.  We receive is sad news of Father Flanagan’s seven passing at an American Army Hospital Berlin Germany.  He was the founder of “Boys Town” and known the world over.

16.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass St. Vincents.  Father Ott is celebrant.  Donald sings at 7³⁰ serves at 10³⁰.  Aunt Mary is better today.  Thres gave her a good scrubbing yesterday.  I worked 2 ½ hours.  After the noonday meal took Mary Ann to the Oshkosh, Aunt Mary to Aunt Annie Heips.  Our M. P. Sunshine Club have an outing at the Oshkosh Power Boat Club.  Occasional showers but the kids have a good.  The North Store crew elect not to come.  Why?  I do not know.  Our party ended about midnight.  I took the Fretschls home.  Ed is feeling super duper.

Com.  Father E. J. Flanagan

17.  Monday: Father Wagner is in too see me this afternoon.  He tells me that Adolf Bloesl had passed away about 3 Oclock.  Father was at the Bloesl home, to perform the last rites.  This evening took Mary Ann and Aunt Mary for ride out into the country.  Then Mary Ann and myself attend the “Cecelian Singers Concert” at the First Congregational Church.  Thres attends Card Party at Sacred Heart Hall tonight.  It was a full house at least 165 tables.  I sold them 165 decks of cards.

18.  Tuesday: Frank Kriz passed away suddenly last night at his home, about 11¹⁰.  Born in Austria Feb. 1 – 1883.  Married Mary Stiller June 30 – 1909.  This evening Thres and self at Sitters.  The rosary is offered for Frank Kriz, then to Fiss and Bills to view the remains of Lewis Cramer, also visited with Mrs. Ed Cramer, then to view the remains of Donald Klemmer, killed in an auto accident, he was the son of Henry Klemmer, then to Poklasny’s to visit with the family of Adolf Bloesl.  Adolph suffered with Cancer of the bones. 

2 M.O. Frank Kriz

1 M. O. Adolph Bloesl

19.   Wednesday: [T] Glenn Fadner called on me today.  He tells me about his son and Marion Drexler.  Dr. Henry W. Kleinschmit shot himself this morning at 5.15 at his home.  Died a few minutes later.  He was under indictment in a Milwaukie federal court.  He had pleaded guilty to violations of the narcotics act.  Lou Kornblum was also in today.  Have’nt seen since about 8 months ago.  He was with Kayton then.  Aunt Mary is going to bed early evenings from now on – May be.

20.  Thursday: Frank Kriz is laid to rest this morning.  Solemn Requiem Fathers Aunt – Wagner –Bunkleman.  Pallbearers: Joe Schani – Lawrence Schmidt – Al Eggert –Lewis Ziernzack –Edward Pollack and myself.  This evening to the Konrad Funeral Home with Thres and Mary Ann to view the remains of Dr. Henry Kleinschmit.  Then to the Oshkosh to see Eddie Cantor Joan Davis –Allin Joslin – Charles Dingell – Bobby Driscoll in “If You Knew Susie,” produced by Eddie Cantor and John Conway as Bulldog Drummond in “13 Lead Soldiers.  Temperature 86° today.

21.  Friday: Received pictures today from Kurt Christenson in Los Angeles about the Wis – Upper Michigan Rexall Convention.  I’d better not show them too much or I’ll be getting some speaking engagements.  Visited at Ray and Ann Ostertags tonight with Mary Ann.  Ann’s baby is growing and looks cute.  Also stopped at Bill Mauritz’s.  Rose is cleaning house.  Aunt Mary attends church today, the first time in several weeks.

22.  Saturday: [T] Katherine Rychman passed away yesterday afternoon about 4³⁰ at Mercy Hospital.  Born Nov. 20 – 1865 in Janesville.  Daughter of Mary Ann Thomas Hornick.  Married A. D. Rychman in 1918.  She was the fourth grade teacher at the old 3d Ward School (now Jefferson) when I attended.  Knew her as Kitty Hornick at that time.  Her husband died Aug. 9 -1938.  He was in business many years on Oregon Street.  The Rychman Book store is now operated by Harry Otto.

23.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass.  Donald – Mary Ann – Thres and myself.  Then to work.  Home this afternoon.  Attended Graduates and Childrens Play at St. Vincents tonight.  The “Inner Willy” is presented by the graduates.  Walter Zentner and Reginald Tod are very good in their respective parts as Willoughby Adams and Inner Willy.

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25.  Tuesday: [T] Bought a lot in Riverside Cemetery this morning. It is Lot No. L and M Block #4. Price 162 dollars Perpetual Care 162 dollars Total 324 dollars. Joe Baier and Fred Baumgartner attend regional meeting of Wis. Pharm. Association at Green Bay this evening.

26.  Wednesday: Harold Mueller is 52 today.  Met Harry Simpson this morning.  He is looking good was down for 6 months with high blood pressure.  Margaret Sheets passed away this morning 12.15 at her home 703 – 15th.  Born Sept. 21 – 1896.  Married Loren Sheets June 22 – 1921.  Daughter of Henry Hagene – sister to Karl and Edgar Hagene.  Took a drive to the cemetery this afternoon, planted flowers, Thres’s folks – Ted Drexler – My folks.  Tonite Thres – Mary Ann and myself visit at George Stadler’s.  Mailed letter to Germany, sent 5 Reply Coupons

27.  Thursday: To Mass at 7 Oclock St. Marys with Aunt Mary.  Checked our Lot Receipt at cemetery with Joe Novotny this morning.  This evening to Marquardts to visit the remains of Margaret Sheets.  Stopped for a visit with Louis and Mary Mauritz until 9³⁰ when we arrive home Harry and Agnes Kujawa pull up at our house, they stay until 11³⁰. 

Com.  Monsignor Aloys Bastian.

28.  Friday: Albert Schultz passed away tonite at the former F. W. Mueller home 321 So. Park Ave. at about 8³⁰.  Al had been ailing for over a year.  Survivers Art and Lester – and Rhea Rhyner, 2 Sisters Mrs. Anna Rowe and Louise Zentner, a brother Andrew.

29.  Saturday: [TEG] This is a very busy day for me, and jobs of all kinds.  Jim Daugherty brought our statements last nite, and that is about as early as we ever received them.  Francis Lamb is in with a lot of W 4 forms and I’m busy trying to get them signed.  Worked full 12 hours today and I’m quite tired.

30.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass St. Vincents.  Corpus Christi procession after the Mass.  Father Wagner is all by himself no help from Father Leo Ott.  Took Thres –Aunt Mary – Mary Ann to the cemetery this morning.  This afternoon took a drive to New London – Clintonville – Shawano.  Stopped at Clintonville for a visit with Dick Milbauer – Tried Gallagher at Shawano, store closed – stopped at New London Restaurant for lunch, back home at 7 Oclock drove 133 miles, then to the Oshkosh to see “Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hoy!” with the June Haver – Lon McCallister – Walter Brennan –Anna Revere – Natalie Wood and “Lets Live Again” Took an entire day off today. 

Com.  Father Lawrence Marten.

31.  Monday: [TEG] A lovely day, our “Memorial Day Parade” is today.  I worked this morning.  This afternoon visited with our neighbor August Jackish.  Thres and self view the remains of Al Schultz.  Rhea and Art are there.  Met Jack and Mrs. Embs – Ed Prellwitz – Louis Mueller –Alice Shekey and her mother Mrs. Ohmstead.  Dropped in on the Weisheipl’s only the girls are home.  This evening took Thres and Mary Ann to the Opera House, now called the Civic Theatre.  A good program of Vaudeville Acts.  Pat McCafferty MC–The Lange Trope, Teeter Board Act, the Ballantines, Harmonikas Eric Philmore Juggler, Bob Anderson Orchestra, and the Movie: The Affairs of “Bel Ami.”