Diary of Alfred E. Potter April, 1951

01.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass Father Wagner.  Florian Milbauer our new assistant helps with Holy Communion.  I’m busy with bookkeeping at the store.  Worked 9¹⁵ to 12³⁰ 3³⁰ to  5⁴⁵ 7⁰⁰ to 10³⁰ 9 hours.

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03.  Tuesday: Arrived Jensens barber shop 8 A.M. expect to be first for haircut, no such luck I was number 5.  Reported for Kiwanis then to Retail Chamber luncheon, discussed May Festival – Farm Market.  Today is also election day.  Ernie Siewert is re-elected Mayor by a close margin 6698 Marden 6409 margin 289.  Bob Luedtke, Aldermen in our ward by 5 Votes over Jacob Gofner.  Bob’s son Clarence was defeated in the 13^th Ward by Frank Reischl, Majority one vote

04.  Wednesday: [T] We are off to Milwaukee at 8⁴⁵.  A nice sunny shiny morning the first in weeks.  Arrive at McClurgs 11 A.M. Dick Lynch and Renee Kummel wait on us.  Had luncheon at Maders at 1⁴⁵ then to Arena for tickets to Sport Show, then to Broadway Church Goods, then to Gimbels –then Mutual, and then to Karl and Margaret Radomski, over to Romy and Lovie’s to see the new baby, then back to visit with Margaret.  After a few hi balls, a cracker and small piece of cheese we are on our way home at 8³⁵ arrived home 10³⁰ tired and very hungry.

05.  Thursday: Another beautiful day, temperature up to 60.  Today is Thres Fretschls birthday, she is 64.  Thres and Emma Siewert are entertained this afternoon by Theresa Kuenzl 45 Bent Ave.  Meta Rasmussen was also present.  This evening Thres Fretschl entertains us.  Mary Ann and I got there after work.  Sylvester Propson is at Madison taking exam for full papers.  Art Hazen is taking his place at the North Store.

06. Friday: [R 4 M] Julius Rosenberg, electrical engineer and his wife Ethel are sentenced to die in the electric chair week of May 21 by Federal Judge Irving Kaufmann.  They had been found guilty of transmitting American atom bomb secrets to Russia.

07.  Saturday: Tonite we see Fred Astaire – Jane Powell – Sarah Churchill in “Royal Wedding,” also Estalita Rodrigues in “Cuban Fireball” at the Strand.

08.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass Sacred Heart City wide Holy Name Communion.  Father Bunkleman spoke on the “Good Shepherd.” It rained all night and is still raining.  This afternoon Thres and me see Mary at the hospital, she is about the same as always, I also dropped in to see Mrs. Harry Adams, she is losing ground.  When we came home Father Alphonse Wagner dropped in, had supper with us.  I spend the evening working. 

Com.  Deceased Holy Name Members.

09.  Monday: [R 4 M] Bob Kniss is back from his father’s funeral.  He passed away suddenly last Tuesday.  Norm Brown is in, he has luncheon with us.  This is Monday at number four he is here.  He’s good company.  A belated farewell party is given for Father Dave Koehne by the Holy Name Society, everybody invited.  I dropped in after work about 10.30.  Party is still going strong.  Maude Labudde (Mrs. Ed J) is 47 today.

10.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon.  Sam Lucksinger – Gene Vogel – Bill Straub and myself at table.  Si Horwitz got me for a 25 dollar ad for the Jewish relief.  Sisters Kunigunda and Irene are over to our South Store with Mrs. Kriha.

11.  Wednesday: The news of today rocks the world.  President Truman has fired General MacArthur as supreme Allied occupation commander in Japan –United Nations commander in chief of Korea – United States commander in chief of the Far East and commanding general of the United States army in the Far East.  Lt. Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway is named as Mac’s successor.

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13.  Friday: Snow all day today, but the temperature is high enough so a good share of it melts after it falls.  Attended meeting this afternoon at Vern Peroutky’s of our retail chambers agricultural committee.  Ralph Witherbee is chairman, Brud Anger and myself.  Met Jim Lacy –Joe Schuster “Pig raiser” Ginny Rice acted as Sec.  We discussed a pig market for Oshkosh.  The meeting lasted 2 ½ hours.  Tonight to Sitters to view the remains of Kathleen Mary Stini. Born Aug. 25 – 1949. 

M.O. Mass of the Angels

Kathleen Stini

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15. Sunday: [T] To 7³⁰ Mass Father Wagner then to work.  Completed mail orders.  Noon meal at 1 P.M. picked up Donald and Arlene at 2¹⁵ for trip to Milwaukee.  Stopped at St. Michaels to see Sister Linus find she’s been teaching for two weeks.  Looks thin but feels good.  About 1000 children where she teaches at St. Michaels.  Pastor has 4 assistants.  Then had dinner at the Belmont Hotel then to the Sports Show at the Arena.  Fine displays of art – also fish – birds – deer – raccoons, wonderful trailers – torpedoes – air craft engine – boats – autos.  You can fish in the stream for trout.  Displays of guns – tackle were good.  The acts were wonderful.  Orrin Bensons retrievers –Wood Choppers –Log Rollers – Sawyers.  Henri La Mothe, comic diver, Baby Doll, wonder horse, Jimmy Running, champion log roller – Ben Hardestay, Bait Casting Champion –The Timber Toppers, champion climbed 106 ft in 33 seconds came down in 13 seconds – The China plate juggler and Sharkey the Seal.  Home 1¹⁵ A.M.  Snow on way home. 

Com.  Mrs. Harry Adams.

16.  Monday: Prairie du Chien and La Crosse are inundated by the overflowing Mississippi River.  Norman Brown is here today for noon meal.  He feels as tho he is taking advantage of our hospitality.  Well, we don’t think so.

17.  Tuesday: A nice sunshiny day, not too warm.  To Kiwanis Club had “A Capella Chorus” from Teachers College also John Carter and his pianist Mr. McDonald as guests.  Jane Lust and Miss Kriewahl at our table, Larry Buck - Sam Lucksinger and myself.  Earl Knutson our District Governor is also here, Rabbi Fox – Chicago.  General Douglas Mac Arthur arrives in San Francisco at 10.29 P.M. We hear the radio broadcast of his arrival.  It is immense.  This closes his book of 14 years in the Far East.

18.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] Clark Hastings is in town with new detail man from Abbott. Had luncheon at the Athearn with Sunny Peck, Clark, and Martin. Dick Contino $4000 a week accordionist surrenders on the draft evasion charge. He failed to report for induction to his Burbank draft board. Thres Fretschl, Joe and Annie Heip are here for cards tonite. Cork calls for them as usual. Lunch at 1¹⁵ A.M. Home 2 A.M. I made 90 cents. Mary Ann, Doris Heisler attend Apollo Male Singers Concert. “John Carter” Guest Artist.

19.  Thursday: Sen. Arthur H. Vandenberg 67 of Michigan passed away last night at his home Grand Rapids.  He was a foreign policy expert, respected by both major parties.  Lonnie Darling founder of the Oshkosh All Stars Basketball Team died this morning 6 Oclock of heart failure.  Born June 25 – 1902.  On his 25th birthday married Margaret Hansen in Chicago.  The Oshkosh All Stars joined N. B. League in 1936.  Won Western division title 6 times.  In 1942 won World’s Championship.  In 1947 Lonnie was chosen professional coach of the year.

20.  Friday: [R 2 M     T] General Mac Arthur is tendered an immense reception at New York, a 4 hour parade about 7 ½ million people turned out to welcome him.  John Lange (Mutual Drug) dropped in to say hello this aft.  He is on his way to his cottage.

21.  Saturday: Back in the store basement as usual on Saturdays.  We enjoy two good pictures at the Grand Theatre.  Red Skelton

22.  Sunday: [T] To 7³⁰ Mass St. Marys with K.C. Father Leander Nickel.  Then to work.  This afternoon to St. Mary’s Hall for K.C. 2 and 3 degree.  Portage degree team put them on.  Mark Schallern substituted for Doc Henni.  About 86 new members, some of the boys I knew Bill McDonald radio announcer, Ted Stadtmueller –John Gloeser – John Koelbl – John Neubauer – Father Nickel.  Had supper and refreshments at the Club.  Back to the store at 10 P.M. to finish my orders.  Home at midnight. 

Com.  Lonnie Darling

23.  Monday: Brought Norm Brown home for the noon meal.  What do we have, well we have Goulash and it is good.  Met Albert Menne of Dotyville yesterday at the K.C. doings.  He used to work with Ed Wirtz also Eugene Blatz and George Leonard of Fond du Lac.  Ed Koeck gives a party for Sacred Heart players.

24.  Tuesday: It is still raining this morning.  Took Bob Fisher as guest to Kiwanis.  “God and Creation” is a colored movie shown by Rothwell Stickley, Minister Salvation Army.  Carol Folletz (North Store) shows me a diamond which means a wedding.  She says it will be June 23d.  I rented a post office box for our store mail (Box 1039).  Paid our last respects to Bob Beck at Poklasny’s.  Had a long visit with Sister Mary John, his sister Celia. 

2 M.O. Rob Beck

25.  Wednesday: Took mother to St. Vincents gym tonight to see 15 bouts of three round boxing from small boys 62 pound weight to big ones 190 pound weight.  They also had one bout of blind boxing and that was fun.  Jean Powers is here tonite to give Mary Ann a permanent wave.  Almost midnight before she completes it.

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27.  Friday: [T    R 4 M] Meet with Walter Patri to make out final report in the Lyman Estate.  Mary Butt is in to see me this morning.  This evening we pay our last respects to Harry Lyman.  Met Harry (Bee) his oldest son.  Then to Konrads to pay our last respects to Carl Knobla.  Leone bears up well under the ordeal.

28.  Saturday: Harry Lyman is laid to rest this morning.  Attended funeral services for Carl Knobla of this afternoon.  Rev. Going at church and at the grave.  About 10 Kiwanians attended.  To confession Father Murphy, then a bath, some time at store – supper – and then to the Strand to see “Fathers Little Dividend” starring Spencer Tracy –Joan Bennet – Elizabeth Taylor – Don Taylor –Billie Burke – also “The Mac Arthur Story”

29.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass St. Vincents Father Wagner.  After breakfast to the Post Office – North and South Stores.  Leave for Milwaukee at 10.15.  A beautiful day.  Gail Radomski made first Holy Communion and we are here to help her celebrate.  Roman – Jenny Antkoski –Whitey and Frances Wolf are here also.  We have not seen them for years.  Mickey Mercurio serves us.  The Antkoskis want us to visit them at their Lake Beulah Mansion.  We are back home at 8 P.M.  Traffic is heavy 1608 cars from Highway 100. 

Com.  Harry Lyman

30.  Monday: [R 4 M] Norm Brown takes Bob Kniss – Mary Ann and me to the Town Grill for a steak luncheon.  Ma is busy playing cards today.  This afternoon the ladies auxiliary S S B M C have banquet at Ostertags tea room.  This evening the playoffs of the Council of Cath Womens Card tournament at Columbus Club.  Thres and Emma Siewert win no prize.  Mrs. Rud Nigl 8⁰⁰ Dess Wirtz 6⁰⁰.  The boys at the South Store begin their summer schedule.