Diary of Alfred E. Potter December, 1948

01.   Wednesday: Had breakfast at restaurant near the hotel, then over to the Broadway Church Goods Co.     Wisconsin Ave., met Mr. Hess and _____ whom I had known when at the “Church Mart.” Then over to McClurg’s Rene Kimball has very little merchandise left.  Had luncheon at Blatz Hotel, then to E.K. Stores to interview “Mr. Forbes” about St. Vincents Kodascope, checked out at hotel, then to Carl and Margaret Radomski’s.  Ann Drexler is looking fine, Gail and little Jimmie are doing nicely.  Left Carls 5³⁰ Milwaukee 6⁰⁰ home before 8⁰⁰.  Am back to work at the store by 8⁰⁰, worked 2 ½ hours.

02.  Thursday: Annie Weisheipl has another birthday.  She is 66.  She tells me a group of her friends had quite a surprise on her last evening.  She received 18 dollars in cash -2 Boxes candy -1 pair stockings.

03.  Friday: To St. Vincents 7 Oclock.  Mary Ann is not with me this morning. 

Com.  Donald – Mary Ann

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05.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ St. Vincents Hi Mass.  Father Loehr.  “Altar Society” makes a good showing.  After breakfast to work at 9¹⁵. Mary Ann is working this morning.  This afternoon at Fiss and Bills view the remains of Frank Tauber.  Della is there alone.  Also Rob Langkau, had quite a visit with Mrs. and the boys.  Then to Poklasny’s to see Frank Salzer.  Frank Jr. Mrs. and Carl are there. 

2 M.O. Frank Tauber

2 M.O. Frank Salzer

1 M.O. Rob Langkau

Com.  Frank Tauber.

06.  Monday: Attended funeral services for Frank Tauber at St. Vincents, Father Wagner.  Had Mrs. Frank Kriz in our car.  This noon to Kiwanis Directors meeting, this is the last for the old board and for me as my time expires.  Mama attends annual Christmas party of St. Vincents Altar Society.  She reports a wonderful party and a lovely time.  I work until 10.45 P.M.

07.  Tuesday: I did not get to Kiwanis luncheon.  Needed rest badly.

08.  Wednesday: Attended closing of forty hours at St. Mary’s tonite with 4th Degree K. C’s.

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10.  Friday: [TEG] Aunt Mary has her first cold this season.

11.  Saturday: Ven. Sister Romano has a fall this morning when getting out of bed and broke her collarbone in three places.  Donald leaves for Chicago on the 5⁰⁶ afternoon train.  All Stars beat Hammond 50-45.  Elsie Wagner comes home from the hospital.

12.  Sunday: [T] To 7³⁰ Mass with Holy Name Soc. Monsignor Bastian, over at 8¹⁰ A.M.  Took a drive to the cottage this afternoon with Mary Ann and Thres.  Temperature is 42° outside 35° in the cottage.  Took a few snapshots.  On the way home stopped at Ray and Maxine Siewerts for an hours visit.  They have a cute home.  Ray tells me some of Bobbie’s experiences, and they are comical.  Back to work at 6 P.M.  Worked 7 hours today.  Edward and Florence Weisheipl’s little boy is baptized Thomas Joseph.  Joe and Marge Sponsors.  Harry Luebke (our neighbor) finally gets his garage door fixed. 

Com.  Deceased Holy Name Members.

13.  Monday: Bob Morgan, Parker man is here to patch up our differences with Parker Plan Co. we get nowhere, I notified them that merchandise will be sold at close out prices if not accepted for credit.  Thres attends Christmas party of Ladies Auxiliary at Angie Jensen’s.  We are busy at the store.  I worked 11 ¼ hours.  Elsie Broche, widow of Dr. Broche died suddenly Saturday night on her way to the railroad station evidently in a cab.

14.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis Club.  Elwyn Nelson – Lee Conroy –Dr. Chuck Behnke and myself at table.  Mrs. Nile Behnke shows pictures of the Madonna.  Rain this afternoon freezes and causes bad walking and driving.  I stayed home this evening, afraid to go out.  Worked 7 ½ hours.

15.  Wednesday: Elsie Broche is laid to rest this afternoon.  Mrs. Mary Praxl died last Saturday at her daughter Mrs. Marie Bucholz Chicago.  Born in Austria Aug. 18 – 1867.  Knew her very well when she resided in Oshkosh.  Was laid to rest this morning in Sacred Heart cemetery.  Bill Mauritz was a pallbearer.  Thres attends another auxiliary party tonight.  I’m kept very busy, worked 12 ¼ hours.

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19.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass as usual and then to work.

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23.  Thursday: Another busy day but am glad it will not last much longer.  Tonite is my 9th straight evening of work.  Had been averaging from eleven to 12 hours per day for quite some time and I’m beginning to feel wobbly.

24.  Friday: Well, today is the wind up, and I am glad.  Donald and myself deliver the presents to the doctors and I nearly froze my feet.  Understand the temperature is zero.  The Sisters – Fathers Murphy – Wagner Loehr and Monsignor – Madeline and Josephine Bastian also get a present from yours truly.  Business at the stores is very good.  Took Aunt Mary to confession on the way out of the car at home she wrenches her knee.  Mary Ann missed out on the 40 dollar question of Zimmerman’s quiz: What Vice President resigned.  It was John Calhoun and Mama knew the answer but Mary Ann did not call her to the phone.  A nice Christmas present shot.  We exchange presents at home about 9 Oclock when Donny gets home from work. To midnight Mass, Donald had his sweetheart to church.  He also sings a solo.  To bed at 3 A.M. 

Com. Thanksg

25.  Saturday: Slept until 9 A.M.  Its a beautiful day but cold.  Down to the store at 10 A.M.  Learned we took in over two grand at the South Store, nine hundred sixty five North.  Donald eats at Arlene’s, they are here this afternoon with Diane and Sandra.  We visit Eddie and Florence Weisheipl.  Annie and the girls are there, then to Matt and Amanda Drexlers, had supper there, then to Joe and Ceil Drexlers with Matts family Herb and Al Mugerauer are there with their families.  Home at 9 .PM.  Called out this afternoon to fill 2 Rx’s for Dr. Jim Meli delivered them to Leonard Frank – 1425 – 7th St.

26.  Sunday: [T] To 7³⁰ Mass St. Vincents and it is a short one.  Father Wagner, and Father Loehr distributed Holy Communion, over with at 8 A.M.  Then to work.  This afternoon Annie Heip – Rose and Marian are here to exchange presents.  They enjoy a few glasses of Christmas Cheer, leave for home at 5 P.M.  After supper Thres and myself make our Christmas visit with Bill and Rose Mauritz and Ray and Ann Ostertag.  Ann and the baby “Judy” have a cold.  Home again at 9 P.M. 

Com. Ven Sister Romana

27.  Monday: Business back to normal, plenty of cleaning up to do.  Worked 8 hours today.  Harry Agnes and children are here this evening and must say that they had a very good time.  Aunt Mary is in her glory and entertains with old time stories all in her own way.  Harry and Agnes get a big kick learning that her brother Ted was her father, and when her sister Annie locked her in the barn with the cow, the cow almost went crazy, Mary was afraid of rats so she sat on her stool and many other comic remarks.  The folks left at 12³⁰.

28.  Tuesday: Took Thres to Kiwanis ladies day program this noon.  Harry Hannisch is M.C. Earl Clemans our new president.  Thres got a door prize, the first one at ladies day luncheon.  After the luncheon Thres and self visited Sisters Meinroda and Aquillina at St. Mary’s Hospital.  Their chapel is beautifully decorated.  Forgot to mention that Bill and Mrs. Kastner were at our table.  Mary Ann is out to Matt – Amanda Drexlers for the day.

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31.  Friday: The last day of the year is busy at the store as usual.  We do not celebrate tonite, it is a quiet evening at home with a few hands of cribbage which are won by Mary Ann.