Diary of Alfred E. Potter February, 1951

01.                            Feb 4 - Continued

02.  Friday: To Church 7 A.M.  St. Vincents and it surely is hot in church.  That new janitor believes in firing up.  Tonite over to Berlin to stand guard at St. Joseph’s Church at the bier of Father Hurst.  Otto Stoegbauer – George Ruedinger – John Fitzgerald –Lester Borisch –Jack Kavage – Leo Girens.  Joe Baier – Donald – Ed Fretschl and myself are busy selling candles at the church this morning.  Took in $100.30. 

Com.  Mary Ann

03. Saturday: Back to Berlin this morning for Father Hursts funeral services.  Stand guard from 9³⁰ to 11.  Chant begins at 10.30.  Mass at 11 A.M.  We all stood at attention for 1 hour, George Ruedinger – Ray Faust –John Fitzgerald –Lester Borisch – Gilbert Pitz – George Hlava and myself.  Bishop Ryan cousin of Father Hurst was celebrant and also had the sermon.  We were served a ham dinner after the services.  Home at 2³⁰.  Dropped in to see Matt Mertz about getting a certain amount of money into St. Vincents budget for car expense for assistants and possibly also the pastor.

04.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass Father Wagner, Lenten regulations are read this morning. To work the rest of the morning, also to 7³⁰ this evening, then to Sacred Heart to see Musical Variety. It is very well rendered. The Weisheipls and Drexlers are very well represented. Ed Weisheipl is very comic. The Mueller Potter organization is well represented in the audience. Stopped at Koeck's Stop and Go Tavern, didn't stay long, too crowded, then to Tad Spaedtke for a small steak. Had Ed-Thres Fretschl with us.

Com.  Frank Jungwirth

05.  Monday: [T] Thres entertains Ladies Auxiliary S. Side Business Mens Club, this afternoon.  They played Bridge and Schofskopf.  Put in a full day of work today.  Thru at 11:30 PM.  Put in 12 ½ hours.  Eddie Klitzke is laid to rest today.  Died suddenly last Friday evening 7⁵⁵ at his home, a few minutes after he arrived home from Milwaukee.  He left Wednesday with Roger Kliss to attend the 12th annual industrial electrical exposition.  He drove back to Oshkosh Friday afternoon.

06.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon.  Vernon Irish – City Planner is our speaker.  Took Thres to Mercy Hospital.  We visit Aunt Mary

07.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] To 6⁴⁵ Mass.  Father Wagner.  This noon to luncheon Athearn Hotel, Retail Division Chamber of Commerce.  Discussion: Dollar Day and Spring Fashion Sale.  The nations worst train wreck occurred in Woodbridge New Jersey last evening when a 11 car commuter train from New York plunged off a newly erected trestle here killing 83 persons, wounded 500.  Gilbert Marth died suddenly last night 6¹⁵ at Antigo. 

Com.  Frank Stein

08.  Thursday: To Mercy Hospital this afternoon.  Took Annie Weisheipl along.  Visited with Sister Aurelia and Sister Kunigunda.  Official temperature this morning 19° below zero.

09.  Friday: [R 2 M] Oshkosh firemen had to fight a fire last night in 18° below zero weather last night at about 11 oclock, at the Oshkosh Overall Supply Company 546 Grand Ave.  Damage estimated at $25 000.  An explosion at the plant of the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company makers of “Scotch Tape.” Killed 11 persons and idled 4000.  Twenty seven are still in hospitals some critically injured.

10.  Saturday: Well this is my day to work in the basement, and we did accomplish plenty.  Don and Billy worked like beavers.  All drug orders checked and placed.  Mary Ann has Carol Schmid – Faye Baier –Doris Heisler – Joan Mauritz for overnite guests.

11.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass St. Vincents with Holy Name, Father Koehn.  This is also St. Vincents annual parish meeting day.  Some of the members questioned Father Bastian above the salary of assistant priest, find they get $600, no provisions are made for use of their car and gasoline for sick calls and any business which may concern the parish.  Msgr. Bastian claims he gives Father Wagner a big check each year to cover these expenditures, no record is however made of this.  Ed Binder had the floor but not for long.  Donald is 23 today Arlene and Baby are all here for dinner.  Virginia Abrams at the store is also a birthday child today.  She is 34.

12.  Monday: [R 4 M] Banks are closed today, a legal holiday.  We are again treated to a heavy layer of snow.  Install a postage meter at our Postal Station at the South Store.

13.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon, took Harvey Lohst along to be a guest.  Secretary of State Fred Zimmerman was here.  He gave a humorous talk and never did get around to the subject he wanted to talk them.  I got a seat at the head table for having the 3d fullest lung in the Poleo drive.  I also get a job as head of the attendance committee.  Harold Howe resigned.

14.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] Valentine Day gets away to a cold start, it is 15° below this morning.  Thres and self visited Aunt Mary this afternoon.  I had a visit also with Sister Aurelia Superior at the hospital.  She tells me she was born near Neumarkt Germany.  Tonite Joe and Annie Weisheipl – Thres Fretschl are with us for a game of Sheephead.  I was somewhat lucky won 1²⁰.

15.  Thursday: Father Alphonse Wagner is in my office this morning.  Tells me contract is practically signed for the kneelers to be installed in St. Vincents possibly will have them by Easter Sunday.

16.  Friday: [R 4 M] I almost got started to work this morning, unfortunately the roads and walks are so terribly slippery that very few folks are out. I ordered retail establishments belonging to Chamber of Commerce Retail Division to close at 5 P.M. if they so wish.  They did and many others also closed.

17.  

18.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass Father Wagner.  Thres attends “Day of Recollection” at St. Peters.  Father Kehoe conducts the conferences.  I complete my order by 7 P.M. then attend concert by the “Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra” at the Grand Opera House.  Janet Snelling is the soloist, Soprano.  She is the young lady picked by the judges to sing on this program.  She has a lovely voice and a charming disposition. 

Com.  Matt Baier

19.  Monday: [R 4 M] I attended 6⁴⁵ Mass.  Thres is home getting rested up so she can attend tomorrow.  Frank Eppinger is laid to rest.  Heard today from Leo Muza that Father James Spaulding broke a leg the other day.  Thres to Elsie Zentners to play cards with S.S.B.M. Auxiliary.  Wins 60¢ first prize. 

Com.  Frank Eppinger

20.  Tuesday: To Kiwanis luncheon, Gene Vogel – Hugo Riese – Henry Zentner and myself.  Had a most interesting program today.  Murl Duesing world traveler and lecturer showed colored movies of life in Safari in Africa.  Showed Elephants – Rhinos – Zebras – Storks – Vultures –Gazelles – Army Aunts – Python – Gnus –To 6⁴⁵ Mass with Thres. 

Com.  Caroline Baier.

21.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] To Mass at 6⁴⁵ Father Wagner. 

Com.  Grandma Baier

22.  Thursday: [TEG] Up at 9³⁰ with the sun out for a beautiful day.  To work by 10.30 then to luncheon Athearn with Retail Division Chamber of Commerce.  Al Embury – Tom Schwalm -

23.  Friday: To 6⁴⁵ Mass Father Wagner. 

Com.  Leo Wolf

24.  Saturday: To 6⁴⁵ Mass.  Father Koehn.  Rather foggy out this morning.  Worked in the basement this morning, this afternoon we visit Aunt Mary at the hospital.  Ada Smith in the bed to the South of Mary is doing very well.  This evening to the Grand Opera House to see Betty Hutton –Fred Astaire in “Lets Dance” and

Com.  Emma Hurst

25.  Sunday: To 8⁰⁰ Mass St. Josaphats Church.  C.O. Foresters Easter Communion.  Is a rainy morning.  To work by 9¹⁵.  Got out all of the larger orders this morning.  The serves delicious steaks for noonday meal and we do not need supper.  This evening Joe – Emma Baier – Bill – Rose Mauritz – Ray – Ann Ostertag are with us.  Showed the pictures of our trip and after that cards were in order until 1 A.M. and lunch after that.  To bed by 2.45 A.M. 

Com.  Stanislaus Jarosch

26.  Monday: Could'nt get up so early this morning. Busy at the store trying to complete figures in inventory. Tonite we attend the Civic Music Concert of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. William Steinberg is directing “Doris Doree” Soloist is the best Ive ever heard.

27.  Tuesday: To Mass 6⁴⁵ Father Koehn.  Did not get to Kiwanis luncheon instead to Town Grill with Herb Kroft – Bob Fisher – Kenn Siperski.  Herb is the retired by Sharp & Dohme this year.  Had Sauerkraut and Pork Hocks.  Father Wagner is in this morning.  He has not had his laundry done for 3 weeks, guess Josephine and Madelain must be mad about something.  I told to bring it to our house, our Bendix would take care of it for him.  Emma Siewert is with us this afternoon and evening.  Little Debby is here while Don and Arlene attend church.

Com.  Kath Holzbauer

28.  Wednesday: Attended funeral services of Frank Schneider at St. Mary’s.  Matt Mertz – Matt Marheine – Joe Koplitz – John Matayka – Anton Pable and self are honorary pallbearers.  Tonite we are at Ed Fretschl’s for cards.  I worked until 8³⁰ P.M..  Still busy figuring inventories.  At Fretschls we played cards for 4 hours, I win 5 cents.