Diary of Alfred E. Potter February, 1952

01.  Friday: Received a package of fresh chubs from Ken Sepersky this morning, just in time for our noon meal.  Art Mueller owner of T. and S. Tobacco Company is in today with a bushel of Union trouble.  Well I advised him as best I knew.  Hope he’ll come out OK.

02.  Saturday: We are on the job selling candles at St. Vincents this morning.  Took in 121\²⁰

03.  Sunday: This is Art Mueller’s birthday and it is a foggy one.  He is plump 50.  We attend 7³⁰ Mass.  Father Wagner preaches on doing God’s Will.  Blessing of St. Blase after all masses.  I forgot to mention that Art was also foggy this morning.  He and Margaret began celebrating his birthday last night.  We view the remains of John Jungbauer at Poklasny’s.  Tonite we have Joe and Annie Weisheipl over for cards.  Took them home at 1¹⁵ A.M. 

Com.  John Jungbauer

04.  Monday: [R 4 M] Had Norm Brown over this noon.  He almost didn’t get here, if he had not announced himself at our store back door when I was leaving for lunch.  This morning to directors meeting of Retail Division of C of C.  We practically agree on combining Retail and Industrial Division.  Thres attends Christian Mothers meeting tonight, at St. Vincents, I work until 11.30 PM.  Joe Weisheipl Sr. now weighs 159 pounds, 5 pounds less than I do.

05.  Tuesday: My car mileage today, 15000 miles. To Kiwanis luncheon Jack McCain former manager of Muirs is back in Oshkosh.  He is employed at Drug N Book.  Our table Jack –Al Dunham – Ed Ledvina and myself.  Our Kiwanians vote to have luncheon at the Raulf Hotel beginning next Tuesday.  Frank Keefe former Congressman passed away suddenly at Neenah this afternoon after speaking to the Womens Tuesday Club.  He collapsed as he entered his car.  I viewed the remains of Eliz. Morgan at Spikes and McDonald.  Met Bill Morgan from Iron Mt. Michigan, another schoolmate of mine.

06.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] King George of England passed away in his sleep today.  He was apparently in improved health.  A blood clot may have caused his death.  A beautiful day today.  Thres and me visited Aunt Mary tonite.  I also visited Jim Coe, hadn’t seen Marie Geigoski, his wife in years.  Jim is helping out at Schroeder’s Drug Store.  Wendell Ihde is in Florida.  Also visited Art Hazen’s mother, she is doing pretty well.  We spend the rest of the evening with Frank and Betty Drexler.

07.  Thursday: Ma is out at Alvina Putzers this afternoon with Thres Fretschl - Emma Lemke - Annie Heip. Mary Ann and me get our supper at Wirtz's. We are having horseburger trouble in Oshkosh. It seems Kanern Sausage and Schmidt Sausage Co. have been using horse meat in their hamburgers.

08.  Friday: [R 4 M] Frank Keefe is laid to rest today.  Its a stormy morning, snow flurries, clears toward noon.

09.  Saturday: [T] Attended funeral service for Frank Fransway this afternoon.  I was the only member of the South Side Business men there.  This evening took Mary Ann and Thres to the Oshkosh.  Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis star in “Sailor Beware.” Its Gobs of laugh.  Tex Williams stars in “Western Courage.”

10.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass St. Vincents Holy Name, Father Milbauer, letter from Bishop Bona about Diocesan Charities.  Collection next Sunday.  Two weeks mission begins at St. Johns today.

11.  Monday: [R 4 M] Donalds birthday, he is 24.  Its a lovely day too.  We buy a vacuum cleaner a Hoover for his present.  Attended Chamber of Commerce Meeting at 9³⁰.  Rudy Haveman presents a proposition for a Farmers Educational Meeting for Thursday, February 21.  Thres is at the Council of Catholic Program tonight.  She reports a very good program of local talent especially the Glee Club in “Gay 90 Costumes.”

12.  Tuesday: Banks are closed today, but we are busy selling valentines.  Kiwanis Club have their first luncheon at the Raulf Hotel, I took Ken Sepersky as guest.  We had a very nice meal.  Tonite Mr. and Mrs. George Procknow are with us to play cards.  Had a pleasant somewhat slow game.  Scores are not high.  George and Mrs. each had 49 points, I had 38 –Thres had 33.  They left a 12.45 and I felt lousy after the cake and ice cream.  27 years ago today, we moved into this our new home.

13.  Wednesday: Drove to Neenah this noon with Rudy Haveman and Brud Auger.  Attended the Kiwanis luncheon there, they entertain the Winnebago County Four H leaders at the Valley Inn.  We invited them to come to Oshkosh next year and they voted to do so.

14.  Thursday: Took Eddie Weisheipl along to Milwaukee to look over McClurgs spring line. We eat at Maders. Weather is perfect for driving. Back at 6.30 P.M. Emma Lemke and Thres Fretschl are over tonite for cards. Otto stays at Fretschl’s for Television. I played cards with the ladies. Otto picks them up at 11 P.M.

15.  Friday: Uncle Joe Weisheipl has another slight stroke this morning.  Drs. W^m and Ray Wagner attend him.  Father Bunkleman is there also.  I visited him this noon.  He feels pretty bad, I tried to cheer him up the best I could.  Got him to laughing again.  Saw him again at supper time, he looks much better.

16.  Saturday: Ed Dietz and myself over to Chamber Commerce office this morning to see Ginny Rice about a booth for the Farmers Institute next Thursday.  She OK’s it.  Then over to Joe Stadtmuellers for a visit, and look the place over for the booth.  Sports Show begins at the Arena today in Milwaukee.  Tonite Thres and I visit with Annie Heip and Rose.  Joe is sleeping and shows improvement.

17.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass St. Vincents Father Milbauer.  Then to work.  This afternoon we view the remains of Mrs. Barsch.  Down to the store at 4 P.M. to finish orders.

18.  Monday: [R 4 M] Had luncheon with Norm Brown at Town Grill.  I tried Beef Pot Pie for a change.  Thres entertains the Card Club of the South Side Business Mens Auxiliary.

19.  Tuesday: [T] To Chamber of Commerce meeting this morning.  Rudy Haveman is there to give his report about the Farm Institute and Four H Club Leaders.  To Kiwanis Club at the Raulf, another wonderful meal.  Snow all day today.

20.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] Dollar Day in Oshkosh is greeted with more snow and is also held over for tomorrow. Its snowing all day, hope its nice tomorrow. Had Otto and Emma Lemke over tonite for tournament sheephead. Otto and Emma are way ahead of us on scores Otto 62, Emma 52, Thres 37, I had 43 points.

21.  Thursday: [T] This is one busy day for me.  Over to Stadtmuellers by 9 Oclock to get set up for the Farm Institute.  Met Berry Hayes – Dave Williams.  They were speakers also Hig Murray.  Helped register the folks as they came in.  Don’t know how many registrations we had but it should be near 350.  Had Ed Dietz over for Salsbury.  Worked until 4 Oclock, and Im very tired.  Special Kiwanis meeting at 4³⁰ at Bob Kelly’s at Swifts.  We killed a motion to support “Hares Foot Show” in Oshkosh.

22.  Friday: [R 4 M] Stopped at Chamber of Commerce Office this A.M., find we had 350 registrations yesterday, served about 400 for lunch.  Met Gordon Hough at Kresge’s.  He tells me he had an 80° increase over last years dollar days sales.  Stopped to see Uncle Joe this noon.  He is much improved.  Pressure down to 170.  He is still unable to talk, mumbles only

23.  Saturday: I'm in the delivery business today. Took Walter Seelmacher to work at the Boston Store, delivered mail to the stores, delivered three dozen eggs and coffee cake to Donald, rye bread and coffee cake to the Weisheipls, Joe is resting when I get there, delivered rye bread to Cliff Kloeckners for K.C. party tonight. Picked up Joan Mauritz and took her and Mary Ann over town, picked them up again at 11³⁰ also Doris Heisler and took them home.

24.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass St. Vincents – Father Wagner, reads Lenten Rules.  Worked balance of morning, took Billy Mauritz and Grace Sitter home.  Back at work at 4³⁰ until 6³⁰ then home for a bite to eat and then to St. Johns Forty Hour Devotion.  Served as Honor Guard with K.C.’s.  Then out to see Uncle Joe, house is locked, took Mary Ann and Thres home and I go back to work until 11 P.M.

25.  Monday: Joint Kiwanis and Rotary luncheon today, we hear Arthur Brayton, Secy of the Des Moines Convention Bureau, a good friend of Boyd Jordan’s.  He is a good speaker and lots of fun.  I took Norman Brown and Bob Kniss as guests.  They enjoyed him thoroughly.  Took Thres over to Mercy Hospital to see Aunt Mary.  She’s about the same as usual.  We also visited Mrs. Gene Whittemore, she is in 300.  Will be four weeks Wednesday she’s there.

26.  Tuesday: No Kiwanis luncheon today but a round table.  I did not attend.  New Chamber of Commerce and Industry Directors meet this afternoon at 4 Oclock.  We elect Chuck Fiss President, Bill Petrie Vice President Retail Division – R.K. Schriber Vice President Manufacturers Division,

27.  Wednesday: Beginning of Lent finds Ma and me attending 7 Oclock Mass St. Vincents and also getting the ashes on our forehead with the familiar “Memento Homo quia pulvis es.” Attended service tonight it’s a full house at St. Vincents and Father Wagner encourages the people to come again Friday.  Intended to see Uncle Joe with Ma, she had company Donald and family are over, so I went out alone and left 1/5 of brandy with Annie. 

Com.  Stanislaus Jarosch

28.  Thursday: [T] Completed figuring inventory this afternoon.

29.  Friday: This is that extra day we get every 4 years. Well its nice and crisp out. Chamber of Commerce directors interview Mr. Stephens of Connersville, Indiana for the position of Secretary. We have luncheon at the Athearn. He impressed me as a very good man for the job. Dropped in to see Uncle Joe at suppertime. He is resting and shows more improvement. Art Mueller is back on the job after being laid up with a sore throat since Tuesday afternoon.