Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Diary of Alfred E. Potter September, 1953

01.  Tuesday: Chicago has had seven days of 95° or higher.  Yesterdays temperature was 99.1°.  The month of August just past had 17 successive days without rain.
02.  Tuesday: [T] This is Oshkosh Day at the Fair.  Mary Ann has a day off.  Came to town to pick up tickets for the fair.  Attended this evening and saw a very fine performance of stage acts.  Met Aunt Annie all by herself took her home after the performances.
03.  Thursday: Otto Lemke brings Emma out to stay with Thres and takes Mary Ann and myself to town for work.  Had our supper at Wirtz’s.  Looks quite cloudy out this evening –followed by a good sized shower.  Had a call from Thres that she and Emma are home and will pick me up to pay our last respects to Emma Steinhilber, Bill Siewerts sister.  I suddenly became ill was severe chest pains and am unable to go along.  Temperature is 96° today.
04.  Friday: I feel better this morning and am able to see Emma Steinhilber.  She looks very nice in spite of two years suffering she endured with cancer.  Temperature dropped 33° last evening up to 8 oclock.  The average for the last 10 days was 92.7°.
05.  Saturday: We are having trouble with one of our electric circuits at home.  Our wash machine and several lights are out of commission.  After blowing about 5 fuses I had Floyd Devoe here, but he is unable to find the cause of our trouble.
06. Sunday: To 730 Hi Mass.  St. Vincents.  Father James Weisheipl offers the Mass and pleads also for the African Missions conducted by the Dominican Order to which he belongs.  This afternoon we are out at the cottage.  Joel picks about 3 ½ bushels of apples.  Gave Bobbie Brand of good-sized heaping box full.  This evening I drive the folks to Omro, where we see “Salome” starring Rita Hayworth as the daughter of Herodias –Charles Laughton as Herod – Judith Anderson as Herodias – Stewart Granger as Claudius.
07.  Monday: Had trouble breathing during the night and much chest pain at 130.  Mother massaged and after a pain tablet I’m back to sleep.  The day is nice and I feel pretty good this morning.  Drove to town with Joe took home about 2 bushels of nice apples.  Dropped in at the store to see how Joe Baier and his crew are getting along.  After dinner Cork brought out Uncle Joe – Aunt Annie, and Otto and Emma Lemke and Ed and Thres Fretschl, Donald and family came later.  Arlene – Don – Joe went fishing. We had a good-sized wiener roast, most probably the last of the season.  I was as usual the roaster and bartender.  About 7 Oclock Don and family left.  At 730 I again developed severe chest pains and the party had to break up.  Thres also became ill, she drove part way I drove rest of the way.  Called Dr. Will Wagner, he arrived at 9.55, gave Thres a hypo, and I’m to take a cardiogram.
08.  Tuesday: Passed a very bad night, hardly any sleep and much chest pain.  Kenny Sepersky dropped in to see me this P.M.
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10.  Thursday: Paid bills today, there was quite an accumulation
11.  Friday: According to the papers this morning Martin P. Durkin resigned as Secy. of Labor yesterday from Eisenhower’s Cabinet.  Durkin stated that the White House had backed down on many changes in the Taft – Hartley Law which the late Senator Taft had approved.  Sister Irene tells me Aunt Mary had to be moved in a room by herself, she was getting too noisy.  She is now in 213.
12.  Saturday: A holdup man called at the house of Victor Helstrom 345 E. Irving at 11:45 last night, forced Vic and his wife Arlene to go with him to the Krambo Store Jackson Drive where he had Vic get the money from the Krambo safe while he held Arlene hostage. Victor handed over 20000 in checks and 4000 in cash.  He then had Vic drive to Sacred Heart Cemetery and tied both to trees.
13.  Sunday: To 730 Mass St. Vincents “Holy Name” Father Wagner.  Father Milbauer Sermon on being “Humble.” To work by 945 A.M to 12.45 then 2 to 6 P.M. and 730 to 11 P.M. total 10 ½ hours.  Don help this afternoon.  Norm Brown called about driving to Mt Calvary.  Father Bob Hasselman is with them.
Com.  Deceased Brothers in Holy Name
14.  Monday: Down to work at 10.30 AM.  Lee Conroy called a few minutes after we left.  Thres to hairdresses.  We have luncheon with Norm and Sybelle Brown at the “town grill.” Father Bob, his sister Allouez and Betty and George and La Vina Haverty are guests.  Sybelle had a Call Bladder attack last Friday.  Worked the afternoon Mary Ann takes her vacation this week.  To Dr. Wm Wagner’s office tonight.  He told me “cardiogram showed nothing to be alarmed about but advised a sedimentation rate test.  Joe Weisheipl Jr. has a gall attack while on television this evening.
15.  Tuesday: Worked part time at the store.  Two Mercy Hospital this afternoon for “sedimentation rate.” Also visited Aunt Mary.  She is now confined in Room 213 all by herself.  She is sleeping when I visit her.  Back to work at the store until supper time.  Also helped to clean house at home.
16.  Wednesday: [TVG] We all are busy at home getting ready for "Mothers Linen Shower" for Marion Weisheipl tonite.  And twenty seven ladies attend, three – Alvina Putzer –Anna Kinateder – Emma Baier are unable to be here but send presents.  Mary Ann receives many beautiful presents. Bob Leichtfuss comes at about 1:15 to haul away the plunder.  Thres is very tired and glad the party is over.  We get to bed at 130 AM.
17.  Thursday: Dr. Will Wagner phoned me about my sedimentation rate.  It is 20 which is 10 more than it should be.  He says in is not enough to be alarmed about, but I should take it easy.  Enrollment in the Catholic parochial schools is 1894.  St Mary's School 439 - St Peter's 419 - Sacred Heart 380 - St. Vincents 348 - St. Josephs 160 - St. Johns 148.  Grace Lutheran 149 - Trinity Lutheran 112.
18.  Friday: Back to the Curative Workshop for treatment.  Just about two weeks since I’ve had one.
19.  Saturday: Carol Binder and Randy Meyer are united in marriage this morning at St. Vincents.  Mary Ann attends the reception from 2.30 to 600 at Columbus Club.  Joan Mauritz is one of the bridesmaids.  Another treatment for me at 9.30 this morning.  Mrs. Montgomery (Nee Kalbus) gives me a very thorough going over.  Hans Haertl whom I met at Mercy Hospital some time ago, who has been working for Harold Frick on a farm, began working at “Heiss Bakery last Monday.  He boards at Carl Mueller’s (Will’s brother) at 48 Bay St.
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21.  Monday: Bob Conroy is at the house this morning about my Mutual Health and Accident Insurance.  Father Frank Schaettl has a leg amputation at Green Bay today.  He has been suffering from diabetes for some time.  He is confined at St. Mary’s Hospital – Green Bay.  His parish is at Maple Grove.
22.  Tuesday: Had a nice visit with Jean Powers Loewen this morning.  She tells me she begins taking instructions from Father Marquart next week.  She and Henry have a very nice apartment.  This afternoon we have a farewell visit from 115 to 2.45 with Thres and Ed Froetchl who are leaving for Santa Clara California tomorrow morning.  Curative workshop for me at 3:00 kept me till 4.15.  To Perpetual Help Devotion at St. Vincents at 730.  Evidently had visitors today.  A card with Lt. Rothard Stickley and John Epply is between the Screen and Door.
23.  Wednesday: [T I B O] Duen Mauritz is for comes of age today, she is 21.  She takes Mary Ann – and Doris Heisler to dinner at Club 375.  Another treatment at the Curator of workshop, I feel very sore and also short winded today.  Dropped in to see Dr. Ray Wagner, he tells me I’m doing very well, in spite of pains and aches.  Dropped in to see Rothwell Stickley at the Salvation Army Headquarters to thank him for his and John Eppley’s try to visit me.  I was taking a treatment when they were here.
24.  Thursday: Took Jean out to West Store to meet Norbert and work out a schedule.  Father James Weisheipl visits with us this afternoon for about an hour.  He leaves tomorrow for Chicago.  Next Wednesday he leaves for London for another two years of study.  Thres and Mary Ann at the super shower for Marion Weisheipl at the new V.F.W. Hall, about 150 present.  Ma chauffeur for Rose Mauritz –Ann Ostertag –Mrs. Bishop and Daughter.  I tried the pulley and the wheel at the Curative workshop today first time.
25.  Friday: [R K Kriz] Dexter Spaulding who has been calling on us for “The F. Dohmen Company” is resigning as of October one.  The New York Giants have served notice that they are discontinuing the working agreement with the Oshkosh Baseball Club for 1954.  Lack of interest was given for the reason.  Our team won the pennant in 1949.  We had 115596 paid admissions.  We won again in 1950, attendance 69653.  In 1951 we won second place, attendance 40566.  In 1952 lost his second place on the final day of the season, att. 41899 1953 attendance 26118.
26.  Saturday: [R R Kriz] Donald and Joe take up the dock at the cottage.  Had my treatment at 10 this morning.  We see Spencer Tracy –Jean Simmons – Teresa Wright in “The Actress” also Eva Gabor and Paul Valentine in “Love Island.”
27.  Sunday: [R F] To 730 Mass Father Wagner spoke on “Talking about the faults of others.” “Judge not lest you be judged.” To work at 9 A.M.  Thres and Mary Ann to “Sisters St. Vincents Shower” this afternoon.  They received many useful gifts.  Thres brought a good grade sheets and pillow cases.  Sister Mary Walter is having her youngsters pray for me, Sister Mathilde is having all the Sisters remember me.  I worked part time this afternoon and again this evening.  Put in 8 ½ hours today.  Eliz. Zindler, mother in law of Joe Nigl Jr. died at 12.30 this noon.  Born May 16 – 1861. 
Com.  Father Frank Schoettl
28.  Monday: [R Msgr.  Reul] Bill worked this morning.  It’s a beautiful day about 72°.  Thres plays cards at Veese Haveman’s and wins no prize.  We lose a good friend today.  Msgr. William Reul passed away suddenly this morning about 820 in his car while on his way to Mercy Hospital.  He was ordained May 24 – 1902 at Holy Name Cathedral Buffalo N.Y.  Celebrated his Golden Jubilee as a priest Sunday, May 25 – 1952.  Born Dec. 25 (a Christmas present) 1875.  He was a frequent visitor at our South Store.  He greeted Donald as “Hi Stinky” last week.  He was a good friend of Donald’s.  I have a treatment at 3 P.M.  Had a very pleasant visit with Msgr. Aloys Bastian tonight.  And what a general sized home made wine I get.  Well the next time I must take Thres along.  Msgr. is very happy and feeling good.
29.  Tuesday: [1 RF] Senator Joe McCarthy and Jean Kerr are married at St. Matthews Cathedral – Wash, D.C. 2500 Wedding Guests at the Nuptial Rites.  Pope Pius XII bestowed his personal blessing on the 43 year old legislator and his 29 years bride.  Temperature is in Oshkosh is 88° today 91° in Milwaukee 99° in Chicago.  Bing Crosby returning to radio - for the 22nd year has retired his famous theme song “When the Blue of the Night, meets the Gold of the Day.” More Crosby news, Bings brother “Larry” paid $500 fine for drunken driving West Los Angeles.  Drove thru a stop light and hit a parked car and a tree.
30.  Wednesday: [1 R F    2 R Jessie Smith] Thres and Emma Lemke drive to the cottage.  Its another beautiful day.  Took the folks to the Raulf tonite “Mission over Korea” John Hodiak –Audrey Totter – John Derek – Maureen O’Sullivan also “City that never sleeps” a story about Chicago, with Gig Young –Wm Talman –Edward Arnold –Mala Powers.  Joe Rieger begins night school.

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