Diary of Alfred E. Potter May, 1955

01.  Sunday” To 7³⁰ Hi Mass. Father Milbauer explains about the Sacrament of Baptism. Spent the morning working at the store. Brought home the vouchers (M P D Co.) for Mary Ann to put in numerical order and I checked them with our check books, all OK. This evening we care invited to sinner at Josephine and Madelane Bastians home. They have a lovely place, modern and convenient. Father Louis Schorn and Rode Stiefvater his housekeeper are also there. Father has a cold. The girls are very generous with the drinks, Martinis-Rhine Wine-Brandy-Hi Balls, Wow!

Com. Dr. Geo. Lynch

02.  Monday: [R 4 M] Art Mueller tells me his house is up for sale.  Maggie and the children are not happy out in the country.  He has a lead on a home in town which he may purchase.  We pay last respects to Dr. Lynch this evening.  Rosary is said by K. of C.  Mrs. Lynch (Hazel) tells us it all started when the Doctor had a tooth extracted.  Embolism spread into his head.  Gregory Hazen is now working at the post office.

03.  Tuesday: [M 12 M] Beautiful day and warmer temperatures up to 85°.  To Kiwanis luncheon Cheta and Harry Van Pelt entertain us with Dutch Music – songs and stories.  I’d say Harry is very good at telling stories.  Dr. George Lynch is laid to rest this morning.  Solemn requiem by Father McKeough – Sladek and Van den Hogan.  Many Sisters – Nursers –Doctors attended.  Attended Cemetery Board Meeting at Cemetery Office this evening.  Same officers re-elected.  Ladies auxiliary S.S.B.M. Club are entertained by Mrs. Paul Wertsch at her home.  Thres enjoyed the place, it would be much too large for us to handle.

04.  Wednesday: [TG   R 2 M] Another beautiful day coming up, somewhat cooler.  Spent our time from 4 Oclock to 800 at the cottage.  Don cuts grass and hits a large piece of metal which cracks the body of our mower and nicks the mower knife blade.  Father Gschwent is in my office this afternoon to order some wines – Sauterne and Muscatel for June 12th.  Also wants me to be one of the “Canopy Bearers.”

05.  Thursday: [M 12 M] Fred Baumgartner takes Loretta to the Mayo Clinic to have her checked in regard to some cysts she has had.  We all hope there is no malignancy there.  Art Mueller tells of a peculiar yet comical experience he –Rev. Fetter – Mike Goerlitz –Arno Abraham had this morning.  After a morning of fishing they were trying to get Rev. Fetters boat back into his boathouse, Fox river was very rough, Arno was in the boathouse, Rev. maneuvered, boat hit one of the doors of the boathouse, a plank fell down, hit Arno on the head and dumped him into the river.  Mary (Mrs. Louis) Clute died at Mercy at 4³⁰ this morning.  Married Louis Feb. 21-1900.  Louis had a saloon on South Main Street, next to my father’s tailor shop at the time.

06.  Friday: [M 3 M   R 2 M] Ma almost got up to go to Church with me this morning, but she said I’m too tired, I’m going back to bed.  I went alone and received a light reprimand when I arrived home, Mother did not understand me, about going to Church.  West Germany became a sovereign nation yesterday.  Chancellor Konrad Adenauer read a proclamation to 50 million people on the Bonn Republic, pledged his new nation to remain a loyal ally of the free West.  Our goal, a free and united Germany in a free and United Europe, he said. 

Com.  Maryn – Don & Family

07.  Saturday: B average brain waste 1500 grams.  Scientists believe there is no or very little difference between the brains of intelligent or average people.  Idiots have been found was brains weighing 2200 grams while some intelligent persons brains weigh in at 1000 grams.  This information stems from Albert Einstein giving his brain to science for finding the difference in make up if any in the brains of very intelligent and average persons.

08.  Sunday: Today is Mothers Day and also First Holy Communion Day for the little boys and girls at St. Vincents.  Little Phyllis Phelps makes the First Holy Communion.  Took Mother and Don’s family to Town Grill for dinner and then to the Oshkosh to see Jane Russell in “Underwater” with Richard Conte in “Race for Life.” Don’s family are here for the evening.  Former President Harry S. Truman celebrates his 71st birthday, by breaking ground for the 1,750000 Truman Memorial Library with a gold plated spade.  Being built in Slover Park -10 blocks from the Truman home in Independence Missouri.

Com.  Hon. Mother Mary –Mother and Thres

09.  Monday: [TG   M 3 M   R 4 M] Thres plays cards at Huhn’s today.  Natalie entertains Thres wins first prize.  Tonight she is at the Council of Catholic Women banquet, meets Mrs. Alvin Kelly.  We purchased the Kelly property for our Main Street Operation.  Thres also met many others she knew, a thoroughly enjoyable evening.  We had venison for Norm Brown today.  Thres made it very delicious.

10.  Tuesday: [M 6 M] Temperature about 50° this morning.  Marge Haverty tells me, Joe appeared Monday and signed the papers.  Its a matter of another month when Judge Arps returns from his vacation.  Attended Kiwanis Club Gene Vogel was there, the first time in many months.  Gene has a trailer in Largo Florida, he enjoyed his stay very much.  Surprized Thres by bringing Marge Haverty along to supper.  Marge enjoyed the meal very much.  Paid last respects to Irwin Radke.

11.  Wednesday: [Milwaukee Sentinel comes out with a new print today] Had a one oclock luncheon at Wirtz today with Mr. Abe Kotler – his wife – sister in law, also present Don Rothenbach – Rud Havemann – Mort Gazerowitz – Ed Binder – Harold Zweifel – Simon Horwitz – Armin Knoop.  Had a meeting over the bank (Security) to determine the fate of the Baum & Collin property, now owned by Mrs. Kotler – her mother and sister.  Stopped in to see Annie Heip this noon, had’nt seen her for a long time.  Marion is there with her baby.  She and Bob are staying with Mrs. Lichtfuss.  Fred and Loretta Baumgartner are back from Mayo Clinic.  No new developments so far.

12.  Thursday: Thres plays cards at Thres Fretschl’s.  The usual are there Maxine Siewert – Emma Lemke – Annie Heip – Mayme Erbes – Thres wins 65 cents.  South Side Business Mens Club meet tonight.  I preside. “Stewart Morg” director of the Oshkosh Museum is our guest and speaker.  Ma and I pay last respects to Amelia Havemann 86 at Fiss and Bills.  Mother to Walter – Frank – Edward – Claude.  Sister to Ed Lorenzen’s mother.  Her husband August dug our sewer and water works trench when we built our home in 1924.

13.  Friday: Dropped in to see Mayor Siewert this morning in regard to using the old light poles on Main Street and transfer them to Oregon St. from 17th South. Learned it would be too expensive to make them usable and high enough, new ones are in order and promised by the Mayor. Harold Zweifel and Ed Binder are in my office this afternoon about what night turn out to be good news about the Hirshberg location. They (the Hirshbergs) might buy if the price is right. Thres and I have lobster tail at the Columbus Club and Mary Ann and Joanne Mauritz are at Club 375. Joanne at the house for the evening took her home at midnight,

14.  Saturday: [Jean Hazen 5 today. DR. HARRY MEUSEL Graduated 50 years ago Northwestern University.  Attended T.P.A. Convention in Fond du Lac.] Don and Dave Wingrove are busy putting our screens on at home this afternoon.  Jean Hazen is 5 today.  Mother tells of a peculiar incident on Herb Shriners program.  A Man and Lady Teacher were asked questions won $100 the kids from their school were later introduced asked the same questions won $270.  A Mother and Daughter team came up next mother had 16 children, daughter 3 they won $1920.00

15.  Sunday: [A little girl for Jim and Betty Bartelt] To 7³⁰ Hi Mass.  Father Schorn.  To Post office – took Mary Ann – Arlene – Debbie and Donnie to 9 Oclock Mass.  Mary Ann stays at Don’s for the day.  Ma and me to Riverside Cem. visit the graves Aunt Mary –Uncle Matt –Ted Drexler – My Dad –Mother –Ed Binders (Rose).  Ed is there.  To Sacred Heart to Uncle Joe’s and Annie Drexlers.  Bobbie Weisheipl “First Holy Communion” at St. Peter’s.  Stopped in this noon with Ma to congratulate and absorb a few of Eddies Martinis.  Don’s family at the cottage this afternoon.  Tonight Mary Ann works for John Christenson – Ma and I to the Oshkosh see Ma and Pa Kettle at the Oshkosh.  Ma and Pa at Waikiki and Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in “Utopia.” Both very good comedies.  Don’s family here for the evening.

16.  Monday: [R 4 M   M 3 M] Greg Stilter was re-elected Secretary of the Wisconsin T.P.A. at their convention in Fond du Lac last Saturday.  Norm Brown is with us this noon.  Sybelle is in California, took train down Friday to be with

17.  Tuesday: [M 12 M] Kiwanis luncheon entertainment is excellent today.  Janus Croft and his Wind Symphonette are very good.  This is their first time before a civic group, about 30 youngsters.

18.  Wednesday: High Mass for Aunt Mary this morning.  Mother – Mary Ann and me attend.  Don and family and Mother to the cottage this afternoon.  I join them at 5 Oclock.  Don sprays the fruit trees –cuts grass, getting rather heavy at the rear of the cottage.  Caught in a heavy rainstorm on the way home at 8 Oclock.  Eliz. Brandt passed away at 6³⁰ this evening at her home 262 John St. She has been suffering periodic strokes.  She worked at our South Side Store.  Born Milwaukee Dec. 18 – 1910 Parents Mr. Mrs. Aug Ganz, married 11-25-1933 to Herman, children Kurt – Gretchen – Barbara. 

Com.  Aunt Mary.

19.  Thursday: To 6³⁰ Low Mass.  Father Schorn.  A few more showers today.  “Carnival of Value” Days at the different stores all over town.  Bargains galore – Free Coke –Free Malted Milks – Free Milk.  Confirmation at Sacred Heart this evening by Bishop John Grellinger.  Carol Ostertag –Louise Abrams – Stephen Sitter are confirmed.  About 17 of us served as Honor Guard for the Bishop.  Eddie Mathews sliding 3d baseman for Milwaukee Braves lost his appendix in emergency operation last night. 

Com.  Mary Binder (Mrs. Frank)

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22.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass Father Milbauer.  We have rain most of the morning, not very heavy at any time.  We have our dinner at 2 oclock at Sacred Heart.  They are serving their annual Ham dinner.  Arthur H Mueller (T and S) leaves for John Hopkins for a checkup.

23.  Monday: [R 2 M] Norm Brown is over for chicken today.  Sybelle and Buds wife are still in California, I think Barbara is in Anaheim California.  Irma Kalbus celebrates her birthday with dessert luncheon for the Card Club S.S.B.M. Auxiliary.  Ma won first prize 60¢.  This is the third time in succession she wins first prize.  A heavy black cloud kept me from going to work tonite and lucky I was, it turned out to be a heavy electrical storm, and cloudburst.

24.  Tuesday: [Donnie is 3 today.  M 12 M] Met with Mayor Siewert in regard to letter written by Charles Sturgeon to the City Council about light poles on Main Street to be transferred to South Side.  This letter was written at the request of Rudolph Haveman.  To Kiwanis luncheon, had an interesting speaker in the person of ___.  He is a retired vocational school teacher from Milwaukee.  He is a silversmith and Chaser as he calls himself learned his trade in Denmark.  This evening at Don’s as Donnies birthday guests.  He is a very good boy all day, why shouldnt he be – many presents.  We took Lucille – Sandy Felker –Gene Kromm home at 11 P.M.

25.  Wednesday: [R 4 M] Had a visit at Ed Binder’s office this afternoon in regard to Oregon Street Lighting from 17th Street South.  Gale Robertshaw is in town taking Rexall Order.  Took magazines to Sisters St. Vincents this evening and instead of a visit Thres and I are invited to a recital given by the older pupils of Sister Fiore.  A very good recital, well trained pupils with the rhythm musical touch.  Loise Haidlinger, ___ Baier, W^m Pable, ___ Glaeser are exceptionally good.

26.  Thursday: [Ray – Maxine Siewert Silver Wedding Anniversary.  M 9 M] Met with Charles Sturgeon at the Deltox in regard to our new plan for extension of Oregon St. lights.  Saw Roger Kliss also in the city hall.  Mayor Siewert called me this noon, also very much interested.  Ray and Maxine Siewert celebrate their silvery wedding anniversary today, and we have had lots of rain, so I tell Maxine they should be blessed with 25 more good years of marriage bliss.  John A Kluwin is installed as president of the Milwaukee Bar Association.  Former Oshkosh boy, son of

27.  Friday: [R 2 M 1 R Lady Fatima 1 R Msgr. Bastian] Took a ride to Berlin with May Ann this morning 10.20. Had some business with Harry Kujawa at the bank. Stopped for a short visit at the house to cheer up Mary if possible, home at 11.30, picked up mail, then Marge Haverty and took Rose home. Covered a lot of territory from 10.20 on. Hirschberg's Department Store closes tomorrow. This is the first time in about 55 years or more that we did not have a department store on the South Side. British election finds Eden's Conservative Party has 335 Seats Clement Atlee's Labor Party 271. Frank Kellerman 1043 10th died 11.40 A.M. heart attack at home.

28.  Saturday: [Hirshberg’s closes today.  M 12 M] Donnie and Debbie are over this morning for the childrens programs and circus on T.V.  Otto Lemke is over to look at Donn’s home about painting.  He quoted 180 dollars for the job and will furnish the paint.  Weather is changeable sunshine – heavy rains – even tornado warnings are broadcast for parts of the state, Wausau area especially.

29.  Sunday: Picked up Mrs. Anna Jungwirth at the house this morning.  She usually stops at our house to go to church with us.  Father Schorn spoke on the gifts of the Holy Ghost and told that people worry and fear worldly ills, but what about the fear of God.  Ma and myself to cemetery to place flowers on the graves this morning.  Took Anna Jungwirth with us.  She recalls the places she worked for many years, the Sawyers and the Chases on Algoma Blvd.  Ed Binder has a new Memorial on their lot.  Rose and Butchie had been moved to the front of the lot.  Ed and Thres Fretschl are in Milwaukee today.  Sister Linus (Elsie Fretschl) celebrate her Silver Jubilee today.  My De Soto hit 44444.4 miles at 11th & Minnesota on way to the store. 

Com.  Ven Sister Linus

30.  Monday: [1 R Frank Kellerman] Got out orders for Donald today, helped him get out orders last night until 10.15 and worked on the balance today for 6 hours.  Today is a beautiful day, after a week of rain.  Rain every day except Wednesday.  Don and family and mother at the cottage, Don did a real job at cutting grass, in fact some of it was hay over a foot high.  Back in town at 8³⁰ the folks stay at our house until eleven.  Paid last respects to Frank Kellerman at Poklasnys.

31.  Tuesday: [1 R MONS – BASTIAN 1 Living Rosary  M 9 M] The Roman Catholic Church celebrates the new feast today.  “The Queenship of Mary” not a new honor but a special day dedicated to her as “Queen of the World.” Manager Green Bay Standard Oil entertained us with a barrell of a talk on the biproducts of crude oil and petrochemicals.  Very interesting.  Thres and me attend the “Crowning of the Mary Queen” at St. Vincents also a talk by Father Schorn on the “Queenship of Mary.” Our first attendance at the ceremony.  Arlene and family spend the evening at our house.  Had quite a long distance talk this afternoon with Rene Kimmel former manager of McClurg’s.  She lives at 1041 E.  Knapp.  Will Marry June 18th and live in Detroit.