Diary of Alfred E. Potter August, 1957

01.  Thursday: Took Thres and Annie Heip to the cottage this afternoons.  I did more weeding in the lake.  Company right after supper, Don and family – Matt Drexler – Johnny – Joey – Bill and Rose Mauritz.  I believe this is Bill and Rose first or second visit this summer told Bill to get on the ball and take Rose out more.  They staid until 12.30 AM.

Election Results Tuesday Primary

Republicans Kohler 109127 – Davis 100271 –OKonski 66746 W Knowles 23999 Henry Hughes 7536 G Lorge 7340 John Shaffer 2233

Democrats Proxmire 86836 C. Zablocki 56329

02.  Friday: [R. Rudolph Kriz   R Kate Kriz] A rather hot and humid day.  Met Albert Ruedinger an old St. Vincents schoolmate at the Post Office.  A little reminiscing and about the family Grace – George – Leo – Henry.  Took Annie Heip home this afternoon.  A Record Crowd at the Braves game 45820.  The high record attendance was 47604.

03.  Saturday: [R Monsign. Aloys Bastian] Had Eddie and Matt Weisheipl –Dave Wingrove and Don out to the cottage this afternoon and evening.  Matt and I worked on the shore, the boys put in the roofing concrete blocks to make a walk, did not complete the job, darkness halted them.  The Brands have an outdoor party with between 35 and 40 present.  According to Merlin Van Dyke Secretary of Serra my attendance for the first 6 months at Serra was 91%.

04.  Sunday: [TEG] Rather cool this morning, 60° at 7 A.M.  Mary Ann to 5.45 Mass – Thres and me to 7.30 Father Milbauer.  Cath. Order Foresters picnic at Mateyka’s Grove on the Knapp Street Road. 

Com.  Caroline Baier

05.  Monday: [Visit to Chapel Mt Calvary – R Caroline Baier.  Home at 11 P.M.  Sister Capistrana’s “tape recorder” arrives today.  Don and family take over the cottage.] This is the week of many vacations at our stores.  Art Mueller – Rose Weisheipl –Ralph Ebel –Donald Potter –Bernice Novitch.  This afternoon finds me heading for Mt Calvary to help celebrate the Centennial of the Capuchins in Wisconsin.  Met Fathers Gratian – George – Louis – Emil –Crispin.  The first alumni I met was Father Ed Bovey – St. Josephs Church Hammond, other old-timers Fathers Frank Haiman – Algoma, -Father Fox ___ Father Biddle brother to Father Celestine and Berchman, Fr. Biddle is at St. Peters.  Father Peter Hildebrand –Fr. Reinig.  This evening attend the play “The Romance of Lady Poverty” After the play and met Father Mark Stier, cousin to John Ostertag, Frater Martin son to Chas. Pable.

06.  Tuesday: [Don and Arline married eight years today.] After completing work at the store back on the road again at 10 A.M. for Mt Calvary.  Pontifical Hi Mass by Archbishop Meyer of Milwaukee.  Very colorful, Bishop John Grellinger – Bishop Thomas Noa –Marquette, deliver the Sermon – Bishop Matthew Niedhammer, Blue Field Nicaragua, also at least 20 or more Monsignori.  After a sumptuous dinner Father Gerald, Provincial, introduced Arch Bishop Meyer for the talk of the day.  Father Gerald is looking very good.  Fathers Leo Sharp –Dominic Dietrich from Chicago came in late.  Met more old-timers this afternoon, John Pfister –Elmhurst Ill, Stanley Walchomiak, Des Plaines Ill.  Nick Miller 1899-1900 Wilmette Ill Fathers Le Que – Oconto, Andrew Quella Kaukauna – John McGinley Stevens Point –Henry Letz, brother to John Letz, Manitowoc, Ed Wagner – Two Rivers.  Ed tells me his Brother James is at Mercy.  On my way home stopped for an hour to visit Father Adolph Wittman, St. Agnes Hospital Fond du Lac.  He has two nice rooms in the new addition.  Home at 6.15 P.M. This evening mother and I visit Don and family at the cottage.  Father Louis Schorn is there also.

1957 08 07 obit

07.  Wednesday: [R Anne Drexler] Another lovely day.  Don – Arline – Mary Ann and Father Otto to Milwaukee to the Braves – Cincinnati Game.  Tonight is Lutheran Day at the game.  Fred Haney is honored by 7000 Lutherans.

08.  Thursday: Today marks the 46th anniversary of the day when I said “I do.” To Church at 7³⁰ A.M. find we are treated to a surprize Hi Mass by Father Otto.  Jim Kirsch plays the Organ, the children sing the Mass.  This is followed by breakfast at Don and Arline’s.  Father Otto after bestowing his Blessing leaves for home.  This afternoon I took Thres to see the “Ten Commandments” at the Time.  Chester Heston as “Moses,” Yul Brynner as “Rameses,” Anne Baxter as “Nefretiri,” Ed G. Robinson as “Dathan.” Yvonne De Carlo as “Sephora,” Debra Paget as “Lilia” John Derek as “Joshua,” a very fine production by a very fine cast, directed by Cecil De Mille.  This evening Thres and I attend Serra Dinner for Seminarians at the Athearn.  Jim Kirsch is our guest.

09.  Friday: We celebrate Don – Arline and our wedding anniversary at Columbus Club with dinner.

10.  Saturday: Don is busy shooting pictures at the air races this afternoon.  Took Marge Haverty to her brother George’s this afternoon.  She begins her vacation.  Don – Arlene – Mary Ann to see the “Ten Commandments” Mother and I take the children to the cottage, home by 10 P.M.  The children are very well behaved.

11.  Sunday: [TG] To 7³⁰ Low Mass, Father Schorn.  Father Michael an Oblate.  Fathers are seeking help Spiritual as well as Financial for the Oblate Missions.  Don and family and Eddie Heip and family to Milwaukee to take the children to the Zoo.  I just learn that Eddie and family could not go and so Don and family went to Wild Rose.  Dave Wingrove are is taking a weeks vacation. 

Com.  Deceased Holy Name Mem.

12.  Monday: [R. Caroline Baier] Eva Redmann begins her vacation.  Will be gone two weeks.  To the cottage this evening, the Chrysler hit 3000 miles on the way out, on the crossroad at Bill Ternes’ farm.

13.  Tuesday: [R Matt Baier] Took the Sisters St. Vincents to the cottage for their outing at Potters.  Weather cloudy, hope it holds out.  To Kiwanis luncheon.  I win Bruno Romanowski birthday prize, a bottle of Sportsman Shaving Lotion.  Mary Ann Weisheipl Lichtfuss has a birthday.

14.   Wednesday: [R Grandma Baier] Josephine Spanbauer is granted a divorce from Joe (Crafty) Spanbauer.  Married in April 1912.  She began divorce action in July 1953.  Sadie Fleming’s will leaves 9828.00 to Zelma Kempinger her sister, and 8555.00 to Barbara Kempinger, Frank and Zelma’s daughter.

1957 08 15 obit

15.  Thursday: [11 hrs] To 6³⁰ Mass – Father Schorn.  This is Lucille Felkers birthday.  Otto Lemke takes the ladies – Thres –Thres Fretschl – Annie Heip and Emma to the cottage this afternoon.  Saved me a trip.  I’m trying to catch up on some of my work.  Mary Ann and me had supper at Wirtz’s, Father Schorn is there, having his also.  George Bruchmueller died at Mercy at 11.30 this morning.  Born April 8 – 1899.  His wife of former Victoria Widzinski died Nov. 29 – 1929.  Mrs. John Glatz is a daughter.  Theresa Bruemueller a sister.  Henry Stroschein father to Maynard – Arnold – Ralph passed away last night 10.20 at his home following a stroke.  Born Oct. 10 – 1886 married Alsetta Leiby in Fremont Aug. 16 – 1911. 

Com.  Lucille Felker

1957 08 16 obit

16.  Friday: [George Weisheipl 48 today.  Madeline Bastian now at Father Beckers, Menasha.]  Took Aunt Annie back to town with us.  Mary Ann and self at our luncheon at home.  This evening we have dinner at Hi K.  Met Henry Cain and Mrs., the former Dorothy Fluor Pfatenhauer.  Mr. and Mrs. Schrank are there also.  After dinner to town paid last respects to George Bruechmueller at Fiss and Bills and Henry Stroschein at Marquardts.  Then out to Bill Mauritz’s for a visit.  Cork Weisheipl has a birthday.

17.  Saturday: [Got a new house number today. It is now 403 instead of 703.] Bill Hesser died last evening 7³⁰ at Mercy, death was unexpected. I talked to Bill yesterday afternoon at the South Store, asked how he is, not too good. Learned later he had a prescription for nitroglycerine tablets. He had a heart condition for some time. Agnes Embs is in this evening to order some items for 40 hours coming up in September. She tells me Father Bunkleman had cartilage removed in his neck July 30th. He suffered egg poisoning after Easter two years ago, and not too long ago he had calcium in his heels, his heart is not too good. What next?

18.  Sunday: [TG   7 hrs.] To 7¹⁵ Low Mass – Father Schorn.  Spoke on Pharisees and Hypocrites.  Had Markie with us during the 9 Oclock Mass, then the children stayed at Felker’s.  Ray A and Pat Deal –Bill and Jeanie Mauritz –Don and Arline to Milwaukee to attend Braves –Cardinal Double Header.  The Braves lost both 8-6 in 10 innings and 6-0.  Rain halted the first game 2 hours 10 min.  The folks left at the eighth inning and got home at 1³⁰ A.M. ((Error) 8/20/57 Jay Putney – Pres.  Oshkosh City Lines was a guest and intent listener.) Took Mary Ann to work (eve) and stayed on the job.  Home at 10 P.M. 

Com.  Geo. Bruehmiller

19.  Monday: [3 ½ hrs.] Norm Brown is with us this noon.  This afternoon and evening I. Klein the south east attic and dirty it was.  Worked only about 3 ½ hours at the store.  Father Bunkleman suffered a relapse today and is very ill for a time.  He offered Holy Mass yesterday, evidently became exhausted.  His new assistant is Father Norman Krützig.  Agnes Spanbauer has some confidential news for me today.  Hope she will stay well, so she can stay on the job.

20.  Tuesday: Busy picking off Phone directory –shirts at Shirt Laundry – trousers at Shilobrits – Paint at Muellers –Order Curtains at Earl Stephans, haircut at Jansen’s –then to Kiwanis luncheon.  Hans Thorgrimsen spoke on the Parking problem Jay Putney Pres. Oshkosh City Lines was a guest and intent listener.  Took Thres to the cottage at 2.30 P.M.  Mary Ann and self at a steak dinner at Wirtz’s.  Played Chinese Checkers at State Hospital this evening Gene Bolts –Harold Harrington – Warren Rohn – Dick Burr help entertain the inmates.

21.  Wednesday: Took Annie Heip and Thres Fretschl to cottage at 10 A.M.  Had early luncheon of Bratwurst, the lady sure enjoyed it.  This evening Bill – Rose – Grandpa Mauritz are with us.  Took ourselves back to the city, home at 11.00 P.M.  Had a letter from Abbott Paul M Nabler of the New Subiaco Abbey at Subiaco Arkansas.  He is very low and this may be his last letter to me

1957 08 22 obit

22.  Thursday: [Joe Weisheipl 50 today.] John Blau died last night at Mercy 11.55.  John was in the hospital when I was.  Live near Grandpa Mauritz at 1016 – 8th.  Born Nov. 28 – 1882.  Marge Haverty calls for Achromycin V Caps.  She has some kind of virus.  Dr. Williams prescribed for her.  I delivered them and find she looks very sick.  Mother and I attend rosary for John Blau at Poklasny’s Carrie Putzer leads the prayer.

23.  Friday: No Serra luncheon today, it is replaced by a picnic scheduled Sunday afternoon 3.30 at Paul Jansen’s Cottage for the clergy by Serra.  Today is a day of intermittent showers –and drizzles of rain.  We came back to town this morning.

24.  

25.  Sunday: [R Monsignor Bastian.] To 7¹⁵ Low Mass – Father Schorn.  His sermon centered mostly on loose tongues.  Don and family with mother spend the afternoon and evening at the cottage.  Steve Kircher picked me up at 3¹⁵ to attend the Serra picnic at Paul Jansen’s at “Oakwood Beach.” Many fine homes along their, Francis and Ray Spellman among them.  Bishop Grellinger had a very good time, Father Schorn – Father Bunkleman – Krützik visited with us, Father Feeney –Van de Hogan –Detert stayed.  Verne Huber gave us a ride in his cabin cruiser.  Don and family stopped in on their way home at 9.30. 

Com.  John Blau

26.  Monday: [T] A lovely summer’s day, temperature up to 86°.  Norm Brown is with us this noon.  Fred Baumgartner is back from a two weeks vacation.  Joe Baier had tough luck yesterday.  During a distracted moment he went through an arterial at the corner of West Irving and Wisconsin Ave. at 3.30 P.M. and was hit by a car driven by Mrs. Edna Clark R #4.  Mrs. Thomas suffered a small cut on the head Joe’s car damage 500 dollars, plus a fine of about 30 dollars.  I attended Apostolate meeting this evening, 12 members present.  Subject: A Home for the Apostolate.  Eddie Heip and Donald are over tonite checking on Xmas merchandise prior to ordering.  Confab from 10.30 to 12 midnite.

27.  Tuesday: Temperature is down today about 60°.  Out to vote at 10.15 my number 112, this is a light vote so far.  Our Kiwanis Club is host to Neenah and Fond du Lac and Menasha – Appleton Clubs at the American Legion this evening.  John Walter – Green Bay is the speaker.  Neenah and Fond du Lac came in by boat.

28.  Wednesday: Wisconsin elected a Democratic Senator yesterday the first time in 25 years.  William Proxmire beat Walter Kohler by well over 100000 votes.  Ryan Duffy went into office with the Roosevelt landslide in 1932 was the last Democratic Senator in Wis.  Rain and cool most of today.

29.  

30.  

31.  Saturday: Thunderstorms during the night, turn into a nice day temperature is up to 83°.  Marion Fretschl Larson – Carlene and Davie move from her parents home 825 – 10th to 9th and Ohio. Upstairs, Mary Nigl’s.