Diary of Alfred E. Potter May, 1937

01.  Saturday: Mary and Aloys Mauritz celebrate their 25^th wedding anniversary.  We attend church and also their celebration at home in the evening.  Had a real nice time got home at 1 A.M.

02.  Sunday: St. Vincent's Congregation celebrates Father Bastian's 25 year stay in Oshkosh by tendering him a banquet. All of his former assistants are here except Louis Schorn. It was a great event for Father Bastian. A pageant depicting his life during his 25 years pastoral here was given by the school children. Attended 6 o'clock Mass this morning then worked all day until 6 P.M.

03.  Monday: Children get a day vacation today, so we took a drive to the cottage this afternoon.  Took off the storm windows and did a little cleaning.

04.  Tuesday: More men go on strike today. Banderob Chase, Buckstaff Company, Badger Lumber and Freeman Furniture. This brings the total to 1800 men striking.

05.  Wednesday: Ed is putting screens on the house today.  Margaret Nuernberg has your appendix removed by Dr. Lynch.

06.  Thursday: Attended 7 Oclock Mass with Thres and Mary Ann.  Joe Hemmer and Mother are there to attend.  Joe’s mother is still having much trouble with her feet.  F.W. Mueller takes a fall on the rocks while out fishing, this evening.

07.  Friday: First Friday, to church at 7 Oclock this morning.

08.  Saturday: Rose Gittings has a tonsils removed by Dr. H.W. Kleinschmidt.  I visited her this afternoon.  Dropped in to see Margaret Nuernberg, she is doing very well.

09.  Sunday: Early mass this morning, then to work.  Joe and Anna Weisheipl are here in the evening.

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12.  Wednesday: Art Mueller is laid up with a cold.

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19.  Wednesday: Drove to the cottage this afternoon.  Cut the grass and put on the screens.  The Heips are over tonite after work for a game of cards.  We haven’t played for a time.

20.  Thursday: Art Mueller is still laid up.  Today is the ninth day he’s been sick.  Carl Bechler is in town.

21.  Friday: Talked to a class at Hi School today, interested in pharmacy. I spoke about ¾ hour and gave them 15 minutes to ask questions and answer them. About 25 are in the class.

22.  Saturday: Art Mueller helps out this afternoon and evening.

23.  Sunday: Six oclock mass this morning. Took Ed Fretchel to the cottage to do a few odd jobs. The first thing he did was fall off our small ladder and hurt his shoulder. Took Thres and Mary Fretchel along in the afternoon. Pete Geffers (our neighbor) is celebrating. He is now weed commissioner.

24.  Monday: Ed Fretchel is transplanting trees at the house.  Art Mueller is back on the job this morning.  He looks good.

25.  Tuesday: Took Ed and Karl Fretchel Joe and Matt Weisheipl to scrape the cottage.  Getting ready for a paint job.  Matt Baier’s birthday, he would be 61.  R.I.P.

26.  Wednesday: Mrs. Ann Metzen is laid to rest.

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30.  Sunday: Out to the cottage this afternoon.  The Fretchel’s and the Weisheipl’s are there also.  Its a very hot day.  Anna Drexler takes a trip to Milwaukee to visit Margaret.  Harry and Agnes takes her and Leona there.  Bob and Rose Gittings go back to Chicago.

31.  Monday: Another warm day, we spent the night at the cottage, the first one this year. The children have lots of fun fishing and the grown ups play cards. I work from 10:30 to 6 P.M. I almost forgot to mention Anna Heip's making an eight point hand in sheephead and still lost the game. The nearest competition had two points when she had eleven.

Diary of Alfred E. Potter April, 1937

01.  Thursday: Our sheephead club meets here for the finish of the series of games.  I won 10 dollars 580 Points –Joe Baier 5 dollars 537 Points Joe Hemmer 3 dollars 537 Points Bill Mauritz 2 dollars 501 Points.

02.  Friday: Sister Claire Marie Drexler passed away at General Hospital, Madison tonite.  We are all very sorry to hear this as she surely was an exceptionally good soul.

03.  Saturday: The folks attended prayer offering at John Drexlers for Sister Claire Marie.

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06.  Tuesday: Services at Sacred Heart Church for Sister Claire Marie.  I was one of the pall bearers.  Her remains are taken to Alverno this afternoon.

07.  Wednesday: We drive to Alverno this morning for the burial services of Sister Claire Marie.  Joe and Anna Weisheipl and Lena Baier are with us.  Requiem High Mass some by the Sisters at their chapel followed by internment.

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10.  Saturday: We get company at midnight tonight, Karl and Margaret Radomsky, Harry Kujawa – Ernie Clark –Leona Drexler, and do we have fun.  Karl is surely feeling good, they left it 2.30 A.M. but I didn’t get to bed until 4 A.M.  Of course I had to read the paper and fell asleep doing so.

11.  Sunday: Had quite a time getting out of bed this morning.  Attended 7³⁰ Mass with Aunt Mary.  This is a beautiful day.  Bob Gittings, Harry and Ernie are over this afternoon.

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13.  Tuesday: Attended meeting of business men at Free Press Office. Discuss the getting of a Farmer's Market Day to Oshkosh at least once a month.

14.  Wednesday: Fred Yahr, President of Yahr Lange Inc. and affiliated with the firm for 37 years is forced to retire from active management, as 115 employees stage a sit-down strike for 7½ hours until he does so. Fred says “I go home to stay.” This is one of the most unusual sit-down strikes ever staged.

15.  Thursday: Our sheephead club begins the second series of games at Joe Baiers.  I won the dollar.  As usual at Baiers the game is marked with many upsets.

16.  Friday: Annual election of members of executive board of the local chapter of the “American Red Cross.”

17.  Saturday: Bob Gittings is back in town.

18.   Sunday: We had company tonight after work.  Harold and Eva Mueller – Joe and Anna Weisheipl.  As Harold and Eva play sheephead we all play.  Eva and Joe Heip to not win.  This was my all day Sunday for work, and it was a beautiful day too.

19.  Monday: Temperature is at near 70° today.  A beautiful day.  Ed Fretchel takes off our storm windows.

20.  Tuesday: Drive to Marion this morning with Joe Cater - Joe Weisheipl - Martin Koeck.  Mary Ann has a Farmers Margaret Day today.  Had the pleasure of visiting at Angeline Vennia home.  She is now Mrs. George Hoffman.  Haven’t seen her for years.  Attended Farm Market Committee meeting at Free Press Office tonight.  Mayor Wiechering is there to help the cause along.

21.  Wednesday: We are having and all day’s rain.

22.  Thursday: George and Angeline (Vennia) Hoffman are married 18 years today.  They were married here in Oshkosh.  Angeline played the church organ at St. Vincent’s at the time.  They are now living in Marion and have 4 children.

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24.  Saturday: Bob Gittings is back in town.

25.  Sunday: Attended 6 Oclock Mass this morning.  Father Joseph Hemmer from Stevens Point is the celebrant.  The Hemmer family is well represented at the Service.  Had a visit with Joe Hemmer tonite.  He is feeling pretty good.

26.  Monday: Margaret Nuernberg has a birthday.  I think she is 26.

27.  Tuesday: A birthday at Art Mueller’s home.  Little Mary Ann is 3 years old.  Father Vic Kandy was in for a short visit this afternoon.

28.  Wednesday: Took Sisters Romana and Viatora to Menasha this afternoon.  Had a short visit with Sisters Constance and Bernita at St. Patrick’s.  They are both looking very well.  Attended Play given at St. Vincent’s in honor of Father Bastian’s silver jubilee in Oshkosh, “The Rosary.” Margaret Nuernberg takes the leading part.  Louis Yack is her husband.  Raymond Wolf is Father Kelly.  Ed Paulick is the funster.  Loretta Lange is Father Kelly’s niece, Catherine Ackerman is the maid, Frank Reischl a former suitor of Margaret Nuernberg’s.  Rev. John Nuernberg is here.

29.  Thursday: Our sheephead club plays at Bill Mauritz’s.  I win the dollar.

30.  Friday: The woodworkers in Oshkosh go on a strike, the first since 1898. This comprises crews at Morgan's, Radford's McMillen's, Foster's, Oshkosh Millworks. The Paine Lumber Company pays delinquent taxes today, amount $46 854.33. This would seem that they will again begin operations.

Diary of Alfred E. Potter March, 1937

01.  Monday: Dr. Archie Gifford loses his wife Della.  She died very unexpectedly last night.  Founded in bed by her daughter Donna Marie at 11 oclock.

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03.  Wednesday: Annual Meeting of Drug Service Bureau today at Athletic Club Milwaukee.  Took Joe Weisheipl law.  Had lunch at the Knickerbocker Hotel with Carl Radomsky as waiter.  Had some of their lake trout, but did just would not agree with me.  Run into Charles Felker, he’s OK.  Had a short visit with Margaret Radomsky after the meeting.  Well we rush for home at 9.30 P.M.  It mists rains and is somewhat foggy but I’m anxious to get there as I feel very indisposed.  Got home before 12 P.M. and had a bad night.

04.  Thursday: Back to work this morning, and not eating today as I feel punk.  Down for short time the store tonite but have to hurry home.  I’m feeling worse, the Lake Trout from yesterday are getting the best of me.  Had you called Dr. Kleinschmidt at 11.30 P.M.  Felt like passing up.  The Democrats are celebrating tonite with “Victory Dinners.” The one at Washington with President Roosevelt as guest of honor is attended by 1800 who paid 100 dollars a plate to be there.  The Young Democrats have a dinner of their own with Mrs. Roosevelt as guest of honor.  About 1400 pay ten dollars a plate to this dinner.

05.  Friday: Well I’m laid up.

06.  Saturday: Feeling a little better today.  Allowed some toast and milk today.

07.  Sunday: More improvement today.  Had dinner with the folks, but a rather tiny one.

08.  Monday: I’m back on the job this morning.  Appetite is better.  Mrs. Arthur Mueller (Margaret) goes to Milwaukee for weeks vacation.  Mr. and Mrs. F W. Mueller attended Rexall Convention at Milwaukee, Schroeder Hotel.

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11.  Thursday: Art Mueller and Fred Baumgartner go to Milwaukee to the “Rexall Clerks Convention.” Francis Lamb is over to make out our income tax papers.

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13.  Saturday: Anna Drexlers birthday today.

14.  Sunday: 7³⁰ Mass with Holy Name Society this morning.  Then to work.  Had a nice visit with Anna Drexler this afternoon.  Congratulated her on her birthday, which was yesterday.  She sure felt good.  Harry and Agnes are here from Berlin.  In the evening

15.  Monday: Monthly meeting of our clerks at the North Store.  I got home at 1³⁰ A. M.

16.  Tuesday: Had visitors tonite.  Dick Doman and Clara are over for the first time.  Well they staid until 1³⁰ A.M. and we had an enjoyable evening.  Dick was lucky in sheephead.  Claire and myself won nothing.  Attended Red Cross Meeting this P.M.  We’re revising the bylaws.  The Session lasted from 4 to 6 Oclock.

17.  Wednesday: To church tonite.  Father Bastian gave a very nice to talk.  His topic “Happy tho Married.” After church visited the Heips played Sheephead won three games, drink up their beer and got home early at 11.45 P.M.  Hour Spring Nyal Sale begins today.

18.  Thursday: Our Sheephead Club meets at Joe Hemmer. We had wine and beer and wine and beer and finally wine and beer got the best of Hemmer. He was a pretty sick lady. I got home at 3 A.M. Bill Mauritz got the dollar

19.  Friday: Advertising committee meets at the South Store.  Got home at 1³⁰ A.M. “What a week.” I’m tired of all these late sessions.  Joe Hemmer is laid up today.

20.  Saturday: Our Nyal Sale ends today and its a flop.

21.  Sunday: To six oclock Mass then to work for the rest of the day.  Had Rose Weisheipl over for dinner.  In the evening visited Anna Drexler and also Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Paulick Sr.  Mrs. Paulick has her hair bobbed and is that a surprise.  She is losing weight and appetite.  Mr. is about the same as usual.

22.  Monday: Brother John Drexler birthday today.  He is 62.

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24.  Wednesday: A big blizzard greets us this morning.  I do some cleaning in the cellar.  It surely needs it.  The blizzard gets worse during the day.  I staid home this evening.

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26.  Friday: We close our stores from 12 to 3 P.M.  I visited Mr. and Mrs. Paulick the old folks are both in bed.  Mrs. has no appetite whatever.  Also visited Anna Drexler for short time and then over to see Will Siewert.  He has been laid up this week with a combination rheumatism and neuritis.  Has been in severe pain most of the week.

27.  Saturday: Gertrude Moeser’s birthday. She is 37.

28.  Sunday: Mame Tauber’s birthday.  She is 52.  We spend the afternoon and Anna Drexlers.  Harry and Agnes –Carl and Margaret –Bob and Rose are here.  Had supper there.

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Diary of Alfred E. Potter February, 1937

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03.  Wednesday: Played cards and the Eagle's Club tonite. Its the Retail Market Mens Party. I win 2 boxes of sugar cookies. Gave one to Anna Heip (sister-in-law). Emma Siewert is feeling great after a hi ball.

04.  Thursday: The Sheephead Club are here tonite for our biweekly play. Joe Hemmer attends the party of the Morgan Co Foremen before our game and is very talkative. Rather hotly contested 60 hands. Joe Baier wins the dollar. Col Charles Lindbergh has a birthday. He is 35.

05.  Friday: First Friday, when to church at 7 Oclock.

06.  Saturday: Albert Holzbauer is taken home from Mercy Hospital.

07.  Sunday: To six oclock Mass then to work.

08.  Monday: The neighbor’s cat “Fluffy” gets chased up a telephone post on the east side of our house and stays on the top of it for 4 hours.  A long stay on top of a pointy pole.

09.  Tuesday: Got in 2 tons coal from Pipkorn this morning.

10.  Wednesday: Rather cold this morning 14° below zero.  Attended church tonite.  Ashes are distributed.  Father Bastian preaches on “Marriage.”

11.  Thursday: Donald is nine years of age today.  He receives some very nice birthday presents a new violin outfit complete a fountain pen and pencil set a pair of overalls also mittens.

12.  Friday: Teddy Gittings is 1 year of age today.

13.  Saturday: Ma Potter gets a new “Electrolux” Vacuum Cleaner today from T.  Wellington Ott.

14.  Sunday: Attended six oclock Mass this morning.  Had company Ed Steckbauer’s mother.  Ed is going to Milwaukee.  Took her back to her daughter on Division Street this afternoon.  Took in the afternoon service in church.  Joe Hemmer and Bill Nuernberg are there too.

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17.  Wednesday: The Heips are over tonite for a game of sheephead.  Dr. Stubenvoll is in town for short visit.

18.  Thursday: Fred Schneider 1209-6th has a birthday.  He is 57.

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20.  Saturday: Joe Weisheipl gets bad news today for Madison.  He is informed that his services with the state enforcement division are ended as of today.  He will however receive his salary until March 1^st.  Grandma Baier’s birthday today.  She is 87.  The weather begins with a fog and ends with rain and lots of it.  This evening we are having quite a heavy thunderstorm.

21.  Sunday: Attended six oclock mass, then to work for the rest of the day, and what a day it turned out to be, a bad blizzard with lots of snow.  We visited the Baier family, Grandma Baier celebrating her birthday.  Joe took some pictures with flood light but they are not so good.

22.  Monday: The children have a holiday today.

23.  Tuesday: Will and Emma Siewert are over for the evening.  They lose only six games of sheephead.  They left for home at 1.15 A.M.  Charles Ruelke passed away suddenly this afternoon.

24.  Wednesday: Our furnace fire went out at home, but we did not notice it until this evening. Well its lucky we have some hardwood, so I burnt wood over night. Went to bed at 3.30 A.M.

25.  Thursday: Tony Paulick is over this morning and finds a railroad spike in the hopper.  Well we have a coal fire again.  Visited Joe Weisheipl and Anna tonite.  Joe is very lucky in sheephead.

26.  Friday: F. W. Mueller attended our weekly advertising committee meeting.

27.  Saturday: This turns out to be a beautiful Saturday, the first in several weeks. Donald and Mary Ann begin taking library books. Well I hope they take an interest in them.

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