1951

January

1. Temp 14 above zero. Cloudy most all day. We worked some. First day since Dr. Lilly hurt his back before Xmas. Mollie McCauley died this morning. Dr. Vermillion went home to play canasta. Did not come back to office. Uncle Hade, MaryLee & Mr. “Archer” came to visit us. What a surprise. I got supper and they left at 8:15. 12 Eggs.

2. Temp 27 at 7:15 AM. Some cloudy. Going to McComas today. First day over there since Tuesday before Christmas. Mollie McCauley buried today, I could not go. Sprinkled rain on us as we came in from McComas. Went to gym to see Athens High beat Big Creek. A good game and a good crowd.

3. Temp 36. A fine day. Had 4 trees to get up Caldwell hill road- so bad. Went home at noon and “juined” around. Temp nearly 60 today. Wind high most of night.

4. Temp 34. A fine day. I had a time getting up Caldwell Hill with car. Still snow where it drifted. Been there since Nov. 20th. Dad’s birthday- 78. MaryLee and Uncle Hade sent him a red plaid cup, a big rug for his bedside and 2 boxes of candy. Boy, was he tickled. Dr. Vermillion was called to store to see Quincy at 4:50 so I don’t know what is wrong with him.

5. Temp 25 this morning. Clear. Sun out. Going to McComas.

6. A fine day. Temp 34. Warming up a lot. 

7. Temp 36. Raining. Went to SS & home. Snowing just a little. Dr. Lilly went to Charleston to meeting- Army & Medical & Dental Meeting. At 1:45 snowing right much and freezing as I went to a church meeting at 3:00. Stopped at Frazier’s as I went. Temp down to 20 and bad.

8. Temp 6 above. Boy it is cold. Not much snow this morning. Ted Thompson has quit janitor at high school. Gone back to college to work.

9. Temp 14 this morning. Went to McComas, Roads from Giatto were slick. Several of our boys have enlisted in Armed Forces. Joel Kessinger, John S. Bird, Joe Coburn, Jack Martin were called.

10. Temp 28. Clear. Went home (at noon). Washed, dressed, and went to Princeton for feed & groceries. Home at 3:30. Ironed, got supper and went to gym for basketball game Hinton Hi vs. Athens Hi- we won by 3 points. 23 Eggs.

11. Temp 34. Raining most of the morning. Cleared up and a little warmer in the afternoon. 21 Eggs.

12. Temp 17. Cloudy early. Going to McComas today. No heat when we got there. Temp 34 in office. Nearly froze. Could not work till 12:00.Got card from Bluefield Sanitarium asking me to come and see Blanche Wirtz. She is bad I guess. Had trouble getting home with car tonight. Williamson Hi beat Athens Hi in Williamson- 28 points. 17 Eggs.

13. Temp 15 and cloudy. Could not get car to start this morning. Had to walk to work. Car went bad - Oscar Ferguson went over and got it. Put in new spark plugs, new points and cleaned it up and it is ok. Raining turning to sleet at 5:00. A bad night. 20 Eggs.

14. Temp 28. Slick early. I got up and went to Princeton in my car. Caught bus to Bluefield to see Blanche Wirtz. She is very sick. Got home at 12:10. Left car on hill. Mr. Wells came down and tore up road. Had to go out by Uncle Tip’s barn to get out. I went to hear Judge Easley at 7:15. Not so hot a speaker. I took one sulfa. drug tablet and it really worked on me. Raining as I came in from church. 21 eggs.

15. Temp 48. Raining most of day turning to snow most of day. Dr. Lilly sick with his back. Did not come to office today. Went down to Dr. Lilly’s to fix up ck. books & deposits. At 1:30 went to college to see Cloyd Armbrister for Dr. Scott. Had to call garage to come start my car again- connection loose. Just pouring snow in the afternoon. Temp dropping fast. Greeley Holdren’s wife died suddenly Sunday morning early. 17 Eggs.

16. Temp 18 early & snowing. Roads slick- about 1 inch of snow. Don’t know if we are going to McComas or not yet. Haven’t heard from Dr. Lilly. No we did not go. Dr. not able to come out all day till about 3:00. Came up to see Dr. Vermillion about going to see Dr. “Hoge” in Princeton and he went at 7:00 tonight. He had misplacement in his back. She adjusted it on him. Greeley Holdren’s wife’s funeral & burial at Elgood today. Temp 22. 23 Eggs.

17. Temp 22. Clear and warmer a lot. I cleaned, waxed two of the rooms and took Dr.’s paper down to him. Went home at noon, washed, baked an applesauce cake, got supper and ironed up everything. Temp hit 50 this afternoon. Wind high. Clothes dried right now.

18. Temp 40. Clear & warmer. Dr. Lilly came up but did not call any patients.

19. Temp 48. Raining just a little - early. Went to McComas. I drove Dr. Lilly’s new Buick for the first time. Road slick with mud on it. Worked hard - 9 patients waiting when we got there. Athens Hi was defeated by 1 point in Princeton by Princeton Hi- A thriller!

20. Temp 52. Just like spring today. Sun out- bright all day. Went up to 65. Still snow that came the day after Thanksgiving in the big drifts that we can see around. Home. Got supper & cleaned and waxed Dad’s room & kitchen.

21. Temp 24. Cloudy & snowing some. Went to SS & I stayed for church. Large crowd there. After dinner we went up to Uncle Doc’s awhile and home at 3:15. Washed my hair, done it up, got supper and listened to the radio. Temp dropping fast. Snowed some most of the day.

22. Temp at 6:00 AM- 14 Really cold & clear. Sun out bright. Dad got sick up at gate where he went to fill up ruts in the road. Went blind, held to gate awhile and got back to the house and laid down rest of morning. He did not call me. I called Dr. Vermillion and told him about Dad and he suggested that he come over to see him. I went up and brought him in in morning. A heart attack Doc said.

23. Temp 29. Cloudy & cold all day. Went to McComas. Snowed a little over there. Rained a little here in evening.

24. Temp 19. Clear. Went home at noon. “Juired” around the house. Dad got awful hot & sweaty. Pulse 51.

25. Temp 19. Cloudy. Snowing a lot during the morning. Squalls. At noon, I went over to see how Dad was doing. Went to gym to see Athens Hi beat Pineville Hi. A real good game. Snowing a lot.

26. Temp 10 above and still snowing this morning. Looks like it could snow all day. We are supposed to go to McComas.

27. A very nice day. Temp 18 above. Warmer a lot.

28. Temp 40. Went to SS & I stayed for ch. Dad went on up to Doc’s. We had dinner- Charles birthday- and a big time. Raining in afternoon. Home by 3:15 and stayed there.

29. Temp 44. Dropped 8 degrees by time I started to work. Rained a little. Geo. Thompson died yesterday morning. Fred Coburn put shale on Caldwell Alley. We went to gym to see Northfork beat Athens Hi- 2 points- a hot game. Colder a lot.

30. Temp 20. Sleeting & raining all morning. Roads slick. We did not go to McComas today. Had to walk to work. Geo. Thompson to be buried today in Athens cemetery. Dr. Lilly went to Princeton this afternoon. Dr. Vermillion took me to top of hill. I cannot get my car out.

31. Temp 19. Sleeting & raining all day. Temp at noon when I got home 20. Dr. Lilly took me home. So slick as I came over this morning. Temp 20- just pouring rain & sleet. Started warming up in afternoon. Tress bending with ice all over the US. Some places out west- 50 below zero. Temp 28. Ice just pouring down.

February

1. Temp 52. All sleet gone. Raining & wind high. Temp 20 this evening.

2. Temp Zero. Snowing. We did not go to McComas. Snowing hard at 8:30. Harry Wiley’s boy, Will Ed, had a wreck out Speedway Road. Hit Trevor White’s truck. Tore car all to pieces and Will Ed died at 1:00 in hospital- lived 4 hours. Trevor White in hospital. Temp did not get above 10 above all day. Cleared up in late morning. Butler boy driving Clownie Hight’s car hit another car on Princeton Road. Tore Clownie’s car all to pieces and Giles “McNamara”, Carl’s boy, went to hospital in bad condition. Went to gym. Gary Hi beat Athens Hi- 4 points. Zero when we got home.

3. 8 below zero this morning. Boy was it cold. Sun out, nice but still cold. At 11:30 it was only 14 above. Dad & I went down to Harry Wiley’s after supper. Cold tonight.

4. Temp 8 above. Clear. Went to SS & home. Ate dinner and went down to Harry Wiley’s and on to Graham Chapel to funeral of Will Ed at 2:30. Largest crowd I ever saw at a funeral there. Just pouring snow when we came out of church. We came alright home and stayed there. Still snowing.

5. Temp 22. Cloudy. Looks like snow. It didn’t snow today. Dad had another weak spell.

6. Temp 17. Very nice day. Went to McComas today. Went to gym to see Tazewell beat Athens High. Buck Shot slapped one of Tazewell boys and Joe took him out of game.

7. Temp 4 above. Snowing a little early. Came home at noon. Not to be going back to work until Dad feels better. I washed, put some of clothes out. Temp dropping so fast I brought them in and dried them in the house. All got dry by 5:00. Snowing most of afternoon. Wind high. Fred Coburn put a load of crushed stone on alley at 5:00. Temp 3 above zero - really cold. Ironed all but 3 pieces.

8. Temp 4 below, Really cold. I did not go to work. May not work anymore. Jim Bennett is very bad- stroke. Went over town, got milk and mail, Came back and Fred Coburn was unloading another load of crushed stone from our big gate. Had to wait nearly 30 minutes. Cold tonight.

9. Temp 4 above. No wind. Snowing and snowed all day. I did not go to town today. Dr. Lilly called about where he could find inlay tape. He did not go to McComas today. He worked on Dr. Vermillion’s bridge. Made crown and inlay attachment. Dad seemed to be better since I am here with him. Still snowing hard in evening.

10. Temp 11 above. Still snowing this morning. 4 inches of snow on the ground. Jim Bennett died at 15 to 1:00 this morning. Aubrey White, Patton’s boy, died yesterday. I went to town this morning- got milk and mail. I had to cast 2 inlays for Dr. Lilly before I came home.

11. Temp 14. Clear. Nice day. Went to SS & home. Fern & Kay came home with us and spent the day. Mr. & Mrs. Wells came down a little while. We did not go to Elgood to Aubrey White’s funeral. Took kids home at 4:00. 27 eggs. Letter from MaryLee saying Uncle Hade had a breaking out on his legs- swelling and itching him a lot. Had been to a Dr.

12. Temp 37. Cloudy. Looks like rain. We went to Princeton at 9:00 for chicken feed & groceries. Back home by 10:30. Alma Jennings Keagles went with us and came back with us. Cleaned house all afternoon. Jim Bennett buried today. Snow all left this afternoon. Went to gym to see Athens High beat Matoaka by 10 points. A real thriller last quarter. 24 eggs.

13. Temp 46. Clear & nice day. Mrs. Lilly & Mrs. Bibbee came down to see us a little while this morning. Dr. Lilly went to McComas by himself today. Mrs. Lilly said that he was sick yesterday afternoon. Temp 60 at 1:00. Fred & Mrs. Rogers came over and stayed til 3:30. Had a nice visit with them. I did not go to town today. Aunt Emma called said her brother Joe’s boy died this morning and that Dan Sloan was operated on this morning- found cancer-seriously ill. Lizzie Pettrey had a heart attack last t night and is real bad. Temp 54. Cloudy, may snow.

14. Temp 45.

15. A nice day. Aunt Emma came out and stayed for supper. I took him home at 7:00.

16. Temp 40. Raining today. I went over and wrote up insurance this morning. In afternoon, sleeting. Temp dropped fast. A real bad day. Temp 28. Aunt Emma is sick.

17. Cold. I went to town to fix up Dr. Lilly’s books at McComas for him. In the afternoon, went back to office and finished up my work. Dad went over and loafed awhile.

18. Temp 48. Went to SS & over to see Willie Ball a little while. Home at noon and stayed there.

19. A nice day. I washed part of walls in Dad’s room. Aunt Emma went to hospital today. Went over town to store and went up and helped Dr. Lilly a little while. Stella Pettrey died this afternoon. Lizzie Pettrey is very bad.

20. Foggy. Temp 48. Cloudy. Sprinkled rain some. I washed this morning. Clothes all dried in afternoon. Finished up Dad’s room- washing walls. All clean and everything in it. Athens High beat Beaver of Bluefield- 18 points. Buck Shot made 31 points. We went up to Lizzie Pettrey’s to see Stella. We watched television at Dr. Jennings and home.

21. Temp 38. I ironed all my clothes & washed my hair & after dinner, Dad & I laid down & rested awhile. Temp dropped from 46 to 32 in 3 hours. Rained and sleeted some. Spit a little snow. Wind high.

22. Temp 28. Chilly. Wind high early. I went over town and wrote up insurance. I had a talk with Dr. and Mrs. Lilly. She is helping out in my place at office. We are going to the gym to see Athens Hi vs. Princeton play basketball tonight. Princeton won by 4 points.

23. Temp 20. A very nice day. Dad & I went to Princeton. I went up to see Aunt Emma in hospital. Dad left his watch at “Watters” Jewelry’s to have a stem put in so he can wind it. Saw Jim White and talked to him awhile. Athens Jr. High lost tournament at Welch by 9 points in overtime period.

24. Temp 27. Clear & cold. I went over to work today. Went home at noon And Dad came over and loafed this afternoon. Joyce Anderson was married at church to a Mr. Caldwell from Princeton. “Muriel” Ball’s girl.

25. A fine day. Went to SS and church and up to Fred Rogers for the day. A fine time. A nice day. 

26. Temp 40. Raining today. Washed walls of dining room. Dr. Lilly in Bluefield today- dental meeting. Dad & I went over town in afternoon.

27. Cloudy. Cleaned dining room floor & waxed. Cleaned refrigerator. Mrs. Lundy Nichols was buried. Funeral at Mount Jackson. We did not go. Wind high. Went to gym to see Athens High beat Oakvale in tournament.

28. Temp 36. Washed & ironed today. Raining. Temp hopped from 46 to 38 in 1 ½ hours.

29. Temp 38. Clear and a nice day. Dr. Lilly called for me to come over so I went over and went back to work - only 4 days a week. Don’t work Tuesday and Friday. Don’t go to McComas anymore.

March

1. Temp 38. Clear and a nice day. Dr. Lilly called for me to come over so I went over and went back to work- only 4 days a week. Don’t work Tuesday and Friday. Don’t go to McComas anymore.

2. Temp 30. Cool. Very nice day. Warmer & nice in afternoon. Went over town and wrote up insurance for a few days. Dad loafed. Athens High played Chattaroy at Northfork in tournament. We lost by 7 points. Princeton Hi beat Bluefield Hi in tournament at Concord gym tonight. Princeton 65 Bluefield 61. We did not go. It was not broadcast from Princeton.

3. Temp 52. A nice day. Some cloudy tho. Up at 5:45 And went to work at 7:45 to office. Everybody seems to be happy about my being back. Came home at 12:30 and Dad had locked up and gone to town. First time he has walked to town since Jan. 22. Been a nice day. I heard first frogs tonight. Spring is just around the corner. Raining at 8:30. 33 Eggs. 1 double.

4. Showered some today. Went to SS & home. Rested most of afternoon. Went up to Uncle Doc’s a little while. Frogs are just yelling.

5. Temp 46. Raining some. Bird Coburn died at 1:30 - stroke - last night. 

6. Temp 38. A fine day. Dad & I went to Princeton at 1:00. Got his watch and went up to see Aunt Emma awhile. She is real sick in the hospital. Stopped at Clarence Bailey’s to see Bird Coburn. Took her to Bailey’s – did not bring her home. Went back up to Bailey’s this evening. Uncle Hade and MaryLee & Webb came while we were gone. Saw us come in at Quincy’s and came back over. Stayed until 10:15.

7. Temp 54. Worked all day. Rained. I work on Wednesday all day now.

8. Temp 28. A real hard storm at 4:15 this morning. Hailed hard. Rained. Thunder. Lightning... Colder a lot tonight.

9. Temp 17. Cold. Up at 5:00. Got breakfast. Put on wash water & washed and ironed before dinner. Dr. & Mrs. Lilly left for Roanoke to visit Ott & wife this morning. Be back Sunday or Monday. I went over and wrote up insurance this afternoon. Got home at 4:00.

10. 22 temp. Clear & cold all day. Cleaned windows in Dr. Vermillion’s office. Wrote up all insurance to 30th of month. Dr. Lilly in Roanoke today.

11. Temp 22. Clear & cool. Went to SS & home. Went to church meeting at 2:30. Stopped to see Mastin before meeting. We met to talk about more Sunday School rooms. Voted 8 for, 2 against- about 10 not voting either way. $4500.00-$5000.00 in basement. Temp went up to 56 today. Cloudy when we went to bed- may snow. Dr. & Mrs. Lilly came in from Roanoke at 6:00. Brought Mrs. Caldwell with them. She had been at Ott’s for 2 weeks.

12. Temp 27. Sleeted around 4:15, snowing some when we got up. A mean day all day. Aunt Emma is real bad. Still in hospital. Raining at bedtime.

13. Temp 27. Snowing this morning and still snowing at this writing at 10:00AM. We are looking for Uncle Hade, MaryLee & Webb at 5:00 this evening for supper if the weather doesn’t get too bad. Oh it is just pouring the snow all dy. Never stopped. Dr. & Mrs. Lilly came in at 2:00 from McComas and are glad they did. Uncle Hade did not come.

14. Temp 22. Still snowing all day today. About 8 to 10 inches. Traffic worse in 18 years on Oakvale Road & Princeton & Flat Top Roads- so says radio & papers. Dr. Vermillion brought me to top of hill. I could not get my car out.

15. Temp 19. Boy it is bad. I had to walk again to work. Snowed a little today and drifted a lot.

16. Temp 17. Dr. Lilly did not go to McComas. I am not going anymore over there. I stayed home all day. Did not go to town. Do not work on Friday unless they have work to do that we can’t get done the other days.

17. Temp 15. Cold. I walked again to work. The drifts are too big. Clear skies and warmer a lot. Raining some in evening.

18. Temp 34. Rained all night. Went to SS. Got my car out. Brought Dad to the top of the hill and I went back to church. Full house. 2 sororities present. Cloudy all day. Stopped raining at 11:00.

19. Temp 30. Raining. Most all morning. Weather warning from Washington says we will have 3 to 5 inches of snow in WVa by morning. Temp dropping – was 30 at bedtime. Snowing a little when I went to bed.

20. Temp 20 when I got up at 6:30. Sun shining on the snow. It must have been real cold early. Washed early, froze on line as soon as got them out. Temp 32 at 11:00. Ate dinner & ironed. Uncle Hade’s came just after we ate supper ate supper at 5:45 so I had to get supper for them. They left at 9:30. We had a good time.

21. Temp 26. Very nice day. Sun out early. Wind high. Dr. Lilly went to Princeton after bank meeting. Went to snowing and blowing hard as it could snow. Melted fast- still about 1 inch on ground. Temp 26.

22. Temp 22. Clear. Snow left today.

23. Temp 20. I went with Dr. Lilly to McComas for Mrs. Lilly. I knew that she wanted to stay with MaryAnn and family. Roads are all to pieces. Aunt Emma had her operation today. 4 hours and 15 minutes on operating table. Wind high today.

24. Temp 35. Raining. Just pouring at 4:20 this morning. Cleared up later in morning. A very nice day. In afternoon, Temp dropping. Snowing a little.

25. Temp 20. A fine morning. Clear & cold. Easter Sunday. Went to SS & I stayed for church. Brought Dad home and I went back to church. Stayed home til 5:30. We went up to Verena Nestor’s in Princeton to see how Aunt Emma is doing. Don’t look too good for her. Snowing at bedtime.

26. Temp 26. Snowing just a little this morning about 2 inches on ground. Homer Brennaman’s mother died today in Virginia. Rumors of a school bus driver’s strike.

27. Temp 30. Clear & cool. School Bus Drivers Strike is on in Mercer County. Ferrell Pennington & Herman Meadows failed to come in this morning and pickets stopped Eades and made him go back but he finally came in. Harve Ball & Rutherford was stopped and told not to come in.

28. Temp 48. Raining most of night & all day- just a little. 4 school buses came in with aid of officers. State Police went to Elgood to help Dempsey Cheatwood in with his run. Lacy Keatley, Jr. Thompson & Bright are helping to escort buses in from Lerona section.

29. Temp 48. Raining early. 35 striking school bus drivers and other men came into Athens at 9:15. Got around Eades and threatened him if he brought his bus back to town in the morning. No officers around when they came. State Police were here when school was turned out. Also other officers. Town in an uproar over the way the bus drivers are doing.

30. Temp 46. Just pouring rain all morning. Went over town early to see the school buses come in. All State Police, High Sheriff & deputies were here. Also a carload of strikers leading. Ferrell Pennington & 1 Negro in the crowd. They left out after the buses came in- 3 came in. Bill Eades came with his car. Didn’t bring his bus. No trouble. We went back to town after dinner around 2:00. Nobody around when buses went out. Plenty of law went out with each bus. Dr. & Mrs. Lilly went to McComas. Cooler a lot, may snow.

31. Temperature 30. Very nice day. Rained some today. Wind high. Mrs. Eskew at Hilltop very sick.

April

1. Temp 50. Went to SS and over to hospital to see Aunt Emma. Roof Martín went with me as soon as SS was over. Back home at 11:45. Rained a nice shower at 5:00. After supper we went up to Uncle Doc’s awhile. A beautiful rainbow. Mrs. Eskew died at noon today at Hilltop.

2. Temp 46. Raining most all day. No school buses ran today in the county. Board of Education ordered Charlie Archer to meet with bus driver committee today at 2:00. Adjourned to meet tomorrow with board members at 3:00. Sleeting at 9:30. Temp 35 tonight and dropping.

3. Temp 27. Snowed during the night. 1 inch or more. Snow flurries all day. I washed & dried clothes in house & ironed. Finished by 2:00. Mrs. Eskew buried today. Lon Butler’s widow died in a Hinton hospital. News- Board of Education turned down the bus drivers’ union and ordered all bus drivers to go out in the morning or be replaced by new ones. Temp 30.

4. Temp 30. Snowing a little early. 3 buses came in and Ferrell Pennington was back. 2 car loads of pickets with Negros with them. They did not do anything. Parked in front of the Baptist parsonage for about 4 minutes. Officers parked just behind them and waited for them to do something. Rutherford’s bus did not come in. He is at the bedside of his sick mother. Board is to hire new bus drivers to replace all drivers that did not go out. Board also got an injunction to protect drivers willing to go at 11:00 today.

5. Temp 34. A very nice day. Wind cold tho. Still snow in places. Blake Alvis came out for 2 old stone jugs to make lamps.

6. Temp 46. A fine day. I cleaned house. Dad & I went & picked a mess of greens. Also one for Aunt Chriss. Went up to Uncle Doc’s in afternoon and took Aunt Chriss her greens. Stopped by to see Aunt Emma a little while and home at 4:00. Real nice day. Temp 62.

7. Temp 42. Cloudy early. Very nice day. Ed Wirtz bought out Fred Coburn property today. Raymond Boob Martin came in with Ferrell Pennington’s bus. He got his place as bus driver by Board of Education. Raining some. Board of Education of Mercer County replaced 14 bus drivers in place of the ones on strike. Raining at bedtime.

8. Temp 44. Raining. Rained all night. I went to SS. I stayed for church. Preacher Virgil Stewart talked to us. Plane crash in Charleston. Killed 19 men. 2 burnt 3rd degree but in hospital. Coming from Florida to be pallbearers for another air force man killed in crash two days ago and to be buried today in Charleston.

9. Raining today.

10. Cold 32. Snowed during the night. Cloudy most all day. Dad & I went over to Princeton this morning for chicken feed. Got a lawn rake. This afternoon, Eva Shrader came over and stayed until 8:20. Dad & I drove her over to Frazier’s. When we got back Dad went on the porch and heard the awfulest noise – just like a kid dying- down near the barn. Never heard anything like it but it finally stopped. Scared me.

11. Raining. Wind high. President Truman fired General MacArthur from his post in Japan as commander of our forces in Korea at 1:00 AM this morning. Our radio was on fire at 6:00AM. Rained some all day. Everybody so stirred up over MacArthur’s dismissal from armed forces in Korea. Truman is being called every mean name that can be thought of.

12. Temp 30. Cold Frost. Wind high all day. Showered all day. Arch Craghead finally got my telephone line put up in the house today.

13. Temp 33. Snowing at 7:30- just pouring, didn’t last too long. Cloudy all day. Went over town and got milk. Kenneth (Puny) Richardson of Princeton died today. He married Mary Thompson, Geo, and Nina Thompson’s girl. Raining most of the day. Temp never got above 38 degrees all day.

14. Temp 30. Cool all day. Raining early some- snow too but not much. I asked Arch Craghead to take all of the telephones off my line today. Sun out- just a little. Temp 44. Clear.

15. Cool. Went to SS. I stayed for church. After dinner I went up to see Lizzie & Watson White in afternoon. Wind high. Sun bright most of afternoon. We went out to cemetery plot. Raining at 8:45 tonight, just pouring. Sold 39 dozen eggs so far this month besides what we use to eat.

16. Temp 36 & dropping. Rained most of the night. Snowing some at 11:30. Real cool all day. Sun came out awhile. Fred Coburn moved into Maupin building today. Temp 335. Clear.

17. Temp 23. Rain a little 6:20 AM. Cloudy. Snowing at 8:30 while I was hanging out my clothes. Was done washing at 9:30. Finished up ironing by noon. Went over town. Heard that Freddy Robertson was dead, but it was a false alarm. Message came in that Lee Abbott, Fanny Alvis’s husband, was electrocuted today. Burnt all over. Second message came late tonight that he died. Glen flew to Arizona.

18. Temp 20. Big frost and freeze. Mrs. Clara Caldwell died at 5:30 this morning, Lorraine Jennings’ mother. Dr. Lilly left for Beckley to dental meeting. I have an awful cold in nose & crying eyes- some temperature. Plowed lettuce. Mowed lawn tonight.

19. Raining early in morning. Raked & mowed lawn at garage. Aunt Emma is bad again.

20. Temp 40. Raining early. I went to office, cleaned & waxed all floors at office and home at 3:30. Mrs. Clara Caldwell buried today. Lorraine Jennings’ mother. Trimmed some raspberry vines. Raked around outside of yard. Very nice day. Raining at bedtime.

21. Temp 48. A fine day. Best one we have had all spring. Went down to college to see baseball game. I feel so bad. Took one sulfa tablet at 8:30 and did it hit me hard. No rain today.

22. Temp 48. Raining. Wind really blew during the night. Went to SS & stopped to see Aunt Emma.

23. Temp 30. Frost. It didn’t rain today. 

24. Temp 32. Clear. Frost. Windy but a nice day. Trimmed raspberrys and mowed outside yard. Worked hard til noon. Laid down on bed and slept til 3:15 - so did Dad. Temp 68 this afternoon. Went over town for the milk. Stopped to see Aunt Emma awhile & loafed at Jennings Drug a while.

25. Raining.

26. Didn’t rain today.

27. A fine day. Went over to office and worked till 3:30 and came home. Didn’t rain today. Mrs. Morton died suddenly out at Well’s at 5:30. (Mrs. Wells’ mother )

28. Temp 60. A nice morning. Dr. Lilly & Mrs. Lilly went to Charleston today to a wedding at the home where Doc stays. Raining at 11:00. Made out statements for Dr. Lilly till 3:00. Went over to ballgame. Raining. Dad went. Ray Coburn shot his wife in the leg today. He was taken to jail & his wife was taken to the hospital. “Ney” Caldwell’s father-in-law, Mr. Scott, died last night in Beckley.

29. A fine morning. Went to SS & hoe. Raining & storming at 12:30. I went over and stayed with Mrs., Caldwell awhile. Bibbee’s gone to Beckley to Mr. Scott’s funeral. Dad went to a show. Cleared off. A nice afternoon. After supper we went to Uncle Doc’s awhile.

30. Raining today. Rained everyday but 5 during April. Haven’t plowed garden yet- too wet. Raining this evening. Saw the strangest light in the sky toward Princeton for 30 minutes.

May

1. Temp 64. Cloudy. Sprinkled rain a little. I washed & put clothes out. Went to Princeton and got feed & fertilizer and home. After dinner I mowed all of the lawn inside and out. Tired. Dad tried to help me but had to put up his mower and sit on the porch and watch. Rev & Mrs. Cutlip came out for some flowers but my jonquils were gone. Nobody has any gardens out yet,

2. Hot today. 76. Rained. Worked hard all day. In the evening, Dr. Vermillion called for me to come help him sew up an arm for Moody Johnson, Craig’s girl. Stayed at Jennings’ Drug to see Joe Lewis & a Cuban fight. 10 rounds- no knockouts- Lewis won on decision. Raining hard.

3. Temp high 72. Raining again today. Worked hard today. Raining and hailed a lot.

4. Cooled today. Went over and helped Dr. Vermillion pack papers and magazines for boys tomorrow. Home and ate dinner and mowed part of lawn. Went back to office and worked til 3:00. Went to college, Dad & I, to see baseball and it rained. Alderson Broaddus. Mrs. Lilly called for me to get to office & treat Doc Calfee- dry socket. Dr. Lilly left for Charleston in regard to Med & dental School.

5. Raining. Dr. Lilly gone to Charleston to Medical & dental School meeting- 5 days away from office since March 1. Arlie Snider’s sold for debt in front of courthouse. Rained hard most of day. Haven’t gotten garden plowed yet.

6. Temp 39. Cloudy. Looks like rain. Went to SS & home. Fern & Kay came home with us. At 12:00, noon, Ennis came and they stayed until 4:00. It rained today. 6 hours straight. Went out to see Aunt Emma at 6:30.

7. Cloudy. Rained some. Lizzie Pettrey died in Memorial Hospital at 5:30 this morning.

8. A fine day. Mowed all of the lawn and the cemetery and the cemetery at Uncle Tip’s. Tired. DID NOT RAIN. Went to Baseball game at college. Concord vs. WVa Tech. Went down to see Lizzie Pettrey a little while. Stopped at Jennings and seen Joe Lewis & man fight.

9. Did not rain. A nice day. Lizzie Pettrey buried.

10. Cooler. Garden not plowed yet. Rained tonight.

11. Temp 40. Got a new permanent this morning and Dad got a haircut. Jean Keatley hit by car at Speedway and is in hospital. Mowed all of the lawn this afternoon and put a bottom in a straight back chair. “Amere” Gas Co man came for permit to put in another new big pipe to gas house. We went up and looked it over. Will come back on Monday.

12. Temp 38 at 6:00. Cloudy. Rained & snowed a little- just a sprinkle. Temp 34. At Jennings Drug store at 9:00. 37 at noon. Warmer in afternoon. Emmett Wyant was killed in a car wreck or heart attack in Hinton at 2:30 AM this morning. Mrs. Lucy Wyant’s boy. We put straw over strawberry plants- may freeze tonight. Clear. Temp 40 at bedtime.

13. Temp 36. Cold. No frost. Clear 7 sun bright. Mother’s Day. Went to SS & home. Fixed flowers and took to cemetery, Stayed home all afternoon. Expected Dr. Meador up. He did come up but did not come out. After supper we went up to Uncle Doc’s awhile and on to cemetery for basket.

14. A fine morning. No rain today. Stockholders meeting- Bank of Athens- Dr. in meeting all morning. Dr. Lilly took Mrs. Lilly & Mrs. Caldwell to Hinton to funeral of Emmett Wyant. Doc Jennings plowed our garden today & fixed it up to plant. Finished at 7:20. 45 cents cost of garden.

15. A fine day. Warm. Was in the garden at 6:20. Planted potatoes, onions, beans, corn, & cabbage hills. Stopped at 9:00 to talk to gas man for 30 minutes... Finished garden at 11:00. Put on water to wash, got dinner, washed & finished at 2:20. Dressed and went to Princeton for plants. Home & got supper. Set out plants – a job. Tired at bedtime. Temp 76 today.

16. Temp 76. No rain during day. Worked hard all day. Clifford Lilly died last night from a car wreck in Tennessee Sunday evening. His wife has 1 leg and 1 arm broken and other bruises. Dr. Lilly did not come back to office this morning. Dr. Vermillion left at 3:00 for Bluefield to “commander” meeting so I was alone. Cleaned and “juined” around. Mowed yard & back after supper. Ironed too. Went to bed at 10:10.

17. Temp 48. A fine day. Temp 76 today. 82 in office. Worked hard all day. No rain since last Saturday- 5 days no rain. Dad mowed in front lawn under maples & to garage while I was gone today. Put out 2 rows of raspberry plants tonight. Nice ones too.

18. In the raspberries and strawberries early this morning. Put out 2 more rows of raspberries & 4 rows of strawberries. Dr. & Mrs. Lilly left McComas and went to Clifford Lilly’s funeral in Bluefield at 2:30. Went over and worked awhile at office. Stopped to see Aunt Emma awhile. Home at 5:00. A real storm this evening & lightning. Rained a good hard rain.

19. Cloudy & cool most of the day. We worked til noon. Dr. Lilly went to Bluefield at 1:30 to a Republican meeting to pick a man in John Kee’s place as congressman. College May Festival- Dr. Vermillion went. I stayed at office. Took red peonies to Mother’s grave and stopped to see Uncle Doc awhile and home at 7:30. Cool tonight 56.

20. Temp 52. Clear & cold. I went to SS at 9:45. No church. High School sermon at college at 11:00. We came home and I took a sunbath in afternoon. Temp 68. Went out to see Aunt Emma at 6:00. Rain when we started home at 8:00. Lightning & thunder.

21. Raining today some. Dr. Lilly at Princeton from 8:30 to 1:30. Insurance meeting and business to look after. 

22. Clear & warm today. Cleaned back porch. Ties raspberries up to stakes and mowed all of yard inside & out. This evening, went to Paul Broyles for tomato plants. Got 12 potted ones. Put them out. Raining. Was driving stakes & up & cut my hand. Called Dr. Vermillion. Then could not get my car started so he came over. Mr. & Mrs. Wells drove down- thought Dad was sick.

23. Cool. Clear. Dr. Lilly gone from office all afternoon.

24. Cool. Temp 42. A fine day.

25. A fine day. Went over town at 8:00 to help Dr. Lilly x-ray & pull teeth for a boy. Dr. Vermillion went to Charleston today early. Went to Princeton to get mash & to Johnson’s auction. Had a lot of fun. Home at 3:45. Hot today. Plowed raspberries & new strawberry plants. Sprayed tomatoes- “Bordeau “mixture.

26. Cooler- Temp 44 early today. Dr. Vermillion came in from Charleston at 11:00. Dr. Lilly gone all afternoon. In evening, plowed tomato & cabbage and hoed them. Raining.

27. Temp 48. Clear & cold. Went to SS at 9:30 & home. Concord’s Baccalaureate Sermon at 10:30. Went over to see Blanche and Ed Wirtz at 1:30. Home and ate supper. Went up to cemetery and back to see Aunt Emma. She was gone to Verena’s for a week.

28. Temp 48. Raining at 6:30. At 4:00- still raining. Went to Verena Farley’s musical. Lacy Alvis Jr. was in it. Very good. Dad loafed up town. Still raining.

29. Cloudy & cool at 6:00. Dr. Jennings called me to come out to Olen’s and wash his new born baby. Dr. Vermillion was still there. Home and washed 2 weeks washing. Dried some in house and some on line. Ironed all after dinner. Temp never got above 54 all day. Cool, cloudy & windy. Got flowers and went to both cemeteries. Ennis & kids were up at the upper one and came back with us.

30. Temp 39. A fine day. Something happened to refrigerator today- still working tho. Dr. Lilly left office and never came back. Dr. Vermillion left at 2:45. I left at 3:30 & came home. Lizzie & Bill & Toots & family were here. Been to Elgood to graveyard. Clarence Atkinson’s outhouse burned. They were not at home- Lee Oxley’s son-n-law. We went out to cemetery- Tip’s. Meadors had been there but didn’t come out. We went on up to upper cemetery. Prettiest I have ever seen. Several up there and home.

31. Temp went to 76 today. Went over to the office & wrote insurance and got the mail. Dr. Lilly sick – had sore throat. Called for Dr. Vermillion & me. I cleaned & waxed floors. Dr. Vermillion went to college commencement at 9:30. Set hen 14 eggs. Got 12 nice baby chicks.

June

1. Temp went to 81 today. Went over town and wrote ins. and other mail. Home and worked in garden. Burnt my back. Hen hatched 12 out of 14 eggs. Nice ones. Went out to see Sam Alvis awhile. Planted cucumbers – this is the day.

2. A fine day. Temp went to 86 today. Boy it was hot. At 2:00 today, Gertrude Shumate Johnson died in Maryland - Mrs. Vermillion’s sister. Cancer killed her.

3. Up at 5:00. Left for Bill Shepherd’s near Blacksburg at 7:30. Went to Toots in Princeton. Left my car and went with them. Got to Bill’s at 9:30. Spent the day, left at 4:30. Toots took us to Radford Power Plant and on in home. What a rain & windstorm. Electric wire came in two in front of Cleo Noble’s while the wedding of her niece was on the other lawn and it really scattered people. Dad missed Sunday School for the first time since he started- 19 years.

4. Hot today 79-temp. Dr. Vermillion left at 5:30 for Maryland to Gertrude’s funeral and burial. This afternoon, I picked ½ gallon Strawberries today. Rained hard at 6:30. Everything is so wet.

5. Cool. Raining all morning. Cleaned & waxed kitchen floor & pantry. Went to Princeton to see about refrigerator. Could not get a man to fix it.

6. Raining. Got Frank Parker to come over and see our refrigerator. He took motor out & took it to Bluefield and had it fixed. It is really in good shape now.

7. Raining again today. This evening, Rufus & Ethel came down awhile.

8. A very nice morning. I went to McComas with Dr. Lilly. Mrs. Lilly keeping twins. Rained today. Dick came in tonight from Chicago.

9. Temp 56. Raining hard today. Worked hard today. Dr. Vermillion in Masonic meeting all afternoon. We went up to Uncle Doc’s. He is not so well. Raining hard when we went to bed.

10. Temp 56. Cloudy & windy. Went to SS & home. Quincy real sick. Picked 5 qts. strawberries. At 2:45, they left with Quincy to hospital- real sick. Dr. Vermillion had been there – 4 trips today. Dad was there when they left. Rained hard at 5:00. Temp 55 at bedtime.

11. A fine day- no rain. Quincy not so well. Quinzetta called at 11:30 to close store and come at once to hospital. Quincy worse. At 12:15 Quinzetta called Mastin to tell me to bring Daddy and come at once. We went right on. He was better when we got there. Stayed till near 3:00. Dr. Vermillion came and talked to Dr. Pace and seen Quincy for a few minutes. We went up to see Uncle Doc a few minutes after supper and stopped at Frazier’s and home at 9:00. I went up to QD’s to see how Quincy was feeling.

12. Up early. Cloudy some. Washed. Went up town and home Ironed everything by 12:30. After dinner we went to see Quincy. Seemed some better but Dr. Pace has not done anything for him. Home at 3:15. Talked to Dr. Vermillion & he suggested that if Dr. Pace did not see him this afternoon to take him to Bluefield Sanitarium. Raining at 3:30. Quincy called for the kids and they took all of them & nurses bawled all of them out.

13. Raining & cold today. Worked hard all day. Quincy not much better. Dr. Lilly left at 2:00. Just poured the rain at 4:00.

14. Rained today also. Quincy they at is some better. Done nothing for him as yet. I sent him a quart of strawberries. Nice ones too. Went up to Uncle Doc’s awhile after supper. Alice Lee made me a sun back halter. 

15. A fine day. Cold. We went up to see Quincy this morning. I got Daddy a 22 Hornet Rifle for Father’s Day present. Worked in the garden. QD & kids came over awhile. Picked strawberries. At 3:00, Ennis called for QD to go get Quincy and bring him home. We picked wild strawberries. Fern & Kay helped. QD came and got them at 6:00. Tired at bedtime. 9:45.

16. Cloudy most of day and cool. Temp 47 at 6AM. Dr. Lilly left – went to Republican meeting - gone all afternoon. Came home at 5:00 and after supper Dad and I worked out the garden. Put leaves around the corn and laid it by at 7:00. Neta called and said that Quincy was not feeling too good and asked us to come to see him tomorrow. He is at Quinzetta’s.

17. Cloudy & cool. Went to SS & down to see Quincy at Quinzetta’s home at 12:15. Raining at 1:00. Went up to Uncle Doc’s at 3:00 and it just poured rain while we were there. Home and picked 6 qts. strawberries in the rain.

18. Temp 47. Cloudy most of the day. Cold & no rain today. Worked hard at office. Dr. Vermillion was called to see Quincy at 10:00. Dr. thinks he is doing ok. Will watch him for a few days. Temp 55 at bedtime. Went over town for milk. Wanted white paint from Blaine for screen door.

19. Cool early. We worked in garden and cleared & worked it all out. Covered tomatoes all around with straw. Also cabbage & cucumbers and laid them by. Quinzetta brought Quincy over in jeep for one hour. He seems real sick. Gave him a qt. of strawberries. Went over town in afternoon a while. Ethel Burch Martin went to hospital this morning. Down in her back. Aunt Emma went up to Verena’s. No rain today.

20. A fine day. Hot. Dr. Lilly left for Pineville to SS convention. Jessie & Quincy went to market at Narrows. Quincy so sick Jessie left early and brought him home. Just poured the rain this afternoon.

21. A fine day. Quinzetta called and said that Quincy was worse and Dad & I went over to see about him before I went to work and I shaved him He is so sick. Dr. Vermillion went with him to Bluefield Sanitarium. Dad & Quinzetta went also. He is in a bad condition. Dr. Vermillion says large heart. Blood pressure 95. 2:30 - they put him in an oxygen tent. Could not breathe. No rain. Sprayed tomatoes. Neta went over at 7:00- stayed with him all night. Dr.’s told her that he might go at any time. At 10:00 Lodema called and said that Quincy was bad.

22. Temperature 68. Hot today. I went over early to office and wrote up insurance. Home & put up hay & picked 6 quarts of strawberries for Dr. Vermillion. Burnt my back in sun awful. Went over town. Neta called & said that Quincy might be a little better. Sally Oxley & kids came down awhile. Been picking cherries. Dusted beans & cucumbers. Plowed some. Rested on front porch. At 10:00 Lodema called and said that Quincy seemed some better.

23. Temp 66. Clear & hot. Didn’t do much work at office today. Quinzetta called for me to go over and stay with Quincy tonight and said that he was a little better. Dr. Lilly went home at noon and didn’t come back. Hot – 80 in the shade. I left for Bluefield Hospital to stay with Quincy. He is still in oxygen tent. He cannot lay down. Nurse gave him a shot to make him rest but did very little.

24. Hot. I came home at 10:15. Quinzetta came to relieve me at 10:00. Dad & I went to see show - “Sampson & Delilah” at 1:00. Home. Hot. Dr. Meador called from Mastins to see how Quincy was doing. Said that he would go on over to see him. 5 QT. strawberries.

25. Hot. Today. Picked 1 qt. raspberries today.

26. Temp 80. Washed and went to Princeton to see Ethel Burch Martin in Princeton Hospital. Got fan belts for refrigerator but they didn’t fit. Raining, Thundering, Lightning came in our telephone and burnt it out I guess. Lightning hit Lee Oxley’s house. Tress in Olen Jennings yard blew down in back yard and telephone poles. Wind bad. Another wind storm came by and it just poured the rain. I called Quincy and talked to him over the telephone.

27. Warm today. Called Quincy and talked to him. Quinzetta got fan belts for my refrigerator and they did fit. She got them in Bluefield through Bob Barrett. Raining and a lot of wind today.

28. Temp 86. Rained today. Quinzetta came over a few minutes in regard to bringing Quincy home tomorrow about hospital bed.

29. Warm. Went to Princeton for feed and return fan belts to refrigerator. Rained today. Waited for Jessie to bring Quincy at 11:45. Dad & I went down to Quincy’s to help get him in. Jessie and I carried him in. They got Dr. Vermillion’s hospital bed to put Quincy in. Cleaned garden. Raining. We had to quit picking berries.

30. Cloudy & hot. Took Dr. Vermillion 6 qts. raspberries, Makes 16 quarts so far. Fred Bolin brought over a telephone for me & put it up. Raining- just poured for a while. At 10:45 tonight Gov. Patterson put Med. School at Morgantown. We went up to see Uncle Doc awhile. Raining hard when we came home.

July

1. Raining early- just poured. Went to SS & down to see Quincy awhile. Real sick with pain in his side. Dr. Vermillion was there at 12:00. Picked 15 quarts raspberries and took them to Dr. Vermillion. Stopped to see Ed & Blanche Wirtz. Rained again late.

2. Rained today and cooler a lot. Went by to see Quincy. They called Dr. V. at 7:00. Quincy got worse at 3AM- side hurting him bad. Dr. thinks it is neuralgia pain. Went by to see Quincy. Tried to get an ice bag. None in Athens. So I went home, cracked ice and put it in hot water bottle and took it to him. He was better when I got there. Had eased up a lot.

3. Cool. Sprayed tomatoes at 7:00. At 8:00 we picked til 11:30. Got 13 quarts of raspberries. Went to office. Fixed papers for “Dub” Lodge report for Chapter 26. Down to see Quincy. They had called Dr. Vermillion. Temp 102. Dr. gave him penicillin tablets and we laid him down in bed. First time for 13 days & nights.

4. Cloudy. Went over to see Quincy and he is so much better. Laid down and slept like a log he said. Laughing and playing tricks on Sis & Neta. Oh he is so much better. Coughing better and he looks so much better. We picked 9 quarts raspberries this afternoon. Finished at 3:20. At 2:40 it was pouring the rain. We took berries to Mrs. Vermillion and on down to see Quincy again. He is still better. Temp 100 3/5 but can smile and joke. Stopped to see Aunt Emma awhile and home at 4:00. Raining at 8:30. Sold 13 gal. and 1 qt.

5. It failed to rain today. Cold all day. Neta called for doctor to come to see Quincy. He had slept all day. So we went down and he was okay- just sleepy. Blood pressure 102. Heart stronger and pain in side better and very little blood in sputum. Temp 56 at 7:30.

6. Temp 50. Clear & cold all day. Picked 13 quarts of raspberries today. Gas men, 2 of them, came out and did we have a round. They moved stakes and then lied about it. Daddy mad. We took Dr. Vermillion 3 gallons berries. Makes 16 gallons 1 qt. Went to see Quincy. He is still holding his own. Planted 3 rows corn in running beans today. So Dad and I won’t have to stake them and then rested. A full day.

7. A fine day. Went down to see Quincy.

8. Hot & cloudy. I picked 2 gal raspberries. Dad went to SS and home. After dinner, we went over to see Quincy - took him a quart of berries. On up to see Uncle Doc and home. Rained today.

9. A fine day. No rain today. Took Dr. Elbert Vermillion 2 gal. raspberries. $3.00 for 2 gallons. Went to see Quincy. He is better a lot. I think that he is sleeping better and breathing better. Took Dr. Vermillion 1 gal for Dr. Tom. That makes 17 gal 1 qt.

10. Up early. Washed. Sprayed tomatoes, dusted beans & cucumbers. Plowed and hoed everything. Got dinner and went over to see Quincy and he is still better. Home and ironed some and got supper. Ate and went back to ironing and at 6:20 here came Uncle Hade & MaryLee and Mr. Webster and we looked over the garden and set down to talk and it started raining. It just poured for over an hour. They left at 8:45. I finished ironing.

11. Hot & humid .80. Dad went over to see Quincy this morning. At 5:30, it was raining when we went over to see Quincy and stayed til 8:20. He would not let us leave. Rained, just poured. Glen came and got Neta and went to cemetery. Alvis mowed the cemetery plot.

12. Hot today. No rain today. Gas man was here to see me again at office. Picked 9 quarts of berries tonight.

13. Temp 66. Hot today. Picked some berries, defrosted refrigerator and it started freezing and quit. I cut it off. Saw Frank Parker and he said he would come over and see about it. Friday the 13th- unlucky for me. Refrigerator went bad and I only got 6 eggs. Went with Dr. Vermillion to see Quincy. Blood Pressure 110 - very good. Went over for ice water at office and took my butter over there to keep it cold.

14. Hot today. Worked til noon. Jennings brought 4 bales of straw for garden-$4. Dr. Vermillion paid me $25.00 for 18 gallons of raspberries. Dr. Vermillion left for White Sulphur Springs to bank meeting banquet. Man came and fixed my refrigerator. Valve stuck. Were we glad. Dr. Lilly down a few minutes. Gave him a cabbage head. Rained a little when I went to bed.

15. Hot- Went to SS & down to see Quincy awhile. He seems about the same. Gave him $20. Home, ate dinner, and laid on the porch. No water in town- Motor at pump burnt up. We still had plenty at bedtime. Went up to see Uncle Doc awhile and stopped by to see Aunt Emma. Frazier rented Rufus & Ethel's room and they left this morning. Hot all day. Dr. Lilly left for White Sulphur Springs to State Dental Meeting for 3 days.

16. Hot all day. No water in town today. I wrote statements all day for Dr. Vermillion. Ran fan, also too hot for me. Finished up the garden with straw today all covered. Wrote MaryLee not to come up tomorrow. Cannot cook. No water. Mary Foster Woods husband was drowned yesterday. Got water going again tonight. Near panic. Sprayed tomatoes tonight.

17. Hot today. Cleared out chicken coop. Scratch pen. Went to see Quincy. Fire insurance adjuster came to see us about new telephone. Up and voted special election to elect Mrs. John Kee or Cyrus Gadd for Congressman in Washington. Ethel came out a while. 

18. Hot. Mrs. Kee was elected. First woman to go in as Congressman from West Va. Paid all bills. Washed all windows while Dr. Vermillion was at bank meeting. Quincy has lost 9 ring neck pheasants - young ones. Mowed yard - back part.

19. Hot today. Cleaned operation room and laboratory. Hailed here some in afternoon. Raining & stormy. Lightning hit Paul Mutter’s house. Fire truck went down to see it. Didn’t do much damage. Nice rain. Storm with hail at Rainelle. Ruined gardens. Temperature falling fast.

20. Cool today. Went to office and Mae Dobbins came and cleaned floors and waxed them for me and also Dr. Elbert & Dr. Vermillion’s. I went to see Quincy- not so well. After dinner Dad and I tied up raspberries & cut out weeds. Sprayed tomatoes good. Mowed most of the yard. Warmed up a lot.

21. Nice & cool this morning. Temp 48. Went over to see Quincy awhile and took Dr. 15 cabbages and cucumbers. Stopped to see Aunt Emma awhile.

22. Hot this morning. Went to SS. I stayed for church & Dad went sown to see Quincy. I went down and got him after church and home. Stayed on porch all afternoon. Hot- temp 85. 91 in Bluefield. Went up to Uncle Doc’s after supper awhile. Alice came over and saw my garden. Charles and Ann came also. I gave her a cabbage. Hot at bedtime.

23. 68 at 5:50 this morning. Dr. Lilly back to work after a week off. We worked hard all day. Temp 90 in our operating room all day. Temp 91 in Bluefield again today. Makes 6 times already this summer. Fred Bolin came and put in a new telephone for us but it won’t ring loud enough to hear it in the kitchen.

24. Up early. Cloudy but I washed and the clothes dried and I ironed in afternoon. Started at 12:40. Fire insurance adjuster was here and fixed up papers to pay for telephone that was burned up on June 26th. Dad went a berry picking. Came in at 12:00 with 1 ½ gallons blackberries. At 4:10, lightning came in on light wires. Blowed fuses and went through basement. Also came in on the telephone line and burned it up. New one, put in yesterday. Also hit the lower maple tree in yard and ran clothes line to other tree and came down to ground. Tore off bark and tore up ground all around. I was laying on couch on porch and it knocked me off and I hit the porch column. Shocked me terrible. Dad was by the radio with arm on table. Telephone was on. But didn’t hurt him. He went to Mrs. Lane’s for Dr. Vermillion. Mrs. Bailey, Lane, Rogers, Wells, Wilson Gautier, Dr. Lilly & Dick, Blaine Jennings & Alfred Alvis came. Quinzetta came. Beckie & Meredith came and brought me my milk also.

25. Hot today. Oh so sore. I can hardly walk. I went to work- didn’t do anything tho. Dr. Lilly gone all afternoon so I rested. Hot in afternoon.

26. A fine day. Dr. Lilly came by but we didn’t work any today. Butler’s reunion at Dr. Lilly’s home. Butlers from Texas here so we didn’t work today and I rested again. Dr. Vermillion & I went to see Quincy. Neta called him. He is doing fine. Blood Pressure 108. Heart seems stronger. Aunt Emma, Ethel & Rufus came down awhile after supper. Didn’t know about lightning until today. Dr. & Mrs. Lilly came for a while. Brought telephone. Rufus hooked it up. Mr. and Mrs. Wells came down and brought a tomato that Mr. Hensley sent to me.

27. Hot 83 today. I canned 5 quarts berries. Painted screen door on back porch. Dr. Vermillion called me to write insurance policy but I won’t go til afternoon. Ate dinner and left for Princeton. Got a new bread pan and chicken feed. Stopped at office and wrote up insurance policy on Mr. Caldwell property for Lloyd Oxley. Home at 3:30. Got 4 ripe tomatoes out of garden. Ate supper early and went to see Quincy. Up to church program- Baptist- Vacation Bible School. Program very good and Mitzi went with me. Dad loafed. Got a letter from MaryLee. Said that they would see us Sunday.

28. Cloudy. Rained a good shower today. Worked hard all day til 3:30. Killed chicken and got things ready for Uncle Hade and folks.

29. Cool this morning. Went over and got milk and paper and home. Got dinner ready and Uncle Hade did not come. Raining at 3:15. Laid down and rested all afternoon. Got 2 ripe tomatoes.

30. Hot today. 85. Post office was moved today to the new TA Barbary building. I have a new box also Dr. Lilly and Dr. Vermillion.

31. Hot today. Temp 87. Cleaned Dad’s room & waxed floor & hall. I made 1 quart & 1 pint kraut this morning. Went to town, got milk and home. Washed my hair & rested. Uncle Hade & MaryLee & Webb came for supper. Left at 9:15. Had a big time.

August

1. Hot today. Pansy Martin got a letter from Emmett Boone. He is a prisoner of Chinese Communist. Written Feb 11, 1951. Bank meeting and Dr. Lilly left. Dry-everything. Need rain.

2. Temp 86 in our office. Lee Oxley came and cut some of the grass for Clarence Atkinson. He bought it for $15. Power Company interest - $6.70. Went over to see Quincy awhile after supper and stopped to see Aunt Emma awhile.

3. Cool. Rained some during the night. I went over to the office, wrote insurance and Dr. and I went to see Quincy. Blood pressure 126. Heart stronger. Seems better a lot. Lee Oxley finished cutting hay. Raking & shocking hay. Showered off and on all afternoon. Daddy’s blood pressure 182! Heart beat 50. Dr. Vermillion gave him medicine for both. He is so weak. Sprayed tomatoes. Rained- nice shower at 8:00.

4. A fine day. Dr. Lilly did not work this afternoon.

5. Temp 44. Cold. At 9:15 Uncle Hade, MaryLee and Webb came with a motorboat and we left for the lake down at Hinton Bridge to fish all day. Took lunch. At 2:00, we ate, got in the boat and went about 2 miles up the river. Until 5:15. Back to car, caught nothing. Got ready and came home. Talked for an hour in front yard and they left for home. Cool. 58.

6. Cold this morning. Cloudy. Started raining about 9:30 and rained most of the day. A good rain. Things are good and wet. Cold.

7. Warmer. 62. Rained during the night. Washed and made 5 quarts and 5 pints of cucumber pickles. Mrs. Higgins, Jane and Alma came for a few minutes for me to go to Bible Study at Alma’s at 2:00 and I did. I went down to see Quincy a few minutes and home. Mr. Atkinson paid Dad for the hay. $15. I rested awhile then sprayed tomatoes and ironed everything.

8. Hot today. 83. Dr. Lilly left at 2:00 for the rest of the afternoon. Went to Bible Study and home.

9. A fine day. Annie Robertson was buried in Athens cemetery. Dr. Lilly, Dr. Vermillion and Dr. Elbert all went.

10. Hot today. Went to see Quincy with Dr. Vermillion. Blood Pressure 132. Heart stronger. Dr. well pleased with him. Dad and I went to Princeton for laying mash. Back to office and wrote ins. Until noon & home. Picked nearly a bushel of beans to dry. Taken off 7 pheasants hatched for Quincy & took them over to him. Home, stringed beans and put them in the garage to dry. Temp 83. Washed my hair and we walked up to Lloyd Oxley’s. They have moved into Caldwell property on Broadway. Tom & Pauline came.

11. Hot. Dr. Lilly sick from heat. He finally went home at 10:30. Dr. Vermillion and I went to stockholders meeting - in debt nearly $4000. Laid $20 special assessment to pay out. Raised assessment to 2.50 for the coming year. Raised Mastin’s salary from $85 to $125 per month. Home and stayed there. Temp 75 at 6:00. Thundered a little.

12. Cool. Went to SS & Lizzie and Bill were at church waiting on us so we went to Elgood to the homecoming. Nice crowd and lots of dinner. Had a fine time. Got home at 4:30.

13. Very nice day.

14. A fine day. We cleaned part of back yard and took out all weeds and grass around fence. Took basket of tomatoes to Everett Slone $1.36. He will take all I have. Fred Coburn brought in load of coal $60.00. Took spray over to Ed Wirtz to fix for me. Needed a new washer in pump. Ed fixed it ok.

15. A fine day. Worked hard all day. No rain. Need some bad. Had a run in with Dr. Elbert. I left- took clothes and shoes out of insurance office and told the Drs. that I wouldn’t be back. Quit at office.

16. Cool. I took car to Roy Beckett to fix. Worked in yard. Took out all maple roots in yard and burning bush. Cleaned and “swept” front yard and cleaned up all of the bark that the lightning spread around. Dr. Lilly called for me to come to the office at 3:30. Roy Beckett brought car over and we drove down to Alfred Alvis’s and back. It pulled fine. Went down to see Quincy awhile before going to the office. Drs. asked me to come back. They had a talk with Dr. Elbert.

17. Cool. Daddy went to see Quincy. I took out rest of roses & Lily of the Valley & stump while Daddy was gone and went to garden and pulled weeds out of raspberries. Picked tomatoes to take to Slone. I went to town down to see Mrs. Lilly & Mrs. Caldwell. Back to office, wrote insurance and sent out papers to Veteran’s Administration and home. Gas man came and served papers on us to condemn land for gas line. Aug 27th have to go to Princeton to appear before Judge Easley. Lloyd, Sally & kids came out after supper awhile.

18. Cool today. Went back to work this morning at the office. Dr. Lilly was sick all night and feels so bad this morning. Dr. Lilly left for Princeton - gone all afternoon. At 6:30, went to see Mastin and up to Uncle Doc’s awhile and home.

19. Cool 54. Went to SS. Fern & Kay came home with us. Took them home at 2:00 and went over to see Quincy awhile and home at 4:30. After supper we went up to the cemetery and drove around the college and stopped to see Aunt Emma awhile. Home at 8:15. Mastin called me saying Chap Johnson died today at 1:30. Heart Attack.

20. Temp 50. Clear & hot. Temp went to 80. Sprayed tomatoes.

21. Cloudy early. Washed. Called Ajax Smith for an appointment. Dad & I went to Princeton. Saw him in regard to gas line – also saw Judge Easley. Wrote an insurance policy and got home around 2:00. I ironed everything. Raining at 4:25. Nice shower. Aunt Emma called for me to go to town council with her about the dogs on her porch. Home at 8:15. 

22. A fine day. We worked all day today.

23. Temp 46. Cool most of the day. Jake Brown real sick. Dr. had them call Nell to come home. She was visiting Ernestine and Harry Crawford.

24. Temp 44. We got ready to go to town and Quinzetta brought Quincy & Neta over awhile. Quincy rode with us to town & Dr. examined him in my car in front of office. Blood Pressure 156. Dr. told him to go to bed. He stayed at store all day in bed. ( Note: there was a bed in the backroom of his store) Washed curtains, ironed them and washed windows. Jake Brown dies at 11:30 today. Sick a week. Nell got here this morning. Neta called for Dad to come over and sign his deed. He sold his home Dad & Mother gave him to Charlie Jones for $1500.00. Washed my hair & cleaned up leaves and weeds in yard.

25. Temp 44. Clear & cool all day. Quincy went to Bluefield to see Dr. Shanklin. Dr. didn’t give him much privilege as yet. Went down to Quincy’s and on over to Meador Bird’s to see Uncle Jake Brown and to pay our last respect for him.

26. Cool 48. Went to SS & home. After dinner we went to Jake Brown’s funeral at Methodist Church, to cemetery and home. Washed car & took young chickens to new chicken house. After supper went out to get Blaine and brought him out to see our refrigerator. It is making a noise when it runs. Took him back home and watched television for 2 hours til 9:00. Blaine says nothing wrong with refrigerator. Temp 67 at 9:30.

27. Temp 55. Raining when we got up at 6:00 and rained all day - hard. Stopped raining at 4:00. At 6:30, started raining again and just a good steady rain til bedtime. First rain since July 24th.

28. A fine day. Cloudy all day. Dad & I went to Princeton to meet gas company lawyer before Judge Easley at 10:00 AM. We got together at 12:15. Divorce cases on. Picked commissioners Fred cooper, Essie Bailey, JC Crockett, Ben Reed & Marvin Miller. We left at 12:45. Went to Bluefield to see a coat for Dad and up to hospital to see Geo Alvis. He is very sick. Got home at 4:15. Tired. At 6:00, radio went bad while we were getting the news. Took it over to Blaine. Home and Dad was dead tired.

29. A fine day, Sun out most all day. Dr. Lilly gone all day to Gary to Dental Meeting. Mr. Joe Young died up on Athens Road. Pearl’s Daddy. Home at 5:00 and ate supper & canned 7 quarts and 1 pint tomatoes.

30. Cool and nice this morning. In paper this morning that David Snider of Speedway dead. Died in hospital in Princeton. Joe Young was buried today. Mowed yard tonight.

31. Warm this morning. Picked tomatoes and we fixed roof so it won’t leak this winter, maybe. I went over town to write insurance. Really hot. Temp 83 at 5:00 PM. After supper Dad & I went up and looked at our gas site below gas house. Then rested on porch.

September

1. Hot. We worked hard til noon. Sun eclipse at 6:01. Real dark. Looked like rain but didn’t. At noon, Dr. Lilly left and did not come back to office. Dave Snider buried this afternoon. Sprinkled rain some. Looked like we would have a storm but didn’t We went to show- Cinderella - not so good.

2. Warm. Went to SS and home. Rested on the porch all afternoon. After supper, we went up to Uncle Doc’s. Took Mrs. Mastin a box of tomatoes.

3. Cloudy some. Labor Day. We worked hard all day. Everything closed in town but Jennings’ Drug store, Parker’s and our office. Nobody in town. Harry Wiley & Eula came down. Stayed until 9:45.

4. Cloudy and foggy nearly all morning. I washed and picked apples and canned 2 half gallon jars and I quart of applesauce. Mercer County Schools started today. Went to town for milk and home Frank Parker came over and fixed fan wheel on refrigerator. It is fine now. I ironed and after supper went up to see Ethel & Rufus’s house and on up to Jennings to Amateur Hour at 9:00- no good.

5. Cloudy- rained just a little early. Cloudy all day. My birthday. Raining a good shower.

6. Raining a good rain today. Quincy’s doing fine. Walking around town today. Worked hard today.

7. Cool. Up early and canned 15 quarts applesauce & 7 quarts of tomatoes today. Finished at 2:00. This evening, went over town, took Hinkles tomatoes & peppers and Mastin beans, tomatoes, & peppers and home. Temp 50. Cold.

8. A fine day. Temp 48. Warmed up a lot. Dad & I went to see Tarzan at show.

9. Cool but a fine day. Went to SS & home. Picked peaches up on the hill. Rested til 3:00 and went to pump house for a baptizing- Green Leaf from Lerona. Aunt Emma went with us. After supper, we went over talked awhile with Mrs. Underwood and Alice Hall Lilly & Exie & Lemuel Southern on Missionary Ridge. I loafed awhile in town and home.

10. A fine day- just beautiful. Mrs. Peters very sick. I went up to see her at noon and saw Geo. Alvis on his porch. Talked with him a few minutes. At 7:00, fixed peaches to can in the morning. Wind high, may rain.

11. Cloudy. Raining a little early. I made 10 quarts peach butter. Redone our radio aerial. Mrs. Peters has not rallied yet. I went to office and wrote 5 insurance policies. Picked tomatoes tonight to give to Sally Oxley. Warm tonight.

12. A fine morning. Put up 1 quart apple sauce before I went to work. Mrs. Sue Peters, Ora Peter’s mother, died. A fine day all day.

13. Sprinkled rain today. This evening, baked a lemon pie and took up to Ora Peters. A large crowd there.

14. Raining at 1:45 AM this morning and has rained all day. Dad & I went to Mrs. Peters and on to Princeton. Got my birthday changed on record from Sept 21, 01 to Sept 5, 01. Also recorded Worrell lot which sold for taxes to Jessie last December. Ready and going to church to Mrs. Peters’ funeral and it is just pouring the rain.

15. Cool today. After supper, Rufus & Ethel came out and stayed till 9:30.

16. Tamp 44. A nice day. Went too SS and down to Graham Chapel to homecoming. Aunt Emma & Rufus & Ethel & Lizzie also went. Had a big day. Lots to eat. Got home at 3:30. Laid down and rested awhile. QD, Ennis and kids came out and stayed til 6:35. Went to bed at 9:00. Cold.

17. Cloudy and cold all day. Dr. Lilly finally turned on gas. He was really cold.

18. Temp 44. Cloudy and a big fog. Up early. Washed at 8:00. Quincy and Neta came over. Dad went with Quincy down to river to fish. Quincy drove the jeep. I took Mrs. Hinkle corn & tomatoes. I got my milk. Home, ate a bite and started mowing. Finished at 3:30. Washed my curtains in my room and put them up. Washed windows. Worked hard all day. Temp 58 at noon. Never got above 62 all day.

19. Temp 42. Cold & foggy. Worked hard all day. An electrician for AE Power came very nearly being electrocuted on pole by bank this morning. Got burned bad on leg and arm. Dad saw it happen and Quincy and I watched them tie ropes around him and let him down. Ambulance came just as he hit the ground and took him to hospital.

20. Temp 42. Clear. A nice day. At 6:00, got message from New River Virginia to go tell May Dove that her mother, Rosie Nichols, was dead. Died this afternoon. Dad & I went uptown. Ennis went with me down to tell May.

21. A fine day. Cleaned house and fixed back porch. Raised corner and fixed the plank in the back room. Painted some. Pulled weeds in garden. This evening, went over town to see Rufus & Ethel’s house and to see Aunt Emma. She is bad again. Up to Jennings Drug Store to see Quiz Kids. Back to Aunt Emma’s and we got her ready. Sent her to hospital and home.

22. A beautiful morning. Raining at 10:45. Still raining some at 4:30. Killed a fryer and dressed it. Emory & Henry beat Concord at Bluefield. 40 to12. Raining at 10:50 when I went to bed.

23. Cool 53. Raining and cloudy most all day. Went to SS & home. After dinner we went to see Uncle Doc’s awhile. Jack White, Luther & Lottie’s boy, came home on furlough and started back to camp and is missing from camp. Never got there.

24. Temp 40. Clear. A beautiful day. Guy Scyphers told me to turn on the gas, They were cold down in the bank. We had our heater on all morning. Worked hard all day. Raining a nice rain at 2:30. Just pouring the rain at 4:30 again. Warmer a lot. Eggs- 72 cents a dozen at Everett’s store.

25. Warmer. Cloudy. Made a lemon pie. Went and got milk. At 5:30, looked for Uncle Hade’s- they did not come. Missed a good supper. Jessie White came and got ____ for $10. Glad it is gone.

26. Cloudy. Warmer. Worked hard all day. Dr. Lilly left about 2:30. Went to Princeton. Went to Mt. Jackson to church. Rev “Essis” preached. A good crowd. Windy looks like rain.

27. Temp 59. Rained some during the night. Peeled apples to can in the morning.

28. Temp 44. Canned 3 half gallons and 1 pint of applesauce. Alley apples. Went to work on back porch again. Weather boarded up our cellar way and put up new cloth. Put up old screen door for the winter and painted outside. Worked hard all day. Jake Powell died today. Dr. Lilly had a terrible headache today he said. This evening, went uptown and saw Mastin awhile and went to church meeting. Nearly froze in basement where they met. Left at 8:20. Came home to get warm. Temp 40 at 10:00.

29. A fine day. Dr. Lilly left for Charleston to a Dental Meeting. I worked hard all day. Washed my hair. Took a bath. Washed Dad’s hair too.

30. A fine day. Went to SS and Dad & I went to Fred Anderson’s on the Pisgah Road to see Jack Powell and his family. Saw Earl Martin first time for 27 years. Jack was buried this afternoon at 2:30. Hone and stayed home all afternoon. Worked on back porch painting it. Went to Mt Jackson to last meeting of their revival. Essis preaching. Church full.

October

1. Warm & clear. Warm all day. Worked hard.

2. Foggy early. Washed and went to Princeton. Came home. Got a small step ladder-$6.00. Ate dinner and started ironing. Finished at 3:00. Listened to the Giants & Dodgers play baseball. Dodgers won 10 to nothing. Mowed the yard. Ate supper. Sat down and rested. Warm temp. went to 73 today.

3. A fine day all day. No news.

4. Another fine day. Not a cloud in the sky. Worked hard. Giants won 5-1 against Yankees in first game of World Series. Temp 74. Went up to see Aunt Emma awhile & Rufus & Ethel’s house.

5. Temp 60. I went to McComas with Dr. Lilly today. We worked hard all day. Oh what a beautiful day. Temp high in the 80”s. Gas Co. came in and tore our lot up in back of gas house. Made 2 roads through it. Joe Ed Whitt died in Maryland Veteran’s Hospital yesterday; He is Charlie Whitt’s boy and married Fay Williams.

6. 60 temp. Clear & hot today. Worked hard til noon. Went to “Pole” Phillips to see pullets but Mrs. Phillips would not sell them. I offered $2.00 apiece. Back and to Oxley Hollow. Picked up Fred Thompson’s daughters and took them home. Saw what gas line was doing to Quincy and Jessie’s farms.

7. Hot. Went to SS and up to Fred Cheatwood’s to see if he could get me some pullets and home. After dinner we went up to Uncle Doc’s and back to church to Joe Ed Whitt’s funeral. Church full and running over. Wind high all day. Temp at 1:30 78. We may buy Aunt Christie’s calf. Dad says it is a good one. Raining at 5:00. Wind high. Temperature dropping fast. 49 when we went to bed. Dr. Vermillion left today for Parkersburg to Grand Lodge.

8. Temp 40. Cold & cloudy all day. Parker & Riddle Alvis boy in car wreck. Some hurt bad. Parker’s car ruined. 22 stitches in his head and this happened Saturday night. Temp 38 at 9:00 bedtime. Peeled pears to can in the morning. 

9. Temp 32. Frost. We built fence. Took up apples and got ready for our calf we bought from Aunt Christie. I made 3 pints of pear preserves. Finished back porch for winter also window. Temp never got above 55 all day today. We watched them dig ditch down through Estel Oxley’s farm. A truckload of 8 inch pipe came in and was dumped at gas house.

10. Temp 30 so a big frost. And ice. This morning. Clear and warmed up a lot later. Worked hard all day. Dr. Lilly left at noon and did not come back. I worked in lab all afternoon. Dr. Vermillion came in for Grand Lodge in Parkersburg. Gas men in our field digging pipeline.

11. Cold & big frost. Finished today digging gas line to gas house. Uncle Bob Davis died this morning in Princeton hospital- 82 years old. Uncle Doc is 85 years old today. We went up to see him after supper awhile. Took him some cigarettes. Dr. Jennings brought over the calf for us from Uncle Doc’s. 3 months old. Black, not a white hair on it.

12. Temp 30. A big frost. Made 2 quarts of pear preserves. Dressed and went to Princeton and got me a false face for Halloween. Home and ate dinner. Then we made a bird feeder. We have a good calf. Real nice. Eats anything we give it.

13. Temp 31. A big frost. Clear & nice all day. We worked hard till noon. Joe Vachon shot Dempsey Cheatwood squirrel hunting this morning at 5:30. Joe brought Dempsey to Dr. Vermillion. Oh what a laugh on Joe. At 2:00, football game down at college. Concord got beat. The other team had a negro on their team. First negro to ever play on our field. Concord got beat 34-7. Dad and I went this morning to Bap. Rummage sale. Got Dad a suit for $1.00. I got him 2 hats and 3 pairs underwear.

14. 30. A big frost. Went to SS and home. Went over to our lot at May Dove’s and got a bag of apples. After supper went up to Uncle Doc’s awhile.

15. Temp 40. A frost. Cloudy most all morning. Worked hard. Our calf is doing fine.

16. A fine morning. 44. Clear. Wind high. Washed and ironed and took up leaves in back yard. Washed front porch also all of the walls. It is nice and clean now. Temp went to 64 today. Tired.

17. Temp 44. A gorgeous day. Cool but nice. Worked all day.

18. Temp 42. Great fall day. Dr. and Mrs. Lilly left for Morgantown to see Ann & Jean. I made x-ray solution and cleaned operation room & lab and waxed floors. May Dobbins came in and will come in the morning to help me finish the rest of the floors. Dad took up leaves in the front yard. Temp 64 at 6:00. Ennis and QD came over and stayed with Dad awhile this morning.

19. A fine day. May Dobbins came in and waxed the floors at office for me. I cleaned all day. Cooler and looks like rain or snow. So cloudy.

20. A nice day. Not so cold. Worked most of day- cleaning and fixing up things. Went up to see Aunt Emma awhile after supper.

21. A fine day. Went to SS & I stayed for church. Men’s Bible Class was in charge of church service. Fred Rogers preached. Church full. Fern & Kay came home with me. Ennis came at 4:00 for them. I took them home. Dad & I took up some leaves in front yard. Aunt Emma, Ethel & Rufus came about 6:00.

22. Temp 56. Cloudy. Rained a little during the night.

23. Cloudy. Cleared off. We cleaned off garden and cleaned out cellar. Emptied cans that were no good. Fixed place for potatoes. Rained a little. Went up to town to get milk and went to see “Ma & Pa Kettle Going Back to the Farm.” House full.

24. Cloudy. Raining a nice shower. Dr. Vermillion to Bluefield Sanitarium for x-rays this morning. Pain in his stomach and he was over there yesterday most of the day also. We worked hard all day. Cloudy at bedtime.

25. Temp 34. No frost. Worked hard all day. Dad & I took 8 packs of leaves & put in barn. 1 egg today.

26. Temp 34. A big frost. Clear and warmed up a lot. Dad & I took the rest of the leaves and put them in the barn. I cleaned guest room and got it ready for the winter. Went over to office to help Dr. Vermillion send out statements. Joe Louis was knocked out in fight tonight. A white man in 8th round. Joe is done now.

27. Boy oh boy. A fine day all day. We worked till noon and closed the office and went to Concord Homecoming game- football. Glenville 30 Concord 0. A large crowd there. A perfect day for a game. Warm all day.

28. Raining some all day. Went to SS & home. Misted rain all day & chilly. Went over to see Neta. She is feeling bad and to see Quincy. He is not so good. On up to see Uncle Doc awhile and home and stayed there.

29. Temp 30. Clear & cool all day. Worked hard. Cloudy in evening. Temp 46.

30. Raining most all morning. Washed and put clothes out for a while & brought them in and dried them in the house. Dr. Baker, state health man in Charleston, died Monday. Went to Princeton got 2 bags of scratch, 1 bag of mash, & 20 rods of fencing wire and home. Ironed part of the clothes and Mastin called and said that Mr. Frazier was real sick and going to the C&O hospital in Clifton Forge Virginia.so we ate supper and went out awhile. Cleared up. No rain in afternoon. Got everything ready for Halloween tomorrow night.

31. Cloudy. Raining. Cloudy all day. Worked hard til noon. Dr. Lilly left and did not come back to office. Raining hard. I dressed for Halloween and started and got to the end of Broadway and met the sound truck saying celebration was called off because of bad weather.

November

1. Raining. Temp 34. All day cloudy & drizzled rain. Mrs. Pruitt died today. At bedtime, Raining. Temp 32.

2. Temp 30. Raining, foggy all day. I baked an applesauce cake and ironed. After dinner, I went got my milk and home. Washed my hair and baked a custard pie and got Dad supper. I went to pot-luck supper at church. Home at 7:30 and Dad was in bed. I listened to Logan & Princeton play football. It was sleeting and snowing at bedtime.

3. Temp 20 above. Ground covered with snow and still snowing most all morning. Temp 18 above at Jennings Drug Store. Our first snow. Mrs. Pruitt buried today. Dr. Lilly went to ballgame. W.Va. Tech beat Concord 19 to 7. I went down to game. Saw last quarter. Home and stayed there. Mr. Cutwright is just alive. Temp 20.

4. Temp 26. Snowing a little but went to SS. New arrangements – kids all in basement. Coed class in old primary room. Ladies stayed where we were. Took some girls out of Mrs. Cook’s class & boys out of Mrs. Everett’s class and gave them to Mrs. EB McNeer. No closing exercises. I don’t like it. I didn’t see the little kids at all. Home soon as SS was over. Mr. Cutwright died at 4 this morning. Stayed home all afternoon. Too cold to go out. Clear. Most of the snow went away. Temp 26 in the evening.

5. Temp 18. Early. Clear early but got cloudy. Snow still on in places. 5 bad days for November- real winter. Oh how lonesome without Mother. Will I ever get over her going away?

6. Temp 24. Cold, cloudy and windy all day. New weather man says snow, rain and cold today. Dad & I put in a new door stop under front door. Put away all porch furniture and yard chairs. Worked all day so we are ready for winter. No rain or snow yet. Stayed home all day. Never went for my milk. Wind high all day and real high at 6:00. Looks like snow. Temp 32.

7. Snow & temp 26. Snowing. Cold all day. Went down to Cutwright’s. Mr. Cutwright’s funeral up at Melrose Chapel on Princeton Road. Drs. all went. I stayed and worked. Cleaned and waxed Dad’s floor and listened to Truman talk.

8. Temp 20. Snowing some early. Cleared up and a very nice afternoon. 8 days of cold in November.

9. Temp 14 & cold. Warming up a lot. A tube burnt out in radio. Took it over to Jennings and home, Dr. Vermillion went to Charleston. Dad & I sawed up pine logs for kindling. Nice and lots warmer. Drema Joy & Willis St. Claire marriage license was in paper.

10. Temp 22. Clear and cold. Worked hard all day. Temp 42 in evening.

11. Clear & cool. Went to SS and home. After dinner we went up to Uncle Doc’s awhile. Home and stayed in. Nice day. Quincy had to have Dr. Vermillion to see him today.

12. Cloudy most of day. No rain tho. Daddy feels bad this morning. Really bad. I went down to see Quincy a few minutes. On over to home to see how Dad was feeling- better. Warmer a lot. Worked hard all day.

13. Cloudy. Looks like rain. Windy. I washed and put out clothes. Went down to road and helped Dad clean out fence and took up all posts and take wire off of the posts. Ate dinner and then cleaned out chicken house, lowered roost poles and cleaned leaves off of yard. Dressed at 4:00, went got milk over town and home and got supper. Washed my hair and ironed most of clothes, not all. Wind really high. No rain yet. Temp 58. Tired at bedtime.

14. Raining early today. Dr. Lilly left at noon and did not come back - went to Bluefield. Sun out and cleared up. Finished ironing tonight

15. Warmer & clear. A beautiful day. Worked hard all day. Got Mr. Calfee to help with our fence down on the road. Dug holes for posts. Mr. Jennings will come in the morning and take posts and wire down on the road. Went to Quincy’s farm for our wire stretchers. Chauncy Hall’s boy may come and help Mr. Calfee finish fence.

16. Raining. Temp 58 – went to 60. We worked awhile on fence. Hall boy came and helped. Went to raining at 10:30. Joe Coburn came and took posts and wire for us. We quit then. Temp dropped 18 degrees in 7 ½ hours. We went to college to see football game. Davis & Elkins & Concord. Score D&E 26- Concord 0. Cold. We got real cold. Home at 4:00.Temp 38 at bedtime.

17. Temp 30. Snowing when we got up and snow flurries all day. Sun out for a few minutes. 4 buses for Bluefield. Took Quincy to hospital at 12:30. Worse. Dr. Lilly went to Bluefield with Dr. Vermillion to see Beckley vs. Gary play championship game. Beckley won 26 to 0. Just pouring the snow as I came home and on till bedtime. Killed rooster for dinner tomorrow. Quincy back home- 2 weeks in bed again. Traffic stalled on Princeton road because of snow. – 2 inches.

18. Temp 14. Snowing. Really cold. Went to SS & home. Stayed here too. Snowed off and on all day. Wind high. Roads really slick all night and all day today. First 18 days of November worst in history. It has been really bad.

19. Temp 10 at 6:00 AM. Snowing early and on till noon today. Stopped at noon. News heard of so many wrecks by cars since Saturday. Roads slick. Temp 22 at noon at Jennings Drug. Ethel Burch Martin went to work in Bone’s store today. Clerk. Temp 17 above when I got home. No wind- just cold. Temp 15 above. Snowing when I went to bed.

20. 15 above. Snowing. We went to Princeton. Got 2 scratch feed, 1 mash, 1 flour. Snowing some out & back. Roads good. Baked an applesauce cake. Cleaned cupboard. Also have a little poison oak on my arm. Temp 22 in evening.

21. Temp 10 above. What a surprise! Never thought that it would get that low. Clear. Sun out all day. Warmed up a lot. Poison Oak on arm a little worse today. Worked all day. 40 when I got home at 5:00.

22. A fine morning. Thanksgiving. We worked on the fence down on the road till 11:30. Came in and got dinner. While we were eating, Quinzetta called and wanted us to come over and eat dinner with them but we had eaten. We went over about 1:30 and stayed until 4. Cloudy some.

23. Warmer and a fine day. Calfee & Hall came and we all finished the fence by 3:00. A fine job says Dad. Willie Jones came down the road in his car flying and wrecked just below our new fence. Took from2:45 till 5:15 to get car back in road. Poison Oak is worse. I am having a time with it. We went up to see aunt Emma and on up to see a fight over television at Quincy’s store. Cloudy.

24. 40 temp. Raining at 3:30 this morning and rained all day. Dr. Vermillion changed medicine on my poison oak and it got worse right off. Joe Vachon said to use potassium magnate on it so Dr. V. mixed 2 tablets in 2 oz. water and I was better in 1 ½ hours. Raining. Aunt Emma is worse again. We went to the store to see on television a wrestling match. Got home at 1:00 AM.

25. Temp 28. Cloudy. Looks like snow. My poison oak is worse this morning. Went to SS and to Princeton to get serum for my poison oak. Back at 11:35 and waited for Dr. Vermillion t come from church but it looked better so he did not give it to me. Just pouring rain. Home, ate dinner. Dad & I went to work cleaning hog head. Took us 2 ½ hours to clean it. Put it through food chopper and fixed it up. Emma to hospital. She was so sick. May snow. Looks like and feels like it.

26. Temp 42. Raining. Wind high all day. Dr. gave me a shot for my poison oak. He changed med yesterday. Boy, it is bad. Left arm to elbow. Colder a lot. Temp 34 at 5:00. Temp 30 at bedtime.

27. Temp 20. Cold & frosty. Cloudy most of day. Just messed around. Could not wash- arm too bad. Went over town. Dr. Vermillion gave me another shot today for my poison oak. It is still bad. He also made me a new medicine to rub on it- alcohol and quinine. Aunt Emma still bad in hospital.

28. Temp 18. Clear & cold. We worked til noon. Dr. Lilly left at noon and did not come back. I did lab work & made a deposit for church- 2 Sundays. Dr. Vermillion cleaned off all medicine on my arm & put on a new coat. Temp 30 at 5:00.

29. A bad day. Got another shot for my poison oak It is raging. 

30. A bad day. I went to town this morning for another shot- makes 4. Home and put on water and washed all dirty clothes. Dad helped me.

December

1. A fine day. Sun bright. Dr. Lilly wanted me to come home because I was suffering so bad with my arms. Raining. A rainbow in late afternoon. Aunt Emma came home.

2. A fine day. Dad went to SS. I did not go. Poison oak too bad to dress. Stayed home all afternoon and slept.

3. A fine day.

4. A very nice day. Rained some. I ironed most of clothes today. Went over town for Dr. to see my poison oak. Dorsey Martin gave Dad and me basketballs tickets to all games of high school. Raining. We went to gym to see High School beat Alumni. Belcher started a row.

5. A fine day. I cannot do much. At noon, Dr. Lilly left and did not come back to office.

6. A very nice day. Temp high.

7. A fine day. Sun out. Dad & Ennis & I went to Princeton shopping. Back at 11:30. Hot today. Sun hot. Went over to town and wrote insurance and running molds for Dr. Lilly. Temp went up to 74 today.

8. Cloudy. Rained during the day. Dr. Lilly got a message that Dr. Ben Caldwell died in Beckley hospital at 8:00 this morning. A real shock to family. At noon, Dr. left- we did not work today. Arms better some. Raining in evening.

9. Raining. Temp 58 at 9:00. Went down to Lilly’s to see family and Mrs. Caldwell awhile before SS, then home. Raining. Dr. Vermillion, Clyde White and Verlie appointed to see about Xmas treat for SS.

10. Raining some. Colder a lot.

11. Cold today. I went to Princeton to shop some. Home and got dinner. Dad & I went to meet Gas Commissioners at 3:00. Essie Bailey, Marvin Miller, JC Crockett, Ben Reed & Fred Cooper. Quinzetta called and said that they had taken Quincy to the Bluefield Hospital at 2:30. Fluid & hemorrhage. We went to gym to see Joe’s High School boys beat Matoaka. 43 to 42. Snowing when we came home. 

12. Temp 20. Cold & snowing. Roads really slick. Poison oak is better. Dr. Lilly left at noon. Quincy no better. 

13. Temp 20. Clear most of the day. At 3:30, Jessie called me saying that Neta called and said that Quincy has a blood clot in his right side and was real bad. Joe beat Northfork by one point at Northfork. “Jennings” made 21 points. Quincy bad Jessie said when he got back. Quinzetta stayed.

14. Temp 26- falling in 2 hours to 22. Sleeting and snowing early. I started to Bluefield to see Quincy but roads are too slick. I came back home. Jessie called Sis to catch the bus to Princeton and he would meet her. Dr. Lilly did not go to McComas. Quincy some better. Started warming up and all sleet and snow gone by 5:00. Up to nearly 50.

15. Colder. Went to snowing and blowed hard all day. Colder nearly 14 above. Dr. Lilly went to Hinton for Dick. Temp 2 above when we went to bed. I talked to Quincy. He is better.

16. Temp 5 below 0. Mastin called me and said that Grover White’s home burned at 11:30 last night. Everything they had and no insurance. Went to SS & after dinner, Dad & I went down to Grover’s. Came back, stopped to see Aunt Emma. Cold. Temp 10 at bedtime. No wind.

17. Temp 2 below. Stayed cold all day. Never melted all day. Sun out. This evening, I talked to Quincy. Still better. Temp 22 at bedtime.

18. Temp 28. Sleeting & snowing. Turning to rain. I went over town and caught 10:00 bus to Princeton and on to Bluefield to see Quincy and have Dr. Shanklin look at my poison oak. Quincy fine…to come home tomorrow if road and weather permits. I got home at 3:30. Rained, snowed just poured in Bluefield and squalls all day. Cold 23 this evening.

19. Temp 27. Clear. Very nice day. Quincy spitting a lot of blood all night and can’t come home today. Dick left at 10:00 for Morgantown to get Mary Ann & Jean & Fred David Rogers.

20. Temp 22. Raining, freezing at 6:30 and continued freezing, sleeting, raining all morning. Really slick. Morgantown kids to start home and Dr. Lilly is worried sick over their trip home. Gas man came to see me for lot today. May settle on his offer. Raining this evening and temp going up. Temp 40. Raining hard.

21. Temp 44. Cloudy. Went over town to fix SS Christmas candy in boxes. Gas man came in at 9:30 10 more acres and I said no. Home. Ate dinner and Dad & I went back to Dr. V. to check Dad’s blood pressure 166. Pulse 52. Dr. said he was ok. We finished putting candy in boxes. – 145. Temp 50. Clear & warm.

22. Temp 13 & cold. Wind high. Dr. Jennings & Blaine put us in a television today. Good. No booster or antenna. Only on ground. Andrew Mickle died in VA hospital in Beckley. Quincy came home from Bluefield Sanitarium this afternoon. Some better. At 9:30, Uncle Hade & MaryLee came and a boy with them. They stayed until 10 til 12. Television was good, Uncle Hade’s first time to see one.

23. Temp 14. Cold. Went to SS. Xmas treat for everyone. 145. Went down to see Quincy a few minutes and home. Ate dinner and I baked 2 pies- custard and lemon. Watched television- football game was good. Blaine came out about 5:00 and stayed until 7:15. He says our T.V. set best in town.

24. Temp 26. Clear and a nice day all day. Dr. Lilly came at 10:20 and worked till noon and did not come back. Donzie Jr. brought his wife up to see me. Married 3 months. At 9:00, Mr. & Mrs. Wells came down to see us and we saw “Amos and Andy”. They were just thrilled over our TV.

25. A fine day. Warm. No snow. Christmas. We went over to see Quincy awhile this morning. I got $100 for Christmas. 

26. A very nice day. Worked all day. This evening Fred Rogers came down to see our TV. It was no good. Temp dropping fast. 20 when they left.

27. Cold. Temp 15 above. Boy it is cold. Worked hard all day. 

28. Temp 5 above. Up early and washed clothes. Froze before I could get them on the line. Went over to see Quincy. I took him a custard pie. We went on to Princeton for feed for chickens. Home and ironed. Ben Wiley’s mother died at 1:30 today.

29. Warmer a lot. Worked til noon. Home and after supper we went up to Ben Wiley’s awhile. Warmer a lot. Stopped at Uncle Doc’s awhile.

30. Cloudy but warm. Went to SS but left to go be with Quincy. He was so sick. Dr. Vermillion was to see him and said if he was not better to take him to hospital. Ben Wiley’s mother funeral & burial at 2:30 in our church. We did not go. Mary Ann called to come over and paint Gene’s throat. We went and on down to see Quincy again. No better. Home. Warmer a lot.

31. A fine day. Some clouds. Worked hard til 3:30 today. Left at 8:45 with Quincy back to hospital in Bluefield. Mr. Jones down in the hollow below us was paralyzed today. The end of 1951.