1953

January

1. Temp 26. Cloudy early. I went out to help Dr. Lilly with income report. He did not come to office until 12:15. Came home at 3:15. Watched television rest of day – football games. Jessie’s all came & stayed until 10:00. Cold & foggy.

2. Temp 14. The biggest frost I ever saw. Clear out early. Went uptown for milk & mail & home. Ate dinner, washed my hair & cleaned kitchen and dining room. Raining some in afternoon. Harry & Eula & Ethel & Rufus came. Harrys stayed for fight at 10:00. Ethel & Rufus went home.

3. Temp 12. Snowing today and a bad day. This evening, we were alone for wrestling tonight. Second Saturday night in one year. Snowing and cold.

4. Cold. Temp 14. Went to SS & church. Ronnie A. Harry & Eula came at 1:10. Stayed till 3:20 and went home. Dad’s birthday and not one of his grandchildren thought of him. I did not go to church tonight. Too cold.

5. Cold today. Temp 16. Cloudy. Snowing some today. Dr. Lilly back – hunting him - he went to Princeton to see Dr. Hayes. Got weekly letter again. At 6:30 went to ballgame but Big Creek could not get here. Slick roads. Jr. Hi beat Knob.

6. Temp 23. Clear early. Went up town, Dad got a haircut and home. I baked a cake. Snow just pouring for three hours. 4 inches of snow. Dr. Lilly went to McComas. Slick coming home.

7. Raining from 2 o’clock on. Snow all gone. Temp went up to 50. At 1:20, came a visitor and stayed a long time. D___. Started to ballgame. Harrys came and wouldn’t stay so we went on. Athens High beat Sophia. A fine game.

8. Cloudy most of day. At 7:00, Alfred, Bernice & Jerry came to see TV. Groucho Marx - real good.

9. Cloudy. We smelled fire and soot in fireplace was on fire. We had to clean all of it out. 3 or 4 coal buckets of soot - all on fire. A mess. I had to clean and wax Dad’s room, kitchen and dining room. Went up town for milk & mail and home. Harry and Eula came and stayed till 9:15. Raining. 

10. Raining some today. Harrys came this evening and stayed till after wrestling was over. We had ice cream, cake and coffee at 10 PM.

11. Cold & raining early. Went to SS & I stayed for church. Dad came home in snow. Poured snow all afternoon - colder & colder. We slept some. A bad night, Wind high and just pouring the snow a bedtime.

12. Temp 20. Still snowing early this morning. I went out in car. We thought that I would have to walk but didn’t. Road slick early this morning. Mr. W.E. Wall died in his office in Bluefield from a heart attack. Dead when Dr. arrived. Clear and snow nearly all gone. Warmer a lot.

13. Cold this morning 24. Washed early. Sun bright. Went up town for milk. Home at 11:20. Ironed all of my clothes. Temp hit 50. Dad not feeling so good. Weak and nervous.

14. Warmer a lot. Dad not feeling so good. Weak & nervous. Got him some heart drops. Stopped at Mr. Wall’s I went to work. Mr. W.E. Walls’ funeral & burial today. Harry’s came up a few minutes to tell us that Fred’s 21 year old boy, Walter, died today.

15. Temp 30. Sun bright. Warmed up a lot. Just like spring. I cleaned windows, inside and out. Still snow where it drifted so bad. Warm tonight.

16. Raining today and cold too. Took Dad over to Dr. Vermillion at 1:30 for a check of heart. Dr. told us that Watson White wife was dead. So we left right then and went to Watson’s for a little while. Fred Wiley’s boy’s funeral & burial today. Harry & Eula came up for a while tonight. Raining and cold.

17. Cloudy. Rained some. We worked hard till noon and I came home and got Dad. We went to funeral of Lizzie White at the home at 1:00. Back at 2:00. Raining some. Harry & Eula and girls came at 8:30. Lemuel Southern & Exie came for wrestling. It was a honey.

18. A beautiful day. Went to SS & church. Went to Jessie’s after dinner and home. At 7:35 history made again. D___ came over for a visit. Left at 9:45. First time in over 14 years.

19. A fine spring day. Sun bright most of the day.

20. A fine day. We went up town for milk, home and all set for inauguration of Ike Eisenhower in Washington. A big day. Started at 11:00 on TV. We ate at 11:00 and at 11:40 in came Dean and DC to see the show. Left at 2:45. We watched it til 5:00 PM. Were we surprised/shocked. Temp 52 today. Raining some. Harry & Eula came for a while and left at 9:00.

21. A fine day. Dr. Lilly was brought home yesterday by undertaker from McComas. Headache. Dr. came up but went home to bed. Cannot see doctor at Sanitarium until tomorrow afternoon at 2:00. We saw & heard QD win $5.00 for his letter to sports almanac in Huntington for Jack Bradley over TV.

22. Another fine day. Dr. Lilly did not come to office today. I went down to see him & took mail. I cleaned up all ins. & cks. For the month. Went to college to see high school beat Matoaka High.

23. Clear & cold. Went to town and on to Princeton. Princeton Memorial building was burning and we went up and watched for a while and home. Raining at 4:00. Pouring rain at bedtime.

24. Raining and cloudy. Snowing this afternoon. Wind high. Harry’s 4 came over to wrestling. Got to bed at 12:30 AM.

25. Temp 20. Cold and snowing. I went up and got milk & paper & took Dr. Lilly’s mail to him. He and Mrs. Lilly are both sick. Missed SS & church today. Dad & I laid down at 11:00 and slept till 2:30. Still snowing on till bedtime. Not too much tho. Wind still high. Went to bed at 9:15. Temp 20. Cloudy.

26. Snow nearly all gone today. Dr. & Mrs. Lilly in bed - flu. Dr. Lilly called for Dr. Vermillion. Dr. called for me to come down to make some cure for him. Waxed floors in operation room. Aunt Emma & Rufus & Ethel came over for a while.

27. Cloudy. I washed and went for milk & down to see about the Lilly’s. Home and washed my hair and ironed up everything. Bluefield High School beat Joe’s boys in overtime – 6 points.

28. Clear early. Not too cold. I went down to Dr. Lilly’s. They are better. Snowing at 10:00. Waxed floor at office. Cleared up a lot. Dad not feeling so good. Jessie called about him. Harry & Eula came then Alfred Alvis came. All left at 9:00.

29. Cool. Went down to see Dr. & Mrs. Lilly and took mail to them. Went to ballgame Gary Hi vs. Athens Hi. We won. D___ rode back with us. The other one walked.

30. A very nice day. Went up town and took Dr. Lilly’s mail to them. They are some better.

31. A very nice day. Took Dr.’s mail to him. Went to gym to see Athens High beat Big Creek and home. Harry’s 4 came from game to see wrestling. No good. Got to bed at 1:00 AM Sunday.

February

1. A very nice day. Went to SS & church. Special preacher, Reverent Shearer from Alderson Broaddus College. He was very good. Home and stayed home. At 6:45, D____ came and it was a bad visit - a sad one. Left down in the dumps - not to return - at 10:00.

2. Temp 20. Clear & cold. Dr. Lilly came to work but didn’t do much. Too weak from the flu. At 3:00, I got a letter - fun Valentine note. Went to bed early.

3. Cloudy. At 3:15 this morning, Aunt Emma called for me to come. She was sick & alone. So I dressed & went over. I went for Ethel. I helped Dr. Vermillion most of the day. Parker Alvis put in two back windows in Dr. Vermillion’s office. Clear & warm all day. Temp 50. Raining a little at 5:30. Cloudy.

4. A fine day. Cold early. Dr. Lilly came up but could not work. Went home at 11:00. At 4:45 AM this morning, a dog pack was running our heifer. Was up for an hour and had to go to the hollow to find her. OK. Bank Meeting - D___ came up – surely hurt - everything ok now. Mack Cook is dead. At 6:00 PM, Dad and I went to ballgame. Princeton High vs. Athens High. Joe, our coach, had put two boys in our seats to save them for us. We beat Princeton good. Our game all the way through. Harry’s sat right behind us.

5. Cloudy some. Dr. Lilly could not do much today. Just saw 2 patients in afternoon. Went home again. Mrs. Reynolds Belcher is dead. Alfred & Jerry Alvis came to see Groucho Marx. Left at 9:30.

6. Cloudy. Wind high. Icy winds. Went over town for milk & mail. Home at 11:30 and stayed there rest of day. At 1:30, laid down and went to sleep and slept til 3:40. Raining.

7. A fine day. Oh what a day. Worked so hard. Harry’s & Eula came for wrestling. At 11:20 “Junior or Jimmy” Wiley came hunting for Max & Ruth said that Oscar Scott wrecked his motorcycle and was near dead.

8. A fine day. Went to SS & church. Our preacher is so blue. Not pleased with his pastorate here. Large crowd present. After dinner we laid down and slept till 3:00. Went to church at 8:00.

9. Nice day. Another hard day. So much work to do. Got a letter again today from D___. Red hot. Quincy died tonight - one year ago. Tired as can be. Worked so hard.

10. A very nice day. I washed & went to town for milk. Home. Washed my hair & done it up. Ate dinner and ironed all of my clothes. Mother died tonight at 6:45, 5 years ago today. Went to cemetery and down to see Aunt Emma & Frazier and Ethel and Rufus’s and home. At 7:00, listened to Beaver High & Princeton Hi basketball game. Princeton won.

11. Raining. Mrs. Lilly called and said that Dr. was sick and would not be in the office today. I took mail down. Got a letter again today. Went to gym to see Athens Hi beat Northfork Hi. Alfred came at 10:00 to see fight. Bernice came at 10:30 hunting for Alfred. Fight - no good.

12. Raining, just pouring. Turning cold. Dr. Lilly too sick to work today. Went to see Scott. Where to go to have examination of himself for his head and stomach. Snowing as I came home, just a little. Snowing at bedtime. Temp 27.

13. Clear most of the day. Went & got milk & mail. Baked a cake and a custard pie. Dr. Lilly went to McComas today. Sally Oxley & baby came down for a while. Jose Gore Peck buried here today. I did not go. Harry, Eula & Max came. Princeton High beat Athens High in Princeton 69-60. We listened to it on radio. Harry’s stayed for fight.

14. A very nice day. Dr. Lilly up for work. Snowing at 10:00 PM Harry’s came for wrestling. Left at 12:30. Pouring snow when Harry left.

15. Temp 29. A big snow. I could not get my car out. First day in 2 full winters. Dad did not go to SS or church. I walked and went. Carl Bailey picked me up and brought me to the end of Broadway. Still snowing all day. Dale didn’t come. Weather too bad at 7:00.

16. Cold 22. I had to walk to town this morning. Too much snow. Dr. Lilly went to Bluefield Hospital this morning for examination. His eyes blurred on him yesterday. At 11:00, I got a letter from D___ . Sent message. OK. Walked home. Very bad walking.

17. Temp 16. Snowing. Just pouring early. I went over town also Dad - no trouble getting out. Saw D___. Went down to Dr. Lilly’s. Dr. won’t let him work in office for 10 days.

18. Temp 10 above. Clear & cold all day. I cleaned office today. Dr. Lilly not working. Harry & Eula came this evening and stayed till 9:00.

19. A very nice day. Dr. Lilly not working. Alfred Alvis’s came to see Groucho Marx.

20. I don’t know about weather now. 

21. A very nice day. Harry’s came for wrestling.

22. A fine day. Went to SS & church. Home and stayed there. Neta & Quinzetta came at 1:00 PM and left at 3:00. Jessie’s family came and left at 5:00. QD’s came at 4:25. D___ came at 7:30. They caught him here - QD’s.

23. A fine day. Dr. Lilly not back to work yet. Things not so hot by some.

24. Cloudy. I washed and went up town for milk. Home. Washed my hair. After dinner I ironed everything.

25. A fine day. I notified D___ not so hot - everything. Dr. Lilly came up to office today but did little work. Gazette photographer here for History of Athens. Went to gym to see Athens High beat Tazewell High. A good game. D___ not there.

26. Dr. came to office but had to go home. His back is hurting. I got a l__ from D___. Went to hi Tournament. Spanishburg beat Oakvale. It was a very good game.

27. A nice day. Cold tho. Went uptown for milk & Dad got a haircut. I visited Aunt Emma for a while. Raining. Went to see Athens High beat Spanishburg High. Last game here for Rogers, Redden and Peck.

28. A very nice day. Dr. Lilly came up but we didn’t work any. Quinzetta and Dillon came over a while & Mitzi. Harry came for wrestling. Temp 30.

March

1. Cloudy. Went to SS & church. Home. History of Athens. My picture was in the Sunday Bluefield paper. Also Dr. Lilly and Dr. Vermillion. Laid down and slept till 3:00. Snowing at 4:00. Jessie’s all came at 6:45. Stayed until 7:40. I went to church and when I came out, ground was white and pouring the snow.

2. Up early, about 4 or 5 inches of snow. Had to walk to work. Dr. Lilly came to office and we worked some all day. A bad night.

3. Temp 30. Rained during the night and froze on everything. I had to walk to town for milk. I had to get up and take ice off of roof of my room. Leaking at window. Melting some.

4. Temp 46. Just pouring rain at 4AM. Up at 5:30. Leaking in my room. Snow all gone. Got car out. And it set down in mud when I got it off rocks because it slid as I came out of garage. Got an answer from D. Dr. Lilly worked today some. QD came over and got my car out of the mud. Snowing at 6:00. Princeton High beat Beaver Hi by 4 points at Concord gym. We listened to it on the radio.

5. Snowed some during the night. Temp 26. Dr. Vermilion going to Bluefield Sanitarium this morning for a check-up. We worked most of the day.

6. A very nice day. I went up & cleaned Dr. Vermillion’s floors. Dr. Lilly went to McComas today. Windy but a nice day. Snowed a little. Athens Hi won first game in tournament. Beat Chapmansville. 

7. A fine day. We worked hard till noon. Dr. & Mrs. Lilly going to Mabel’s in Gary this afternoon. Pat Rogers called for me to go to Northfork to see Athens Hi play Elkhorn in last game of tournament. Dad sick and went to bed at 6:00. Weal & nervous. Harry’s 4 here & “Leonard”, wife and girl for wrestling till 12 midnight. Martin called – we won the ballgame.

8. Cloudy. Snowing. Up early. Temp 26. Dad better. I went, got mail. Got a L. from D. Milk, paper and home. Dr. Vermillion came home last night. Gall bladder trouble Dr. & hospital says. Laid down at 10:00. Slept till 12:30. Up and got dinner. Neta and Sis came at 1:00. Stayed till 2:30. Harry’s came at 3:30 and stayed till 4:45. Jessie’s 3 came at 5:35 and stayed till 7:35. Snowing hard at bedtime. 

9. A nice snow. Dr. Lilly could not work much today.

10. A fine day. I washed early. Went to town. Got milk and home. Ironed all and washed y hair. A fine day. Went up town. Got milk and a letter from D. Went up to Uncle Doc’s awhile.

11. Raining some today. Dr. Lilly came up but didn’t work. Harry & Eula came & Maxine. Stayed till 9:00.

12. Raining some today. Dr. Lilly still sick. Jessie’s came and stayed till 9:00.

13. A very nice day. An unlucky day for me tho. No more. Dr. Vermillion went to Beckley for tournament. Athens Hi beat Hurricane at Beckley - 74-58. We got it over the radio. Rufus and Ethel came out at 9:15.

14. A fine day. Temp 30. Sun out - it was nice. Dr. Vermillion gone to Beckley for High School tournament. Dr. Lilly sick - could not work. I was alone all day.

Athens High plays Pax tonight. Athens won by 1 point. Redden shooting 2 point shot, last 5 seconds of game. Harrys here and Jessie’s. We were up till 1:00Am. Raining at 9:00.

15. A fine day. We want to SS & church. Harry, Eula & Maxine were here waiting for us to go down to Uncle Hade’s. So we left immediately. Had a nice visit with them. JC’s family came. Home at 5:25. Jessie’s came at 6:10. Left at 8:00. I went to church. Joe Vachon is the Coach of the Year today & won second tournament at Beckley. A happy boy, believe you me.

16. A fine day. Dr. Lilly not able to work. Got an appointment at Charlottesville Hospital for Thursday. Had a short talk today with ____.

17. A fine day. Temp 29. Clear & warm. Dad is sick and in bed all day. I went for medicine twice today for him. Neta & Jessie came over to see Dad awhile. Saw the atomic explosion at 8:20 this morning over TV at Yucca flats in Nevada. Dr. Lilly left this morning on way to Charlottesville for an examination. Drove through.

18. Cloudy most of day. I did not work today. Dad still very sick. I went over to Dr. but he was gone. Jessie and Mitzi came over awhile.

19. I went over town for a while. Home at 11:30 and stayed until 1:15. Went back for a while. Dad still sick. Princeton was beat at Morgantown in tournament.

20. Cloudy & rainy. Went & got milk & home. Dad better. Athens Hi won the State Tournament by beating Hundred in Morgantown this afternoon. 48-40. Harry’s came.

21. Very nice day. No one came for wrestling. Dad too sick. I got everything ready for dinner tomorrow.

22. Raining this morning. I went for milk & paper & home. Uncle Hade, MaryLee, JC, Glady & 2 kids, Harry & Eula came for dinner. Boy, what a day. We all went down to Harry’s after dinner to see his new house. None of them had seen it. I went to church at 8:00.

23. Cold & snowing today, a little all day. Dad better. Got a L.___ Got a card. From Mrs. Lilly. Dr. still going through examination in Charlottesville.

24. Up early. Washed. A fine day. Boy it was nice all day long. Washed my hair & ironed everything. Went uptown awhile and stopped to see Aunt Emma a few minutes.

25. Cold & snowing today. Colder a lot. Harry’s came out awhile this evening.

26. Temp 24. Snowing a little all day. Melting as fast as it falls. At 7:00, Harry’s came up. Eula & I went to Methodist Church to church to hear Rev Burns preach. A revival on at the Methodist church - very good.

27. Cold. Temp 26. Snowing early this morning. Cloudy all day. Dad & I went uptown awhile. Home at 10:00. Laid down and slept till 4:20.

28. A very nice day. Rained some tho. Snowed a little. Dr. Lilly came in from Charlottesville. Nobody came for wrestling.

29. A fine day. Went to SS & church. Home and Jessie called and we went to Bluestone Falls to see the new turnpike road. Lots of work being done. I went with Sis & Neta in jeep. Dad went with Jessie in truck. Harry’s came at 7:10. I was ready to go to church but didn’t.

30. A very nice day. Dr. Lilly came up for a while. Got a L.__

31. A fine day. Cloudy. Ennis & I went to Bluefield shopping for Easter but didn’t get anything.

April

1. A very nice day. Dr. Lilly came up and tried to work some but couldn’t. Harry’s came up awhile.

2. A fine day. Dr. Lilly not so well. Came up tho.

3. A fine day. We went to Princeton for fertilizer & lime & seed potatoes. Went over town awhile in afternoon. Dr. Lilly really sick. Went up to Uncle Doc’s & took them a mess of greens. Harry’s came up. Blaine, Boob and Via came to put tube in TV so it will work.

4. A fine day. Dr. Lilly still bad. I went down there 3 trips today. Harry’s came out for wrestling.

5. A fine day. Easter Sunday. Went to SS & church. Home & out to see Watson White a while and up to see Uncle Doc.

6. Raining. Dr. Lilly came up. No work. Raining.

7. Raining. I took Dr. Lilly to McComas and we closed the office. No more work from over there. Dr. Johnny McGraw came to Dr. Lilly’s today.

8. A fine day. Temp went to 70. Dr. Lilly better some. Mowed part of lawn. Harry’s came for a while.

9. A fine day. Temp 70. I went down to Dr. Lilly’s to see Dr. McGraw’s awhile. Dr. Vermillion left with Clyde White to a meeting in Princeton. Dr. Lilly came up for a few minutes. Dr. Vermillion got back. Dad sowed lime on the yard and I mowed the rest of it.

10. Cloudy. A real thunderstorm. Lightning. Rain, hail & wind. I washed. Waited till the storm was over. Put out clothes. All dried. Went to town for milk. Home Mr. Calfee came down a while. Ironed everything. Temp 70 today.

11. A very nice day. At 8:00 I got a letter ____. Dr. Lilly not able to work yet. We did put in 1 “Sif” for Dr. Nuge. (may refer to silver filling. CKM) No one came for wrestling.

12. Raining early. Thunder, lightning & hail a lot. Went to SS & church. Home and stayed there. Dr. Vermillion went to hospital in Bluefield today. Ethel came at 7:20 for nerve tablets for Aunt Emma. Went to church at 8:00.

13. Raining early. Snowing off and on all day. Wrote D___ his last note today. Dr. Lilly not able to work today.

14. Temp 27. Ground white with snow. Left at 8:00 for Bluefield to take Dad to hospital for Dr. Shanklin to look over. We visited Dr. Vermillion. He is there. Home at 12:20. Warmer a lot.

15. Cold. No frost tho. We worked all day. I redone Monday’s note. Harry’s came up at 6:30 and stayed till 9:00.

16. Temp 34. Got a L.__, a bad one. No comment on yesterday’s L___. Dr. Vermillion came home from hospital. Weighs 147 lbs.

17. Temp 28. Ice & frost. Washed & ironed. Went up town. Brennaman sick. Not at PO. Harry’s came at 6:30 and left at 9:00.

18. Temp 50. Cloudy and warmer. Raining today & cold. Temp 29 at noon. At 6:00, Harry’s and Ethel & Rufus came for wrestling. I went out to Champ Clark’s open house at 8:40.

19. Snowed a little and still snowing when we got up. I went to Ss. Dad did not go.

20. Temp 22. Snowing during the night - about 1 inch. Snowed in squalls all day and up to 8:30 tonight. Brennaman sick. 100 prisoners from Korea released today in Korea. 30 Americans. Harry’s came up at 6:30 and left at 8:30. Snowing.

21. Cloudy. Temp 28. Went uptown for milk & home. Laid down in afternoon and slept till 3:00. 100 prisoners came in today.

22. Warmer a lot. Clear, nice day. Mailed letter to D___. Dr. Lilly worked till noon. 100 prisoners 14 Americans. Mowed yard. At 7:00 Harry’s came and stayed till 9:00.

23. Temp 58. Sprinkling rain early. Dr. Lilly going to McComas to “Saginaw” Clinic. Got back at 5:10. 100 Prisoners.

24. A fine day. Cloudy early. We left for McComas at 8:20. Dr. & Mrs. Lilly, Blaine Jennings & Richard Hypes with Dr. Jennings truck to move out Dr.’s dental equipment. We got back at 2:10. Hot today. Fire whistle blew. Caruth’s shed. We thought that it was his house. “Fats” Morgan’s home. Washed my hair and took a bath and am through at McComas. Harry’s came at 8:30.

25. Cloudy. Temp 65. Very nice day. Got a letter-had been stamped 18 ½ hours. Raining some. I went down to see baseball game. AB College vs. Concord. Harry’s came for wrestling.

26. Cloudy & windy. Went to SS & church and home. At 2:45 we went to Watson White’s to a birthday dinner. Watson 85 on 24th of April. All of May’s family was there. A good dinner at 5:30. 85 Watson was on Friday. Home at 6:40. I went to church. Showed a film on tithing - church full. This is the last time to get church collection. A new set elected.” Mrs.” Tom Peters and Levi Scott take over next Sunday. Start of new year for our church.

27. Cloudy. Rained a little. Temp 34. Cold, rainy and snowed a little today. Worked hard today. Temp 37 this evening. Cloudy & raining.

28. Sleeting at 5AM, turning to rain. I went to Bluefield to get me some clothes. I got a suit, 2 dresses, a blouse and a nylon slip. Turned out to be a nice day. Home at 12:40. Put on water & washed up all dirty clothes. Mopped all of the floors. Nice & warm today.

29. A fine day. Temp went to 84. Dr. Lilly left for Charlottesville Hospital for a checkup. Mailed L__ today. Jennings plowed our garden. I ironed everything tonight. Harry’s came. Stayed until after the fight at 9:00—left at 9:40.

30. Raining early. Temp 60 at 7:30. Rained all day - hard. Dr. Lilly so tired - worked too hard. Julia Weeks died in Beckley.

May

1. A fine day. Went uptown for milk and mail. Home and washed ceiling & walls of kitchen. Oh what a job! Went up and got mail. Got my suit and dresses from Penney’s in Bluefield. Mowed lawn. Harry’s came and watched fight at 9:00. Tired.

2. A fine day. Some cloudy but nice. Got a letter today. Drs. both left and did not come back. Julia Weeks was buried today. Mowed some of the lawn. Harry’s came for wrestling.

3. A fine day. Went to SS & church. After dinner, I mowed some of the lawn - first time ever on a Sunday. Roy Beckett rode his horse over and caught me. Lloyd, Sally and kids came down also. Ate supper & Jessie’s came. I went to church at 10 till 8.

4. A cloudy day - rained some. Doc Jennings finished plowing garden. We planted 5 rows of seed potatoes that we got at Farm Bureau. We got new seed this time.

5. A fine day - cloudy & showering some. We planted 3 rows of corn, 2 of beans. Made some hills for tomatoes, cabbage & peppers. Sowed lettuce, beets, & carrots & radishes. Went to Paul Broyles and got our plants & for Dr. V & Dr. L.  Came home and set out every plant. Showered just a little, Tired - both of us - Thunder & lightning a lot. Just poured rain at 8:30.

6. Rained all day. Thundered and carried on all day. Harry’s came & Rufus & Ethel at 8:30. Ethel took me to church meeting & back. Watched the fight. Just pouring rain.

7. Cloudy, raining all morning. May clear up in the afternoon. This evening Harry & Eula came. Left at 9:00.

8. A fine day. Mowed yard and worked. Baked a cake in the afternoon. Harry’s came at 7:00.

9. A fine day. Got a letter. Took flowers up to cemetery. Harry’s came for wrestling.

10. A beautiful day. Went to SS & church. Mother’s Day. After dinner we went over to May Dove’s to see about sewer line down the hollow home. I went to church - Hense Wiley was baptized. A big crowd there.

11. A fine day. Worked hard. Stockholders meeting of Bank of Athens.

12. A fine day. Washed. Went up town for milk. Home. Washed my hair. Washed front porch. Ironed and got out porch furniture and cleaned it and washed porch walls. Went up to Lloyd Oxley’s awhile.

13. A fine day. Hot. Dr. Lilly left. At 2:30. I mowed lawn - tired.

14. A fine day. Mailed L to D____. 82 in office. Worked hard all day for Aubrey Alvis & wife. At 1:00, Dr. Vermillion left for Charleston. Fred Coburn brought me a load of sawdust for the garden. Washed some more on front porch. Harry’s came at 8:45. QD came for eggs. Just pouring rain.

15. Raining Dad and I went to Princeton. I got me 2 pairs of shoes. Home at 11:25. In the afternoon, I mowed all of the lawn. Big fight tonight. Harry’s came & Ethel & Rufus & Jimmy. Marciano won in first round. 2.25 seconds - a fake.

16. A fine day. Warm. No L___ today. This evening, Harry came & Ethel & Rufus - Jimmy - wrestling - it was good.

17. A fine day. Went to SS & church. Raining. After dinner, Dad & I went to Bill’s and Lizzie’s on Oakvale Road. They have a nice home. I went to church this evening - a big crowd there.

18. Raining today. I got a L to D____. Just poured the rain. Boy, did it rain. My room leaked.

19. Rained all night and pouring this morning and on till 2:30. I washed walls in living and dining rooms today. Finished at 3:30. I went & got milk & home. Just pouring the rain again this evening.

20. Hot today. Harry’s came this evening.

21. Hot today. Mailed one today. I went to Chap Underwood’s funeral at Baptist Church.

22. Cloudy all morning. We worked in garden till noon. Covered & laid by corn, tomatoes, cabbage. Used sawdust Fred Coburn brought us. At 1:00, washed my hair & fixed roof to try to stop leaks. Burnt my back bad today. Went to town for milk and paper. Harry’s came for “Uncle Charlie” & Dennis Day & fight.

23. A fine day. Worked hard all day. At 6:30 Harry’s came & we all went to Princeton to carnival. Home at 10:00 for wrestling. They left at 12:00.

24. Cloudy. I went to SS. No church services today. College Commencement & High School Sermon tonight. Stormed hard at 12:00 today. We laid down and slept awhile. QD came out at 5:00. Stayed until 6:30. We went down to Harry’s. Nobody home. Came back to cemetery and down to Ed Wirtz awhile & home at 8:45.

25. Rained some.

26. Cloudy - Hot. I washed and went to town for milk and home. Ironed, got dinner and finished ironing. Wind high. Mowed yard. Put up stove pipe. 2 joints – stove wouldn’t cook. OK now. Went to High School Commencement - Large crowd there.

27. Cool today. Ernest Crawford was buried today.

28. Temp 44 - Cool day. Went for Jessie to deliver our calf. It is a nice bull calf. Jessie’s came at 8:00 and stayed until 10:00.

29. A fine day. Jason Shumate came and mowed our grass in orchard. Jessie and Sis came over. Sis wanted my traveling bag to go to Arizona. Harry’s came for fight. Went up and decorated all of our graves.

30. A fine day. Worked hard. Billy Hazelwood had a wreck last night & killed Don Hazelwood & Jack Dove died today. Turner Dove’s boy and Edward Dove’s brother not expected to live. Harry’s came - we were at cemetery - Sally Oxley was up at the cemetery with us. Harry’s came back for wrestling.

31. A fine day. Went to SS & church. Home, ate dinner, and I put up hay in orchard. Dad helped some. Neta, Sis & Dillon came over at 5:30 and we went out to Uncle Tip’s cemetery. Dad & I went over to Luther Hazelwood’s to see Don. Large crowd there. I went to church.

June

1. Cold. Got my last letter today. Don Hazelwood was buried today.

2. Cold. Temp 44. I worked at office today. Jack Dove was buried today. At 8:00, Ethel & Rufus came down for coronation of Queen Elizabeth in London on television.

3. A fine day. Chilly. Dr. Lilly didn’t work today at office. Getting ready to leave tomorrow for Iowa for 2 weeks. At 6:30, Harry’s came – we were working in garden. Watched fight.

4. A fine day. Dr. Lilly’s left for Iowa. Lillian went with them.

5. I went to Princeton for spray material. Home at 10:00. Sprayed and worked in garden. QD’s came for a while this evening. Harry’s came for fight.

6. A fine day. At 2:00 - rained hard and stormed with it. Harry’s came for wrestling. 

7. A fine day. Raining early. Went to SS & church. After dinner, went out to Jessie’s awhile. Stopped at Lloyd Oxley’s and came home. After supper we went for a ride and looked over Bub Ball’s farm & Fred Cheatwood’s sheep & lambs. Loafed in town awhile and home.

8. Hot today. Gave H.P.T. 2 qts. Strawberries and 1 qt. to D___. Flint, Michigan had a tornado - dead 126. Temp really hot today. Cleveland Ohio had a tornado - don’t know how many dead. Saved 1 quart of milk tonight. Worked in garden till dark, spreading sawdust.

9. Clear and hot. I washed and went to garden and put leaves and straw around plants. Planted 2 rows of corn for late. Ironed everything. Went to town for last qt. of milk. Home and fixed a lot for our calf. Raining at 8:00 - lightning & thundering - terrible.

10. A fine evening. Message came that Uncle Tip was found dead in bed in Arlington. His sister, Aunt Mamie, called Eula Jennings. Raining. A lot of wind in afternoon. Eula & Harry came for fight.

11. A very nice day. Cleaned floors and waxed three rooms. This evening, picked strawberries and Lloyd and Sally came and picked them some.

12. A fine day. Made 2 quarts of strawberry preserves. We went up town for Uncle Tip Faulkner’s funeral and burial. I made up rest of my strawberry preserves - enough for 10 pints. Rained this evening. Harry came awhile and it stormed while fight was on - I was scared pink.

13. A very nice day. Rained some tho. Harry’s came at 8:00 for wrestling.

14. A fine day. Went to SS & church. Home and after dinner we went to Uncle Doc’s & down to Ethel’s awhile. We all went for a ride to Lerona and back home. Went over to May Dove’s to see Windy & Myrtle awhile and home.

15. Cold. 58. Cloudy & cold all day. At 2:00, girls open Uncle Tip’s will today. Talked to D___ awhile. Mowed lawn. Went up to Ethel and Rufus awhile.

16. A fined day. I went to Princeton to get Dad a pair of shoes for Daddy’s Day. Got a letter from Dr. Lilly – in Chicago for Dick’s graduation today - Dental School. I went over and got Ennis to pick strawberries. We got a lot. Made strawberry preserves. Sprayed tomatoes & defrosted refrigerator & fixed jars for preserves.

17. Up at 1:35 this morning, putting down windows & cut off TV - a bad storm. Lightning, rain, thunder. Bluefield and Princeton bad. A cloud burst - water over Athens Road. Up to Sammon’s Place in Princeton. Mailman had to go Old Road back to Princeton and other parts of W.Va. Hensley came up this morning to see us. I didn’t see Mrs. Hensley. Ethel & Rufus came and Harry’s 3 came for fight. Dr. Lilly got back tonight from Iowa & Dick’s graduation in Chicago.

18. A very nice day - cloudy most of day. Dr. Lilly came up awhile. We went out to Aunt Emma’s awhile and home this evening.

19. A fine day. Aunt Emma & I went to Princeton to check on Aunt Hattie Faulkner’s deed at courthouse. Home at 10:30. I went & washed my hair & ate dinner. Went to garden and watered our late corn & put litter around it and covered it with sawdust & leaves. Cleaned chicken house. Doc Jennings came & raked up hay and put it in the barn for us. Harry’s came for fight & Hobart Verena & Rufus - 15 round championship.

20. A fine day - Hot. We have our office air conditioned and it was so nice and cool in 3 rooms. Temp went to 88. Mrs. Ida Gautier died at 2AM this morning. We went up to Uncle Doc’s awhile. Harry & Eula came for wrestling.

21. A fine day. Went to SS & church. President Stewart preached. Our pastor gone to camp. After dinner we went up to Uncle Doc’s awhile and over to Gautier’s awhile. D___ there. I got Dad a pair of shoes for Daddy’s Day present. Went over to QD’s awhile and a storm came up and we came home. Jessie’s came and stayed till 8:00. Just poured rain and wind high.

22. A fine day - hot. Dr. Lilly & Dick left yesterday for West Liberty. Dick taking State Dental Board Examination. I went to Mrs. Gautier’s funeral at 2:00 at Baptist church. A big crowd there. Estil & “Lorena”, Mrs. Coffey and Hattie Scott were here for it.

23. A fine day. I washed and picked 5 qts. raspberries for Dr. Vermillion. At 1:00, I took berries to Dr., home and ironed. Mowed part of lawn. At 7:00 we went with Jessie to the river where QD’s are camping & fishing. Had surprise wiener roast. Came home at 10:00.

24. A fine day. Office so nice and cool. Our new air conditioner is working just fine. Jennings cut our hay in fields. Dr. Lilly & dick came in tonight from West Liberty. Harry’s came for big fight. Joey “Maxim” and Archie Moore. Moore won on rounds - no knock out.

25. A fine day. We worked today. Sold our cow to Jessie - $125.00. Jennings took up hay today. I went to Klingensmith’s to meet Walt & Betty, Walt’s new wife. A nice party.

26. A fine day. Picked raspberries for Dr. Vermillion. Washed some of wall in Dad’s room. Rained some. Harry’s came for fight.

27. A fine day - hot. Worked till noon. Dr. Lilly did not come back to office. Dr. Vermillion went to Fredeking girl’s wedding in Princeton. Rained a nice rain. Harry’s came for wrestling.

28. A fine morning. Went to SS & I stayed for church ad Dad came home. A real hard rain after dinner. We laid down and slept awhile. Ann Ruth Holdren and husband & kids came to but our cow. Jessie’s came at 5:30. Left at 6:00. We went up to Uncle Doc’s awhile and home. Didn’t go to church.

29. Rained a little. Hot.

30. A fine day. Went over town for milk. I washed all walls and ceiling in Dad’s room. Temp 82. Tired tonight.

July

1. Hot today. This evening. I picked 3 quarts raspberries & Blaine & Lorraine and kids came for eggs. Harry’s came while I was spraying tomatoes.

2. A fine day - hot.

3. Rained a little. I cleaned and got ready for Blaine to paint. I picked a mess of beans & beets today. Blaine & Lorraine came to see what colors I want for rooms. Sally brought me some cucumbers. We went to Harry’s at 7:00. Rogers, Mack Melvin played cards. Home at 11:00. Stormed hard tonight.

4. A fine day. Blaine came to paint. Dad’s room, dining room & living room green and kitchen blue. I went and got milk. Blaine finished. I went over and got Aunt Emma, I brought her over and she stayed till wrestling was over. Harry’s came. We ate a big watermelon.

5. A fine day. Cloudy. Went to SS & home. Ate dinner and went to Jessie’s awhile. Man cutting his grass. Mowed part of the yard. I went to church at 8:00.

6. Cloudy all day. Worked hard. Went to bed at 8:00. Mowed yard - tired. Raining and lightning and hail at 9:00.

7. Cloudy all day nearly. I washed and put clothes out. Went to town for milk. Home and ironed everything.

8. A fine day. 4 killed at Oakvale from Akron Ohio. Car hit a trailer truck loaded with corn. Doc & Roy & Lula came up for 2 hours to see about Aunt Hattie’s estate. Harry’s came for fight. Jessie’s came for a little while.

9. A fine day. Cool & nice all day. Went up and saw Bud Shumate’s garden and home. Charles Lane came down to see about line fence.

10. I made pickled beets today - 4 quarts. Harry’s came for fight.

11. A fine day. This evening Harry’s came. We went to Speedway to tent meeting. Rev. Mont Carr from Oakvale holding meeting. We came back for wrestling. Uncle Hade and MaryLee came while we were gone.

12. A fine day - Cool tho. Went to SS & church and home After dinner we went up to QDS and Downy Martin drove up and said that Mrs. GJ Fink had drove her car, a new one, into Stone’s living room. So we went down and sure enough it was inside - no one was hurt. We saw wrecker get car out. So many people stopped to see it. Dad & I went to Speedway to tent meeting.

13. A fine day. Lots of nice tomatoes. Ethel & Rufus came over and Harry’s came after supper.

14. I went to Princeton to see Mastin. She has moved out of telephone office and gave up her job. She is sick. Went on to courthouse and checked on Wells deed to land back of his house. It is his home. Made my first cucumber pickles. Dr. Vermillion came for my key. Dr. Lilly locked himself out. Made 2 quarts of kraut. Dad & I went to Speedway to tent meeting. Mont Carr preached. Wilma & D.R. Mays joined.

15. A fine day. Nice - not so hot. Plenty of nice tomatoes in our garden. George Washington agents came to see me about dropping Dad from the policy. Harry’s came for fight. Picked cucumbers for pickles.

16. A fine day. Need rain bad. Sprinkled a little. Ernest Dove had a boy drowned in Maryland - E.W. Dove.

17. A fine day. Made 5 quarts and 1 pint of cucumber pickles. Hot today. Baked a cake. Washed car & waxed it. QDs came over and waxed their car. I burned my back in the sun. Jessie’s came and got Mitzi - she came with QD.

18. A fine day. Sprinkled rain a little. Harry’s came over for wrestling.

19. A fine day. Cloudy early. Went to SS & church and home. Was eating dinner and in came Uncle Hade and MaryLee at 12:30. We went over by Ethel’s and told them that we could not go to Turner Dove’s boy funeral at Baptist at 2:30. We drove down to Harry’s, back up to Doc’s and on up to cemetery to burial and home. They left at 6:00. We ate supper and went over to QD’s awhile & home. Spoke to D___ at cemetery. My telephone is out. Reported it to Khale - operator. Stayed home.

20. A fine day. Dr. Lilly at White Sulphur Springs for State Dental Meeting through Wednesday. Hot.

21. A fine day. I washed and ironed. Finished ironing at 1:00. Bowling boy came to check our telephone. It is out - don’t know how long. Jessie brought women he sold our cow to see her. Temp went to 90.

22. A fine day. Dr. Lilly got sick in Dental meeting at White Sulphur. Dr. Vermillion went away to Bland County to Rotary meeting. Dick went for Dr. Lilly. Having a nice day. Raining today. Lillian and Gerda came to see me about land today. Harry’s came for fight.

23. A fine day. Mrs. Lilly called me saying that Dr. was unable to come home. Lillian Burch, Gerda & Ethel & I went to see Mr. Wells about land. Dr. Scott called on Mrs. Lilly to get Dr’s clothes packed and her own and he would be for her at 4:00 to take her to White Sulphur. Dr. Lilly cannot be moved for a few days. Must be a heart attack, we think. He is in clinic. I called and told Lillian about him. Dick came over at 7:15 to tell me about him.

24. A fine day. Dr. Lilly may get home on Sunday. Got a letter from MaryLee saying that they cannot come Saturday night.

25. A fine day. Cool & dry. At 5:30, Quinzetta and Dillon came over awhile. We were eating supper. Harrys came & went to Speedway to hear Mont Carr preach in tent. Back for wrestling and Ethel & Rufus were waiting for us.

26. A fine day. Went to SS & church and home. After dinner I washed my car and waxed it - looks good. At 6:15 Lloyd Oxley’s family came and stayed until 8:00. Dad & I went out for a ride. & home. Armistice signed at 8PM by Korea & USA. At 9, we saw & heard President make his talk of no more war or killing of our boys. War has ended in Korea today. Brought Dr. Lilly home from White Sulphur Springs today at 5:00 PM.

27. Hot & dry. Went down to see Dr. Lilly. He has been sick - heart attack - a bad one. After supper we went over to Harry’s awhile.

28. A fine day. Hot & dry - no rain for so long. I went to Bluefield and fixed up my hospital insurance in Associated Hospital again. We dropped Geo. Washington Hospital Ins. I had picture made (3) at Goldcraft Inc. I made 3 quarts and 1 pint kraut. At 6:00, Jessie came over awhile & Mitzi. Harry’s came. Max drove car up in field above house - learning to drive.

29. A fine hot day. I went down to see Dr. Lilly. They called Dr. Vermillion to see him. His stomach is hurting and he is sick. Temp 94 in Bluefield today. Took down a letter from Phyllis. Dr. seemed better. Hot Temp 87 at 5:00 PM. Harry’s came down for fight.

30. Hot & dry. I put on air conditioner and ran it all day while writing insurance. Dr. Lilly some better this morning. Nobody came tonight. We drove to the tent meeting near Hambrick Nazarene Church.

31. A fine day. Went to get milk and down to see Dr. Lilly. He was so sick I called Dr. Vermillion to cone see him. In the afternoon, I made all of my cabbage into kraut. Went up town for mail and down to see Dr. Lilly. He was better. Stopped at Lloyd Oxley’s awhile. QD & Jessie came while we were gone.

August

1. A hot day. Really hot. This evening I washed my car. QD came over. Lizzie & Bill came and stayed till 9:30. Harry’s did not come. We went to bed at 10:00. I could not sleep until 2:00 AM - just laid blare eyed all night. Nothing hurting me.

2. A fine day. Went to SS & church. After dinner we drove down to Harry’s and they were gone. Drove on up to Graham Chapel. They were having a singing - we did not go in. Raining a nice shower on us but didn’t mean anything for wetting things. At 7:00 Harry’s came up - said that they were out with Roy Combs and wife at Lessie’s Place to dance last night. Left at 9:00. Jessie came at 9:00 this morning & took cow & calf away. We got $125 for her.

3. A hot day. Went down to see Dr. Lilly. He is better I think. At 4:30, I mowed part of yard. Rained a little. Sally & Mrs. Alice Oxley came down for tomatoes and corn. Stayed a long time.

4. Cloudy. I washed and it rained a little. I went up town for milk and home. I ironed everything. Bowling boy came and put in a fuse in lightning erector to telephone. We went up to Uncle Doc’s & cemetery. Back out to see Boob Martin’s place where he is building his house and stopped to see Arthur Martin awhile and home. Harry’s was here to see first of prisoners released from Korea.

5. A fine day. Rained a little. Dr. Lilly doing fine. At 5:30 I went to fellowship supper at church and home at 7:30. Harry’s came down for fight.

6. A fine day. No rain. Dr. Lilly still better. Cloudy. No rain.

7. A fine day. I went uptown for milk. Took Dr. Lilly’s mail down to them and up to see Aunt Chriss a few minutes and home. After dinner we went up to Athens crossroads and over to Pisgah Church to watch men work on turnpike s some and back by Bethel Church and home. Rained on us some. Rained a good shower. I washed my car and it rained again. Jessie & Lodema came for corn, tomatoes, peppers & cucumbers. Left at 8:00.

8. A very nice day. Athens Telephone meeting. Nothing done until a later date. 35 present. Another good rain. A downpour and rain. Harry’s came for wrestling.

9. A very nice morning. Cool tho. Went to SS & church. Dr. Lilly called for me to get his mail and take it to him at 9:15. After dinner we went down to Harry’s & from there to Elgood Homecoming. Not many there. Saw Clyde Gore for first time in 28 years & “Newl” Harvey first time in 26 years & Roy Combs in 20 years. And one of Dad’s first cousins, first time Dad or I had ever seen him - a Mr. Bailey from out Flat Top way. Rained while we were there. At 7:00 Aunt Emma called 7 we went up there. Dee’s family is in. Home at 9:15.

10. Cool today. I took Dr. Lilly’s mail down to him. Cleaned out all papers on Dr. Lilly’s desk & put up a new shade at safe. At 6:00 Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rogers came over awhile. I gave them corn, tomatoes, peppers, beans & cucumbers. Harry’s came – left at 8:45.

11. A fine day. Dad & I went over to Princeton for laying mash for chickens - changed to super mash. Home and ate dinner. I touched up spots on roof to stop leak, Dee Burch walked out to visit us and later Rufus came.

12. A fine day. Took Dr. Lilly’s mail down to him. At 2:00, He-Man’s Party at Mercer Healing Springs. Dr. Lilly went over. Dick took him. At 6:00, Mr. & Mrs. Finkleman came down and sad that they were ready to start their house. Harry’s came & Ruth for fight. Eula was sick.

13. A fine day. Uptown and got Basil White & 2 boys to come out and open up street on Broadway for men to come to start house for Finkleman. This afternoon is hot. I cleaned office. I picked tomatoes to make juice tomorrow. Went down to Harry’s to see how Eula was feeling. She is better.

14. A fine day. I made 7 quarts of tomato juice. Went up town for milk. Saw Ennis and we left at 12:15 for Bluefield Dollar Day. Fern & Kay went with us. I got 10 towels and 2 pair sheets and a petticoat and Dad a pair of pants. Harry’s came up awhile.

15. A fine day. Dr. Lilly came up to the office. For a little while - first time since July 18th. Harry’s came tonight for wrestling.

16. A hot day. Went to SS & church. Godfrey Preacher. Our preacher is on vacation. We just laid on porch and loafed. Too hot to get out. 89 at 2:30. Bluefield 93. After supper we went over to Jessie’s awhile. Lightning and thunder a sight. No rain.

17. Cloudy. Sprinkled a little. At 2:30, Dr. Lilly came up and loafed a little. No work yet. Picked pole beans tonight. Harry’s came up awhile. Left at 9:25.

18. A fine day. Washed early. Men came in to dig Finkleman’s basement for his house. Went to town for milk, home and washed my hair. Ate dinner and ironed. Men broke down at 11:00 AM. Got going again at 15 to 4. Jessie’s came over for tomatoes.

19. Cool today. Dr. Lilly came up - had drove to Bluefield and back. Harry’s came for fight. Temp 57 at 10:40 PM. Cold.

20. A fine day. Temp 46. Cold all day. Dr. Lilly came up awhile. No rain. Harry’s came for a while.

21. A fine day. Dr. Lilly, Dad & I went to McComas to pick up pay rolls. Didn’t get back until 2:15. Hadn’t been over there since April 24th when we moved everything away from McComas. At 6:00 went uptown and stopped to see Aunt Emma awhile. Home at 8:15.

22. A fine day. We pierced Maxine Wiley’s Ears this morning & put in earrings. Dr. Lilly worked a little this morning. Harry’s came for wrestling. Ethel & Rufus there also.

23. A fine morning. Went to SS & home. Stubblefield preached. After dinner at 12:45, Harry’s came. It was raining a little. We went out to Hatcher’s for apples to make apple butter & sauce. We got 6 bushels. Went to Graham Chapel to church at 7:30. Hense Wiley & wife & Ethel & Rufus were there, us and Harry’s.

24. A fine day. Not too hot but dry. Dr. Lilly worked today. At 3:00 Dr. Lilly left - got tired. Harry came to help fix apples also Ethel came to help us. Harry went with Rufus We finished at 9:50.

25. Up early. Went and got Eula, Aunt Emma and Rufus and we went out to the cannery. Made: 84 quarts of apple butter, 35 quarts of apple sauce, 25 pints of carrots, 6 quarts of tomatoes. Worked hard all day. Canned 150 cans - 125 quarts and 25 pints all together. Home at 5:15. Went over and got milk after super and mail & home. Sally Oxley came down to get some water to drink. Hers no good.

26. Hot & dry. Dr. Lilly worked till noon. City water bad - switched to new to new tank – just finished. Harry’s came for fight.

27. Hot & dry. I put on air conditioner at noon - really hot. Mr. Jones real bad. At 8:00 PM Jessie’s came and stayed until 11:00.

28. Hot & dry. We dug our potatoes this morning. I went over for milk and mail. Cleaned with sweeper all over house. Picked up potatoes & brought to crib. Quinzetta came and stayed until 5:00. Ate supper and cleaned out flue in kitchen. Ethel & Rufus came and got more than a bushel of tomatoes to can. QD’s came and left at 8:00. Tired.

29. A hot day. At 2:30 Dr. Lilly left office. Temp 90. Harry’s came for wrestling.

30. Hot. Clear. Temp 89. Went to SS & church & home. Ate dinner and stayed on porch. At 3:00 I turned on hose and cooled things off. 89 - really hot. We drove up to cemetery & stopped at Uncle Doc’s awhile and home. Pansy Martin got word at 9:30 that Emmett Boone was released from prison - he was captured by Russians Nov. 27, 1950. That was good news.

31. A fine day. Hottest night we have had. At 7:30, we heard over TV that Emmett Boone Martin was released from prison by Reds. Everybody in town was happy of the good news. Jimmy Wiley, Harry’s boy, was married to Maxine Crow today in Va. Eula went with them. At 6:45 PM - Temp 80 on porch. We went out to see Pansy a little while. Temp 76 at 9:00.

September

1. Up at 5:10. Got breakfast. Washing was on the line by 8:30. Dressed and went to Princeton for laying mash & gr. And home. Ate dinner, washed my hair & done it up. Ironed and got done at 4:00. Could not iron starched pieces very good. Temp went to 89 and Dad got out the hose & watered front lawn to lower temperature. Tired. Mowed back lawn. Harry’s came up awhile.

2. A hot day. 89 Temp. No rain. 92 at office. Harry’s came for fight.

3. Hot, really hot.89. 92 in office waiting room. No rain. Nobody came tonight.

4. Up hot - Temp 78 at 6:30. I baked a cake and defrosted refrigerator. Went uptown for milk & mail and home. Iced my cake. Cleaned kitchen& waxed it. Helped Dad clean chicken house. Picked 1 bushel tomatoes for Ethel & gave her cans to put them in. Ethel & Rufus came for tomatoes. Harry’s came and left at 9:20. Rained a nice shower at 3:00 today.

5. Cloudy. Rained a good rain again today. My birthday. Dad gave me $5. Cooler a lot. Harry’s came for wrestling. Ethel and Rufus came at 10:30 for wrestling. I served ice cream and my birthday cake & coffee & Pepsi cola & potato chips.

6. Cold & cloudy early. Went to SS & church. I wore my suit. Real chilly. Home and after dinner we laid down and slept till 4:50. Up & done up the work and stayed home. Exchange of soldiers is over.

7. Cloudy most of day. Chilly all day. Stores all closed today but Parker’s - Labor Day. Bank closed all but drug stores. Me - I worked all day. Jessie’s came and stayed till 7:15. Harry’s came. At 8:45, Jimmy and his wife came for them.

8. Cool all day. Went uptown for milk. Home and cleaned out basement. Carried out lots of old cans and put my new apple butter, apple sauce and carrots and vegetable soup down there. Emptied all of the cans and washed them and put them up in the garage loft. Tired. Nobody came. Tonight.

9. Cold today. Worked till noon. Dr. Lilly feeling very good. Pansy Martin and Kat Ball Goodall left by train to California to meet Emmett Boone who arrives Sunday - been a prisoner of the reds since Nov. 1950. Harry’s came for fight.

10. Cool today. Worked till noon. Dr. Lilly doesn’t work in afternoons yet. Dr. Vermillion & Dr. Lilly pierced my ears today for good earrings. Didn’t hurt. Man came at 7:50 this evening to run footer for Finkleman house but laborers didn’t come so he left. Nobody came today.

11. A fine day. I washed all of my blankets & sheets. Men came and ran footers for foundation for Finkleman’s house. I went to Princeton today for groceries & earrings and laying mash. Home by 11:30. After dinner I baked a cake. Harry’s came and stayed till Max got out of show. At 9:00.

12. A nice morning. Thundered a lot and rained a good rain in afternoon. Harry’s came for wrestling. Fire down at Friedl’s coal house.

13. Cold all day. Windy. I took Dad out to SS and I came home, got ready and went up to Aunt Emma’s for a big dinner and get together of her folks and Mr. Frazier’s. We ate in Harry Parker’s back yard. Had a big day & lots to eat. Home at 3:30 - tired and stayed home. Little Doc Lilly was here with his new baby boy. Came yesterday, I did not get to see them. Cold.

14. Temp 38. Light frost here. Heavy one in Princeton and in Oxley Hollow. This afternoon, they brought in 2 loads of cinder blocks for Finkleman’s house. At 4:00, Jessie started to jail with James Shumate and up in front of “Ricer Jones”, he opened the door and sailed out. Jessie took him to hospital and he is bad. At 7:30 I called Jessie to find out how Mitzi was and Jessie told me about James and I took him to Princeton Hospital to see how James was. Jessie so nervous.

15. A fine day. I washed early. We went to town. James Shumate no better. Still unconscious. Mrs. Christina Cooper so sick. Fred Cooper’s stepmother. Men brought in a load of sand & other things for Finkleman’s house. Went up town awhile. QD came over for a little bit.

16. A fine day. Mrs. Cooper died at 6:30 this morning. Harry’s came for fight.

17. A fine day. Men laid blocks for Finkleman’s house.

18. I went to Princeton awhile to see Mrs. Cooper at Fredeking & Seaver’s Undertakers. Harry’s came for fight.

19. A fine day. Cold. Harry’s came for wrestling.

20. Cloudy, raining. Went uptown at 8:45. Emmitt Boone Martin came in at 9:05 from prison camp in Korea. A big crowd to meet him in Bluefield and also in town. Went to SS & home and up to Bill Shepherds for dinner. Ray Cheatwood & May “Forlines” Richardson’s came in afternoon. Uncle Hade & MaryLee came while we were gone. Home and went over to Jessie’s awhile and MaryLee and Uncle Hade had come back by. They had been to Elgood.

21. A fine day. Cold. Rained a little bit.

22. A fine day. Cold. Cleaned Dad’s room and waxed floor. Went to town to get milk and home. Washed my 2 sweaters today.

23. Temp 37. No frost here but plenty in town. Harry’s came for fight.

24. Cloudy. No water in town. One well went dry & pump burned up. Arthur Hartman ruined hand - is in hospital - trying to repair pump. Showered a little.

25. A very nice day. Mr. Jones died during the night. We went uptown for milk & mail. Cleaned living room. No water today. Rained a little. I washed my car. Harry’s came for wrestling.

26. Cloudy all day. Telephone meeting to borrow $7000.00 to put cable in town. Dr. Lilly and Dick went to Charleston to visit Doc. We went down to Jones awhile. Harry’s came for wrestling. No more wrestling here. Changes tomorrow and won’t be on till 11:00 so we won’t sit up to see it. Raining at 12:30 AM.

27. A fine day. Went to SS & church. Church meeting to get a new piano for the meeting next month. Home and ate dinner & went to Mr. Jones funeral at Baptist church. I was a flower girl. Stopped to see Chis and Uncle Doc. Also stopped to see Aunt Emma’s and saw their new television set. Just put in a Zenith like ours. Home and stayed the rest of the evening.

28. Clear and warm. Not feeling so good. Water situation is critical. Pumping water out of the creek. May not be so good. Water is still low & everybody washing. Temperature – my temperature nearly 100 - feel bad. Sick - went to bed early.

29. Hot today. I washed even water is low. Everyone else has done so. Went up uptown for milk. Home and washed my hair. After dinner I ironed. Doc Calfee came over for a while. Temp 85 today. We went up and watched men work on Finkleman’s house. Starting the woodwork. We went by to see Boob’s house a little while. He is getting along fine on it. Clear, no rain in sight.

30. Hot today. 85 Temp. College turned out yesterday because of water shortage. Bluefield had 94. I went to Princeton and got well bucket and rope. No city water. – so we will be ready. State closed hunting season till a later date - too dry. High & Training school still on. Harry’s came.

October

1. A very nice day. Not so hot. Lee Oxley had a stroke yesterday so Dr. Lilly told me. Dr. Vermillion had a spell with his heart – 132 beats per minute at 8:30. Lasted about an hour. Saw ambulance go to hospital with Lee Oxley. I went up to go to Speedway Park for feed the men were giving the ladies of our SS class. About 41 present - 25 women & 16 men. Home at 6:45.

2. A fine day. Went uptown for milk and home. We put up stove in Dad’s room & fixed pipe so it won’t smoke. Dr. Vermillion went to Beckley this afternoon. I went to Princeton for present for Mrs. Jimmy Wiley’s shower next Monday night at Harry’s. Also went up to hospital to see Lee Oxley. He has had 3 strokes.

3. A fine day. Worked hard till noon. Dr. Lilly left at noon and did not come back. Took up leaves in yard this evening - several sacks full. Nobody coming here for wrestling - too late - coming on at 11:00.

4. A fine day - chilly tho. We went to SS & church. Watched ballgame in afternoon till 5:00. Then we went down to pumphouse but the well drill broke down this morning. Saw groundhog under the bridge where they pump water into tank. Stopped by Dr. Vermillion’s and got a gallon of drinking water. Stopped at Lloyd’s and Sally’s awhile. Home & watched TV till 10:00.

5. A fine day. Charlie Hanks was found dead in his bed at a rooming house yesterday morning. Ruby Crawford’s boy, 16 years old, shot himself yesterday morning down on Island Creek. Dad’s watch spring was broke this morning. When he got up. Harry’s came and stayed until 8:30.

6. A fined day. Rained just a little. I went to Princeton and took Dad’s watch to have spring put in. I went to Seaver’s and saw Charles Hanks. I messed around all afternoon. Mr. Johnston - Appalachian Power man—came to see me about fixing new wire to house.

7. A fine day. I cleaned waiting room and waxed it. Charlie Hanks was buried today at Elgood. Went to Harry’s to shower. Mrs. Jimmy Wiley’s wife. Got back at 10:00. Watched fight. Cold.

8. Temp 28. A big frost and plenty of ice. At 1:00 I cleaned another room and waxed it. Dr. Lilly & Vermillion & Dr. Klingensmith appraised Mrs. Christine Cooper’s estate today. 

9. A fine day. Went uptown for milk. Home and Dad and I took 34 sacks of leaves out of yard and not ½ of them down yet. We went down to pumphouse to watch the men drill some on the new well for the town. Council was there - Stewart, Rogers, and Sam Holdren came while we were there. Rufus & Ethel came and stayed till after the fight at 10:00.

10. Clear and very nice. Worked till noon. A fire at Quinzetta’s - an outside building burnt up a lot of things. Dr. Vermillion left for Beckley to ballgame. Harry came and stayed till after the wrestling - last night of wrestling - carried by Huntington - good.

11. A fined ay. Went to SS & church. After dinner we went over to Neta’s awhile and up to Uncle Doc’s and home. And stayed there rest of evening and night. Didn’t go to church. I have quit going to church at night because of Dad. Dr. Vermillion left for Charleston to Grand Lodge.

12. A fine day. Mrs. Lilly called & said the Dr. Lilly would not be up. A leg gone bad at hip - a lot of pain - I took mail down and he was really sick. Mrs. Lilly called Scott. He came at noon & went back and sent Dr. Markell down to see him. He said inflammation in near bone in hip. Had temperature. I cleaned and waxed Dr. Vermillion’s office & operating room for Dr. Lilly. I went back down to see Dr. Lilly. He was hurting so bad I felt sorry for him. Jessie brought Dad over a load of kindling wood today.

13. Cool this morning. I was up at 15 to 5. Got breakfast and started washing at 6:00. Got ready and went uptown and down to Dr. Lilly’s. He was some better. I went to Princeton and got Dad’s watch - $5.00. Ironed up everything. finished at 3:30. Cold all day. Dr. Vermillion still in Charleston.

14. A fine day. Went down to see Dr. Lilly. He is still in bed. I got a new set of earrings - opals - real pretty. Dr. Vermillion got back from Charleston. Nobody came tonight.

15. Cool & dry. No rain since July. Dr. Lilly better. Dr. V. went down to see him. The old well went dry today. No rain in sight. Turned out college & high and Training School today. No water. Nobody came tonight.

16. Cool but dry. Nice day. Went for milk & down to the Lilly’s. He is not so well. I washed my hair. Took up my leaves in yard. Went up to Aunt Emma’s awhile. Harry’s came and stayed until after the fight.

17. A fine day. Nice & warm. Some cloudy. Went down to see Dr. Lilly. He didn’t rest too good last night. This evening Harrys came and stayed till 9:00. Eula so sick - ear and throat hurting her.

18. A fine day. I went to SS. Dad didn’t go. He has sore chest & cold in nose. So dusty in his room. I went down to see Dr. Lilly awhile and home. After dinner we drove down to the pumphouse and watched the drill awhile and up to Harry’s. Eula better. Went to Jessie’s awhile - saw his pool - water raising in it nicely. Home and ate supper. We went over to QD’s and they were gone. Sprinkled rain a little. We drove up to Springs Road and back down to Rouse Cook’s and got a bottle to send water to Charleston for a test and home. Raining some thunder and lightning also. Nice shower at 9:15 - may rain a good shower.

19. Clear & a nice day. Rain last night didn’t amount to much. Jessie’s came at 7PM and stayed until 9:30.

20. A fine day. Went uptown for milk. No rain yet. No water much either. Sally Oxley came down and stayed till 3:30. We went up to Sally’s after supper and stayed until 9:00.

21. A fine day. No rain yet. Dr. Lilly worked till noon today. Harry’s came for fight championship. Bobo Olson & Turpin - Bobo won.

22. A fine day. Dr. Lilly worked till noon today. Dr. Vermilion & other Masons went to Peterstown to funeral of a Mason - Hugh Hughes.

23. A nice day. I went to {Princeton for paper for back porch and laying mash. Dry everywhere. Neta and Quinzetta came at 1:30 and left at 3:30. We fixed stove pipe in kitchen. Had to go to town for 16 in & 17 reduced to 6 in. Got that all done. Went up to Aunt Emma’s and home at 9:00. Someone stole all 4 hubcaps off of Lloyd Oxley’s car last night.

24. Cloudy & cooler. Plenty of water now is the report. School will take up Monday - High & Training. College on Wednesday. Cloudy. Harry’s came at 7:00 and left at 9:30. Temp 45.

25. A very nice day. Went to SS & church and home. Watched a ballgame on television. After supper we went up to QD’s awhile. Neta and Quinzetta & Dillon came. Home at 7:15.

26. Cloudy some today. High and Training School started again today. There is plenty of water now is the report. Harrys came. I went to church. Our revival started tonight. A nice crowd there.

27. Cloudy. I washed early. Most of clothes got nearly dry and it started raining - not hard just a gentle downpour. I went to town and got milk at 9:30 and home. Washed my hair, ate dinner and ironed everything that was dry. Thunder. Lightning. Wind high. Dad and I went to church - very nice crowd there.

28. Cloudy. Hunting season opens this morning. At 6:30, raining hard, Started to preach and battery went dead. Just pouring the rain.

29. Raining today. I called Roy Beckett to come and get my car started. Elsie came and took me to work. Roy put in new battery - the other one lasted 4 months - dead cell. Harry’s came up. I went on to church and left them with Dad.

30. A fine day. Went uptown for milk. Mrs. Lilly called for Dr. Vermillion to come at once. Mrs. Caldwell had fallen in kitchen and I went down. She was real sick. This evening, I went to church.

31. A fine day. I worked till noon. Tonight I dressed up and went to Halloween party. A big crowd there.

November

1. A fine day. Went to SS & church. Over to the Bluestone Bridge on the turnpike. Several there. Home at 4:10. After supper we went to church. Full house. People from Elgood and Princeton.

2. A fine day. I went to church. A large crowd there.

3. A fine day. Went and got milk, home and put up paper on back porch. Fixed it good. Went to church this evening.

4. Colder a lot. Dr. Lilly has a leg hurting him again. Harry came. I went on to church. Got home at 9:40. 37 went up.

5. Snowing at 6:00 AM. I got up and it cleared up but cold. AE Power Co put up a new line to our house & moved pole out of Finkleman’s way. I went to church. A big crowd there. We shook hands - Ha-ha - a surprise.

6. Snowing. Temp 26. Went uptown and got milk, home, and took up leaves in front yard. Laid down to rest & Jessie and Mitzi came. I went to church - last night. Several went up. Also Mrs. Sisk a Methodist and Bob Beckett.

7. Snow on the ground. Temp 16. Our water was froze up where Rutherford left our meter uncovered. Had to call and have them come thaw us out. Harry’s came and left at 9:30.

8. A fine day. Cold tho. After dinner, Harry came over and took us up to Princeton to where he works on the Princeton Disposal Plant and on over to the new airport on Hurricane Ridge and home. I went to church at 7:20. Jessie’s came after I left. Our pastor baptized 13and Methodist 7 or 8. A full church. Bob Beckett’s wife joined the church.

9. Cold & clear. Fires burning out of control all over West Virginia.

10. Cold & smoky. I washed early. We went to Princeton for groceries and home at 12:00. I got dinner and washed my hair. & ironed. Lots of men working on Finkleman’s house. Started brick chimney. Jane Barrett died last night in Pulaski Va. In a home for old women. Tired.

11. Cold & smoky. 1800 acres of forest burnt over the last 24 hours - so radio said at 2:00. Concord played football in Bluefield with Marysville. It was a tie. I kept office all afternoon by myself. Watched fight at 10:00. Warmer.

12. A fine day. Cold tho. Went to Jane Barrett’s funeral at Baptist church at 2PM. Harry’s came at 6:30 and left at 10:00.

13. A fine day. We took up leaves and worked around house. I went to town for milk. Cinna Wagner was married today to Mr. Cecil Lilly - an old sweetheart. Harry’s came again.

14. A fine day. Worked till noon. Harry’s came at 7:00 and stayed until 10:00.

15. A fine day. I went to SS & church. Boone Martin was baptized at the 11:00 service. After dinner, Neta and Sis came over awhile and then we went on to Watson White’s. He was gone. Stopped at Uncle Doc’s awhile and then to Ethel’s & they were gone. I went to church at 7:30. Bob Beckett & wife, Betty Mays & “ cumphans” Elsie Beckett were all baptized. A full house.

16. A fine day. O. J. Burnside, Jr. left - joined Marines. We went up to Lloyd Oxley’s awhile after supper.

17. A fine day. I went to Bluefield and shopped for Christmas. Back at 2:00. Levi Reed buried at Elgood today. Lacy Lewis big house burned down today at 2:00. Owned by Ray Cheatwood. Harry’s came up at 6:30 and left at 9:30.

18. A fine warm day. No rain yet.

19. Clear & warm. This afternoon Dr. Lilly and Dick went to McComas. Harry’s came at 6:30 and stayed till 9:00.

20. Cloudy all day. This afternoon I cleaned house. Harrys came at 6:00 and left at 11:00. Raining a little.

21. Raining some early this morning. Nobody came tonight.

22. Cloudy, misting rain a little. Went to SS & church full house. After dinner at 2:15 we went over to Lee Oxley’s to the celebration of their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Nice crowd there. Stopped awhile at Ethel and Rufus awhile. Home at 4:15. Raining a nice shower.

23. Cloudy & warm. Lloyd Oxley in Bluefield Sanitarium - Heart attack. Will be there 30 days. Rufus Martin has a bad heart. In hospital for examination only. Nobody came.

24. Cloudy. Temp 32. I washed and went uptown for milk, home and washed my hair. After dinner I ironed & baked a custard pie. Temp 46 all day. No rain.

25. Cloudy and cold. Snowed some. Harrys were here.

26. Cloudy. Snowing some. Went uptown and got milk. Dr. Lilly called for me to come down to Doc Baker’s boy. Home at 11:30. MaryLee and Maxine Wiley came in and said that Eula wanted us to come down for dinner. We had eaten but went down. She came with 2 men to here. Uncle Hade had a cold. Doc Calfee came at 4:30. Harrys came at 5:30 and left at 9:00.

27. Snowing some all day. Went up and got milk. I cleaned pantry. Nobody came.

28. Cold. Temp 16. Slick, really slick. State road put cinders on road. Sent out last item to secret friend by F.B.O. (my picture) Wanted for so many years. Harrys came at 5:30 and left at midnight. We watched wrestling a film no good. Won’t do again.

29. A clear cold day. Went to SS & church and home and stayed home. All day & night. Temp 11 above - really cold.

30. Temp 32. Cloudy. Wasn’t delivered until this morning so I was told by my old standby. QD’s family came over for a while.

December

1. Temp 22. Snowed just a little bit during night. I went to Bluefield shopping for Xmas & I went to see Lloyd Oxley in Bluefield Sanitarium. He is doing fine. I got home at 2:30. Cold all day but sun out all day. Some snow yet in places from last Thursday & Friday, No one came tonight.

2. Temp 15. A big frost. Tom Beckett started plastering Finkleman’s house. “Walar” Wiley died yesterday. In his sleep. Still snowing. No one came tonight.

3. A fine day. Temp 22. Mr. Hinkle came into our office and gave us all basketball tickets. Were we glad to get them. At 5:00 it looks like rain. Went to gym to first basketball game. Alumni vs. Joe’s High boys.

4. No rain. Got another letter - first since May 31 - a very nice one. Harrys came.

5. A fine day. Harrys came in at 6:30.

6. A very nice day. Raining just a little. Went to SS & church and home. Neta and Sis came over in afternoon, also Rufus & Ethel - Left at 5:00. I went to church - wind and lightning - very bad at 7:30.

7. A very nice day. Went up to see Lloyd Oxley. He came home yesterday from hospital.

8. Cold, really cold. I washed & ironed today. Really tired. Went up for milk and up to see Aunt Chris. She has had a stroke or something. She cannot talk at all today. Looks so bad.

9. A very nice day.

10. Cloudy. Really cold. Went to gym to basketball game. Athens Hi beat Matoaka Hi.

11. A very nice day. Dad and I went to Princeton and had Dad’s picture taken by Olan Mills at Virginian Hotel. Then we shopped awhile and stopped to see Aunt Chris a little while. Showered hard. Harrys came at 6:30 and stayed until after fight at 10:00. Jessie’s all came. Mitzi brought us a picture of herself.

12. A bad day. Raining all day. Harrys came at 6:00 and left at 9:00.

13. Cloudy & cool. Went to SS and left and went down to Harry’s for Harry’s birthday dinner. Uncle Hade and MaryLee came. Surprise to Harry. A good dinner. At 3:45 we went up to see Aunt Chris. Uncle Hade, MaryLee, Harry’s 3 & Dad & I. Then we all parted ways after a big day together. I stayed home from church - raining hard.

14. Snowing today a little - all day. At 4:30 really snowing hard. Went to gym to see Athens Hi vs. Northfork-Elkhorn. Athens Hi won. Large crowd there and a fight by players. GW Keatley benched.

15. Snowing and ground covered. I went to Princeton shopping. Saw Lizzie and Bill and talked a long time. Home by 12:30. Snowed up until about 2:30. Wrapped packages.

16. Snow today.

17. Cold. 7 above zero. Roads really slick. Snowed all day off and on. No one came.

18. Temp 1 above zero. Really cold. I dressed and went to Kelton Eskew & Juanita Basham’s wedding at 11:00 AM in Baptist church - about 50-60 there. I went on to Princeton shopping. I selected the present that Dad is getting for me - diamond earrings - real pretty. T 8:30, Harrys came - froze stiff - stayed till after the fight. Really cold.

19. 6 above zero - still cold. Warming up a lot through the morning. Will Farley had a heart attack in 10 cent store in Princeton today. QD came with Ennis & kids. Harrys came also. Left at 9:30.

20. A fine day. Cold tho. Went to SS & our Xmas treat was nice. I stayed for church, home, ate dinner. Went up to see Aunt Chris. Lizzie & Bill were there also. We stopped to see Rufus & Ethel then stopped at Lloyd Oxley’s awhile and home at 4:05. I went to church at 7:30. We had a baptism - 3 baptized - McCullock girl, another girl and Giles Martin. Nice crowd there - Raining.

21. Raining early. Temp 30. Froze on roads. Warming up a lot during the day. No one came tonight.

22. Cloudy but warmer. Went up town and home. Baked a custard pie. Washed my hair. Got a call from the jewelry store that I would get a special delivery in evening mail. Cleaned up house.

23. At 6:30 PM Harrys came.

24. A nice day. Harrys came tonight.

25. A very nice day. Santa Claus brought me a pair of diamond earrings. Boy, are they pretty. We ate dinner at QD’s - the whole family was there. Santa was nice to us. Harrys came up and brought us some presents - Dad, a dressed rabbit & me a Fostoria dish - real pretty.

26. A very nice day. Nobody came tonight.

27. A fine day. Went to SS & home. I had the family here for supper at 6:00. Worn to a frazzle.

28. Very nice day.

29. I washed and ironed today.

30. Rained a little.

31. OK Weather. Good-by 1953 - A very good year.