Edna Clair Ferris - Raising William 2


July 12, 1909
     Lover boy all in bed in Mother's bed. Mother got him an Indian suit today
and maybe he wasn't pleased. Auntie brought him up to court house to see me
today.

     Went riding with E.H.M. last night, he comes home with me at 5:00 and we
sit under the big maple in front of Johnnie R's house. Am working on town lot
deed book, I haven't started mortgages yet.

Oct. 3, 1909
     Have new blue suit and black hat, new shoes and blue silk waist. Worked
out to the fair grounds two days for Sherwood. Lou Mallory and Gene both came
out to dinner today, while their folks went to the woods, Gene brought ice
cream and came back after supper.

     I am almost through town lot deeds. A week ago today, went to upper Maynes
Grove to look at some steers in Ed's pasture. Went to Ackley Sauer Kraut Day
with Gene, it rained.

     Pa is out in Collins, Montana, poor old soul. Frank is in Minn. and Nettie
in Vinton again.

     Lover boy in bed and grandma in the kitchen. William wears blue play suits
now and a red cap every day, and a gray one for best. He takes me "a little
ways" every time I go to work, and he has "three stories and a poultry" every
night to go to bed by. He used to call Gene "The man who takes mother riding",
now he calls him just "That man".

     Will Cronin back from Panama for last and third time.

Dec. 6, 1909
     William's Auntie came walking in about dinner time on Thanksgiving day, so
I was glad we had a good dinner ready for her. I stayed home all day until
night, then went down to Lou's and E.H. came out here, but finally came down
and got me. I was glad to see him for he had been neglecting me, but have had
good times together ever since Thanksgiving.

     The Stiles case was decided Dec. 4, last Saturday, and Emery got the
property. I went to a tea party at Mrs. Lockwood Beed's Saturday.

     Nettie stayed from Thursday until Sunday Nov. 28, and went back on the
11:24 train at night. My but William was glad to see her. He heard her on the
porch and ran to the window and looked out and said "Theres my Auntie standing
right out there".

Dec. 26, 1909
     Lover boy's fifth Christmas - he hung up his stocking and got some beads,
a ball, a teeter totter, some sliced animals, two elephants, a blackboard, a
watch from Gramp, a lot of cards, a Benjamin Bunny Book from Auntie, and a
Little Lame Prince, a book from me, one from Jennie and one from Mary. I got
four handkerchiefs, a pin from Retta, a pair of garters from Lou, a muffler
from Mac Dawson, a lovely dish from Mrs. Dodge, a box of candy from Sherwood, a
pair of cuff buttons from Jennie.

     Uncle Frank is home, but Auntie did not come. William had a good time and
was good all day long. Uncle Frank is reading Benjamin Bunny to William. Next
year, William will be in kindergarten, dear little man. He went over to Mrs.
Banta's this morning all alone. He helped Uncle Frank shovel the sidewalks.
There is lots of snow and it has been cold.

Gene spent Christmas Eve with me and gave me a back comb.

April 30, 1910
     Gene did not come tonight, so will write in this book. William and grandma
in bed. We had house papered Apr. 28-29 and ma painted the floors today. Things
are piled around every which way and we are terribly anxious to get through. We
are going to get a new rug.

I am almost through with the town lot book. It has been a big job. I had
William's picture taken, but were not good so I didn't take them. William says
"mascuse me". I don't get to see very much of the darling now-a-days, will be
glad when I lay off.

Gene had the manure hauled away and the barn yard cleaned up and gave Ma hay
for Mattie early this Spring. He comes to see me four nights in the week and is
pretty nice to me.

Lou has a new automobile. William has new suits, a tan one and a light blue
one. He is a good boy.

Dick Raymond's baby was buried today, poor little helpless fellow. L. B.
Raymond is very poorly, gets worse and has had another stroke.

May 10, 1910
     We got out new rug today, but it is not to be brought home until tomorrow.
William and grandma came up town today to look at it. Ma painted the parlor
floor and sitting room floor last week and the bedroom floor today. We got two
little pictures framed and are getting new curtains today. Think they will be
nice when we get all cleaned up again. Must write to Nettie.

Gene bought his father's farm last week. He has just gone home now.

May 29, 1910
     Nettie came home last night from Vinton for summer vacation. Laid off May
22 for short vacation. Laura Jensen Cronin had baby girl May 26 over to
Emilies. Mattie had calf Wednesday, May 25.

Gene brought William nice spade last night. William is digging out in the old
chicken park, he is putting in the water works for grandmother.

June 3, 1910
     Went down to Mary's tonight to take buttermilk and eggs. The old lady is
pretty feeble and won't be here long.

Went out to Mrs. George Bird's yesterday to Cemetery Society. Miss Franklin,
Mrs. Bryan, Mrs. Mallory and I went out in the automobile. Went up to Ingrahm
township farm, June 1, in the automobile. Am going back to work Monday, June 6.
Wish I didn't have to go. Gene is so nice to me, comes to see me and takes me
riding and is good to me.

Had William's pictures taken May 28. Postal ones up to Batis.

July 6, 1910
     I bought me a Brownie No. 2 Eastman Kodak today. Leone came over to Will
Webb's office in court house where I am working, and before I left she had
bought one for me. William has a new cat, "Baby Lane" he calls her for Bert
Lane gave her to him and they called her baby. William had a parachute and bean
bag the fourth, and Auntie got him fireworks in the evening. Gene came after me
Sunday, July 3, and he had pop and ice cream and a lunch. We went out to Maynes
Grove and had a picnic just for two.

Banta has been having lots of trouble with her foot. Jay Wolf got his leg
amputated yesterday. It got crushed by an engine over to the short line.

Aug. 22, 1910
     Have been sick two days, sore throat, headache and several other kinds of
ache. Feel better today.

Gene has two foundation laid out on the corner, for tenant house, granary and a
big cement tank built, and they started yesterday on the first building, the
granary.

Old Uncle Frank's birthday, today.

The foundations are the beginning of probably the first feeding plant built
in this part of Iowa. The foundations were too shallow and not good enough
concrete and caused much trouble later, but thousands of cattle were fed and
sent to market from this beginning. Father certainly was in a creative mood,
courting and building. (EHM II)

William will start to school next week if he is well. Dear little boy, it makes
mother feel bad to have him strike out for himself. William is in business for
himself, he takes milk to Banta and has $2.25 already.

Minnie and Laurence have another boy since the first of the month.

Aug. 30, 1910
     William started to school this week. He went to the West Side to Miss
Clara Bruce. Auntie went back to Vinton today. I walked over to the CGW depot
with her. She hated to go.

Edna Cronin went to school for the first time too. A little girl, Anna May
Stone, sits across from our William and he says ever so many times "Oh I like
Anna May, she is a nice little girl and good looking". William wore a little
blue gingham suit made blouse waist and knickerbockers and his little gray cap.

I went to Leone's for dinner a week ago Sunday and met the wonderful Mr. R. H.
Leary, found him quite charming.

Laura Hoxie was married Aug. 27 and Edith Beed and Letha Roger also married
this month. Nettie had William's picture taken last week in his canvas suit and
rubber hat. Mary came over tonight for just a minute and brought some lovely
Asters. The canning factory started up last week.

Gene let me have Dan two afternoons last week and William and Grandma and I
called on Aunt Maude and the next day William and I went.

Dan, the horse, was not the paragon that the fabled Roderick was, but was a
family character for many years, none the less. He was very fast, but
reluctant, preferring a sedate walk to the buggy rolling trot of which he was
capable. A fast horse in those days was like a fast car was later. My father
was not the racy type and it was never known just what the horse could do until
the day Dan met the elephant.

My father and my cousin Dwight were going to farm in a morning when a circus
was unloading at the fairgrounds. An elephant was being led up the track to
water at the big spout where engines were filled. That was enough for Dan and
he took off full speed. The situation was desperate since the horse was
accustomed to turn at the fairground corner. To turn would have been a sure
over turn. Father braced himself and held the one rein as hard as possible and
the horse did not turn and ran himself out. My father's only comment was to the
horse, "By God, Dan, I'm going to buy an elephant and make you sleep with him."

Aunt Maude was the wife of Gramp's successful brother, Saul, Father of Earl
Ferris, owner of the nursery. (EHM II)

Oct. 3, 1910
     William is in bed, has been to school all day. He printed Auntie a letter
last week and one this week.

Grandma has made him three little pairs of pants from Auntie's uniforms and a
waist and an overcoat from Auntie's old cape and lots of little waists.

Gene has his house plastered and his granary done and the big cattle shed is
going up, and the foundation for the corn crib is all laid out now. He has been
terribly busy the last six weeks.

He gave us a load of kindling and brought us a bushel of apples and a basket of
grapes. He won't let me work, sometimes I want to pretty bad, but don't dare
to.

Arthur Mallorys have a baby boy born Sept. 28.

Faith McCrillis and Foster Kelly were married last week and Margery McSpaden
also.

Oct. 24, 1910
     William has been sick for over a week with a bad cold and cold sores and
his neck swollen up, but is lots better now and will go to school again in a
day or so. Ma made William a "soldier suit" with brass buttons and gilt braid
and he is very proud of it. We put our stove up today.

Gene gave us all the potatoes we will need all winter Saturday and says he will
bring her some clover hay. He gave ma a lot of straw to bed Mattie too. Gene
has his granary, cattle shed, scale house, well house, and tenant house all
done now. We go out every Sunday. The foundation is in for big corn crib. I
stopped working for Clock and Clock today.

Will Lane died tonight very suddenly from some kind of stroke.

Oct. 29, 1910
     Will Lane was buried yesterday, he had a stroke of apoplexy at a quarter
to five Monday night while sitting in his chair in the office and died about
seven.

Bert was talking to him and he said he guessed he would go home, he didn't feel
very good and looked at his watch and could not put it in his pocket, so Bert
did for him and called Mr. Avery who was in the vault working. They got Dr.
Haecker and sent for Mrs. Lane, but he never was conscious.

He was buried in a gray casket and wore his gray clothes and white vest. He had
beautiful flowers. Gene and Cy Jernegan, Will Webb and Frank Luke were pall
bearers. The funeral was in the ME Church and Dr. Clinton preached. Flora Lane
was here from Callalan, Texas.

Gene went out tonight to get his last carpenter, his building is all done now
for awhile, or until he builds his big corn crib. He gave ma a whole big
hayloft full of clover hay Wednesday. Leone was over for dinner today.

Birdie Hollingworth Thomas has moved back to Hampton with her four little
children, a woman shot her husband last August.

William has big bunches on his neck which don't go away very much. He is
looking kind of peaked lately. William sings:

"Good morning merry sunshine, pure and warm and bright Kissing happy faces
making hearts so light Tis God that sends you to us Helping us to see, How we
little children can more loving be Good morning glorious sun, Good morning
glorious sun".

"Oh we wear brown velvet jackets in the fall And we grow up so slender straight
and tall For me cat tails grow in the marsh lands low And we wear brown velvet
jackets in the fall".

and

"One day as Mister Squirrel went up his tree to bed A very large hickory nut
fell upon his head "Although I'm fond of nuts", Mr. Squirrel there did say, "I
would much rather they did not come that way".

"Leave the spreading acorn tree Where birds and squirrels drink their tea Each
one takes a dainty sup From a tiny acorn cup".

"A little red leaf was afloat on a pond one autumn day A bright yellow
butterfly lit on the leaf And sailed away".

"Oh little squirrel with eyes so bright and bushy tail so round. - Why do you
gather all the nuts that fall upon the ground. I must prepare for winter's
cold, my harvest I must reap For when Jack Frost the forests claim, in my hole
I keep".

Nov. 5, 1910
     W. T. Adams died very suddenly at his home today of heart failure. I took
William up to see the Doctor today about a swelling on his neck. I bought him a
new pair of high top button shoes.

We had so much fun on Halloween. We made a jack o'lantern and went over to
Jensens, Bantas, Schmidts, Heinkins, Cronins and Davis's and scared them all.
He was so pleased he kept singing:

"Jack O'Lantern pumpkin head He is a fearful sight I'd think you'd be afraid To
meet him in the night By day he is a pumpkin But just you wait till night When
from his nose, his eyes his mouth There shines a yellow light".

Nov. 10, 1910
     We had Dr. Powers for William today. He says William has had tonsilitis.
He seems so much better tonight and I am so glad, poor little dear lamb. He
hasn't sung for four days and he hasn't played with his fair. He has a fair in
the big window. It is cut out of paper. He has races and ballgames and air
ships and stock. It is certainly fine.

Pearl Van Tassel and I went to Mason City Tuesday. I bought me a new dress -
black of course. It will be here tomorrow. Gene has been so good to ma and me
since we're here alone.

Nov. 12, 1910
     William was so sick last night we had Dr. P. again, his temperature was
103 or 104 and he felt so bad, the Dr. came again today and I think will come
tomorrow. He says William has tonsilitis and says he is a pretty sick baby, but
the darling seems better tonight and I am so glad, if he only will get well
I'll be so thankful.

Nov. 23, 1910
     William went out of doors yesterday for the first time since he has been
sick. He still has a bump on the right side of his neck. He is running back and
forth trying to blow Miss Netticoat out.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I don't know whether Nettie will come home or not.
Pearl and Ralph came over today. We tried to print pictures, but didn't have
any luck at all.

Leone (Ferris) got her diamond ring the other day and it is a very pretty one.
William has a pretty little song.

"Look on yonder grassy hill Stands the long armed turning mill The wind makes a
whistling sound Sends the long arms round and round".

Dec. 12, 1910
     Mrs. Wheeler died Dec. 5 after being sick since October, when she fell and
broke her hip. She was buried Dec. 8 and Mary leaves tonight for Melvin, Ill.
to stay with her brother. Dear Mary, I hate to have her go and don't see what
she has to look forward to.

Millie Ferris Davey has a 10-1/2 pound boy since Dec. 7. Mrs. Dobrin a girl and
Elmer Webb's folks a girl. Mrs. Clinton fell and broke her hip a week ago
yesterday. She is 78 years old. Mrs. Yerington fell and dislocated her shoulder
and broke her collar bone last Wednesday. Went up to Lows for supper Friday
evening. Leone was there and Sat. night Inez Pohl and Maryanne Taylor gave her
a miscellaneous shower. We had rolls, olives and cranberry jelly and coffee,
tutti fruiti imitation ice cream and clover leaf wafers and ice cream and cake.

Gene came over today and I took his picture. The market is low and he is
shipping cattle. William is in school. He has a sore eye though I don't know
what is wrong with it. Frank will be home for Christmas in a week or two. We
are having fine weather, just a little snow.

Leone is to be married a week from today, Dec. 19. She isn't feeling very well
either.

Leone was later tagged as a neurotic hypochondriac by Mayor, the last word
in those days. (EHM II)

William sings:

"Oh Columbus the sailor crossed the sea To find this land for you and me His
cradle boat rocked low and high The sea waves sing a lullaby God held the stars
like candles bright To guide Columbus thru the night".

"I ride away on my rocking horse From Darby town to Banberry cross Although I
ride on him all the day He never eats a bit of hay

I cry and get up and away we go. So fast I can hardly hold him Sometimes he'll
go after I call whoa And then I have to scold him".

I cry and get up and away we go. So fast I can hardly hold him Sometimes he'll
go after I call whoa And then I have to scold him".

"Who is so merry Heigh ho Heigh ho As a wee brownie Heigh ho Heigh ho In thru
your window he soon will go With a merry Heigh ho Heigh ho ho Here we go. Here
we go. Merry brownies in a row In and out In and out with a merry shout".

Dec. 26, 1910
     William had a good time this Christmas which came on Sunday. Frank and
Nettie both came home on Friday and Frank has just gone with Nettie now to take
the six-twenty train.

William had a Christmas tree and got a lot of things. He got "Aladin", The
Story of Jesus, The Beautiful Story of Jesus, The Golden Rod Story Book from
Alice and Don, Magic Dots and Drawing cards and a box of candy from Auntie, an
ax from Gene, a trolly car and track from Frank. The handkerchiefs from Mae
Cree, a spoon from Gramp, a cap from Grandma, a gun from Santa Claus and a
football from Uncle Frank. Nut crackers from Auntie and two tops from Uncle
Frank and Christmas cards from Mrs. Roe and Millard Dodge.

I got a handkerchief from Mrs. Dodge, one from Pearl, one from William, one
from Effie Ed. A book from Auntie, a garnet pin from Gene and a walrus skin
hand bag from Gene, a hand mirror from from Frank, sanitary face cloth and wash
cloth from Lou, apron from dear Jennie, and a Jabot from Mae Cree, cards from
Mrs. Roe and Mrs. Witman and Gramp and Leone.

I remember the pin, but do not know its fate. (EHM II)

Ma got a rug and teapot and collar and picture, scissors and stilletto from
Frank and thimble from Gene and box of ruches from Pearl.

We had turkey and plum pudding for dinner and Frank Wheeler was our only guest
and he was unexpected. William said to me "Mother, how did you know when I came
that you were my mother and not Auntie or Grandma." He cried hard tonight
because his Auntie went back to Vinton.

Gene took me out to Charley Fox's today. We went in the buggy. There is a
little snow, but not enough for a sleigh ride. He was looking for a sleigh
ride. He was looking after some steers he bought, then we drove around by Nan
Colas' and came home. We went up to look at Derwin Parks' new house which is
getting nearly done. I have had terribly sore feet lately. Pearl sent me such a
pretty present and I did not send her anything in return.

Dec. 30, 1910
     William made up a song:

"Good morning little rabbit Where are you going? I am going to the fields. What
do you want in the fields. I want my dinner. I eat leaves and grass. I eat the
things in the garden. My name is Bunny."

We went over to see Pearl today and we were up to the court house. Gene just
called up to see how we were. He was out last night to see me. Frank will be
here awhile yet. He is big and fat. William got a spoon from his Gramp out in
Collins and I got three handkerchiefs from Retta. Al Millet and Verna Parks
were married last week and Dell Patton is to be Deputy Sheriff.

"Go into the manger lighted by a star Joyful is the message spread the news
afar Listen to the anthem which the angels sing Christ is born among you.
Christ is born our king".

Jan. 10, 1911
     Pearl wanted to go to Iowa Falls today, so I went and took William. It was
his first ride on the train. My but he was a big boy, he enjoyed the train ride
and the bus ride just fine and ate in the restaurant like a little man. It was
just a fine day. I was so glad I took him, and it was so much nicer than to go
to Mason City.

Jan. 16, 1911
     William has a bad cold. Dr. Powers says he needs his tonsils taken out
terribly bad. He is so good when he is sick and trys so hard to swallow pills
and to take his medicine like a man.



PREV <==    NEXT ==>

Edna Clair Ferris - Beginnings
Edna Clair Ferris - Raising William
Edna Clair Ferris - Raising William 2
Edna Clair Ferris - Married Again
Edna Clair Ferris - Gene is Born
Edna Clair Ferris - Jud is Born War
Edna Clair Ferris - Peace
Edna Clair Ferris - Sickness
Edna Clair Ferris - The End is Near
Edna Clair Ferris - Epilogue


Preface to these. (Brief)
Ancient history and Introduction. (Long)
Ben Franklin Ferris - Memoir
Edna Clair Ferris - Diary
Mallory Home Page