May 7 -8, 1915

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Fri. May 7, 1915

Chilly and alternate sun and rain.

We (in the play) did not have to go to school today if we didn't want to. I went up about the 4th period and put in my time making a railing for the stairs. Home about 4 and back about 7. We got into our costumes and the were "made up" by some women for the costume co. We were some beauties believe me. There was a full house and the play went off fine and on schedule time. Everything was alright except that the audience would clap in the serious places "etc." Afterward we took our uniforms off and all (6) of us kids got around a table in a drug store and had a sunday. Then we sang "etc" and went home.

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Sat. May 8, 1915

Cool and cloudy - fire in the furnace last few days.

The Eng. passenger steamship Lusitania was torpedoed and sunk near Ireland yesterday by the Germans. It was one of the largest and fastest Trans-Atlantic boats and had 2000 on board. It is believed a great number of lives have been lost. Before it sailed from N.Y. advertisement were published and massages sent to prominent passengers that it would (word unclear) sunk.

We have had many customers for our place since that mistake add, but we can not get a very large payment down from anyone. We have (word unclear) that like the place and may sell it to them.

Turned off fine and sunny in afternoon and we had a large house for the second night of the play - about 7 or 800. We will make about $300. It went off fine again and us kids had another sunday after, a 15 cent one this time. Then home and to bed.

About 1200 went down with the Lusitania among them prominent people like Alfred Vanderbilt "etc." Since American lives were lost it cause a crisis in this country. We have plenty of provocation for going to war, but Wilson will keep out of it.

Alfred Vanderbilt is said to have given his life vest to a woman with a baby even though he could not swim.
He was Gloria Vanderbilt's Uncle ( and Anderson Cooper's great uncle) though he died before her birth