Feb. 20, 1915

Feb. 20, 1915

Grandpa had been wearing long pants, so I'm not sure why he needed short pants
for the party unless they were dressing up as kids.

Still on the verge of melting. Very slushy in some places - in fact most place.

Worked all day. I took violet to a kids party given by Miss Todd's class at the church. I had knickerbockers that I borrowed from Fred H. and a bow tie "etc". Cliff's class were the guests and we had a good time.

Pa left at 6 tonight for Madison, Wisconsin to visit his brother Merrill, whom he hasn't seen for 20 years or so. He just moved to Madison and Pa is going to surprise him.

Author note: Trying to find info. on Windom's brother Merrill. All I can find so far is he was born in 1862 (9 years older than Windom) and was likely the oldest sibling. Will keep looking and update if anything comes up.

Feb. 19, 1915

Feb. 19, 1915

Garrick Theatre in 1916 on right side

 Read my paper and was elected with Robert Elliot to support the affirmative in a regular debate on Tuesday next. I went down with the public affairs club and we had our pictures taken. Walt and I went to The Garrick then and saw some movies. Went up to the church in the eve with Cliff to club meeting. Late to bed. There were about 11 or 12 of us there.

Feb. 17 - 18, 1915

Feb. 17, 1915

 "Flock" of  WW I era airplanes

Fine and barely melting.

Worked a little on Pa's gas invention. Stayed for public affairs club and we had a short session. Decided to have our picture in The Hesperian [yearbook]. Home and Walt and I monkeyed around all afternoon. Read paper, got lessons, took bath, and to bed.

Still fighting in Europe. The Eastern armys are not progressing very much either way. In the West Germany is pushing Russia back. German warships have been cleared from the seas, but she has been very daring and has done considerable damage with her submarines. She also made a raid on the English coast, bombarding a few towns. Today I see a squad of 41 British and French flying machines has made a raid on German bases "etc". It must be great to see a flock of war aeroplanes like that sailing through the air.

Germany has declared a blockade on English ports which goes into effect tonight. On the other hand England has determined to put her whole fighting strength to work and blocked Germany and squelch them. She has only been using 1/3 of her resources so far.

Feb. 18, 1915

Warm and rather slushy.

Home and sat up until 11:30 writing a debate of on the right of the colonies to revolt.



Wikipedia description: For the first few months of the war, U-boat anticommerce actions observed the "prize rules" of the time, which governed the treatment of enemy civilian ships and their occupants. On 20 October 1914, SM U-17 sank the first merchant ship, the SS Glitra, off Norway.^[8] Surface commerce raiders were proving to be ineffective, and on 4 February 1915, the Kaiser assented to the declaration of a war zone in the waters around the British Isles. This was cited as a retaliation for British minefields and shipping blockades. Under the instructions given to U-boat captains, they could sink merchant ships, even potentially neutral ones, without warning.

In February 1915, a submarine U-6 (Lepsius) was rammed and both periscopes were destroyed off Beachy Head by the collier SS Thordis commanded by Captain John Bell RNR after firing a torpedo.^[9] On 7 May 1915, SM U-20 sank the liner RMS Lusitania. The sinking claimed 1,198 lives, 128 of them American civilians, and the attack of this unarmed civilian ship deeply shocked the Allies. According to the ship's manifest, Lusitania was carrying military cargo, though none of this information was relayed to the citizens of Britain and the United States who thought that the ship contained no ammunition or military weaponry whatsoever and it was an act of brutal murder. Munitions that it carried were thousands of crates full of ammunition for rifles, 3-inch artillery shells, and also various other standard ammunition used by infantry. The sinking of the Lusitania was widely used as propaganda against the German Empire and caused greater support for the war effort. A widespread reaction in the U.S was not seen until the attack on the ferry SS Sussex which carried many citizens of the United States of America.

Feb. 14 - 16, 1915

Hard to find early info on the YMCA in Minneapolis, but I did find this pin. 

Feb. 14, 1915

Snowed but it is still very slushy and wet. I had to do 2 or 3 blocks out of my way to get to church and then had to walk in the road. Got wet too. Heard good sermon on "Importance of Thoughts." Last Sunday the loose collection was the largest in the history of the church. Church is picking up fine. Had 4 in my class and got along fine. Taught on Jeremiah. Home, did lessons, read, "etc"

Feb. 15, 1915

Colder, slush is frozen.

Got my Trig. in afternoon. Played a little 500 with Stew and Ruth A. Went over and got Cliff for our club meeting. We went up, started a fire and talked. Selected subjects for future talks by the fellows. Stan was the only one there, others studying "etc"

Home, history lessons, to bed

Feb. 16, 1915

Fine and barely melting.

Monkeyed around in afternoon. Went to Y club and heard David R. Porter talk - very good.

Home, got lessons and to bed.

Authors note: David R. Porter was a major figure in the YMCA read more

Feb. 12 -13, 1915

Feb. 12, 1915

Sylvester Schaeffer was a famous Vaudevillian who did it all -juggler, magician, musician, acrobat and more

Lincoln's birthday - warm, but cloudy and not melting.

In the morning Stew and I walked down to the Lake of Isles and saw West [high school] beat North [high school] in Hockey to the tune of 3-1. We have the championship about scinched now. Not lost game. Home and went over to Stew and boxed about 6 rounds with him. He is nearly a foot taller than I and has a big advantage in reach. We were about even in the scrap. Then Walt, Stew, Ruth , and I play 500 and we beat.

Home and Pa and I went down to The Orpheum and saw Sylvester Shaffer from The "Roof Garden." He could do almost everything and was fine. Home and to bed.

Feb. 13, 1915

Rained last night and everything is all icy. Can't walk without breaking your neck. Started to rain in the m again before noon and kept it up all day. Water and Ice make journeying pretty hard.

Orpheum Theatre 1913

Feb. 7 - 10 1915

page from the yearbook

Feb. 7 1915

Fine and sunny day. Quite warm nearly melting.

Went to church and heard good sermon. Taught or tried to teach my class - 3 present. Home and read a story of a hike through Europe all rest of day.

Feb. 8 1915

Fine and sunny and warm.

Jim, Raney, and I left school early and walked over to central. I saw Mr. Glasley - looked over his shops and talked for a half hour we then monkeyed around the gym and took the car home. I did lessons and then at 7 P.X. Cliff called for me and we went to the church for a club meeting about 8. There- no eats this time. built a fire and sat around and talked. Cliff gave a good talk and enlightened us somewhat on some things. Then we talked some more had a little fun and came home. Did a little school work and to bed.

Feb. 9 1915

Fine and warm

Decided to take trigonometry so I get out at end of 5th period now. Went downtown in afternoon and bought trig books. Came home - studied - went down to Y club with Walt and Stew - home studied a little and to bed.

Feb. 10 1915

Up at 6:55 with my electric alarm which works fine. Sunny and very warm melting. Pa is inventing a gas heater and I worked on it a little in the shop at school today. Joined the public affairs club this afternoon. We have a miniature legislation and I took part in discussion several times today

Home - cards with Stew  Sup- Ma and Pa to meeting and me doing lessons

Feb. 3 - 6, 1915

Feb. 3, 1915

Quite warm, but windy. Came home at end of 4th period went skating with Stew. Walked across lake in about 1 ft. of snow. Hockey. We took car home. Pa and Mother to Science meeting. Did lessons and to bed.

Feb. 4, 1915

Very bad day. Warm and a wet snow is falling. Left school early and went to the Auto Show. It was good. Stayed there till about six. - Home and monkeyed around. Asked Ruth K go to the sleigh ride to be given by Cliff's class Saturday eve.

Feb. 5, 1915

Still bad weather. Came home - sat around and read.

Pa brought home some batteries and a bell and we fixed up an electric alarm clock connection with the clock down stairs. I have the bell and switch to shut it off in my room.

Feb. 6, 1915

Worked. Got off early and took Ruth to the sleigh ride. Pretty good time. It was a fine day and evening. I am gaining in weight now weigh 120 again.

Jan. 31 - Feb.2, 1915

Jan. 31, 1915

This is an Auto Show in Cleveland, OH in 1915. Looks like electric cars had a lot of spots!

Went to church by myself. Taught my Sunday school class about Hezekiah. Home and read all afternoon and eve. Snowed

Auto show is this week. I have a book that I am reading entitled " Starting In Life" which tells the good and bad points of different professions "etc." I am trying to decide what to be.


Feb. 1, 1915

Warmer, but very windy.

Cliff, Glen and I started to go skating, but there was no path across lake and windy so we gave it up. Cliff and I played games. He called for me and we went up to church for a Bean supper and club meeting with his class. We had a nice fire in the fireplace, good supper and then we gathered around in a semi-circle and Cliff gave a talk on making a man out of yourself "etc". It was fine and the boys were very much impressed. He does them a deal of good, alright. About 10 or 11 of us there. We played games "etc" afterwards and had good time. Sang and raced "etc". Home about 11 PM.

Feb. 2, 1915

Quite warm. Home early and read. A man tuned the piano. Went to the Y Club and heard Gov. Hammond give a speech. Home and to bed

Jan. 28 - 30, 1915

Jan. 28, 1915



Still very cold. I am only going to take the 3 subjects this term.

Cliff's Sunday school class was going to have a sleigh ride party to-night, but we put it off because of the cold.

I met mother downtown and we went to The Shubert and saw CHARLEY'S AUNT. Home - Monkeyed around

Author note: CHARLEY"S AUNT was a stage play from the 1890s. There was a silent short of it released in 1915 starring Oliver Hardy (of Laurel and Hardy) so I am not sure which they went to see. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find any film of the 1915 silent short. Here is more info on the play and many film versions.



Jan. 29, 1915

Went skating had good game of Hockey and home.

Cliff came over and we 4 played 500. Pa and I beat one game and Cliff and mother the other.


Jan. 30, 1915

Snowed. Worked all day

Jan. 25 -27, 1915

Jan. 25, 1915

Started new term in school. Short periods. Am taking Civics, Solid Geometry and US history. I was going to take architectural drawing, but there is no class so I can't. As it is I have the 5th, 6th, and 7th period vacant as well as the 3rd.

Came home - went downtown and got my eye examined. He said that I was far-sighted and thus my vision for distant was excellent, but close work would bother me. He said that an Occulist could probably fix them all-right with treatments. I do not know what to do at present.

Jan. 26, 1915

Pretty cold. I think I will take shorthand for a 4th subject.

Went skating and played hockey. Came home and went to Sunday school meeting at Mr. Wiley's with Cliff. Had good eats and we discussed things with the new pastor (Mr. Blair)

Jan. 27, 1915

Very cold. Was 20 below at noon. Went skating, but did not do much of it - too cold.

Stew and I scrapped all the way how- good naturedly. Read paper "etc"

Yesterday President Wilson talked by direct wire with some official of the Exposition of San Francisco. Regular service will begin soon between New York and San Francisco and also between here and S.F. Cost = $20 for 3 min. and $6.75 for each additional minute.


Author Note: The first transcontinental phone call took place January 25, 1915 I think that is what my grandfather is talking about in this last entry."Four different individuals participated in this historic event: Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone (in New York, NY), Thomas Watson, Bell’s former assistant (in San Francisco, CA), Theodore Vail, president of AT&T; (from Jekyll Island, GA), and President Woodrow Wilson (from Washington, DC). 

Bell was asked to repeat the first words ever spoken on a telephone. On the first phone call he said to his assistant, “Mr. Watson, come here, I want you.” This time Watson, now in San Francisco, responded, “It would take me a week now!” Also the $20 from 1915 would be about $500 today. Link to more info

Jan. 24, 1915

Jan. 24, 1915

1912 From left back row: Floyd Everitt, Windom Crane, Ethel Griggs Everitt
From Left front row: Truman Griggs and Florence Griggs Crane

Up 8:30. Pa to C.S. Church. Mother and I up to Lynn. and heard Dr. Blair. We were there on time for once and will always be after this. Large congregation. Fine sermon on the Prince of Promises. ("All things work together for good to them that love God") Chas. Greenlaw divided his class in two and I will take one half next Sunday.

Pa and I walked out to Richfield in the afternoon. Wrote a letter to True in eve.

Author note: I think my grandfather is talking about his maternal grandfather, Truman Griggs, when he mentions writing True.

Jan. 21 - 23, 1915

Jan. 21, 1915

Last day of school for the first term. No school tomorrow. Got my card - average of 80% in LIT II, 85 in machine, 89 in Roman History, 90 in Algebra III.

Came home and played hockey. Went with Walt to the graduation in eve at West [ High School].

Jan. 22, 1915

Up late. Worked around the house in the morning. Started to go skating and found my skates loose so had to tighten them up. Played hockey. Home.

Jan. 21, 1915

Worked. about 17 below in A.M. Set the alarm of the clock I fixed up for 6:15. Laid awake half the night waiting for it to go off. When it did I turned over and went to sleep and was late for work.

Jan. 19, 1915

Grandpa's house in Minneapolis which still stands today. 4912 Emerson Ave. 

Jan. 19, 1915



Same temperature

Katherine said is alright again. Went downtown in afternoon and got 75 cent hockey stick with 25 extra for my 50 cent one that I broke. I walked down to the new post office and then back to the library where I read then to Y club. The church is certainly fortunate to get such a good worker (Rev. W. Walter Blair). He will do wonders for it. Already I have heard several men who have not been attending church speak very enthusiastically and pledge their support. I am going every Sunday and I was offered a class to teach a Sunday School  which I think I will do.

Pa brought home the picture I took recently of the house, iceboat, skating, and art museum and they are the best I have ever snapped.

I think this and the photo above are some of the one grandpa mentions. I'm guessing this is one of his friends.

Jan. 18, 1915

Jan. 18, 1915

This was a popular fake Yiddish vaudville song and what I think grandpa means when he write Is Ka Bibble (AKA I Should Worry).

Quite cold. In fact very snappy, but clear.

Late for school so I did not go to my first per. (A room) went to mch. room instead and worked on my hammer. Katherine said she was mad because I didn't go home with her Friday "etc" "Is Ka Bibble."

I went downtown and got my grad pictures they are good ( 2 doz). Bought some tape and this ink. Home and Stew and I walked across the lake in the snow and went skating. I let him take my old hockey stick. He let another kid take it and he broke it. Mine was also broke to pieces in a mix - it was no good and I am going to try another for it.

Stew and I walked home by the 43rd path and sang all the way. Pa and I each beat 2 games of "High low" am going to take a bawth now and then I will retiah (he spelled both bath and retire like this. It must be his little joke)

Author note: Isch Ga-bibble has a long story the name was adapted by a comedian in the 30s who sang the song in his act and he may be the inspiration for Mad Magazine's Alfred E. Neuman "What, Me Worry."

The expression “ische ga bibble” is not Yiddish and contains no Yiddish words at all. However, there is a Yiddish expression, “nisht gefidlt,” meaning “it doesn’t matter to me,” from which the term “ish kabibble” may derive.

Hear the song here!

Jan. 15, 1915

Jan. 15, 1915

My grandfather had such a hard time with that hockey stick I thought we should have a look at them.

Dull and warm, but quite a few degrees below freezing.

I went to English class for the last time today. Did not shed any parting tears. Went downtown and bought a new hockey stick. Went skating and played hockey for awhile. Met Glen and he later skated with Bernice so I skated with Ruth. we skated for about 1/2 hour and then the Tegal Kid took us ice boating. Went back to warming house and Glen and I skated across.Bernice and Ruth came over and I monkeyed around with them for awhile and then walked home with them.

In the eve. Pa, Mother, and I played 500. I had all the luck - had the joker every time and a lot to back it up. Pa got brave once and to bed, I no trumps and 2 tricks. I got 7 and 8 every time (unclear word) 1 or 2. To Bed

Jan. 13 - 14, 1915

Jan. 13, 1915

Warm and sunny - melting

Auditorium today and heard Casey Jones spiel about the 1915 Hesperian. I subscribed today - 60 cents. Yesterday the president of Dartmouth college spoke to us and he talked very well.

 Rode down and walked over with Katherine today. Walked downtown - bought a toothbrush - came home found out Quist wanted me so went up at 4:30. Read paper "etc" in eve and to bed.

Mother and Pa to meeting tonight. They went to Bainbridge last night and saw a very good play.

Jan. 14, 1915



Sunny, but a little cool.

Came home - went skating. Played hockey till about 5pm. Smashed my ... stick. Home, read, and to bed early.

About yesterday there was a terrible earthquake in Italy about 20,000 killed.

Author note from Wiki: The 1915 Avezzano earthquake occurred on 13 January in central Italy at 07:52:42 local time. The shock had a moment magnitude of 6.7 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme). The epicenter was located in the town of Avezzano (which was destroyed) in the Province of L'Aquila. Around 30,000 direct fatalities and $60 million in damage resulted from the earthquake.

Jan. 12, 1915

Jan. 12, 1915

Scene from 1914 Julius Caesar

Very hard S.E. wind, but warm.

During 1 per. I went over to Central and looked around. I asked Katherine to go there and see JULIUS CAESAR (film) this evening. She said she could this A.M.

Home and down to the lake ice boating with Dewey. Some wind and some speed. Our side beam was nearly 10 feet in the air once, but we didn't go over. Played hockey a little.

Came back 5 pm home - got ready - called Katherine G. and then Walt and I went to the Y club. Heard a fine talk on Copying and following after others "etc". Called up Katherine G. again to see for sure whether she could go. She said yes. Went up and got her and we had pleasant eve.

Home 11 or a little later (11:30). Pa and Ma went off someplace tonight and are not home yet - 12 PX. I am going to retirah (he spelled it funny like that) - Good night

Here's the 1914 film Julius Caesar

Jan. 11,1915

Jan. 11, 1915

Glen Glasby enlisted in the Navy in1917. He died of ascending paralysis caused by poison in the system as result of the Flu.

Sunny and warm - melting a little. Took my skates down and got them sharpened - Home - met Glen Glasby at Lyn & Lake (Shopping district) and we saw CLiff in the car. Fat and Cliff in 1 seat Glen and I in the one behind and Stew sittin g in our laps. That the way we went home. We four went skating and had good hockey game in aft. Tired and to bed early.

Jan. 8 - 10, 1915

Jan. 8, 1915

THE BIRTH OF A NATION was the top grossing film of 1915

Mild but freezing.

Went skating with Stew in the afternoon - played hockey. Walt and I went to the Jan. senior entertainment in the eve. It was motion pictures with singing by the U. of M. quartet. Home at 10PM.

Jan. 10 , 1915

Very mild but cloudy.

Up and took bawth (he put that w in)
Mother ans I went to lyn. church.Pa to C.S. Ma and Pa quite friendly for a change. They went over to Eddey's and Guilford's this afternoon. I stayed and did lessons. I walked down to Knight's ( this may be the Knight's Templar Masonic Temple) about 6:30 - 7. Met Stew and we walked home. Did more lessons and to bed.

Jan. 4 -5, 1915

Jan. 4, 1915

Minneapolis 6th street in 1915

Bright and melting quite a bit. Strong South wind.

Back to school. Came home, got my skates and went skating. Skate across and found a kid with my hockey stick someone stole on new years day. Played hockey at the rinks over there. Came back and us kids monkeyed around.

Home - sup - very sleepy so skipped lessons and to bed.

Jan. 5, 1915

It is very warm and has been raining all day. Snow is nearly all melted. Only a few days ago it was 22 below zero.

I have had eye - headache all day. Went downtown after the 6 per. and ordered my pictures - bought 2 pair sox and came home. Lay around all afternoon and to bed early.

Jan. 2 - 3, 1915

Jan. 2, 1915

Worked all day. Quite mild - about 8 below in early AM

I have worked 5 days this vacation and made $11.00 . I forgot I got proofs of my grad pictures Thursday and 3 of them are pretty good. Have not decided on one yet. To bed 12 MX.

NOTE: $11 in 1914 is worth about $260 in 2020

Jan. 3, 1915

Fine mild day. Got up late and read all day.

Mother and I went up to little Episcopal church on 46th st. at 5 pm and heard Dr. Johnson speak - He was fine. He said that our lives had to have 3 dimensions length, width, and height or depth. Length was our purpose and our aim. Our width was the extent of good, our feeling and helpfulness to those around us and our height was our reverence and our depth our humility. He illustrated his talk very concretely so that it stays with a person.

We then called on Bushnell's and they were glad to see us. Came home and I read and went to bed 9:45

Jan. 1, 1915

Jan. 1, 1915

One of my grandfather's photos of iceboating

FRIDAY NEW YEARS DAY
I got up late. It was quite windy so I made a sail and took it down to the lake to sail on skates. I found that there was a terrible hard west wind down there and the N. and S. path was all blown over so I went ice boating with Willard and Dewey. It was great. We sure did hit the high spots.

I came home and we had dinner. I went back and walked over to the warming house - put on my skates and monkeyed around back and forth with Frank Hutchinson, but the main rink and 48 st. In the later part of the afternoon Lawrence Freeman came down and we went across and skated with Bernice and Ruth who were over there. We came home about 6. I came up with them and stopped Randall's while Bernice changed (Words unclear could be " two swaps"). They wanted to skate again in the eve. So I volunteered to take them down. Called for Bernice 7:45 and we called for Ruth - went down - skated across and skated around all evening until about 9:30 or 10.

Came home and to bed. In the afternoon someone swiped my hockey stick, but some kids saw the one who took it and I will get it back. I hope.

Temp was mild except for the west wind.

Dec. 31, 1914

Dec. 31, 1914

Mother was sick last night and I did not get much repose on the mattress. I got up late and called up Quist to see if I had to work. He said yes, so I got dressed - got a little breakfast and went up at 8:30. Home at 7pm. Mother was up all day, but retired before supper time. Pa and I got sup.
Moderate temp - little above zero I suppose.

Author Note: Doesn't sound like much of a New Years Eve, but he doesn't complain so maybe they weren't big on that then...

Dec. 30, 1914

Dec. 30, 1914

Harold Crane High School Graduating photo 1914

Medium temperature. Got up late.

About noon I went down to Rembrants' Studio and had my graduating pictures taken. I then bought a film and a shirt. Came home about 4pm.

About 6 I pressed my pants and changed my shirt to go to Gertrude Nielsen's party. On my way there I met Bernice - which was lucky because Gertrude lives with Darr's and I never would have gone there, but Bernice cleared up the mystery all right.

We had a fine time - Fred Fish, Freeman, Poley, Burgh, "etc" were there. We had to make our own refreshments and I had to help make a cream whip - "fun." After the eats we played games "etc" and departed at 12 P.X. I took Bernice home.

The Darr's family home and garden. This house still stands the address is now 5025.

Dec. 28 -29, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Quite warm and grey fine day for skating. I went down in the afternoon and had a fine time with a couple of little kids "etc..."

I got an invite from Gertrude Nielsen for Wednesday eve. I am not sure who she is, but I will risk it.

Pa, Mother and I played 500 in eve and I won. Pa and I also played a few games of H.L.J.G

The Loeb Arcade was a brand new shopping mall in 1914. Some claim in was the first indoor mall.

Dec. 29, 2014

Colder and hard west wind.

Mother and I went downtown about 11. I got my shoes tapped and a haircut and a crystal for my watch. (Word unclear) then went down into the arcade cafeteria and got some soup and pie and then we got 2 boxes of candy to send to Aunt May and Aunt Ethel.

I came home and went skating. Met R.R. and nother girl down there - froze my hands putting on skates and then we skated across against the wind to the warming house. Came back soom. Home. Monkeyed around. To bed

Click here for more on the Loeb Arcade

Dec. 27, 1914

Dec. 27, 1914



Nice bright day only about 2 or 3 below. Got up late read paper etc... Pa went to church. Mother and I went to the vesper service at Plymouth Cong. Church. Came home sat around in fireplace - read and to bed.

In the AM I found an old alarm clock in the attic - brought it down - took it apart - oiled it up and made it run.

I forgot we got 2 Christmas boxes from out West [from his grandfather and family] Saturday. Aunt May sent me a fine tie and I got a leather cover photo album from Floyd [cousin]. Mother got a fine leather pillow with "I Love You, Cal" on it and a box of stationary from May and a house cap and another pillow from Ethel [Aunt]. On Xmas day we also received a sack of walnuts from Clint [cousin].

Dec. 24 -25, 1914

Dec. 24, 1914

About 12 below in the AM. Worked all day. Busy in the morning, fair in the afternoon. Home about 7 was bright and sunny all day.

I am looking after Mrs Treat's furnace and house till Monday. Went down to the drugstore and bought a card for Kathryn Graves. Came home trimmed up our small xmas tree.

My grandfather couldn't have known about this, but on Christmas 1914 a group of German and British soldiers had a temporary truce to celebrate together; singing and sharing cigarettes and having this photo taken.

Dec. 25, 1914

A beautiful bright Xmas day. Only 17 below in the early AM about 6 below all day.

Mother gave me a hockey cap and stick, a box of candy, and a stick pin and a tie clasp. I got up late, monkeyed around and we had dinner - Turkey etc... and apple pie a-la-mode.

Late in the afternoon I went skating on Harriet for an hour or so. Monkeyed around in eve - looked after Mrs. Treats furnace etc...

This Xmas was distinguished by a very free giving spirit, especially to the poor in this city and also by the war in Europe.


Authors note: You can read more about the Christmas 1914 Truce Here.

Dec. 22, 1914

Dec. 22, 1914

THE BLUE BIRD opened on Broadway in 1910

Stew and I went skating. Mother and I went to The Bainbridge and saw THE BLUE BIRD. It was fine. I bought presents for mother and we came home.

You can see the same image is used to advertise at center

Authors note: THE BLUE BIRD was made into a silent film in 1910 and 1918 and more famously Shirley Temple was in a 1940 film version. I believe in 1914 my grandfather is seeing a live touring production.

Dec. 18 - 20, 1914

Dec. 18, 1914

Street view of Minneapolis, MN in 1910

Warmer - but still cold

Short [school] periods. Out at 12 for 2 weeks vacation. Went downtown and met Mother, looked around a little and came home. I went skating - Skated with R.A. and then played prisoner base all afternoon till I blistered my heel. Went over to Cliffs and we played "carems" etc... all eve.

Carem board. It's played with sticks a bit like pool.

Dec. 20, 1914

Cold and clear - snowed hard in afternoon and is still coming down. Will be some sleighing tomorrow.

Chas. Greenlaw wanted me to teach his class and I did. Had nine kids about 10-12 yrs. Taught in the birth of Christ. Sat around and read

Dec 17th, 1914

Dec 17th, 1914

Cold and clear.

Had algebra test. As my average was above 90% for the 1st three months I do not have to write out any more for the last month as long as I keep above 75 on the tests. My luck has kept me above so far and I have not hardly looked at my books in 2 weeks.

I came home in Aft. and went skating on Harriet. It was fine. Only little patches of snow on the lake. We played prisoners base all afternoon.

Dec. 16, 1914

Dec. 16, 1914

View from top of Toboggan run at Harriet Lake. 

Cold - below zero. Quite a bit

I went downtown with Stew to see about how out petition about the warming house came out. We - after some hesitation "etc..." went in to the parks  board meeting and sat around for an hour or two listening to them gas. Then we vamoosed and went to (word unclear) office and learned that they had already referred it to committee. Later we learn that as there were 3000 already they could not go to anymore expense.

Came home and late to bed

Author note: The photos of Lake Harriet do seem to show a small warming house or maybe it is some other kind of storage. I like to think the boys got their warming house at some point.

Dec. 14, 1914

Skates that came from my grandparents basement

Dec. 14, 1914

About 14 below zero. Only a little seattend (?) snow on the ground. Harriet frozen about 4-5", I guess.

I went downtown and got $1.50 from Pa. Bought skate shoes $2.00 and skates $2.25. They are dandy. Came home and fixed them on.

Read paper and to bed.

Photo: The skates pictured were rescued from my grandparents basement by my sister when they moved in the 1980s. It is highly likely these are the skates my grandfather is describing buying in this entry. $5 in 1914 is about $125 today and if you know my family you are not surprised he held on to these even after moving to California.

Dec. 9 -11, 1914

Lake Harriet Toboggan Slide Run 1914

Dec. 9th, 1914

Cold and snowing slightly. Harriet Not Frozen yet. Walt, Stew, Fred, H. and I monkeyed around in afternoon, walking down to lake. I went with mother to meeting. Pa came home with us.

Dec. 11th, 1914

Cold. Lake all frozen. Walked home with Kathryn Graves. Home later Stew and I went down to the lake.

Dec. 7, 1914

December 7th, 1914

Donaldson's Department Store 1920

Rode down with Kathryn Graves went to Donaldson's and saw moving pictures in sub-way. Came home and went out for awhile with Stew with a petition for a warming house.

Note from Wiki: Like other early twentieth-century department stores, Donaldson’s was not merely a shop that sold household goods and quality clothing. Rather, it was a public center that hosted civic and cultural affairs. It provided a venue for fashion shows, art collections, special exhibits, Christmas programs, and lectures.

Warming House: From my research this look like a small hut to warm yourself at outdoor skating rinks. Sounds like they were trying to get one for their local skating lake.

Dec. 2 - 4, 1914

I believe this is Kathryn Graves (early 1920s)

Dec 2.

Taught History class. (word unclear) of the teachers have bean letting classes teach themselves lately and I was elected to teach history class today. Got 100 in monthly algebra test. Further acquainted with Kathryn.
Came home and rode bike around lake for exercise, did lessons, and to bed. A little cooler 32 still cloudy.


Dec. 3
Rode down with Kathryn went to pub. library and monkeyed around. Came home - Cliff came over and we kicked football - each beat 1 game of checkers. Bandy Morgan came and called for him.
Sat up looking over college courses and trying to decide what to be.

Dec. 4
Got A average for 1st 3 months and don;t have to write out anymore daily work. Got University catalogues for Mr. Jordan and looked over courses. Guess that I will take engineering course.
Walked home with Kathryn, met mother, bought working pants and came home.
We got a letter from Aunt Ethel - more optimistic than usual. Grandpa has traded the Ford that I drove while out there for a " Studebaker" with electric starter etc.. Wish I was out there now to drive it. Clint got fines 10 plunks for speeding.

Dec. 1, 1914

Cloudy and warm
Got acquainted with Kathryn Graves. Rode down on the car with her. Met mother and we went to The Grand. Went to the Y CLUB and heard a Dr. Fischer talk on making the most of life spiritually. Good discussion.
Came Home - did lessons and to bed.

Here's what the street cars in Minneapolis looked like back in the early teens when my grandfather was chatting up girls.

November 26, 1914 Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving
Very warm about 60-65.
Pa and Ma to church in AM. I shingled a little.
Had a big duck dinner. Pa and I played tennis in the afternoon. Each got 1 set. Cliff beat me one set 7-5. I went over and we played handball in Cliff's basement until 6pm. Sat around in eve.
Peace and prosperity in America
War and desolation in Europe.

Nov. 15, 1914

Very hard west wind. Very cold but clear.
Pa bought a brown mackinaw- Looks funny on him.
Has been little edge on H. for last (word unclear). Pa has adopted absolute silence. Out this PM. Left about 8pm. Gone?

Brown Mackinaw: Funny he would say it looked funny on his father as it's just the kind of thing he wore when I knew him in the 70s.

Nov. 6 1914

Fine and cool. Went to the West-Central game. We beat 15-0. Parade after game. We all walked down to Lake St. We had some fun in Bryant car, too. I went to the Shubert in eve and had some fun. Good Show - BABY MINE.


Here is a production still from BABY MINE's Broadway production in 1910.

Nov. 1 - 4, 1914

Nov. 1

Bright and warm.
Mother and I went to Lynn. Congregational Church. Pretty Desolate and Gloomy. No spirit.
We went to the symphony in the afternoon. Pretty Good.

Nov. 3

Fine and Warm
Vacation - Election Day
Pa is an election clerk all day and till midnight, I guess.
I monkeyed with Cliff and football in AM and shingled part of the garage the rest of the day.
Nearly done.
Lesson and to bed

Nov. 4

Mayor Wallace Nye

Hard wind.
Pa got home from election work about 5:45 am.
Hammond is Governor
Nye mayor
The democrats have lost a large majority in congress.
We got a box of nuts and oranges from Aunt Ethel today.

Oct 28, 29, 30 1914

Wed. Oct 28

Clear & little warmer.

Had Hist. & Alg test. Heard (unclear word) lecture on conservation of forests by a C.H.S Gazebelle.

Walt, Cliff, I & a kid for center had a  whirlwind signal practice. We & Newell Clark played kick goal earlier in aft. Cup came down & Walt, Cup, Cliff & I had H.L.J.Q game. Walt was 24 & I was 10. He made a slam and beat. 

Ma to 2nd church. Pa to L. St. one. Me to my lessons.

Author notes: 

From high school yearbook:
Newell CLARK was graduated from West in January, 1918, and joined the U. S. Marines the same day. In three months he won the expert marksman medal and was sent to do guard duty at the Prison Detachment at Portsmouth, H.H. Here he became a victim of the influenza and died October 1, 1918.

Gordon Bates Class President West High Yearbook photo and tag line. 

Thurs. Oct 29

Clear & Fine

Had class elections. Gordon Bates Pres. Saw cross country run with central.

Home and went down to lake with Walt & brot home rest of pillows 'etc'.

Wrote letter to Truman.

Author Notes:

Based on the 1940 census Gordon went on to marry and have 3 children and become president of a shoe store. He died in Pomona, Ca in 1967.

Fri. Oct 30

Fine & quite warm

Fred, Cup, Walt, Ann, Jay & I beat canoe up on our shoulders in cal. ( Author note: probably referring to Lake Calhoun)

Beat Pa 5 games on High, low "etc".

Oct 27 1914

Oct 27

Clear & cool

Played kick goal with Cliff in the aft. Then to the Bean Club & heard talk on "Wasting Time". Stayed & did lessons.

Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan

Winifield Scott Hammond

Pa called for me at 8:20 & we (unclear word) to auditorium to hear Bryan. Suppose to have ticket but we went around to the side & a man came out & told about 12 of us that there were a few seats in 2nd bal. We went in & left the mob in front behind. Heard Hammond (running for governor) talk & then Bryan came. He was fine. Talked on the necessity for Democratic Comgress to help Wilson carry out his good works the next two years.

Home at 11:30

Oct. 24, 25, & 26 1914

Sat. Oct 24

Worked. Nice Day. Turned out quite warm. $2.25 not much to do.

Sun. Oct 25

Fine & a little cool. Had my new clothes on but did not go out of house. Read paper & did lessons all day. West beat East yesterday 33 to 0. Minnesota beat Iowa 7 to 0. There was a 100 mile race at fair grounds yesterday. The record was broken for that distance.

Mon. Oct 26

Cold but bright. About freezing (33 or 4) all day. 

Jay is not going to take his gas car to school any more so I took Horace Lowry taxi.
Wore my new suit, & brown hat - but got mad at hat & bought a cap in afternoon. Walked to town from school. Also got a school book (unclear word, likely the text book he got) Came home & Stew, Walt, Cliff & I had good signal practice & scrimmage lots of fun.

Did lessons & to bed.

Author note: At this time Horace Lowry was the president of the Twin City Rapid Transportation Company. So I think a Horace Lowry Taxi means the street car.

Oct 22 & 23 1914

The Ford is my shepherd... Grandpa was a car guy for sure!

Thursday Oct 22

No school, teachers convention.

Rainy but warm.

Took new pants and vest down town to be tailored.

Wrote a letter to Mr. Hargreve in aft. Wrote a parody on the 23 Psalm in favor of the Ford in answer to one True sent me. Am going to send it to the Co.

Author note: I'm guessing this last part means grandpa sent his parody to Ford Motor Cars. I found in 1917 there is a record of this 23 psalm Ford parody. Probably not grandpa's but still fun to read.

The Ford is my car;
I shall not want another.
It maketh me to lie down in wet places;
It soileth my soul;
It leadeth me into deep waters;
It leadeth me into paths of ridicule for its namesake;
It prepareth a breakdown for me in the presence of mine enemies.
Yea, though I run through the valleys, I am towed up the hill;
I fear great evil when it is with me.
Its rods and its engines discomfort me;
It annointeth my face with oil;
Its tank runneth over.
Surely to goodness if this thing follow me all the days of my life,
I shall dwell in the house of the insane forever.



Friday Oct 23.

Cloudy and threatening very warm in morning but colder in aft. 

Stew, Walt & I monkeyed with foot ball this am signal practice "etc".

Arnold & I played kick goal in aft. Cliff came over & we three played a few games of H.L.J & Q

I wrote comp today. Sat around with mother  & recalled old times most of  evening. Pa had to work.

Oct 19, 20, 21, 1914

Because there was a time you took your pen in for repairs...

Monday Oct 19

Excellent & very warm

Rode to school - 48 (unclear word) Deep. Went around L. of the Isles.

Got haircut & walked down town. Bought deck of cards & left my fountain pen to be fixed.(bent the (unclear word) back the other day)

Came home, lessons & bath.

Letter from Aunt Ethel. She does not like her life in Cal. at all. Every letter is despondent.

Tuesday Oct 20

Fine  & warm. On way to school we ran out of gas. Jay had to walk down to 35 or 6 & get some. Were 1 or 2 min late.

Went down town & looked at some clothes. Have not decided on one yet. Got my pen again. Went out to bean club & heard "Jim" talk on profanity.

Home, lessons & to bed

Wednesday Oct 21

Fine & warm

Ride to and from with Jay. In aft. we took a spin went to the Minn. River. Fine scenery. Came home pretty fast. We stopped at a store in Richfield & Harry Townsend drove up & said we had scared his horse & dumped two (unclear word maybe dailies) out of the back. Another auto took them to a Doc. to see if anything was the matter I guess. He was mad & going to make trouble. Jay was scared. I guess it will be alright tho.

Decided on my suit in the aft. went to 2nd meeting in evening with mother.