May 29 -31, 1915

Sat. May 29, 1915

Dull and threatening

Painted lower part of porch - varnished gunwhales of my canoe "etc." In eve copied data out of Country Gentleman.

Sun. May 30, 1915

Sunny and fine - warm

Memorial Day. Had 2 in my class. Stayed to church and then home. In the aft. Mr. Hovelman told me that I could take his car all aft. and he even insisted that I take a dollar to buy some gasoline with. I took Mother down to Lake St. and then out Lyndale to Savage - She enjoyed in immensely. Came back and then took Pa put there too. Taught him to drive and he would steer one way when he meant to turn another.Had several narrow escapes, but he finally got it pretty good. Home and read "etc." Heard strains of music so I hopped on my bike and rode over to the pavilion where the working boys band was playing. Crowds "etc" just like in the Summer season. Home and to bed.

The Christian

Mon. May 31, 1915

Fine, excellent sunny and warm

Holiday for Memorial celebration. Tightened up Hovelman's car a little in the A.M. Worked on the garage all day. Pa painted on the house. In the eve we 3 went down to the Calhoun Theatre and saw "The Christian." Home and to bed.

Germany's reply to our note of protest about the attacking of the Gunlight, Cushing, Faluba, and the sinking of The Lusitania has been received. She says that the commanders of the American boats acted mysteriously "etc" but that they were fixed upon by mistake. She says also the The Lusitania had concealed guns and Canadian troops on board and that the explosion of the ammunition which she should not have carried as a passenger ship caused her quick sinking. Germany evade the main issue and is trying to open up long diplomatic discussions. Pres. Wilson is now preparing a stern reply.
We are going to take a hand in Mexico I guess, because the people are starving and there seems to be no sign of peace as yet. We sent a message to them demanding peace "etc."

Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata who were fighting for control in May 1915 during the Mexican Revolution 

May 26 - 28, 1915

1915 Studebaker ad

Wed, May 26, 1915

Sunny and Fine

Rode my bike. Put some aluminium paint on my canoe in the afternoon. Took quite a drive with Hovelman in the eve. Drove halfway myself. Got letter from Aunt Ethel and pictures of bungalow she is trying to get on a trade - also pictures of Grandpa's new Studebaker. She said she has a beau now and was taking her out. - Read, pasted picture in my album and to bed

Thurs, May 27, 1915

Windy, but sunny - cool

Rode my bike - went down and tried on my new suit to see if it needed further altering. Home and read - made index for my photograph album in eve and to bed.






Fri. May 28, 1915

Rain

I appointed Bob Elliot and Alice Rockford in my committee of which I was elected chairman Wed.  We have to arrange for a picnic to Mendota for our History class. Home and read. Went up to church for Bible lecture - Home and to bed.

May 23 - 25, 1915

The new Pickford film Grandpa and his Mother go to see.

Sun. May 23, 1915

Fine and warm

Had 3 in my class, but Mr. Greenlaw was sick so I took his too. Did not stay to church because Mother was sick and nervous. Home - stay with Mother nearly all afternoon. Walked down to lake and walked up with Leone. - Home, read, lessons, to bed.

Mon. May 24, 1915

Fine and warm - regular Summer

Rode my bike - Auditorium celebration over our Twin City track victory last Saturday at Northfield.
Went up to church in eve - Cliff talked - to bed.

Tues. May 25, 1915

Rainy and cold all day

HOme and took my new suit down with Mother to have it fitted better. We went to The Lyric and saw Mary Pickford in "Fachon The Crickett" - Home - read and to bed.

Italy has entered the war now for the selfish notion of grabbing some land from Austria-Hungary.

Here's a clip from FACHON THE CRICKET.

May 19 -22, 1915

Wed. May 19, 1915

Quite a bit warmer 

Rode down with Hovelman -felt good - got haircut, Home and told and watched Hovelman grease up his car all aft. Played two games of checkers with Cliff in eve and won 1. Lessons and to bed.

Thurs. May 20, 1915

Bad cold and rainy - wore my overcoat

Home and then Mother and I went down to The Strand - saw a real train wreck in the pictures - Home - lessons and to bed.

Sat. May 21, 1915

Rainy and bad -  overcoat again

Mother came down to hear 800 pupils sing The Messiah - I took tickets. - Then I went down to The Grand. - Home and up to lecture on Bible. - Home and to bed.

Fri. May 22, 1915

Warmer and sunny most of the day

Painted my canoe. Cleared out the eves and worked on the garage - to bed.

Author Note: Not sure if this is the train wreck my grandfather saw at The Strand, but here is one from a 1913 film.

May 16 - 18, 1915

Sun. May 16, 1915

Dull and pretty cold.

Was men's Sunday out here and Mr. Blair preached on "What Is Success." Taught Sunday School class and came home. Got lessons in eve and to bed.

Mon May 17, 1915

Cold and sunny in A.M.

Got up with a sore throat and headache - threw up - had too much cake with pie plant [rhubarb] sauce on top the night before - went to bed - threw up twice again - in bed all day. Turned dull and in eve. blew hard North West wind - Snowed.

Tues. May 18, 1915

Sunny but cold. Snow still on ground and melting slowly.

Feel pretty good. To school 3 per. Home early - took bike ride by the lake. A little warmer in aft. and sunny. Lessons and to bed.

May 13 -15, 1915

May 1915 political cartoon

Thurs. May 13, 1915

Cooler, but fine.

Rode down on my bike. Home after 6 per. and painted 2 windows "etc" cut lawn a little. Went up to the church to hear lectures on the bible that Mr. Blair is giving us (teachers). Home and to bed.

Pres. Wilson  today sent a note to Germany asking for redress for wrong to us and no more in the future and that we will have to take measures to force our terms if they are not accepted.

Author Note: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, backed by State Department second-in-command Robert Lansing, made his position on the Lusitania sinking clear to the Government of Germany in three notes issued on 13 May, 9 June, and 21 May 1915.

In the first Wilson note, signed by Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan, Wilson affirmed the right of United States nationals to travel on merchant ships of their choosing, urging Germany to abandon unrestricted submarine warfare against commercial ships of any nation.  Notably, Wilson did not warn to the American people against traveling on belligerent ships for their own safety. For more info

Fri.  May 14, 1915

Rained hard this A.M. , but was nice and sunny in P.M. Home Monkeyed around. Went with Mother to Hennepin County S.S. Association May Festival at auditorium - 500 ladies voices and MacPhail on violin "etc."

Sat.  May 15, 1915

Dull in A.M. rained all P.M.

I monkeyed around, got chicken date from Country Gentleman. Dug a lot of old relics from the attic. The 2 old diaries that follow. Was looking for something to show the droisieres of the old testament and found it too. Hovelman came home early and one of his cylinders was  missing so I took out the plug, adjusted the vibrators "etc" and got it working better

May 11, 1915 Birthday

Add caption

Tues. May 11, 1915

18 years OLD

Mother gave me a shirt, nice bow ties and 5 beans. Pres. Wilson in a speech in Philadelphia yesterday said that there is such a thing as being too proud to fight and too right to have to fight. War is wrong and destructive and we should think of humanity as a whole and not in groups. He has the right idea alright. If some other man were Pres. we would have been at war long ago.

Rode down on my bike. Got cards yesterday and got 4 +s. Rode downtown and bought some paint for my canoe - Home and put up bench in garage. Lesson and to bed. Was ideal day - but pretty hot. Everything is green and fresh and beautiful.

Note: On 10 May 1915, US President Woodrow Wilson gave what is known as the “Too Proud to Fight Speech” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. What is not commonly mentioned is that this speech was given at a citizen naturalization ceremony, and is properly titled, “Americanism and the Foreign Born.” The most famous passage in the speech is as follows:

The example of America must be a special example. The example of America must be the example not merely of peace because it will not fight, but of peace because peace is the healing and elevating influence of the world and strife is not. There is such a thing as a man being so right it does not need to convince others by force that it is right.

The speech itself does not mention the Lusitania sinking directly, but rather only makes an oblique reference. Still, given the political tensions at the time, everyone who heard or read the speech knew that President Wilson was indeed referring to the Lusitania disaster and the question of whether the United States would go to war over the sinking.  For the entire speech

Wed. May 12, 1915

Ideal, sunny and warm - Hot

Went to town in aft with Mother and got a suit for graduating at The Standard- $15. We rode out to Lake and Nic. [Nicolette] in a Ford Jitney and took only a second, it seemed. 7 on board. There are a great many Jitneys now. I walked over to school and got my bike and rode it home. Helped show Hovelman where to oil and grease his car "etc." Mother and Pa to meeting. I rode down to Lake - lessons and to bed.

May 9 -10, 1915

Jitneys were early ride-share taxis. Basically, grandpa's Uber didn't show up. 100+ years ago things were not that different.

Sun. May 9, 1915

Fine and very warm and sunny. Wore my light grey suit.

It was Mother's Day and Mr. Blair preached a fine sermon on the subject. Had 3 in my class. Home and went for a ride with Hovelman. He passed a car to the left and got in a bad scrape, but we got out all right, also got confused on a corner and took a short cut across the curb and sidewalk, but otherwise we had a nice ride. Home, very sleepy to bed 9.

Mon. May 10, 1915

Very fine - real Summer

I rode down with Mr. Hov. by way of Ant Ethel's and took picture's of her house for her. Waited an hour for a Jitney in afternoon and then got sore and walked downtown, left film, bot 2 collars and home. Lessons and to bed.

May 7 -8, 1915

Add caption

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.

Add caption

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

May 5 - 6, 1915

March 1915 American political cartoon

Wed. May 5, 1915

Warmer but dull and rainy.

Hovelman took me down. Drilled and practiced till 6:30. Home and read. Some lads came to look at my canoe and offered me $25 cash, but I would not take it.

Japan is making unjust demands on China and trouble seems to be coming.

Wiki Note: The Twenty-One Demands (Japanese: 対華21ヶ条要求, Taika Nijūikkajō Yōkyū, simplified Chinese: 二十一条; traditional Chinese: 二十一條; pinyin: Èrshíyī tiáo) were a set of demands made during the First World War by the Empire of Japan under Prime Minister Ōkuma Shigenobu to the government of the Republic of China on 8 January 1915.^[1] The demands would greatly extend Japanese control of Manchuria and of the Chinese economy, and were opposed by Britain and the United States. In the final settlement Japan gained a little, but lost a great deal of prestige and trust in Britain and the US.

The Chinese public responded with a spontaneous nationwide boycott of Japanese goods; Japan's exports to China fell by 40%.^{[citation needed]} Britain was affronted and no longer trusted Japan as an ally. With the First World War underway, Japan's position was strong and Britain's was weak; nevertheless, Britain (and the United States) forced Japan to drop the fifth set of demands that would have given Japan a large measure of control over the entire Chinese economy and ended the Open Door Policy.^[2] Japan and China reached a series of agreements which ratified the first four sets of goals on 25 May 1915.

Thurs. May 6, 1915

Quite Cold.

Had rehearsal all afternoon and a dress rehearsal in evening.  When we opened up our costumes there was some fun - of all the misfits and funny looking things you ever saw - but we finally got fixed up and had a good rehearsal. Home about 12.

May 2 - 4, 1915

Sun. May 2, 1915

Quite cold and grey. Fire in the furnace

Had 5 in my class. Mr Blair preached a peach of a sermon on "When Dreams Come True." Home, Read and then went riding with Mr. Hovelman. He is getting so that he can drive better now. We rode all over the city. Home and proved to Pa that you can not ratchet a crank-handle to escape backfire.

Our cesspool ran over this morning so we will have to dig another one. Read to bed 10:15. Our place was advertised in The Trib. and they made a mistake and put it $2500 instead of $4500. We have had quite a few calls and several are interested. Those who would not consider our place we switched on to Aunt Ethel's.

The film grandpa saw starring Robert Warwick not David. 

Mon. May 3, 1915

Dull and quite cool.

I made a rough table for the play in the afternoon. Drilled a little top. Home 7 P.X. Pa mother and I went to the Calhoun Theatre in the eve and saw an excellent show. It was David Warwick in The Man Of The Hour." It is a very pretty theatre on Lake near Henn. Mr Schweiger runs it. Home and Too bed.

Calhoun Theatre. Notice it has SALAMBO on the marque, that Grandpa saw a few weeks earlier.

Tues. May 4, 1915

Dull and colder. Wore my overcoat in the A.M., but did not need it late in the day as it warmed up. Us soldiers went to the costumers and had our meas. taken. I then went to the "Y" club - Leonard Paulson spoke fine on "decisions." The was a convention of Cong. churches at Park Ave. Church Tues. and Wed. I walked over, but did not stay. Home and to bed.

April 30 - May 1, 1915

Fri. April 30, 1915

Up at 6:30 and took a bath. Fine but quite cool. Rode my bike. Had history and trig test that were hum-dingers. Practiced all afternoon. home - cut back lawn. up to church to a teachers meeting. We have got a new piano. Decide to consider the baptist Sunday school lessons (which are suppose to be the best) for next year. Mr Blair is going to give us lectures on the bible every week. Home and to bed.

Here's the car grandpa is teaching Mr. Hovelman to drive.

Sat. May 1, 1915

Fine, but a little cool.

Rode my bike down to school and we practiced all A.M. I drilled my "army" and we got it down fine. Our guns weigh about 75 lbs apiece, but we are getting used to them. At noon we got the big drum and paraded all over school and outdoors, too. I was hoarse from giving orders. Then we ate sandwiches, fruit, candy, ice cream,  "etc." and then we darkened the auditorium and lit up the stage and did the 3rd and 4th acts fine.

Home at 4:30. Changed my clothes. Mr. Lee had his new Ford standing out in front of his place and pretty soon Mr. Hovelman came around with his new runabout. He killed his engine when he stopped and he and the neibors could not start it so I went up and started it and he and I went out for a little ride. He has got a fine little car. He then took his wife out and I ate my sup. Just as I got done he came back and we went out again. I drove it over to the other side of the lake and then I had him do it to get the experience. We went down to Lake St, and back and then I took out the foot boards and explained a few things. He then put it in the garage, came over later and paid for one month, locked it and left the key with us. To bed 9:30.

The club has decided not to give the Minstrel Show as it is too late in the season. We will raise the 25 bones some other way. "Jitney Buses" are getting more numerous, but I have not been in one yet.

April 27 - 29, 1915

Likely the church my grandfather's father attended

Tues. April 27, 1915

Quite warm and cloudy - then sunny - rain before noon sun in afternoon and nice evening.

Home, cut part of lawn, made over our wheel-barrow. Took bike ride, sat over books, and to bed.

Discovered at last the right way to comb my hair. Heretofore I have had it long in front and combed back pompador, but it would fall over in my eyes, so I cut the front off so it stand up like Pa's and it stays fine now.

Wed. April 28, 1915

Fine and quite warm.

Rode my bike. Practiced till 5:30. Home - Pa is painting the house over and it is going to look good. Took a bike ride after supper mother and Pa to C. S. church. I sat over book etc and to bed.

Thurs. April 29, 1915

Fine but cooler.

Rode my bike. Practiced all afternoon had a lot of "phun" tying ropes on kids coat-tails and pinning signs on their backs "etc." Home and finished the wheel-barrow. Sat around and to bed.

April 24 - 26, 1915

1915 Ford advertisement

Sat. April 24, 1915

Fine sunny and quite hot, but hard s. wind.

This is my first Saturday off since last August. Up at 6A.M. finished putting mud guards on, rode up to store and got 6 bans, rode to school and got there at 9, practiced till 1, had a picnic lunch on the lawn. sandwiches, fruit, ice cream, "etc." About 30 or more of us. Played "Prisoner Base" "etc." Practiced till 3:30. While not on the stage we would play card ( 500, H.L.J.Q.) in the dressing room. Rode home cleaned out the garage so Mr. Hovelman can put his new Ford in. Got my canoe down, supper, read, ride, bed. I took my heavy winter suit today and put in my blue serge.

Sun. April 25, 1915

Quite warm and fine - Ideal.

Went to Sunday School 9:30 had 4 boys - 1 new scholar. Mr Blair is back and he preached a fine sermon on "The Panacea For Hum Drum." Home, read, took bike ride about 6 to 54th to Nicolett to 43rd to the Lake to home. Played piano - (unclear word), trig and to bed. No answer to our ad today.

Mon. April 26, 1915

Fine in AM

Rode my bike. Rained before school let out so I left my bike at school and took the car downtown. Bought 6 pairs holeproof sox and went to the Seville Theatre and saw some good war pictures. Sunny and fine when I got out so I went out to school got, my bike, and rode home. My bike is classy now - red frame, black rims and mud.

Mr. Hovelman don't know a thing about autos and he said that he didn't understand a lot that his instructor told him. He said he is going to have me go out with him and explain some things when he gets so that he can run his car - about Thursday. Did trig and to bed. Started to rain hard about 9:00PM.

April 22 -23, 1915

Here is the news article on what was going on in The Legislature. I thought maybe they were fighting
over Daylight savings from what my grandfather wrote. 

Thurs. April 22, 1915

Fine and warm - very warm in latter part of the day. Dull and soggy in A.M.and rain at 10:30 -11P.M. Practiced till 5:30. Home and forgot I had an invite to Walt's for Sup. and eve. He called me up at 6:45 after I had eaten my supper, but I went right up and ate another big fine one. Cliff, Walt, Stew, Fred, Fisher, Mrs. Fifield and myself were there. We had a big roast turkey, dressing, potates, canned corn, salted peanuts, whip cream salad, cream pie, candy, rolls, "etc." Then we listened to the phonograph and then we played a fine game called Bankers Market, till 11 P.X. Home and to bed.

The State Legislature closed last night the Senate set the clocks back 1 hour and 20 minutes. The House acted like a bunch of hoodlums, throwing paper and books around, and crowding around speakers desk "etc" so that no business could be done so it closed at 12P.X. It was the first non-partisan Legis. in the country. I think the house did not pass as many bills as former Legis, but it cut approximately $2,000,000. The Senate lived. The Senate lived up to former records in bills passed.

The Exploits of Elaine was a serial that was at The Lyric Theatre the night grandpa went.

Fri. April 23, 1915

Fine and hot. Put on my armless and 3/4 leg Summer underwear.

Practiced all afternoon and Home. Worked around a little fixing my bike. (putting mud guard on) In the eve we all went to The Lyric Mpls Wkg Boys Band of 75 pieces and saw pictures. The band was good. Home and good sleep.

Author note: Here is a piece of a chapter from THE EXPLOITS OF ELAINE. I wasn't able to find one from The Devil Worshippers.

April 18 - 21, 1915

Sun. April 18, 1915

Sunny and HOT. T'was 81 in the shade, but very hard S. wind.

Had 4 at Sunday School and had the same old preacher that gassed in Mr. Blairs absence coming up the line to preach this Sunday too so I beat it and took a walk with Cliff, 'Poley", and "Shrimp."

Read and sat around and to bed. Took bath this A.M. We advertised our house today, but didn't get a bite.

Mon. April 19, 1915

Sunny and hot.

Went downtown after 5th per. and got a cap $1 and 2 summer underwear $3. Home and painted back wheel and mud guards. Had step and driveway put in today and they are fine. Lessons and to bed.

Tues. April 20, 1915

Fine and a little cooler.

Home and put my bike together. Got Willard Craig to take my place at the store. Raked some leaves "etc" in the eve. Took a bike ride around, read, lessons, to bed.

Wed. April 21, 1915

Fine and about 70.

Rode my bike to school and back - practiced till 9 P.X. Home and started to put my mud guard on, cut the bank with the lawnmower, read, lessons, to bed.

April 15 - 17, 1915

Grandpa with one of his scout swords

Thurs. April 15, 1915

Sunny and very warm about 85 or so in the shade. About 4:30 it started to sprinkle a little and with thunder.

Practiced (I rode down with Jay this A.M. - Just he and I and I took my old scout guns and swords for the play.) till 6 P.X. Home, read, lessons and to bed.

Fri. April 16, 1915

Sunny and warm.

Practiced till 5 P.M. and then supper and then worked around the house raking leaves. Paper and to bed 9:30.

Sat. April 17, 1915

Hot - wore no coat - sunny.

Worked from 7:15 - 8:30. My last Saturday I think, For there is a great deal to do at home now.

April 12 - 14, 1915

Mon. April 12, 1915

Quite warm and sunny.

Got cards = +Trig, + Hist, +Geom, ++Civics.

Town and got some cycle enamel and mud guard holders. Home and raked leave all afternoon. Lessons, to church to our club meeting in eve. It was mens night and about 10 men and 20 fellows there. Cliff gave good talk.



Tues. April 13, 1915

Sunny in A.M. , but rainy before noon.

I went over to the state legislature in afternoon and was in House and Senate all afternoon. Walked down into (possibly says -bum) St. Paul and took car off - read lessons and to bed.

Wed. April 14, 1915

Sunny and very warm about 70 -75.

Stayed for Public Affair  Club and home. Finished a little patch of shingling. Painted my bike red, went up to church and monkeyed around, on way home had a discussion with Stan Hall and Ronald Scoffield on the mercy of God, reward for Christian life and life hereafter "etc." To 10:30 bed.

April 9 - 11, 1915

Fri, April 9, 1915

The house in Minneapolis at 4912 Emerson Ave. S.
If you look closely you can see a bike leaned against the right side of the house

Warm - rained about 1/2 day on and off.

Had trig test yesterday and it was a humdinger and most of us got about 10. Took another after school and got 70. Practiced and drilled my 6 soldiers on the manual of arms out in the hall.

Home. Took bike ride and to bed. Blocked out some letters for a FOR SALE sign for our place, Will put the sign out Sunday.

Author note: The FOR SALE sign is for the house, in preparation for the move to California

Sat. April 10, 1915

Worked - warm, rainy towards evening.

Sun. April 11, 1915

Cool and unsettled.

Sunday school 9:30 - 10. 8 present and I had 4. Started teaching them the new testament and life of Christ. Had Luke 3 this A.M. Mr. Blair was called away because of death of his father and a sub ( Rev. Earl) preached a crazy sermon. It was a joke or he was (unclear word).

Home, read, bike ride, lessons, and to bed.

April 6 - 8, 1915

Tues. April 6, 1915

Warm, but not so sunny.

I went downtown and saw "Submarine Motion Pictures" at the "Strand." Home and bike ride. About 7:30 Cliff and I went to Sunday School teacher meeting. He and I stayed and talked with Mr. Blair for about half hour and then home.

Author Note: I believe the film above, a documentary title U.S. Navy of 1915 is the Submarine film referred to. It is more than just the subs. It shows all kinds work the sailors did. Really interesting.

The National Film Preservation Foundation says "The film was made with the full support of the Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels, who believed in the power of motion pictures to convince isolationists of the importance of building a strong American navy." You can read more about the film on their site.

Wed. April 7, 1915

Warm, but dull and gray. Practiced all afternoon till 5:30. Home, read, lesson, bath, and to bed.

Thurs. April 8, 1915

Very warm must be about 60 or 65. Sunny most of the day.

Practiced till 5 P.M. Raked leaves off front lawn. Supper - out for ride all over on my bike for an hour or so. Lessons, play on piano and to bed.

April 3 -5, 1915

Jack Johnson and Jess Willard fight for 1915 World Heavy Weight Championship 

Sat. April 3, 1915

Warm and sunny. Spring has come - snow all gone. Worked all day.

Sun. April 4, 1915

Warm and alternate sunny and cloudy.

Easter Sunday. Pa to C Science church. I to Lynn and Mother did not go anywhere. I heard a fine sermon on "Proof of the resurrection and the shurity of a life hereafter "etc." No Sunday school. Pearl Davis and her mother were out to dinner went home about 5. Read  "etc" and to bed 10:15

Mon. April 5, 1915

Fine, warm, balmy, springy, exhilarating, ideal Spring day.

I did not wear my over coat. School again. Stayed outdoors 7th period and read paper - teachers meeting. Walked up to Lake St and back monkeyed around till it was over. Then practiced 3rd act of play. I have got the part of sergeant of guard in this act. - quite a bit of action. Practiced until 5:30.

Bought Extra [newspaper] and found out that Jess Willard knocked Jack Johnson out in the 26th round for the World Heavy Weight Championship in Cuba (Havana). It was a good clean match.

Home, supper. Ride over to 43 and Nicolett on bike - lessons- studied play and to bed.


Here is some film of the fight, obviously the audio and commentary were added at a much later date.

March 31 - April 2, 1915

Doesn't look like bicycle have changed much since 1915.

Wed, March 31, 1915

Sunny - Cloudy - barely melting.

Monkeyed around in A.M. took my bike out of basement. Only a few spokes in back wheel (unclear word) are no good. Will put some new ones in. Went downtown 12 N. Over to Pa's office and got money for new shoes. Bought shoes at Home Trader for $3. Met Pa at 3:30 and we went to the Garrick [theatre] and saw a fine show. Home at 6:45. I bought some spokes (a whole new set) for my back wheel. Up to church, but H. Cool could not come - did not practice. Home 9:15 and to bed. Got a letter from Lillian Crane yesterday.

Thurs. Apr. 1, 1915

Quite warm and semi cloudy.

I cut all spokes out of my back wheel and restrung it over again with new ones - also tightened up front wheel. Took me all day. Did not go to the meeting of Cliff's club at the Y.M.C.A. tonight. Read chicks article, played cards with Pa and to bed 9:25.

Fri. Apr. 2, 1915

Sunny and fine and balmy

Good Friday and Pa home. I went downtown and got haircut, new shoe (unclear word) clutch for my brake 70 cents and Home. Fixed up my wheel and rode down to lake H. and around for a couple of hours. Chas. Greenlaw had our classes up to the church to-night. 8 were there and they played game, had candy, apples and popcorn "etc." home 10:30 and to bed 11P.X.

March 28 - 30, 1915

I think this is the oldest house Grandpa is talking about seeing -Sibley House in Medota, Minn. still stand today

Sun. March 28, 1915

Sunny and fine, but cold. N.W. wind. Quite a bit below freezing.

Did not go to church. Had 5 in my Sunday School class. Read played Violin and piano pretty good. Copied my part in Senior play and to bed.

Mon. March 29, 1915

Sunny, but kind of cool. Rehearsal for play 9-12 (Easter vacation this week). Cold in the auditorium we wore overcoats. Went downtown, met mother, had piece of pie a la mode and we came home. Went down to lake and back. Up to church in eve and boxed with Cliff a little. Cut my lip. Rehearsal for minstrel show. About 18 there.

Tues. March 30, 1915

This may be the car they took to Fort Snelling before their hike.

Sunny and about 32 with N.W. wind.

16 of us fellows met at 46 at 8:30 for a hike. When I got up I was sick to stomach, threw up a little and went with the kids. We took car to Ft Snelling - sang and monkeyed around all the way. Got off cross the Minnesota on a railway bridge. Over to town of Mendota. Saw oldest house in Minn. - Hiked up river about 10-12 miles. Re-crossed and ate lunch around fires. I ate one can of beans, 6 slices bread, 2 fried eggs, 2 cookies and i piece journey cake, 1 orange, 1 apple and 1/2 weenie. Monkeyed around for 2 hours. Hiked down Cedar Ave to Lake Amelia and took car home. About 20 mile hike not tire a bit to-night.

Home about 5:15. Wrote a letter to "True" in the eve and to bed.

March 25 - 27, 1915

Thurs. March 25, 1915

Sunny, but cooler.

Got job of being Corporal in Senior play. Stayed till 6 P. X. rehearsing. Home, lessons, reading, and to bed.

Fri. March 26, 1915

Sunny, but cool.

Late for school. Walked downtown and up on 20 story bldg. and took some pictures. Then went down to 18th floor, changed my film and up and took another. Walk around town taking pictures - went out to Nat. Guard Armory where city track meet was going on, but did not have ticket and did not go in.

Home, read, planned the placing of bldgs "etc" on 5 acres for my chicken farm and drew a landscape drawing of it. To bed 9:30.

 Sat. March 27, 1915

Part sunny and part grey. Cold W. wind. not melt much. Worked all day.

March 22 -24, 1915

A minstrel show was a "Black Face" performance. Not thrilled to see my grandfather performing in one.

Mon, March 22, 1915

Sunny in A.M. then cloudy and sunny again late in afternoon warm.

Studied a little - walked down to lake and monkeyed a little with Cliff. To club meeting in eve. About 14 there. H. Cool and wife over to start us in minstrel show. He is going to manage it. I am down for a bone solo "etc."

Wiki: The minstrel show, or minstrelsy, was an American form of entertainment developed in the early 19th century. Each show consisted of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music performances that depicted people specifically of African descent. The shows were performed by white people in make-up or blackface for the purpose of playing the role of black people. There were also some African-American performers and all-black minstrel groups that formed and toured under the direction of white people. Minstrel shows lampooned black people as dim-witted,^[1] lazy,^[1] buffoonish,^[1][2] superstitious, and happy-go-lucky. MORE

Tues, March 23, 1915

Sunny nearly all day.

Went downtown in afternoon to take pictures from 20 story bldg. Cloudy when I got there so did not take any. To "Y" club and heard a U. [ university] fellow talk. Waited on table. Home and to bed.

Wed, March 24, 1915

Quite sunny and warm

Stayed at public affairs club and introduced several bills "etc." Home and did lessons a little. Up to church for club meeting. H. Cool not able to come so we did not practice. About 20 - 22 there and Cliff gave a talk, boxing, music and Home.

March 19 - 21, 1915

Fri. March 19, 1915

Sunny in A.M. but turned cloudy and snowy.

Went to inter-city track meet at St. Thomas new armory. 8 Schools competing. North won 36, West 2nd 28, Central (Mpls) 3rd 23, Central (St. P) 4th. Home - tired- mother sick. I did not get to bed till about 12:30.

Sat. March 20, 1915

Sunny in A.M. soon turned cloudy and snowed hard, but warm. Worked mother up and better.

Sun. March 21, 1915



Semi - cloudy and warm.

Mother and I to church - fine sermon on "How To Save The Church." 5 in my Sunday School class and they were good and attentive. Hone and read "etc." Got history lesson in eve and to bed. Took bath in A.M. Sunday School lesson on John The Baptist.

A prohibition wave is sweeping over the country. Many states even Southern and Western are dry and here we have county option now, which will make Minn. nearly dry, At the present rate the whole country will soon go dry.
An anti-drug act has recently been passed by congress and drug fiends all over the country are giving themselves up to take a cure. Under this law a fine of $2000 and long imprisonment are provided.

Author note: I think my grandfather is talking about the Harrison Narcotics Act that passed in December of 1914.

wiki: "An Act To provide for the registration of, with collectors of internal revenue, and to impose a special tax on all persons who produce, import, manufacture, compound, deal in, dispense, sell, distribute, or give away opium or coca leaves, their salts, derivatives, or preparations, and for other purposes." The courts interpreted this to mean that physicians could prescribe narcotics to patients in the course of normal treatment, but not for the treatment of addiction.

The Harrison Anti-Narcotic legislation consisted of three U.S. House bills imposing restrictions on the availability and consumption of the psychoactive drug opium. U.S. House bills H.R. 1966 and H.R. 1967 passed conjointly with House bill H.R. 6282 or the Opium and Coca Leaves Trade Restrictions Act.^[3][4]

Although technically illegal for purposes of distribution and use, the distribution, sale and use of cocaine was still legal for registered companies and individuals.

March 16 -18, 1915

Tues, March 16, 1915

The building grandpa goes to visit. It still stand today and was the tallest in Minneapolis until 1929.

Fine and Warm

Walked home with Stan Hall. Went to Sunday School covered lunch in eve and we voted to start Sunday School at 9:30 starting Apr. and to use the envelope system for collection. Good meeting

Wed, March 17, 1915

Fine and warm

Left school at end of 5th and walked home - monkeyed around and in eve drew a plan for a brooder house.

Thurs, March 18, 1915



Dark and snow or sleet at intervals.

Started to walk downtown from school, but it started to hail like blazes so I got on a car and before I was downtown it had stopped again. I went into the new 20 story 1st Nat, Soo bldg. Not done yet but in use. Took elevator to top floor, saw more stairs ascending upward, so I went up and opened a door and was on the roof. Saw more stairs mounting upward to a platform from which I could see all over. Only my vision was restricted by the fog. The 12 story bldgs looked small from my lofty point of observation. I went to the Lyric [Theatre] and then home and wrote some chicken material down from Country Gent.

March 13 -15, 1915

Sat. March 13, 1915

Example of a chicken house sold in 1915

Cloudy and warm

Worked all day. Started to draw plans for chicken house out West.

Sun. March 14, 1915

Dull and warm

Went to Sunday School and taught - home - Mother nervous and not very well. Read - lessons - and figured on chicken business out West.

Mon. March 15, 1915

Warm and fine.

Lesson in afternoon. Had big meeting at church in evening. It was for the men, too. About 8 men there and 15 boys. Cliff gave the men a good straight talk and they said it was the best that they had ever heard. They were enthusiastic over the idea of a better fellowship between fathers and the boys and we are going to have another meeting in 1 month. Had some ice cream and cookies and home about 11.

Mar. 11 - 12, 1915

Thurs. Mar. 11, 1915

The school play was Secret Service about a double agent set during the Civil War,

Sunny Warm Melting

Had Senior class meeting and we still in favor of constitution of student government. Went into auditorium for 6 &7 period and tried out or practiced with 4 or 5 girls for the play. Had tryouts after school I tried for "Wilfred" with a girl by name of Marion Shipley. I did the same part for Grace Taylor and also tried out for "Capt. Thorne" with another girl. - On stage 3 times. - Do not know the result yet. Home lessons. Mr. and Mrs. Glasley called in the eve.Sent a letter and picture to Lillian Crane.

Yearbook photos of grandpa's scene partners

Don't worry - war is still going on. Eng, is trying to face the Dardanelles and Capt. Constantinople. Are about 1/2 way there. Also to get outlet for Russ. grain and fleet. Eng. and Ger. got blockade on each other. Nothing startling in position of army. US having hard job of keeping neutral - trouble with ENG and now Ger. has sunk US ship. 1 battleship ordered to Vera Cruz to scare Mexicans so more. Will have to use more stringent measures with her.

Wiki Note: Dardanells is also known as the battle of Gallipoli a campaign of the First World War that took place on the Gallipoli peninsula (Gelibolu in modern Turkey), from 17 February 1915 to 9 January 1916. The Entente powers, Britain, France and Russia, sought to weaken the Ottoman Empire, one of the Central Powers, by taking control of the straits that provided a supply route to Russia. The Allies' attack on Ottoman forts at the entrance of the Dardanelles in February 1915 failed and was followed by an amphibious landing on the Gallipoli peninsula in April 1915 to capture the Ottoman capital of Constantinople (Istanbul)

Fri. Mar. 12, 1915

Warm and sunny.

Another kid got the part of Wilfred. Miss Watt said I would be fine for another part, but did not say what it was. We had a track meet with central in their gym. Walked over - we beat 'em 56 - 48 and the only gym we have is the basement hallway. Home, read, "etc."

Mar. 10, 1915

Wed. Mar. 10, 1915



Sunny, warm.

Had Trig test. Decide to try out for Senior class play " Secret Service." I luckily ran into a girl to take the other part, so we can tryout together. Tryouts tomorrow.

Had a meeting of Public Affairs club and I was elected Sergeant at Arms - More monkeying than anything else. Also voted favorable on ? of student government in W.H.S [West High School].

Went to town and saw Salambria (pictures) at the Garrick.

Home - sup- lessons- bed

Author note: Grandpa mistakes the name of the film he saw, it is actually SALAMBO. There were two films based on the Flaubert novel SALAMMBO, SALAMBO and CABIRIA released in 1914 and I think he mixed the names. The one showing at The Garrick was SALAMBO. Below is a clip from the film.

Mar. 8 - 9, 1915

Mon. Mar. 8, 1915

Jack Johnson was heavyweight champion from 1908-1915

Warm and bright and fine. Melting a little.

Broke 2 drills on Pa's gas invention and had to go to town and get new ones. Walked over to Ford bldg. and around.

Came home and boxed with Stew some. He and Walt were boxing and broke 2 panes of glass in the garage. Tried to study (word unclear) some trig. Supper went up to church and boxed a little with Summers and a round with Cliff, who beat me up. Good sport. About 16 fellows there - most of them outsiders from the church. Home 10 PM to bed.

Tues. Mar. 9, 1915

Fine and warm. Lots of snow yet.

Brought Pa's invention home, boxed with Stew - ran into 2X2 in the garage and hurt my nose. It was already swollen and sore from Monday night. Stew, Walt, and I went down to the Y club and heard good talk by U. Prof. on Advantage of a U. Education and adv. of small college.

Home, lessons a little and to bed about 11 or later. Have been trying to get a letter written to Lillian Crane for the last 2 or 3 days, but am -- busy that I haven't got time to sleep.

Author note: My aunt (Hal's daughter) remembers Lillian Crane as being Merrill Crane's daughter. That's the brother my grandfather's father went to visit in Wisconsin a few entries back.

Mar. 4 - 7, 1915

Thurs. Mar. 4, 1915

Gray and little colder. Streets and sidewalks are solid ice from recent thaws. Slid down 49th and 50th with Fred H. and (name unclear) a little. Monkeyed around.

Fri. Mar. 5, 1915

Started to blow and snow about 10 p.m. last night. About a foot on ground this A.M. and still snowing. About 25 above.

Got hair cut - went up to church in eve to have a meeting (my class and Charley Greenlaw's together). Only 2 came on account of the weather, but we popped corn ate apples "etc."

Home and to bed. Stopped snowing to-night. Biggest snow of the year about 2 feet.

Sat. Mar. 6, 1915

Quite warm - about 32. snowed a little more.

Worked all day

Sun. Mar. 7, 1915

About 32 and bright in the afternoon.

Mother and I to Lyn Church. Pa to 2nd. Heard good sermon on "The Church." Had 4 boys in my class. New supt there and he is fine. Fred Lack is also taking the place of secretary  instead of Naomi Atwood who resigned.

Read - took some pictures in the house, got some lesson and to bed. Strung my fiddle up last night and played a tune or tried to. Have been monkeying with the piano more than my fiddle this winter.

Mar. 1 - 3, 1915

 Monday Mar. 1, 1915

Report card from yearbook

Warm and fine -melting

Got cards - I got ++ in History,  high + in Geom, + in Civics, and a + in Trig. Came home and went skating, but it was too soft.

Tuesday Mar. 2, 1915

Sunny and warm, but not melting

Came home and went skating played hockey with Stew. Went to the Sunday School teacher meeting at Wiley's. Our new subt. Mr Scheil's was there. Had good meeting.

Wednesday Mar. 3, 1915

This is from the yearbook and I assume is the Theatrical students

Dull, gray, and warm 32.

Senior play was read to us this afternoon. I think I will try out for it. Home and up to church in eve to club meeting. About 15 or 18 there. Had a little boxing and good discussion.Home and copied some chicken data from the country gentleman.