Holy Cats!

1904 Diary: Jan 4-5

 

Arose 10 AM. Took a walk after breakfast. Went around Somerville first and back to the Terminal. Met Kenefick and we rode out on Lowell car. He was going to school. I get off at Sommerville Park and walked back home. Did some writing after dinner. Then went to work. Club up Moulton Street gone to the wall for fair now. Relieved Plack. Worked til 1230. Retired 1 AM. ]

Remarks:
Weather cold. Sun bright. Skating bum. Bum's drunk.

Arose 1130 AM. Loafed around till 3. Post working early shift. Clark at "WD". Worked til 1235 AM. Some one lost some celery and some chocolates and Charley Green and I had a great feed. Retired 1 AM.

Remarks:

Temp about 20. Rivers and harbor full of ice. No skating on acount of snow. Makde a bet with Dill and Cadigan today about saving money.

1904 Diary: Jan 6-7 (Of Celery and Ventriloquists)

Arose 11 AM. Wnet up and got my pay and then went over City on an errand for Mother.  Walked home. Went to work. WOrked till 1230. Retired 1255 AM.

Remarks:

Feel like da sponge. Everything balled up. Bad headache, but I ain't been boozing.

Arose 11 AM. Went up skating on Alfords but they were just cleaning it. Not very good. Got into work 3 PM. Wyman said "to the board tomorrow" but Mabre called up later and said same as usual. Staid around till about 1245 listening to the porter ventriloquist. Had my harmonica in and Parke heard me playing it. Retired 115 AM.

Remarks:

Like taking money from a baby. Could drink a pint of "sky juice" I feel so devilish.

1904 Diary: Jan. 2-3

Arose 10 AM. Cold as the theoretical "Boston Girl" this morning and snowing hard. Took Ethel [his sister] out on her sled for about an hour. Had a great coast. Came in looking like a snow plow. Very dusty out. Went to work 3 PM.  Snow storm turned into a blizzard. Elevated ran slick surface lines tied up. Didn't even run snow trains. Temperature about 3 above all day. Retired 1 AM.

Remarks:

Too cold to make any. Ned Hammond was around today.

Arose 1230 AM. Relieved Clark as usual 3 PM. Very cold again today. Lots of snow on the ground. Temp averaged 0 all day. Four below at 12 md. Didn't run any double headers. Worked til 12:05. Retired 1:30 AM.

Remarks:

Same as yesterday. Plunking the key at "S" swift as possible.

1904 Diary: Jan. 1

Starting today, I will try and post an corresponding entry from the 1904 diary each day.  Enjoy!

Arose 11:05 AM. Went over the city and got my skates that I left there to be sharpened. Bought some pencils and a blank book also.  Kind of warm today but there is skating up on the playground. Working at "S". Got in to work 2:55 PM. Worked till 12:30. Retired about 11:15 AM.

Remarks:

Weather beautiful overhead and slushy underfoot. My week's pay for a skate. Haven't had one for about two weeks. Well, well! Such is life. Cash low. Bought a derby last Weds. Style 1111.

Hold on...

I'll be be right back. Well, I'll be back after the holidays. Starting in January, Holy Cats will be up and running again with regular updates.  No, really, I mean it this time.  I've got lots of new stuff to share (aka "Spent all my Christmas money on eBay) and a new scanner.  Until then, here's another fascinating diary to delve into:

Alice Fletcher Diaries

Fletcher’s research inspired her to live among the  Indians for scientific purposes, but her foray into Indian territory sparked her interest in the contemporary plight of Native Americans. Her companions, Susette La Flesche, Thomas Henry Tibbles and Wajapa, aroused her awareness of the difficulties and changes that encroaching white settlers and land-grabbers brought to Native Americans. She resolved to reform Congressional legislation regarding Native American affairs and to help Native Americans become Americanized. Fletcher felt, as did many Americans in  the late nineteenth century, that the only way Native Americans  could avoid extermination caused by civilization was by adapting to the "civilized" mannerisms of white Americans. Fletcher concluded, "Now, how can Indians do better, hemmed in as they are at the agency deprived of their native life,  poor enough but having its compensation and not fully introduced to our ways, they are stranded between two modes of life."

Soon after she returned from her visit in the Midwest,  Fletcher helped create and push through Congress a bill that allowed the Omaha people to claim title to their own land."

Bombing Iraq, Witch Doctors & Shooting Hippos: RAF life, 1922

I'm having scanner problems at the moment so it may be another week or so before I can scan and post new diary entries, photos or letters. But in the meantime, I urge you go and check out this wonderful thread over on Something Awful:  RAF Life: 1922   It's chock full of an incredible collection of WWII era photographs, all taken by a RAF pilot mostly from his airplane. It's a collection worthy of a museum and the story behind them is just as fascinating.

Go on, take a look and tell them Chaos Kitty sent you.

See you all in a week or two and I promise you the wait will be worth it.

Photos: Satan Claus is coming to town

I obtained this turn-of-the-century photograph in a batch of photographs of a one-room schoolhouse.  Santa Claus paid a visit to those lucky kids on thise day.   Well, I guess that's depending on your definition of "lucky".

He just wanted to remind them that he's Santa and he knows when they've been bad or good.

He knows. Oh, he knows...

(There's another photo of Scary Satanic Santa coming soon.  I could have posted these closer to Christmas but honestly, I felt that this particular Santa was more worthy of an October debut.)

Photos: Men in Trees

And on top of posts and fences. Was there some late 1800s-early 1900's trend of scaling the nearest high tree or fence before having your photo taken?

Well, actually the fellow below didn't make it all the way up the tree. He was too busy making kissy faces with his girlfriend there, I guess. But I bet if she hadn't been there, he would been up in that top of that tree ready for his photograph.

Photos: Julia Roberts circa 1875

Julia Roberts' long-lost ancestor?

Letters: "What a pity he ever went South!"

This letter from 1872 starts out normally and is even quite boring. But then the writer starts talking about "poor Nat" and his drinking problem and suggests how Nat aquired such an affliction.

Dear Bette:

Your letters have all arrived up to Oct 28. I intended to drop a few lines Sunday but was away from home all day. And at office now and have not much to write of. If Alice was here I might write a short treatsie on patters, etc, but cannot do so unaided. 
You say Nat will certainly be up here this winter and then continue by saying that "the drunkard" will be on the stage several days. Poor Nat! I would be glad to see him, but am very sorry he has developed such a character. Give him my love and do your level best to reform him. What a pity he ever went South! The climate is so impervious. 
I believe he would have been a different man if he had remained North of Mason and Dixon's landmark.  Will try to get down Christmas, and you must prmoise to do all you can to keep Nat sober if we come.

Yours shortly and in wonderful wonderful hope, Byers

I think that "poor Nat" had problems other than simply being below the Mason-Dixon line that led him to drink.  Mainly two problems named "Bette" and "Byers".

1904 Diary: Chief Kick a Hole in Shoe

Willie illustrates a visit to the Somerville Park.  He wrote half a page but then went back, crossed out half of it and drew "Chief Kick a Hole in Shoe" over it.

I wonder what was so risque that he felt the need to hide it?  Judging from the goofy picture, I'd say that he and Tom indulged in more than a little "moon juice" that night.

Photos: A Day at the Shore

These are two photos in a series of 5. The other ones show this couple frolicking on a beach, as much as two people can frolic in a full military uniform and a full-length long-sleeved black dress and hat.  I'm assuming, based on nothing more than my wild imagination, that the man is on leave from the military (WWI?) and this is his last hurrah with his girlfriend before having to go back.   Maybe they spent the day at Coney Island, eating hot dogs and dipping their toes in the surf.  Maybe she was even forward enough to take off her shoes and stockings.  Maybe they took these photos of each other and she kept the photograph of him on the nightstand next to her bed. Maybe he took her photograph with him back overseas and kept it in his pocket, looking at it every time he wrote her a letter back home.

And just maybe he was lucky enough to come back to her after the War...

1904 Diary: Electrocuted 1 mouse

 This entry pretty much speaks for itself.  It must have been a slow, slow night down at the train station on March 8.

Arose 10 AM. Worked 3 PM to 1230 PM. Bob brought in trap and we caught a mouse and electrocuted him.  I staid til 2 AM. Came home and retired 230 AM.

Remarks: Played checkers with Jim. Tie game. 
Electrocuted 1 mouse.

Photos: Waiting, waiting, waiting...

This photo is over 100 years old and I got it in yet another batch of anonymous pictures. There's no location or any other clues to give any indication to the where, why or how of this photograph. It is a mystery.

What are all these people waiting for? Are they watching a parade? Waiting for the mothership to beam down?

My guess, based on absolutely nothing beyond pure speculation,  is they're waiting in line to get into an old-time tent revival like this:

Anyone else have any ideas?

Beans, Beans, good for your heart...

Larry has a bad case of indigestion.  Damn those beans!

Arose 6 AM. In at 630. Came home and read  "First Men on the Moon" [H.G. Wells] . After supper Tom called and we went up night school. After school they had a bum dance in the hall. I staid till 930 PM. Came home and retired but not to sleep on account of some horrible cramps. Didn't get to sleep until 330 am after mother got up and made me a hot ginger tea.

Remarks: Chiefly--Damn these beans.

Too bad his mother didn't have this: 

on hand to give him.  I wonder if the kid in the ad is an example of before or after a dose of the miracle Cascarets pill?

1865 Journal: A trip into town

This journal was written in 1865 by a young girl.* Obviously, this small journal is a continuation of a much longer one as the pages in this one start at  224.   I don't know her name or where exactly she lived, but using my amazing powers of deduction I have figured out that she's young, single and still living with her parents, as she mentions that she's young, single and still living with her parents.  She also hates housework and loves to gossip. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

NOV 1865     Page 224
Tues 14th--We got up yesterday morning, wonderful to relate (the head of the household being away) before seven o'clock. But never-the-less, did not manage to accomplish much but putting the house in order. About half past ten, went to the PO and as the "Queen" was in sight, concluded to wait for her. Me, Laura Covedery and with her wandered around till the boat came in which as expected, brough Mother, Sallie and Ellen. Were down the street shopping most of the afternoon as we also were today.  Got Jessie a green merino and me a blue one, and Mary a blue delaine. When we came back, Mother and I started...[bottom of page cut off]

Page 226

Weds.  Another glorious day just like summer. Our fire went out in the middle of the afternoon and we have been comfortable without any since three. Cleaning progresseth, slowly. Ann Lin came over this morn. and went back this afternoon. Was here to dinner and also Belle Webb, Mrs Webb called this morn.  Julia and Lizzie Benten and Sara McEveret and Harry Radcliffe this afternoon. Missed them by being down street. Took our bonnets to be altered, then started for a walk. Called at Mary Strong's but she was out. Met Mrs. Cotton, Mrs Hubbard and went home with them to tea. Had a pleasant eve. Came home about eight and gave Ellen a music lesson. Charlie Dennis...[continues next page]

*This journal is extremely difficult to read as the handwritting is very faded and the journal is falling apart. I've attempted to translate as best I can but there are a few spots I have had to leave blank. If you think you know what it says, please let me know.

Photos: Dapper young fellow

Dapper : adj : marked by smartness in dress and manners; "a dapper young            man"; "a jaunty red hat" [syn: dashing, jaunty, natty, raffish, rakish, smart, snappy, spruce]

His whole expression says "Yes indeed, I am a dapper young fellow. I even have a dapper riding crop and am sitting dapper-ed-ly in this chair.  Even my hat and bowtie are quite dapper."

Either that or he just has a bad case of gas.

1904 Diary: In which Willie loses a dollar

Thanks to inflation, if you were to lose that same $1.00 today, it would be worth roughly $21.53 . And considering Willie made about $5.00 a week, that's a hefty chunk of his wages. No wonder he was so worried.

Could you have made a living on early 20th century working class wages?

Translation: Arose 10 AM. In to work 3 PM. Worked til 1230 am. Came home and retired 115 AM.

Remarks: Rode out to Jamacia Pond on wheel, 1135-1245 out and back. Got caught in a little shower coming home. It didn't last long though. I feel as though I were about to be overtaken by that sickness called "disinclination to work". Guess I'll work it off.

Arose 10 AM. In to work at 305 PM. Worked til 1230 am. Came home and retired 130 am.

Remarks: Weather kind of warm for this time of the year. Staid up til one thirty am figuring out how i lost a dollar during the day. Found out I was counting four half dollars I had as one dollar. This is night school night tonight.** The thought of it makes me sad. Me to the bed.

**(He was taking night school courses in shorthand to get a promotion at work)

 

A Thank You

I'd like to thank all the Something Awful forum members who turned Willie's 1904 Diary into a truly multi-media experience, from looking up the books Willie mentions reading , the songs he was listening to, the clothes he was wearing, photographs of 1904 Boston and even tracking Willie down on the census and finding out what became of him after 1904.  Thank you, goons!

1904 Diary: The Josie Saga

And now, as promised, I present the Josie Saga, a 3 part mini-series. Willie had a girlfriend, Mattie, but they were more off than on-again most of the time. Not being one to sit around and mope about it, Willie discovered romance amongst the switchboard cables down at the train station where he worked.

Translation: 830 am. Went down the bank and drew eight bones. Coming back I left my overcoat in a store to be cleaned. In to work 12 noon. Cadigan owed me 5 hours so he came up at 3 and worked for me til 500 pm. I borrowed his raglan and kid gloves and went over the city. Got some dry goods and came back to work. About 3 PM. I went down and bought some ice-cream. Brought some down to Josephine for which she let me hold her hand for awhile. Off work 1240 am. Retired 1. Remarks: Miss Josephine Coffie says she resides at 40 Revere St, Boston. Will call in my auto--later.

(Silly Willie, he doesn't have an auto! A forum member over at Something Awful has suggested that he was being sarcastic as Revere Street was part of a well-to-do neighborhood back then and our boy Willie was strictly working class.)

Translation: Arose 625 am. In at 640. Worked til 12 noon. Came home and read "The Green Flag" (a library book that belongs to Kenefick) Took a nap from 3-430. Mike called after supper. He trimmed me 7 games of chess and 2 of checkers. Remarks: Must cut "holding hands" with Josephine and study shorthand a good deal harder.

(But alas, Josephine has a secret. A big one.)

Translation: 520 am. In at 539. but they sent me down on the platform acct Pendergast sick. Came home and went to bed 30 pm. Got up at 6 pm and rode over to Park St. Waitied for Josie and then we walked to the theatre. It was all right we had a lovely time. Came home and retired 12 md (Cadigan says that Josie has been married and a has a couple of children. I don't know. I don't care) Remarks: We held hands during the entire play and when it came to the Radium Dances. Well, a kiss on the lips is worth 2 on the hand. Didn't count them all but there 5 or 6 long ones.

Yes, that does actually say "Radium Dance". And what's a Radium Dance, you ask? Well, I'll tell you.

*The Radium Dance a song from the 1903 Broadway musical Piff, Paff, Pouf.   The song was "number 1 with a bullet" back in 1904.  And in case you're wondering what The Radium Dance sounded like, click here. **

*Thanks to Something Awful forum member  Deteriorata for finding both the song and the sheet music.

** And another big thanks to Something Awful forum member havax for taking the time to sit down and plunk out The Radium Dance on the piano.

Photos: Faithful Companion

A boy and his dog.

His very, very happy dog. 

FAQ

What is Holy Cats?  Where am I? Who are you? Why am I here?  Holy Cats is my blog. I collect antique diaries, journals and letters and have begun to transcribe them into a somewhat more readable form. I also throw in a random old photograph from time to time to break up the monontony.

Where am I? You are at Holy Cats.

Who are you? I'm Melanie, writer and obsessive collector of old things.

Why am I here? I think you need to lie down. Here's a pillow.

Where do you find all this stuff? One word--eBay. Well, two or three more words...antique stores and estate sales but mostly eBay. You'd be surprised at how much history is for up for sale.

What's the point? Well, it's history. I sort of feel that in some small way I'm contributing to the greater good by keeping a record of these rare first-hand accounts. These people were eye witnesses to history.  That's my well thought out intelligent answer. Now here's the other one. I just like old stuff and when I found out other people like it as much as me, I decided to share it.

Why isn't the 1904 Diary in chronological order? Because I initially intended only to post a few pages on the Something Awful thread but it soon turned into something much bigger. I plan to eventually scan and transcribe the entire 365 page diary and put it in chronological order.

The diaries/letters are hard to read. Can you make them bigger or easier to read?  There's a translation underneath each scan. Or there should be. If there isn't, let me know. And sorry, no, I cannot make them easier to read. Unless you've got a spare Delorean and flux capacitor I can borrow.

Can I submit something for you to transcribe and post?  I know I might regret this later on, but sure. Email's at the bottom of the page.

What does "Holy Cats" mean? Heck if I know. But apparently it was the "Holy crap!" of its time. My guess would be (aided by Google) that it's a nicer less blasphemous way of saying "Holy Christ!" when you stubbed your toe. Kind of like "Gosh darn it!".

Are cats actually holy? If you own a cat I think you know the answer to that.

1904 Diary: The Girl at the Fair

Willie sees a girl at the fair that he'd like to get to know. But there's a catch.

Translation: Arose 515 AM. Worked til 6 PM. Tom called at 7 PM and we walked down to Mike's house and tried to get him to come to Mechanics Building to the fair. He would come so Tom and I went. Got interested in a girl that was there with a lady (her mother or aunt probably) and after several well laid plots, managed to pass her about 10 times. I was afraid to speak to her and I guess Tom was. Walked home. Retired 1230 am.

Remarks: The fair is a rocky show. Most all advertisments. The best attraction was one girl.

Poor Willie was too nervous to talk to her. 80+ years later, I'd have the same problem in the 5th grade involving a boy who sat next to me in math class. I thought he was cute and wrote him a note but I was too nervous to actually pass it over to him.  That note sat in my math notebook the rest of the school year.

Some things never change.

Photos: School Girl

This photograph is absolutely one of my all-time favorites.  I obtained it in a batch of anonymous photographs, all centered around a one room schoolhouse.  There's a whole novel written in the details of this picture if you look close enough.

See the desk next to the girl? It's not hard to imagine those scratches on the side coming from years of bored students passing the time carving their initials while trying to look attentive to the droning of the teacher.  And see the ink wells  and open books arranged haphazardly on each desk? It's as if the entire class just got up and walked out of the room moments before this photo was taken. And from the look on the girl's face, that's exactly what happened.

Judging from the sullen expression on her face, the unfortunate subject of the photograph quite obviously wants to be anywhere but the center of a portrait .  Her friends and schoolmates are all outside for recess and she's had to stay behind forced to sit completely still for what, to a young girl,  seems to be an eternity.  She can hear the yells and laughter of the other kids out in the schoolyard and is doing her best to ignore the sounds and look straight ahead and "look natural" as the photographer has ordered her to do. Her facial expression has quickly turned from natural to a grumpy scowl because it's hard to look natural when you're hot and your best Sunday dress is itchy and you can feel sweat trickling down your back. And your hair is a mess even though Mother very carefully put it up this morning and ordered you to make certain it stayed that way.

After all, you were the special one chosen for the honor of being photographed with one of those new-fangled things called a camera.  But no one told you it would take this long.  All you want to do is kick off your shoes, hitch up your skirt and run down to the river and take a dip in the cool water. But no, you can do no such thing, at least until this silly photography business is over with.

Photograph, smotograph.

1904 Diary: Willie becomes a Man

Yes, he moves on from a boy's cap to a man's derby.

Translation: Arose 830 AM Went down the bank and got some money and then went to Leopold Morse's and bought a suit, a derby and a pair of gloves. In to work at 3 PM. Worked til 1230 AM Retired 115 AM. Remarks: I am never going to wear a cap again. I guess I got the latest style this trip.

Wait, what did you think I meant? This is 1904 and Willie is quite a gentleman. I mean, really! Besides, if he had really become a man I'm sure he wouldn't have written that in his diary. The boy lived with his mother and a younger sister. If he had written that down, he probably would have written it in some kind of code, like "holding hands".

Translation: Arose 625 am. In at 640 am. Worked till 1200 noon. Came home and read "The Green Flag" (a library book that belongs to Kenefick). Took a nap from 3-430. Mike called after supper. He trimmed me 2 games of chess and 2 of checkers. Remarks: Must cut out "holding hands" with Josephine and study shorthand a good deal harder.

Heh. Actually, I imagine it was all quite innocent but who is this Josephine person, you ask? That's a tale that must be told in its own entry. It's a story full of scandal and intrigue, 1904 style...

Photos: Family Portrait

Another photo from the big random batch from Iowa.

I think it's pretty obvious who wore the pants in this family.

Photos: Bess and the Preacher Man

I aquired this photo in a big random batch of photos off eBay. They were all taken in Shenandoah, Iowa and a lot of them were apparently from the same family, including these two.

Here's one of a friendly looking fella taking a break from a long day's work and watching the cats play at his feet.

Except it's not a fella. It's a woman named Bess and she's dressed like a man.

Closeup of Bess, as requested:

If I were Bess I'd be dressing like a man too. Corsets and petticoats weren't all that practical down on the farm or, well, anywhere. It makes sense. 

But then it gets a little strange.

Here's Bess's husband, who, according to the caption on the back of the photo, is dressed as a "Preacher Man". One can assume that he isn't actually a Preacher Man because then the photographer wouldn't feel the need to point out the fact he was dressed like one.

I'm guessing that Bess and the Preacher Man had an interesting marriage.

1904 Diary: Holy cats! Why for did I go?

Larry also ate a lot of hot dogs. A LOT of hotdogs. He ate them almost every night for dinner. Sometimes that came back to haunt him:

 

Translation: Arose 8 AM. Brought a book down the library and had a new crystal put in my watch. Then I rode out to Malden Sq. on my bike. Home at 1 PM. IN to work at 3 PM. Worked til 1235 PM. Came home and retired 115 AM. Remarks: Fine autumn weather but getting along to winter again. A "typical Hot Dog"--a heterogeneous conglomeration of unknown undigestable ingredients. I had one tonight, so I KNOW.

"Holy Cats!"

Translation: Arose 5 AM In to work 6 AM. Worked til 3 PM. Tom called 4 PM. We walked up to SOmerville Park and back again. He called after supper and we went down to the beach. Holy cats!! Why for did I go. Rode around on flying horses about twenty times grinning at every girl we didn't know. Finally rode home with two Chelsea girls to library St Chelsea. Walked over Bunker Hill and retired 1130.

1904 Diary: Oh, what a beautiful MOON

Willie's photographs are the most amazing part of this diary. Apparently, he had his own dark room. He photographed every single one of his friends and coworkers and pasted their tiny images in the corners of the pages.  He also illustrates his adventures throughout the diary.

"Printing photos" in the darkroom:

Translation: Arose 430am. Took ice train 530. Worked "wd" 5:30 to 3. Relieved by Buxton. Called on Mattie 4PM. She was out on piazza. Came home from. Had supper and went up again to Mattie's to print pictures. Staid to 915 Came home and retired 1015.

It's fascinating to read the vernacular of the time. He mentions how beautiful the moon is in a few entries and it took me awhile to realize he was talking about moonshine:

Translation: Arose 510 AM In to work 535. Worked til 2. "S" all in again. Came home and called Mattie at 830. She has moved to Rush St. Could not find her bike so we didn't go. She had a date with some one so I took a walk down the corner. Did a little jumping. Didn't see Kenifick anywhere around. Came home and retired 1030. Remarks Weather elegant. Finest moon out I ever saw. Moonshine.

Arose 520 AM. To work 545 AM. Back to the board. Worked til 3. Took a picture of Mrs. Chase. She took one of me and then I took one of the firemen. Also took one of "Son" the dog. Took a bath! Kenefick called about 730 I walked down to the corner and back. Met Mattie. Walked to Rush St. She took her bike out and we rode out to Malden boulevard. Came home and retired 1030. Remarks Elegant weather. Depression in the cash market.

1904 Diary: Girls, girls, girls

Willie and his friend Kenefick spent most of their time together chasing girls, boxing on the street corner and playing epic games of chess and checkers, sometimes over the phone.

But mostly they chased girls. They even had hand signals:

Quite the players, they were.

Translation: Arose 510 AM IN at 530 AM. Four car trains all day. After 3 PM I went over city. Walked around common. THen walked to Houghtons' but films were not ready. Rode home again (had my badge). After supper, Tom and I walked up to Somerville Park. Then we came down Broadway and up Mt Pleasant St. with two Park girls. Home at 930 PM. Staid talking with Tom on steps until 945. Came in and retired. 1020 pm.

Translation: Arose 5AM. In at 545 am. Worked til 12 noon. Tom came up at 3 pm. I went up the office to get negatives. Then I went up to Dewey Beach with Tom. Big mob there watching the races. Then we went down Revere and had a swim. The water was cold but all right after you got so numb youcouldn't feel it. Walking along the Boulevard we got aquainted with Ella McCartney and Mollie Clifford of Roxbury. Rode on flying horses and then home via Narrow ???. Left them at Powes' Whf.  Came home and retired 10PM. Under drawing: After giving me the "buttin' in" sign, we get aquainted.

They also pondered the age-old mysteries of life:

Translation: Arose 515 am . IN at "S" 540 AM. Town cars on at 1230. Off at 3PM. Found a letter from Tom when I got home. HE was going up swimming with Dononvan at Dewey Beach. Met Tom at ALford St. Watching ball game. We went down Dewey and looked at water but it was too low for a swim. Came back ALford st. Watched ball game. Then came up to my steps and listened to an old man discussing "whether the hen or the egg was made first" and whether a fire "burnt up or burnt down a house, etc. Keneific also gave me al etter that he received from Grace Curran in Lyndon addressed to me in a stage name.

1904 Diary: A History Lesson in 2 Parts

Roosevelt for President!

Translation: Arose 5 AM In at 530 AM. Worked til 3 PM. This is election day. I think Roosevelt and Bates will be elected. Tom called after supper and we went down to the library. Got two books "Indoor and Outdoor Games" and "Later Magic" Came home and retired 1130 PM Remarks: Roosevelt won by a big majority. Bates lost. Douglass too.

War Breaks out, Kenefick is full of hot air

Translation: Arose 830 AM. Walked down Public Library and got a book on Electricty. IN to work 3 PM. Worked til 12. Retired 1 AM Remarks: Skating good. Jap-Russian war broke out today. Kenefick drawing a deep breath. Arose 815 am. Went up after pay. Came home, had dinner and got into work 155 am. Busy all day. Switch failed at about 65. Acted up for 10 minutes. Off work 1215. Retired 1 AM. Remarks: Weather very chilly. Skating good. Cadigan couldn't cough back that $$$ either today. Japs captured or sunk 11 Russian warships today.

1904 Diary: Meet Willie

Our young hero ( named Willie as he scrawled that at the bottom of one page) was 18 in the year 1904. He lived in Boston with his mother and younger sister Ethel. I think his father was dead or gone from the home because he was the sole breadwinner of the household, turning over most of his paychecks to pay for bills. He worked for a train or street car line, I'm not sure which and I'm not quite sure what he did at his job--possibly worked the switches. He worked some horrid hours, some 15 hour shifts, 7 days a week most of the time. He even had to work every major holiday.

Willie worked his ass off for the sum total of $35-40 a month:

Larry was obsessed with three things-ice skating, girls and photography. Seemingly in that order. He mentions ice skating in almost every entry. He's either going skating in the winter, talking about the past winter's skating in spring, wishing for skating in the summer and looking forward to winter skating in the fall.

He had an on-again, off-again girlfriend named Mattie and a wisecracking sidekick named  Kenefick:

Translation: Arose 10 AM. Loafted around the house all mo rning. In t owrok at "WD" 3 PM. Off at 230. Took surface car home arrive 1:25. Had a feed and retired 2 AM. Kenefick Doesn't need a haircut! Before diving...after diving. Remarks-Drizzly weather. Would like to see it snow. Lent Mike my camera to take some more pictures.

1904 Diary: Boston, 1904...

I collect old diaries, journals, letters and photographs from the early  1800s-1920s. A few months ago, I purchased a 1904 diary written by a young man who lived in Boston. I recently began scanning pages in from his diary and posting them over on the Something Awful forums. I've gotten a tremendous positive response and have had more than one person encourage me to blog this diary, which is what I hope to do here.

In the few days since I started posting diary pages on SA, forum members have looked up information on the census and found Willie and his family, found photographs of places he describes and even online transcriptions of the books he was reading. It's an amazing read and it's like looking into a time capsule of the year 1904. There's an entire year's worth of entries and I've just started posting a few of them. I plan to eventually scan the entire thing.

Underneath each photo is a translation of Willie's handwriting. I have no trouble reading it but it's shocking how many people younger than me cannot read cursive writing (I'm 33).


Read on to take a quick trip back to 1904, where autos were new-fangled contraptions and there was no tv, internet or cell phones...