Nancy Brown’s diary entries for March 1898

Nancy’s handwriting is extremely hard to read, especially names.

Mar 1 – 7 of the victims buried to day, 4 from St. Augustines. Lou had hard spell. Dr here. Lou worse this eve. Dr came again. Florence Turney married.[31]

Mar 2 – Lou better. Victor Vocelle[32] one of the injured came home to day. Memorial services at Cong. Church at 4-30.

Mar 3 – Hank toned over 1800 pictures. Took 75 negatives to day. Mr Ford called this evening. Bessie began working for her Pa at penny pictures.

Mar 4 – Very plesant. Claude & Edith N[33] went up to Pas[34] this p.m.

Mar 5 – H.A., Lela & I went to “surprise” on Mr & Mrs Denynes. H. got a cup & saucer, Lela mustard dish, head prises.

Mar 6 – Hannah came here on 10 a.m. train went home 6-40 p.m. Claude went back to Chicago this p.m.

Mar 7 – I went down town got 3 dishes for Hannah for Blanch, Florence and Ettie. Lela home all day with sick headache. I got shirt waist paid .88.

Mar 8 – Very plesant. I sewed on Bessies blue bunting dress. We fixed Mildreds hood put fur around.

Mar 9 – Doors opened so warm. We went downtown had Lous & Mildreds pictures taken. Blanche Blake & Ned Stevenson married.[35]

Mar 10 – Lou sick in bed all day did not sleep any last night.

Mar 11 – Rainy. Lou & children went to Pas on noon train.

Mar 12 – Zella & children went to Chicago this p.m. I went to the Burg on 6.55 train. Rained hard. Found Lou worse.

Mar 13 – At Pas. Dr McBett came to see Lou.

Mar 14 – I came home to day, brought Leone. Saw Mrs McKee for Lou. Lela & Bessie got cloth for shirt waists. D.[36] Here this p.m.

Mar 15 – Lou & Mildred did not come. Lou is not so well. D. gone to Pas to night. I fixed Leones big doll.

Mar 16 – Very warm & plesant. Began Lelas dress skirt to day. D. gone home. Lou no better. Mildred 3 years old to day.

Mar 17 – Plesant. Dr Westbrook began work on my teeth. Dr McK– went to Burg to see Lou. Laverne went to the Burg this noon.

Mar 18 – Will Brown[37] is 38 to day.

Mar 19 – Mother Brown[38] is 79 to day.

Mar 20 – Lela & I helped at gallery.

Mar 21 – Lou no better. I went to the Burg 6.40 train rode over home with Mr Schram.

Mar 22 – Lou a little better. I changed her bed. Came home on 10-47 a.m. train. “Sid” Hayes buried.

Mar 23 – Bessie has a candy pull to night. Mrs McKee went to the Burg to see Lou on 6.55 train.

Mar 24 – Bessie not well. I went to gallery in her place.

Mar 25 – I went to gallery again to day.

Mar 26 – I went to gallery to day. Hannah came on 1 p.m. train. She & Mrs McKee went back on 6.55. Claude sent the girls belts.

Mar 27 – Lela helping at gallery.

Mar 28 – Bessie went to the gallery. Cloudy & some rain. Mr Hassic[?] learning picture business. Penny business dropping off.

Mar 29 – Plesant. We got a letter from Claude. Bess one from Edna Clark.[39]

Mar 30 – John & Mattie Hewitt to supper & spend the eve. It is their 12^th wedding anniversary.

Mar 31 – Bessie went to drawing class.

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[30] Her sister and nieces, Louese, Leone & Mildred Harris

[31] Florence was the daughter of Emma (Ford) Turney (see footnote to February 12^th entry). Marriage records show that she married George Franklin Bauch in Lucas, Ohio on March 1, 1898

[32] It was noted in the newspaper article that he had a “gash in head; will survive”

[33] Claude’s future wife, Edith “Eda” Neumaier

[34] Her father, Charles Luke Keith Jr.

[35] Michigan marriage records show that Blanche Blake and Edward Stephenson were married in Galesburg, Michigan on March 9, 1898

[36] D. (or D.D.) was the nickname for her brother-in-law, Daniel D. Harris, Jr.

[37] Her brother-in-law, Willis Brown

[38] Her mother-in-law, Matilda (Allen) Brown

[39] Her niece, the daughter of her half-sister, Lois (Keith) Clark Skinner