-
This is the first real nice Sunday we have had since I came down. We went to church and S.S. came home and Mr. Peterson and Mr. Rohner [?] came up – pretty soon Rovig came and then Ross Evenson and Louie P. In the evening went to church. Mr. Rovig saw Cora home. Roy had got quite stuck [struck?] on Vi Corey [Coney?] – “only a puppy love” – I guess.
I remember well when that expression was used in connection with myself.
-
1/30/09
Sat. Jan. 30, 1897 Wea. fine
-
As a natural result of last night’s dissipation we did not get up before late. We had to wash & do general house cleaning. Marion went up to the Capitol with me. Should have rec’d my warrant but came late so didn’t. We expected to get $5 a day but got $4 so will receive $80. Lu went with Marion to see her off to-night. Flo & I [the rest of the entry is in shorthand].
Closeup of the shorthand.
It begins with "Flo & I" plus the lower part of the letter "f" from the line above.
NOTE
In Fifth Biennial Report of the State Auditor to the Governor of North Dakota for the Two Years Ending June 30, 1898, see page 25 for a listing of Hilda's first $80 on pages listing "Appropriation of Per Diem, Officers, and Employes." See page 29 for her March 3 final payment.
Other familiar names listed in this report are Roy Veeder, Boucher (the warden), Casselman, Miss McVey (lulu McVey, not to be confused with Hilda's sister Lulu Satterlund).
-
-
1/29/09
Fri. Jan. 29, 1897 Wea. nice
-
Marion was intending to go home to-night but had no way of doing so. We were glad of it. We all went to the entertainment at the Atheneum given by Mrs. Geo. Hughes. Saidie Slattery’s solo was abominable – Mrs. Hughes’ was fine! also Marie’s. We did not get home until 12:20 and we were pretty tired people.
Florence was moved from the little school house to the other and Johnnie went below.
-
Marion was intending to go home to-night but had no way of doing so. We were glad of it. We all went to the entertainment at the Atheneum given by Mrs. Geo. Hughes. Saidie Slattery’s solo was abominable – Mrs. Hughes’ was fine! also Marie’s. We did not get home until 12:20 and we were pretty tired people.
Florence was moved from the little school house to the other and Johnnie went below.
-
1/28/09
Thurs. Jan. 28, 1897 Wea. mild
-
Marion came over this afternoon. She has been having some dentistry done. We spent a merry evening.
I went up to the Cap. again but only copied 1/3 of a bill. I am having it too easy.
-
Marion came over this afternoon. She has been having some dentistry done. We spent a merry evening.
I went up to the Cap. again but only copied 1/3 of a bill. I am having it too easy.
-
1/27/09
Wed. Jan. 27, 1897 Wea. cold
-
I ordered the hack to come but I guess it forgot me & so had to walk. Got there 2:30 and my feet were almost froze stiff. I rode home. It soon counts up though 20⊄ a ride so I guess when I can possibly do so I will walk.
Louie Baardson came over and spent the evening and we had a high old time. Playing and singing.
-
I ordered the hack to come but I guess it forgot me & so had to walk. Got there 2:30 and my feet were almost froze stiff. I rode home. It soon counts up though 20⊄ a ride so I guess when I can possibly do so I will walk.
Louie Baardson came over and spent the evening and we had a high old time. Playing and singing.
-
1/26/09
Tues. Jan. 26, 1897 Wea. cold
-
Although it is cold it is not blowing and the “kids” were able to go to school. Went to the Capitol to-day. A great many of the new clerks have come. There are about eighteen or twenty clerks. We have a snap of it too. Roy came back from Mandan – Marion came with him but she is visiting Boucher’s.
We went and heard Bishop Shanley lecture on the divorce question. He gave the startling report that in ’96 in Cass County N.D. there were 126 divorces and 130 marriages.
-
NOTE
According to the North Dakota History Timeline at e-Reference Desk:
-
-
Although it is cold it is not blowing and the “kids” were able to go to school. Went to the Capitol to-day. A great many of the new clerks have come. There are about eighteen or twenty clerks. We have a snap of it too. Roy came back from Mandan – Marion came with him but she is visiting Boucher’s.
We went and heard Bishop Shanley lecture on the divorce question. He gave the startling report that in ’96 in Cass County N.D. there were 126 divorces and 130 marriages.
-
NOTE
According to the North Dakota History Timeline at e-Reference Desk:
-
1899 - North Dakota lost its reputation as being the national divorce mecca when a 90-day residency law expired.
--
1/25/09
Mon. Jan. 25, 1897 Wea. bliz.
-
We did not get up until late and as it was stormy the children did not go to school. We read most all morning. In the afternoon Louie P and Lawrence Fritz came over. They said it was very cold. Mary went home this evening and it seems so lonely without her.
Lulu and I went over to Mr. Gage’s and spent a very pleasant evening. Florence was sick but when we came she seemed to be all right.
-
We did not get up until late and as it was stormy the children did not go to school. We read most all morning. In the afternoon Louie P and Lawrence Fritz came over. They said it was very cold. Mary went home this evening and it seems so lonely without her.
Lulu and I went over to Mr. Gage’s and spent a very pleasant evening. Florence was sick but when we came she seemed to be all right.
-
1/24/09
Sun. Jan. 24, 1897 Wea. bliz.
-
Another large blizzard this morning. Did not have breakfast till 11 o’clock. Read very nearly all day. I read some of “Ourselves and Others” by Trumbull – it was fine!
-
NOTE:
Ourselves and Others: Or Personality and Intercourse by H. Clay Trumbull, Philadelphia, John D. Wattles, Publisher, 1889, appears to be a 19th century version of a popular psychology book.
-
Another large blizzard this morning. Did not have breakfast till 11 o’clock. Read very nearly all day. I read some of “Ourselves and Others” by Trumbull – it was fine!
-
NOTE:
Ourselves and Others: Or Personality and Intercourse by H. Clay Trumbull, Philadelphia, John D. Wattles, Publisher, 1889, appears to be a 19th century version of a popular psychology book.
-
1/23/09
Sat. Jan. 23, 1897 Wea. bliz.
-
There was very nearly a hard [?] storm this morning. Florence was going to the dentist but could not on account of the storm. Cleaned house and baked. Florence Gage came over in the evening and played and Mary finished my dress.
There was very nearly a hard [?] storm this morning. Florence was going to the dentist but could not on account of the storm. Cleaned house and baked. Florence Gage came over in the evening and played and Mary finished my dress.
In a photo taken ca 1900, a few years after Hilda's diary:
Ben Belk, Cid Taylor, Lulu Satterlund, Quinlivan,
Florence Gage, Florence Satterlund, Hugh Scott
1/22/09
Fri. Jan. 22, 1897 Wea. cold
-
The wind still continues to blow. Should have gone down to Mrs. Dixon’s to study up my shorthand.
The wind still continues to blow. Should have gone down to Mrs. Dixon’s to study up my shorthand.
1/21/09
Thurs. Jan. 21, 1897 Wea. windy
-
Did house work and in the evening we went down to the G.A.R. Hall to a Baptist Social. The wind blew so hard that we could hardly go down, but I hung on to Johnnie. The entertainment was fine – “Ma Sweet and her seven daughters.” The coffee was fine, as was also the cake.
-
NOTES
Per Wikipedia: The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army who had served in the American Civil War. The GAR was among the first organized interest groups in American politics. The GAR was founded... in 1866. Its organization was based partly on the traditions of Freemasonry, and partly on military tradition.... There were posts in every state in the U.S., and several posts overseas.
Did house work and in the evening we went down to the G.A.R. Hall to a Baptist Social. The wind blew so hard that we could hardly go down, but I hung on to Johnnie. The entertainment was fine – “Ma Sweet and her seven daughters.” The coffee was fine, as was also the cake.
-
NOTES
Per Wikipedia: The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army who had served in the American Civil War. The GAR was among the first organized interest groups in American politics. The GAR was founded... in 1866. Its organization was based partly on the traditions of Freemasonry, and partly on military tradition.... There were posts in every state in the U.S., and several posts overseas.
1/20/09
Wed. Jan. 20, 1897 Wea.
-
To-day they went into joint session and unanimously declared Hansbrough re-elected. Had a lunch up there and came up home about 2:30. Will have a rest for very nearly a week. Mary is coming to-morrow to make a new skirt and waiste.
NOTE:
In the Bills Payable section of the diary for January, Hilda indicates she paid "Mary Baardson" $7, likely for the sewing.
-
To-day they went into joint session and unanimously declared Hansbrough re-elected. Had a lunch up there and came up home about 2:30. Will have a rest for very nearly a week. Mary is coming to-morrow to make a new skirt and waiste.
NOTE:
In the Bills Payable section of the diary for January, Hilda indicates she paid "Mary Baardson" $7, likely for the sewing.
-
1/19/09
Tues. Jan. 19, 1897 Wea. nice
-
Went into the House and visited – I had to stand up and I tell you I loomed up beautifully – around me it seemed as though it was the shortest set of people that I have every noticed in a crowd or else I did not fully realize that I was so “awfully” tall.
Papa said that Mr. Peterson was in the Hospital taking the Kelley cure – a good thing.
--
NOTES:
"House" = the state legislature
Have not been able to determine what the Kelley cure was.
Went into the House and visited – I had to stand up and I tell you I loomed up beautifully – around me it seemed as though it was the shortest set of people that I have every noticed in a crowd or else I did not fully realize that I was so “awfully” tall.
Papa said that Mr. Peterson was in the Hospital taking the Kelley cure – a good thing.
--
NOTES:
"House" = the state legislature
Have not been able to determine what the Kelley cure was.
1/18/09
Mon. Jan. 18, 1897 Wea. cold
-
Although it is not storming it is very cold and the side walks are full of snow so the convicts were busy shoveling. The Houses nominated Hansbrough for Senator and it is a conceded fact he will be elected. A great many ladies were present.
Papa came down to-day he brought down a lot of things that Mamma sent down – beans, biscuits, jelly, etc.
-
Although it is not storming it is very cold and the side walks are full of snow so the convicts were busy shoveling. The Houses nominated Hansbrough for Senator and it is a conceded fact he will be elected. A great many ladies were present.
Papa came down to-day he brought down a lot of things that Mamma sent down – beans, biscuits, jelly, etc.
-
1/17/09
Sun. Jan. 17, 1897 Wea. [snow? Storm?]
-
We woke this morning to the fact that a “real” Dakota Blizzard was wielding its rights. (?) Of course we would not think of going to church and thought we would settle down to a nice quiet day – but such scuffling and tumbling as there was! It would be a great but a pleasant surprise if there was such a thing as getting the girls interested in reading – especially Florence.
-
We woke this morning to the fact that a “real” Dakota Blizzard was wielding its rights. (?) Of course we would not think of going to church and thought we would settle down to a nice quiet day – but such scuffling and tumbling as there was! It would be a great but a pleasant surprise if there was such a thing as getting the girls interested in reading – especially Florence.
-
NOTES:
Hilda herself wrote the question mark in parentheses "(?)." See original diary above.
1/16/09
Sat. Jan. 16, 1897 Wea. nice
-
We did not get up before 8:30 and we had so much to do – never-the-less we washed, baked, swept, cleaned &c.
This after noon Mr. Lawrence set me to work – copied one bill – it was very easy but I guess the engrossing will be harder.
Went to the skating rink with the girls to-night. Could not get them started home before 11 o’clock. The Mandan Band was over and played.
-
NOTE:
Here "to engross" means to write or print the final, official document.
-
We did not get up before 8:30 and we had so much to do – never-the-less we washed, baked, swept, cleaned &c.
This after noon Mr. Lawrence set me to work – copied one bill – it was very easy but I guess the engrossing will be harder.
Went to the skating rink with the girls to-night. Could not get them started home before 11 o’clock. The Mandan Band was over and played.
-
NOTE:
Here "to engross" means to write or print the final, official document.
-
1/15/09
Fri. Jan. 15, 1897 Wea. nice
-
Mary has been busy sewing on my waiste – it will be fine when I get it finished. I have not had to do anything at the Capitol yet. I will be spoiled for any other kind of work.
-
Mary has been busy sewing on my waiste – it will be fine when I get it finished. I have not had to do anything at the Capitol yet. I will be spoiled for any other kind of work.
-
1/14/09
Thurs. Jan. 14, 1897 Wea. nice
-
Got a machine today so Mary could finish my dress. I haven’t had to do any work yet at the Cap. Softest snap [?] I ever expect to get. The “kids” drove me pretty nearly crazy with their racket.
-
Got a machine today so Mary could finish my dress. I haven’t had to do any work yet at the Cap. Softest snap [?] I ever expect to get. The “kids” drove me pretty nearly crazy with their racket.
-
1/13/09
Wed. Jan. 13, 1897 Wea. cold
-
Snowing some to-day and threatens a blizzard. Was quite surprised this P.M. When I was leaving the Cap., Mr. Rovig came out and commenced talking of Florence’s escapade. Saw me home and had great sport teasing Cora about it.
-
Snowing some to-day and threatens a blizzard. Was quite surprised this P.M. When I was leaving the Cap., Mr. Rovig came out and commenced talking of Florence’s escapade. Saw me home and had great sport teasing Cora about it.
-
1/12/09
Tues. Jan. 12, 1897 Wea. nice
-
Mary worked on my waiste for me. Mr. Rovig called again on Cora and reported meeting Florence with her skates – she and Ella had gone down to Kupitz [?] but did not know they intended skating but she came back pretty good.
-
Mary worked on my waiste for me. Mr. Rovig called again on Cora and reported meeting Florence with her skates – she and Ella had gone down to Kupitz [?] but did not know they intended skating but she came back pretty good.
-
1/11/09
Mon. Jan. 11, 1897 Wea. nice
Did housework – went to the Capitol in the afternoon and then Mary and I went down to the store and picked out waiste for me. Quite pretty. Mary came and stayed all night..------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - --- -- Notes from Betsy 2011: A waiste (or waist) is apparently a blouse, as in shirt-waist. Check out "waists" in the Sears Catalog in 1897. Thanks to Sarah Frank for the link!
1/10/09
Sun. Jan. 10, 1897 Wea. [illegible]
-
Got up at eight o’clock. Went to church, S.S., C.E. and church at the Baptist church. Prof. [?] Hunt and Mr. Joslyn played several pieces on the guitar and mandolin. Real nice. Comming home Mr. Rovig accompanied Cora home and stayed rather late!
Hope we can keep up the record, I mean [illegible word] church going, not “fellow calling.”
-
---
Notes from Betsy, 2009:
SS = Sunday School; C.E. was likely short for Y.P.S.C.E., or the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavour. See the April 11 entry in the diary.
-
Got up at eight o’clock. Went to church, S.S., C.E. and church at the Baptist church. Prof. [?] Hunt and Mr. Joslyn played several pieces on the guitar and mandolin. Real nice. Comming home Mr. Rovig accompanied Cora home and stayed rather late!
Hope we can keep up the record, I mean [illegible word] church going, not “fellow calling.”
-
---
Notes from Betsy, 2009:
SS = Sunday School; C.E. was likely short for Y.P.S.C.E., or the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavour. See the April 11 entry in the diary.
-
1/9/09
Sat. Jan. 9, 1897 Wea. nice
-
The girls cleaned house and I baked pie. Went to the Cap. but only wrote my name. Cora and I went over to Mrs. Baardson’s and spent the evening. Talked over sewing [?] with Mary. It snowed quite a bit and as a result we can be prepared for another storm.
-
The girls cleaned house and I baked pie. Went to the Cap. but only wrote my name. Cora and I went over to Mrs. Baardson’s and spent the evening. Talked over sewing [?] with Mary. It snowed quite a bit and as a result we can be prepared for another storm.
-
1/8/09
Fri. Jan. 8, 1897 Wea. nice
-
We got up at six as papa and mama went home. Roy and I did the work. At 2 o’clock went to the Cap. but did not have to do any thing. Cora and Lulu came up to the Cap. It was so windy when we came back that Lu and I took a hack. Mr. Rovig called in the evening & spent a pleasant one – for us at least. We entertained him with some of our beautiful singing.
---
NOTE
A hack, short for hackney carriage, was a carriage pulled by a horse that served as a taxi.
-
We got up at six as papa and mama went home. Roy and I did the work. At 2 o’clock went to the Cap. but did not have to do any thing. Cora and Lulu came up to the Cap. It was so windy when we came back that Lu and I took a hack. Mr. Rovig called in the evening & spent a pleasant one – for us at least. We entertained him with some of our beautiful singing.
---
NOTE
A hack, short for hackney carriage, was a carriage pulled by a horse that served as a taxi.
-
1/7/09
Thurs. Jan. 7 1897 Wea. nice
-
Did some house work and intended going to have a quiet afternoon but papa came up for me to be sworn in to my office as clerk. There were two other ladies besides myself. Met Lieut. Gov. Divine, Senators Haggart, Mansfield and others – do not remember their names. We got a piano to-night so the girls have been drumming ever since. The Gages came over and played some.
NOTE:
According to the North Dakota History Timeline of e-Reference Desk:
-
Did some house work and intended going to have a quiet afternoon but papa came up for me to be sworn in to my office as clerk. There were two other ladies besides myself. Met Lieut. Gov. Divine, Senators Haggart, Mansfield and others – do not remember their names. We got a piano to-night so the girls have been drumming ever since. The Gages came over and played some.
NOTE:
According to the North Dakota History Timeline of e-Reference Desk:
1894 -
- The Republican Party regained control of state government, a domination that continued until 1907.
-
1/6/09
Wed. Jan. 6, 1897 Wea. nice
-
We had plenty of visitors today – several of the Washburn folks were down and called in. The girls went down skating. Cora and I washed the dishes and went down shopping, went to the rink, and stayed until I thought I was being pointed out too much. Then went and visited Adeline Fulch [?] a while and got home after 10. Roy lost his over shoes. Lu thinks she had good prospects of going in the 9th grade.
-
We had plenty of visitors today – several of the Washburn folks were down and called in. The girls went down skating. Cora and I washed the dishes and went down shopping, went to the rink, and stayed until I thought I was being pointed out too much. Then went and visited Adeline Fulch [?] a while and got home after 10. Roy lost his over shoes. Lu thinks she had good prospects of going in the 9th grade.
-
1/5/09
Tues. Jan. 5, 1897 Wea. mild
-
The storm has stopped and it is quite nice although the roads are all blockaded. The session opened today – that is the House organized. Roy Veeder was elected one of the Pages. He came over here and is going to stay with us as his papa does not want him to go to the hotel. We will have quite a family.
-
The storm has stopped and it is quite nice although the roads are all blockaded. The session opened today – that is the House organized. Roy Veeder was elected one of the Pages. He came over here and is going to stay with us as his papa does not want him to go to the hotel. We will have quite a family.
-
A public domain image of the old Bismarck State Capitol;
it was built in 1883-4 and burned to the ground in 1930
-
it was built in 1883-4 and burned to the ground in 1930
NOTES
According to the North Dakota History Timeline at e-Reference Desk:
-
According to the North Dakota History Timeline at e-Reference Desk:
-
1883 -
- The territorial capital was moved from Yankton to Bismarck
- First capitol was constructed.
1885 -
- The first meeting of the Territorial Legislature was held at Bismarck
- The great "Dakota Boom" in settlement increased the territory's population during this era
- Territorial census was taken.
-
1/4/09
Mon. Jan. 4, 1897 Wea. Cold
-
It was too cold for the girls to go to school. Louie P. came over and spent the morning. Lulu and I pasted in our Scrap Books. Papa came down this evening & is going to try and get me into the Capitol. Mr. Wahl came up to see Cora who came down this morning. Louie and Florence Gage came over and spent the evening – playing games and singing.
---
John Satterlund was a powerful figure in the region and apparently used his influence to help Hilda get a job working in the state capitol at Bismarck. Hilda, 18, was in charge of sisters Lulu, 16, and Florence, 14. John and Charlotte Satterlund and their youngest child Floyd ("Bud") remained 40 miles north of Bismarck in the town of Washburn, which John had helped to found.
-
It was too cold for the girls to go to school. Louie P. came over and spent the morning. Lulu and I pasted in our Scrap Books. Papa came down this evening & is going to try and get me into the Capitol. Mr. Wahl came up to see Cora who came down this morning. Louie and Florence Gage came over and spent the evening – playing games and singing.
---
John Satterlund was a powerful figure in the region and apparently used his influence to help Hilda get a job working in the state capitol at Bismarck. Hilda, 18, was in charge of sisters Lulu, 16, and Florence, 14. John and Charlotte Satterlund and their youngest child Floyd ("Bud") remained 40 miles north of Bismarck in the town of Washburn, which John had helped to found.
-
1/3/09
Sun. Jan. 3, 1897 Wea. Cold
-
The storm still continues but hope we will soon have a change. The girls went to church and S.S. When they got [home?] they were pretty cold. Flo very nearly froze her foot. Johnnie came down just as we were eating and will stay with us and go to school. I read to the folks out of Jo’s Boys and tried to get them interested. It was a long evening as it was too cold to go to church.
--
Note from Betsy, 2009:
SS = Sunday School
The storm still continues but hope we will soon have a change. The girls went to church and S.S. When they got [home?] they were pretty cold. Flo very nearly froze her foot. Johnnie came down just as we were eating and will stay with us and go to school. I read to the folks out of Jo’s Boys and tried to get them interested. It was a long evening as it was too cold to go to church.
--
Note from Betsy, 2009:
SS = Sunday School
1/2/09
Sat. Jan. 2, 1897 Wea. Cold
-
Still storming – almost as bad as our Thanksgiving Blizzard – although colder I believe. Mrs. R. ventured out over to her sister’s Mrs. Hatch. Lulu has been suffering with the tooth ache so her cheek is all swollen. We had a good splash in the bath tub and feel a few pounds lighter.
-
-
Still storming – almost as bad as our Thanksgiving Blizzard – although colder I believe. Mrs. R. ventured out over to her sister’s Mrs. Hatch. Lulu has been suffering with the tooth ache so her cheek is all swollen. We had a good splash in the bath tub and feel a few pounds lighter.
-
-
1/1/09
Fri. Jan. 1, 1897 Wea. Cold
-
We are again entering upon another year of uncertainty. We do not know what joys or sorrows we may encounter – although I am quite happy at the present time have been in Bismarck three or four days and have good prospects of a position in the Capitol. Mrs. Ramseth is visiting with us as it is storming quite hard she could not leave. About all we did was cook, eat, wash dishes, and gossip – a woman’s way of employing herself.
We are again entering upon another year of uncertainty. We do not know what joys or sorrows we may encounter – although I am quite happy at the present time have been in Bismarck three or four days and have good prospects of a position in the Capitol. Mrs. Ramseth is visiting with us as it is storming quite hard she could not leave. About all we did was cook, eat, wash dishes, and gossip – a woman’s way of employing herself.
Hilda's diary - actual size----
NOTES from Betsy, 2009:
John and Charlotte Satterlund were living in Washburn, ND with their youngest child, Floyd “Bud.” Their three daughters, Hilda (18), Lulu (16), and Florence (14) had moved down to live in the family’s Bismarck house. Washburn is 40 miles north of Bismarck. John Satterlund was a powerful figure in the region.
---
Hilda Satterlund Wenz (1878-1970) grew up in Bismarck and Washburn, North Dakota; lived for several years in Washington DC, Idaho, and Oregon; and spent the rest of her life in Perrysburg, Ohio. Betsy is one of her granddaughters.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
