-
Cora and I went to S.S. Stayed home all day. In the evening, went to a Union meeting at the M.E. Church. Seven men spoke on temperance. They were all very good. Miss Preston also spoke. Mrs. J. O. Smith of Casselton sang two beautiful songs. Jim Fortune saw Florence home & Papa caught them in the “act.”
-
NOTES
1. S.S. = Sunday School
2. Union = Women's Christian Temperance Union
3. Jim's last name is nearly illegible but in other entries, it appears to be "Fortune."
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2/27/09
Sat. Feb. 27, 1897 Wea. cold
-
Did not get up before late but baked three pies, no four, and a pan of biscuits, then got ready and went to the Cap. Walter took me home and papa had come down. The girls had the house in “applepie” order. Folks were all well at home.
-
NOTE:
John and Charlotte Satterlund - the parents of Hilda, Lulu, and Flo - were living 40 miles north of Bismarck in Washburn, ND, with their youngest child, Floyd "Bud."
-
Did not get up before late but baked three pies, no four, and a pan of biscuits, then got ready and went to the Cap. Walter took me home and papa had come down. The girls had the house in “applepie” order. Folks were all well at home.
-
NOTE:
John and Charlotte Satterlund - the parents of Hilda, Lulu, and Flo - were living 40 miles north of Bismarck in Washburn, ND, with their youngest child, Floyd "Bud."
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2/26/09
Fri. Feb. 26, 1897 Wea. cold
-
Still remains cold. Nothing of interest to-day. Frank Petter and Walter (Leing? Illegible] took the girls out for a little ride but Florence pretty nearly froze her feet.
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NOTE
This Walter's last name is illegible but it is clearly not Le Roy.
-
Still remains cold. Nothing of interest to-day. Frank Petter and Walter (Leing? Illegible] took the girls out for a little ride but Florence pretty nearly froze her feet.
-
NOTE
This Walter's last name is illegible but it is clearly not Le Roy.
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2/25/09
Thurs. Feb. 25, 1897 Wea. mild
-
It was nicer to-day but still sharp. On my way to the Cap. I got Lulu excused from school and she came up with me. She has torn her skirt quite badly though. Walter Le Roy had been down for quite a while and he took Lu and I home behind his fine blacks.
-
NOTE
Not sure what kind of horses "fine blacks" refers to.
-
It was nicer to-day but still sharp. On my way to the Cap. I got Lulu excused from school and she came up with me. She has torn her skirt quite badly though. Walter Le Roy had been down for quite a while and he took Lu and I home behind his fine blacks.
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NOTE
Not sure what kind of horses "fine blacks" refers to.
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2/24/09
Wed. Feb. 24, 1897 Wea. very cold
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Roy, Lulu and I went to the Choral Union to-night. I was an awful long program and so tiresome. I do not care to go to one again very soon. The choruses were about the best.
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Roy, Lulu and I went to the Choral Union to-night. I was an awful long program and so tiresome. I do not care to go to one again very soon. The choruses were about the best.
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2/23/09
Tues. Feb. 23, 1897 Wea. cold
-
Went to the Capitol again to-day. Had to stay till quite late. It is Cora’s 19th birthday and we surmised someone might come and surprise her but I am glad they did not come.
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Went to the Capitol again to-day. Had to stay till quite late. It is Cora’s 19th birthday and we surmised someone might come and surprise her but I am glad they did not come.
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2/22/09
Mon. Feb. 22, 1897 Wea. blow
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Although it is Washington’s birthday and that it was storming, we washed. Mr. Wood came up with a fine horse and cutter and he and the girls went down to the bridge to Mr. Jackman’s. Cora and I had quite a time before we got things straightened around.
-
Although it is Washington’s birthday and that it was storming, we washed. Mr. Wood came up with a fine horse and cutter and he and the girls went down to the bridge to Mr. Jackman’s. Cora and I had quite a time before we got things straightened around.
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2/21/09
Sun. Feb. 21, 1897 Wea. cold
-
Rory [Roy?] went home to-day. Fifteen of us clerks went out to the Penitentiary to-day in a bus. Stayed for services and then went around and viewed things. Got a glimpse of Kent. Everything was the picture of cleanliness. Went to the Pres. Church. Mr. Wood and August were there and walked home with us. They stayed til after 12 o’clock. They brought a large box of bon bons.
NOTES
1. The "bus" may have been a horse-drawn omnibus or a steam bus. If anyone has info about what sort of "bus" was used in Bismarck at the end of the 19th century, please submit a comment. Thanks!
2. Clerks = Hilda's fellow clerks at the Capitol in Bismarck.
3. Was "Kent" a famous prisoner?
4. "Pres." = Presbyterian. Hilda apparently became a Presbyterian a few years later. There seem to be no records as to any previous baptism into another denomination, although Hilda and her family seem to have attended different Protestant churches regularly.
5. The North Dakota History Timeline at e-Reference Desk says:
1885 -
* Territorial prison (now the State Penitentiary) opened at Bismarck.
-
-
Rory [Roy?] went home to-day. Fifteen of us clerks went out to the Penitentiary to-day in a bus. Stayed for services and then went around and viewed things. Got a glimpse of Kent. Everything was the picture of cleanliness. Went to the Pres. Church. Mr. Wood and August were there and walked home with us. They stayed til after 12 o’clock. They brought a large box of bon bons.
NOTES
1. The "bus" may have been a horse-drawn omnibus or a steam bus. If anyone has info about what sort of "bus" was used in Bismarck at the end of the 19th century, please submit a comment. Thanks!
2. Clerks = Hilda's fellow clerks at the Capitol in Bismarck.
3. Was "Kent" a famous prisoner?
4. "Pres." = Presbyterian. Hilda apparently became a Presbyterian a few years later. There seem to be no records as to any previous baptism into another denomination, although Hilda and her family seem to have attended different Protestant churches regularly.
5. The North Dakota History Timeline at e-Reference Desk says:
1885 -
* Territorial prison (now the State Penitentiary) opened at Bismarck.
-
-
2/20/09
Sat. Feb. 20, 1897 Wea. stormy
-
It stormed so hard that I did not go up to the Cap. Roy was to send a hack but could get none to come. We tried to get some cleaning done but it was hard work to get at it. After much threatening and quarreling, got Florence to mop the floor.
-
It stormed so hard that I did not go up to the Cap. Roy was to send a hack but could get none to come. We tried to get some cleaning done but it was hard work to get at it. After much threatening and quarreling, got Florence to mop the floor.
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2/19/09
Fri. Feb. 19, 1897 Wea. stormy
-
Still some stormy. I think this winter will be known as one of the hardest winters seen for good many years. That is what a great many old timers are saying. Vi Corey and Bud Allen came up and spent the evening. They had a big [times? Illegible] playing games.
-
NOTES:
1. It looks like Hilda has written “a big times” though that doesn’t make sense.
2. Here, two pages had stuck together and Hilda mistakenly wrote her entry for this day on the page for 2 days ahead (for Feb 21). The next entry was also two days ahead of itself. Then she realized the error and went back and used the two blank pages she had skipped, writing in the correct dates.
-
Still some stormy. I think this winter will be known as one of the hardest winters seen for good many years. That is what a great many old timers are saying. Vi Corey and Bud Allen came up and spent the evening. They had a big [times? Illegible] playing games.
-
NOTES:
1. It looks like Hilda has written “a big times” though that doesn’t make sense.
2. Here, two pages had stuck together and Hilda mistakenly wrote her entry for this day on the page for 2 days ahead (for Feb 21). The next entry was also two days ahead of itself. Then she realized the error and went back and used the two blank pages she had skipped, writing in the correct dates.
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2/18/09
Thurs. Feb. 18, 1897 Wea. stormy
-
It is rather stormy. We – Lu, Flo, John, Roy, Flo Gage, and I and Cora and Rovig went to an entertainment given by Miss Cora Strauss. It was very good. Miss S is a fine speaker. The poses given by 12 (?) young ladies were also good except the lights were very poor. The girls stayed and danced a while. Lulu was very nearly sick.
NOTE:
When Hilda refers to the "poses," perhaps she was describing a tableau.
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It is rather stormy. We – Lu, Flo, John, Roy, Flo Gage, and I and Cora and Rovig went to an entertainment given by Miss Cora Strauss. It was very good. Miss S is a fine speaker. The poses given by 12 (?) young ladies were also good except the lights were very poor. The girls stayed and danced a while. Lulu was very nearly sick.
NOTE:
When Hilda refers to the "poses," perhaps she was describing a tableau.
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2/17/09
Wed. Feb. 17, 1897 Wea. nice
-
The weather still continues to be nice. Lulu got excused early from school and came home and cleaned up the house. It gets pretty dirty toward the last part of the week. To-night I scared Frank out from walking home with Florence. I don’t suppose it will do much good.
-
The weather still continues to be nice. Lulu got excused early from school and came home and cleaned up the house. It gets pretty dirty toward the last part of the week. To-night I scared Frank out from walking home with Florence. I don’t suppose it will do much good.
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2/16/09
Tues. Feb. 16, 1897 Wea. [illegible]
-
It is a lovely day, like spring. Lulu has a bad cold and had to be excused from school. Florence got a homely Valentine “The Kodak kind.” It is surprising that I have not received any yet but I suppose I will get one yet. Went to the lecture – it was pretty good as are all of Rankin’s. He would have been a grand orator if he had had an education.
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It is a lovely day, like spring. Lulu has a bad cold and had to be excused from school. Florence got a homely Valentine “The Kodak kind.” It is surprising that I have not received any yet but I suppose I will get one yet. Went to the lecture – it was pretty good as are all of Rankin’s. He would have been a grand orator if he had had an education.
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2/15/09
Mon. Feb. 15, 1897 Wea. nice
-
Again it is nice. Went to the Cap. Wrote some but not enough to hurt me any. Flo was under the weather some with a cold which is the fashion now. Left my muff and fascinator at the Cap. I wonder if they will be there to-morrow. Vi Corey came up and spent the evening and played and talked. The girls did not wash the dishes until 10 o’clock.
-
---
Note:
Per Wikipedia, "A fascinator is a headpiece, a style of millinery. The word originally referred to a fine, lacy head covering akin to a shawl made from wool or lace."
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Again it is nice. Went to the Cap. Wrote some but not enough to hurt me any. Flo was under the weather some with a cold which is the fashion now. Left my muff and fascinator at the Cap. I wonder if they will be there to-morrow. Vi Corey came up and spent the evening and played and talked. The girls did not wash the dishes until 10 o’clock.
-
---
Note:
Per Wikipedia, "A fascinator is a headpiece, a style of millinery. The word originally referred to a fine, lacy head covering akin to a shawl made from wool or lace."
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2/14/09
Sun. Feb. 14, 1897 Wea. nice
-
This morning we were again greeted with a very nice day – an ideal winter day.
Cora and Florence went to church. I read a great deal. Lulu drummed on the piano. Cora and Florence also read. The boys took a stroll in the afternoon.
In the evening Lu and Flo went to C.E. and Cora and I went and visited with Adeline. Told her some funny stories to make her forget her gloom for a while.
-
--
Note:
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.
-
This morning we were again greeted with a very nice day – an ideal winter day.
Cora and Florence went to church. I read a great deal. Lulu drummed on the piano. Cora and Florence also read. The boys took a stroll in the afternoon.
In the evening Lu and Flo went to C.E. and Cora and I went and visited with Adeline. Told her some funny stories to make her forget her gloom for a while.
-
--
Note:
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.
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2/13/09
Sat. Feb. 13, 1897 Wea.
-
Tried to do a little cleaning but read most all day. It was storming quite hard and did intend going to hear Rankin but did not. The kids popped corn and played Consequence.
I read quite a bit in David Copperfield. I like it quite well except the queer characters in it which is Dickens’ style.
-
Notes:
Consequence(s) was a parlor game. According to Wikipedia,
-
Tried to do a little cleaning but read most all day. It was storming quite hard and did intend going to hear Rankin but did not. The kids popped corn and played Consequence.
I read quite a bit in David Copperfield. I like it quite well except the queer characters in it which is Dickens’ style.
-
Notes:
Consequence(s) was a parlor game. According to Wikipedia,
Each person takes a turn choosing a word for one of six questions, in this order.
- Man's name
- Woman's name
- Place name
- He said to her…
- She said to him
- The consequence was… (a description of what happened after)
- An outcome
Then the story is read .... It is traditionally played by writing the words on paper and folding the paper to hide the previous words before passing it to the next player.
Here's my own example, based on the one given in Wikipedia:
Honest Abraham Lincoln met talented Mary Cassatt at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. He said, "You are a sight for sore eyes." She said "Westward ho!" The consequence was that they eloped to Mexico. And they never came back again.
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2/12/09
Fri. Feb. 12, 1897 Wea. snow
-
As mamma said we could expect some company to-morrow we availed ourselves of the holiday and celebrated it by washing. Could not hang them out. In the evening Lulu and I went and heard Lt. Gov. Divine lecture on Lincoln. He made special mention of his “great big honest heart.” Divine has every easy manner of delivery and a nice voice.
Cora went with Rovig.
-
As mamma said we could expect some company to-morrow we availed ourselves of the holiday and celebrated it by washing. Could not hang them out. In the evening Lulu and I went and heard Lt. Gov. Divine lecture on Lincoln. He made special mention of his “great big honest heart.” Divine has every easy manner of delivery and a nice voice.
Cora went with Rovig.
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2/11/09
Thurs. Feb. 11, 1897 Wea. nice
-
The same hustle-bustle this morning in going to school. But Johnnie was sick and did not get up before evening and then just for a few moments.
The Senate adjourned until Monday on account of to-morrow being the first anniversary celebrated of Lincoln’s birthday in this state.
Went and heard Rankin again and he told a “remarkable big story.”
-
The same hustle-bustle this morning in going to school. But Johnnie was sick and did not get up before evening and then just for a few moments.
The Senate adjourned until Monday on account of to-morrow being the first anniversary celebrated of Lincoln’s birthday in this state.
Went and heard Rankin again and he told a “remarkable big story.”
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2/10/09
Wed. Feb. 10, 1897 Wea. cold
-
After I got through at the Cap. I went down town and returned my watch to the jeweller as he did not fix it right. Came home at six and much to my surprise found that the girls had supper ready – other times I have to do such an amount of scolding that I do not care to eat when it is finally ready. I have about come to the conclusion that I am better off away from my sisters than here with them. [rest in shorthand]
-
After I got through at the Cap. I went down town and returned my watch to the jeweller as he did not fix it right. Came home at six and much to my surprise found that the girls had supper ready – other times I have to do such an amount of scolding that I do not care to eat when it is finally ready. I have about come to the conclusion that I am better off away from my sisters than here with them. [rest in shorthand]
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2/9/09
Tues. Feb. 9, 1897 Wea. storm
-
It was quite stormy to-day. Snowing and drifting. The “kids” got scared and did not go to school. Cora and Florence went in the afternoon. I braved it and walked up to the Cap. It was pleasanter in the evening and so went and heard Rankin. He spoke “The Use and Abuse of Liquor.” Splendid! His stories are laughable and moreso on acct of the grimaces he makes while telling them.
-
It was quite stormy to-day. Snowing and drifting. The “kids” got scared and did not go to school. Cora and Florence went in the afternoon. I braved it and walked up to the Cap. It was pleasanter in the evening and so went and heard Rankin. He spoke “The Use and Abuse of Liquor.” Splendid! His stories are laughable and moreso on acct of the grimaces he makes while telling them.
-
2/8/09
Mon. Feb. 8, 1897 Wea. cold
-
It was quite cold but went to the Capitol. Lawrence excused my absence last Saturday. Went and heard Rankin again. He told the truth of the rum traffic and I guess hit the legislators pretty good too. [Rest of entry in shorthand]
-
-
It was quite cold but went to the Capitol. Lawrence excused my absence last Saturday. Went and heard Rankin again. He told the truth of the rum traffic and I guess hit the legislators pretty good too. [Rest of entry in shorthand]
-
-
Shorthand passage from February 8
See February 7 post for full 2-page spread for February 7-8
-
2/7/09
Sun. Feb. 7, 1897 Wea. nice
-
Did not get up before about 11 and had breakfast at 12 o’clock – consequently did not go to church. Went in the evening to a Union meeting at M.E. church to a temperance meeting by AC Rankin – from Fargo formerly of Pittsburg, Pa. He said he was not a reformed drunkard but told of a man who was a rich hatter how he worked himself up buying cattle then commenced to drink. Lost money, [rest of entry is in shorthand.]
NOTES
Union = Women’s Christian Temperance Union
Pittsburg = Pittsburgh
-
Did not get up before about 11 and had breakfast at 12 o’clock – consequently did not go to church. Went in the evening to a Union meeting at M.E. church to a temperance meeting by AC Rankin – from Fargo formerly of Pittsburg, Pa. He said he was not a reformed drunkard but told of a man who was a rich hatter how he worked himself up buying cattle then commenced to drink. Lost money, [rest of entry is in shorthand.]
NOTES
Union = Women’s Christian Temperance Union
Pittsburg = Pittsburgh
-
Above: Shorthand excerpt from February 7
Below: February 7-8 diary pages with shorthand
2/6/09
Sat. Feb. 6, 1897 Wea. stormy
-
It was somewhat of a storm to-day. We tried to do some cleaning to-day but was teasing Cora most of the time.
Roy was going to get a hack for me but none came so I did not go up.
The girls went up to the Fair & did not come home before one o’clock. August came up and called on us and spent a pleasant evening eating candy, cookies and drinking water. Cora and I washed our heads. Did not get to bed before two o’clock.
-
-
It was somewhat of a storm to-day. We tried to do some cleaning to-day but was teasing Cora most of the time.
Roy was going to get a hack for me but none came so I did not go up.
The girls went up to the Fair & did not come home before one o’clock. August came up and called on us and spent a pleasant evening eating candy, cookies and drinking water. Cora and I washed our heads. Did not get to bed before two o’clock.
-
-
2/5/09
Fri. Feb. 5, 1897 Wea. nice
-
This is a beautiful day although it was snowing for a while.
Had to go to the Cap. this morning to work and did some enrolling. I like the work real well.
In the evening went to the Fair. It was somewhat of a fake or more of a gambling “hell.” I bought a throw for a dollar – quite pretty. It was after 11 o’clock when I got home.
While at the Fair [illegible] I had my fortune told and for future references will write it. She said that I should make a wish – unknown to her – which I did and wished that I would get a position. She told me my wish would come true and through a dark haired man most probably through papa. That I would go some distance to fulfill it and would get some money. I was also going to soon receive a proposal of marriage from a dark-haired blue eyed man. I was not to accept him as he was deceitful. I wonder what the future has in store for me. One thing I do most earnestly wish is that I could earn my own bread and butter.
-
This is a beautiful day although it was snowing for a while.
Had to go to the Cap. this morning to work and did some enrolling. I like the work real well.
In the evening went to the Fair. It was somewhat of a fake or more of a gambling “hell.” I bought a throw for a dollar – quite pretty. It was after 11 o’clock when I got home.
While at the Fair [illegible] I had my fortune told and for future references will write it. She said that I should make a wish – unknown to her – which I did and wished that I would get a position. She told me my wish would come true and through a dark haired man most probably through papa. That I would go some distance to fulfill it and would get some money. I was also going to soon receive a proposal of marriage from a dark-haired blue eyed man. I was not to accept him as he was deceitful. I wonder what the future has in store for me. One thing I do most earnestly wish is that I could earn my own bread and butter.
-
2/4/09
Thurs. Feb. 4, 1897 Wea. nice
-
To-day is quite an event for the Catholics – the first day of the Fair. The girls went out coasting. I made Florence wash up the dishes before she went and I do not believe I ever saw dishes washed in such a hurry before. Cora went down to the Fair and I had a nice quiet evening to my self. Started “The House of the Seven Gables” by Hawthorne. It is dry so far.
-
To-day is quite an event for the Catholics – the first day of the Fair. The girls went out coasting. I made Florence wash up the dishes before she went and I do not believe I ever saw dishes washed in such a hurry before. Cora went down to the Fair and I had a nice quiet evening to my self. Started “The House of the Seven Gables” by Hawthorne. It is dry so far.
-
2/3/09
Wed. Feb. 3, 1897 Wea. nice
-
Wrote quite a bit today – six pages. I went down town with Miss McVey and Senator McCarter and saw McIvor-Tyndall give one of his famous rides blind folded and found a flag that was hidden in Ed. Allen’s pocket. I saw the girls down town and we went up to Mr. B’s and got our proof. It is pretty good – they all pronounce mine the best.
--
NOTES
1. Alexander McIvor-Tyndall was a famous occultist-hypnotist from London.
2. "Our proof" probably refers to a photo.
-
Wrote quite a bit today – six pages. I went down town with Miss McVey and Senator McCarter and saw McIvor-Tyndall give one of his famous rides blind folded and found a flag that was hidden in Ed. Allen’s pocket. I saw the girls down town and we went up to Mr. B’s and got our proof. It is pretty good – they all pronounce mine the best.
--
NOTES
1. Alexander McIvor-Tyndall was a famous occultist-hypnotist from London.
2. "Our proof" probably refers to a photo.
-
2/2/09
Tues. Feb. 2, 1897 Wea. nice
-
As I did not have to go to the Capitol I did some baking and cleaning. When I was in the midst of it Mrs. Matts called thinking Mamma was here. Baard came over and we had our pictures taken – I specs they will be fine. Flo went over to the skating rink for a while and Lu played and I sang (?) to amuse ourselves.
--
NOTE
The "(?)" was Hilda's note.
As I did not have to go to the Capitol I did some baking and cleaning. When I was in the midst of it Mrs. Matts called thinking Mamma was here. Baard came over and we had our pictures taken – I specs they will be fine. Flo went over to the skating rink for a while and Lu played and I sang (?) to amuse ourselves.
--
NOTE
The "(?)" was Hilda's note.
2/1/09
Mon. Feb. 1, 1897 Wea. nice
-
Last Saturday evening Sec. Gill of the Senate died very suddenly. In honor of him they will hold no session to-morrow and that means another day off.
I got paid to-day and paid up some of my debts. Spent $25 in one shot, still I feel that is money earned easy. I went up to Baardson’s and supper. Came home rather late… Ben Belk and Louie P. called on Lu.
-
Last Saturday evening Sec. Gill of the Senate died very suddenly. In honor of him they will hold no session to-morrow and that means another day off.
I got paid to-day and paid up some of my debts. Spent $25 in one shot, still I feel that is money earned easy. I went up to Baardson’s and supper. Came home rather late… Ben Belk and Louie P. called on Lu.
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