Amos Claycomb’s July 1909 Diary

In January 1909 Amos recorded in his diary that his father had bought land for him in Texas.  Now in July 1909, he has returned to his family home in Sycamore, Illinois after graduating from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.  At the end of the month he is traveling to Texas to see his land near Wildorado, just west of Amarillo.

Thursday, July 1, 1909
Got home from Chicago about noon and hoed corn all the p.m  Drove to Genoa in a machine tonight with Murphy, Maynard and Morgan.

Friday, July 2, 1909
Hoed corn all day.  Attended Blue Lodge tonight.

Saturday, July 3, 1909
Picked cherries for a while this morning.  Called on Hazel Mc. tonight.

Sunday, July 4, 1909
Went over to DeKalb with Tip Collis this p.m. and saw DeKalb beat the colored Illinois Giants by score of 10 – 2 in a rotten game.

Monday, July 5, 1909
Went up town both this morning and afternoon.  Was out to the Electric Park to a dance for a short time tonight.

Tuesday, July 6, 1909
Father, Ferd Rompf and I came into Chicago at noon and at 6 p.m. Rompf and I left on the Santa Fe for Amarillo Texas.  We are on the private car of the Reed and Allen Land Co.

Wednesday, July 7, 1909
Rode today thru Missouri and Kansas where there were bad flood on accounts of heavy rains. Left Kansas City about noon.

Thursday, July 8, 1909
Rode thru Oklahoma and the northern part of Texas today.
Reached Amarillo about five o’clock.  Staid at the Elmhirst Hotel. Pouring rain all night.

Friday, July 9, 1909
Hung around Amarillo all day trying to get acquainted.  Played a few games of billiards tonight at the “Owls.”

Saturday, July 10, 1909
Came out to Wildorado at 1 p.m. and reached here about 2:30.  Drove four miles west to get a man to dig a well on our section.

Sunday, July 11, 1909
Ferd and I drove out to our section this p.m. and looked over our wheat – 90 acres – and 40 acres of corn which does not amount to much because of the dry weather this Spring.  Came back to town and then drove 3 1\2 miles E. to look at a half section which I am thinking of buying.

Monday, July 12, 1909
Rode out to the section this p.m. to fix a plow.

Tuesday, July 13, 1909
Plowed corn all day.  Shot a couple of prairie dogs during the noon hour.

Wednesday, July 14, 1909
Plowed corn all day.

Thursday, July 15, 1909
It rained last night so we staid at home today.

Friday, July 16, 1909
Drove out in the country today looking for a header for our wheat.  Went to Bush and north and east of that place.

Saturday, July 17, 1909
Nothing doing today.  Man started to sink a well on our land today.

Sunday, July 18, 1909
Staid around town all day.  Played tennis for a while tonight.

Monday, July 19, 1909
Walked out to our land today with Rompf but caught a ride back.
Played tennis after supper.

Tuesday, July 20, 1909
Nothing doing.

Wednesday, July 21, 1909
Ditto.

Thursday, July 22, 1909
Drove out to Gray’s ranch this a.m. with Ferd and watched the cow-boys cut certain cattle out of a bunch which they intend to brand.

Friday, July 23, 1909
Walked out to the Gray ranch this a.m. with Ferd.  I staid there for dinner and worked from one p.m. till 7:30.  There were two cow-boys on horses who roped the calves and dragged them up to the fire and then there were two to follow each of these to throw and hold the calves while they were being branded and marked.  This was my job.  Walked home after supper.  Gray boys from Chicago arrived while we were working.  One is a Phi Delt.

Postcard he sent to his father a few days later. Amos is on the right holding the calf’s leg.

He also had a copy of this photo with the note on the back, “Gray Ranch – 20,000 acres – Wildorado, Texas.”

Saturday, July 24, 1909

Hung around the house all day and took it easy trying to recover from yesterday’s work.

The area around Wildorado and Amarillo was developed by the railroads and the cattle ranches.  The Frying Pan Ranch and The XIT Ranch are among the better known ranches. The Frying Pan Ranch originally had 95 sections of land purchased by Joseph Glidden and Henry Sanborn.  Glidden, from the DeKalb Illinois area was responsible for the introduction of barbed wire to the cattle ranches.   Glidden’s son-in-law, Mr. William H. Bush, eventually owned the Frying Pan Ranch.  He gave part of the ranch along the railroad for the establishment of a town nearby – Bushland was named for him.

Sunday, July 25, 1909
Nothing doing.  It rained here fairly hard tonight.

Monday, July 26, 1909
Played tennis tonight with Moreland, Brewer and Rompf.

Tuesday, July 27, 1909
Drove into Amarillo this a.m. with Nicholson.  Went [with] Monning, a Phi Delt who lives here, after dinner, and went out to the auto races with him.  Went calling at the Booer residence with the Gray boys tonight and met Miss Booer and Miss Anderson.  We all then went out to Glenwood Park and danced.

Wednesday, July 28, 1909
Did a little business around town this a.m.  Ate dinner with Monning at his home and then went out to the races with him.
Went out to Glenwood Park tonight with the Gray boys, Masten and Hallahan.

Thursday, July 29, 1909
Came back to Wildorado today on the one p.m. train.

Friday, July 30, 1909
Helped stack our wheat today after it was cut with the header.  We finished our 90 acres tonight after having been on it for 3 days.  Staid over to Mr. Paine’s tonight.

Saturday, July 31, 1909
Helped Mr. Paine stack oats for a couple of hours this a.m.
As his stuff was so light that he could stack it himself, I walked back to town.  Did the 5 1\2 miles in less than 1 1\2 hours and the last 3 miles in just 40 minutes.  Played ball this p.m. and tennis tonight.

Family at Play

Aunt Barb Davis (L) with a friend skating in Chicago in the early 1940s.

Dad with a mesmerizing toy – he was willing to try any new gadget or toy!

Mom and her granddaughter, Sheila, (about 1968?) at an amusement park.   Sheila turns 50 this year – this might make a great birthday card.

Amos Claycomb’s June 1909 Diary

Tuesday, June 1, 1909
Played in ball game this p.m. between upper classmen and lower classmen in the house.  Former won 13 – 2.  Played center, first and second base.  Called on Helen J. tonight.

Wednesday, June 2, 1909
Studied this p.m. and tonight.  Attended short meeting of a bowling committee at the Phi Gam house right after supper.

Thursday, June 3, 1909
Went out to country club with Alice Riley for dinner and staid for the dance.  Louise sailed from New York for Europe today.

Friday, June 4, 1909
Studied this p.m. and tonight.  Classes ended today.

Saturday, June 5, 1909
Took final exams in “History of Philosphy” and “The Money Market” this a.m.  Took final exam in Accountancy this p.m.   “Unc” Harding gave the Senior Class a theater party at the “Walker” tonight and afterwards we ate lunch at McCormick’s.

Sunday, June 6, 1909
Attended dinner given to the Senior class by Mr. and Mrs. Swigart at their home this noon.  Studied all this afternoon and tonight.

Monday, June 7, 1909
Took final exam in “Education 2” this a.m.  Called on Alice R. tonight and we went to the Walker.

Tuesday, June 8, 1909
Studied off and on today and tonight.

Wednesday, June 9, 1909
Took final in “Economics 11” today.  Went down town this p.m. and then to the Walker with Billy May.  Played cards for a while tonight.

Thursday, June 10, 1909
Nothing special doing today.

Friday, June 11, 1909
Spent part of the a.m. in packing up.  Played billiards this p.m. with Herbie Juul.

Saturday, June 12, 1909
Came into Chi- this a.m. with Helen Jordan.   Ate dinner with Uncle Will Tapper at the “Hamilton Club.”  Saw matinee at the “Troc” this p.m. and saw “The Sins of Society” at McVicketts after supper.

Sunday, June 13, 1909
Went out to Lincoln Park this a.m. for a couple of hours.  Saw Chicago win from Boston in a rotten game 9 – 7 this  p.m. at the West Side Park.  Saw Mabel Barnson in the “Blue Mouse” after supper.

Monday, June 14, 1909
Got back in Champaign early this a.m. and went to the “Class Day” exercises at 10 a.m.  Ten of the fellows are having a house-party at the house but I have not a girl.  Took Alice R. down to a bank concert on the campus this p.m.  Took Mrs. Swigart to watch the “Senior Ball” for a while tonight.

Tuesday, June 15, 1909
House-party bunch kept me up all of last night and so I slept a little this a.m.  Went out driving with Alice R., Goat Reynolds, Buzz Ward, Beardsley and Miss Moffatt this p.m.  Father and Uncle Will came down tonight.

Wednesday, June 16, 1909
Attended the “Commencement Address” and received my degree of “Bachelor of Arts” and my diploma this morning.  Took father and Uncle Will out driving this p.m. and showed them the town.  We all started home at 6:10 and father and I reach Syc- about one o’clock.

Thursday, June 17, 1909
Slept most of the morning and went up town this p.m.  Attended “Commencement Address” for the High School this evening when father distributed the diplomas.

Friday, June 18, 1909
Pulled mustard out of the oats all day.  Attended stated meeting of the Blue Lodge tonight.  After this I went up to an Alumni dance for a while.

Saturday, June 19, 1909
Drove over to the Wickstrom farm with father this a.m.  Planted pumpkin seed all the p.m.  Attended dance given by the Park’s family tonight.

Sunday, June 20, 1909
Went to church this a.m. with father.  Also with him over to DeKalb this p.m. to see a ball game between Sterling & DeKalb which broke up in a row when Sterling left the field because of some rotten umpiring in favor of DeKalb.  Staid home tonight.

Monday, June 21, 1909
Attended Commandery meeting tonight.

Tuesday, June 22, 1909
Hoed corn all day.  Started for Valeria, Iowa tonight with father to see the farm out there which belongs to the Townsend estate.

Wednesday, June 23, 1909
Reached Valeria at six this a.m. and drove out to the farm which is eight miles away.  Drove over the farm – 1100 acres – this forenoon, ate dinner there, walked around this p.m. and drove back to town about three.  Took train to Marshalltown and ate supper there and then took a sleeper home on the Great Western.

Thursday, June 24, 1909
Got home about ten a.m.   Hoed corn this p.m.  Went up town tonight.

Friday, June 25, 1909
Hoed corn all the forenoon.  Went up town this p.m.  Staid home tonight.

Saturday, June 26, 1909
Hoed corn this morning and plowed this p.m.

Sunday, June 27, 1909
Went over to DeKalb with George this p.m. and saw DeKalb beat the White Rocks of Chicago 4 – 1.

Monday, June 28, 1909
Plowed corn all day.  Played cards up at the Commercial Club for a while tonight.

Tuesday, June 29, 1909
Drove over to Maple Park in Rob Graham’s machine to look at some horses with father and Rompf.  Went over to DeKalb to a band concert after supper with Maynard and Murphy.

Wednesday, June 30, 1909
Came into Chicago this a.m.  Saw “The Candy Shop” at the “Studebaker” this p.m. and took Alice R. to see “The Blue Mouse” at the “Ganick” tonight.  Ate a lunch at Rector’s after the show.

Albie’s Vase

One of my favorite family heirlooms is a vase made by my maternal grandmother, Albie  Oakland Duncan, in 1909.

It’s about 6″ tall and I love the colors and shiny glaze.

Amos Claycomb’s May 1909 Diary

Saturday, May 1, 1909
Saw game between Wisconsin and the varsity this p.m. which the latter won in twelve innings by a score of 2 – 1.

Sunday, May 2, 1909
Walked over to Urbana this a.m. and had my picture taken.  Called at Swiggarts’ this p.m.

Monday, May 3, 1909
Fraternity meeting tonight.  Initiated Earl Rathburn.  Called on Gert Humphrey at the Theta house this p.m.

Tuesday, May 4, 1909
Played ball for a while this afternoon.  Called on Helen J. tonight and went to the “Walker” with Hardman and Marion M.

Wednesday, May 5, 1909
Have studied all day and tonight.

Thursday, May 6, 1909
Big hail storm this p.m. but little wind so that no damage was done.

Friday, May 7, 1909
Played in match game against the Sigma Nu team this p.m.  Was in center and got no chances there.  In two times up I fanned once and then went out short to first.  They beat us 12 – 3 in five innings.  Wrote long essay on “Standard Oil Company” tonight.

Saturday, May 8, 1909
Started to rain about noon and has [not] quit yet.  Studied down in the library this p.m.  Played cards with Pope over at Lindgren’s tonight.

Sunday, May 9, 1909
Called at Mrs. Busey’s for a short time this p.m. with Alashire and Conrad.  Then went over to A. Riley’s and staid there for supper and tonight.

Monday, May 10, 1909
Called on Gert Humphrey for a few minutes at the Theta house this a.m.  Fraternity meeting tonight.

Tuesday, May 11, 1909
Attended dinner given to the Seniors of the Fraternity at the University Club by Mr. and Mrs. Rutt tonight.  Then went to their home and played cards for a while.

Wednesday, May 12, 1909
Saw Chicago win from the varsity this p.m. by score of 3 – 1 in a poorly played game.

Thursday, May 13, 1909
Played ball for a while this p.m.  Called on Helen J. tonight.

Friday, May 14, 1909
Senior – Junior party tonight.

Saturday, May 15, 1909
Played center in match game with the Kappa Sigs this p.m. which we won by a score of 6 – 3.  In four times up I fanned, got a walk & scored, fanned and hit a fly to first.  Took Helen J. to a fraternity dance at the Elks’ Aud. tonight.

Sunday, May 16, 1909
Called at Riley’s and Swigarts’ this p.m.  Ate lunch at the latter place.

Amos’ nickname was Skeets. He wrote this in one of his books.

Monday, May 17, 1909
Fraternity meeting tonight.  Afterwards got Ida M. from Theta house and went to see the “Walker.”

Tuesday, May 18, 1909
Played in game between the 2nd and 3rd floors of the house this p.m.   The third beat us by score of 20 – 12.

Wednesday, May 19, 1909
Watched the Hazelton and competitive drill for a while this p.m.  Played a couple of games with Wolk McKee after supper.

Thursday, May 20, 1909
Attended the May Pole exercises tonight which were given on Illinois Field by some of the girls.

Friday, May 21, 1901
Took Helen J. to see track meet between Wisconsin and Illinois which we won by a score of    to   .   Afterwards saw a ballgame between Chicago and the varsity which we won by a score of 7 – 2.  Many high school kids and visitors are arriving today.  Up town with Frank Hardman tonight.

Saturday, May 22, 1909
Watched the Interscholastic track meet this a.m. which University High of Chicago won.  Saw the varsity win from Minnesota this p.m. by a score of 15 – 0.  Circus tonight.  After this a short meeting with the Northwestern Phi Delts.  Paul Taylor down from there.

Sunday, May 23, 1909
Took Taylor over to call at Swigarts’ and Riley’s this p.m.  Staid home tonight.

Monday, May 24, 1909
Nothing doing.  Fraternity meeting tonight.

Tuesday, May 25, 1909
Took Helen J. to “Trolley Day” dance up at Illinois Hall tonight.

Wednesday, May 26, 1909
Nothing doing.  Rained most of the day.

Thursday, May 27, 1909
Senior reception given by the faculty of the L. & A. School in the “Women’s Building” this p.m.  Went with Billy May.  Took Helen J. out to the Country Club for dinner and danced for a while afterwards.

Friday, May 28, 1909
Played ball for a short time this p.m.  Went to the Walker after supper with Bubbles.

Saturday, May 29, 1909
Saw the varsity beat Purdue in a very good game this p.m by a score of 5 – 0.  Went up town with Bubbles with a suit-case after supper.

Sunday, May 30, 1909
Ate dinner down at the Beardsley Hotel this noon where Mr. and Mrs. Lindgren gave a dinner to the Seniors.  Called at Mrs. Swigarts’ after dinner.

Monday, May 31, 1909
Fraternity meeting tonight.  Called at Theta house afterwards for Alice R. and then went to the Walker.

Time Flies

1967 Sacramento, California.  One the left is my paternal grandmother, Ruth Bressler Claycomb, on the right is my sister, Jean, with her two children.  Grandma had a stroke the year after this was taken and was hospitalized until her death in 1972 (a lousy story in itself).  Jeanie died at age 53.  Her daughter is going to be 50 this year.

This is Jeanie’s son, Doug, (being held by Grandma in the first photo) with his son about 10 years ago.  Doug and his wife will be celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary soon.  And the boy holding his hand is now a teenager.

Better get writing those family histories faster – they grow up so quickly!

Amos Claycomb’s April 1909 Diary

Thursday, April 1, 1909
Saw game between Milwaukee and the varsity this p.m. which former won by Score of 4 – 3.  Studied tonight.

Friday, April 2, 1909
Rained a little this p.m. but we played ball for a short time in the park.  Read and finished “Peter” tonight.

Saturday, April 3, 1909
Came to Bloomington tonight and called on Lucile Hodge.  Went to see the vaudeville at the “Castle.”  Staid at the Illinois Hotel tonight.

Sunday, April 4, 1909
Came back from Bloomington today by way of Decatur on the interurban.  Got here about two o’clock.

Monday, April 5, 1909
Saw game between Milwaukee and the Varsity this p.m.  Former won 6 – 0.  Fraternity meeting tonight.

Tuesday, April 6, 1909
Took A. Riley to see game between Milwaukee and varsity this p.m.  Game was stopped end of 5th inning because of rain.  Ill 6 – Mil. 1.  Went over to Illinois Theater tonight with Meek and Clemmons and saw “The Broken Idol.”

Wednesday, April 7, 1909
Milwaukee 8 – Illinois 2 this p.m.  Studied tonight.

Thursday, April 8, 1909
Started home at 1:20 this p.m. and left Chicago at 6:30.

Friday, April 9, 1909
Worked this a.m. down on the other place.  Went up town this p.m. and played billiards for a while.  Attended a smoker at the Commercial Club tonight.

Saturday, April 10, 1909
Had a tooth filled this a.m. and then played a couple of games of billiards.  Worked down at the other place this p.m.  Played billiards tonight.

Sunday, April 11, 1909
Went to church with the Knights Templars this a.m. at the Congregational.  Then took Eleanor up to the lodge room where a banquet was served by Eastern Star ladies.  Father took Louise.

Monday, April 12, 1909
Started into Chicago at 8:25.  Ate dinner at the Tip Top Inn with Burch, Kimbell, Conrad, Towndrow and Johnson.  After this we went to see a show at the “Folk.”  Left for Champaign at 5:50.

Tuesday, April 13, 1909
Started school again this a.m.

Wednesday, April 14, 1909
Played ball for a while this p.m.

Thursday, April 15, 1909
Played center in a practice game with the Sigma Chi team this p.m.

Friday, April 16, 1909
Played ball part of the afternoon.  Saw swimming meet between the varsity and the Univ. of Penn. tonight.   The swimming meet was won by Penn but the varsity won the water polo game 4 – 0.

Saturday, April 17, 1909
Played ball for a couple of hours this p.m. and then saw the varsity beat Milliken College 22 – 0 in a baseball game.  Took Alice R. to a fraternity dance out at Crystal Lake tonight.

Sunday, April 18, 1909
Called at Riley’s and Swigart’s this p.m.  Studied tonight.

Monday, April 19, 1909
Played practice game with the Kappa Sigs this p.m. which we won.  Fraternity meeting tonight.  Went down to the Walker with Beardsley after the meeting.

Tuesday, April 20, 1909
Played ball for a while this afternoon.  Studied tonight.

Wednesday, April 21, 1909
Played center in practice game with the Zeta ___  this p.m. which we won.  Got a fan-out, foul out, hit and walk in four times up.

Thursday, April 22, 1909
Played center field in match fraternity game with the Betas this p.m. which they won by score of 7 – 5.  In three times up I knocked a fly to the pitcher, one to the left fielder and a foul to 3rd base.  Got one chance in the field.  Played bridge after supper with Alice R. and with Walter and Edna Riley.

Friday, April 23, 1909
Started for Galesburg at 11:29.  Missed connections in Peoria and then went around by Abbington.  Got in Galesburg at 7:15 and went up to Aunt Jennie’s.  Went to the Phi Delt Annual out at Lombard with Ine Webster and had a fine time.

Jennie is Amos’ maternal aunt who married Charles Webster.  The Townsend family ties to this area date back to Amos’ maternal grandmother, Eleanor Pierce Townsend.  Townsends lived in Malta in DeKalb county.  Eleanor was very active in the Universalist Church statewide, including time as a trustee at Lombard College, a Universalist school in Galesburg.  Of her children, at least Frederick and Anna attended Lombard.  Jennie may have also, but in any case she married Charles Webster from Galesburg.  Eleanor’s daughter, Mary, Amos’ aunt, married Will Tapper.  The other daughter, Georgia, married Capt. John Yates.  I do not know who Ine Webster is, perhaps a cousin.

Saturday, April 24, 1909
Went out to Lombard this a.m. and visited with the fellows.  Went automobiling for a while after supper and then played bridge with Marion against Ine and Fred.  Uncle Will Tapper, Lorena, Jane, Mary and Barbara came here to visit for a week today.

Sunday, April 25, 1909
Went over to Monmouth today and ate dinner with Grandma Claycomb.  George, who is a Phi Delt at Lombard, went with me.  Came back on 1:30 car and saw part of ballgame between Galesburg and Quincy which was rotten.  Then went up to Ine’s for a while.

Amos’ paternal grandparents, George Washington Claycomb and Sarah Goddard Claycomb came from Kentucky and Indiana to Monmouth in Warren county, Illinois about 1836.  Amos’ father, Frank Erwin Claycomb, was born in Warren county.  Monmouth is about 20 miles from Galesburg where the Townsend family was active.  Frank Claycomb met Anna Sarah Townsend and married her on December 27, 1882 in Sycamore near the Townsend home, but they set up their home in Warren county.  Their first 3 children, Eleanor, Amos, and Louise, were born in Cameron in Warren county.  The family then moved to DeKalb county.  In 1889 George was born in Sycamore and Edward was born there in 1892.  Amos’ mother, Anna, died shortly after Edward’s birth, when Amos was 6 years old.

Monday, April 26, 1909
Started for Cham- at 10 a.m. and arrived at 2:40.  Fraternity meeting tonight.

Tuesday, April 27, 1909
Nothing doing.

Wednesday, April 28, 1909
Saw the varsity win from Arkansas today by score of 3 – 2 in very good game.  Took Alice R. to see “A Stubborn Cinderella” over at the Illinois tonight.

Thursday, April 29, 1909
Played in match fraternity game against the Phi Gams this p.m. which they won by score of    –   .  In two times up I grounded out both times to first.  Got four out of five chances in the field.  Saw “Barnum & Bailey’s Circus” tonight with Billy May.  Rained very hard.

Friday, April 30, 1909
Attended “Senior Stag” tonight which was given in Hessel Hall.  Was nominated for “Homliest Man” in Class but lost to Sparks.

Amos Claycomb’s March 1909 Diary

Monday, March 1, 1909
Fine day.  Went up town this p.m. and bought some stuff for the house.  Fraternity meeting tonight.  Went to the “Walker” afterwards with May Beardsley, Bill McKelvey, Kimbell & Green.

Tuesday, March 2, 1909
Bowled in fraternity game against the Kappa Sigs tonight.  We bowled the highest score ever bowled by a Phi Delt team.

Wednesday, March 3, 1909
School till noon.   Slept most of the p.m. and studied tonight.

Thursday, March 4, 1909
Went down to the “Walker” tonight with Beardsley to see the vaudeville.

Friday, March 5, 1909
Played billiards most of the afternoon with Cavanaugh.  Went to indoor track meet tonight between the varsity and Chicago which the former won by a score of 50 – 36.  Last appearance of Billy May and he easily won the 35 yard dash.

Saturday, March 6, 1909
Bowled this afternoon in a series between the Seniors and Freshmen in the fraternity which the former won.  I  had high score 196 and high average 164.

Sunday, March 7, 1909
Called at Swigart’s this p.m.

.

Monday, March 8, 1909
Fraternity meeting tonight.  Went to the “Walker” afterwards with some of the fellows.

Tuesday, March 9, 1909
Voted at the Republican primaries in Champaign this afternoon for Ed Swigart for mayor, but he lost.  Bowled in match game with Beta Theta Pi tonight.  They won by score of 2464 – 2403.  172 – 129 – 180.  See March 7.

Wednesday, March 10, 1909
Went over to Urbana this p.m. to get some photographs.  Ate supper at the Acacia house tonight with Clyde May.

Thursday, March 11, 1909
Watched the freshmen go thru the R.P.A. initiation tonight.

Friday, March 12, 1909
Bowled for a while this p.m.

Saturday, March 13, 1909
Bowled this a.m. with Beardsley, McKelvey & Clemmons.  Played ball for a couple of hours right after dinner.   Saw three basketball games tonight – Seniors vs Juniors which the latter won; Illini freshmen vs Chicago which latter won and baseball vs football men which former won.

Sunday, March 14, 1909
Called at Riley’s and Swigart’s this p.m. and on Helen M. tonight.

Monday, March 15, 1909
Attended alumni banquet tonight which was given in the chapter house tonight for all the Phi Delts in town.  Played billiards with Jimmy Cook this a.m. and after the banquet.

Tuesday, March 16, 1909
Bowled in the match game against the Dekes tonight.  After the bowling game I went over to Lindgren’s with a few of the fellows and played cards.

Wednesday, March 17, 1909
Voted for officers of the new “Student Union” this a.m.  Slept most of the p.m.

Thursday, March 18, 1909
Nothing doing.

Friday, March 19, 1909
Played billiards with Jimmy Cook this p.m. Went to the “Walker” tonight with some of the fellows.

Saturday, March 20, 1909
Bowled for a while this a.m.   Played ball for a couple of hours after dinner and went up town and played billiards with Herbie Juul.  Saw swimming meet between the varsity and Chicago tonight.  Chicago won the swimming events but we won the polo game 2-1.

Sunday, March 21, 1909
Called at Riley’s this p.m. and then took her over to Swigart’s where the whole fraternity was invited to lunch.

Monday, March 22, 1909
Played ball for a while this p.m.  Attended fraternity meeting for a little while tonight and then went to the Chapel to hear a lecture given by Dr. Titchener of Cornell on psychology.  Went down to the “Walker” with Carl Watson after this.

Tuesday, March 23, 1909
Slept most of the p.m. and studied tonight.

Wednesday, March 24, 1909
Went over to Swigart’s this p.m. and played cards with Ina Lapham, Alta and Mr. Swigart.  It has been raining nearly all day.

Thursday, March 25, 1909
Visited Urbana Council No. 19 tonight when the R. and S.M. degrees were conferred upon five candidates.

Record from the Grand Lodge in Sycamore Illinois, Masonic Lodge Number 134.
After he was demitted from Sycamore in 1934, he was affiliated with the Lodge in Wayne Nebraska until his death. He received his 50 year pin in 1957.

Friday, March 26, 1909
Did not go to sleep last night so got up at 4 a.m. and went down town where I staid till breakfast time.  Went to classes this a.m. and up town this p.m.  Went to an entertainment given by Dr. Bagg to the fraternity tonight at his home and then watched the “Law Dance” at the Armory with Beardsley for a while.

Saturday, March 27, 1909
Went to ballgame this p.m. between the varsity and the Milwaukee team of the Amer. Association.  Latter won by score of 19-5.

Sunday, March 28, 1909
Called at Matte’s and Riley’s this p.m. with Ward and Kimbell.  Called on Helen J. tonight.

Monday, March 29, 1909
Fraternity meeting tonight.

Tuesday, March 30, 1909
Took A. Riley to see baseball game between the Varsity and Milwaukee this p.m.  Latter won 14-7.  Ate supper over at Riley’s and then came home and studied.

Wednesday, March 31, 1909
Took Helen J. to see game between the Varsity and Milwaukee this p.m. Latter won 3-0.  Called on Ida and Mary Matte’s tonight with Pope.