This diary was written by Clara Petrat, a student at Erie High School class of 1904. She writes entries about Waldameer, Fireworks, watermelon and peanut candy treats. What does it tell about the businesses seen as she goes rowing and travels to Buffalo? What do they think of the ‘electric tower’ and lights in the park? What do they do for Halloween and Thanksgiving? What does she say about President McKinley’s assassination?
Sun. Sept 1. I went to Sunday school and it
rain thunder. At about 3:30 I went to May
- And stay until 5:15. She want to give
me some watermelon buti did not want it.
she walk home with me until 17 & Myrtle.
In the evening Emma, papa and myself
went to Waldameer. And we heard the
Ohio band we also went to the lake. We
had some peanut-candy. We went home
about 9:15 and got home about 10:15. On
7 & State I stand and talk with Ella Johnson.
She went in the same car I did.
On the way coming home we could see
the fireworks the Italian had a 16 and
Cherry. Willie, Otto, Minnie and Albert
went to the celebration and mama was along.
I was very sorry for her. I was not feeling
Good so I did not enjoy my ride.
On 18 and state street we had to run for the
car. Our papa was mad because we did
not run fast enough.
The fire works were lovely!
Mon. Sept 2. It rain in the morning.
That all I d was to write and sleep
Mama is not feeling well. She did not
eat no dinner and she is now in bed.
She did not stay very long in the evening.
May A. and Anna B. came over.
Tues. Sept 3 It was the first day of school.
They had quit a rall in the auditorium. In the
afternoon I study and went to May a. she was
not the home. In the evening I study.
Wed. Sept. 4 I went to school and Mr Vonder
Groben called on me. In the afternoon I went
out rowing a distance of about 3 miles
from the yacht house to the iron docks and
back. We had a very nice. We went down
and rode home in the car. I did not want to
but Mrs. A. made me. She pay my fair. We
were on the water about 1 ½ hours. When I got home
it was 5:30 and May A. after a while came
over to ask me about my English.
In the evening I study. I talk with Mr. Diehl he
was very nice
Thurs. Sept 5 Mr. Vonder called on me
I study in the afternoon and went to Elsie to ask her
about my German. In the evening I also
study a little.
Fri. Sept 6 I went to school and Miss Gillespie
called on me and I told Miss Stanton about
my stammering. She was very nice. I brought
a not to be excuse at 12:45. She said all right.
In the afternoon I study a little. In the afternoon
I study a little. And in the night the club
meet to my house. We had a very good time
but afterward I had the blues. I went to the
paper before I went to bed. Mr. McKinley was
shot that day. And it was certainly a very great
excitement. Emma T., May S. May A. Edith M. Anna
- Elsie R. were present. They went home about
9:30.
Sat. Sept 7 I had a blues all day and was
certainly very mad about May A. and Anne B.
I took my bathe in the morning.
Sun Sept 8. I went to Sunday School and in the
Afternoon May A. came. I was upstair, and
at first I would not come down because I
thought bhey were fooling me. I then took a
walk to her house and stay there awhile.
In the evening I went out walking with mama.
Mon. Sept 9. In the morning it rain and May and
Etta walk down in the afternoon I study in the afternoon
and took a walk in the evening with Minnie
Tues. Sept 10 It was cool in the morning and I rain
May and Etta walk down. I studied about two
hours and May A. intended to come ove but
I slept from about 4:30 to 6 and in the afternoon
I took a walk with Minnie.
Wed. Sept 11 It was cloudy all day. In the afternoon
Minnie and I went to Mrs McCleary. She was
sick in bed. We stay there about 30 to 45 minute
He gave us 2 big fish to take hom. On the way
Going up Minnie bought some candy
And we eat it on the park. And on the way
Sit I bought me a ……
We got to Pam at 1:30 o’clock.
We walk all around and also went to the park near
At 7:00 we went and lessen to the band near
The electric tower. In the evening we listen to the
band in the Music hall. At 8 o’clock there was
a different band and first play “My Country
this of they”. The light on all the building were
slowly light up. And at the end of the song the
lights were all on. It was certainly a great
sense to be seen. We then walk around and
look at the water which came out of the electric
tower and also the white, red and blue light
which were in the water. That certainly was
a very beautiful sene. We then went
and walk around and look at the other buildings.
It was then 8:30 we than had to hurry and
get the car. We got on the wors car-station
and had to walk way back. We then got
to the right station but there were two
lines of cars running. We did not want knew
what car to take. Willie asked a man.
When the car came we had a very hart time
To get on. Otto was dutch out and loss his
set and papa some ladies went to pill him
off. When they saw that Otto loss his set
they laughted. Papa and I want to get off
at the right station but Willie and Otto laughted
at us. But when we got to the next station
we right anyway. We then had to walk
down to the other station where we want
to get off. We asked a conductor and he
told us that our ticket were no good but
we asked another and he told us where
it was. It was 9:30 and we just want
a little while and the car came we all
got a very good seat. The people were
much all sleeping in the car. Willie was
sleepy most all the ways. I myself feel
like sleepy. The conductor at the end
went around and wake the peoples.
He was very nice.
The electric fountain we saw when we
Were on the car going to Buffalo. It was
Very nice.
On the car going to Pan America I rode
backward and the conductor was very
pleadsten and the car got off the trolly.
It made a very hard nose. The conductor
was very frighten and went right away
outside.
The station we stop at going: Northeast, Harborcreek, Ripley, Westfield, Brocton, Dunkerd,
Going home from the station: Northeast, Harborcreek, Westfield, Dunkerd.
The buildings we wen throught are:
Manufacture, Agricultural, Music Hall, Sowair,
Philippine Village, Africa Darkest and Drums.
The Sun. Horticul bulding Ethology.
Sept 6 Mr. McKinley was shot
Sept 18 Leo and Ione came.
Sept 19 Mr. Kinley was burned
Sept 19 Leo and Willie went to Cleveland.
Oct. 4 We club had a social at May A
Oct. 17 I went to a surprise party to Elsie
and Paul Ryan. Boys were there
Oct. 31 Six of we girls went out Hallowenen
and had a good time. Run races and
such things.
Oct. 25 Club meet to my place.
In the afternoon I went to the parish
house with May As to gymnasium
Mrs. Benze came over to see us.
Nov. 6 I bought my coat was $9:75.
long coat.
My teeth cost $15.00
Nov. 10 Went to church
Nov. 16 Went to Library with May B and Etta.
Nov. 17 Went with May A. and Etta out
salking and in the evening to church
Nov. 20 Went in the afternoon to the Literature
Society entertainment
Nov. 21 Thurs. Went to school to see Mas Gloth.
Nov. 24 Sun. Leo and Wife came.
Nov. 26 Tues. Otto Petrat spoke he slpke
quite good.
Nov. 28. Thurs. Thanksgiving I went to St. Paul
With May a. and Etta G.