On this day in 1932 – Mrs. O’Connell Sr. died, the Giant Springs at Great Falls, and Lizzie Ralston

March 16, 1932

Mrs. Dick O’Connell Sr. died 73 yrs.  Her grandsons were her pallbearers and altar boys. The Giant Springs near Gt. Falls puts out 388 million gallons of water a minute. It’s a wonderful sight to see. Then it runs on a few ft. and goes in the Missouri river. Brother Johnie was born in Belmont 51 yrs. ago the 19th of Mar. 1932. I figure he was the 1st boy born here. Lizzie Ralston was the first girl. I was the 1st baby [to live] in this town [Marysville] and Belmont. I was with my Mother when she came up the Missouri river in 1879. My Father came up some months before us.

March 5, 1932: heavy snow, John Philip Sousa, and Aristide Briand of France

March 5, 1932

John Philip Sousa in 1900. Photo attribution: Elmer Chickering [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

It snowed over a ft (1 3/4) of snow since yesterday morning. The heaviest day since 1932-3-10. Last nite a memorial program for [John] Philip Sousa was played over N.B.C. broadcast. He died the 2nd[1. According to Wikipedia, John Philip Sousa died on March 6, 1932, not March 2nd.] after a musical program of heart attack also [Aristide] Briand of France.[2. French Statesman Aristide Briand of France died on March 6, 1932. Apparently Mary wrote this journal entry later than March 5th.] Sousa composed 145 marches, 7 lately and was 77 yrs. old. He composed the Bi-Centennial for the Chicago Fair in 1933. I love music as he did, hope there’s some where I go.


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