March 3, 1932
To-day it’s cold and we’re all snowed in again. Last nite the club met at Mrs. Jess Cannon’s. I got a nice [illegible] silk stockings and 3 handkerchiefs from Georgiana, a nice box of candy from Christopher and nice dress goods[1. According to Merriam-Webster, “dress goods” are “fabrics suitable for lightweight clothing (as women’s dresses).”] and $1.00 from Irene. Candy, stockings, threads from Evelyn for my 54 birthday.
March 1, 1932
Mrs. Lizzie Korting’s birthday (53 yrs). I’ve been so mad lately that my whole body suffers from it. I sure ain’t being treated like a wife [several words crossed out]. Albert is so helpless and careless and Christie is always telling me of how [several words crossed out] I am. believe me [words crossed out] this may hurt him but what he does hurts me too.
Note: Tucked in just under this March 1st journal entry were these two entries from February . . .
February 23, 1932
I got up a Pioneer Club, Mrs. Jos. Nyaski, Mrs. Lewis Haley, Mrs. Ed. Shafhnet [Shafnet?], Mrs. Jno Korting, Mrs. Noble Mason, Mrs. Jess Cannon, [blank space left for other names?] and myself. Dues .05. Prizes .20, .15, .05. Nyaski, Shafhnet, Korting won the prizes.
February 25, 1932
The country has a Chinook [wind] thaw that did damage by slides and floods.
February 7, 1932
I finished a nice doily, diameter 22 inches, has 35 shaped crotched points, will give it to my niece Elenora Venis Owens[1. I believe Mary was referring to her niece Eleanor (Vennes) Owen, who was the daughter of Mary’s sister Maud.] at Bridger, Mont.[2. Bridger is located about 45 miles south of Billings.]
February 11, 1932
I rote 3 letters concerning the Shokopee mine & quarreled with Albert until I was all in with heartache & everything else. He couldn’t rite it himself & then we had a round of words.
February 13, 1932
Mr. & Mrs. Jess Cannon, Mrs. Nyaski & Mrs. Korting[1. This is most likely a reference to Mary’s good friend Lizzie Korting.] were here & we played cards after. Jerry Lauller & L. Sandish came in feeling their oats.[4. According to Wiktionary, “feeling one’s oats” is “to feel energetic or frisky; to behave in a vigorous or bold manner.” Not sure if this is what Mary meant, though.]
February 14, 1932
Last nite, C. Beaver. C. Schenck[3. This is Mary’s son Christie Schenck.], Ranta, Farrell, J. Spurzem[sp?], L. Sandish were at Beavers feeling good[5. “feeling good” second night in a row . . .] & the horses out side in the storm. A little chickadee bird sat on Albert’s shoulder while he was cutting wood last week.
February 16, 1932
It makes no difference what I say or do, Albert and Christie argue I am wrong, [several words crossed out], both are ready to make me mad. I am mad, nervous, dissatisfied, discontented and sure hard boiled at everything. I had nothing but unkindness, beatings, quarreling up to when I got married[6. By all accounts, Mary’s parents had a very difficult and contentious marriage. They separated when Mary was young and eventually divorced. Based on court records, I believe Mary and her siblings were caught in the middle.], then things were not much lovable, worked terrible hard all the time &, after George died (1916) the children and I drifted because they felt I was so stern, I looked at things in life different to them and to-day I am so hard boiled with the past I can feel it hurt me all over and those by me call me crazy. God and I understand that subject and no one else. Have also been wronged by others with all my body suffering I went thro with it, & the worries I still suffer when my flesh and blood suffer in themselves. I pray for help but it don’t seem to come my way. I am left with not much patience on that to others. A few years ago I suffered terrible in my head, now my body or head burns up with heat, heat I can’t stand, the noise or roaring of a fire drives me mad. I suffer and others ridicule me and call me crazy & say what ought to be done to me. No one is going thro that stage but myself. I alone feel the hurt it gives me.
This beautiful Valentine card, from “dear sister Rose” to “dear brother George,” is dated February 28, 1912.
Transcription:
Neihart[1. I believe the word “Neihart” and the date below Rose’s name were written by my great grandmother, Mary.]
To dear brother
George from
dear sister
Rose
1912-2-28
George Schenk, Mary’s 1st husband, had several siblings, including a younger sister Rose.
Sadly, Rose died at age 30 – two months after she sent this card to George.