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Note:
This trip is the highlight of Madge’s summer.
Traveling a great distance by train and steamboat, staying
in hotels, visiting with Overstreet relatives, going to parties -
makes for an exciting experience for a small town Iowa girl.
Several entries talk about her experience with the Black
citizens living in the Lagrange, Ky, area and I hope no one will
be offended by her comments.
I have left her comments in because it is history and this
the way people talked and thought in those days.
I wish we had all the photographs she took on this trip.
Tuesday,
June 19, 1906
Got
up real early, it had cleared off nicely.
Chas took me in to town and I left on the 10:25 for Onawa.
Dr. Westwood rode as far as Smithland.
I waited in Onawa from 11 until 1: 18 and got into Omaha at
3:15.
Met a dandy girl from Des Moines.
I waited there until 6:30, sent some cards.
It is a pretty little city.
I traveled all night.
Wednesday,
June 10, 1906
Arrived
in St. Louis about 10 AM and staid until 12.
Had breakfast in café at depot.
Left in a parlor car for Louisville, Ky.
Arrived there at 7:30 PM.
Telephoned to Mary (an
Aunt, Mary Overstreet Manby*.
I had to stay there until 11, then I left for Lagrange.
My, I was tired.
Myrtle was there and I talked but retired at once.
*The
Manby family were also a family of lawyers and politicians.
Thursday,
June 21, 1906
I
was tired out but Myrtle and I dressed and went down to see
Mary’s mother.
Mary had Miss Demond, Daisy Bell and Bessie Grand from
Evanston and I for luncheon.
After supper Beckham* brought a couple girls, Miss Waide,
his girl, Miss Berry, Sam’s girl, and Dr. Cox.
We listened to the grammaphone until quite late.
*Beckham
Overstreet is her cousin, a lawyer in La Grange.
Friday,
June 22, 1906
I
visited the jail (apparently
there was or is a big jail in Lagrange) wrote some letters and
cards.
After dinner, took a nap.
After supper, Myrtle, Mary, Beckham and I went over to Mrs.
Nowells to spend the eve.
Played and sang and had a jolly time.
Saturday,
June 23, 1906
Read,
worked a little.
Mrs. Nowell came by and brought our mail.
I got two postals from Charles Gregory (her cousin in
Illinois). After
dinner it rained.
I took a bath and Beckham came over.
We went down to Mrs. Nowell’s. Sang
some, then went walking.
Visited the cemetery and got caught in the rain.
After supper, we all went over to Nowell’s for some
music.
Beckham and I went down town to the soda fountain, then
strolled around.
Sunday,
June 24, 1906
Got
up rather late.
Helped Mary ( Manby)
with the work. I then dressed for church.
Beckham took me to the Baptist.
Only short services as the regular minister’s child died
so a friend filled the pulpit.
We then walked down to Cousin Anna Hall’s for dinner.
Had a lovely dinner.
There was Uncle Dan, Cousin Anna, Jim, Sally, Blaine, Mary,
Will, Beckham, Millie (Beckham’s
sister) and all the children.
After dinner, we all sat around and talked, then went home.
After supper, Beckham and I went over to Nowell’s.
Monday,
June 25, 1906
Staid
at home.
Took a nap and sewed in the afternoon.
Beckham and Miss Waide and I took a drive.
Had such a pleasant time.
Picked roses and daisies.
We all staid at home in eve.
All
went down to Cousin Blaine Overstreet’s for dinner.
A large crowd.
Had a lovely dinner, visited and met a great many new
relatives.
Then we came up to town after supper.
Beckham came up and we called on Miss Nellie Waide.
Played, sang and danced.
Spent a very pleasant evening.
Came home early.
B. came in and staid for awhile.
Wednesday,
June 17, 1906
Went
down to Cousin Kate Barrackman’s for dinner; a lovely time.
Came home about four, took a walk with Mrs. Nowell, then I
ironed and after supper Beckham came up.
I sewed and he wrote.
We staid at home.
Thursday,
June 28, 1906
Started
for Midway and waited there 3 hours.
We walked out to an old spring, got a drink and lay on the
grass awhile to pass the time.
Then went up town and had dinner.
Left there about 2:30, arrived in Versailles.
Cousin Ella met us in a carriage.
We were so tired.
Found all and had a lovely visit with them.
Friday,
June 29, 1906
We
all got ready to go on our fish fry.
Started at 8 and drove 6 miles.
They unpacked the grub, went boat riding for awhile, got
two larger fish, then came back.
The men built a place of rocks to fry out fish and cook
corn bread and coffee.
We then had dinner and it was great.
Had so many good things.
After dinner, Mr. Hawk’s son took the Misses McWilliams,
Young, McBrien and I for a ride.
Met a young man from Tyrone, took us for a ride in his
gasoline launch.
A crowd from Lawrenceburg, we went out in a steamer for a
ride.
We got home at 5 and well pleased with the day.
Saturday,
June 30, 1906
Was
so tired and slept so good.
Porter ordered the carriage and Ella, Myrtle, Pearl and I
went driving.
Took in the city of Versailles, Cleveland Orphans Home and
visited a very old building.
It was formally a toll gate.
We drove until 7, then came in, ate supper then drove the
horse to the barn.
Went to the soda fountain but the negroes (sic) are so
thick on Sat. eve, its not safe to be out.
We went in early.
Sunday,
July 1, 1906
A
beautiful morning, we sat out in front and watched the colored
people go to a Basket meeting at Mortonville.
It was a treat to me.
All sizes and shades.
Cousin Porter ordered a carriage and we drove to the
carline and went to Livingston (?).
Had a fine ride, came back at four, then had some callers:
Mrs. Malaze and Maud Young.
Went walking and retired early.
Monday,
July 2, 1906.
They
called us at 5:30.
We then got ready to take a ride to Midway.
The carriage came up at 7:00 and we had such a lovely drive
along the Frankfort pike.
Left there at 9:40 for Lagrange.
Arrived in Lagrange at 11:00 and Mary was very much
surprised to see us.
Miss Mona King and Charlie’s wife were there.
After dinner, we rested and later dressed and went down
town to Mrs. Natters.
Played awhile, then all went up to Nowell’s.
Had a nice time playing, dancing and singing.
Beckham and Mr. Williams walked home with Nora and I and
came in awhile.
We ran the grammaphone and it rained.
Tuesday,
July 3, 1906
Nora
and I bummed all day.
Took Myrtle to the train, she went to Brownsville.
Walked around in eve., went in to Mrs. Netters and played.
A couple of fellows followed us and asked us to walk but we
told them we preferred them to call if they wished to meet us.
Wednesday,
July 4, 1906
The
first fourth (4th
of July) that I staid at home, but nothing doing here.
Cousin Will’s mother will take dinner with us.
Nora and I bummed around and after supper, Cousin John
Russell came in his fine rig and took me for a drive through the
kindness of Beckham and then Mary and I went over to Nowell’s
and played awhile.
Thursday,
July 5, 1906
Nora
staid down to Cousin Sallie’s, Mary and I baked and prepared
company dinner.
Thought cousin Lula was coming but she didn’t.
Maud, Nora, Bettie S. came up.
Maud went home and Nora went down to Betty’s.
I didn’t want to go for I had the blues.
I wish I was home.
Mrs. W. came over and wanted me to go down town to
fountain.
Then we had callers; Mrs. Moss and little one.
Retired but blue as I was.
Letter from Chas and Lillian.
Friday,
July 6, 1906
A
lovely morning.
Mary and I went down town and to Bettie’s and Cousin S.
came home and got dinner.
After we dressed up and called on Myrtie Smith and Lottie
De Moss, rain came up.
We went down to Mrs. Nutter’s.
Nora, Bettie and I danced and sang.
Mr. Yeager was there.
Beckham was here for supper.
Went home to entertain Nora.
She got mad and wouldn’t stay here.
B and M came up a little while.
I wrote letters and went to bed.
Got a letter from home.
Saturday,
July 7, 1906
Bettie
and Nora came up after dinner.
We bummed around.
I got my films to take some pictures*
After supper, Beckham came up.
He and I went down to Bettie’s and Mr. Yeager was there.
We danced and sang, then B and I went up to fountain.
Walked around and went home.
B. staid until 11 – Nora got angry at B.
*
Madge
loved photography all her life and we regret that we only have a
few pictures from this visit to Kentucky.
Sunday,
July 8, 1906
Beckham
came up at 11 and we went to the Baptist church to hear Dr.
Harvey.
Came home, had dinner, after which Nora King, Beckham and I
drove to West Port, on the Ohio River.
Took some pictures, had a dandy ride.
Came back about 4.
After supper, Mary, Will and I went to church, heard Staily
preach.
Monday,
July 9, 1906
Getting
ready for the party.
Beckham and I wrote invitations all morning and cleaned the
house.
After dinner we developed pictures before supper.
We went down and called on Miss Goldsboro.
After supper Miss Nellie Goldsboro, Miss Nora King, Bettie
Smith, Beckham, Dr Cox and I were down to Smith’s.
Danced, sang and had a jolly time, then went to take Miss
Nellie home.
Tuesday,
July 10, 1906
Worked
to get ready for the party after dinner.
Beckham and I went down to drug store and finished
pictures.
Came back and then arranged chairs and lanterns.
At 8 the crowd gathered and a good jolly bunch.
We played everything, then all went to the dining room for
refreshments.
It was so pretty.
I went to supper with Mr. Brown.
At 11 they all went home.
Wednesday,
July 11, 1906
Tired
out.
Myrtle was here getting ready to leave.
Beckham and I went out to take pictures down to the spring
and went to Josephine Berry’s.
She went with us and we went to Coontown..
Had a picnic.
Came up to J.B.’s for a little time.
Got home for dinner.
After supper Beckham came up and we walked around down to
the fountain.
Thursday,
July 12, 1906
A
fine day.
I sat around all morning.
Mary and I only did up the work.
After dinner, went down to Bettie’s, played and sang.
Came back and the Misses Humes called on Nora and I.
Later we went to train with Myrtle.
I came back with Bettie and Nora.
Then I finished pictures.
After Beckham came up, we went over to Mrs. Nowell’s for
music.
Friday,
July 13, 1906
A
hot day.
Miss Nellie G and Josephine Berry called on me.
Nellie and I went down to soda fountain.
Beckham came in sick, we jollied him and he went out and
went home with me and his fever was high.
We went over to Nowell’s and spent the eve, then walked
around.
Saturday,
July 14, 1906
Mrs.
Overstreet (Beckham’s
mother). was upset.
Beckham was worse.
I went down and staid awhile after dinner.
Went back again, got 11 letters from C.A.G. (Charles
Andrew Gregory) and sure got roasted.
Nora was there, went home.
Mary, Nell and I went down.
Nora and I bummed around and I staid all night there.
Sunday,
July 15, 1906
Got
up early.
Beckham was no better.
I went home and got ready for church.
Nora came up and we went to Baptist.
Willie G. and Ethel White were with us.
I slipped on a dog under the seat and yell!
I guess.
We went to Mary’s for dinner.
After dinner, started out to take some pictures but too
hot.
John Dowden, Alva Pruett, Lynden P. and Sam came up and
took some pictures, played the grammaphone. Then Bettie, Nora and
I took a walk.
Later, Alva P. went with me.
We went to Negro church and had a dandy time.
Laugh, I guess.
We went down to Betties, had lunch.
Roy and Alva took Nora and I home.
Monday,
July 16, 1906
Raining
hard.
Nora went down home to get her suit case packed. I went
down later after dinner.
Mrs. N, Mary and I went down town.
Bettie and I took Nora to train.
Marion Carlin, Joy Yager, Earl Leffler and we had a circus
waiting.
Tuesday,
July 17, 1906
Came
back from Mrs. Nowell’s and went down to Cousin Sallies.
B was not so well.
I staid there all morning.
After dinner, Bettie and I went out and took snap shots of
coons, had a circus.
Then finished them.
Came up to Mary’s and ate a lunch.
After supper we went down to see Beckham and he was so
sick, poor boy.
I felt so sorry.
Wednesday,
July 18, 1906
Ironed
all morning, washed my hair.
Afternoon, Bettie came up.
We dressed up in Sam‘s clothes and Mary took our
pictures, then we raged out in our white and went calling on
Josephine Berry.
Misses Curn’s and Willie Goldsboro, and Ethel White from
Louisville, went to the depot to meet Bettie’s aunt.
I then went down to see B.
Doctor thought he was better.
After supper, Bettie and I run around.
“Dearie” up to fountain.
Thursday,
July 19, 1906
Went
down to sit with Beckham until after dinner over to Bettie’s.
Had cream, came home and went to sleep.
Dressed in eve. and Myrtle Tucker, Bettie and I bummed
until late at the fountain.
Got a letter from Chas.
Friday,
July 20, 1906
Went
over to Mrs. Nowell’s and washed, then cam back for dinner.
After I dressed and went down to drug store to order some
supplies, met Mr. Craw.
He treated me to a soda.
Met Myrtle Tucker.
She wanted me to go play tennis.
I did, had a lovely time.
Later I dressed and walked down to see Campbell and
Beckham.
Both sick.
Bettie and I strolled around.
After supper, Ed Manby came up from Louisville and he and I
went down to Bettie’s, also George Hall.
Spent a very quiet eve, caught in rain.
Sunday,
July 22, 1906
Printed
pictures all morning.
Mary was sick.
I did up the work after dinner, dressed and went down to
see B.
He was better.
Bettie and I ran around, after lunch we went to church, all
alone.
No
Entries:
July 23 and 24th.
Wednesday,
July 25, 1906
Ironed
all a.m. and after dinner Cousin Blaine and I drove over to
Lula’s.
12 miles to Todd’s Point.
Had a lovely time, talked and Mr.
Beatty came home late.
I enjoyed the ride so much, over the rocks.
Thursday,
July 26, 1906
Got
up real early as Mr. B. had to go away.
I took some pictures.
We started home at 8, picked
some blackberries and I took some snaps.
Got home at 10:30.
I went up to Mary’s after dinner and slept.
I was so tired.
I dressed up later in eve and Bettie, Myrtle and I bummed.
After supper, Misses Bucy (sic) came down and went to
Betties then Mr. Dowden, Martha and I walked over to fountain and
May’s.
Bettie with with two others.
No
Entry:
July 27, 1906
Saturday,
July 28, 1906
Cousin
Blaine took me out to Cousin John Overstreet’s to take dinner.
Had a real nice time.
Caught in rain coming home.
After supper Mary and I walked around and went down to
Nutter’s.
Went back and when Nell came home from church, we all went
down town.
I met George Hale and Myrtle I.
He wanted us to go after some roses and then to Soda
Fountain.
He came up and spent the eve.
Got three letters from Mama, Chas and Elmer.
Sunday,
July 29, 1906
Just
fooled.
Took a bath and after dinner dressed and went down to go to
Overstreet’s then to Mrs. Smith’s.
Myrtle and I took a walk then Campbell came up and we had a
circus.
After supper, Campbell and I walked around, took in the
fountain twice.
A lovely evening and we had a nice visit.
Monday,
July 30, 1906
Walked
around and took pictures.
Got a letter from Chas and papers from home.
After dinner Myrtle Tucker and I walked out the pond and
Sulphur Springs.
I wasn’t feeling very well so I went home and later
Bettie and I run around.
After Supper, Sam gave us tickets and we went to show,
“Ten Nights in the Bar Room”.
It was bum but we had fun.
George Hall took us in to the soda fountain and then we
took B. home.
He came up and staid awhile and coaxed me to stay another
week.
Tuesday,
July 31, 1906
Ironed,
got a letter from Chas.
Bettie and I walked down to Anita Springs.
A beautiful place, took some pictures.
No
Entry:
August 1 and 2, 1906
Friday,
August 3, 1906
Got
up real early and I went over to Cousin Blaine’s, Smith’s and
different places and bid them goodbye.
Cousin Nell Manby and Campbell went to Louisville.
I hated to leave for I had a fine time.
We reached Mrs. Manby’s for dinner after Nell and I took
in the city.
In evening, Nell went home and I staid all night.
Mrs. Manby invited Stanton Ford over to spend the eve. We
sang and played and went car riding.
I came back and went to ice cream parlor.
He was a fine fellow.
“Lonely”
“Is that so”. ** Sure enough.
**These
were old songs popular to sing.
Saturday,
August 4, 1906
Mr.
Ford came in to bid me goodbye.
At 10:00 Claude Manby took me to the train and I left at 12
for Cairo, Ill.
A dirty trip; it was so warm. I reached there at 7:00. Met
some nice people on the train.
I stopped at Planter’s Hotel and had to stay there until
Sunday.
At 6:30 I took in the city.
Had a nice time.
Sunday,
August 5, 1906
Bummed
around.
It is about 18,000 population.
At 5:30 I took the boat for St. Louis.
Had a circus.
We danced and had a jolly time.
Never went to bed until 12:30.
We landed about 12 at a placed called Cape Girardeau and
unloaded freight.
Rode all night. I bunked with a woman from St. Louis.
Slept fine.
Monday,
August 6, 1906
Rode
all day on boat “Ferd Herold”.
It rained.
We danced after dinner.
Had supper on the boat and got into St. Louis at 1:30 p.m.
I took a cab up to the Union station and took a sleeper out
for Omaha at 8:00.
Sent some postals and when I started, I slept nearly all
the way.
Had breakfast on the train and got off in Omaha at 7:30
a.m.
Bummed around the city and left there at 3:50 for Onawa.
Tuesday,
August 7, 1906
Was
in Omaha all day and went to Onawa in eve.
Staid all night at the Mona House.
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