1903 Handwritten Diary Edna Kenyon Detroit MI Summer Trip To Salem NY 17yr Old
Item History & Price
WELCOMETO SALLY’S DIARIES: Upfor auction today is a 1903 handwritten diary that originallybelonged to Edna E. Kenyon who was a Detroit Michigan teacher. Thisis going to be one of my longer descriptions because this is the kindof diary that I couldn’t put down as it’s so interesting and sopacked full of great entries. Thediary has long handwritten entries for every day of the year. Thescans of the pages above are a good example of what every day’swriting looks like. And if ...that wasn’t enough she has used up 34more pages in the back because she needed even more room to write upsome of the days of entries. One of those days, August 28th, which I’ve quoted below, takes ups two extra pages in the back.It’s all about her summer trip to her father’s hometown of SalemNew York. It’s there she meets Mr. Edward F. Ball and is quitesmitten by him. In fact there’s long entry on September 3rdwhich involves him. He asks if he can have her hat to remember her byand she signs it and gives it to him. There is also a doctor that issweet on her while she’s in Salem for her vacation. Ednawas born on April 28th, 1885 which makes her just 17 yearsold when the diary begins and is a graduating senior at Central HighSchool there in Detroit. The photo of the high school that I show isone I copied off the web and was taken in 1904. Herfather, Henry Y. Kenyon was a traveling salesman and her mother wasAnnie. In the 1900 census it shows her mother, father, Edna and hersister Hazel living in the same house. But get this, her Uncle andtwo cousins are living there also and 7!!!! borders. So I’massuming they ran a boarding house at this time. And I thought itinteresting to note the professions of these boarders; carpenter, conductor, motorman, dressmaker, salesman, tinnery and piano teacher.Life must have been very entertaining in the house for Edna. Shebecame a teacher and married Alfred E. Johnson in 1920. Edna passedaway July of 1978. Edna’sentries are very typical of a 17 year old and her struggles with lifebut I feel “typical” is not the way to describe her because sheis really quite the charming character. She has such a low selfesteem and at one point compares her life to that of Maud Muller, thewoman in the poem written by John Greenleaf Whittier. If you haven’tread the poem it’s a must to really understand how Edna is feeling.There is also a young man in her life by the name of Guy yet shedoesn’t feel worthy of him. There is really so much to her diary asyou will see with the following example quotes…..1903“January5th, School today. Compared presents with the girls. Received a pearlhandled pen from Ainslie Byron through Mildred. It was lovely of him.Guy came over this evening. I wish I had gone to Colchester. Perrysent me his love although Geraldine must have taken it on the way.”“January16th, Last day of 12 B. Felt like the dickens all day. Had blues but Erwincame over this evening and drove them away. He told me that Guy wasterribly jealous of me. No news. But there is no cause for no oneelse wants me.” “January24th, Stayed at home today. Mama went to the pedro party tonight. Guy wasover this evening. We practiced and talked of various things. Hedidn’t go home until twelve. It will certainly ruin his health andmy complexion if he don’t keep earlier hours.” “February11th, Woke up at quarter to seven. Got to school in time. Mama came hometonight. She got office of state delegate. Guy came over. I forgivehim and take back what I said. It wasn’t “his fault”. Wellresponsibility ceases. I don’t have to poke those old fires everyten minutes.” “February19th, Found out that Guy was only bluffing about Friday (he had toldher he couldn’t take her to Dolly Varden). He wanted to get mecrazy. He succeeded. We are going Saturday night. Willie Warren andViolet Gordon are going too. Guy was over tonight to practice. Papais down east and by the way he talks we will have a good time.” “February22nd, Went to Sunday school to day. May Warren was not there. It is toofunny the way we go alternately. Guy came over tonight. We had one ofour good old talks together. If he only knew what little cause he hadfor jealously but if I told him all the fun would be over. Mama wentover to Uncle Al’s today. Aunt Lena is sick.” “March8th, Today was a beautiful day. I didn’t go to Sunday School. Kitte Vogyand Bessie came over to call. We were not dressed. Oh dear today Ifelt so lonely, as if my whole life was one big mistake. I wonder whyI am not like others. They seem to have what I miss. I feel like MaudMuller.” “March15th, Didn’t go to Sunday School I have developed a boil on my cheek justabove my mouth so in consequence was not fit for publication. KittieCotton came over and went out to Aunties with mama. She stayed totea. I am all tied up and can’t talk. It seems dreadful for me.”(Because of the boil she misses about 10 days of school)“March24th, I have got to make up my work that I missed. It was regular Marchweather. Blew like sixty. Guy “flopped” in tonight but didn’tstay. As usual Marion is after him again. I wonder if he can resisther flattery again. I hope so for his sake.” “March29th, Went to Sunday School today. Guy met us and came home with us. We hada “blue” talk. At least I was. I was trying to persuade him thatI was horrid and that it wasn’t any use for him to like me. Hecouldn’t see it that way. He is too dear for anything.”“April12th, Today was Easter Sunday. It rained all morning and was gloomy allafternoon. We went to service at Trinity Church. The singing wasbeautiful. It made me feel so good. Guy came over this evening for atalk with me. The dear boy had another rumpus with her. Oh Iwish I could do something.” “May10th, Hazel and I went to church this morning. The services were lovely.Erwin went with me tonight to spite Guy and to please me. There wasno one home when we came so he told me his secret. He has a sister.She must be older than he and it bothers him to think of it. He iscertainly honorable and I know his sister if she is worth anythingwill be proud of him. He told me that since he had been coming overhere he has tried to be better. I thank God that I have someinfluence over some one. He and Guy are the two that I care anythingabout. Erwin and I had some soda water after church. Guy came overand went out with Hazel but I can plainly see he was hurt. Anyway Igave him first choice if he didn’t care to go with me. Erwin didand was glad to…..” “May31st, Hazel and I went to church this morning and the services were fine.Erwin and I went over to the island this afternoon. It was rathercool but we went canoeing. Oh its fine to glide along those canals.We went out in the river but didn’t stay. I had a box of Lonney’s.We had lunch at the Casino. I certainly enjoyed it all.”“June19th, Went to the class picnic and had three boxes of lunch. Karl went withme and Harry Otis took Florence H. We had a fine time. About 30 wentaltogether. I danced all the dances except one. We gave our classyell and our class song. I am so glad I had Karl to take me. We hadsuch a congenial crowd that we didn’t lack fun. H. O. gave me acopy of his toast.” “July8th, Guy came over today. He came in from Rochester. He is going to stayout there until Sept. for his health. He thought he would have to goout West but he won’t have to. I am so glad. He kissed me good byefor three months. It don’t seem that long. Fanny came up tonight totea.” “July11th, Erwin and I went down on the boat tonight. It was lovely. The moonwas so bright and the water and the music. I could ride all night.Erwin is certainly in love with me. I wonder if he really means allhe says. He seems in earnest. We had a “rotten” sundae so camehome and made lemonade.” “July16th, We started today. Got my pictures. I am writing this on the “EasternStates”. It is beautiful on the lake. We sighted Colchester. Erwincame down to see us off. We had supper on the boat and it was lovely.I wish I could ride on this boat for a week. We are about approachingthe river now. It seems so strange to be here. I do wish it wouldlast.” (Next day they have breakfast on the boat and get off atBuffalo and take a parlor car. They are staying in Salem New Yorkwhere her father grew up)“July25th, After dinner today we all went for a 25 mile drive through thecountry to Lake Cossayuna. It is about three miles long and there isa summer hotel. We went out rowing and had supper at the hotel. Fishwas the chief article. We had a lovely drive home. Pitch dark in someplaces and go home about 9.” “August3rd, We went to Saratoga today by electric road. The scenery was verypretty. Had our dinner at a restraunt. Went sight seeing. Saw thethree large hotels and lots of the people going to the races. Theyhad beautiful dresses. I got a burnt leather pocket book for myselfand a penwipes for Erwin. Came home on train. Stopped atSchuylerville an old British encampment.” “August28th, This morning was the “brick Church” picnic. The Owens girls, Charlotte and Edith and us, some others, Violet Parrish, went in ahayrack to Lake Lauderdale. It was lots of fun and we sang all theway. I wore my white cap and it created a sensation. Rosabel Walkerknew some of the R.P. I. fellows and at noon we (now it goes tothe back of the diary) were introduced to some of them. Theyinvited we girls to stay over until evening and we would have adance. We finally settled it and Mary and Miss Baker agreed toChaperone. In the afternoon we went out rowing. I took mama, andMiss Parrish and had my reward for Mr. John O’Donnell and HenrySpalhok took Hazel and I out in a swell row boat and we had a verynice time. I had met Mr. O’Donnell before. They stayed with usuntil supper time and then went home as they were not invited by theR. P. I.’s to stay. We met a lot more boys and Mr. Ball took me tosupper after that we went out on the lake until time for the dance tobegin. I danced almost every dance with him and sat out two or three.We girls sang for them and I sang the “Lay of the Jay” aboutthree times. Everybody liked it. Some of the girls out for a row butit was rather too late. We had lots of fun though and especiallycoming home. The boys had engaged a large carry all and we were allbundled up in the boys coats. I had on Mr. Ball’s long rain coatand we looked too funny for anything. Mr. Ball took me home. It waspitch dark and we sang all the way home…...” “September7th, Left Salem this morning and hated to go. Papa went as far as Albanywith us. As agreed Mr. Ball rode over to Albany with me. I was soglad to have someone. He left me his pin (as agreed) and bought me abox of Huylers to pass away the time. He wanted to write to me forvarious reasons and is going to send me some music. The train wasEmpire State and was very swell. When we got to Buffalo it wasraining so we couldn’t see the falls but only heard them. We arestaying at the Temperance House.” “September8th, Got up early and saw the falls. They are magnificient. It was cloudybut we saw them to good advantage. We took the Gorge Route and sawthe Whirlpool Rapids, Horse Shoe Falls and went up or down rather toLake Ontario at Lewiston. Went to Buffalo in time for the boat homeand had a lovely time on the boat. There was an orchestra and theyplayed “Violets” “Message of the Violet” etc. and it made mehomesick. I asked them to play selections from “Johnny”. “Katie”was so sweet. I wished Mr. Ball and the rest were there to sing withme. We sat on deck watching the moonlight on Lake Erie. It was fine.We were on the Western States.” “September24th, I wrote to Edward today, a good long letter. Cousin Libbie came overand is going to stay all night. Guy was over with some new pieces. Ohbut I was lonesome tonight. The sunset was perfectly beautiful and itmade me long to be back in Salem again.” Istopped reading on October 13th as there is just too much.I’ll leave the rest for the winning bidder. Some of the many namesmentioned are: Sullivan, Huston, Fairbain, Watson, Walter Mickle, Graves, Fern Wheeler, Vincent, Karl Murchy, Nena Christian, Davis, Mildred Brown, Gertie Mason, Kitty Colton, Lyon, Louise Robertson, Louise Abbeco, Fontaine, Priscilla Holmes, Florence Higginson, DonaldHastings, Miss Bammel (teacher), Blackmore, Jim Briggs, McElroy, RuthValmore, Marie Dillman, Rachel Sinclair, Blake McDonald, Grover Shea, and more. Thediary measures about 3” x 4 3/4” and the cover is a bit worn andpulling away a little from the binding. Pages and binding looks good.
