Jessie Lyman was born January 2, 1877. She graduated from Westport High School (Westport, MO, now part of Kansas City) in 1897 at the head of her class. From what I have read of her diaries so far, it appears she went on to teach school for a couple years in Columbia, MO. She married Herman Eckert in June of 1899. On July 26, 1900, she died giving birth to twins Conrad and Cornelia at the age of 22. Conrad is my mother's mother's father.
-----------------------------------------
Wed. Oct. 6th [1897]
Aunt Florence came by the school house on her way to Mrs. Jacobs' for butter. I went with her and was very glad of the lift.
We stayed about an hour at Mrs. Jacobs' and had a very pleasant visit. Carrie wanted me to stay all night, but I couldn't do so very conveniently. They all invited me very cordially to come whenever I could.
I got quite chilly before we got home. The boys had a good fire going and it felt good.
Thurs. Oct. 7th
Francis and I went to the percimmon [sic] tree again this afternoon. There were none on the ground, but Francis climbed the tree and shook them down. I picked up about a quart. I wanted to send some to Mamma.
Friday, Oct. 8th
Aunt Florence went to Callaway Co. again today, so I will be house keeper for a few days.
I had to punish two [to]day -- Logan Russell and Henry Jonas.
Sat. Oct. 9th
We got up at almost six o'clock this morning. I got breakfast as fast as I could, but we were so late that Forest didn't try to get to his 8:30 class. Francis went to town and did not get home till late. Clarence went to Huntsdale, so I was here all afternoon by myself. I spent the time in darning Forest's socks.
After supper, Francis and I had an old time tussle. He had disgusted me with his foolish talk, so, telling him that he was as soft and mushy as one of the percimmons we were eating, I threw one and hit him in the face with it.
Deeming it no longer safe for me to remain in that part of the house, I ran for the porch. And none too soon, for as I went out the door a percimmon whipped past me. Then came dashing of water in my face while I cuffed his ears, and smothering me with a comfort [?] while I belabored him with a shoe box.
We finally came to terms and went to bed peacably [sic].
Sunday Oct. 10th
We got up late again this morning. I got breakfast and cleaned up the house. By that time Uncle Wallie came over, and stayed an hour or two. Soon after dinner Aunt Florence drove in.
I am feeling a little lonely today. I miss going to church on Sunday. It seems so strange not to expect Herman in the evening. I wonder if Emmett Scott will come this evening. I wish he would bring his buggy and take me to church. It looks very much like rain, however, so I'm afraid he won't. It could take my mind off of Herman.
Mon. Oct. 11, 97.
It was raining this morning, and Francis took me to school in the buggy. The sun was shining before school was out however. Aunt Florence was at Uncle Wallie's as I came by, and we walked home together.
I got a nice letter from Herman.
------------------------------------------
Ya know how when you learn about something for the first time, or something comes up that you never think of, then it just keeps coming up all around you suddenly? Or is that just me? In any case, I pretty much never think about persimmons, especially since I don't really know what they are, and I've never had one, so I don't know what they taste like. But last week I typed up Jessie Lyman's first story about the persimmon tree.
Then, at church this morning, one of the ladies brought like 4 big boxes of persimmons to church to give away because her persimmon tree went crazy this year! So I took 4 of them, with instructions from various church ladies to wait until they're quite mushy before either eating them or making baked goods out of them. I can't wait!
No comments:
Post a Comment