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.
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Tues, Oct. 12. [1897]
This was a beautiful morning and I wore my blue shirt waist. It was the first time since I came here, that I have worn it.
I got a letter from Mamma and one from Emma today. Mamma writes such good letters. Emma is a case -- a freak of nature.
Wed, Oct. 13.
Arah and I took a horse back ride this evening. It was quite dusky when we got home. We had a great time. I never laughed so much. Old George is awful hard on the trot. I had lots of fun out of him anyway. We want to go Friday afternoon. I will have Old Annie next time. She is a great pacer. Lovely color -- white with chocolate spots.
Thurs, Oct. 14.
I got a jolly letter from Muriel today. She is a case. School went off very well today.
I must answer some letters.
Friday, Oct. 15.
I had a very pleasant day. After recess, I read a story to the children, and recited for them. After school I ran another race with Clara Spilman and beat her.
Arah and I took a ride. I went on Old Annie, and what a time we did have! Annie certainly is a beauty. That "side pace" of hers is a curiosity. I don't care, she "rides easy."
Arah laughed heartily at the figure I cut. We got home just at dark. I am very fond of riding. I wish I had a horse of my own.
Sat, Oct. 16th.
I wanted to visit some of my pupils today, but Arah couldn't go with me and show me the way in the morning, and I expected Uncle Wallie in the afternoon, so I didn't go. Aunt Florence and I took a walk over to the percimmon tree in the afternoon. Uncle Wallie didn't come after all.
Sun, Oct. 17.
It was raing [sic -- raining] this morning, so we didn't go to church. It began to clear off about noon, so Francis and I started over to Aunt Sallie Lenore's. The horse got lame, however, so we just went to town and mailed some letters. We spent the afternoon at Uncle Wallie's.
In the evening, Francis and I went to Midway to the Epworth League.
Mon, Oct. 18.
This is Forest's 21st Birthday. He is going to live in town after this as it is so far from here to school.
I have a sore throat.
Tues, Oct. 19.
My cold is very bad. I dismissed school at 3, and came home to get doctored up. I think I had a slight chill in school.
Wed, Oct. 20.
Aunt Florence gave me medicine all night last night. My cold is pretty bad, but I can get along at school if I don't get any worse. Clarence took me to school this morning.
Thurs, Oct. 21.
My cold is pretty well under control now, thanks to a stitch in time.
I haven't had a letter from Herman this week.
Friday, Oct. 22.
Aunt Florence had company all day, but I was so late as to miss them. Mrs. Hultz [?] and her sister, however, called on me after school.
Francis and I went to call on Pattie Scott in the evening. We found her in bed, but she finally made her appearance.
Sat, Oct. 23.
We had company again today. I finished Forest's patching before they came, however.
After they were gone, Francis and I went to town. I forgot to wear my Ivak, and to take Forest's patching. We went to see Forest, and he put his over coat around me. I didn't get a letter from Herman today either. I wish he would write.
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I am 98% certain that the word there is indeed "Ivak", but I have no idea what that means. I must therefore assume that it is a brand of coat that has somehow avoided internet detection.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, because I know I was: Arah. Also, according to the Social Security baby name database (a fabulous resource), Arah was the 818th most popular baby girl name in 1882. Their records only go back to 1880. The variant spelling Ara was in the top 1000 baby girl names from 1880-1918 skipping only a few years. I was assuming this Arah was male, but reading back over it, Jessie doesn't use ANY pronouns to refer to this person! Looks like odds are it was a girl.
2 comments:
how funny that "freak of nature" was a phrase even back then!
My granddad Maynard's middle name was Ara.
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