lol irw with to & ho

February 24, 1912

2011-06-12T00:39:00.000-07:00

Flo's Diary:

10:30 sunshine headache - sweep. Fox comes and says get ready for dog team ride. Go with Mr. Olsen. Fine ride out to Tanana and back by wireless. Get supper. Heacocks. not any better. Harold comes about 9:30 - chocolate.

This map from 1906 shows where the wireless lines ran around the Fairbanks area.

February 23, 1912

2011-06-12T00:34:00.001-07:00

Flo's Diary

Cloudy. feel pretty good - Latin student - Fence. home and found Harold here. nap on couch. supper. Heacocks. Mr Thrift brings Mr. Tallman up. Mgr of Fisher Mine. Very nice. Play crib beat him 3xs. Chocolat and bed 10:30. 0°

February 22, 1912

2011-05-02T21:26:00.000-07:00

Flo's Diary:

Our day to lay a bed - till 12 o'clock. clean house some - H.C.G comes for ans - "go to ball" Down to Olsen's to stitch scarf. Get mail - home supper and ready for ball. Marcella and Joe - Nell and Lysle.

February 21, 1912

2011-04-30T22:43:00.000-07:00

Flo's Diary

Cloudy - wind and snow. Have Latin pupil. Home about 5 - over to Heacocks. Harold comes also Thrift and Brown. HCG asks me to go to ball - dog team riding. Decide tomorrow so to bed.

February 20, 1912

2011-04-30T22:39:00.001-07:00

Flo's Diary:

Cloudy and 20° above. Rush from school to fence but French lesson so walk - Raine - home at 6 get supper - over to Heacock's Mrs H. sick. Drury and Litsey Brown come. Go to show and ice cream at Red Cross. Talk and bed at 11.

So Raine - Flo finds him interesting....does she run into him on her walk?

February 19, 1912

2011-04-30T22:30:00.000-07:00

Flo's Diary:

School - cloudy-wrm. Mt. Litsey comes to take us to Mrs. Whiteley's but Kelly and Raine come. Raine is gov't man and very interesting. Inspire them to poetry.

February 18, 1912

2011-04-30T22:26:00.000-07:00

Flo's Diary:

A beautiful warm, sunny day. Breakfast with Mr. Thrift's - home and on couch - ill. Harold comes and I go dog team riding - great. Saw pussy willows - people without coats and mittens - walking. Marcella goes for short ride. H.G. for supper. Bed early while others to go show.

February 17, 1912

2011-04-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

Flo's Diary:

Awaken by Nell getting up to go to work. Up at 9. Get breakfast but no stir from M. She sleeps till 11 - eat and begin work. Drink coffee with M. In midst of scrubbing when H.G. arrives to take M out dog riding. Ironed - go downtown. H.G. comes in evening. Nell goes to father's no. I lay crib with him. They go to show. Bed early

February 16, 1912

2011-04-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

Flo's Diary:

Cloudy - Busy Day. Refuse Miss Gilmer's invite out to dinner – home at noon and start dinner- get bath water rush home from school and start fire. Fence - go to M.E. church for cafeteria dinner - very good. Rush home for bath. Get ready for A.B. dance. Marcella comes home and bathes. Rush back to church for ice cream with Adams. Rush home and Harold and Litsey come. Rush to dance so as to be there at 9. Splendid times. Harold and I come home at 12:30. Stay up till M. Arrives so as to talk things over.

My goodness...there was lots of rushing around on this day. Just think about how life has changed in 100 years - and how much easier it is to draw a hot water bath!

February 15, 1912

2011-04-05T21:04:00.001-07:00

Flo's Diary:

Cloudy - rather cold. Go to Nordale's to C.E. party. Have nice time with high school youngsters. Bed as 12.

February 14, 1912

2011-04-05T21:02:00.000-07:00

Flo's Diary:

Valentine's galore. Candy. Snowing 15 ° above. Over to Heacock's. She sick. Give up having Kelly come. Lysle and Dee come. But we have kimona party. Bed early.

February 13, 1912

2011-04-05T19:34:00.000-07:00

Flo's Diary
Cloudy. Fencing – walk Litsey gives M and I a splendid trade–who? Green comes. Finish M's throw. Bed early – tired.

Gosh, this is all very mysterious!

February 12, 1912

2011-04-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

Flo's Diary

School again – oh dear. Lincoln's birthday and no holiday! M. and I walk downtown while Lysle drys dishes for me. Met Fox – gave him bum steer. Pussy willows out 1st bunch I've seen in Alaska. Bed early.

February 11, 1912

2011-04-05T19:21:00.000-07:00

Flo's Diary:

Awakened by Mrs. Heacock at 10:30 but sleep till 12:30. Up and take bath. Harold comes scramble to get in clothes. Eat breakfast. Do work while Marcella and Green walk. Write letters and mail them. Marcella and I go to C.E. and church. Hear talk by A.R. Heilig. A long lonesome day - no walk or nothing. Boys gone a week. Splendid weather for them.

A.R. Heilig, is probably Albert R. Heilig, an attorney who worked in private practice as well as with Judge Wickersham as Clerk of the Court. He was also a UAF Board of Regent (1917-1921).

Wickersham and Heilig Families in Dawson image

Judge Heilig's Garden image (not sure when he became a judge!)

February 10, 1912

2011-03-14T21:21:00.001-07:00

Flo's Diary:

Sat so not up till 9:30 clean house wash my head and Lysle comes. Eat lunch and Green comes. Get back to A. B. dance for next Friday night. Everett Ingram and Lenard Heacock take Marcella and I out for a ride behind 7 dogs. A glorious day and ride. Marcella–Green and I go to Ester to dance in double ender. Nell, Dee and Brown go in another one. Great time and novel dance. Many Fairbanks people there is stage. Dog houses. Met several people–miners invited out by Pattersons – Home by 5 am. 10° below.

February 9, 1912

2011-03-14T21:20:00.000-07:00

Flo's Diary:A beautiful sunrise and splendid view of Mts. and Mt Mckinley. Where are the boys? Have missed them. Fenced. Went down town – got supper – wrote letters.

February 8, 1912

2011-03-14T21:19:00.000-07:00

Flo's Diary:10° above - beautiful day. Develop pictures. Marcella Drury and I go to picture show. Drury wants to be father-in-law so he can make love to us.

February 7, 1912

2011-03-14T21:14:00.001-07:00

Flo's Diary:
A most beautiful sunrise. Golden 10° above. Nell stayed all night at Ollsen's we come home an get dinner and wash dishes. Nell gets dinner. Splendid - rabbit - all alone.

February 6, 1912

2011-03-14T21:09:00.000-07:00

Flo's Diary:

Alarm at 7 but lay until 7:30 and then hurry to school. Much better. Get Dinner and print more pictures. Drury comes and and asks us to go to the pictures show. Knock at door. Marcela opens and Fox stands there. Look of disgust on face. He asks me to go to Masonic ball. Refuse. Otherwise engaged. Green comes so Drury and I go to picture show. Boys to at 11. Beautiful day.

February 5, 1912

2011-03-14T19:01:00.000-07:00

Flo's DiaryUp at 7 - oh dear - sleepy. go to school. Room changed. 34 kiddies - splendid - tired. Supper make meatloaf. School work - print pictures great. tired. Bed at 9:15.

February 4, 1912

2011-03-14T18:45:00.001-07:00

Flo's Diary:

Up at 9 AM. Go to Church with Lewis. Write Letters. change my dress and go to dinner with Lewis and rest of crowd at Arcade. Grouse and toast - while others go to show - Lewis and I sit in chair and talk. Bid he and Ralph goodbye as they start on Mt. McKinley trip next day. Bed at 11 - school next day.

February 3, 1912

2011-02-02T12:16:00.004-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up about 11 am. Breakfast. Ralph comes while I am sweeping. Talk with Mr. Adams over the gate. Lysle comes and calls off Esther dance. Take a bath – Lewis comes mild weather - sunshine. Beat Ralph 2 games of crib. Marcella and Green go for walk – so do Brown and Nell. Lewis and I. grand night out Tanana way Hot chocolate at Red cross Home and 2 in a chair.

February 2, 1912

2011-02-02T12:16:00.003-08:00

Flo's Diary:Up real early. Go shopping. Marcella goes sleigh riding and I miss it as I meet school board at school house at 2 p.m. They decide to give me an assistance, Mrs. Sea. Mr. Druery–Green–Gox come. Nell stays all night with Dee. I walk with Fox Harold goes home early why? candy – 2 boxes. Sunny.

February 1, 1912

2011-02-02T12:16:00.001-08:00

Flo's Diary:Walk with Mrs. Ollsen and Mr. Fox over to Heacocks. Down town shopping. Mr. Green, Mr, Drury, Mr. Morrow and Bob came up for evening. Flashlights, ice cream at "Red Cross" x x x Chinook wind melting snow. Bed at 11:30 - last the bet. x. x. & o.

This doesn't really have anything to do with this post, but I thought this chart of winter temperatures taken from the Fairbanks Red Cross Drugstore was interesting.

January 31, 1912

2011-02-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

Flos' Diary:
Mrs Heacock over early and start our fire. Marcella and I eat lentils. Go to Heacock's to Ladies Aid. Fruit salad. Go to High School play.

January 30, 1912

2011-01-30T06:11:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Mr. Fox and Lewis call. We go to Condit's for evening. splendid time. Our dresses comes. Beautiful - gloves and stockings to match.

January 29, 1912

2011-01-29T06:08:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

A beautiful bright sunny day. Get 3 registered packages xmas presents. weith 122 1/4 lbs. Mar - 129 lbs. Mr. R for supper - I get it - solitaire. Marce. & I walk at 10:30 to Tanana way.

What could they have possibly gotten that weighted so much? I'm really anxious to see if we find out or not.

January 28, 1912

2011-01-28T03:05:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up and go to church with Ralph and Marcella. Hot chocolate after church. Fox invites us to breakfast. Nell mushes with Dee. Marcella and I start dinner when Fox comes to ask us out to dinner - slow. Green comes and I walk with him. Lewis comes. He and Green stay fox dinner. Marcella and I to to C.E. and church and boys was the dishes. Chairs spoons & pie. Alarm at 12.

Heidi's Diary:

In Fairbanks. Up at 6 a.m. Clean and straighten up. -10°. Car has frost on it. Took about 8 minutes to drive from Ester to work. Clear sky brings out the stars. Got IM from Mr Olson. "How do I get the camera to zoom on my iPhone." Decided to skype with him so he could see the process which wasn't working for him. Had visit with Miss Huizenga, Mrs Runnion, Mrs Parkerson and Mrs. Clendenin lots of laughing. Reading Cold: Adventures in a the World's Frozen Places. Bed at midnight

January 27, 1912

2011-01-27T05:31:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Girls didn't fill well so no cleaning but what I do. Green comes. Nell & I take a walk. Clear-moonlight night. Pie from Heacock.

January 26, 1912

2011-01-26T06:30:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up at 12. Get our warrants - go calling on 6 people. Ans phone. Mrs. D. to late - go to show with Harold.

I'm starting to see some competition here amongst the men in Fairbanks!

January 25, 1912

2011-01-25T06:48:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Tired, up at 12 noon. Lay around all day. Girls go for walk in evening. I put on bath robe and lie on couch reading. Lysle comes and he reads to me then Ralph comes. I put on shoes and coat and go to show with them. Meet girls and they go too. M. R. and I go for hot chocolate. Litsey & Morrow & Fox drink with us. Crackers. Home.

I assume that before she went to the show she changed from her bathrobe!

January 24, 1912

2011-01-24T06:40:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Feel Better - help to clean house. Walk 3 miles with Lewis. Mrs. Fairburn calls. Mr. Drury comes and I take him to Leap Year Ball. HAve a great time engaging dances. Joe Morrow paints and fixes like woman - goes with Marcella. Men come with flowers, etc.

January 23, 1912

2011-01-23T06:37:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Still feel bum. Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Hess come. Mr. Thrift here for dinner. Harold comes to see about Leap Year Ball. tease him. Hear from Mr. Drury whom I'm to take to the ball. Marcella and I take flash lights. Brown comes - has to be sent home.

I'm guessing that the Leap Year ball must be like a "Sadie Hawkins Dance" from my generation where the girl asks the guy. One of these days I'm going to have to do a flow chart of the men in Aunt Flo's life. I'm getting mixed up on who is whom!

January 22, 1912

2011-01-22T06:43:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up at 12 - Mr. T comes. 10 o'clock breakfast. ill - cold - recline on couch. Mrs. Meachum, Mrs. Carothers, Mrs. Condit and Mrs Gates call. The Leap Year joke increases. Who's the lucky chaps Marcella and I are to take?

I can hardly wait to find out what the leap year joke is!

January 21, 1912

2011-01-21T06:41:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Feel stiff and sore but go to Mrs. Simson's for all day. Splendid dinner. help get it. Play piano-untill 10 o'clock then they bring me home. Found Nell and Brown home. colds - and Green here. Bed at 12 - Leap Year joke.

January 20, 1912

2011-01-20T06:11:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Go for long much over on hill toward Fox with Lewis. 10° below. Saw Mt. McKinley and panorama of Mts. Great. Beautiful colors in sky. Back by initial hill. Marcella has dinner ready hungry yes—bath and bed early. Green comes-but I stay in bed. Nell goes to Esther.

Traveling by dog sled - this photo is captioned: The Pioneer Style of Traveling, Winter 1911. It was taken from my Great Uncle Gus's collection.

January 19, 1912

2011-01-19T06:08:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Made my white serge dickey and embroidered anchor on it. At Heacocks. girls walk go to arcade to dinner with Mr. Lewis – have grouse. Good. Candy - home and find Brown- talk and read till alarm goes off. Have to send B. away.

Grouse/Ptarmign photo from Great Uncle Gus' collection:

January 18, 1912

2011-01-18T06:03:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Mr. Lewis and I walked went to wireless station out on railroad. Mr. T. here for dinner - rabbit. Nell gets it. Ralph comes and we go to Acklins – nice time. Met Mr. and Mrs. Williams. Retire at 2 a.m.

Unrelated photo:

Rabbits must have been a mainstay of many Pioneer menus! This is titled "Belle Stevens returning from her trapline." from the UAF Archives.

January 17, 1912

2011-01-17T09:47:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up and pile wood before breakfast pancakes. Fix my pink dress - sew at Heacocks. 10° above. Lysle came and staid till an unearthly hour. Wrote odes to salad and Johnny-cake. Pictures on bear rug – bottles.

January 16, 1912

2011-01-16T09:37:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up at 12 Nell gets breakfast of sourdough hotcakes. I wash dishes, scrub tables, clean up in general–even mop the floor. While cracking nuts, Lewis comes–helps and asks me out to dinner for Friday night. Fox phoned me to go skating declined. Drury and Morrow come to help with "johnny cake" and Morrow salad–good. Flashlights bear rug. picture show wash dishes and talk till 12. Great time-tired.

Original Johnny Cake came about in the South before the Civil War.

These cakes were made from white cornmeal and had no eggs, sugar, or syrup! They were fried on a hot cast iron pan in bacon drippings. The true Johnny cake recipe is nothing more than

White Corn Meal
salt
boiling water
bacon drippings

A more modern recipe:

1 cup cornmeal

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup white sugar

1 1/3 cups cake flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Grease thoroughly an 8 inch square cake pan.

Combine cornmeal and milk. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir together the egg and milk.

Cream shortening, and blend in sugar.

Stir flour mixture and egg mixture alternately into creamed mixture alternately.

Blend in cornmeal mixture.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Serve hot, with maple syrup.

January 15, 1912

2011-01-15T21:35:00.001-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Finished my tea jacket at Heacocks. Ralph come and I take a walk with him. Kelly comes. Marcella and I make candy and mayonnaise and wash dishes. We kill time. Have pillow fight and poety. set clock 1:18 ahead. Bed as 12–

January 14, 1912

2011-01-15T21:31:00.001-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Went to Church. Marcella and I bake and get dinner – Lewis invites us out but too late. Drury and Marrow call–write. Nell goes to picture show with Brown. Lewis and Fox appear on scene. Play "500" Fox and Marcella disagree so Lewis walks with M. and I entertain Fox. Ate pie got even – chocolate when Nell and B. come. Oh-dear the times we have.

January 13, 1912

2011-01-15T21:26:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up at 10. Brown and wood saw come. Breakfast. Cut out tea jacket sew while Lysle reads. Lewis comes and and we walk out toward Fox –40° below. Met Ralph brought him home with us. Met Mrs. Clark at door. Just leaving. Went over to Heacock's to sew. Came home and got dinner. Mr. Thrift stays 1st time for a long time. Had been sick. Harold comes.

January 12, 1912

2011-01-15T21:19:00.001-08:00

Go calling —30°below. Take fencing lesson. Mr. Green comes but goes but Mr. Brown – Marrow and Sheldon come. Nell and Bob popcorn. Lysle and I read Rubaiyat – Marcella and Joe walk. All in. Hot chocolate corn and kisses.

I must say, Great Aunt Flo, take it easy on the men!

The Rubaiyat probably refers to Rubiayat of Omar Khayyam, but apparently it might also be reference to a type of poetry from Persia. Read it here.

January 11, 1912

2011-01-15T21:09:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Awaken by Mrs. Heacock coming over to start our fires at 10:30. Rather tired. Marcella and Ralph walk. Nell–Lewis and I start–but Nell finds it to cold so stops at her father's. Lewis and I continue. Come back and read "Chinytown Ballads." Go to bed early. 45° below.

Chinatown Ballads, by Wallace Irvin, 1906

Available here as a free download

Interesting reading - as I read the first poem, I found myself taking on a rap cadence–very weird!

January 10, 1912

2011-01-15T20:58:00.001-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Still cold –28° to 30°. J.B.M. dance. Come for our cushions. Harold-Marcella-Barker and I go together. Great time – very informal. Moonlight dances. flash lights and search light danes. confetti battle. Danced to 4 a.m. Was at Heacocks. blankets and soups.

January 9, 1912

2011-01-15T20:56:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Quite cold but put on my fur and and walk 10 miles with Lewis out Valdez trail. Came back and took fencing lesson -fun. Bot my pink gingham dress and blue stuff for tea jacket. Harold comes. Bed early night gown parade.

January 8, 1912

2011-01-15T19:13:00.001-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up at 10 - got breakfast went downtown got my golf gloves. We got all our clothes out to straighten and company came. Overfield -Hurley-Cathcart and Miss Barthel. Took walk with Harold out Tanana way after show -30° below exhilerating. Came home and found Kelly giving Nell a dancing lesson. Hot chocolate. Sat in chair with Kelly while he made up.

In sweet contentment here I duet and say sweet things to Florence.
While Harold holds his own Marcella and pours his love in torrents
While on the sofa sits fair Nell and holds her hand the while
and thinks her time will come ere while
and her thots fly out to Lysle.

Boys went home at 12.

January 7, 1912

2011-01-15T18:55:00.000-08:00

Go to church. - Lewis and I walk down river to ice co. plant and back. 6 miles - 15° below. Cold. Come back and chat. dinner. Brown stays - Green and I go to Church. come home feeling good. Find Lewis and Marcella playing crib. Green & I go for walk. Visit jail. come back. Marcella and & I find hot tamale man thru Ralph. Josh on boys. They stake our rooms. horrors. such a mess. Hot Tamales & ice cream. good. Send boys home at 12. Peace reigns once more.

January 6, 1912

2011-01-15T18:49:00.001-08:00

Flo's Diary:

We cleaned house. Ralph comes in midst. Beautiful sunny day. Took my bath and was sitting in my robe when a knock came and I skooted to bedroom. Mr. Lewis came. I put on Marcella's green dress. Lewis and I go for letters. Got 3 and several PO cards. Wrote letters. Nell and Brown go to Gilmers.

January 5, 1912

2011-01-15T18:40:00.001-08:00

Flo's Diary

Up and finished work. Over to Heacocks. Take our 1st fencing lesson. great. As we were getting dinner, Nell and Mr. Fredericks come in and surprise us. Mr. Green comes Marcella reads "Mr. Opps" Bed at 11:30.

Preliminary search for "Mr Opps" wasn't found.

January 4, 1912

2011-01-15T18:08:00.001-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Nell goes to creeks. M. and I up about 11. We rush around madly trying to fine a place to fence, unsuccessful. Ironed and piled wood. early dinner. Began my hem stitching. Bob Sheldon appears. "Looking for dog." Brown comes next. Green the third. Sad mix up. I go to show and eat ice cream with Brown. Send him home early and Green at 12.

The Creeks: This could have been anywhere around the Fairbanks area! The photo below was taken from my Great Uncle's collection is 1910 from the Jesson-Contradt dump out at Ester. The back of the photo says:

this was taken in 1910.

The 3 ladies between you and I were out from town on a lark. I don't think you knew them. 2 of them were school teachers.

Received from Mrs. Gertrude Everall 10/6/56

January 3, 1912

2011-01-15T18:06:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up at 9. fool around and then get breakfast at 11. Clean and mend my red dress. Miss Gilmer calls. Write letters. Finish the "Trail of '98." Marcella and I left alone in evening - spent quietly.

January 2, 1912

2011-01-15T18:01:00.001-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up at 10 am. All well. Finish Gladys' letter. Go downtown with Marcella. Snowing. Rec'd bead purse from Blanche and Betty. Beautiful. button bag from Martha and Jabot from Rose. Go to Mrs. Simpson's and make candy. The oyster man's wife was there - ugh! Had a lovely time and candy turned out nicely.

Glady was Flo's younger sister. She eventually following the Salladay sister's to Fairbanks around 1918. Jabot - this is a fancy lace accessory found along the front of a shirt.

January 1, 1911

2011-01-01T03:17:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up at 11 - after a fitful night. Marcella and I have breakfast of bacon and eggs and toast. Nell ill stays in bed all day. Go over to Heacocks. Mr. T. comes. Write. Mr. Kelly comes with mistletoe–result was kissed. ugh! don't care for open house if that's the way its done in the northland. Go to dinner with Messers Lewis-Cairnes-Heeling and Mr. and Mrs. Cathcart at Shaw House. All come to our house and play "500." Serve blueberry wine and cake. Bed at 12.

Shaw House was listed on 2nd and Wickersham in the 1909 Alaska Almanac and according to "The Reader's Companion to Alaska", the observations of 8-year old Margaret Murie:

December 31, 1911

2010-12-31T05:49:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Fitful night. Awakened at 10 and 11. Get in bed with the girls–12. Mr. Lewis comes and awakens us and starts on fire. We get up and he stays for breakfast. We go for walk. My first trip out to Tanana River - 4 miles out. Fine walk. tired–act crazy at supper. Ralph comes. Mr. Green comes "spoons." Mr. Brown comes. Marcella and Nell go with the "colored men" to show. Ralph goes and I stay home to write letters. Pass up Litsey's and Lewis' invitations out to dinner. My cup oer flows with "Happys."

I'm not exactly sure where Flo was living in town and I'm sure the Tanana River has shifted since 1911 but here is a best guess at the range of where she might have walked:

View Town to Tanana River in a larger map

December 30, 1911

2010-12-30T06:08:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up at 12:15 M. Mr. Thrift and Mrs. Heacock come before breakfast. Mrs. Green comes while eating. Mr. T. fixes our chair, stove, etc. Couldn't get along without him. Begin to think that man is a necessary article – Ho! for new Year - leap year. Nell goes to Dee's to fix masque. Comes home with letters. Ribbon and bodkin from Olive - Bless her heart! Kerchief from Bessie beautiful. Betty tells of package sent us. Go to masque ball - look on. After unmask - go down and dance. Supper with Barker. Bed at 4:30 a.m.

Bodkin - "a sharp slender instrument for making holes in cloth or a blunt needle with a large eye for drawing tape or ribbon through a loop or hem."

December 29, 1911

2010-12-29T06:05:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up late . rush around. Nell goes to Dee's. Marcella and I see Mrs. Baraud and town. Mrs. Litsey calls. Go to Gilmer's for dinner. Cooks on parlor stove. Filled with brim. ate so much - good time. She takes us to picture show. Mr. Brown and Nell home.

December 28, 1911

2010-12-28T06:02:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

A beautiful Day. Sun-golden sunset. Patched my clothes. Miss Gilmer called. Go to Chilcoot social with Mr. Thrift and Nell - at Presby Church. very unique Pass logs & ladder and packs. etc. Nice time. Walked home with Bob Sheldon.

December 27, 1911

2010-12-27T20:57:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up at 9 start fires crawl back to bed while water heats for bath. Wash dishes. Go down town bot tennis shoes for fencing. Call on Miss. Miller and Mrs. Olsen who is a friend of Curtis's of Seattle. Start "Trail of 98." Go to Masonic installation of officers with Mr. Lewis. Grand time. Home as 12:30.

"Trail of 98" would be a Robert Service novel which is now in the public domain.

December 26, 1911

2010-12-27T20:51:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up at 9 a.m. Got breakfast went over to auditorium to practice "Pixies" with Marcella. Helped to decorate – down town – home help with dinner – rest. Mr. Thrift gives us bottles of perfume. The "Pixies" come off. Help back of scenes. A grand success. Take down flowers – tired.

December 25, 1911

2010-12-25T02:45:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

X-mas morning - awaken by knock on door. Marcella slips on kimona and opens – beholds Craig Condit with a pie which Santa says is to large for our stockings so sent this way. Marce. got breakfast. I made beds and washed dishes. Nell and I walked out past Noyes bridge. 4 miles. Mr. Litsey sends me box of candy. Mrs. Heacock sends us little booklets and candy - go to thank her. Mr. Brown comes to ask us to go to picture show. Go to dinner with Miss Gilmer and Mr. Fredericks at Pioneer Café. Turkey and cranberries, etc. Go to picture show with Mar. & Brown. $1 seats. horrors!! bed early.

Ah ha - it is a family tradition to go to the picture show on a holiday! I thought that the traditional began with my sisters!

Remember - Condit is the Presbyterian minister

December 24, 1911

2010-12-24T14:41:00.001-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Go to church with Ralph and girls. Cold wind blowing. Mr. Green sends box of paper to Marcella and I and candy to Nell. Mr. Thrift comes for supper. Lewis and Ralph come and wants us to go out for supper. Can't go as we have it all ready. Marcella and I go to church. Good music. Mr. Brown comes find kerchief and hair bag from him and Mrs. Olsen. Crib. 12.

I wonder what a hair bag is.

December 23, 1911

2010-12-24T14:37:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up early to fix fires as quite cold. 49° below in night. Helped with work. went over to auditorium to help Marcella. Pixies. Downtown. home. Go for mail - 5 letters. Kerchiefs from Cora bless her heart. Mr. Green up. bed at 12. Nell and Brown to to German xmas tree and and dance.

December 22, 1911

2010-12-24T14:35:00.001-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up at 10. Grunted all day. Nothing doing. Bed early.

Does she have the winter blahs? or depressed about the upcoming holidays and not being with family? Did her choice of dates for the upcoming dance, not ask?

December 21, 1911

2010-12-24T14:28:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Sleep till 10 a.m. get breakfast of toast and moose steak and coffee. Mrs. Heacock comes over to wake us. Carry wood - mend my waist - go shopping - buy my dancing pumps. Write letters while others to to picture show. Bed at 12.

December 20, 1911

2010-12-24T14:22:00.001-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Last day of "school"for this year. Miss Gilmer takes us to lunch and Judge Adams takes us to dinner with the Heacock family. Nell and I try to find dancing school. bum success. Walk. Find Green home with Marcella - bot my blue skirt and kitchen apron. Bed early - 11 p.m.

Popular music from 1911 according to wikipedia, contains many ragtime tunes and many songs written by Irving Berlin.

December 19, 1911

2010-12-21T12:36:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Warmer - snow. Miss Gilmer takes us to Catholic Fair for lunch but Mr. Mathews pays the bill. Mr. Brown takes Marcella and I to picture show. Nell goes with father.

December 18, 1911

2010-12-21T12:32:00.001-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up at 6 - to fix fire in bed till 7:30. Got breakfast - off to school. Wore my tights. 42° below. pretty cold. 25 kiddies absent. Fire drill - an awful conglomeration of kids, noises, etc. Ralph brings over pictures and Mr. Green up for evening - go to bed early.

Anyone else who grew up in Fairbanks remember fire drills in the winter? Fun....

December 17 1911

2010-12-17T06:29:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Slept till about 11– Mr. Thrift comes before we get breakfast. Wade out in snow to have pictures taken. Cold 35° below. Marcella and I go to PO for mail. Get 6 letters. Edna sends a package for xmas. Melt water for work and dress. Go for mail again. Mr. Brown -Mr. Lewis and Ralph come for dinner. Ralph makes pie. Oh that awful pie crust as think as biscuits. Dinner goes off nicely. Beat Mr. L at crib. Pleasant evening - shocking pictures. Bed at 11.

I didn't realize that as far back as 1911 people were using the "xmas" abbreviation - call me naive but I don't think I remember hearing it until the mid-70s. Yes, also 6o years later. But according to wikipedia, the word was first seen in a letter written in 1811! Clearly an established usage.

I a very curious about the "shocking pictures" mentioned. What could have been going on in that cabin in Fairbanks. Clearly if they had had access to facebook they might have thought twice about posting their pictures. Begin school teachers and all...

December 16, 1911

2010-12-16T04:59:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up about 10:30. Ralph comes and finds us in bed. He got breakfast for us. Marcella can't find clothes so puts mine on. I sweep, dust, and wash dishes while girls practice. The put on play tonight. Visit with Mrs. Heacock. Lenard comes over. I take Mrs. H. to play. Very good. Proud of my cabin mates. 40° below - rather a stinging cold on my face wear my felts. My 1st glimpse of the Northern Lights - a streak of yellow light. Pump freezes.

Funny that it was 40 below in Fairbanks on 12/15. And I bet it felt just at stinging cold as it did in 1911! And finally, we find out what "practice" to girls have been going to. I wonder what the play was. Some plays that were written or first performed in 1911 include: The Arrow Maker, The Hooligan, Kismet, and The Miracle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:1911_plays

December 15, 1911

2010-12-15T05:48:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Friday - Hurrrah 15 ° below. Quite dark all day. When I got home from school found Mr. Brown there. Ralph comes. Tell tries on dresses. Go to Eagle's smoker with Mr. Brown have splendid time. Meet Mr. Bennett and Jack Folley & others. Home at 2 a.m. find fell waiting for me.

Heading towards winter solstice brings about 4 hours of daylight to Fairbanks at this time of year. (3h 49m 41s) and will be about 2 hours shorter on Dec 15. Do remember that because the ground is covered with snow that any kind of light will reflect off of the white backdrop giving the appearance of being light.

December 14, 1911

2010-12-14T07:43:00.001-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Quiet evening at home writing letters. Snowed big flakes all day. Mr. Green and Mr. Sheldon come for girls and stay till 11:00 - heard stories of Bob's. Marcella talked in sleep.

By this time in Sheldon's live, he was probably a pretty good storyteller. He had been to many places in Alaska, had been out on his own since he was very young, he was inquisitive and loved to build things.

December 13, 1911

2010-12-13T05:38:00.000-08:00

Flo's diary:

Heavy snow last night. Slept with Marcella. School - tired. Girls tried on dresses for show. Mr. Brown called and asked us for the Eagle's dance for Fri. even. to bed early.

The Fraternity of the Order of the Eagles was founded in 1898. Interesting to note that the original group was a group of theatre owners.

December 12, 1911

2010-12-12T05:33:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary

Cold wind at noon. Nell's clothes come. In midst of inspection when Ralph comes. Go to Condits for duck supper. good. home crawl in kimona and finish "A Daughter of Snows" by London. Bed at 10:30.

A Daughter of Snows was London's first novel written in 1902.

Download story here.

I made my co-workers sweaters for Christmas

2010-12-11T21:04:00.000-08:00

Haven't had much time to work on presents for friends and family this holiday season. Had to settle for mico-sizes!

And I just have to say - Penzey's to the rescue yet once again - the bottle of lemon peel was exactly the right size to be a mold for making hangars!

December 11, 1911

2010-12-11T05:19:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Still snowing. To School chicken pox scare. 21 absent. Mrs. Heacock comes over to chat. Miss Gilmer calls. Girls go to practice. Make out reports and write letters. Mr. G. comes home with girls and stays till 12 p.m.

Small pox was still a concern in 1911. Look here at the vaccine timeline.

December 10, 1911

2010-12-10T05:05:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary

Up and to Church. Write letters and get dinner while girls practice. Mr. Green comes. M. & I take naps. Mr. Lewis and Mr. Cairins come and play 500. Nell and Brown go to show. Have a dandy time. Take flashlights. Seems like old Monte times. Make date for next Sunday night and New Years night. Snowed all day.

December 9, 1911

2010-12-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary

Our clock stops so sleep an hour longer. Bake cookies. Get my first "alaska" money $240 a generous check. Pay my debts. Call on Mrs. Boyer and Miss Gilmer. miss G. not home. Marcella and I melt snow and wash our heads. Take bath. Bob Sheldon comes for Nell. 1st night that Marcella and I are alone. Talk a blue streak. To bed early 10:30.

Once again, going to the Historical Value of US Dollar Calculator, her check for $240 would be the equivalent to about $5700 today. She began on Nov 24 so it has only been two weeks! I assume that she was also paid for her time on the trail and maybe reimbursed for travel experiences.

December 8, 1911

2010-12-08T05:48:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary

No alarm - so sleep till 7:50. Hurry breakfast and to school. Go to PO. Nothing in. Tired. Mr L. brings P.O. key. plays crib with Marcella. Mr Green comes.

Ok - so now I know that they had a PO key! And they were just at the PO the night before, did she really thing there would be something new?

From Great Uncle Gus' album:

December 7, 1911

2010-12-06T21:42:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary

About 10° below zero. Went skating with Miss Gilmer after school. Mr. Green and Mr. Lewis come and play 5:00.Mr Lewis brings box of candy. Beat him "crib." Lewis and I go for mail about 11 pm. 5 letters. Bed at 12.

Do you think they had a mailbox? or did they have to awaken someone at 11 p.m. to pick up their letters? I guess I imaged it as being a contracted office - maybe they got mail at the N.C?

Here are a couple of images to show what skating might have been like. These are taken from my Great Uncle's photos. He lived in Chena, down river from Fairbanks and located about where the Chena Wayside is on Chena Pump/Chena Ridge Roads.

I believe Gus would be the man on the left with the pointy hat.

December COASST survey

2010-12-06T21:00:00.000-08:00

Even though it is winter, we still enjoy going out to do the monthly Boy Scout survey. Compared to past year's weather, this one was a pretty mild one. The trail only had a couple of icy spots and except for the 30-35 knot winds on the north side of the beach it was pretty pleasant.

Except for missing our hiking buddy, Oso, we had a nice walk along the beach and found no dead birds. We enjoyed a nice turn-around treat complete with hot cocoa (made with milk) and various cheeses and crackers. We toasted Oso with carrots.

And what a difference a day makes! Here we are out for an afternoon walk at the airport dike on sunday. Next time, Tim doesn't get to pick which day we do the survey!

December 6, 1911

2010-12-05T21:26:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary

Don't know what happened except Nell went sleighing to Fox with Mr. Brown. Met Bob Shelton as Marcella and I went to mail letters.

Or maybe better known as Bobby Shelton (as we grew up knowing him), moved to Fairbanks from Skagway in 1908. It was in Skagway where he built his first car and without having seen one. Sheldon later ventured with the first auto on the Valdez-Fairbanks trail. I can just image what a mucky trip that was! And he was also the first to bring a model "T" to Alaska.

http://www.alaska.edu/opa/eInfo/index.xml?StoryID=323
http://www.uaf.edu/museum/info/press/2010/03-sheldon-car/

December 5, 1911

2010-12-04T22:34:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

So sleepy. a dark day. Miss Gilmer takes us to dinner at M.E. Church fair. Marcella and I tend fish pond. Fun. Ice cream and home with Kelly. To fair with Lenard Heacock. Capt. D. called.

December 4, 1911

2010-12-03T22:26:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Awaken before 7 by alarm. So sleepy. School again. squirming youngsters. Girls practice. I entertain Mr. Thrift. Bed early.

Here is a Dec 4, 1911 image of my Great Uncle Gus - completely unrelated and perhaps at the time, not even known to each other. Gus would eventually marry Flo's sister Gladys who would come to Fairbanks around 1918.

December 3, 1911

2010-12-02T22:17:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up about 9 - heat water to talk bath. Help with breakfast. Go to Church. Write letters. Get dinner while girls go to practice. Sleep. Mr. Green comes and we go to Episcipal church. Good music. Snow. Pennington comes in with Marcella and Brown with Nell. Sleep with Marcella.

Ok, so I was wrong to assume that the church she had attended was St. Matthews since she specifically names it in this passage.

December 2, 1911

2010-12-01T22:26:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up about 8 o'clock. Write letters. Snowed all day flakes small. Cleaned house. Went over to Heacocks downtown with Marcella. bot meat 35¢ a lb. and 2 loaves of bread 25¢. Get supper - Mr. Lewis comes over and we play cribbage. Nell and Mr. Brown go to show. Bed at midnight.

According to Wikipedia, Fairbanks' motto, "Fairbanks, Alaska's Golden Heart" was the product of a group of Fairbanks businessmen in 1911 in hopes of encouraging growth in the area. Since 1909, gold production had declined and with it Fairbanks' population. Even then the 3,500 people made Fairbanks the largest city in Alaska. It would be interesting to know how far out of "town" these 3,500 people were counted. Even today most of the population of the area lives outside the city boundaries.

December 1, 1911

2010-11-30T21:28:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up about 8 - write letters. Girls up about 10:30. Get breakfast – wash dishes and clean up. Nell and I go for a walk. Meet Mrs. Kettle's son. Get big bunch of mail. Home at once to read it. Nell and I go skating – splendid time but cold 15° below. Walk. Beautiful moon light night. Home and found Mr. Green. Talk awhile. Bed about 11.

Doesn't look like they got up early to go shopping on Black Friday but the post office was open! Here is what skating on the ice might have looked like for these ladies.

Today in history: The Ford Motor Company introduces the first assembly line.

November 30, 1911

2010-11-29T21:32:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Thanksgiving. Up at 10 o'clock. Write letters while M. and Nell get up. Breakfast at 12. Feel stiff from dancing. Make some candy which turns out too soft to eat with nothing except spoon. Dress in my green and go to Heacocks for dinner. Meet Judge Pratt and son, Mr. Southworth and Miss Harris. Dandy dinner. Turkey galore. Spent evening there talking and games. Home about 10:30 and ready to crawl in bed.

President Howard Taft's Thanksgiving 1911 proclamation November 30th was proclaimed a day of thanksgiving and prayer. Read the New York Times Editoral.

I can only guess that Judge Pratt's son may be Harry E. Pratt who also be came an attorney and Judge for the US District Court and later hired Ted Stevens as US Attorney. Alaska Dispatch.

But the big question...what time do the shops open in the morning? Has Black Friday caught on?

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 29, 1911

2010-11-28T21:20:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

To school for all day. Take lunch. Downtown. Rest. go to dance with Marcella and Mr. Green. Have a dandy time and meet many people. Eat Turkey. Home at 3:30 a.m.

A pre-Thanksiving dinner would have been served at the dance. A few options might have been:

"Thanksgiving Dinner. Oysters with Sherry, Thanksgiving Soup, Popped Corn, Roast Stuffed Turkey, Brown Gravy, Sweet Potatoes a la Bement, Boiled Onions, Turnip Croquettes, Cranberry Conserve, Chicken Pie, Chiffonade Dressed Lettuce, Puritan Pudding, Foamy Brandy Sauce, Mince Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Nuts and Raisins, Assorted Fruit, Cafe Noir."
---Catering for Special Occasions with Menus and Recipes, Fannie Merritt Farmer [David McKay:Philadelphia] 1911 (p. 145) from http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodthanksgiving.html

or something like this menu from the Hotel Marion in Oregon? My guess it that dinner was a little simpler.

One might have received a card like this in the post.

November 28, 1911

2010-11-27T21:13:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up at 7 o'clock to school. Teach hard. Go down town see Mr. Healy at Meyers and meet Mr. Litsey. Mr Thrist for dinner - Capt. and Mr. Charles up in evening.

What exactly does "teach hard" in 1911 mean? It is Tuesday before Thanksgiving...I don't image there were any movie for film strips to watch!

So many men, so little time!

November 27, 1911

2010-11-26T20:53:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Fitful night - up at 7. My 1st day in Fairbanks public schools. 58 kids. Nice. Get along nicely. Busy day. Home with Miss Gilmer. Mr Green asks us to go for a walk. decline. M. goes. Mr. Thrist for dinner. Miss Gilmer and Miss Taite come for a walk. Tired - bed early.

Fairbanks Public School:

From Frank and Frances Carpenter collection (Library of Congress), a gift of Mrs. W. Chapin Huntington; 1951.

November 26, 1911

2010-11-25T19:40:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up about 9:15. Get breakfast. Go to Church. Few there. Do school work. Meet Mr. Thrift and Mr. Barris falls thru door. Surprised to see me and backs out. Girls to practice. Dress in my blue silk. Mr. Carin, Mr. Davis and Mr. Healy come and take us to the Shaw House to dinner. Chicken. Splendid time. Candy from Mr. Healy. Come home and visit. Dandy time. Like. Mr. L. Bed and talk to 11.

So...there's a new girl in town!

I was looking up how chicken might have been prepared but didn't come up with anything but I did find this Food history timeline, where and found that 1911 saw Crisco introduced but it wasn't until 1912 that Oreo's changed how one viewed a glass of cold milk.

There were several churches in town by this time: St Matthew's Episcopal (interior), First Presbyterian Church, Immaculate Conception Church, and First United Methodist Church. There may be a few others as well. I suspect that she attended St Matthew's based on letters that she wrote to my Dad - I think Lori might have these. I remember seeing them when we were going through books.

November 25, 1911

2010-11-24T19:39:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Up about 7:30 - got breakfast. Washed, scrubbed, and ironed and pressed. Went down town with Marcella. Bot hat $12 – brown satin fur rim and brown flowers Very pretty. Bot ring. Met many people go to Mrs Boyer's party. My introduction to Alaska society. Meet many new people. Have dandy time. Walk home with Mr. Pratt. Very nice fellow. Bed 2 am?

Here is a little look at what some early 1913 hat fashion were like and might give us and idea of what the new brown hat that Aunt Flor purchased was like. Did the merchants in Fairbanks in 1913 keep that current with the trends? or should I be looking for fashion examples from a decade before?

So long little bear

2010-11-24T10:08:00.000-08:00

We have to say "happy trails" to our dear friend Oso. This big black dog has been a great companion on many of our hikes around Juneau and a willing participant in a lot of our adventures. We met him as an elderly dog–none of the silliest of a puppy; he had a honest spirit–happy when he wanted to be and cranky when he felt necessary. For a long time I felt he didn't like me, tolerated my presence at best, but then things changed and he looked happy to see me. I never considered that I would have to gain trust from "Man's Best Friend" but I did with Oso.

I will miss the attention he paid to anyone who had their right hand in their pocket (where the treats were, of course) even if he didn't know them, his anticipation for turn-around-treats on hikes and walks, the flop of his ears as he trotted along the trail (day dreaming of treats, no doubt), his excited bark as he approached the house in the car from a couple blocks away, and his singing of "Happy Birthday" whenever anyone started the song. Not just any song, but only "Happy Birthday."

I will miss having to give him a spoonful of yogurt when he first got up in the morning so he wouldn't throw-up, prying the dead salmon out of his mouth as he tries to woof them down at Boy Scout Beach, and cleaning his long black feathers of twigs and other things that get caught in fur.

November 24, 1911

2010-11-23T19:37:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Awake in Fairbanks - Hurrah! Up and eat and fly to school (old times) Meet Miss Gilmer, princ. Mrs. Sea, Miss Fairburn and rest of teachers and pupils. Visit and then come home. Wash dishes – sew. Go to school and get Marca – Meet Mr. Condit, Presby min. Mr. Drury. Girls go to practice play. Mr Drury and Mr Green come and fix pipe. Visit awhile. Write letters.

This image is from Juneau, but I bet it was the same Mr. Condit!

Here is the schedule that she must have carried along with her to keep track of where she was, where she was going and how much the accommodates and boarding cost. At the bottom she has $63.50 - this much have included the Chitina stay as well.

I have no idea about the calculations on the back of the card.

November 23, 1911

2010-11-22T19:36:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

A 5 o'clock breakfast and out on the road (40° below). for our last day's ride on trail. Quite dark. Pass thru Indian Village – over slough on a flat country. Pass telegraph Station 7. Jog thru lanes of snow covered trees – beautiful. Dinner at Byler's. Eat my 1st rabbit. Met other out bound stage. See smoke of Fairbanks then wireless station and soon I am standing on seat to see the flag on school house thru haze. Saw most gorgeous sunset ever seen – golden. Typical of Golden North. Point out brewery next. Cabins begin to appear and soon we turn a corner and enter Cushman Street. Am welcomed to Fairbanks by Simsons. Long street thru main part of town. Some very pretty homes, large stores – arrived at stage office – get out of wagon enter stage. Meet Mr. Charles. Bid good-bye to Simsons. go with Capt to Shaw house – while registering Marcella comes in with x.x.x. tickled most to death. Go to her cabin. Cozy. Meet Heacocks, next door people. Invited there for Thanksgiving dinner. Go downtown. Met the butcher and several others. supper. Bath. Clean up. Bed about 10.

Image of Byler's Roadhouse - gotten love those hand-painted post cards! This sled is close to the sled that my Great Aunt used.

Hooray - She has made it to Fairbanks!

According to the details on this image, here is a picture of downtown Fairbanks, including the Shaw House

Fairbanks 1913

This image came from a photo album that Flo's sister kept. Great Aunt Gladys didn't come to Alaska until about 1918. I'm sure that just in those few short years her travel to the interior were quite different!

November 22, 1911

2010-11-21T21:37:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

5 o’clock again. Start out in bob sled and with new driver Al Sipp. Best ride on trail. Go sailing along thru woods and flats– hills and gulches. Met Mrs. Franklin xxxxxxx. Saw many grouse and rabbits. Stopped at Martin’s R.H. for dinner – moose again. Cross Tanana River. Break thru overflow and scares us. My 1st holler. Cap walks 5 miles and josh him about being afraid. Changed to buckboard or small wagon. Springs on it so we go along splendidly. Cross slough 40 ft deep. Come to Munson’s R.H. Most like a hotel yet. Dandy supper – grouse and ice cream.

Image of Martin Roadhouse
Image of Munson's Roadhouse - hand colored
Mr Munson feeding moose calf – the image says that he died in 1913. I wonder if he was still at the roadhouse when Flo came through?
Image of Bridge across Munson's slough

November 21, 1911

2010-11-20T21:36:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary

R.H. man forgot to get up so late start. 2 double enters hitched together. Ned drives ours. Overhills, Niggerheads and lakes. Cheechako horse afraid of ice. Dinner at Gordons – moose steak – good. See beautiful sunrise on mts. Shell pink and deep rose colors. Mt Hayes. Very rough all PM over nigerheads. Horses most give out. Worst so far. Reach Sullivan’s about 8 o’clock. Got called down by women who wanted to sleep. Giggle of course. Bobby Hamilton (notorious) and nice clear place. Sleep well.

Image of Sullivan's Roadhouse (Delta Junction)

"Niggerheads" isn't a very nice name for the tundra tussock that she must have crossed. It is a word that I grew up with but choose not to use. It should be noted that when you google the word you get all kinds of different definitions.

November 20, 1911

2010-11-19T21:35:00.000-08:00

Flo's Diary:

Was tired so didn’t write – wasn’t awakened so early, Oh yes. Breakfast in 20 min. Beautiful drive sunshine. Little wind. Xxlyd(?) Beckwith drives some horses in water. Come to Rapids for dinner. Change drivers and sleds. Over rough roads. Double enders 4 fastened together. Nice ride but long. Pass telegraph station downhill to Donnelly’s RH. Clean place run by man. German cookies. Bed early. Mike Cooney driver. Famous.

Rapids would be Black Rapids - checkout the new and improved Roadhouse!

Could this be the cookie that was served? Lebkuchen: German Cookie Recipe from 1911