September 13, 1998

Hattie's Diary Records Everday Activities Decades Ago

First Of A Series
With thanks to Dan Fisher, Tampa; and Wayne Filyaw

Discovery of a turn-of-the-century diary by Miss Hattie Blanchard, a Punta Gorda and Arcadia teacher and tax assessor clerk, gives us a rare glimpse into everyday life then.

The journals were found in a chest of drawers purchased by Dan Fisher’s father in a Tampa estate sale several years ago and kept by his mother for its historical insight.

Now meet Hattie. She was born in Bristol, Connecticut, and lived there with her parents, sister Nettie and brother Bub until she was 19. The family relocated at Bowling Green, Florida, seemingly for her father’s health.

She accepted a job as teacher at Punta Gorda in 1902 at age 24. The Punta Gorda Herald in July reported school appointments for the coming school year. M.H. Smith was named principal. Miss Norma Pepper was “first assistant.” Miss Willie Stetson, second assistant. Miss Hattie Blanchard, third assistant. Miss Ella Beeson, “primary.”

Hattie began the first of three journals on January 1 of the following year. She wrote intermittently until her marriage in 1910 to George Wright of Tampa.

She demonstrates an intense interest in religion and desire to improve her character. She was a Presbyterian by confession; but attended Baptist, Methodist and Episcopal services to take notes of special sermons.

She was a voracious reader, keeping lists of her books and daily Bible verses. Hattie apparently made friends easily and treasured them by frequent social calls or correspondence.

This series will quote excerpts from her 1903-6 journal during which time she spent extended periods at Punta Gorda and Arcadia. Brief explanations by your writer will be enclosed in parentheses. Lengthy information about people, events and customs will follow each week’s installment. Hattie opens with an upbeat thought and pledge in a blank book bought for the purpose early on New Year’s Day.

* * *

JANUARY 1 -- “Count that day lost whose low descendings views from thy hand no worthy action do.” I wish to do something each day to help or give pleasure to others. I must take care of my health, see that my mind is improved and my spiritual nature suffers no neglect.

These are my motto and resolutions. By trying to keep them I hope to make -- with God’s help -- a more perfect character.

This morning I mended a pair of stockings and partly mended a corset cover. I also went to town and paid a debt and got two blank books similar to this one -- one for Nettie and one for Miss Ellen Beison, our room mate and fellow teacher.

Then, I prepared myself for a visit to Miss Rankin at Solana (a residential development on the eastern outskirts of Punta Gorda.) She invited the Presbyterian Sabbath School to spend the P.M. with her, the occasion being the 23rd anniversary of her wedding day. About 40 were present. We drove out in a large wagon.

We hunted peanuts on the lawn, played blind-man’s-bluff, listened to a graphaphone, walked to the wharf and viewed the beautiful scenery, played croquet. The younger ones enjoyed swinging.

Refreshments of sandwiches, lemon cakes and sherbet and popcorn were served. We returned about 5 o’clock. Miss Norma Pepper, Miss Mattie Alderman and I walked back, a distance of about two miles.

In the evening, Mrs. Vincent gave a musical. Mr. Damm of St. Pete played the violin accompanied on the piano by his wife. Nettie played the guitar. The music was excellent, “Guardian Angels” being one of the favorites. Cake and (ice) cream were served. Those attending were General Gilchrist (a bachelor, state representative and later governor of Florida), Mr., Mrs. and Miss Florence Purdue, Mr. Bill, Miss Mary Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Whittaker.

I read Matthew VIII and retired about 12:45 A.M.

JANUARY 4 SUNDAY -- Arose at 6:30. Helped get breakfast. Read in “Ladies Home Journal” about Helen Keller (a famous blind, deaf and mute woman who communicated learnedly through finger signs pressed in her and Jane Austin’s palms.) Austin was spoken of as having written of a quiet life.

I dressed for church. Went to the Presbyterian; but as there was no service, I returned to the Baptist.

Ate dinner and studied Sabbath School lesson and read daily readings. Went to Presbyterian S.S. at 3 P.M. Mr. Weeks, the superintendent in charge after an absence of several months.

Returned, and as it was rather cold, sat by the fire. Came upstairs and wrote letter to “Christian Herald” for a catalog. Read Matthew IX and X. Retired about 9 P.M.

JANUARY 5 -- Arose at about 6. School (second semester) began today. We were at the school house several minutes before the first bell rang. Assembled upstairs, then followed out our program -- except no writing and no phonetics.

I wish to get my pupils into the habit of being quieter in the room and to think and act for themselves -- not depend upon me to tell them. Stayed at the school house until nearly dark, working. Corrected papers. Read Matthew XI.

JANUARY 7 -- Arose at 6:25. Went to school. Had faculty meeting after school. We were informed that there will probably be only five months of school here.

Got third month’s salary of $50. Had just two cents left from second month. Paid grocery bill of $5.40. Read Matthew XIII.

JANUARY 10 -- Arose at 6:15. Went to town, got sausage and helped get breakfast. Sat by the fire awhile and then washed out some dirty clothes.

Went to town and got a roast for Sunday dinner. Finished washing, ate dinner and went to dental office of Dr. Noble and had a tooth treated. Returned and wrote names on 50 visiting cards for Mrs. F.M. Cooper. (It appears that Hattie, Nettie and Ellen Beison shared a furnished apartment at the Cooper’s.)

Ate supper, went to Mrs. Huffman’s and got bread. Wrote three letters. Went to church Thursday and Friday nights. Read Matt. XIX. Retired about 11:25.

JANUARY 14 -- Sent a letter to Carrie Smith. Will send for “Christian Herald” and Bible tomorrow. I paid Dr. Noble $6 for putting a gold crown on one of my teeth and $1.50 for putting in two amalgam fillings. We heard the Misses Beville play on Monday night and also tonight. The music was fine. Read Matt XVIII and XIX.

JANUARY 20 -- Commenced raining before sunrise and it rained until the middle of the P.M. We had one session at school and dismissed at 1 P.M.

Stayed at school until after 3 correcting papers, sweeping, etc. Came home and read a short time, then went to Christian Endeavor. I was elected corresponding secretary. Learned to spell “apparently.” Read Matt XXIII.

JANUARY 28 -- Have commenced to read “Christ and Life” by Speer. We four (names not given) attended Christian Endeavor last night and am very sorry that I broke my pledge to take a part in the meeting. Mr. Weeks in his remarks said that we must first be sure of, and have confidence in, ourselves.

After services, Rev. Clarence Ferran (first full-time pastor of First Presbyterian) accompanied Mary Brown and me home. He came in and stayed over an hour. I returned a book of his. Miss Norma Pepper presented me with a booklet called “Presbyterian Hand Book.” Mrs. Cooper and Ellen and Mrs. Adams called upon us this afternoon. We walked part way home with Mrs. A and then went by Wade’s Drug Store and were treated to a cool drink by Mrs. Vincent.

I have corrected papers tonight and read Matt. XXVII.

* * *

The Punta Gorda school in 1902 had an enrollment of 178 pupils -- “81 males and 87 females.” Eight grades were taught. This crowded the one-story wooden school on Goldstein Street. Consequently, civic leaders began a drive to raise funds for a new building, longer school terms, and grades 9 through 12.

Subscriptions raised $130, and an excursion to Boca Grande on the steamer H.B. Plant netted 100. With this show of support, the DeSoto County school board -- which then included Punta Gorda -- authorized construction of a two-story addition to the Goldstein Street school and expansion of instruction to include the “high subjects.”

Hattie’s January 5 reference of assembling “upstairs” indicates she taught one of the higher grades. These were held on the second floor because the older students could more easily climb stairs.

Nettie Blanchard was a clerk in the office of Francis “Frank” M. Cooper, DeSoto County tax assessor, who lived in Punta Gorda and maintained an office there.

The January 10 reference to writing “visiting cards” for Mrs. Cooper reflects a custom in those days before home telephones were common. Ladies would “call” on each other without prior notice. If no one was home, a name card would be left in the door. Hattie wrote beautifully and probably earned small sums penning cards for others.

People wrote letters often. Postage was two cents for same city destination, three cents elsewhere. Telegrams were expensive and were used only for emergency situations. Unexpected telegrams were dreaded.

It is interesting to note in this and subsequent installments how often friends held sociable parties featuring “parlor” and “lawn” games. Ladies did not play card games because such were regarded as immoral.

When social affairs were held in the evenings, single women were escorted home by the men present, usually by and man and his wife. No “lady” would walk the streets alone at night.

Ladies “went to town” nearly every day for shopping, mail (no home deliveries yet) and soda fountain refreshments. Walks and conversations with friends were frequent pleasures.

NEXT WEEK: MURDER

LAST IN SERIES:EXCURSIONISTS ATTEND ICE PLANT GRAND OPENING-CLOSING

cutline -- school building

Photo Courtesy of Charlotte Harbor Area Historical Society

The Punta Gorda Primary and High School on Goldstein Street in 1902 shortly after a two-story addition was added. The structure was sold in 1911 to Dr. Eugene J. Whidden for a “Sanitorium.” It was remodeled a few years ago, divided into apartments and listed On the National Register of Historic Places.

By Lindsey Wilger Williams, retired newspaper publisher and syndicated columnist