We learn from her 1903 diary that cows
still wandered into town from the open
range. Central water and sewage systems
were not to be installed until 1908. Rain
was collected in cisterns for laundry and
bathing. A universal fixture was the “privy” at
an alley where “honey dippers” collected
waste for 50 cents a month.
FEBRUARY 6, 1903 --
Received money for the fourth month
teaching. Went to Epworth League Social
at Mrs. Stetson’s.
Heard music and recitations by Miss Beeson
and Mrs. Green, Clyde Beville, Miss Edith
Stetson, etc.
Paid 5 cents to register with our left
hands. A prize was given to the one writing
best. Mrs. (Billy) White (telegraph and
telephone operator) obtained prize. James
Cooper (12-year-old son of Frank Cooper)
got booby. Ice-cream and cake were served
on lawn in tent.
FEBRUARY
9 -- Saturday
evening, Mr. Ferran (Presbyterian
minister) called about 7:15 to escort
me to Mrs. Tatnall’s. We
talked a few moments then walked around
for Mrs. Hector (wife of Thomas, city
clerk and operator of pool hall where
Punta Gorda city charter was drafted
in 1887) at her home on Taylor Street.
We played a progressive
game. There were four tables -- dominoes,
jackstraws, crocanole and tiddley
winks. The gentleman’s
prize, a box of candy, was awarded
to Mr. Ferran who lost only two games.
The ladies prize, a calendar, went to
Miss Mabel Pepper.
We then illustrated the title of songs
and all guessed the titles from the drawings.
Seventeen drawings were made. Eleven were
identified by Miss Mabel who was given
her choice of pictures. I guessed eight
of them.
Mr. Ferran took Mrs.
Hector and me to see his room. He
showed us the piano and several paintings
and carvings he had gotten abroad. Then,
as Mr. Ferran had not finished his
sermon and he had told me he would have
to sit up till 3 o’clock to
finish it, I accepted General Gilchrist’s
offer to see us home. (Gilchrist was
a bachelor state legislator, later
governor of Florida.)
FEBRUARY
11 -- Taught (high school class.)
Attended Ladies Aid Society. Paid dues.
Got caught with Miss Beeson in town in
a shower and had to wait quite awhile.
Mr. Smith brought
Punta Gorda High School record book
and explained way for us to fix it. Went
to Mrs. Brown’s and
took first lesson in shorthand.
They arrested a Mr. Cooper (Isiah, no
relation to the Frank Coopers) here this
morning for murder of Mr. Bowman.
FEBRUARY
14 -- We
were obliged to teach today, Saturday,
to make up a day when we attended
a teachers’ meeting.
Our school closed today. I am very
thankful. I do not feel pleased with
my, the, work in this school and glad
it is out.
I think that I shall teach no more for
awhile, for I find it very hard to get
the pupils to conduct themselves as they
ought. I whipped one boy, Blount, today.
We finished exams and were dismissed at
1:45.
I swept my class rooms
and also Miss Beeson’s. Attended a short teachers’ meeting
and collected my things.
FEBRUARY
24 -- I left
Punta Gorda for Bowling Green on
4 o’clock
train. Mary Brown, Lula Phillips,
Chrissy Moger and Susie Hall rode to
the station from the express office with
me.
We reached Bowling
Green at 7:05. Bub (Hattie’s younger brother) was at
the station to meet me. I was home again
after over five month’s absence.
On Sunday, I went to Sabbath School
and church. Met many of my old friends
and some new ones. Dr. Woods spoke
of the influence which a woman has
over her husband. He considered it
is greater than most women realize.
FEBRUARY
25 -- Papa is 58 years old today.
I gave him a shirt, and they made him a
chocolate cake.
Nettie (Hattie’s sister) received
a letter today offering her a position
at Punta Gorda as “central” in
the telephone office. She expects to
leave Saturday morning to accept.
MARCH
30 -- I wish to write in here once
more before I leave home (to work for Frank
Cooper at Punta Gorda.) No one can tell
what may happen before I come back home,
but I hope that all will run smoothly.
I must trust in God.
I am writing with my new fountain pen.
I must stop and finish packing my trunk.
Sent $35 to Arcadia
Bank. That is all I could save from
five month’s teaching
at $50 per month.
APRIL
10 -- I arrived in Punta Gorda
April 8 at 9:30 P.M. Nettie and James and
Ellen Cooper were at the station to meet
us. Mr. Cooper got on at Arcadia and traveled
remainder with me.
Worked yesterday writing 11 letters (for
Cooper.) Today I wrote 17. Walked to town
after work. I went to Baptist prayer meeting
last night. Leader was Mr. Sessions. Subject:
23rd Psalm.
APRIL
12 -- We arose fairly early and
ran several cows out of the yard. As Mrs.
Cooper was sick, Ellen got breakfast and
I helped her with dishes, made beds etc.
APRIL
19 -- I went
to (Presbyterian) Sabbath School
this morning and then to Methodist Church
and heard a good sermon on “No Man Liveth To Himself.” I
went to Baptist Church tonight. I like
to hear Mr. Sessions preach. He has
a gruff, short, decisive manner of
speaking; but he seems to be in earnest.
APRIL
22 -- I have just returned from
the rectory. The Episcopal ladies gave
a lawn festival tonight -- selling ice-cream,
cake, sandwiches, coffee, candy, flowers
etc. The band played. I went with James
Cooper and Lucile Graham.
MAY
9 -- Grandma was 91 years old yesterday.
James Cooper was 12 years old yesterday
and had a party.
Last Wednesday night, I attended a party
at Mrs. Hewitts, given in honor of Miss
Bancroft who left for New York yesterday.
About 50 were present. Each one wore something
suggesting the title of a book.
We were entertained by recitations, songs
and charades besides the book contest.
Two first and two booby prizes were given.
Prizes gained by the Misses Pepper.
Mr. C and James have gone hunting, so
I am having a vacation today.
MAY
19 -- I have a little spare time
after dinner today as Mr. C is taking a
nap. I sent $8 for twelve lessons in vocal
to Chicago Correspondence School of Music.
I am anxious to learn to read music, but
I am afraid my shorthand will be neglected.
I got my first month’s
wages the other day and bought several
things I needed -- such as a pair
of shoes, umbrella, vests, stockings,
brush, etc.
MAY
23 -- Mr. C let us off at 4 P.M.
today. Ellen and I drove (by horse-drawn
buggy) out to Alligator Creek. We saw some
very pretty flowers. The horse flies were
rather bad.
JUNE
25 -- It is raining a little tonight
and the wind blows as if we should have
a storm. We have had only a few showers
yet this summer, but enough to keep a little
water in the cistern.
We finished the first tax book today,
so I am to have a few days at home in Bowling
Green. I received my music lessons and
must practice them.
JULY
22 -- I have received two, good
temperance lessons this week.
On Sunday, Mr. M drank
too much alcohol or whiskey and died
after only a few hour’s
sickness. He drank nearly all the time
and was a sad example of the uselessness
of a drunkard’s life.
The other has a stronger
effect on me for it is occurring
in this house. Mr. C. has been drinking,
and last night frightened his sick wife
into hysterics by such outrageous and
cruel conduct that I can’t write
it here. All this in the presence of
her little boy nearly dead with fever
and needing quiet.
Now, tonight, Mr.
C is sick or drunk and will not let
his family do anything for him. Poor
Ellen, crying from sickness herself and
for her father’s actions.
This teaches me to do all I can to
keep people from forming the drink habit.
JULY
24 -- I have not worked for two
and a half days because Mr. C has been
drinking. Went to prayer meeting last night
and then stayed as a member of the nominating
committee.
Rev. Ferran came home with me and stayed
awhile and talked. His talk did me a great
deal of good, for I asked him about several
things which have been troubling me. I
now fully believe that God has forgiven
my sins. I am trying to trust Him every
day and to work for Him and keep near Him
all the time. I am more at peace now than
I have been before.
JULY 26 -- Frank
Cooper, Jr., came last night; and Mr.
C. seems, and acts, better today.
It is interesting to note that Hattie’s
sister, Nettie, was hired to operate the
50-line telephone system that had been
installed for businesses just a year earlier.
The switchboard was located in the back
room of the Western Union Telegraph office.
Also noteworthy is dependence of folks
on the railroad. They traveled up and down
the Atlantic Coast Line readily. Automobiles
were yet years away in frontier towns like
Punta Gorda, Aracadia and Bowling Green.
