Early 1900's Archives - 100 Years Ago in Memphis

F.D.

For a while Jessie called him Mr. Gardner. Then she called him Douglas. After they had known each other for some months and had become good friends he asked Jessie to call him F.D., so she did. I wish I had a picture of Francis Douglas Gardner for I would post it right here. My grandmother Jessie never once described his looks, only his acts and the ways in which he was such a loyal and generous friend to her, a gentleman in every way.

Francis Douglas Gardner (F.D.) came from a wealthy family in Liverpool, England. His family’s timber trade company, Joseph Gardner & Sons, had been operating since at least the middle of the 18^th century. F.D. was in Memphis working in the timber business along the Mississippi River and often traveled to New Orleans or New York on business.

Alligator purse from Florida given to Jessie by F.D. Gardner, June 28, 1917.

Jessie’s first date with F.D. was on May 22, 1916, and she wrote in her diary, “Had an engagement with Mr. Douglas Gardner to-night – direct from England and he is certainly a typical Englishman. I dearly love to hear him talk. He is very deliberate in his manner…. I think Mr. Gardner’s hobby is finding misspelt words. He showed me at least a dozen to-night – those signs in curios shops. He is a walker alright. We had such an interesting talk after we got home.” They continued to go out once or twice a month, and as they got to know one another and became closer friends, they went out more frequently.

Bar pin with diamond given to Jessie on her 23rd birthday by F.D. Gardner, December 18, 1917.

F.D. was a little bit of a ladies’ man, according to Jessie. He had a group of girls/women in Memphis that he took out regularly, gave parties for their birthdays, and bought them gifts and flowers. On June 15, 1917, Jessie wrote in her diary, “Had an engagement for lunch to-day with Douglas Gardner. We had lunch at the Gayoso and had quite an interesting time. He told me tales of Borneo. He leaves to-morrow for Florida. How ‘the girls’ will miss him.”

A gauze and carved ivory fan given to Jessie by F.D. Gardner, June 15, 1918.

The birthday parties he gave for Jessie and his other friends were lavish affairs with dinner for 12 or more at the Gayoso Hotel, the Country Club, or the Peabody. F.D. was also an accomplished and trained artist, and the place cards at his dinner parties were portraits of the guests (drawn by F.D. himself) in some fanciful setting, and included a bit of original prose or poetry. Every woman had a different corsage at their place, and the delicious dinner was a multi-course affair. After dinner and perhaps some dancing (live bands often played at the hotels), all the guests would drive out to someone’s home for games and wonderful prizes for everyone from F.D.. As Jessie said after her birthday, “It was all like a storybook party.”

Jessie often remarked how she’d never known anyone like F.D., that he was one of a kind, and that he was a wonderful friend. He was incredibly generous to Jessie and his friends. He almost always sent a corsage of beautiful flowers to Jessie if they had a date, and after a while every date ended with F.D. buying Jessie two boxes of candies (or rather, one box of chocolates and one box of salted almonds). After they had known one another for about a year, he began giving her very nice gifts from time to time. Sometimes Jessie would tell him that he shouldn’t give her so much, but he always said it made him happy to give gifts. When Bud died, F.D. was working in New Orleans, but he sent flowers to Jessie’s home every day. And whenever he came home to Memphis from a trip to New York or Liverpool or New Orleans, he came loaded down with presents for Jessie.

I believe this is a cairngorm pin from Scotland given to Jessie by F.D. Gardner on October 1, 1919. *If there is a jewelry expert reading who disagrees, let me know.

Not only was F.D. a sophisticated international traveler and businessman, an elegant gentleman from Liverpool, an artist and a poet, he was also an accomplished tennis player and an amateur golfer with club titles to his name. But most of all he was one of Jessie’s closest friends. I know that F.D. died in 1959 and was buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis, so I hope that he and my grandmother Jessie remained friends throughout his life.

This is the drawing that no one wanted to hang in their house, including my husband. So it hangs in my laundry room. And NO I don’t believe my grandmother Jessie actually wore such a costume. Art by F.D. Gardner, date unknown.

A final interesting note: Francis Douglas Gardner (F.D.) had an older brother, Gerald Brosseau Gardner, who is known internationally in pagan and occult communities as the “Father of Wicca.”

February and March 1917, Memphis

In the winter and spring of 1917 Jessie was 22 years old. Her life has been pretty much about dating, dancing, partying, and just having fun. She reads lots of books, she teaches Sunday School, she does some “good works,” but mostly she is just having fun. Life is about to change though. The war in Europe will soon spill over into Jessie’s life and become very personal. Not just yet though. So here is another ‘slice of life’ posting, or what I like to call cultural tidbits from Jessie’s life during February and March of 1917.

Parties! Parties! Parties! Jessie wrote so many wonderful descriptions of parties and dances in her diaries, but only in the last few months of 1916 and the beginning of 1917 does she mention alcohol at the parties. It is always with code words, she never actually says alcohol or whiskey, etc., but it is obvious what she meant. On February 6, 1917 Jessie went to a wedding reception/dance that was “certainly a memorable party – absolutely wet, simply flowing, with lots of funny little happenings.” But on March 26th Jessie wrote that she went to a dance at the Tennessee Club where there was “such a world of stags. Am afraid they were rather disappointed for they all expected some glad water and there was none.”

On February 15th Jessie mentions that the government has moved the national aviation school to Memphis. Aviation shows were already popular in Memphis, so going out to the airfield to watch the aeroplanes becomes a popular activity.

The fancy dress Mardi Gras Ball was held at the Chickasaw Guards Club on February 20th, 1917. Jessie and her date ‘Coach’ are in the top right corner in the above newspaper clipping (The Commercial Appeal). Jessie and her mother made her costume. She was a “green leaf,” so her dress must have been green. Coach (R.L. Sullivan) was dressed as “a small town sport.” As you can see from the clipping, the costumes were quite creative.

It seems like Jessie’s picture was always showing up in the local newspaper! On February 28th Jessie and some other young women posed in Grecian style costumes for a newspaper spread on an upcoming pageant. The feature was published on March 11, 1917. The above pictures are the two halves of the top of the newspaper page. Jessie is in the photo of three women on a sofa. She is on the left.

On March 18, 1917, all the young men who had been sent to the border as part of the Mexican Border War returned home. No doubt the U.S. was preparing for entry into a larger conflict, World War I. The returning soldiers included the Chickasaw Guards in Memphis, of which Bud (or Frank), Jessie’s older brother, was one. All of Memphis seemed to turn out for the parade welcoming the young men home. Jessie described the scene: “1100 soldiers led by the old Confederate veterans and boy scouts. Six aeroplanes flying above, dropping messages of welcome.” On March 23rd was the final regimental review of the First Tennessee Regiment, another parade down Main Street, and a march to Russwood Park (home of the Memphis Chicks baseball team). Jessie was among a group of girls chosen to pin medals on the soldiers, and once again had her picture in the paper.The descriptions of the pictures note that Jessie (top picture) is pinning a medal on one of the “Chicks” Frank Dooley.

Irby “Rabbit” Curry, Vanderbilt quarterback 1914-1916

And here are some random final notes. On March 6, 1917, Jessie had a date with Rabbit Curry. Irby Rice (Rabbit) Curry was an honored quarterback for Vanderbilt University from 1914-1916. He would have graduated in 1918 but enlisted in the military when the U.S. entered World War I in 1917. Some time between going out with Jessie and leaving for Europe, Rabbit married Dimple Jenna Rush. He joined the 95th Aero Squadron and on August 10, 1918 was killed in aerial combat over Perles, France.

‘Coach’ (R.L. Sullivan), one of Jessie’s best friends, was the football coach at Memphis High when Jessie’s younger brother Swayne attended high school and played football there. On March 11, 1917 Coach returned from a visit to Oxford, Mississippi, home of the University of Mississippi. He told Jessie he liked it fine. Perhaps he was interviewing for a job, because he was the head football coach at “Ole Miss” from 1919 to 1921, and the head basketball coach there from 1919 to 1925.

The Ghosts of my Friends, 1916

On November 24, 1916, Jessie gave a luncheon in honor of the debutantes. She had several activities planned. During the luncheon and after each course, the girls each received a favor which represented a prediction of the future or a personal insight of some kind. Jessie drew a dipper – for the dippiest debutante. It was also predicted that she would marry a farmer, and that in the winter of 1917 she would have a love affair that would almost break her heart, but all would end well. Next, all the girls had their palms read. Jessie was told she “was fickle, but very sincere and frank.” And finally, as Jessie said, “we saw the Ghosts of my friends.” The Ghosts of My Friends was a novelty autograph book. The directions at the front of the book were: “Sign your name along the fold of the paper with a full pen of ink, and then double the page over without using blotting paper.” The ghost of your friend would then be revealed. Jessie must have bought this book especially for this luncheon, and the ghosts of all the debutantes were revealed in it that day!

Constance Wait’s ‘ghost’, November 24, 1916

Sarah Perkins’ ‘ghost’, November 24, 1916

Jessie Latham’s ‘ghost’, November 24, 1916

After Jessie’s signature in 1916, the next entries were her husband’s signature in 1934 (Percy A. Perkins), followed by her children. My 9-year-old mother Frances signed in 1935, and my uncle Percy signed as an 8 or 9-year-old boy. The next date listed in the book is with my signature (Jenny Klein) in 1960. I was 8. My brother Vic, who was 12, signed on July 6, 1960. My sister Karen signed in June, 1964. She was 10 at the time and is the last entry, and because we no longer had good drippy fountain pens, Karen designed her own ghost. (My youngest sister Judy missed all the fun, being too little to sign.)

There was an earlier similar book titled Your Hidden Skeleton. Jessie must have gotten this book around 1910. She began having people sign her book, friends and family, on June 1, 1910. By June 4th the book was full. But inside, I was thrilled to see her mother’s beautiful penmanship and ghost, and also her father’s signature, F.S. Latham, and her brother Swayne’s autograph. A clever, but a dead entertainment.

Debutantes, Memphis 1916

Debutante: a young woman, typically from a wealthy or aristocratic family, who is making her formal entrance into society.

It is an old fashioned tradition, dating from late 18th century England, and at its inception was a tool to marry off daughters. Even today, the young women are dressed in almost formal bridal attire, usually white but with no veil, and presented to a select segment of society in which an available and appropriate bachelor might espy the lovely young lass and take her off her father’s hands. That sounds mighty sexist. And in fact it is, or it was. I don’t know. But I think most young debutantes today might think of the affair more like a huge party that celebrates their passage into adulthood. (Do men do that?) In all truthfulness, I too was a debutante in 1969 or ’70. I grew up in the South in Knoxville, Tennessee, and my mother made me do it, and she made my two younger sisters do it as well. My mother was Jessie’s daughter after all.

Jessie had mixed feelings about becoming a ‘Deb’ thinking that it was too expensive, or silly and trivial. After going to all the debutante parties and balls for the previous few years, and seeing most of her close friends become debutantes, she decided to do it. On October 22, 1916 her announcement came out in the newspaper. The picture above was the photograph in the announcement. The caption under the photograph read Miss Jessie Latham. Miss Latham is one of the loveliest of the debutantes who will be formally introduced to society this season at the Chickasaw Guards’ ball on Thursday evening, Nov. 9. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F.S. Latham and will be the recipient of many social affairs previous to the ball, the first of which will be given Wednesday, Nov. 1, by Mrs. L.Y. Kerr at her home on Overton Park Avenue. From her diaries I get the impression that Jessie loved being a debutante after all. She was a very social person and rarely tired of going out, so all the luncheons, card parties, dances, and the final ball were completely delightful to Jessie.At the debutante ball. Jessie is in the second row, third from right. Dr. Coppedge, Jessie’s date for the ball, is in front of her on the floor, second from right.

Just the girls, Jessie is seated on the first row, second from right.

Summer of 1916

There were two big events for Jessie in the summer of 1916. First, President Woodrow Wilson called up the U.S. Militia to the Mexican Border. This was part of the border war during the Mexican Revolution. The nationwide call up was in May, and by the end of June it seemed all the boys from the Memphis area were leaving for some kind of basic training before they went to the border. Jessie’s oldest brother Frank (Bud) was deployed as well.

The second big thing for Jessie in the summer of 1916 was her 3-week trip to Chicago. She stayed with relatives in Evanston (her cousin Mary Katherine attended Northwestern) and almost everywhere she went she took the L, or elevated train. Incidentally, the oldest sections of the Chicago L started operation in 1892.

One day she ate lunch at Marshall Fields then went to the Art Institute and spent the afternoon. These are some the the paintings she mentioned liking in her diary. As you can see they were all fairly contemporary for 1916.

Early morning Tarpon Springs, Inness 1892

Jessie was invited several times to dances at the old Edgewater Beach Hotel. An outdoor dance floor close to the shore of Lake Michigan was an especially nice attraction unless the waves were rough.

Always a baseball fan for her local Memphis Chicks, Jessie got to go to a couple of White Sox games at Comiskey Park. In one game the Sox played Detroit and Jessie saw Ty Cobb play. According the the Baseball Hall of Fame , “Ty Cobb may have been the best all-around baseball player that ever lived.”

There were so many restaurants and theaters that Jessie visited. Several times her dates took her to Bismarck Gardens, a beautiful restaurant and entertainment venue under the trees.

Lucky Jessie also got to attend the Ravinia music festival near Chicago. Ravinia itself was fairly new, opening in 1904 as an amusement park, and reopening in 1911 as a primarily classical music festival. One evening Jessie saw the opera Lucia di Lammermoor performed by the “Metropolitan Grand Opera Co.” Conveniently, the train stopped right at the entrance gates to Ravinia.

More clippings and photos from February-April 1916 in Memphis

Jessie Latham, Flower Market at Court Square in Memphis, April 10, 1916

On April 10, 1916 Jessie wrote in her diary: Such a wonderful time to-day! I was a flower girl. All of Court Square was changed into a flower garden and ever so many of us girls sold flowers all day. I sold a world of carnations, roses and little bouquets. — This is such a wonderful photograph. I believe it was taken by a newspaper photographer and may be the picture that Jessie reported was in the newspaper the day after the market.

Now, going back in time a few months to January and February 1916. Jessie began rehearsals for a big production of The College Hero in January. The performances took place February 15 and 16 and according to Jessie, it was a great success. Jessie was a dancing girl and also a college widow.

Dancing girls in The College Hero, February 15-16, 1916. Jessie is on the right.

Here is one more newspaper clipping, this one of the Fancy Dress Ball given by the Chickasaw Guards on March 7, 1916 (see previous post). Jessie’s picture seems to show up in the newspaper quite frequently! She is in the middle row on the right next to the standing woman. Her date Dr. Coppedge is behind her.

Chickasaw Guards Fancy Dress Ball, March 7, 1916

Jessie Latham and Dr. Coppedge, March 7, 1916, Chickasaw Guards Fancy Dress Ball

While looking through some of the newspaper clippings and photos that my grandmother Jessie saved from the early 1900s, I found that I had a photo from a costume dress ball that Jessie described in her diary. On Tuesday, March 7, 1916 she wrote, “To-night will long be remembered as one of the most wonderful times I ever had in my life. Went to the Chickasaw Guard Fancy Dress Ball. I went with Dr. Coppedge. He was “The Dude” in an orange and black striped suit. I went as “America First” in red, white and blue. Got more compliments to-night than ever before and the whole night seemed like a wonderful dream.” Interesting that my grandmother called her 1916 costume ‘America First.’ This was shortly before America entered the War in Europe and ‘America First’ was a policy and slogan used by President Woodrow Wilson (among other presidents). A few days earlier on March 3, 1916 she ended her diary entry with “Dr. Coppedge called later to ask what sort of a costume I am going to wear to the fancy dress ball. He is going to take me. I racked my brain to-night trying to think of some-thing unusual.” Within four days Jessie (or someone) had made her patriotic costume. As far as Dr. Coppedge’s costume, perhaps it was based on the character ‘Sammy the Dude’ in the 1916 silent film Reggie Mixes In.’

Life in Memphis, 1915 to January 1916

“I love you so much, you dear little Dutch.” My grandmother Jessie used to say this to me and my siblings, and my sister Karen carries on the tradition. While transcribing Jessie’s diary entries, I came upon this exact quote in the entry for March 16, 1915. It turns out that one of Jessie’s serious boyfriends, Doug Brooks, said this to her and it is a quote from a 1915 show called The Clock Shop – A Musical Fantasy. I don’t recall Jessie mentioning this show, but I did make note of some of the more interesting vaudeville shows or movies she saw and wrote about. For example, on March 9 she saw Norma Talmadge in the silent film A Daughter’s Strange Inheritance. The next day (March 10, 1915) Jessie went to a vaudeville show at the Orpheum. She commented that “The sketch Red Kate was certainly strange. It went backwards.” Thursday, March 3, “…went to the picture show, awfully spooky pictures such as Snatched from a Burning Death.”

One week in April 1915 Jessie saw three entertainment legends. “Had a date with Coach to-night. We went to see the Hypocrites. It is supposed to be the most wonderful picture ever shown. It was certainly marvelous. I was rather shocked myself at the nakedness of truth. We went from the sublime to the ridiculous and went to another picture show to see Charles Chaplin in The Tramp. He was a scream from beginning to end.” (Jessie, April 19, 1915) The film Hypocrites was written and directed by Lois Weber (1879-1939). It was quite controversial because of the full nudity of The Naked Truth, as portrayed by a naked Margaret Edwards. Weber’s personal reputation along with her innovative use of editing and double exposure effects convinced those in charge to go ahead and distribute the film. A week later (April 26) Jessie and Wiley saw Fanny Brice in a vaudeville show at the Orpheum.

On May 7, 1915, the British ocean liner Lucitania was sunk by a German submarine killing 1,128 people. This event was important in turning popular sentiment in the U.S and elsewhere against Germany during World War I.

On June 26, 1915, the Memphis Chicks baseball team was drawing in the crowds, including Jessie and her friends, and was for a time in first place. The Southern Association of Minor League Baseball operated in the U.S. from 1901 to 1961. An earlier team, the Memphis Egyptians, had won the Southern Association Pennant in 1903 and 1904, but a Memphis team did not win again until the Memphis Chicks won the Pennant in 1921.

John R. Thompson, founder of Thompson Restaurants, 1910

September 15, 1915, Jessie wrote: “Wiley took Clint and me to town, Thompson’s, and got us sandwiches and dough-nuts. They surely tasted good.” According to Historic-Memphis.com, J. R. Thompson opened his first restaurant in Chicago in 1891, was very successful and expanded throughout the U. S. Within 30 years Thompson’s company had become one of the largest self-service lunchroom chains. In 1915, he opened his first restaurant in Memphis at 11 South Main. Thompson stressed cleanliness, nutrition, quality, and low prices. His motto was: “Eat Thompson’s Way for a Better Day.”

Jessie’s friends Virginia and Clara, 1915

Reading a record of day to day life in 1915 Memphis, over two decades before antibiotics were available to the public, I am again reminded how much more fragile life was just 100 years ago. On the 24th of October of that year Wiley was to have had a date with Jessie, but he “…phoned he couldn’t come. His hand is so much worse. They lanced it to-day. Were so afraid it was blood poison. How sorry I am that he is laid up.” Wiley’s hand improved and whatever infection he had, his own immune system beat it. Shortly after Wiley’s episode, what Jessie called the Grippe, or the flu, was beginning to spread among Jessie’s friends. On December 14th she mentioned that Clara had “La Grippe.” On December 15 Doug became ill. Then Wiley came down with the flu on December 20, followed by Sadie and Virginia Yerger on December 22nd. A few years later the Spanish Flu pandedemic of 1918 would kill 50 million people, or 3 to 4% of the world’s population at the time. The outbreaks of influenza in France, the UK, Norway, Germany and the USA in the years 1915 to 1917 may have been early manifestations of the so-called Spanish Flu (Early herald wave outbreaks of influenza in 1916 prior to the Pandemic of 1918 ). That incarnation of the influenza virus was especially deadly for the young and otherwise healthy.

On January 3, 1916, Jessie went to a vaudeville performance at the Orpheum and saw the Marx Brothers. As she says, “The show was dandy. The Four Marx brothers in Home Again were remarkably clever. One could certainly play a harp.”

And finally, lovers. My last post Boyfriends, 1915 left out a very important person – Richard Armistead. As Jessie writes in her diary on January 2, 1916, Richard was her “first real sweetheart.” They started dating in 1909, and in all that time he went with no other girls. Here is the last part of her diary entry for January 2, 1916: “Had a late date with Richard. The dear boy is more in love than ever before. Says he will never change. Every few minutes he says, ‘You know I’m a fool about you.’ He doesn’t talk very much. When I’m with him I’m perfectly happy, forget most every-thing else in the world. He plays the part of a lover so wonderfully. He said, ‘God pity me if it’s possible for me to love you any-more.” I left Richard out of the Boyfriends post because he disappeared from Jessie’s life for months at a time. Then they would go out and Jessie would seem so in love, then they would have a blowup and Jessie would say she never wanted to see him again. There was something that prevented Jessie and Richard from having a consistent romantic relationship, but she never says in her diary what that is. He swore to Jessie that no other woman would ever interest him, and it appears from looking for his death records, that Richard died in 1937 having never married. That’s sad. But I also know that my grandmother Jessie kept Richard’s name card and his picture in a beautiful gold jewelry box that I inherited, and that he gave Jessie for Christmas in 1912.

Boyfriends, 1915

Jessie had a lot of boyfriends, and by that I mean friends who were boys (or men). She was outgoing and vivacious, related well to men/boys and loved to be around them. Quite possibly it had to do with being the middle sister to two brothers whom she adored. And don’t get me wrong – she had lots of girlfriends too. That’s apparent from her diary. She had a wide circle of friends and didn’t much like to be alone.

When Jessie started dating Wiley Graham in April 1915, she wrote a comment in her diary regarding his looks that caught my eye.

March 25, 1915: “… He is so good looking, it is seldom that I like really good looking boys.”

First of all, Wiley was not quite a boy. I believe he was four years older than Jessie, and for most of 1915 Jessie was 20 years old. And secondly, is that Wiley in the picture above with my grandmother Jessie? I don’t know, but I hope it is since I think this fellow is quite attractive. Jessie, however, was attracted to something different. It mattered more to her that the guy she was with be interesting and smart.

For most of 1915 Jessie’s most serious beaux, that is, the men with whom she had a more romantic relationship, were Doug Brooks from Deeson, Mississippi and Wiley Graham from Memphis. But Doug traveled a lot on business, and Wiley was probably frustrated that his proposal of marriage was not taken seriously by Jessie, leaving plenty of time for Jessie to go out with other men (or boys, as she liked to call them).

Here is a small gallery of some of Jessie’s ‘boyfriends’ in 1915.

Left to right – Doug Brooks, Jessie Latham, (Edgar Poague?) – 1915, Deeson, MS

Doug Brooks (center) with Jessie on the right,1915, Deeson, MS

Is that definitively Doug Brooks? I think so, but I have deduced that from the things I have read in Jessie’s diary and some of the captions in Jessie’s photo album from that time period. As for Edgar Poague, I know from Jessie’s diary that he was a good friend of the Brooks family and was with them quite a lot during the houseparty at the Brooks plantation in Deeson the summer of 1915. Likewise with the identification of Adolph and Alex. Jessie was truly great friends with them both and enjoyed their company, but for her it was not romantic. She identified Adolph in her photo album, and I recognized the pictures from the description she writes of a day Alex, Adolph, she and another girl went ‘kodaking’ in downtown Memphis.

Another of Jessie’s suitors was Coach Sullivan, known as Sully. He was actually the football coach at Central High School, and Swayne’s current football coach. He looks to be quite the catch, nevertheless Jessie just thought of him as a great friend.

Cars, Comedy & Names – June 1914 to January 1915 in Memphis

Jessie, younger brother Swayne, mother Jessie Swayne & father F.S. Latham

We all know that names become fashionable and go out of style. A naming trend that must have been common in Memphis at the time, at least among Jessie and her acquaintances, was names that can be used by either sex, or names that are typically used for one sex being used by the other sex. Jessie herself has a name that has always been a female name in her family’s history, but it can also be a male name when spelled ‘Jesse.’ Here are some people that Jessie knew:

Ethel – She is Jessie’s cousin and was named for her uncle Ethel (who died young) and grandfather Ethel.

Clinton (called Clint) – a girlfriend from Deeson, Mississippi and the sister of one of Jessie’s beaux.

Aunt Jim – I don’t know who this is, but Jessie mentions her from time to time.

Freddy – a girl in Jessie’s circle of friends who has dated….

Blythe – a guy in Jessie’s circle of friends.

Ashley – a guy.

Jessie’s older brother Frank (“Bud”) at 20. He was named after his father.

Bernice – a boy Jessie knows in Gates, TN.

Carroll – a Memphis boy that Jessie knows.

There was another interesting naming tradition in Jessie’s family. Her brother Swayne’s given name was his mother’s maiden name, Jessie Gray Swayne. When Swayne married, that tradition was carried on in his family. One of his sons was given the name Davant, his wife’s maiden name.

The first roof top night club in Memphis opened in 1914. It was the Alaskan Roof Garden on top of the Falls Building, Memphis’ tallest building at the time. Quickly it became a favorite place for Jessie and her friends to go dance. The music was great – W.C. Handy and his band played there regularly and premiered St. Louis Blues there in 1914 – and the breezes off the Mississippi River were cool on those sultry summer nights in Memphis.

Many automobile companies lived and died in the early 1900s. Since I like to keep track of all the kinds of cars Jessie rides in, here are a few more that she named:

Lozier – The family car for one of Jessie’s friends, the Lozier was the top of the line in luxury cars from 1900-1915, and for a time was the most expensive car produced in the U.S.

The American – the American Motor Car Co. was founded in 1906 and went bankrupt in 1913. This car company pioneered the underslung design with the chassis below the axles rather than perched on top.

Buick – Jessie talks about her friend Babe’s big 6 cylinder Buick.

Oakland Roadster – From 1909 to 1932 the Oakland Motor Car Co. operated in Pontiac, Michigan. In 1914 the roadsters the company produced were large 6 cylinder vehicles on a 130″ wheel base.

Packard – A luxury automobile produced by the Packard Motor Car Co. of Detroit, MI. Packard autos were produced from 1899 to 1956.

Ford – Ford produced the Model T from 1908 to 1927. It was advertised as a more affordable automobile. Several of Jessie’s friends drove Fords. Coach Sullivan, one of her beaux, must have driven a large Model T because she calls it his “mighty Ford.” Max Sansing can carry several people in his Ford, but Doug (one of her most serious boyfriends) drives a 2-seater.

If you read Jessie’s diaries, you know that she goes to the “moving picture show” a lot, most days in fact and sometimes more than once a day. She loves the movies. In December 1914 and also in January 1915 Jessie remarked that she had gone to see a Keystone Comedy. Mack Sennett founded the Keystone Studios in 1912 in California. He was the originator of the slapstick comedy routines seen in the Keystone Cops films. Charlie Chaplin, Gloria Swanson, W.C. Fields, and Carole Lombard, among others, all worked with Mack Sennett at Keystone Studios early in their careers.

Mack Sennett, known as the King of Comedy, founded Keystone Studios (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images)

And finally, on Sunday, January 10, 1915, Jessie’s brother Swayne, who was two weeks away from turning 17 years old, got his first real job. Jessie wrote in her diary: Swayne decided he wanted to get out in the woods – to go to work. At noon today Mr. Kerr gave him a splendid position – as rodman for a surveyor across the river from Cairo, Ill. Chappy was over all afternoon and we all helped Swayne pack up. He was gone by supper time. Mother just cried and cried, in fact we all did. Sure will miss Swayne, he is always so bright, and he certainly is a sweet good boy. I sure love him.

Jessie and Percy Marry March 13, 2024
Percy November 14, 2023
An Unexpected Move, Spring 1923 September 15, 2023
Jessie’s January 1923 August 10, 2023
Swayne and Nathalie Marry June 29, 2023
She’s Got Those Memphis Blues, 1922 March 27, 2023
Traveling, 1921 March 15, 2023
F.D. March 24, 2022
The Cost of War July 13, 2021
A funny story, January 1918 January 25, 2021
A Double Wedding and the Memphis Gang September 24, 2020
Photographs, September 1917 in Memphis September 18, 2020

Sunday, September 28, 1924: To Sunday School this morning. So proud of my little boys, 14 there this Sunday. 4th Sunday our class has been perfect. Went over to Idlewild to see the baby baptized. He was darling. Looked around when they said Swayne Jr. Percy was with me. Swayne, Nat and the baby were over this afternoon. We let him “try out” his birthday present and he had a big time. Percy was out later this afternoon. Had an emergency call about five and had to leave me for awhile. Being a doctor’s wife will be no easy job, but I can’t help it when I love a doctor. We had dinner here tonight and then began a wedding list, directing the invitations. The A’s and B’s tonight.

Monday, September 29, 1924: Letty Harris, the seamstress, was here all day sewing for me. Nathalie came over too, so we had a regular sewing bee and luncheon combined. Started a tan flannel and black faille. Both look charming. Percy was out tonight and we directed the “B’s”. It’s going to be some job. Didn’t realize how many people I know and would love to have. Percy and I quit work early tonight just to enjoy each other. Both of us wish the 23rd was tomorrow. I’ll be so happy when he doesn’t have to leave me any more. I love him more every day.

Tuesday, September 30, 1924: Gladys came for me early this morning to take me to town shopping. Getting ruffles pleated, lining goods etc. Letty Harris was here all day sewing for me. Mrs. McClintic and Kathleen came over to see me this afternoon. Brought me a lovely luncheon set for my hope chest. Today was the baby’s birthday! One year old today. He, Swayne and Nat were over this afternoon. We had a birthday cake for him with one candle. Gave him a walker and little white sweater suit. He looked darling and was absolutely wild today. So excited. Percy and I worked on the c-d’s tonight and then had a happy time together. He is such a darling and I get crazier all the time about him.

Wednesday, October 1, 1924: Laura came over to see me this morning – before I was up. So thrilled over everything. She has been down in Tupelo. Every-body sounds so pleased, and in every mail I get letters of congratulations etc. Gladys and Nat were over this afternoon to talk about the bridesmaids’ dresses. Then I went to the gossip club meeting at Martha’s. Everyone there was interested and wanted to know all about every-thing. Elizabeth Coppedge brought me home. Percy was out tonight. We went for a ride. Stopped by an old lady’s, Mrs. Hobley over 70 years old. She had written him a note and asked him to stop by, she had something for him. ‘Twas a pin cushion…she had crocheted, a note saying give it to his beloved with her love. Then she had written a poem for us, “The Betrothal” for us since she wanted to see his expression when he read the poem.

Thursday, October 2, 1924: Gladys, Nathalie and I went to town this morning to pick out the material for the bridesmaids’ dresses. Got a lovely shade of Nile green chiffon and feather trimmings. Then I took the girls to lunch at Allyn’s and we had much fun. Mrs. Kerr was here when I got home and together we made a satin mandarin coat. Had a thrill this afternoon, my first wedding present, a lovely silver vase from Sarah and Seddon Allen. It’s darling and I was so excited, was all engraved J.L.P., so Percy says he is going to mark the furniture in his name. Every night now, soon as Percy comes I put him to work addressing the wedding invitations. It surely is a job.

Friday, October 3, 1924: To town this afternoon, so much to be done. Seems I shall never finish shopping. Got a charming evening dress today and a henna afternoon one. Selected my silver, Louis XIV and it’s so pretty. Then home and tried to fix the dates for my parties. Percy was out tonight and we directed invitations. It’s a nerve racking job and if we live together thro’ this we shall for ever more I think. He’s so sweet about every thing. I love him to death.

Saturday, October 4, 1924: Everything is so exciting. Whenever I go to town everybody wants to stop and talk and all say such nice things. I’m thoro’ly enjoying being “it” for a day. Down town all afternoon shopping. Percy was out tonight. We rode for awhile, then came home and worked directing invitations. He’s so sweet and I’m so in love and so happy and everything seems so wonderful.

Sunday, October 5, 1924: Had a ”Rally Day” at Sunday School tonight. They told about my boys. I’m so proud of them. For 5 consecutive Sundays all 15 of them have been present. Had 17 this morning, two visitors. Exercises in the main room. Swayne Nathalie and the baby were over this afternoon. I was busy working. This horrible job of directing the invitations, I’ll be thankful when it’s over. Percy came later. We had supper here, then back to the invitations. We are working hard to get married but having fun with it. Every day I get more in love.

Monday, October 6, 1924: Another wedding present this morning. A lovely blue bowl and candle sticks from Mrs. Mitchell. The girls all met here this morning to talk about their dresses – Eliz, Virginia and Gladys. Think the dresses will be lovely. Had luncheon with the Porters. Engagement with the florist this afternoon, then directed wedding invitations. Percy was out tonight and we worked some more. Finished the telephone book tonight, Hurrah! So happy with my sweetheart.

Tuesday, October 7, 1924: Mrs. Berry, Martha and several others in this morning. Mrs. Berry drove me to town. Had to go to the milliner etc. Met Percy later for lunch. We lunched at the anniversary table in the Mary Wood Tea Room. Then I went with him to the tailor to pick out a new suit. So sweet of him to want me to go. Then to look at china. Then I left him and shopped alone. Percy was out tonight and we stamped and sealed our invitations. Never have I worked so hard. Then took them to the Post Office. They are gone now. Percy is so sweet. I didn’t know any human would be as sweet as he is. I love him so much.

Wednesday, October 8, 1924: The seamstress Letty Harris was here all day sewing, and I stood up and was continually being fitted. Another thrill this morning, a lovely silver salad fork and spoon from Mr. Dugger. Amelia Rosson gave a bridge party for me this afternoon. ‘Twas lovely. Had the bridal party, then Nancy, Clint, Helen, Eliz C., Martha and Eleanore Mitchell. Such good things to eat. She gave a gorgeous pink taffeta pillow because I’m a bride-to-be-next. Gladys, Virginia and I went together. Ada and Stanley were over tonight. Later Percy and I went to Elizabeth Jordan and Frank Gilliland’s wedding at St. John’s Church. ‘Twas mighty pretty. Then went to the reception at the Jordans’ afterwards. Never have I seen such a crowd. Lovely arrangements outside for serving the guests. The whole third floor was filled with gifts. I was very happy with my own sweetheart.

Thursday, October 9, 1924: The seamstress was here all day again to-day. Nathalie came over to help with the sewing so we had a regular sewing bee again with luncheon combined. More thrills this afternoon, the cake plate of that lovely Lenox China in the Ming pattern from Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Graves. Then half dozen lovely ice tea glasses from Katherine Frazier. Trey and his mother came over tonight to congratulate me. Said they just had to see me one more time. Had a serenader too. Then Percy came later. My darling was tired tonight. Had been working hard since four this morning. Just wish there was something I could do for him when he’s so tired. I can soon.

Friday, October 10, 1924: So much excitement and so much to do in such a little while. Nathalie and I went to town this afternoon. Brodnax had phoned for me to come pick out the monogram for my silver. Had lots to do. Another surprise tonight, some parfait glasses from Louise Hunt. Percy and I went over for Clint tonight to practice her song for the wedding. The choir is to sing the wedding march too. Went home with Clint and stayed awhile. Percy was a darling.

Saturday, October 11, 1924: This getting a trousseau ready is some job and it seems I shall never finish. Aunt Mamie Davant sent over a lovely donation to-day and a pretty gown. Laura and the baby, Nat, Swayne and their baby were over this afternoon. All of us went to look at an apartment I liked on McLean. Percy was out tonight. We went for a ride. I was very tired. Shall be so glad when it’s all over, and I’m all alone with him.

Sunday, October 12, 1924: To Sunday School this morning. All 15 of my little boy were there and several visitors. Stayed for church as usual. Swayne, Nat and the baby were over this afternoon. I’m so busy doing a million other things I don’t get to enjoy Swayne Jr. these days. Percy was out later this afternoon. We went for a ride then to the Gayoso for dinner. We had lots of fun together. They played our requests, etc. Then home to talk over our plans. More parties than we know what to do with. Percy gets sweeter every day and I am deeply in love. Want to do nothing but be with him.

Monday, October 13, 1924: Lunched with Percy down town to-day, don’t remember where, only the fact that I was with him. Then to the Van Court Rental Agents we went to see about the apartment we liked on McLean. Agreed to take it. They are to redecorate for me etc. Spent the afternoon shopping. So thrilled when I got home to find several presents. Lots more of the Lenox china, it’s gorgeous, and some silver. Half dozen dinner plates from Elizabeth, several service plates from the Roberts, a lovely blue vase from Blanche Wilde. Can’t begin to name them even now. Percy and I went to the Palace tonight [to] see Gloria Swanson. Don’t remember the name except the fact that she was shone in her bridal gown. That’s where my thoughts are these days – wedding, honeymoon and the like.

Tuesday, October 14, 1924: Ethel came over early this morning to take me over to the apartment to meet Mr. Harris and tell him what had to be done. Then home. Auntie, Ethel and Mildred spent the day with us. They brought a marvelous lunch with them – barbecue, chicken salad, spaghetti, ice cream, cake and everything. All of us were busy all day sewing – and the excitement of the presents. Mildred brought me a lovely mayonnaise bowl, Auntie a pretty fern stand for my sun parlor. A lovely silver bowl from Mrs. Walter Smith. A brass smoking set, Dorthy Grove, Atlanta. Lovely silver sugar and cream set from Mr. and Mrs. Sanford, Sherman Texas. Two silver candle sticks from Dot Erwin, Denver. Percy was out tonight. We are so thrilled to see each other and have a million things to say. He is such a darling. We went for a ride. Haven’t much longer to wait before we’ll be to-gether for all time.

Wednesday, October 15, 1924: Horrors upon horrors. I awakened this morning with a fever blister on my upper lip. How unbride like. I immediately began much doctoring. Loads of presents this morning. Worlds of pretty silver from the Perkins family in the Louis XIV pattern. I love it. Knives, forks, salad forks, spoons, and after dinner coffee spoons. A beautiful silver bread tray from Lanier and relish dish from Sadie. Lots of other pieces of silver from different ones. Percy brought Sadie out to have lunch with me. He stayed for luncheon too. Then drove up to town. Ran in and selected the paper for the apartment, then hurried to the Lyceum. Ethel was giving a box party for me. The play was The Broken Wing. Scenes in Mexico and ’twas cute as could be. Just the bridal party and Sadie. We had lots of fun. Gave everyone little Japanese boxes filled with home made candy. Percy was out tonight. More presents for us to open. They are piling up now.

Thursday, October 16, 1924: Percy came for me this morning early and we drove down to the station to meet Dot. She came all the way from Denver to be in my wedding. Powerful glad to see her. Same old peach of a girl. We got home and had so much to talk about and so many presents to open. Gorgeous Hawkes crystal vase from Sis and Tom Goodwin. A dozen lovely goblets on tall green stems from Margaret and Dan Hamilton. Lots more silver and china. So much excitement getting to the party this afternoon. Steering wheel broke on Laura’s car. We finally got a yellow cab, and such fun. To Gladys’, she gave a bridge luncheon party for me this afternoon. Most marvelous surprise. ‘Twas a silk shower too. All the girls brought lovely silk lingerie. Prettiest things I ever saw. Gorgeous teddies, step in vests and bloomers. A lovely party too and such a good lunch. More presents when we got home. Dot, Percy and I went to town tonight in search of a good show. Failed to find it. My darling gets sweeter all the time.

Friday, October 17, 1924: Can’t do anything with so many pretty things coming in all the time. The grandest mahogany spinet desk and chair from Swayne and Nathalie. Some more china, silver goblets. Mrs. Kerr gave a bridge luncheon for me today. Everything tasted so good. Then played bridge afterwards, not long ’cause I had to hurry home. Because I was a bride she gave me a lovely boudoir pillow, heart shaped and precious. Then home and more presents to open. Then a rush to get ready for the party tonight. Mary and Jerry Porter gave a dinner and dance for me and the bridal party at Whip-poor-will Lodge, their log cabin near Raleigh. Too cute for words. Hallow’een lights all thro’ the woods, a big barn fire, buffet supper – chicken, goulash, salad, coffee, pumpkin pies, and everything. Then we danced. All sorts of specialties, even the bride and groom gave a number. Everybody had a grand time, and all felt good. Never shall forget the grape vine swing and Gladys. Everybody was there – Swayne, Nathalie, Dot, Gladys, Elizabeth, Bob, Kit, Virginia, Walter Chandler, Lynn, Lanier, Percy and I. A grand time was had by all.

Saturday, October 18, 1924: It’s the same thing every day – opening packages of lovely gifts and hurrying to parties and wishing for more time. Nancy Donalson gave a bridge luncheon for me to-day. A luscious luncheon. I ate so much. Then we played bridge, after which she gave me a lovely linen guest towel all embroidered and filet inserted. Then Dot and I went to town shopping. Met Percy later. He brought us home and we had a picnic opening the presents – about 20 or more waiting for us. Half a dozen lovely sherbert cups from Mrs. Roy Trezevant, more of my silver, more crystal and more china. Such pretty things. Had Percy stay for dinner with us. The living room table and most of the room is filled with gifts. We ate on a card table, had fun tho’. Then we went to town. Saturday night, big night, Dot, Percy and I, last Saturday night of single life. Percy is such a darling. Dot says he’s more excited than I am, but I don’t think it’s possible. Love him more all the time.

Sunday, October 19, 1924: To Sunday School this morning, all 15 of my boys there. I gave them all like cards that said under the ribbon, little brown chairs. I’m going to have little chairs for them up in front and they are all so excited. This morning one little boy gave me a peep at a little dime bank and said, “when it gets full you get a present.” I noticed the collection was slim this morning. Stayed for church as usual. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford were out this afternoon. They came from Sherman Texas for the wedding and business combined. Mrs. Sledge and Mrs. Copp came to see me this morning. Mrs. Sledge brought me a lovely little rose light and Mrs. Copp a Bohemian glass candy jar. Even get presents on Sunday. Percy was out later. Lanier and Dorothy, Percy and I went down to the Claridge for dinner tonight. Dot and I are taking most all our meals ‘out’ which is most convenient. My darling doctored on me tonight. Gave me lip treatment. Tried to burn off my fever blister. He helped me lots. Grandest doctor ever was and sweetest man by far.

Monday, October 20, 1924: Presents poured in this morning – lovely vases, candy jar, silver bowls, bread trays, and odd pieces. Clint Brooks Palmer gave a bridge luncheon for me today. ‘Twas a lovely party, good luncheon. I don’t eat like a bride yet. After the bridge game she brought in a lovely little miniature bridal party on a silver tray, with the altar, decorations and candles burning. Presented the bride to me. A lovely cover for my powder box. After the party Dot and I had to go to town. Didn’t even have time to eat dinner tonight, such a rush to the opera. Our flowers never did get here. That disturbed Percy but I didn’t mind. Lanier Perkins gave a box party at the opera tonight for the bridal party. We are having an opera season of three days at the Auditorium. We heard Aida tonight. I thoro’ly enjoyed it. Thousands and thousands of people there and we felt so sporty in our boxes, tho’ the boys all but went to sleep. Percy was an angel tonight, so sweet and patient with us all. I was surely dead tired.

Tuesday, October 21, 1924: Such pretty things keep coming – two lovely silver bud vases from Miss Nelly Trezevant, a big silver bowl from Mr. Jim Rawlings, just dozens and dozens of pretty things. Virginia Fleming gave a luncheon for me over at the Parkview. Had the private dining room and everything was mighty pretty. Then home to open presents – a charming silver pitcher from Gladys and Kit, a large silver vase from Virginia, another Bet Campbell, several lamps etc., silver, china all so pretty. Then a box of two dozen lovely pink roses from Seaton, the florist. Nothing like being a bride. Swayne and Nathalie gave a dinner for the bridal party tonight. Never have I had so much fun, had such a lovely dinner, or seen such a display of china and silver. Of course Percy and I both notice those things more now. Had the cutest bride and groom at our places, and a lovely bridal bouquet for me made of white candy, gorgeous lace and ribbons. Everybody was feeling fine. Percy was talking in French and everyone thought him so funny. After dinner we danced and had such a happy time. We have such a congenial bridal party and everything is so wonderful and I’m so in love and so happy.

Wednesday, October 22, 1924: Somebody in every minute to-day. This afternoon I had the girls in the gossip club for a little trousseau tea, on all my clothes, pink pretties out, and the presents too, and worlds of pretty ones came. Some of my old beaux came thro’ fine – a big beautiful crystal and silver vase from Doug Brooks, silver ice tea spoons from Trey, parfait glasses from Carrington, pretty green vase from Richard, silver card tray from Lee, book ends from Douglas Johnson. Ever so many big silver bowls today, four silver candle sticks, lots of brass. About twenty presents came in tonight. Had a wedding rehearsal at the church at 6:30. I got so excited, the choir sings the bridal chorus beautifully. After the rehearsal Elizabeth and Bob Heard gave a dinner for the bridal party. We had a big time, very informal and everybody was feeling fine. Little bride and groom at everybody’s place. Then Percy and I put our gifts to the bridal party at their places. I gave the girls little silver perfume containers on black silk cords. A happy evening. The bride and groom slipped away before the others. Dot spent tonight at the hotel with her mother and I slept with my bridal veil. Had it stretched out on the bed beside me. Last night of girlhood.

Thursday, October 23, 1924: My wedding day! ‘Twas an ideal day, warm and sun shiny. Presents began coming before I was up this morning, and people began coming in. Auntie came out early. Mrs. Sanford was here. Cousin Imogen Vorhies was out. She came from Atlanta just for the wedding. Nita was here. She came up from Countiss. Then presents kept coming all day. I was too excited to eat. Got a $500 check from the groom today, a $50 one from Dad for some lights. Before the wedding I had to go to Moore’s and Gray’s to have pictures taken. Mary carried my train. At 8:30 tonight the grand event took place at the Evergreen Presbyterian Church. Percy and I were married by Dr. J.B. Carpenter. Miss Mabel Stegen was the organist. Clint Palmer sang Until and Mrs. Rudisill sang At Dawning. James Burns played the violin. The choir gave a song then they sang the bridal chorus. Mrs. Rudisill, Mrs. ___, Mr. Seaton, and Mr. Cato had the pulpit all decorated with silmax, pink roses, and tall baskets-candles burning during the service. The bridesmaids – Virginia Fleming, Elizabeth Heard, Gladys Williams, and Dorothy Erwin wore nile green dresses and carried pink roses. Nathalie, my matron of honor, wore a pink dress. Lanier was Percy’s best man. The groomsmen were Swayne, Lynn Anderson, Walter Chandler, and John Brett. My bridal bouquet was beautiful – a world of brides roses and valley lilies. My dress was white satin with a breadth of rose point lace and pearl garniture. I wore a corant of rose point lace and a veil of tulle trimmed with orange blossoms. My groom looked so wonderful and handsome and we got through the service without fainting. Then home with my husband. All the bridal party and family were there. Then we soon slipped off honeymooning but they all followed us to the station and showered us with rice. The sweetest husband in the world have I. A happy night with him.

Friday, October 24, 1924: It all seems like some wonderful dream. I can’t realize that it’s all real, that I’m married ‘n everything. Percy gets sweeter every minute and I could love him to pieces, ‘cept I want to keep him whole. We had a late breakfast in the diner this morning. Reached Chicago about 11:30. Went right to the Congress Hotel where we are stopping. Lunched and spent the afternoon resting. Had dinner tonight in the Pompeiian Room. .. Sanders Original Night Hawks (of radio fame) are playing there and they are marvelous. Had a luscious dinner, goose and venison etc., just to be different. Tonight we went to see Abie’s Irish Rose, a comedy about the Jews and the Irish. I’m having a marvelous time, off all alone with my sweetheart. No one to bother us, and do just as we please. I think married life is fine (so says the day old bride).

Saturday, October 25, 1924: Chicago. Percy and I were lazy this morning. Lunched at the Auditorium. Then this afternoon we roamed around town and went to Marshall Fields and shopped. Blew ourselves and bought a gorgeous dining room set, Berkley and Gay, ten pieces, all walnut, and beautiful. Shouldn’t have paid so much but it’s to last a lifetime. We dined tonight across the street at the Auditorium Hotel because we were in a hurry to get to the show. Found we are served quicker there than our Congress. Went to the Cort tonight to see The White Cargo. It was horrible, tho’ a wonderful drama and splendid actors. Conway Winfield played the lead. The scene was laid in the tropics of Africa, negroes and whites mixed up. We shall get Swayne good for recommending such a show. Got a wire from Swayne today. “Dear Newly weds,” etc. He’s a darling and my husband gets sweeter all the time. We are having a grand time.

Sunday, October 26, 1924: Chicago. Percy forgot his razor so has to leave me every morning to get a shave and I miss him so much. He brought me some fruit for my breakfast this morning. Another one of those never to be forgotten days, was this one. We lunched at the La Salle Hotel. Back to the hotel and later dressed for dinner. Took a ride on the bus out to the Edgewater Beach Hotel where we had dinner. Hadn’t been there since 1916 and I had forgotten how enormous it was and so pretty. We dined in the Marine Room and were very happy. Sat in front of the huge log fire afterwards. When we got home Percy wanted to read my diary. He seems to like it cause he was late coming to bed. Made him think I loved him more than he gave me credit for, he said. I love him lots.

Monday, October 27, 1924: Chicago. Percy and I were real honeymooners this morning. Had the loveliest breakfast served to us in the room. I dressed up in my prettiest negligee for him. We lunched at a darling little Russian Tea Room on Michigan Ave., drank Russian tea and all. This afternoon we roamed around the antique dept. at Marshall Fields. Then hunted up a news stand and got a Sunday Commercial and Scimitar to see the bridal pictures of Mrs. Percy A. Perkins. Dined in the Pompeiian Room at the Congress and did much dancing to the tune put out by the Night Hawks. Then went to see No, No Nanette, a charming musical comedy. I loved “Tea for Two” and “I Want to be Happy”. Louise Groody played the lead. Bernard Granville, an old aviator friend was one of the stars. We thoro’ly enjoyed the show. Afterwards went to the Balloon Room at the Congress to the supper dance. It’s a beautiful place, gorgeous lighting effect and the Night Hawks play there after the show. We danced lots and had a beautiful time and were very happy.

THE END