Jessie Latham Archives - Page 2 of 6 - 100 Years Ago in Memphis

WWI comes to Memphis, April-August 1917

It was the weekend of March 30, 1917, and Jessie was visiting close friends in Covington, Tennessee. Monday, April 2nd she wrote, “J.O. and Drew both wanted dates to-night but the country is so unsettled, so much war news going around that I refused to stay longer. [I] want to be home when war is declared.” Jessie’s train left Covington fairly early that day and arrived in Memphis soon after noon. That evening Jessie wrote in her diary that President Woodrow Wilson had asked the U.S. Congress to declare war.

Monday, April 16th, “Some how ever since I got home I’ve been sad – so much war talk. Then too seeing both Swayne and Bud in their uniforms. Swayne has joined the Chicks and Bud has been transferred to the aviation corps. Here is where I become a red cross nurse.” She didn’t become a nurse, but I feel sure she thought about it. Seeing both of her siblings preparing to depart for war in France made Jessie emotional, sad and lonesome ahead of time. She loved her brothers.

Thursday, April 26, “The night the soldiers left! Swayne came out this morning to tell us good-bye. He seemed such a man when he kissed me good-bye, the tears just streaming down his dear cheeks. Bud got excused this afternoon and came out to tell us good-bye. Never before had I realized what their going really meant. No one knows when they will ever come back. Dear Sweet Bud, how I’ll miss him, for he would always come into my room at night for a talk.” The times were somber. “I’m so sad,” Jessie wrote on May 5th. “Every-body is going away. Every-body I’ve been with lately is planning to leave and it seems all my dates are ‘farewell dates’.”

A photo of Jessie’s diary, June 5, 1917. The flag may have been worn on her jacket as she worked the booths.

The 5th of June, 1917 was the first national registration day for the newly reinstated draft. All young men between the age 21-30 had to register. “I was at some of the booths and assisted in pinning red, white, and blue ribbons on all the men who registered,” and according to Jessie, more than 10 million men across the country registered for war service that day. The mood in Memphis that day was extremely patriotic, starting with a parade downtown in the morning that included 30,000 participants, according to Jessie.

In the meantime there were Theda Bara movies to see, and Charlie Chaplin movies always made Jessie laugh. There were fine cars to ride in. In fact, on May 1st, Jessie had a date with a fellow who drove a Peerless auto. The Peerless Motor Car Co. built high quality luxury autos and were one of the Three Ps of luxury automobiles – Packard, Peerless, and Pierce-Arrow.

During this time Jessie also became better acquainted with a young businessman from Great Britain, Douglas Gardner. He often brought her gifts when he came back from business trips or vacations, and on June 28th he brought Jessie an alligator purse from his vacation in Florida. Once in her diary Jessie speculated that Douglas was probably enjoying himself during this time in Memphis. All the local young men were leaving for the war, and he being British and 32 years of age (and wealthy – he was from an old family whose lumber business had been in operation for over 400 years at that time, since 1590!) was ineligible to serve. So he became a reliable and welcome date for Jessie and a number of other young women of Jessie’s acquaintance in Memphis during this time.

Alligator purse given to Jessie Latham by Douglas Gardner on June 28, 1917

Jessie Latham, penny picture, July 27, 1917

On July 17th Swayne came home on a 5-day furlough, leaving again for Camp Andrew Jackson in Nashville on July 22nd. Jessie then decided to take a train tour of military camps/forts where some of her friends and Swayne were in training. On July 31st she took the train to Nashville and within a few days ‘fell in love’ with Lieut. Temple (whom she called Temp). In her diary she declared,”I can’t realize it all happened. I was so very happy, it all seems like some wonderful dream. But at present I surely think Temp is the person I’ve been looking for all these years. He said such beautiful things…” (August 4, 1917). After nine days in Nashville Jessie headed to Signal Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee and her soldier friends at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. She spent a few days there. On her way back to Memphis the train stopped in Nashville and Jessie had one last meeting with Temp before he left for France. August 14th was the day of their parting, “We had so much to say and so little time that the principle thing I can remember is Temp’s saying “I love you” over and over… How I did want to go with Temp but I’m going to try and wait until the war is over before I marry him…” So sad! So romantic! Oddly Jessie never mentioned his first name. Then she was back to Memphis and her regular life.

Frank (Bud) Latham sometime during WWI, 1917-18

August 20th Swayne came home on furlough. The next day, the 21st, Bud came home thinking he had 10 days with his family, but the very next day he received a telegram telling him to report immediately. “Bud got a telegram this afternoon to report at once so he had to leave to-night. How I hated to see him go. He is nearer to me than almost anybody in the world. I love him so much. He is so wonderful that surely he will come back.” Bud’s (Frank’s) telegram telling his mother not to worry came on the 23rd.

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.

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.

Spring 1914 in Memphis

The cast of Endymion, Central High School in Memphis, 1914. Jessie is the 2nd girl to the right of the garland.

Here is another ‘slice of life’ posting, cultural tidbits from Jessie’s life in the Spring of 1914.

On April 2nd, 1914, Jessie wrote in her diary that she and her friends ran from school over to Bowers grocery store at noon to buy food for a picnic lunch. They bought pickles, sweet rolls, adnas, fig newtons, Saratoga chips, chocolate cakes, Tit-bits, and candy. I have not found any reference to adnas in my research, so I have no idea what that is. Fig Newtons have been around for a long time, and in fact were first patented and made in 1891. Saratoga chips are the original potato chips invented in 1853 by Chef George Crum at a restaurant in Saratoga Springs, New York. Tit-bits was a general interest magazine with articles, as the sub-title read, “from all the most interesting books, periodicals and contributors in the world.”Jesse Reno in 1859 and Charles D. Seeberger in 1897 are both credited with inventing the escalator. Reno’s 1859 version was powered by steam. Seeberger, with the help of the Otis Elevator Company, entered his invention in the Paris Exhibition of 1900 where it won first prize. At different times both he and Reno sold their patent rights for the escaltor to the Otis Elevator Company. Jessie notes on April 4th that she and her friend Sara “went through all the 10 cent stores & rode the moving stairs or rather ‘escalator’ in the new Kress.”

Family history says that Jessie’s mother was very funny and often cracking jokes. Jessie had a good sense of humor too. One of the final senior assignments in English class was Shakespeare’s Macbeth. On April 28th Jessie wrote, “I read all of Macbeth this afternoon. When I finished I was sure glad for “If ’twere done, then ’tis done and its good if ’twere done quickly.”

Reading Jessie’s diary I am often reminded that driving and riding in a car in the early part of the 20th century could be dangerous. There was no driver’s ed. or driving school. A driving license cost little and people learned to drive on the road. On the evening of April 25th Jessie notes that they got their car out of the shop. The Latham’s Hudson had been in the shop for a while, and must have had some body work done because the auto was repainted dark blue from its original black. Five days later on April 30th Bud wrecked the car again. At around 11:30 that night he was bringing several of his work colleagues home from working late at the bank (or so he told Jessie) and must have been speeding, because the car skidded out of control throwing several of them out of the car and injuring some of them. Jessie was sure that was the end of their Hudson. The running board and the back wheels were ruined, but the Lathams had their car back from the shop again within a couple of weeks.

I am also reminded that everyone’s health was more fragile in the early 1900s before antibiotics, vaccinations, and sanitation improvements. On Mother’s Day (May 10, 1914), another one of Jessie’s friends died. Susie Fleece was her name, and though Jessie didn’t identify the disease, Susie seems to have died of tuberculosis.

A graduation gift to Jessie Latham from Helen Spengler.

Some of the gold pins Jessie got for graduation.

Jessie graduated from Central High School in Memphis on June 2, 1914. She received many presents which she lists in her diary on June 1, 2 and 3 – “a perfectly exquisite diamond ring from mother and dad, a silver card case all filled with money, just beautiful, from Aunt Minnie,” many gold pins, a parasol, stationery, gauze fans, silver hat pins, gold dress clasps, slipper buckles, and so on. As Jessie would say, everything imaginable! On June 1, Jessie took part in her senior class play. They performed Endymion, and though she didn’t specify the author, I believe it was an Elizabethan era play by John Lyly (c.1588) based on the Greek myth. The auditorium was packed and according to Jessie they had to turn hundreds of people away as there was not even any standing room available. There were 83 classmates in the production and Jessie was a Dryad. The next day, June 2, Jessie graduated. Her class sang two songs as part of the ceremony, Glory to Isis ( Aida) by Verdi and The Heavens are Telling by Haydn.

House Party at Moon Lake, July 1913

Moon Lake, Miss., July 1913. The writing on the photo was done by Jessie as an old woman.

On Monday, July 21, 1913, Jessie and about 30 of her friends left on the train for a house party at Moon Lake, Mississippi. It was given by Mary Carr in honor of her visitor, and included 18 boys and 10 girls. They spent three days full of of fun and games, food, ragtime dancing, boating, fishing, and playing pranks on each other, returning to Memphis on Thursday the 24th of July.

“Miss Meacham of Memphis” – Virginia Meacham, July 1913

*Please remember that you can click on each photo to see a larger version. Captions in quotation marks are Jessie’s.

March 1913 – Friends & Family

I get a little thrill when I can match up Jessie’s photos with her diary entries. Here is another example from Jessie’s diary written Saturday, March 22, 1913: “Winnie, Cooper and I were some sports in our silk kimonos and boudoir caps at breakfast this morning. We took more cute pictures. I hope they are good…”

In Jessie’s photo album she titled the following two pictures – “As they look in the morning.”

Jessie with either Winnie or Cooper. March 22, 1913.

Glued into Jessie’s album right next to those two pictures are a photo of Dorothy Jane Kerr, who is either a cousin or a close family friend, and a photo of Jessie’s mother, also named Jessie.

Riverboat Cruise to Arkansas City, August 1912

On August 19, 1912, Jessie wrote in her diary, “This afternoon we left on the Kate Adams for our boat trip to Arkansas City. I realize fully that I cannot begin to write what a perfectly wonderful time we did have. There are 31 in our party – Marie Louise, Winnie, Cooper MacFarland, Elizabeth Roston, Sara C., Carolyn H., Emma R., Mary Carr, & myself, Glenn, Mitch, Jack Burch, Joe T., Herbert H., Billy, Bernard, Perry, Milton, Monty, Julius, Shep, Hurley, Lee, Cecil, Canuck, Paul, Everette, Swayne & Lucious, Mother & Mrs. Buck are our chaperones.” Who’s counting? But there are 9 girls, 20 boys – all teenagers – and 2 chaperones, Mrs. Latham and Mrs. Buck. Those two women must have had their hands full! Family stories about my great-grandmother, Mrs. Latham, also named Jessie, were that she was hilarious and a lot of fun to be around. All the kids enjoyed having her as chaperone on their river boat cruises or house parties.

Party on the Kate Adams, August 1912. Jessie is sitting in the 2nd row with a dark collar.

The girls. Jessie’s mother is wearing black and Jessie is leaning out right in front of her.

For much of the summer Jessie had a crush on Glenn. This understandably made her long-time boyfriend Richard quite jealous and they had a few arguments on this topic. Glenn went on the River Boat Cruise but Richard did not.

Is this Glenn with Jessie? Jessie captioned this photo “At Sea.”

Jessie captioned this photo, “Can you name it? I can.” Is that Glenn on the right?

During the second day of the cruise the boys and at least one of the girls put on a circus.

“Our gymnasts. Bernard, Marie Louise, Everette.” Jessie Latham, August 1912

“Oh! Circus Day.” Jessie Latham, August 1912

Jessie captioned this photo “The Fight,” but she does not mention a fight in her diary. Perhaps it was a performance for the ‘Circus.’

Wednesday, August 21, 1912, Jessie wrote, “We reached Memphis late to-night. A bunch came home with us and we had a house party. Glenn, Monty, Perry, Lucious and Elizabeth P. spent the night here.”

“Home again.” Jessie Latham, August 1912

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