OLD POINT COMFORT

(Sally Here. This is a fabulous entry that comes at the end if their honeymoon trip. Her descriptions of Old Point Comfort, Hampton and Fort Monroe is amazing. At the bottom of this description is a web site showing some great old photos of these areas.)

“September 22^nd, 1911. I wakened at day break this morning and looked out hurriedly to see where we were. The sea was rough and we were certainly passing boats for we were nearing Old Point Comfort. After dressing we packed up once more and went on deck to watch the landing. It was not hard to tell we were in the south for quantities of colored porters were shouting and calling in every direction. It was 7:30 when we landed and too early for breakfast so we checked out things at the station and aimlessly took a trolley. A talkative southerner told us that between Old Point and New Port News was Hampton Institute. This was a pleasure we had not expected and after a hurried breakfast in New Port News at the worst restaurant you could imagine we went down to the ship yards and then back to Hampton. The ground was very poor and ill kept around these places and weeds were allowed to grow everywhere. At Hampton however we met a surprise for everything was in perfect order and lawns and gardens were truly southern in beauty. A boy from the school took us around and in every part of the immense plant we were impressed with its completeness and with the marks of student industry. There were 300 there for the summer work and about 850 were accommodated during the winter. After spending an hour here we walked back over the bridge to a little old church built in 1680 and never completely destroyed. A typical old southerner met us with his “Goo Mawnin Jedge” and led us to an old tomb stone bearing the date Nov. 31. “You see sah,” he said, “Cook has nebber been able to show de Norf Pole but I kin pove dey is 31 days in November.” Then he took us around the church and gathered a bunch of lovely pink roses and a small buttonhole for Alfred. His courtesy reminds one of “Chad” in F. Hopkinson Smith’s books. Twice the interior of the church had been destroyed and just now they were rebuilding according to the old Dutch plan. We took a carriage here for Fort Monroe and the driver told us much of interest as we went back. Crepe Myrtle, Pomegranate, and live oaks were interesting new trees. We wandered about the fort and the fortress for an hour or so and then returned to the Hotel Chamberlin for dinner. This hotel is an immense one built on Govt. land and with the understanding that at 24 hrs notice the U. S. can begin destroying it. After dinner we took a boat to Norfolk and arrived there at 7. We changed to the Old Dominion line for New York. This would mean almost 24 hrs on the water, ten of which were out of sight of land. I was anxious for a roller and we waited on deck until after ten but felt none so went to our room for the second night on the ocean.”

http://www.virginiaplaces.org/parktour/pointcomforthotel.html

Queen City Hotel: Cumberland

“September 21st, 1911. We wakened early this morning to pack for we were to breakfast at eight. The cottage had come to seem very homelike and our stay such a perfect one. We left with reluctance. But we were packed and ready before the auto came for us and after one more good Brookside meal we said goodbye to Maple Cottage and to Mrs. Kirkpatrick and Miss Myer who came out to see us off and motored to Oakland. Our last view of Brookside was….The drive over was more enjoyable than the first trip in the mule wagon but not so unique. Alfred talked to the chauffeur about all the unheard of kinds of cars and how they were built while I enjoyed the view. We reached Oakland an hour before train time and shopped for a part of that time in its queer stores. Our train was a local that stopped at all the little mountain cottages. Deer Park and Mountain Lake Park were the two most interesting ones but we could see little of either. At Cumberland we changed for the Chicago express to Washington. Our train as usual was about an hour late so we went to the Queen City Hotel for dinner. The trip on from Cumberland was very wild. I had never been over that road in day light and A. not for several years. Our train was late too in Washington but we took a taxi cab for the wharf and were in plenty of time for the Norfolk boat. It began raining very soon so we had no view at all as our boat left at 6 P.M. We had a very nice stateroom with a bath adjoining and my first night on the water looked very attractive.”

https://thelionofanacostia.wordpress.com/tag/queen-city-hotel/

Lunch on top of Table Rock

“September 20th, 1911. Clear and cold this morning and just perfect for our drive. While Mrs. Kirkpatrick snapped a picture of us and the buggy and “Merza,” Miss Myer sang the wedding march to produce the proper expression. The road lay through the valley farm land for about five miles and then we began to climb the mountain. Merza was full of spirit and almost refused to rest. Little mountain springs were bubbling out along the way and twice we stopped to drink. When we were almost up Merza seemed tired so we climbed the rest of the way and led her. Table Rock was all they had claimed for it. We could stand out on the edge of the rock and look for miles over the mountains into five different states. We tied the horse and fed her, started our camp fire and then went off to gather chestnuts until we were ready to cook our dinner of bacon, eggs and tomatoes. Alfred acted cook and I will remember his skill in time of need! After dinner we gathered more chestnuts and then dove along the mountain top to Observatory Hill. Here a large tower has been built from which you can see in a perfect circle around you, miles and miles of wooded mountain sides broken only by scattered farms in the valleys. After gathering more chestnuts we stared our beauty drive home and reached Brookside just in time to dress for dinner. This is our last evening in our little cottage for we turn our backs on these happy five days and go on South tomorrow.”

Serenity

“September 18th, 1911. It was clear and cold this morning but not the frost I’m hoping for. There are hundreds of chestnut trees around the cottages and in the forests and I long for a chance at them. After breakfast we enjoyed some games in the casino, loafed a little and then went to the lake where Alfred took a very cold swim while I enjoyed a boat ride. This afternoon we took a long drive over a beautiful mountain to road to Stemple’s and returned at sunset when the haze was think and beautiful over the distant mountains. This part of West Virginia was piled down here in great confusion and the masses of wooded mountains sides in there autumn tints are wonderful. This evening we are ending one more happy day alone in our little sitting room.”

“September 19th, 1911. Wakened this morning to find the valley in a dense cloud so our trip to the Knob was postponed. After breakfast we went to the Dairy to see the churning and the ensilage cutter at work. The farm here is a real farm. We then tried for the Knob but by some misfortune we wandered around up in the forest for an hour or so and came down without having reached anything more exciting than a field of golden rod. After a row and a swim by 9 we lunched. Then read during the storm and I slept. After dinner we had music for an hour before returning to the cottage.”

“1st Day Together”

“September 17th, 1911. Were awakened this morning by the tinkle of cow bells on the mountain side and the constant murmur of the distant waterfall. I couldn’t wait for the eight o’clock dressing bell so we went out and walked about before breakfast. Our cottage is one of a dozen attractive mountain bungalows, all different and yet all perfect and quaint. We face a beautiful mountain side, partially wooded and partly in deep green pasture where a herd of jerseys placed themselves in a very artists pose. It was foggy when we went out and the valley was white in heavy mist. This is our first “first day” together and it has all been as peaceful and beautiful as the morning. Mrs. K. took us over the dam, which contains about 1,000 acres and all told us all about the management of the place. All provisions are raised here and during the season two hundred are accommodated. We are thankful they are all gone and we can enjoy the place alone. This P.M. we rested, read and after walking down to the Dunkard Church to song service, spent the remainder of the evening writing letters.”

1st Night at the Brookside Inn

Remember in the last passage (entry) they arrived at the Brookside Inn and Cottages and were being picked up by a mule team pulling a spring wagon…….

“September 16th, 1911. Our feathers fell just a little but we climbed in and were soon enjoying a beautiful mountain drive. The old colored driver was great fun and Alfred pretended to know nothing at all of farm life and we received some startling information. It was dark when we arrived and then came our second surprise for a very attractive maid in white cap and apron met us and led us to our own little cottage. Then she waited and led us to the dining room. This is in the Inn and here again we were surprised. Everything about the place shows refinement and taste and the dinner was perfect. Mrs. Kirkpatrick, the manager, is a woman whom Alfred has known and she told us all about it after we registered. When we came back to our cottage I found a beautiful bouquet of white clematis on my dresser, probably a tribute to the “B. & G.” appearance of us. We have two bed rooms, a bath and living room and a maid to care for it all. We are just delighted with it and anxiously await tomorrow that we may look around.”

True is a heart that has been give to me

I don’t keep up with my blog as much as I would like to or should but I am a little better when it comes to my Facebook and Instagram page which is also under Sally’s Diaries.

“September 15th, 1911. Packed all day. It has rained too almost all the time. I feel strange to take my things away from the old home place forever but the happiness ahead in the “little home” completely absorbs every other thought. Tonight I phoned to several friends for we take the eight o’clock train in the morning.”

“September 16th, 1911. This morning we started again on our honeymoon trip after two days of work. It was very hard to say good bye, especially to baby Paul. They have done so much for us there and it is hard to leave them but my heart is happy in the knowledge that they are all and in their own homes and I am going to mine. How I have wished that the little mother might know how strong and true is a heart that has been given to me and that she might see her youngest child safe and happy in it all. Louis, Edna and Ada came with us to the train. We said good bye to the Aunts on the way and the rest came to see us off. We changed at Benwood, taking the B & O for Oakland Md. The trip was a very pleasant one and we arrived about 4 P.M. Brookside is about twelve miles back in the mountains and we found a mule team and an old spring wagon waiting for us.”

Hattie’s Words

I must explain why the delay in my blog, yet another delay I might add. Still working on my new diary adventure. For over 30 years now I’ve been buying, collecting, reading and researching “other peoples” diaries and letters and in that 30 years I’ve been so moved and blessed by what I’ve learned. So much, that for quite sometime I’ve been looking for a way to really share the words of others. Although I can’t say right now, I believe I’m getting closer to a fabulous project that might enable me to share worldwide.

Just recently a woman asked me, “How has reading other peoples diaries affected you?” I’ve never really thought about this until she asked me and for the last few weeks have reflected on that very question. It would take me pages upon pages to really describe how this diary world has affected and also changed me. I guess if I had to sum it all up, the main thing that I have learned is that we all have a story and an important one at that. That in itself helps me to stay focused on what’s important and not to judge or criticize someone because I have no idea what they’ve been through in their life.

I just got through ready two diaries written by a 40 year old woman by the name of Hattie. She began her diaries in 1893 and I must share one of her passages…..

“September 24^th, 1893. Mrs. Whitney says something like this; If one is genuinely introspective, she will not be so upon paper. I wonder if I write with the idea that someone, sometime, will read what I have written? Truly, I have no wish that somethings should be read and criticized. And I know of late it has been almost impossible to write my best thoughts, in fact, it has been quite impossible. I cannot measure my growth, if growth there be. Like a child that pencils her height from time to time on the wall, neither can I keep an account of the daily happenings in my monotonous life. They will only signify in what they make of me. Nevertheless, I have from time to time written of some actual experiences or some thought has come to me that I wished to remember; sometimes a half awakened dream or vision that may in time be fully revealed to me in all its meaning and beauty. Had I a dear, dear friend who loved me dearly and would read my journal in love, I do not think I would object. And I think hereafter I will write with that thought in mind. That I am writing to my dearly loved friend who is to be mine, manifestly, in God’s own good time, is now safe in the Lord’s knowledge and leadings, perhaps across the world or years away in time to come. Still sure to come, as we or when we are fitted for each other. “Be still and know I am God.””

Am I Hattie’s “dear, dear friend” who was “years away in time to come”? I could only hope and pray so.

“Neil House where father and mother were 38 years ago.”

Sally here: Again, I make apologies for not blogging sooner. My world has been a bit full lately concerning my diary business. I can’t say exactly right now what I’ve been doing but my adventures might make it possible for me to share my diaries in a bigger way. Lots of meetings lately and in November I head to England for more meetings. So, with that said, I’ve been a busy, and very excited girl. More to come on that subject but really more importantly, it’s time to hear more from the next generation honeymooners…..)

“September 13^th, 1911, day has been cool and most of it has been spent looking about Columbus. We looked with interest at the Neil House where father and mother were 38 years ago. This evening we went to call on Mr. and Mrs. Mangold out near the University.”

“September 14th, 1911, We packed up before breakfast this morning and took the ten o’clock car for Zanesville. It was my first interurban trip through that part of Ohio and there was a great deal of beautiful wild scenery. At Z. we got a little lunch and then went to the station where little Dorothy Mangold met us for a twenty minute play before train time. Helen Smedley and Helen South were to go away on the same train but they imagined us in safely in the South and there were two very badly excited girls when they saw us get off the train. We went home and began packing up in earnest for there was much to do. These accounts of our wedding were waiting for us from two of the Barnesville papers. Several more gifts had been received and we find it a care to pack them.”

2nd PORTION OF THE DIARY, 2nd GENERATION:

Sally here: Well as promised, here is our previous author, Mary, her daughters entries which were written in the same diary as her mother, only 37 years later.

1911

“September 12^th, When I wakened this morning the sun streaming in my window was full on the picture of the one who was, from this time, to share with me all sunshine and shadow. It was a happy beginning to our wedding day and I trust symbolical of what we hope may be a long life together. During breakfast it rained a little but the sun was still shining to me. The girls spent the morning decorating the house in golden rod and white clematis and arranging the bride’s table. At 9:15 the girls came in to my room to receive their pins and receive a final inspection of their dainty yellow and white dresses. Then Alfred came to my room and we had a few precious moments together before time to start to the meeting house. Our company consisted of Wilmer Steer, John Crawford, Clarence Fawcett and brother Louis for ushers. Helen Smedley, Helen South, Sara Negus, and cousin Ada for bride’s maids and sister Edna acted as Matron of Honor. Our meeting was a silent one until after the ceremony. I could but be thankful for this time of preparation and my prayer was that my life as wife might fulfill all the promises, we were so soon to make in their fullest meaning, and that I might meet as faithful and as bravely all the duties and responsibilities of my new life, as had the precious little mother whose first happy days are recorded in the first of this book. Thomas Deweese gave a very beautiful prayer near the close of the meeting and after another period of silence the meeting closed. He went directly up stairs where Alfred and I had again a few moments together before the others came in to speak to us. At 11:30 we formed a receiving line in front of a bank of golden rod and clematis and were duly congratulated, kissed and admonished by the seventy five guests. At twelve dinner was served, the bridal company were seated in the dining room together with Alfred’s parents and Uncle Will and Louisa who took the place of father and mother. The table was decorated with white clematis held in a large French basket tied with tulle. Lighted tapers tied with tulle were on either end of the table and tulle was tied to the sherbet glasses too. Ada painted the place cards and Aunt Sadie wrote them for us. The dinner was served to our guests on the lawn and throughout the house on trays. Everything was just as I had planned and wished it through the whole afternoon. Immediately after dinner the pictures were taken and we soon went to dress for the train. The girls came to help me and assisted with confetti in profusion which they poured over my dress, in my hat and my suit case. We expected some trouble so two sets of suit cases were packed but both were found and thoroughly roughhoused. The auto came at two thirty five and in a shower of rice and confetti we started with John and Alice to the train, dragging all the cast off foot wear about the place behind us. They expected us to take the Eastern train with them and posters in profusion were waiting for us but we surprised them all by dropping John and Alice at the station and motoring on to Cambridge where we got supper. After which we took the 7:03 for Columbus and went directly in a taxicab to the Chittenden. The day had been full and after working for almost an hour with rice and confetti we closed our first happy happy day together by reading St. John 14.”