The first couple pages are missing, so this starts midstream, describing the events around her graduation from high school in May of 1914. Winifred was 17 years old. No dates are given on the first few pages. Much later, she notes that she is writing in May of 1915 about events that happened the summer before. Winifred must have had notes of some sort; she seems to have recorded her incoming and outgoing correspondence, and perhaps she kept a calendar? Either way, her recollection of events is impressive.
Perhaps because she is not writing daily and is reflecting on the past, her writing is much more fluid than elsewhere and sometimes hard to follow. I am surprised by so many run-on sentences! [kp 2021]
...to try to out do each other and us Seniors in dress. Mine was light blue brocaded poplin (I guess) with wide lace ruffles to the skirt and a pink girdle. Mary was my crony that night. She came with Jean. The underclassmen didn’t bother much. I don’t remember what we had to eat but I suppose about the usual things. At my table were Miss Steckel and Lloyd, Jean and I. I think Edna Ellis was toast-mistress and Oscar responded for us Seniors.
More another time.
Then Mr & Mrs Heilmann gave us a reception. I remember we had a very nice time. At our table were Ed Hoover, Josie B, Harold and I. I stayed in town at Grandma H’s that night and had no date. On Baccalaureate night we met at Heilmann’s to go to the Opera House. Harold and I led the procession and Rev. Davis preached the sermon. I remember that I was the only hatless girl but it didn’t bother me any for I was comfortable -- and I knew I had a hat. Any way, my dress was white fla?? with a tango girdle. Harold offered to take me home but I went with the folks. The next night was Class Night when we gave our orations. I wore the same dress as I did the night before. Oscar gave the History, Guy the Prophecy and my subject was “Music -- its relation to Us” or something similar.
Commencement night was Wednesday the 20th. I was the first one in the front row and sat between Ed Hoover and Harold. The Scholarship wasn’t announced -- but I guess it makes no difference. My dress was white embroidery and voile -- and if I remember correctly I was the only girl with black slippers on -- but that didn’t fret me either.
The Alumni Banquet was the following Friday night. Harold took me and Zella went with us.
I remember Ogilvia was Toast Master and Zella was quite proud of him, but Harold and I didn’t think he was lively enough. A few speakers I remember were Maurice Mehle, Wayne Snoddy, Mr. Heilmann -- what great applause he got -- and Oscar We new Seniors added quite admirably -- one stunt we did was to all rise and drink to someone’s health or rather it was a “toast”. Then we yelled quite vociferously. Harold told me something that night about Howard -- his feelings toward me, that I must ask him about again. I think it would help me a little in regard to the “Lawrence Mystery”. But you know nothing of that yet.
Now I will enumerate my graduation presents if I can remember them: a set ring with three emeralds and two pearls from the folks; a lavalier with ruby teardrops on it from Zella; a spoon from Bernice and Baby; a Pin from Grandma M, a fountain pen from Aunt Mettie, a spoon from Uncle Guy’s folks, a cameo lavalier from Uncle Stewart, a spoon from Uncle Ralph’s family, three shirtwaist pins and a handkerchief with tatting on it from Grandma H, a rose pin from Aunt Minnie, and rose hat pins (two) from Karl and Louie, a ten dollar gold piece from Uncle Greeley, a graduation book from Aunt Jada and also one from Miss Tilley, a hair receiver from Aunt Bessie, Spoons from Marguerite Weston, Helen Symons, and Mary M, two hand-painted plates from Alma and Laura, a book from Aunt Jennie, also one from Miss Palmer, a pearl handled pin from Joe Haller, a box of correspondence cards from Mrs. Charlton, and a box of chocolates from Karl Buek and a coin purse from Margaret Hotchkiss. Now I think that is all the important things that happened in May.
