1941 FW Gillette Diary
Irene Hart Gillette also started keeping a diary but it went only from Jan 1 thru feb 13 1941. I’ve tried to integrate her notes in with her initials IG and use italics with the color red.
************ January *************
1 Wed Worked at mill all day. Bob came after me in his car.
IG Wrote letters. Frank worked all day.
2 Thu. Clear and freezing. Had trouble all morning keeping up steam.
IG Bob went to town today. I baked bread, cold and foggy most all day.
3 Fri- Clear cold weather about 20 degrees at 3:30 am. Kept steam all day at the saw mill.
IG Ironed clothes Jean went to ball game and stayed at Marx’s
4 Sat Nice weather. Worked at mill until noon. bob took me to the store and we got Jean at Marx and came home via Knaggs. Mrs Swanson visited Irene.
IG Frank worked in morning went to store in afternoon.
Verna came home with Jean. Hulda and Mae Murphy here.
5 Sun Cloudy and rain. Verna stayed all nite with Jean. Barney Predeek was here awhile today. Marx’s visited in the evening.
IG Barney was here and was Roy Bates. Marx family came in afternoon to get Verna.
6 Mon. Steamed up at the saw mill, but no one worked today.
IG Washed and baked bread today. Bob and Lou went back to Portland.
7 Tue. Worked at the mill all day. Cloudy with a few showers.
IG painted cupboard and tally and sink. Colton and Hubbard played ball. Frank worked all day.
8 Wed. Nice weather worked at mill all day.
IG Mrs. Lindstrom stopped in. Frank worked all day. Ironed in the morning and cleaned cupboard.
9 Thu. Nice weather. Worked at the mill all day.
IG I scrubbed porch and moped and waxed floor. Scrubbed dust off front and side of house.
10 Nice weather. Did not work today at mill. I cut a trail out over to the mill. Irene had a birthday party today.
IG Frank came home about 6 o’clock. No work. Ten ladies came to help celebrate my birthday. Had a nice time.
11 Sat . no work at mill. Fred Ask brought me $22 for Lee East for Dec pay. Put 2 brushes on generator.
IG Slept until 8:30 this am. Frank didn’t work. Got paid $22.
Went to Vancouver for birthday dinner. Momma gave me dress goods and Peggy gave me hosiery.
12 Sun. Irene’s birthday. We got up early and went to Vancouver. Bob and I visited Benny awhile.
13 Mon Worked at mill all day. Went over new trail this morning for the first time.
14 Tue worked t mill all day.
15 Wed Nice weather . Worked at mill all day.
16 Thu Rain . Worked at mill all day.
17 Fri. Worked 7.5 hours and we broke down this afternoon.
18 Sat . No work.
IG Bob brought folks down for visit. I was surely surprised although Frank and Jean knew they were coming.
19 Sun. Nice weather. Went over to the mill this afternoon a little while.
20 Mon Worked 8 hours. They put in a pipe line but the pump would not work on it.
IG Bob and Momma and Daddy went to Vancouver this morning.
21 Tue. Worked 9 hours at mill
22 Wed. Worked all day at mill.
23 Thu. Worked all day at the mill
24 Fri. Work at 10 1/2 hours
25 Sat. Worked 5 1/2 hours
26 Sun I went up to Sipes today also visited with Tom Freegards
27 Mon worked 6 1/4 hours as they have knows Sawyer this a.m.
28 Tue only worked 5 1/2 hours as they had to put up a new spare tree
29 Worked all day at mill .
30 Worked all day at mill
31 Friday worked at mill Took Jean to the game and Irene and I visited the Knaggs.
***************** February 1941 ****************
1 Saturday nice weather. Broke down at the Mill this a.m. Bob sold his Ford to Floyd Freeman We took Bob to Portland to get his new car
IG Frank took Bob to Portland to get substitute car. Bob sold his ’29 Ford to Floyd Freeman.
2 Sunday nice weather. Irene went to Miss Mrs. Bowes birthday party Mr. Martinson and Don were up here.
Olive and I walked to Mrs Bowes for her party. Lou and Verna walked to our place with Jean.
3 Monday went to work but whalers not ready so came home until 8 AM
4 Tue. nice weather broke a driveshaft at the Mill
5 Wednesday nice weather. Did not work after 9:30 on account of edger. I visited Mr. and Mrs. f
Freegard.
6 Thursday windy and rain. They had to pour some more oil on bearing on edger this a.m.
7 Friday worked all day at the mill
8 Saturday today was payday and got home about 2:30 PM and went to the store
IG Bob came home with his new car. Lou came home too. Bob and Jean went to Marx’s in evening.
9 Sunday Bob helped me raise the garage roof today.
IG Karen’s birthday. I am making a dress for her.
10 Mon. Only worked 1/2 day at the mill today.
IG Washed clothes and forgot all the dish towels.
11 Irene and I went to Portland and bought a new Lang wood Range. We got Richard Bates to help us move the old stove out and the new one in
IG I ironed today and waxed floor. Washed my hair. Baked biscuits. on new overn. Jean practiced in operetta.
11 Wed the millwork this afternoon. We tried out the Lang wood range range and did not like it.
IG Today is Martha’s birthday.
12 Thu. We got along a little better with the new Lang range. The mill had several break downs today.
14 Fri Had trouble holding steam at the mill as I was out of sawdust. We visited Knaggs this evening and Jean was at the school.
15 Sat Worked half day at the mill. Jean and I went to the store, the folks came with Bob this evening.
16 Sun Nice weather. Dites and Peggy, Roy and folks all had Turkey dinner here in honor of Bob’s birthday. Bates visited us this evening. Knaggs and Elsie Wentworth were here today.
17 Mon Worked at the mill all day.
18Tue Worked at mill but they had considerable trouble.
19 Wed. Worked at mill. Had a fire around the boiler when I got on the job and this evening the slat wood chute got on fire.
20 Thu. Nice weather. Worked at mill and quit the job as it was too tough. Jean came home with 3 day measles.
21 Fri Nice weather. Went over the mill but did not have to work. Irene and Hulda Swnson went to Mrs Marx birthday party. Called on Freegard and Harold Johnson.
22 Sat Nice weather. I cut some wood with donkey. Went over to the mill and Lee East paid me in full.
23 Sun. Rained. Irene and I went up to Sipes and got to see Nannie, Muggy, Heddy and Goldie. [goats] Came home via Knaggs.
24 Mon Rain all day. Jean went back to school. Irene and I went to Portland and paid $15 to Star Furnace company.
25 Tue. Irene washed and I split wood all day.
26 Wed. I wrote letters as it rained. Irene ironed. During the afternoon Mr Potts and Mr. Edward went to Estacada and we called on OD Breese . Called on Kenneth Johnson this evening.
27 Thu. Cloudy. rained this am. I started to spade up the front garden today.
28 Fri. Cloudy and rain. Irene and I went to Portland. Got Gen[?] turned down. Brought Mother Hart home and took her and Hulda to school play (Jewels of the Dessert).
************ March 1941 ************
1 Cloudy rain. Loaned Martinson 24”x 12” pulley out of mill . Bob came home 2pm.
2 Sun. Bob took Ford and I took our car and we went to McMinville to see Dad Hart at the hospital. He was feeling fair.
3 Mon Nice weather. iI went up to Sipes and got Maggie and Heady, then went to store for feed. Lee East came after me to fire at mill
4 Tue. Worked at mill all day.
5 Wed Worked at mill all day.
6 Thu. Nice weather. Worked at mill all day.
7 Fri Worked at mill all day. Nice weather. We took Mother Hart home and Dad was there too.
8 Sat Worked 1/2 day at the mill.
9 Sun Worked around place all day. Irene helped me saw some wood. Mr Edmand was up here a little while.
10 Mon. Worked at mill 6 1/2 hours helped babett(??) main engine bearing
11 Tue Nice weather . Worked at mill all day.
12 Wed About 24 degrees this am. Worked at mill all day.
13 the. Freezing this am. worked at mill.
14 Fri. Cold and freezing during am. Worked at mill. Mr Jory was of to the mill to see me.
15 Sat Nice weather. I finished work at the mill at 5 pm. Lee East paid me $42.47.
16 Sun. I worked on generator bearing. Bob and Jean went to Mt Angel this afternoon. Rec’d Telegram advising us of Uncle George White’s death.
17 Mon Bob and I packed fence posts until 10:30. Albert brought me a wire from John J Reling. I drove to Oregon City and answered same.
18 Tue. Had to go to Oregon City and send a wire to Rileing. Worked on fence all morning.
19 Wed. Worked on fence awhile and then went to Colton and Johnson and Deitz fixed up notice cards for Govt. meeting.
20 Thu Nice weather. Went to Oregon City and set Riling another wire. Came back wrote air mail letter and went back to Portland and mailed and went to Vancouver.
21 Fri Nice weather left the folks at 9:30 and went to Portland and got some goat fence. Had to go back to Colton and get Jean this evening.
22 Sat Nice weather. Bob helped me put up Red Top Goat fence. We went to Gov’t meeting at the grange hall this evening.
23 Sun Nice weather. We went up to the folks at Vancouver. Took Dad to Dites and then we came home.
24 Mon Nice weather. Put up fence around the garden. Had to go to Oregon City and run Uncle George [White, her mother’s brother] affairs over to Butler Jacks.
25 Tue Nice weather. I built fence all day. Irene grubbed out a maple root out of garden.
26 Wed. Nice weather. Worked on fence awhile and planted tomatoes in hot bed. Irene planted peas.
27 Thur. Nice weather. Fixed gate and hauled board down from mill. First day we were ever able to make the goats go back to their shed.
28 Fri Nice weather. Irene and I sawed some wood. I spaded in the garden awhile. Jean stayed at Marx’s.
29 Sat Light showers. Went to the store. Bob came about 10:30 am. Jean, Verna, and Vange were here awhile.
30 Sun Nice weather. I took Bobs car down to get Jean this am. at church. Chuck Ebner and Wallie were here awhile.
31 Mon Called on attorney Butler also the road commissioners. Had dinner at Buruly Predeck’s. Called on Mr Yoachum and Hotman(??) at Salem.
************ April 1941 ************
1 Tue Cloudy. Stayed at Dites all nite. Took Pauline over to folks. Dad Hart was worse. Came home took Jean to the school this evening.
2 Wed Irene and I went up to the folks. Irvan was there for dinner. we sent Willard a wire from Oregon City.
3 Thu. Worked in garden awhile. Went after mail and called on Potts. Took Jean to practice.
4 Fri stormy. I worked on centrifugal pump all day but it would not work. Had to go after Jean at H.S. party.
5 Sat Stormy. Fixed ver our old pump then went to store and Knaggs. Bob brought Joan Hart and Roberta Kinean (??) out tonite.
6 Sun Cloudy. bob and the girls went for a walk and they went back to Vancouver after dinner. Muggie had two nanny kids this afternoon.
7 Mon Cloudy. We picked Jean up and went to Vancouver Jean Alkire and Willard Hart were there and Don, Newton arrived before we left.
8 Tue. Fixed up goat stalls and worked in the garden awhile. Took Jean to play practice.
9 Wed Cloudy. Worked in garden and fixed sprinkler pipe. We got the little kids to drink out of a pan today. Went to store and Rifflies.(??)
10 Thu Coudy. Willard Hart, Janet, Joan can about 11 am. Irene and Jean went back to Vancouver with them.
11 Fri. I worked on the radio awhile today.
12 Sat Nice weather. I worked on the garden all day. Martinson borrowed a saw from the mill today and bought back a pulley.
13 Sun Nice weather. Went to Vancouver. All of Bob Harts were there, we took movies and a lot of other pictures Irene Jean and I came home.
14 Mon Nice weather. Willard Hart and Joan were leaving for Nebraska today.
15 Tue Jean is 15 today. I dug out an old log out of garden by goat shed.
16 Wed Rainy weather.
17 Thu Nice weather. Irene and I went to Vancouver. Jean alkire was still there with the folks.
18 Fri I worked in the garden all day.
19 Sat Nice weather. Bob helped me saw wood. We took a few movie shots. Jeans class had skating party at Oaks {park Portland] today.
20 Sun Nice weather. Worked up some ground for Irene. Bob and Jean went to Mt. Angel this afternoon.
21 Mon Irene and I planted peas, pencil pod beans, lettuce and birdsong beans.
22 Tue worked in garden all day. Took Jean to practice and Irene and I visited Bill Swanson’s.
23 Wed Nice- Irene and I sawed some wood and started to move the donkey engine.
24 Thu Nice weather. I moved donkey engine and Irene washed.
25 Fri Hot weather. Irene and I went to Vancouver and visited the folks.
26 Sat I went to Mollalla and had Heltor work on my back. Bob came home and he loaned me $10 to start in at Salem.
27 Sun Bob went to Mt Angel. Joe Hassler’s were here this afternoon.
28 Mon Nice weather. Irene and I went to Montgomery Ward’s and bought Jeans dress. I got shirts shoes etc. Went to Vancouver did not see Dad Hart as he had gone to hospital.
29 Tue Put new Montgomery Ward muffler in ar this morning. Went to Salem this afternoon to see Reid Murdock Company.
30 Wed. Cloudy. Spaded garden. Took Jean to play practice as they had dress rehearsal.
************ May 1941 ************
1 Thu I worked in the garden most of the day.
2 Fri We went to the junior class play tonite. It rained all day. Louise Marx was at the play.
3 Sat It rained most of the day. I took Jean and Louise Lindstrom to Colton as they went to the Oakes rink on a party today.
4 Sun rainy weather. Bob and Jean went to a show. Left home at 6 pm. and drove to Salem started to staying at Mrs Thomas’s place this evening.
5 Mon First day at Reid Murdock . painted peach blancher (?). Rain most of the day.
6 Tue: Worked 8 hours at Murdock’s. Cloudy weather.
7 Wed Went to Dallas and had Dr. Foster work on my teeth. Worked 4 hours this afternoon.
8 Thu Nice weather. Worked 8 hours at Murdocks.
9 Fri Cloudy. Worked 8 hours . Drove to the ranch and took Irene, Jean, Mrs. Keller and Lorraine and Mrs Bering to the mother daughter banquet.
10 St Cut some wood and went to the store during the afternoon. Irene washed today.
11 Sun Cloudy. Went to Vancouver and they had Dad Hart home but he was no better.
12 Mon Nice weather. Worked 8 hours installing pipe covering in peach room at Murdocks.
13 Tue: Cloudy. Dr foster filled a tooth and pulled one today. Worked 4 hours at Murdocks.
14 Wed Paid $33.55 . Checked out at Thomas place and paid her $11. Rented room of Mrs Julia Lee, 791 N Commercial st for $8 per month and went home to get bedding.
15 Got up at 4:45 am and came to Salem had breakfast in Monarch cafeteria. Phil Arneson helped me today with outside steam pipe covering.
16 Fri Rained this afternoon. Phil Arneson and I worked on Steam Line all day.
17 Sat Cool weather. I worked until noon on pipe covering in cannery peach room. Got home about 2:30 pm. Met Bob and Jean at mail box.
18 Sun Martinson kids were all here this pm. Rained all day.. Stayed around the house most of the day as my back hurt me all day.
19 Mon Left at 5 am. and got down to my rooming house at 6:30. Worked on steam line all day.
20 Tue Nice weather. Painted pipe covering. Met Keneth Price on the street with some army men this evening. He worked at Sherwood last season.
21 Wed Nice weather. I painted pipe covering and trucked gooseberries and strawberries awhile
22 Thu Worked until 5 pm. Drove home and we went to the school recital. Jean played a clarinet solo.
23 Came back to Salem and worked a full day.
24 Sat Worked until 6 pm on strawberry grader and drove home this evening.
25 Sun Bob and Irene went to Vancouver and visited the folks. I fixed donkey engine over and sawed some wood.
26 Mon Worked 9.5 hours at Murdock co.
27 Tue Cloudy and cool. Worked 9 1/2 hours.
28 Wed Nice weather and I visited Max Gheler and Joe Schaffer this evening.
29 Thu Worked 9 1/2 hours. Starter was dead in Cheve tonite and had to get it fixed before I could go home.
30 Fri Showers of rain. Got up at 4 am. and decorated Joyce’s grave at Silverton. Worked all day at the cannery.
31 no note.
************ June 1941 ************
1-7 no notes
8 Sun Cloudy. Dale and Mable and Verna and Mildred Coleman visited us Sat and Sun. [ Dale in childhood friend living in Tacoma].
9 Got up at 4:30 am. and went back to Salem to work.
10-13 no notes
14 Sat Dad Hart died about 9:30 pm.
15 Sun Irene Jean and I went to Vancouver. They told us about Dad Hart passing last nite. Joe Werner was at the folks awhile.
16 Got up at 4:30 am. and drove back to Salem went home after work.
17 Tue. We got up early and Irene, Jean and I went to Vancouver to attend Dad Harts funeral. Bob Harts were also there from Grants Pass.
18 Wed Got up about 4:30 am and went back to Salem to work.
19-20 no notes
21 Sat Paid Danielson $30 tonite.
22 Sun Barney and Leona and two of the children were up to our place today.
23 Mon. Today I started building a truck bed on canner new Chevrolet.
24 Tue. Rained all afternoon. Worked on truck bed all day.
25 - 30 no notes
************ July 1941 ************
1 no note
2 wed Hot weather. Worked in shop all day with the forge bending irons for peach machinery.
3 hot weather. Worked in shop all day.
4 Fri Was home all day and tried to clean out pump so it would work better.
5 Worked all day in ship. Riling welded my pump at noon. Worked until 5:30 pm. finished pump.
6 Sun nice weather. got up at 5:30 am. Dite helped me install new pump. Peggy and Roy and Donald ( son of Dwight) were also down today.
7 Mon. Nice weather. Worked on peach machinery all day.
8-13 no notes
14 Mon hot weather.
15 Hot weather. Worked until 4 pm. and took sick left cannery at 5:20 and went home.
16 Hot weather. Stayed home all as I was sick.
17 Thu Hot weather. Came back to work today.
18 Fri Hot weather. Worked around cherry brining outfit.
19 Left Salem at 5:30. Lost a screw off carburetor. Drove in on new road and was first care over it.
20 Sun Nice weather. All of bob Harts were here today except Bob Sr. Bob Gillette and I cut some wood.
21 Mon Left home at 5:45. Worked in shop most of day. Weather very nice.
22 Tue Nice weather. Worked in Murdock’s shop all day.
23 -25 no notes
26 Sat Worked in shop and got off at 4 pm.
27 Sun. Cleaned out flume and fixed pulley in pump.
28 Mon Cheve made a bad noise in rear end on way to Salem this morning.
29 Tue. Took Cheve to Davidson tonight to get rear end overhauled.
30 Wed Nice weather. Paid $16.93 to Davidsons for new differential bearing and rear brakes relined. Drove home this evening.
31 the. Worked in peach room all day. Cool weather.
************ August 1 1941 thru September 30 there were no notes ************
[through genealogy work Joyce Grant-Worley found that Bob had married a Carol Stephenson on Sep 6 1941. First mention of her is below on October 5]
************ October 1941 ************
1 Wed. Worked in peach room all day. Went home with groceries tonight.
2 Thu Worked in peach room cleaning machine.
3 Fri I painted peach cooler tanks all day.. Signed up bond at Joe Keberts tonight for Lawrence National Bank. Rained until I got to Colton.
4 Sat Called on Judge Pope and Jean got a new permanent.
5 Sun Bob Hart, Ruth, Tony and Bessie came from Grants Pass and left after dinner. bob and Carol were also here. [ First time Carol mentioned could be wife as later listed address as Carol Gillette].
6 Worked all day in peach room. Lights were out on car this am.
7 Put a new dimmer switch on car after work.
8 Had to go to several places to get check cashed.
9 Had Davidsons pack front wheels and put in a new oil filter at 94414 miles.
10 Fri Worked in peach room all day. Bought 22 pounds grapes for 65 and waited at school until Jeans party was out.
11 Irene and I sawed wood and I split some. We attended grange booster program and Jean and Chuck freeman played duet.
12 Sun Nice weather. Split wood all day.
13 no note
14 Muggie [goat] was up to Lindstroms today.
15 - 17 no note
18 Sat Took Muggie to Sipes place today.
19- 29 no notes
30 Thu Worked in peach room all day.
31 Fri Finished new sides on peach belt. Packed up things and went home. Got in with chains on with tools and all my stuff.
************ November 1941 ************
1 Sat Jean and I went to the store and got stuck on the plank road. Bob and Carol came tonic as they moved today.
2 Sun Cloudy and rain. I built a gate across the plank road today.
3 Mon Cloudy all day. We help bob and Carol pack stuff out to their car and Bob and I brought old radio back in.
4 Tue I worked on plank road all day replacing planks etc.
5 Wed Cloudy. I split up some wood. we went to Mollalla and saw the Marx Bros. show. (Big Stop).
6 Thu Nice day. I cleared land back of wood shed all day. Rec’d Ried Murdocks check of $33.85.
7 FriNice day. Started digging a hole back of wood shed. Fletcher Hunt visited this evening
8 Sat Had to cut up a tree that fell on wood shed. Jean and i went to the store.
9 Sun Nice weather. We signed Mrs Koch’s school petition. Judy [goat] was up to Lindstorms today. Bob and Carol were here awhile.
10 Mon Nice weather. Irene went to Hulda Swanson’s birthday party. I worked on the toilet.
11 Tue Rained a little. I cut up a little wood and did some work on toilet.
12 Wed Nice weather. I worked on the frame work of the toilet today. Rec’d check of $172.40 from Lawrence National Bank.
13 Thu Hard rains. Lee East and wife were here this am.
14 Fri Raining heavy all day. Had to cut a big snag up that fell on plank road. We went to school play (Take it easy) tonight.
15 Sat Rained until about 3 pm. I went to Mollalla and cashed cannery check. Jean went to Gresham today.
16 Sun Cooler and it cleared up. Irene and I went to Sipes and got Muggie. Chuck, Ina Paul and Mickie were here to get Bobs new address.
17 Mon Clear and cold. Irene washed and I went to Portland. Paid Starr Furniture company balance on stove. Cashed $172.00 check of Lawrence National Bank.
18 Tue Clear during morning. I put the roof on the toilet today.
19 Wed Worked on the donkey engine most of the day and cut a little wood. Had to get Stallneckers to fix donkey gas line.
20 Thu. Thanksgiving. We stayed home and had a nice dinner. Tested out carburetor on donkey engine.
21 Fri. Irene and Jean went after the mail. I worked on the toilet seat.
22 Sat Clear and cold. Went to Molalla. Sent P.O. to Aunt Irene for $62.00 Dr. Foster $6,00 and Earl Sucle $5.00.
23 Sun Nice weather. Mr Knaggs came though this am. bob and Carol came about 1 pm.
24 Mon Nice weather. Irene went to Mrs Lindstorms party. I cut some wood and installed light in front of toilet.
25 Tue Nice weather. Irene went to Dirkys. I went to store to get a spark plug. Ed Lindstrom came home with an International pickup tonight.
26 Wed Nice weather. I split wood and sawed with the donkey. Irene washed.
27 Thu. Tried to make a governor (??) for the donkey engine.
28 Fri. I sawed some wood with the donkey. Jean went to a game and we visited Hulda Swanson’s this evening.
29 Sat. Cloudy. Had dinner at Peggy’s. Irene got her coat out of storage.
30 Sun. Nice weather. We went to Bill Swansons for a turkey dinner given by Mrs Hunt and Dale Swanson. Dale’s girl Miss Dorothy Crawford was also there.
************ December 1941 ************
1 Mon Mrs Potts, Kenneth Johnson and I went with Koch to the court hearing about getting Koch’s place into the Colton school district.
2 Tue Hard rains all day. Creek came up to highest level this year. Stayed in the house all day.
3 Wed Cold showers. Irene and I went to Mollalla had to wait on plank road on account of Potts feed truck got stuck. we could see snow on the trees above the Werner place.
4 Thu Cold and rained most of the day.
5 Fri. Got the pistons out of the donkey engine today. we went to the telephone benefit. play tonite at Colton.
6 Sat Cloudy. Ground valve on donkey this afternoon. Went to Oregon City and got some oil rings cost $3.33 Jean went to show with Bob Martinson tonite.
7 Sun about 32 degrees. I worked on donkey engine all day. Japs bombed Pearl Island base today and declared was on the U.S..
8 About 32 degrees. Put pistons in and the pan and cylinder head on the donkey today. Coast Radio order silent after 7 pm. and coast towns order blacked out at 11 pm.
9 Tue. Clear frosty weather. Finished donkey engine put it still did not run like it should. Jean went to game at Mr Angel tonite.
10 Wed Clear 32 degrees at 8 am. Irene and I were married 24 years today. I put new coil on donkey engine and cut wood, Irene visited Mrs. Potts.
11 Thu 32 degrees and fog at 8 am. Sawed some more wood today. We went to Mt Angel Colton game tonite.
12 Fri Cloudy. Irene washed. I stacked up 16 inch wood, swept turkey grit off the plank road as it was puncturing tire. Attended school defense program.
13 Sat Cloudy wind and rain. Irene went to Mrs. Johnsons party. Went to the store. Bob and Carol came up tonight.
14 Sun Nice weather We drove up to Stephenson’s today and went according to Carols’s map and they followed us.
15 Mon Cloudy and windy. I went to the store and got some roofing. Irene went to Hulda’s. I made black out covers for windows. Was on plane watch from 10 pm to 1 am. with Nydigger.
16 Tye Cloudy and windy. I split stove wood.
17 Cloudy and rains. I overhauled the generator put on a federal 1205 and SKF 16 bearings. Irene went to Olive Gates showers at Irland’s with Mrs. Keller.
18 High winds today. I cut wood for the wood shed and greased the water wheel. We had to go to the Xmas school program tonite.
19 Fri Heavy rains. Bob and Carol came this afternoon gave me a pair socks for Xmas. We visited Knaggs and Jean went to Mt Angel.
20 Sat Cloudy. bob and Carol went home this am. Went down the plank road and helped Ed get his car out of a mud hole.
21 Sun. We went to Vancouver and Irene and Jean stayed with Bessie. I called on the army post intelligence service office and also Site and Paulines. They gave us a smoking stand Donnie made for us.
22 Mon I split some wood and it rained hard all night.
23 Tue. Mr Potts and I went thru the Werner road to Worden place and Mr Anderson was at the Summons mill.
24 Wed Cloudy. I split some stove wood. Went to the store this afternoon.
25 Christmas Day. Clear had about an inch of snow. Went to Vancouver and had dinner at Bessies and brought Jean and Irene home.
26 Fri 30 degrees clear. Irene washed. Sawed wood until the belt lace broke then I nailed some planks down by Potts place.
27 Sat 30 degrees clear. I was on watch with Nydigger just as Floyd and the other guy came on watch we seen light on the hill again.
28 Sun Clear. I made a belt stretcher and laced donkey belt. Cut some wood this afternoon. Bob and Carol came this afternoon.
29 Mon mIsty. Carol and Irene did Carol’s washing. This afternoon we showed Carol the movies.
30 Tue Fog and a little mist. I sawed wood with donkey and Irene baked and ironed.
31 Wed Clear light snow 22 degrees. I split stove wood in the wood shed all day.
Extra notes by Joyce
Reference to Dite is Dwight Wellington Hart. Irene’s younger brother. He originally had homestead land almost next to the Gillettes in Colton. At the time of this diary the Gillettes were still living on their homestead land. They moved eventually to another piece of property that they called Elwood. There is an Elwood road in Colton Oregon. The homestead land in 2011 was owned by a company that logged forest land. No building still exist on the property but a road runs up my where house use to stand. They had a water wheel that Frank had built so they had electricity. No phone was available and telegrams were used to send notices.
Irene Hart Gillette also started keeping a diary but it went only from Jan 1 thru feb 13 1941. I’ve tried to integrate her notes in with her initials IG and use italics with the color red.
************ January *************
1 Wed Worked at mill all day. Bob came after me in his car.
IG Wrote letters. Frank worked all day.
2 Thu. Clear and freezing. Had trouble all morning keeping up steam.
IG Bob went to town today. I baked bread, cold and foggy most all day.
3 Fri- Clear cold weather about 20 degrees at 3:30 am. Kept steam all day at the saw mill.
IG Ironed clothes Jean went to ball game and stayed at Marx’s
4 Sat Nice weather. Worked at mill until noon. bob took me to the store and we got Jean at Marx and came home via Knaggs. Mrs Swanson visited Irene.
IG Frank worked in morning went to store in afternoon.
Verna came home with Jean. Hulda and Mae Murphy here.
5 Sun Cloudy and rain. Verna stayed all nite with Jean. Barney Predeek was here awhile today. Marx’s visited in the evening.
IG Barney was here and was Roy Bates. Marx family came in afternoon to get Verna.
6 Mon. Steamed up at the saw mill, but no one worked today.
IG Washed and baked bread today. Bob and Lou went back to Portland.
7 Tue. Worked at the mill all day. Cloudy with a few showers.
IG painted cupboard and tally and sink. Colton and Hubbard played ball. Frank worked all day.
8 Wed. Nice weather worked at mill all day.
IG Mrs. Lindstrom stopped in. Frank worked all day. Ironed in the morning and cleaned cupboard.
9 Thu. Nice weather. Worked at the mill all day.
IG I scrubbed porch and moped and waxed floor. Scrubbed dust off front and side of house.
10 Nice weather. Did not work today at mill. I cut a trail out over to the mill. Irene had a birthday party today.
IG Frank came home about 6 o’clock. No work. Ten ladies came to help celebrate my birthday. Had a nice time.
11 Sat . no work at mill. Fred Ask brought me $22 for Lee East for Dec pay. Put 2 brushes on generator.
IG Slept until 8:30 this am. Frank didn’t work. Got paid $22.
Went to Vancouver for birthday dinner. Momma gave me dress goods and Peggy gave me hosiery.
12 Sun. Irene’s birthday. We got up early and went to Vancouver. Bob and I visited Benny awhile.
13 Mon Worked at mill all day. Went over new trail this morning for the first time.
14 Tue worked t mill all day.
15 Wed Nice weather . Worked at mill all day.
16 Thu Rain . Worked at mill all day.
17 Fri. Worked 7.5 hours and we broke down this afternoon.
18 Sat . No work.
IG Bob brought folks down for visit. I was surely surprised although Frank and Jean knew they were coming.
19 Sun. Nice weather. Went over to the mill this afternoon a little while.
20 Mon Worked 8 hours. They put in a pipe line but the pump would not work on it.
IG Bob and Momma and Daddy went to Vancouver this morning.
21 Tue. Worked 9 hours at mill
22 Wed. Worked all day at mill.
23 Thu. Worked all day at the mill
24 Fri. Work at 10 1/2 hours
25 Sat. Worked 5 1/2 hours
26 Sun I went up to Sipes today also visited with Tom Freegards
27 Mon worked 6 1/4 hours as they have knows Sawyer this a.m.
28 Tue only worked 5 1/2 hours as they had to put up a new spare tree
29 Worked all day at mill .
30 Worked all day at mill
31 Friday worked at mill Took Jean to the game and Irene and I visited the Knaggs.
***************** February 1941 ****************
1 Saturday nice weather. Broke down at the Mill this a.m. Bob sold his Ford to Floyd Freeman We took Bob to Portland to get his new car
IG Frank took Bob to Portland to get substitute car. Bob sold his ’29 Ford to Floyd Freeman.
2 Sunday nice weather. Irene went to Miss Mrs. Bowes birthday party Mr. Martinson and Don were up here.
Olive and I walked to Mrs Bowes for her party. Lou and Verna walked to our place with Jean.
3 Monday went to work but whalers not ready so came home until 8 AM
4 Tue. nice weather broke a driveshaft at the Mill
5 Wednesday nice weather. Did not work after 9:30 on account of edger. I visited Mr. and Mrs. f
Freegard.
6 Thursday windy and rain. They had to pour some more oil on bearing on edger this a.m.
7 Friday worked all day at the mill
8 Saturday today was payday and got home about 2:30 PM and went to the store
IG Bob came home with his new car. Lou came home too. Bob and Jean went to Marx’s in evening.
9 Sunday Bob helped me raise the garage roof today.
IG Karen’s birthday. I am making a dress for her.
10 Mon. Only worked 1/2 day at the mill today.
IG Washed clothes and forgot all the dish towels.
11 Irene and I went to Portland and bought a new Lang wood Range. We got Richard Bates to help us move the old stove out and the new one in
IG I ironed today and waxed floor. Washed my hair. Baked biscuits. on new overn. Jean practiced in operetta.
11 Wed the millwork this afternoon. We tried out the Lang wood range range and did not like it.
IG Today is Martha’s birthday.
12 Thu. We got along a little better with the new Lang range. The mill had several break downs today.
14 Fri Had trouble holding steam at the mill as I was out of sawdust. We visited Knaggs this evening and Jean was at the school.
15 Sat Worked half day at the mill. Jean and I went to the store, the folks came with Bob this evening.
16 Sun Nice weather. Dites and Peggy, Roy and folks all had Turkey dinner here in honor of Bob’s birthday. Bates visited us this evening. Knaggs and Elsie Wentworth were here today.
17 Mon Worked at the mill all day.
18Tue Worked at mill but they had considerable trouble.
19 Wed. Worked at mill. Had a fire around the boiler when I got on the job and this evening the slat wood chute got on fire.
20 Thu. Nice weather. Worked at mill and quit the job as it was too tough. Jean came home with 3 day measles.
21 Fri Nice weather. Went over the mill but did not have to work. Irene and Hulda Swnson went to Mrs Marx birthday party. Called on Freegard and Harold Johnson.
22 Sat Nice weather. I cut some wood with donkey. Went over to the mill and Lee East paid me in full.
23 Sun. Rained. Irene and I went up to Sipes and got to see Nannie, Muggy, Heddy and Goldie. [goats] Came home via Knaggs.
24 Mon Rain all day. Jean went back to school. Irene and I went to Portland and paid $15 to Star Furnace company.
25 Tue. Irene washed and I split wood all day.
26 Wed. I wrote letters as it rained. Irene ironed. During the afternoon Mr Potts and Mr. Edward went to Estacada and we called on OD Breese . Called on Kenneth Johnson this evening.
27 Thu. Cloudy. rained this am. I started to spade up the front garden today.
28 Fri. Cloudy and rain. Irene and I went to Portland. Got Gen[?] turned down. Brought Mother Hart home and took her and Hulda to school play (Jewels of the Dessert).
************ March 1941 ************
1 Cloudy rain. Loaned Martinson 24”x 12” pulley out of mill . Bob came home 2pm.
2 Sun. Bob took Ford and I took our car and we went to McMinville to see Dad Hart at the hospital. He was feeling fair.
3 Mon Nice weather. iI went up to Sipes and got Maggie and Heady, then went to store for feed. Lee East came after me to fire at mill
4 Tue. Worked at mill all day.
5 Wed Worked at mill all day.
6 Thu. Nice weather. Worked at mill all day.
7 Fri Worked at mill all day. Nice weather. We took Mother Hart home and Dad was there too.
8 Sat Worked 1/2 day at the mill.
9 Sun Worked around place all day. Irene helped me saw some wood. Mr Edmand was up here a little while.
10 Mon. Worked at mill 6 1/2 hours helped babett(??) main engine bearing
11 Tue Nice weather . Worked at mill all day.
12 Wed About 24 degrees this am. Worked at mill all day.
13 the. Freezing this am. worked at mill.
14 Fri. Cold and freezing during am. Worked at mill. Mr Jory was of to the mill to see me.
15 Sat Nice weather. I finished work at the mill at 5 pm. Lee East paid me $42.47.
16 Sun. I worked on generator bearing. Bob and Jean went to Mt Angel this afternoon. Rec’d Telegram advising us of Uncle George White’s death.
17 Mon Bob and I packed fence posts until 10:30. Albert brought me a wire from John J Reling. I drove to Oregon City and answered same.
18 Tue. Had to go to Oregon City and send a wire to Rileing. Worked on fence all morning.
19 Wed. Worked on fence awhile and then went to Colton and Johnson and Deitz fixed up notice cards for Govt. meeting.
20 Thu Nice weather. Went to Oregon City and set Riling another wire. Came back wrote air mail letter and went back to Portland and mailed and went to Vancouver.
21 Fri Nice weather left the folks at 9:30 and went to Portland and got some goat fence. Had to go back to Colton and get Jean this evening.
22 Sat Nice weather. Bob helped me put up Red Top Goat fence. We went to Gov’t meeting at the grange hall this evening.
23 Sun Nice weather. We went up to the folks at Vancouver. Took Dad to Dites and then we came home.
24 Mon Nice weather. Put up fence around the garden. Had to go to Oregon City and run Uncle George [White, her mother’s brother] affairs over to Butler Jacks.
25 Tue Nice weather. I built fence all day. Irene grubbed out a maple root out of garden.
26 Wed. Nice weather. Worked on fence awhile and planted tomatoes in hot bed. Irene planted peas.
27 Thur. Nice weather. Fixed gate and hauled board down from mill. First day we were ever able to make the goats go back to their shed.
28 Fri Nice weather. Irene and I sawed some wood. I spaded in the garden awhile. Jean stayed at Marx’s.
29 Sat Light showers. Went to the store. Bob came about 10:30 am. Jean, Verna, and Vange were here awhile.
30 Sun Nice weather. I took Bobs car down to get Jean this am. at church. Chuck Ebner and Wallie were here awhile.
31 Mon Called on attorney Butler also the road commissioners. Had dinner at Buruly Predeck’s. Called on Mr Yoachum and Hotman(??) at Salem.
************ April 1941 ************
1 Tue Cloudy. Stayed at Dites all nite. Took Pauline over to folks. Dad Hart was worse. Came home took Jean to the school this evening.
2 Wed Irene and I went up to the folks. Irvan was there for dinner. we sent Willard a wire from Oregon City.
3 Thu. Worked in garden awhile. Went after mail and called on Potts. Took Jean to practice.
4 Fri stormy. I worked on centrifugal pump all day but it would not work. Had to go after Jean at H.S. party.
5 Sat Stormy. Fixed ver our old pump then went to store and Knaggs. Bob brought Joan Hart and Roberta Kinean (??) out tonite.
6 Sun Cloudy. bob and the girls went for a walk and they went back to Vancouver after dinner. Muggie had two nanny kids this afternoon.
7 Mon Cloudy. We picked Jean up and went to Vancouver Jean Alkire and Willard Hart were there and Don, Newton arrived before we left.
8 Tue. Fixed up goat stalls and worked in the garden awhile. Took Jean to play practice.
9 Wed Cloudy. Worked in garden and fixed sprinkler pipe. We got the little kids to drink out of a pan today. Went to store and Rifflies.(??)
10 Thu Coudy. Willard Hart, Janet, Joan can about 11 am. Irene and Jean went back to Vancouver with them.
11 Fri. I worked on the radio awhile today.
12 Sat Nice weather. I worked on the garden all day. Martinson borrowed a saw from the mill today and bought back a pulley.
13 Sun Nice weather. Went to Vancouver. All of Bob Harts were there, we took movies and a lot of other pictures Irene Jean and I came home.
14 Mon Nice weather. Willard Hart and Joan were leaving for Nebraska today.
15 Tue Jean is 15 today. I dug out an old log out of garden by goat shed.
16 Wed Rainy weather.
17 Thu Nice weather. Irene and I went to Vancouver. Jean alkire was still there with the folks.
18 Fri I worked in the garden all day.
19 Sat Nice weather. Bob helped me saw wood. We took a few movie shots. Jeans class had skating party at Oaks {park Portland] today.
20 Sun Nice weather. Worked up some ground for Irene. Bob and Jean went to Mt. Angel this afternoon.
21 Mon Irene and I planted peas, pencil pod beans, lettuce and birdsong beans.
22 Tue worked in garden all day. Took Jean to practice and Irene and I visited Bill Swanson’s.
23 Wed Nice- Irene and I sawed some wood and started to move the donkey engine.
24 Thu Nice weather. I moved donkey engine and Irene washed.
25 Fri Hot weather. Irene and I went to Vancouver and visited the folks.
26 Sat I went to Mollalla and had Heltor work on my back. Bob came home and he loaned me $10 to start in at Salem.
27 Sun Bob went to Mt Angel. Joe Hassler’s were here this afternoon.
28 Mon Nice weather. Irene and I went to Montgomery Ward’s and bought Jeans dress. I got shirts shoes etc. Went to Vancouver did not see Dad Hart as he had gone to hospital.
29 Tue Put new Montgomery Ward muffler in ar this morning. Went to Salem this afternoon to see Reid Murdock Company.
30 Wed. Cloudy. Spaded garden. Took Jean to play practice as they had dress rehearsal.
************ May 1941 ************
1 Thu I worked in the garden most of the day.
2 Fri We went to the junior class play tonite. It rained all day. Louise Marx was at the play.
3 Sat It rained most of the day. I took Jean and Louise Lindstrom to Colton as they went to the Oakes rink on a party today.
4 Sun rainy weather. Bob and Jean went to a show. Left home at 6 pm. and drove to Salem started to staying at Mrs Thomas’s place this evening.
5 Mon First day at Reid Murdock . painted peach blancher (?). Rain most of the day.
6 Tue: Worked 8 hours at Murdock’s. Cloudy weather.
7 Wed Went to Dallas and had Dr. Foster work on my teeth. Worked 4 hours this afternoon.
8 Thu Nice weather. Worked 8 hours at Murdocks.
9 Fri Cloudy. Worked 8 hours . Drove to the ranch and took Irene, Jean, Mrs. Keller and Lorraine and Mrs Bering to the mother daughter banquet.
10 St Cut some wood and went to the store during the afternoon. Irene washed today.
11 Sun Cloudy. Went to Vancouver and they had Dad Hart home but he was no better.
12 Mon Nice weather. Worked 8 hours installing pipe covering in peach room at Murdocks.
13 Tue: Cloudy. Dr foster filled a tooth and pulled one today. Worked 4 hours at Murdocks.
14 Wed Paid $33.55 . Checked out at Thomas place and paid her $11. Rented room of Mrs Julia Lee, 791 N Commercial st for $8 per month and went home to get bedding.
15 Got up at 4:45 am and came to Salem had breakfast in Monarch cafeteria. Phil Arneson helped me today with outside steam pipe covering.
16 Fri Rained this afternoon. Phil Arneson and I worked on Steam Line all day.
17 Sat Cool weather. I worked until noon on pipe covering in cannery peach room. Got home about 2:30 pm. Met Bob and Jean at mail box.
18 Sun Martinson kids were all here this pm. Rained all day.. Stayed around the house most of the day as my back hurt me all day.
19 Mon Left at 5 am. and got down to my rooming house at 6:30. Worked on steam line all day.
20 Tue Nice weather. Painted pipe covering. Met Keneth Price on the street with some army men this evening. He worked at Sherwood last season.
21 Wed Nice weather. I painted pipe covering and trucked gooseberries and strawberries awhile
22 Thu Worked until 5 pm. Drove home and we went to the school recital. Jean played a clarinet solo.
23 Came back to Salem and worked a full day.
24 Sat Worked until 6 pm on strawberry grader and drove home this evening.
25 Sun Bob and Irene went to Vancouver and visited the folks. I fixed donkey engine over and sawed some wood.
26 Mon Worked 9.5 hours at Murdock co.
27 Tue Cloudy and cool. Worked 9 1/2 hours.
28 Wed Nice weather and I visited Max Gheler and Joe Schaffer this evening.
29 Thu Worked 9 1/2 hours. Starter was dead in Cheve tonite and had to get it fixed before I could go home.
30 Fri Showers of rain. Got up at 4 am. and decorated Joyce’s grave at Silverton. Worked all day at the cannery.
31 no note.
************ June 1941 ************
1-7 no notes
8 Sun Cloudy. Dale and Mable and Verna and Mildred Coleman visited us Sat and Sun. [ Dale in childhood friend living in Tacoma].
9 Got up at 4:30 am. and went back to Salem to work.
10-13 no notes
14 Sat Dad Hart died about 9:30 pm.
15 Sun Irene Jean and I went to Vancouver. They told us about Dad Hart passing last nite. Joe Werner was at the folks awhile.
16 Got up at 4:30 am. and drove back to Salem went home after work.
17 Tue. We got up early and Irene, Jean and I went to Vancouver to attend Dad Harts funeral. Bob Harts were also there from Grants Pass.
18 Wed Got up about 4:30 am and went back to Salem to work.
19-20 no notes
21 Sat Paid Danielson $30 tonite.
22 Sun Barney and Leona and two of the children were up to our place today.
23 Mon. Today I started building a truck bed on canner new Chevrolet.
24 Tue. Rained all afternoon. Worked on truck bed all day.
25 - 30 no notes
************ July 1941 ************
1 no note
2 wed Hot weather. Worked in shop all day with the forge bending irons for peach machinery.
3 hot weather. Worked in shop all day.
4 Fri Was home all day and tried to clean out pump so it would work better.
5 Worked all day in ship. Riling welded my pump at noon. Worked until 5:30 pm. finished pump.
6 Sun nice weather. got up at 5:30 am. Dite helped me install new pump. Peggy and Roy and Donald ( son of Dwight) were also down today.
7 Mon. Nice weather. Worked on peach machinery all day.
8-13 no notes
14 Mon hot weather.
15 Hot weather. Worked until 4 pm. and took sick left cannery at 5:20 and went home.
16 Hot weather. Stayed home all as I was sick.
17 Thu Hot weather. Came back to work today.
18 Fri Hot weather. Worked around cherry brining outfit.
19 Left Salem at 5:30. Lost a screw off carburetor. Drove in on new road and was first care over it.
20 Sun Nice weather. All of bob Harts were here today except Bob Sr. Bob Gillette and I cut some wood.
21 Mon Left home at 5:45. Worked in shop most of day. Weather very nice.
22 Tue Nice weather. Worked in Murdock’s shop all day.
23 -25 no notes
26 Sat Worked in shop and got off at 4 pm.
27 Sun. Cleaned out flume and fixed pulley in pump.
28 Mon Cheve made a bad noise in rear end on way to Salem this morning.
29 Tue. Took Cheve to Davidson tonight to get rear end overhauled.
30 Wed Nice weather. Paid $16.93 to Davidsons for new differential bearing and rear brakes relined. Drove home this evening.
31 the. Worked in peach room all day. Cool weather.
************ August 1 1941 thru September 30 there were no notes ************
[through genealogy work Joyce Grant-Worley found that Bob had married a Carol Stephenson on Sep 6 1941. First mention of her is below on October 5]
************ October 1941 ************
1 Wed. Worked in peach room all day. Went home with groceries tonight.
2 Thu Worked in peach room cleaning machine.
3 Fri I painted peach cooler tanks all day.. Signed up bond at Joe Keberts tonight for Lawrence National Bank. Rained until I got to Colton.
4 Sat Called on Judge Pope and Jean got a new permanent.
5 Sun Bob Hart, Ruth, Tony and Bessie came from Grants Pass and left after dinner. bob and Carol were also here. [ First time Carol mentioned could be wife as later listed address as Carol Gillette].
6 Worked all day in peach room. Lights were out on car this am.
7 Put a new dimmer switch on car after work.
8 Had to go to several places to get check cashed.
9 Had Davidsons pack front wheels and put in a new oil filter at 94414 miles.
10 Fri Worked in peach room all day. Bought 22 pounds grapes for 65 and waited at school until Jeans party was out.
11 Irene and I sawed wood and I split some. We attended grange booster program and Jean and Chuck freeman played duet.
12 Sun Nice weather. Split wood all day.
13 no note
14 Muggie [goat] was up to Lindstroms today.
15 - 17 no note
18 Sat Took Muggie to Sipes place today.
19- 29 no notes
30 Thu Worked in peach room all day.
31 Fri Finished new sides on peach belt. Packed up things and went home. Got in with chains on with tools and all my stuff.
************ November 1941 ************
1 Sat Jean and I went to the store and got stuck on the plank road. Bob and Carol came tonic as they moved today.
2 Sun Cloudy and rain. I built a gate across the plank road today.
3 Mon Cloudy all day. We help bob and Carol pack stuff out to their car and Bob and I brought old radio back in.
4 Tue I worked on plank road all day replacing planks etc.
5 Wed Cloudy. I split up some wood. we went to Mollalla and saw the Marx Bros. show. (Big Stop).
6 Thu Nice day. I cleared land back of wood shed all day. Rec’d Ried Murdocks check of $33.85.
7 FriNice day. Started digging a hole back of wood shed. Fletcher Hunt visited this evening
8 Sat Had to cut up a tree that fell on wood shed. Jean and i went to the store.
9 Sun Nice weather. We signed Mrs Koch’s school petition. Judy [goat] was up to Lindstorms today. Bob and Carol were here awhile.
10 Mon Nice weather. Irene went to Hulda Swanson’s birthday party. I worked on the toilet.
11 Tue Rained a little. I cut up a little wood and did some work on toilet.
12 Wed Nice weather. I worked on the frame work of the toilet today. Rec’d check of $172.40 from Lawrence National Bank.
13 Thu Hard rains. Lee East and wife were here this am.
14 Fri Raining heavy all day. Had to cut a big snag up that fell on plank road. We went to school play (Take it easy) tonight.
15 Sat Rained until about 3 pm. I went to Mollalla and cashed cannery check. Jean went to Gresham today.
16 Sun Cooler and it cleared up. Irene and I went to Sipes and got Muggie. Chuck, Ina Paul and Mickie were here to get Bobs new address.
17 Mon Clear and cold. Irene washed and I went to Portland. Paid Starr Furniture company balance on stove. Cashed $172.00 check of Lawrence National Bank.
18 Tue Clear during morning. I put the roof on the toilet today.
19 Wed Worked on the donkey engine most of the day and cut a little wood. Had to get Stallneckers to fix donkey gas line.
20 Thu. Thanksgiving. We stayed home and had a nice dinner. Tested out carburetor on donkey engine.
21 Fri. Irene and Jean went after the mail. I worked on the toilet seat.
22 Sat Clear and cold. Went to Molalla. Sent P.O. to Aunt Irene for $62.00 Dr. Foster $6,00 and Earl Sucle $5.00.
23 Sun Nice weather. Mr Knaggs came though this am. bob and Carol came about 1 pm.
24 Mon Nice weather. Irene went to Mrs Lindstorms party. I cut some wood and installed light in front of toilet.
25 Tue Nice weather. Irene went to Dirkys. I went to store to get a spark plug. Ed Lindstrom came home with an International pickup tonight.
26 Wed Nice weather. I split wood and sawed with the donkey. Irene washed.
27 Thu. Tried to make a governor (??) for the donkey engine.
28 Fri. I sawed some wood with the donkey. Jean went to a game and we visited Hulda Swanson’s this evening.
29 Sat. Cloudy. Had dinner at Peggy’s. Irene got her coat out of storage.
30 Sun. Nice weather. We went to Bill Swansons for a turkey dinner given by Mrs Hunt and Dale Swanson. Dale’s girl Miss Dorothy Crawford was also there.
************ December 1941 ************
1 Mon Mrs Potts, Kenneth Johnson and I went with Koch to the court hearing about getting Koch’s place into the Colton school district.
2 Tue Hard rains all day. Creek came up to highest level this year. Stayed in the house all day.
3 Wed Cold showers. Irene and I went to Mollalla had to wait on plank road on account of Potts feed truck got stuck. we could see snow on the trees above the Werner place.
4 Thu Cold and rained most of the day.
5 Fri. Got the pistons out of the donkey engine today. we went to the telephone benefit. play tonite at Colton.
6 Sat Cloudy. Ground valve on donkey this afternoon. Went to Oregon City and got some oil rings cost $3.33 Jean went to show with Bob Martinson tonite.
7 Sun about 32 degrees. I worked on donkey engine all day. Japs bombed Pearl Island base today and declared was on the U.S..
8 About 32 degrees. Put pistons in and the pan and cylinder head on the donkey today. Coast Radio order silent after 7 pm. and coast towns order blacked out at 11 pm.
9 Tue. Clear frosty weather. Finished donkey engine put it still did not run like it should. Jean went to game at Mr Angel tonite.
10 Wed Clear 32 degrees at 8 am. Irene and I were married 24 years today. I put new coil on donkey engine and cut wood, Irene visited Mrs. Potts.
11 Thu 32 degrees and fog at 8 am. Sawed some more wood today. We went to Mt Angel Colton game tonite.
12 Fri Cloudy. Irene washed. I stacked up 16 inch wood, swept turkey grit off the plank road as it was puncturing tire. Attended school defense program.
13 Sat Cloudy wind and rain. Irene went to Mrs. Johnsons party. Went to the store. Bob and Carol came up tonight.
14 Sun Nice weather We drove up to Stephenson’s today and went according to Carols’s map and they followed us.
15 Mon Cloudy and windy. I went to the store and got some roofing. Irene went to Hulda’s. I made black out covers for windows. Was on plane watch from 10 pm to 1 am. with Nydigger.
16 Tye Cloudy and windy. I split stove wood.
17 Cloudy and rains. I overhauled the generator put on a federal 1205 and SKF 16 bearings. Irene went to Olive Gates showers at Irland’s with Mrs. Keller.
18 High winds today. I cut wood for the wood shed and greased the water wheel. We had to go to the Xmas school program tonite.
19 Fri Heavy rains. Bob and Carol came this afternoon gave me a pair socks for Xmas. We visited Knaggs and Jean went to Mt Angel.
20 Sat Cloudy. bob and Carol went home this am. Went down the plank road and helped Ed get his car out of a mud hole.
21 Sun. We went to Vancouver and Irene and Jean stayed with Bessie. I called on the army post intelligence service office and also Site and Paulines. They gave us a smoking stand Donnie made for us.
22 Mon I split some wood and it rained hard all night.
23 Tue. Mr Potts and I went thru the Werner road to Worden place and Mr Anderson was at the Summons mill.
24 Wed Cloudy. I split some stove wood. Went to the store this afternoon.
25 Christmas Day. Clear had about an inch of snow. Went to Vancouver and had dinner at Bessies and brought Jean and Irene home.
26 Fri 30 degrees clear. Irene washed. Sawed wood until the belt lace broke then I nailed some planks down by Potts place.
27 Sat 30 degrees clear. I was on watch with Nydigger just as Floyd and the other guy came on watch we seen light on the hill again.
28 Sun Clear. I made a belt stretcher and laced donkey belt. Cut some wood this afternoon. Bob and Carol came this afternoon.
29 Mon mIsty. Carol and Irene did Carol’s washing. This afternoon we showed Carol the movies.
30 Tue Fog and a little mist. I sawed wood with donkey and Irene baked and ironed.
31 Wed Clear light snow 22 degrees. I split stove wood in the wood shed all day.
Extra notes by Joyce
Reference to Dite is Dwight Wellington Hart. Irene’s younger brother. He originally had homestead land almost next to the Gillettes in Colton. At the time of this diary the Gillettes were still living on their homestead land. They moved eventually to another piece of property that they called Elwood. There is an Elwood road in Colton Oregon. The homestead land in 2011 was owned by a company that logged forest land. No building still exist on the property but a road runs up my where house use to stand. They had a water wheel that Frank had built so they had electricity. No phone was available and telegrams were used to send notices.
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