1939 Jean Gillette's partial year diary.
**************************************** January. ******************
Jan 1 Sun It has rained all day today. We had mince and pumpkin pie today. We ate soup for dinner and supper.
2 Mrs Engle and Mr. Potts visited. Mama made two pumpkin pies. Stamvy [?] were supposed to come by.
3 We went to school today. It hailed real hard at school. Anita was sick and wasn’t here.
4 Anita, Verna and I got mad at Betty, because she tried to show off when Mr. Rees was down at school.
5 I got a letter from the Hauth kids today. Verna made Anita lean against some old turkey water at the post office.
6 Lindstroms were down tonight to see the movies and Bobby begged for cookies and Lenora begged for candy.
7 I am reading a book called Brave Tom” I also wrote a long letter to Bob and went to the mail box.
8 Louise came down and pestered us all afternoon. I sure dislike her very much. Daddy got the stump puller up here.
9 I sure am tired of those Lindstrom kids. There so crazy and my golly they just make me sick.
10 We are having great big long lines of spelling words in school, that is because school is because school is half gone already.
11 We are supposed to bring twenty one cents for a spelling book. And then we will only have to write it twice week.
12 Momma had surprise party today because it was her birthday and a whole lot of the neighbors came up.
13 Little old Bobby Lindstrom begged for something for me to put in his lunch after momma had given him cake.
14 I sawed a few trees in the garden today and mom and I went to the mail box. Lindstoms told a lie.
15 Sunday Mr. Baker was up here and went up to see the Bitner timber. Louise never came down today.
16 Mrs. Renkin’s said that I could tape my lessons on 9:50 on Wednesday . Verna told me to kick Alta.
17 We got a letter from Peggy today, Barney and Leona sat. Have a baby boy Marie Preedick died Sunday.
18 Today I took my first music lesson. We got our report cards and I got nine C’s.
19 I tried to practice on that crazy old piano in the dormitory, but the keys stuck to much.
20 Verna, Anita and I went up the road and ate our lunch under a fir tree.
21 I was chosen for President of the class yesterday. Daddy pulled a log over today.
22 Sunday Peggy, Roy, Dite Pauline and Donny were down to see us and brought some groceries.
23 Old Harold Lindstrom is mad at me and boy am I glad because maybe I won’t have to walk with them.
24 We had an old county test and in spelling I missed eleven words so did Anita.
25 Mrs Burt read the grades of some smart 7th graders and all the kids looked at me. [Jean would have been in 7th grade]
26 I was the smart one but Ruth Lovell was only 1 point behind me. I got 9.1 was I glad.
27 The boys were having a boxing matches at school and old Harold Lindstrom was yellow. [Apparently Jean call Harold Lindstrom old but he’s another student.]
28 Daddy and I went to the mail box today. Hinkles are moving so there won’t be so many in the bus,
29 It snowed today. I wrote a letter to Elaine Prosser and read a couple stories. The snow didn’t stay.
30 Rodger fought [illegible] at school with the boxing gloves. I don’t know if he won or not.
31 We went to a show and Anita and I stayed at Vern’s and didn’t go to sleep until three.
*******************. February below. *********************
1 Wednesday WE made enough profit from the show to go to Salem, so I guess we will go next Thursday.
2 Anita never came to school today. Gary said she had a big nose. I suppose she was just not well.
3 Kitty Potts sure is a cat.
4 We went over to Marth’s today and she gave us some milk. Daddy and Lindstrom went to Mollala for groceries
5 Sunday. Today Paul and Harold went a tearing past Pauls bike. We went down to Potts last night.
6 It snowed down at school like a blizzard and its about 1/2 an inch outside now. So it may get deep.
7 Boy have we got the snow, about seven inches. I hope it gets deeper so we can have fun in it.
8 Renkin sure is cranky when a guy takes a music lesson. I got to hear Elaine Johnson sing today.
9 We went to Salem today and I got to soak hand with the governor. We also saw pen and asylums.
10 Mrs Lindstrom went into Oregon City tonight to have her baby. Daddy took them. I got Orville’s name for Valentine’s day.
11 Lindstrom hasn’t come home yet and the kids are all alone up there and theres a storm outside.
12 Sunday. Daddy went after Lindstrom and the baby was born at 11:30 am. [in 1940 census in Colton, the Lindstrom listed right after the Gillettes had 4 kids Harold (same age as Jean, Louise, Robert, La Nora and Donald who would have been baby described in her diary)
13 Mama made some Valentine cookies and I am going to give one to Verna [Marx] and Anita.
14 I got 15 Valentines at school today. Harold said that Ruth promised to marry Donal Smear.
15 I took my music lesson today and Mrs Renkins wasn’t about cranky, but she gave me two hand songs.
16 Anita got mat me because I wanted to bring my arith(metic) home. She got over it though.
17 Crazy old Betty Norquist called us kids chickens because we wouldn’t stay out and play ball.
18 We went up to Vancouver and showed the pictures and ate supper at Paulines and Dites.
19 ate dinner with Peggy when we got home. I got some pussy willow up at Vancouver.
20 Mrs Lindstrom came home with the baby and Lenora hid under the house. Bates envied us in.
21 Betty Norquist played like she was sick all afternoon and she didn’t have to do her studies.
22 I am invited out Marxes and Anita isn’t but I don’t if I will get to go. I want to see play.
23 Mr. Marx sent a note home and asked mom and Dad if I couldn’t come out so they let me.
24 Verna and I went to the play tonight, boy Anita sure was mad, but Verny didn’t care, so let her be mad.
25 Verny and Vange walked home with me today. Us kids sure did have fun. The kids this the house is cute.
26 We went over to Knagg’s today and had supper, she saved us some milk and butter to bring home.
27 Mom washed Lindstroms baby clothes and our clothes. Matha’s butter sure is strong.
28 Anita sure is an old cat. She howls awful and hits anybody when ever she feels like it. Nuts to her.
****************. March 1939. **************
1 Wed WE got our report cards today and I got 9 Es. Mrs Renkin said I did very goo in my music.
2 Louise balled half way home because she wasn’t supposed to stay ever at Staffesons.
3 We took our hearing test today and my ears are normal. We got to play ping pong in the gym.
4 Daddy had to take Lindstrom to town and Martha went too. Today It snowed and then sunshine.
5 We stayed up until 10 o’clock and listened to ones mans family. I sure am sleepy too.
6 Vernas got mad at us because we didn’t go down to the post office but she will get over it.
7 We have our gym. Period last period today and played ping pong in the gym.
8 I got weighed today and I only weigh 85 pounds and should with a lot more.
9 Mrs Renkin was doing Dutch dances while I was practicing my music lessons.
10 Today Verna and I didn’t play ping pong, and Anita and Betty got mad, but who cares.
11 I got up at 11:30 today and sat around and read western stories.
12 Sun Louise came down and got her hair fixed and then we went up to the mail boxes.
13 Momma went over to Staffersons because it was Mrs Stafferson’s birthday and they had a party.
14 Anita and Betty are still mad at us, but we don’t care. I got some candy for my lunch.
15 I think Anita and Betty are jealous because we have candy for our lunches.
16 Mrs Burt sure does get a mean streak once in a while.
17 Gary is a year old today. I wore a green dress to school today and a lot of other green things. [St Patrick’s Day and you might get pinched if not wearing something green].
18 Sun no note written today
19 Anita and Ruth Swanson were fighting for the tennis court today. They sure are nuts.
20. No note
21 I got my tennis racket today and Anion[??} wouldn’t let us play on the court.
22 -31 no notes made
***************** April ***************
1- 14 no notes made
15 I got my tennis racket some time back but it was for my birthday. [The 15th is Jean’s birthday].
17 I just died six eggs today because we couldn’t afford to die anymore.
18-24 no notes made
25 Us kids always play tennis now and it sure is fun, but Anita always plays with Verna and I never get to.
26 -27
28 Grandma’s birthday today, but I don’t know just how old she is. [Bessie would have been 63].
29-30
****************** May ****************
1-3
4 Thu Anita and Verna took some pictures of us kids. I hope they turn out all right.
5-7
8 Harris’s move to Salem today, so Anita is gone now and I am kind of glad.
9-17
18 We had our school picnic today and got our report cards. I passed.
19-24
25 Today was Verna’s birthday so I went over to her house and gave her a present.
26 - 31
***************** June ***************
1-4
5 Mon We went to Silverton Today. Daddy signed up for his compensation.
6 Daddy messed around.
7-19
20 Donny and Mable have a baby son born at 12:40 pm. Today. [Don Hart is Irene’s brother, so baby is David Charles Hart , One of Jean’s first cousins].
21-22
23 I got ready to go to Verna’s today.
24 I went over to Vernas today and cleaned the pool and started to fill it.
25 We went to the district rally and looked at the big pool in the park. It’s pretty warm now.
26 Venny and I made grass shirts today and went in swimming with them on. They sure were a mess.
27 Mrs. Beck was up here this morning and Stameys came up in the evening to see Bob.
28 Johnny and Harold came past. I guess Harold is up their loafing off Johnny darn bum.
29 Cloudy weather. Johnny and Harold were down tonight. Louise and I picked some wild blackberries.
30 Fair weather. Momma and I went out and picked some berries today. She also canned 8 quarts.
********************** July. *************************
1 Sat Clear weather. Daddy and I went to Colton and over to Knagg’s today.
2 Cloudy today. Grandma and Grandpa and Irvan’s family were down and Jemmings and Stamey’s came too.
3 Rainy today. Verna Flemming fixed my hair and I went over to Marx’s.
4 Cloudy today. We went to the parade in Mollala and saw the parent. Vange was in it.
5 Rainy. Daddy Mom and Bob came after me and we had an ice cream party at Marx’s.
6 Clear weather. Momma went to Knagg’s for the happy helpers club meeting.
7 We picked blackberries today. Momma and Bob picked mostly black caps. Hot weather.
8 Nice weather. I went out and picked some black berries and we had some short cake.
9 Nice weather. I went over to Verna’s and we went swimming. Verna wore her new suit.
10 Kind of nice weather. We went to Silverton. Messed around today.
11 Clear today. I forgot to get my travel tykes yesterday darn it.
12 Warm and sultry. I went over to Verna and was going to ask her over, but Anita was there.
13 Cloudy and windy. Verna and Anita came over today and I went back and stayed all night.
14 Warm today. We went swimming and I stayed another night but shouldn’t have.
15 Rainy. Daddy came after me and he and mom were mad because I stayed an extra night.
16 Clear weather. Peggy, Roy, Grandma and Grandpa were here today. Louise Markswas was today.
17 Clear weather. Daddy and Bob and I went to Silverton. Mrs. Lindstrom was down.
18 Mr Ward shot himself yesterday and they hound his body today. Cloudy and windy.
19 Bob went to lousy this evening. Betty Dixan was up to the mail box. I picked some berries.
20 Bob and I picked black caps up on the hill and I picked blackberries on the spring trail.
21 Hot weather. We didn’t do anything all afternoon. I stood under the spillway.
*********************. October ***********************
12 We played ball today and I made 2 outs. Verna went to town to get a new dress and some shoes.
*****************. Above was the last of Jean’s entries . ********************
May 1939 FW Gillette's diary in Mt Angel

May 30, Tue.- Nice weather: Irene, Jean and I took some flowers to Silverton and decorated Joyce’s grave. Stacey’s were also out to the cemetary. We came home via Mackleberg’s and left some clean cloths for Bob at La Mour’s Hatchery where Bob is working. When we got home Irvan and Nona and children and the folks were here. They brought us a lot of groceries.
May 29, Mon.- Light steady rain all night. Worked around house most of the morning. Irene felt considerably better. This afternoon Jean and I helped Irene wash a big waking. This evening Jean and I went over to Mrs. Knaggs and got some flowers for Joyce’s grave.
May 28, Sun.- Cloudy: Mr. Potts came up about 7:45 a.m. and told us that a lady at Canby wanted Bob to come over and work for her. Bob left about 9:30 a.m. Irene was considerably better this morning. Irene laid on the davenport nearly all day. I stayed around all day.
May 27, Sat.- Cloudy: Irene was sick all day with “piles”. Bob and I moved the donkey up to the garden this morning. this afternoon Bob and I pulled out about 10 stumps out of the garden. Also went to Colton in Bobs car to get Irene some medicine.
May 26, Fri.- Cloudy weather; This morning we went up to the ill and got some old bolts and nuts to fasten on the donkey sled. This afternoon we backed up the donkey and took off the anchor cables. Jean co=ame home from Marx’s about 5:30.
May 25 Thu.- Cloudy and a light rain all day. Bob and I took the trailer and went to Mt. Angel to get our brick out of the cannery, but some one had taken them all out. We had Mr. Harris notary our road petition papers and we then took them to Oregon city and filed same in the cunt Clerk’s office Jean went to Marx’s this morning and rode as far as Wilke’s place.
May 24 Wed. - Cloudy but nice weather: Bob and I pulled over another log we also pulled all the dead snags out of the creek. This afternoon bob and I swapped out a road way into our garden for the donkey to be moved in. We all took baths this afternoon.
May 23, Tue. Cloudy but no rain: Bob and I pulled over another log and got it all cut by noon. This afternoon we pulled over another smaller log and I cut it up and Bob helped his mother awhile.
May 22, Mon.- Cloudy and few light showers. Bob and I finished up the big log this morning. Bob and I helped Irene pull out roots and spade up the front yard.
May 21, Sun. Cloudy and light showers during the day. I worked on the water pump awhile and finished it this morning. Hooked up new pump this afternoon and had it running the sprinkler awhile on our front yard.
May 20, Sat.- Cloudy weather: I worked on the water pump all day.
May 19, Fri.- Light rains: worked on a water pump all day. Irene went with Mrs. Bates to attend the picnic of Jeans school at Simons Cuts Park.
May 18, Thu. - Cut wood awhile this morning and it rained. Bob and I went to town and brought some groceries and had Stahlneckers weld a rod for a water pump.
May 17, Wed- Cloudy: Cut up a log and Bob and I pulled over another one today.
May 16, Tue Cloudy; bob and I cut wood most of the day.
May 15, Mon.- Nice weather as it was cooler. Bob and I cut up 15 cuts off the big log and had it done by noon.This afternoon we pulled over another big log. I chinked up the flume awhile this afternoon.
May 14, Sun.- Hot weather: Hooked up our electric fan this morning. Irene and I stayed around home all day. This afternoon we stayed down by the creek where it was cool. Sara Potts and Olive Bates visited Irene awhile this afternoon. Jean came home from Marx’s place about 5 p.m.
May 13, Sat.- Hot weather; We split up a few blocks of wood and then pulled down the big log from the back and cut off a 15 foot length and pulled it over. Bob went to Silverton to Muriel. Jean left this morning and went to Marx. I fixed a bushing in top nozzle in water wheel as creek was getting low. Ilene Potts visited us awhile this evening.
May 12 Fri.- Hot weather; Bob and I split wood and finished up the big log we had. Went to Johnsons and got the buttermilk. Lindstrom came home this afternoon and said he had been working in Bochenier (sp?) Oregon galling timber.
May 11, Thu.- Nice weather; Bob and I cut wood all morning. This afternoon I put my coffee kettle in the power house and filled it with hot water and took a bath. Irene and I took Martha and Clark Knaggs to the school musical recital this evening. Bob went with the Potts gal.
May 10, We.- Nice weather; Bob and I finished up a few cuts of wood this morning. Then I went to Colton and bought a few things. This afternoon Bob and I pulled over a log 26 inches in diameter and 28 feet long.
May 9, Tue. Nice weather; Irene, bob and I took my saw to Gordons and then they went on over to Knaggs. Mr. Gordons set my saw and it worked very good. We cut up most of the tree we had. I looked after Mr. Potts incubators after supper . Bob and Jean visited Ilene
May 8, Mon- Nice weather: Bob and I cut wood until noon and then I filed my saw and got it all out of cutting order as the gauge I had was no good. Irene washed today. Bob and I pulled over another log. Bates and Richard can up and got an old boiler flu from the mill. Bates also took down an 1 1/2 inch diameter for Harold Johnson to use.
May 7, Sun - Nice weather; we stayed home all day. Chuck Exner and another young fellow were here to see Bob this afternoon, but Bob was in Silverton.
May 6. Sat- Nice weather: I cut some wood this morning. Bob went to Silverton. During the afternoon and evening I took care of Potts incubators.
May 5, Fri.- Cloudy and cool. Bob and I cut up balance of the log we had and also pulled over another one during he afternoon.
May 4, Thu.- Cloudy with a few light showers during the morning. Also had a nice rain during last night. Bob and I took the rebuilt Wilder battery back to Stahlueeker’s this afternoon as it would not charge up. Also returned Mr. Bates saw gauge. Stahlneckers gave us a Riverside battery in place the Willard. Lindstrom left this afternoon and went out to find work.
May 3, Wed.- Nice weather: Bob and I cut up a log into 16 inch wood today. Irene, Jean and I took Bob’s car and went to Johnsons this evening and showed them our home movies. Mr. and Mrs Free
May 2, Tue.- Nice weather: Bob and I borrowed Mrs. Bates Bow torch and his saw gauge. WE took our old battery apart and tried to recondition it. Also took generator apart and soldered three small fan blades on the armature to try to help cool it.
May 1, 1939 Mon.- Nice weather: We visited with Bob Hart and the folks until about 3 p.m. when they left. Bob and I cut a little wood this afternoon.