Helen’s Transcript

Below is a transcript of the diary with my annotations along the side. I always kept the spelling that she used. Some of the people are explained on Helen’s The People page, but many of them were difficult to find.

A venture in Remembrance of 50 years of Employment

By Helen Strohm Mowrer

210 West Church Street

Xenia, Ohio

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This is the Mowrer home where the family lived for more than 20 years. All the children were born here. The appearance of the house is the same today. The present owner keeps it looking very good.

many of them the workings of divine providence, and through all the things which have happened, have been protected and cared for by a wise God, and I am very thankful.

I was born October 13th, 1875 at 210 West Church Street in Xenia, Ohio, and was the third of six children, all of whom grew to adulthood. The two older were boys, and I had three younger sisters.

We were reared in a Christian home, for which I shall never cease to give thanks. As our parents were Methodists, we were reared in that tradition; was active in many

(Picture) church activities, missionary circle, choir, young people’s groups of all kinds. My friends were of the same groups and we found our pleasures in sports, music, and reading, for the most part. I never was allowed to dance or play cards, although my mother loved to watch young people dance. Seemed I was to be the example for my younger sisters- but they learned to dance later on, and my mother became reconciled too late for me.

(Picture) 7 or 8 years old

My first experience in school was in a Kindergarten in the building on the old “Xenia College” grounds on E. Church St. This was my first experience of mingling with other children of my own age. I remember most of them, but only a very few have been privileged to live to my age.

(Back of 4)

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Old Xenia High School building- now rased and the ground used for a parking lot. Across the street is a fine new High- School building on East Church St.

In my early life I had the average school experiences and associated with children of like background. I was not a good student but managed to pass from grade to grade with my friends.

On June 21, 1893 I graduated from High School. There were 26 girls and 2 boys in the class. And a good portion of the girls are still living.

The high point of our Commencement was the outstanding event that the Hon. Wm. McKinley, the Governor of Ohio, later to be President of the U.S.A, presented the diplomas.

One other feature I remember, was the Chicago

Fair in the Summer of 1893, which up to that time was a revelation to me in beauty and accomplishment of all that science and art could achieve.

I have never forgotten the thrill of what I saw there, coming before I really entered the business world as a bread-winner, for such I was, for I tried to support myself, as well, do something for others. I was blessed with wonderful parents, and have had a “goodly heritage” both in health and enterprise. I also had wonderful friends who tried in every way to help me.

My father was Pennsylvania Dutch, thrifty people, from Lancaster, Pa., and was reared on a farm. His folks were

Mennonites, called “plain people.” One thing that did excel in, and that was, in good living. My father was a generous person, very Kind, and thoroughly honest.

My mother was born in County Galway, Ireland, and came to Xenia, Ohio, with her father, to be with relatives, her mother having died when she was 5 yrs. old. A person of a jolly, even disposition, nice appearance, and a gift for liking people, also a love for little children. At one time, she was in charge of the Infant’s Department in the First Methodist Church, and took an active part in the Home and Foreign Missionary

Societies. My mother has the entire supervision over the children of the family and I do not remember that my father, at any time, corrected us.

I did not inherit my mother’s sweet disposition or capacity for friendship. And, my close application to business for so many years did not seem to make me so friendly, altho I did make very close friends of a few. I’ve always had a small group of loyal friends, and never cared to be “the universal favorite.” I seem to have inherited my father’s methodological habits and love of order. And to

this day, I feel it a duty to be well-groomed personally, and to keep my apartment in order, wherever I happened to live.

After instruction in bookkeeping, I set out to find a job in 1894. Young women were not employed in industry then, except as school-teachers, telephone operators and helpers about the home as nurses and companions for children. So, I knew of only one or two girls employed in stores at that time.

In due time I secured a job as an all purpose clerk in the Schell Jewelry Store being paid $5.00

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a week, and I really earned it, for at that time stores were open on Saturday night until 9 o’clock sometimes later; Christmas time it was every night for a week before the eventful day.

My employer was of German descent, very determined and thrifty for himself, and at that time I had not learned to be alert to taking my own part.

I did seem to know enough to repulse any attention socially- for he was disgusting in many ways.

There were no opportunities to secure a better job, so for 5 years I worked for $5.00 a week- and the 6th year I got a raise to $6.00 a week.

I can very well remember my first custom-made skirt and blouse, for as a girl and young woman, I had worn dress-maker clothes, for my Aunt was an outstanding dress-maker.

When we were small my mother loved to make fluffy, attractive dresses

for all of her girls, and one of my earliest recollections of her was seeing her day in and day out, at the sewing machine. She loved doing it. How well I remember climbing trees in little silk dresses with lace and insertion, for I was a “tom-boy,” and never let anything stand in the way when I wanted to do it. Some of my mother’s friends would make it a point to tell her of some of my escapades, but it never seemed to bother her, for she seemed to know in time I would act like a “lady” should, and I did.

I rode horse-back, both with a long skirt, and later

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and later astride with a divided skirt. Also enjoyed tennis, skating, base-ball with the boys, and many other action sports. My mother was always very tolerant. My younger sisters did not follow my example, and later on when they were older there were more dignified entertainments for the young people.

I always went about with a nice group of young people

and we never lacked for pleasures.

About this time, some of my friends were thinking of marriage, and of all the many girls I associated with I was the only one who remained single, and I’ve never regretted it. Think I had the average, normal chances which come to most girls, but I did not have that urge to embark on an uncertainty. However, I was connected with several weddings and acted as bridesmaid twice and once as maid-of-honor and can truthfully say I always was glad I was not the bride. Not a very normal view-

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“Maid of Honor” Bride Ella Garfield

point I’ll grant, but have tried to be of service to all the little children and think they are our prize possessions.

The next few years I think were the most active socially before the real years of responsibilities. There were many young men in Xenia for several years coming here to attend the United Presbyterian

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Seminary and many Xenia girls found opportunities for marriage among this group. While I always enjoyed basket-ball games, entertainments, and home parties in their company I never wanted to settle down to any particular one. My sisters were now growing up and were quite attractive, and then these

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Gertrude

Alice

Mary

Helen

young men would happen in at my home, they would enjoy my sisters very much. One evening, a young man came we were not expecting, and my youngest sister, ten (10 yrs) years younger, happened to be entertaining him. He said, “he understood there were four girls in the family” - “No,” she said, “only three,” - then suddenly she exclaimed, “Oh yes! There’s

an old one.” And my friends seemed to use that expression quite often with pleasure. It never made any difference to me. That sister (Gertrude) and I are the ones left now and are quite congenial and the difference in age does not seem to make so much difference now.

Picnics were a common

source of pleasure for young people during my young life, and we always enjoyed things

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in groups. I was usually with five or eight girls and we remained friends for years and years. Of course, these years were before the automobile (glad of it) and as there were several horses and carriages in the families of some of the girls, we always had a way to go about. Many entertainments were

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given by church groups to raise money for various causes and I well remember an “Old Folks Concert” which proved a huge success. Since many young people there sang whether their voices were trained or not, we enjoyed the best music of the

times, and attempted some different productions in chorus groups. As I appreciate music, nothing of present day since up to the old masters in beauty of composition or soul warming tunefulness. Most, if not all, of the old group have joined the heavenly choir by this time, but their memory lingers on.

All through my life I’ve been blessed with wonderful friends, our most valued possessions. Besides the joy of friendships, a person is indeed rich

who possesses thoughtful, tactful friends who are ready to aid in any material way. For, very unexpectedly, a friend of mine, also a pioneer in industry, who was employed in Xenia National Bank, confided she was being married before too long and had me in mind for her job. Oh yay!!! I can still recall my feelings of joy and release, for a chance to get away from the fat Dutchman Jeweler. Seems they had talked it over at the bank for when, as she suggested, I stop in the bank, and talk with

the Cashier, my fear of the ordeal was greatly lessened for he was very pleasant and friendly. He had the reputation of being very severe and stern, and I approached him “with fear and trembling,” stated my application in very firm words, and found Mr A.S. Frazer, for that was his name, to be very human and understanding. In due time, I was advised I had been selected out of five or six applicants- of course, due to the influence of friends, for which I never ceased to be grateful. I stayed in the bank seven years and

Mr Frazer and I remained good friends until his death. Often he would come back to my desk and would ask how I was enjoying the work. He would say “you haven’t found the work intricate, have you?” I’d always reply, “well, I know more than I did.” But, to be truthful, banking, so far as the clerks are concerned, is just a case of entering debits and credits accurately. ‘Tis the cashier’s job to see to it that the bank makes money, to be very careful in making loans, to know whom to trust, so the bank can operate at a profit. So, the cashier is often thought to be very severe in his relationship to prospective customers.

I went to The Xenia National Bank as a clerk in 1900 and resigned of my own choice in 1907 and decided to go to Los Angeles, Cal., for a change for my health. I was not really sick with a disease, it was only a case of nerves, but I felt as if I could no longer carry on. There was one man, Ass’t Cashier in the bank, who was a real pest and so long as I worked there, there was no way of getting rid of him but to shoot him, which should have been done by someone. So, in October 1907, I left for Los Angeles, Calif. My youngest sister, Gertrude, was married in September and had gone to Elizabeth, New Jersey to live; my next to youngest sister

Alice, had been married the year before and was living in Xenia; that left one sister at home, Mary, who was six years younger than I. I had always been a close companion to my mother, being the oldest, and my father, who traveled for a lack of company, was away from home most of the time. Although I was 32 years old, an age when many girls are married and look after families of their own, in the eyes of my mother and my family, I was committing the unpardonable sin to go so far away. I felt it was the only thing for me to do under the circumstances, and I stuck to my guns, and made the break.

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My railroad ticket was over the Santa Fe, for I planned to stop off at the Grand Canyon in Arizona. I left Xenia in the morning of October 3, 1907 and the first night with a friend in St. Louis, Mo. and the second night with a friend in Kansas City, Mo., but in spite of breaking the long trip

it was a very tiresome journey, so much of the country was very uninteresting.

When we reached Williams, Arizona, where you make the side trip to The Grand Canyon, I had the porter put my baggage off and when I got off and saw there were no others making the trip, I was greatly disappointed for I thought there would be several and I did not want to make it alone. So, I asked the porter to put my baggage back on the train and I had given up the trip. Very soon the porter was back with a man who had a nice face about forty or so, whom he said

was going to the canyon. Well, I looked him over carefully and he seemed to be dependable when he said he would be glad to assist me in any way that he could. I wanted very much to see the Canyon and I decided to take the chance. Then, as now, you spend the night at Williams, and go on from there in the morning to The Grand Canyon. How wonderful it all seemed. The nicest hotel was the “El Trovar,” in true western style, but prices were high for me- and I guess for Mr Eaton, for that was his name- and we registered for our stay at “Bright Angel Camp”

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The man on the last mule with the bald head is “the man,” Mr. Edward Eaton

(Post Card)

Not every one wishes to go down to the river on to the plateau, but many did then and you made your reservations the night before, for they were limited to seven with the

guide in each group. The guide always rode a horse, and the others in the group ride the “sure-footed mule,” as they say, but I did not trust mine. He persisted in reaching over the edge to eat some dried bushes. I am free to say I was really frightened, my knees were shaking, and I would not take my eyes off my mule to enjoy the scenery, and the guide would call to me to “enjoy the scenery.” The trail there was very rugged,- since, it has been made safer. Now, trips are taken by automobile around the rim of the Canyon, giving the traveler a splendid idea of the gorgeous changing colors, and some ideas of the beauty and wonder of nature.

At one time, it may have been a river

one mile deep and thirteen miles across the rim. It is the deepest canyon in the world, bewilderingly and overwhelmingly beautiful- beyond description. I would not have missed it!

The next day we picked up the trip at Williams, Ariz., on to Los Angeles, Calif. As it happened, this Mr Eaton, who had conducted himself as a gentleman, and was very helpful, sat in the seat with me much of that day. Once when he left his seat to do something, a middle-aged woman in the same coach made it her business to come and sit with me, while he

was gone. She said, in a very reproving way, she thought I was “giving that young man too much of my time.” I did not tell her how old I was, but I soon put her in her place and stressed tha fact he was a gentleman and was behaving himself as such. Before I started on my trip, I engaged a room at the Y.W.C.A. in Los Angeles, and it gave me a feeling of security. This Mr Eaton knowing this saw to it that I was delivered at the door of the Y.W. Of course I don’t remember anything of our conversation but I must have aired some of my views on marriage for very soon after I arrived at

the Y.W. a package came for me- “The Spinster Book” by Myrtle Reed. And several months later on I received an invitation to his wedding in N.Y. City. He was an attorney investigating a claim in the West, at that time, for a client. I stayed on at the Y.W. for several months and made some friendships which were pleasant and helpful. With one friend I shared an apartment where we were given, in addition to room care, maid service, a “Jap” to wash our dishes, et cetera, which we enjoyed very much. “Japs” are very good cooks, but very temperamental, and need to be

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watched for signs of bad temper, or there is trouble. Chinamen were the gardeners, and came around every few days with all kinds of vegetables very very cheap and very fresh. I learned out there to eat carrots for they seemed to have a different flavor.

We became well acquainted with two of the “Jap” boys and they liked to get help from us

(Picture) My apartment was on the 3rd floor

with their English. This was long, long before the first (1st) World War, but I shall never forget seeing them march through the halls carrying brooms as guns. I received post-cards from them after I returned to Ohio and I often wonder if they were in World War II for they were very young there.

I had a job part of the year I was there in a City office, given me by an acquaintance who was the wife of a former resident of Xenia,- but the heat and continuous sun-shine (that year) seemed to get the best of me and I decided, since I was in excellent health, to return to Ohio. After my return to Xenia, I went to Elizabeth, N.J. to accompany my mother home from my sister Gertrude’s. Her daughter, Jane, was born Sept 20th, 1908, and my mother had been spending some time there, but did not enjoy traveling alone. I became acquainted with N.Y. City then, for the first time.

After our return home to Xenia, I learned from a friend the Young Women’s League in Dayton were looking for a General Secretary. Of course, I did not know one thing about it or its purpose. I sought the President, who was Miss Grace A. Greene, then principal of Dayton Teacher’s Normal School. I found her to be a very approachable person, cordial, and ready to put you at your ease, and interested in the advance of the then known as “working girls.” That was several years before “Women's Suffrage” became a law, but was being discussed by many women, both for and against. She was interested

Club House

West 4th St Dayton

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Yours truly

Young Women's League

24 West Fourth St.,

Dayton, Ohio.

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Sitting Room- Y.W.L.

Dayton, Ohio.

The Y.W.L. during the four years while I was Gen’l Secretary, had more than 1000 members, and had 27 educational classes for the benefit of employed women. Later on the City of Dayton took over these educational classes and increased the work.

in my thoughts on the subject, and I did have some very decided opinions, for all my work had brought me in direct contact with men in industry, and the kind of work they were doing. I was doing similar work, in fact, was working side by side with them, but not receiving the same compensation. This went on for some years, and soon as more women were employed in “white collar” jobs, the women (or girls) became more conscious of the injustice the men were pulling off on them, and concerted action developed in time, which brought the desired results. Now, that

This was my office in the front, on the first floor of the Y.W.L. Building- 24 W 4th St. in Dayton, Ohio

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Young Women’s League Office 1909-1913

During the Dayton flood in 1913 many horses were trapped on the streets with no way out. One horse found his way into my office, and died there.

women’s worth and ability is recognized and appreciated the same as mens, this generation knows nothing about how it all came about before the 1st World War.

Miss Greene seemed to accept me and my convictions about the place women should have in the business world, and gave me encouragement to seek further and secure the job as Secretary of Y.W.L. There were 15 Dayton women on the Board of Directors, and it was my job to call on each one personally, to be seen, and to talk things over. I found then, each, nice to meet,

and in due time, I was accepted on the job. The League was incorporated for the spiritual, moral, and physical benefit of working women. And a great deal of attention was given to the factory worker and under privileged groups. These board members came from Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Catholic, Jewish, Unitarian, and Christian Science groups and they worked together harmoniously. Working with these women was one of the finest experiences of my life.

In March 1913 Dayton was visited by a very disastrous flood which covered all the down-town section, as well, many outlying districts and The Y.W.L. as well as where I lived were affected.

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Dayton 1913

These pictures were taken from the window of our 2nd floor apartment on the first day of the Dayton flood in March 1913 and we were taken away in boats on the 3rd day.

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The cleaning up period was a very trying time, hard work and little progress. So, in Sept- six months after the flood, I was able to secure the promise of a job with “The Craftsman” oned by Gustar Stickley, the origination of “Mission Furniture” of a very high order, in New York City. After a few days in N.Y.C. Mr Stickley suggested, since he also had a show room of furniture in Washington D.C., that I go there to do some publicity work in connection with a magazine he published, also act as hostess about the store, which was a very interesting artistic place. This was a nice experience since I had the opportunity to become acquainted with the

many points of interest in Washington. Of course, I met some of the people, some transient, and some old timers, even some of the Congressmen, whom I found to be rather fresh and disgusting. As I remember, several interesting experiences occur to me, too lengthy to mention here. After some time Mr. Stickley seemed to think he wanted me to take ever the circulation of his magazine “The Craftsman,” he was very insistent, but I knew it was too big a job for me to do, as he expected, so I asked him to send me back to New York City, where I was to decide the next venture.

When I got back to N.Y. City I met a friend who was working in Hartford, Conn., this was the time Workman’s Compensation came into being, and the insurance companies were very busy. Hartford being the insurance city, was the home of the Aetna Life and Travelers Ins. Companies. I was taken on by the Aetna Life and seemed to be satisfactory in the work they gave me to do, altho I never really understood just what I was doing, they seemed to want to keep me on, when I decided to

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Group of girls in Aetna Ins. Co.

Hartford, Conn.

The people of Connecticut are very nice, still they are very different from Ohio people. I never felt free to be myself- always on my guard to do things just right. You can’t take a seat in their Churches until all the regular members are in their seats- you may sit in the back, if any seats are left.

return to Ohio. War had been declared in Europe and I returned to Xenia in August of 1914- this was the I World War, and we here in the U.S.A were very much concerned. We never thought then in a few years we would be engaged in II World War. Of course, jobs were plentiful while preparations were going on to prepare ourselves for being called into service. So, having had banking experience early in my business life, I was asked to help out in The Conil* + Savings Bank in Xenia. The work was easy and

they seemed to like me. I stayed on there until May of 1915- when I got a telephone call from a friend in Dayton, who was employed at the Barney + Smith Car Co., one of the important companies making rail-way freight and passenger cars. They had put it up to her to find a girl to keep in the Cost Department, and I was the one selected, on her recommendation. The Conil + Sav. seemed disappointed that I was not staying on with them but I felt this new offer might be a better proposition.

The work was very interesting and exacting, for a record was kept of the

cost of every thing that was used in the making of a freight car, or a Pullman sleeper, down to the last screw or bolt. The boss of that department told me he never had had anyone work for him that he liked so well. He did not realize a good boss makes a good and faithful employee. Little did I know at that time, that my friend’s boss, who was Manager of the company and held a very responsible position, who thought he was very important, was to loose his job suddenly. Consequently, she left the Company, leaving me the only girl employed there.

Not long after that, just as Winter was coming on- (and it was a very long walk out there) one of the women members of The Young Women’s League board called me on the telephone to tell me there was a job open for book-keeper with the Greater Dayton Assn, an organization which was set up by the business man of Dayton at the time of the Dayton flood to provide better planning and administration of the city’s affairs. She said, “ you better consider it, for you don’t want to be going back and forth to The B+S Co. during the winter.

Well, I did consider it and in short time was installed as book-keeper with Greater Dayton Assn. Though things were going well, when that Spring I received a telephone call from Mr. Craven, then Cashier of Dayton + Savings Bank- whom I knew while Sec’y of the Y.W.L. He said it was an investment company, and he wished I’d go to see them. I said, “do you know, Mr. Craven, that would be my 4th job in one year. I don’t think it looks good to change so often.”

He said, “it is all right as long as you are bettering yourself,” so I went to see Woodhull’s. I did not know one thing about stocks and bonds, except what I had learned in school. I had heard of some investment places called “bucket-shops.” I did not want to be connected with one of those. To be sure, I asked my brother-in-law Walter McGervey (Alice’s husband) then Cashier of the East Dayton Bank, what he knew about Woodhulls? He told me, while he did not know then personally, they had a very good reputations- so my mind was satisfied- I’d try it- if it

were offered to me. When I had my interview, they looked me over, asked questions, and I did the same with them, and we both took it in consideration. I think this is the only way to really and truly weigh a matter vital to both concerned.

In a few days I was accepted for the job, and started on my way to learning something entirely new. As I have mentioned, I knew nothing fundamentally about stocks or bonds and I had lots to learn. I could keep the books, taking a trial balance each morning, which gave the net worth of the Company every day.

Was connected with J.R. Woodhull + Company, first as bookkeeper, later as office manager from 2/1916 to 9/1923

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I listened and read all I could about market quotations, book-value, yield and many other things of value to an investor. In time I was given most of the women clients of the company for my special attention, and we got along well. Mr J.R. Woodhull and Mr John Brubaken who made up the company were very careful, and tried to offer only well seasoned securities. I also was most careful to go into much explanation and detail about what I personally recommended to women. It was always a great satisfaction to know the firm never offered Common Stocks to their

customers, but would buy them on the market for them if they asked us to do it. The men, of course, and I did too, for ourselves, would often buy 100 shares of Common stock if we knew it might be in for a “rise” soon, and we could make some money. We later found out we could be in for a good beating too, if the market broke- as it did in 1929-’33, when I personally was “wiped out.” During my stay with Woodhulls “The Liberty Loans” during World War I, were traded in a lot- and I was made the chief consultant of all such matters. There was much trading in these bonds.

In addition to selling I was made Office Manager, with supervision of my own bookkeeper, and I had quite a bit of responsibility. During this time at Woodhull’s, I was to experience the greatest sorrows of my life. My sister Mary, the next younger, in May 1919 died after a very short illness. The following Jan’y 1920, my mother passed away after a few week’s sickness- and in June of the same year, my sister Alice was taken after an operation. Well, it just seemed like the end of everything, and try as I might, I became more nervous, and lost

the interest necessary to carry on. For an unknown reason, my left jaw became stiff and very painful. I sought relief in many ways, advice of many doctors, without any relief. Finally, I was to give up my job and for a time follow “the lines of least resistance.” I had bought a small Buick roadster hoping that would give me pleasure, but I had to get well before anything else. Eventually, I engaged in a small investment business for myself, and through my brother-in-law’s influence was given the opportunity to deal in Pre-

ferred Stock of “Electric Bond + Share Company.” The company was well known among the dealers, and it was quite easy for me to sell this stock to 5 or 6 brokers in Dayton, by dividing my commission with them on 500 and 1000 share lots. I did very well as long as the stock issue lasted and cleaned up some $4000.00 and more. It was during the time at Woodhull’s that I joined the Altrusa Club- a National organization. In purpose and requirements it was as “The Rotary Club” for men. Only one of a kind and that the outstanding one- so I felt honored later on to be chosen

National Treasurer of the organization, and became acquainted with fine women in many states of the U.S.A. These friendships have lasted through the years and are still enjoyed. The Altrusa Club is now International. These friendships are invaluable and bring friendships which could not have been made in any other way. Now that women are considered the same as the men in business, it is through such organizations this recognition has come about, I believe.

I soon tired of carrying on a little business by myself and decided to get

into something in which I could have more people about me. I knew I had to have a place to live and meals regularly- so I began thinking about having a small Tea Room of my own. I had been fascinated by the MacDougall Tea Room in New York City. So very attractive, and such good food. I had saved a few thousand dollars, which I had invested. In due time, after putting my house hold belongings into storage, I went to N.Y.C. where I got more inspiration, and bought the most of my equipment- without the knowledge of a place to put them when they arrived in Dayton, O- where I

had decided to start my venture. After many disappointment and visions of failure in my attempt, a location was secured- a very central location- in an old family residence, across from the leading hotel at that time. My help was secured, the best available, then I proceeded to furnish the space and make just as attractive as I could financially. The opening was a success and business grew and at no time was it near financial trouble. But, I found it constantly annoying to secure and keep capable help- altho I was paying more than comparable tea-rooms. My standards were high and I did too much of the work myself- and in a short time found out

“The Mart” tea room was

(Picture from a newspaper clipping)

on the side, where sign may be seen. THis was an historic old residence in Dayton owned by the Wood family

(Page of newspaper clippings about The Mart)

(Page describing Helen’s investment company) 1925 1925

(Menu from The Mart)

(Picture of Helen)

1926-1927

While at Tea Room

Dayton- Ohio

(Business card and newspaper clippings about The Mart)

I was not the strong “man” it took to work most of the day and night. I did not consider sale, at the time, but one day I had an unexpected interested person ask if the place could be for sale. In due time, I did get out from under, altho, I was making money- but, got my price and was satisfied- so far.

In a few months I had made plans to go on a motor trip, in the meantime, try to decide what I wanted to do next. After a few weeks in Detroit, a friend met me and we drove on to Boston, Mass., and in a few day after our arrival we visited the Longfellow’s Wayside Inn owned and operated by Mr. Henry Ford. It was a very

popular place, at that time, for Mr. Ford was well known and had in his employ many people all over the country who were advertising “The Inn.” Several hostesses were on duty day and evening greeting guests and showing them over the house. Soon after making an application, I was taken on as a hostess, a job I enjoyed for a time- soon I became quite disgusted with the management, a man who seemed to be using the place for his own pleasure- and some of his tactics were far from business like. I offered me a promotion to manager of the Dining Room, a job I did not want and I used that as a chance to get away. I learned years later that Mr +

Mrs Ford, who were often guests of The Inn and had their own private apartments, (Lovely people) knew nothing of the tactics of the Manager, at that time. When Mrs Ford learned of some of the things that went on, the Manager was relieved of his job. While there, we welcomed many prominent and notable people from all over the world. Then, too, many writers and actors and musicians were guests. I well remember a visit from Longfellow’s daughter, Miss Alice, and Mrs Thorp, charming people- known in the “Children’s Hour” as “grave Alice” and “Edith with golden hair.” That day, Miss Alice (for she never married) wore high button shoes and eye glasses on a long black ribbon.

(Newspaper clippings about Longfellow’s Wayside Inn)

After I left “The Inn,” I spent some time in and about Boston, where there’s so much of interest/ Mrs Jack Gardner’s Museum is perhaps the most outstanding point of interest in the city. But Boston is above all an attitude- an air of contentment and quiet culture.

When in 1927 I left Boston I made a motor trip over some 17 states I had never visited, for pleasure and education. For the most part, I wanted to visit all the well-known Resorts, which I did; then, all the College towns which I did; then, all places of Historic Interest, which I did. All of this travel has been a source of lasting interest in my life, and a

Resorts visited on Motor Trip

1928-1929

Hot Springs- Virginia

White Sulphur Springs- W. Virginia

Ashville- North Carolina

Southern Pinis- North Carolina

Pinehurst- North Carolina

Natural Bridge, Virginia

Clifton Springs, New York

Cooperstown, New York

Cherry Valley- New York

Saratoga- New York

Watkins Glen- New York

Delaware Water Gap- Pa.

Pocono Mountains- Pa.

Adirondack Mtgs- New York

Catskill- New York

Green Mtgs- Vermont

Lake Luna- N. Carolina

Black Mtgs- “ “

Great Smokies “ “

Blue Ridge Mtg “

Cumberland “ “

States visited on Motor Trip

1928-1929

U.S. Canada

Connecticut Toronto

Delaware London

Illinois Hamilton

Kentucky

Dist of Columbia

Massachusetts

Maryland

Michigan

New York

New Jersey

North Carolina

Ohio

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

Vermont

Virginia

West Virginia

California

Colorado

Utah R.R.

Arizona

Kansas Missouri

Historic Points

Jamestown- on James River

Yorktown- “ York “

Williamsburg- Va.

Chesapeake Bay- Va.

Points along Hudson River + Jersey Shore

Lake Saranac

“ Placid

“ George

“ Champlain

Five Finger Lakes

Alexander Bay

Thousand Islands

College Towns-

University of Virginia- Va.

Staunton Military- “

Washington + Lee- “

Mary Baldwin- “

Stuart Hall- “

William + Mary- “

Hood College- Frederick, Md.

Cornell- Ithaca, NY

Princeton- N.J.

Harvard- Mass.

Yale- Conn.

Smith- NY.

University of Vermont. Vt.

delightful adventure, for I seemed to have the instinct to wander, and I’ve never regretted having taken a year to “feed my soul.” I did find congenial spirits with whom I could join forces all over the country, for the time being. It is also true, when you choose to travel alone, you may find “gentlefolk” much the same all over the country.

Later on, I began again to get back into the business life, and tried the opportunities offered me, only to realize 1928 was not a good year for business- and as time passed business in general became worse, and in 1929 the worst depression the world has ever known settled over the whole country.

With the worst depression in the U.S. history in full swing, and not being successful in finding a job I wanted- in 1931 my sister asked me to come to her home in Elizabeth, N.J. and look about for a job there. During the next few years I had a few short term jobs- nothing seemed formanent. Had it not been for my sister’s kindness during that time, I fear I would “have fallen by the wayside” for in 1932, my lifetime savings were completely wiped-out. I was broke. When I was not working from time to time, I tried to help amuse my niece’s

MaryLynn about 2 years

I call this my character picture. It says so much

(Picture)

small daughter who spent a good deal of time at her “nana’s” home. She was about 3 years old, very smart, and eager to learn many things. She loved to work with her hands, and we did many interesting things and we became close friends. She seemed to believe in me, and this gave me back some of my old confidence, which seemed destroyed thru lack of suitable employment.

(Picture)

Then, later on I was employed as a Supervisor by the Franklin Ice Cream Co., a job I enjoyed for several years until the firm was purchased by a competitive company. Soon after, in 1938, I returned to Ohio, where my household goods had been in storage many years.

It took me some time to decide on a suitable location. In due time I found an apartment in Xenia, Ohio and established my home again. Later on, I secured a job with the Elder + Johnston Company in Dayton, O.

it would not be dishonest to give my birth date to Elder’s, 5 years later than the correct time, knowing their rule for retirement at 70 years, regardless. This I did, and then I was retired in July 1950, no one was the wiser for I was in good health and did not look my age. I was really 75 yrs, and had been able to contribute 9 years of payments to Social Security, which I needed.

So, this is the last experience of my business life. But, Life goes on, and as each generation passes on, and more and more advances have been made

measured only as it borrows meaning from the things that are valued above and beyond life.

Retired in 1950 at 75 years of age.

All loose pages inside a three-ring binder. She wrote the page numbers.

This home is sadly gone now. There is a grassy field between two apartment buildings there.

Page 1 is missing

As is common with immigrants, it is impossible for me to trace Hannah’s ancestry.

This hotel still exists today!

More information about Miss Greene in Helen’s People page.

Sometimes, Helen inserts pages with pictures in between pages with writing, so the sentences seem to skip a page or two.

This place still exists too!