September 1911

This was a month full of change for Rita.  She continued giving violin lessons, travelling by train to several small Iowa towns, but after the visit to the State Fair and discussions with Dean Nagel (father of Conrad Nagel) about attending Highland Park College, she seemed to get bored with giving lessons and wanted to go to the big city (Was Des Moines a step down from Chicago?  I think not!)

Highland Park College

Not only did she attend classes, she gave some lessons and helped out Dean Nagel in his office.  Plus she was able to go see President Taft, hear band concerts by the Drake University Band, go to picture shows.  So although she "bawled" when she first moved there, she enjoyed all the activity!

President Taft

Friday, September 1, 1911:  Didn't get up till 9:30.  Fooled around & then came over to Esthers.  Sorry to see Evelyn leave.  She's a dear.  After lunch went down town.  Visited studio, picture shows, etc.  After supper all lay on porch and talked and rested.  All in.

Sept. 2: Music a while.  Fooled.  After lunch went to studio again.  Met Dean Nagel and   Mr. Evans and Prof. Halwel.  Are bound to have me come to H. Park.  After E and I went out to Maxeys and got my coat. Evelyn not at home.  After supper Esther and I went to Ingersol to concert and rode to phizzer.

Sept. 3: Went to First M E church where Esther has been singing.  After dinner lay down - slept and read.  Out to H. Park to Dean's house to practice.  He and his wife are very nice.  Then went to church where Dean played for Esther to sing.  Came home before church was out.  Esther is a regular dunce... she's really batty.  Is she not? (written Sun. 9/3)

Sept 4:  Played on fid with 3 strings and no sound post.  Much hilarity but little music.  Down town - saw part of parade - Labor Day.  Lunch with Mrs. P. at cafeteria.  Fooled.  Saw Mr. Paul.  Went to studio and talked with Dean and Prof. Hahnel.  Nice men.  "To be or not to be??"  Came home at 5.  Evelyn at train.  Met friend of Helen W's - also Luenna Kaffel on train.  Gossiped long.

Sept. 5: No entry

Sept. 6: No entry

Sept. 7: No entry

Sept. 8: N [Nevada] and S.C. [State Center].  Came up with bunch of Dago fiddlers etc.: troubadors.  Wondered if people tho't I belonged to them.  Gave 3 lessons at noon.  Tin at State Center.

Sept. 9: Had Mollie and Luella.  No one esle came tho' I waited some time.

Sept. 10: Played in Sunday school.  Stayed home and read all afternoon.  F & F, Tin and Ruth were here in evening.  Much music.

Sept. 11: Worked etc.   About 3 Mr. Lennox came for Helen W. and me.  Fama and I gave a shower for Ruth.  Think everyone had a good time.  Served nice five o'clock tea.  Dad took me to Colonial.

Sept. 12: No entry

Sept. 13: Rosa's party and dinner for Ruth.  Hemmed dish towels.  Dandy dinner and nice shower.  AFterward had theatre party in galbery to see "Girl I Love"  Mrs. Leffler and Mrs. Flowers chaperoned.  Lots of fun but tired.

Sept. 14: Sewed etc. Read.

Sept 15: Nevada and S. C. again.  Last time.  No pupils in Nevada.  5 in State Center.  Not a bad day.

Sept. 16: Worked etc.  Up town with mother.  Spent lots of perfectly good cash.  Bo't black satin coat and white satin dress.  AFter dinner went up with Fran.  Dead tired.  Read all PM.

Sept. 17:  Mother had headache.  Did up work.  Got stuff ready for dinner.  Went to Sunday school and played.  Auntie Mac here for dinner.  Did up work.  Read. F & F here.  Ate watermelon and grapes.  Played grass and roses for Miss Wellenmeyer for church.  I love to play for her.  Everyone very nice to me.

Sept. 18: Whole week full of washing, ironing, more ironing, sewing, fitting, mending, packing, running errands, etc.  After supper Dad and I went to hear Ralph Mason and Mr. Steckleberg.  The latter is fine.  Met him afterward and he is dandy.  Mr. Hix and Mrs. Morgan said some very nice things to him about me.

Sept. 19: No entry

Sept 20: No entry

Sept. 21: After supper Frances and I went on a tear.  Went to Princess and McCords.  How I hate to leave her or have her leave me, whichever way you like.

Sept. 22: Fran went to Cedar Falls at noon.  Dad and I went to picture show.

Sept. 23: Letter from Mr. Steckleberg asking a favor.  Got ready to come to Des Moines.  Train an hour late.  Mrs. P met me.  AFter lunch Esther and I walked down town.  Heard practice of  "Pinafore."  Saw Dean.  "Ain't I glad to see you!" Will have first lesson Monday.  Played a while after supper.

Sept. 24: Church.  Esther sang in Christian church choir.  Played and read.  Mr. Paul came for us.  Church again.  Esther sang solo.  Mr. P came home with us.  Music.

Sept. 25: Esther and I didn't get up until late.  Had to go to store for bread.  Practiced about hour and a half!  Down town for 12:15 lesson.  went shopping.  Called on Pearl and Evelyn.  Took my lesson at 3.  Guess its all right.  Hope so anyway.  Played office girl a while.  Quite busy.  Flipped pennies with Dean.  Won 4.  After supper played some - read a little, took a bath.

Sept. 26: Esther and mother away early.  Myra to school.  Icy cold - rain - horrid day.  Practiced, read, etc.  Bawled like a regular phool for about an hour.  Mrs. P lovely about it.  Couldn't help it - but got over it when Esther came.  Fooled all day.  After supper Esther went to show, Mrs. P and I to a Hahnel quintette concert at Trinity church.

Sept. 27: Practiced etc.  Went down with Esther.  Stayed thru Pinafore practice and Esther's lesson.  Early to bed.

Sept. 28: Practice hard all AM.  Esther left early - I went down at 2.  Pretty fair lesson.  Practiced Pinafore with Esther a little.  Came home.  Talked with Mrs. P.  After supper read while Esther entertained Mr. Paul.

Sept. 29: Out to Highland Park in time for 8:30 lesson with M,E.P.  Didn't have to give it.  Everyone down to see Taft, so we went too.  Met Evelyn and Marie Price.  Gadded.  Lunch at Olsen's on stools!  Saw M.E.P. off to M'town.  Marie and Evelyn home with me.  All to Evelyn's.  Called on Hazel McL. and another girl.  Marie and I at Maxey's for supper.  Jokes.  D U Band concert, picture show.  No practice.  Wow!

Sept. 30: More rain.  Practiced all AM.   Big squall at noon.  Horrid time.  Mr. and Mrs. P dandy to me.  Got kind of over it.  More practice.   About 7 went after Evelyn and Marie.  E and I went to party at Lecka's.  Met dandy girls.  Awfully good time.  Home to Maxey's about 12.

August 1911 and Iowa State Fair

August was about the same as July, except at the end of the month Rita went to Des Moines and the Iowa State Fair.  The 1911 fair had auto races (similar to the picture below), concerts and all sort of agricultural exhibits -- including I believe the first appearance of the famous Butter Cow!  She also spent some time in Des Moines meeting the directors of Highland Park College.  The Dean of the Musical College was the father of Conrad Nagel, who was a famous actor and later had something to do with Actor's Equity.

Tuesday, August 1:  Nevada at 8:10.  OK.  Big dinner as usual.  Managed to behave myself better, so face didn't act up.  Marg. Geoke bro't me grand big piece of cake.

August 2: Mollie Pierce came for lesson from Toledo.  She is going to be awfully interesting.  In afternoon, read, sewed, baked grand cake.  After supper went to H.B.'s for a while.

August 3: Sewed - fooled with Mother - wrote letters.  After dinner it rained.  About 3:30 it leveled off and Mother and I made neighborhood calls.  After supper Dad and I mailed letters and went to Colonial.  My neuralgia stopped while it was raining but began again when the sun came out!  Strange!

August 4: Nevada again 8:10.  Nothing doing all day except 3 pupils not present at State Center.  Much hard practice.

August 5: Luella, Arthur and Mollie.  The latter is very interesting.  Mother and I called in neighborhood in late PM.  After supper Gail and I went up town and bummed.

August 6: Practice at 9:30.  Played solo in S.S.  Out to Tin's in the PM.  Good visit.  Another solo in church.

August 7: Mollie down.  Up town with Fran about 4.  Out to Tin's to party in honor of Evelyn Maxey.  Nice time of course.  Not many there.

August 8: Same story - Nevada and State Center.  After I got home Ruth came up and Dad took mother and Ruth and I to Rex and McCords.  Rex was fair.

August 9: Awful rain storm.  Also wind.  Mrs. Townsend came at 8:30 and stayed till 12.  Luella and Molly arrived after rain was over.  Afternoon, Mother and I went up town.  After supper Ruth came for me to go to PO.  Margaret W. came and wanted me to go to Colonial.  R. L. refused to go so M.W. and I went.  Met McL's and all went together.  Lots of fun.  Big storm.  Thunder.

August 10: Went with McL's and Marg. to hear band concert at 8:15.  Then for long auto ride.  Hazel is learing to run car.  Came home and ironed and sewed.  Baked cake.  After dinner, dressed and went up town about 6.  After supper the bunch went to Cleo's to talk about wedding. "To be or not to be" a bridesmaid.  More storm.

August 11: N and SC as usual.  Big day in Nevada. Attuniva Baud and many "squawkers"  Rushed home and dressed to go to Fran's party.  Only Tin and Dot and Marion and Miss Milnor, Fama, Evelyn Maxey, Fran and I.  Mel, Clifford and Ralph W. came.  The latter two escorted Evelyn and me home.  Poor lads!  She lives on Bromley between 3rd and 4th Ave.

August 12: Had Mollie - Luella.  Awful hot.  Up town rather late with Gail and Miss Christenson.  Went out to Cravens.  Big time Uncle Mayo - Nellie and Sadie there beside Cravens and Boggies.  Mum hearts. etc.

August 13:  Intended to sleep late but couldn't.  Did up work.  Read.  Huge dinner - 12 of us.  Did up work afterwards.  Read. Loafed.  In evening Stevens' came. Also E.S.J.  Watermelon.  Awfully tired.

August 14: Home about 8.  Mollie here.  Watermelon.  AFter dinner invited about 30 girls here for Wed. PM.  Washed head.  Up town late.  After supper Gail and I called on Miss Christianson.  All went to Colonial and McCords.

August 15: N and SC as usual.  Awfully hot and dusty.  Rushed home and got supper and Dad took me to Fran's party.  Only a few.  Ralph and Clifford there. R.W. bro't Evelyn and me home.

August 16: Had Luella and Mollie.  Swept house before they came.  Helped Helen make ice cream.  Had my own party.  About thiry and guess they liked it - sounded as if they did.

August 17: Fooled all a.m.  Went to Fran's - found Tin and Dorothy there.  Did not go to see Marion's friend.  After supper, Ruth, Gail, Fran, the Hoveys and I went to Colonial and McCords.

August 18: Some stunt again.  Not near all came for lessons.  Came home with nothing to do but enjoy myself.  Talked with the folks all evening.

August 19: Out to Tin's early with piece of party cake for Dorothy.  Luella and Mollie here.  Didn't clean up till supper time.  Tired out.  After supper, Mother and I sent up town.

August 20: Played in S.S. no solo, just hymns.  After dinner went to H. B.'s to say good-bye to Mac D's Uncle Mayo.  Had to come home to see Marion.  Walked out with her to Tin's.  Ott took us thru new house.  MY!  After lunch F and F phoned.  went to Young's.  Forrest there, also Eg.  Played.  Pretty good time.

August 21: Mollie here.  After she left I sewed.  Went to library just before supper.  Afterward Fran came and we went to PO - Colonial, Mc Cords.  It rained.  Cordy and Pelute think that Mollie is awfully cute.

August 22: N and SC again.  Last time for a while.  Did Dr. W. ever have triplets?  Gossiped.

August 23: Letter (?) from Smith and Darrine Blue.  Mollie and Luella here.  Went up with Mollie and had fried chicen dinner at McCords.  Introduced her as Cory had asked.  Gave up class picnic, sent stuff and stayed home.  Fran and I mailed letter and went to nickle show.  Grace S. down to practice for Thursday party.

August 24: Worked - fooled.  Hole's pary at 3.  Played.  Saw party.  Very nice time.  After supper went to Corrines announcement for Cleopatra's lawn party - 3 course lunch.  Awfully pretty. Katharine, Ruth, Fama and I at one table.  Lots of fun.  Music.

August 25: Had Mollie again.  Getting ready to go away.  Up town after dinner - to bank, etc.  McL's party at 3.  More sewing.  Porch party.  Another good time.  Dandy eats.  Such frivolity is too much.  After supper, Fama, Fran, Tin and I went to Colonial and McCords.  More fun than a circus.  Much watermelon and giggles.  Spilled pennies.

August 26: Came to Des Moines [State Fair??].  Left Granny at Nevada.  Had lunch and saw auto parade.  Went to Blanche's.  Stayed for supper.  Started out for fairgrounds.  Stopped to see Roy.  Met Evelyn Maxey.  Got out to the Grounds about 6:30.  Ate remains of fried chicken.  Dad got in about 11.  Chas. and I went to phone Esther.

August 27: Went down to Fairgrounds and fooled around.  After dinner Dad and I went to concert in Amphitheatre.  After supper - went again.  Nearly froze but it was just too good to leave!

August 28: Bummed.  Waited for Esther at car.  Evelyn and brother Yale came promptly.  Waited about an hour for M.E.P.  Didn't come.  Yale sure treated us fine.  Has been working so is flush with cash.  Dandy time.  Went to fireworks at night.  In awful jam at gate.  Then Mother and Dad fell down stairs - Pretty much excitement.

August 29:  More bum.  Met Uncle Man and Auntie at 9:30.  I went up to tent to rest.  Met Blanche and we sure did the Fair up brown.  At night saw show in pavilion.  Missed Esther and Mr. Paul.

August 30: Kind of finished things up.  Was with Esther Thornton in afternoon.  Saw Lefflers.  Stayed home all PM.  Early to bed.

August 31:  Mother and I came in about 9:30.  Saw her safely at N.W. and came over to waiting room to meet Evelyn.  Saw her Dad - had lunch at Olsen's Den.  Went to Ingersol.  Lots of fun.  Came home and cleaned up.  After supper went to Princess.  Great show.  Regular circus.

The Princess Theater in Des Moines

Rest of July 1911

The months of July and August 1911 seemed to be a bit boring for Rita.  She had graduated from Chicago Musical College and was giving violin lessons in the small Iowa towns of Nevada and State Center, as well as in her home town of Marshalltown, Iowa.  To get to Nevada and State Center, she would have to take a train each way.  Not too comfortable.  I imagine the station above became familiar to her.  And the small towns weren't exactly exciting.  A picture of State Center is below.

Friday, July 7, 1911:  No entry
Sat. July 8: Taught.  Getting along beautifully

Sun. July 9: Orchestra a regular fizzle.  Could have bawled.  Played "O Divine Redeemer" for Miss M. in church.  After dinner went out to Tin's.  Stayed all afternoon - good visit.  Walked with Miss G. and then up town with Dad.  Heard my prospective pupil play. (?!)

Mon. July 10: Went uptown at 11 for new pupil.  He came not!  O you vaudeville star.  At 3, Wanda A, Ruth Harris, and Ruth L. came and we practed a quartette.  Also fiddle.  Sang for M. E. Brothers at 8.  Pretty good.  Turned down auto ride with Fred S. to go to McCords with the girls.  Afterward went to Putzels and played and sang until 11!  Dandy time.  They are awfully nice people.

July 11: Expected to have to go to State Center, but didn't.  Sewed.

July 12: Taught again.  Read and sewed.

July 13: Uptown to get birthday present for Elon.  McL's came to call.  We and Marie went to Wasson's.  Had old time visit.  After supper played obl. for Medlaw at missionary convention.  Broke away and went with H & C & Marie to Colonial.  Lyrie and McCord's.  Serenade our neighbors?  Maybe.

July 14: Went to State Center.  Gave lessons.  At the shack for dinner and supper.  Very good for beginning.  Got home at 8.  Went to Smith's.  F and F and M and I had impromptu dance.  Clifford came.  Sang till about 11.  Nearly ready to retire when Mel and Ralph Welker came.  Fuss.  Slept on balcony.

July 15: Awakened about 5:30 about 5:30 a la Melville.  Hasty breakfast.  Watched elephants unload.  Taught.  Only two lessons all day but much loafing.  Bigelows here.  I went to sleep in hammock in midst of conversation, so phoned the girls I wouldn't go to the circus.  Read and slept.

July 16: Up at 10.  Played for church.  Madeline C played in S.S. for me.  Went to Leffter's for dinner.  Played and looed at R's things till 5.  Went down to see H. B. off for Oaky.  Missed it.  Came home and wrote card to her.  Took it to PO then went to Elder's.  Back again to Putzels to play for Sr.  Junior asked us to wait till 8:30.  Dandy time.  Home about 10.  Dad in with chill, etc.

July 17: Took 8:30 train to Nevada.  Elon [her half-brother] met me and we trotted all day drumming up fiddle pupils.  Got five for sure and more "perhaps."  Dinner up town.  Supper at the house.  No one home.  Scandal?  We hope not.  Grand sleeping porch.  Tired.

July 18: Took morning train to State Center.  Gave 7 lessons and came home at 2:45.  Tireder than ever.  Dressed up and sewed.

July 19: Gave lessons. Mattie came to help me with my dress.  Bo't a new raincoat and black chiffon for dress.  More sewing.

July 20: Sewed more all day.  Ironed some.  Finished dress about 4.  Ruth L. here.  Wore new gown up town.  Some class alright!  Met Miss Guilford.  Ruthie took us to McCords.  Rod home with Dr. L.  After supper Ruth and I walked to Soldiers Home Band concert.  Such dust I never saw!  Walked home too.  Nearly caught in rain.  Had to sprint to miss it.

July 21: Nevada at 8:10.  Gave five lessons.  Voice kind of tired.  Big dinner, almost too much.  State Center at 2:15 (Train not built nor run for a writing room)  Altogether gave 11 lessons.  Came home too nervous to breathe.

July 22: Gave lesson at 9.  Got raging blind headache.  Fortunately, no more pupils could come.  Came home and went to bed.  Gave Madeline lesson at 3:30.  Took first voice lesson.  Went to Lefflers for supper with Miss Putzel and Miss Hester.  We with Mrs. L and Mrs. P. went up town to Lyrie.  Took refuge from rain on La Plant's porch.  Grand time.  More laughter than in ages!

July 23:(Sunday): Practice at 9:30.  Played 2 solos in S.S.  Ruth up after dinner.  Much gossip.  Ate apples. To Lefflers for pop.  To McCords for potato salad.  Wore winter dress.  F and F, Allie M., Ruth and I went to Baptist church to hear Helen Abbott.  Stories?!  McCords again.

July 24: Swept.  Vocie lesson at 11 -Regular joke.  Entertained Mrs. McCord and Granny and the Grummills.  Marion S. here at noon.  After supper early, Ruth and I called at Nichols. Left to meet Mis P. and Miss H (who leaves at 3 am!) Went to PO and Colonial.  found Bouche Mac and LeRoy.  Dad and I took them home to see Howard LaRue.  Auntie and Uncle are going to the Home.

July 25: Nevada at 8:10.  One of the Lymans stopped today.  Dandy dinner as usual.  Came to State Center.  Mabel Funke stopped too!  Cheer up.  Made train after gates were down - on a dead run!

July 26: Gave two lessons early - all for the day.  The rest are out for summer.  AFter dinner, gossiped with Miss P. and Ruth in yard.  Made fudge.  Fooled.  At 6 Allie M., Ruth and I with about 8 fellows sent to park for our S.S. class picnic.  More fun than a circus.  26 there.  Played tag - teetered and swung.  Eg bro't us 4 home in auto.

July 27: All in with neuralgia in mein face.  Sewed.  Read.  At 4 took voice lesson.  Gadded with Miss Guilford.  After supper went to Fran's.  Not at home.  Coming home W.P. stopped me.  Asked me to go to Colonial to hear violinist.  Also went to Landers.  Dandy time.  Jolly buds, not "Jollies"!  Next time?!

July 28:  More neuralgia and headache.  Nevada at 8:10 - State Center at 2:15.  More nervous all day.  Nearly wild when I got home.  Mother and Dad and hot water, etc. for hour and a half.

July 29: Luella came to house so I didn't have to go uptown very early.  Much ache.  Stayed home from wonderful aviation meet.  Too much exertion.  Pretty badly fooled crowd - F and F and I shopped in evening.  W. P. gone to Chicago.  Hurray!

 July 30: No solo in S.S.  Too much face ache.  Fred S. came in car to get me to practice our obligato with Madge.  Miss Guilford went to League with me.  Dooler went too.  Nearly broke up the prayer.  Went to McCords later.  Bo't ice cream home for mother and Dad.

July 31: Still much face ache.  New pupil from Toledo over.  Promises to be very interesting.  Is to come three times a week all month.  Prepared for Blanche and Roy and Babies. Also had H. B. for supper.  Music.  Browns went to Des Moines at 8.

Map gives an idea of the distance Rita had to travel to go to State Center and Nevada from Marshalltown.