1921 - 1922 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A YOUNG MAN WE SEE EVOLVE FROM STUDENT TO TEACHER, SWAIN TO HUSBAND AND ONE DAY PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE HE ATTENDS

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On offer is an intriguing, original 1921 - 1922 manuscript diary handwritten by a young man, only identified by the initials L.R.M. who through some extensive detective work has be en deduced as Leslie R. Marston notably the future Dr. Bishop Leslie R. Marston. Of note this diary has the unique characteristic of having a gift inscription from his then girlfriend along with notes and entries by his College girlfriend and later wife! Inscribed in one hand: "Christmas 1920; To Leslie from Grace" and then below in another hand: "My girlfriend during the First War" and under that in yet a third hand c1970s: "The doner, "Grace" was an "army girlfriend" somewhat younger than L. R. M. with who he corresponded while in military service and continued moderately early months thereafter. Then, along came Lila!" Lila is Lila Thompson who married Leslie on August 16th, 1921. This 3½ x 6¾ inch 80 percent or so full diary offers a unique look into the development of Leslie Marston the student to the teacher and Leslie Marston the swain to the husband with input from his wife when they were both students at Greenville College in Illinois and later on they move to Iowa City. Here are some snippets: 1921 "January 3rd, Entertained in honor of Tommie and Mary Chalmer's. Hostess, Lila Thompson, guests: Bernice Thompson, Crystal Davis, Ralph Zolviser, Dana King. Hours 8:00-11:30 P.M. My room." "January 8th, Secured part of my pay. Pasted picture of Candle (?) on bottom of Miss Thompson's water glass. Wretch! L. R. M. Read again this event in 1979 with the girl I had an eye on. L. R. M." "January 9th, Prof. La Due preached one of his wonderful sermons in the morning upon "The Renewal of God." Rev. McCracken preached at night. Post script, 1st appearance with L. in public. Note above: The girl who 1st appeared with me in public was the one who was provoked by my trick on 1921 Jan. 8th. Been together as man and wife for 58 years! L. R. M." "January 30th, The Crisis. What Crisis? This inquiry made in 1977 I think I can guess." "February 5th, Working hard on semester grades. Big fight in gym. We are becoming too bellicose." "March 16th, Had an interview with Miss C---. An unfortunate case of insanity. Wonderful service meeting under Bro. Olmstead." "April 23rd, A most wonderful day and evening! Such beauty! Spent the late afternoon and evening on a picnic west of town with Lila and Bernice. A delightful time. Progress." "May 9th & 10th, Senior "skip." Great surprise. College stampedes for a picnic. Pres. B. appears and with faculty, quite the mob….Rainy. Roads impassable. Seniors blockade. Discontent among students. Pres. B. talks seriously of "deaning" me." "June 5th, Baccalaureate Sunday. Academic procession. Marvin and Pauline with their big limousine. Commencement praise service. Lila, Lila, Lila, Lila." "July 4th, Very very hot until evening. Greenville picnic at Crystal Lake Park. Heather still improving." "August 16th, The greatest day of my life. Wedding day." 1922 "February 16th, Anniversary of our engagement. We celebrate. Lila weighs 112 lbs. I weigh 156, most ever. 7 months ago I weighed 127 lbs. stripped. Lila weighted 105 when we were married." "February 16th, (LILA) An other anniversary. Get my new blue Canton crepe dress. We celebrate and go to "Rose Maiden." Just two years since our engagement." "February 21st, Lecture downtown. Sophomore girls play. Juniors in decisive game of the tournament. Win. Uncle Leslie writes the Soph. girls a letter before the game." "February 25th, (LILA) Went to alter and got sanctified and determine to keep it and do my best for Jesus. Amen." "April 18th, (LILA). Rockyfellow foundation secretary comes to visit college. Pres. comes home. We eat dinner at dorm." "June 6th, & 7th, (LILA) Leave Greenville at 11:40. Go to St. Louis by our dining room suit and leave for Iowa City 7:30….Arrive at Iowa City. Look for rooms. Finally locate 426 E. Market. Unpack." BIO NOTES: Bishop Marston was born on September 24th, 1895 to the parents of John R. and Lucy Marston. He married Lila Thompson as stated above. One online source provides: "Dr. and Mrs. Marston had lived in Washington, D.C., in the 1920s and worshipped at the newly named B.T. Roberts Memorial Church, long before it was located in the new building I described above. This was while he worked with the National Research Council. He returned to Greenville College in 1927 when he was elected president of the school. In November of 1930, Dr. Marston, still president of Greenville College, was invited by President Herbert Hoover to the White House to attend the Conference on Child Health and Protection. Indeed, the Marstons had spent considerable time in Washington." We also understand there is a book titled, "Like a Tree Planted: The Life Story of Leslie Ray Marston."; Manuscript; 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, DR. BISHOP LESLIE R. 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