1913 - 1917 SUPER WORLD WAR I ERA ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A YOUNG PENNSYLVANIA LEHIGH UNIVERSITY STUDENT AND ALL-AROUND 'GIRL-NEXT-DOOR'
On offer is an excellent, very detailed original 5-year diary handwritten by a Lehigh University female student who appears to be from an affluent family. Margaret Shimer is an 18 year old girl living in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Daughter of a well-to-do family, she enjoys a very comfortable life during the years of WWI. In high school when the diary begins, her entries are full of remarks about social activities and friends. With her mother, she enjoys shopping for dresses, hats and such, meeting friends and going dancing. From context, we learn that she attends a local post-secondary institution [while unnamed she refers to Professor Hughes and we note a Professor Hughes at Lehigh University at that time and geographically it makes a near conclusive case] 'Asked Prof. Hughes if he would sign my degree and he said he would ...' [Feb 18, 1915] There are entries referring to her studies: Poetry test without studying for it [June 6, 1913] American Essayists exam ... [Jan 20, 1915] Shortly after graduating high school, she is able to take a trip to New York City and enjoy both a train ride and a boating holiday: ... we walked around the park (Central Park) ... Had lunch on the boat. Wonderful night. Moonlight on the water. Daydreams about [ ]. Walked over the boat and all the "Lizzies" spooning! June 15, 1913 In the summer of 1915, she took a 2 1/2 month rail trip west to visit the San Diego Exposition. She also spent quite a bit of time in Los Angeles and recorded extensive observations. This trip was certainly a highlight for her. Mrs. Danby, Bea and I met Mr. Danby at his office with Linus and Mr. Hinkley in a large taxi. Went to LaSalle St. Station to see them off for New York on the 12:40 P.M. train. Washed gloves and waists. Mr. Hilborne over to see us in evening until 10 P.M. Then we packed our trunks until 1 A.M. Awful tired. [June 25, 1915] The next day they boarded the train, the California Limited and began their journey enroute thru Missouri, Kansas part of Colorado. At 2 A.M. yelled at 2 men to find out what rive we crossed and found we crossed Mississippi River and Ft. Madison. Got off train at Kansas City and Emporia Kansas. Had breakfast alone, rest not up yet. Bea and I got on observation platform. Bea and I got off the train at Newton Kansas. Stayed up late to get off the train at Juanita Colorado. Slept with Mrs. Danby. [June 27, 1915] Enroute thru New Mexico. Awful hot and sandy. Saw Indian mud houses and Indians all along the way. Mrs. Danby, Bea and I got off the train at the station at Albuquerque and bought postals and lunch to take on the train. Mother Danby gave a little Indian papoose some money and another little Indian girl set up an awful wail for it. Saw Indians weaving blankets or making jewelry. Took pictures of some Indians and had to give them a dime for the privilege. Car for canyon taken off at Williams Arizona where we got off for a walk. Sat on platform. Slept in upper berth. Saw little canyon by moonlight. [June 28, 1915] When they reached San Diego, they stayed at a private house. Went to the San Diego Exposition from 11 A.M. to 6 P.M. Went thru the California building and part way up the town. Went thru Southern countries bldg. and Indian Art bldg. and lots of other. Mrs. Danby talked to a nice little Indian pounding on a drum and singing. Saw 2 bands of Spanish playing mandolins and singing. Afterwards saw them in the plaza and saw the little dark Spanish girl dance. Heard the organ play the Hallelujah chorus. Saw peacocks strutting around. We all had 1 electric chair for ½ hour before coming home and had a lovely time riding around and going down hills. Had someone take our pictures. Mrs. Doyle, Miss Davis, Bea and I went to the Park behind the house to see the gorgeous fences. Wonderful roses and Hollyhocks . [July 1, 1915] The next day they took an automobile up El Cajon Valley and the narrow trail into San Diego Canyon. Went to Episcopal church with Miss Teller. Rev. Barnes rector. Long walk down and home. Went down thru the park and heard the chimes all the way down. The spacious firmament on high. Long walk for lunch at the Blue Moon. Rotten. Mrs. Danby, Bea and I went to the Palmer Apartments to see Mr. and Mrs. Tom Bechtal. Cunning little Chinese bell boy, Foo [ ]. Apartment, living room, bath, dressing room, kitchenette. Awfully crushing. Went to hear Ellen Beach Yan sing at the exposition. Walked thru the [ ] and then I was so tired that we took an electric chair home. [July 4, 1915] Walked downtown for our photographs of the exposition. The lady said we must be expert photographers as we had good pictures. Bought 1 big picture ($1.50) and 1 little picture ($.50) of the exposition. Went for our mail and saw Mr. Frisbie. Letter from mother. Bought two seats for bus and "Midsummer's Nights Dream" at Point Jones. Lunch at Teacup Inn. Went to 2 movies at the plaza. Saw "The Slim Princess" with Francis X. Bushman and Edith Stonehouse, also Beverly Bane and Francis Bushman in "Mrs. Wrong." [July 6, 1915] Bea and I went with Mr. Doyle and 2 women in his car to Tia Juana Mexico. Frightful roads. Not much to buy in the ships. Bought a little doily for 25 cents and sent a postal to Dad. Came home by way of the Strand along the Pacific and walked along the beach and picked up shells. Went thru Coronado Hotel and round Coronado. Saw Mexican soldiers in Tia Juana and USA. soldiers in Coronado. Came across the ferry. Lunch at the Choice Tea Room. Went to the Greek theatre. [July 8, 1915] Spent the day at the Exposition. Saw gardens, Japanese tea room, model bungalow, painted desert and Bea and I climbed to the top of the Indian houses. Nice Indian guide with bobbed hair. Went into the Indian house and saw them making pottery and Indian blankets. Saw the Spanish singers and dancers again on the plaza. Went thru Hawaiian village and saw Hawaiian girls dance (sort of pawing the air) and sang and played [ ] [July 10, 1915] Packed trunk in morning. Got photographs from photographer. Lunch Tea Cup Inn. Bought Mr. Hilbourne a cigar holder for his packet. Went to movies and saw Katheryn Williams in "The Ebb Tide", fool! Bea and I went to Exposition with 3 girls from house to hear Marcella Craft sing, punk! Mr. and Mrs. Doyle met us afterward and introduced us to Cousin Doyle. Went in underground Chinatown and camp 49. [ ] of opium fiends in 1st, and gambling and rough male dancing in 2nd. Went on Merry-go-round. Rode round the exposition grounds in Doyle's machine past the state buildings ... [July 14, 1915] Leaving San Diego, they travelled to Los Angeles where they spent another 21 days, touring the city, visiting Catalina Island, Santa Barbara and Monterrey before returning once again to the San Diego Exposition. She returns via Colorado. Entries in 1917 include references to events beyond the LeHigh Valley. By autumn, she is volunteering at the local Red Cross. She also makes reference to the Armenian Massacre which had taken place between 1915 and 1917: Dr. Coan spoke for Armenian Relief in church this morning. Perfectly wonderful plea - told about the German and Turkish atrocities. [Dec 16, 1917] Margaret Shimer married Charles M Bolich in 1927 and lived until 1954, passing away in her 59th year. This diary is an excellent resource for a social historian or a researcher into women's studies. Shimer maintains it faithfully and it is full of the details of her life and life within her milieu as well as her travels across America. Measuring 7 3/4 inches by 5 inches, the volume is in good condition. There are 365 pages as well as a number of Memoranda pages. The entries are 100% complete. Also included is a typed itinerary of a trip she took which forms an important part of this journal.; Manuscript; 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, MARY MARGARET SHIMER; MARGARET SHIMER BOLICH; SAN DIEGO EXPOSITION; ALLENTOWN PENNSYLVANIA; GROWING UP IN WWI; ARMENIAN MASSACRE, LEHIGH UNIVERSITY, HOMEFRONT DIARY, AMERICANA, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, DIARY, DIARIES, JOURNALS, PERSONAL HISTORY, SOCIAL HISTORY, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, DOCUMENT, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT, MANUSKRIPT, PAPIER OGGETTO D'ANTIQUARIATO, ATTO, VELINA, DOCUMENTO, MANOSCRITTO, CARTA ANTIGÜEDAD, HECHO, VITELA, DOCUMENTO, MANUSCRITO, PAPEL
