Tag: family history

Achievement Tests a Hundred Years Ago

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Thursday, October 10, 1912:  The whole school was examined today in order to find out our deficiencies. I know what mine is.

Recent photo of building that once housed the McEwensville School.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

We hear so much today about state tests being used for accountability purposes. I’ve always thought that the use of tests to see how students were doing was a relatively new phenomenon—but apparently the use of standardized large-scale assessments has been around for at least a hundred years. What as the test that Grandma took like? . . . and what were her “deficiencies”?

This is the second time in the diary that Grandma has suggested that schools were somehow evaluated for quality. The previous year, on September 29, 1911, she wrote:

Teacher has rearranged our classes, and now we’ll have the program every now and then to see where our class comes.

Head in a Muddle

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:

Wednesday 9, 1912:My head is all in a muddle, and I hardly know how to think.

A recent dreary day in McEwensville

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

I’m going to remember the word “muddle.” No more senior moments for me—from now on my head is going to  just be in a muddle whenever I make a silly mistake.

Why was Grandma’s head in a muddle? Was something wrong? Was she worried about something?

Whatever was bothering her has been lost over time. Too bad she didn’t record it in the diary.

1912 Advertisement for Dr. Denton Footed Pajamas

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Monday, October 7, 1912:  Am in a dilemma as to what to write.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Since Grandma didn’t write much a hundred years ago today, I’ll share an old advertisement for Dr. Denton Footed Pajamas that I found in the September, 1912 issue of Ladies Home Journal:

Hundred Year Old Dr. Denton AdProtect Your Little Ones at Night with the Improved Dr. Denton Sleeping Garments

and secure unbroken sleep for yourself.

The Dr. Denton Garments cover body, feet and hands. Feet are part of the Garment. Hands are covered by cuffs that turn down and close with draw-string. Made from our Elastic, Knit, Mixed Cotton and Wool Fabric, specially devised to give most healthful sleep. The knit fabric carries off perspiration, maintaining even warmth if bed covers are thrown off. Prevent cold which often leads to pneumonia and other dangerous ailments. Made in eleven Sizes for children up to ten years old. Prices, 50¢ to $1.10, according to size and style.

Soft and Durable.     Do Not Shrink.

Write for booklet giving Dr. Mary Wood Allen’s practical ideas on “Healthful Sleep for Children.” Be sure you get genuine Dr. Denton Garments. Our trade mark, shown above, is attached to each garment. If you cannot get them of your dealer, write us and we will see that you are supplied.

Dr. Denton Sleeping Garment Mills

500 Dean Street, Centreville, Michigan

Did Grandma’s 7-year-old brother Jimmie wore Dr. Denton Sleeping Garments?

Difficult to Study After a School Vacation

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Saturday, October 5, 1912:What with two days of vacation I haven’t worked much at my books in the way of getting my lessons out for Monday.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Grandma’s school was closed the previous two days so that students could attend the Milton Fair. It’s hard to get back to the books after a long break.

Oh, well, it was only Saturday—Grandma still had Sunday to get her lessons done.  🙂

What Does “Didn’t Cut Much Ice with Me” Mean?

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:

Friday, October 4, 1912:  It was my turn to keep house today while Pa, Ma, and Jimmie went to the fair to take in the sights. I wasn’t to go away any place as I was to mind the house, cows, etc. Didn’t cut much ice with me, as I felt still tired from yesterday and was content to stay at home.

Recent photo of the Muffly farm. It probably seemed quiet and lonely when Grandma was the only person at home.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Seems reasonable to me—

Grandma had a wonderful day at the Milton Fair the previous day. Now it was her parents and little brother’s turn to go.

Where was Grandma’s sister Ruth?  She was a teacher at a nearby school. Maybe Ruth didn’t give her students the day off like Grandma’s school did.

What does “didn’t cut much ice with me” mean? Grandma sounded annoyed that she had to stay home—yet she wrote that she was tired and content to stay home.

A quick Google search suggests that it means “don’t influence me”, but that doesn’t exactly work in this context.

Biplane Whirling Aloft at the 1912 Milton Fair

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Thursday, October 3, 1912:  I really did go after all my doubtings, but now I feel just as tired as there is any use in being. Saw a flying machine whirling aloft in the air for at least 10 minutes. I think twas quite a sight to see.

Biplane at 1912 Milton Fair. (Source: Chronicles and Legends of Milton by George Venios. Used with permission.)

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Grandma went to the fair in the nearby town of Milton. She wrote the previous day that she planned to go.

Whew—I can hardly believe it, but I found a picture of the flying machine Grandma saw.

George Venios, in his book titled Chronicles and Legends of Milton, writes about the Milton Fair. And, he includes a picture of the plane that was at the 1912 fair.

The photo caption in the book says:

The photo, taken in 1912, is a pusher type biplane and is believed to be one of the first aircraft to land here while on a hair-raising “barnstorming” tour.

I contacted George and he generously gave me permission to include the photo in this post, so that you could see it. Thank you!

When I found the photo, I got my magnifying glass out to see if I could find Grandma in the crowd; though, of course, I couldn’t.

George also sent me a picture of a mural in Milton that reflects the history of transportation in the town. The mural includes an image of the 1912 biplane.

Transportation mural in Milton (Source: George Venios. Used with permission.)

Chronicles and Legends of Milton is an awesome resource that tells the story of Milton, and is full of wonderful photos. Milton has a really interesting history—and I’d encourage anyone interested in its story to get a copy of the book.

Events Occur with a Predictable Regularly

17-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today: 

Thursday, October 10, 1912:

So here comes the month of October.

Arrayed in a many hued gown

Trimmed with the tints of bright Autumn,

The purple, the orange, the red and the brown.

This is Fair week, and I hope that the weather will be that also. I long to go, but I do not know whether we’ll get a day off or not. Must try and find out tomorrow.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

My life has a routine with a predictable seasonal ebb and flow, with recurring events that occur at predictable times.

Today marks the beginning of my 22nd month posting Grandma’s diary entries—and I find that I’m also beginning to get a sense of the ebb and flow of her routine a hundred years ago.

Grandma began each month with a poem that either gave her perspective of the upcoming month—or mourned the passing of the previous month.  She also talked about harvesting crops and watching cows with amazing regularly across the two years, and in early autumn each year she wrote about Fair Week in the nearby town of Milton.

On September 20, 1911 she wrote:

Papa and Mamma and Jimsey went to the fair this afternoon. I expect to go tomorrow if the weather is favorable. We have Thursday and Friday off for the fair.

And, I’m starting to notice exceptions to patterns. The fair held about two weeks later 1912 than in 1911. I wonder why.