The Bea Blog -- Part VII -- 1918

The Bea Blog consists of excerpts from the diaries my grandmother Bea Cohen (1899-1985) kept for 38 years, starting in 1913. For more background, see Part I -- Intro and 1913 (under Blog Archive).

The Bea Blog – Excerpts from My Grandmother’s Diaries

Part VII -- 1918

Bea graduates from secretarial school and gets her first job; she receives sad news; Milton trains to be an aviator; and World War I comes to an end. 

January

January 9

Dr. Scudder [the headmaster] says that the President’s speech to Congress yesterday can be classed with the 10 Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, and Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

Wonder if this peace talk will amount to anything. A revolution in Germany ought to work it so here’s to trouble there!

Woodrow Wilson made his famous Fourteen Points speech before Congress on January 8, 1918. (http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/fourteenpoints.htm)

January 17

All industries are going to be closed for five days starting tomorrow, and after that every Monday for ten weeks – all to save coal. That means department stores, theatres, factories, etc. Serious business. Damn this war anyhow.

The “idle Mondays” order was issued by the US Fuel Administration. After much protest, the order was suspended on February 13. (New York Times, 1/17/1918 and 2/14/1918)

Top of Form

A message from the US Fuel Administration c. 1918 (http://www.wolfsonian.org/sites/default/files/object/86.4.37.JPG)

January 21

Bea’s mother Pauline throws a surprise dinner party for Bea’s father Sollis to celebrate his 45^th birthday and their 20^th wedding anniversary.

The meal was tremendous and everybody enjoyed the evening. Lots of speeches and lots of fun. Two colored musicians so they danced too [. . .] The people who were here were Axelrods, Magills, Pomerantzes, Goldsteins, Kohns, Mrs. Wolff and Bert, Kowarskys, Harrises, Tagers, Samuels, Mesquitas and Asinofs. Very congenial and everybody was happy. The whole thing was catered and went off without a hitch. Father and Mother certainly have some sincere friends and I believe it is because they are so sincere in friendship themselves.

February

February 1

Some drama on the home front

Did some kitchen duty because we are cookless and waitressless. They did fight and threaten to poison and kill. Comedy.

February 7

A transport carrying over 2000 of our men over was submarined and quite a number were lost. It’s been on my mind all day. Those Germans are so damned unfair. This war is a hellish business.

The SS Tuscania was a luxury ocean liner carrying American troops to Europe when it was torpedoed by a German U-boat on February 5, 1918.  The ship sank with a loss of more than 200 lives. (http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/tuscania.htm)

February 8

Roosevelt’s in the hospital. He had an operation and all sorts of wild rumors were around about his condition.
Former  President Teddy Roosevelt had been hospitalized in New York with a severe ear infection. When a rumor of his death became widespread, “the demands upon the hospital grew so that for a time their ’phone service was in a snarl, and newspaper offices were besieged for accurate news.” (New York Times, 2/9/1918)

    

February 12

Kenneth has the mumps, poor kid […] Russia has signed peace with Germany.

It was actually Ukraine that signed with Germany on February 8; Russia signed on March 3. (http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/ukrainianpeacetreaty.htm)

February 22

Washington’s Birthday

Holiday – God bless Washington – and there was a parade of about 10,000 Upton men on Fifth Avenue.

Camp Upton was a US Army installation on Long Island near Camp Mills. It is now the site of Brookhaven National Laboratory. (http://www.bnl.gov/about/history/campupton.php)

March

March 5

I am reading “I, Mary MacLane” and it’s odd. It’s written in the first person in diary form but there are no other people in it, no plot, just her thoughts, and ye gods she’s unique.

“I, Mary MacLane” was published in 1917 (and reprinted in 2013). Known as the "Wild Woman of Butte,” Mary MacLane (1881-1929) was “a controversial Canadian-born American writer whose frank memoirs helped usher in the confessional style of autobiographical writing.^” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_MacLane)

Mary MacLane (http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/mary-maclane.jpg)

March 8

If Milton were only good-looking – yet I wonder if I mean that. Good looks are often inane and an intensely interesting face is preferable.

March 17

Bea continues her correspondence with Sgt. John Skidmore, now fighting in France

I wrote to John at last. I ought to write at least once a week, but I always wonder what I can write about.

March 24

Milton and I went to the Metropolitan and heard Hofmann [play the piano . . .] He played the Chopin waltz – ours, Milton and mine – as an encore.

Josef Hofmann (1876–1957) was a virtuoso pianist and composer.  The Chopin waltz he played as an encore was most likely Grande Valse Brillante in A flat major, Op.34, no. 1. (http://www.wyastone.co.uk/josef-hofmann-plays-chopin-and-encores.html)  

Hear a 1918 recording of Hofmann performing Bea and Milton's waltz at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umL7lialOfk

March 25

Immense battle going on now over in Europe.

On March 21, 1918, the German Army launched a large-scale offensive against the Allied front on the Somme battlefield. (http://www.greatwar.co.uk/battles/somme/somme-battles.htm)

March 26

At the school assembly, Dr. Scudder awards Bea with a Special Credential certificate for fastest typist in the school’s history. Bea is typically self-deprecating.

Fingers don’t necessitate brains so I declare no credit.

April

Pauline, Marion and Bea visit Far Rockaway, Queens to look at possible summer houses. Though “the price is enormous,” they settle on one in the Bayswater community.

 “The Rockaways had become the summer playground of New York's wealthy elite by the mid -19th century, the Hamptons of its day, with huge elaborate mansions quaintly called ‘cottages’. By the turn of the century, with the advent of ferry and train service, the southern beachfront was lined with grand hotels and resorts catering to a more middle-class clientele. Bayswater resisted commercial development and remained primarily a residential neighborhood of  large Victorian homes with manicured lawns, private sports clubs, and, of course, a yacht club.” (http://nycedges.blogspot.com/2011/05/bayswater-far-far-rockaway.html)

April 4

Milton says I remind him of a machine in the factory that absolutely never starts until 5 minutes to 5 and if he wants to use it he has to stay overtime. I always begin at the end. Queer duck, me.

April 16

Lots of excitement in school. Some of the girls suggested that we do without commencement, to save expense and for patriotic reasons they say [. . .] Dr. Scudder was muchly annoyed.

April 17

Majority of girls do not want [commencement exercises] but Dr. Scudder says he won’t give us diplomas unless we have it. Some girls are so independent. I think they are simply wonderful and I love to hear them talk. Spunk to them.

May

May 31

Bea graduates from Scudder

I did graduate. On my diploma is Summa Cum Laude, which really doesn’t help me to another portion of brains.

From Ye Gossyp, The Scudder School magazine, 1918 (Bea’s listing is at the bottom of the page)

June

June 1

Bea receives a letter from John Skidmore

Such relief to know he’s all right. He’s in the thick of it all – gas, shell fire, raids, etc. I answered him tonight. He’s a regular Yank with the real spirit.

June 3

The Germans sank several ships near our coast. I hate them!

On June 2, 1918, known as "Black Sunday", a German U-boat sank six US ships and damaged two others off the coast of New Jersey. (350 Years of New Jersey History: From Stuyvesant to Sandy, Bilby, et al. (2014), p. 135)

June 4

Milton and I had supper at the Astor grill. Not crowded and my biscuit tortoni lived up to its reputation. I don’t expect to see Milton til after the summer.

Hotel Astor menu, June 1918, listing Biscuit Tortoni for forty cents.  Biscuit Tortoni is a frozen dessert made of eggs, cream and crumbled macaroons. Forty cents in 1918 is the equivalent of $6 today.  (http://menus.nypl.org/menu_pages/67399; http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/magazine/15food-t-001.html?ref=magazine; http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl)

June 5

Nothing new except that we have a Japanese butler.

July

July 11

The family moves to Bayswater for the summer – Sollis commutes to Manhattan for work and the rest of the family returns to the city occasionally

Mother went to the city to watch the procession of Mayor Mitchel’s funeral.

John Purroy Mitchel (1879-1918) was the mayor of New York from 1914 to 1917. At 34 he was the second-youngest mayor ever; he is sometimes referred to as "The Boy Mayor of New York." He was killed at 38 during military training in Louisiana and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. A monument to Mitchel stands at the entrance to Central Park at Fifth Avenue and 90th Street. (http://untappedcities.com/2011/10/11/in-search-of-john-purroy-mitchel-the-boy-mayor/; http://www.warmemorial.columbia.edu/files/cuwm/MitchelJP1918_01.jpg)

July 17

Roosevelt’s youngest son has been reported killed. He was an aviator – in active service.

Quentin Roosevelt (1897–1918) was Theodore Roosevelt’s youngest child. He was killed in aerial combat over France on July 14. (http://www.theodoreroosevelt.com/images/quentinpics/quentin2010main.jpg)

August

Bea spends most of this month with Milton and other friends at Schroon Lake, a popular summer resort town in the Adirondacks in upstate New York. She stays with the girls and women at the Leland House Hotel, while the boys and men stay at Paradox Camp. Together the friends spend their days swimming, boating and playing tennis.

Around 1900 the Leland House Hotel became the first of the Schroon Lake hotels to welcome Jewish guests. (http://schroonlaker.com/blog-roll/2012/4/30/the-20-most-pivotal-events-in-schroon-lake-history.html)

Leland House Hotel c. 1918 (http://www.jumpingfrog.com/images/postcards342/rpc2791.jpg)

September

September 9

Milton is taking a course at the Eagle Aviation school so that when he is called or if enlistments open, he can get into aviation service.

Eagle Aviation School advertisement, 1918 (http://www.amazon.com/Aviation-School-Airplane-Mechanics-Aviators/dp/images/B005I6T26Y)

September 19

Bea receives some disturbing news

John Skidmore has been severely wounded – shot through the right lung operated on 2 ribs and he had emphysema besides. Had a letter from [Miss Coons] this morning and she enclosed a newspaper clipping and a letter to her from Daisy [John’s mother] telling about John [. . .] Couldn’t concentrate on anything else today. [. . .] he was wounded in a battle July 28. I wrote to him. He certainly is doing his part in the realest way.

September 25

Bea interviews for a job at McClure’s magazine

I got it! [. . .] 25 West 44^th, right near 5^th Avenue, lovely location and suits me. Large office, pleasant people and surroundings. I start Monday at $18 [a week]. By golly but I’m going to get at it and show them I’m worth more and soon too [. . .] I will do work for a Mr. Brown and a Mr. Dick – bookkeeping for him.

September 27

[Dr. Scudder says I] should get more but that $18 at McClure’s was worth $23 someplace else – the connections were so fine. He said he could get me a position for $28 a week in Georgia but I’ve got to stay home.

McClure’s, Nov. 1918 (http://www.conradfirst.net/media/mcclures_1918_11.jpg)

 

Founded  in 1893 by S. S. McClure, McClure’s was a magazine of fiction and non-fiction, best known for its muckraking exposes during the years 1903-1906. Well-known authors included Willa Cather, Ida Tarbell and Lincoln Steffens. In 1911, McClure sold the magazine. McClure's continued until 1929 but never regained its earlier prominence.  (Creating the Modern Man: American Magazines and Consumer Culture, Pendergast (2000), pp. 36-50)

September 28

A turn for the worse

Today really for the first time the war struck home. This morning I had a letter from Miss Coons telling me that John died of his wounds on August 30 at midnight. It doesn’t seem possible. I can’t realize that he isn’t still alive and vigorous and smiling [. . .] How I regret not having written more to him! [. . .] This war has got to end. It seems such a slaughter – all these wonderful worthwhile fellows being sacrificed.

John M. Skidmore’s photo and war record, from Indiana World War Records: Gold star honor roll, ‎World War, 1914-1918 (1921) (books.google.com/books?id=w9sTAQAAMAAJ)

October

October 2

The first day of my business career! [. . ] My surroundings are so fine and pleasant. Have a desk and a typewriter all to me and it’s a great sensation to be part of a regular place.

October 4

Terrible epidemic of grippe and influenza in the city and no nurses.

The Influenza Pandemic (aka The Spanish Flu) occurred worldwide in 1918 and 1919, with deaths far exceeding those of World War I. Global mortality is estimated at anywhere between 30 and 50 million, including an estimated 675,000 Americans. The war "created a severe civilian nursing shortage: 9,000 trained white nurses were sent overseas and thousands more were assigned to U.S. military camps.” (http://www.flu.gov/pandemic/history/1918/the_pandemic/index.html; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2862339/)

Flu prevention poster c. 1918 (http://www.flu.gov/pandemic/history/1918/the_pandemic/influenza/careless_spitting.jpg)

Bea escapes the flu but gets bronchitis and misses two weeks of work

October 16
Two days before Bea's 19th birthday

My birthday gift from Milton came – eleven sets of MacDowell. I’m to take care of them and then sometime he’ll have them bound for us.

Edward MacDowell (1860-1908) was one of the most celebrated American composers in the nineteenth century. He and his wife Marian founded The MacDowell Colony. (http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200035715/default.html)

November

November 4

Austria has surrendered completely.

Austria–Hungary signed an armistice with Italy on November 3.

November 7

Fifth Avenue went wild this afternoon. Extras were out declaring peace [. . .] Such a mob of people and a paper storm and bells -- but the evening paper denies the armistice was signed. We got the afternoon off [. . .] I couldn’t hop around and be giddy -- I wanted to cry. I thought of John and all those who have made the supreme sacrifice.

On November 7, based on an erroneous news service report, several newspapers prematurely announced the end of World War I. The actual armistice was signed on November 11. (http://www.loc.gov/rr/news/topics/armistice.html; “City Goes Wild with Joy,” New York Times, 11/8/1918)

November 11

Peace. Real peace and the end of the war.

November 22

Bea receives a letter from John Skidmore’s brother Robert, a midshipman at the Naval Academy in Annapolis.

Around this time Bea also receives a holiday greeting card from Robert (printed before the armistice). (My parents and I found this card among Bea's papers after she died in 1985.)

The inside of the card reads: “The Regiment of Midshipmen sends Hearty Christmas Greetings with the hope that Victory will bring Peace over here and over there”

December

December 3

Was at Miles Projection Room most of the day. Mr. Collins [McClure’s publisher] went through 6 reels of the Roosevelt picture [. . .] all I did was watch and take down titles Mr. Collins suggested. Rather an interesting picture – Roosevelt’s life.

Frederick Collins was the publisher of McClure’s and the president of McClure’s Pictures Inc. The “Roosevelt picture” Bea watched was produced by McClure’s and released in January 1919 as “The Fighting Roosevelts.”

 

A coming attractions notice for “The Fighting Roosevelts” (imdb.com)

December 17
Bea muses on her diary-keeping

Why I diary I don’t know – still I bet I’ll keep it up for some time yet. Wonder if it will stop when I marry – if – or if we will keep one together. That ought to be interesting.
Bea stopped keeping a diary following her marriage to Milton in 1920 and didn’t start again until her separation from Milton in 1951.

And Bea's favorite holiday approaches

December 18

Christmas is one week from today. I like to watch the crowds on 5^th Ave now getting ready for it – if you make something of the day there really is lots of excitement preparing. It is such pleasure to give to people you care for but practically nobody we know observes it.

I wish Robert Skidmore would spend Christmas with us. Wrote him a short note.

December 25

Santa Claus via Father gave me a check for $100.

Coming up soon:  The Bea Blog Part VIII -- 1919