1920 - 23 Handwritten Diary Catherine Heath Dayton OH Diphtheria Appendicitis
Item History & Price
WELCOMETO SALLY’S DIARIES: Upfor auction today is a 1920’s handwritten diary originallybelonging to Catherine Heath whom I believe lived in or near DaytonOhio. This diary represents the years 1920, 1921, 1922 and 1923.Since it is so full, a handwritten entry for every day in each ofthose years, I have decided to just glance through it to try and getsome facts concerning Catherine and some pages to scan. Idon’t know her age but she was born on September 23rdand I believe she h...as a sister by the name of Rose. She’s living onWebster Street but they soon sell their house in 1921 and move to 4thstreet and I think the reason for this is because of the people whomoved next door to them, and I quote….“May31st, 1921. Rosiewashed but wouldn’t let me help her any. Greeks are moving in nextdoor. Had to have Mollie killed. She is so terribly vicious….” “MayMemoranda 1921.Numerous changes this month. This house and the one next both sold.Bought lot on 4thand old house. Also Dodge truck for store. Had poor old Molliekilled….”“DecemberMemoranda 1921. Happiestyear yet because we got off of Webster St. and over into our new homeon 4th among our own kind of people.” Thenduring this same month only a year later she has an appendicitisattack and has to be operated on. She writes this on the May 1922memoranda Page……“Unexpectedthings this month, operated on and nearly passed over!....” Herentries about the sickness and the operation are throughout the endof this month. Then in December of 1921 she contracts diphtheria andis very sick. Shealso has good times such as trips to Indian Lake and Orchard Island, trips to Detroit, and more. Shewrites steady from January 1st, 1920 all the way through to October 25th, 1923 (sofor 4 ½ years) withjust a handful of blank days. Her last entry says, “Rosieupstairs for last time.”Her sister had an angina attack but I’m not sure what happened toher. Interesting that the entries stop after that. Agreat 1920’s diary that deserves further research. The diary is ingood shape as far as the pages and binding but the cover is wornaround the edges and the outside spine. It measures about 41/2” x 5 1/2” and is 1” thick.
