January 1902

In Mayme’s September 1902 diary entry, William McKinley’s death promoted Teddy Roosevelt into the role of United States President. This month, Ohio’s then-Governor George K. Nash proclaimed McKinley’s January 29th birthday as a special observance for schools, launching fundraising efforts for his memorial through children’s penny donations, a tradition that led to the scarlet carnation becoming Ohio’s state flower. 

Mayme notes that she’s made a New Year’s resolution but gives no details on what the resolution is. She takes a new approach in her new diary — writing in ink (at least in January) rather than pencil and capturing “quotes of the day” – cryptic comments that seem to tickle her sense of humor. George Curl is still in the picture, although their walks home together are less frequent than in prior months.

• Weather-wise, it’s a standard Ohio January – cold, deep snow followed by heavy rain later in the month.
• School-wise, Algebra and bookkeeping are frequent topics along with running commentary on the tussles among the schoolboys, the school girls, and the boys vs. the teacher.
• Socially, Mayme and Anna Euans remain close friends and go to church and the post office together frequently. Mayme is now the Sunday School Secretary.

Editor’s note: Volume II – The next installment will be posted in February 2026.

1. No school today. Washed dishes. Anna came up in the afternoon. Our new couch came. I went to Anna’s in the evening. We worked Algebra problems, we had to wait for the mail.
2. At school. We started a new book, “She Stands Alone.” I went uptown after school for some things, studied some and went after the mail all alone.
3. At school. Arthur Hatcher visited the school today. I made a “New Year’s Resolution,” read, and studied at night. Went after the mail – it was rather dark. in the store. “Can’t you get out of my road?”
4. I swept and dusted, Anna came up in the morning. We went to a baptizing in the afternoon – Myrtle and Georgia Stokes. Anna came up at night. George Heath brought her, we went after the mail. I had some business.
5. We went down to Alpha’s. The Job Sharp’s went too. I also went to Endeavor at night with Anna, the new officers were elected. I came home with George Curl.
6. At school, it was rather lonesome. Went up town at night after sugar and talked with Charley Conover about being secretary. Went after the mail then went up to the Odd Fellows Hall where the Bailey Twin Sisters were. “May I speak to you a few moments?” “What will you have?”
7. The folks went to Marysville and brought me an engraved band ring and a new skirt. The boys formed a lodge not to speak to us. Went to Anna’s at night.
8. The folks went to uncle Daville’s; I went to school. It was quite a warm time. Pauline and I had a fuss. She had to take her seat. The boys ate onions. There was a dance at Ray Arthur’s new house. I went up after the mail.
9. At school – my bookkeeping books came. “I will let you keep books for me sometime.” The girls waltzed. I went to Anna’s at night; we studied and she fell into the ditch. Alph B. seen her; I went up after the mail.
10. Uncle Daville and Charley are here, they brought the cow up. We had a dance at school and I went to Anna’s at night. Hazel Teets was there. I went up after the mail and bought paper.
11. I worked in the forenoon, went after the mail, got nails, and worked Algebra. Weather is rather stormy. Went after the mail all by my lonesome. Blanche Miller is here.
12. Went to Sunday School and was the secretary for the first time. At Disciple for preaching. Went to Sunday School in the afternoon, then down to Jessie’s until Endeavor time. The meeting commenced at Disciple Church and Skip got called down. Came home with George Curl.
13. At school. George taught Mr. Painter’s room and I forgot to study my Rhetoric lesson. Went down to Anna’s at night. George, Anna and Austin Heath brought me home. After I got home, I studied.
14. At school. Went to a party out to Stokes’s for Daisy Carnahan. Anna and I went to church. I came home with George Curl. “I would like to sit here.”
15. At school, the teacher was rather cranky. A great big boy in the Senior Class and a girl like you. Stayed at home, went after the mail all alone.
16. At school, rather cross and cranky. I went to church at night. Alma Moore cried at church and Florence Stratton fell off the seat. Georgia Stokes received a strange letter. There was a dance at Ray Arthur’s. I came home alone.
17. At school, George was not in a very good humor. I went to church at night and came home with George.
18. I ironed and dusted. Alma Moore was baptized. Anna came up in the afternoon and we went to town in the evening. There was a surprise Party on Ed McWade. It turned into a dance. “If people would only keep their blinds down!”
19. I went to Sunday School then Anna and I went to Hazel Painter’s for dinner. I came in for Sunday School just as it let out. Georgia, Hazel and I went to Anna’s for supper at the church. I came home with George Curl.
20. At school. “You must’nt get mad.” The folks went to Eyler’s at night and left me alone. I read in “East Lynne” and studied.
21. At school – there is quite a large snow on. Nothing special today. I studied and read and went after the mail.
22. At school. “I will have to write someone else a letter.” Nearly had a fall out. I got a note and went to church at night. Came home with George.
23. At school; it’s Examination Day. I had to sit in the front seat. I worked on my bookkeeping, then Georgia Stokes came up and we went to church. We planned to go to the Moore Schoolhousee. Came home with George Curl.
24. At school; it’s Literary Day. Mrs. Kurtz, Mellie, Lina, Fannie Inskeep and Mable were there. Georgia and Arthur, George Curl and myself went out to the Moore School. It’s the first time George came after me. Arthur also went after Georgia. We had “Old Bob” but could not find out who’s carriage it was. “A fine time.”
25. Worked all forenoon, went after sugar and coal oil. Pa went to the mill; we shelled corn. Georgia and Anna came up and we went to church and Mamma went with us. We nearly froze.
26. Rainy all day – the water is about three feet deep. “Catching rain water.” Went to Sunday School. Georgia and Bertha came up for supper. Joined Endeavor. Came home with George Curl.
27. At school. After, I went to Jesse Marquis’s to a surprise party – a very good time. “Just once more.” Came home with George Curl.
28. At school, Mr. Kurtz was rather cranky. Mrs. Myrtie Starrick was buried. I went to Anna’s at night – George and Austin Heath were there. I got a letter from little Joe and two cents worth of candy.
29. At school, we celebrated McKinley’s birthday. Georgia and Bertha are rather thick and Harry and the teacher nearly had a fuss. I got a letter from Delia. Anna went to church but I stayed home for once.
30. At school – nothing of importance happened. I intended to go to church but Oll Marquis, his wife and Forest came over with the Crokinole board so I stayed home. I went after the mail at about half past nine. I saw Georgia in the post ofice.
31. At school. Mary Inskeep’s funeral was held at the M. P. Church. Anna and I went to church at night. I came home with George Curl.

About the author: Mary “Mayme” Wilbur was born on October 9, 1885, in Union County, Ohio. Her father, Zachary T. Wilber, was 37 and mother, Adelaide Allen, was 38. Mayme was their second child; their firstborn, a son, passed in infancy. Mayme married Chester O. Teets on February 24, 1918 and the two lived their days in Middleburg and Zane Township, Ohio. She died in 1954, in Middleburg at the age of 69. Chester passed the following year, at the age of 67.