Two Noras: January 7, 1919 and January 7, 2025

Nora Bauer: Tuesday, January 7, 1919

Warm again today. Was real windy though and quite a snow storm this noon for about an hour. Mrs. Spitz called up this afternoon but I was busy and did not get to talk to her. Bertha & Loretta were over tonight and I worked on Anna's sweater. Had a letter from Will. 

Nora Spitznogle: Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Back to work today. The roads aren't great, I got in at 6:30 AM to make sure Second Helpings had weathered the storm. I chipped away at ice by the doors. We hosted the Indianapolis chapter of the American Culinary Federation this evening.  

I'm guessing that Grandma Nora was at work at Barnes Construction since she couldn't get to the phone. Mrs. Spitz was Paul's mother, Elizabeth (Bessie) Kramer Spitznogle. 

I love the thought of the cousins crocheting together. 

I assume Will is her brother William who was also in the service. 

I had a long day - left for work at 6:00 AM and got home at 9:00 PM, but it was all good stuff. My arms are a little sore from all of the shoveling at work and my house - it's good for me! 

Two Noras: 1919 and 1925 - Who's Who

I've been scribbling notes to myself on the back of envelopes to help keep things straight - if I need cheat sheets, I can't expect anyone else to keep it all in their brains. 

I'll keep adding to this as stuff pops up. 

At the beginning of 1919: 

Eleanor - Nora - Bauer was 24 years old. 

    - she was living at home with her parents and sisters, 525 Helm Street, Logansport, Indiana
    - working for Barnes Construction as the bookkeeper. 

Parents: 
Felix Benedict Bauer (1862-1945), owner and proprietor of a tavern
Barbara Rosfeld (1863-1934)

Siblings: 
William Francis Bauer (1888-1971), no longer living in the household
Mamie E. Bauer (1890-1984)
Anna M. Bauer (1891-1956)
- Nora - (1894-1951)
Gertrude Bauer (1898-1992) twin
Herman Bauer (1989-1986) twin

Cousins: 

Loretta Bertha (1898 - 

Bertha Bauer, (1896 - 1985)

 daughters of Uncle Frank Bauer (1867 -1954).

Nora's beau: Paul Carl Spitznogle (1893 - 1969) was 24 years old and serving in the U.S. Army, stationed in France. 

Elizabeth (Bessie) Kramer Spitznogle (1872 - 1930), Paul's mother. 

Michael Charles Spitznogle (1868 - 1909),  Paul's father. 

Nora 1894-1951
Paul  1894-1969

    

1919 and 1925

My paternal grandmother, Nora, was a great recorder of daily events. I have her daily notes from 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1945, 1945, and 1949. 

In 2021, I recorded her daily events and described my day in the same amount of words. I took four years off from the project and realized that I really missed hearing about Nora's day and researching her life. 

Nora Bauer would have been 24 at the start of 1919 and dating Paul Spitznogle, also 24, who was serving in France in WWI. 

Nora was the fourth of six children of Felix Bauer (saloon owner) and Barbara Rosfeld Bauer (homemaker). She was still living in her family home, although she did contribute $10 a month ($182 in today's money) to her room and board. She was working as the bookkeeper for Barnes Construction, a prominent firm in Logansport, Indiana, making $32 a month ($584 today). 

I will do my best to transcribe her notes, with an occasional [bracket] to when I cannot decipher something. 

I am 63 years-old at the start of 2025 and living in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood of Indianapolis, Indiana and working for a nonprofit agency. 

Two Noras: January 13, 1915 and January 13, 2023

Nora Bauer: Wednesday, January 13, 1915

Was real nice out today. Tallied lumber today. John was over tonight and they played cards finished my dresser scarf tonight. Rich called Mamie up. 

Nora Spitznogle: Friday, January 13, 2023

Windy and wet weather today. Worked at Second Helpings today - the usual mix of meetings and planning for meetings. Worked in the basement this evening. 

Was it her Uncle John that was visiting? And how I would love to see that dresser scarf! I'm guessing that Grandma Nora was doing a lumber inventory for Barnes Construction, the company she worked for. 

The most exciting sentence in today's update is "Rich called Mamie up." 

Did Great-Aunt Mamie have a suitor? I hope so! Mamie never married and was a doting aunt and great-aunt - for years she'd have a gift for each of her great-nieces and nephews, I wish I could remember the specifics of those gifts. It's the thought that counts, right? 

Mamie was a bookkeeper at Seybold's Department Store for years and lived to be 94 years old. She never married, so the thought of her having a beau is fun...and makes this never-married 61 year old feel a little better. 

This evening's basement project was organizing all of my shoes, boots, purses, and socks. Now that they're all in one place, I realize what a ridiculous amount of footwear that I own. 

The bookcase on the left was in closet that I just cleaned out.  - it was a Christmas gift in 1974 (I was 13 1/2) and I loved/love it! 

Here is a photo of me with ALL of my gifts that year. Check out that groovy sweater and pants and my hot rollers! 

I still have several of the things displayed in the bookcase. The grey vase was from my dear Aunt Rita (Mom's youngest sister, who died in 1990 at only 41 years old). I'm pretty sure that Ann Herr Mitchell gave me the yellow Nancy Drew book on the top shelf.  

The collection of Trixie Beldon books are in my current bookcase - can you tell that I'm a sentimental fool? Whenever I would have any spending money, I would buy the latest in the series at the Danner store in town.  

Two Noras: September 25, 1914 and September 25, 2021

Nora Bauer: Friday, September 25, 1914

Baked my first pies this morning. I was pretty awkward at it I guess. Finished up my waist this evening. John E. Barnes died at yesterday at 1:15 P.M.

Nora Spitznogle: Saturday, September 25, 2021

Worked at Second Helpings this morning. Popped into Marigold to get a gift for a darling three year old's birthday. Worked at Red Key Tavern this evening. 

I wonder what kind of pies Grandma Nora made? Why this burst of domesticity? 

John E. Barnes is the father of Grandma Nora's (and sisters Anna and Mamie) employer, John I. Barnes. 

I had a busy and fun day. Spent the morning at Second Helpings, popped into Marigold for a gift for the birthday party of Jeff's grandson. It was great to see Jeff's sisters and friends. 

Worked at the Red Key this evening. Not much to tell about that. 

Two Noras: September 2, 1914 and September 2, 2021

Nora Bauer: Wednesday, September 2, 1914
Got the specifications all finished today. Was working on my pillow tonight. Mrs. John Bauman called me up and invited me to out for dinner Sunday. 

Nora Spitznogle: Thursday, September 2, 2021
What a fun day! I got to help with a food rescue on the Circle. Took Red Line to see a new-to-me band, American Aquarium.   

I wonder what the specifications were for - I'm assuming that it was a Barnes Construction project. If it's the Mrs. John Bauman I think it is, her maiden name is Spitznogle (father Conrad), which I think makes her a cousin of Grandma Nora's beau, Paul Spitznogle. That said there were several John Bauman's in Cass County in that time frame. 

I had the nicest day that I'd had in a while. I got to assist with a Second Helpings food pickup. The Strawberry Festival wasn't as busy as the planners had hoped, so they donated the leftovers to us. Our partner agencies will love the treats and I had fun wheeling gobs of ice cream into our van. 

This was one of the times that I started to call Dad. He would have been delighted to hear about the ice cream. I've been ticked to learn he got his love of ice cream from his mother. 

Aaron sent me a link to the music of American Aquarium a few weeks ago and I ordered their album. I've been playing it nonstop since it arrived. I was thrilled to see that they were playing outdoors in town. 

I try to use our electric bus system whenever I can. There is a Red Line stop just three blocks from home. It takes about 30 minutes to get to Fountain Square and the HiFi venue. I love not worrying about parking or having an Irish whiskey. 

American Aquarium did not disappoint. The music was great and the weather was perfect. I had a lovely time by myself. 

Two Noras: August 29, 1914 and August 29, 2021

Nora Bauer: Saturday, August 29, 1914

Worked hard all day. Gertrude, Anna and I went up town. Saw Louis & Chris. Uncle Mike and Leo went home this morning. 

Nora Spitznogle: Sunday, August 29, 2021

10:30 Mass then met Kim in Broad Ripple for the annual duck race - so hot! Late lunch at Just Pop In. Lazy day. 

I'm guessing that Grandma Nora was working in the Barnes Construction office. I'm gathering that the work weeks were a little more fluid in that era - sort of like mine, weekend work is just part of the gig. 

I wonder if Louis is this Louis? 

You may remember that Uncle Mike and Leo arrived last Saturday. I wonder if they've stayed with Grandma Nora's family all this time? 

Steamy hot day here - I'm usually impervious to the heat, but I dressed wrong - a thick tank top under heavy linen. The duck race was fun - followed by a nice air-conditioned late lunch at Just Pop In with Kim. 

Two Noras: August 22, 1914 and August 22, 2021

Nora Bauer: Saturday, August 22, 1914
Worked pretty hard today getting out some blueprints. Uncle Mike & Leo came this afternoon. 

Nora Spitznogle: Sunday, August 22, 2021
Last day of the Indiana State Fair, so I went twice. Bittersweet - I'll miss it. 

I wonder what the blueprints were for? As you may remember, Grandma Nora was working for Barnes Construction. Her Uncle Mike is her mama's brother Michael Rosfeld (or Rossfeld or Rosveld, as I've found it spelled), 53. Leo is her 14 year old cousin and they were visiting from Oldenburg, in the southern part of Indiana. I found this delightful piece in the Oldenburg paper when looking for Leo's birth announcement. 

From what I can gather, Mike was very involved in politics and served on the City Council for more than 15 years. 

I'm not sure that I ever mentioned it, but I write about my daily State Fair visits for NUVO newsweekly, so I've also had a writing deadline after each Fair visit. I'll miss the Fair and the people, but not the deadline. 

I made two visits to today. The first with Schaun, who helped me pick up my ironing cabinet - I wonder how long that will stay on my front porch? 

Nora Spitznogle and Dick Reel 

We spent time in Pioneer Village, listening to music, watching a hawk demonstration, the parade, and saying goodbye to my Fair friends. 

Hawk! 

One more photo of the 1914 International Harvester Truck.

I'd been avoiding visiting the 4-H buildings, Dad and I used to spend hours looking at every single project, paying special attention to the Boone and Cass County projects and being delighted when we recognized a last name. I was so disappointed to learn that the building was closing early - I had 20 minutes to race around and try to see everything. I wound up crying out of frustration instead of sadness. I guess I was bound to cry either way....

Schaun dropped me and the ironing cabinet off at my house and I went back to the Fair to take one more lap around the grounds and ride the Tractor Tram for one last time this year. 

For years, my friend Jamie and I have had a last blast tradition of spending the last evening of the Fair together. We used to chase her daughter around the Midway, now S. is too cool for the Midway, but kind enough to indulge us. 

Two Noras: August 8, 1914 and August 8, 2021

Nora Bauer: Saturday, August 8, 1914

Went to Burnettsville to pay off this afternoon. Clara, Gertrude and I went shopping this evening. Went to the station to meet Anna & Mamie. They came home at 8:35. 

Nora Spitznogle: Sunday, August 8, 2021

Today is my youngest sister, Ann's birthday! Worked at Marigold, then visited the Indiana State Fair. Saw the Grand Drive for the first time. Dad would have loved it. 

You may remember that Grandma Nora went to Burnettsville a couple of weeks ago. I've spent a good chunk of time trying to figure out what she was doing there. I assume she was there on behalf of her employer, Barnes Construction. 

I've been searching for a project that Barnes that was building at the time. Burnettsville, formerly known as Burnetts Creek, was (and still is a small town). In 1910 the population was 489 and it had only grown to 517 by 1920. That said, in 1914 the town had a bank, pharmacy, market, doctor and dentist. 

The last history of White County (where the town is located) that I could find was written in 1883. I searched the historic register, just in case that led me somewhere - no luck. I even read through the July and August Burnettsville newspapers. That's not as heroic as it sounds, it was a one-page paper published once a week - Thursdays if you were wondering. 

It sounds like Grandma Nora had a nice evening with her younger sister and Clara Brill. I hope that Anna and Mamie had a good time in Milwaukee. 

This photo from twelve years ago (2009) popped up today. Dad was 73...and I'll be 72 in 12 years. So weird to think about. Dad loved the strawberry shakes from the Hooks museum soda fountain at the State Fair.  

I had a lovely day also. I worked at Marigold for the annual Broad Ripple Sidewalk Sale. I was home by 3:00 and invited Schaun to join me at the Fair. Schaun talked me in to riding on the back of his Honda Grom  (appropriately helmeted, of course). 

I arrived on a Honda Grom....I did not leave on a Honda Grom. More on that later. 

We saw the Budweiser Clydesdales and the Dalmatian. We visited Pioneer Village and my lamp. Just in case you were wondering what second and third place looked like, here you go! 

My goal for today was to see the Grand Drive, getting to show "on the dirt" of the Coliseum is a big deal. My Cousin Clyde's grandson, Ari, was showing his champion sheep. 

This was my first time attending the Grand Drive and I'll admit to a few tears. Eric Holcomb, the Governor of Indiana and Mrs. Holcomb spoke. We all said the Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H pledge and the National Anthem was sung. 

I wasn't in a good spot to get a close up of Ari, but I got goosebumps knowing he was out there. Here is a video of the champions. 

I wonder if Grandma Nora even imagined four generations away? She was Ari's Great-Great-Great-Grandmother. I also know that Dad would have really loved this also. 

We were back at Schaun's bike when he realized that he didn't have the key (for the record, I offered to put it in my purse). Luckily I live just a mile away. I wasn't mad about the lost key - we all lose things, but the discussion of the best way to walk to my house almost caused me to commit a crime. There is literally a paved trail leading from where we were standing to my actual backyard. I'm not sure why it took me so long to convince Schaun that it was the quickest way home. Walking a mile is a good way to let off some steam....

We grabbed my car and I drove Schaun home to get his spare key and back to the Fairgrounds. All and all, it was another good day at the Fair. 

Two Noras: August 3, 1914 and August 3, 2021

Nora Bauer: Monday, August 3, 1914

Was at the office by myself today. Anna is taking her vacation. 

Nora Spitznogle: Tuesday, August 3, 2021

No State Fair today, worked downtown at Second Helpings. Opened more sympathy cards. 

I keep forgetting that Grandma Nora's older sister, Anna, worked with Barnes Construction also. I wonder where she was vacationing? 

Another work day for me, meetings and such - nothing exciting. 

Yesterday's tomato victory sparked an interest in what I can salvage from my spring planting. The peanuts and cotton seem to be hanging in there. Peanuts and cotton in Indianapolis you ask? 

I'm a big fan of the horticulture program at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. They open their greenhouse to the public four times a year and I try to be there each time. All of my already-started plants come from there. Not only do they offer the typical plants that you see everywhere - tomatoes, peppers, squash, herbs - but they have some exotic-to-me plants for sale. This is my second year for growing both cotton and peanuts. 

I honestly had no idea what a cotton plant looked like or the growing process. It's a very pretty plant and the maturity process is fascinating. Click here for a basic explanation. I love that they produce white flowers and once it is pollinated, the flowers turn purple and produce the boll. 

I need to take a better photograph. There are two plants in this pot, one is purple and the other green - I can't remember what the difference is. I've circled two of the bolls, the plants have four all together. 

Last year I only harvested one boll - Tilly Cat thought the cotton fluff was the best toy she'd ever been given. I'm not sure what I'll do with this year's bountiful crop. 

I'm still opening sympathy cards - they are so lovely and have thoughtful notes and memories. 

Two Noras: July 17, 1914 and July 17, 2021

Nora Bauer: Friday, July 17, 1914

Mr. Barnes was out of town today. Was doing fancy work at the office. Darned my silk stockings this evening. 

Nora Spitznogle: Saturday, July 17, 2021

Worked at Marigold today. Took the night off to see Otis Gibbs with friends at HiFi - took the Red Line. 

It cracks me up that Grandma Nora did her fancy work at the office - it's better than sitting around doing nothing. It sounds like her Friday evening was as exciting as mine was last night. 

I always enjoy working at Marigold Clothing. My co-workers and the customers are great and it's fun to see what is in the store. 

Matthew Aaron opened

Otis Gibbs

I've been trying to go to the Otis Gibbs ,(<--- be sure and click on his website - good stuff) show for over a year now. First it was delayed because of the pandemic then because of inclement weather (he was playing outdoors). The show was scheduled for last night, but then moved to tonight - I was beyond bummed and asked someone to cover my shift at the last minute and she did!  

It was such a great evening! Kassie went with me, caught up with more friends at the Red Key and took the Red Line (public transportation) to Fountain Square. 

I saw so many people that I hadn't seen since the pandemic started - so much laughter and hugs and kind words about Dad. 

What a fantastic evening....

There is a giant painting of Otis in the hallway of HiFi. 

Two Noras: July 9, 1914 and July 9, 2021

Nora Bauer: Thursday, July 9, 1914

Was to church this morning but did not get to hear Mass. Mr. Barnes went to a letting this afternoon and I did not do much. 

Nora Spitznogle: Friday, July 9, 2021

Worked at Second Helpings today - Culinary Job Training graduation! Went to an outdoor concert this evening, followed by dinner at Aristocrat, and drinks at Red Key. 

What the heck is a letting,  Grandma Nora? Meeting? I'll admit that I searched the newspapers for "Mr. Barnes" and "letting." Nothing turned up. Another mystery. 

Today was fun at Second Helpings - we held the Culinary Job Training graduation live vs. the video taped versions of the last 17 months. I loved hearing clapping and cheering in the building again. 

I had purchased a four-pack of tickets to see Brett Dennen at the Rock the Ruins series at Holliday Park. It was a beautiful evening. I invited a long-time friend, Jolie, long-time acquaintance, Julie, and John, who I met last month at the Flower Man Jam.  It was really fun for me to introduce people to each other and see them fall into an easy friendship. 

If I was smart, I should have gone straight home, but I returned a call from Schaun and met him at the Aristocrat for dinner - yummy Brussels sprouts and a whiskey. 

If I was smart, I would have gone straight home from here, but we walked over to the Red Key, where I consumed more Irish whiskey and talked about Dad. 

I've been intentional about not drinking too much booze - I keep saying that I don't have the emotional bandwidth for that. I've toasted Dad at the funeral lunch and gathering afterwards and had two half-beers when we did the Whitestown Run last Friday. 

Anyway, all was fine except for me blabbering about Dad and the funeral for an hour. 

I'm home safely and off to bed. 

Two Noras: July 7, 1914 and July 7, 2021

Nora Bauer: Tuesday, July 7, 1914

Got my Trial Balance today. Worked on my library scarf tonight. 

Nora Spitznogle: Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Worked downtown, WW and groceries after, and surprisingly played kickball tonight. 

It sounds like Grandma Nora was able to close out the bookkeeping for June for Barnes Construction. That must have been a good feeling. And what the heck is a library scarf? Nothing showed up in the newspaper searches for that era. Googling just shows scarves with books on it. 

I have a new resolve about losing the weight that I gained last year. I popped in to Weight Watchers for the first time in five weeks and had actually lost .2 of a pound. I'll take it - not gaining over the last two weeks feels like a victory. 

Weeks ago when I signed up for the Second Helpings kickball team I was just doing it to round out the team, but was promised that I wouldn't need to play. 

So here we are. 

Between injuries and vacations there were only eight of us able to play...against a younger team that fielded 11 players - at least one of whom played Division One soccer. 

I played third base and the other team kept kicking it towards the grey haired lady. I managed two tag two of them out and totally bumbled throwing the ball to make a third out. In my defense I just learned today that you could throw the ball at someone - I assumed kickball was like baseball - throwing the ball at someone was bad. And I'm not sure that I can deliberately throw the ball at someone. 

I only had to kick twice and didn't get on base either time, but one of my teammates scored - that's an RBI, right? 

I also learned what the mercy rule means....

Two Noras: July 2, 1914 and July 2, 2021

Nora Bauer: Thursday, July 2, 1914

Barnes got a new car today and he was trying to learn me how to run it. Susie and Teresa were over this evening we had a good time. 

Nora Spitznogle: Friday, July 2, 2021

Slept in, met siblings and others for lunch at Ulen Country Club. Visited Dad's grave after. Followed Dad's Whitestown Run route this evening - what a lovely evening it was. 

What an exciting day for Grandma Nora - learning how to drive an automobile! I wonder what kind of car it was? When I hear Nora mention Teresa I wonder if it was Teresa Schnitz, who married her younger brother, Herman six years later. I don't have a guess about who Susie is. 

I am grateful that I don't have to go to work today and could sleep in. Not that I'm sleeping well...

Both Beth and J.R. belong to Ulen Country Club in Lebanon. The siblings and the Iowa guys met for lunch. It was fun to hear everyone's impressions of the funeral. It was such a blur that we're all remembering different parts. 

Beth and J.R. and I all independently wound up at the cemetery, We cleaned up the containers and wilted flowers. Beth made bouquets to put on graves of family friends and we put the petals of flowers on Dad's grave - it looked so much better than the dirt. 

I got a call from my tenant that the refrigerator wasn't working...luckily it was just unplugged!  

I really wanted a nap, but had to keep moving to get to Whitestown to trace Dad's usual Friday night route. 

I invited S. - partly because I knew that he'd enjoy it and partly because I wanted a driver - I planned on having a drink at each to the three stops. As it wound up, I picked him up - driving 25 minutes the wrong way to do so. I'll admit to being really angry at the way it was turning out, but decided to let it go as we were driving to Whitestown. Even though I'd made it clear that I wanted not to drive, it's on me that I agreed to what he wanted. Not his fault, but a reminder of why we don't date anymore. 

Our first stop was the Legion where many of the members shared Dad stories and gave their condolences. They had this posted on their bulletin board.  Rush and Aaron, in from Iowa for Dad's funeral joined us as did Beth and Troy and their friends, Margaret and Tim. We picked up a few people along the way, including Art, who Dad knew from the Legion and has been helping Dad at the Farm. 

The next stop was Moontown, where they had Dad's favorite half pint of beer - King of Troy - at his seat at the bar. Everyone there was lovely. I did have a half of my favorite beer there - Fill the Void, a lovely porter. 

The third stop was Dad's beloved L.A. Cafe for dinner. The owner Jessie and the staff have been wonderful to Dad over the years. The even have a "baby beer" button on their ordering system for his half pint of Sun King Sunlight Cream Ale. Here we are toasting with baby beers. I had one of those too. 

I know that I haven't said much about them, but I'm so glad that Rush and Aaron made the trip from Iowa. Rush was here in May and that was the happiest I'd seen Dad in a long time - he loved having visitors and hosting a party a the farm. It was great to share the Whitestown Run with them. 

I will also admit to being emotional and tired and fragile - it's probably just as well that I was the driver and tempered my drinking and I may have been overreacting to the S. driving thing. Maybe. 

Two Noras: June 30, 1914 and June 30, 2021

Nora Bauer: Tuesday, June 30, 1914

Mr. Funk was buried this afternoon. Gertrude and I went out walking and landed at Courtney's. Had a good time. 

Nora Spitznogle: Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Wrote, rewrote and tweaked Dad's eulogy and practiced it until I was hoarse. Decided what to wear for funeral tomorrow. 

Mr. Funk was a prominent citizen of Logansport. There were dozens of articles signing his praises after his death. I love how much information the obituaries of this era where - I learned that he was the father-in-law of Mr. Barnes (Grandma Nora's employer) sister. 

Nora's younger sister, Gertrude graduated with Adelaide Courtney, so I'm guessing that's who they went to visit. 

Today was low-key. I was in a slight panic about what to wear to the funeral so I grabbed all of my black dresses and took them into Marigold so I could see myself in the three-way mirror and get the opinion of fashionable women that work there. We landed on a black tank topped by a loose cowl neck dress and a longer jacket. I always say, why wear just one Marigold dress when you could wear two? 

I spent the day writing the eulogy and reading it out loud and tweaking it. I was trying to keep it under five minutes, but it's closer to seven, even with cutting out chunks. I kept practicing until I didn't need to look at my notes too closely. 

I tried to go to bed at a sensible hour, but sleep is eluding me. 

Two Noras: June 8, 1914 and June 8, 2021

Nora Bauer: Monday, June 8, 1914

The Hospital Job at Longcliff was let today and we were the low bidder. Went over to Maiben's again with Herman. 

Nora Spitznogle: Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Not too many meetings at work today, I was able to scoot out for lunch at the City Market. Calm evening. 

I'm guessing that Barnes Construction bid to build a building at the Logansport State Hospital, locally known as Longcliff. I've spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to figure out which building it was. I compared maps of the campus trying to figure it out...of course the bid may have been to pave roads or something. 

My maternal Uncle John lived at Longcliff for most of my life. My mom worked there helping with art therapy when she was in college. I have vivid memories of visiting Uncle John when I was young. Most of the memories are fond, but of course for a shy little girl it was a bit scary too. I would save my coins so I could treat patients to sodas from the machines. It wasn't an entirely selfless act - it meant that I could score a Coke also, a big treat in our household. 

I fell into a days-long research project on Longcliff and how mental health treatment has morphed over the years - some for the worse and some for the better. There is now a museum on the campus, and I've added a visit to my list of Cass County things to do. 

Click here and here for two more resources on the history of Longcliff. 

My work day was pretty typical, except that I popped over to the City Market for lunch. 

Two Noras: May 30, 1914 and May 30, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Saturday, May 30, 1914

Worked till 10:00 o'clock A.M. today. Met Mrs. Spitznogle when we were coming home, suppose she was going to the cemetery. Started to work on my side board scarf. 

Nora Spitznogle: Sunday, May 30, 2021

Another chilly day. Went to the Farm to watch the race with Dad, Rush, and Dale. Kristi joined us right after and even more people after the race. 

May 30 was Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, as it was called then in 1914. From when it was made an official holiday in 1868 until 1970 when it was moved to the last Monday in May, it was always celebrated on May 30. Mrs. Spitznogle (her future mother-in-law) probably was headed to the cemetery to decorate graves. 

Many of my relatives on both sides of my family are buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Logansport, Indiana. 

Things must have been busy at Barnes Construction for Grandma Nora to work on a Saturday and a holiday to boot. She many have been working on closing out the May books. 

I had a perfectly lazy Sunday. I watched Mass online and headed out to the Farm. Family friend Rush was visiting from Iowa so I watched the race with them. 

In Indiana when you say, "the race," everyone knows you're talking about the Indianapolis 500.  It's a real treat to watch it it real-time. It's typically blacked out in this market in hopes that people will attend the race in person and not stay home to watch it on television. 

My dear friend Kristi came after the race - it was so good to catch up with her! More of the Iowa folks came in the evening for a cookout. The grilled pork chops were delicious and the company and conversations were even better! 

Two Noras: May 20, 1914 and May 20, 2021

 Nora Bauer: Wednesday, May 20, 1914

Today was Logansport [Day] today. We did not have to work. A large crowd went up to Culver to christen the Memorial gate. I got dinner today and made a cake. 

Nora Spitznogle: Thursday, May 20, 2021

Worked remotely this morning, starting with an 8:00 A.M. finance committee meeting. Went in later to deliver some dinner boxes to donors. J.R. called and I met him at the Red Key. 

I was so excited when I read the account of Grandma Nora's day - I was going to try to recreate her adventure to Culver. I try not to read ahead, but I few months ago, I flipped to see what Nora was doing on my birthday and of course, read the next day too. 

My grand plans didn't pan out, but it did give me plenty of time to do some research. 

Her employer, James I Barnes, gets credit for bringing the Culver Military Cadets to Logansport to help with the heroic rescue efforts during the devastating flood of 1913. My guess is that Barnes Construction built the gate. 

The city of Logansport literally closed up business that day and by several estimates 4,000 residents swarmed the Academy grounds that day. Extra trains were added and all vehicles were full of people and headed to Culver. 

It's fun to think of Grandma Nora being part of this. 

I learned a lot from this Culver History video - click here to watch the Logansport Gate edition. - James I. Barnes didn't become mayor of Logansport until 1918. David Fickle was mayor at the time. Mr. Barnes ordered and paid for the train that would bring the Culver students to Logansport. 

Read more accounts here: Logansport Gates program and here: Logansport Day at Culver

My day wasn't nearly as exciting...although I had fun with brother J.R. and one of his work mates when I met them at the Red Key. It's also time for the birthday celebrations to dry out - plenty of booze consumed this week!