This is the diary written and recorded exactly as written by:
Clara Petrat
March 14, 1900
Erie, Pa.
313 W. 17 St.
Clara Petrat
Class of 1904
Erie High School
Clara’s family were German immigrants; research has not yet determined how many were in the family. But there is an extensive list (to be posted later) of people in the diary which includes her family, friends, teachers, and other adults whose lives influenced Clara.
The excerpts will be presented exactly as Clara wrote them on the pages of her brown paper bag diary which had metal clips to hold it together. It begins in March and ends in June.
The selection, June 15 – 22, is particularly relevant for High School Seniors today since it involves not being able to go to the commencement in June, 1902. It also mentions going to a greenhouse, and now…are we able to go to a greenhouse?
June 15 Sun I feel good during the day but it was warm and in the evening Albert was here and mama
got suddenly sick it was during the coming of a storm. She called me and went in the bedroom so fast
I thought she wanted me to close the window but just then she feel on the bed and kept saying O Clara
I am getting always worse. I ran out and told Minnie for the rest were upstair. We hurried and got the
doctor. I could not sleep the whole night long. I was crying terrible.
June 16 Mon Papa did not work on account of mama. I had to go to school in the morning for singing. It was a cold and dreary raining morning. In the afternoon Mrs. Kubet came and peal the potato for me. Papa and I slept a little while. She was pretty bad and we wanted and so did she Dr Gray but papa did not wanted to Minnie and I was crying in the afternoon because she thought she could not get
any better. I could not do nothing all day.
June 17 Tues papa went to work and it was a very nice day but cold. Mamma seem to feel a little better. In the afternoon Mrs. Fletcher brought her flower. Otto got his commencement pleasant
from Leo and Mr. Fletcer. I tired on both of my dresses in the afternoon. In the morning I went to the Chinaman and got Etta collar for the first time. In the evening we went to Commencement of 1902. Willie came up and took care of mamma. From Sunday evening there always was a mouse in our
house and Tues. Billy tired to catch it Mamma felt terrible to think she could not go to see Otto graduate. We all went except Billy mamma Leo and Jane. This day did not seem so pleasant as
when Emma graduated I suppose it was because mama was sick in bed.
June 18 Wed Mamma was feeling better. It was cool and pleasant. I spent most of my time with mama. I read a little She was still in bed.
June 20 Fri. It was pleasant but I did not go anywhere but by my mother In the evening Anna B. came over
June 19 Thrus. It was pleasant In the afternoon Emma and I went to the Greenhouse on 25 and Ash Sts. And bought 50 cents worth of gyranium and 25 for carnation for mama. It was last day doctor Hall came.
June 21 Sat It was pleasant. It was the first time that mama stood up since Sunday night. Mrs. Keller and Mrs. Fletcher were over. Mama did not stay up very long.
June 22 Sun. I went to Sunday School. Mama was up for part of the afternoon. I went to May A. in the afternoon. After I got home Minnie and I went after some candy. Emma Ziegler was over in
the afternoon In the evening I was with mama.
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