Here are a few more entries from the Nelson diary. I couldn't help transcribing the events of the 1885 summer months.
June 1885
Davis* called (he is sergeant and wore his uniform) and said he was disappointed in me.
*Davis appears in several earlier entries as a family friend. I assume he is close in age to May, perhaps a few years older. He features in many routine entries, especially ones concerning school dances, driving around town with friends, and parties.
June 1885
L. wants me to marry him--never saw anyone so passionate and jealous in my life. Uncle D. won’t let L. come anymore says he is wild and I can’t go with him. He says he loves me “above heaven and Earth.” And talks dreadful. (I don’t like the way he talks.) says I am his first, best and only darling, etc. says will get married at the parsonage and [defer] Uncle’s folks. and my people too. he says Papa and Mamma wouldn’t approve of him and I don’t truly suppose they would.
June 1885
I told L. not to come as it was best not to, since they all objected to him I think I spoke ladylike and nice. but he--well he swore at me and threatened me! dared to. I called Uncle & he came in to show him out and behold! he was no where to be seen.
June 5 1885
Went driving with Richard. he told me to be afraid of L. that he was dreadful. asked me to write to him.
June 1885
C. came up & bid me farewell and asked to write to me etc. etc. and gave me his photo. talked sentimental! (he’s that kind.)
June 1885
Anna and I attend Regents Reception. L. came up to me (he lives in Atlanta, Georgia) and asked me to shake hands and forgive him before he went away. also Anna, whom he had talked about because she told me about him. and dear old U of I. Good bye, his bad ways.
July 1885
Maplewood again.
I receive the largest package of letters each week or so. Received a box of confectionary from C.W. Foster of Chicago__the violinest.
Aug 1885
Have not answered Mr. C.’s last letter, think I shall not--he is so very irreligious and kind of cynical. Mamma thinks I ought to stop writing so I will.
Aug 1885
Received such a lovely gold bangle with my initials on one side and June 5 ‘85 on the other also the most loving, boyish, trusting letter I ever received saying “I can trust you dearest--I feel sure you will be true to me” etc. (I never promised anything though.) I wish to enjoy myself--not to get married for a long--while.
Nov. 1885
We attend the Beacher lecture. I go with Mr. G. jolly time and Oh. how fine the lecture was.
Dec. 1885
Albert sent me some flowers from New Mexico. We have sleighing parties here often from Urbana to Philo.
Christmas
A dear, quiet day at Maplewood.
New Years 1886
A nice day Arie and Ruth are here.
Feb 1886
Chas Parkman and sister organized a society and wish me to belong. it is the H.L.S.
Feb 1886
Oh the fun we have at the H.L.S. ! Our paper and dialogues, etc. And the time L.H. fell over in the chair and broke it! I laugh and laugh all the time when I think of how he looked!
Feb 1886
Anna wrote a letter to me. (we correspond I think of her as next-to-Nell in my affections. a dear friend indeed and always was such.) telling me not to have anything to do with Albert Richards as her brother who was with him in Mexico knew something against him. I asked for all my letters back--they were truly friendship letters still I would like them back. he is not the dear nice boy I thought him so I will have nothing to do with him. Anna would know best about him anyway. He wrote a terrible letter and said Anna had lied and that he was coming back to find out.
*Transcribed from the Anna May Lindley Nelson diary located at the Champaign County Historical Archives of The Urbana Free Library. Materials are to be used for educational purposes and are not meant to infringe upon copyright laws. Permission is required before using these materials for publication.
June 1885
Davis* called (he is sergeant and wore his uniform) and said he was disappointed in me.
*Davis appears in several earlier entries as a family friend. I assume he is close in age to May, perhaps a few years older. He features in many routine entries, especially ones concerning school dances, driving around town with friends, and parties.
June 1885
L. wants me to marry him--never saw anyone so passionate and jealous in my life. Uncle D. won’t let L. come anymore says he is wild and I can’t go with him. He says he loves me “above heaven and Earth.” And talks dreadful. (I don’t like the way he talks.) says I am his first, best and only darling, etc. says will get married at the parsonage and [defer] Uncle’s folks. and my people too. he says Papa and Mamma wouldn’t approve of him and I don’t truly suppose they would.
June 1885
I told L. not to come as it was best not to, since they all objected to him I think I spoke ladylike and nice. but he--well he swore at me and threatened me! dared to. I called Uncle & he came in to show him out and behold! he was no where to be seen.
June 5 1885
Went driving with Richard. he told me to be afraid of L. that he was dreadful. asked me to write to him.
June 1885
C. came up & bid me farewell and asked to write to me etc. etc. and gave me his photo. talked sentimental! (he’s that kind.)
June 1885
Anna and I attend Regents Reception. L. came up to me (he lives in Atlanta, Georgia) and asked me to shake hands and forgive him before he went away. also Anna, whom he had talked about because she told me about him. and dear old U of I. Good bye, his bad ways.
July 1885
Maplewood again.
I receive the largest package of letters each week or so. Received a box of confectionary from C.W. Foster of Chicago__the violinest.
Aug 1885
Have not answered Mr. C.’s last letter, think I shall not--he is so very irreligious and kind of cynical. Mamma thinks I ought to stop writing so I will.
Aug 1885
Received such a lovely gold bangle with my initials on one side and June 5 ‘85 on the other also the most loving, boyish, trusting letter I ever received saying “I can trust you dearest--I feel sure you will be true to me” etc. (I never promised anything though.) I wish to enjoy myself--not to get married for a long--while.
Nov. 1885
We attend the Beacher lecture. I go with Mr. G. jolly time and Oh. how fine the lecture was.
Dec. 1885
Albert sent me some flowers from New Mexico. We have sleighing parties here often from Urbana to Philo.
Christmas
A dear, quiet day at Maplewood.
New Years 1886
A nice day Arie and Ruth are here.
Feb 1886
Chas Parkman and sister organized a society and wish me to belong. it is the H.L.S.
Feb 1886
Oh the fun we have at the H.L.S. ! Our paper and dialogues, etc. And the time L.H. fell over in the chair and broke it! I laugh and laugh all the time when I think of how he looked!
Feb 1886
Anna wrote a letter to me. (we correspond I think of her as next-to-Nell in my affections. a dear friend indeed and always was such.) telling me not to have anything to do with Albert Richards as her brother who was with him in Mexico knew something against him. I asked for all my letters back--they were truly friendship letters still I would like them back. he is not the dear nice boy I thought him so I will have nothing to do with him. Anna would know best about him anyway. He wrote a terrible letter and said Anna had lied and that he was coming back to find out.
*Transcribed from the Anna May Lindley Nelson diary located at the Champaign County Historical Archives of The Urbana Free Library. Materials are to be used for educational purposes and are not meant to infringe upon copyright laws. Permission is required before using these materials for publication.
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