[Manuscript Pocket Diary Kept by a Young Kansas Teacher, Recording Her Daily Life]

[Oxford, Ks.], 1914. Very good.. [75]pp. Pocket diary, 5.5 x 2.5 inches. Leather covers, gilt. Minor wear, one leaf loosening, contents clean. Petite manuscript volume recording a year in the life of a young Kansas teacher. Goldie Hahn (1892-1976) was a native of Oxford, Kansas, living with her parents and brother while she worked at the local school. She married local boy George Prater (1892-1977) in 1917, and the couple seem to have remained in Kansas. The entries are brief, usually a sentence or snippet for each day, noting the highlights of an active social life. Much of the winter is spent skating, sleigh riding, or at social events such as choir practice or dances. Skating gives way to riding and ball games as the weather warms. George and his family appear throughout, and she often goes riding or to church with him. An entry from February 10th reads: "All night at Praters. Boys put things in our bed. Averaged grades." Though she spends a lot of time with George, an entry from September 12 indicates "(1 yr. Sun, since Joe & I together.)" An obscure entry for October 2 reads, "Woman uptown with gun. Letter from George." She notes October 25th as "Horse Thief Day," with activities that include a polo game, races, supper, and a show. November 4: "To 'A Slave Girl of New York.' Cooper's house burned down. I saw it." December 1 she writes, "Home early, fixed report cards. Ask about votes at school." On the 17th she attended a "Negro minstrel" show, but took a book along to study. Though brief, it makes for an interesting glimpse into the busy social life of a young woman in rural Kansas at the dawn of the 20th century.