• The first life story
• The second life story
• The journal entries

Flora Durtschi LIFE HISTORY OF JOSEPH BURR WATERS, 1904-1946 and FLORA DURTSCHI 1911-1945 Written and copyright by G. Renee Harris, 2001         Joseph Burr Waters was born of good English ancestry. Five generations of the Waters family had lived and farmed in the central part of England in Pinvin, Worcestershire before George Waters and his wife, Anne Beard, made the startling decision to join the Church or Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although they had Joined the Mormon church in 1842, it was not until ten years later that they boarded the "Kennebec" and sailed for Zion.         Their son, Reuben, Joseph's grandfather, had come 4 years earlier in November 1848 via New Orleans and St. Louis and settled in the latter place until he had married and had one child. He then came west to Salt Lake City and later into Provo. Reuben Waters and his wife, Mary Smith, had 12 children including Jabez Titus Waters who was -the 7th child and born in Provo, Utah.         When Jabez was grown and still living at his parents' boarding house, he met and married Almeda Richmond, daughter of Joseph Burrows Richmond and Emma Orton. The date was September 17, 1885. Their first three children, Emma, Reuben, and Almeda, were born in Provo while their fourth child, Jay, arrived while they were living in Riverdale, Idaho. Upon their return to Provo, Clarence and Clive were born.         Probably in search of work, the Waters family moved in 1901 to Oakley, Idaho, where a little daughter, Annie Elizabeth, was born, The next stop in their movements was in Ammon, Bonneville County, Idaho (5 miles southeast of Idaho Falls) where they located in September 1903. The older children were called upon to help Jabez pick potatoes to supplement his income as a carpenter. It was while living here that Joseph Burr Waters was born on December 29, 1904. The family already consisted of three sisters and four brothers so Almeda had plenty of older children to help tend him. However, the joy of this new baby boy was saddened. by the death of two-year old, Annie Elizabeth, a couple of months later on February 28, 1905.         A couple of years later, in 1907, the family moved to a 40 acre farm north of Idaho Falls so that Jabez could build a house and have plenty of land to farm. Although it was fairly close to Idaho Falls, it was still quite a walk for the children to school or Sunday School.         When Joe was five years old he had an unpleasant surprise. He who had been the baby of the family for so long was presented with a new baby sister, Beatrice Mae, born January 4, 1910. Almeda was nearly 45 years old at the birth of this child and it must have been hard for her. Joe was definitely jealous of this new one and it took quite a while before he could adjust. The two of them quarreled a lot but as they became older, however, they did become better friends.

Joe and Flora         The place where Jabez and Almeda finally settled was on 696 J Street in Idaho Falls with this move taking place November 4, 1919. Of course this area of Idaho Falls was rural enough at the time that on the four lots Jabez bought, he could build a barn and two chicken coops. Joe was almost 15 years old at this time and probably enjoyed having the advantages the town offered of more friends and acquaintances in their neighborhood.         This home on J Street was a white-painted frame home. One of the most important rooms in this house was the warm kitchen with the big, black, coal-burning range. It was kept nicely cleaned and unspotted until Carolyn, a grandchild-to-come, would sneak over and spit on it to see it sizzle. The window sills were kept crowded with geraniums and other plants and a cat usually lived behind the range.         The living room had the only other stove in the house as well as Jabez's big, black leather and wooden chair and Almeda's bookcase and chair by the window. A wooden table was placed in the center of this room where the family gathered around to sit and read at night. The parlor, which was not heated in the winter, had bookshelves, table and chairs and pictures and was the place of the Christmas celebrations where the grandchildren were given oranges as a special surprise.         This room, as well as the bedrooms, was always cold in the wintertime because of the problems of keeping too many stoves going. Off the kitchen was a pantry which kept the supply of food and other essentials. Also there was a porch which held the washing machine and a doorway to the basement.         The outside of the house had several trees which eventually grew very big and very nice and shady in the summertime. The barn at the back of the house kept the 5 cows that they milked so they could have plenty of milk to drink and cream to make into butter. They were later sold. A garden was a necessity, of course, and they raised vegetables for their family in a patch on the east side of the house.         Chickens were another big enterprise of the family. Jabez would feed the chickens mash and ground-up, cooked carrots fixed by Almeda. After the eggs were laid, Almeda would collect them according to size into several buckets. They were brought into the house for her to clean off and use or sell. Many neighbors were able to buy these fresh, well taken care of eggs.         The Waters family was a hard-working family with plenty to fill their time. And there was no question who was in authority. Jabez particularly wanted the children to put on their best manners at meal time and those who didn't would be tapped on the head with the handle of his knife. But there existed between them a good and loving relationship and they tried to raise their children right. Almeda, and later with Mae's help, kept the house very clean, comfortable and immaculate, even drawers were kept in exact order.         Joe attended grade school at Riverside School a few blocks away (1351 Idaho Avenue) and later went on to the Idaho Falls High School (137 7th Street). He did well in his studies and like the rest of his family, liked to read. Since Joe was well-built and liked outdoor activities, one of his high school interests was playing football. However; as far as girls went, he was somewhat shy and did not do much dating. He graduated from high school about May 1922 and although he did not go on to college, he was always interested in learning and later took some correspondence courses.         After graduating from high school, Joe took the civil service test and was accepted by the U. S. Government Postal Service to work as a mailman in Idaho Falls. This was the occupation that he followed for the next 20 years. He was a good mailman and was liked by all the people on his routes because he was polite and went out of his way to help them, like crossing the street to pick up mail even though he didn't have any to deliver.         One of Joe's after-work activities was flying. He was very interested in airplanes and took flying lessons. He and a friend, Ivan Anderson, once owned part interested in a biplane and flew it for a time. Later in his life money became a little harder to come by and he was forced to sell his interest in the airplane.         Joe also liked automobiles and at one time bought a brand new car. It was a "Rockne" named after Knute Rockne, a famous football coach at Notre Dame. He was very proud of that car and took excellent care of it. During these years of unmarried life he took a number of trips with friends and relatives to Yellowstone and various other places.         The Waters family were not active in the LDS Church. Most of the children and supposedly Jabez and Almeda had been baptized, but they didn't attend church. Whether he had come to a decision within himself or because he had met Flora Durtschi and she influenced him, Joe decided to be baptized into the Church. This happy day was 20 May, 1934 probably at the Idaho Falls Stake Center (488 E Street). He was baptized by Alden Newman, a Seventy, and confirmed. the same day by Vern L. Brown, all of the Fourth Ward.         Later that fall on September 16, 1934, he was ordained a Priest by Bishop Louis F. Neiffer. His ordination to become an Elder came January 27, 1935 by Howard A. Green, all of the Fourth Ward. LIFE HISTORY OF FLORA EMMA DURTSCHI WATERS, 1911-1945 Written and copyright by G. Renee Harris, 2001         Switzerland was the homeland of the Durtschi family. Edward Durtschi Jr. was born in 1880 and at the age of 23 decided to come to America with some other young men. While aboard ship he contracted pneumonia and was in the hospital in Chicago for several months before he could finish his journey to Midway, Utah, where his sister, Clara, lived with her husband. He enthusiastically wrote back to his parents, Edward Durtschi, Sr. and Rosina Katharina Hiltbrand Durtschi, of the welcome the Swiss people had given him. Meanwhile, several of the other family members had joined the Church and so came to Utah in October 1905 to join him.         In the spring of 1909, Edward Jr. married Elizabeth Muetzenberg whom he had met in Chicago when she was on her way to Utah. Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Muetzenberg and Susanna Kaempf, was also born in the Bern area of Switzerland, joined the Church there against her parents' wishes, and emigrated in 1905 to Salt Lake City where she worked until she married Edward.         Three weeks after their marriage they moved by wagon to the Teton Valley near Driggs, Idaho, which was very close to the Wyoming border. After some indecision about the right spot and doubts about the weather, they settled on a 160-acre piece of land. There they lived, raised their children, and died, much loved by their family and friends.         Flora Emma Durtschi was the second child and daughter born to Edward and Elizabeth on their farm near Driggs, now Teton County, Idaho. She was born August 9, 1911 and had an older sister named Bertha Margaret. She later had sisters and brothers whose names and birth dates are: Hilda Clara born January 22, 1913; Armin Henry ; Arthur Edward born November 23, 1916 and who died soon after on December 18, 1916 of pneumonia; and Rosie LaVerne .         The Pratt Ward church house was the setting when she was given her "name and a blessing" on October 1, 1911 by Brother T. R. Wilson. This little country church was about four miles from their home and was traveled to and from by team and buggy in the summer time and by team and bobsled in the winter.         Less than half a mile away from the church was the Alta Grade School where Flora attended with her sisters and brother, cousins and neighborhood children. This school was actually on the Wyoming side of the state border. She was very studious at school and as they all got older, she had occasion to help her brother and sisters with their home work.         She loved to read and often during the summertime when it became the children's job to take the cows up the canyon to the Homestead to pasture them, they would spend the day having fun playing together and reading while the cows were grazing. Then at dusk they herded them home.         One important event in her young life came when she was baptized into the Church. She was almost 9 years old at the time when Brother Charles Christensen on Saturday, July 31, 1920, baptized her and confirmed her the next day on Sunday, August 1. Bishop James Rigby was Bishop of the Pratt Ward at that time. What a joyous day this was to her.         A more sobering event occurred a year and a half later during the winter of 1921-22. An epidemic of influenza struck the Valley with members of many families becoming ill. Each family had to take care of their own sick ones. Grandmother Elizabeth and several of the children had come down with the flu. So Grandfather Edward had the responsibility of taking care of the children and his wife plus keeping up with the chores around the farm. This effort kept him up both day and night for some time and he finally became very tired and very sick himself. He did not recover and died on the 16th of March 1922 at the age of 41 years.         What a serious blow this was to Elizabeth and her five children. Grandmother, even though still ill herself, had to get up and take over. It was a very cold and snowy time when a funeral was held and Grandfather Edward was buried in the Pratt Ward Cemetery at Alta, Wyoming. He had been such a fine and honorable man, one loved by his family and neighbors, and was to be sorely missed.         Now Elizabeth had to face the problems of the farm and to do a man's work even though she was a frail little woman. The only thing that kept them from losing the farm was a $1,000 (or $3,000?) insurance policy that Grandfather had taken out just a year before he died. What a blessing this proved to be as they were able to keep their own place while some others around them lost their land.         Elisabeth had to hire men to do the extremely hard work around the farm but all the children had to work in the hayfields, in the garden, and in doing household chores. Their main income came from the 15 to 20 milk cows which were kept in the big barn and were taken to pasture each day by the children. The large garden was the supplier of strawberries and raspberries, plus such vegetables as peas, carrots, potatoes, beans, etc. They also raised chickens so they had fried chicken and plenty of eggs, some of which were taken to town to trade for groceries.         Flora seemed to be the most musically inclined one of the family and had great determination to learn to play the organ and the piano. Since the family didn't have a piano, she first practiced on the old pump-pedal organ and took lessons from her Aunt LuElla Durtschi. Flora often played the organ while the other children were outside playing games, but it was also noted that she was also practicing the organ while the others were doing the dishes, too.         This effort paid off, however, for when she was 14 years old, she began playing the organ for Sunday School. Her diary of January 6, 1930 reports: "In looking over an old minute book, I find I played the organ at SUNDAY SCHOOL for the first time February 22, 1925. Curiosity killed another cat and see the result. I played for Sunday School 70 times since then." She also relates the embarrassing experience one Sunday of accidentally dropping some leaflet money down her neck while putting on her glasses and when she got up to play the organ "they went helter skelter all over the floor and all the kids went scrambling for them." She also served as Sunday School Secretary for a long while and when released she was commended for the fine and faithful job she had done.         Flora had grown up with a sweet disposition and seemed to be the peacemaker and the one who attempted to end the hassles between the children. She particularly was kind and loving to her brother, Armin, who had lost the constant companionship of his father. In trying to adjust to the heavier responsibilities placed upon him as the only son, Flora, stuck up for him and helped him through these troublesome times.         Flora attended high school in Driggs and graduated from Teton High School on May 10, 1929. Earlier she had received a graduation certificate for completing the requirements of the LDS Seminary program dated May 13, 1928, from Principal Frank W. McGhie. She had also desired to get her Patriarchal Blessing and so 17 days after her high school graduation, she was given this blessing by Patriarch Ralph R. Cordon at Driggs. It promised her that she would have the power to make many friends and influence their lives if she would listen to the whisperings of the still small voice. She was also promised that she would be the means of bringing noble spirits into this world and know what to do for them in time of need.         Despite the many hours of work on the farm, there was still time for socializing with their cousins and neighbors (Uncle John and Aunt LuElla plus Uncle Alfred and Aunt Ida lived 1/2 and 1/4 miles down the road from them). They were fond of playing games and doing puzzles, going to dances, sleeping out in sheep camp wagons, cooking their supper over the campfire, hiking in the hills, coasting down the slopes in the winter, listening to records, and singing around the organ.         After high school Flora was able to fulfill a long-thought-of desire to go to Nursing School in Idaho Falls. Grandmother Elisabeth was determined that her daughters get an education and not be required to work as hard and as long as was required by those living on a farm. So by scrimping and saving she helped Bertha go to Business School and helped Hilda go to Ricks College. January 11, 1930 was an exciting day, for Flora received a letter from the hospital accepting her into the School of Nursing at the Idaho Falls Hospital (900 Memorial Drive) and telling her to show up on May 5.         Time seemed to go rather slow between those two dates. Some of her chores on the farm included sacking 20 sacks of barley, rounding up pigs to sell at market, hauling hay and even plowing for the first time. But she also attended some parties (a horse pulling match), read some books ("Seventeen" by Booth Tarkington), saw some movies (Evangeline), crocheted some pillowcase edges, and had her long hair cut in a "windblown" style.         Flora left home at 8:00 a.m. on May 5 to go to Idaho Falls to begin her training and admits to secretly crying half way to town. The look of regret on her mother's face almost killed her. By the next day she was so homesick she recorded in her diary: "I'm so lonesome. I'd howl (almost do most any time) if my folks were here. I hope it gets better. I can't tolerate this very long. I'll either like it better or go home."         It had cost $100, to begin training with $10. a month being paid to each girl, which about paid for keeping them in stockings. The initial fee paid for their blue-denim dresses, white, waist aprons, black stockings and shoes, and four months later for their bibs and caps.         Within a few days she was busy in such classes as the History of Nursing, Personal Hygiene, Anatomy, and Drugs and Solutions. The practice of beginning to work immediately in the hospital helped lower the costs of taking the training, and so she had such duties as giving baths, admitting patients, and typing operation schedules. However, there was also time for her and the girls to walk downtown and buy a pair of spikes (high heels) for $4.95 a novelty which she felt she could not afford, and to go swimming at the high school pool. She also went to Sunday School at the Forth Ward, played tennis, and read "Florence Nightingale."         After four months of probationary time she was awarded her cap and bib. She said about this experience: "It's just too good for words to have them. It makes you feel so much cleaner and more like a nurse. I'm thrilled about my profession at present." She then was able to go home for a week and in order to get there sooner, took the train, which, incidentally, was her first trip on the train. She visited family and friends and worked in the fields, too. When it came time to go back she said: "It's a feeling I can't hardly express. Hate to leave this swell place called home & yet would surely hate to harbor even the idea of quitting training."         Armin remembers that they welcomed Flora back home whenever she could make it. They also were very happy when they could go to Idaho Falls to visit Flora at the hospital and thought she looked just beautiful in her nurse's uniform. They were proud that she had chosen that profession because they knew of her sweet and tenderhearted personality and knew she would do an excellent job.         Another nurse, Sarah Hogge (Osterhout), who went through training with Flora complimented her by saying, "Durtschi" had the most patience of anybody she ever knew and with her soft spoken voice and quiet laugh was loved by all. She kept her appearance immaculate and took her training very seriously.         Many people commented on what a good nurse she was, and those from Driggs said that if they had to go to the hospital, they wanted Flora to be their nurse. She was said to be able to give the best back rubs in the whole world. She had a real concern for her patients and would go back to check on them even if she was off duty.         The work was demanding, though, and on October 8, 1930, she admitted "'Class work & everything is a grind. Found out you can't be easy going. You've got to-hurry & get over things, Be alert & observative." She continued to do well, getting a 92% in a Surgical Nursing test and 93% in Anatomy.         Christmas time came and with it $10 that her mother sent for her to buy a new dress. In the first store she looked she said: "I found the dress of my choice. $15 reduced to $9.95. It was a real dark shade of purple, very slender and latest style." And she was able to get compliments on it during the two day Christmas vacation she had in Driggs.         The beginning of 1931 brought additional new experiences: watching an hour-long Cesarean where she almost passed out twice and emerged pale as a sheet but glad she had watched; laid out her second post mortem case, a Mexican poisoned by wood alcohol; elected Vice-President of her class; and on January 15th commented: "I'm in the most awful predicament. Round shouldered de gone so far I can hardly help myself. Weight 138 in uniform."         At the end of February she went on duty in the nursery and really enjoyed her experience though "it's a job that keeps you stepping all the time." She could weigh, take temp., clean eyes, bathe and make the bed for each baby in an average of 11 minutes.         Once while swimming with the other nurses in June, she dived in slightly backwards, swallowed a lot of water and couldn't get to the edge of the pool six to eight feet away. '"Found out I couldn't swim even in case of utter necessity. Miss Field rescued me. It bothered me as nothing has for a long while. Lost sleep over it. It was dreadful." This didn't finish her swimming, though, and she continued to learn to swim and to dive.         In August she began her training in the delivery room and she related that: "We kinda had to rush for Mrs. Probert. It happened all of a sudden & me on duty. Maybe I'll learn to watch them constantly. I had been & went to Nursery for a few minutes but everything ended all right." She soon became very experienced in the birth room.         Another year (1932) began and with it a comment about one of her teachers: "This was my last day with Mrs. Hahn...Really its getting me down. I don't like the way Catholics live their religion. She said she didn't think it made any difference what church a person belonged to just so they lived right. I disagree." On January 31 she said: "Friday I started reading an unusual booklet, "The Three Degrees of Glory," and was very much impressed." She attended church: and conferences whenever her schedule would permit it.         Another experience she describes about her work in the delivery room: "Things started happening shortly after we were all set. The position was R/P and we had to work quickly. It took about 5 minutes after the baby's feet and buttocks were delivered. The baby had to be resuscitated in hot and cold baths, baby suction and general treatment that couldn't be called kind." But the baby made it.         Later in describing an incident where someone had hurt her with words, she said: "I wish I could find someone who was sincere and trying to do their best and appreciate the beauties of nature and last but foremost, speak kind words."         In May when she was about to begin her term in surgery she said, "Really it was hard to believe that I should be going to surgery. It reminds me so much of the sensations of newness I used to experience when I first came here." In watching an appendix case she said: "It didn't even occur to me to get sick and I think I'll get along all right as far as that is concerned." On the 26th of that month she mentioned that "I had my first tonsil scrub with Dr. Hatch. He was so wonderful through it all...Surely makes me feel good to have a person so sweet to work with."         She "I went on vacation Aug. 25 having had 3 1/3 months surgery. I fully expected to come back to surgery but was disappointed. Instead I went to the lab." From a friend in town "she said she heard I was one of the best surgical nurses here. That surely thrills me."         Christmas of 1932 came around with another trip home to Driggs and more dances, family dinners, and church meetings. Returning to Idaho Falls, she made arrangements with a Mrs. Hayes to take piano lessons and really enjoyed practicing again.         The last four months of her nurses' training went so fast that Flora somehow neglected to write in her diary but must have done well and completed her requirements for she was one of 10 nurses in the Class of `33 who received their diplomas for completing the three-year course of instruction and practice at the School of Nursing in the Idaho Falls LDS Hospital on May 5, 1933, Their graduation exercises were held the 25th of May 1933 at the LDS Tabernacle with various musical numbers, an address by Karl G. Maeser, Supt. of Shelley Schools, and a dance afterwards in the Recreation Hall.         She then studied for her State Board Examination and received her authorization by the State of Idaho to practice as a Registered Nurse on July 1, 1933, Flora then began working in October 1933 as a nurse for Dr. Jabez W. West in his office at 2 Lambrect Building, 350 A Street, and also on occasion at the hospital.         At this time she was boarding with Walter and Emily Davis who lived at 495 - 12th Street. Walter worked at the post office with Joe Waters, a nice, 30-year old bachelor. They decided to introduce Joe to Flora who was then about 23 years old. They began dating by at least early in 1934 and since Joe had a car, they would drive up to Driggs to visit Flora's family and have some lovely times with the relatives there.         On one of their visits to Driggs they took a mattress with them. Grandma Durtschi needed a new one and requested that they bring it down for her. It was wintertime and so they were hauling it on the top of a covered sleigh which had a stove inside. As they were traveling along, the sleigh suddenly tipped over and dumped them all. The accident scared them but fortunately a fire was not started in the sleigh. However, they did get the mattress all snowy and dirty.         The two of them finally came to a decision to get married and thus in the spring of 1935 they drove to Salt Lake City in a Model A Ford. They wanted to be married in the temple there (the Idaho Falls Temple not having been built yet). Their wedding announcement read:         "Mrs. Elizabeth Durtschi announces the marriage of her daughter, Flora, to Mr. Joseph B. Waters on Tuesday, April ninth, nineteen hundred and thirty-five, Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah-- At home after April the fifteenth at Idaho Falls,. Idaho."         In July, Joe needed to go to a Mail Carrier's Convention at Coeur d'Alene in the Idaho panhandle so they decided to make this trip their honeymoon. Joe said that he was going to take his sister, Mae, with him, so Flora said that she was taking her sister, LaVerne, too. On the way up to northern Idaho it was so hot traveling along through the wheat fields in their car that they went for a long, cool swim in the lake. Joe got badly sunburned and suffered for days despite all kinds of salves Flora put on to help make it better. They also traveled through Washington, Oregon, and on a ferry boat to Victoria, B.C., Canada.         After their marriage Flora continued working for Dr. West and Joe kept on with his job at the post office. Over the years they went to a number of postal conventions including one to Atlantic City and another one to Milwaukee in 1939. Joe's sister, Mae, would usually tend the children during these trips.         In May of 1936 a year after their marriage, they found that they were expecting their first baby. Flora only continued working until August of 1936 when she quit because of the pregnancy. The happy day came when a baby daughter was born to them. Carolyn Diane was a healthy baby who they loved so much. When Flora's brother, Armin, came home from his mission in May 1937, he remembers stopping in Idaho Falls to see the new one. He commented on how proud Joe and Flora were of that little baby girl lying there in a crib.         Sometime during these years Joe and Flora decided to build a house. They had been renting from Walter & Emily Davis and with children coming they needed more room. They either bought or were given the two lots next to Joe's parents' home. The family worked together designing it and getting it built. Joe's brother, Jay, helped a lot with the construction since he was a carpenter. With Grandpa Waters' experience in this area he probably was a great help also. The house number was 664 J Street.         It was a lovely white frame home with a brick chimney going up the front of the house. The front door and little window to the left of the door were rounded at the top giving them a little personality. It had a living room, dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. An apartment was also built into the downstairs.         One of the loveliest features of the house was its beautiful hardwood floors. Of course these required much care and at least once a month, Joe and Flora would rent a floor scrubber and strip and re-wax the floors until they were shining again. It was an all day job. Both of them were very particular about keeping their house clean and it usually was in immaculate order. Eventually lawns and flowers were planted around the outside. Since the house was on a double lot, they planted a big garden in the back with corn, carrots, beans, peas, and other vegetables.         A couple of years after the birth of Carolyn, Joe and Flora were again expecting a baby. This one turned out to be another little daughter who they named Garda Renee Waters, undoubtedly a good Swiss-French name. She, too, grew healthy and plump on the good food and care given her by her mother.         It was less than two years after this time that a third child arrived. They were extremely happy to welcome a little son into their family. They named him Merrill Joseph Waters, his middle name after his father.         The early 40's were the World War II years and so to conform with the civil defense requirements, heavy black-out curtains were pulled at certain times and a little lamp was used for light. Flora would cozily line the three children up on the couch and read to them. One of the favorite selections that Carolyn remembers was Longfellow's "Hiawatha."         As the children got older, Joe took them fishing. Often they went up Swan Valley or north of Ashton and fished in the streams out of the Snake River. Joe was a very good fly fisherman. This did not keep him from his Church commitments, though. He would spend the Saturday afternoons which he had off from work in various recreational pursuits, but he would get back so he could be in town on Sunday for Church meetings. He also liked to hunt, but did not like this as well as fishing.         Joe and Flora were very active in the Idaho Falls Forth Ward, Idaho Falls Stake (1460 Idaho Avenue). Joe often expressed his feelings for the Gospel. He had a very strong testimony and often took the chance to bear it during Fast Meeting and often was quite emotional during it. He was a willing worker and often went out to work on the Church farm.         Joe spent many years working in the Scouting program of the Church, As a Scoutmaster he helped many boys including some of his nephews, Jay's boys, Clive remembers that Joe helped him earn his troop dues by paying him to haul the clinkers from his coal furnace. He would stop by on Tuesday and Thursday nights after school to haul them out back of Grandfather's black barn. Joe would leave a dime on a board next to the furnace for him each week. As a Scoutmaster he took the boys on various trips including at least one trip to Yellowstone National Park. As far as we know, he himself had attained the rank of Life Scout.         A second cousin of Joe's, Kay Young, related that he was in the Explorer group that Joe led while Kay was in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades of high school. At that time they didn't play basketball in their church program, but played a form of volleyball which was called "vanball". Joe had coached them so well and the boys played so well that they went to the All-Church Tournament in Salt Lake City and won first place for all three of these years he was in. Kay said that Joe was one of the most dedicated and sincere leaders of young men. He truly loved the boys and although he was not the articulate spokesman, he was not afraid to shed a few tears and bear his great testimony and love of the Church to them. He advanced to the Council level in scouting and before he died was on the North Idaho Falls Stake Mutual Board.         Flora, too, served the members of the ward in the way she knew best-- this was in playing the piano and organ. She loved beautiful music and spent much time in practicing and playing the organ for meetings. It was spent much time in practicing and playing the organ for meetings. It was an important part of her life and she tried to instill into her girls also this love of music. One of their favorite entertainments during these years was to attend ward and stake dances. A lively time was always had partly because of the prevalent custom of trading off dances with other partners. They were often called upon to take their turn as chaperones also.         Flora developed her skill as a seamstress in trying to keep her three little ones in clothing. She made cute little dresses for the girls and shirts and overall pants for Merrill. She even made warm snowsuits out of some old coats for them. She also crocheted and embroidered various articles to decorate her home. Grandma Waters and Mae also helped out at different times in sewing for the children, too.         In his occupation as a mailman Joe had some accidents. One time he broke his ankle while on the job. Another time, which turned out to be of a very serious nature, he fell off a platform while unloading mail and badly bumped his head. This sore spot developed into a tumor which didn't respond to treatment by the doctors either in Idaho Falls or Salt Lake City. With the considerable pain he was having, the doctors recommended that he go back to the world-famous Mayo Bros. Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Upon examination the tumor was said to have been as big as a lemon and after surgery, a steel plate was put into his head which covered the opening. Flora was then told that he wouldn't live for more than a year.         When they returned home, Flora kept Joe's condition a secret in order to save the feelings of Grandma Waters and other relatives. Evidently, even Joe didn't know the seriousness of his condition. He continued to work when he could and at one time was given a car mail route so he wouldn't have to walk so much.         This was a terribly hard time for Flora. There was great worry about their financial condition, in trying to pay the doctor bills and other related expenses. They decided to rent the upstairs of their house out and move into the apartment downstairs so they could save themselves a little money. While living downstairs the sewer backed up and caused a flood which added its little more to the problems they were having.         There was also the concern of keeping up the house and taking care of the children while she went back to work. Joe's sister, Mae, was of immense help in this area and spent much time taking care of the children, who are not always the most cooperative. But her life was enriched by having their love and involvement with them.         Joe's health was a tremendous worry to her. The tumor gave him such terrible headaches that he was hardly able to stand it at times. During all this time of great stress and tension, they continued to pray and ask with faith for help in their problems. They were grateful to many in the ward who helped then in various ways with the children.         Flora seemed to keep up her spirits fairly well, for in a letter written May 11, 1945, to her sister, LaVerne, who had just had a baby, she seemed to be happy. She mentioned that she was helping with the Pre-School registration at the school, had been Carolyn's room mother last year, and commented on the fact that Jay's family and others had been over to visit them.         The breaking point came in May 1945 when Joe had returned for a second time to Mayo Bros. Flora had planned to leave and follow him on the bus. She was visiting the neighbors with Merrill when she collapsed. The neighbor called the police who took her to the hospital.         The hospital staff said that she would be there only a few days and then could come home. She had suffered an emotional breakdown and became very irrational and unmanageable. During this time, Dr. West, who had always been a special person in Flora's life, would talk to her and she would respond and obey him. She remained in the hospital for about three or four weeks.         It has been said that the good people of the Fourth Ward had raised some funds in the meantime to send Flora to a sanitarium in Denver, Colorado, having been told that it would take 5 or 6 months of rest and care before she would be well again. However, for some reason, Joe wouldn't sign the paper to admit her and so she was transferred to the State Hospital in Blackfoot, Idaho. She was not there very long when because of her depression, exhaustion, and the poor treatment she received, she passed from this life. The date was June 7, 1945 at 5 p.m. when she was just 33 years of age.         Her body was brought back to Idaho Falls and after the funeral, she was buried June 12th in the Rose Hills Cemetery in Idaho Falls. Her tombstone reads: "Flora Durtschi Waters, August 9, 1911-June 7, 1945. The music has not ceased."         What a blow this was to all the family to lose this lovely mother. She had been a loving and helpful nurse for 12 years, had borne and carefully raised three children from babyhood, had been a source of great care and love to her husband, and had served her family and church with her beautiful music.         To the children this seemed to be a time of uncertainty and death. A year before their mother's death, their grandmother, Elizabeth M, Durtschi, had passed away. And then their grandpa, Jabez Waters, died just a month after their mother's death. Also an uncle, Weldon Sorenson, was killed at Guam a week after her death. It was hard to lose these loved family members.         After the death of Flora, Joe continued on working when he could. However, he received help in tending the children and making dresses and clothing for them by the people in the ward. Also, Sherman and Veda Howard, second cousins, who also lived in Idaho Falls helped out. Joe greatly missed Flora and thought about her continually, but he had to keep going.         In order to get some spiritual help he went to Patriarch John W. Telford on September 2, 1945 for his Patriarchal Blessing. He was blessed that inasmuch as he had a great sorrow come into his life, he should be brave and of good courage. He was also blessed that his health would improve so that he could provide a home for his children. He was told to go to the Lord for help in decisions, to store his mind with useful knowledge through the reading of good books and the scriptures, and to obey the counsel and advise given by those who presided over him in the Church.         He continued to have his headaches and moodiness which caused him to be sharp in his replies to others. There were feelings between him and members of both the Durtschi and Waters families. Perhaps some of them had not really realized the extent of both his and Flora's problems and sicknesses.         This was an unhappy time for them all. Later, Joe started going out with a lady named Lorraine S__________. He bought her a diamond but she refused it possibly unwilling to take on the responsibilities of a sick man and his family.         Then on November 12, 1946 Joe had a cerebral hemorrhage or stroke and was taken to the hospital where about two weeks later, on November 25, he too died. He had lived only 18 months longer than his wife. Four days later, on Friday at 2 p.m., a funeral was held for him in the Fourth Ward with Bishop Lloyd Mickelsen of the Seventh Ward officiating. He was buried by the side of his beloved wife in the Rose Hill Cemetery (Section N 1/2 of Lot No. 12, Block 18 W.P.) with the Williams Funeral Home handling the arrangements. The inscription reads: Joseph Burr Waters, December 29, 1904-November 25, 1946."         Here was a man who had lived 41 years old, spending 20 of those years serving others in his job as a postal worker, had loved and enjoyed the out-of-doors and spent-many years training and influencing many boys of Scout and Explorer age, and had married a lovely woman and raised three children.         [At the time of Joe's death, Carolyn was 9 years old, G. Renee was 7 years old and Merrill had just turned 6 years old.]         The three children were given into the guardianship of Sherman and Veda Howard, who were also Executor of Joe's estate. After the Howards had taken the three into their home at 347 S. Boulevard, Veda found a portion of her Patriarchal Blessing which had great meaning to her and helped her with the problems encountered in raising the children. This blessing was given February 15, 1935 before Joe and Flora were even married and had children. It promised Veda that if she was faithful she would have the means and blessing "to train your little ones (meaning her only child, Ken) and those who come into your care and charge in a way that will bring peace and happiness into your life and salvation unto them. She had assumed this referred to the children she taught in Primary but now feels it was with reference to Joe and Flora's children.         The Howards did carefully fulfill their obligation as guardians to the children. They became mother and father to them and lovingly, but strictly, raised them to be honorable people. Between the three of them, they have married and produced 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren as descendants the memory of Joe and Flora Waters.         Many have wondered why did these children have to lose both their parents at so young an age. Armin has thoughtfully said about this situation: "Our childhood was so suddenly changed as was yours because of a great tragedy, only yours was double because you lost both parents. We could spend time pondering and perhaps even become bitter, asking why? If I can answer this question now, without any hesitation, I will say in full sincerity that sometime, somewhere, we will understand, and surely recognize that through hardships and trials, our faith is tested, and we come face to face with reality and find the full meaning of love, kindness, compassion, long suffering, brotherly kindness, pain, and many others as they relate to us as we struggle to continue on, trusting that in the end it will have been for our good." History of Joseph Burr Waters & Flora Emma Durtschi Waters Written by: G. Renee Harris, daughter, Orem, Utah 84057 Help received from: Mae Walker, Olathe, Kansas Larry & Helen Waters, Idaho Falls, Idaho Bertha Hanson, Pocatello, Idaho Armin Durtschi, Idaho Falls, Idaho LaVerne Darrington, Declo, Idaho Carolyn Casper, Provo, Utah Veda M. Howard Orem, Utah Tape recording of Sarah Hogge Osterhout 3 Diaries of Flora Durtschi Various certificates FLORA DURTSCHI WATERS Aug. 9, 1911 - June 7, 1945 Written and copyright 2001 by Laverne Darrington         I have been asked to write about Flora. I was a little more than 7 years younger so I might not remember everything accurately.         Flora was a beautiful girl, she had long, thick hair, it was so long that she could sit on it. May Waddell, a neighbor, used to ask Mother what the secret was because all of us had very thick hair. Flora had a very pleasing personality and was always a peacemaker.         Our home consisted of three rooms and a path. The kitchen was a large room with a Kalamazaoo cook stove to heat and cook our meals. We burned mostly wood in the stove. We had lots of quaking aspen trees that we used for fire wood and also when we would play house we would rub the powder off the tree and use it as face powder. There was a table and chairs, a cupboard, a wash stand that held a bucket of water with a dipper, and a wash basin. We also had a bed in the kitchen. Just east of the house was a well with a hand pump for our use. The kitchen had two large windows, one on the south and one on the west. On the north of the kitchen was a large bedroom with two double beds, often three or four girls would sleep in one bed, a chest of drawers, in one corner a place to hang clothes with a curtain in front. There was also a treadle sewing machine and an organ. On the wall hung pictures of my father and mother in beautiful frames. (After we moved into our new home someone stole the pictures, I'm sure they just wanted the frames.) Flora took piano lessons from Aunt Luella and learned to play well. At the age of 14 she played for Sunday School. I always enjoyed her playing. We would stand around the organ and sing. The only other entertainment we had was a crank type phonograph.         West of the kitchen was a shanty and north of it we built another bedroom. It was badly needed because we had to hire help on the farm. In the shanty was a bin for coal and wood plus a cabinet for storage and a place for coats and boots.         By the house we had a cellar, it wasn't too large but it held our years supply of food. In the fall when we harvested wheat we took some to Driggs to trade for flour. We had an orchard of berries, currants and lots of apples which helped fill our jars for winter. We picked huckleberries on the east mountain and chokecherries and service berries were plentiful so we had a nice variety of jams and jellies. Also in the cellar was a bin for potatoes and a place to put carrots in sand. I remember putting apple sauce and berries on our hot cakes when we had them.         Mother was a very good cook, she fed every one who came. When the relatives came from Utah they always stayed with us. We used to visit Kaufman's place a lot and they in turn would come to our house. Aunt Rosa and her daughters were very good cooks. At Christmas time we always spent Christmas Eve at Uncle Alfred's or they would come to our house. The kitchen would be so hot from all the baking and preparations for Christmas and we were told if Santa Claus found us outside he would take us back to the north pole so we had to stay inside. Often we would sit under the kitchen table because it was cooler there. Later, a knock would come on the window--either Armin or Arnold would have to go to the window and tell Santa whose house it was. He would come in and we were each prepared to tell a poem or sine a song. He always called us by name and that flattered us. Each received one gift if we took part on the program. A while after Santa left, Uncle Alfred would come in from doing chores. I could never understand why he didn't do the chores early so he could take part in the fun.         Out in the yard we had lots of small buildings made of log to house livestock, horses ard chickens. Also a granary for the grain storage. Later Uncle Fred Durtschi came and built a large barn in 1916 (?). This was a great monument to Uncle Fred's ability as a builder. It had a cow barn on the west and lots of space to keep hay dry. Later, the east side was built. The barn was a good place for us to play. Walking across the high beams was exciting, especially when there was no hay to fall on. The chickens enjoyed hiding their eggs in the summer time in the cow barn or in the hay loft,         At times we would raise pigs for our use and to sell. One time we were almost ready to sell the pigs when a rabid dog came into the neighborhood. but didn't get into our pigs. Mother always said it was a testimony of paying a full tithing.         As children we didn't have many toys. Flora had a doll that she prized and wanted to keep it nice. While she wasn't home I took her doll and played with it carefully, then decided to take the doll for a walk over to the barn. I laid it down for just a second and the pigs tore it up. I cried and cried but it didn't restore the doll.         During the summer the cows had to be herded, just west and north of our place was 120 acres of sagebrush so we would herd them there. During the day we took them down in the creek bottom to drink. Each one of us had our turn to herd. We always had a horse to ride and we could spend a lot of time reading. This was much easier than working in the hay field but by the end of the summer it became tiresome. One day Flora, Hilda and I got on the horse and rode across the bridge to the field when the saddle turned and we all fell on our heads. The horse stood and waited for us to tighten the cinch and get on again. We wouldn't have won any races an that horse. When the Kaufman family moved north in the fall of 1909, our father homesteaded the "Gugger Hora" (In Swiss it meant cuckoo mountain) so we had to live in Wyoming during the summer. (This was before my time.) Later we had to herd cows there. There was 80 acres of timber with exception of two hay fields where we herded the cows. In my time there were several summers we moved the cows up there and went up twice a day to milk. A milk house was set over the creek and we used it to cool milk or keep food cool. Things had to be tied securely or the swift water would take them down stream.         We belonged to the Pratt Ward. The church was a large one room building on the hill. For classes they just pulled curtains to separate the classes. If you didn't like your teacher you could listen to the teacher behind the curtain. We had lots of good meetings and dances in the church house. The Alta, Wyoming school was near the church. The neighbors took turns taking the students to school.         After Flora graduated from high school, she had a great desire to become a nurse. It cost $100. for tuition and clothes, then the girls received $10. a month the first year, $12. the second year and $15 the third. One of the nurses that graduated with Flora lives close to me (Sarah Hogge Osterhout) she says of Fl ora, "She was a very neat girl, never a hair out of place. She had such a cute giggle. A striking girl soft spoken and well liked by doctors, supervisors, nurses and patients."         Bertha went to Business school and on a mission in October of 1930. Flora entered Nursing May 5, 1930. Hilda entered Ricks College in September of 1930. She had a scholarship and worked for her board and room. Bertha worked for her board and room while attending business college. The bank went broke and Mother lost money. This was during the depression and I have always been impressed with Mother's ability to keep going and give each child a chance for an education.         Flora made a wonderful nurse. People used to tell Mother she gave the best back rubs of any nurse. She was kind and considerate to all patients and they loved her. She worked for Dr. Jabez West after she graduated from LDS Hospital and took her State Board exams. As she was dating Joe, he used to bring her home for a visit on Sunday. The conversation always went to cars. Knowlin had a Chev, Fred Weston a Ford and Joe a Plymouth. Every Sunday each one reviewed the advantages of their particular car. After their weekly visits, they each left more determined that their car was the best. It was an entertaining afternoon for me just to listen to the conversation.         Flora married Joe April 9, 1935. Joe was a mail carrier in Idaho Falls and he was invited to a postal convention in Northern Idaho in July. They decided this would be their honeymoon. Joe had been very close to his sister Mae and said he wanted to take her along so Flora invited me. I had just finished my sophmore year in high school and had never been very far from home so it was a real treat. The next two years there was no problem in writing themes. I always had a subject. It was extremely hot that summer driving through the wheat fields of Idaho, Washington and Oregon. It seems like the convention was held at Coeur d'Alene, but I believe we went swimming at Lake Pond oreille by Sandpoint. Regardless of the location we all went swimming and Joe got a bad sunburn, He was very sick for days. It took a long time before the burn was healed on his back. We also traveled to Butchard's Gardens in Victoria, Canada.         Joe and Flora built a house on 664 J Street in Idaho Falls. It was beautiful and they kept it immaculately clean. They were so proud of each child as they arrived. During the summer, Flora and the children would come to Driggs during berry picking season so she could can some for her family. The children loved to watch the animals and run free in the yard.         While I was on a mission (1941-42) Mother had to have surgery and it was a great relief to her to have Flora there to assist. Mother spoke one night as though she didn't intend to get well and Flora wrote everything she said and sent it to me. Mother kept saying to live the Gospel. With all her trying times after our father died, she still never regretted her decision to come to America far the Gospel's sake.         In July 1944 Mother had to return to Idaho Falls for more surgery. I was married then and was free to go to Idaho Falls to live with Flora and Joe for ten days. I stayed with Mother a lot while Flora was home with her children but she kept coming to check Mother. We have great appreciation for Flora during Mother's illness. Mother died July 24, 1944.         An unfortunate situation existed at the time of Flora's passing. Hilda was teaching school, Royce was born about this time and I had a hard time regaining my strength because I hadn't heard from Weldon for weeks. He was killed the day of Flora's funeral. Baby Eloise had just been born so Bertha couldn't go to Idaho Falls to help. Armin and Knowlin checked with Dr. West every day and he said Flora was doing fine.         We are so grateful to Sherman and Veda Howard for giving Carolyn, Renee and Merrill such a nice home and providing for their needs at such a crucial time. Flora born Aug 9, 1911. Died June 7, 1945 - Age 33        graduated from high school May 10, 1929        graduated from nursing May 1933        married April 9, 1935 Joe born Dec. 29, 1904, - Died Nov 25, 1946 - Age 41

Extracts from 1930 Diary of Flora Durtschi Jan. 1 Comment "It's nice to get up in the morning but its nicer to stay in bed". Jan. 2 Reed (Burgener) got three picture puzzles for Xmas so we are forever more racing with them. Jan. 3 I am helping Fred (Weston) with his English at 50 cents a page-$1.00 tonight. Jan. 5 I completely forgot to fast & arrived home in time for church. During testimony meeting I hoped I wouldn't ever feel as embarrassed again. While unconsciously putting up my glasses I dropped some leaflet money down my neck. Well, I managed to get all but 3 coins & of course when I got up to play they went helter skelter all over the floor & kids all scrambling for them. Jan. 6 I am home again with plenty to do. I've been spending my evenings at my yearly report. In looking over an old minute book I find I played the organ at S.S. for the first time Feb. 22, 1925. The first time I ever played was in Sacrament meeting. Curiosity killed another cat and see the result. I played for Sunday School 70 times since then. Jan. 7 I still play the new records to death. Specially "Painting the clouds with Sunshine, Miss you," etc. - It's still cold enough to freeze ice in a boiling tea kettle. Jan. 11 The big event of the day--Received a letter from the hospital telling of my acceptance to the school of Nurses and to show up May 5, 1930. Jan. 15 Did extra chores in order to have the team for Primary. I went in the covered sleigh. Jan. 19 Pres. Charles & Clark were at Pratt and Carl Carlson was appointed as second coun. for Uncle Alfred - Topped the day out very deliciously with Church. Had just gobs of fun. Jan. 20 Just quit reading 'The American Idyll" at 11:30. Covered a lot of ground. Jan. 21 Its cold enough to freeze two brass monkeys tonight. It must be over 40 degrees below. Jan. 30 Oh heck! That's the way I feel. My throat is sorer than ever tonight most likely because I've been reading out loud so much. (Reading "Nan of Music Mts." to Aunt Luella.) Jan. 31 After coming home while wiping my glasses I broke the frame and couldn't find my others. Oh, I hate to complain but it was terrible. Worse than being rolled over Hells half acre. Feb. 5 Alice and Kate came down so they helped me sack 20 sacks of barley & then came in to listen to the records while waiting for the mail. The weather is perfectly lovely. So warm it takes very little more to remind you of those wonderful spring days coming on. How wonderful spring really is! Feb. 9 Rosie took the kids down while we chased the pigs around. We locked them up as we are intending to sell them tomorrow. Nine of them weighing 200 lbs. or over at $8.75 C.weight. Feb. 10 We took in the sum of $208.25 for the nine pigs today. We must have earned half getting them there. We had them all loaded and three made their get-a-way. We shall pay the balance ($50.) on our light bill & others. Feb. 11 Fred killed a calf and I helped him skin it. I got a slip-over apron well started. It's cute. Square or oblong effect at top, bottom and pockets. Feb. 12 I read the letter (letter from Aunt Clara) with some unaccustomed ease and was pleased. That's my first whole letter I've read. (In Swiss or German) Feb. 13 Problem: My hair is so long & the family says I look horrid. I think my solution will be a wind-blown. Feb. 16 We finished the rest of Hilda's first topsy-turvy cake. I am finding myself extremely impatient for the time when Vera and I leave T.V. (Teton Valley) to seek our fortune. Feb. 19 I finally let in and had my hair cut windblown. It must be more like a cyclone like Milton D. told his wife when she had hers cut that way. Feb. 22 I made some butterscotch buns today and they were well satisfied with the samples. The same bunch (of kids) all went to the show "No Defense." It was real good. Dropped in at the dance but decided to plod on home way instead of stay to the dance. Feb. 24 The Pratt men are trying out their teams today for the pulling match. Feb. 25 I went to Mrs. Mack Waddells and learned to do only the second round of crocheting on the pillow cases I started 3 yrs ago. I aim to finish them soon as some of our pillow cases are fast wearing out. Feb. 26 Kate stayed with Elva while Willard went to the pulling match. We skinned Darby all to pieces so the free dance and supper will convene Fri. at their hall. Feb. 28 Fred and I went with the usual bunch to Darby to the big dance for the two wards. And it was a big dance. The hall was crammed with people from all over. Danced with Mr. Wilding in a circle two step--Ended with Mr. White. Fun can't express the time I had then. Arrived home at 3:00. Mar. 2 Aunt Luella has been attending Sunday School quite regular of late. It's relieved me at the organ. - Hilda and I played "Valse Edna" at Conjoint mutual. It was False Edna with that squaky piano & cold clarinet. That's my last. I led the singing. Did much better than I expected. It wasn't half bad. Mar. 4 Hip! I finished crocheting the one pillow case and intend to finish them this week or bust trying. - Eggs are 20 cents a dozen or 2 for 37 cents. We get on an average of one dozen a day. Mar. 7 Went to the weight dance. I've got my nerve when I weigh so much (137) but it really was 135 1/2. I had just the best time I ever had in Pratt with the exception of an Easter party last year. Mar. 8 We saw Evangeline tonight. It was good but not as good as Ramona. The adorable Delores Del Rio and the "thrillingest" shiek of a Ronald Drew. I'd walk 30 miles to see them. Mar. 10 I suffered much mental torment over two beastly words last night I said. That seems to be my trick every six months or more, I must become desperate in getting rid of such a monster. Mar. 16 It's light years ago today since our father died. Mar. 18 We hauled hay today and I'm so tired I don't even feel like writing this. Mar. 24 I feel miserable tonight. Tooth ache and ear ache and just a little tonsil trouble combined. - ...I went to see Rae Fairbanks who is home for a few days. She gave me little or no encouragement in training but it seems nothing can discourage me. Mar. 26 On account of insufficient material (embroidery needle) I discontinued work on my pillow cases and started crocheting my other pair. The party (feed given by the Relief Society for those who had done work on the church house including those over 16 yrs) was quite a success, My only regret is that I never really got filled up. Mar. 27 Mother broke the news of our honored sister. Mr. Hess and the faculty members through their frank and honest leader gave Hilda the valedictory. Jealousies occur frequently and everywhere. She had good grades all winter..Her last card all A's except one A-. Mar, 29 Fred and Otto after the show lost their horses (Dick & Pet) while up at Paul's. Fred went to town and found them at Fairbanks. Armin traded the little black "wildfire" off to Mr. Sorensen for a little bay pony called Pet. Extra easy riding. Mar. 30 Stormy today. Towards night it cleared off some, followed by misty fog. I wish there was such a thing as transparent fog. Mar. 31 The dress we sent for Hilda arrived. It's the most delicate pink or rather rose with tan in front for $3.98. On sale. It's long too. I'm afraid its too big for Hilda so I suppose it shall fall to me. April 2 When you get up of a morning when its so cool and crisp and the birds are all a twittering and singing their best, it sure in heck makes you feel good. - I've had a little tooth ache and tonsillitis. I think I can't help but feel like a new person when I have my tonsils removed. Apr. 8 I went up to Kate's and spent 1 1/2 hours. She showed me a lot of pictures taken in by gone days and also the flower garden quilt they are making & the kids hope chest. Alice has countless things. Our final conclusion was that Kate's and my hope chests or our fancy work was a joke. Apr. 12 Fred and I went to a bow fire party. There were just the 12 to have a good time with. We all rode horses, I certainly had a keen time. We cooked our supper on the fire. Then we roasted marsh mellows & played "Run, sheep run." That was fun. Apr, 13 Went to church! Russell "broke the news to Mother." The news--Elda will succeed me in the secretaryship. Apr. 17 L. Nelson came and we after about 2 hours work finished up the farm census. Apr. 20 We boiled eggs and baked a cake and were on our way to the meeting place. We went as far as possible in cars then climbed a hill and ascended a sort of precipice where we ate our dinner & fooled around. - Had fun. Apr. 21 Fred started to plow today. We just planted cabbage and cauliflower tonight. I started reading "Seventeen" tonight by Booth Tarkington. We started our turkey hens to setting. Apr. 22 Did the work or at least some of it and brush harrowed in the afternoon. Got so sleepy it was impossible to keep awake especially when there was an inviting haystack near. I had a snooze while the horses rested. Apr. 23 I plowed today for the first time in my young life. I was without a coat so you can't blame the wind for taking advantage of the opportunity. There was a regular gale & a sprinkling of rain. Apr. 27 I just came home from Mutual. I feel I can't express how I feel--Glad yet sad & so appreciative--The S.S. officers are having a party here in my honor Wed. night. - Ruth is the best yet. Dearest! How can I leave thee? May 3 These last few days have been so full it seems at least 2 days in one. Practiced a song with Rosie & Isabel they are to sing the 11th. Rosie has some keen little voice. If she could only sing a solo. May 5 Left home at 8:00. Cried secretly half way to town. The look of regret it seemed on Mother's face almost killed me. Did some shopping in town (Idaho Falls). Got a cute sport model coat & scarf. May 6 Mr. Trainer, the superintendent of the hospital came up and talked to us in Ethics. Miss Crotty is exceptionally nice. At her suggestion, I am letting my windblown grow out. The bangs are the weeds. I'm so lonesome. I'd howl (almost do most any time) if my folks were here. I hope it gets better. I can't tolerate this very long. I'll either like it better or go home. May 10 Just a year since I graduated and look where I am now. - We studied hard as usual and having a neat time. May 12 Most all the girls went down town. I got a pair of spikes for $4.95. Awful to be paying so much when I'm so poor. They're quite a novelty. May 15 I feel so good tonight. In answer to my letter Hilda wrote a note and told me to come to Rexburg on the train. Someone will meet me there. The very thought of going home sends my spirits high. - I finished moving in with Miss Briggs. She surely is nice. I like it better all the time. May 16 How great was my joy for I got 97% in Personal Hygiene. Took another one in History of Nursing. Didn't do so well. May 17 Fred came and got me. How good to be on the way home. I drove from about Rigby to where they were fixing the roads except canyon creek. May 18 I just came back a while ago. It's 7:15 now. I've been trying to keep from crying. I hate to leave Mother so bad. I went to Church this morning and enjoyed it immensely - seeing everybody again. - - We missed the train at Rexburg so Fred brought me on down. Hilda came along. I kept directions straight until I saw the hospital. Its a pity I cannot keep straight. May 19 As usual I'm lonesome after being home. It seems worse-being here alone. May 20 I finally found my Big Sister. I've seldom seen her since the first day. She took me up on 5th floor where I found some useful material on rheumatism for Aunt Luella. We had tub bathing demonstrated and bandaging in First Aid. May 22 Marched down to the tabernacle for practice. I march with Miss Thompson. After all we probationers went down town and acted up really too much. We had guys chasing us all over. May 23 11 p.m. All is over. We were quite spectacular all dressed in uniforms. Good exercises. We managed our two songs pretty good. I danced with Miss Higby, Whitworth & Thompsen. It's disgusting. You see few young men. Those middle-aged ones come out & act nice. May 24 I'm thrilled about it all. - I gave A.M. care to the best little boy (15). The boy sings & whistles all day & cheers everybody up. They took the cast off his broken leg today - I just love to take care of patients and make them more comfortable. May 25 We walked clear up above the city and back & had a lot of fun gadding. May 28 Helped admit a patient (Bernice Taylor) & was more or less bawled out because I hardly knew how to go about it & preparing her for surgery. - Man on porch said "It's the 1st 100 yrs. is the worst." May 29 I had another pretty bad nose bleed. Will it ever let up. May 30 I had 3 baths again & didn't get through any sooner. But tonight I soaked up my oxfords again so they wouldn't squeak and I can surely move around in them. It makes a world of difference. I admitted a Mr. Ball Allan who had his hands chewed up by a bulldog. Patients still coming in by dozens. May 31 We worked till 12:00 and had the afternoon off except for 2 classes. "Drugs & Solutions" are worse than Greek when you don't know it. June 2 Mr. Alan (young guy) said I was the best nurse on the floor & no fooling, he said, But--- June 4 Got 91% in Anatomy exam. Second highest in class. June 6 I enjoyed myself and work immensely today but feel sort of depressed now 9:00. I could howl. I got a keen big letter from Bertha today. She has the keen times if ever anybody did. June 8 Helped at 11:45 to give Mr. Jarvis a gastric lavage with Dr. Cardero & Miss Parkinson. I held the tube & braced his mouth & held imesis basin. It surely turned me sick but got over it after 2 hours sleep - Gave cooking pan to vomiting patient in my rush. June 9 Barely got back & got a phone call from Mother so I beat it down town & sure enough Uncle's John & Alfred & Aunt's Luella & Ida & Mother came down in Alfred's car. Four flats on way. - Had quite a talk with Mother here too. June 12 Miss Crotty suggests a magnesium sulfate for my boil. Ha Ha It's still sore & seems to be coming to a head. I heard Miss Durtschi & Jardine will surely make keen nurses. June 14 Slept at intervals with hot pack on chin. Misses Lund & Bowen say they are going to quit. It most breaks my heart. June 15 Hot packs to chin. There isn't much left of it. June 16 Miss Briggs heard I was quick & yet did my work well. Some compliment! June 19 Went to town with Briggs to look for a dress. A voile one at Cinderellas is cute. June 20 Slept from 9:30 to 3:00. Then Fern C. & Vera J. & I went to town. I got the cutest print white dress at Montgomery's for $4.95. Fits good & I look well in it. June 22 I type the operation schedules for the floors. Renewing an unpracticed ability. June 23 Went in WB to answer a light. Another nurse thinking I was through turned the light out. I put an extra blanket on Mr. DeTerro & to my embarrassment he jumped straight up in bed. It was sad then but plenty funny now especially to hear him tell it to Miss Clark the next morning. He said,"I saw something white & I jumped & then she jumped." I didn't know that. June 26 The night girls went over to the high school pool & had a class in swimming this morning. It was just lots of fun. We learned to do the turtle float. I could do it pretty well. I'm surely thrilled about the idea that I might learn to swim. - Unknowingly I let a whole quart of soap suds run in Mr. Merrill's bed & all the time thinking how famously he was taking it. June 28 I'm really mad for the first time except 25th since I came in training. They accused me of not cleaning the kitchen. There really wasn't a blot except the coffee pot. I laugh at it now. June 29 Went to dinner at Briggs persuasal because it was good. My delight. Sweet spuds, roast beef, corn, orange ice cream & good cake. I more than like the former. July 1 Temps seem a slip now except when a patient stops breathing. Ha ha. July 2 Got letter from Mother who hopes I'll succeed so I will. Rosie, the sweet kid, regrets having not received a letter from me when Isabel got one. July 6 Went to church with some of the kids and had the keenest S.S. in fourth ward. I answered a question or two. It seems they don't go so deep as in 1st Ward. The latter brings out enough good points but they don't get any place. That is a person doesn't get what he should out of it. July 8 My watch took a sudden change for the worse and won't work at all. I'm lost without it. - Went swimming this morning. Found out its quite a bit easier to swim in deep water. Taught some of the kids to dive. July 12 My spirits are getting better all the time, Went out and played my first game of tennis. I'm getting on to it. July 13 My arm is awful sore as a result of tennis. July 17 Took charge of the floor for several hours while Smith slept. Got along keen. I like to. - Sweetest Mother wrote and said even if I did get blue. Just wait till tomorrow and you'll feel better. Good remedy if you can wait. Ha ha. July 23 The night girls went out and cooked their breakfast and we had a lot of fun. After our breakfast of scrambled eggs on bread, bologna, apricots, cantaloupe and cookies we went over to the canal and some of the girls went in. Didn't get to go to the lawn party at the tabernacle but water melon, ice cream & covered raisins were brought over. July 24 Waited while Aunt Ida saw Dr. Hatch at his office. Uncle John explained the true situation. She was trying to stick a bloated cow with a butcher knife & it slipped and cut her 4 & 5 fingers. Parkinson fixed it a little but would be stiff henceforth. - Operation lasted 2 1/2 hrs. The most terrible in years but can bend her fingers now. July 28 Got my report which was sent to Uncle John's. Neatness-Average; Personal appearance-very (?); Relibility-dependable; Manner to officials, patients- gracious and courteous, always obedient; General Deportment - satisfactory; Nursing methods & hospital housekeeping - average. July 29 Got up and went down town with Lund as she was starved. Got banana split (10 cents) rolls & cook(ies) (5 cents). I am eating most too much. Aug. 1 Played horseshoes for the first time & didn't do half bad. Played 2 games of tennis with Miss Hiltbrand & beat both... - Started reading Florence Nightingale. Aug. 2 Miss Lund said Mrs. Zant, night supervisor, says she that I'd make a good nurse. Florence Nightingale is surely good. I've nearly finished it. Aug. 5 Got a phone call & too my great joy it was Rosie down here. We went to Rex theatre & saw the show by 9:00 so we went to the "gaiety". Was it keen? The best show I've seen in my day "The Hoggan Sisters" in Its a great life. - Rosie brought raspberries, root beer, morsel of cheese, papers, etc. Got in 12:03 for my birthday. Aug. 9 Found Aunt Bertha in the office with a package from home. She's surely sweet. - Parcel contained 6 bars (I guess they do think I get starved but I don't) 2 very beautiful hankies & a letter from Mother containing $2.00 bills. That's too keen for words. Aug. 10 - I'm crazy about babies & especially to be on days again. Aug. 12 Had 11-3 & wrote a nice little epistle to Emma encouraging her to see what she was missing by ignoring temple marriage. - Got a letter from Rosie & they had a cloud burst up there & if it hadn't been for the dogs the bull would have killed Armin. That's blood-curdling. Aug. 17 Had 11-3 so didn't get to go to church. - It being so late I went to Presbyterian church with her. Had my coat but just the same we got caught in the heaviest rain storm downtown & to top it off there wasn't any church in that or the Methodist so we stopped at Joy's & had a milkshake. Aug. 21 To think I'll have only 22 days and I'll be home. I've been away so long it doesn't seem possible I can be really going there again. Aug. 23 Miss Clark and I went to town & I got a pr of white shoes for $3.95 but found out later that they haven't rubber heels. Also got a cute gingham dress. $1.95. Aug. 24 Went to church with Bowen & Lund. It was dreadfully hot in the balcony so we went out on the lawn at 3:00. MY nose started bleeding. Came home after awhile & it bled and bled until they took me to 1st floor with ice cap on neck & head. Miss Eckhart packed it. It bled thru that so removed it & put some adrenalin in & that stopped it. Aug. 25 Went to town with Vera and exchanged my shoes for a pr I like much better. Feel blue and can't seem to get over it. Thanks to a letter from Bertha I feel better. She has her call for the Northern States mission & will leave for home soon. Sent a cute picture. She sent a report of crops and conditions up home. It spells failure altogether if it's true. Aug, 26 Thrilled! - First thing I know we hailed Harry and went for a boat ride. It was surely keen. Went above the bridge once & just drifted the rest of the time up and down. Aug. 28 Mrs. West let the car out of the box & told me we'd get our caps & bibs tomorrow night, it being home night. Aug. 29 Miss Crotty left word to put our white shoes & stockings on & come to her room after duty & lo & behold she fixed cap & bib on us & paraded in to the home evening program. I led being head of the class. Program was very inspirational. Like the feeling I think I'll have when I graduate. Aug. 30 Was up before the 6:00 bell rang but I managed to get my cap and bib on successfully. It's just too good for words to have them. It makes you feel so much cleaner & more like a nurse. I'm thrilled about my profession at present. Aug. 31 M. Clark & I went walking & ended up on the swinging bridge below the river bridge. It was fun & met a guy there too but we had to come back as I was to be on duty at 5:00. Sept. 2 I gave my first medicines today. Sept. 5 Its exactly 4 months today since we entered as green probies. How different I feel now. And to think we got our caps & bibs a week before time. Sept. 6 Miss Steele & I went out tonight & played some duets together. Its almost the 1st I've played since I came. Fun. Sept. 9 I watched Dr. West take Mrs. Petersen's stitches out today. He told me all about it. The 1st I've seen. Sept. 13 This was some day, in fact it seems more like two. - Janet Steel accompanied me down town. She just doesn't know how she'll get along without me. Decided to take the 3:30 train instead of the 4:10 bus & get there sooner. Fred & Hilda came after me. Seems so good to be back & yet strange that I'm not at the Hosp. By the way that was my first train ride. Sept. 14 This was a keen day. Went to S.S. & played the organ. - Kate weighs 1 1/2 lbs. more than I do. 135 was my weight. I'm afraid I'll gain some more while I'm here. The food agrees with me better all ready. Sept. 16 Getting broke in for manual labor already. Went to the flat & raked hay (second crop) all fore noon & then helped pitch this p.m. Appreciate more that I am home. Sept. 17 Raked the wild oats this A.M. & after finishing had a nice little chat with Uncle John across the fence where he was shocking grain. Sept. 18 It's a feeling I can't hardly express. Hate to leave this swell place called home & yet would surely hate to harbor even the idea of quitting training. Sept. 24 Finally got all packed again. Fred & Mother accompanied Bertha & I to Rexburg. - We didn't wake up in time to realize we were missing a train so Bertha stays till morning. - Didn't feel bad or take it serious at leaving the folks until I got here. Sept. 25 Got off duty to see her (Bertha) off. Felt like crying all day & when we went off duty I could stand it no longer so in Clark's room I started the flood.- Feel much better now. Sept. 26 Went to good ol' Steele for a little encouragement & talk. Brought my patriarchal blessing with me & helps me so much. Oct. 7 What a day. Miss Lingren reported me for not doing good work & not being interested. When I was taking temps didn't know of new pts. so didn't take their temps. Miss Crotty talked to me & I'm trying to do better. She says she would hate to send me home after I did so well the 1st 4 months. Oct. 8 Class work & everything is a grind. Found out you can't be easy going. You've got to hurry & get over things. Be alert & observative. Oct. 18 I surely wanted to go to Rexburg to see Hilda but can't afford it. Got a letter from her saying she was feeling better & doing better in school so I thought I'd make her homesick again. Oct. 21 This is my 1st experience. They put a catheter in 225's nose & I had the responsibility of feeding her every hour. It's fun. Oct. 25 We had Catherization demonstrated in Procedures & I found where I made several mistakes in my 1st trial. Didn't make Mrs. Paul leave the room when I was fixing up her son. Miss Phipps did & so M. Paul reported her so that got me in Dutch. Mainly by talking politely Miss Crotty wasn't very severe with me. - I really wonder sometimes if it's all north it. Hope I can endure it though. Oct. 30 Everybody ready for Halloween party? But me and the idea that I have to work tonight surely hurts my pride. It wasn't so bad but tired enough. Nov. 1 I got $9.50 on my pay check & went down & paid $5. & got my glasses. I'm not so crazy about them but I guess I'll get on to them. Nov. 5 Six months today since I entered. Seems a long time & yet I hope the next 30 months go that fast. If I don't get kicked out. It seems there is always that? That arises when I think of the end coming. There is in most every girls thoughts. Nov. 9 I had 12-4 so went to Stake Conference. I was immensely impressed. The speakers weren't so good & the Stake pres. talked until there wasn't much time left for David O McKay. Had to leave before church let out. Nov. 12 This day of all days I surely got some experience. I gave my first "hypo" to Mr. Rostum. Miss Steele supervised it. It was quite an ordeal but it really wasn't half bad. I've seen so many given. Nov. 26 Got along fine on 2nd; more or less regretted that I was leaving. I've surely learned a lot the last few days. - My 2nd term of night duty starts tonight. Nov. 27 Slept until dinner time & Steele & Paulsen & I went down & had Thanksgiving dinner of Turkey, sweet spuds, celery, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie & an apple & green peas. Slept some more & went to a supper of sandwiches, punch, sweet pickles, oyster soup, banana, & the best cake. Mother also sent me the best cake yesterday. - Learned to run switch board. Nov. 29 Letter from Mother saying I should go & buy Mrs. Christensen some flowers for the Relief Sec. She was thrilled pink over them & told her a black lie by saying I didn't know where they came from. I'm sorry. Pink & white carnations mixed for $2.00. Nov. 30 went to 1st ward S.S. & teacher said he heard at the last Conference at Pocatello that an old man came walking up the aisle & asked Pres. if he could talk. His 1st impulse was to say no but on thinking it over he said "yes." The man saying he would take only 5 min. Thereupon he gave the best talk given in the church on repentance saying that the good people would be sifted out. He left saying he had to be at Logan in 15 min. Upon inquiring he gave practically the same talk at Logan 15 min, later. It seems without a doubt that the time is not far hence. Dec. 2 This AM we were Morphine short & try to save us we couldn't find it. Final decision was that 1/4 had been given for 1/6 & it was either Miss Paulsen or I that gave it wrong last night for we each gave one. I feel pretty sure that I didn't for I remember the size of the bottle,etc. Dr. McHan surely treats me keen & made me pay only $5.00 & the rest next month. I now have $5.40. Need a dress so I don't know about Xmas. Dec. 4 Wiping my glasses tonight I broke the frame. I feel awful about it. Referred to my others. - Three weeks today & Xmas. Dec. 6 I got the surprise of my life when I got 92% in Surgical Nursing & 93% in Anatomy. 94% was the highest mark in Anatomy. After class I went down to Dr. McHan & he gave me a frame free of charge. He got the one lens in wrong first & it took quite a while to fix it. After I stayed & we talked. Too much, I think. Dec. 7 Mother sent me $10. for a Xmas dress & also Hilda & that's about all the presents we'll get but who could do that good. Dec. 18 Miss Bowen & Wilde & I went to look for my dress & the first place Berry & Ball I found the dress of my choice. $15 reduced to $9.95. Real dark shade of purple, very slenderizing and latest style. Dec. 21 Took my first good look at the Xmas tree in the office under the blue light. Its surely a beauty. Went to church with Vera & Wilde & enjoyed it immensely. Santa was there after S.S. & left some nuts & candy. Wore my new dress for 1st time. I just love it to death. Dec. 23 I'm surely happy & it would be perfect bliss if I passed in that exam. What if I didn't. That would mean 2 months added to my training & take Solutions over again. Dec. 24 T'was the night before Xmas. Don't I wish I were home now. Miss Bowen & I are on 1st alone. - Got along pretty good except that Bowen & I forgot to pass out nourishments. Dec. 25 We were down to the depot an hour before train left. Had quite a bit of fun on way home but thought train would never get there. Hilda & Rosie met me & we had dinner. - Went out and milked two cows. Had the best time since I came. Dec. 26 Went to Kids part in PM & surely had a lot of fun. Got quite a few comp. on my dress. Went to the dance at night & had a good time. Dec. 27 We were late getting started. Aunt Ida rode to town with Mother, Hilda & I. Got sea sick in the covered sleigh. No serious results. - The trip back seemed much shorter. Dec. 30 Dr. Hatch surely treats me good. I surely like him. Dec. 31 In the meantime I was trying to hold Mr. Hoggan, mental case, down. He scares me to death & of all the junk he doesn't tell you.   A Page for Memory Notes "To thine own self be true. And it must follow as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man." Memos Training in Detail Entered training at the L.D.S. Hospital, Idaho Falls, Idaho Class work May 5, 1930 May 24, 1930 1st floor May 25 June 13 1st nights June 13 Aug 5 4th Gen Aug 5-1PM Sept 13 Vacation Sept 13-1pm Sept 24 2nd Gen Sept 25 7AM Nov 26 1st nights Nov 26-7Am Dec 25 Vacation Dec 25-7AM Dec 27 1st nights Dec 27-7PM Jan 22 2nd Gen Jan 22, 1PM Feb 28 Nursery Days Feb 22 - 7AM March Vacation May 28-1 PM May 31 PM 2nd nights June 1,7 PM July 11-7AM 1st Gen July 11,1 PM July 17,7PM 4th Gen July 18-7 AM July 21-7PM 4th Charge July 22,7 AM Aug 8 Vacation Aug 8,1 PM Aug 25-10PM Extracts from 1931 Diary of Flora Durtschi Jan. 3 Had the good fortune to watch a Caesarian with Miss Paulsen, Steele & Scholes. They keep it so very warm all over, the mask, ether & sight of it all got the best of me twice & I had to go out. The second time I was really sick & saw black for awhile. Forever more, suturing, suturing, suturing made matters worse. I thought they'd never get through. It took over an hour. I was pale as a sheet when I submerged and shook like a leaf. Nevertheless I'm glad I saw it. Jan. 14 Helped or in fact did most of laying out a Mexican poisoned by wood alcohol. Mr. Cilla! That's my second post mortem care. Had a class meeting in which we elected the following: S. Hogge,Pres.; F. Durtschi, Vice Pres.; V. Sparks, Secy & Treas. and Dr. West as God father & Miss Willford as God mother. Had a Student Body meeting tonight & raved on about every imaginable thing until it wasn't even funny. In fact, we were on the verge of dissolving the S.B. We called Miss Crotty, to get it out on her, & before she got through we were as satisfied or more so than ever before, in fact appreciating the chance the school is giving us. Kids were getting up & apologizing & what not. - I'm going to try to do better especially in my class work if possible. Weight 140 lb. in uniform. Jan. 15 I'm in the awfullest predicament. Round shouldered & gone so far I can hardly help myself. Weight 138 in uniform. Jan. 16 This evening at 10:30 did some more post mortem care. Mr. Haggan, after practically living or using up his last strength expired. Jan. 20 Found out I was going off nights the 22nd. I surely hate that. I do like nights awfully well. - Went to town after supper & mailed an album for Hilda's birthday. Also got a hair cut. Jan. 22 Had about an hours sleep is all & went on duty on 2nd at 1:00. Long afternoon. - Don't mind 2nd so bad. I'm going to do my best & see if I can't do better this term. Surely value my term of night duty. Wouldn't do without it now for anything. Jan. 24 The day passed nicely until we got our papers back in Drugs & Solutions. Miss Jenkins & I both got 68%. You can imagine how we felt all evening. Went to bed at 8:30. No use brooding over it. That's all I would have done, had I stayed up. - Miss Lingren said "She had never known such a change to come over any one as it had me as a result of night duty. I was all keyed up 60 per." Can I keep this up? Surely hope so. Jan. 25 Sorry, to do it but for the sake of my lessons, I had one of my days off. - I had a letter from Mother wondering what was the matter. Meningitis or sick. She had a letter there the day she sent this the. Wonder what she'll say about the exam. Don't know what I'd do without her. Her letters give me a thrill or rather a joy I can't do without. Well between all the events I did get quite a bit done. At least a new enthusiasm to do better. Jan. 30 Received a letter from Mother. The 2nd this week. Really she's wonderful. Talk about feeling encouraged. Don't know what I'd do without her. Well, after I got through Lund & Vera & I decided to go to the show for recreation so we got our pennys, nickles, the few we had, borrowed some more & went. Bar L. Ranch was the best in town for the money & it was quite good. Jan. 31 Came off duty about dead. Ankles hurt & ache all over. Feb. 2 I now have 214 Mrs. Mayeda, Ukena & baby Mayeda. Like them but paratyphoid with precautions is the part I don't like. Feb. 8 The Mayeda's gave me the cutest jewel box. I have a lot of fun with Ukena & the baby. Also got a 1 lb box of chocolates from them. No precautions now. Feb. 26 Surely glad to find out I am going to the nursery on the 28th. What a relief. It will be a change, at least. Feb. 28 Armin's birthday today. Wish I could be home. Had eight babies in the nursery & I surely had to hurry after Miss Haney and Miss Wilford finished demonstrating. It's a job that keeps you stepping all the time but I like it. Mar. 1 & 2 Had six babies & got through bathing them all right. I can't seem to make any better than 15 minutes apiece. That is weighing, taking temp., cleaning eyes, bathing & making bed. Mar. 3 & 4 Nine babies. Miss Wilford is surely nice and helped me bathe them. Made an average of 11 minutes this morning. Mar. 5 P.M. Went down town & dropped in at J.C.Penny's and ran on to the cutest Prom dress $14.75. That's a sum but the dress is keen too. I look so good in it. Long one coming to ankles. It's a big temptation. Mar. 6 Went to town with Vera & got the dress. Paid $5.00 down. Our Bacteriology papers came back today & I got 85%. So thankful to get that. All got through. Mar. 16 Had 11 babies to bathe this morning. Since I haven't had my watch to keep me pepped up I've slowed down. Some I got done in 10 minutes. Others I didn't. - It seems its my lot to play in assembly for a while now. Apr. 17 Review - I did get a little slack before I left the nursery. Down to five one afternoon but six the next morning. I'm very much at a loss especially when taking them out. - Left the nursery rather reluctantly. Later, I got a T.L. to the effect "Miss Gettes said she thought I was happier in the nursery than any place I'd been since I've been in training." That may be modified some. Went to 1st the 1st of April & surely enjoyed it ever since. May. 5 A year today since I entered and as a remembrance Mother was so sweet as to send me a big box of cookies. May 28 So disappointed tonight because Burgeners didn't come as was expecting them to. On the verge of tears but I've decided I'll never do that again unless I have to. It temporarily makes one feel better but the blue feeling stays with you. May 29 Got a ride home with Hattie Green & family so I supposedly surprised them. Stayed home that night but had a good chat. Next day went up to the Graveyard. Met various people & had a good time in general. Aunt Clara, Emma, Mr. & Mrs. Kukni came when we were nearly through so we stayed longer & got a very red sunburn. June 11 We went swimming again. Almost all nurses there. Had a wonderful time until I got to diving. It was all right until the 4th time when I got braver & didn't have anyone there to pull me out if necessary. The nearest person happened to be Miss Field on the high diving board. Went over slightly backwards & 6-8 feet away from the shore. Found out I couldn't swim even in case of utter necessity. Field rescued me. Got so much H20 in me before I even came up the first time. It bothered me as nothing has for a long while. Lost sleep over it. It was dreadful. June 12 Last night while getting supper with Miss DeMott we were talking & she said, "your surely sweet Miss Durtschi." She surely is a keen kid even as my little sister Miss Wakiman is. We're real good friends. That was my big ambition to be a real big sister to her. Tonight Higbee & I & later Paulsen & Field read some poetry till after 9:00. The Even of St. Agnes, Sahrab & Rustirm,etc. That old English poetry is just marvelous. So pure & simple. You can just tell the attitude people took toward life & each other by reading it and as compared to this fickle age. - Miss Page still seems to hang on life on a remaining thread. Let's hope she weaves it into a full sized spool again. June 13 Went over swimming again. I honestly learned to swim with my head out of water a little. Miss Faulsen showed me how to float on my back. I feel like I'll master it yet. I'm so glad. June 30 This morning the night girls went up the river & cooked their breakfast. Talk about good. Fried potatoes, eggs, fried & scrambled, corn, bread & butter, cantaloupe & wavers was the menu. Had a good time. - Julia called me in & in the course of our conversation Brooks told Steele & I that they were comparing printing on charts & Miss Castle said mine was even better than Miss Clark's. It showed care and conscientiousness. July 2 Miss Steele & I went shopping. We got the cutest voile dresses. July 3 Decided I'd better put my means into my teeth so I made an appointment with Dr. Neilson. He filled two cavities and cleaned them. The whole works is $17.50 I'm sick. With $5.00 down I have just enough to go without spending money again. Miss Orme says every time she sees me on 2nd she thinks I'm going to run my legs off. Ha ha. July 1) Slept until nearly supper time. After played a bit & went out and played croquet with Steele & Scholes. I beat my first game of croquet. I feel that's a big accomplishment. July 5 The Fast meeting was surely good. The first one I've been to since I came in training. Dr. Hatch talked & wonderfully to. He mentioned the choice girls relieving the sick in the wee hours of the morning. His subject at the time was the blessings we would get by attending church regularly or words to that effect. July 7 Miss Rice and I went swimming. Went to the deep end. Did the back stroke across & the Austrian speed stroke once. Dived once off the bank. Got a little more confident & at the 40 mark started to back float back. Went 10 feet & got H20 in my nose & was about to strangle. Managed to get out myself this time. July 12 Finished reading Venna Hastings, a story of a Mormon convert. It's a very excellent book. July 27 I'm learning a great deal more than if I'd been under Miss Hill. It seems I'm in a daze. I can't quite comprehend the responsibility although no diets have been charged to me yet. (On surgery patient) I started to cut the adhesive off. (Had all things in there.) She started to yell so Dr.Cline thought he could do it better but she continued to yell when he did. It didn't take so long but fortunately enough for that got on his nerves so bad as she was weeping when he finished that he walked out without saying a word except the ones under his breath ??????? July 24 After we got back Clark wanted me to go to the dance. Said Kirkbride was bringing two other fellows for Hicheson & I. I had just a wonderful time. Got a compliment too. Kirkbride & I had just finished dancing when a friend of his came up & was introduced. After the dance he said Kirkbride was surely lucky to have a girl friend like me. I was most disappointed in my date. In fact we were all mad at K. for bringing him. Mr. Levitte was the other. He's nice. July 25 Miss Field & I went down town. Saw Mr. Poole who asked us to ride to the hosp. with him. He drove us out of I.F. a way but Miss Field had to be on duty at 7:00 or the outcome might have been sad for she's the kind to tell the truth if it does hurt or mean the ride too long for our best good. Stepping out on a cute little wife. Shame on him. That sport roadster is too big of a hit. He offered to take me out any time or place even home in a hour or a half. Oct. 11 Well, things have happened.Yesterday was my first day on dressings & treatments and it really is a relief to be off charge. Got along fine. Helped Dr. Cline pump a stomach. My 1st time. For the 30 cc syringe. Next time I'll know what to expect. Got along swell otherwise. - Went to a show with Sparks. "Never the twain shall meet." It was good. It's either my 1st or 2nd offense. I mean Sunday show. Aug. 2 The first delivery I've seen right through was the low forceps on Mrs. Mahas. How really terrible. She's only 17. Aug. 4 Dr. Cline doesn't treat me rude like he used to. He's real sensible. Oct. 24 Went on nights. Had 12 babies & gradually decreased to 2 the 2nd week. Then is when we slept or tried to keep from it. Third week- a baby a night until very soon I became quite experienced in the birth room. Being able to set up with ease. Nov. 9 Our Junior party--The Big Event-- Helped make the sandwiches for lemonade. Had 8-9 off and the program really was best yet given. Everyone enjoyed it immensely. Our trio went off pretty good. The playlet was a scream from start to finish. - Had my fortune told last Friday night & some fortune. I had my wish granted. A fellow in it. I was to receive a very important letter which I should answer promptly. I was to have a vacation. Friends would object but I shouldn't let that bother me. - Miss my first time Nov. 2 & 3 with an infected finger. Sunday night I'm not used to spending my Sundays in this way. - Admitted 2 & delivered 3. Got along pretty good. We had to kinda rush for Mrs. Probert. It happened all of a sudden & me on duty. Maybe I'll learn to watch them constantly. I had been & went to Nursery for a few minutes but everything ended all right. Got a scant 2 hours off duty. Monday night 14 babies & howled a lot of the time. The premature went bad & nearly went. Bowen asked me how I liked Miss Parkinson to work with & I said fine. She said I believe you could get along with any one. At a truth party before class one morning I was told I had a tendency to make patients believe I was slow. I'm trying ever to get over it. Also they didn't think I could be sarcastic. Taking O.R. Technique & Miss Briggs, Steele, & I watched Dr. Cline & Corders do an appendectomy and gastroenterostomy. He was keen & we had a foot stool at the head and he explained a few things as we went along. I got along swell. Didn't get sick. Extracts from 1932 Diary of Flora Durtschi Jan. 22 Hope Hilda had a happy birthday. Sent her a necklace & hair pin on the same order. Was very down cast until I found Vera was working again. She was taken off nights for some trouble they had about different things. Jan. 23 Dr. Hawker & I dressed Mrs. Alaverson's wound alone although she insisted it was Dr. Durtschi. Vera is discouraged or non-interested, it seems & has a tendency to make me feel the same. Need some diversion I suppose. She goes to shows & I don't have money. Jan. 24 Went to church alone because no one else was going. Enjoyed myself though & participated in the class work now under the direction of a new teacher. - Shortly after coming on Mr. Roehe fell out of bed & was found by Miss Hahn much to our embarrassment, under the bed. One of the girls had been in there just a few minutes before so I had a comeback when supervisor & Miss Crotty questioned me next morning. Jan. 25 This was my last day with Mrs. Hahn & promise of a change sounds wonderful. Really its getting me down. I don't like the way Catholics live their religion. She said she didn't think it made any difference what church a person belonged to just so they lived right. I disagree. Jan. 30 Tonight Briggs, Landon, Hawker, Lund & I went over to Dorothy's place & had a whoopee time. Had candy, played cards and danced. Played old Maid, steal the pile, I doubt it, etc. I had a real good time Jan. 31 Friday I started reading an unusual booklet "The three Degrees of Glory" and was very much impressed. Went to church and had a good lesson on prophecy and its fulfillment. I fasted till noon. Feb. l-12 Friday took Dr. West's Communicable Disease exam and it wasn't 50 easy. Got 95% in Communicable Diseases and 97% in Miss Barnes O.R. Techniques. Sunday, I visited with Dr. Hatch and he introduced me to Mr. Kearsley & son. Surely complimented me. Went to afternoon conference & Pres. Manwaring of Ricks College and Dr. Hatch both gave very inspiring talks mainly on the necessity of the LDS people living righteously and the forces of evil working steadily day & night. Wednesday night. The Nurses dance given by the Juniors failed miserably. $14.82 in the whole. Went with Linn & missed only 2-3 dances. Had quite a bit of fun but nothing unusual. Feb. 12 I discovered a $1. bill in my album and guessed it was Uncle Fred's. Took my pictures down to be developed and am going to send him some. March 4 Spent evening writing letters. Got a long one from Mother--news & enumerations of detailed financial conditions which is much appreciated. March 13 Through Vera's persistent persuasion I went to the show with her & Vally. Janet Gaynor & Charles Farrell in "Delicious". It was darling. I enjoyed it a lot. March 14 My last day on 2nd for a while, I'm just so fed up on it. I've been counting the days ever since the sign went up scheduling me for the birth room. - This evening I feel so dirty. Isolation never made me feel quite that way. Thank goodness my biggest part is over. Had a scrub down including hair in the shower & feel better. March 19 Saw my 3rd delivery, this morning at 5:30. Mrs. Winder--Dr. Hatch. So Miss Castle let me scrub. She scrubbed the pt, while I scrubbed. She showed me through the correct way to do everything. The most unusual case. Her pains even almost to the last were 4-6 minutes. - Helped Dr. West into his things. I wasn't a bit scared, Got alone fine until the baby came then I was a bit slow. He was pretty nice and showed me how he wanted the cord tied etc. March 20 Dr. Willson & I got to talking. I told him we had another OB in. He said, "Oh has Dr. West another one in. Aren't you scrubbing?" I said "No I've had the last two scrubs. Miss Briggs is taking her turn. I'll have to try to do a little better before I scrub again." He spoke up promptly and said "Oh, I thought you did pretty good. So many people have the idea that I'm bawling them out when I try to help them. I was just showing you how so you could do it next time etc, etc." March 21 No OB's in this length of time and we're all wishing everyday we'd have two or three, I have Baby Anderson in the bathroom to take care of in the morning. It's the cutest little baby & only occasionally cries during its bath. It's getting better. March 24 On call, At last I was called. My third scrub for Mrs. Chaffin. Didn't do so well. Forgot to put on a cap & mask. Then I put on some B gloves which were on the table. So to save my hide the B gloves had to be taken off. Surely had to rush. Did pretty good helping Dr. Mellor. March 26 Got up for Dr. West's case, Mrs. Clements after midnight. Knew my business pretty well that night. "Memos" Think what your here for, it might help you. (Mother to Bertha.) Excerpts from the Orange Diary - 1932 March 28 We admitted Mrs. Hammer at 6:00. Dr. Mellor came over but the baby didn't come until 10:40. It's the most terrible delivery I ever hope to witness. She raved and ranted terribly and sometimes it was hard to keep her head and shoulders on the table at all, and if it hadn't been for Mrs. Sant's good foot hold she might probably have been pushed through the wall or asphyxiated in the procedure or attempt. I really anticipated 2nd degree lacerations at the least but only 2 sutures were taken. - It was 12:00 before I got to bed. I was so tired; went to sleep shortly after hitting the pillow but usually I lay awake for 30-45 minutes. March 29 Went to Mutual with Vera and quite enjoyed it even if Vera didn't seem to. They discussed polygamy mostly. Polly treated us after with a chicken sandwich and cake - the best Angel Food I've tasted for a long while. March 31 I went off at 6:30 to help make our toasted sandwiches & cocoa for our little party & meeting. It just lasted an hour & didn't end so good. Dr. Hatch's talk yesterday on personality wasn't practiced generally. April 1 Mrs. Hansen heard my name called and later asked if I lived in Driggs. Well that was enough to start something. She used to come up there with Helen & the rest. - Went up on 6th & played awhile to make me feel better inside. I had sort of a homesick feeling today for some reason. - In the meantime Mrs. Storm started hemorrhaging after Dr. Willson left so he came back and emptied her uterus of clots,etc. and packed it. It surely takes foresight and I thought we did pretty good even though Dr. Willson did say when he was donning his gown, "Come on girls lets see a little action or words to that effect. Mrs. Storm was just keen though it all. - Got to my room at 4:25 a.m. not feeling so bad considering what I'd been through. At 6:15 when I got up I felt so weak, I quivered & my nerves were uncontrollable but I held my own. - Mrs. Carter: Her husband--uncontrollable never forget. Kept patting her on the face when her pains were so hard and so tenderhearted as to shed a few tears. Dr. Hatch talked German to him. April 3 First delivery for Dr. Cline. He wasn't so good natured. When helping put on his gown I gave a little extra movement upward & he thought I would contaminate so he had to tell me about it. - Due to baby's position I couldn't get eye lids open. The 1st time I couldn't. He told me to hold droppers away from eyes & use sponge to open them. I was much pleased to have it over with. April 6 Class at 6:30. Got quite a kick out of it. Had a paper written writing misspelled word 100 times "Hermaphroditism." He said " Didn't you have a paper to hand in, Miss Durtschi?" Yes,"Hermorphoditism" I handed it in. He paused awhile. Then said."What word did you have to write?" Hermaphroditism (Right this time) & I grinned. He said "I didn't think you said it right the first time. April 11 Things started happening shortly after we were all set. The position was R/P and we had to work quickly. It took about 5 minutes after the baby's feet and buttocks were delivered. The baby had to be resuscitated in hot and cold baths, baby suction and general treatment that couldn't be called kind. April 22 --I surely like the patients up there now. Mrs. Ruthardt said she would imagine I'd like it because of my winning personality. Mrs. Beazer is the grandest thing and Mrs. Walker I'm in love with and Mrs. Ricks is very sweet. Also Mrs. Rasicot and Mrs. Smith etc, etc. April 24 All we girls got to singing on the porch. I was at the piano. It ended in a trio with Fern, Miriam and I. It's beautiful out but somewhat cold. - Went to church tonight with Hawker & Paul. Had to side track to miss some fellows. Hawker being the one pursued. Enjoyed church a lot. Haven't been for at least three Sundays. April 25 I feel blue tonight. Even little no count words that are sarcastic can make me feel as if I wasn't on an equal standard. Julia can hurt you with words easier than anyone. She isn't alone. I wish I could find someone who was sincere and trying to do their best and appreciate the beauties of nature & last but foremost speak kind words. May 10 Really it was hard to believe that I should be going to surgery. It reminds me so much of the sensations of newness I used to experience when I first came here. Dr. Mellor had an appendix case Miss Steele scrubbed for. It didn't even occur to me to get sick and I think I'll get along all right as far as that is concerned. May 19 Dr. Cline had an outpatient come in for removal of a growth on the lip. Miss Lee asked me to scrub so I did. She said I did good. I can see where I could improve a lot but I didn't hardly have time. I handed him a tissue forceps with Novocaine and he asked me what I wanted him to use that for. Good joke on me. May 23 Senior week begins and how. Much to the Seniors disappointment after having secured their bibs so tenaciously to their aprons we didn't take them off in devotional but required everyone to do so by 2:00 p.m. Rules for Seniors are: All seniors must open doors and stand aside for the Juniors to go ahead. All seniors must not use elevators at any time. All seniors are campused Monday and Tuesday and allowed to go out only in company with a Junior the remainder of the week. All Seniors must observe study hour from 7:30-9:00 Wednesday evening. All Seniors must sit in the back row in Devotional. The day was quite uneventful except for the complements the Seniors got on the way they look in their new uniforms. May 24 Senior Supper --Cornmeal mush!!!! The seniors evidently were prepared for they gathered their forces and assembled on 6th floor for theirs. Juniors got wise so they locked them up and kept them there until 8:30. May 26 Oh yes. I had my first tonsil scrub for Dr. Hatch. He was so wonderful through it all. Local took quite a while. Surely makes me feel good to have a person so sweet to work with. May 27 Had a good time at the dance but didn't dance so much. Twice with Mr. Field and he asked to take me home but I declined. - Gene really is very wonderful. He said when we were starting, "How's Durtschi, Nice Durtschi. That's what I'll always think of you." I would be very well satisfied to get one who thinks as much of me and visa versa. May 29 We had a strangulated hernia and got along pretty good. I do better when I know I can't depend on someone else or have someone beat me to something. - The exercises for those graduating from teacher training were held and they certainly were good. May 30 We were wakened at 5:30 and prepared for our big day. Made the sandwiches and had breakfast. We left shortly after 7:00. Went over to McHans and he showed us to his birds and flowers. He certainly has some beautiful varieties. We had a flat tire out of I.F. and Mr. Lambertson helped us fix it. We stopped at Swan Valley bridge to wait for the rest of the crowd. Soon we came to Irwin which I was indeed glad and surprised to see. We camped at a school house and had a lot of fun going down slides, swinging, teeter-totter-ing, playing ball, horse shoes,etc. Soon it began to rain so we climbed through the school house window and opened the door. Had dinner of sandwiches, sweet and dill pickles, salad, deviled eggs, cake, bananas, and coffee. I didn't include the latter in my menu but I was surely wishing for something hot as my stomach was slightly upset. - Had to leave about 4:00 because the rain made the road too muddy for safe travel. We stopped at the camping grounds near Swan Valley bridge and did we have a big time. Everybody was so full of fun. - We returned at 7:30 having had a full and good day. June 1 This is a creed by Dr. Hudson given to Miss Lee. I think it's fine. My Creed - That every new day starts with the will to make it a better lived one than the yesterday. - To use my efforts for the production of happiness of those around me instead of giving voice to criticism. - Never to unearth the questioned past of a fellow being but rather to bury it a little deeper. - Working for those who employ me with all the loyalty I can give. - Fighting hard, but clean and fair for all that I desire, if a loser, not to whine, but to force a smile and try again.- May I always keep faith with those who place their trust in me; keeping the confidences of all, betraying none. - Ever respecting the feelings of everyone, always honoring the memory of my Mother by never taking part in talk belittling the name of woman. - Being man enough to take punishment for my shortcomings; making no excuses nor placing blame upon others. - And, what life has not given me, then may I seek consolation in knowing that it was not meant for me. - Remembering and living all this, then I can see dusk approach and have no fear of the tomorrow. June 2 Miss Lee persuaded me to go with her so fortunately her boy friend had an other boy friend along. He was a lot of fun and we had a very nice time for an hour and then had to come in because Miss Lee is staying with her cousin tonight. June 3 I had a P.M. and went to town with Polly & got my coat from cleaners, a voile dress for her,etc. Have a cute blue dress for only $4.98. It looks more expensive. June 5 Miss Paulsen and I were called for Surgery at 7:45 and Miss Barnes let me scrub for the D.& C. for C.M. I was quite thrilled but not frightened. My trust in a higher power helped me through. Forgot to go through solutions but had scrubbed so faithfully I thought it would be all right for just a short operation. Miss Paulsen said I did very good. June 7 Someone said surgery was surely fascinating. I found it out today. Miss Barnes let me scrub with Miss Steele on a gastroenterostomy of Dr. Clines and also a tonsil for Dr. Willson. That makes 9 scrubs. I got along good. Wringing those laps and sponges out of hot boiling water is terrible and nearly brings something - some tears or a cry of relief. Miss Paulsen surely makes surgery more interesting with her wise cracks. June 23 Miss Hood, Steel, Dilworth and I played tennis for an hour. Vi & I taught others how. Had fun, We have 4 new red tennis balls. Dr. Cline has his leg broken and I helped put on only about 5 casts for him. Dr. Sody & Arrington came up to practice a certain type of cast & both Miss Lund and I argued on who it should be. She finally consented. We did have fun. I'm crazy about surgery and just love to scrub. Went on vacation Aug 25 having had 3 1/3 months surgery. Fully expected to come back to surgery but was disappointed. Went to Lab. - Went to show with Mr. Caine one evening and enjoyed it a lot. I enjoyed the lab too and soon got on to WBC's etc. - Our Halloween party must not be omitted. I enjoyed myself immensely. Landon & I were dressed as little girls with bonnets & panties. Danced with Mr. Caine quite a lot. Nov. 30 Saw Mrs. Smith Hammond & baby down town & talked quite a while. She said she heard I was one of the best surgical nurses here. That surely thrills me. Dec. 1 Wrote a letter to Mother & Bertha... - Saw Mr. Linnell come limping down the street on his peg leg and a cane & my curiosity got the best of me and also to bring back a few memories of by gone days. I talked to him for a few minutes. He is very discouraged and says he is as miserable as he can be and yet live. He doesn't look so bad but getting out helps him. His leg isn't good & may have to come back to hosp. - Mr. Brog, Frieda's husband, brought me a brick cheese tonight & Mr. Kummer gave it to me. Landon & Hogge furnished a little bread & Nellie some jelly and we surely had a good feast. The cheese is excellent. Surely, a boost for S.V. cheese (Sun Valley). Dec. 3 - Waved Hatches & Vera's hair & didn't do at all bad. I'm getting onto it real well. Wright & I went down town & I got a dress for $5.95--princess style. Can't say I like that style but it's all the rage this year and I look good in it. I feel so self conscious in it. - Kitchen seems so different since Anderson is gone. I think I'll get along keen with kitchen help. Dec.. 6 Went to town and saw McHan about my glasses. They don't suit me. Dizzy at first and now they blur more than they did. Dec. 24- Some how the time has arrived and I find myself running to the train station and on my way home. Gordin sat behind me for lack of room. Went to talk to Clara & Christie & they made room so Gordin came up. I certainly enjoyed myself. Met the folks at the train depot & went to Dr. Fuller's run down dentist shop with Rosie. Went to dance in Driggs (By the way milked 2 cows) and enjoyed myself. Danced with 2 kids I didn't know, Sidney, Armin, Clyde, Viril, Lloyd, Henry, Walter & Louis. Up next morning & went to church. It wasn't much of a success but we went to Driggs & thoroughly enjoyed myself. The cantata Armin sang in was superb. Had dinner at our house & whole party proceeded to Uncle John's after chores & played "Piter & Lotto," then sang etc. Certainly enjoyed ourselves. Aunt Ida tells me I played very well. Left on train at 1:30. My decision made finally. Dec. 27 Terrible terrible but I had my first taste of coffee. Miss Hogge poured half & half of coffee & postum in my 2nd cup and I drank it before I really inquired about it. Dec. 28 Had fun all day & tonight went to Pauls & looked over the year book & all the kids & what they've done. Oh yes, it was a regular "Old Maids Convention." - Been eating most too much of late & tipped the scales at 140 1/2 lbs. I lost my bet. Dec. 30 Fred gave me a pink pearl necklace. It's very beautiful. I'm so thrilled about it. When I see my other prospect smoking & losing interest in religion etc. I feel that it is another way of telling me to put him out of my life forever. Dec. 31 Was in bed when the train whistle blew, bombs went off,etc. & I got so excited I screamed out & enjoyed it with the others. Jan. 1, 1933 Went to church with Sperry & Wright & heard Mr. Pearson & Bill Hatch talk. It makes me wonder if I'm really accomplishing anything & makes me want to go out & do big things. Jan. 9 Went on nights as Senior P.R.N. or "night float." Feb. 24 Haven't written in my diary -for some time in spite of the fact that I have had very interesting things to enumerate - some of which I will in part impart: On the 16th of Jan. I made arrangements with Mrs. Hayes to take music lessons. After paying her a visit I am very thrilled about it and know I am going to enjoy them very much. She has a very remarkable personality. - I am enjoying my training days & am sure I will miss all the kids. Being on nights I surely have had fun with the kids. - I started a collection for my scrap-book. Mar. 26 Not too pleasant a day. Got along fairly good in my work. I haven't the interest & enthusiasm I have had in my work thus far & the last day or two have been a little harder. Mar. 27 Had a good day today in my work. Everything ran smoothly and with just 9 patients left we got some cleaning done. Did better with my piano pieces. Mar. 28 I've been so thrilled all day about it being just a month until I finish training & got a letter which made me feel even better. Had a PM and went over to Mrs. Hayes & she helped me with the piece I am to play. Of the two "Rustle of Spring" & "Con Amore" the latter was chosen & I do much better than I did. Apr. 1 We were greeted on duty with all kinds of pranks. They had expired 222? and had Mrs. Jones in 210 (dummy doll). Well, we had all the Dr's on the staff in there even Dr. Cline who was to go on a consultation with Dr. Hatch if you can imagine but we couldn't resuscitate the dear old lady. - Our CoEd ball came off wonderful. I've never had so much fun in a long while & did we dance. Surely enjoyed it. (No more entries.)