Marion Davis Audio-Tape Transcriptions
Sometime before her death in 1986, Marion Davis recorded her memories at the encouragement of her brother, Walter Buck. The recordings were transcribed by a secretary.
The Friends of Wapack have made these available to the Historical Society. Marion was born on February 8, 1894 in Fitchburg, MA.
Marion visits E.C. Daniels in Vermont
We put on an exhibit at the Twin State Fair in Brattleboro, VT. Oh, that was the most miserable weather, rain, rain, rain 3 days in succession. They had to bring in planks to make walkways, loads of sawdust to dump into the muddy places. During the time we were there we had a tent pitched up on a knoll. We didn't have money enough to go into a hotel because the only money we got out of it was the little we got from the powder puffs. Frank was paid, of course by the State. One of those days at the exhibit an elderly gentleman was introduced to me Mr. Daniels who lived in Plainfield, VT. We had a quite a tall and toward the last of our visiting he said "I'd like to have you come up to my place. I've got 200 sheep up there. Be glad to have you come and see them." The next day he said, "I mean this about your coming to see me. I'll be glad to pay your carfare if you'll only come". So when we got home Frank said, "Be a good idea. Go ahead and go; maybe you'll learn something. Anyway can't hurt you any". I had got a letter from him and a check $10 so I bought my ticket and started for White River Junction. I would be met there. When I got to White River Junction I had to go into a garage; there was 'a young fellow sitting on the edge of a desk there. I said, "Can you tell me how I can get to E. C. Daniels' place?" He said, "Yes, I'm living just beyond his place. Be glad to take ya." It was quite a drive from there, it really was. He had an old Model T. On the way he told me quite a bit about Mr. Daniels--quite an introduction. Seems he was an old bachelor, he had a housekeeper, he'd had quite a number of young women come there to visit, so this young man says. He said, "He's lookin for a wife I'll keep you po on what's going on". When I got there Mr. posted Daniels was standing in a little arbor waiting. He was expecting me; he came down to the car, thanked the young fellow and paid him for bringing me up. I guess it must have been arranged ahead of time. So he took me into the house and introduced me to the housekeeper. She was a very nice woman; showed me where my room would be. It was then after dark so we had supper. After supper her said, "Now I'm going to visit with you. I've got a lot of things to show you."
Photo Archives
A family photo. Somewhere I have the names.
James Roger diary entry & pullet count
21st December 1912 (What is binder for his bowels?)
Shortest day. Frosty and fair, wind westerly. David at Lonie’s drawing in wood in forenoon and a short time in afternoon; also fixing up in Church. Dr. Jones called this afternoon and left some medicine. Got letters from Alice with present of money for each of us. The flannels she sent is for a binder around my bowels. Mr. Lord and daughter decorating the church. Pullets 6.
I wonder if he meant a homemade binder to wrap around his lower abdomen to relieve back or intestinal pain from hernia or something. He’d not been feeling well for a while. And he worked like a fiend hauling wood, etc., so he might have strained something.
Hmmm binder around the bowels - what a gift!