Norris: Diary, July - September, 1904

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Needs Review

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Wednesday July 27th 1904

Princeton, N.J.

Dined with Prof. Wm Sloane and his family and Miss Peasley of Trenton. Very pleasant dinner. His home circle charming.

At midnight went to the observatory and inspected the moon, Jupiter, Saturn and one or two stellar constellations with Mr. Reed. Beautiful night with moon about full.

Thursday July 28, 1904

Left Princeton on 1:15 P.M. train for New York. On arrival went to Manhattan Beach and met James Britton Went in bathing and afterwards to dinner at Tappans at Sheepshead Bay and then to Brighton Beach to a fairly good variety show and then back to New York and to bed about 2:00 A.M.

Last edit about 1 year ago by Visual Resources, Department of Art and Archaeology, Princeton University
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Indexed

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July 29, 1904

New York

Arose about 7:00 A.M. and spent the day mostly down town arranging details of trip to Syria and shopping.

My friends who live in a delightful apartment at #515 Madison Ave gave me a dinner which I enjoyed very much with some of my dearest friends. Those present were Dr. Jas. Decker, chief host. A.W. Schumacher Jas. H. Britton Fitzhugh Speir? Clarence Wingsworth Clarence Porter

Retired about 2:30 A.M.

Last edit about 1 year ago by Visual Resources, Department of Art and Archaeology, Princeton University
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Needs Review

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July 30, 1904

New York

Arose about 7:00 A.M. and spent the morning in detail work down town. About 2 o'clock went to Manhattan Beach and in Bathing. Thence home and took 9 o'clock train from Grand Central Station for Jefferson, White Mountains to see my friend Gus Holly for perhaps the last time on earth.

Had just about retired in an upper berth? when I felt the air brakes applied very hard and then almost instantly a bump followed by a second bump and then a third which banged my head up against the head board of the bed, slightly hurting my head, and the train had stopped. The car being full of ? & many women there was immediately a great fright. Dressed and went out side to find that we had been running about 40 miles per hour & had collided with a freight train, going through three cars. Our engineer was found dead in the cab & our fireman probably mortally injured. A good an accurate a/c of the accident with pictures is contained? in the N.Y. Herald of Aug 1st. Eventually they backed us back to New Haven where we waited for the wreckers to clear the track It was impossible to sleep on a/c of the noises in station. Proceeded again about 3 A.M. when I slept until about 8 o'clock next morning.

Last edit over 1 year ago by OldeEcrivaine
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Needs Review

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July, 31, 1904

En Route New York to Jefferson, N.H. Morning on train. Hot & dusty - no breakfast with exception of cup of coffee. Spent about 2 hours taking with a Mr. Steinway of piano fame. Interesting man opposed to Trade Unionism & with no sympathy? with the working man. A large employer of labor himself, he gave several examples in his experience of their stupidity, opposition, and ingratitude.

Arrived at Jefferson, N.H. about 2:15 P.M. Saw my poor friend & former class-mate at college Aug. F. Holly Jr. and his estimable wife. Poor Gus in the last stages of Tuberculosis of the spine and still thinking he is going to get well. Sat talking with him for 5 hours. His wife tells me I am the only person he can talk with and enjoy it. I always do him good. He will look forward to seeing me for months. Being on his back & helpless he says he is sorry the hay is all in as he took as much pleasure in seeing the men mow in the beautiful fields with those blue hazy mountains in the background. His wife is an angel of mercy. The loveliest woman I have ever seen. Her whole life wrapped up in him, and grasping at a straw, believing in her innermost heart that he will get well. Her family are to visit her next week and she doesn't care to have them because she will not be able to see as much of him all to herself. This after nursing him for 3 years! A great strain on my nerves after the strenuous life of the last few days to lie to him for hours looking him in the eye - my best friend - & telling him how much better he is looking and encouraging him and

continued on Page "Jan 1st."

Last edit over 1 year ago by OldeEcrivaine
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Needs Review

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Continued from July 31st 1904

my heart breaking all the time and not even a little tobacco to brace me. I must be a good actor however for my outward manner was composed and cheerful, and sympathetic.

Shook his hand, probably for the last time and said good bye with a "God Bless You" from him, now so near his God, yes nearly a part of God himself now --- and I took the sleeper for New York.

I always try to keep out of my mind sad things and in this case as in previous ones succeeded fairly well & slept during most of the night - probably because I needed sleep so much.

September 8th. (Continued)

In the evening we went with Dr. Kahle through the arabic quarter, narrow streets swarming with Arabs and looking pretty tough but were practically unmolested. We went into a small Arabic theatre ill-smelling and hot in the poorest quarter and stayed about ten minutes seeing an arabic play which I did not understand. We were of course the only Europeans there and caused considerable comment and jabbering among the audience. We went from there through some more slums and to an old man who was sitting in the street telling stories. We stopped to listen but were not well received one of them saying in Arabic:- "Why do these foul Europeans come here to disturb us?" But L. and Dr. Kahle who both understand Arabic spoke to them & Dr. Kahle was recognized by some man who appeared to be in authority & invited to sit down & listen. H. & I not understanding the story

Last edit about 2 years ago by OldeEcrivaine
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