JEL Miller

�HE

ROBINSON

DIARY

The Robinson Diary

© 1930-2014 Marcelia Josephine Ott Robinson.

All rights reserved.

Transcription, editing and image restorations by JEL Miller.

Permission to use the images from the Robinson family archives as reproduced in this book is gratefully acknowledged, especially those preserved and digitized by Wilson Robinson Locke.

For more information, please contact Jain Ellen Lemos Miller at (415) 265-8292 or by e-mail at jain@jainlemos.com.

Above: 1904. Marcelia Ott in Los Angeles, Calif. Cover: 1935. Marcelia at the Red Robin tavern in Richmond, Calif.

JEL Miller

�HE

ROBINSON

DIARY

1910. Marcelia arrives by buggy in front of the Howe McAle business, Los Angeles.

CONTENTS

The Family Tree – 6

A Note to Readers – 8

Introduction – 10

Early Years – 14

1930 – 19

1931 – 22

1932 – 35

1933 – 43

1934 – 54

1935 – 63

1978 – 67

Epilogue – 68

A Letter from Mother – 70

Additional Family Notes – 71

Residences – 72

Sample Diary Pages – 80

THE FAMILY TREE

Research has produced the records of most of Marcelia’s family tree dating back to 1795 and this chart gives a general idea of some of those relationships. A great deal of thanks goes to

June Valentine Locke, who spent nearly 10 pre-Internet years from 1970-1980 writing letters and combing through old documents to discover names and places. She compiled her findings in 1981 for her brother-in-law, Wilson Locke, who picked up the torch. Wil scanned hundreds of photos and did his best to determine years and faces in his file names. Nearly all of the images in this book are from the CDs he provided in 2002.

Pamela Robinson McCurdy also provided many historical details and we are fortunate to have her extensive research into the family ancestry. The book she compiled in 2013, The Robinson Family: A History of the Robinson, Dresser, Ott, and Elliott Families is a valuable resource and touching tribute. Using genealogy software, the outlines reproduced here gives placement to the various people mentioned in The Robinson Diary. More readable versions are available as well. Z

A fter my father died in February 2013 and our family house was closed, I received some of my mother’s keepsakes, mostly books, photographs and papers. These artifacts included the

diary of my maternal grandmother, Marcelia Josephine Ott Robinson. Her notebook begins on September 22, 1930 and spans 4 years, 10 months and 11 days to her entry on August 1, 1935.

Marcelia reveals an incredible emotional strength as she rather factually observes the many challenges of running a household and raising children during the Great Depression era. Some of the dreadful events she documents include the murder of her husband’s sister by her married lover and the horrific death of her eldest son after his clothes catch on fire during an accident at Standard Oil in Richmond, California.

The pages also convey her deep opposition to her eldest daughter marrying an abusive man, her husband’s continued drunken binges and his subsequent opening of a beer joint months before the end of Prohibition, which he abandons for her to run.

She uses the word sick more than 50 times. Her youngest daughter suffers an injury to her leg that requires numerous surgeries and medicine so expensive she reverts to her own home remedies. She also bravely journals the account of delivering the baby of her neighbor, a six-month-old premature infant, who dies within 24 hours.

The underlying theme of her personal struggle—mixed with the simple joy of love for her family—makes for a compelling read. Her ability to cope with the family’s desolate poverty and her daily exhaustion is fortified by her determined dream of escaping the drudgery of life’s terms to someday own a small farm by the ocean.

A NOTE TO READERS

Reading my grandmother’s diary has proven to be a personal catharsis. Instinctively, I relate to her ability to tough it out no matter what. My strength pales in comparison to hers but now I know that a deep capacity for perseverance is woven into my DNA. Suddenly, I understand that families are inherently linked to form a history of reference for each generation. By transcribing this, my hope is that Marcelia’s progenies for centuries to come will read her words with wonder and fondness for her courage and in turn, find their own.

I have taken some liberties with her entries, but only to spell out abbreviated words, correct obvious misspellings and add punctuation for clarity. Throughout, I’ve been mindful to keep the simplicity and straightforwardness of her writing. In places where I can’t decipher her penmanship, I use [brackets] around the words. Text in parentheses are the way she wrote them. Her lists of prices and costs are also formatted for better reading.

My footnote research expands on certain terms and happenings of the time. Because the original diary is fragile, I can only make it available if you come to see me! I am happy to scan selected pages if requested and welcome any corrections to this work that might improve my efforts. Z

Jain Ellen Lemos MillerNew Mexico

2014

c. 1927. Marcelia and her daughters, Bobbie, Sister, Blossom and Ruth in Los Angeles.

~ 10 ~

The Robinson Diary

Marcelia Josephine Ott was born July 29, 1894 in Chicago, Illinois. She was the eldest child of George Wesley Ott and Lulu Blanche Elliott. She had two younger brothers, George

and Wilbur born in 1897 and 1899, respectively. George Wesley was an entry clerk and struggled with a desire to pursue a more serious occupation, expressing to his father ( John Thomas Ott who was an editorial writer for the Chicago Tribune), his ambitions for studying medicine or law.

In 1894, the family’s neighborhood, Englewood, was a fine and comparatively new district, having been annexed to the city of Chicago only five years earlier. Englewood remained a good location for many years thereafter, but the Otts would not remain in the Midwest.

INTRODUCTION

c. 1898. Marcelia, about age 5 with her parents and brothers in Chicago., Ill. This is the only photo found of her father, George Wesley Ott.

The Robinson Diary

~ 11 ~

Lulu and George moved their family to Los Angeles, California around 1903. They later divorced in 1907. The death of their youngest child may have impacted their relationship. Chamberlyn, who was born in December 1901 in Chicago died on March 14, 1903 in Los Angeles. They had previously lost two other baby boys. Richard was born in Chicago in 1891 and died there on September 23, 1893. Marcelia was born the following year, just 10 months after Richard passed away. Walter, the twin of Wilber, died the day he was born on July 19, 1899.

By 1910, Marcelia, now sweet 16, was living with her mother in Los Angeles and working as a telephone operator. She no longer attended school. Her brothers George and Wilber remained living with their father, at least for some time.

In July of 1911, Marcelia married Alan J. Robinson in Riverside, California. Alan, born November 1, 1885 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, was the second oldest child of his family. Alan’s father, William Francis Robinson, was a school principal. His mother was the daughter of John O. Dresser and her given name was Ella M. Dresser. Albert E. Powers adopted Ella before she was 10 years old and she then became known as Mable Powers.

William and Mable also moved their family to California from the East Coast in the early 1900s, settling in Walnut Creek. Mable worked as librarian and teacher.

Alan’s had four siblings:

† Alberta (Roberta or Berta), born 1883. She married Tom McSwain.

c. 1910. Marcelia (fourth from left) enjoys a carefree day on a Southern California beach with her friends.

~ 12 ~

The Robinson Diary

† Paul, born 1887. He married Laurel Baker.

† Mamie Naomi (Nan) Gilpin, born 1889. She married John Floyd McSwain, Tom’s brother.

† Marion, born 1896. She married Carl Gryst.

Alan and Marcelia started their family right away and in 1920, were living in the Jefferson Park neighborhood of Los Angeles at 3732 Arlington Avenue with their first four children. They had a mortgage and Alan, at 34, worked for wages driving an ice wagon.

By the end of 1924, they had six children:

† Alan, born June 12, 1912

† Lucelia Mable, born November 25, 1913

† Paul Munroe, born May 18, 1916

† Ruth Jeannette, born March 25, 1918

† Roberta, born May 7, 1921

† Blossom Celia, born October 16, 1924

c. 1920. Alan working for Merchant’s Ice Company in Los Angeles.

The Robinson Diary

~ 13 ~

Marcelia’s diary begins in September of 1930. The family is living in Vancouver, Washington at 1605 Rail Road Avenue. Marcelia’s brother Wilber, now 30, is also living with them.

Their ages at the time the diary opens are:

† Alan: 44

† Marcelia: 36

† Alan, Jr.: 18

† Lucelia: 16

† Paul: 14

† Ruth: 12

† Bobbie: 9

† Blossom: 5

Here are the names she uses for better identification. The family is somewhat infamous about changing their names as the years go by and some are also fond of using alternate spellings. Even though relatives are later known by other names, here is how Marcelia refers to them:

† Her mother, Lulu: Mama

† Her oldest child, Alan, Jr.: Son

† Her oldest daughter, Lucelia: Sister

† Her in-laws: Dad and Mother, Father and Mother, Dad and Mable

† Her two youngest daughters, Bobbie and Blossom: B & B

† There are two named Paul: Alan’s brother and her second son.

† There are two named Ruth: Her second daughter and her niece, little Ruth.

In this diary, she never mentions her father, who had died years earlier at age 52 on March 27, 1918. He is buried in Riverside, California. Z

c. 1928. Ruth holding her cat, with Sister and Bobbie. The man on the porch appears to be Alan in a classic parental stance.

~ 14 ~

The Robinson Diary

1904. William Francis Robinson; Marion (8); Mable Powers; Nan (15); Alan J. (19); Paul (17). The family’s oldest daughter, Roberta, is not pictured. The 1900 Federal Census lists their residence as Union, New Jersey. It’s not clear when they moved to Walnut Creek, Calif.

EARLY YEARS

1912. Alan with his first car. c. 1914. Paul, Roberta, William Francis Robinson; Mable, Marion, Nan and Alan J.

The Robinson Diary

~ 15 ~

1910. At age 16, Marcelia was working as a telephone operator in Los Angeles, Calf.

1916. Alan with baby Paul, their second son, in Los Angeles.

1919. Alan at age 34. He and Marcelia were married in July of 1911 and by this time, they had four children.

September 1916. Son and Sister in Los Angeles.

1912. Marcelia at 18 in Los Angeles.

~ 16 ~

The Robinson Diary

c 1912. Lulu with her sons, George and Wilber in Los Angeles.

1912. Lulu with her children George, Marcelia and Wilber in Los Angeles.

c. 1875. Lulu Blanche Elliott as a child in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The city is located on the state’s western border alongside the Mississippi River.

Date uncertain. A portrait of Robert Carr Elliott, Marcelia’s maternal grandfather. Lulu’s father was born in Bennington County, Vermont in 1842.

Date uncertain. Sarah Elisabeth Simpson, Lulu’s mother and Marcelia’s grandmother, was born in Delphus, Ohio in 1847.

1910. Lulu with George and Wilber in Los Angeles, Calif.

The Robinson Diary

~ 17 ~

Date uncertain. Alan (left) and a co-worker on the job for Frozen Steam Merchant and Cold Storage Company, Los Angeles.

Date uncertain. Son, Paul and Sister in Los Angeles.

Date uncertain. One of the early Robinson homes, possibly in Los Angeles.

c. 1928. Marcelia and one of the children on a trip to Ventura, Calif.

c. 1928. Marcelia with Blossom.

c. 1928. Alan trying to cool everything down at the beach in Ventura.

1930. Sister, Marcelia, Ruth, Blossom and Bobbie in Vancouver, Wash.

September 22

I’m starting a new book. This seems a good time as I just mailed a letter east that may change our life. I hope so. Wages were cut on the 15th and Alan is getting $3.25 a day. It is not enough for what he does. Sent Wilbur his sweater this morning. I do hope this book is better than the last one.

October 10

Pay day. Paul home from school sick. He was vaccinated for smallpox. Went to S. Church last Sunday night. We (Sister and I) didn’t get home until 10:30. Alan nearly had a fit. Alan worked 12 hours yesterday and 12 today.

October 16

This is Blossom’s birthday, 6 years old. Son made her a table, pretty good. I played golf for the first time yesterday so bad I guess it will be the last. Alan made 37.

Sent letter to Australia on the 14th, went out next day. Getting cold. Wish I were leaving this place.

Sister bought her a dress, $10.00. Blossom got the A.T. for diphtheria (i) yesterday, Ruth last Saturday. Paul vaccinated for smallpox last week. Kind of sick.

November 5

Alan and Son left for Walnut Creek this morning. No work for two weeks, if then. Alan has $70.00 and I have $50.00. Cold here today. Wish they could get work down there.

I had a nice letter from Mama, would like to see her.

November 22

Alan and Son stayed six days altogether, that is from the time they went to the time they came back was six days. Sister having trouble with their history teacher. Son had four days’ work at the plant, been down two weeks now. Paul and Ruth have bad colds.

Getting cold here. Rain every day, some. Sister working every night, too hard for her. Should hear

(i) The first inactivated toxin against diphtheria was developed around 1921, but it was not widely used until the 1930s.

1930

~ 20 ~

1930

from Australia now any time.

November 25

Alan back to work today. Car broke down in Portland. Cost $14.00 and $5.00 already. Sister got a turkey, 13-½ lbs. for $3.25, will not have it until Friday.

Son has a cold this morning.

December 15

Wilbur back two weeks and plant down for another two weeks today. Mama sent me $5.00. Wilbur brought $10.00. Sister has been giving me money.

I don’t feel at all well. My chest or heart pains me so. Burning wet wood.

Groceries are coming down: » milk – .10¢ » bread – .8¢ » sugar – 25 lbs., $1.29 » flour – 50 lbs., .95¢ » spuds – $1.00 a sack

Getting nothing for Christmas. Sister got goods for bathrobes for Bobbie and Blossom. Alan and Wilbur just went to play golf. Wish I could have a day off. I’m so tired. I have a big washing to do though.

Dad is sick and in bed. Berta laid up for six months. Had a letter (one) from Australia, nothing doing. Hope they are all like that. I’m sure I’m trouble enough without looking for it.

Wish I were back in Los Angeles. Wish I had never left it. I’m going to get 5 acres somewhere if it is the last thing I do. If I don’t get out of doors I’m afraid I’ll have TB (i). I cough so much.

(i) TB is a disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attacks the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal and was once the leading cause of death in the United States. In the 1930s, TB patients would spend long spells in sanatoriums for rest and fresh air.

c. 1930. Alan and Wilber ready for another golf outing. Vancouver, Wash.

The Robinson Diary

~ 21 ~

December 21

Sister sure is cross. I don’t know what to do with her. She wants to get away from us, she has said so.

I did a lot of work today and am pretty weak and shaky tonight. Lung still hurts. Z

c. 1930. Ruth, Blossom, Wilber, Sister and Bobbie in Vancouver.

c. 1930. Wilber, Paul and Ruth. There is a 17 year difference between Wilber and Paul, who is about 14 here. Wilber was living with his sister’s family in Vancouver and also for a spell in Richmond.

1930. Sister (second from left) with her club classmates in Vancouver.

January 10

Alan and Son went to work on the 6th. Not much of a Christmas. Mother sent $5.00 and a few things. A. G. and a boy for Ruth and Paul. Sister gave me a blanket for our bed, needed it very much, and a tea kettle, needed it too. Very nice of her. She is keeping the house in food. Gave me $8.00 this week. All we have. Get 4 quarts of milk a day, though. Mama sent another $5.00. Wilbur still out of work. Sister and Son have had a bad cold.

The weather is very warm, 32-35 degrees. The bulbs and plants are all coming up. » eggs are down to 2 dozen, .29¢, small » 20¢ for a dozen, large » flour – .95¢ for 50 lbs. » sugar – 20 lbs. for .89¢ » butter – .30¢ a lb. » potatoes – .01¢ a lb.

This is the lowest I have ever seen things since I was a little girl when milk was .20¢ a gallon and butter 2 lbs for .35¢, bread .5¢ a loaf. Well, it is some job keeping nine of us on $8.00 a week. Even with things so low that is about .12¢ a day (not counting milk) for each one of us.

Mother says Dad is no better and they have to give him hypos (i) every day. Not so good.

January 27

Alan got $38.00, Son $36.00. Had a hard time getting by on food last week. Everyone pretty hungry.

February 5

Alan and Wilbur are both sick. Alan off work for two days now. Everyone is so dissatisfied I don’t know which way to turn. Son working 10 hours a day and as they are on piece work, it don’t look so good.

(i) Probably some type of hypodermic injection.

1931

c. 1929. Alan and Wilber having a serious moment in Vancouver, Wash.

The Robinson Diary

~ 23 ~

Sent letter to Mama yesterday asking her to try and find work for us. Guess I’ll have to pick up and go once more.

Got a card from Mother, said Dad was out for the first time in nine weeks. Ruth had a sore throat last night. I wonder if we all didn’t have the flu.

Children all passed in school. Ruth got all 1s and 2s. Sister a 4 in U. S. history. She does pretty good though as she works every night until 10:00.

» Sister, 17-½, last half of high school » Paul, 14-8 mos., upper freshman » Ruth, 12-10 mos., upper freshman » Bobbie, 9-8 mos., A-4 » Blossom, 6-½, A-1

Sister got a 1 in Art, 2 in Spanish. Blossom just came home to lunch so will get busy.

Sun is shining, cold, rain this morning.

February 9

Gas company just shut off the gas, owe them around $50.00. My goodness, it just gets worse all the time. I’ve a good mind to pick up and leave everything.

Alan went to work Saturday, but does not feel good. I just can’t make ends meet. What shall I do? » Groceries – $50.00 » Milk – $60.00 » Tires – $3.50 » Tires – $6.50 » Price, car – $5.00 » Clubs, golf – $31.00 » Gasoline – $9.00 » Window – $3.20 » Ice and coal – $5.50 » La Mode – $5.00 » Teeth – $15.00

~ 24 ~

1931

» Wash Machine – $55.00 » Lights – $15.00 » Wood – $25.00 » Radio – $20.00 » Water – $10.00 » $418.70

If Alan knew I owed this much he would have a fit. The next place we go to I am not going to handle a single bill. No sir. He means all right but I don’t know what to think. He thinks I should get $25.00 out of $5.00. But when he spends $5.00 he does not get anything. And as I never have a cent to spend on myself anyway he might as well have the worries, it might be good for him.

Girls sure make a mistake when they try to handle the money end of raising a family. They just get a lot of grief for their pains. At least that’s the way it looks to me. Well, here’s to better luck, Alan Robinson.

February 17

Blossom lost her first tooth the other day. No more baby.

Sister got me a pressure cooker, sure is fine. Paul home all this week with a cold. Had a real hard wind and rain storm warning.

March 11

Payday again and not enough money. Ruth cracked her knuckle last week. Dad pretty sick.

March 12

Had a quarrel with Sister this morning, wouldn’t let her pay $17.00 for a suit that wasn’t worth $6.00 and anyway, with Son turning in all his money and everything it does not look right for her to do this. She called me a damn Mother. Funny that things like this do not hurt me anymore. I do not feel anything, get no excitement out of anything.

1931. Blossom at age 7 (first row, second from the left) and her grade school class, in Vancouver, Wash..

The Robinson Diary

~ 25 ~

Alan did his work well. It used to be I would look forward for a week to going somewhere or something going to happen, but no more. All I do is work and work and try and worry about how to make ends meet.

Alan is a thousand times better than he used to be and I think does try to make up a little to me. He is lots better.

Anyway, after a while this morning, Sister and I went to Portland and got her a pretty good suit for $5.00 and goods for two new winter, green and brown, suits. She was all right tonight but did not say she was sorry.

I feel pretty good now. Plant down for a week. Alan got $54.00, Son $38.00.

March 24

Ruth will be 13 tomorrow. I kinda wish I were back 13 years and could start all over. Cut wages, 12 percent yesterday. Son will get $3.00 a day, Alan $4.12.

I don’t know what to do about Wilbur. I just can’t see how we can keep him.

Alan is ____ what ___. It is just dawning on him that he should have made something of himself ten years ago and now his health is no good and he thinks he can’t do anything. It is hard work keeping him on the job. I know it is hard but not too hard.

I wonder if I would be satisfied back in Los Angeles. I don’t like it here. It’s so damn cold. I hardly ever go outside. There are about six weeks in a year you can keep the house open. I just can’t wear heavy clothes, it tires me out so.

Mama is at Wheeler Hot Springs (i) for the summer. Hope it won’t be too much for her.

April 22

Ruth came sick last week, was pretty sick and out of school for a week. Sister was voted the most

(i) Wheeler Hot Springs is a resort in Ojai, California, about 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The popular vacation spot opened in 1891. The Wheeler property offered fishing, hunting, camping, trail riding, swimming, and nightly dances.

c. 1931. Ruth, about 13, with her cat, Wilber and Blossom.

~ 26 ~

1931

popular girl in school.

We are having a very bad, very, very bad wind storm, just full of dirt. Wind about 40 miles.

People are after me for bills. Some job.

May 1

Bobbie sick a week with a sty on her eye and the mumps, not bad.

Having a little trouble with Sister who stays out after work. Got goods for a grad dress, $9.00.

Alan had his glasses changed. Been off four days. He played 48 holes of golf yesterday. Wilbur worked last night. Paul went to a party.

This is little Ruth’s (i) birthday, 11 years old. Did not hear from George.

Rainy today and warm.

May 9

Had Bobbie’s tonsils and adenoids out Tuesday, May 5th. She looks bad. Had both ears aching last night. Glad it is over with. $25 doctor, $10 hospital. Have to pay it some way.

Got Sister’s dress pretty near finished. Sister bought Bobbie skates for her birthday on the 7th.

Alan getting worse every day, that is, he is not feeling well. Has bleeding piles and looks very thin, does not look well at all. Very worried. Must get him out of doors.

I’d sure like to know what we are going to do. Mother sent a package, blanket in it, two more books of William Shakespeare in it.

Here comes Bobbie. She seems to have some cold, no temperature, though sure is cross. Not as cross as Alan was. Sister is better natured. Wilbur working this week.

May 20

I have been sick again. They called a doctor. Had temperature of 102 last night. It left in the night. Don’t feel so good this morning.

(i) Little Ruth is Marcelia’s niece, her younger brother George’s daughter.

The Robinson Diary

~ 27 ~

May 26

Sure been sick, head still sore, in bed three days, not so good yet. Alan quit his job. Wilbur broke the front window.

May 28

Well, we have decided to leave here. We owe so many bills and Son is getting tired of this.

June 1

Went to the church last night. Sister is the best looking girl there. Her dress looked just fine. Church took a collection from the students—outrageous.

Alan started another quarrel this morning. I really think he is losing his mind. It makes me feel terrible. He will quarrel with the children (Sister, mostly) over nothing at all. I guess he drank too hard and then I was pretty bitter at him before Sister was born.

Packing some today.

June 5

Alan has had nerve poison and had the sweat glands under his arm swell up, had to be cut open. He is much better today, and not so cross.

Sister graduates tonight. Have everything ready. Her dress is beautiful on her. Hope she is the best looking one there.

Things in rather a mess around here. Hope to get away Tuesday. Funny, when Sister graduated from the 8th grade we left for the North the next morning (i). Well, we will try once more. I would like a home—a real home. I feel pretty good now, not much pep, though.

June 8

What a day. Sold the washer for $15. Turned over the

(i) Here is an indication of when they moved to Vancouver. Sister would likely have graduated from the 8th grade when she was 13, meaning they moved North in 1926.

1929. Sister in Vancouver, Wash.

~ 28 ~

1931

furniture to Berstine—for grocery bill, signed note. Pretty well packed, start in morning. Kids giving Sister a farewell party tonight. Cooler tonight, looks like rain. Billie was just here, I like her.

June 9

10:00. Made Bandon-by-the-Sea (i) (Tuesday). First day.

6:30-9:30. Tired. Sister felt pretty bad leaving. Had no trouble. The big car tires, two blow outs. Lost cat at Bandon.

Tuesday expenses (first day): » gas (besides what with full tanks) » 10 gallons – $1.74 » 12 gallons – $1.79 » 10 gallons – $1.50 » housing – $2.75 » groceries – .45¢ » gas – $1.05 » gas – $1.40 » gas – 1.05 » bread – .20¢ » $11.93 » tip – .50¢ » $12.43 » oil, 7-½ gallons – $4.40 » $16.83

June 10

Left Bandon 6:45 a.m., Wednesday. 12:00 noon at a waterfall in “Humbug” Mountains (ii). Fine water. Ocean looks great. Sure glad to see it. Rain all day yesterday.

Wednesday expenses, Crescent City

(i) A coastal town in Oregon, about 250 miles from Vancouver, WA. (ii) Humbug Mountain State Park, Oregon.

The Robinson Diary

~ 29 ~

» gas – $1.19 (7 gallons @ .17¢) » housing – $3.00 » bread – .40¢ (4 loaves @ .10¢) » butter – .31¢ (1 lb) » peas – .35¢ (2 lbs) » milk – .30¢ (2 gallons) » paper – .05¢ (1) » meat – .50¢ » coconut – .20¢ » oranges – .25¢ (2 dozen) » olives – .17¢ (1 can) » soup – .20¢ (2 cans) » potatoes, new – .25¢ (7 lbs) » shoe polish – .20¢ (2 cans) » $7.37

June 11

Crescent City. Leave at 12:00 noon.

Expenses: » gas – $1.28 (8 gallons @ .16¢) » gas – .80¢ (5 gallons) » gas – .90 (Eureka, 9 gallons @ .10¢) » gas – $1.20 (12 gallons @ .10¢) » housing – $2.00 » groceries – .90¢ » $7.08

June 12

Friday, Son’s birthday.

~ 30 ~

1931

Undated

Stayed in the “Redwoods.” It was not as good as on the way up. Had no trouble with either car. Money getting low. Auto camp in Richmond, $2.00. 3 beds and cot, suckered us $2.00 more because we stayed one hour after 1:00 p.m.

June 16

Got a house at 554 Golden Gate Avenue, Richmond. 10 rooms for $25.00 a month. $5.00 deposit for gas and lights. No jobs yet.

Alan, Sis and Ruth went to see Mother and Dad (i). Gave Alan $10.00. Phoned Marion (ii), said she would be over Thursday. Alan getting better.

This house has some view overlooking the whole country and the bay, San Francisco, the prison and much of the Sacramento river.

June 18

Thursday. Sister has work, 2 days a week as a cashier. $2.50 for 10 hours. Boys have no work and don’t look very hard either. They have no smoking room.

We have very little to eat. I got 9 loaves of stale bread and three dozen rolls for 55 cents. We have about $6.00 left. Getting two quarts of milk for 13¢ a quart. Everyone is hungry all the time and just when we are where fruit and vegetables are so cheap, too.

Marion and Carl coming over tomorrow. Sister in to Oakland today, learning the work.

Washing by hand isn’t so bad. The water is soft. Fine, after the water up North. Children play tennis in the back yard and go swimming in the front yard. Nice girl across the street. Blossom sun burnt.

Alan has two more boils under his arm. Not near so bad than as the other. Cross as the ____. This house was, and is, pretty dirty.

(i) Alan’s parents, William and Mable Robinson, who live in Walnut Creek, California. (ii) Alan’s younger sister, married to Carl Gryst.

c. 1932. Bobbie, Blossom, Ruth and Sister on a swimming outing.

The Robinson Diary

~ 31 ~

Bills up North worrying me. I wake up at 4:30 every morning. Fine air here, like it. It is now 5:30 pm and will have something to eat. Spaghetti and beans. That’s all. Everyone will grumble. Will try to get work in the cannery Saturday, have to, that’s all.

June 27

This will make 5 days at $3.00 a day that I have worked on the boat. Not bad. Marion and Carl over yesterday. Went to see Dad and Mother yesterday. Hope Alan will have work soon.

Paul paid that old bill in Merced. B. made such a fuss about it hope she chokes. Sister was short $20.00, will have to pay it. She is still in bed at 10:00 am. Sure is tired. Ruth and Sister and I all sick at the same time. This is the second for Ruth. Mother gave me a lot of things, so did Nan. (i)

August 13

Alan and Son working for Mr. Anderson at Walnut Creek. Have made $28.00 so far (almonds). I’m still working, do not like it. Got very tired. Sister working 3 hours a night.

Weather fine. Bobbie and Blossom have a cold. School started Monday.

Hope to get our ranch soon. Nothing new. The first Ford barge just came up the Bay and whistles are blowing, it is 8:30 a.m. Guess it’s a big plant all right.

September 11

Got fired last Tuesday. Good thing. Blossom was sick and is still very sick. (ii) Right leg all swollen up. Temperature 102-104, bad. Doctor did not know any more than I did. $25.00 for medicine. Went back to my own medicine.

Sister’s job gave out. Alan told Wilbur he had to go to work so Wilbur says he is leaving tomorrow for Los Angeles. Wilbur left on the 11th of September.

September 28

Blossom was operated on last night at 9:00 p.m. She is very bad. Leg was very bad. Some better today.

(i) Alan’s sister. (ii) Blossom was seriously injured when she fell down a hill while playing. She developed osteomyeliotis (a bone infection) in her right leg and underwent painful operations that left her leg, from hip to knee, terribly scared. Wil Locke believed she received the first bone marrow transplant performed at Shriner’s children’s hospital in San Francisco.

~ 32 ~

1931

October 20

Blossom in hospital for 9 days. Mama came up on the 8th day. Then I brought her home as she was so unhappy there. They didn’t want me to but I did just the same. Getting along fine. Will take her back Wednesday for them to look her over. She is picking up weight.

Paul is sick. Don’t know what the trouble is yet. No word from Wilbur. Alan still working very hard.

November 5

Mama went home on the 31st and was glad of it, what with finding fault all the time and not doing anything at all.

Blossom back to the hospital this afternoon to have the cast changed and cannot get her until tomorrow. They say she is doing fine. She looks much better but cried so when I couldn’t take her home yesterday.

The weather is very foggy and there is nothing to do but work and look at the water.

Alan will not move and does not seem worried about anything. He stops at night after work at some man’s house and drinks wine and it just makes me sick to my stomach to smell his breath all night.

I’m just about down in the dumps again. Stuck here in the barn, sick baby, Ruth has a cold. Paul hurt his side. Sister fell last night and hurt her ankle, not bad, and this stove is very poor to cook on. Can’t bake at all. Only a fireplace to heat with, no furniture except beds and a kitchen table, two rocking chairs and kitchen chairs a few rugs, that are not much.

Alan has $80 which he sure is hanging on to. Son won’t even look for work, probably can’t find it if he did. Mr. Anderson sent a gunnysack full of prunes and one of apricots and some nuts, very good of him.

Alan’s father is on I don’t know what. Wish to heaven we didn’t owe him money. I don’t think he thinks very much of me, not that I care.

Date uncertain. Lulu Blanch Elliott.

The Robinson Diary

~ 33 ~

November 23

Son takes with pneumonia. Friday, the 13th, also had his mouth and eyes infected. He was pretty sick getting along first rate now. Very thin and mouth is still bad.

Blossom getting along fine. Sent Wilbur his clothes. Mama sent a $1.00 so I could send them. Had one letter from her.

This is Alan’s second week off. Sister, Ruth and Alan went over to Walnut Creek this morning. Thank goodness we are not in Vancouver, Washington with all this sickness.

Had a bad wind storm for three days. Nice today. Man across the street got blown up on a sailboat Saturday.

We are running out of clothes. Well, I wonder what is next on the path. Have to get my sleeves all rolled up and get ready for it. Sure didn’t think I could pull Son through, but I did.

So what is next. There ought to be a small place along the way somewhere.

December 1

Son had a setback. Mouth bad. Temperature goes to 103-104 every evening. Does not look so good.

Alan went to work yesterday. Ruth to school yesterday, too. Well, I wonder where there is a turn in this road we are on.

December 10

Son up an hour yesterday. Mom and Dad sent over a lot of things. Alan driving a truck this week.

Sister went to a party last night. Asked to move out of this house.

December 24

Rain for three days. Alan working. Paul has a very bad case of poison oak. Son has some.

Marion and Carl over Tuesday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson sent over two sacks of potatoes, 1 sack of dry peaches, a bag of groceries and a box of Christmas presents. Mom and Dad sent a box of groceries, a box of presents and a basket of apples. Paul sent a box of oranges. Alan got a turkey. Mama sent $5.00 so it looks like a good Christmas after all.

~ 34 ~

1931

December 27

Still raining, had 12 inches all ready. Some rain. Had a nice Christmas. Mother and Dad gave Alan and I $2.50 each. A lot of groceries. Had a very nice Christmas, more than we thought.

Dick sent Sister a two dozen rose buds by telegram.

Alan has a bad back. Z

c. 1932. The Robinson children all together, with one of their dogs. Bobbie, Blossom, Ruth, Paul, Son and Sister.

1932. Sister with Dick Larson, an early beau, in Richmond, Calif.

c. 1932. The Robinson children strike another pose with Bobbie turning away.

1932

January 22

Our little dog Oscar was run over today and Son had to kill him. Kids took it pretty hard. He was a quiet little fellow.

February 23

Alan back to work today after being off a week. Son worked for Mr. [Dsefault] 1-½ days and made $7.00. He went today to work for Mr. Anderson for two weeks I guess.

We have all been sick with very bad colds. Ruth home a week. Paul home today. I take Blossom to the hospital today. Weather is cool but nice.

Sister working all week. She bought a watch. $1.00 down, $1.00 a week. Gas bill was $7.00. Sister bought Ruth a skirt, $3.00.

Sister and Ruth each weigh 124 pounds. I do, too. Son, 163 pounds. Well, I guess this is all.

April 9

Gee, I have not written for some time. Alan was good and sick with the “flu” and had a TB test. Nothing doing. Pretty good now.

Blossom doing fine. Have her out in the sun all morning getting a nice tan. Mama had a telephone call from Wilbur. Said little Ruth had been sick, had her tonsils out.

Things sure going along on little or nothing here. Alan makes $15.00 a week and Sister gives me $10.00

» house – $21.50 » gasoline – $10.00 » gas & lights – $8.00 » paper – $1.50 » water – $2.85 » food – $1 a day (8 people) $30.00 » $73.85

c. 1932. Bobbie, Sister, Ruth, Blossom and Marcelia in Richmond.

1932

~ 36 ~

I can’t do it on a $1.00 a day, though, and there is where the trouble comes in.

Been taking Blossom to the dentist. Ruth and Sis, too. Marion has been and is still sick. Can’t walk on her feet. Dad walking all over.

Mrs. Anderson sent Blossom a chicken, a Plymouth Rock. Have it here in the yard.

April 26

Moved on April 18th to 5118 Garvin Avenue. A very nice place. More about this later.

Blossom to the hospital on the 19th. Brought her home on the 20th. They say this will be her last cast. I do hope so. She looks just fine. Everyone else fine.

Alan and Son have been spading up around the house. Alan goes to the houses of the men he works with and drinks. Got drunk this afternoon. Called me everything he could think of. Hurt my arm (just like old times). Frightened Bobbie and Blossom bad. He has gone back to the place now. I’m sitting with Blossom.

Mama working at Hermosa Beach. Says Wilbur is not working.

Paul went to San Rafael to play ball. Richmond lost.

The fleet is in the city about 115 boats. Sure would like to see them. Having some rain. Temperatures around 60. Very windy.

June 2

Blossom has the cast off yesterday and was she glad. Alan has a very bad lip. Had one x-ray treatment of 4-½ minutes. He has been working 2 days, first time in about 6 weeks.

Son and Ed went to chop wood, trees rather, $2.00 a cord. Don’t know how long it will last.

Paul got hit in the face with an indoor ball. Son has a bad cough. Tomorrow is the last day of school. Each one of us is getting about 14 cents worth of food a day. I got a 100 pounds of flour from the Red Cross. That helps a lot.

1932. Ruth and Bobbie at ages 14 and 11 near the house in Richmond on Garvin Avenue.

The Robinson Diary

~ 37 ~

Gee, I’m sure blue. That is a rotten job Alan has. Sister gives me $10.00 a week but I have to buy drugs and so forth of course so I get about $8.00 for food.

» $1.00 goes for butter » .40¢ for sugar » .30¢ for coffee » $2.10 for milk (3 quarts) » .50¢ for canned milk » $2.00 vegetables at [Halisale] Market » .50¢ for soap. » .50¢ for a food.

So I don’t have much left for the rest of the food. Children are hungry all the time.

More people getting laid off every day. Post office department is letting 35,000 go. Stamps go up to 3 cents soon. Only 3 girls at the theatre working all week. Things seem to be getting worse. I wish I were down in Los Angeles or at the beach.

June 16

Blossom up on crutches, leg fine.

June 29

Had x-ray on my face today. Hope it kills this thing (i) for good. Alan’s lips sore again. Doctor says it is all right.

Son worked half a day yesterday for Alan and this morning his face is all full of poison oak. Son, Sister, Ruth and Wilson (ii) went over to Walnut Creek last night.

Mama sent Ruth two dresses.

Paul plays ball July 4th, big game. Alan has had poison oak off and on (more on than off) for a month. Son got it bad when he chopped wood. Worked two days and made $1.75.

(i) A note is inserted in the margin dated March 1934. An arrow points to “this thing”. “Face worse than ever. Have had it three times in a row. Have big red streak on my face now.” (ii) This is Sister’s boyfriend, and future husband, (Charles Van) Wilson Locke, born October 15, 1912. He is just about a year younger than Sister.

1932

~ 38 ~

Nice weather, cool. Carl has been in bed a month.

July 5

Paul played ball at the Oak’s ball park, played Alameda and lost 8-0. Have two more games this week with them. Paul’s team lost.

July 26

Took Blossom in to the hospital this morning. Tonsils out tomorrow, bring her home Friday. $7.50 for operation and room.

Sister is head down here at this Richmond theater. Has 5 girls under her. $16.00 a week with one day off.

Carl came out of the operation fine. Dad bought Son 4 new tires. Alan working but too hard. Working at 23rd Street now in front of the school.

School opens August 15th. Wonder where I’m going to get shoes for the kids. Sister got me a pair of shoes for my birthday. I’m 38 on the 29th.

We have a new radio. Owe $50.00 on it. Gave me $20.00 for the one we had. I paid $2.00 for it but it was going on the blink so thought we better get rid of it while we could get something for it.

Had a letter from Mama, says it is cold down there. Sure is cold here.

July 31

I was 38 on the 29th. Mama sent me a dress and a very nice letter.

Last week Dad and Mother were married 50 years.

Alan and Son went to San Francisco today to see Marion and Carl and they came home with a new car that is not the one they went over in. The new one is a F. Knight 1927 year. Got $40.00 for the old one. Paid $25.00 down and still have $95.00 to pay. And I can’t get the gas and lights paid. Well, I will.

Blossom had her tonsils out on Thursday and we brought her home on Friday. $7.50. Seems to be okay. Rather cross, but that’s all right.

We went to Oakland Saturday and signed up for this house. The way it is fixed we will be at least 25

The Robinson Diary

~ 39 ~

years paying for it.

The next thing now is to get the kids fixed up for school. We do more things with no money.

Dad and Mother were married 50 years last week.

August 2

Up at 3:00 a.m. with Blossom. She had a hemorrhage at 5:00 and was still bleeding at 9:30 when we got her into the hospital. It is now 5:00 p.m. and she is doing nicely.

August 6

Blossom home on the 3rd, doing nice by now. Alan driving truck yesterday.

August 15

Children to school today.

Letter from Mama, wants me to take little Ruth. I would but Alan won’t—don’t think he will have this job long and is not willing to take on any more.

Here we are in a “hole” again. » $126 – car » $50.00 – medical » $176.00 » $150.00 – furnishings » $50.00 – gasoline » $25.00 – gas and lights » $401.00

And I guess I will have to send back the sewing machine.

c. 1932. The family on an outing, or possibly during one of their many moves during this time, in the 1927 Falcon Knight roadster. Marcelia, Alan, Ruth, Bobbie, Paul, Blossom and Sister.

1932

~ 40 ~

Son won’t even look for a job and sick of that one place he goes to. Dad says he is giving Carl and Marion between $50 and $70 a month.

September 13

Alan bought another car for $175.00, got $40.00 for the cad. Can’t see how to pay for it.

Mama in hospital with bad heart attack. Can’t go to see her. No money.

Alan gets all up in arms this morning. Wants to take a vacation and go north. I said I’d go south. So he got mad at me. Goes to work sore. I think he is crazy. I sure do. In the first place he wants to take all the money and spend it on the car and a vacation. Well, I won’t go camping or live in an auto camp and I won’t go north. This will be the first time I have said no to him. And I sure mean it. If I can’t go to see my sick mother I won’t go anyplace.

What am I going to do. I just got to have some money.

September 26

We went to Los Angeles last Monday, the 19th. Left at 1:00 a.m. Had a nice trip. Stayed at Hermosa with Mama. Saw Grandma Corey (i) and Ethel and Burly. Mama is better but looks old. Saw George Atl and G. Bakes.

Wilbur is in jail for 45 days. Took the rap for D & D. (ii)

Saw Brother and Billie. (iii) We took Blossom with us and she is walking part of the time without the crutches. We went down and back on 3-½ gallons of oil, 45 gallons of gas. Oh yes, got back Thursday night at 11:00 p.m.

Son has a bad cold. Children got along okay. Alan went back to work today.

(i) At some point, Lulu took the last name Corey which is connected to Clarence Bruce Corey. They were never married though the family did live together according to Census records. (ii) This could be referring to an arrest for drunk and disorderly behavior. (iii) Marcelia’s brother George has three children: Little Ruth, George III (Brother) and Billie Ott.

1932. Marcelia with her mother during a visit to see her and her brothers in Los Angeles.

The Robinson Diary

~ 41 ~

Small piece of bone came out of Blossom’s leg Friday. She weighs 59 pounds. I weigh 137. Too much.

Mama was sure nice. Not one word did she scold. Did not tell me my clothes were wrong or anything. In fact, I never saw her so nice. George looks old and is working 14 days for the cemetery.

September 30

Alan, Paul and I went today, Saturday, to San Francisco to see the fleet. Texas.

October 18

Blossom is 8 years old Sunday. Sister got her a very nice doll and did she like it.

We went to Walnut Creek last night. Dad has a stove now. New window for the car, $3.90. New rear axle, $7.00. Front axle straightening, $6.00.

Paul home with a cold. Ruth hurt her arm again. Son paid $10.00 for a set of drums.

November 2

Wilbur arrived.

November 5

Sister going to dance tonight. All new clothes. Alan and Wilbur playing golf.

Rain last night. Blossom has a cold.

November 28

Had a 17-¾ pound turkey for Thanksgiving, .25 cents a pound. Alan got drunk.

Sister got engaged. Wilson gave her a diamond ring.

Paul and Laurel came up. Paul, Paul, Wilbur and Alan played golf.

Alan going to work three days a week. Son made $1.21 last week. Children had a week’s vacation, back to school today. Trying hard to rain this month has been just like summer. It is still very warm. Everyone well.

c. 1932. Charles Van Wilson Locke and Sister in Richmond.

1932

~ 42 ~

December 18

Alan and Wilbur been sick with the flu—I guess, or something. Blossom had a little.

Sister went to the San Francisco Hotel Friday with Wilson. Ruth got glasses Friday. She is ¾ blind.

Son made $5.50 this week.

December 29

Had a nice Christmas. Very cold (for here). 32 degrees. Mama sent $5.00. Son made $8.00. Sister gave everyone slippers, that is, Ruth, Alan, Bobbie and Blossom, Son gloves. Mother sent Alan 11 pairs of socks. Ruth and I, 2 pairs of socks and the Saturday Evening Post for a year.

We are out of wood, so hope it gets warm. Everyone okay. Ruth can see much better with glasses.

Alan rather cross. No work. Paul, Wilbur and Alan played golf yesterday. Paul and Laurel sent a box of oranges and a lot of clothes, dresses.

I wish school would start and everyone would get to work. It is now 8:00 a.m. and no one up yet. Son goes at 6:00. This house is sure upside down, can’t find the stairs either.

Oh, I got a new iron, sure needed it. Alan and Sister gave me goods for a dress, blue.

I’m still feeling low. Wonder how long it will last. 2 years anyway.

Blossom okay. Bobbie has had styes on her eyes this last month. Z

c. 1934. The Alan Robinson family together in Richmond. Alan, Paul, Son, Bobbie, Marcelia, Sister, Ruth and Blossom.

1933

January 30

Starting the new year right. ?

February 1

Dad 79 today. Sent him a card.

February 27

Alan over to Walnut Creek today. His Father is not well. He fell and cut his ear and three days later, had a blood clot. Went all to pieces.

Son laid off and is at the Ford plant today trying to get work.

I told George I would take little Ruth.

Have $5.00 more to pay on car. Bobbie and Blossom are with Alan today.

March 3

3:30 p.m. Well, I just had it out with Wilson and Sister, 1-½ hours. Had a bad time. This being a Mother trying to do the right thing sure is hard. If he treats her rotten there will be war. How I would like to look into the next five years and yet maybe it is a good thing that I can not do so. I wonder if Sister will miss the children and the fun we had together. I have told Alan nothing about all this. He takes such queer ideas about things sometimes. I think he is not just all there.

March 10

Los Angeles had an earthquake (i). It hit Long Beach, laid it flat. 126 people killed, 40,000 hurt. This is the worst yet.

(i) The Long Beach earthquake of 1933 on the early evening of March 10 was a magnitude 6.4. The shaker caused widespread damage to buildings throughout Southern California. The epicenter was offshore, southeast of Long Beach on the Newport-Inglewood Fault. An estimated fifty million dollars worth of property damage resulted and 120 lives were lost. Many of these fatalities occurred as people ran out of buildings and were hit by falling debris.

1933. Charles Van Wilson Locke with Ruth on a swimming outing. Charles marries Sister in June..

~ 44 ~

1933

March 14

Los Angeles has had 36 shocks so far.

Alan good and sick this morning. Been drunk for a week. Sister okay again.

March 24

Wilbur left yesterday.

April 28

Son working at Ford plant, five weeks now. $4.00 a day. Paul at theatre, $4.75 a week, two weeks. Son has a Dodge 1926, $95.00. New bearings and rings in W. N., our car, $32.00.

Alan working three days a week. Wilbur did not write. Mama has a new job.

Rain and wind here today, cold.

June 13

Kids gave a surprise party (i) to Son last night. There were 22. Brought the eats, all had a good time.

June 17

Saturday, 11:10 p.m. Sister going to be married at 5:00 tomorrow. Have the cake all iced. Have lots of flowers, the rooms look good. I made her a white suit, looks good on her. Have sandwiches and cake and coffee. There will be about 25 here, I guess. Minister by the name of Terry is going to marry them. Jimmy (ii) and Ruth will stand for them.

June 19

Everything off swell. Nan came over. Sister and Wilson stayed at Mother’s, also at Merced. Her suit looked fine. Ruth cried and cried.

(i) Son’s birthday was on June 12 and he turned 21. (ii) Jimmy is Wilson’s best man, a friend or relative, with Ruth being the Maid of Honor for Sister.

1933. Sister marries Charles Van Wilson Locke on June 18, 1933. Some records have their marriage in 1934.

The Robinson Diary

~ 45 ~

June 30

Ruth left last night (i) for Porterville. Paul and Laurel came after her. They stayed overnight at Mother’s and left his morning.

Sister been here and yesterday I worked like the very dickens fixing up the house where they are living. Had a party for them last Monday, the 26th, got home at 2:30 a.m.

I do not like the Lockes. Very funny feeling around them. I do not think Wilson and Sister will stick it out. I’ll be very much surprised if they do. He has no work as yet.

Had it good and hard with Son last night. That girl, Kathryn is making one big fool out of him. He has worked 12 hours all this week and she expects him after working 12 hours today to drive 150 miles up in the mountains.

The child Ronnie (ii) has been left a week this time. Alan has had a sick week, something wrong inside him. Paul is taking Keith’s place this week and gets $16.00.

Nan gave Bobbie a lot of dresses. Blossom is still 59 pounds. The place on my face broke out in two places this time.

Had a card from little Ruth. Mama been sick. The weather is rather cool.

June 29

Paul and Laurel came and took Ruth home with them.

July 4

Lake Merritt (iii).

July 5

Had a card from Ruth. She is having a good time, so she says.

(i) Ruth went to stay with her Uncle Paul and Aunt Laurel, Alan’s brother and his wife, who lived in Porterville, a small city in the San Joaquin Valley, Tulare County, California. (ii) Ronnie is apparently a neighborhood child Marcelia was taking care of periodically. (iii) Lake Merritt is a large tidal lagoon in the center of Oakland, California, just east of Downtown. They spent the Fourth of July holiday there.

1933. Blossom and Bobbie with some toys in Richmond.

~ 46 ~

1933

Sister is not having a very good time of it. She told me yesterday that she wanted to come home, poor kid. If she only—oh well—wonder how long it will last.

Mama is at Harmony Grove (i), not so well. Went to Lake Merritt on the 4th.

Ronnie here yesterday, stayed a week last time.

July 20

Told Alan all about February 2nd yesterday. All [burnt] up and I don’t blame him.

Sister got me a very nice pair of shoes for my birthday. Ruth having a very good time.

Gave us notice on this house.

Everyone well. Weather cool. Mama is at Harmony Grove. Had a letter from Wilbur. Dad gave us $17.50 for 2 tires.

Went to San Francisco this week, Tuesday. Got a kitten.

Had Ronnie 8 days this time. He has been here 21 days out of 30 days. Glad he is gone.

Dad is getting very thin and looks very bad, do not think he will last long. Marion looks like she is having a good time.

Ruth says Paul and Laurel spend money like water.

July 22

Saturday. Sister staying here tonight, had one bad quarrel with Wilson. She says he slapped her all around.

July 24

Monday. She went home last night.

(i) Probably some type of rest home or rehabilitation center in Southern California.

Date uncertain. Ruth feeds a kitten.

The Robinson Diary

~ 47 ~

July 27

Everything seems to be okay with them. I wonder how long it will last?

Got another notice on this house.

Paul, Laurel and Ruth sent me a box of candy for my birthday and it is good. Mother sent a tablecloth, looks like linen but is oilcloth, peach color, very pretty.

Well, I guess things will come to a head pretty soon. This is what we owe now:

» milk, about, I don’t know, $1.50 » furnishings – $1.70 » radio –.45¢ » auto repairs – .30¢ » gasoline – .50¢ » paper – .10¢ » $4.55

Have not paid on house for about three months. Well, here it is once more. I wonder what will come next. Just a game, trying to get enough to eat, a little to wear and not much else.

August 1

Well, Sister was just here and we had another fight. She thinks I treat Wilson very bad, and his family, too. Says I’m crazy. I have been told this so many times by Mama, Alan and her that maybe I am. I can’t see why I should be nice to those people. All they want is all they can get out of me and I have had to take so many hard lessons from these kind of people that I think I have learned my lessons well.

Why should I be kind and nice to Wilson? He drinks, slaps LuCelia around and is such a baby, no man about him. Paul, at 17, is 100 times the man Wilson is now. I’m so sorry for Sister, really, I am. They tell me I’m all wrong, that I am sorry for myself, not her. I wonder how she will feel when she has a baby. That is if she loves her children like I do.

Alan been drinking hard for two days. Child Ronnie is here. Letter from Ruth yesterday. Son working from 1-10 this week. Have Sister’s brown suit almost finished. Dad and Mable gave Alan $14.00 for two more tires.

Date uncertain. Alan’s brother Paul and his wife, Laurel Baker, who lived in Porterville, Calif.

~ 48 ~

1933

Weather is cool and cloudy. Have not much to eat this week. Just wrote Sister a note. Had to get $5.00 from Sister, but it did not last long. I’m looking old, very old, never get out of the house except to get groceries and go to the library and to Walnut Creek once in a while.

Alan will not go into the show without paying so do not go any more. I do not go out of doors much as it is so windy, it almost blows you down and as there is no wind break around this place everything you plant lands down and is all ragged, so what is the use? I must admit I’m pretty blue what with being so unhappy and cross and Alan drinking and so little money.

Sales tax went effect today. 1 to 14 cents, no tax, 15 to 59 cents, 1 cent tax, 50 to $1.00, 2 cents and so on. F. D. R. is putting on a campaign to try and get more work for the people but I doubt very much of it will work. Everything is going up but wages.

August 17 (i)

Dear Marcelia,

Think we can come out OK Friday night if you can send the car in for us. Steve has to play at the High Jinks so can’t take us. So if you can manage it, we’ll see you Friday.

Love to all, Nan (Ash. 7956), 2479 Le Conte Ave., Berkeley

August 24

Thursday. Alan and I went to San Francisco Tuesday and Mother was there, her birthday. She took us and Marion and Carl to dinner at the beach.

Paul bought a used car today, a 1928 “Ford.” » $175.00 – car » $1.00 – transfer » $4.38 – tax » $21.00 – insurance » $25.00 – carrying charge » $226.38

(i) A postcard from Nan is inserted here. The card is postmarked Berkeley and addressed to Mrs. Alan J. Robinson, Route 2 Garvin Avenue, Richmond, Cal. There is a written note in Marcelia’s hand on the side: “Last card I got from Nan.”

The Robinson Diary

~ 49 ~

Borrowed $40.00 from bank ($2.50) to pay down on it.

Ruth thinks she is going to Porterville to live with Laurel and Paul, but if I have anything to say she won’t. Do they think I give 17 years of my life just to hand over one of my children to them for the asking? All the years of worrying and care and sleepless nights, taking care of them when they are sick, teaching them everything they know, and then handing them over to someone who would not have any children but has plenty of money and religion, no not me. I won’t do it.

I sometimes wish with all my heart that I did not have any children. It is just a waste of time. I can see where Paul and Laurel want one now that they are grown. But what is the sense of going through all these years if you do not have them when they are big. And what hurts is Ruth wants to go, home means nothing to her.

The same with Sister. She has made one mess of her life all in less than six months. That being she married looks like a gorilla, hair all over him and so dark. I don’t think I would want to trust her children. Very likely they will have straight arse black hair and heavy features. Indians. Oh well, there is one of my six, is it my fault? Very likely it is. I’m sorry for the girl in a way because she is not happy.

August 28

9:00 p.m. Just had a set-to with Alan. He thinks I’m breaking Sister’s heart, but this is one time I’m set good and plenty. She has never considered my feelings for one minute.

I will not have anything to do with the Locke family. The less I see of them the better I’ll like it. If she likes them better than she likes me that is okay, too. She married them, I did not. I’m getting to an age where I can say whether I’ll do a thing or not, that is something I have never been able to do before.

I told Ruth today that Porterville was off and why. Also told her about the $20.00 Nan sent me when I did not have one cent of money at Christmas in San Diego. (i)

(i) The family did live in San Diego at one point, but it’s uncertain when they were there. The only other connection to the city is a letter written from San Diego on May 6, 1895 to Marcelia’s father George from his father, John Thomas Ott, whose health was bad (likely consumption). He moved to the area for the warmer climate.

1933. Ruth, about 15, in Richmond.

~ 50 ~

1933

From now on, I’m going to be in-de-pen-dent. And then some. Alan does not like it either. He thinks Sister is right. Well, if she wants to live with that backwoods family, all right. But I do not have to.

August 30

Alan has been drunk for three days now.

The weather has turned very warm. Ford Plant put on 150 more men.

Ronnie came last Saturday and Mr. Slone gave me $5.00 so guess Ronnie will be here a long time.

Bought Blossom a pair of shoes and Ruth a new dress with it.

September 20

Ruth went to work last Saturday and Sunday for Mrs. Cole, gets $1.50. Ruth wanted to borrow a white skirt from Sister to wear at a program she is going to at the school today. Had a bad time with Sister. She says Wilson did not want her to loan her clothes, she might as well bring her wardrobe down here. I told her he was just like the rest of the Lockes and she went up.

Alan is getting that job today or I know the reason why the whole outfit is no good.

September 29

Nan was shot and killed last Sunday sometime after 3:00 p.m. (i) Maurice Roedere killed her and himself. Was found Monday afternoon. Dad, Mable and Carl and Marion were away. I told Carl. He broke it to the folks. Had a pretty bad time. Had services at the Chapel of the Chimes (ii) in Oakland, Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Alan took Dad out and I, Mother.

Alan’s nose started to bleed Monday and all day and night and the next day. Had blood all over everything. He said it was a good thing it was the nose. If it had been in the head it would have been too bad for us. It was the shock.

(i) Maurice R. Roedere, a former Merced cement company official, committed suicide in the Berkeley Hills after killing Alan’s sister Nan (Naomi Gilpin Robinson McSwain). Nan was 42 and the newspaper account of the murder referred to her as a Berkeley divorcee. She was working as a stenographer at the time. Nan married John Floyd McSwain on August 17, 1912 in Berkeley, California, but they were divorced well before she was murdered. There was some indication in the article that Nan and Maurice were having an affair. Nan had a son with Floyd, John Stephen McSwain who became known as the country musician Dude Martin. He was around 18 at the time of Nan’s death. (ii) Chapel of the Chimes was founded in 1909 as a crematory and columbarium in Oakland, California.

The Robinson Diary

~ 51 ~

Poor Dad and Mother. Floyd was a peach and took it as hard as the rest of us. His wife took the children to the mountains so we did not have them to face.

Son was laid off. Most all the Ford plants in the North America are shut down. In the last six months there have been more strikes than in 50 years. “N.R.A.” I guess. I think this winter will be the hardest one yet.

We did not look at Nan, just Berta (i) and Carl did. Alan is taking it pretty hard. Have not been over to see the folks yet.

How much has happened in one week.

October 6

2:00 p.m. Sister came home this morning. Wilson beat her up again. I hope she stays here this time.

Alan’s head has been hurting him very bad this week. He has had work all this week and it has been very hot, temperatures around 90.

A lot of men burned to death in Los Angeles Griffith Park (ii) this week.

October 10

Moved to 3622 Clinton Street (iii). Large house, 1 bath, dining room, 2 bedrooms upstairs, 2 down, large front room and a sun room overlooking city. $25.00 a month.

October 18

Sister went back to Wilson Monday night. Her things are still here. Had the Lockes over last night. How anyone can be so nice and underneath be so rotten as Mrs. Locke is, I don’t know. You would never think a foul word left her mouth.

We like this house fine. I’m very tired. Ronnie is still here.

(i) Alan’s oldest sister, Alberta (Roberta) Robinson who married Tom McSwain, the brother of John Floyd. (ii) The Griffith Park Fire occurred at 2:26 p.m. on October 3, 1933 in Block 36, Dam Canyon in the Mineral Wells Canyon area near the old Los Angeles Zoo. A group of 3,780 men were employed clearing brush as part of the Los Angeles County welfare relief program. A small fire had started at the bottom of a slope and a number of men were ordered or volunteered to fight the fire. A sudden wind change sent a shaft of f lame up the slopes of Dam Canyon killing 29 workers of thermal burns and injuring more than 150 others. (iii) It’s actually Clinton Avenue.

~ 52 ~

1933

The temperature has been around 90 for three days now.

November 7

Went in to see Floyd and the children two weeks ago. He has taken a large house with about 14 rooms. Each one (there are 6 of them) have a room and bath. It is some home. The girls did not speak of their mother. Floyd took the girls out to see Dad and Mother a week ago.

I hemmed up Mother’s curtains and put them up for her. Her hand is still bad.

Had a card from Wilbur yesterday. The woman Mama was taking care of died. All of us but Son had a dose of food poisoning last week. Paul broke a blood vessel in his eye from vomiting.

I had my tooth out last week. Took the doctor 1-½ hours to get it out and has my face been sore.

Went to see a play last Saturday that Mrs. Locke was in, not so bad. Wilson got sore because Sister wanted to stay and dance. He went home mad and they had a fight. Mr. and Mrs. Locke took her part.

We are going to open up a beer joint (i). Hope it is the beginning of money making for us. Bobbie had a sty on her eye and Alan had two of them.

Went to the show last night. I think I’m just about through doing housework. I hope in a few years I’ll be in a business I can run. I would like to hold public office, too.

I’m reading Nietzsche (ii) right now and think him good. Why not. Reads good to me. Last of the states vote today on whether we will have booze or not (iii), that is, we need three more states and six are voting. San Francisco is wide open now, get anything you want.

November 14

Dad loaned us $100.00 yesterday. Mother’s hand still bad. Have new floor and plumbing in the place. Wilbur said he would come up. Brother is having his tonsils out this week. Mick and M were over Sunday.

(i) The Red Robin in Richmond. (ii) Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was a German philologist, philosopher, cultural critic, poet and composer. He wrote several critical texts on religion, morality, contemporary culture, philosophy and science, displaying a fondness for metaphor, irony and aphorism. (iii) December 5, 1933: The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and bringing an end to the era of national prohibition of alcohol in America. At 5:32 p.m. EST, Utah became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, achieving the requisite three-fourths majority of states’ approval. Pennsylvania and Ohio had ratified it earlier in the day.

The Robinson Diary

~ 53 ~

November 25

Sister’s birthday and she is home for good this time, I hope. Night before last, Mrs. Locke called at 2:30 a.m. and we had to go and get her. Sister had a bad quarrel and got sore because we have started this business and stayed away night before last all night. Was back last night. We have this place going pretty good. Dad was over yesterday did not think it was so bad. Made first day, $8.30. Second day, $12.00. Third day, $8.00. Fourth day, $11.00 and today is the fifth day.

Wilbur will be here next week. I’m still tired from working so hard last week. My face is still sore and I’m sick besides. Weather is very warm and nice.

November 28

Mr. Axtell died at 5:30.

November 29

Day before Thanksgiving. Business not so good. Dropped to $3.90 yesterday. Weather cold and windy. Wilbur expected today. Son went to work today at the Ford.

December 4

Wilbur here, came up on boat, Wampa (or something). 41 hours from Los Angeles, $4.00, sick all the way.

December 8

Bailey’s father died. Ethel and B left for N. M. Letter from Mama.

December 15

Friday. Went to Walnut Creek last night. Mother has Christmas for us this week. Not so good (Mother).

December 18

Monday. Next Monday is Christmas. Weather cold. Have had a week’s rain now. Alan “lit” last night. Not much business. Everyone well. Left Ronnie yesterday ($1.00). Z

1934

January 8

One week ago Los Angeles had 8 inches of rain in three days. 43 people lost. Had a very small Christmas but a 32 pound turkey, $5.12. Son present. Rain New Year’s day and evening.

December 8 [1933]

Sister went back to Wilson last night. Mr. Locke cried around Alan yesterday morning until Alan worked Sister around to going back. She went against her will, I know it. I feel very bad about it as I do not think it will last. I hated to see her go. So did Ruth. Oh well? Bum week at the place. Mama sent some papers, sure was a washout down there.

January 22

Alan has been drunk for three days—very bad. Register was $20.00 Saturday and $13.00 Sunday but he had to give away about $6.00 worth and got very drunk besides. I sent Wilbur to the place this morning and Alan is in bed—out—I just don’t know what to do.

Son wants all his money every payday, wants to get married. Paul gives me $2.00 a week. What in the world am I going to do. Can’t do a thing I’d like to do. Just work all the time. It’s a good thing I get a lot of pleasure out of reading.

Should of known we could not make a go of any business. Alan should be in the state insane asylum. He is just crazy. I wonder how much longer I have to stand all this, thought I’d get some joy out of the children but what a fool I am.

Both Sister, Son and Paul have dropped this family like red hot coals. Son spends all his time at his girl’s and if Paul spends any time back here to sleep, he is sick. He played golf with Kurt this morning and of course Sister is all for the Lockes and Wilson, so it goes.

Ruth says she is not going to get married but I’ll bet she will be before she is 18. I think my account is

c. 1934. Son on the golf course near Richmond.

The Robinson Diary

~ 55 ~

paid in full, but who knows.

Same day, later. On thinking this over I think I have made a complete failure out of my husband’s children and two businesses and now this business.

February 4

George and Helen and three kids (i) were all up here for a week, left on the 30th of January or last day. Had a very bad time. I was just sick when they left and they took everything they could. Children came here in rags. Tore up everything. All three wet the bed every night. Helen smoked all the time. Paul had to give them $5.00 to get rid of them. George started out from Venice with $15.00. I was sure tired out. We sent Wilbur with them. Found out he has been holding out on us. We are going to move over to the place (ii) this week.

Went to Walnut Creek last Thursday, first of February. Dad has 80 years young. He is very well, seeing how bad he was a year ago. Went to Walnut Creek with Sister and Wilson. Got home at 1:15 a.m. Had flat tire.

Children are having a fit because we are moving to the place. You should hear them rave, all bent. Bobbie, she is a brick. She has a sty on her eye and is not well. Everyone okay.

Weather cold, temperatures around 50. Looks like rain.

Getting a good stove for $12.00.

February 8

Last Monday, I caught my hand or my two hands, rather, in a window and hurt them. They sill hurt. We are moving here at the place, everything in one mess.

Alan drunk yesterday. Day’s receipts $20.45. Have been doing okay since Wilbur left.

Have had rain all this week.

February 16

Well, we are all moved in, not so bad after all. Paul is here. Lots more room and expenses will not be so much now. Alan okay. Once more, thank goodness.

(i) Her brother George and his wife Helen and their three children Ruth, Brother and Billie. (ii) She means the Red Robin at 400 Pullman Avenue.

~ 56 ~

1934

Don’t know if I have said anything about Ruth’s drawing but it sure is great. Hope I can help her some way.

Letter from Mama. Sister not getting along so good. Looks bad. Just getting over moving and George’s family.

February 26

Sunday. Rain. Alan drunk.

I think I had a “stroke” in my left hand Friday noon. I’m pretty sure of it, very light, hand still sore.

Business $19.00 yesterday, hit $25.00 one day last week. Letter from Helen saying George was sick. I wonder about my hand and arm.

March 19

Was called at 11:00 p.m. Mrs. Dillon had her baby, 6 months. Baby 3 pounds, did all I could to make it live, brought it back three times. Took it to children’s hospital but it died. Lived 13 hours. She had gallstones passing and was very sick. Was up 40 hours.

Sister was over today, sure a damaged girl. Don’t dare call her life her own.

March 21

I’m in a very bad state of mind. I’m afraid to say anything to anyone. It seems I say the wrong thing. Have had two very hard bawlings-out from Alan. Son called me down. But it just something terrible from Paul because I asked Tressadill to the party Saturday. I feel just like I’m no good on earth. Goodness knows I try to do everything I can for them. Guess I’m all wet. I felt very sick all the time and with them nagging me like they do isn’t so good. I’ll just try not talking to anyone one and see how it goes.

I wonder what it would be like to live real good and happy, have some dresses and stockings and shoes—it must be grand. I’m down to three aprons and one of them is full of holes and you should see my socks. Oh, well—can only wear one dress at a time anyway so I should kick.

Gave Ruth $3.00 towards her pictures, have $18.00 to pay the gas bill at other house. Son gives me $5.00 a week. Paul, $1.00 a week sometimes, once in a while. I don’t forget that Sister gave me $10.00 a week for a year so we could eat.

Had letter from Wilbur but don’t think I’ll bother to answer. Gee—I’m blue. I hope the surprise?

The Robinson Diary

~ 57 ~

party for Ruth Saturday goes off good.

April 18

Wednesday. Alan on a drunk last week—lasted 9 days. Okay, this week—he was very sick.

Alan, Bobbie and Blossom went to Walnut Creek Monday. Dad and Mom pretty good.

Doing around $9.00 a day here. Slow. Son joined a lodge of St. George last night. Sister over yesterday.

I’m still tired from last week. Had to be sick, of course, on my feet too much. 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 and 1:00 at night.

Mama opened a place last Saturday at Venice. Have not heard from her.

Mother bought a “Nitch” (i) for all of us, $250.00. Will go to see it soon, can’t think of Nan being there. There will be room for all of us. I have a funny feeling I’ll be the last to go.

April 23

Got a permanent in my hair last week, pretty good, haircut.

Laurel sent me a dozen dresses. I sure needed them, as I was down to two. Sister is mad at me because I didn’t go to her house.

Had a shooting, men from the Pullman in Berkeley. Son’s car broke down. Paul had a wreck, $60.00.

Wilbur, Dad, Marion and Carl were over yesterday, Sunday. Had a $25.00 day Saturday.

May 16

Son gave me a very good purse, must of cost $10.00. Children gave me plants and candy and picture.

Alan been drunk since last Friday, pretty sick this morning.

June 1

Alan drunk again. Sis and Wilson had a fight. Went by themselves.

June 19

(i) She actually means a niche. Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland offers a number of options for cremation including glass front niches, a columbarium and bench estates.

~ 58 ~

1934

Alan drunk. Son went to Chinese Camp for a week.

June 21

Mrs. Tweeden had a stroke Tuesday (19th). All her left side was paralyzed. I was with her from 4:00 p.m. until 11:00 a.m. next day. Then took her to hospital. She died at 3:30 p.m. today. Dex taking it very hard.

Picked out her casket and dress and have ordered high Mass, $30.00 for Mass, $350.00 for dress, casket. She has $2300.00 in the bank. Have done everything I could do.

Left Mr. Parker in the place here as Alan has a very bad drunk on and it has been very hard as I was up 40 hours and of course I had to be sick.

Bobbie came sick today for the first time. I mean yesterday. I’m sure tired. Mrs. Tweeden told me last Saturday that she would not last the week out. I’ll miss going to the show with her. I’ll sure miss her a lot.

June 25

Buried Mrs. Tweeden this morning. Rain all day off and on. Lots of flowers, high Mass. Her sister came last night, Sunday. Have to go to attorney.

July 8

Alan drunk for a week, got mean. Okay now.

July 22

Mama been sick. Strike is over, had a general strike lasted a week, no gasoline found or anything. Had to close, pretty bad. It started with the longshoremen all over the coast. Had to get $15.00 from Dad to stock up again. We did not have any meat for a week. Milk, bread and ice were the only trucks out.

Ruth is going to art school in Oakland two nights a week. $7.50 a month. Hope she does something with it.

Everyone okay. Ruth weighs 142; me 148; Sister 132; Son 152; Paul 158; Alan 182.

August 16

Looks like Sister is going to have a baby. I had hopes she would not. Getting along okay.

The Robinson Diary

~ 59 ~

Alan went to the fight in the city yesterday, had a very good time. Had a little too much to drink. I do hope he is not going on a bender now.

Business not so good. Weather cool in the morning. Ruth doing fine. Paul just came home and said he would take me to Los Angeles to see my mother. I hope I can go.

August 25

Went to Los Angeles (or Venice) last Sunday, the 19th and got back Thursday night with Paul. Mr. Tweeden gave me $20.00 for taking care of her. I took it as I know I could of borrowed it from her if she had been here. We went 1019 miles and gas and oil was $15.00, $6.00 down and $6.00 back. We saw everyone while we were there. Mrs. Tuche, Alossie and Emily and everyone.

Mama is not so good. Velma (i) is a very nice girl. They are running an eating house at Venice and doing very well. Had a very big tide when we were there. Broke over the pier.

Alan and Son went to Middleton today. Ruth just went after Sister.

August 26

Sunday. Ruth been sick all day. Monday, appendix, had it out at 9:30 last night. Dr. Crumb and Dr. C. L. Abbot, later. Brought Ruth home in four days. Bill for hospital $50.80. She was in bed 12 days and it is now August 26 and she still gets tired out.

Alan went deer hunting with some fellows and came home drunk and stayed on it a week. Was very sick and I thought sure he was dead. He was very sick, could not feel heartbeat at all. So hope he will not get drunk anymore.

Son painting Herron house (ii). Keith left the theater and Paul did not get his job. Sister was over

(i) This is Velma Louise Palmer, who eventually marries her brother Wilbur in 1936. They later have two daughters, Kathy and Beth. (ii) The home of his girlfriend, Kathlyn Herron.

Date uncertain. Wilber and Velma Ott.

~ 60 ~

1934

yesterday, will have her baby March 30 (i).

Letter from Mama says she is in the hospital again.

Had some rain yesterday. Warm today. Business very slow.

Ruth went to art school last night, she sure is doing fine. Al Kenneth has a baby girl. Steve is still on the radio. (ii) Nan has been gone a year already. Sure like to see her.

October 16

Blossom is 10 today. Cake, doll, socks, pants and a few things for her.

Alan went to Walnut Creek today. He was and is a sick man. Bright’s disease (iii) and has not had one drop of anything to drink. I don’t think he will drink again. Sure good not to have him drunk all the time.

Assisted a 10 pound baby boy into the world, Sunday at 9:40 p.m. It is very windy here today and cool.

November 1

Marion and Carl were over today. They have been married 11 years. Alan is 49 today. Sister felt the baby today.

November 5

Alan took a drink of beer today?

November 7

Well, election is over, sure was close. Lat and Lenny Wilson lost by 38 votes. Too bad.

(i) This baby will be Marcelia’s first grandchild, Wilson Robinson Locke. At this entry, she was off on Sister’s due date by only a few days. Wil was born on April 3, 1935 in Albany, California. He married Mona Mae Gaughran in 1956 in Reno, Nevada. They have five children: Devra, Janice, Alan, Matthew and Wilson “Rob” Locke. Wil died in 2007. (ii) She is hearing her nephew, Dude Martin on the radio and thinking of Nan. While still a student at Berkeley High School Steven changed his name and formed the Dude Martin and his Nevada Nightherders band, playing some of California’s largest rodeos. (iii) Bright’s disease is a historical classification of kidney diseases that would be described in modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis.

The Robinson Diary

~ 61 ~

Alan drank a lot yesterday. My face sure is hurting. I think my jaw is infected or out of place.

Alan’s Mom and Dad gave him new glasses for his birthday.

Sister had a shower given to her. Nice.

Steve got married two weeks ago.

November 14

Alan sure is cross. Got in a drunk and spent about $25.00. I guess there is no hope for him.

Things do not look very bright for me. If I just did not have to work so long and so hard. We, (Son and I) bought a square [prima] for $25.00. It is very good.

Sister over yesterday. She is getting big.

My face is really very bad. I’m getting used to the pain and I guess it is good I can’t eat. I’ll get thin. I weigh 148 pounds, which is too much.

Mr. Dolan is not making very good head way with this place. I think maybe we will be able to sell after he gets going. He is making a “gym” out of the back room (i).

The weather is nice and warm, little rain this morning. Buying good coal from Montroy for 55 cents a sack.

November 26

Sister was 21 yesterday. We gave her a few things.

Alan has been very sick (I’ll say sick after this, sounds better than drunk). Got away with about 6 quarts of whisky.

Business very bad. The license is going to be $250.00 so guess we are through. Wonder what we will do next.

(i) She is referring to what is to become the athletic club at the Red Robin.

c. 1934. Ruth, Sister and Bobbie.

~ 62 ~

1934

My face is still very bad.

Son got $25.00 from Dad. I’m so mad about it. We owe them enough as it is.

Have not heard from Mama or Wilbur.

The weather has been very rainy. Do not think we will have turkey for Thanksgiving as this stove is no good, oven cracked. Burns two sacks of coal a week which is very cheap, 55 cents a sack comes from Montroy.

Alan is up this morning, but is still a very sick man. Wonder how long this will last.

December 25

Christmas day. 10 to dinner. Mrs. Bonner, Sis and Wilson, no drinking. Alan okay.

Where do you think of or where you will be five years from today: » Ruth – New York, artist » Sister – traveling on water » Bobbie – don’t know, guess she will be married,

with two children or working at Kress or a cook » Blossom – no idea » Me – on a farm, I hope » Wilson – Justice of Peace, San Pablo (i)

» Alan – Federal services enforcing prohibition » Mr. Parker – “I might be in San Quentin.”

No feuding, had a nice Christmas. Ruth been working in Kress’s for two weeks. She and Paul got all the Christmas gifts. Ruth gave Son a gold watch. Had a good dinner, rather cold.

December 27

Went to San Francisco with Ruth on train and spent $20.00 for goods, coat dress, and shoes. Z

(i) Wilson Locke served 26 years as a justice of the peace and Municipal Court judge in San Pablo. He was recognized by his peers as direct and tough, but fair.

1935. School photos for Blossom and Ruth at ages 11 and 17 in Richmond.

1935

January 5

Sure had a bad week. Son and Alan went to San Francisco to get Son an auto (as Paul has another car, dark red, Ford, $380.00.) Alan got drunk and brought Marion and Carl back. We had a very bad scene here. It was terrible. Carl was drunk, too, and we sure had a fight. Carl said Alan was grand but Mrysels (me) was nothing but a sewer rat and my children. I guess he called me everything he could think of. I would not give him anything but coffee to drink.

February 1

Dad is 81 today. Called him up. Sister and Wilson went to see him.

February 9

Son is getting around $55.00 every two weeks, gives me $5.00 a week. Get nothing from Paul. He pays $6.00 on his car and $4.00 on his clothes. He gets $14.00 a week. Ruth is getting along fine with her drawing. The weather has been very good. Temperatures around 40 to 60. Some rain, more sunshine.

Not doing so good here, be glad when we get out. Some days it goes as low as $3.40. Alan has not had a drink for two weeks which is something, more than I can write about. My face has been hurting very bad. Sister does not feel so good. Have her baby pretty soon now.

March 19

Well, rain again. It has rained almost all month. Alan drunk. He does not drink a thing for about three weeks then off he goes. We are feeding about 35 men from the Pullman Company every noon. I feed them good food for the family and have about $1.00 left. Not much business. More taxes on us. Wish we were not in business. Lots of hard work for nothing at all.

Sister is very heavy and big and cross. Look for the baby every day now. Ruth getting along fine in school. I’m sure my jaw is out of place. We have all been very sick with very bad colds. Paul has it now. Ruth worked at Kress’s last Saturday. $2.50 bought a new yellow dress.

March 30

Saturday, 4:00 p.m. Cold and wind is blowing. I have a bad cold. Son and Sister went down town a while ago. Her baby is due today. She was over last night but was too tired to stay. I went to the show,

~ 64 ~

1935

saw “Roberta” (i), pretty good.

Alan is fine. I mean he has not had a drink for a week now. He is just over a mean one. I wish he would stop drinking. Got a very good letter from Pete. One of the best. Must answer.

Bobbie and Blossom whet with some friends to Neptune Beach (ii) today. Ruth working at Kress’s.

Feeding about 35 men every day, a 15 cent lunch. Will have short ribs of beef and mashed potatoes and gravy and string beans and bread and butter Monday. The weather was nice and warm yesterday.

April 3

Wednesday. Sister had her baby at 8:30 p.m. tonight. 8 pounds, 7 ounces at Humboldt Hospital (iii) in Albany. She is fine. Nice baby. First grandchild for us. How many are we going to have? (iv)

April 11

Borrowed $25.00 from Mr. Tweeden for a gas range.

April 16

Have moved into room on other side of the building—that is the kitchen part. Sure is a

nice range. We have had 24 inches of rain so far. Rained here.

(i) “Roberta” is a 1935 musical film by RKO starring Irene Dunne, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Randolph Scott. It was an adaptation of a 1933 Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was based on the novel “Gowns” by Roberta by Alice Duer Miller. It was a solid hit, showing a net profit of more than three-quarters of a million dollars. (ii) Neptune Beach was an amusement park on the shore of San Francisco Bay in the city of Alameda, California. The park was served by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company and ferries from San Francisco. It operated from 1917 until it closed in 1939. (iii) Dedicated on March 25, 1928 as Humboldt Hospital, the Albany Hospital served countless patients until its closure in 1985. The hospital provided a surgical department, as well as emergency and obstetrical care and general medical services. Originally privately owned, Albany Hospital later became part of Alta Bates. (iv) Here is the announcement of Wilson Robinson Locke’s birth. How many grandchildren will they have? Seventeen!

1935. Alan holding his first grandchild, Wilson Robinson Locke, born on April 3.

1935. Marcelia holds her first grandchild, Wilson Robinson Locke.

The Robinson Diary

~ 65 ~

April 19

Friday. Mr. Kline killed himself last Sunday. Gas from his car. He told us the week before he was going to do it.

Bobbie is still with Sister. Baby is pretty good.

Sunday is Easter Sunday. We have had 24 inches of rain. Nice and warm now.

August 1

Well, this winds up this book. Son was married on June 1, 1935 to Kathlyn Herron, 20. They had a very very pretty wedding, one of the best. Ruth and Paul stood up for them and Kathlyn’s sister, Helen.

On June 20, 1935, he (Son) was burned so bad that the next day at 6:45 p.m. he died. Dead. I just can’t think of it. What a terrible time we all had. He was working at the Standard Oil Company, research department. His clothes caught on fire. I don’t believe he is dead. Just his body. He is alive. I know it and I’m sure I’ll hear from him soon.

So this will be all for this book. And any of you that maybe will read it, overlook the spelling and all the sadness. There were lots of good times that I did not put down. We had lots of good times together. Like the night you all sat around singing and the day we all had dinner together the day Son was burned. And lots and lots of them. And as you won’t get this till I’m gone, please don’t cry because I’m right here with you now and you will hurt me if you cry.

Wilson and Paul went to Santa Cruz today. The weather is nice and warm. Dinner is almost ready. It is near noon. Everyone is well. Papa is not drinking, which is a great pleasure, isn’t it. Ruth bought a new dress and hat, very pretty. Well, I’ll put this book away now and start one more. X – Y – Z

Undated 1935

We went to Bear Valley 10 years ago on my birthday, July 29. I was 31 then and I’m 41 now. Z

June 1, 1935. Alan and Kathlyn Herron on their wedding day in Richmond. Son’s brother Paul (seated) was his best man. Kathlyn’s sister Helen (seated) and Son’s sister Ruth also stood up for them. The other two young men are possibly Kathlyn’s brothers.

June 1, 1935. Son on his wedding day.

~ 66 ~

The Robinson Diary

EPILOGUE

By 1940, Alan and Marcelia were living at 400 Pullman Avenue (at the end of Cutting Blvd. and the beginning of Pullman), above the tavern they owned and operated.

Alan’s parents (Dad and Mother) of Walnut Creek, died before the turn of the decade; William in March of 1937 and Mable in July of 1939. They were about 83 and 79 when they passed away.

As the family turned to a new decade, Son was dead. Sister and Wilson were divorced and she had moved in with Alan and Marcelia in Richmond. They still owned the tavern and Sister lists her occupation as a helper there. Sister’s two children, Wilson and Alan, were 5 and 3, respectively.

Paul was 23 and married to Virginia Nadine Williams (22). Their first child, Alan Jerald ( Jerry) Robinson was nearly 3 years old. They lived in El Cerrito, California. Paul worked as an operator at the Standard Oil Company.

Ruth at 22 was married to her first husband, Robert Lutz, 29. Their first daughter, Carole was a few months old. They lived at 7465 Terrace Drive in El Cerrito, California. Robert was a sheet metal laborer. Their second daughter, Bonnie Elizabeth, was born in 1941 in Albany.

Bobbie now 20, and Blossom, 15 were still at home. Bobbie worked as a nurse in a dental office and in 1942 she married her first husband, Minor Alexander “Doc” Abbay. Blossom married her first husband, Nick DeConter in the late 1940s.

During World War II, and in the 1950s and 60s, the families grew, changed and some went their separate ways. Many of the grandchildren remained in Littleriver and attended schools in Mendocino. Alan and Marcelia created a wonderful atmosphere for the new generations.

The Robinson Diary

~ 67 ~

According to Alan’s newspaper obituary in January 1971, “he and Marcelia retired to Littleriver, California in February 1943. They purchased the former William Pullen property, on which stands one of the first homes built on the Mendocino Coast.”

Marcelia died at home in Littleriver on June 9, 1981. She was 86.

Their 17 grandchildren are:

† LuCelia (Lui)and Wilson Locke’s two boys: Wilson and Alan

† Paul and Nadine Robinson’s three: Alan Jerrold ( Jerry), Pamela and Lynn

† Ruth and Robert Lutz’s two: Carole and Bonnie

† Ruth (Toni) and Jack Lemos’ five: William (Bill), Jill, Jone, June and Jain

† Bobbie and Minor Abbay’s daughter: Laurel

† Bobbie (Bobbe) and James Hannon’s son: Bradford

† Blossom and Nick DeConter’s daughter: Michelle

† Blossom (CeCe) and Howard Bruf lodt’s two: Cindy and Hank.

As I finish my transcription of Marcelia’s diary in November 2014, 13 of us are still living. Z

~ 68 ~

1978

The house in Littleriver with the Robinson’s truckstop cafe, purchased in 1943. With close to 40 acres along the Pacific Ocean, at long last, Marcelia’s dream of living on a ranch property came true.

A side view of the circular driveway entrance to the Littleriver house.

August 15

I have just read this book, looking for a letter from Alan’s sister Berta. I did not find it.

We are living in Littleriver, Calif., since 1943. Alan died here at home in 1971. He was 85 (you will be glad to know he had not had a drink for 10 years. He was bed-ridden for 3 years. I took care of him.)

I was 84 on July 29, 1978. Had a nice birthday. Lu, Bobbie and I all live together. Ruth and her husband (they have 7 children), 2nd husband, live in Mendocino about 5 miles from here.

Made me feel real bad reading this book.

Good thing we cannot remember all our past lives. I do believe we live many, many times.

Well, I’ll put this book back with the others. I’m so old, do not think I’ll be reading it again. Love you, dear Mama.

Marcelia J. Ott Robinson

Aug 1978 Z

1978

Marcelia in Littleriver, July 1978. At 84, she was still interested in new ideas, technology and her video camera. Photo by Jill Jahelka.

~ 70 ~

The Robinson Diary

A LETTER FROM MOTHER

A one page letter from “Mother” was folded inside the final pages of the diary. The short note is from Marcelia’s mother and seems to be a secondary page of the initial letter. Z

Undated

Can’t you let Sister and Wilbur run the place for a few days and you and Alan come down? LA is nice here beside the Ocean. Velma is a good worker and she and Sister should get along fine.

I was in town yesterday and went out to call on Minnie May. She was sick again. Had another light stroke. This is the second. The next one may carry her away. She is so big and heavy and always overeats.

Last Sunday, Joe Imgersal and his mother Lena were down to see George Baker in the little house in front here. I asked her if she knew what had become of Helen. She said she did not know, she and that man she hangs around with bothered them so much that they told them to stay away. It is too bad to think she is that way she surely finished racking George.

Give my love to everyone,

Loveling, Mother

P. S. My father’s name was Robert and my brother was the same but we called him B, for Brother. My mother’s name was Sarah or Sally Simpson. My grandfather was Warren Elliott, they all came from Rutlan or Vermont. My grandmother was Maria Carr.

The Robinson Diary

~ 71 ~

Marcelia’s brother, Wilbur Ott married Velma Brown, who was nearly 20 years his junior. They lived at 230 Market Street #2, Venice, California according to the 1940 Census.

He worked as an aircraft spray painter and she was a drugstore cashier. It’s not entirely clear what became of her father. He died in 1918 at age 52 in Riverside. Marcelia’s brother George Jr. died in Junction City, Oregon in 1977 when he was 80 years old.

Searching through San Francisco Bay Area papers around the time Son died on June 21, 1935, there is no mention of a fatal fire at the Standard Oil lab where he worked. He is buried in Arlington Cemetery in Berkeley.

When Alan’s mother passed away in 1939 the following item ran in the Oakland Tribune. Z

Tuesday, August 01, 1939 Will Of Teacher Filed For Probate MARTINEZ, Aug 1.—The estate of Mrs. Mabel P. Robinson, Walnut Creek librarian, who died July 23, has been left to four children and three grandchildren, according to a petition for probate of her will on file in Contra Costa Superior Court. The petition was filed by the Bank of America as executor of the will. Heirs are Mrs. Albert McSwain of Merced; Alan J. Robinson of Richmond; Paul J. Robinson of Porterville; and Marion Gryst of San Francisco, children of Mrs. Robinson, and three children of her deceased daughter, Mrs. Naomi McSwain, Steven, Barbara and Marjorie McSwain. The petition lists the estate as having a value in excess of $10,000.

ADDITIONAL FAMILY NOTES

~ 72 ~

The Robinson Diary

Here are the address where Marcelia lived according to Census records starting in 1900 and based on the addresses she mentions in her diary. Google Earth map technology shows what

the various locations look like today. In some cases, ages of family members have been calculated and are presented in parenthesis.

1900 – Chicago6220 South Carpenter Street, Chicago IL. Marcelia (6) lived with her parents, George Wesley Ott (33) and Lulu Blanche Ott (28), and her younger brothers, George (3) and Wilbur (1). George Sr.’s occupation is Entry Clerk.

RESIDENCES

6220 South Carpenter Street, Chicago IL 60621.

The Robinson Diary

~ 73 ~

1910 – Los Angeles314 East 4th Street, Los Angeles, CA. Marcelia (16) lived with her mother, Lulu Blanche Ott (37) who was now divorced from George Wesley Ott. Her mother doesn’t list a trade. Marcelia’s occupation is telephone operator.

314 East 4th Street, Los Angeles CA 90013.

~ 74 ~

The Robinson Diary

1920 – Los Angeles3732 Arlington Avenue, Los Angeles CA. Marcelia (26), is now married to Alan (35). Their children are Son, Sister, Paul and Ruth. Alan’s occupation is listed as a driver for Lee Wagon.

3732 Arlington Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90018.

The Robinson Diary

~ 75 ~

1930 – Vancouver1605 Rail Road Avenue, Vancouver City, WA. This address is no longer used. With the help of the Clark County Historical Museum, we found the location. Marcelia (36) and Alan live here with six children at home: Son, Sister, Paul, Ruth, Bobbie and Blossom. Marcelia’s brother Wilber (30) is also living with them and his occupation is listed as a worker for Ply Wood Co.

1605 Lincoln Avenue, Vancouver WA 98660. On the 1928 Sanborn map from the Clark County Historical Museum shows the property near 16th Street and this is the closest view today.

1605 Railroad Avenue, Vancouver WA 98660. At some point, Railroad Avenue was changed to Lincoln Avenue. Today, there is a commercial structure on the property instead of a home.

~ 76 ~

The Robinson Diary

June 1931 – RichmondThe first house the family lived in after returning to California from Washington was on Golden Gate Avenue. The address number 554 is not found in the Contra Costa County property records, and maps resolve the address to the center of the street. The number of the red house on the right is 530 Golden Gate Avenue.

554 Golden Gate Avenue, Richmond CA 94801.

The Robinson Diary

~ 77 ~

April 1932 – Richmond

The house on Garvin Ave was a nice place, though the first few months spent here were not some of the more pleasant times for Marcelia.

5118 Garvin Avenue, Richmond CA 94805.

~ 78 ~

The Robinson Diary

October 1933 – Richmond

Marcelia described the house on Clinton Avenue they rented for $25 a month as a large home with one bath, a dining room, two bedrooms upstairs and two downstairs. It also had a large front room and a sun room overlooking the city. Maps today resolve to this street view and the house may either be behind the brick wall or no longer exists.

3622 Clinton Avenue, Richmond CA 94805.

The Robinson Diary

~ 79 ~

February 1934 to 1943 – Richmond

Marcelia writes that living above the Red Robin wasn’t so bad. In modern day maps, the numbering for Pullman Avenue doesn’t include a 400 block. In the 1940 Census, the address is further described as at the end of Cutting Blvd. and the beginning of Pullman Avenue. The exact location of the Red Robin is not clear.

Those listed as living with Marcelia and Alan are Sister and her two sons, Wilson and Alan along with Bobbie (20) and Blossom (15). Sister is working in the tavern for her parents and Bobbie is a nurse at a dental office. Paul and Ruth have married and are living nearby in Albany and Richmond. Paul enters the service during World War II a few years later. Z

400 Pullman Avenue, Richmond CA 94804.

~ 80 ~

The Robinson Diary

SAMPLE DIARY PAGES

Random pages scanned from the dairy show her handwriting and nearly all entries are made in pencil. The transcriptions can be found on pages 28, 45 and 65. What do you think happened

on February 2, 1933? Z

The Robinson Diary

~ 81 ~

c. 1936. Sister, Blossom and Bobbie in Richmond, Calif.

How wonderful to read Marcelia’s last entry dated 1978. I was just starting to cry when I read her warning on August 1, 1935 that we would hurt her if we cried. When I turned to the

last pages in her diary, it was amazing to read that 43 years later, she herself reread her diary from these challenging times in her life and decided to leave an update for us. Marcelia manifested her dream. Her story ends happily. I hope she is right that we live many, many lives so maybe we’ll have a chance to be together again. Z

c. 1965. Alan and Marcelia at home in Littleriver.