The 1890 Diary of Abba Owen

Newest chapter in an ongoing serialization of the 1888 diary of Abba Owen, daughter of Ypsilanti mineral water baron Tubal Cain Owen and Anna (Stowe Foote) Owen. The Owens lived in a now-vanished house near the current day Roosevelt School building on EMU, where Tubal also had his magical and very profitable well.

Saturday March 8th: A lovely day. Ebe took mama and I over to the river to see them put up ice; it was very interesting. It turned so warm this afternoon that they had to stop about 3 o'clock. mama, grandma, and I went down town and to church.

Rich saw a red-headed woodpecker this morning.

Sunday March 9th: A very pleasant day. Went to church. The men commenced putting up ice last night at twelve o'clock and worked until eleven this A.M. as it was a case of necessity and then and then began to-night again and will work until to-morrow morning.

Monday March 10: It has snowed and sleeted all day and very disagreeable. Eber came home to-night so as to attend the concert at the Normal Hall.

Tuesday March 11th: Another rainy day. Went to hear the Bell Ringers last night and it was splendid we all enjoyed it very much. Mama got a ticket this morning to hear Jaunschweck [sp?] to-night.

Wensday March 12th: A dark gloomy day. Mama, Rick and I went to hear Jaunschweck we enjoyed and liked her very much but not as much as we did Reha. The play was Mig Mirrelles. Jann took the part of Mig Mirrelles the old gypsy witch.

Thursday March 13th: A pleasant day, just like summer, the streets are awfully muddy. mama went to society and then went to the meeting of the Chapel Guild; they voted to turn their money over towards the church house. Luderer [sp?] came this evening.

Friday March 14th: Quite a little colder. The thermometer stands to-night 6 degrees.

The entertainment committee of our Auxiliary Society had a meeting this afternoon to decide about the Easter sale afterwards we all went to church. Mr. Moore came home with Eber to-night.

Saturday March 15th: It has snowed off and on all day and is very cold.

We darkened up the long hall upstairs and Rick and Mrs. Moore took pictures (Rick has a new camera) and developed them upstairs. Margarite Gilbert came over in the afternoon and brought her new camera and Mr. Moore taught us all how to take pictures and we had a splendid time and lots of fun.

Sunday March 16th: A pleasant but windy day. Mr. Moore, Eber, and I went to lunch this morning Mr. Post made us a call as usual. I wrote to Nellie Whiting.

Tune in next Tuesday for another look at Abba's doings.