Friday, November 27, 2009

Annie's Diary 1906 September 4th

September 4 – Tuesday

After a most exciting time about getting my trunk ready and sent to the 23rd St. ferry, I composed myself for a few moments before leaving the house for good.

At about eleven o’clock I, after telling all good-bye, boarded a Broadway car for 23rd St., where I was to meet Uncle Willie who was going over to Jersey City, N. J. with me. At the Flatiron building I met him and on the corner of Broadway and 23rd we waited for our car which was to take us to the ferry. Finally on account of the slow speed at which the horse cars go, we reached our destination. I shall never forget my feelings of sadness as we pulled out of N. Y. on the large ferry boat for I wondered if I should ever come back again. Of course I was exceedingly anxious to get back to “Georgia”, I hated to leave New York and all its many wonders. My trip from Jersey City to Washington D.C. was, although very quiet, yet very enjoyable. Upon arriving in Washington, I met some very charming people who were also coming as far as Atlanta. The monotony of my trip was quite broke by several small wrecks, none of which, however amounting to much. I met several other people on the train who were perfectly lovely to me.

After a very long and tiresome trip I reached “Home, sweet home” once again, and you bet I was more than happy to get here. Why? Well, I will leave that to the imagination of my reader, perhaps he or she can guess. And now I am home to stay, for quite a long while as least. “I wonder why”?

APM

Annie's Diary 1906 September 3rd

September 3 – Monday

As we expected to be obliged to leave on that day for home we hurriedly packed our trunks and put everything in readiness for our long and tiresome trip. Upon deciding to wait until Tuesday morning we went up town, Aunt Lizzie and myself in order that I might have one last look at “great” New York.

After lunch, I went down on Broadway to get a few souvenirs to bring to my music pupils. While there I espied Cousin Nelson passing by, and stopped him, at least he stopped to get the paper. We walked home discussing my trip and how much I had seen during my stay there.

After dinner Cousin Nelson and myself walked out Broadway to _____ (?), the swellest beer – garden in N. Y. It was my first trip to one, and I sure did enjoy it. After a while very pleasantly spent, we walked to 97th St. and down this to Riverside Drive. It was an ideal evening and we knew “everybody” would be “out”. I will not attempt to relate what we saw, but I will leave it to those who have been to New York City and been down on Riverside drive about ___ (?) o’clock at night. But one thing I will say we sure did enjoy it. We sat down up near “Grant’s Tomb” for a little while and watched the ferry – boats and steamers cruise up and down the “Hudson River”. I shall never forget the sight, it was simply gorgeous, and one never to be forgotten.

We walked from Grant’s Tomb, 119th St., to 242 West 104th St., out Broadway, and finally reached home, very tired but very glad that I had seen “lots” on the last night of my stay in N. Y.

Annie's Diary 1906 September 2nd

September 2 – Sunday

After a very late breakfast Uncle Willie and I started out for the Zoological Gardens of Central Park. We walked down to Central Park West and there took a car for 59th St., where we transferred to a cross – town car which carried us to the entrance of the park.

The Zoo is very large and certainly a very fine one. A wonderful collection of animals from all parts of the earth.

We came back home another way – walked to 77th St., and stopped for a little while in The Museum of Natural History – and after taking a Columbus Avenue car we finally reached home, thoroughly worn out, as we had walked altogether about three miles or sixty blocks.

Spent entire afternoon at home, as we were all too tired to dress and go out. Although we had no company, we had the excitement of receiving a special delivery letter from Atlanta, and a telegram from Wilkesbarre, Pa. The latter stating that Cousins Nelson and Talmadge would be in New York our last night. We sat up and waited for them until about one o’clock, when, just about ready to take a nap to while away the time, in they walked as if it were eight instead of one. But – alas! Such is the way of boys and men –


Information on People:

Cousin Nelson is probably Philip Nelson Pendleton (born 1871) son of Philip Thomas Pendleton (born 1847), brother of Susan Francina Pendleton (born 1851) who was Annie’s mother.

Cousin Talmadge is William Talmadge Pendleton (born 1871) son of William Micajah Pendleton and Elizabeth Talmadge. Talmadge is one of 4 sons of Uncle Willie and Aunt Lizzie.

Annie's Diary 1906 September 1st

September 1 – Saturday

Spent morning at home enjoying a little rest from sight – seeing.

Left after an early lunch for the matinee at “Belasco Theatre.” The show, “The Girl of the Golden West” was very pathetic and a very beautiful play. The scene was laid in California, and was set in 1849 – 50, during the days of the gold fever. Beautiful pictures beforehand show Cloudy Mountain, Cal., a mining camp and also the heroine’s home

“Miss Blanche Bates” the heroine of our play, is one of New York’s leading actresses and is certainly very fine. We sure did enjoy the play.

Annie's Diary 1906 August 31st

August 31 – Friday

All excitement as Cousin John Lively and Cousin Belle, were going to leave New York for Atlanta.

We boarded a Broadway car to 23rd St., where we transferred to the 23rd St. ferry car. After many delays we reached station and took an elevator for the deck of our ferry – boat. The ride up the Hudson, to Jersey City, was perfectly beautiful, and we certainly did enjoy it.

A parting must come sooner or later, and very soon it came, for they would not allow us to pass through the gates, so we had to separate in the waiting – room.

We came back on Courtland Ferry to New York, and then took subway for 103rd St. Came on Broadway express. When we reached home, realized fully that they had gone, for everything seemed pretty lonely.

After a short rest, I started out again, always ready to see as much of N. Y. as is possible. Walked some distance out Riverside Drive, and then being tired, sat down for a good long time and watched the many carriages and automobiles on this favorite drive, and, also boats and steamers on the Hudson River. Resumed my stroll, and soon found myself way out by Grant’s tomb. I walked out W. 199th St., to Broadway, and then straight home. Sure did enjoy my long walk by “my lonesome.”

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Annie's Diary 1906 August 30th

August 30 – Thursday

Cousin John and Cousin Belle expected to leave on the morning train for Atlanta, but by many persuasions, they decided to remain over in New York until Friday morning.

After lunch we three ladies went to “The Museum of Natural History” where we certainly spent a most pleasant afternoon. It is a five-story structure, and is one of the most elegant I ever saw. The grounds are also perfectly beautiful. The first floor is filled with Indian relics and costumes, bead-work, Siberian costumes, and different scenes representing these ountries. The entrance is filled with meteors, which are supposed to have fallen in Greenland, and Iowa. Second floor: Stuffed birds and animals of all sizes and descriptions. (Elephants, sloths, buffaloes and little horses, etc.) Third floor: Other kinds of animals – some skeletons, and some stuffed. One noted animal. “Tip” – the large elephant which was killed in the Zoological Gardens in Central Park, on account of its fierceness. Had already killed several men. Employees gave Tip enough poison to kill 1000 men or more. Other end of hall filled with mummies and statues of wood and stone. Fourth floor: both large and small rocks in their unpolished states. Precious jewels both in polished and unpolished states. A few precious stones from North Carolina, near Birmingham, Ala., and a very large valuable stone from Lumpkin county, Georgia. Fifth floor: the most beautiful shells of all sizes and kinds, and also very beautiful specimen of coral, in single pieces, and also as a reef. A large case filled with soil about in which could be easily seen legs, feet and skulls of animals brought to The Museum as it was really found. Also large bowls or glass boxes filled with gold-fish.

Historical Notes and Photographs

Tip the Elephant:

From the New York Times: May 8, 1894 The fate of Tip, the "rogue" elephant, who on April 30 tried to kill his keeper, William Snyder, in the elephant house in Central Park, will not be decided until tomorrow, when the attention of the Park Commissioners will be drawn to Tip's murderous propensity.

From the New York Times: May 12, 1894 BIG ELEPHANT TIP DEAD; KILLED WITH POISON. Terrible in His Death Agony, He Burst His Chains, and Was on the Point of Breaking from the Building When He Succumbed -- Took Cyanide of Potassium in Wet Bran -- Had Rejected Poisoned Apples and Carrots –

The big elephant that had been for years the playmate of the children in Central Park, and the terror of Snyder, who was his keeper, was put to death yesterday.

Enthralled monarch of the jungle, largest and most powerful of his herd, an elephantine colossus, he ingloriously died because he trustingly ate a pan of poisoned bran. Behind this bran was the record of having murdered several keepers, the fear and hatred of Snyder, who had had charge of him since first he came to New-York and the death sentence from the Board of Park Commissioners.
Even when Tip’s execution day had dawned there were questions raised whether his life might not be spared; whether so valuable an animal under another keeper might not be made more maneageable.

Tip’s hide and skeleton will be sent to the American Museum of Natural History.


Annie's Diary 1906 August 29th

August 29 – Wednesday

After our breakfast we all marched in the sitting room and each in his or her turn gave Uncle Willie his birthday presents, which he seemed to appreciate very much.

Owing to the inclemency of the wseather, and also to the fact that we were worn out, only temporarily however, we spent the entire day at home, and I am sure we enjoyed it to the fullest.

We celebrated Uncle Willie’s birthday by giving him a little birthday dinner, which I am sure he fully appreciated.

Annie's Diary 1906 August 28th

August 28 – Tuesday

We spent a long while, about two hours, in the Eden Musee, looking at the different scenes, hearing the music, and watching two different series of subjects on the “Cinematograph”. The racing scenes were about the best of all the pictures, at least very realistic. It was very beautiful, and we certainly did enjoy it. Rooms where the pictures were shown and the band played was called the “Winter Garden”.

After lunch we took a Fifth Avenue stage and rode out to the entrance of Central Park. There we took a park carriage and rode all over the Park covering an area of about fifteen miles. The scenery is simply grand, many acres of it is still in its naturally wild state. We had pointed out to us Senator Clark’s, the copper king from Montana, palatial residence, the Mt. Sinai Hotel, the large resevoir of N.Y. which holds several million gallons of water and also Carnegie’s palatial residence, whose servant’s house is just as fine as many homes on Peachtree. But it is much to our regret that we have to acknowledge that this is true.

Annie's Diary 1906 August 27th

August 27 – Monday

We thought that we were going home, so spent Monday morning in packing our trunks. And, after they were all done we found that we were not going right away.

After lunch Cousin Belle and I walked out Riverside Drive and sat down for a long time and watched the large steamboats cruise up and down the river. The scenery was beautiful.

As soon as dinner was over, we all took a long car ride down town and saw Broadway as it really is late at night and crowded with people. Quite a sight, especially for “country people” such as “we”.

Had pointed out to us the roof garden where the horrible Thaw – White tragedy occurred a short while ago.

Historical Notes and Photographs

Thaw - White Tragedy:

At the premiere performance of the musical revue Mam'zelle Champagne at the Madison Square Roof Garden, Stanford White was shot point blank in the face and killed by Evelyn Nesbit’s husband, Harry Kendall Thaw. The murder became known as the Trial of the Century. In the media coverage that followed the murder, details of White's indulgences fascinated the public. Evelyn described how she would swing nude on a red velvet swing built by White during their romance.

Having gained fame as a model and then on the stage in the early 1900's, Evelyn Nesbit was the Marilyn Monroe of her time and "supermodel" of the time. It was on Broadway that the 16 year old rising star caught the eye of the 52 year old Stanford White, the brilliant architect, who quickly became involved with the stunning beauty. The relationship lasted about a year.

Harry Thaw was called "crazy" long before he shot Stanford White; he was a cocaine addict which caused him to have a wild-eyed stare most of the time. The combination of Thaw's wild personality and Nesbit's wild past combined to fuel the murder of Stanford White. If the crime made the participants infamous, it also made Nesbit more famous than ever. The sensational details would play out in public over the course of two trials. A child of wealth, Thaw had the best council money could buy and he eventually became a free man. He divorced Nesbitt and died of a heart attack in 1945.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Annie's Diary 1906 August 26th


August 26 – Sunday

We left as soon as possible after breakfast for Coney Island, where we spent the day most pleasantly. We took subway from 103 St. to Bowling Green where we walked to South Ferry and boarded a ferry –boat for South Brooklyn. We passed through Buttermilk Channel and going along the side of Governor’s Island. After landing in South Brooklyn, we took an electric car for Coney’s Isle. Our trip over by water was most enjoyable.

We spent a most pleasant day there. Had our pictures made on post-cards but were only fairly good.

Met Mr. Julius Hayes of Knoxville, Tenn. Who stayed with us most of the afternoon, and was very pleasant.

We had to run a long way to catch our board as it was time for it to leave. Cousin Belle ran so fast that she almost fainted, we sure had to fan her to revive her.

We came home all the way by water, and it was simply gorgeous, the moonlight on the water was the most beauitful thing I ever saw. We also saw the “Statue of Liberty” lit up by night, and the reflection in the water was beautiful.

We certainly enjoyed our trip from beginning to end, and especially our trips by water.

When we reached home two telegrams awaited us, calling us home at once. But fortunately before we started, we found out that it was all a mistake and that we could stay longer, and we sure were glad.

Annie's Diary 1906 August 25th

August 25 – Saturday

Cousin Belle and I made our first trip downtown by ourselves and got along admirably. We spent most of Saturday morning in shopping and certainly enjoyed our first down town trip alone.

Upon receiving a telegram saying that Cousin John Lively was coming to New York, we all went to 23rd St. ferry to meet him. But to our regret we did not see him at all, so, although disappointed in not having the pleasure of showing him New York first, we had to come home without him. When we reached here, he was sitting up big as life, and perfectly at home.

Annie's Diary 1906 August 24th

August 24 – Friday

We made an early start determining to see all we could that day.

We visited most of the big stores in New York going through some of them from top to bottom. We enjoyed especially the stores of John Wanamaker who now occupies the building which used to belong to A. J. Stewart. The former has built an elegant new store right next to his old one.

After enjoying a delightful lunch, we resumed our visits to the large buildings.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Annie's Diary 1906 August 23rd


August 23 – Thursday

As weather was very threatening, we remained at home all morning, writing letters, and entertaining each other as best we could under the circumstances.

After lunch we took a long walk on Riverside Drive seeing the beautiful homes, and watching the large steam-boats passing up and down the Hudson River.

Annie's Diary 1906 August 22nd


August 22 – Wednesday

We went downtown and went through Old Trinity Church, which was built in 1846, although three churches have been built on the same ground. Also visited the cemetery, adjoining the church – yard, in which we saw momuments hundreds of years old. The building itself was perfectly elegant and stays open all the time, both day and night, for the visitors who come to
N. Y., and also for prayer services.

Uncle Willie met us and carried us through the wonderful stock exchange after obtaining a special permit, it was certainly a wonderful sight and we sure did enjoy it. We then went through the U. S. Treasury and saw the large stone upon which George Washington stood when he took an oath as President of the United States. Next we went through the Assay Office, next door, and saw them making gold and silver bars, which was very interesting. Guide was especially nice to us, and of course, we saw everything which was to be seen.

We reached home realizing we had seen just lots for one day, at any rate.

Annie's Diary 1906 August 21st

August 21 – Tuesday

Spent early morning in packing our things and left Hartford about 12:26 for New York.

Mrs. Bingham came over to see us just before we left, and took Topsy home with her much to the former’s regret.

We had a very pleasant time coming home with the exception of a little fuss with the brakeman. Our party separated at the Grand Central Hotel, or Depot, Helen and Fred going to Asbury Park, N. J. and we coming to 242 W. 10th.

Annie's Diary 1906 August 20th

August 20 – Monday

Soon after breakfast, Cousin Belle and I took “Topsy” with us for a walk to the drug store.

In the afternoon, Helen and I went uptown to do some shopping, as she was going to leave the next morning for Asbury Park, New Jersey.

We spent the early part of the evening in packing trunks, and then the remainder of it we spent quietly in the drawing room.