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Henry Behrenst's diary: Difference between revisions

(Created page with ''''<font face = arial light> <font color = maroon> <font size = 3>Unfinished History</font></font> </font>''' == Henry Behrenst's Diary, 1921-1931 == '''Henry's diary was fou...')
 
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Henry Behrenst
'''Henry Behrenst
273 Oakdale Ave Salt Lake City
273 Oakdale Ave Salt Lake City


1921
1921


Apr 6
Apr 6'''


Whent slay riding and fell and sprained my arm and ankle.
Whent slay riding and fell and sprained my arm and ankle.


April 10
'''April 10'''


Tried to learn to swim got the cramps. Raymond and Bob carried me out.
Tried to learn to swim got the cramps. Raymond and Bob carried me out.


April 28
'''April 28'''


Whent up into the mountains with my father and mother and some friends and was lost for two hours I sure was scaired.
Whent up into the mountains with my father and mother and some friends and was lost for two hours I sure was scaired.


Apr 28
'''Apr 28'''


My sister Erna and Rose Bils [Bels?] ran away and got married the dirty bums.
My sister Erna and Rose Bils [Bels?] ran away and got married the dirty bums.


May 1
'''May 1'''


Whent riding horses saw three coyotes kill a stag.
Whent riding horses saw three coyotes kill a stag.


May 20
'''May 20'''


Whent up in the mountains with a sheep herder and his wagon and on a steep grade the horses started to back up and hit my mother on the shoulder all most breaking it the wagon whent over a bank and hit a tree my mother was in it.
Whent up in the mountains with a sheep herder and his wagon and on a steep grade the horses started to back up and hit my mother on the shoulder all most breaking it the wagon whent over a bank and hit a tree my mother was in it.


1922
'''1922


June
June'''


Got sore at my mother and father so ran away for one week I stayed at [illegible -- could say Kiples or Riples].
Got sore at my mother and father so ran away for one week I stayed at [illegible -- could say Kiples or Riples].
Line 45: Line 45:
Ran some wild horses across a trestle and a train came and hit them killing two of them while the rest jumped off into the water so I sure got in trouble for that.
Ran some wild horses across a trestle and a train came and hit them killing two of them while the rest jumped off into the water so I sure got in trouble for that.


1923
'''1923


Jan 2
Jan 2'''


I had a fight with Harry Nailer and gave him an awful beating so he got his big brother after me and I busted his arm with a baseball bat.
I had a fight with Harry Nailer and gave him an awful beating so he got his big brother after me and I busted his arm with a baseball bat.


Jan 27
'''Jan 27'''


Dog chaced me and tore my shirt and pants and bit my arm and leg until they bled so I had to stay in bed for three weeks.
Dog chaced me and tore my shirt and pants and bit my arm and leg until they bled so I had to stay in bed for three weeks.
Line 57: Line 57:
My father shot the dog.
My father shot the dog.


Jan 29
'''Jan 29'''


Was snowed in for 2 days I was sitting by a big fireplace when I wrote this.
Was snowed in for 2 days I was sitting by a big fireplace when I wrote this.


Jan 30
'''Jan 30'''


My father said he was going to California so we left good old Salt Lake and came to Frisco.
My father said he was going to California so we left good old Salt Lake and came to Frisco.


Feb 2
'''Feb 2'''


Arrived in Oakland in the morning and when saw the Ferry boat I thought it was a house.
Arrived in Oakland in the morning and when saw the Ferry boat I thought it was a house.


Feb 5
'''Feb 5'''


Came over to Frisco and was so surprised when I saw the big skyscraper that I didn't know what to do. We lived on 5th and [illegible -- Brannan?]
Came over to Frisco and was so surprised when I saw the big skyscraper that I didn't know what to do. We lived on 5th and [illegible -- Brannan?]


August 15
'''August 15'''


Started school at St Peter Catholic School I didn't like it one bit.
Started school at St Peter Catholic School I didn't like it one bit.


August 26
'''August 26'''


Moved from 5th to Rold Island [Rhode Island?] liked it better there it quiet a bit of fun.
Moved from 5th to Rold Island [Rhode Island?] liked it better there it quiet a bit of fun.


August 27
'''August 27'''


Ran a nail in my foot and have to go to school or I who what luck!
Ran a nail in my foot and have to go to school or I who what luck!


Sept 15
'''Sept 15'''


Came down a hill on a coaster and turned over cutting a gash in the back my head. My mother was scaird stiff.
Came down a hill on a coaster and turned over cutting a gash in the back my head. My mother was scaird stiff.


Sept 21
'''Sept 21'''


Almost got kidgnapped by some man but I was to smart for him.
Almost got kidgnapped by some man but I was to smart for him.


Aug 27
'''Aug 27'''


Went riding rafts and [at] the foot of Army St and fell in and almost drowned.
Went riding rafts and [at] the foot of Army St and fell in and almost drowned.


1925
'''1925


July 4
July 4'''


Got my whole side burned by fire crackers.
Got my whole side burned by fire crackers.


July 17
'''July 17'''


Learned how to roller skate and lots of fun skating around.
Learned how to roller skate and lots of fun skating around.


July 28
'''July 28'''


Moved from Rohalios [Rhode Island? Illegible] to Army and we stayed there for 3 month and went to Scotia.
Moved from Rohalios [Rhode Island? Illegible] to Army and we stayed there for 3 month and went to Scotia.


Oct 21
'''Oct 21'''


Like Scotia very much. Have a girl by the name of Virginia Dorsey.
Like Scotia very much. Have a girl by the name of Virginia Dorsey.


Oct 25
'''Oct 25'''


Went swimming and lots of fun. I know how to swim now.
Went swimming and lots of fun. I know how to swim now.


Oct 28
'''Oct 28'''


Cut a big tree down and fell on my arm spraining it.
Cut a big tree down and fell on my arm spraining it.


Dec 24
'''Dec 24'''


My sister Mary met Axel Jensen and went with him three months and got married without father or mother knowing it what damn sap she is.
My sister Mary met Axel Jensen and went with him three months and got married without father or mother knowing it what damn sap she is.


Dec 24
''Dec 24'''


I was monkeying around a house with matches and it caught on fire did I run.
I was monkeying around a house with matches and it caught on fire did I run.
Line 133: Line 133:
Back to San Fransico Capp St.
Back to San Fransico Capp St.


1926
'''1926


Jan 13
Jan 13'''


Joined the YMCA and boxed and went swimming. belonged to the baseball team.
Joined the YMCA and boxed and went swimming. belonged to the baseball team.


Jan 15
'''Jan 15'''


Fell out of a window and sprained both of my ankles in bed for 2 wks.
Fell out of a window and sprained both of my ankles in bed for 2 wks.


Feb 27
'''Feb 27'''


A kid hit my hand with a bat and sprained all my fingers.
A kid hit my hand with a bat and sprained all my fingers.


Geneva ave Feb 14
'''Geneva ave Feb 14'''


My father died early this morning and my mothers in historics everybodys crying there heads off.
My father died early this morning and my mothers in historics everybodys crying there heads off.


Feb 17
'''Feb 17'''


They buried my father today at the Woodlawn cemitory.
They buried my father today at the Woodlawn cemitory.


Feb 21
'''Feb 21'''


My little brother got by a machine and busted his collar bone.
My little brother got by a machine and busted his collar bone.


Oct 23
'''Oct 23'''


Met a swell kid Ralph Castaldo and had lots of fun with him.
Met a swell kid Ralph Castaldo and had lots of fun with him.


Nov. 3
'''Nov. 3'''


Fell off of the quarry on top of Bernal Heights spraining my collar bone I thought it was sprained but it was broken.
Fell off of the quarry on top of Bernal Heights spraining my collar bone I thought it was sprained but it was broken.


Dec. 1
'''Dec. 1'''


Went to the hospital to get operated on my neck was over four weeks.
Went to the hospital to get operated on my neck was over four weeks.


1929
'''1929


March 2
March 2'''


Went hunting ducks! And caught hamonia [pneumonia] was in bed for two months.
Went hunting ducks! And caught hamonia [pneumonia] was in bed for two months.


March 20
'''March 20'''


Jumped on a freight train at the Embarkadaro and broke my wrist.
Jumped on a freight train at the Embarkadaro and broke my wrist.


April 6
'''April 6'''


My birthday I am 15 years old.
My birthday I am 15 years old.


[date obscured]
'''[date obscured]'''


I was pallbearer Elizabeth little sister Janette. [ According to Elizabeth, this was in late 1929.]
I was pallbearer Elizabeth little sister Janette. ''[ According to Elizabeth, this was in late 1929.]''


1930
'''1930'''


Lowell St. Jan 7
Lowell St. Jan 7
Line 195: Line 195:
I am working for Will Andersen.
I am working for Will Andersen.


Feb 27
'''Feb 27'''


Machine ran over my toe and broke it.
Machine ran over my toe and broke it.


July 24
'''July 24'''


Ralph and I went to Scotia on the bus almost froze to death.
Ralph and I went to Scotia on the bus almost froze to death.


Aug 27
'''Aug 27'''


Moved up on Elsie St. And I met a very nice girl her name is Elizebeth Hird she is a blonde and I like her very much in fact I love her.
Moved up on Elsie St. And I met a very nice girl her name is Elizebeth Hird she is a blonde and I like her very much in fact I love her.


1931
'''1931


Jan 1
Jan 1'''


I got drunk and sit in Elizebeth steps 1 hr. in the rain.
I got drunk and sit in Elizebeth steps 1 hr. in the rain.

Revision as of 21:47, 20 May 2013

Unfinished History


Henry Behrenst's Diary, 1921-1931

Henry's diary was found in the attic of a house at the corner of Santa Marina and Elsie streets in Bernal Heights around 1995. The woman who lived in the house recognized the name of her neighbor, Elizabeth Hird, and passed on a copy of the diary. This was transcribed verbatim (all idiosyncratic spellings are Henry's own) by Vicky Walker from a photocopy of the notebook that was kindly passed to BHP by Elizabeth's daughters, Janet Thompson and Betty Kancler. Unfortunately, Elizabeth was unaware of Henry's heartbreak! We would love to know more about Henry and what happened to him.


Henry Behrenst 273 Oakdale Ave Salt Lake City

1921

Apr 6

Whent slay riding and fell and sprained my arm and ankle.

April 10

Tried to learn to swim got the cramps. Raymond and Bob carried me out.

April 28

Whent up into the mountains with my father and mother and some friends and was lost for two hours I sure was scaired.

Apr 28

My sister Erna and Rose Bils [Bels?] ran away and got married the dirty bums.

May 1

Whent riding horses saw three coyotes kill a stag.

May 20

Whent up in the mountains with a sheep herder and his wagon and on a steep grade the horses started to back up and hit my mother on the shoulder all most breaking it the wagon whent over a bank and hit a tree my mother was in it.

1922

June

Got sore at my mother and father so ran away for one week I stayed at [illegible -- could say Kiples or Riples].

Ran some wild horses across a trestle and a train came and hit them killing two of them while the rest jumped off into the water so I sure got in trouble for that.

1923

Jan 2

I had a fight with Harry Nailer and gave him an awful beating so he got his big brother after me and I busted his arm with a baseball bat.

Jan 27

Dog chaced me and tore my shirt and pants and bit my arm and leg until they bled so I had to stay in bed for three weeks.

My father shot the dog.

Jan 29

Was snowed in for 2 days I was sitting by a big fireplace when I wrote this.

Jan 30

My father said he was going to California so we left good old Salt Lake and came to Frisco.

Feb 2

Arrived in Oakland in the morning and when saw the Ferry boat I thought it was a house.

Feb 5

Came over to Frisco and was so surprised when I saw the big skyscraper that I didn't know what to do. We lived on 5th and [illegible -- Brannan?]

August 15

Started school at St Peter Catholic School I didn't like it one bit.

August 26

Moved from 5th to Rold Island [Rhode Island?] liked it better there it quiet a bit of fun.

August 27

Ran a nail in my foot and have to go to school or I who what luck!

Sept 15

Came down a hill on a coaster and turned over cutting a gash in the back my head. My mother was scaird stiff.

Sept 21

Almost got kidgnapped by some man but I was to smart for him.

Aug 27

Went riding rafts and [at] the foot of Army St and fell in and almost drowned.

1925

July 4

Got my whole side burned by fire crackers.

July 17

Learned how to roller skate and lots of fun skating around.

July 28

Moved from Rohalios [Rhode Island? Illegible] to Army and we stayed there for 3 month and went to Scotia.

Oct 21

Like Scotia very much. Have a girl by the name of Virginia Dorsey.

Oct 25

Went swimming and lots of fun. I know how to swim now.

Oct 28

Cut a big tree down and fell on my arm spraining it.

Dec 24

My sister Mary met Axel Jensen and went with him three months and got married without father or mother knowing it what damn sap she is.

Dec 24'

I was monkeying around a house with matches and it caught on fire did I run.

Back to San Fransico Capp St.

1926

Jan 13

Joined the YMCA and boxed and went swimming. belonged to the baseball team.

Jan 15

Fell out of a window and sprained both of my ankles in bed for 2 wks.

Feb 27

A kid hit my hand with a bat and sprained all my fingers.

Geneva ave Feb 14

My father died early this morning and my mothers in historics everybodys crying there heads off.

Feb 17

They buried my father today at the Woodlawn cemitory.

Feb 21

My little brother got by a machine and busted his collar bone.

Oct 23

Met a swell kid Ralph Castaldo and had lots of fun with him.

Nov. 3

Fell off of the quarry on top of Bernal Heights spraining my collar bone I thought it was sprained but it was broken.

Dec. 1

Went to the hospital to get operated on my neck was over four weeks.

1929

March 2

Went hunting ducks! And caught hamonia [pneumonia] was in bed for two months.

March 20

Jumped on a freight train at the Embarkadaro and broke my wrist.

April 6

My birthday I am 15 years old.

[date obscured]

I was pallbearer Elizabeth little sister Janette. [ According to Elizabeth, this was in late 1929.]

1930

Lowell St. Jan 7

I am working for Will Andersen.

Feb 27

Machine ran over my toe and broke it.

July 24

Ralph and I went to Scotia on the bus almost froze to death.

Aug 27

Moved up on Elsie St. And I met a very nice girl her name is Elizebeth Hird she is a blonde and I like her very much in fact I love her.

1931

Jan 1

I got drunk and sit in Elizebeth steps 1 hr. in the rain.