Trip Diary of Vincent David Barth

written by Vincent David Barth, June through August 1922.

This diary was written by Vincent David Barth after the school year ended on June 16, 1922, possibly his sixth or seventh year. His twelfth birthday was on June 10th. The occasion was a trip from Denver, Colorado to New Orleans by train and then on to New Jersey by boat with his Aunt, Ida Barth. Also on the trip were Paul Barth and Carl Barth, Vincent's cousins, and his brother, Donald Scott Barth.

It appears from the text that Vincent and Donald rode the train from Denver to El Paso with some woman, Margaretta, where they met Aunt Ida Barth, Carl Barth, and Paul Barth. From there, the entire group continued on the train to New Orleans, then, by boat, to New Jersey. The return trip was, apparently, traveled in the reverse direction.

Editor's notes, in brackets, are by David Victor Barth, Vincent's eldest son, who transcribed this from the original diary.

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1922
[This entry was written in ink in Vincent's mother's hand. Apparently, his mother, Jennie Grace Cool, had purchased the leather-bound diary book for Vincent to write his experiences, and she wrote the first page to get him started. (The book was purchased from The W. H. Kistler Stationery Co. in Denver for $1.80.) The remainder of the entries are in pencil.]

Donald and I got up at 7 A.M. Went to school [Alcott Elementary in Denver, Colorado] and both of us passed. Hurrah Hurrah.

School's over
No more pencils
No more books
No more teacher's
Cross-eyed looks.

Got on a train at 9:45, Sante Fe R.R., and started for Newark [New Jersey] and probably the best trip of our lives.

We have Aunt Ida to thank for this wonderful time. Good Bye Denver, Hello Newark.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1922
Woke up about 5:30. Ice water is furnished and Donald and I visited it on occasion, mostly all the time as train riding is monotonous, and we had to do something. We saw Indians at Albuquerque. Margaretta bought a clay basket. The Indians are tan and dried up and the women wrap rags around their legs.
Well! Good Night.

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 1922
Met Aunt Ida. Went over to hotel. Parked grips and went to station, got on train. Didn't see much but desert most all today. Had to go out of way on train on account of washout.

MONDAY, JUNE 19, 1922
Not many accounts to give. Good scenery all the way. Donald got train sick but recovered. Saw many swamps.

TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1922
Saw boat on Missippi [Vincent' spelling] about 6 o clock. Train went across ferry that was pulled with two tugs.

Got on a bus and went to hotel. The hotel is dusty and one bed has bed bugs and the whole room and its belongings look like they weren't cleaned or occupied since Noah.

Went to post office and was caught in rain. Managed to get to restaurant - had good meal for 25 cents. Went home and had good nap.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1922
Got on boat and went down Missippi on the SS Momus. Nice scenery and saw some steamers and some bouys.

Mrs. Voss, Aunt Ida's roommate, gave us some candy and some homemade grape wine.

THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1922
Donald and Paul boxed and Paul won [the boys were ten years of age]. Carl [Paul's brother, Carl, was eleven] boxed Paul, and if he would have hit Paul, it would have been ill for Paul. It was amusing to see them box. Carl would swing and Paul would dodge and then hit Carl.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1922
Aunt Ida's roommate gave us some more candy and we had some popcorn. Saw some more large fish. Saw some houses and some steamers.

An Italian sang the song we have on our victrola. The waiter and some of the passengers are stewed and are gambling.

Its stormy and the ship is rocking like a cradle and raining cats and dogs.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1922
I was sick and I vomited and I feel bum and wish I was on land once more.
One sailor is making a rug. They have two cats, some kittens, and a pup on board.

SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 1922
Just about same as ever. Aunt Ida was sick and so was her roommate.

MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1922
Woke up. Had coffee and rolls and saw the Statue of Liberty and the buildings. Met Walter and drove home in his car. Visited them, mostly all day. In the evening we went to Aunt Laura's [Laura Barth] house and went to sleep.

TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1922
Got up and ate breakfast. In the evening Aunt Adele [Adele Barth] came in the evening and visited and Uncle Gus sent us a box of assorted cookies.

We went to Aunt Adele's and visited Uncle Gus's store and he gave us each an orange and then we went to Aunt Adele's and had a good nights sleep.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1922
Got up and played ball with some other boys and Paul hit the ball and it hit a man on the head and he took the ball away from us. In the evening we went to grandmother Karl's and we played ball with Johnny Betsner. Ate supper at Aunt Adele's and then went home.

THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1922
Slept heavily. Henrietta took us to Branch Brook Park and we had a good time.

FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1922
Friday night Aunt Clara [Clara Barth] took us to see Jackie Coogan, and then we went to Aunt Clara's and went to bed. Carl lost his cap in the picture show.

SATURDAY, JULY 1, 1922
In the morning, it was dark and thundering and raining. The lights went out once and the whole day was dark. Had a nice time and recovered Carl's cap. Finally, we went home. Aunt Clara gave us some ice skates and Carl and Paul some roller skates.

SUNDAY, JULY 2, 1922
Gussie came in Leslie's car and took us to Aunt Adele's. Leslie is Serena's beau.
We played ball for awhile.

MONDAY, JULY 3, 1922
Johnny came over and played ball. In the evening Serena bought some fireworks and some of the other girls and gave us some money.

TUESDAY, JULY 4, 1922
Today Allie took us to Johnny Betzner's and he gave us each a toy cannon that shoots caps. We had roman candles, torpedoes, and other things. Had an extra good time all day. Gussie took us home in Leslie's car.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1922
Wednesday we stayed at home and did the dishes and played.

THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1922
Henrietta took us to Branch Brooks Park and we ate our lunch and had a good time.

FRIDAY, JULY 7, 1922
We were playing Arrows. We saw a bus on fire but the fire was put out before the fire department arrived.

SATURDAY, JULY 8, 1922
Today we went to Aunt Adele's about four o'clock. Aunt Adele gave me a watch charm and a pen knife and Donald a small pen knife and a ring, Paul a ring, and a pair of cuff buttons and Carl, a watch charm.

SUNDAY, JULY 9, 1922
We went over to Leslie's and had dinner and supper and we went to see Aunt Charlotte. She is a woman ninety-seven years old. Aunt Ida had to go home as her feet hurt her.

MONDAY, JULY 10, 1922
Today we stayed at Aunt Adele's and we helped around the house.

TUESDAY, JULY 11, 1922
Today we went to cousin Eddie's and tonight we are going to sleep in Tracey's tent that is Adele's nephew. I think we will have a good nights sleep.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 1922
Cousin Ada, Carl, and Donald together picked five boxes of raspberries. Tonight Donald and I slept with cousin Eddie in Tracey's tent and cousin Eddie hung a rag soaked with kerosene to keep the mosquitoes [away].

THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1922
Got up about half past five and had everything cleared away soon. We got on the train, transferred to the ferry, then to the boat.

Saw many large ships including some ocean greyhounds. Arrived at Bear Mt. O.K. and ate in a nice shady place. Then we had a boat ride. After awhile we started for the boat which is one of the largest steamships on the river. Fine sight along the New York side, before, we were looking at the Jersey side.

After awhile we passed Grant's tomb. Afterwards we saw the Majestic, the largest steamship in the world.

FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1922
Today we went to Asbury Park. We had a good time. We had a good bath in the Atlantic Ocean and we picked up several good clams. Then we went to an inside pool. We had a hotdog and then we went on the merry go round. Coming back, Carl slept all the way and I, part of the way.

SATURDAY, JULY 15, 1922
The next door neighbor loaned us a train, a checker game, a tiddlie winks, and four books. We played with the train mostly all day.

SUNDAY, JULY 16, 1922
Leslie had us buy fifty cents worth of candy. The next door neighbor gave us a peach and let us hear on the wireless and showed us her farm, the windmill, the boy's hut, the bees, and besides all that, she gave us a drink of well water.

MONDAY, JULY 17, 1922
We went with Aunt Clara to get Carl's and Paul's suits. Viola drives the car, and we went through Branch Brook Park and we had a good time. Aunt Clara says she is going to take us on a two week trip up to Main [Maine].

TUESDAY, JULY 18, 1922
Went under the shower provided by the firemen for the poor. Marie Farnarotto, that is Joe's sister, came to visit us. Read some.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 1922
Today we went under the showers again and had a good time. Read some today again.

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 1922
Ate, read, and played, and did errands.

FRIDAY, JULY 21, 1922
Took a bath and got ready to visit cousin Walter.

SATURDAY, JULY 22, 1922
In the morning, we met cousin Walter and then he took us to the Museum of Natural History and there we saw a Dinosaur and some meteorites and animals and many other things. Then we went to the Museum of Arts and there we saw many fine paintings and other things. Then we went to the Woolworth [tower?] and to the very top. Then took a boat for the Statue of Liberty. We couldn't go up in the arm on account of its weakness, but got up in the crown. We tried to go into the Aquarium, but it was too late. Then we went to Aunt Clara's.

SUNDAY, JULY 23, 1922
Today we went with to Asbury Park and took our lunch and went in bathing. We had a good time.

MONDAY, JULY 24, 1922
Aunt Clara took us to the Aquarium, then we had lunch and then took a sightseeing bus and stopped off at Grant's Tomb and we saw two different trees planted by two Japanese of high rank.
We took another sightseeing bus and saw the soldier's and sailor's monument and the Columbus monument. Altogether, we had a very good time. We had supper at Aunt Clara's and then she took us home.

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 1922
Aunt Clara took us home and Aunt Laura had lots of company. There were Aunt Adele, Aunt Pauline, Uncle Otto [Otto Barth], Florence, little Otto, and George. Uncle Otto made arrangements to take us to Union Beach.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 1922
In the morning, Uncle Otto called for us and we went to Union Beach and went in swimming and dug a few clams. In the evening, Uncle Otto took us to Keansburg and we had rides and the roller coaster, the merry go round, the whip, and Aunt Pauline won two military brushes.

THURSDAY, JULY 27, 1922
Today we dug clams and went swimming and in the evening went to Uncle Otto's house in the city.

FRIDAY, JULY 28, 1922
We rode in Otto and George's car. It was a good one too, considering they made it all themselves.
In the evening, we went to Olympic Park. We went in the house of fun and the roller coaster and some other things. Henrietta won three boxes of candy and we saw some fireworks.

SATURDAY, JULY 29, 1922
In the morning, Edna came and took us to her house and we played around all day.

SUNDAY, JULY 30, 1922
Today, Harry came, that is some relation to Edna, and he bought us some ice cream and in the evening we saw Clio develop some pictures.

MONDAY, JULY 31, 1922
Today we went to Aunt Laura's.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1922
Stayed at home all day and rested.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1922
Today it rained but had a good time just the same.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1922
It rained again today and Aunt Clara came and took her to a movie and she stayed overnight.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1922
Today Aunt Ida went to see about the tickets. We had a good time playing in Aunt Ida's back yard. We had clear weather, but it rained in New York.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1922
Aunt Clara came and went in and Viola took us for a ride.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 1922
Today Henrietta Schmidt, her mother, her sister, her sister's husband, and their boy came.
In the evening we went to Aunt Adele's. Paul and Carl played cousin Otto Breauer's violin. When we got there, Leslie and his aunt and uncle were there.

MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 1922
Today Uncle Otto and his family visited us and we had a good time, and we went over to Uncle Gus's store. Aunt Adele washed our pants and Gussie sewed a button on for Carl.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1922
Today we went to Grandma Barth's [Louisa Herringer? - she would have been 79. She was born June 13, 1843], and she gave each a dollar bill. We ate a good lunch and we visited Mr. Carl's jewelry shop. We also saw Uncle Hugo [Hugo Barth] and saw his funeral chapel and saw his apartment, and we saw his wife and children. And we took some pictures in front of Uncle Gus's store.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1922
Today we went to some of the large stores and looked around, and in the evening we went to grandma Karl's and we had a good time.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 1922
Today we went to Pruessner's in Westfield and it is their wedding anniversary. We had a good time. Grandma Karl went along and she had an exceptional good time as she doesn't get out much.
Pruessners have been married twenty three-years and they have two sons and two daughters.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 1922
This morning Aunt Ida went to get the return tickets. In the afternoon Aunt Adele, Aunt Ida, Aunt Clara, Cousin Viola, and we four boys went to Clara Crane's in Montclair. On our return we stopped and visited Grandma and Grampa Barth's grave [Jacob Daniel Barth and Louisa Herringer?] and took pictures of them, then had supper at Aunt Adele's. After supper, visited Lillian Bruno, an old school friend of Aunt Ida's, and we had Ice cream and cake.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 1922
Today we went to Uncle Otto's and George gave me a boat and Donald a folding coat hangar that fits in your pocket. Then we went to Aunt Adele's and she took us to Johnny and Aunt Mamie's and Aunt Adele. Karl gave us a surprise party and twenty-five children went there. Several prizes were won. Altogether, we had a very good time.
Aunt Adele bought Donald a new pair of shoes as his had to be soled and he had to wear something. She also brought each of us a tie.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 1922
Uncle John and Aunt Gertrude took us to Brighton Beach. Uncle Gus and Aunt Adele, Aunt Ida, Johnny, and Aunt Mamie were along. We had a good time and a good bath in the pool. We saw some races and a game of water polo.

MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1922
Today we went to Johnny's and had a good time. Tonight I am going to sleep at Johnny's house. Tonight Cousin Walter came to Aunt Adele's.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1922
Went down to Uncle Otto's and played with the boys. Tonight Carl is going to sleep at Johnny's house. In the evening Johnny took us to a show and in the evening we went to Aunt Gertrude's and we had ice cream and cake.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1922
We got up late for breakfast and in the afternoon we went to Johnny's and had a good time. Aunt Ida went to Cousin Walter's for dinner and we saw Cousin Edith and the baby.
Tonight Cousin Otto Breauer gave us each a quarter and Paul went to sleep with Johnny.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1922
This morning we went over to Johnny's and he gave Paul a boat, and we had a good time. Aunt Ida went to see Cousin Ada and Ed's new baby boy, Lerwell. In the evening we went over to Aunt Clara's to stay all night.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1922
Went out with Aunt Clara and Viola and took pictures and in the afternoon we saw a vaudeville show.
In the evening we went to Aunt Adele's. In the evening we had a big surprise as Aunt Adele gave us each a solid green gold seal ring with our initials engraved on it and the girls gave Aunt Ida a good string of beads. Adele Betzner gave us each a box of candy and Mamie [gave us] each a tie.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1922
Today we got up early and went over to Uncle Gus's store and he treated us each to a soda and a man gave us each a bar of chocolate. We saw the last of the Brauer family except Serena and Aunt Adele and they went with us to the ship. Uncle Otto and Leslie took us to the ship in their cars. Cousin Walter was there to see us off. we boarded the SS Creole. We could only get one first cabin and Paul and I ate dinner and supper and some girls changed with us for a second cabin and gave us eight dollars.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 1922
Feeling bum. So is Donald.

MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 1922
Donald has recovered. I still feel sick.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1922
Today I feel better. One of the men took us to the engine room. It was worth while seeing. We saw the coast of Florida and several hotels.
A flamingo came on the ship several times, but finally, it was exhausted and drowned.
The engine room temperature was 140 degrees. This is the second ship run by kerosene on the S. P. [Southern Pacific?] When oil is used, six boilers are in use; ten when coal is used. When coal is used there is a crew of thirty-six and when oil is used, there is a crew of six.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1922
Today we saw the coast of Cuba and some light houses. I have a cold and I guess I got it last night. We saw some porpoises jumping out of the water.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1922
Today we saw two whales, porpoises, and sharks.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 1922
Today we got up early and had some rolls and coffee. We checked our baggage and took a sightseeing car and saw the French Quarter, the oldest church, the old money mint, a famous statue of Robert E. Lee, a statue of Jackson, of Mae Donagh, library museum of Natural History, city hall, the Hibernia bank, and many other buildings. Afterwards we walked around the town. We had banana, pears, grapes. Saw a show, had ice cream, lunch, and some raw oysters and saw a good show. Boarded the train early and the train pulled out at eleven o'clock.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1922
Today I drank to the success of our trip and Aunt Ida with some grape stuff. Aunt Ida bought us some Ice cream cones.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 1922
Today we reached El Paso and said goodbye to Carl and Paul, and Aunt Ida came in the station and Donald watched the baggage. I got the lunch. Aunt Ida [got] the tickets and telegraphed. [She] gave the Travelers Aid woman instructions as to putting us on the train. We got on about twenty to nine.

[This is the end of the diary.]