Collections / Martha Barksdale / Inventory / Diary / Photo Albums
Martha Barksdale's Diary, 1918 - 1919
The original of Martha Barksdale's diary can be found in the University Archives of Swem Library at the College of William and Mary. It is among the Martha Barksdale Papers, Acc.1985.54, Box 1.
Front and inside covers
First Days at William and Mary
Nov. 26, 1918.
Today has been so wonderful that I must begin my book here and go back to catch up past events.
Yesterday evening Florence Harris, our beloved first student government president announced her resignation on account of the fact that she was leaving school for family reason[s]. I think she has to take care of her little brothers.
This evening I was elected president of our Student Government with a nomination of fourteen to four. I certainly appreciate the honor, probably the greatest I have ever had. But I dread the responsibility.
After many controversies and much worry this summer, I decided to come to Wm. and Mary, this first year of its coeducation. I do not now regret my choice.
I arrived here on Sept. 19, and came up in an automobile with Ruth Conkey and Celeste Ross. After several days we got straight and had classes one day before we were quarrantined [sic] for Spanish influenza.
This was a good thing for us. None of the girls had it so we used our time in getting well acquainted. We had met none of the boys and the quarantine served to make them want to meet us.
One evening we had a match game of basket ball to cheer Miss Gatling and incidentally ourselves. Celeste and Florence were the capitans [sic]. I played jumping center by boys' rules against Louise Reid and shot the first and only goal thus winning the game for our side. This started my basket ball "rep" here, and I only hope I can keep it at its present glow.
Soon after the quarrantine [sic] the Lieutenants and a few non-coms came over one night. This started our social hour. Since then the boys come over everynight[sic] after supper until call to quarters or on Sat. and Sunday until 10:00. I have met some very nice boys but don't enjoy it much because dancing has been the chief amusement.
One event that has amused me very much and annoyed me at the time was the water throwing affair. Mr. Simmons, Mr. Elliott, and Mr. Lyons are seniors here. They decided to calm some ducks [freshmen] who were singing under their windows so [they] threw out a bag of water. The bag hit the fire escape and drenched the all important Capt.Van Dusen and Lieutenant Taylor. They were furiously angry and stirred up quite a commotion over it. A few days later the whole S.A.T.C. lined up and marched Lyons and Simmons to the depot to ship them. Dr. Clark, Prof. Keeble, and others succeeded in making Capt. Van Dusen have them brought back. The girls were very indignant over this affair, especially Catherine.
On Hallowe'en night we had quite an enjoyable party.
I made there [sic] with John Chappell, the first boy here with whom I've been real friends.
Through John, ("Jack"), I met W. Saunders. I learned not to trust mankind through my intercourse with him. Was it because he did not respect me or just his nature?
In here comes a comical incident which I shall not put down in so public an affair as this book but simply a card to recall an amusing day, the day the armistice was signed.
Two weeks after this date I spent a very pleasant Sunday. Sergeant Day came up to see me, and quite unexpectedly Lewis also. I was glad because Lewis seemed to like Day very well. Lewis spent the night in town.
We went to the M.E. Church that night, and I cut Educ. and French to see him off the next morning.
Another event straggles in along here somewhere - our dancing exhibition. Miss Gatling took great pains to teach us some folk and other dances. We did the folk dances in our regular "gym" out fit [sic] and the fancy dances in Grecian costume. My ballet slipper came untied during the first step of one of the dances and I was miserable for a while but didn't fall over it.
In the "Garland Dance" we had garlands made of ivy off the Library. W. Saunders helped me make mine. We decorated the "gym" with honeysuckle from near the monument.
Lest we forget the first box of candy I received at W&M from Lewis on that memorable Sunday, Nov. 3, 1918, when I entertained a Sailor and a Soldier. Shall I ever forget the stares Lewis and I got from the S.A.T.C.'s? No, never.
In memory of my first roommate at college - up to this time my last - except for Janet on Special occasion and my beloved "Pal" sometimes.
We had lots of fun in basketball games. The Orange and Black fought many "peppy" battles. The Orange won two out of the three championship games, also the last one before X-mas. Keep the good work up Orange!
Soon after peace was made the S.A.T.C. began to talk of disbanding. They planned a big dance in the dining Hall here for the last night. I not being a dancer and not being popular was left out.
A number of girls from all over the state came. One Annette Pruden roomed with Ruth Harris across the hall from me. She seemed to be very nice.
She was in my room when Janet hid in the closet then came out looking so cheap. She heard us planning the party at Janet's.
From Carroll Rieves, Thursday Feb. 6, 1919
This was our first night out together. We went to the last show and didn't get in until 10:40. But I had Miss Tupper's permit and Celeste was snoring when I came up. I enjoyed the evening very much and the box of candy he handed me as he left was some good and Oh! so fancy.
On Saturday night, Feb. 8, we saw the first celebration of a W&M victory! The news came of a victory over R.C. The bell started tolling and the campus simply went wild. With Capt. Oglesby's help we made a bonfire, but the boys soon got a larger one down at the end of Duke of Glouster [Gloucester] Street, so we went over and joined them.
They had a Duc parade. The Ducs with shirt tails out were bringing wood for the fire dancing jiggs [sic], singing and making speeches. Rieves was the song and cheer-leader. The boys will do anything he starts. He was very gentlemanly and nice to us. Capt. Oglesby enjoyed some of our chocolate fudge very much.
Tuesday, Feb. 11, I went to the movies again with Rieves. His throat was so sore from leading the rally for the game Wed. night with Hampton-Sidney [sic] that he could hardly talk but we had a fine time, and he is certainly a perfect gentleman. We went to Stones after the movie and had some ice cream. He tucked another box under his arm as he went out and Oh! it was good but he couldn't help me eat it because of his throat, and didn't stay long.
Miss Tupper is very much interested in this case. She likes Rieves fine and tries to make me be extra nice to him.
We won the game with Hampton Sidney and had another celebration. The bon fire [sic] got so hot that the cop came up and ordered the boys not to put any more wood on. Hudson, the basket ball forward threw a box on and the cop arrested him. The boys tried to keep him from carrying him off but he would so they decided to go to jail in a body. They went off down the street, and we came in. They finally prevented the cop from putting H. in jail and brought him back. Rieves came over and told us they had gotten him out O.K. Later they brought Hudson on their shoulders to the back window and the girls shook hands with him.
The girls got fearfully angry with me for arguing against their yelling alone and calling them in early? (11:40).
On account of Elizabeth Scott's resignation I appointed Janet as vice president and Catherine as secretary. The girls resented my having that power and went to Miss Tupper. I determined that I would not change. Miss T. agreed with me and the girls have gotten over it somewhat.
On Saturday night we had a basket ball game before the game with Richmond College. I had been in bed Friday and a part of Thurs. but at five o'clock Sat. evening I got up and dressed for the game. Contrary, to my expectation I was able to play the entire game but almost "fell out" before it ended.
The Blacks won 6 to 5: They have to win once to keep them playing so I don't mind. The boys beat R.C. by one point too. We had quite a time celebrating. Rieves bossed a crowd of Ducs while they hauled the boxes and crates out of Miss Tupper's cellar for the bonfire. We danced and rested until the boys came back from the show, they helped themselves to at eleven o'clock. They had the fire at the corner of our lawn since they couldn't have it at the head of D.of G. Street, and nearly set the adjacent houses on fire. Rieves came over after wards [sic] for the candy I saved him.
Sunday evening Day came up again my! but he is boring to me now that the novelty has worn off.
I don't think I shall allow him to come again. He staid [sic] until the supper bell rang. I went to supper without even combing my hair. Rieves and Ferguson joined Pal and I coming home from supper. We occupied the sofa and had quite a time but my hair did slip so!! The girls have certainly tried to tease me since. Louise said it was a case of "Believe me if all those endearing young charms," and "Drink to me only with thine eyes," also that she never envied any one more than she did me that night. Funny, but it doesn't appeal to me like it does to them.
Thursday, Feb. 20. I had an engagement with Rieves to go to the movies, but we couldn't go until the second show so decided to stay on the sofa and chat. Oh! you chats.
Miss Tupper came in with the news that I might ask Rieves to take me to Janet's turning out party. I did and he agreed to take me.
Feb. 23. Up with the times at last! Last night we went to Janet's party. I had a splendid time. I borrowed Edna Reid's pink evening dress and bought myself some high heeled black pumps. Guess I was dressed up once in my life. Margaret, Ruth, and I were the only Hall girls. The other girls were Lucile Brown, Elizabeth Lee, and Miss Mard[?]. The boys were "Smitty", Ware, Rieves, Terrell, Edward Lee, "Pete" James, Bert Loraine Bennet, Tom Peyton, Armisted, and "Rat" Parish.
We danced most of the time. Rieves didn't dance as I sat out a few and fretted over his pleasure for several others. This was my first attempt to dance in public, naturally some of it was not very pleasant.
"Pete" James is a grand dancer. He took pains to instruct me in the proper steps etc. I learned something about dancing not to mention the enjoyment I got out of it. I had a very pleasant dance with Tom Peyton and we talked over Ch'ville. Loraine Bennet was very nice also tho' he can't dance much more than I can.
The refreshments were splendid.
Chicken Salad
Sandwiches
Hot chocolate
Candy
Nuts
Cokes etc. They tasted good to a hungry school girl.
We danced until twelve o'clock, and got home at 12:30, tired but happy and wonder of wonders I didn't do anything to spoil that dress.
I thought I would never find the secret of Rieves['] safety matches to get a light.
Back Cover