"I Hate to Write": Woman, Mother, New Yorker and Patriot A Story of New York City and WWI

by Lloyd Paul White

Overview

“I Hate to Write” is the compelling story of Edith Agnes McCormick an Irish immigrant, a devoted mother raising three sons in New York City in the early 1900’s through WWI. Edith is an extraordinary woman of courage and fortitude. Through her “Record”…. a diary, which amazingly encompasses the period 1901 to 1919, Edith provides a compelling, extraordinarily personal glimpse into family life, but also the events occurring at the turn of the century through the cataclysmic changes of WWI.

Edith’s writing style is an educated one, her sense of humor with respect to family life in Manhattan with all of its challenges jumps off the pages and captures the heart and mind of the reader in a unique and captivating fashion. She opens our eyes to a time when flight was a breathtaking novelty. It was a time prior to air conditioning, when horses were dying in the sweltering heat of New York summers, when people sought summer relief in the seashore cottages of Staten Island. Edith’s day to day thoughts are illuminating, as she opines upon such events as Theodore Roosevelt and the Panama Canal, the Russo-Sino War, Peary’s discovery of the North Pole and the need for equal rights in the workplace and the vote for women. Edith’s patriotic zeal and support for her country and its allies is compelling. Equally compelling is Edith’s concern for her sons as America is drawn into the war in Europe.

If you want a great story, order a book now….buy one for a friend or family member!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781546211426
Publisher:	AuthorHouse
Publication date:	12/20/2017
Pages:	366
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.94(d)

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

September 24, 1901

I hate to write! Nevertheless, I have undertaken to jot down a few items once in a while just to help cure myself of forgetfulness to which I am getting very prone. I suppose I ought not to forget the weather therefore I duly chronicle that it has been a most beautiful day, rather warmer than we expect at this time of year. Sunday was Paul's birthday – he was seven – and duly enjoyed his presents, among them a nice toy cannon - demolished before the day was over – and his birthday cake with seven candles in it which he had at supper, only as Lucy observed, the friends at his party were all so young. There was Aunt's Lillie and Tessie and Marie Bechet, Lucy's friend and May Hannelly besides the family and I guess they were all old women but May. Today Mattie and little Marian came over and spent the day and Lillie came bright and early from her new boarding house where she spent the night in a rocking chair - the bed being tenanted by undesirable guests. It must have been my visiting day for Mrs. James McCormick called in the afternoon looking very fine in her lace cap and black bombazine dress and then came Mr. Meade, John's teacher called. Tessie dropped in to supper and Lillie came afterwards and Charlie Hannelly and little Edgar. This Frank's first year at the kindergarten and Paul's first year in "John's" school and I am kept busy trotting back and forth with them all.

The city is full of mourning emblems for our noble President McKinley who was foully assassinated by an anarchist named Czolgosz while shaking hands with the crowd at the Pan- American Expo at Buffalo. He lingered a week and just as the whole nation was beginning to be confident of his recovery, he died.

September 25, 1901

Another beautiful day – cold and clear. I had a very quiet day. Lillie and Tessie and Willie dropped in after supper to cheer Papa up. Willie brought Paul my son a box of lead soldiers, a belated birthday present. Paul loves these soldiers and the battle scenes he creates, though they are always under foot. Tessie looks very pale and not at all well.

September 26, 1901

Fair and beautiful. John had a heavy cold. I took Frank to the doctor's. His lame leg seems to improve but slowly. He has just learned to hop a few times on one foot – which accomplishment he proudly displayed to Dr. Judson. Aunt Tessie came in to lunch and spent the day. The children and I called on Fannie and poor old Grandma nearly went wild with their actions in the backyard, ably seconded by Helen MacDonald. The old lady gave Frank a slap. I find I must take up the carpets and do some housecleaning and I dread the task. Poor McKinley! The other day Czolgosz went on trial in Buffalo charged with the murder of our President. He pleaded "guilty", but can you believe the court changed his plea to "not guilty". I hope to God that this trial is a short one and one where the good citizens of Buffalo find him guilty. They say anarchy is a social disease rather than a kind of mental illness. I say he was crazy socialist. Today in fact he was convicted and will be executed in quick order. Our dear President McKinley lingered a week and just as the whole nation was beginning to be confident of his recovery, he died on September 14, with our VP Roosevelt, the former Rough Rider succeeding him as President of our great nation.

September 27, 1901

Those unwelcome wretches. ... the carpet cleaning men arrived and took up nearly all the carpets and I must get matting for my room. The carpet is so shabby. John brought home a little school fellow to play and they climbed all the fences and trees in all the back yards. I hope John will tame down and get some sense sometime. His wild ways annoy me very much. Lillie and Tessie dropped in this evening. This is ideal weather, but of course it cannot last.

September 28, 1901

This was another beautiful day, although it is now pouring rain (11PM). The first race for the Yacht Cup took place and the American boat, Columbia won over Sir Thomas Lipton's boat Shamrock. John is still sick with a cold. He stayed in the house nearly all day. I bought a new matting at Van Lines for my room. Taxes are so high we cannot afford a new carpet.

Lillie and Tessie came in after supper and Willie came around after Pete and took him off to see Andrew Mack in "Tom Moore" at the Herald Square Theater. Fannie and I are supposed to enjoy it as much as if we were asked. I went and shopped in Wanamaker's department store this afternoon.

September 29, 1901

This has been a sweltering day, more like an August dog day than the end of September, and it was stifling in mass at St. Agnes Church at 141 East 43rd Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenue, a long tiresome, incoherent sermon by one of the assistant priests did not tend to cool the atmosphere. St. Agnes has been a mainstay of the neighborhood since 1873 when the foundation was first laid and brick walls were first raised. It seems however like the hot air within St. Agnes is not limited to the priest, rather I think there is still some heat associated with the terrible church fire of December 4, 1898.

John is still under the weather. He could not go to church and this evening I had Dr. Hadden come and see him. He said it was just an upset stomach with a cold added. Tessie came to dinner but went away soon after. It looks like rain.

September 30, 1901

It is hardly possible we can have many more such beautiful fall days. It was just like summer. John was quite sick again this morning – his stomach seems to be completely out of order. I called at Doctor's and got some medicine which seems to have done him good. He stayed in bed nearly all day. Fannie and Helen came in this p.m. and he brightened right up. I heard the other day with regard to Czolgosz, the murderer of our dear McKinley that we as Christians should not condone the death penalty. I say let the courts deal with this murdering fiend and if that ends in execution, as it should, so be it!

Paul brought home a copy book and proudly showed his first writing with ink to his Papa. Willie, Lillie and Tessie called in this evening. I just received a letter from my dear old pupil Kathleen Kernan announcing her engagement to a Baltimore gentleman. The dear girl, I hope every happiness attends her.

October 1, 1901

A new month and it opens with delightful weather. I must hang a thermometer where I can keep track of the temperature. I now have a woman in the house cleaning and have spent a very busy and tiresome day. I hate cleaning closets and the problem of where the dust comes is as old as Adam and just as hard of solution, as it was in his day.

Lillie came in to sew on the machine, took a look at things and fled. Lucy has gone to Staten Island today overnight. Jim Brady called tonight and Lillie came back also. John is better and went to school today. He is studying fractions and they will drive me mad as well as John.

October 2, 1901

Cloudy and warm with a heavy rain tonight at 9 o'clock. I am busy at house cleaning. Lucy McCormick is still at Staten Island. I wrote to Kathleen and Lillie Fagan came in twice today.

October 3, 1901

It is a pity to spend such a beautiful day as this in housecleaning but unfortunately it can't be helped. Those wretched carpet layers never showed up to lay the top floor carpets. I went to see Tessie today. She is sick these past two days with a dreadful headache. The doctor called to see her this evening. Lucy came home from Staten Island this afternoon. Thank God Governor Odell is not paying any attention to requests for commutation to life imprisonment for that murdering, anarchist scoundrel Czolgosz.

October 4, 1901

Clear and cold. The house is still without carpets and is cheerless and forlorn. I went to see Tessie this am. She is a little better but looks very pale and is not able to be up. I unpacked winter overcoats today. It begins to look like overcoats. I received a letter from Kathleen Kernan in Utica this morning. She will come some day next week to answer my numerous queries respecting her beloved.

October 5, 1901

Today is a fine bracing day. I got the parlor carpets laid and went to see Tessie. She is quite sick. Lillie is nursing her. Went to Wanamaker's this afternoon and walked home. Martin called this evening. Willie and Pete are gone to Proctor's to see the variety show.

John wrote a letter to his country companion Bertie Sparrow. It was a most laborious task. Frank is sick. He had a chill tonight after his bath. I hope it does not amount to anything.

October 6, 1901

Clear and frosty. I went to St. Agnes' church and heard this time a fine sermon by the parish priest. I love the look of this medieval looking, gothic style brick church but not always the sermons, but today yes. I went to see Tessie after Mass. She is better but not yet up. Lucy and Paul went to Staten Island this afternoon and I took the other two over to see Mrs. Kernan. We had a very pleasant visit and saw Robert who is a great athlete and was about to return to Harvard. Lillie came in to supper and Willie came in later and stayed for the evening.

October 7, 1901

Weather still remains beautiful. I went to see Tessie this AM. She does not seem to improve but the doctor does not seem to anticipate anything serious, although a couple of days ago it looked like typhoid. Lillie came up after soup and jelly for her and raced away again. Mattie and the baby came over and spent the day. Frank was sick again this morning. His stomach seems to be out of order. The men laid the hall carpets today. The others must be mended. Pete is busy every day overseeing the cleaning of Mrs. Goelet's house and it seems to do him good.

Writing the date reminds that it was just 17 years ago today that I went to Mr. Kernan's house to teach his children. I remember it well. It was cold and frosty and dark when I arrived and Mrs. Kernan with Frank and Kathleen came out to the bus and brought me in to the big light hall and then cheery little sitting room, where the bright wood fire was blazing in the andirons and Devereux and Rose in their little night gowns called in a stage whisper over the banisters, "Did she come?" All are great big young men and women now and yet it seems such a little while ago!

October 8, 1901

Tessie has a mild attack of typhoid. Lillie is minding her with assistance of a nurse. The carpet men came today and mended some of our raggedy carpets. I went again to Wanamaker's to buy something to piece out John's forlorn carpet with, also two rugs to cover holes in the back parlor. I had a visit from Ella Reid today. She looks fine and seems very happy. Thank goodness, the anarchist in Italy was arrested who had threatened the lives of our Pope and Cardinal Rampolla. Frank is better today, but still does not seem just right. I wish this awful housecleaning time was over. It is worse than staying in the city all summer.

October 9, 1901

Fair and warm. Managed to get at the sitting room carpet a little today and Lucy arranged the parlors. Tessie was not so well this am. She is very weak. Lillie and Willie called in this evening.

October 10, 1901

It is warm and muggy today. I spent the day running around on errands. Tessie is quite sick. She had a very bad night and must have two nurses. Her head troubles her greatly. I cleaned out bureau drawers this afternoon.

October 11, 1901

Once again, it is very warm and muggy. I had matting laid on my room today and went to see Tessie three times. She is doing as well as can be expected.

October 13, 1901

Very wet day and warm. I took the flag in, which has been a month at half mast for President McKinley. God bless him and President Roosevelt.

I went to 10 o'clock Mass. Pete has a cold and was unable to come. Lucy gave Paul her writing desk and he and Frank spent the afternoon drawing and writing. Lillie came to dinner. Tessie is doing very well. This is the first day I have not been down to see her.

October 15, 1901

It is a beautiful day after a pouring rain yesterday. Tessie continues to improve. The night nurse is off duty. Dr. Brann called last evening. He missed us from the pew on Sunday. Pete was sick and could not go to church but he is much better.

I took John and Paul to Bronx Park after school, also another boy friend and on the way we met Helen and took her along also. How they all enjoyed themselves, the boys turning somersaults in the grass and Helen rolling down the hill after them. Lillie paid us her customary visit today.

October 19, 1901

Cloudy with gusts of wind. Spent the entire day tramping around. Took the children to school, then home to help Pete dress, then took soup and jelly down to Tessie, then I food marketed and then went up to the two schools with overshoes. After dinner, it cleared and I took Frank to Dr. Judson's. He reports him as doing well. Got John's carpet laid today. Hope soon to see the dining room in trim, if we ever get the ceiling kalsomined. So few men know how to properly and smoothly apply the glue like liquid, so it will not crack and be suitable for painting and when you do find such a rare tradesperson, the expense will likely send you to confession for your sin of expression.

I went to Bronx Park yesterday with the three boys. They conducted me to a spot dear to their souls, the rocks and slid down the high rocks to the great detriment of stockings and trouser seats.

October 20, 1901

Beautiful Sunday. I had a pleasant treat in church. High Mass was celebrated by Father William Martin, his first Mass. The first Fair which Dr. Brann had and at which I assisted had William as assistant in getting chances on the $50.00 in gold, which I won. He was a handsome manly refined boy and turned out to be a noble looking dignified young man who I hope will be worthy of the high vocation he has chosen. Dr. Brann whose protégé he is, was manifestly happy in listening to the sweet notes of his grand voice as he intoned the Preface and Pater Noster.

I went to see Tessie this afternoon. She is recovering and will have to take a couple of weeks recuperating at the Laurel or the Pines Hotel or one of the other nice resorts in Lakewood, in southern NJ as the doctor says its healthful climate brought on by the northern gulf waters and the general absence of such diseases as malaria and typhoid promote recovery. Lillie spent the day with us and she has just gone.

October 24, 1901

This has been a quiet but busy week. Taking the children across the tracks four times a day seems to leave me but little time in between to accomplish anything. I have started John in a gymnasium, the Turn Verein on 85th Street and Lexington Avenue, which certainly emphasizes physical and mental conditioning, but also places great importance on patriotism and the preservation of democracy. He can go alone twice a week for an hour to practice gymnastics, take part in athletic contests, but also to take advantage of their library and reading room activities. I took him down to the Rectory and introduced him to Father Hughes who is to teach him to serve Mass. Went to see Tessie tonight. She is up and is allowed to eat scrapped beef and a soft-boiled egg. She is undecided yet where to recuperate. I read the other day that Francis Bunce, USN died. He had been ranking officer for Admiral Dewey back in 1898, according to Willie.

We have had a fine October but now it seems as if winter was about to come. I put the children's heavy underwear on last Sunday.

October 28, 1901

The weather still continues delightful. Aunt Agnes died Friday after suffering a year with cancer. She suffered dreadfully and death was a merciful release to her. Lucy and I went up to see her tonight. She was very much wasted. Aunt Tess is worn out with much nursing. Tessie has had a set a back with swollen legs and is still unable to move about.

November 1, 1901

Today is a real November day, damp and muggy, or rather foggy. We buried Aunt Agnes on Wednesday. She had quite a large funeral. She was laid to rest beside her mother who is dead about 18 years. It is a forlorn and neglected spot and no one would think to look at it that any of her children were still alive. The trial and conviction of McKinley's murderer Czolgosz ended on the 29th with him being electrocuted to death at Auburn Prison. May God have mercy on his murdering soul.

Saw Tessie yesterday. The swelling in her legs is reducing and the doctor thinks she can go to Lakewood for treatment on Monday. She still has a nurse. I start taking the children to dancing school tomorrow, also Helen. They are not as enthusiastic as this is their second year. I spent the morning in tramping around looking for a coat and could not get fitted. I took John and Paul to 8 o'clock Mass, as this was a holy day and spent the afternoon lying down as I have a cold and feel the weather generally.

(Continues…)

---

Excerpted from ""I Hate to Write""
by .
Copyright © 2017 Edith A. McCormick.
Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---