Diary of Fred Alton Haight, 1877-1966
Medford, Oregon, 1918 and 1920-21
Ms. 338, Southern Oregon Historical Society, Medford, Oregon
Transcription, editing, annotations © 2006 Ben Truwe, truwe[at]mind.net. All rights reserved.
Last revised February 23, 2008

This transcription is currently in progress. At the moment I'm reading the local newspapers to help identify people and clarify events mentioned in the diary; soon I hope to have a copy of Haight's childhood Mount Vernon diary to add.

Please contact me at the e-mail address above if you have any information to add about Haight or his friends.

The words, the spelling and the punctuation in the following entries are those of the original. Blank lines in the transcription are blanks—omitted names—left by the author. Editor's notes are placed within square brackets: [ ].

Ben Truwe
Medford, Oregon
August, 2006

Biography
under construction

Names, Places and Abbreviations in the Diary
Ages, occupations, residence addresses, populations and most other information is from the 1920 Census, supplemented by the diary, the 1921 city directory, the April 1920 telephone book and the Medford Mail Tribune newspaper. Street addresses are located in Medford unless otherwise indicated. A small amount of guesswork was involved in matching a few individuals cryptically identified in the diary with the correct census entry. I have more information about many of the people below.
A.S.W.: "All Seems Well." Telegraphic abbreviation.
Helen Adamson: 17, daughter of Edward Adamson, bank cashier, and wife Ester, Ashland
Lillian Ahrens: 14, daughter of Melvin Ahrens, department store merchant, res: 516 Grant Avenue, Astoria
Mr. Antle: Richard F. Antle, manager of the Rialto Theatre; George Hunt's partner
Applegate: A hamlet 20 miles west of Medford by road.
Ashland: A town 13 miles southeast of Medford, on the Southern Pacific railroad and the Pacific Highway. Population 4,283.
Margaret Anglin: "Clearly our most eminent actress," The Nation, Sept. 25, 1920
Baptist Church: 16 South Laurel
Beagle: A hamlet in Sams Valley, 21 miles north of Medford by road.
Mr. Bergner: Oscar T. Bergner, 38, res: Allison Street, Ashland, owner of the Vining Theater
Blackstone: Magician Harry Blackstone Sr., "The Great Blackstone"
Bliss: see Heine
William J. Bolger: 54, theater flutist, res: 130 West Main Street
Bernice Bolger: 30, violinist, "teaches in Conservatory of Music," wife of William J. Bolger
William P. Brooks: 27, piano tuner for Palmer Piano House, res: North Pacific Highway
Buncom: A hamlet in the hills above Jacksonville, 19 miles by road southwest of Medford
Butte Falls: A town 33 miles northeast of Medford by road. Population 166.
C.S.: Christian Science
Roland Carless: Rolland C. Carless, 16, son of William Carless, farmer, res: First Street, Phoenix
Central Point: A town 5 miles northwest of Medford, on the Southern Pacific railroad and Pacific Highway. Population 582.
Florence A. Chaney: Haight's ex-wife, remarried and living in Anapolis, Maryland
Richard G. Chaney: Florence's current husband. The 1920 Census lists him as unemployed, yet employing a maid.
Leland M. Charley: 19, farmer, son of Emogene Charley, farmer, Lake Creek
Mrs. Clark: Beulah Clark, 32, wife of auto mechanic Herbert B. Clark, 33, 403 North Grape Street
Jim Clarke: James E. Clark, 35, railroad agent, res: First Street, Glendale
Keith M. Cole: 14, son of Pythian Charles S. Cole, warehouseman, res: Alder Street
Judge and Mrs. Crews: Wren E., attorney (Liberty Building) and Louisa Crews, 58 and 56, res: 707 Ivy Street
D., Doris: Winifred's sister, violinist. Possibly Ora D. Walker, 14, daughter of George W. Walker, orchard manager, res: 627 North Central
D.O.K.K.: The Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan—the recently established "fun" wing of the Knights of Pythias
DeVoe's: DeVoe's Grocery and Confections, 436 West Main Street
Dorothy: Lillian Dorothy Haight, Haight's 8-year-old daughter.
Mrs. Duff: An early teacher of Haight's in Mount Vernon, New York
Eagle Point: A town 14 miles north of Medford, on the road to Crater Lake. Population 128.
C. L. Earsley: 58, teamster, res: 910 Eleventh Street
F.A.H.:  Fred Alton Haight
Fifer: Turner A. Fifer, 54, bank cashier/clarinet player, res: 921 Reddy Avenue
Shorty Garnett: Henry C. Garnett, 52, hardware merchant, res: 208 Clarke Street
Garnett-Corey Building: Also known as the Liberty Building. Haight's place of work and residence, built ca. 1910 at 201 West Main Street
Delroy Getchell: 45, banker, res: 1121 Oakdale
Glendale: A town 56 miles northwest of Medford, on the Southern Pacific railroad and Pacific Highway. Population 548.
George W. Godward: 52, high school teacher, res: Oregon Street, Jacksonville
Gold Hill: A town 15 miles northwest of Medford, on the Southern Pacific railroad and Pacific Highway. Population 422.
Ed. E. Gore: Pythian, 50, grocer with Warner, Wortman & Gore at 307 East Main Street; res: 116 Geneva Avenue
Jay Gore: Pythian, 25, farm laborer, amateur magician, son of W. H. Gore, banker, First National Bank
Mrs. Gore: Hattie Gore, 47, piano teacher, wife of Ed. Gore
Grants Pass: A town 31 miles northwest of Medford, on the Southern Pacific railroad and Pacific Highway. Population 3,151.
Gusher: A café in the Nash Hotel building on South Front Street, at Main Street
Ruth Haeckler: Probably R. Beatrice Hackler, 16, daughter of S. Lorenzo Hackler, farmer, Talent
Hamson: Possibly Pythian James P. Hansen, 69, farm laborer, South Pacific Highway, Medford
Rene Harrel: Irene Harrell, 12, daughter of William A. Harrell, gardener, res: 518 West Second Street
Charlie Harrison: Pythian C. W. Harrison, 34, life insurance agent, res: 118 Geneva Street
Mrs. Harrison: Juanita Harrison, 28, music teacher, wife of Charlie Harrison
H., Hazel: The diary tells us she's 19 years of age, has a younger sister, and lives within walking distance of Haight's studio. She "has no father, and is a high school girl," but there are no Hazels of any last name listed in any class in any of the Medford High School yearbooks for the years 1920 through 1924. She could have been a St. Mary's Academy student, though according to their records no Hazel graduated in the 1920s. The only fatherless Hazel with a younger sister in Medford's (unreliable) 1920 Census are Hazel and Myrtle Avery, ages 16 and 11; they do live just a block away from St. Mary's at 431 Eleventh Street. Let's hope Hazel's age was misreported—a very common circumstance in census records. I've been unable to find further information on Hazel and Myrtle.
Dr. H: Thompson G. Heine, M.D., EENT, 56, res: 916 West Tenth. Offices in the Liberty Building.
H.C.L.: High Cost of Living. An abbreviation in common use in the years after World War I.
Harke: Henry Harcke, 40, theater manager, res: 6th Street, Grants Pass (upon January 1920 census enumeration)
Mr. Heckman: Probably Dr. William H. Heckman, 53, Central Point
Heine: Pythian Bliss Heine, 27, musician, res: 916 West Tenth Street
Hillis: M. V. Hillis, superintendent of Medford schools ca. 1915-1918. Later with the World Book Co., Yonkers, N.Y.
Hoover: Charles Hoover, 30, dairyman, North Pacific Highway. Married to Elsie, also 30
Harry Hamilton Howell: 48, leader of the 15-piece Rogue River Valley band
Hunt: George A. Hunt, 34, owner of the Rialto Theatre; lives at the Hotel Medford
Imperial Orchestra: The New Imperial Orchestra debuted at the Natatorium in Medford Jan 31, 1920 with piano, banjo, sax, marimba, drums and traps.
Mr. and Mrs. Isaacs: William F. "Toggery Bill" Isaacs, 38, and his wife, piano teacher Irene Hampton Isaacs, 29.
Jacksonville: The county seat, 5 miles west of Medford. Population 489.
Mr. Janes: Carlton Janes, violinist.
Joe: Apparently Haight's brother Joseph S. Haight, then a patient in a sanitarium somewhere back East
Mr. Joy: Probably Pythian Benjamin F. Joy, 76, horticulturist, Union precinct
K. of P.; K.O.P.: The Knights of Pythias. Haight belonged to Medford's Talisman Lodge, No. 31.
Ethel Keith: 13, daughter of James M. Keith, logger, Talent
Helen King: Helen M. King, 19, daughter of Joseph J. King, farmer, res: Phoenix-Jacksonville Road, Phoenix
Klamath Falls: A town 76 miles east of Medford by road. Population 4,801.
Launspaugh: Pythian Herbert G. Launspach, 26, leader of Launspach's Orchestra, res: 211 Jackson Street
Mr. Leach: Frederick R. Leach, pastor of First Baptist Church. Wife Helen H. Leach., res: 16 South Laurel
Lewis: Probably the driver of the Eagle Point jitney.
Leverhume: Pianist. The name may be incorrectly transcribed.
Liberty Building: The Garnett-Corey Building, 201 West Main Street. Built 1910, still standing today at the southwest corner of Main and Grape.
Liberty Theatre: 224 East Main Street
Leonard I. Lindas: 14, drummer. Son of Pythian Benjamin F. Lindas, attorney, 485 F Street S.W., Washington D.C. Moved to Medford in July of 1920.
Mr. Linn: Eagle Point (?) city official
Carey F. Martin: 49, attorney, res: 697 South Liberty Street, Salem
Thelma McDaniels: Thelma F. McDaniel, 17, daughter of William H. McDaniel, farmer, Applegate
Mrs. McCorkle: Mrs. Genevieve McCorkle, musician, res: 921 South Oakdale
Mrs. McDonald: Eagle Point treasurer Mrs. Clement Macdonald
Mrs. McDonough: May Jordan McDonough, Mrs. A. J. McDonough, piano teacher
Mida McIntosh: Mida Mackintosh, 22, pianist/teacher, res: 1005 West Main Street
Burton J. McPhee: 44, listed as a "painter" in the 1916 city directory. Haight published his songs "America," "City of Perfect Peace" and "Twilight Hour."
Fred W. Mears: 46, lawyer (Liberty Building), res: 401 Newtown Street.
Medford: Haight's Oregon home. Population in 1920: 5,756.
Doc Mitchel: Harry Mitchell, 46, general practitioner, res: Hotel Nash (southeast corner of Main and Front)
MMT: Medford Mail Tribune
Mt. Vernon: Mount Vernon, New York, Haight's home town.
Murphy: A hamlet 38 miles west of Medford by road.
Natatorium: Entertainment complex with swimming pool, theater, meeting rooms, ballrooms at 104-118 North Riverside
Mrs. Newbury: Probably Maude, 39, wife of lawyer Gus Newbury, 49; res: Medford
Optimo: Optimo Café, 18 North Front Street
John Orth: 47, bank cashier, res: 610 Central
Page Theatre: 420 East Main Street. Burns in December 1923.
Mr. Palmer: Burton J. Palmer, 50, Palmer Piano House, 234 East Main; res: 211 Oakdale
Roberta Pearce: 20, office stenographer, res: 217 North Riverside
Peck: Emil R. Pech, 46, meat cutter at West Side Market, 213 West Main; res: 60 Quince Street
Peerless: The Peerless Bakery and Lunch Room, a café at 135 West Main (corner of Grape Street)
Lottie Patten: Charlotte Patton, 17, fruit peeler, daughter of Victor Patton, bank janitor, and Mary S. Patton, res: 435 Grape Street
Pelicans: Apparently an informal name (a reference to their drinking capacity?) for a group of friends that "meets frequently" and "hangs around"
Perl: Pythian John A. Perl, 44, undertaker; res: 229 Apple Street
Phoenix: A town 4 miles southeast of Medford, on the Southern Pacific railroad and the Pacific Highway. Population 159.
Pickle: Lyle H. Pickel, 31, truck driver for Jackson County Creamery, res: 504 Edwards Street
Doc. Porter: Pythian Elias H. Porter, 56, general practitioner, res: 321 West Sixth Street
M. A. Rader: Pythian, composer of "The U.S. Flag."
Mr. Reno: Probably Jesse K. Reno, 34, locomotive engineer, res: 220 Guthrie Street, Ashland
Jack Reter: John Reter, 42, barber, Jacksonville
Rex: Rex Café, 121 East Main Street. The Rex Rooms upstairs of the café was a brothel.
Rhine: Probably Harry Rhine, sausagemaker, of Helena, Montana
Rialto Theatre: 110 West Main Street
Roberts: E. N. Roberts, drummer with the Amphion Orchestra
Mr. Root: Pythian Edward Charles Root, music teacher, clarinet player with the Amphion Orchestra
Rowley: Probably Herbert H. Rowley (wife Lucille), fruit distributor, Hotel Nash
Salem: The capital of Oregon, 230 miles north of Medford, on the Southern Pacific railroad and the Pacific Highway. Population 17,679.
Sears: Probably Pythian William Sears, 55, highway supervisor, res: 727 Central, Medford
Mrs. Stanard: Ada L. Stannard, 40, primary school teacher, res: 43 Church Street, Ashland
Stewart: Probably Pythian James Stewart, 42, beekeeper, res: Medford
Talent: A town 8 miles southeast of Medford, on the Southern Pacific railroad and the Pacific Highway. Population 278.
Mrs. A. C. Taylor: Probably Irma, 44, widow of farmer Albert C. Tayler, 58, Pacific Highway
Carl Y. Tengwald: Pythian, 30, manager of the Holland Hotel, Medford
Toggery: Haberdashery at 129 East Main Street, owned by Pythian W. F. Isaacs
Trail: A hamlet 25 miles north of Medford, on the road to Crater Lake.
Margaret Van Scoyoc: 13, daughter of Charles Van Scoyoc, dentist (Liberty Building), Medford
Vawter: William I. Vawter, 25, bank bookkeeper, director of music for First Presbyterian Church, res: 10 Quince Street
Vina: Apparently Haight's sister-in-law Alvina, wife of Joe. Possibly Haight's sister—Geneve/Genevieve.
Vining Theatre: 275 East Main, Ashland
Viola: Viola M. Atkinson, 18, Peerless Bakery waitress, daughter of William E. Atkinson, barber, res: 533 Austin Street
Andrew Walker: Music director of the Baptist Church; see newspaper article below
Wellen: A hamlet 14 miles north of Medford.
Mr. White: E. A. White, trombone player with the Amphion Orchestra
George Wilson: Musician, vocalist, aspiring songwriter with "years of experience in theatrical work"
W., Winifred: Doris' sister, violinist. Possibly Winifred A. Walker, 21, doctor's office girl. See "D., Doris."
Witham: James Witham, 25, violinist from Absarokee, Montana, until the July 1921 fire living at 305 South Riverside
Genevieve Wortman: Mrs. Genevieve McCorkle, musician, res: 921 South Oakdale

1913

    “Haight music studios, summer term; special courses in piano, voice, harmony, sight reading class. 116 S. Laurel St. Phone 726-R.” [MMT, May 10, 1913, p. 5]

    “Fred Alton Haight, teacher of piano and harmony, specialist in correct principles of touch and technique for beginners or advanced pupils. Faults corrected. Summer term. Haight Music Studios, 116 S. Laurel St. Phone 726-R.” [MMT, May 15, 1913, p. 2]

1918

    “After some music by brothers Haight and Rader, lodge adjourned with the understanding that we meet Wednesday evening, Jan. 2nd, 1918. . . .” [Talisman Lodge minutes, Dec. 31, 1917]

                                                             What will the year bring forth to you?
                                                             Whate'er you will if you are true.
                                                              If you live true to-day your card
                                                             Will read, "To-morrow," in reward.
                                                              The promise of another day
                                                              To live and learn and store away
                                                              Truth's Treasures is a promise worth
                                                              The living of To-day on earth.      
                                                                                                          F.A.H.

    To the author of this book
    To you I would give admonition and advice, even exacting certain demands of you in warning that this book shall not be written unless you accede to these demands. Remember that you are to read and re-read what you write in that you may improve your expression and not forget wisdom: that you may be wiser and possessed of more of the power of knowledge to-morrow than you are to-day. Get your house in order from top to bottom within and without, and have a system with every thing in its proper compartment. Sharpen your tools for work and have them ready and at hand. Develope to completion those things you started to do years ago. If you cannot tune and repair a piano learn how. Gather the bits of knowledge of 20 years together for use and add to the weak places; learn and strengthen your knowledge by study and practice. Do not let this year go by without gathering the results of your experience in teaching into a method, a system, a course of study that is psycological as well as technical and musical. Rise to higher atainment. Exercises, technic, pieces, from the hundreds used must be wisely selected and knowledge and example imparted in a stimulating way. Look after your own growth in performing from note and from memory. Your composing, continue it but systematize your work and perfect it. Complete all ideas that are laying in the dust waiting for you to make them into music. Develope this great means of expression. Learn to speak in words orally also. You have begun; continue it until both your tongue and mind with something to say can say it clearly and correctly as well as logically. Then again, your school work, see it to a finish. Learn all there is to it. Study more about vocal music and also the violin. Your arranging work. There are possibilities ahead. Gather together your knowledge and experience dont lose any of it. And dont cease studying and experimenting in Harmony. Work toward perfecting your correspondence course in harmony. Certainly give a recital of your own piano pieces as soon as you can. And the publishing business. Give more attention to it, but arrange it in order. Dance music and organ playing dont do unless forced; but be ready in the first by getting aquainted with popular music and in the second keep up your piano technic in Bach. Be ready to play for a moving picture show if you have to, by cataloguing a list of music; but get into the mind a clear knowledge of songs and pleasing pieces, not the half-way knowledge you have had for 25 years. Work at class work in music by blackboard in your studio. Work constantly and dont be idle a moment and watch you yourself and your work that you may always add improvements to it and increase its influence for good upon yourself and those [with] whom you come in contact. This is expected of you in return for the gifts that have been given you but which you have only begun to use properly after years of wasted time. You are nothing yourself in that which is good but of a power beyond you that would use you for good; so throw off mortal mind and heed the voice of Truth that has been beseeching you for 40 years and been trying to use you wholly and all the time, instead of only those times when you loosen the God given forces and unlock the door to suit yourself and use above mortal mind. You can never subdue the gifts that have been give you to the extent of crushing them. They never can be crushed after having been

Fred Alton Haight                                                                                        Jan. 1st. [1918]
1.
    These papers are the leaves of a book of the year 1918—the thought and actions of a man during that span in his life from Jan. 1, 1918 to Dec. 31, 1918 at midnight. At the age of forty life presents its most interesting and wonderful aspects and thus at the pinnacle this should be a great year in thot and deed as it promises to be a great year in history. Thought, knowledge, and education are all there is—take them away and we would return to mere animals, to fight with our fists, which would be better and more human than the great war, if men had to fight. The most remarkable thought is found working in this war, but it is the thought of a few minds which millions of other minds follow in ignorance. And in self defense thought and knowledge play the chief role and will be used this year in a mighty way.
    These pages, however, will deal with thought, knowledge, and education, mostly, of the younger generations growing up and to make the world better for all mankind toward the ultimate triumph of good over evil. (error)

2.
    Medford, Oregon. Room 402 Garnett-Corey Building. This is the last day of vacation spent in bumming around town and in K. of P. rooms. Book III of original compositions begun five years ago in Oakland, Calif. was finished up, and two new pieces composed: To-morrow work begins in the Talent School, which has been closed three weeks by an epidemic of measles. There is a disinclination to begin teaching again. What the year hold[s] in business cannot be guessed. No word was received from F. [Florence] or the child this Christmas. A letter sent to Salem three weeks ago came back yesterday from Chicago. Last Christmas we were all to-gether in Salem. That was a long period of heavy snow and I remember coming back here thru country white with snow with five inches in Medford and cold. This year has been just opposite mild and spring-like, but with lots of heavy fog. The first day of the year was mild with thick wet fog at night coming on early, about 4.20 P.M. The day passed in getting up late after a sleepless night, taking dinner at Earsley's, attending a picture show, playing my pieces, and in feeling generally lonely discontented and unhappy mostly.

3.
    I am inclined to give up writing this "book" and have thrown it aside and was about to tear it up, even. It will probably amount to nothing at all. My own life is not and [sic] inspiration to myself at all, and it is doubtful whether it can be made so. F.A.H.

4.

37.
    Mr. Root is busy teaching violin, and all string instruments orchestra instruments and band instruments, directing two pupils' orchestras and a boys band, and playing at dances besides. He told me he earned $134. in Dec. and that the income four the dance work pays the interest, taxes etc. on his home, which they bought five years ago. Mr. Root is a Christian Scientist, and in fact went out one day and got this book of Mrs. Eddy's [Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science] which I have right at hand on my table. He does not smoke, and is growing in efficiency all the time thru Mind plus work or work plus Mind.

38.
    The man from the Middle West would introduce me to the girl in the next house any time. "She is clean and pretty as a doll," he says. The door between is not kept locked any more, he said, "But, I'll bring her in here. She'll come. I'll just tell her I want to introduce her to a friend. There is a cot in room 106. I'll bet if the most beautiful woman in the world offered herself to you you would run away scared to death. I know that one of the leading men in this town went in there last night and if I were not married I'd go in myself. You are free, with no wife, and nothing to hold you and I can't see what harm there is in it."

39.
     It was the phrophecy of the writer last summer that peace would come in February 1918. The Russian situation, the manuverings of the Kaiser, and the recent speech of Lloyd-George, which makes a number of concessions seems to emphacise that prophecy. It only remains for the German people to rise and throw off the Prussian Military dictators, and guarentee reparation as much as possible to Belgium, France, and Servia and there will come peace to the world and possibly a lasting peace. The peace negotiations, however, owing to the immense task, involving so many nations may not be completed for seven months, but actual war and murder may cease next month. Germany had best quit it, now.

40.
    Where there is love, respect, and companionship in married life, the intimate relations tend to vitalize life in both parties with a steady growth in force giving greater vigor day by day and working every hour of the day up to the actual sex intercourse which is the culmination of it and the relief in order that Nature may work in her way and renew again and again and forever while life lasts. Love is the magnetic force but to be perfect it must be mutual not one sided. Promiscuous intercourse cannot take the place of this activity of nature. Constancy is by far preferable. The mere satisfying of the passions of lust is wrong in that it fails to satisfy, but rather, disturbs the concience, injures the morals, and therefore destroys instead of building up. One is Heaven—the other Hell.

41.
    The last thought before getting into bed is a decision to stop smoking. This is followed by another smoke, in bed. Then more resolutions to quit. This goes on every night, after smoking a pipe all day when ever there is a chance, and Sunday all day. In the morning when the drunk has worn off my pipe is in my mouth before breakfast and another day of slavery to a habit goes on. Thus it has been for 20 years, probably causing the present ruination of life in that it has held me back always and kept me from reasoning clearly in many ways. Smoking can be a sin and downright dissapation and to continue it against the will is but to give in to sensuous desire and weaken the will. It is mortal mind, error, which must yield to devine Mind in some way or the habit will continue. There are various ways. Christian Science is one way revealing Devine Mind through thinking rather than thru emotion. "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." Appetite and desire and passion are not thinking and they hold mankind in bondage. O to be free! "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

45.
    Monday Jan. 7 1918
    8.30 A.M. With my pipe as usual and up to late to get to Jacksonville school for the class. Alarm clock woke me at 6.45 but I refused to get up as usual. Thru excessive smoking and coffee I get to bed late and cannot get to sleep for hours. Hundreds of times I have laid awake all night. This is a disgraceful situation. I had to phone to Jacksonville that I would come up on the next car [of the Interurban Autocar Company] and postponed the class over to tomorrow morning. Shame! Shame! Shame!

[46.]
    Resumed my work in the Jacksonville school after three weeks away from it. The piano is up in the assembly hall. Five private lessons were given in the school and two outside. The violin is played with all pupils in the school. To-day each pupil was given some EX. from Phillipp's Technic and assisted with the pieces they are to play at a musicale the date of which is set now for Jan. 17 in the evening at the school. Programme will appear soon. The plan of listing and filing all work done by each pupil with a view to looking after their future and individual requirements was begun to-day and papers are in "Library." Miss Wendt has decided to leave the school so all the music now is to fall upon me. The experience will be good. School singing of patriotic and other songs will be tried next Monday. Here is an important address given me by Mr. Godward the principal: J. J. Krapps, Capital Normal, Salem Oregon, from whom for 35 cts a copy of sample questions us[ed] in state e[x]aminations can be obtained to assistance in passing the necessary examination for music teachers.
    Lottie [Charlotte Patton] asked me to give her lesson at her home. An optimistic child, happy as a bird and always smiling. How can it be in a house that is a shack, and while not dirty is old and furnished very poorly. A few old rugs on an old board floor, (many houses in Oregon have yet only board floors, however, and house some sturdy fine folk) and things scattered about in disorder apparently. There are five children and the mother, and there is her secret—the mother. She is foreign, French I believe [born in Poland, according to the Census], dresses poorly and is poor, yet a lady. I'll bet she is a good woman with character. It shows in her children and in her face, and even in her speech. Tho this is the way she handles the English language. "The leetle one do better than beeg one. He take lessons if not cost so much. Think sometime stop beeg one and little one (sister) play. He no count. He play from heart."

47.
    Copy of letter received to-day from a little girl, one of my former pupils here. She is twelve years of age now. Library 47

                                                                                                                                     Astoria, Oregon
                                                                                                                                     Jan. 5, 1918
    Dear Mr. Haight
       I have been thinking about you every time I play on the piano. I have not taken many lessons since I have been here, but I can never find such a good teacher as you. I never can learn as much with anybody else. We have been having quite rainy weather here w[h]ich I guess will last until Feb. They most always have three months of continuous rain here.
    How is the weather at Medford, and how are you. I hope that some time you will come to Astoria for a visit. In the summer time you couldnt find a better place than Astoria, it is so cool and nice the ocean breeze freshens the air. Astoria is a much larger town than Medford, twenty thousand inhabitants. I will close for now to hear from you soon if you get this note.

Miss Lillian Ahrens
516 Grand Ave.

    This is some letter; and I feel highly honored as well as pleased to be so remembered by a child. She left Medford two years ago and this is the first time she has written me. Children must remember good in people forever. I am proud.

48.
    This book is coming right along. Something real interesting will be met before long. Be patient.
    This was a beautiful day. Mild and springlike and sunshine part of the time. The grass is getting green. The cattle have not come down off the hill ranges yet. The paper describes a reall blizzard in Chicago, and cold weather in the east. The war shows no great change, only 1800 British casualties the past week—only.

— Tuesday Jan. 8th    Medford, Oregon  —

Who named the dawn, "The chariot of day"? instead of the roosters' picnic.

49.
    See Library no 49 for a beautiful poem to set to music.

50.
    Can a man live on 25 cts a day for food? Instead of .80 cts and save in a week 3.10 in a month 13.50: in a year 150.00? My larder to-night to start on is 1 pint of milk: some pot cheese: a loaf of bread: 1/3 can cocoa: 1/3 box of tea: 2 apples: 15 nuts: ½ cup full of coffee; and 3/4 box of Imperial Granum. Fuel is free in electric stove. Drink more water and less coffee.

    $1.00 was spent for food to-day because getting out of bed at 7.50 to catch the 8 oclock car leaves little time for breakfast. A light breakfast was gotten in Jacksonville. Five lessons were given there three at school and two outside. The work is all getting into shape fine again and preparations are being made for the recital. The bustling around beats the awful Christmas vacation where I overdid things in composing without outdoor exercise with smoking and drinking coffee. The piano has not been touched by me since. Playing and composing make me think of a toothache. Coffee and I have parted company for a while. The weather keeps mild and spring like. Tho to-night is colder.

Wed Jan. 9—
    The teaching of piano was resumed to-day in Talent school with seven full lessons. Plans for the new semester were outlined, and will include school singing of patriotic songs. The class lesson period was changed at my request from 8.30 A.M. to 12.30 to 1.30. School work is uplifting and the atmosphere most inspiring indeed.
    For piano work see records of each pupil filed in "library."

Thursday Jan. 10
    Applied to-day for position as supervisor of music in Medford Schools but not having a teacher's certificate will not probably get it. It is too much as it is now, and unless some system of living other than the present is adopted—am likely to go under. The details that have to be kept in mind at present are many.
    Private teaching at studio: A Recital in Medford; Talent school and preparation: Recital at Talent school: Jacksonville school preparations: Recital there: my composing: my own pratice: Piano tuning necessary to keep school pianos in condition: studying necessary to pass examination in June for teacher's certificate; and a thousand and one things that go with all this: the violin, finances, this book etc. etc. An attempt will be made to get things arranged in order under separate heads. It is all mental which interfers with my sleep and causes that horrible worry over death. With severe pains in my left back and neck, and a slave to coffee and tobacco, unable to relax except from 5 A.M. to 10 A.M. when I ought to be up and the general complexity, worry, and anxiety, I am held back against my will by mortal mind and sensuousness, and though away from actual sex gratification I am probably held in bondage by that. The fire is not out but burns in an insidious way. The desire for the child may be sex first.

Jan. 11
    Self examination reveals so many defects of mortal mind so many errors so much that is rotten that the more careful the examination the more magnified become the defects especially when compared with the given knowledge of truth. Divine Mind fights for its own by making itself more real and convincing, proving that in sin there is suffering while in Truth there can be no pain of mortal mind for mortal mind is not in Truth but at the extreme distance from it. To one whom the vision of God has been made manifest all else but Truth is pain. Truth is in order, work, and system of living. The writer ate supper last night at 8.30 and without further indulgence got into bed at midnight but sleep was impossible it seemed tho with God all things are possible. He was still awake at 5.30 A.M. He finally got to sleep and awoke at noon. This is the 4th morning this week he has failed to get up and attend to a prospective opening in the Phoenix school. A feeling of discouragement and lack of confidence has again invaded his life, and a feeling that he is unfitted for the work he is doing. Smoking is injurious but even if it were not the fact that the habit cannot be given up has an injurious effect upon the life and work of him who is its slave. The realization of this slavery is demoralizing and as death. The[re] need be no death. So called health is divine mind at work unhampered by error and mortal mind with its sickness and desease; but there can be no health when mortal mind is master. Divind Mine must be master giving health, life, and heaven here and hereafter, with no death.

Jan. 12, 1918

Summary of week.

    The week stands as the beginning of the year and resumption of teaching in the studio and in the schools of Jacksonville and Talent. Most of the time was spent in getting things going again. 36 lessons were given during the week. The piano was not touched and no composing done. Composing and playing were overdone during vacation, wearing out the energies which must renew themselves. Lots of work in arranging old pieces yet remains. The tone of the piano sounds harsh and the action seems to rattle. My ears got terribly sensitive to tone. Some thought was given to the violin in examining a number of instruments with a view to buying one to use in school. Under the intense mental work, each night has been a sleepless night, making it difficult to get up early. Getting into bed and laying awake from 10.30 P.M. to 5 A.M. is nothing unusual. Coffee and tobacco. The weather has been mild with considerable rain. There has been no winter yet this year. The war has given no new startling horror to the world this week: just the steady killing in the various ways. Peace terms have been published by America following Great Britan but peace can come, most people think, only by defeat.
    Attention has been given to the matter of teaching music in school as supervisor, and in the matter of accrediting teachers and the giving of credit to pupils of High School studying music outside of school. See papers on this mater in Library under "Education."

    The writing of this book is helping the author to think clearer and more logically. Now something must be done to cut off the thinking at the time when it is necessary for the body to relax and sleep.

    If this book is worth writing it must be worth reading. The entire book must be read by the author at least once a month. This rule is imperitive. Read it or quit writing.

    “Under Good of the Order Brother Haight favored us with several very fine Instrumental Selections.” [Talisman Lodge minutes, Jan. 13, 1918]

— Mild —                                      — Sunday Jan 13 1918 —                                    — Rain.

    There can be derived from this book little benifit unless each week shows an improvement over the preceding week. Life is to be more than just the mere living. It should be trying, doing, watching—to do better and think better.

    A rainy sort of day, a cold room, and [being] alone drove me over to the K. of P. rooms. Inviting Hamson to go to a picture show was buying companionship.
    And again at midnight in a cold room you see me washing and ironing clothes. And you may have seen me smoking all day and drinking coffee so that sleep will be impossible yet with work to do to-morrow. It is some life, this. But it is better not to adorn the pages of this book with very much more personal matters. The study of ones-self does no good in my case, at least. No, not a sound out of my piano to-day. The sound is avoided as harsh and disagreeable, and to be dreaded: yet some of the phonograph records on the Edison sounded beautiful to-day and also the organ at the Rialto. Music effects me more than ever, so that the hard hammers, uneven tones, and rattle of keys on the Steinway caused by constant use probably is really disagreeable. More beautiful tones are heard in my head than from the piano. If there was not a piano, or any instrument, or human voice anywhere near now just a book on harmony, some compositions of the masters and plenty of music papers, some music might be written by me.

——V——

    “In a few well chosen words P. G. C. Brother Wortman, on behalf of Talisman lodge presented brother Haight an official lapel button in token of the esteem and appreciation of this lodge for his services and ability on our behalf.” [Talisman Lodge minutes, Jan. 14, 1918]

Friday, Jan. 18, 1918
    The[re] has been little time or inclination amidst mental confusions under which the author feels almost crushed, to write in the book the last few days. The crushing influence is not work, but the thot that I have no friend above; no help to give up smoking and coffee habits. There is a feeling that God has certainly deserted me, and that only thru myself can I regulate my life to fit my work. To-day, after debauching myself with sleep has been impossible, and some work neglected that could have been done, a new attempt is being made to overcome the habits. Up to three oclock only was I successful, which is something at least. With no bodily aches or pains, yet unhappy because I am not free from fear, bondage of sin, and slavery to habit.

    In the analysis of the cause and effect of tobacco and coffee and in the examination of myself relative to the use of same, it seems, a tremendous problem, as big as life itself, is presented, for these two narcotic stimulants become such a part of life that mortal mind has no life in its sensuous self without them. To continue their use is to give in to and be absolutely controlled by mortal mind and error and sin that leads to death, instead of that freedom that leads to life and which is the only true life and mind. Speaking of myself, to-day I resisted the desire up to 3.30 P.M. but found it difficult to think unless under stimulant so had to (mortal mind had to) have my coffee at 4 oclock, after which the world brightened up again, proving that the nerves thru heart action are a slave to coffee and tobacco from years of such indulgence. Stopping off these things suddenly is therefore difficult I believe, yet to be free entirely it is the only way.

——V——

[page missing]

once bestowed only their developement and usefulness can be retarded by mortal mind and error and sin. Yet they will rise again out of the dirt. But Truth expects you to rise now. This is the year to settle your account, for what you are to be next year depends on which compartment is most clearly in order. There are many other things in your life which you must regulate, and sins and habits you must overcome. You must read Science and the Bible and good books and rise above small things and petty worries. Give no time to worry over money and death. It is time wasted and time thus wasted is sin.
    So here you have been advised with the voice of wisdom by an angel of Truth. Mind has spoken. Heed it; kick yourself to the divine principle fully: believe that all is harmonious: have faith and all success and happiness are yours. But having spoken and you having listened if you depart one iota from the offerings and demands of Truth you will suffer, and it were better you had never been chosen and that you had never heard. And get up out of bed even if you have not slept. You have not taken exercise enough to get fatigued enough for sleep to be of use to you. Mind knows no such thing as fatigue. Until you have attained that all mind state you are yet mortal and mortal mind requires sleep when mortal mind gives that sense of fatigue. Mortal mind deceives you if it tries to convince you that you should sleep when not fatigued even tho fatigue be an error itself.

Saturday Jan. 19, 1918.

Summary for the week.

    Unless a man thru Mind is in command of himself, he is a failure. The only fruit of victory is the peace that comes thru the absolute conquest of himself. All else is of death and leads unto death, real, or a living death. By constancy, it is not proven that a man is free from desire. It is simply more economical. The writer of this book has failed this week, even tho six new pupils came in, 37 lessons were given, and a new line of teaching singing in school to the whole school was put over. No piano practice, or composition; and no study. Attended a dance but did not dance. The K.O.P. decorated the writer with a pin as a mark of appreciation. Isaacs was up once, and a new arranging job was tackled for Miss. B. 14 children came into the studio to-day and 3 new pupils applied. Work ahead is rather stupendous. My rooms are in disorder and so is everything.

Jan. 19th, 1918 —
    Financial.
    Accounts, including all that is owing amount to $287.00
    My debit account is again up near $75. and beyond my understanding to know where the money goes.
    Pupils number 48 now, some take, however, every two weeks.

    Opportunity stares at me from every side while hours of precious time in a beautiful world are wasted in fear, worry, remorse and bad habits, generally, all under error and downright sin. This book had better not be further written. Self condemnation is another error, error added to error until all seems error when only I am at fault. No more need be said ever again about it. Were I worthy I would not be deserted by wife, child, and by God. I am unworthy and must continue as I am.

——V——

    To-night is clear, and rather cool and a bit frosty but the week has been mild and springlike.

Sunday, Jan. 20, 1918.
    This begins a rather busy week with less confidence in myself than a fool.
    "Christian Science demonstrates that none but the pure in heart can see God, as the gospel teaches."
    "Narcotics quiet mortal mind, and so relieve the body; but they leave both mind and body worse for this submission. Christian Science impresses the entire corporeality, —namely mind and body, —and brings out the proof that life is continuous and harmonious. Science both neutralizes error and destroys it. Mankind is the better for this spiritual and profound pathology."
    "Right and wrong, truth and error, will be at strife in the minds of students until victory rests on the side of invincible truth."
    The above were picked out at random from "Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures," by Mary Baker Eddy, and show in a few words the condition or state of war the writer is in.

    My mind is as large as I can see, hear, imagine, reason, feel and remember, and the more I do these the larger the view extends from the atom of my being out over the earth into heaven.
    From the top of a mountain my mind is of all I survey yet in body I am but an ant. The materiel mind of the man who runs a great factory is physically but a speck compared with the material business while his mind is bigger than the entire works. As the mind of man runs the factory so the mind of God which is All-Mind runs the world and universe. Natural laws are Gods laws—man [illegible] system and natural law is harnessed.
   
    Now, the writer is not disposed to brag or hope judgeing from thousands of similar resolutions, but the pipe and tobacco have been laid away, quietly, but near at hand, however, where he can conveniently get out his pipe in about ten minutes which is all the time allowed.

Jan. 25, 1918        Friday
    This book is coming along like a lot of things the writer has undertaken but never finished in his life. FAILURE will be written after his entire life. Always behind in everything—a sort of hook-worm or tape-worm victim; but there is such a thing as being too busy to write a book. It would not be wise these times to be too busy writing this book to be doing that which feeds and clothes and shelters in other words working and for money, so if the book fails it is partly, at least because the writer under mental stress in teaching music privately and in schools, with some 50 private pupils is unable to apply or is incapable of applying his concentrated attention upon anything but that work.

    The fact that the writer has had a bad cold this week [o]ught to be mentioned and curses go with this honorable mention for of all the damed things that Hell has inflicted upon the human race, colds and their varieties including catarrh, pne[u]monia, and consumption, are about the rottenest. Poor man has too many odds against him in this world, that pull him down constantly from God to spite His revelation and truth.

    The mercury registered 24 one night, the coldest weather of the year and following the rainy spell; but outside of two other nights cold, but hardly below 30 the weather has been mild and the days warm and bright. The pussy-willows have been out for two weeks. To-day is a warm spring day. A most remarkable winter; but a man who has lived here 54 years said this is the kind of winters they always use[d] to have—just a normal year.

Jan. 26th.
    Fear. Fear. Fear. The writer eats, breathes, sleeps, thinks, dreams, and lives every moment in Fear. Fear of sickness and insanity; fear of losing pupils (6 new ones this week) and fear of competition; fear of adverse financial possibilities and future poverty; fear of other peoples opinion; fear of failure; fear for the world and all mankind whom God appears to have deserted on earth; and fear of death present and ultimately. Add to these other fears of child and home folks and it is a complete life of fear itself instead of a life of happiness thru; faith, hope and love; of thankfulness and harmonious thought with all things and with God. A life of suffering is mine when it should be a life of great joy. Failure, sickness, death should never be entertained, nor mortal mind to reach the acendency it has reached falsely ruling me with its lies, lies, lies, for fear is a lie.

    The writer of this book decides one moment by all that is holy or unholy to quit smoking tobacco, and the next moment he is smoking more than ever. This has been going on for years—this dammed nonsense; but recently the fight has become simply a fight for life or death and consumed his attention until he seems insane in the desire and loss of will, and weakness of mind. This worry, this feeling of slavery, and confession of weakness with the attendant despair, misery and remorse are doing more harm than the tobacco itself upon his mind and body. Christian Science has not succeeded probably thru not enough study, yet no man is a law unto himself alone and he cannot succeed alone. Then how can the habit be given up, especially when the mental strain seems to demand the apparently quieting influence of tobacco? The more the brain work the more the craving for tobacco. Add coffee to tobacco and you have the physical wreck. Were sexual indulgence added, what would the result be?

Diary          Jan. 26 1918                               Summary of Week
    Springlike weather with sunshine and no rain.
    40 lessons: 7 new pupils: conducted the singing in Talent school, 200 voices, first experience in such a large way: sick all the week with a rotten cold in the head, but never gave up: got back at piano after a months absence from it, fingers did not know where the keys are: tuned the piano in Jacksonville School Sunday evening 5.20 to 9, and being the coldest night of the year and no heat in the building, got very cold—all thru, in fact nearly froze rather than give up, which accounts for the week of suffering from the leaking of the nose, and washing handkerchiefs and cursing everything generally. The tuning was a bum job. There is enough work ahead to keep me busy for a hundred years—truth.
    At 11.45 Saturday night the writer resolved that he would not allow himself to get the best of himself, and allow himself to be forever laughed at by himself, so quietly laid on the shelf his pipe and tobacco, which has been up to the aforesaid hour the chief cause of his misery and despair in the midst of success in teaching, and outlook into the future. It is now 12.05 and the utensils are still on the shelf but calling to me softly, each minute louder, until it is to be presumed, in order to stop the vociferous clammering of error and mortal mind, I will take them down fill my pipe, light her up and be in "bliss" once again. Well, I'll be damed if I will! Is there no God to help man in times of stress; or is man supposed to be more than his creator; or has man been left, & deserted, to shift for himself? What a discouraging, what a disappointing, hopeless condition it is when I must overcome the habits myself—tobacco and coffee. I cannot alone. Willingly would I give God the credit could I win, if I only knew. If I have not received truth I have not deserved it by wanting it. Wanting is asking; but wanting is not always asking.

       O joy! O joy! What is the joke?
       Tis one A.M. and not a smoke.
       The pipe and dope is on that shelf—
       I kept them there all by myself.

Sunday, Jan. 27   Medford, Oregon
       Oh! wifey, Oh! wifey, how can it be true!
       I once thought I never could live without you
       While now rather than ever take your hide back
       I'd take out my old pipe and smoke my tobac'.

    To    12.20 Sunday afternoon, no smoke
              1.10 After dinner cigar, "Little Bobbie."
    The writer of all this self-denunciation, condemnation, etc, must continue the self-examination and state and explain just why he smokes tobacco. Why did he right after dinner (1½ cup of coffee at meal) buy a cigar. Admiting that after dinner is the time to smoke if there is any time when the indulgence is least harmful, did the writer think by leaving his pipe and tobacco on the shelf and smoking a cigar he could fool himself and effect a compromise with opposing forces? True, he seldom smokes cigars, once a month; and true this one has gone out twice up to 1.25; and true, "Bobbies" are advertised as least injurious and "recommended" by doctors: true, he ate a chicken dinner and drank coffee: true, he felt lonesome: yet to get right to the point of the question, "Why smoke? Why?["] it has yet to be answered. Perhaps the only answer to the question, "Why smoke?" is to stop smoking. It would seem that the human machine in throwing off nicotine and caffene was given a job, with enough extra work to shorten a mans years as sure as can be.
    The cigar has gone out again. The pipe & tobac' are still on the shelf.

Report of work in Music
at the Jacksonville School
Singing Theory Class

Jan. 28 1918
    Upper grades assembled in one of the class rooms. Names of songs given. Drill on scale and internal work in C and G corresponding to the songs, Sweet and Sour and Aloha. Sang America 4 verses which all know, words and music. Had them all read words of each song or recite them as in the case of America, before singing. I recited the 4 verses of America with them. Flag salute and Oath of Allegience were begun and closed with Star Spangled Banner one of the piano pupils presiding at the piano thru the period. The plan is to have a different one play each time going around. Also violin pupils of school play with the singing of America. During the absence of any singing teacher for lower grades, I offered to do it gratis to get experience. This means some more studying up.
    The piano pupils in the school number 10, outside the school 6.
    The violin pupil Rene Harrel is doing fine work. Mr. H. is pleased and absolutely thunderstruck at his own daughter. Parents some time have no faith in the ability of their own until a teacher shows it up to them. I am using the same individual drawing out process in teaching violin as teaching piano, and gaining or regaining experience.
    Use the violin and piano in directing the music class in singing. Also play with piano pupils.
    Mr. Rader's U.S. Flag is liked in this school.
    SEVERE STUDY MUST BE CONTINUED to aquire a complete knowledge and understanding of this music work in the public schools. It is big because it is broad.

Jan. 30, 1918 —
    Spoke before the whole school at Talent 200 pupils and teachers and principal to a greater length. I was too scared to be nervous during the whole 30 minutes, and there was no time to think of oneself as everything had to move fast. While not entirely at ease I did better. It must be borne in mind that this is a new thing for me and it is quite a thing to do for any man and prove equal to the occassion. In Jacksonville half of the school assembled in a class room Jan. 21 & 28. In Talent this is the second time. The first time was only 15 minutes. It seems an opportunity has come to me in these smaller schools preparing me for a larger field.
    Sleep has been impossible as the mind seems constantly thinking, and smoking and coffee drinking have been resumed and hit up at a furious pace.
     Two pupils quit this month Helen King and Helen Adamson. The latter said she was going to take of another teacher that is her mother wanted her to but it is only a case of laziness or loss of interest. She seemed delighted that she would not have to work for credit in school. I replied saying that she should keep up her music anyway and take lessons from some one and not quit it. I just called the mother up and found that they were not thinking seriously of changing teachers. The mother is — (her phone just rang again and I booked a new pupil Bartney this is the 10th in ten days) as I was saying the mother said she was tired of urging Helen to practice; that the girl resolved to get up and practice 60 minutes but failed to get up. I said that I could not get up my self and many others were the same, and said also that perhaps she was worrying about it interfering with her music. I asked that she come in Saturday for a little talk and that I would advise her what to do, to take of another teacher if necessary but I wanted her to play at at a recital. Mrs. Adamson thanked me, and in fact this is an interesting sort of incident anyway.

    Divorce does not kill love, and the first marriage endures always, even though many are happier in their second adventure, which is more a companionship than a marriage so agreeable that it subdues the first love and true marriage. The divorce is the act of one party usually, and in a woman it is the overpowering force of error and sin exemplified in the extreme opposite of love which is truth, in hatred which is error and sin and untrue. Hatred cannot endure, though it seems to endure and subdues truth by its malignant fire from the fuel of error, burning in mortal mind's furnace. Divorce intensifies this hatred in most wom[e]n. Hatred of the man, hatred of conditions, hatred of themselves, until hate grows into the most monstruous pile of errors that can be gathered to-gether on any one point in life. The more the woman is to blame the more hatred. Really she is hating herself all the time. Yet love could overcome all and cast out error while hate cannot kill love. Love is truth and lasting; hate is falsehood and cannot endure. Therefore divorce is error, and sin and wrong. Love is right, and every marriage is love to some extent, and should not be broken by divorce. Love should grow stronger and if both parties had right thoughts and Mind it would grow stronger. Religion should be in every marriage, & sincere in both parties. God must be above all, in all and of all and all.

    Smoked two small cigars Sunday up to 11. P.M. when certain work, namely: writing out 24 papers with words of songs; ironing shirt, and trousers had to be he[m]med. Under the stress of this the pipe and dope were started again and continued to 2.30 A.M. It is found that stress of mental work demands the soothing influence when that work is behind and has to be hurried. The ever lagging behind thinking instead of doing; worrying instead of getting the cause of worry off the mind incites the desire for tobacco. Get at the work and get it done and there need be no necessity for tobacco. Work overcomes the thought and desire. Mind overcoming the physical sense entirely results.

January 31 1918                   Thursday.
    The month has come to its close. Is it worth looking back at; and does the good so outweigh the bad that I am entitled to live a month of to-morrow[s]? Probably never in my life have so many opportunities so clearly presented themselves to me and so many visions opened. No month has been so broad in its aspects, probably. Thus the inspiration gotten in the public school work. Private pupils number over 50. Whiel there has been neglect of my own personal expression, time has hardly been wasted in giving out to others my concentrated thought and benefits of experience.
    Financially the $300. mark has only just about been passed in my savings from Aug. 1st 1917. It ought to show up larger but $23. has gone out the last week. Balance is $314. with about $35 owing. After all, $50 a month may be all that can be saved.

—————

My way.                                                                                                                                             An "ad."

A Memory

    A composition for Piano by Fred Alton Haight and published by The Fred Alton Haight Co. of this city. Note. This composition is not for sale in Medford but will be gratuitously distributed to my friends in sincere appreciation of the support and confidence they have given me; and to those who are not my friends if there be any such, with a kindly spirit to all. For all who call at the Haight Music Studio on Sat. from 3 to 5 I will play this piece as often as required.

    Add to above. I have played A Memory many times for people of all classes. Everyone seems to like it therefore I wish to announce that this composition X X X appreciation of the support and confidence they have given me in the teaching of music and the encouragement in composing and I shall be pleased to play this piece for any of those who call at H. M. S. [Haight Music Studio] Garnett-Corey Bldg. Saturdays from 3 to 3.30.

    January closes with every room in confusion, with music, books papers, clothes, dishes, dirt, etc in disorder.

    A new addition to the catalogue of the Fred Alton Haight Co. goes out to the printer to-night. It is Mr. Raders U.S. Flag. This song is liked in the schools very well and the tune while rather reminiscent is catching.

    Come unto me and before me, mine enemies—that in the enmity we may be as friends; and as hath been ordained, do only as we would be done by even in the enmity according to the law. For me, I would be forebearing, charitable, kind and just always; and wise; for love is of these things even unto the end, which is love. All men are brothers, not to hate but to love, each one the other even as himself.
                                                                                                                                                    F.A. H.
    The foregoing sounds almost  musical, somehow, and can be used as a creed or peace terms between the warring nations.

    In the progress of the war the points that stand out are many, but probably the most important are: The great strikes and unrest in Germany and Austria among the people; the uncertainty of Russia which held back the intended massive drive in the Western theatre of war; secretary Baker's report of the wonderful strides the country has made toward war; and the placing the whole country on war-bread diet to save 70 000 000 bushels of wheat for the Allies in Europe. Food may, as has been said, win this war.

    So closes the first chapter of this book. It contains some interesting reading, but February's chapter can be an improvement and be made more interesting.
    Reports of; school work; studio and all private teaching; and other subjects will be found under seperate cover on file in their respective pigeon holes.

Fred Alton Haight

April 1918         Chapter IV

    Probably by working Sunday something might be accomplished in this fast moving life. The writer refused to work yesterday—that is to-day—it is 12.35 A.M. which is really 11.35 P.M. actual time altho it seems what the old clock says it is in spite of every effort to look at it the other way.

April 1 and 2d
    Teaching in Jacksonville. Resumed class work. Class work is exhausting. Cold nights. Heavy frost morning of the 3d. Smudged for pear blossoms which are partly out. Apple and other trees have more sense than to come into full bud and blossom yet so the country looks bare of leaves yet. The floor of the valley is green.

April 3d.
    Trying to reconcile myself to failure. Instead of going to Talent I slept all day up to three oclock, and feel so well that I think I needed the rest. Pains in my left back, shoulder and neck have been severe since Sunday, with a cough, and weak eyes and those horrible deathlike nervous attacks Monday and Tuesday. There has been no rest of mind for a week so it had to be made up. Yet there is bitter disappointment in the fact that I failed to get out and there is so much other work to do also! Teaching must be first however.

—————

    To show what sort of climate this is for fruit, the temperature this morning was 22 and in some places 19. Only twice has it been cold this year. The peaches were badly hurt and also pears when they failed to smudge. Apple buds were hit some. The valley was a mass of nasty smoke this morning and everything exposed was black hands and face included. The coating does little damage however, is easily washed or brushed off leaving no scar.

April 4th. 12 Noon
    After giving only one lesson yesterday the writer feels he has been idle a month. There are 7 lessons to be given to-day Smudge stink the whole valley again this A.M. increasing the spring lassitude or hook-worm feeling.

April 4th. 1918
    The utter confusion of things has reached a point where thought refuses to go further and seems to have stopped and as for inspiration and love for music it has quit me cold. Financial matters earnings, savings bills etc. engross my attention. All such thought is thought wasted. As for bills they should be paid and gotten off the mind giving room for better mental employment. No thought should be wasted on clothes. Suits, shirts, shoes, etc. should be ready to put on instantly for the occassion. This valet service can be attended to personally by a system. At present and for several years the writer has washed his own underclothes, handkerchiefs, socks, sheets and pillow cases and towels, washed and ironed his shirts, and pressed his suits; and shaved himself also. Some money should be saved in fact none should be wasted, but too much thought can be given to financial matters to the extent of losing sight of the beautiful, and God. In fact as much money will be saved as possible during the five year program mapped out—1918, 19, 20 21, 22, as this is a critical period in a man's life during which, if he is ever to have any capital ahead, he must earn it and save it or go to the poor house at fifty. With no money saved at fifty is a tragedy indeed, yet the world is filled with such men. Life is a queer thing anyway. Almost cruel it certainly is. All men are made of the same substance and brothers yet in their material views of power some hold themselves ever superior. In the sight of the Creator it surely is not so. One man of more mind or more in tune with Divine Mind is not superior to a lesser since he is of no greater substance tho more of it than the lesser. The one is not different to the other. Only that man who is more in tune with God is more fortunate than I in the happiness he enjoys. I have the same chances. We are equal in that.

Friday April 5
    So many missed their lessons this week and especially to-day that it was not worth while waiting around for the few that came. Measles, mumps and beautiful weather caused it, beside illness of the writer who does not feel like doing anything but lay around. Probably a reaction after the exciement over the war which reflects upon the whole world. Four lessons were given to-day and a copying job 40 cts. One of the lessons was in payment in part on a debt.
    The piano presents a problem to me, and a problem very hard to work out. Elsewhere this matter will be found discussed at length. To allow a piano to beat me into a frazzle is humiliating. This piano beats me. After spending ten dollars on it, while the action is better and well evened up and the hammers filed, yet the rattle is there yet and several hammers strike with that dead way. Formerly it was [musical staff] only now it is in [musical staff]

while the D is cured after tormenting me for several years. It gets on my nerves, this difficulty in locating the cause of it and having tuners tell me I dont hear it. Rats!

Saturday April 6th
    A great many lessons were missed this month and this week especially. The number keeps around 55. One new V. [violin] pupil added to-day. I presume a c