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HARRY O. LANNING : 1911 - 1914 ARCHIVE OF HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT DIARIES BY AN ASTUTE, WIDOWED INDIANA SCIENCE TEACHER AS HE PURSUES HIS NEW LOVE - SUPER PRE WORLD WAR I AMERICANA

12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. On offer is an archive of four [4] handwritten manuscript diaries (there is a 5th book only partially written, mostly religious poetry) representing the years 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914. The diaries belonged to Harry O. Lanning who was a science teacher at the high school in Sweetser Indiana at the turn of the century. This diary set is an extraordinary record of pre-World War I Indiana with a sweet and interesting back story of romance too. Harry was born on October 21st, 1882. His parents are William J. Lanning and Mary F. He has three brothers; Carl, Hugh and Paul. Research suggests he was also a widower at the time the diaries were written because on several occasions he mentioned things like "she, being a widow too" and other such phrases. Throughout all 4 of these well filled diaries you'll find Harry courting a woman by the name of Edith Lucille Cranor. Edith was born on April 13th, 1889 and her folks are McClellan and Florence V. (Chenoweth). The on-again, off-again love affair and courtship of these two makes for a simmering backdrop to local news, his duties and other 'affairs' as at times both are seeing other people. At one point Edith takes a 3 month trip to the West Coast and Harry finds out by word of mouth she wants to stay in the west and teach in New Mexico. That never turned out because on May 21st, 1914 Edith and Harry marry. Harry is also very interested in politics especially with the Roosevelt elections and talks about the events surrounding the election a great deal. His teaching takes up a great deal of his life also (not quite as much as Edith does) and when it comes to writing about any of it, Harry doesn't leave anything out. He's a member of the organization "Red Men" (I believe it might be The Improved Order of Red Men fraternity) and not only writes about his meetings but also mentions the surrounding Indian villages. Harry is a marvelous writer too. Here are just a few snippets of this marvelous bit of Hoosier Americana: 1911 "January 2nd, School started off nicely after the vacation. Everybody seems to like the new program better than the older one. Well, they all ought to considering the trouble I had to make it. Carl Masterson has started in bringing our number again to 49; but I am not certain that he will stick. Worked until 10 p.m. on the Red Men's books but we can't make a report. I had a suspicion that I was "stung" when the sachem put me on the audition committee, and now I know it. The books are in a fearful tangle showing either ignorance or willful neglect on the part of at least two of the chiefs. The other members of the committee are Furgeson and Jerry Flinn. I imagine the report when it does come in, will be an eye opener." "January 20th, Edith Cranor called up this morning before I was out of bed to tell me that a little deal we had prearranged was due for this evening. So this evening I took Ferguson and went out to call on her and her friend, Miss Shamshaw of Marion. We had a very pleasant time. About 10:30 I spread my handkerchief over the face of the clock and when I did look at my watch it was 1:10. Miss Edith informed me that she often spent her Sunday evenings alone, in fact, she took pains to repeat it three times, with emphasis, so I am just conceited enough to take it as a suggestion and shall act accordingly. Funny, I haven't had a girl, or even a chance at one for so long and now I have three chances at once….." "February 21st, ……Went to lodge this evening. The tribe honored me by elevating me to the Prophet's stump. After lodge Ferguson and I went to the missionary tea to the parsonage. I took Edith home according to schedule…..I didn't want to wait until Sunday to see Edith again so I asked for Thursday evening in case the other affair is cancelled….." "March 11th, ……In the afternoon I went to the Indiana to see the Countess Swiriska in her famous bare foot dances. She is certainly an artist and seemed totally oblivious to the fact that her attire was, well, scanty. As Edith had said she was going, I was not surprised to see her and Mary S. there. She was enthusiastic in her and I am delighted to find that she is not a prude. Came home at 6:13. Went to lodge, we had to take the first degree…." "April 24th, This has been a very quiet day at school, the lull before tomorrow's storm. The Juniors spent a part of the day in cleaning up the mess of last Friday nights reception. Edith came home this evening at 6:13. I met her and drove out north with her. I had seen her mother at church and told her it would please me very much if she, Mrs. Overman, would remain quietly at home and let me meet the girl. And she did. As tomorrow night is commencement and we both act, I came home at 10:30. Talked with Mr. Shockey this evening and told him I did not want Cohn retained for next hear. He is too foolish after the little girls." "April 26th, Was over at the school building this forenoon, straightening up. We all settled with Shockey. It is the understanding that the Supt. and Assistant will be retained but that we will have a new principal. Cohn shook the dust of Sweetser from his feet this afternoon and departed for parts unknown. Was sorry to "sting" him but did not feel that it would be to the best interest of the school to keep him. The board looked over the building this forenoon and decided to give us an addition to the building and to put in furnace heat. Shockey told me definitely that I was to be retained and has left the interests of the school in my hands for the summer……" "May 3rd, …..Met Edith at the train and we drove home. Enjoyed the drive very much. I wonder if I shall get to thinking so much of her that I shall attempt to "cut out" all my rivals for her affection. There is only one serious rival, I think, Mr. L. of Galveston…." "May 15th, ……Saw Edith today in her working clothes and with her hair done up in everyday style. They are cleaning house but she looked good to me even that way, and the girl that can stand that test is certainly all o.k….." "August 6th, …..Am more than a little uncomfortable about last evenings developments; but am still hoping it will come out all right. Don't know just how much I care but it is more than a little. This evening I walked and walked and thought about the things she told me to think of but didn't solve the problem. Her greatest kick seems to be that I have been too good to her. Funny thing to kick about but she says I don't understand girls. I admit it. What man does. Am going to bed now (9:15) and try to forget it till morning….." "October 29th, …..Edith came home today. She got into Marion last night or rather this morning at two. Saw her at the train this evening. She brought Mary Shamshaw up. Mary had spent the day with her. Didn't ask to go out only told her to call when she got ready to see me. This meant I was ready any time. Can't just figure how I stand with her…" "November 27th, The John Stevens funeral was held today. Ferguson and I went up to the hall at eight and marched up with the Red Men. Then we held school until rest and dismissed about a half hour during the funeral. It has not been our policy to dismiss for funerals but said Stevens was related to almost half of the pupils and while I could not personally feel any great respect for a man who had been in the saloon business and wished to enter it again, still he was a Red Man….." 1912 "January 29th, …..I hear they had a scene at church last night. Vella Masterson was overcome with excitement and hysterics and lay unconscious for several hours. This is the natural result of the band of preaching that has been put out. It is a pity the courts can't be induced to grant injunctions in such cases." "January 30th, Used my whole page last evening and didn't have room to say that Frank R. Ferguson, Hugh and I played cards at Renbarger's while Pearl was at church. After she came home we took her in and played rum till 11:30. She reported another scene at church. A quarrel between John Spencer and his wife as to whether she should make a show of herself. Tonight I went to church and the measly little preacher made certain remarks for my special benefit that made me rub his name off my list of gentlemen. He hoped that my influence which was keeping the students from become Christians would soon be removed. This was wholly uncalled for and is utterly false." "February 29th, Took Mills to see "Naughty Marietta" this evening. Enjoyed the show very much and altogether had a very pleasant trip. Although the evening was rather cold we managed to keep each other comfortably warm. It seems that she has "promised to be true" to J.J. but I am not sure that if he knew he would think she had kept her promise. In fact I am sure he would think she had not. But that is his lookout and hers, not mine. I am by nature a poacher and she is very lovable as well as loving little girl. I shall look for every opportunity to poach some more." "April 8th, Mr. Ferguson and Lucille had a misunderstanding today and the affair come to me to settle. As Mr. Ferguson tells me, he charges Lucille with impertinence or even impudence. As she tells me he charged her with attempting to flirt with him during school hours. The affair is causing some stir. Mrs. Stife feels grievously offended over it." "April 17th, ……Have spent the evening reading among other things the news of the Titanic disaster. Titanic hit iceberg in mid ocean Sunday night and went down. 1300 drowned, 700 saved in life boats is wireless report…." "May 2nd, …..The supreme court has decided that Marion is dry territory and that the saloon licenses issued last Sept. by Judge Nash are invalid or rather the case from Kokomo decided by the supreme court is similar and the decision applies to Marion. All the saloons are closed and Marian is again a dry town…." "May 23rd, …..Spent the morning making that map of the Indian lands for Sarah Line. Had dinner with G. H. Terell and talked my township

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