January 13, 1931 - Plot Twist

I promised to follow up on my previous post, Keep This Check. I speculated on what the weather was like on January 13, 1931, and if Mrs. Clark herself ventured out to purchase underwear.

I found a shocking twist as revealed in my great-grandfather's journal (image below), as well as a photo of the store.

C. A. Smith & Son General Merchandise was built in 1910. By this fateful day, it had already been operating for over two decades. Mrs. Clark did not go shopping, and it wasn't the weather that kept her away. She was ailing. So the Mrs. Blogg or Blagg in my previous post must have made the purchase for her. 

The morning began with frigid temperatures. George Caitlin Berry reported at 8am it was 5 degrees below zero F. 

"I was up to see Mrs Clark this morning, she is in bad shape. Doc Fleeger says he don't think she will get over it. Ma is going up at 10:30 to see her. Bob Smith will take her up. Mrs. Frankie Clark died at 3:30 pm today. She was a good old friend of mine. She was 77 yrs - 7 mo - 3 days of age. She had many good traits and was very determined in her likes and dislikes." 

So a few of my questions are answered, but one remains. Why did Mrs. B purchase underwear and hose for Mrs. Clark while the woman was on her deathbed? I may never know, but it has been fun putting together the clues.

---