Mary and Sam amble through southern Arizona

I apologize for not writing last week’s diary. I had to have a tooth pulled and had a very bad infection. Still cannot open my mouth up to bite things but that might be a good thing. It sounds like Mary and Sam are on their way back and have several other stops along the way. I hope you are all staying warm.

Friday, Jan. 14, 1949

This morning it was sunny and warm, no wind, so we went riding out beyond the first windmill. We brought back a veal to be killed and a cow about to come fresh. Also seven calves that had to be weaned. The sun was warm, and it really was wonderful outside. Did not get home until nearly 12 so lunch was later. Sat in the house awhile and then went to the cabin and wrote in the sun nearby. Ah, it is so warm and pleasant. Wrote a letter to Bob Marvin. This afternoon Sam walked part way to the store and I picked him up. We rec’d a letter from Jack Shank so we will look him up on our way to L.A. We went over to Marvin’s and visited with her an hour. Ah, what a lovely sunset there was! Then at 6:15 Nellie Shuman came and we drove to Tombstone to Chapter. There were several we had met at Bisbee’s Tuesday. We had a nice evening and saw some lovely old furniture painted with gold leaf. Name was Venice No. 12. Sam met us at 11 so we drove home. The moon was so bright. It was a lovely ride. We saw a young coyote on our way over, near Fletcher’s. To bed late.

Saturday, Jan. 15, 1949

A most wonderful sunrise and I was happy I awoke in time to enjoy it. Sam slept in and I went over and ate breakfast. Stood by the fire awhile, then to the cabin to pack a few things and get ready to ride for the last time this trip. Very warm and sunny out although it froze last night. We rode out past the first windmill and rounded up a cow with a 9-month-old calf that F.B. wanted to wean for the second time. It was cold out but I enjoyed the ride very much. To lunch and ate Son-of-a-Gun, a meat dish of liver, heart and brains. A cowboy dish made at roundups. A Mrs. Thompson was there who lives down near Hereford. We left the ranch before 2 and went to Herford to get our mail. We bid all the folks good-bye and started for Tucson. Arrived at Tucson at 4:15. We went thru Tombstone on cut-off and there was snow on our way in. Got a room at the Round-Up Motel so we are all set. Cold out. Ate dinner at Georgette’s and saw a show about the Foreign Legion with Dick Powell. To bed late.

Sunday, Jan. 16, 1949

We awoke to find snow on the ground, and it was very cold out. Ate at a little place downtown and then rode way out in the hills where we saw lovely homes and so many giant cactus. After riding for a couple of hours we came home to rest. I wrote a few cards and read the Sunday paper. Plenty of cars on the road but no one on the streets as it is so cold. In the late afternoon we drove up thru the hills and to the acreage Mrs. Roberts showed us. It is certainly lovely there and we still like it as well as any place we’ve seen. We drove way up the road to Mr. Lamon and then out to eat at the “House by the Side of the Road.” A new place and very clean. All the inside was of knotty pine and the girls wore blue denim skirts and plaid blouses. There were two very long tables of varnished pine and seats for two all alongside. White lace doilies for each place and flowers with huckleberry greens on the table. The food was excellent.

Monday, Jan. 17, 1949

Today we went to the Post Office early so our mail would not go to Hereford. I made an appointment to get my hair done at 11:30 and then we ate at Georgette’s. After breakfast we both went our separate ways until 1:30. I found two denim skirts and some cards, also a scarf. Met Sam and we ate at a delicatessen that served the best potato pancakes I ever ate. We drove out to find an address we were interested in but all we could find was the mailbox so we left a note in it. Then we went thru some grocery stores and bought some juice, etc. Ate our dinner at Caruso’s and it was very good. An Italian cafe that is well known here. Today we drove in several places we had not seen before. Some were lovely locations and others not so good. There is plenty of land here but it all depends on what you want to spend and whether you want to live on a hill or not. Very cold out. More snow to come. There was snow on the ground this morning.

Tuesday, Jan. 18, 1949

Today we were to go out with the real estate lady but she was all tied up on a deal so we looked up two places she had listed. Ate lunch at a tiny place on Stone Avenue called the Cupboard. Rec’d seven letters today all full of news. Had news in one from Nichols who said our dog got killed Dec. 27. I was afraid it would happen as he always ran across the highway. We drove some more in the afternoon, shopped some. I found two slips and a light blue jacket. Also sent a scarf to Blanche for her birthday. A most wonderful sunset. Wish I could take a picture. We ate corn beef and cabbage at Georgettes. Very good. Saw carving of the last supper down by the railroad bridge. It is very good. Figures are life-size. This evening attended Chapter at Arizona No. 2. Mrs. Bartell came in and sat by me. We surely had a nice time. Five women from Benson that I met at Tombstone Chapter also came and they enjoyed it. Saw Grand Lecturer there also who will be Grand Page at Gen. Grand Chapter. They served hot spiced tea and Ritz crackers with cheese on. Home late.

Wednesday, Jan. 19, 1949

Today we ate at Siegel’s where I had potato pancakes. They were good too. Then we drove out to the Jack Shanks and arrived there about 12:30. We spent the afternoon there and had a splendid visit. After a lunch we drove up to their property and walked all over. It is a lovely place, but the air was too cold to enjoy it outside today. From their place you can see for miles with a mountain back of you where no one will build. About 5:30 we left and took a dirt road thru Coolidge. There was a lovely sunset and we enjoyed it. Back to Tucson and ate chicken dinner at the House by the Side of the Road. There were quite a few there. Home and were going to call on Elmer but they had pulled out for Washington. Very dark out tonight. Bought some pinto beans to take home. The motel is full again. Saw a poor man who had just been knocked down by a car as we went home. Did not see who did it.

■ Clydene Hostetler was a longtime Belfair resident and historian. She now resides on a classic wooden boat on the Columbia River. She has been researching Mary Theler’s life for the past 17 years. She can be emailed at [email protected].