John B. Goering’s Journal – Chapter 4

Back to Chapter 3

I couldent hardley believe — it was a bad dream, but still it was. The first, we had to make arangment for the Funral. All where so helpfull and simptiesing with me. One afternoon, Brothenlaw John came to me while I was lying on the bed, to talk to me. I said, “Leave me alone. I have first to get right with the Lord. If he was a loving God, how could he have taken the Mother from such a big Family, where she was needet sobadley And then I thought of Joab Ch. 1-21, and I had to confess — Lord though knowest why and You have given and taken. Praised is the name of the Lord.

And so time went on, and the weekend was closed to shool. Tillie came to stay with the children and urged me to go to the program. Sister Meilie had taken Larry and Ida took Harry, and Elva and Frieda took over the Mother’s place in the Houshold. About the next week, Brother Ben, Unce John, and Uncel Val came. They wanted to drive out, so we went. They said they would like to see the place by Canton, so we went their. They looked it over. Then they asked me what I decidet to do–I will have to make up my mind. The Peopel what are involved would like to know. I said that I think best is to stay where I am, sell part to help me out of death. They said, but then you wouldent have much ground left to farm, and they think best would be if I would go on with deal, if it is still on. So we drove to see the Land agent in McPherson, Peter Goering, and he said that they where holding it, but he had others that wonted to look at it. (and) He to would like to know, so it was decidet for me to go on with the deal.

Time went on and in July 8th, Walter was married to Della Morris, and sometime in July, we moved. The hole family from bought side and freinds came one day and all was taken over in one day. O yes, I cant forget how some went up and cleaned everything up befor, we moved.

And so we are in the new Home, but things went on as befor. Of course, we had to get aquanted with the new Neighbour, and they where all nice Neighbour to us. As one Uncel asked, “How are your neighbour?” I said, “They are good.” He said, “A good Neighbour makes good Neighbour.” Isent that the truth, if you wont good neighbour, you have to be one.

So time went on. I think Walter and Della lived with us the first year. Then we bought a gas station in Elyria and they took that over.

Elvin wasent to well with his Hart trubel. The Dr told me not to let him get Married. I told him not to go steady with aney Girl, but that dident help. He started to go steady with Esther Schmidt. I asked him, “Do you tell them what the Dr told me?” He said he did, so one day I stopped at her Parints place and talked with them and told them what the Dr told me, but they said the Dr dont know all. So on the 3 of May, they were Married, but the same year, Sep 16, he went to be with the Lord, so it was a short Marrieg.

Then the Funral. She insisted I walk in with her. I said, “No, it should be her Parents or Elva and Frieda.” So we left for the Church, but their it happened– I just had to go in with her–then her ralitives said, “See, now he will wont her for himself.” After the funral, she asked how long she could stay with us. I told her she should ask her Parents.

The next day I was out taking care of bills and sofort. When I got home she was goin. Her Parents came and got her. The girls said she dident even so much as tell them goodbie–took all she had and all of Elvins. I couldent understand that, so I went their to see what happened, so they told me. I told them that is the most foolishing thing I ever heard, but was just the start of it. I don’t like to think of all the scandals, much less write. So time went on and slander (of all kind). Then things comed down. They envited us – Elva, Frieda, and Myself– one Sunday for dinner. We thought all was now setteld and some say I told them that I and the Girls will go to Wichita the comming week. Esther asked, “Could I go along?” I said, “Ask your Parents.” — and they said, “Yes” — so we went. I told the Girls to do their shoping, I do mine, and meet at Montgomrey Ward when we are done. So we did. Then came a storey out that I took her to the judge to be married and she refused. (That is just one excempel). I dont like to think of that all–less write.

But time went on and on, so I felt something has to be done about that all, so I went to the Church bord and told them about it all and asked if they and their Church couldent get together with us and make an end to this all, I just cant take it aney longer. So they tried. A few times, time was set when we should meet. Then they called that they wouldent come, and so nothing was ever done. My Church called me free of it all, Thank the Lord. Her Parents died, and I havent seen Esther sinc that, Just heard of her. I have forgiven them all and hope the Lord did the same.

Coming next: the accident