LISA’S NOTES: On March 1, 1937, Hattie wrote, “Will saw Dr. Walters about the varicose veins in his legs, and he bandaged it and told him not to walk for a few days.”
From March 3: “Will stayed off his feet all day, either in bed or out on front room davenport, and he never slept but read all the time when he wasn’t talking to me.”
From March 5: “Will went on crutches to car, that Thomas had at the kitchen door, and went to White River to a Range Farming Meeting, and Mr. New of O’Kreek went with him from Mission to White River and back to Mission, and Will said that he was a wonderful attendant.”
From March 7: “I visited with Will a long time in evening, for I wanted to exercise my voice, so he sat on steps in kitchen while I washed dishes.”
From March 8: “Will and I went to Hidden Timber… saw Jim Dowds, and he talked to Hot Springs V. N. S. Battle Mountain, and Will got in at once.”
From March 9: “Will left at 7 a.m. for Veterans Hospital, Battle Mountain, Hot Springs, S. D. to have treatment for varicose veins. For a week he has walked on crutches.”
From March 15: “Will at Hospital, Battle Mountain Sanitarium, Hot Springs, S. Dak. and card I got Saturday says he is getting along fairly well.”
From March 16: “I got a letter from Will and he will have to be operated on for varicose veins. It was written Friday, but he isn’t operated on yet, but is treated fine at Hot Springs, S. D., Battle Mountain Sanitarium Hospital.”
It’s interesting how she gives full details for the hospital (and other items in her diaries) every single time she mentions them, even on consecutive days. I wonder what audience she had in mind as she wrote her entries every day for nearly 37 years?