January 13, 1936 – Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Discusses cost of school bill and personal financial status - Is planning a surprise birthday party for Anne Blackistone - Two girls did Katherine’s laundry for her - Katherine has to come back a day early on Easter break to do laundry - Louella came and had a little accident. - The water pipe burst over Christmas break - Basketball game last night between Sophomores and Juniors in High School - Katherine has been asked to write an essay for a contest; “I guess I will” - Has tentative plans to go to Baltimore with some friends over a long weekend later in January. Relays these plans in step-by-step detail. Asks if it would be prohibitively expensive to take a bus.

January 20, 1936 – Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Someone named Kipling died - Asks for permission to be granted to travel with Mary Lee Pollit to Baltimore. - Students in the college petitioned to be able to sleep in to a quarter of 8 - Asks Jean about her commencement

January 22, 1936 – Addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Has secured rides both to and from Baltimore for the weekend - Exams begin Saturday - A woman named Mrs. Chesley had appendicitis and was sent to Hagerstown Hospital. Katherine asks Mrs. Tenney to go see her.

January 24, 1936 – Addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Finished the booklet she was making; “It’s the most exalting feeling I’ve ever had”

January 27, 1936 – Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Next week is exam week; refused a bid to a dance at C.H. to study for Chemistry - Plans to go to the Vienna Boy’s Choir tomorrow - “We skated today for the first time, that’s why I’m so tired. If I write my letter tonite perhaps I can get some skating in tomorrow before we go to Wash. for I’m afraid the ice might not last long.” - Discusses anxieties over exams. (Mentions the difference between major and minor exams) - For athletics (probably basketball): “We have to keep training rules over the week-end. That’s terrible. Not even one little piece of candy or anything between meals. We have to sign saying we kept it, too.” - Plans to stay overnight at Blue Ridge - Plans to go to Baltimore with classmates and will invite Elise, Tony, and Clare (but is anxious that the other girls will not want to entertain Tony and Clare). Discusses travel arrangements. - A high school girl named Alma won’t return to SMS next semester - Discusses transportation for Easter - Considers “Patterns in the Jade of Wu Ming Fu” by Stanwood Cobb to be “the best thing I’ve ever read…. It’s the sort of thing you want to read every day” - “At Sears and Roebuck I can order enough yarn to knit a 2 piece suit for $1.29” - “The kids all say I’m crazy for not looking up Charles when we got to the Academy. They say girls have boys paged there if they hardly know them.” - The Vienna Boys Choir “was superb”

January 30, 1936 – Addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Jean just turned 22; Katherine wishes her a happy birthday - Katherine’s opinion of Miss Cottrell has changed for the worse. - Went skating earlier that day - Plans to go to the Academy in Annapolis have been dropped - Ordering socks from Sears and Roebuck - Sears and Roebuck won’t send yarn samples

February 4, 1936 – addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney - “Dear Mother, just this minute arrived back safely – what weather – will write the epistle later. Love K.T.”

February 6, 1936 – addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Currently 3rd in her class. “I’d rather be 3rd tho, than a book-worm.” - Spent the weekend at Clare’s house with Lawson and some others. Had lunch at Jane Anderson’s house. - Went to Annapolis and drove around but didn’t take a tour. - Had tea at Rosemary Sands’ (outside of Annapolis) - Had dinner in Baltimore and went to see the movie “Collegiate” starring Joe Penner. - Next night, saw Bing Crosby in “Anything Goes” with Lawson, who also paid for the ride home in a taxi (Katherine considers this opulent) - “For heavens sake don’t read this letter to Doris. He actually put his arm around me – he’ll learn. Of course I got tickled then but I did manage to keep from giggling.” - On Monday, the group went to see a movie in Washington – “Exquisite Story.” They stayed in Washington a night longer than originally planned. - “4 of us slept (tried to sleep) in 1 bed. We laughed like fools for the first half of the night and couldn’t sleep that crowded – Well – the result is that now I’m so sleepy I’m in a daze – it’s terrible.” - Was a little worried Miss France would punish them for returning late, so drove back in the ice – “we had to drive 10 miles an hr. the whole way.” - “We came back without any mishap at all, but those roads were just glass – we saw loads of people going down the highway on ice skates” - Grammar course is over and another teacher, Mrs. Swindle, (?) compensated with increasing English material - Wanted to see Tale of Two Cities in DC but wasn’t able to. - Requests knitting needles and discusses knitting supplies.

February 10, 1936 – Addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney (torn) - Blizzard on Thursday – “so much snow we couldn’t even get to the music hall” - “Last nite we all went out in it. WE had a sled hooked to the back of the truck and Mr. Wood pulled us. It was grand.” - Enclosed samples of yarn (bought it for ½ price) - Requests more knitting needles – her friend sat on her pair and broke it. - Weather would not permit basketball game or Charlotte Hall formal; team plans to go to Hyattsville tomorrow. - “We’re getting a new marking system this semester, if Miss France doesn’t explain it when she sends you my report I’ll explain it then.”

February 17, 1936 – Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney (second page torn) - Went to Schnabel concert despite lack of interest. “I wish I hadn’t, he was indeed wonderful tho’ – too wonderful for me – I couldn’t understand it and I don’t feel I’ve gained a lot by going except a most miserable ride. But – I’ve heard Schnabel.” - Dramatic Club hosted informal dance the previous night. Went with Stanton Haylen from Leonardtown. - Enjoyed apples and Jean’s and father’s valentines. - Wrote to Lawson and hasn’t heard back. - Describes Louella’s minor car accident - Addresses mother when discussing course load; does not want to drop a class. Katherine’s striving to win the Best All Around award to she can get a Drexel scholarship. - Describes music time commitment – but does not want to drop music lessons. - New grading system: “I won’t know if I’m first or not, we’re marked on the basis of failure, unsatisfactory, satisfactory, merit and honor in regard to our own ability.” - Father sent her $5 for Valentine’s Day - Katherine has a cold

February 24, 1936 – Addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Went to see Lily Pons perform. - Will attend game in Bethesda later today – “If we win they’re taking us into Washington to see Rose Marie” - Katherine no longer has a cold.

February 26, 1936 – Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Letter begins on Sunday. - Mentions the difference in weather between St. Mary’s and Clearspring. Asks how much city water would cost in Clearspring - Gives parents Lloyd’s address and phone number - Is excited to hear Lily Pons perform later today; pauses letter to go to concert. - Letter resumes on Tuesday. That weekend she served at an alumnae luncheon/card party for ~150 guests. - Later that day, played in a home basketball game against Annapolis and won 26-12. - Attended a guest lecture held by Dr. Truit from UMD about the blue crab. - Morning after Lily Pons, went to Glee Club and then to Bethesda for game. Won game 22-19. - Went to Washington to see Rose-Marie; back at St. Mary’s by 11:30pm. - A Venetian Glass Blower will come Wednesday night. - Will have 2 or 3 basketball games a week for 2 or 3 weeks; is on the 1st team now and has been playing every game. - Describes Lily Pons and Rose-Marie concerts. (Seems more enthusiastic about Rose-Marie). - The Charlotte Hall formal has been postponed. - Requests a new hat elastic. - Wants someone named Margeurite to come visit - Received a letter from Lawson - Will play Blue Ridge College on March 14 and asks if family can come visit. - Includes letters addressed to Mrs. Tenney sent from classmates * From Lucille: Mentions the concept, calls Katherine “Kay.” Adds, “I think Kay is grand and the best roommate anyone could have” * From Louella: Mentions exams and an impending blizzard: “We are in the midst of exams, and are we enjoying them, yes indeed” * From Sarah Kerbin: says she has heard nice things about Mrs. Tenney * From Anne Blackistone: “I just took an English exam and so this note won’t be very cheerful.” * From Jane Anderson: mentions weather and ice skating * From Ethel K.: asks that Mrs. Tenney will let Katherine come home with her this weekend * From Eugie: “I hope you are enjoying good health and that it doesn’t get too cold up there in them thar’ mountains”… “While I have the chance Mrs. T., I want to say that I think Kay is tops and a darn good job! Excuse the profanity, please.” * From Bessett Fraser: “We are really not responsible for what we do or say this week, for exams are here in all its splendor.” * From Patsy Fowler: mentions weather and ice skating and exams. “Kay is in here wagging her tongue off with the rest, but we all think a lot of her even if she is dumb.” * From Lorena Burch: talks highly of Katherine * From Rosemary Sands: “This is quite the custom down here – we do it all the time” (meaning, write to other students’ mothers) * From Imogene: discusses the weather. “Did you hear about the girl whose legs were frozen near there [Hagerstown]? I read it in the paper.” Relieved to have finished her booklet. * From Mary Lee Pollit: “I suppose you know all about our new ‘Seminary custom’ of writing notes to everyone’s mother. I just hope the mothers enjoy it as much as we do.” Speaks highly of Katherine.

March 2, 1936 – Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney - “The Apple Blossom Princess has been selected. She’s in 2nd yr. College – Gloria Reed. She’s the girl with the red hair – very attractive – she’ll be very good, I think.” - Found the glass blower “very interesting” - Won a home game against Bethesda 31-25. - Will play an away game with Annapolis on Monday and will go to a tea dance after - Discusses the pros and cons of buying vs. making various garments - The concerts are over. (“Lily Pons was our last.”) - Requests a spool of white thread

March 5, 1936 – Addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney - “Would you have time to please ask Pop Smith why he likes Borah and to give me some points about him – good bad or indifferent” (William Borah, Senator and progressive Republican presidential candidate in 1936). “I’d like something I could use in the form of a stump speech for him.”

March 9, 1936 – Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Sunday. Begs parents to come to Blue Ridge game. - Lucille (roommate) went home with friend this weekend - Recommends Rose-Marie - If buttons are too expensive, does not want them - Insists she is not homesick, but would really like to see someone from home. - “Everyone is sort of getting down in the dumps from having been here since Xmas.” - Won home game against Blue Ridge 30-17—and “they were certainly poor sports” - Describes trip to Annapolis, Annapolis basketball game, and dance that followed – “The boys weren’t very attractive but were good dancers.” - On Wednesday won home game against Hyattsville 28-16. - Only lost 1 game this season (another against Hyattsville). - Miss Carr’s husband was smitten with Jean - Katherine feels lonely with her roommate gone (but her friend Imogene is not allowed to sleep over) - Monday morning. Received letter from Elise. Plans to spend the night of Blue Ridge game at Elise’s house. - Thanks parents for information about Borah.

March 10, 1936 – Addressed to Mr. C.A. Tenney from St. Mary’s Female Seminary - Typed report signed W. Adele France. - Reveals that the Seminary is “changing our grading from a competitive to an individual basis”

March 21, 1936 – addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Mentions radio reports about floods in Cumberland; threatening to flood in St. Mary’s too. - “No water and no light” – unclear to what this is referring - Received letter from Betty - “Only 2 more weeks” - “The floods have certainly been terrible – especially in N.E.”

March 23, 1936 – addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney - On Sunday, went to Western Md. and met up with Pat + Lee, Georgie + Helen Brighton - “The new dorm is lovely – they have all new maple furniture and beauty rest mattresses and box springs” - Visited Hood College and had dinner with Macy; “Hood is more like a real college.” - Mentions a house fire, likely in St. Mary’s county. - Watched a trial in Leonardtown - Will have Easter break April 4-April 14. - Louella plans to stop at their house in Clearspring for a night - Wants to mail suitcase home - Requests powder for hair setting - Mentions “terrible” floods again

March 30, 1936 – addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Louella and Katherine plan to eat lunch at Louella’s sister’s house in Washington - Wants to give Louella and her sister wine and cookies. - Miss France “received notice from the express company” and “was very pleased with it” - Wants Marguerite to come the weekend of the Spring play (after Easter) - Auditioned for the spring play (“The Hermit’s House”) but did not get a part because Miss Cottrell thought she’d be too busy - Lost arrows and quotes “The Arrow and the Song” by Longfellow - Took a chemistry test - About student morale: “The kids are getting so restless, dissatisfied or something here that Miss France had an open assembly with the students, without faculty.” - Miss France gave Katherine permission to go to Jean’s commencement

May 8, 1936 – Addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney - “Twelfth Nite is May 13 and 14. I’m so glad you’re going.” - Discusses attire for June Ball at Charlotte Hall - On Monday will visit Baltimore for art trip

April 20, 1936 – Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Describes trip back to seminary - “all the kids are in here jabbering so I don’t know what I’m writing” - Sends along praise for Jean from Mrs. Wallace and Swindler - Asks about Merle - Wanted to see Walter Hampden but couldn’t get tickets - “It was so funny this morning – really a 2nd Easter parade” - Will have an exam in music. - Watched Rose of the Rancho last night. “It was right good – nothing excellent” - On back of letter, joke letter from Anne Blackistone to Katherine’s parents, addressed “Hello Folks.” Mocks Katherine’s tennis abilities.

April 27, 1936 – Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney - The 5 St. Mary’s high school alumnae went to an alumnae meeting in Leonardtown the previous day. - On Monday, moved into the Home Economics practice house—“it is really adorable” - Refused a bid to the Charlotte Hall formal. - Last Monday, went with art class to a collection at Leonardtown. (Aloysius King?) - Discusses pocketbooks. - Miss Cottrell placed Katherine on the stage committee for play without consulting her. Katherine worries about the workload because the play will require effects. Will also play “Alice Blue Gown” between acts. - Apple Blossom Festival will be April 30th, but Katherine does not plan to go. - For the weekend of May 25, plans to go to Baltimore and stay with Mary Fraser’s family. - Junior-Senior Prom is May 16 - Bought a dress from a friend for 75c for the dramatic club informal. - Laments about a man named Peter who “was so sweet.” - This Saturday, will have an informal college club dance - Discussion of blinds/curtains. - Mrs. Hoke brought Katherine snacks - Lucille will probably come on the 8th to take Katherine to William and Mary. Discusses travel plans.

May 4, 1936 – Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Attended College Club informal the previous night with the “same boy I took before” - Katherine’s exhausted; she has been at play practice until 11pm every night the past week - Requests soap and shoe-cleaner. And Jean’s dress. - A St. Mary’s alum attending William and Mary had the lead in the Lying Valet. - Took “Cooperative Tests” - The president of the board of trustees (George C.) died the previous day.

May 11, 1936 – Addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Mothers’ Day Card

May 11, 1936 – Addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney (includes 2 letters) - Addressed to “Folks”: “The play came off very successfully Mon. nite.” - On Tuesday, went to Judge Camalier’s funeral. - Art trip to Baltimore tomorrow, will take a box lunch for a picnic in the park. “Fiddlesticks. Jane Anderson will be 3 blocks from her mother and Miss France won’t let her see her – not even telephone. She said this is an art trip and she wanted no meeting of families and no telephoning, I think that’s inhuman.” - Miss Bateman visited Katherine’s speech class, “and what did Miss Cottrell do but all of a sudden tell me to give a speech—impromptu. Well, I could have died—whew. I just started talking, I don’t know what I said.” - Informal at Charlotte Hall previous night. Didn’t get a bid. Doesn’t think she’ll go to June Ball. - Bowstring broke. Requests new string and glue. - Mother sent Katherine cream she didn’t need; Katherine contemplates selling or returning it. (Possibly due to financial problems). - Home Ec club had a tea the previous day - Lloyd’s wife surprised Katherine with a visit yesterday. - Ricey’s (Lucille’s) family surprised her with a visit, and took the girls out to dinner. When they came back, Tony was there (surprise!). - Katherine plans to bring her roommate home - Plans for weekend with Lucille and Louella are not concrete due to tentative travel arrangements. - Asks father if he could possibly give girls a ride home (but doubts his ability to drive). - Addressed “Dearest Mother”: a mother’s day letter. - Attended a “Mother’s Day King’s Daughter’s Program in the garden” - “There isn’t a day that goes past that I don’t think of you and realize that everything I have or will have or anything I may have obtained I can attribute to Mother” - Sent mother candy

May 18, 1936 – Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Went on trip to Baltimore and visited the Baltimore Museum of Arts, Walters Art Gallery, and Pratt Library; had a free ½ hour to explore. - Ate dinner with Lawson at the Oreole. Went to a dress shop and 5 girls bought $2 dresses on a whim. - The Junior Senior dance was last night. Took same boy as before. - Plans to catch 5:30 bus from Leonardtown to go to William and Mary on June 6. Asks about Emery. Travel plans are sketchy. Asks about connections from Washington to Frederick. - Asks for permission to go to Baltimore with George Carpenter to stay with Mary Fraser that weekend (May 23-25). - Discusses arrangements for mailing and storing possessions at St. Mary’s and home. - Apologizes for misremembering the date of Mother’s Day - “I forget what I said about Miss Cottrell now for her to deserve poisoning”

May 22, 1936 – Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney (torn in half) - Received arrows and string - Mr. Casson came with Katherine’s photo – it cost $1 instead of $2.50 - Visited old homes on Monday - Plans to come home in 3 weeks - Discusses her and (roommate) Lucille’s travel plans to get to William and Mary - Hopes someone named Mr. Richard will “pull thru” - Lucille has plans to stay with other friends at William and Mary - Lawson is done with school, will stay the night and come to Fraser’s on Saturday - Plans to meet Emery on the ferry & spend the day in Waldorf

May 23, 1936 – addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney - May change plans to meet Emery in Washington rather than Waldorf - A ticket from Leonardtown to DC = $1.90 - Wonders if Emery would want to stay the night

May 27, 1936 – addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Might meet Emery at 4PM at Lincoln memorial on June 6 or take ferry to Wm & Mary - Lucille unsure if she can leave early enough to catch 5:30 ferry - Exams start Friday - “Did you hear about the eskimo who was sitting on a block of ice telling a story and when he was finished he got up and said – “My ‘tail’ is ‘told.”” - Miss gill, Raymond and Rosy, and Ann Beauchany are all sick – “Miss France is worried” - “Lord I hope it isn’t diphtheria and we’re quarantined, and I can’t go to Wm & Mary.” - Bought new pajamas in Baltimore - Three diagnosed with diphtheria, but no quarantine until more are diagnosed. - “So don’t worry, it is not at all serious. And don’t tell anybody.”

June 1, 1936 – addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney - This letter was written Friday night. Quarantined for 48 hours beginning Wednesday. - Everyone on campus had cultures taken (including servants and teachers). “We couldn’t even send mail out” - The cultures came back – one was positive, so the quarantine was extended to next Wednesday. - Will take cultures again Monday; quarantine will continue extending for as long as there are positive cases. - “If I can’t go to Wm + Mary!!! Lord – it might keep up on into the summer.” - This is also exams week; took Phys Ed exam and Chemistry Cooperative.

June 1, 1936 – addressed to Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Katherine is elected president of college club; Imogene is class president for next year. - “I just remembered I made you feel that our diphtheria was a deep dark secret. That was just for before we were quarantined, for you know how people would talk if they knew there was diphtheria here” - “Everything they have done has been sanctioned or ordered by the board of health” - Attended sorority boat ride previous day. Describes meal. - Requests trunk strap - Took English, art and chemistry exams. - Again goes over uncertain travel plans - Brings up possibility of Jean teaching at St. Mary’s (and then remembers that she has to get her MA to do that) - Was sworn in as pres. of college club

June 2, 1936 – addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Tells her mother to send permission to Miss France

June 3, 1936 – addressed to Mrs. C.A. Tenney - Written Wednesday. The quarantine ends - St. Mary’s postpones alumnae recital to Saturday (Katherine cannot play in it) - Plans to leave on bus and meet family in DC - Lucille not sure if she can go to Wm and Mary