1918 WWI Era Handwritten Diary Craven NJ Georgia Military Academy Man Savannah

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1918 WWI Era Handwritten Diary Craven NJ Georgia Military Academy Man Savannah:
$92.75

WELCOMETO SALLY’S DIARIES:

Upfor sale today is the 1918 military diary of Thomas (Stubbs) J.Craven who was just 16 years old when he entered the Georgia MilitaryAcademy in Savannah Georgia. Thomas was the son of David (Steward?)and Annette Craven. Hehas two siblings; D. Steward Jr. and Anne C. His father was a glassmanufacture along with other members of the family. In 1863 theoldest glass company in New Jersey opened up as Hall, Pancoast andCraven (1863-1881) and then it became Craven Brother’s (1885-1895);then Salem Glass Works (1895-1934). I’m not sure when the familysold the business. The Cravens were a prominent and wealthy family inNew Jersey.

Thomasmarried Josephine Russell Wales in 1930 and it lists him as living inDelaware at the time ofthe marriage. In theback of the diary (see scans above) Thomas has written several of hisaddresses; 5 to be exact. The one concerning this diary is written as“Thos. J. Craven,Cadet Corporal Co. “A”. Georgia Military Academy.College Park,Georgia.” When Iwent to look up the Academy itself I found out that thecampus is now used byWoodward Academy. The photo you see showing the arches is one I justcopied off the web.

Thomashas quite the “colorful” way of speaking; he loves cussing anddoesn’t hesitate to say exactly what he’s thinking. In fact hismother tells him that his grandmother and grandfather are very mad athim for using the word “devil” in his last letter to them. Thediary is half full, the beginning of the year to be exact as that iswhen he’s attending the academy. At the beginning of June hereturns home and goes to work for his grandfather on the docks;possibly for the glass company. He loves the girls too and attendsseveral dances and other social events. At one point he is threatenedwith being arrested by his commanding officer but only getsdemerit-ed.

Thediary has steadyentries fromJanuary 1stto June 5th(other than 16 blank days). Then six more days of entries in June butblank after that. Buteven so his entries are very long and extremely entertaining (andhistorical too). Here are a few example entries…..

1918

“January1st,Went to Bab’s to a dance last night and had an awfully dull time.None of the fellows would dance. Took Martha to the pictures in theafternoon and it was some Vaudeville that they had too. At night Iwent to Delworth’s to supper and then took Martha and Betty to thedance at Dr. Hirse’s. We also had a very dull time here. EdithOwens certainly gave me a lot of compliments.”

“January5th& 6th, Left inMr. Carpenter’s car and caught the 12:20 out of Phila. Caught the7:30 S. A. L. out of Wash. Drove around Wash. and took a fewpictures. There wasn’t any good light. Have met up with a fellowfrom the V.G. Pretty bum too. There is a care in the rear filled withprisoners and guards for each……Nothing but sit around today.There are 2 cars of corpses in the front of the train and 2 prisonersin the cars. Playing cards all day.”

“January31st,Things are going to be pretty good I guess. I am feeling like hellbut I guess those 3cc pills will fix me. We have the room fixed uppretty well. Tonight the boys came down and we had a first. I went toMrs. Phillips and got excused from revel tomorrow. I phoned Marjy totell her to come out tomorrow and she said she would be delightedtoo. Big basket ball game tomorrow.”

“February4th,Stayed at the Terrace all night. (Hismother has come to town and that’s the place she’s staying at).Came out to thisGod forsaken placeafter breakfast. Saw Col. but mother don’t like him very much, hisis so far away, won’t answer any questions directly. Took my girlto the criterion in the afternoon. It was fine. But I am gettingtired of her. She was very affectionate as usual tho and I ought notto complain. Took supper at Louise’s and left my dear mother at8:30. She left for Sav. at 10.”

“March11th,Inspection. Atlanta. Appointed Corporal and assigned to the 1stSquad Co. A. Sure got a lot of B. B.’s and paid for it but willstick to it.”

“March19th,Damn! That Roe isn’t a bit appreciative. Hesat up with that damned Glen tonight and ragged me for about anhour. These hell cats around here don’t show any appreciation atall. Roe also ragged me at Stringfellow’s Sundayabout the fraternity that I wanted to join. I am rooming in anotherroom now with Geothe. He is a hell of a shit. I wish to hell that Iwas home where I could eat.”

“April6th,Another parade. We marched from Alabama and Broad St. to the GeorgianTerrace. There we fell into line back of Tech. and walked down by thecapital again. Went to the Criterion with Slade and his sisterafterwards then we went to Segadeloes to a dance. I went out andbrought Katherine Sanders. She is a dear. Is going to N. Y. tomorrowtoo.”

“April12th,The government inspection arrived unexpectedly this morning. Westarted off with a full dress parade and review. I played in theband. The inspector gave us excellent on that. Then in the afternoonwe had inspection of arms and dress in O. D. I had to explain theposition of a soldier to my squad, for him, and how to execute rightshoulder arms. I did pretty good. Worked like the devil all nightcleaning the room.”

“May2nd,Full dress parade and escort of the colors. Lieut. Clayton is incharge now (shipped from West Point and G. M. A. too). He is getting“hard” is all of the time wanting us to salute him. The paradewas in full dress coats and white duck pants and it was very nicelooking. M. Wilson has an album of snap shots. I think I will startone. Fatty Henderson asked me to Miami this summer. Received a fineletter from Grandfather Cann.”

“May10th,I went to the Park for the mail, without being authorized and tonightCol. informed me that I was under arrest until my orders were readout to reduce me to ranks. However I think that I shall see Col.Woodward and try to make him beat me or give me demerits or anythingbut “bust” me. I would certainly hate to take that news home tomy parents. We had a game with Boy’s High and won 10-0. We hired agoat and painted B. H. S. on it and had a parade at the park.”

“June15th,Owen’s gave me a farewell dance at the club. ROTTEN TIME.”

“June17th,Left forSavannah on B. & O. train. Stayed at Aunt Pol’s for dinner andtook Aunt Jane over to it. Stopped over in Washington to see DonaldStuart and caught 8:00 Seaboard out for Savannah. Nice trip. A galfrom Miami is on and very good looking.”

“June19th,Went out to look over the plant. It is not very large but empty. 1700men and is well equipped. Granddad left for Washington and Ibasked around in thecar. A large street dance at night. I had a nice time. A lot ofFrench soldiers and sailors are here.”

The diary is in faircondition as some of the pages are loose (but accounted for) and thecover is worn and torn especially around the edges. It measures about3 1/4” x 4 3/4”.