Journal: Jeanette Sperry

1897 (Sunday) – We had breakfast at Kay’s. Afterwards Esther (Emily Esther Sperry), Ella Larson and I went down to the Post Office. In the afternoon some of the boys came in I got acquainted with Tommy Serwel. We decided to go fishing. We rode down to the creek in a wagon, below Mona. We sorta paired off; Tommy Serwel, Esther, Will Kay and I went farther down the river, the boys baited our hooks and took off our fish when we caught them. It was the first time I had ever been fishing and I enjoyed it immensely. While we were going, I had felt a little scary because it was Sunday and I thought if anything happened I would think it was because we were out fishing on Sunday, but after we got to catching the fish I forgot all about my conscious. Ed Shepherd came up and stood watching up. I had caught my fifth fish when I saw Ella coming. Oh! Essie, I said here comes Ella I want her to see me catch a fish so I stepped to the edge of the bank and threw my hook out in the creek the bank gave way and down I went to fall backward. Ed Shepherd caught my hand and pulled me out. They hurried me up to the house and Ella loaned me some clothes to come home in. Ed hitched up for us and we came home. They were teasing Ed about his fish and he declared it the biggest fish he ever caught.