 |
Alfred A. Benitz | Page last modified: |
1937 Diary
(Source: S.B. Pryor)
|
Alfred A. Benitz | Page last modified: |
1937 Diary
(Source: S.B. Pryor)
This is Alfred's last diary, in which he recorded his daily activities until the day before he died. The events, except for trips, take place at his main residence, estancia “Las Tres Lagunas” (Las Rosas, SFé), or his summer home “El Rincón” (Cruz Grande, La Cumbre, Cba.). During 1937, Alfred did not visit his northern estancia, “Campo Winter” (Gral. J. de San Martín, Chaco).
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To assist you with Spanglish terms and names local to the different regions, please open and have at hand (in a separate tab / window) the Reference Pages. NOTE: When searching for a name, check both the Las Rosas and La Cumbre lists.
The following list provides access to transcriptions
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Transcription notes: We have transribed Alfred’s diary as written, verbatim, without correcting spelling or grammar. However, his handwriting suffered as he grew older and some words are hard to decipher. We gave him the benefit of the doubt when words are obvious (e.g. ending in a vs. o). For words that are unrecognizable, we have inserted our best guess followed by [?]. Our comments are within [square brackets and italics] or in side-notes. We translated the printed day-of-the-week titles. The quarter & month title bars are ours. (Transcribed by: Michael Mohr-Bell).
Fine day NW 1°+
John & Mary arrived from school bringing Jimmy Roberts who left as Geo Roberts & Marion came & took him to Injerta.
Doing up Agro Pecuario census.–
Jefe Policía, Dr Miro & Dentsona came collecting for 9 de julio, gave 50 & promised an animal.
Doing up yearly accounts.
Fine day 2°+ SW slight
Gerdes family left for Ombu. Also Mrs Talbot for Rosario.
Geo Middleton & Mr & Mrs Elske & mother from Rosario for week end in car.
Doing up accounts and also census.
Quite a fine day 2° N.W.
Had to go to escribania of Marmol to give a poder to Jack Bell to sign purchase of land at Cruz Gde from Justo Zapata.
Visitors went shooting in morning.
Bowls after tea and lots of bridge.
Warmer day N 4° cloudy in afternoon.
Visitors shooting again in afternoon. In morning walking in monte & sidas [?]. They left after tea for La California and Rosario.
Have a running cold.
OB & kids also called on a La California.
Fine day N 5°.
Began recuenta this morning, finishing 3 Lag & Ombu. Moira and Jimmy Watt of La California helped.
Cattle in good condition for time of year.
Was at Las Rosas & signed poder for J Bell.
Phyliss was here in afternoon.
Fine day, a bit overcast E & NE
Finished recuento in forenoon at Las Tijeras, 3240 vacuna without 246 origanes
[? orejanos?} and 685 yeguariza without origanes.
Mostly overcast and looking more like rain. Nothing much going on. Working at books.–
Went to La California with OB after tea. Malcom had just come back from the States with a friend Ward Emerson Ward
Rawish Mostly over cast day. E
Nothing much doing, paying monthly accounts etc. Phyliss & baby were here for tea.
Warmer day. Misty in morning, E mostly over cast.
We all went (OB, John & Mary & I) to El Ingerto to an asado and then went to see polo at San Jorge.
Weather changed to S wind clear cold day
Office work in morning.
John & Mary motored to Rosario in morning for week end.
For tea this afternoon Willie, Malcom & Ward & Jimmy Watt. Also the two Gerdes brothers, Phylis & baby. Bowls & bridge.
Hard frost 4°- cold day, clear
The two Melville boys came in afternoon,
420 – 40 lost = 380 Kil [kilometers] from Elordi, & stopping to see their property in L Rosas.–
Bowls with OB after tea & a walk through the montes with the visitors.
Phyliss & baby also stopping over
Barraco Marmol’s Card
Over cast NM cold 2°-
Went with the two Melvilles to see their 57000 odd metres, & saw Barraca Marmol about it & Checo Ferrero.
Doing up books in afternoon-
John & Mary returned from Rosario bringing Malcolm Middleton and Bell.
Another cold day N slight 1°+ few drops of rain in Fxx morning
The two Melvilles left for home.
Fijared price of maiz with A. Lopez & Cia. today $6.52½ Willie Gifford & Ward for bowls after tea Won $1.
Warmer day 1°+ N slight Barm [barometer] dropping.
Dipping bulls & marked calves. –
Boys riding & shooting
Transplanted big pecan tree.
Colegio Sagrado here for subscriptions. promised $100.
Mostly over cast 5°+ Barm low N
Testing bulls for tuberculosis 3 out of 60 found with it.
Phyliss & Gerdes here for week end.
Kids went to cinema tonight.
Turned into S wind, looks dry.
OB went to Rosario & back by auto to C de G. & back
Nothing much doing.
Had long walk in monte.
Bridge tonight
Boys shooting etc.
Warmer day 2° partly overcast Barm low.
Nothing much going on.
Boys shootin hares.
Bowls & bridge.
Cold day S clear 1°-
For tea this afternoon Gifford, young Traill Emerson Ward, Malcolm, Moira, bowls.
John & Bell took Malcom Middleton to C. de Gomez where he takes train for Rosario & home.
Bridge tonight with Gerdes & Phyliss who are still here.
Cold forenoon 1° S changed to N in afternoon
Nothing much doing.
Sawing wood.
Dipped vaquillonas of no 2
Windy cold day S 2°+
To Rosario with OB by car left here 7.40 & arrived at Palace Hotel before 10
and came back by 4.20 having left there at 2.20 131 K to Palace Hotel.
Went to Vernettis, Artes Graficas, barber, NCBank, B & Leburn, Vizzi for 6 bulbs,
to Club & lunch at Hotel with OB. Also to Waeff & Schorr.
Willie Gifford & Ward here for bowls in evening.
Kids to cinema tonight.
Cold day windy S & SSE 2°+
Nothing much doing in forenoon.
After tea with Fleury to see the 700 calves in No 33 in centeno. decided to send a car load to B Aires.
Willie & Ward here in evening after seeing W camp of Araya along side of Magallanes.
Cold day S 2°-
Getting ready to motor to El Rincon tomorrow.
Carpenter Vargas fixed my desk today.
Began cutting ombus down.
Kilometers & Litres
Cold day ?
OB & I left in Nash car, Martín driving, 7.03am arriving in Cordoba 11.05 at Market, just 4 hours to hotel.
32 minutes from 3 Lagunas to Paved road about 3 K west of Armstrong. 35 K
total to Cordoba 335 K
Jack Bell & Clarita had lunch at Plaza Hotel.
Left again 1.40 & arrived at El Rincon in 2 hours. Walked to
Villa Zulema and Nogales after tea. Snow on mountains.
Cold sharp wind 1°- Snow still visible on mountains.
In morning went with Martin to Club, San Geronimo, Gasparini & Raydon.
After tea walked to Villa Josefina.
Cold day, windy last night 2°+
Jack Bell & Clarita from Cordoba for lunch tea & bridge and left about 6 PM.
Mrs Mills also called in morning.
Jack Bell said he signed per poder for mee for property joinying Barancas from Justo Zapata.
Fine day N.W. 2°+
Went with Martin & Aurora to see land along side of Barancas purchased from Justo Zapata,
told Aurora to get 3 mt road[?] of west[?] boundary made at $30 per contract.
After tea went to El Tala.
Tonight for dinner & bridge Mrs Mills and Norman Kennard.
Warmer day 3°+ strong N wind in morning.
Getting ready to leave tomorrow for Las Rosas.
Mrs Mills called before dinner.
Aurora twice to La Cumbre today.
Left El Rincon 7.05 am, in less than 2 hours 102 K. fixed horn in Cordoba 9.27
arrived at Belville 201 K & to 3 Lag 140 Kil
Strong N wind from Villa Maria.
Altogether travelled 935 & 4.6 Kil to litre.
Very dry every wheres. Saw J Bell in Cordona. Gerdes & Phyliss here.
Another strong N wind very dusty 31° max
OB Mary & John spent the day at Chiru
childrens party bringing back Nora Traill for a day or two.
Doing up books etc.
N.N.W wind looks awfully dry.
Doing up books,
Parted out 30 calves to send to market BA on Sunday
Coldish day S wind. 2°
Marys birthday (15) Willie & family of La California came for dinner & bridge.
Went through Las Tijeras camp with Gerdes in afternoon.
Fine day.
Willie & family Mr & Mrs Gifford here for bowls. Nora Traill left for San Jorge.
Kids to cinema tonight.
Kids shooting etc.
Fine day E 2°
Doing up monthly accounts in morning. After tea with OB in monte.
Tractor began plowing in afternoon in No 25.
Willie & Gifford called before dinner.
Fine day 1°+ SE getting cloudy.
Went with Willie 8 am in his car to see the Araya camp. John & Chas B went along 66 K to
edge of camp WB seemed pleased with 2000 hect at 110. I calculate 10% espartilla etc.
Also went to Magallanes 88 K from here, did altogether 157 K in 3½ hours.
Telg [telegram] from Grimme asking for money as he had rented house at Tanti Viejo. Not much going on.
Fine day SE.
Into town in morning to barber and sent a giro for 1800 pesos to Grimme in Bco Nacion in Cordoba.
Doing up Chaco accounts.
Malcolm B & Chas here in evening to shoot.
After tea went to see motor plowing in 25 and recorrered No 21. Phyliss called.
Motor plow did a vuelta [round] 2000 + 2000 mt in 25 minutes = 8000 mt in 25 minutes or 19200 sq ◊ in hour.
Warmer day 7°+ N wind more cloudy.
John & Mary left for school. OB to Rosario for the night. Went to La California after tea to see
Willie about going Saturday to Concordia for sale of cattle. Wrote to Hamilton there for in case can not go.
Wind again S & SE
OB came back in afternoon by omnibus.
Willie here after tea for bowls.
Nothing much doing. Getting ready to start for Concordia in morning.
Hotel Colon
Villaguay. Left home 7.30am motored to Santa Fe with Willie & Malcolm,
and Martin driving Nash. 10.38 [above in pencil: 169] 174 k by San Fabiano.
Had a puncture & called on Al Norman in their office. Lunched at Ritz Hotel Passed over by the balsa
2 hours and reached Villaguay 6.25 Pm 162 K from Parana. Road quite good.
Heard here that it had rained very hard towards Concordia & roads impasable. Talked by telefon with Hamilton,
Colon Hotel Concordia.
Over cast cool day N
Las 3 Lagunas.
On account of reports of bad road to Concordia we left on our return journey left 8.15 arriving 11 Am Parana,
crossed over 11.20 lunched at Ritz, left at about 2.15 came by paved road to Monges & to Diaz &
San Genero, 96 K Santa Fe to Monje & 83 to 3 Lagunas where we arrived about 5.30 Road bad from Monjes
and it had rained some. Phyliss & baby here.
Made on trip 677 Kil
Not a bad day S. In morning paying accounts. At lunch time went with Willie in his car with Malcolm &
2 others to Rosario Rural Society show. Not bad.
Tried to buy a Perkins bull at 4000, but did not get him. Told Lamas to bid 4000 for no 34 a Hughes bull but he
telephoned here that it was sold for 4200. Got back here at 7.30 pm.
Had tea at Palace Hotel.
E wind, bit over cast Barm high.
Trying to finish balance.
Men cutting road through montes.
Phyliss & baby left
Warmer day E over cast.
Phyliss left.
Campbell Leburn, Nora & baby arrived by car to do up balance of year books. Helped him most of time
Walked through the new roads through monte with OB & Nora L.
1° NE wind all [?] day.
Dipping novillos.
Campbell Leburn doing up books.
Willie & Eileen here for bowls.
Phyliss had tea here.
Warmer day N Barm dropping too fast.
Campbell Leburn finished the books in morning early and with wife and Nora left for Rosario in their car.–
Bowls after tea with OB.
Variable winds Barm low.
Mr & Mrs Gerdes here for week end.
Not much doing.
Dipping cattle. Teleg saying reviser of novillos comes Monday.
Warm day. N wind looks more stormy.
OB & I went to Las Rosas to salute new governer Iriondo, & vice Rafael Araya to inaugurate new school.
After tea Willie Eileen, Malcolm Mr & Mrs Tommy Sympson daughter & Miss Traill. bowls.
Hot day. Strong south wind 37°!
Swifts reviser Malcolm revised the novillos says only car load were fat enough. Says could take
car load of torunos. Separating male from female calves.
Cooler day, over cast & S.E. wind.
Fleury left in car to Casilda and Spangerberg to revise seed maiz taking young Tibau with him.
In morning revised No 10-8-7-1.
The Gerdes family left for Ombu.
Hotel Continental BAires
Another over cast day SE wind slight.
Fleury came back after lunch from Careras [Carreras] where he bought seed maiz from Spamberg.
Left with OB for B Aires in afternoon. Here 10.30 pm
Stood dinner in tren [train] to Mrs Crocker and W Schiele.
Hotel Continental B Aires.
Cold damp over cast day.
In morning went to Rural Show and saw the Percherones judged.
After siesta went to Camona, V Peluffo, Laceys & Usshers. saw the monument Calle Corrientes.
In evening to cinema Broadway & at night with OB to cinema Astorio to see come to Dance!
Jose Ludueños wife (the mucama) to Rosario to lay [? big ink-blot] up for baby.
Hotel Continental BAires
Another over cast cold day.
In morning went to Shepherds about Pecan trees to be imported, Hartenecks, Smarts etc.
In afternoon with OB to see judging of champion bulls. & saw the Polled Durham. Also saw Willie, Eileen, Bernice, Pryor etc
Had tea at Harrods.
Cold day, but sun was out.–
In morning shopping.
Went to inauguration of Cattle Show.
Great crowd & had to take a chair seat.
Had tea at Pavillion.
Saw the Polled Durham No 389 of Martinez de Hoz. Rosillio 5/8/35
Met Sandy here tonight as his wife is to be operated on. Went to cinema tonight with OB &
Sandy. “Capt Courageous”.) Quite good.
Coldish day E over cast.
OB to bring [?] Mary & took her back again about 5 P.M Had lunch with us & John and to
Palermo Show & tea. Jumping competition at Palermo quite good
B,Aires
Cleared up in morning, clear. Barm high
OB & I went to Show and saw the champion sold for 35000 pesos to Boero.
Went again in afternoon and told M. Casares to buy for me the Polled Short Horne of Martinez de Hoz for $5000
if he could. Had tea at the Boston with Sandy & wife. Getting ready to leave.
Las 3 Lagunas. Clear day.
Left B Aires 8 Am and had car to meet us in Las Parejas, & got home about 3.30 PM.
Getting dry here.
North wind & warmer.
Fleury went to show at Palermo in morning & telefoned in evening that Casares bought me the Polled Durham
of Martinez de Hoz No 389 at $3500.
Paid accounts in morning etc. In afternoon through monte.
Malcolm called in afternoon, is leaving tomorrow for BA and U.S.
OB brought Diana here as Phyliss is leaving for BA to get another baby tomorrow.
North wind strong 3°+
Went to La California to say good bye to Malcolm.
Edmundo Bothlingk & mayor-domo came in afternoon & bought a young Percheron stallion grey no 3 at $400.—
[Monday 23 was entered here incorrectly & crossed out. Differencies: grammar, & they had tea with Mr. & Mrs. Macintosh.]
North wind 13° min over cast. Went in morning 14–16–27-25 [field numbers]. Dry.
Telegram saying Polled bull coming tonight. Looks like rain.
Rained last night 16 m⁄m. 1st rain since June 21st. Cool day S.S.O [S.S.W.]
The bull was bro’t in morning from station as was too wet to unload him last night.
“Loval Minstrel 5/8/35 J.H. & Mig Martinez de Hoz.
Nothing much doing.
Gerdes here for week end.
Fine day E slight.
Gifford here for tea & bowls. Also in afternoon young Jim Traill, Mr & Mrs Dennison, & Mr & Mrs & Miss Weigne [?] Bridger. Bowls played.
Fleury returned from B Aires.
N wind. Men had half holiday.
In morning to Las Tijeras where began sowing maiz, & to No 30-24.
Gifford here after tea for bowls.
Cook to funeral of here cousin.
Warm day NE looking stormy 34°+
Wrote to Percheron Society in U.S & sued [?] “El Campo.-
After tea in car to T & S [?] linseed looking well. Gerdes still here at night.
Had 5 m⁄m rain last night & a temporal blowing today.
Doing accounts in morning.
In monte and cabaña in afternoon.
South wind blowing cold until evening, over cast & then E.
Nothing much doing. After tea to Las Tijeras to see sowing of maiz.
Willie & Eileen called in evening.
Raw over cast day E misty in evening
Desgrained a troja of maiz Mas of Pab [?] 5 1000 q. 68 K
Camp getting green but want a good rain fall.
S.W. Rained last night 4½ m⁄m and today was misty
& drizzly in afternoon. Very damp. Will do a world of good.
Nothing much doing.
Gave a cow for carne con cuero for elections Tomorrow.-
Cleared up today S slight but it rained 23½ m⁄m
yesterday & last night nice gently rain which did not run off. Making 50
m⁄m of 28th & to date,
Elections for President today. Willie called in morning. Went thro
monte in car & to 15.S.
Fine clear day E slight.
Put a man to thin cypress trees in Pab C.
After tea to Las Tijeras & to end of road south.
Thinning out Cypress trees
B Aires English club.
Over cast day. SE wind.
Left by car to C de G by car caught the 7.26 train for Rosario, 9 am rapido to BA.
Arriving at 1. Gerdes met me in BAires & went to sales of Bulrich at San Justo of short
horn bulls camp. bought two Drabole bulls: lote no 12 6518 @ $1300. Lionel Butter
Scotch 124 22/3/35 and lote no 39 6709 @ $1400. Primus Amir 16/10/35. Had dinner a
Plaza Hotel with Johnnie & Gerdes & then to cinema Rex.
3 Lagun
Fine day SSE.
Left BA on 8 am rapido, to Rosario, went to B & Leburns & to barber and left in 3.33 train
to C de Gomez where car met me and came back by way of Armstrong 55 minutes.
Campbell Leburn had come this morning to do up monthly private accounts.
Transplanted Ombu plants to No 29.
Fine day E Barm dropping.
Campbell Leburn finished my books and left in afternoon train f Rosario
Most of morning in monte, ants etc.
Willie & Eileen were here in evening for bowls.
Sowed 2 boxes of Telerecornis Eucaliptus
Ants in orchard of Pab largo.
Fine day, wind variable E. NO. N
Camp growing.
In morning revised the rechazo vaquillas in No 7, on thin side.
Sent 25 fat cows to Morandes remate prices good.
Rumours of locusts at Santa Clara.
After tea with OB through montes.
Planting big ombus around carrales.
Cows sold 25 for $3071.42 [In pencil:] 122,79 water
out con & geste about 3%
Wind changed to S.W. Seca!
A bit over cast in afternoon.
In morning went to Las Tijeras & back West side, & no 8.
Young Minatti, Pastore came and picked out 20 refuga vaq 2 at $100 and 2 Percheron stallions @ 400.–
Fine day NE slight. Barm high.
The 2 bulls of Drabble I bought on the 7th arrived today (morning) looking quite well. After tea from
La California, came for bowls: Willie, Eileen, Gifford Willans, Daphne, Jim Traill & young Sympson.–
Enrique Aurora 13th birthday.
Fine day NE slight.
In morning to LRosas to bank (Provincial) and to Casa Fomenta with Gerdes’ man.
After tea to monte & pot 14 – 13.
Camp improving.
Warm day N strong Barm low.
Cleaning up my office & desk.
In afternoon Mr & Mrs Haden arrived from BA to stop a few days. Had long
walk with them & OB through montes.
Hot strong N wind 37° in evening turned south with few drops of rain at 6 pm.?
Mr & Mrs Haden had a ride in forenoon.
Nothing done in afternoon on a/c of heat.
Bartoluzzi [insert above line: coming next Monday] came to see about renovating
old bathroom. Also Bordo came to see about alcanterillo into paraiso monte.
Cleared up in night with strong S wind. had rained 8½
m⁄m rain.
Looks as if seca is not ended up.
In morning went to Las Tijeras 26 – 28.
Vaccinating calves from no 14.
Mr Haden had telefon message from BA so that they left in afternoon train.
Letters from Doherty re Percheron that wont serve. Also from La Emilia
wanting to buy a stallion. Gerdes & Phyliss & new baby (John).
ALFRED DIED
© Peter Benitz (Benitz Family)