VINA ONAN'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK

1881 - 1884

Vina, (Lovina), was born May 6, 1857; the youngest child of Warren and Margaret Onan of Moorhead, MN. She was 24 years old at the time of the 1881-1882 party.

In these personal expressions there is a glimpse of feelings which ranges from sad to the euphoria of the morning-after. It is possible to have as small insight of the times and people by what was said to a young woman by her friends and relatives.

This is the contents of a leather bound book measuring about 4 inches by 7 inches containing about 70 pages. The book was in the hands of Grace (Mrs. Cedric) Onan of Sabin MN, who generously gave it to me.

The book is not page numbered. My system counts the first loose page after the cover as page 1. Page 1 is a right hand page.

Spelling is as inscribed in the book unless within [].

Page 1     Vina Onan Moorhead Minn                                                                      Manufacturer's page

Page 2 blank

Page 3 (printed in color by manufacturer)
Paragon Autograph Album

Page 4 blank

Page 5 Respectfully dedicated to Cousin Vina; Who perchance will be reminded of 'Christmas' 1881 when she reads the autograph of (signed) W T Williams, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Page 6 blank

Page 7 Cousin Vina "Leife ????? be sure, both hart and head, both active, both complete, and both in ??????. Men and women make the world, as head hart make human life." Marietta Williams
Cedar Falls, Iowa Jan 29, 1882

Page 8 blank

Page 9 Long years may roll about our path
The waves of grief or blis
But never in the march of time
Forget who wrote you this.

In comming days look back and think
Through all life's changing sea
Through darkning clouds and sunshine bright
That I'll often think of thee.

Then kindly think and often too
Of one who is true in heart
And thoughts of you shall often prove
That thou art not forgot

(signed) Cousin Ida Onan

Page 10 blank

Page 11 Don't forget the party !
Miss Onan
Mays't thou float calmly oe'r lifes changeful sea. And the same hopes that lights thy heart
and brow. Glean there as bright in after years as now.
(signed) Herbert Godfrey
Cedar Falls Iowa January 24th 1882

Page 12 "Then gently scan your brother man
Still gentler sister woman;
Though they may go a ????? wrong
To step aside is human.
One point will still be greatly dark
The moving why they do it,
Is just as lamely as ye mark
How far perhaps they rule it.
Who made the heart - t'is he alone
Decidedly can try us,
He knows each cord - its various tone
Each spring - its various bias.
Then at the balance lets be mute
We never can adjust it.
Whats done we partly can compute
But know not whats resisted." Burns

(signed) Fannie E. Potter

Providence R.I.

Moorhead, Minn.

Page 13 Very Sincerely William Frye

Page 14 blank

Page 15 Moorhead Aug 22 - 82

"Alas it is delusion all
The future cheat us from afar.
Nor can we be what we recall
Nor dare we think on what we are."
Yours Very Truly
(signed) G B Runnet(r)

Page 16 blank

Page 17 He either dreads his fate too much
Or his deserts are small.
Who fears to put them to the test
To win or lose it all. (signed) C W McKay
Moorhead Oct 15th 1882 (see note)

Page 18 blank

Page 19 Yours quite brotherly
(signed) Edw'd M. Onan
Moorhead Minn Feby 3 1883 (see note)

Page 20 blank

Page 21
Ever your friend
(signed) Carrie S. Ely Franklinville, New York
June 28 / 82

Page 22 blank

Page 23
Remember me as a friend
(signed) Annie Lloyd
April 1 / 83 Moorhead Minn

Page 24 Yours very respectfully
(signed) P. F. Neilan
Moorhead Minnesota Feby 12 / 1885

Page 25 (stamped) Miss Flora Burgess
Thou art beyond all. woman womanly
He dreads to think how he should fare
Who comes er near as to dispair.
Moorhead Minn. Your Friend,
Oct. 2 / 82 Flora A. Burgess

Page 26 blank

Page 27 I went to Shell Rock to meet (blank)
It was raining too.
What is this I see before me? Is it the ghosts of Kit and Vena, or am I dreaming? - Waterloo. Dance at the I.C.R.R. depot. Surprise party for J (blank) . But she did not surprise worth a cent. Irish Trotters see tin-types. How do you like Emma Abbott? Hope you have had a pleasant visit as Cedarville - come again.
Very Truly your cousin
Jessie E. Williams Cedar Falls, Iowa Jan. 25 1881

Page 28 blank

Page 29 Do not remember my many wayward tricks but think of me as the one who was ??? to buy that chew of And considering our long acquaintance I hope you won't be angry when I refer to that wood pile episode. But how did run verily I believe I would have no such a bean.
Very Sincerely, Your troublesome friend
(signed) Chas. A Bisby(?)

Page 30 blank

Page 31 Are you going my way this evening? I never flirt. Hats
off. Don't smile. Hang on.
You ask of me two pages to fill,
I thank you for this
I am "too silent" sit here still
Pleasure of being the first
Do you believe it? or do you doubt?
of your Moorhead friends
What method would you use pray to find out?
to autographicly put their '???'
Of calm demeanor now yet always
in ??? in this gallery of art
Ready for a frolic
I am very sincerely
Your friend A. Blaikie
4/7/82 Moorhead Minn and Fargo DT

Page 32 (signature) R. S. McDonald
Moorhead Feby 12th 1885

Page 33 Compliments of your Cousin,
(signed) Willie Williams
Cedar Falls Iowa Jan. 24, 1882

Page 34 blank

Page 35 Professionally Yours
(signed) James M Lo??y
Cedar Falls Jan 25th 1882

Page 36 To Vina
May you be happy.
May you be blest.
In a dear little home.
With the one you love best.
Your Friend Hattie Lloyd
April 7 / 83 Moorhead

Page 37 blank

Page 38 blank

Page 39 Our acquaintence , though short will be pleasantly remembered by; Your true friend
(signed) Laura Chase Jan 26 Cedar Falls

Page 40 Remember your friend
(signed) Kit Sheridan Jan 21" 82 (see note)

Page 41 My Coz's Concert. One of the Boys. My dancing lesson. "Midnight Parade" Irish Trotter. Tin types.
Sublimely Yours
(signed) Will C. Abbott January 22 th

Page 42 Remember our surprise. The Emma Abbott concert. Never forget the surprise party and button hole boquetes. The famous Xmas tree. Midnight Parade. "Everlasting never ending" the reply - Ha! Ha! Normal visit. 'Will' you permit me? "Oh let me run to the fire." Ahem. Our dancing lessions. Oranges on Sunday. "Raisins". Goodnight 11:30 P.M. The Irish Trotters of '82. Racquet Newport & c. Never forget the group of six and that funny man. That tea party - sweet pickles. That carriage on the bridge.
Complements of Your Coz
(signed) Kert B. Williams
Cedar Falls Iowa Jan. 21, 1882

Page 43 Remember the surprise party
Complements of
(signed) Hagae B. Huff
Waterloo Iowa Jan 21" 1882

Page 44 blank

Page 45 "Dance at I.C.R.R depot"
Yours Very Truly
(signed) Chas. S. Pierce
Waterloo, Iowa Jan 23/82

Page 46 blank

Page 47 Miss Onan
Not one of all the joyous host
that took the flag to-day,
Can tell the definition
so well, of victory
As he, defeated, dying,
on whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
swell agonizing clear.
Yours truly
(signed) G N Jones
Moorhead Minnesota Sept 13, 82

Page 48 blank

Page 49 (hand printed) Harry O. Williams
Cedar Falls Iowa Jan 26 1882

Page 50 Respectfully Yours
(signed) Charles J. Shaw
Sept 2nd 1883 Moorhead Minn

Page 51 Thy album is a garden plot
Where all thy friends may sow.
Where thorn and thistle flourish not
Where naught but flowers can grow.
Your friend Mrs D. Davenport
Moorhead Minn. Oct. 7th / 83

Page 52 blank

Page 53 Miss Onan
A happy future life is a wish of your friend
(signed) Chas. C. Huff Waterloo Jan 22" 1882

Page 54 (signed) Viola Gahring Moorhead Minn Sept 17, 1883

Page 55 blank

Page 56 blank

Page 57 "Give us less Racket"
(signed) Will M Chase
Cedar Falls Iowa Jan 22nd 12-30 A.M.

Page 58 (signed) Herbert Godfrey
Cedar Falls Iowa Jany 22nd 1882

Page 59 Dear Vina:
If you would be wise treat the world as the moon treats it - show it only one side of yourself at a time, and let what you do show be calm cool and polished.
But be sure to look at all sides of the world; else you will know no more of the world than it knows of you.

"Never rail at the world.
It is just as we make it.
We see not the flower
If we sow not the seed.
And as for ill luck.
Why it's just as we take it.
The heart thats in earnest;
No fears can infect.
You question the justice
That governs mans breast,
And say that the search
For some friendship is vain
But remember this world
Though it not be the best
Is next to the best
We shall ever attain."

Very sincerely yours
(signed) A. A. Sabin Moorhead July 26th / 84

Page 60 July 31, 1883 Moorhead Minn
Miss Vina
I wish you happiness through life,
although you may be some man's wife.
But I shall then wish you the same
With health wealth and fame.
(signed) G. W. M or Wadanley

                                         

Page 61 (signed) D. R. Onan
Cedar Falls Iowa 1/26/82

Page 62 Twilight and evening star:

And after that the dark
I hope to meet my pilot
face to face
When I have crossed the Bar.
(signed) T. W. Griffiths ?? Wales England April 1909

Page 63 blank

Page 64 Friend Vina
Remember your friends forgetting only their faults.
"Ever your friend"
(signed) C. B. Davenport Moorhead 4-15-83

Page 65 Very truly yours
(signed) James H Bell
Waterloo Iowa Jan 23, 82

Page 67 "Yours without a struggle"
(stamped) Geo. B. Rowell
Waterloo Ia Jany 22nd '82

NOTE:
P. 62 dated 1909 is somewhat of a mystery. It seems that the author picked up the book well after Vina's death and wrote a sentiment about the death.

[vinabook]
David W. Onan II
17 January, 2000