Professor Hamilton's Diary: Dec. 19, 1935

College president "fixes" his ticket; mysterious Hollywood star's death mesmerizes country

Professor Hamilton was so disgruntled about his parking ticket that he took it straight to the top — to the Albright College president, John W. Klein “who said he could ‘fix it up.’” He went home and did some typing, but began feeling bad, with chills and fever. The redoubtable Dr. High made a housecall at 10:30 p.m. and advised him to stay in bed for 24 hours.

Did every household in Reading avail itself of doctor house calls the way this one did? I can’t imagine!

The Reading Times today contained several stories about the mysterious death of glamorous comedic actress Thelma Todd, who had been found in her car on Monday, Dec. 16. Paid subscribers can read on about the case.

Professor Hamilton’s diary is again blank on Dec. 27. Don’t you want to know what happened to daughters Gwennie and Mary Elizabeth after they grew up? Alas, only paid subscribers will know. Give yourself an early Christmas gift and sign up today for just $5 a month or $50 a year. That way you will also be ready to enjoy the diaries of Mrs. Ross, a Washington, D.C. matron writing about the early days of World War II; Walter E. Askew, chief of police in Newnan, Ga. in 1930; and Myra Jackson, a young farm wife and mother living in Petrey, Alabama in 1932. For various reasons, these diaries are incomplete, but each provides fascinating insights into America during those turbulent years. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts!

The publicity photo from the 1932 film Speak Easily shows Todd with Buster Keaton, left, and Jimmy Durante. It was accessed via Wikimedia Commons.