Kept A Diary For 50 Years

KEPT A DIARY

FOR 50 YEARS

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Mrs. Maynard's Faithful records 

in a Daily Journal

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WAS TWICE IN COURT

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And the diary Won Two 

Important cases--A Valuable

Family History

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Mrs. Mary J. Maynard, who died Tuesday, was a remarkable woman in the fact that she faithfully kept a diary for over 50 years. Nearly everybody who can write with ease has sometime started to keep a daily journal, but very few have the patience to maintain it for any great length of time.

Mrs. Maynard's diary was started on the plan of recording the weather, what the family did each day, her visits, who visited her and family personal matters. Things of great interest were briefly jotted down. For instance, the assassination of Lincoln was given four lines in her journal, but every local memorial meeting on that great crime is noticed. the diary gives evidence of her beautiful Christian spirit. Every sermon she listened to is mentioned. The large number of volumes are extremely valuable to the Maynards as a family history.

But Mrs. Maynard's diary decided two important cases brought in the Washtenaw courts. 

Once Dr. Wells, who resided nest door to Mrs. Maynard, was sued by a person who alleged that a hole in his plank sidewalk had caused an accident to the plaintiff and he asked for large damages. The case was brought after so long a time that it was impossible to tell from memory just the condition of the walk. However, Mrs. Maynard's diary showed that on the day in question a heavy snow had fallen and that the walks were uncleaned on Division street and that an icy surface had formed. as this condition was due to the elements Dr. Wells could not be held responsible and the diary decided the case in his favor.

On another occasion a man living near Ann arbor had become jealous of his wife without any cause. Everybody knew this but the husband would not believe it. One day the wife was absent and the husband subsequently rushed into the divorce court claiming that his wife on that certain day had gone away from the city with another man.

Almost distracted with the unjust accusation the lady come to Mrs. Maynard and asked her if she could remember the visit she paid her on that important date.

"I don't," said Mrs. Maynard. "That is, I don't remember it was on that certain day, but if you were here my diary will show it."

Then came a hurried turning of the leaves until the date was found.

"Yes," said Mrs. Maynard, "here it reads: 'Mrs. ------- came this morning and remained most of the day. We had a very pleasant visit.' "

Mrs. Maynard was the important witness in the case and her diary proved conclusively that the allegations of the husband were groundless.

The good name of a woman was saved and this alone was worth all the trouble Mrs. Maynard had been put to keeping her faithful records of half century.