Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

124. I do not find it particularly interesting or picturesque. Just a messy ghastly confusion. Streets like the wildest creek beds, porches smashed, windows in stores gapping jaggedly; trees, poles & other debris scattered about – iron bridge swept from their places shattered like straw, railroad twisted like shoe-strings, automobiles half buried in sand-bars – the looks on the faces of the people still one of bewilderment or fright. I was glad to get away, and as I came into the wooded hills near Altoona I was glad to be in the comparative peace of an orderly nature.

14^th Day- Sunday – (22^nd)

     A.M. to R.R. near hump making studies of signals etc for small sketches. A cold clear sunshiny day, very fresh.

P.M. Working up little sketches.

  Evening walkover bridge at Round-house. Night scenes of rail-road activities thrilling-

15^th Day- Monday (23^rd)

     A.M. to R.R. yards to renew impression of signals; then to E&M, shop for more studies of “wheel”. Finish signal paintings. P.M. start color sketch of “wheel”

16^th Day – Tuesday – (24^th)

A.M. Finish “wheel” study – decide suddenly to drive to Pittsburg (sic). After showing it to Brenneman, I mailed it, went to Hotel, packed hurriedly and started out, rather light heartedly.

     It was a quiet dreamy springish afternoon, half sunlight The road was a straight thru route, and in good condition. I sang negro spirituals at times at the top of my voice.

     The romance was gone when I got to Pittsburg (sic) at dusk. On asking how to get to Fort Pitt Hotel, I was informed I probably