10 March 2010
THE COMPANION GUIDE TO APPOINTMENT IN SAMARRA
By Robert G. Saliba
INTRODUCTION
John O’Hara tried to tell the truth about his times as honestly as he could. I’ve tried to show how well he did tell this truth by describing in alphabetical order the novel’s people, places and things.
My acknowledgements to Wikipedia and several print and online dictionaries.
I dedicate this Companion Guide to present and future generations. May they have a greater enjoyment and appreciation of this literary masterpiece because of a greater knowledge of 1930 America.
THE STORY
On one early Christmas morning in 1930, a little after three o’clock, on one of the coldest, darkest, shortest days of the year, Julian English, while attending a spirited dinner dance at the Lantenengo Country Club in Gibbsville, Pennsylvania, threw a drink in Harry Reilly’s face.
He did this for several reasons. He was drunk. He hated Harry Reilly because he considered Harry Reilly to be a fat, ugly, boorish social climber, a religious (Catholic) and racial (Irish) inferior. He was jealous of Harry Reilly, because he liked Julian’s wife, Caroline – took her out when she was single, probably even had a crush on her. Moreover, Julian, a member of Gibbsville’s so-called aristocracy, had convinced himself that he answered to no one, that he could do whatever he wanted. And there was the money angle: In the summer of 1930, during the first year of the Great Depression, Julian had asked Harry to loan $20,000 to his business, the Gibbsville-Cadillac Motor Car Company. Harry made this loan, and Julian resented Harry because he (Julian) felt beholden to him.
After this incident, it was all down hill for Julian. He angered his wife, Caroline. He went to Harry Reilly and tried to apologize, but Harry wouldn’t see him. On December 25th, Christmas Day Night, he and Caroline attended another dinner dance at the Lantenengo Country Club, where Julian was ridiculed by his friends, mostly Bobbie Hermann, for his behavior the night before. Julian and Caroline and three friends left the dance and drove to the Stage Coach, a roadhouse outside Taqua. Julian, intoxicated, met Helene Holman, the girl friend of Gibbsville’s dominant mobster, Ed Charney. They danced, then ran outside and spent some time in someone’s vacant car. When Helene returned to the roadhouse, people thought the two of them had had a fling, but instead Julian had passed out.
The next morning, Julian had a scrap with the family cook, Mrs. Grady. Then he drove into town to see Harry Reilly so he could try once again apologize to him, but Harry couldn’t or wouldn’t speak to him.
Julian went to his motor car company. There, his top salesman, Lute Fliegler, who had also been at the Stage Coach the night before, told him that Helene Holman was Ed Charney’s girl friend and that Charney was pretty sore because Julian and Helene had had sex (which they had not).
Julian then inspected the company books, which revealed imminent bankruptcy. He grew despondent.
He went to the Gibbsville Club, where he saw Froggy Ogden, whom he always considered to be one of his best friends. They argued, then got in a fist fight. Froggy told Julian he (Froggy) had always hated him, ever since they were children.
Caroline was also angry at Julian for the Helene Holman incident. Julian and Caroline fought (verbally). Caroline left Julian to stay with her mother. They also canceled a party they had planned to have at their house that evening.
Julian returned home and got himself very drunk. A little before eleven o’clock in the evening, he went to his garage, closed the door, sat in the front seat of his Cadillac, turned the engine on, and moments later he was dead.
THE COMPANION GUIDE
(1994 Modern Library Edition)
Ammermann Dinner Party. The year’s (1930) big dinner dance at the Lantenengo Country Club, given on December 25th, Christmas Day Night. A different family gives one every year. All Country Club members are invited. It’s known as a two-fifty dinner (filet mignon). If a man accepts, he’s paired off with a girl. Handsome men are paired off with attractive girls. There are certain “sad birds” among the girls. A man is seated between a sad bird (as a duty) and an attractive bird (as a reward). Pages 89-91.
Ammermann, Mildred (“Mill”). The young woman in whose honor the dinner dance is given. “…a tall, toothy, girl, captain of the women’s golf team.” Page 85. In New York City they’d peg her as a Lesbian. Page 86.
Ammermann, Mr. Mill Ammermann’s father. “…a drunken roué, quite rich in real estate, and nominally a cigar manufacturer.” Page 85. “The Ammermanns had just that much money, and their position in Gibbsville was just that certain and insecure, that they had to give the best of everything.” Page 89.
Angelo. One of Al Grecco’s brothers. Page 52.
Anthracite. One of two types of coal, bituminous being the other. Clean and hard-burning. Discovered in the early eighteen hundreds. The source of Gibbsville’s wealth. Page 56.
Appointment in Samarra. Dr. Matthew J. Bruccoli, in his authoritative biography, The O’Hara Concern (Randon House 1975), tells us the original working title for the novel was “The Infernal Grove,” until one day John O’Hara had tea with Dorothy Parker in her apartment. She showed him a copy of a Somerset Maugham play, which contained the passage that ultimately became the epigraph for Appointment. The author insisted on the new title, because the passage suggested the inevitability of Julian English’s death. He prevailed over the objections of Miss Parker and the publisher, and that’s how the novel got its name. It was published in 1934.
Appollo Restaurant. A restaurant and hotel owned by George Poppas, a Greek, who, when he first comes to Gibbsville, is still wearing his native white kilts. The mobster Ed Charney uses the Appollo as his base of operations to meet and conduct business with his friends and rivals. When he’s not there, his lackey Al Grecco is there to receive messages and run errands. Page 38.
Arctics. A waterproof overshoe that protects shoes from water or snow. The term used today is galoshes or rubbers. “She (Caroline) sat down and began to unbuckle her arctics.” Page 28.
Aristocracy, Gibbsville. “The Whit Hofmans, the Julian Englishes, the Froggy Ogdens and so on. They were the spenders and drinkers and socially secure, who could thumb their noses and not have to answer to anyone except their own families.” Page 9.
Assembly. A large society gathering held twice a year in Gibbsville on New Year’s Eve and July 3rd. Probably patterned after the Philadelphia Assembly. A formal dinner dance. “You asked a girl at least a month in advance for the Assemblies…The Assembly was not just another dance.” In June of 1926 Julian asks Caroline to go with him to the July 3rd Assembly; and thus begins their romance, which culminates in their marriage later that year. Page 138.
Astaire, Adele. 1896-1981. American dancer and entertainer. Older sister of Fred Astaire. The Astaires star in Lady Be Good, one of the Broadway shows to which Joe Montgomery takes Caroline in June of 1925. Page 121.
Astaire, Fred. 1899-1987. Stage dancer, choreographer, singer actor. Teams with his sister Adele to star in Lady Be Good, one of the Broadway shows to which Joe Montgomery takes Caroline in June of 1925. Page 121.
Automobiles. Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Hudson, Nash, Rolls Royce, LaSalle, Studebaker, Jordan, Reo Speedwalker, Rolls Royce, Scripps-Booth, Stutz Bearcat.
Bachelors. The names of people who apparently are throwing a party during the Christmas season. On his way out from the Lantenengo Country Club on Chistmas Eve (or, more accurately early Christmas morning), Ted Newton, in saying good-bye to Julian, wishes him a Merry Christmas and says, “See you at the Bachelors’?” Page 14.
Baked Alaska. A dessert made of ice cream with slices of sponge cake or Christmas pudding and topped with meringue. At the Ammermann dinner party on Christmas Day night at the Lantenengo Country Club: “The festive board now groaned under the Baked Alaska.” Page 89.
Baldwin, Dr. A Gibbsville dentist preferred by Mrs. Walker, Caroline’s mother. Caroline tells her mother, “I’m going to have a wisdom tooth out, Dr. Paterson says,” and Caroline’s mother responds, “Well, he probably knows his business. I still like Dr. Baldwin.” Page 226.
Barclay Street. Saint Peter’s Catholic Church, New York City’s oldest Catholic Church, is located at 22 Barclay Street. Ms. Gorman says to her brother Harry Reilly: “I don’t want anything, unless you want to go down to Barclay Street. I notice this morning Monsignor needs a new biretta…” Page 266.
Barton, Ralph. 1891-1931. American artist best known for his cartoons and caricatures of actors and other celebrities. On Christmas Day, Julian returns from Mrs. Gorman’s house, disappointed because her brother Harry Reilly has refused to see him. He finds Caroline in bed, reading the New Yorker, which has a Ralph Barton drawing on the cover. They then have terrific sex. Pages 71-72.
Bellevue-Stratford. One of Philadelphia’s oldest and prestigious hotels. Built by George C. Boldt in 1904 in the French Renaissance style. Nicknamed the “Grande Dame of Broad Street.” Mentioned by the young Julian and his childhood friend Butch Doerflinger, when they discuss running away to Philadelphia and supporting themselves by selling newspapers. Page 175.
Benda Mask. Named after Wladyslaw Benda. 1873-1948. Polish-American painter, illustrator and designer. An accomplished mask maker. This is how Mary Manners is described as she stands waiting in a bar in New York while Ross Campbell checks his hat and coat. “She was tall and fair and had been told so many times she looked like a Benda mask that she finally found out what it was.” Page 266.
Biretta. a square cap with three or four ridges or peaks. Traditionally worn by Roman Catholic clergy. When Harry Reilly is in New York, his sister, Mrs. Gorman, asks him to buy Monsigner Creedon a biretta. Page 266.
Birth of a Nation. A silent film, one of the first blockbusters, released in 1915. Sympathetic to the post Civil War South and the Ku Klux Klan. After seeing this movie, the young Julian and his friends play “Ku Klux Klan.” Page 168.
Black Damp. A noxious gas in a coal mine. Irma Fliegler’s thoughts about the anthracite mines as she lies in bed early Christmas morning: “Lute was right; he figured if you sold two Cadillacs a month, you make expenses, and anything over that is so much gravy, and meanwhile you look like a decent human being and you’re not taking chances of being crushed to death under a fall of top rock, or blown to hell in an explosion of black damp.” Pages 6-7.
Body and Soul. A popular song written in 1930 by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, Frank Eyton and Johnny Green. Introduced by Libby Holman in the revue Three’s a Crowd. This song is one of many played at the Lantenengo Country Club on Christmas Eve. “My heart is sad and lonely/For you I sigh for you dear only/Why haven’t you seen it/I’m all for you, body and soul.” Page 15.
Boilo. A traditional Yuletide drink of the anthacite coal region in Northeast and East Central Pennsylvania. While driving from Gibbsville to Taqua, Al Grecco all the people whose houses he passes “inside getting drunk on boilo. Boilo is hot moonshine…” Page 72. This statement is probably accurate, because it is still Prohibition.
Broadway Shows. In June 1925 Joe Montgomery, one of Caroline’s suitors, takes her to see several Broadway shows: “Lady be Good,” “What Price Glory,” “Rose Marie,” “They Knew What They Wanted,” the “Garrick Gaieties”. Page 121.
Broley. Regional name for a non-Latin foreigner. Reference is unknown. Perhaps derogatory. Page 72.
Bromberg, Sylvia. Lives with her family on Lantenengo Street, is resented by Irma Fliegler, because she is Jewish and Jews drive down property values and “…do not observe Christmas, except to make more money out of Christians.” Page 4. Also resented by Alice Cartwright, society reporter for the Gibbsville Standard, because Sylvia and her husband pull an ad when Alice doesn’t report on a story about the Brombergs buying an English perambulator for their baby. Page 241.
Brooksy Clothes. Brooks Brothers, founded in 1818, is the oldest surviving clothier in the United States. “Things in (Joe Montgomery’s) background included vague recollections in Caroline’s mind of a Stutz Bearcat, a raccoon coat, Brooksy clothes, and some local reputation as a golfer.” Page 121.
Broun, Heywood. 1888-1939. American Journalist. Sportswriter, newspaper columnist and editor in New York City. Founded the American Newspaper Guild. He’s discussed by Julian and Monsignor Creedon on the Country Club’s verandah on Christmas Day Night. The pastor tells Julian he misses reading Broun. Page 104.
Brown. Brown University. Providence, Rhode Island. Founded 1764. One of the Ivy League. Alice Cartwright’s brother goes to Brown. Page 240.
Browne, Lydia Faunce. Feature editor for the Gibbsville Standard. Favorite adjective is “keen.” Chain cigarette smoker. Interviews workers at the bottom of mines, as well as visiting celebrities. One night she’s assigned to cover Al Grecco in a prizefight. She thinks the sight of his boxing is beautiful, compares it to the sixteenth century Spanish painter El Grecco. As a result of her write-up, Al Grecco gets the nickname Al Grecco and is no longer known by his birth name, Tony Murascho. Pages 45-47.
Brunswick Label. The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, founded in 1916, produced and sold records. In the twenties Brunswick grew to become one of the three biggest record producers. It eventually merged with CBS. On the night he kills himself, Julian plays three Brunswick recordings. Page 249
Bryn Mawr. Caroline graduates around 1922 from this women’s college in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Page 130.
Burke, Father. Harry Reilly: “Old Father Burke, used to be pastor out at St. Mary’s by the Sea, out in Collieryville…He was a good-natured old codger…” Page 13.
Burns, Father. Curate who catches Al Grecco burglaring the poor box. Al is sent to prison for a year. Page 48.
Butler, Nicholas Murray. 1862-1947. American philosopher, diplomat, educator. President of Columbia University and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Nobel Peace Prize recipient. One of the personages on the Paris ocean liner Caroline takes when she sails to France in the summer of 1925. Page 130.
Caldwell’s. An exclusive Philadelphia jewelry store. On Christmas morning Caroline tells Julian that he should take the bracelet he gives her back to Caldwell’s because they can’t afford it or won’t be able to afford it because of what Julian did to Harry Reilly the night before. Now defunct. Page 29.
Campbell, Doug. Sports editor on the Gibbsville Standard. Lydia Faunce Brown accompanies him to the prizefights. Page 46.
Campbell, Ross. One of Caroline’s suitors. “…one of those Harvard men, tall and slim and swell, who seem to have put on a clean shirt just a minute ago – soft white shirt with button-down collar – and not to have a new suit in two years.” St. Paul’s graduate. Non-resident member of the Country Club. Caroline eventually loses interest in him. At the end of Appointment, apparently long after Julian has died, Ross Campbell is in a bar in New York, trying to arrange a weekend getaway with a Miss Mary Manners. They both mention visiting Gibbsville, Ross knowing Caroline and Mary meeting Julian. Pages 266-268.
Cantor, Eddie. 1892-1964. American comedian, singer, actor, songwrier. Broadway, radio, early television. One of the personages aboard the Paris in June 1925 when Caroline sails to France. Page 130.
Carboy of Alcohol. A large cylindrical container for liquids made of metal and cushioned in a special container. Julian recalls that someone at the Lantenengo Country Club wanted to see if a carboy of alcohol was genuine, so he touched a match to it and it caused a fire. Page 97.
Cartwright, Alice. Social columnist for the Gibbsville Standard. Graduate of University of Missouri journalism school. Daughter of the Baptist minister. Reedy, wears glasses. Twenty three years old. Last person to see Julian alive. Goes to his house expecting to cover the party Caroline and Julian have planned but learns it’s been canceled. Finds Julian all alone. They have a few drinks and fool around a bit. Then Alice gets cold feet, abruptly stops things, and leaves. Pages 239-247.
Cash’s Woven Labels. Cash’s originated in England in the eighteen forties. It is a world leading manufacturer of labels and tags. Joe Montgomery kids Caroline about her preparations for her trip to Paris in June 1925: Packing towels, underwear, handkerchiefs – “All marked with indelible ink or Cash’s woven labels.” Page 125.
Catlett, Walter. 1889-1960. American actor. Stars in Lady Be Good, one of the Broadway shows to which Joe Montgomery takes Caroline in June of 1925. Page 121.
Chadwick, Mr. Manages the money of Ella Walker, Caroline’s mother. Page 222.
Charney, Annie. Ed Charney’s wife. “She was fat and healthy-looking and blonde, like most Polacks.” Page 42.
Charney, Ed. Gibbsville’s prominent mobster. Runs the gambling, prostitution and bootlegging rackets. Hires Al Grecco to work for him. Supplies liquor to Julian, whom he likes (“For my money I will take that English. He’s a right guy.” Page 19.) Married to Annie Charney, but has a girl friend, Helene Holman, a torch singer at the Stage Coach roadhouse, which he owns. Page 42.
Christiana Street. When a young boy, “Julian would go down the hill to Christiana Street, the next street, and join the gang.” Page 165. In Pottsville, Lantenengo Street, where Julian lived, is Mahantongo Street, and Christiana Street is Norwegian Street, and to get to Norgwegian Street you really go down a hill. “…only a block from Lantenengo Street, (Christiana Street) was inhabited by weekday middle class people, far removed from wealth.” From the Pottsville brochure “John O’Hara Walking Tour of Pottsville.”
Christmas Eve, 1930. Really means Christmas Day, since the drink-throwing incident in the smoking room occurs a little after three o’clock in the morning.
Cigarettes. Lucky Strikes, Camels, Condaxes, Hassans, Piedmonts, Sweet Caps and Ziras.
Circus. A live sex act performed for a paying customer. Harvey takes Caroline to a “circus” when she is staying in Paris in June 1925. Page 132.
Cocktail. An iced drink of distilled liquor mixed with flavoring ingredients. A cocktail is not a highball. Examples: A whiskey sour, a martini. Bobby Hermann to Julian: “There aren’t any lumps of ice in a cocktail to give you a black – (eye)”. Page 85. (A cocktail is not a highball).
Coal & Iron Company. The big anthracite mining company in Gibbsville. Page 6.
Collieryville. The fictional name for Minersville, which lies to the west of Gibbsville (Pottsville). Harry Reilly mentions that old Father Burke used to be pastor out at Saint Mary Star of the Sea in Collieryville. Page 13.
Commodore. A New York City Hotel at Lexington and 42nd Street, named for “Commodore” Cornelius Vanderbuilt. Now known as the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Caroline and her two Bryn Mawr classmates, Is Stannard and Lib McCreery, stay at the Commodore in June of 1925 before they sail for France. Page 130.
Coolidge, Calvin. 30th president of the United States, 1923-1929. Presides over the country’s prosperity. Gets out at the top in March of 1929. Economic roof falls in on his successor, Herbert Hoover, when the stock market crashes in October of 1929.
Corbett, Jim Gentlemen. 1866-1933. American prizefighter. Heavyweight champion in the eighteen nineties. His name comes up at the Stage Coach roadhouse in a conversation between Lute Fliegler and Frannie Snyder. Corbett apparently says you can afford to be polite when you’re the heavyweight champion of the world. Pages 153-154.
Coughlin, Father. 1890-1967. Canadian born Roman Catholic priest. Known as the father of hate radio. Fascist sympathizer. Anti-Semite. Lute Fliegler mentions father Coughlin when talking to Julian at the motor car company. Julian denies he had sex with Helene Holman when he was outside with her in a vacant car at the Stage Coach. Says Lute: “…when she came back she didn’t look as if you’d been siting there listening to Father Coughlin on the radio.” Pages 189-191.
Creedon, Monsignor. Roman Catholic Pastor of the Church of SS. Peter and Paul on Lantenengo Street. Influential in the community. Respected by Catholics and Protestants. Belongs to the Country Club for the golf. Page 93. Tells Julian he thinks Harry Reilly is a horse’s ass. Page 103.
Cross Chain. Also known as a cross-link. Before snow tires, chains on automobiles are used for traction. The cross chain is that part which is tied across the tire tread to give traction in the snow. When it breaks, it bangs against the fender and gives a cack-thock sound, which is what Irma Fliegler hears while lying in bed early Christmas morning. Page 6. When Julian and Caroline are driving to the Country Club on Christmas Day Night to attend the dance, the cross chain breaks. Julian gets out to fix it and quips to Caroline that he wants to fix it while he’s still sober. Page 79.
Currier & Ives. American Printmaking firm. Owned by Nathaniel Currier (1813-1888) and James Merritt Ives (1824-1895). Located in New York City. Caroline’s mother, Ella Walker, is sitting in her South Main Street Mansion reading a Currier & Ives Christmas book, when her daughter Caroline arrives to tell her that she has left Julian. Page 220.
Curry, Ed. Father of Frannie Snyder, who on Christmas Day Night is at the Stage Coach with her husband Dutch. Ed Curry catches Frannie and Dutch in a compromising position and gives Dutch the choice between marriage or death. Dutch chooses marriage. Page 142.
Cut In. At a social dance, the custom of a man who is not dancing to tap the shoulder of a man who is dancing, and the man who is tapped surrenders his partner to man who has cut in. “He spotted Caroline dancing with – it would be – Frank Gorman. Julian cut in, being no more polite about it than he had to.” Page 105.
Dalhousie. Seaport town in New Brunswick, Canada. “Constance knew everything, but Caroline was still finding things out - … the location of Dalhousie…” Page 92.
Daugherty, Sam. City Editor of the Gibbsville Standard. Asks Alice Cartwright whether or any of her friends know anything about Julian English’s suicide. Alice lies and says no. Page 263.
Davinis, Paul. Lute Flieger speaking to his wife Irma on Christmas Day: “A LaSalle it was, not a Caddy. That Polish undertaker up the mountain, Paul Davinis. He wanted it delivered Christmas and he didn’t want his kid to see it so we asked to keep it in Reading.” Page 35.
Davis, Carter. Childhood friend of Julian. One of the young suitors for the single Caroline. Page 134. Is present on that infamous Christmas Day Night at the Stage Coach. Page 152. Helps manage Ella Walker’s money. Page 222. One night he and Whit Hofman get so sore at a New York orchestra that they break their instruments. Page 98. Another time he gives Whit Hofman’s wife Kitty a black eye “…when she kicked him in the groin for dunking her head in a punch bowl for calling him a son of a bitch for telling her she looked like something the cat dragged in.” Page 98. On Sundays after church Carter tries to pick up Irish girls. Page 134.
Davis, Walt. Cross-eyed childhood friend of Julian. His father is a cigarette thief. No relation to Carter Davis. Page 166.
Delta Kappa Epsilon. Well-known national college fraternity. This is Julian’s fraternity at Lafayette College. Page 61. In the twenties, and for several decades thereafter, Delta Kappa Epsilon (“Deke”) had a reputation for being a heavy drinking fraternity.
Demi-Vierge Affair. A virginal no sex love affair. When Julian and Jean Ogden are young, they have a demi-vierge affair. When it ends, and Jean later meets Froggy Ogden, she goes the limit with him on the first date. Page 88.
Dew Drop Inn. One of Gibbsville’s many whorehouses. Page 39.
Dibble, Johnny. One of the younger members of the social set. At the dance on Christmas Eve. Caught stealing liquor from someone’s locker. Page 9. It is Johnny Dibble who announces: “Julian English. He just threw a highball in Harry Reilly’s face. Jeest!” Page 16.
Dieffenderfer, Mary Lou. Gets into a hair-pulling, face-scratching episode with Kitty Hofman after saying that Kitty ought to be suppressed by the vice squad. Page 98.
Doane, Bertha. Wife of Willard Doane, Irma Doane Fliegler’s brother. Page 6. Attends the Stage Coach with her husband and five other couples on Christmas Day Night. Page 141.
Doane, Grandfather. Irma Doane Fliegler’s grandfather. Was a drummer boy in the Mexican War (1846) and received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service in the Civil War (1861-1865). Page 5.
Doane, Willard. Irma Doane Fliegler’s brother. He and his wife go with the Flieglers and five other couples to the Stage Coach on Christmas Day Night. Page 141.
Dobbers. A games of marbles played by the young Julian and his friends. Page 168.
Doerflinger, Butch: Leader of Julian’s childhood gang. “…fat and strong and brave.” Page 167. After Julian is caught stealing at Kresge’s department store, Butch and Julian run away and hitch a train leaving Gibbsville. They are finally arrested and brought home to face their parents. Pages 173-175.
Doerflinger. The elder Doerflinger is Butch’s father. When the young Julian and his companion are caught stealing from Kresge’s department store, Butch’s father remarks to Julian’s father, Dr. William English, that Butch is “a chip off the old block.” This is a painful remainder to Dr. English of when his own father, George English, embezzled from the bank. At that point Dr. English becomes convinced that Julian has a permanent character defect. Pages 175-176.
Donovan. Foxie Lebrix, who runs the Stage Coach, remarks to Al Grecco on Christmas Day Night: “And that politician, Donovan, he has the nerve to reserve a table for ten tonight. Cheap bastard son of a bitch.” Page 75.
Dunhill Lighter. A luxury item manufactured and sold by the Alfred Dunhill Company of London. Joe Montgomery tells Caroline he’ll write her every day when she’s in France. “And what will I get for it? A postcard that I’d be ashamed to show to my own mother and a scarf from Liberty’s and maybe a Dunhill lighter.” Page 130.
Ellis, Havelock. 1859-1939. British sexologist, physician and sociologist. Caroline reads his case histories in order to learn about sex (or to learn more about sex). Page 116.
English, Adam. Ancestor to William and Julian English. The original Gibbsville family member. Comes to Gibbsville from Philadelphia in 1804. Adam’s father is a veteran of the Revolution. Page 59.
English, Caroline. Caroline Walker English. Julian’s wife. Has reddish-brown hair, which she bobs. Beautiful legs. Page 28. Born in 1899. Grows up in a mansion on South Main Street. Graduates from Bryn Mawr College in 1922. Has several suitors but nothing works out. Knows Julian all her life. Then in the summer of 1926 the two of them actually do fall in love and marry. They have a good thing physically. They hold off having children. After Julian throws the drink at Harry Reilly, he sets in motion a chain of events which leads to Caroline finally leaving him. She never gets over his suicide. Carries sadness and guilt about it for the rest of her life. Never remarries. Froggy Ogden: “She’s one of the finest girls, Caroline is.” Lute Fliegler: “You have the nicest, swellest girl in the whole God damn Lantenengo Street crowd, and everybody in town thinks so…” Page 190. Alice Cartwright: “You’re married to a swell girl.” Page 246.
English, George. Father of Dr. William English. Grandfather to Julian. He works for a local bank, perhaps the Gibbsville National Bank and Trust Company. When he is caught embezzling, he takes a shotgun and blows his brains out. Page 60.
English, Julian. The essence of the nineteen twenties. If not John O’Hara’s most fully developed character, at least his most unforgettable. The twenties is known as the “Jazz Age”, and Julian’s ear for jazz is superb. Thirty years old. The only child of Dr. William Dilworth English and Mrs. English. Graduate of Lafayette College. Member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, the drinking fraternity. Eschews his father’s wish that he become a doctor. Instead owns and operates an automobile agency which sells Cadillacs, a hot item in the roaring twenties. Alcoholic. Eventually commits suicide. His life and death are symbolic of the fast era of the twenties ending with the Crash and the Great Depression.
English, Mrs. Wife of Dr. William English. Mother of Julian. Appears only in the scene where Caroline and Julian go to his parents’ house for lunch on Christmas Day. Page 64.
English, Dr. William Dilworth. Father of Julian, his only child. Graduate of Lafayette College and University of Pennsylvania Medical School. After his father’s suicide, Dr. English resolves to pay back all the money his father embezzled. He works hard, and after ten years he succeeds. Represents the best things in the community. Belongs to an endless list of civic organizations. Disappointed that Julian does not become a doctor. Doesn’t really like Julian anyway because of his lifestyle and probably Julian’s perceived character defect as the result of a childhood shoplifting incident. Episcopalian. Republican. Anglo-Saxon. Anti-Catholic. Anti-Semite. Likes golf and trapshooting.
Eno’s. The morning after the drink-throwing incident at the Country Club, Julian takes an Eno’s for his hangover. Page 26. It’s an antacid powder mixed with water and swallowed to give temporary relief to indigestion caused by too much alcohol.
Epigraph. A brief quotation placed the beginning of a book. In Appointment in Samarra, the epigaph is a quote from a W. Somerset Maugham play. The title is “Death Speaks.” It begins: “There was a merchant in Baghdad…” Page xv. It is said to be symbolic of the inevitability of Julian’s death.
Eton Collar. A broad white linen collar usually worn with an Eton jacket, a black waist-length jacket with broad lapels. In her in her famous soliloquy (“He did. What’s the use of trying to fool myself…”), Caroline describes Julian wearing an Eton collar and a Windsor tie. Page 199.
Farewell to Arms, A. A best-selling novel written by Ernest Hemingway in 1927. Describes the author’s experience as an ambulance driver in Italy during World War One. As Julian looks out from the verandah of the Lantenengo Country Club on Christmas Day Night: “It was a fine night. Fine had been a romantic word in his vocabulary ever since he read A Farewell to Arms.” Page 102.
Fargo. The largest city in North Dakota. Al Grecco “…wondered just what was the angle on there being so many fighters from Fargo.” Page 41.
Fenstermacher, Betty. Stenographer who runs the switchboard in Harry Reilly’s office. Gave numerous sexual favors to Julian and “at least a dozen of his friends when they are all about nineteen or twenty”. Page 182.
Festive Board. A fancy table with food on it. At the Ammermann dinner party: “The festive board now groaned under the Baked Alaska.” Page 89.
Finchley’s. At the Stage Coach on Christmas Day Night, Julian tells Helene Holman and Al Grecco: “Mr. Davis gave me a tie, from Finchley’s. All the way from Finchley’s.” Page 161. Finchley’s was an upper end retail store on Fifth Avenue in New York.
Fisk Bicycle Club. Around 1917 the Fisk Tire Company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts started a bicycle club that became extremely popular among young boys. Julian’s “…gang had a Fisk Bicycle Club for a while. You were supposed to have Fisk tires on your bike, and that made you eligible to send away to the Fisk people and get pennants and caps and all other stuff…” Page 168.
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. 1896-1940. Considered one of the great American novelists of the twentieth century. It was said that Joe Montgomery, one of Caroline’s suitors, knew Scott Fitzgerald at Princeton. Page 120
Five Finger Grab. A game whereby Julian and his childhood friends shoplift at Woolworth’s and Kresge’s department stores. Pages 169-170.
Flexible Flyer. Flexible Flyer sleds were manufactured by the S. L. Allen Company of Philadelphia. On Christmas morning, Caroline tells Julian about the young Harley boy next door: “Bubbie said to wish you a Merry Christmas and he told me to ask you if you wanted to ride on his new Flexie.” Page 28.
Fliegler, Irma Doane. Wife of Lute Fliegler (See Fliegler, Luther, below). She and her husband Lute have three young children (Teddy, Betty and Curly). Lies quietly in bed beside him on early Christmas morning. “And for a while Gibbsville knew no happier people than Luther Fliegler and his wife, Irma.” Page 4.
Fliegler, Luther LeRoy (Lute). Pennsylvania Dutch. Forty years old. Husband of Irma. Salesman for Julian English’s Gibbsville-Cadillac Motor Car Company. Has four navel-like scars, shrapnel scars, on his shoulder. Received the French Croix de Guerre as a result of service in World War One. Lives on Lantenengo Street. Page 5.
Flivver. A small, inexpensive automobile. Alice Cartwright, the society reporter who is the last person to see Julian alive, drives a flivver. Page 239.
Foujita, Leonard Tsuguharu, 1886-1968. Painter and printmaker born in Tokyo who applied Japanese ink techniques to western style paintings. Julian and Caroline own one of his prints. Alice Cartwright to Julian: “Oh! Foujita! I love Foujita! Is it a real Foujita or
a copy?” Page 241.
French Croix de Guerre. The French Cross of War. A decoration given for valiant service in World War One. Instituted on April 8, 1915 to recognize acts of bravery in the face of the enemy. Lute Fliegler was awarded the Croix de Guerre. Page 5.
F.P.A. Initials for Franklin P. Adams. 1881-1960. American Columnist in New York known for his column “The Conning Tower.” Read by Monsignor Creedon and Julian and discussed by the two of them on the Country Club verandah on Christmas Day Night. Page 104.
Gambling Poolroom Games. Nine Ball, Ouch, Harrigan, One Ball in the Side. Page 50.
Garrick Gaities. A revue with music by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, the first of many musicals by this famous songwriting team. Opens on Broadway in 1925. One of the shows to which Joe Montgomery takes Caroline in June of 1925. Page 121.
Gibbs, Gwen. Fictional name for the Gibbsville Standard’s social columnist, who is really Alice Cartwright. Page 241.
Gibbsville. The fictional name for Pottsville, John O’Hara’s hometown. It is in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, about ninety miles or so northwest from Philadelphia, in Lantenengo County, the fictional name for Schuykill County. It is in the anthracite coal region. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the anthracite industry makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy and makes for many wealthy families in Gibbsville.
“Anyone in Gibbsville who had any important money made it in coal;
anthracite…The anthracite region lies roughly between Scranton on the
north and Gibbsville on the south…The richest veins of anthracite in the
world are within a thirty-mile sector from Gibbsville, and when those
mines are worked, Gibbsville prospers.” Page 56.
Although Gibbsville’s economy is not doing well in the late nineteen twenties, when the country is generally enjoying prosperity, “Still there were a great many people in Gibbsville who had money in 1930.” Page 58. Gibbsville’s 1930 population was 24,032, according to the census estimate.
Gibbsville is founded by Swedes in 1750, but the Leni Lenape Indians massacre the Swedes and the settlement is lost. Gibbsville is re-founded in 1802. Page 59. Gibbsville is named after John O’Hara’s literary friend, Woollcott Gibbs.
Gibbsville-Cadillac Motor Car Company. Julian’s business, of which he is president. It does very well during the twenties, but in 1930, the first year of the Great Depression, automobile sales fall off sharply. In the summer of that year, at Julian’s request, Harry Reilly invests $20,000.00 in the business. As a result of this, it is said Harry practically owns the business. Page 14. On the afternoon on the last day of his life, Julian reviews the year-end financials, only to learn the company faces bankruptcy.
Gibbsville Club. A men’s club in Gibbsville. Julian goes there the day after Christmas and gets into a fight with Froggy Ogden. The fight expands when two lawyers having lunch at a nearby table join in. Pages 209-215.
Gibbsville Conglomerate. Area where the richest veins of anthracite are found. Page 56.
Gibbsville Miners. Gibbsville’s pro football team. Page 41.
Gibbsville Mission. A charitable enterprise in Gibbsville. An old three-story brick house in the very dingiest part of Gibbsville. Volunteers teach and day-care for underprivileged children. Caroline is one of the volunteers. It is at the Gibbsville Mission in 1925 that an eleven year old red headed youngster gets on his knees, grab’s Caroline’s legs, puts his hands up her dress and touches her privates. Caroline fears she has contracted a venereal disease. She does not see Dr. English, the Anglo-Saxon Episcopalian family doctor (one of her own), but instead visits Dr. Malloy, the Irish-Catholic doctor. He examines her, runs some tests and assures her she is fine and can have children. She insists on paying him $15 for his services. Dr. Malloy takes the money, then quietly gives it to the red headed kid’s mother. Pages 114-116.
Gibbsville Sun. Gibbsville’s morning newspaper. Page 33.
Goldkette, Jean. 1893-1962. Jazz pianist and bandleader. Leads the Victor Recording Orchestra 1924-1929. On the night he commits suicide, Julian plays one of Jean Goldkette’s records, “Sunny Disposish.” Page 249.
Goldorf, Mrs. Along with Mrs. Smith, Tom Wilk, and Sam Campbell, all upstairs on the floor or in the bed in the caddymaster’s house and have to have the stomach pump. Julian thinks this is something more terrible than throwing a drink at Harry Reilly. Page 98.
Lives at her mother’s with her two brothers and her Uncle Harry. Page 69.
Gorman, Elizabeth. Fat niece of Harry Reilly, daughter of Mrs. Gorman. A social climber who embarrasses “her uncle by belching loud and unashamed.” Page 10.
Gorman, Frank. Nephew of Harry Reilly, son of widowed Mrs. Gorman. Fights with Dwight Ross about a football game. They cry, kiss and make up. Page 9. Gets drunk at every last party the minute his mother goes home. Kicked out of colleges and boarding schools and even Gibbsville High School. Has a Chrysler roadster, a raccoon coat. A loud mouth and a fighter. Page 100.
Gorman, Mrs. Harry Reilly’s sister. Widowed. Harry lives with Mrs. Gorman and her daughter and two sons. “A stout woman with black hair, with a dignity that had nothing to do with her sloppy clothes.” Page 69.
Gorney’s Hotel. Not quite the worst hotel in Gibbsville. At one time Al Grecco lives there. Page 52.
Gould, Lorimer III. An out-of-town visitor from New York City who “had been told nine times that Gibbsville was dull during the year but is the peppiest place at Christmas.” Page 10. Is seen driving by with Wilhelmina Hall when Caroline and Julian are having their fight outside Caroline’s mother’s house. Page 229.
Grady, Mrs. The Irish cook for Caroline and Julian. Julian is rude to her the morning after his behavior at the Stage Coach. Page 177. Julian’s treatment of Mrs. Grady becomes another issue in Caroline’s and Julian’s marriage. Page 209.
Great Depression. Extended period of declining economic growth and high unemployment, said to reach about 25%. Begins in 1930, after the October 1929 stock market crash. Lasts through the nineteen thirties. No one really knows when it really ends, probably by the late nineteen forties.
Grecco, Al. About five feet six, 130 pounds. Member of the mob. Born in Gibbsville. Original name Anthony Joseph Murascho. Third of six children. Kicked out of parochial school. Spends time in prison for robbery and assault. Becomes a prizefighter, where, thanks to the write-up by feature editor Lydia Faunce Browne, gets the nickname Al Grecco after the sixteenth century Spanish painter, El Grecco. Pages 43-48. Works in a poolroom, but when the owner, Joe Steinmetz, dies can’t afford to buy the poolroom from the widow. Meets mobster Ed Charney and goes to work for him as all-around lackey and errand boy. Pages 48-55.
Guinny. Italian. Derogatory. Ed Charney to Al Grecco: “Listen you God damn dirty little guinny bastard…” Page 201.
Hagemann. A local councilman interested in getting the Republican nomination for mayor. Cannot be bribed until Ed Charney lets him know that he (Charney) knows that he (Hagemann), a respectable married man, has been seen running around with a certain thirty year old woman. From that moment on Hagemann gives Ed no resistance. Page 21.
Hall, Wilhelmina. “… [S]ix years out of Westover, was still the best dancer in the club, and getting the best rush.” Page 15. When Julian and Caroline are arguing outside Caroline’s mother’s house, Wilhelmina Hall and Lorimer Gould drive by in a small coupe, and Lorimer blows the horn. Page 229.
Halloween Pranks. These are some of the things the young Julian and his friends do: Gate Night: take people’s gates off fences. Tick-Tack Night: Hold a button through a watch string which has been run and wound up against Windsor panes, making a very effective sound until the string runs down. Paint Night: paint sidewalks and people’s houses. Page 166.
Harley, Bubbie. Son of Herbert Harley, next door neighbor to Caroline and Julian. Gets Flexible Flyer sled for Christmas. Page 28.
Harley, Herbert. Next door neighbor to Caroline and Julian. Princeton graduate. Employed by the Midas Washeries. When he hears a car engine running for an unusually long time, he goes next door to Julian’s garage and finds his body. Pages 253-255.
Hartentstein, Dewey and Lois. One of the several couples with the Flieglers at the Stage Coach on Christmas Day Night. Page 141.
Hartmann, David. Wipes his shoes on clean towels and in seven years has not been known to violate the club rule against tipping servants and caddies. Belongs to the club himself but won’t let his family belong. Page 100.
Henry. When Caroline is in Paris, Henry, described as a “handsome young Harvard Jew,” takes her to sex shows. Caroline gets so drunk she really can’t remember a thing. Pages 132-133.
Herbert Johnson Hats. “…Julian wore Herbert Johnson hats from Brooks Brothers.” Page 216. Herbert Johnson is a famous, historic and extremely upscale London hat company dating back to 1889.
Hermann, Bobbie. Posted for nonpayment of dues at the Country Club. Page 10. Needles Julian for throwing the drink in Harry Reilly’s face. Calls Julian a slacker for avoiding military service in World War One. Pages 83-84.
Highball. Liquor, usually whiskey, mixed with water, soda water, ginger ale, etc., and served with ice in a tall glass. A highball is not a cocktail. It is a highball that Julian threw in Harry Reilly’s face. Page 16.
Hofman, Kitty. Wife of Whit Hofman. She, along with her husband and Jean and Froggy Ogden and Caroline and Julian English, are Gibbsville’s self-appointed aristocracy. Page 9. For more about Kitty, see Carter Davis and Mary Lou Dieffenderfer above.
Hofman, Whit. One of Gibbsville’s socially elite. Page 9. Considered the wealthiest man in Gibbsville. His grandfather, Peter Hofman, described more fully in John O’Hara’s The Lockwood Concern, makes millions in several enterprises after the Civil War. Whit and his wife Kitty are close friends with Jean and Froggy Ogden and Caroline and Julian. They are Gibbsville’s self-appointed aristocracy.
Holloway, Elinor. A young woman present in the Lantenengo Country Club smoking room on Christmas Day morning when Julian throws the drink at Harry Reilly. Her shoulder strap slips down or gets pulled down, revealing her left breast, which “most of the young men had seen or touched at one time or another.” Page 9. One time she shinnies up a flag pole and five gentlemen standing below look up and confirm that she’s not a natural blonde. Page 98.
Holman, Helene. A torch singer (see Torch Singer below) at the Stage Coach. Girl friend of Ed Charney, who assigns Al Grecco to look after her on Christmas Day Night at the Stage Coach to make sure she doesn’t get into trouble by drinking too much or screwing some guy. Ed is staying home with his wife and son, who has broken his arm. Page 42. That night Helene and Julian meet. They dance a bit, then run outside and get into a vacant automobile. They are gone for half an hour, time enough to give the impression they have had sex, which is untrue because Julian is too drunk and instead falls asleep (or passes out). Pages 156-164. The next day Helene leaves to return to New York. Page 204.
Holman, Libby. American torch singer. People get Helene Holman confused with Libby Holman, who is from Cincinnati. Her real last name is Fred. Libby Holman first introduces the song Body and Soul.
Holton, Miss Holton’s School. One of the institutions Caroline and Julian attend growing up, along with kindergarten and dancing school. Page 137.
Hooker, Bob. Editor-in-Chief of the Gibbsville Standard. Page 45. “…who regarded himself as the William Allen White -- Ed Howe –- Joseph Pulitzer of Gibbsville.” Page 45.
Hoover, Herbert. 31st President of the United States. Unlucky enough to serve during the 1929 stock market crash and the ensuing economic depression. Irma Fliegler, lying in bed on Christmas morning, muses, “Next year, according to Hoover, things would be much better all around…” Page 7.
Howe, Ed. 1853-1937. American novelist, newspaper and magazine editor. Best known for his magazine E. W. Howe’s Monthly. Well traveled and known for his sharp wit. See Bob Hooker above. Page 45.
Hunkey. Hungarian. Probably derogatory.
Jeanie and Chuck. Two young marrieds Caroline and Julian know. Jeannie may have to get false teeth. Chuck’s been fooling around. Pages 78-79.
Jess. Negro waiter at the Gibbsville Club. Page 210.
Jewett, Mr. Manager of Kresge’s department store. He catches the young Julian stealing a flashlight. Julian’s childhood friend, Butch Doerflinger, kicks Mr. Jewett in the shins. Page 172.
Joe. An older brother of Al Grecco. Page 52.
John. Negro shoe shine at the John Gibb Hotel. Shines Julian’s shoes every morning. Page 180.
John Gibb Hotel. Gibbsville’s expensive big inn. Page 38.
Jones’s Beach. Now known as Jones Beach. On Long Island. One night in June 1925, when the heat is so intense Caroline can feel it up her nose (the author’s description), Joe Montgomery drives Caroline to Jones’s Beach. They frolic in the water, take most of their clothes off, almost go the limit, until Joe stops when he learns Caroline is a virgin. Pages 122-128.
Joyce, Peggy. 1893-1957. American actress and celebrity. In 1917 Debuted on Broadway Stage in Ziegfeld Follies. Regarding Alice Cartwright: “She was not a girl who would be included in anyone’s list of attractive damsels, but she had as much confidence at this moment as Norma Shearer or Peggy Joyce or somebody.” Pages 243-244.
Kappa Beta Phi Key. Worn by Julian English and others. Page 27. Kappa Beta Phi was the anti Phi Beta Kappa, the well known national honor society. To belong to Kappa Beta Phi, you must have flunked at least one subject or been expelled from college. It was a slap at Phia Beta Kappa. Thanks to Dr. Philip Eppard for this information.
Kent, Rockwell. 1882-1971, American painter and printmaker. Herbert Harley, Julian’s next door neighbor who discovered his body, once met Rockwell Kent at the Princeton Club in New York City. Page 253.
Kike. Jew. A hostile and offensive term. Dr. English thought of Dr. Moskowitz, the Deputy Coroner of Lantenengo County, as that “little kike quack.” Page 256.
Klein, Mary. Julian’s secretary at the Gibbsville-Cadillac Motor Car Company. Pennsylvania Dutch. Lutheran. Always telling Julian and the others about her troubles. Pages 185-186.
Klitsch, Ed, Wanders stark naked upstairs to the steward’s living quarters in the Lantenengo Country Club and presents himself to the steward’s wife. Julian wonders why Ed gets away with this stunt, which Julian thinks is far worse than throwing the drink at Harry Reilly. Page 97.
Knights of Columbus. The world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization. Founded in the United States in 1822. Named in honor of Christopher Columbus. “There were those among his parishioners who secretly resented Monsignor Creedon’s serving on non-sectarian committees in community activities, but this sort of criticism could be traced to disgruntled Knights of Columbus.” Page 95.
Krafft-Ebing, Richard Freiher von, 1840-1902. Austro-German sexologist and psychiatrist. Caroline read his works in order to learn about sex (or to learn more about sex). Page 116.
Kresge’s. S. S. Kresge Company was one of the largest five and dime department stores. It was founded by Sebastian Spering Kresge in 1899. In 1962 the name was changed to Kmart Corporation. It is in the Kresge’s in Gibbsville that the young Julian is caught shoplifting. Pages 170-172. And Julian and Caroline mention that Chuck was “…running around with that girl from Kresge’s”. Page 79.
Lafayette. Lafayette College, founded in 1826, is a private liberal arts and engineering college located in Easton, Pennsylvania. Both Dr. English and his son Julian are graduates. Pages 58 and 60.
Lake Placid. A resort area for the rich and famous located in the Adirondack Mountains in upper New York State. Just before they enter the Lantenengo Country Club to attend the dinner-dance on Christmas Day Night, Caroline promises Julian, “I’ll come out in the car with you at intermission and stay with you, the way we used to…We haven’t done that since we’ve been married.” Julian replies, “Yes we did. At Lake Placid.” Page 81.
Lantenengo Country Club. The fictional name for the Schuylkill Country Club. About seven or eight miles south of Gibbsville (Pottsville). The Lantenengo Club is originally built in 1920. Membership reflects wealth and status in the community. The leadership nucleus is White Anglo-Saxon Protestant. The Club takes in some Catholics as members, “(n)ot all, but some,” and no Jews.
Lantenengo Street. John O’Hara writes that in the first decade of the twentieth century, those who are coming up in the town’s business and social life move to Lantenengo Street. The older streets are Frederick Street and South Main Street. It is Lantenengo Street where the mansions are built as Gibbsville becomes wealthy. It is the place to live.
Lavoris. A mouthwash. The morning after the drink-throwing episode, Julian awakens with a hangover, and, standing in front of the bathroom sink, washes his mouth with Lavoris. Page 26.
Lebrix, Foxie. Runs the Stage Coach. A strong, bulky Frenchman, about fifty-five years old with white hair and a black mustache. He is said to have been a headwaiter in one of the big New York hotels, but no one ever knows which one because he won’t say. Page 74. .
Leffler. A policeman in Gibbsville. The young Julian and his friend Butch Doerflinger are afraid he might catch them for shoplifting at Kresge’s. Page 173.
Lewis, Henry. It is said that Kay Verner was in love with Henry Lewis. Page 15.
Liberty’s. A high end department store in London, since 1875. Joe Montgomer mentions to Caroline: “… a scarf from Liberty’s.” Page 130.
Loeb, Sophie Irene. 1867-1929. President of the Board of Child Welfare in New York. Bob Hooker, editor of Gibbsville’s Standard, regards Lydia Faunce Brown As the local Sophie Irene Loeb. Page 45.
Loftus, Miss. Kresge’s saleslady at the counter when the young Julian steals the flashlight. Page 172.
Louis. The pimply, bowlegged car washer at Julian’s motor car company. Pages 99-100.
Loving Cup. A waiter at the Apollo Restaurant. About twenty years old. Gets his name from his
ears. Slightly built, with bad complexion and bad breath. One night a few fellows kid him about his lonely sex life. They take him to the Dew Drop Inn, the local whorehouse, and afterward the madam says he’s “the only man in the crowd.” Page 39.
Ludendorf. Packard salesman. Lute Fleigler to Julian: “Ludendorf is selling plenty of Packards to the same friends, so what they think don’t matter.” Page 189.
Luk. Mr. Lukashinsky. One of the lawyers at the Gibbsville Club when Julian and Froggy fight. Page 214.
Luks, George. 1866-1933. American painter and illustrator. A visiting celebrity interviewed by Lydia Faunce Browne of the Standard. Page 45.
Lurie, Doc. Trades in a Studebaker for a Cadillac, and Lute Fliegler wants to use the Studebaker to drive to the Stage Coach on Christmas Day Night. Page 36.
Lynch, Mrs. Works for the Flieglers. Puts the turkey in on Christmas Day and agrees to watch the kids while Lute and Irma go to the Stage Coach on Christmas Day Night. Pages 34-35.
Mac. Described as the brother of one of the men who owns the speakeasy where Ross Campbell and Mary Manners meet toward the end of the book. Page 266.
Machamer, Joe. The clerk at Scott’s grocery store. Page 220.
“Make the World Safe for Democracy”. On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson went before a joint session of Congress and sought a Declaration of War against Germany so that the world the world be made safe for democracy. When needling Julian in the locker room, Bobby Herrmann, says, “When old Uncle Sam needed me, I heeded the call and made the world safe for democracy.” Page 84.
Malloy, Dr. The fictional name in real life for John O’Hara’s father. On the staff of the Gibbsville Hospital. Assists and guides Dr. English in surgery. They have a falling out over the dismissal of a nurse who is caught with an interne. After that incident they never speak to each other again. This is the nurse Dr. English overhears saying, “Trephine this afternoon. I hope to God Malloy’s around if English is going to try it.” Pages 62-65.
Malloy, Jimmy. The fictional name for the young John O’Hara. Wilhelmina Hall is said “not to be in love with anyone, unless it was with Jimmy Malloy, and she was certainly not in love with him”. Page 15.
Mann and Dilks. Philadelphia clothing store. “You would look at Mrs. Waldo Wallace Walker (Caroline’s mother), dressed in a brown sweater with a narrow leather belt, and a tweed skirt from Mann and Dilks…” Page 218.
Manners, Mary. At the end of Appointment a Mary Manners is meeting with Ross Campbell in a bar, probably in New York City. They are talking about possibly going away over the weekend. While talking they both discover they both know Gibbsville. Ross remembers Caroline, Mary remembers Julian. Pages 267-268.
Marie. Common law wide of Foxie Lebrix, who runs the Stage Coach. Page 75.
Marion, Dr. Dr. Marion Edwards Park. President of Bryn Mawr College 1922-1942. Caroline’s mother wants to call on Dr. Park every time she and Caroline motor through Bryn Mawr. Page 219.
Martin, Abe. For twenty-five years, from 1905-1930, Abe Martin was the mouthpiece for Ken Hubbard’s daily quips in The Indianapolis News. The column later became syndicated. Mary Klein tells Julian, “I was reading in the paper on the way to work about the man that used to write those comical articles in the (Philadelphia) Inquirer, Abe Martin, he dies out west somewhere.” Page 186.
Mary. The Irish maid for Caroline and Julian English. Page 25.
Mary. Julian’s Polish girl friend. Said to be very beautiful. Page 134. Her father threatens to send her away if she doesn’t stop seeing Julian. Page 225.
Mashie-Niblick. An obsolete golf club used from 1903 until the 1940’s. Gradually replaced by the conventional set of irons 1 through 9. “It was axiomatic in Gibbsville that you could tell Mill Ammermann anything and be sure it wouldn’t be repeated; because Mill probably was thinking of the mashie-niblick approach over the trees to the second green.” Page 85.
McAdams. “Irma (Fliegler) wondered if it was true that Sylvia Bromberg’s sister and brother-in-law were dickering for the McAdams property next door.” Pages 4-5.
McCreery, Lib. Bryn Mawr classmate of Caroline. Goes abroad with her in June of 1925. Page 130.
McGovern, Packy. Owns McGovern’s Hall. Gibbsville’s leading and only fight promoter. Takes an interest in the young Al Grecco. Trains him to be a prizefighter. Page 44.
Midas Washeries Company. Midas, Black Run, Horse Cave and Sadim Washeries. Employs Herbert Harley, the next door neighbor who discovers Julian’s body. Page 253.
Mimi. Madam of the Dew Drop Inn whorehouse. Page 39.
Minas, Mike. A friend of George Poppas. Buys Joe Steinmetz’s poolroom from Mrs. Steinmetz. Page 53.
Mistinguett. 1875-1956. French entertainer, actress and singer. Foxie Lebrix, manager of the Stage Coach, tells Al Grecco, who is asked by Ed Charney to keep an eye on Helene Holman, “Some of our guests, they get some of this so-called champagne in their bellies, and Miss Holman will begin to think she is Mistinguett.” Page 76.
Montgomery, Henry. Father of Joe Montgomery. Very wealthy man who goes down with the Titanic in 1912. “…and it was told of Henry Montgomery…that he had been (a) a hero, and (b) that the captain had had to shoot him dead to keep him out of the women’s and children’s lifeboats.” Page 121.
Montgomery, Jerome M. Ed Charney’s criminal lawyer. No relation to Joe Montgomery. Page 54.
Montgomery, Joe. From Reading...drunk…snake...rich boy...knows Scott Fitzgerald at Princeton...debbie’s delight…roué…bond salesman. Becomes romantically involved with Caroline. Takes her to shows in New York and then to Jones’s Beach, where they have a romp in the water and come close to making love. They promise to write to each other, but Caroline can’t see Joe the night before she is to sail to Europe, because friends from Gibbsville are coming – Julian and Jean and Froggy Ogden. She sails to Europe and once there receives a letter from Joe saying he’s found someone else. Had Caroline been free the night before she sailed, perhaps she never would have married Julian. Pages 120-131.
Morgan, Anne. 1873-1952. American philanthropist. Daughter of J. P. Morgan. Most remembered for her relief efforts in World War One (and later in World War Two). One of the personages aboard the Paris when Caroline sails to France in June of 1925. Page 130.
Morgan, Harjes Girl. Morgan, Harjes was the Paris branch of J. P. Morgan Co. Joe Montgomery was going to write to Caroline at 14 Place Vendome because she was a Morgan, Harjes girl as distinguished from an American Express girl. Morgan, Harjes would take care of Caroline’s banking needs. Page 130.
Moskowitz, Dr. Deputy Coroner of Lantenengo County. Performs the autopsy on Julian and rules his death a suicide. Dr. Moskowitz sees his finding of suicide as a sort of revenge against Dr. English, who had not invited Dr. Moskowitz to a County Medical Society dinner at the Lantenenego Country Club because Jews were not admitted. Dr. English considers Dr. Moskowitz a “kike quack.” Page 256.
National City. Prominent Wall Street bank. Joe Montgomery “…had to be a good boy at the National City, because it as time he was getting somewhere and making some money.” Page 124.
Navvy Gang. Unskilled laborers. Al Grecco’s father works on a navvy gang. Page 43.
N. By. E. When Julian is in the act of killing himself, his next door neighbor is at home reading the artist Rockwell Kent’s N. by E., which describes the author’s voyage and shipwreck from New York to Greenland. Page 253.
Neverleak. Neverleak Tire Fluid was manufactured by Hollingshead Corp. of Camden, New Jersey. It came in a metal tube and was supposed to be screwed on to the valve stem in order to squeeze the contents into the tire. When members of the young Julian’s gang “…had a puncture they filled the tire with Neverleak.” Page 169.
Newton, Lillian. Wife of Ted Newton. Three months pregnant. Page 7. See Newton, Dr. Ted, below.
Newton, Dr. Ted. He and his wife Lillian attend the dance at the Country Club on Christmas Eve. He is plastered, and tells his wife, “I’ll drink as much as I God damn please.” Is a local dentist, but not considered by Julian to be in Julian’s social set. Julian permits only a few of his intimate friends so call him “Ju”. Ted Newton is not one of them. “And don’t call me Ju.” Pages 14-15.
October 29, 1929. The day the stock market crashes. In 1930 Gibbsville it is still considered a “strong technical correction.” Page 58.
O’Dowd. Salesman at another automobile company. Competes with Julian’s company. Page 187.
Ogden, Froggy. About four years older than Julian. A member of Gibbsville’s exclusive self-appointed aristocracy. Page 9. Once a beautiful tennis player and swimmer. Loses an arm in World War One. Julian considers Froggy one of his best friends. Pages 87-88. When they get in the fight at the Gibbsville Club, Froggy tells Julian he hates him and always hated him since they were children. Pages 211-212. Julian is devastated.
Ogden, Jean. Froggy’s wife. Before she marries Froggy, Jean and Julian have a one summer demi-vierge love affair. Page 88.
O’Neill, “Snake Eyes.” From Jersey City. One of the mob. Page 41. Owns at least fourteen sets of clothes. Ed Charney’s bodyguard. Page 50.
Ouimet, Francis. 1893-1967. American golfer who wins U.S. Open in 1913. At the dance on Christmas Day Night at the Country Club, Julian cuts in to dance with Caroline, who is dancing with Frank Gorman, Harry Reilly’s nephew. Caroline asks Julian if they’d met, and Julian uses that as a play of words on the golfer. Pages 105-106.
Oui, Oui, Marie, Will You Do Ziss for Me. A popular American World War One song played “round and round on the phonograph” when Jerome Walker and Caroline first kiss. Page 117.
Paresis. Slight or partial paralysis. “They could have their illegitimate babies, their incest, their paresis...and all the other things which you could find in individual families; but collectively they presented a solid front of sound Pennsylvania Dutch…” Page 196.
Paris. A French Ocean liner, the largest under the French flag. Caroline sails on the Paris when she goes to France in June of 1925. Page 121.
Pessary. A contraceptive device, much like the diaphragm, only smaller. Dr. Moskowitz tells Dr. English: “But my dear Doctor, surely you know the oath of Hippocrates is a lot of crap. I’ll bet your own wife uses a pessary. Or did. Mine always has, and still does.” Dr. English hates Dr. Moskowitz for saying that. Page 256.
Patch. A tiny coal-mining village. Harry Reilly comes from one of the patches. “You can take the boy out of the patch, but you can’t take the patch out of the boy.” Page 11.
Patterson, Dr. A Gibbsville dentist who tells Caroline she has to have her wisdom tooth taken out. Page 226.
Pennsylvania Dutch. Descendants of the German peoples who immigrated to America (primarily to Pennsylvania) from Germany and the Low Countries prior to 1800. Thinks Julian of his office worker, Mary Klein: “She represented precisely what she came from: solid, respectable, Pennsylvania Dutch, Lutheran middle class…” Page 196.
Pennsylvania Vacuum Cups. One name for bicycle tires. Produced by the Pennsylvania Rubber Company of Pitsburgh. “The other members of (Julian’s) gang were saving up to buy Pennsylvania Vacuum Cups.” Page 169
Peters, Mr. Apparently Mr. Peters owns and/or operates a phonograph/record shop, and if Caroline wants any records, her mother would be willing to speak with him. Page 223.
Petrolle, Billy. 1905-1983. Professional boxer. Lightweight. Nicknamed “The Fargo Express.” Al Grecco thinks of him while reading the fight results at the Apollo restaurant. Page 41
Phi Beta Kappa. Academic honor society. Generally considered the most prestigious college honor society in the United States. Given for academic performance.
Phi Delta Theta. Dr. William English’s fraternity at Lafayette. Julian did not join his father’s fraternity. Instead he joined Delta Kappa Epsilon. Pages 60-61.
Pinchot, Gifford. 1865-1946. Considered the father of American conservation. Passionate about protecting American forests. Visiting celebrity who is interviewed by Lydia Faunce Browne of the Standard. Page 45.
Pingatore, Mike. Banjoist who plays with Paul Whiteman’s orchestra. “Constance (Walker) knew everything, but Caroline still was finding things out – the capital of South Dakota, the identity of Mike Pingatore…” Page 92.
Place Vendome. A famous square in Paris. 14 Place Vendome is where Joe Montgomery is going to write to Caroline. Page 129.
Point Mountain. Where pool room owner Joe Steinmetz lives. Page 52. The site of Gibbsville’s earliest settlement. Anthracite is discovered in Point Mountain. Page 56.
Poor Butterfly. This song is introduced in a Broadway show in 1916. It becomes a popular standard. In 1918, while the Victrola plays Poor Butterfly, Caroline and her distant cousin Jerome Walker make out. Page 119.
Poppas, George. Owner of the Appollo Restaurant. Always appears to be in great pain as though he had eaten all the things that cause indigestion. Arrives in Pottsville from Greece wearing his native white kilts. Page 38.
Posted. If a club member doesn’t pay dues or other charges, his name is put on a list and “posted” on a bulletin board in a prominent place on the club premises, so that the other members know. A “shame” exercise. “Bobbie Hermann, who was posted for non-payment of dues and restaurant charges…” Page 10.
Price, Will. Neighbor of the Flieglers. Owns property on Lantenengo Street. Sells to the Brombergs for $30,000.00, which is $12,500.00 more than originally asked. Page 4.
Prohibition. The Volstead Act becomes effective in 1920 and is repealed in 1933. It outlaws the sale of alcoholic beverages. It causes the widespread illegal consumption of alcohol. All alcohol consumed in Appointment is illegal. This may be one of the reasons why almost everyone drinks so heavily. You get the banned liquor through the local bootlegger and mobster, Ed Charney. Or you buy drug store rye on prescriptions (“the physicians who were club members saved ‘scrips’ for their patients.”) Page 10.
Pulitzer, Joseph. 1847-1911. Hungarian-American publisher best known for posthumously establishing Pulitzer Prizes and for originating yellow journalism along with William Randolph Hearst. Bob Hooker of the Standard “regarded himself as the William Allen White-Ed Howe-Joseph Pulitzer of Gibbsville.” Page 45.
Quilty, Pat. Undertaker who tells Lute Fliegler he won’t buy from Julian because he heard that Julian doesn’t like people of his faith. Quilty is an Irish Catholic and interprets the drink throwing incident with Harry Reilly as an assault on him and his religion (Catholic) and people (Irish). Page 187.
Raccoon Coat. A full-length fur coat that became a fad in the twenties, especially with male college students. Page 14.
Reichelderfer, Bruce. Bookkeeper at Julian’s garage. Page 195.
Reilly, Harry. Self-made successful businessman. Irish Catholic. Born and raised in one of the patches. Irish-Catholic. Creditor of Julian’s car company. Rival of Julian’s because he takes Caroline out when she’s single. Social climber who is somewhat course in manner. Julian’s hatred and jealousy of Harry Reilly, together with racial prejudice, culminates in the drink-throwing incident at the Country Club.
Rifkin. Mary Manners tells Ross Campbell, “We shouldn’t of come here, Ross. Rifkin comes here sometimes and his friends, a lot of movie people, they all come here.” Page 268. It is not known whether Rifkin is historical or fictional.
Riskin, Ben. Ben Riskin and his Royal Canadians played at the Ammermann dinner party on Christmas Day night. Page 88. He appears to be fictional, no relation to the Royal Canadians led by Guy Lomarbdo.
Roadhouse. An inn, usually outside city limits, providing liquor and usually meals, dancing, and often gambling. That describes Ed Charney’s Stage Coach.
Ross, Dwight. In the smoking room, he and Harry Reilly’s nephew, Frank Gorman, fight over a football team. They cry and kiss and make up. Page 9.
Roundheaders. Regional names for non-Latin foreigners. Page 72.
Rum Dumb. An idiot as the direct result of excessive consumption of alcohol over the years. “Hello, Rum Dum,” Julian says, greeting Bobbie Herrmann at the Country Club on Christmas Day night. Page 82.
St. Mary by the Sea. A Catholic parish in Collierville. Page 13. Collierville is the fictional name for Minersville, which is about five miles west of Pottsville.
St. Stephen. Monsignor Creedon reminds Julian that the day after Christmas, December 26th, is St. Stephen’s Day and that St. Stephen was the first martyr. Page 105. St. Stephen, who was stoned to death for preaching the Gospel, is venerated by all the major Christian denominations.
St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Winter of 1929 in Chicago. The death of seven people as part of a war between two powerful criminal gangs. There is a famous photograph of this Massacre. Grecco thinks of it every time he goes to the garage where Ed Charney keeps his private cars. Pages 199-200.
S.A.T.C. Student Army Training Core. World War One training program at colleges and universities. Julian belongs to S.A.T.C. at Lafayette during World War One. Page 87. Because he does not fight in the War, Bobbie Hermann and Froggy Ogden accuse him of being a slacker. Page 84 and Page 211.
Sam Browne Belt. After Julian’s death, Caroline lies in bed mourning. She imagines Julian: “He was like someone who had died in the war, some young officer in an overseas cap and a Sam Browne belt…” A Sam Browne belt is a wide belt, usually leather, which is supported by a strap going diagonally over the right shoulder, often with a military or police uniform. Origin is uncertain. Page 262.
Sawbuck. Slang for the ten dollar bill. Ed Charney asks Al Grecco, “How’d you like to make a sawbuck?” Page 49.
Schaeffer, Walter and Helen. One of the several couples with the Flieglers at the Stage Coach on Christmas Day Night. Page 141.
Schwackies. Non-Latin foreigners. Derogatory. Reference unknown. Perhaps refers to Polish immigrants.
Schermerhorn, Joe. Accidentally walks into a golf swing in the locker room and is injured and becomes mentally impaired as well. Julian considers this another one of those terrible things done by others, something much worse than throwing a drink at Harry Reilly. Page 97.
Schultz, Barbara. Gossips to Caroline about Jeanie and Chuck. Page 79.
Schultz, Harry. He and his wife are friends of the Flieglers and live in Cincinnati. They have two children who die from Menengitis. They answer the Flieglers’ question, namely, that Libby Holman’s real last name is Fred. Pages 147-148.
Schwartz, Mervyn. Writes corny poems for the Gibbsville Standard, the evening newspaper, and the Gibbsville Sun, the morning newspaper. Christmas, Washington’s Birthday (February 22nd), Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Armistice Day (now known as Veterans Day). Page 33.
Scrips. Any substitute for currency which is not legal tender and is often a form of credit. “…most people bought drug store rye on prescriptions (the physicians who were club members saved “scrips” for their patients), and cut it with alcohol and colored water.” Page 10.
Shave and a Haircut - Bay Rum. A custom of blowing the automobile horn with a series of beeps. Five beeps would mean shave and a haircut and the response from another automobile horn of two beeps would mean bay rum. Page 77.
Shawse, Mrs. Emily. Widow of the late Gibbsville mayor. Suspected of carrying on with Walter, her Negro chauffeur. Walter always has use of the car and plenty of money to spend on the races and the whores. Page 99.
Shearer, Norma. 1902-1983. Canadian-American actress. One of the most popular actresses in the world from the mid-1920s until her retirement in 1942. Julian’s observation of Alice Cartwright: “She was not a girl who would be included in anyone’s list of attractive damsels, but she had as much confidence at this moment as Norma Shearer or Peggy Joyce or somebody.” Pages 243-244.
Side-Car. Julian muses that Caroline is still finding things out, such as the ingredients of a side car. A side car is a mixed drink. It consists of brandy, cointreau, lemon juice, lime juice and sugar. Page 92.
Slacker. One who in time of war avoids military service. Both Bobbie Hermann and Froggy Ogden call Julian a slacker because he did not fight in World War One. Page 84 and Page 211. In 1930 Julian still regrets not being in the War. Page 87. At that time in American history it is considered an honor and a duty to join up. This fades away after Korea, and certainly Vietnam.
Sloan, Alfred P. 1875-1966. President and Chairman of General Motors. Lute Fliegler mentions him to Irma at the end of Appointment. Because of Julian’s death, the Gibbsville-Cadillac Motor Car Company has apparently closed, Lute has to find work, and work is hard to find because of the Great Depression. “Don’t worry…I still get my check from the government, and I can get lots of jobs…in fact, that’s my trouble. I was saying to Alfred P. Sloan the other day. He called me up…” Page 269.
Smith. A women’s college in Northampton, Massachusetts. Caroline’s cousin, Constance Walker, “…was at Smith, and was a good student.” Page 15.
Smitty. A taxi driver and two bit pimp who sits at the marble counter in the Appollo Restaurant. Page 39.
Smoking Room. Located inside the Country Club. Originally for men only, but with the increasing number of social functions, such as weddings, eventually allows women in. It is the primary domain of the exclusive. Pages 8-9. It is in the crowded smoking room, a little after three o’clock in the morning on Christmas Morning, where Julian English throws the drink in Harry Reilly’s face. Page 16.
Snake. A worthless or treacherous fellow. Joe Montgomery is described as a snake. Page 120.
Snyder, Frances (Frannie). Frannie and her husband Dutch are one of several couples with the Flieglers at the Stage Coach on Christmas Day night. Page 141. Frannie and Al Grecco know each other when they were kids in sisters’ school. Once, after Frannie is married to Dutch, Al has a quickie with her. Pages 142-143.
Snyder, Ralph (Dutch). Dutch and his wife Frannie are one of several couples with the Flieglers at the Stage Coach on Christmas Day Night. Page 141. Dutch is described as a loud mouth Kluxer, a customer at the Dew Drop Inn, a scholastic guard on the 1914 Gibbsville championship football team. “…was always trying to get dates with Catholic girls – and getting them. “ Page 142.
Songs. The book mentions several popular songs of the era, played and/or sang at the Country Club, the Stage Coach and Julian’s home on the night he died: Embraceable You, I Got Rythym, Stairway to Paradise (George Gershwin). You’re Driving Me Crazy (Walter Donaldson), Love for Sale (Cole Porter), Something to Remember You By (Arthur Schwartz), Three Little Words (Harry Ruby). And the well-known jazz tunes: Sunny Disposish and St. James Infirmary. Even college songs: Lafayette was Lafayette When Lehigh was a Pup, the Lord Jeff of Amherst.
South Main Street. Runs perpendicular to Lantenengo Street. Caroline Walker English grows up in a mansion on South Main Street. Page 117.
Spitalsfield. A type of necktie. Worn by Julian on Christmas Day when he and Caroline visit his parents. Page 27.
Stage Coach. A roadhouse located about four miles beyond Taqua on the way from Gibbsville. Page 21. Built in 1928. Owned by Ed Charney. Pages 73-77. It is at the Stage Coach where Julian English wanders in drunk on Christmas Day Night, meets and dances with Helene Holman. The two go outside and get in and stay in a vacant automobile long enough to so give the impression that they have had sex. Pages 162-163.
Stag Line. The men at a social gathering who are not accompanied by a date who is a dancing partner.
Stannard, Is. Bryn Mawr classmate of Caroline. Going abroad with her in June 1925. Page 130.
Stay With You. An expression which means to have sex with. Caroline promises Julian that when they go to the dance at the Country Club on Christmas Day Night, she will go out to the car with him and stay with him. Page 81.
Steinmetz, Joe. Owner of the poolroom next to the Appollo Restaurant. Page 48. Al Grecco works there. One day Joe Steinmetz doesn’t come to work. Al Grecco goes to his home on Point Mountain and learns he has died. Al Grecco can’t afford to buy the poolroom, so he winds up as Ed Charney’s all-around lackey and errand boy. Pages 52-53.
Steinmetz, Mrs. Joe Steinmetz’s widow. Al Grecco can’t afford to buy the poolroom from her, so she sells it so someone else. Pages 52-53.
Stiney. Apparently a nickname for a lawyer at the Gibbsville Club who joins the fight between Froggy Ogden and Julian. Page 215.
Stoney Lonesome. Generic slang name of a prison. Dates to early twentieth century. Al Grecco is sent to the Stoney Lonesome for burglaring the church poor box. Page 47.
Straight. Known as “Old Straight.” The Gibbsville Club steward. Page 210. Tries to break up the fight between Froggy and Julian by stepping between them. Stands in front of Froggy with his back to Froggy, facing Julian. He does this because he assumes that Julian is the aggressor because Froggy has only one arm and would never start a fight. Page 213.
Swindle Sheet. An expense account. A salesman’s swindle sheet is an expense account. “…and the Apollo (Restaurant and Hotel) got a big play from salesmen who had their swindle sheets to think of.” Page 38.
Taqua. A town about fourteen miles north of Gibbsville. The next fairly big town after Gibbsville. The fictional name for Tamaqua. You can get there on Route 209 from Pottsville. It’s still a narrow two lane road.
Tobin, Genevieve. 1895-1995. American actress. Introduces and popularizes the Cole Porter Song “You Do Something to Me.” A personage aboard the Paris when Caroline sails to France in June of 1925. Page 130.
Tommy Lake’s Royal Collegians. A Gibbsville orchestra playing at the Lantenengo Country Club on Christmas Eve. Page 10.
Torch Singer. A vocalist, usually a woman, who sings torch songs. Torch songs are sentimental love songs, typically where the singer laments an unrequited love. Libby Holman and Helene Holman are torch singers.
Trephining. A surgical procedure in which a hole is drilled into the human skull. Dr. Malloy perfects this operation. Dr. English performs it but under Dr. Malloy’s supervision until the two have a falling out. Page 62.
Twentieth Street. Runs perpendicular to Lantenengo Street. Page 23.
Twin Oaks Road. Where Julian and Caroline live. You go up Lantenengo Street and turn left on Twentieth Street and it’s one block up. Page 23.
U.M.W.A. United Mine Workers of America. Labor union. Powerful force in Gibbsville’s anthracite region. Page 57.
Ursula. The cook for Dr. and Mrs. William English. Page 64.
Verner, Kay. Now at Westover. In love with Henry Lewis. Considered the prettiest girl. Page 15.
Victrola. A product of the Victor Talking Machine Company (1901-1929). Produces phonographs and phonograph records. In 1918, in her mother’s mansion, Caroline is playing the Victrola when she and her distant cousin Jerome Walker begin to make out. Page 119.
Volstead Act. See Prohibition above.
Walkers, The Cecil. Parents of Jerome Walker. The Walkers live in England. Page 119.
Walker, Constance. A distant cousin of Caroline Walker English. About ten years younger than Caroline. Attends Smith College. “She had a lovely figure, especially her breasts, and she was a passionate little thing who wasn’t homely but was plain and, if she only knew it, didn’t look well without her glasses.” Page 15.
Walker, Ella. Mrs. Waldo Wallace Walker. Caroline’s mother. She is a widow who lives in a mansion on South Main Street. “…the prettiest woman of her age in Gibbsville. Page 219.
Walker, Jerome. Distant cousin of Caroline’s. British. About twenty-five years old. Injured in World War One. Comes to Gibbsville in 1918 to teach modern warfare to the draft army. Stays at the Walker mansion on South Main Street. Caroline’s first love. He decides not to seduce her. Returns to England and six months later is dead from gangrene. Pages 116-119.
Walter. Mrs. Emily Shawse’s Negro chauffeur. Suspected of being her lover. Page 99.
Water Gipsies. Carter Davis gives this English novel by A. E. Herbert to Caroline for Christmas. Pages 160-161.
Westover School. An exclusive boarding and day school for girls. Located in Middlebury, Connecticut. Grades 9-12. Kay Verner attends Westover. Page 15.
White, William Allen. 1868-1944. A renowned American newspaper editor, politician and author, iconic middle America spokesman for thousands in the 1920s and 1930s. Bob Hooker of the Standard regarded himself as the William Alan White–Ed Howe-Joseph Pulitzer of Gibbsville.” Page 45.
Whiteman, Paul. 1890-1967. American orchestra leader. Known as the “King of Jazz.” On Julian’s last night he plays at least one Paul Whiteman recording, “Stairway to Paradise,” composed by George Gershwin. Pages 248-249.
Widener, Joseph P. 1871-1943. Wealthy American art collector. Founding benefactor of the National Gallery of Art in Washington. Major figure in thoroughbred horse racing. On board the Paris when Caroline sails to France in June of 1925. Page 130.
Wilk, Reverend Mr. Once has the Country Club raided under the Volstead Act. Page 100.
William. The waiter in the Country Club locker room. Julian has William bring him a bottle of Scotch from his locker with the hope he can have a drink with Monsignor Creedon and clear up the incident with Harry Reilly. Page 96.
Willie. An apprentice mechanic at Julian’s garage. Washes cars. Page 185.
Windsor Tie. A wide necktie usually of silk, cut on a bias, tied in a loose, double bow. Page 199.
Wise, Stephen S. 1874-1949. Austro-Hungarian-born. U.S. Reform Rabbi and Zionist leader. Visiting celebrity interviewed by Lydia Faunce Browne of the Standard. Page 45.
Woolworth’s. The F. W. Woolworth Company was founded in 1878. It became one of the largest retail chains in the world. It was known as one of the original “5 and dime” stores. It was at Woolworth’s and Kresge’s, the other “5 and dime” store in Gibbsville, where the young Julian and his friends used to wander and sometimes shoplift. Pages 169-170. In 1997 the Woolworth name was changed to Venator Group, and in 2001 it became known as Footlocker.
World War I. 1914-1918. European War. United States entered in 1917. Froggy Ogden and Bobby Hermann and others fight in World War One. They consider it an honor and a duty. Julian opts for S.A.T.C. at Lafayette. He is always bothered by his decision. Froggy and Bobby taunt him about it.
Ziegenfuss, Harvey and Emily. One of the several couples with the Flieglers at the Stage Coach on Christmas Day night. Page 141.
Robert G. Saliba
Morristown, New Jersey
January 31, 2010
(105th anniversary of the birth of John O’Hara)
THE JOHN O'HARA SOCIETY celebrates the life and works of John O'Hara, Pennsylvania's pre-eminent contemporary author and America's greatest short-story writer. The JOHS studies, publishes, and diffuses works by and about the author. Membership is free. For details, contact the JOHS's Corresponding Secretary, Richard Carreño, via Philabooks@yahoo.com. © MMXXIV John O'Hara Society.
