The Tin Cup Years
Extracts From the Diary of Minnie Coupeau
January, 1902 - June, 1919

January 1st, 1902
Dear Diary,
I got this diary as a Christmas present from Mother and Father, and I couldn't wait to write in it. To begin with, I am going to tell you about my family and myself. I am eleven years old. I play the piano and go to school. I like school, and my teacher is very nice. I am the second oldest in our family. My sister Martha is thirteen, and she also takes piano lessons, but she isn't very good. Then there is James. He is only four years old, and he gets into absolutely everything! Yesterday he went into Mother's room and dumped all her powder onto the floor! Lastly, there is George. He is two years old and is just like James. You can always tell where those two have been from the trail of things they have gotten into. Then there are my mother, Myrtle, and my father, Albert. They are the best parents you could ask for. Father owns the railroad here in Tin Cup, and Mother stays home and tends to the boys. Must go.
Love,
Minnie

April 4th, 1902
Dear Diary,
I am so happy! Father told us at supper tonight that the Jimmy Mack Mine had just found a large silver vein. The Jimmy Mack is one of Father's biggest customers. This means that Father has more silver to put in his trains! More silver means more money, and more money means maybe even a trip to Leadville to visit Cousin Annie. Mother said that we might even visit the opera house on Harrison Ave! Must go and set the table for Mother.

Love,
Minnie

August 6th 1902
Dear Diary,
Father learned today that the Brunswick people who were putting the little tunnel into West Gold Hill found a large silver deposit. He is very excited and hopes that the mines that closed last year will open again. Mother told Martha and me that we were to pack our things for a trip to Gunnison. It has been snowing some, and I hope that it won't keep us from going. I like Gunnison, even though it smells sometimes, and the cowboys are rowdy. I think we are going to leave next week.

Love,
Minnie

September 6th, 1902
Dear Diary,
Today is a special day. It was our first day back at school, and we have a new teacher, Miss Sutton, who can even sing and play the piano! I am in seventh grade this year, and Martha is in ninth grade. I sit in the sixth seat in the second row. That's fine, except Avery Van Huss sits right behind me. He is so mean, he even pinned my pigtails to his desk with his penknife. Miss Sutton made him stay late after school to help her clean inkwells in all the desks.

Love,
Minnie

September 10th 1902
Dear Diary,
Good news: Mr. Niederhut told Father that more silver was discovered in the little tunnel that the Brunswick people are putting into West Gold Hill. Father thinks there is a lot, but he won't know until he talks with Mr. Norliff. After last month's news, maybe we can go to Gunnison again. Martha and I enjoyed riding Father's train, and got to go shopping for new dresses.

Love,
Minnie