1939 Manuscript Work Log of a Seasoned Electrician and Lineman Working in California

On offer is the professional notebook of an electrical lineman in 1939 California named Perry Benge (1880-1950). 

Benge was born in Kentucky to parents Deloraha House and David Benge. He served in the US Army in the Spanish-American War and in the US Navy as an electrician in World War One (WWI). In 1919, Benge married Myrtle Belle Faris Mott. This was her second marriage and she was 13 years Perry’s senior. They had no children, though Myrtle had adult children from her previous marriage. After leaving the Navy in 1925, Perry worked in Oregon and Los Angeles County as an electrician and lineman. 

Perry kept this notebook to record his daily work tasks and interactions with colleagues from May through November of 1939 (and briefly in January of 1940). Context indicates he was working in and around San Bernardino, California. In this notebook, he logs his travel through his assigned counties, and discusses complications he encounters on the job, colleagues he works with and sometimes notes his activities on his days off. Some excerpts follow: 

“Barstow – Victoriaville – shower - [ ] for Cozzens – Dodson on 207-5 – Weed Crew – Southworth & Foss on cable set-up at 21051-53 – Wilsons – Doyle 227 mile – KR – waited for call from Joyce – 5:20 – Red Chief – Wilsons – Red Chief” [May 24].

“Boulder – bottle neck – state line highway to Baker – Lunch – signed at Hardy’s – SL - with West to 58 on Road damage small – 5L – Barstow [July 29] Bar – Vic – San Berdo from 9:30 to 11:30 with Johnson & Thrall on SL School – Wilsons – office – City Hall with helpers applications” [Aug 28].

“Off – Wilsons Lunch – KR – Hr to Lytle Creek and Lost Lake – Waited at Applewhite for Doyle. Report on 8854 ar 4:30. Start for SL – arrive 7 PM. Joyce 8:30 PM. Body removed by E. Doyle 10 PM – set anchors & got ready to shore & guy. Line out 12 PM – guyed and shored through 6 AM at Barstow 7:30 AM” [Sept 27].

“Bar with bull saw – Joyce – picked up 408 – went to 198 tel house – Kennedy on E side of Lytle Cr – on compl of counterpoise by constr crew laid off – Doyle 110 mi – San Savine – Wilsons – Off – home” [Nov 22].

This is a treasure of a notebook for anyone interested in municipal affairs, utility management, or the state of California at the outset of WWII. 

Measuring 6.75x4 inches, the notebook contains 96 pages and is approximately 75% complete. The cover is in good condition and the spine is sealed with tape. There is some wear damage at the bottom of the spine but it does not affect the contents. The pages are in good condition and the handwriting is legible. Overall Good.