Ida Ann (Morris) Bartlett

Birth: She was born around 1865 in Canada.  

Family Information:

She married Boyd Bartlett in Leesville, LA on February 11, 1933.

Description:  

Pre-Colony History: She came to the colony in 1933 from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her first husband and child had died prior to her coming.  

Home in Colony:  

Job in Colony:

In March 1934 she had charge of the tailor shop and was doing a great deal of work.

Notice inside the shoe repair shop:
If you want your shoes rebuilt, go to Ed Clark.
If you want your shirts mended, go to Ida Ann Bartlett.
If you want your socks washed, go to John Dougherty.
If you want work, go to Ralph Field, don't hang around here.

 

In October 1935 she became the librarian after the departure of Alta Needham. She immediately began to make plans to add a good subject catalog to the card catalog, expecting that would make it easier to locate needed material.

In 1936 she was reported to have been so ill that she'd been unable to open the library for the previous few days, but on Monday, Dec. 30th she was back at her post. 

Other Info: In February 1933 she, along with Comrade du Proz conducted a program in celebration of Lincoln's birthday which consisted of readings, recitations, Victrola music and speech-making. Phonograph selections were mostly of the patriotic variety, "Barbara Fritchie," "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," "Marching through Georgia" and "Columbia."

Also in 1933 she began promoting a better social life for colonists who did not dance. She organized Monday night gatherings which would feature cards, dominoes, chess, checkers, etc. Hikes and other outdoor activities would be included as the weather improved. The first party was held in her home and featured Victrola music as the entertainment. Among those present were Marcus Mardfin, Theodore Atworth, C.W. Fields, Ed Schott, H.G. Starkweather, Chester Page, Mr. and Mrs. Hardy, John Black, S.E. Broyles and Boyd Bartlett.

She also began a series of "musical treats" for the elderly shut-ins of the colony featuring music from her Victrola. The first afternoon she visited the home of the Brannons, parents of Dick and Ross Brannon. In the party were: Ross Brannon, Mrs. Banta, Mrs. Collins, Mother Pickett, Mrs. Lucas, Mrs. Condon and Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett.

After the May Day Revolution of 1935, she signed a statement supporting John Szpila's letter, which had been published in the September 21, 1935 issue of the "Llano Colonist" and spelled out the reasons the overthrow of former General Manager, George T. Pickett, had been necessary.  

Post-Colony History: In 1940 she was still living in a home in the unincorporated New Llano, Louisiana (site of the old colony) with her husband and was listed as a housekeeper in her own home.

In 1947 she attended a Thanksgiving dinner prepared by Mrs. Gussie Frusha for the old folks of New Llano. Attending were: Ed Mansfield, Ed Clark, Joe Noggles, F.R. Waters, Ed Merrill, S.E. Broyles, Ted Landrum, I. Ginsberg, Mrs. Martha Dougherty, Mrs. Ida N. Bartlett and Mrs. Alice Sontag.  

Death: She died in 1950 at the age of 83. Rev. E.O. Joynes officiated at the funeral.  

Sources: "Can We Cooperate" by Bob Brown; "Llano Colonist": February 18, 1933, May 20, 1933, March 31, 1934, October 12, 1935, January 11, 1936; US Census: 1940; "Leesville Leader": December 4, 1947, December 21, 1950