Teacher's Institute Notebook 1886 / Iowa woman's record of eerie exchanges with her young son

Notebook published 1886, remarks ca. 1896. Discovered in Woodbine, Iowa. Wraps, 8vo. An unnumbered book designed for teachers' remarks on their students' recitations. The first page has notes on music theory, then is used by a woman to record odd things her son has said and done, mainly relating to death, at roughly three years old. I said to Harvey, who is putting paper in his mouth and chewing it, "Harvey Mama doesn’t think you had better do that, for it might make you sick." After a short silence he says, "I want to die and go to God." Has been told when people get sick and die, they go up to God's beautiful house. The child repeatedly talks of death and spirits, refers to himself in the third person, and makes menacing remarks.  When he wants me to find his lost marble, says “Mama I am crying you’d better get the marble. Harvey is crying.” Repeats it. Enjoys using chair for piano, plays and sings much. Asks me if I like it. Makes face of man with eyes nose, mouth like this [image]