The diary is a 7-1/4″ x 4-1/2″ notebook containing one hundred lined pages. The cover has the hand-written title JOURNAL, VOL I, Willard Hall, Evanston, Ill.” The diary starts with Elisabeth and Litta's departure for Chicago on September 17, 1903 and ends on April 26, 1904; the last entry is followed by the notation “Continued in Volume II.”
Elisabeth was conscientious about writing in her dairy, omitting entries only between September 22-26, 1903, and during the three weeks of Christmas vacation, December 1903-January 8, 1904. Her handwriting is fine and legible, with very little crossing out.
