January 7-8, 1892 and 1903 in Coles County, IL

January 1892

7.  Thursday 7 AM.  Ther.  -5, 18. 20 =11

Clear with S.W. wind.  Get ready and go to work at cutting and put up ice.  Crass and Rice cutting and Kizer and Rhodes haul.  The Brownfields helped a little.  Harrison Mullens packed the ice  we finished filling ice about dark.  Got about six loads inside and piled one outside  The whole cost us about 8.00  The ice is average 4 1/2 inches and very good.  Several parties are talking about putting an ice plant here and have been soliciting subscriptions for two different companies.  Al Latta and wife left last evening for the south to be gone several weeks.  Recd.3.70 from WH White for ten ties rec??ed last week.  Pleasant day mostly light cloudy spit snow about 11 PM S to SW wind, W at night.  tue has caught very bad cold supposed from changing to thinner under clothing  Gobed after midnight.

8.   Friday 7 AM.  Ther 15.  24.  9. = 16

Mostly clear west wind.  Tue's cold about the same as last night.  H.G. [Henry Gramesly]  went hunting with Den  Dowling  [Henry's brother-in-law] and R.S. Curd getting  back about 4 P.M.  Variety Show in town at night.  Mostly cloudy day snow flakes bout 4 P.M. wind  W and NW.  Trade somewhat better than last week.  Docifer and Brady pulling up 6 inch ice.  Clear night and change for colder go bed midnight

Henry Gramesly 

Henry Gramesly

 January 1903

7.  Wednesday.  6:15 AM.  ther.  28.  29.  18.  =  25

Cloudy.  Very high S. to West wind all night with snow flurries.  Didn't sleep well for wind and snow sliding off roof.  Mrs. Cunningham washing.  High west to N.W. wind all day and mostly cloudy with light snow flurries.  Sidenstricker wants to  rent part of old shop for team.  Let him have it for 50 c per mo.  just for stable and feed.  Done through phone for Loxa.  Tue got letter from Maggie who arrived in Champaign.  Gobed 9 PM

8.  Thursday  6.30 AM.  Ther.  8.  17.  10.  = 11 2/3

Clear, high NW wind  Snowflurries night  and early  morn.  Dessa and Tue iron.  Dick and Bert Wright finish 2 cords of wood piling it west of back door.  Pay Dick in full for 2 cd  saw and split 3.00 and 65 for labor to date.  Tue check 3.65  I have not investigated conditions at store yet.  Tue up town town P.M. and was sick all night with sore throat &c.  A cold clear day with with NW wind not so strong as yesterday.  Go bed 9. P.M.

February 16- 28, 1902 Highlights

February 1902

16.  Sunday

Find Mrs. Eastin's old cat dead at barn this morning.  Ferd here while at night.

17.  Sunday, 6 AM.

Cloudy and snowing.  This is about the 24th "tracking" snow since the first in Dec 13th.  Marie is fifteen years old today and had several girls callers at night.  Self not feeling very well.  Tue has not heard from Maggie for nearly two weeks.  Self not feeling very well  Gobed  8.30 PM

18.  Tuesday.  6 AM.

Hannah was here most of P.M.  I sort through some photo trash P.M.  W.W. at the barn have frozen up everyday lately.  Cistern has been about dry for sometime.  N at night Self feeling badly.

19.  Wednesday

In yesterday Courier that Tom Tremble will go to Indianapolis in a week or so.  Has not paid rent due.--  Learn that Dan Tremble has moved out.  Tell Scott to rent the house.  Buy meat 55, pots 10  carrots 5 & Codfish 15  85 cts at Bantons.  Tue was up town P.M. with Mrs. Knock to Parkers opening.  Carlos Wing called to see about Cols. Place.  Mostly clear East wind.Girls all went coasting at night to Miles.

20.  Thursday

They are hauling  pipe for gas main on this street.  The girls coasting again tonight till late.  [Tue and Charles sick]

21.  Friday.  6 AM

Self about sick this morning.  Tue same.  I went up to Dr. Pattons office for medicine for Tue; he was not there.  Bert in town  and called awhile P.M. and called a while P.M.  Self and Tue both about sick.  Mostly clear day N.W. wind.  there is several inches of ice and snow on ground some of which has been there since Dec. 14.  Gobed  8 PM.

22.  Saturday

Wing calls AM to see about renting HG house.  I was busy and didn't see him.    Gave him the keys P.M.  Was about sick all day and got meddy for self and Tue of Dr. Patton.

23.  Sunday 7 AM.  Ther  30.  40.  36.  =  35 1/3
Tue kills one of her big roosters.  I spent much time looking over seed and fruit tree lists today.  I don't feel any better.  

24.  Monday
Wing and Sal McClasky still talking about trading for H.G. house.  Johnson and Melville take job of cleaning out privy  back of store for 3.00    Phebe went to ball at night with Geo Davis and stayed all night with Hannah

25.  Tuesday
Get barrel which make watering tub in barnyard.  Overhaul west room old house P.M. find boys  have taken all the old brass also saw.  Henry Heagan calls AM.  Self feeling badly but worked good deal today.

26.  Wednesday 
Went up to Marshall's office to get leases written. He advises me to write  them myself.  

27.  Thursday
Cloudy and raining which began about 10 last night.  The back street so bad Mrs. Bell has to go  round by sidewalk to milk our cow. It rained much of day from SE blowing into Attic windows and soaking through into Miss Ford's rooms.   Bert here on political biz and stays to dinner.  

28.  Friday
Al Latta  has his farm and his property across the street.  Tue attends Reading Circle P.M.

(One half page of February weather chart and graph.  Monthly mean 20 degrees  Clouds 44 1/2 %)

October 28, 1887 and 1901 NY and Charleston, IL

October 1887

28. Tuesday, 7 AM  Ther  35  45   45

Cloudy wind NW.  Work with registry board till 4 PM.  Light rain most of PM and at night till 4 PM. and night till 9 or 10 oclock  Al Latta has bought Stodderts lot in bottom opposite us and wants me to move my wood &c soon  Riley Eastin brought up load of posts which puts back of barn  Alexander took all the new posts I had in front. 92 I think   Dark and Chilly day wind W and NW  Gobed 1030 PM

October 1901

28.  Monday, 6.30 AM.  Clear cool morning I went down town after breakfast.  Learn that it is "dry" town.  After  dinner Charley took me to his brickyard and over to Fahy's farm on the neck. Mary helping Maria Fahys about getting ready to go to New York which they intend to do this week.  Maria sent carriage over to take me driving PM but was with Charley.

October 25,1890 and 1901

October 1890

25.  Saturday.  7 AM.  Ther  36.  63.  45.

 Cloudy and foggy. Wind SW Father fixes back fence.  Wash and fill bottles most of  forenoon H.G. has caught heavy cold.  Tue sewing on dresses for Maggie and Phebe.  Learn that Al Latta has bought the bottom lot opposite us.  Rile Easton brings up 42 posts settle with him full to date.  Good many people in town, trade fair.  Clear mostly  till noon with NE end PM more cloudy wind NW and sprinkle rain from 7 till 10 PM and grows much colder. Ther at 11 PM was 38 gobed 11 PM--

October 1901

25.  Friday.  Junior hitched up horse for me after breakfast and I  drove down to Matilda Holland.  Her son George who is on Keansarge left for New York last night.  I saw him yesterday.  I spent P.M. waiting for John C. to call for me and take me to Geneva which he failed to do.  Uncle Mark says he will go to G tomorrow and will take me.  Pleasant, cool.

May 11- 16, 1914 in Charleston, IL

May 1914

11.  Monday.  5.30 AM Ther.  64.  90.   76.  =  76 2/3

Cloudy. S.2.  Emmett comes 7 AM.  Burns brush, mows yard, took out ashes.  Puts lot wood down cellar and  straightens up in barn till 5 PM. Pd  ck 1.50 M&M work till 3 P.M. when finish and take away their outfit.  Didn't settle.  Emma helps Tue wash &c till 3 P staying to dinner.  Tue got so tired she went to bed.  M &M work on roof and porch floor.  We are well pleased with job.  Total net cost about 75.00  Have three gallons paint to return to Briggs but may use it at Loxa.  Mostly clear day strong southerly wind.  Sharp lightning N & NW at night with dash of rain about midnight.  The warmest day since last Sept. 11.  Gobed 9P

12. Tuesday 5.30 AM.  Ther.  68.  50.  46.  =   542/3

Cloudy SW 3 light rain 7 AM.  also in a little in the night.  Turns colder 7 AM.  M&M came AM and I pay firm  check 21.00 in settlement.  Cold cloudy day.  Strong NW wind.  Went to town for tobacco late PM.  Tue gets letter from each Muggs and Phebe.  Phebe expects to be at home early in June.  Didn't hitch up.  Get bale timothy of Ryan Cr .60  Have just enough coal for a good fire in furnace.  Go bed 9

13.  Wednesday. 6 AM Ther  46.  66.  54. + 551/3

Cloudy N.3.  Mist.  Tue ironing AM.  Make good all wood fire in furnace.  Hitch up 10 A.  T.W.P.  The Warman children running over and order  P.M.  Shave self P.M. later drive to Andrews' Lumber yard and order two glass for kitchen door at farm 40 1/8 x 10 1/2 half circle at top.  Helen sent butter by John.  I saw JE McGurty this morn : he has been to  French Lick Springs for health.  Tue went to town for book for Journal  She got one but it did  not fill the bill.  Partly clear day with moderate northerly winds  Gobed 9

14.  Thursday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  50.  72.  52.  =  58.

Part cloudy.  Telephone rang about  5 AM  We could get no response.  Old woman calls selling "numbers" in a quilt.   Tue didn't buy any.  Tue cleaning windows upstairs.  I drive uptown and E a mile.  Several large fields corn E. of town up and  looking well~ the finest corn I have seen.  Mrs. Harman phones Tue about paper hangers.  Reports Mrs. Shrivers sick.  Sent package by P.Post to Phebe to  Mail papers to each of girls.  Roads are getting dusty.  It is  very dry:  Things not growing much.  Cool mostly clear day very day.  The Morties came over 7 PM  Mrs. Curd soon joined us all sp(?) evening till about 9 PM  write 3 &BCo Peoria

15.  Friday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  42.  74.  56.  =  571/3

Clear NW1  Had thought to go to Loxa early but didn't get off till after 10.  Took kitchen door glass 2 and 3 panes 10x16 for Loxa house.  I pass through Loxa going out  Drove through place to NW 40  where met Harman.  He had quit for noon and rode with me to front which he opened for me.  Think has planted 37 acres I get to Shrieves just dinner time.  Mrs. S had  gone for seed corn.  Jack and self ate our cake at BC shed.  Shrieves has about 30 acres in the ground.  Start home at noon going south and the  sweetwater getting home 3 PM.  Roads dry and  dusty.  Most people busy planting.  Harman has one piece up.  I reached home by Al Latta route  Met McKee boys near Greens  Emma helped Tue today  Tue lost her specs and we hunt for them till dark.  Clear North wind whirlwinds.  Gobed 10

16.  Saturday.  5.30  AM.  Ther.  44.  78.  56.  =  59 1/3

Clear NE 1 Tue and I look for  glasses till 10 oc when she found them in N. Chamber.  Get letter from Phebe she has sent home a porch swing, not yet recieved.  Pay Telephone for Apl. 1.50  I was up town.  Tue went down to Hats  late P.M.  Mostly clear day: light easterly winds.  Not many in for Saturday, all busy planting.  I have not seen Simons since he lost his horse.  Gobed 9

April 14, 1913 and 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

1913

14.  Monday.  5.45  AM.  Ther.  34.  62.  46.  = 47 1/3

Clear.  N.8.  White Frost.  No ice.  Ray did not come as expected and had to carry up coal ourselves.  Look over some old papers &c. A.M.  Tue went over plantsthing(sic) me what she didn't want me to do.  I got my mare 10 A.M.  but did not use her till after dinner. 1.30 P.M.   start out to settle with some of my  creditors.  Mare too foxy so don't drive near the depot.  Met Al Latta cor Div. and Madison where he has rooms.  I drove out by fairground up by John R. Hills to town there west to  Popham road then south to R.R. and home.  Most of the farmers up that way are clearing out their pastures especially buck brush.   Note  Dr. Pattons, Sodderts and Popham's.  They have cut most of trees and brush and plowed the ground.  We get another letter from tenant Oakley at Loxa needing repairs &c.  on house.  Order balehay (sic) bu oats from I.B.M. P.M.  Have had mare at Nickles service last Thursday night.  Gob 8.30

1888

14.  Saturday.  6 AM  Ther.  47.  65.  50.
Clear and  pleasant day.  Driving round 4th ward in forenoon trying to connect up hold list.    Good many in town P.M.  Bert called while eating dinner.  Pay Rutherford 1.25 PM.  W. Decker 9.45 for wood cut @ 60.  Still owe him 6.00 (?) having cut 40 3/4 cord.  Comer in wants me to come down and divide lumber.  The "Citizens" convention in 1st. ward nominate W.H. French to run against M. White Rep.   Politics talked a good deal on streets today.  Went up to French Davis office at night to take poll book.  Settle with Bill Meyers for ham bought last week.  Meyers says he will work Monday.  Talk for license a good deal mixed .  Go bed 10 PM.

October 19, 1887 in CharlestonS, Illinois

19.  Wedmesday  7 AM.  Ther.  37.  62.  43.
Clear.  White frost.  Was on Non Corupis mentis jury Mrs. Hokner sending her to hospital for year.  Tried to see Shep Hunt but didn't.  Seph went after the first load of lumber.  T.G. Chambers funeral in P.M.  Was up to see Al Latta most of afternoon.  He is not as well as he had been.  No word from Dorsey, have about given up hearing from him.  Pleasant day  mostly clear.  Gobed 9 P.M.

Charleston, Illinois on October 14, 1887

14,  Friday,  6.30 A.M.  Ther.  35.  60.  (?)  39.  Heavy white Frost.
Clear  Jo Laudes shot  Al Latta this A.M. about 7 o'clock.  Start for timber about 8.30 with Sam Roberts to look at tie job.  Took gun but did not see any squirrels.  Mill  (?) Comer there.  We got home about 5 P.M.  paid Riley Decker this afternoon in full for wood cut by him and Johnson.  Uncle John was down to dinner today,  Buy fish of Hedrick at night - Has been clear day with  N.wind.  Most of leaves still green and on the trees.  Go bed 9.45 P.M.