August 24-28, 1891 and 1902 in Charleston, Illinois

August 1891

24.  Monday,  5 AM  Ther

Partly cloudy. Riley and J.S. make barn door s. side and nail up  Warren went to town without load.  I start home about 10 AM getting there noon.  Sps rain AM.  cool.  Nick on hand but feeling badly.  I stopped an gathered lot of mushrooms (supposed Agaricus Procerus, and had one small one for dinner.  Phebe and Turie both sick at night vomited till after midnight.  Self not feeling very well nor W.S.G.  attribute to mushroom at first but decide must have been  very rich soup for dinner  Go bed 1 AM.

25.  Tuesday, 6 AM  Ther.

Clear  Ringling Bros Circus in town  Unusually large crowd  all of timber fellows in, settle with most of them.  Uncle John  says can have team wagon and plow which Squires may come after Saturday  W.S.G. and  children went to circus P.M.  W.S.G.  Tue and Hat at night.  Trade hardly as good as it should have been considering the big crowd.  Jo Parker worked forenoon patching roof.  Brownfield helped all day at store  Nick there all day, but not well.  Police give permission to keep open till 11 PM while do not accept.  Bert Bim and Uncle ate dinner also H & Hat.  Gobed  11 PM

26.  Wednesday  6 AM  Ther 50

Clear wind, S.  Jo Parker came early Brownfield helped him an hour or so ? up floor on porch and get ready to put on roof before quitting at night.  Warren finishes Mrs. Coon wood 6 cords @ 3.00  Pleasant day.  Tue not very well  Gobed  10 30 PM

27.  Thursday  Ther

Cloudy wind NW. light rain till 10 AM  Parker works 3/6 day on roof Brownfield 1/2 day.  Put 15 Cull Cercrops on willow tree.  Have 50 spinning up stairs  clear PM and much cooler  Gobed 10 30 PM

28.  Friday 6 AM  Ther 44  70.  52  =  55 1/3

Clear and almost frost.  Parker and Branford work all day on roof  getting it nearly done.  Mrs. R washes and irons  K of P here big meeting in town  Quite a crowd in town  Warren brought load of wood to Mrs. Norfolk  Settle in full to date with Chut Bennett.  R.R. spots ties and pay me for 144.  Clear day N. wind Gobed  10.15 PM~~

August 1902

24.  Sunday,  5 AM.  Ther  45.  82.  58.  61 2/3

Clear.  Helen and Marie started at 620 AM train for Indianapolis to visit Laura Clark for today.  I drove down to Mt. Zion School House      and around by Woodson Place looking.  Didn't find much.  Got home 1 P.M.  Went over river at bridge and into the hills near the road beyond,  Didn't find much.  Got home 1 P.M.  Tue was up most of P.M. but not feeling much better.  Dr. Patton brought me lot of mushrooms mostly Puff Balls and too old.  Drove up to Decker Park and got mess of Pluteus at saw dust.  Then down to Galodays to tell her not to come tomorrow.  Mostly clear day N.E.  wind  Gobed 830 P,M,

25.  Monday  6 AM.  Ther.  48.  82.  60. = 61 2/3
Clear  N.E, wind.  Marie and Helen  came home about midnight last.  Try to write good description of Psalliota  I have been finding in  woods.  Tue was up all day but feeling badly  I drove up to Dr. Pattons pasture after dinner  Intended to from three to Gaine's was taken sick about 3 P.M. came and couldn't eat any supper.  Clouded up P.M. and  lt rains after 4 P.M. and much of night, wind easterly.  I got to sleep on lounge till after 10 P.M.

26.  Tuesday,  6 AM.  Ther 57.  76.  58.  =  63 2/3  
Cloudy and raining lightly easterly, rain continued till 9 AM.  I drove down to Wrights to investigate mushrooms  Did not find any worth while.  Some fellows sawing on Stoddard 40.  Jo with family came in after dinner in buggy for spade and shovel to work on road.  Pay Wilson and McClara in full to date, check 5.51 includes shovel and knife  'Drove up to Dice woods getting fine mess of  supposedly Clyloryte ordores which undertake to have for supper but fail to get them them through.  Saw  but one specimen of large Psatliola today.  Many fungi coming up in woods.  Bridges pays me rent for month ending Aug 20 being in  full to  that date.  Tue up most of day and over at Groves at night.  Gobed 9 P.M.

27. Wednesday 545 AM.  Ther  57  84  62  =  67 2/3
Mrs. Galoday washed.  I intended to go out to Joe's but felt too badly In P.M. drove east of town finding many kinds of mushrooms  Some good ones.  Lepiota  procuruis,  A sylvaticus, ?,  Pluteus cervinus  various forms of elits cups  Got home before night was up town after supper.  Tue over to see Cottons baby which is sick.  Gobed 9.30 P.M.

28.  Thursday, 5.45 AM.  Ther 57.  84.  70  =70 1/3
Partly cloudy, hazy, light easterly wind.  Tue and I start for Loxa before 10 AM.  Took her to Hen's, I went up to Gaines'.  Shirley about half done B.C.  He does not want me to insur his part of B.C.  says will not have more than ten tons.  I insure part of Shirley's at night with WW Scott agt.  All of the Jim Decker B.C. with Frommel for 600.00.  Met C Talbot who will help me build fence if I need him.  I drove up to Dice's woods on way home getting home 5.30 PM.  Tue decided to stay at Hen's all night.  Mostly clear day; light easterly wind  Gobed 9 P.M.

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May 26-31, 1901 in Coles County, IL

May 1901 

26.  Sunday.  5.30 AM.  Ther  44.62.  48 = 511/3

Cloudy, northwind.  had to make everything covers today for fuel as am out of coal.  Chilly but wind not so strong as yesterday.  I start to country about noon south with some idea of going to  ranch.  Went west from Kickapoo bridge and brought up Loxa at 4 P.M. stayed about an hour and home by 6 P.M.  Maggie and Hannah Marshall  going with her to Mattoon getting home at midnight  Gobed 9.30

27.  Monday, 5.15 AM.  Ther  48,  65.  53.  =  55 1/3

Partly clear northwind.  Jim Warren mowing yard. Jo Gaines in before 7 AM. after some things which he fails to take out  Took cistron pump down to Resons shop.  Forget lumber for platform W & T. give me piece for buggy reach which proves to be wrong one Jo reports Sorrel horse sick and I start out about 10 AM get jag coal at Richter.     Hen borrows planter and washes our horse.  John and Edith move.  Jo burns brush P.M.  in orchard.  Get home about 6 P.M. and leave buggy at Hartelter shop to be repaired by 9  oclock tomorrow morning.  Tue learns that  Clara Thurman is going home to Indiana.  He has been  working at Huttons since leaving us. [shorthand]

28.  Tuesday. 5.15 AM.  Then 48. 64. 47.  =  53

Cloudy and raining northwind.  There was light rain most of night.  Went up to Hartelters and got buggy before noon.  Jim Warren called owe him $1.50 mowing yard  Went out to Gaines P.M. taking time for whitewash &c.  Mrs. G has pulled off most of paper in house.  Jo Harrowed M. and is cultivating earliest piece corn this afternoon.  The horse seems about the same, no worse.  I got home 6 P.M.   Mostly cloudy sps rain oc. AM. occasional sunshine P.M.  Roads quite muddy in places.  Tue and Marie went to Groves late Thomas and Hannah Marshall here while evening.  Gobed 9 P.M.

29.  Wednesday.  5.10 AM.  Ther 40.  70.  53.  =  54 1/3
Clear northerly wind.  Said to have been light white frost in places this morn.  Mrs. Owen washes.  Jo Crail scatters grass on yard.  Bunket sent word yesterday for me to come up this AM.  Saw him caul trade.  Talk with W.E. Hill about bottom lot.  Saw Clara on St. she did not seem to know me.  Get shave.  Pay Centers &c in full both (?), both firms . check $8.64.  Started ti GAines right after dinner.  Pay Jim Warren for mowing $1.50 on road to Gaines.  Mrs. G still "house cleaning" she whitewashed west room all over this morning and was getting the east one ready P.M.  Joe plowing front piece corn, which is about 2 1/2 in high has a fine stand.  Sorrel horse does not seem any better.  I got home  before night.  Mrs. Owens  worked all day  Cleaned out cellar P.M.  Mort and  Kate over at night.  Mag and Ph both away partly cloudy day northerly wind gobed 10 P.M.

30.  Thursday. 6 AM.  Ther.  46.  70.  51.  =  55 2/3
Cloudy.  N.E. wind. There was light showers several time in night.  Tue had two or three bad spells coughing in night.  My fatted calf off with his feed this morning.  Mrs. Owens ironed.  Have talk with Jack Colby A.M.  Crail did not come to work as promised.  Much interest shown  shown in Decoration ceremonies but Tue nor I went out  Thought of going to Loxa but postpone trip till tomorrow.  Drove down to Kickapoo PM looking for fungi.  Didn't find anything worth while.  Fair day clear at night N.E. wind  Tue and others away at night.  Gobed 8 P.M

31.  Friday 5 A.M.  ther.  40.  75.  60.  =  58 1/3
Clear  N.E. wind.  City  cleaning out ditch on back 5th street.  Say they will do grading next  Monday.  Start to Gaines 8.30 find Mrs. G still anxious for wall paper.  the small horse is in stable and apparently better.  Bill working Queen.  think can use him Monday.  Shirley planting B.C. west of Loxa.  Our corn a fine stand: (?) about 3 in high  I got home before noon.   After dinner get wall paper for Gaines at Parks and send over on local freight.  Bill Campbell rode to RR with me.  On way home drive north mile or two.  Most people have finished breaking and planting.  Or last not up yet.  CD Mitchell talks to me P.M.  Roads are good west.  Engage Jubal Jones to work tomorrow morning  Jo Crail has got another job.  Fair day partly cloudy and much warmer than lately  Gobed 9 P.M.

October 20, 1889 and 1900 in Charleston, IL

October 1889

20.  Sunday.  7 AM.  Ther.  48.  54.  43  =  48 2/3

Clear except  smoke or fog.  Start for  ranch 9 AM  Phebe went with me.  Frank Smith there.  Phebe and self gather a few nuts.  Look at saw logs.  Milt said he would go over F. Goodmans and borrow wagon to haul logs.  We got home about dark  Maggie had a light chill this AM.  Pleasant day smokey NE wind gobed 10 P.M.

October 1900

20.  Saturday.  6 AM.  Ther   50.  75.  60  =  61 2/3

Mostly clear  Tue feeling some better , and  up to  get breakfast.  Got another load wood (cord) of Newell  which didn't pay for.  Simons not up today.  Learn that Brown  (Ira) was here but did not see him.  They (H Plant) are putting in heating pipes on 5th St. North blocking that St to RR.  Corn 30.c here.  Very little B.C. selling.  Price about 70.00  per or more per ton.  Campbell tells me  of Piercy girl W of town  Tue and Marie eat supper at Mrs. Knocks.  Let  Bush have elm @ $16.50.  his bill  will be next.  NO boy yet.  Have been doing chores self.  Bill Hatton has promised to begin working for me Monday at 1.75 per day.    Will Campbell and self drive round town a while at night.  Met him at Wrights.  Paid up gro. bill yesterday - some 31.00+.

Arc light around town out at P.M.  Town dark probably all night.  Go bed 10 P.M.   Took pill.

Walls bill, presented 50.00 rent says come Monday.

September 17-29, 1900 in Charleston, IL

          September 1900

17.  Monday, 5.30 AM.  Ther.  39.  65.  50.  =51 1/3
Clear.  Coldest morn since last Spring.   Northerly wind   Boy Clyde Ashby not studing very well.  I  spent part of AM over at Court House with Jerry Merrett in basement where he was sorting over records.  Drove out to Gaines after dinner  Drive down near branch where Jo was burning brush.  He is doing good Job of clearing.  Pat Downey has sold his B.C. for 85.00 Smith on Division got 80.00  I got some tomatoes and &c. also 11/2 doz eggs.  Roads getting quite dusty.  Cool clean day Northwind.  Got home 6.30 PM  Gobed 8 P.M.  Drove Queen.  Clyde and I could not harness Roan this morning.    

Parker dry goods and Ginthers hardware took fire about 8 PM 18th and damaged goods much.  (shorthand)

18.  Tuesday. 5.40 AM.  Ther.  37.  70.  68? = 58 1/3
Mostly clear. hazy.   Mrs. Owens washing.  Shirley called bout 9 AM.  It was quite windy.  Insisted we sitting in kitchen says will not cut anybodys BC stubble nor corn stalks.  Saw him later up town.  Speak to Bill Scott about selling the Cols place.  Reese has spoken of buying it.  Pat Downey sold his BC for 85.00.  There is talk of higher sales but this is highest I know of.  I start out Loxa 2 P.M.  Boy rides to Fair Ground with me.  I stop there an hour or two  WA Campbell on ground.  Got to Gaines about 4 PM.  Retha rode home from S.H. with me.  Mrs Gaines not at home.  Jo grubbing  Sprinkles rain about 5.30  Stay to supper and all night.  Learn Shirley is talking of renting Berts farm.  &c.  lot of stuff mostly about Shirley.  Play cards till bed time 9 P.M.

19.  Wednesday 4.30 AM.  Ther.  65?  65.  64  = 64 2/3
Mostly Cloudy get ready to start home 7.30 AM.  Very peculiar clouds.  Take snapshot at there from new B.C. shed.  Began raining about 8 and continued till afternoon.  I stay till after dinner.  Flo and Retha didnt (sic) go to school owing to rain.  Drive to Loxa after dinner. Called at Ora's.  She still in bed with Malarial and alone.  Hen gone to Iowa.  Saw McPheron but got no money from him.  Get home 4 oclock  Tue not very well.  busy getting Phebe ready to go to Chicago.  Ferd here.  Is not going to N.Y. at present.  Cloudy day  Gobed 8 P.M.

20.  Thursday 6.30 AM.  Ther.  64.  83.  64.  =  70 1/3
Mostly Cloudy.  SW wind.  Charlotte Sproule sewing for Tue staying to dinner.  Marie went with friends to Fair.  Ferd called AM and I took him out to Fairground.  I drive up to  Dice woods near  Decker sp looking for mushrooms.  Didn't find any   Home to dinner, and took Maggie to fair in afternoon.  Roads were muddy this morning but pretty well dried up before night.  Good Crowd P.M. considering weather.  and if it continues they  look  for immense attendance tomorrow.  Paid Clyde $1.00 up to Tuesday morning.  He had a chill and did not go to fair and was late with chores at night.  Tue  working all day getting Phebe ready to go away next Tuesday.  Tue at Groves at night   Girls out.  gobed 8.30 P.M.  Dan Wall for month's rent due today. didn't pay.

21.  Friday.  5 AM.  Ther 54.  75.?  60.  =  63.
Mostly cloudy and foggy.  Northerly wind.  Folks left dining room open  all night.  Put on new pants and vest.  Have had them a a year. also coat  Drive up town after steak AM.  Charlotte and Maunee Fisher helping Tue  Rene.  Dora and baby came AM.  I took them and Marie to Fair  Went out self after dinner.  See Bacon and Kate a few minutes but didn't see them after dinner.  Shirley in town P.M. bulling round.  Se Brown toward night says engine at Simons ready to go back to mill.  Wall paid me month rent to to 2oth inst 50.00  Attendence at Fair not large  Get pretty well tired out today  tue over to Grove/s at night  Gobed  8 P.M.

22.  Saturday.  5.30 AM.  Ther 50.  75?  60?  =  61 2/3
Partly cloudy and some foggy morning  Drive out to Fair with Clyde Ashby and stay there most of day.  Going home to dinner.  Went into most of shows on ground.  Get Draft for Tue for Phebe 100.00 at State Bank after dinner.  Mamie Fisher helping Tue P.M.  Stay at Fair til nearly dark.  Oram Piercy rode to town with me.  Supposed to have been big crowd at fair today saw Charley Hildreth but did not see any more of Bert's folks.  Shirley there but didn't see him  Saw Bill Shirley,  I drove out to fair ground after supper.  Everything pretty well cleaned up  Tue feeling badly.  Mort and Kate over at night.  Cool  pleasant day and fine for fair.  Gobed  9 P.M.

23.  Sunday.  5 A.M.  Ther 60  83.  64  =  69
Cloudy.  There was light shower last night perhaps 11 P.M.    I drove up to Decker Spring and beyond AM. looking for mushrooms did not find any.  Roads muddy N. of town.  Tue busy all day getting Phebe ready to go away.  I take valise down to train P.M.  next Hoff and Ed Jones car 5 and Wash.  Was down to 6 P.M. late 15 m train when Phebe left, about 8 or 10 of the boys and girls have gone same trip.  I notice Robt Winston with Ganaway Vern Blair.  Ola Weyath Vivian Blain Charley Miller and others I can't recall.  Tue feeling badly all day and did not go to train.  Mostly clear and quite warm  Gobed 8.30 P.M.

24.  Monday.  5.15 AM.  Ther  65.  84.  65? = 70 1/3
Mostly cloudy with SW wind.  Tue persuades me to drive down to Burts after some peaches.  they were all at home.  We start 7.10 get there ?.40 and leave at 10 AM. getting home about noon.  Got bushel or so peaches and  some Jonathon apples.  I start out to Gaines' 3PM.  Had to see John H Marshall about fore closure  on H.H. place.  Must be done before 27  Gaines shucked sweet corn this P.M.  Dug potatoes last Sat.  Stay all night S&B  Jo came from Loxa 5 P.M.  Meet Shirley near Smith;s says has contracted sold his corn @ so  told him to sell mine also.  He and Bill had started to town to see me but turn back, and Shirley rides to J.H. with one.  Play 7 up at  night  Gobed 9 P.M.

25.  Tuesday.  4.30 AM.  ther.  65? 92.  80 = 79.
Clear  Jo started to town 6 P.M. and self hour after.  Hat took in big load sweet corn putting in bin for feed and taking out load of manure cleaning out stable  Examine new map of county at Je McGurty  He agrees to let have it for 4.10  Very warm but good breeze from SW. and mostly clear day.  Mrs. Owens washed  Take her home before dinner.  Feeling badly self all P.M.  Think ate too much dinner.  No word from Phebe yet.  Charley Miller wrote his father that they got there all right.  Bill Scott thinks "Col." will sell his place for 1,700.00 or less.  Kate Grove over a while at night and Tue and Marie went home with her.  I develop 3 plates at night  Gobed 9.30 PM

26.  Wednesday. 5 AM.  Ther.  70.  90.  72. = 77 1/3
Mostly clear southerly wind.  get up early harness Roan and went up to Dice Woods for mushrooms but didn't get  any.  Mrs. Owens comes to iron AM.  Learn that Loan Ass is about foreclose mortgage on his place.  He one come at J , Marxhalls 3 P,M, and agrees to let me have deed for place  Hill make deed and agreement tomorrow morning.  Find sweet corn Jo bought is about to spoil  Clyde says will come at 5.30 tom.  Mostly cloudy P.M.  Tue feeling badly.  Gobed 8 AM.

27. Thursday, 5 AM.  Ther  62.  63.  62 = 62 1/3
Cloudy misty, spr rain about 5 and afterwards I intended to for look for mushrooms but rain stop me.  Up to John Marshalls office AM.  Take him to "Col" and the Col signs deed to me  Hat also signed.  He will retain possession of house for 6 months unless he can sell at his price after which time if not sold I can sell at my price.  The charges against it now amount to about 1500.00  Saw Henry Neal P.M. about Loan association Mortgage.  Says they will make it easy easy as they can for me.  John Shafer has two "bricks" which he claims he found on Blakeman place which he shipped to the mint as silver. P,M,  They are putting concrete walk round court yard  Mostly cloudy day with NE wind  mist at times  Gobed 9.30 PM  McPhenon called toward night and paid 20.00 on rent  He claims mistake in my account.

28.  Friday 4.30 AM.  Ther  64.  73.  64.  =  67
Cloudy and  'some foggy, also light rain.  Went up to Dice's woods early to look  for mushrooms.  None there dont think there has been enough rain.  Try to see H.G. but thinking but think he is hiding from Sheriff.  Drive down to Miley pasture about noon getting a few puff balls mostly too old.  Maggie working at Jenkin's began  yesterday P.M.  J.A. Parker & Co., are closing  out after their fire.  They have two or three rooms rented round town.  Mrs. Knock was over P.M. and she and Tue went to Parker's sale. Saw John Linder down by railroad he and Tieple are partners now in buying corn.  Mostly cloudy day with light  rain AM early and  heavier after dark at night.  Tue and Marie over at Groves  Maggie away to supper and stayed all night  Gobed 9 PM  Collybia radicata quite plentiful.

29.  Saturday. 6 AM.  Ther  62  73  52  =62 1/3
Cloudy wind northerly  Light rain  most of night also this morning.  John Simons up with  small load of lumber for Stirgman says has been sick.  Ira up and settle with him for all bills collected and some that are not.  Shirley in town.  Armstrong  has not sold his B.C. yet.  The price remains about the same 80.00 to  85.00  Hear of some cropssell at 90.00  Ira takes bill for C D Mitchell also Sam Weyeth.  Tue attends reading Circle P.M.  Women played  baseball down at
R.C.  Maggie working at Jenkins.  Sick at night.  Tue gets letter from Phebe wanting to come  We all write her and send with special stamp  Try to telephone her at night but could not get her.  Clear day.  Northerly wind.  gobed 10 P.M.

September 14 - 16, 1889 and 1900 in Charleston, Illinois

September, 1889

14.  Saturday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  70.  91.  75 =   78 2/3

Mostly cloudy but clears off.  Big crowd  in town   Rene came in leaving her horse while she went to fair.  I was out a while  P.M. bought a Plymouth rock rooster.  Maggie is sick all day  Sent for Dr. Patton at night.  Think is is the ague.  Busy day and trade pretty good  next to best day we ever had.  Gobed 11 P.M.

15.  Sunday.  7 AM.  Ther.  75.  80.  62.  =  72 1/3

Cloudy Heavy shower in night and more at intervals during day.  Had intended to go to timber but for rain.  Maggie better.  Some fellow got us up in night yelling "murder!" in the wood house.  Davis Children here all P.M.  Grows cooler after noon and cloudy all day go bed 7.30 PM

16.  Monday.  6 AM.  Ther 58.  66.  57.  =  60 1/3

Cloudy Phebe started for school.  Maggie in bed most of day.Settle with Bill Kelly for wood and work, after which he helped a while P.M. in stable.  Ed Eastin paid me 2.00 on old account went over to Bill Kellys toward  night. to look at some hay..  Milt did not come up today.  Hat helps  Tue with peaches PM and stayed to supper.  H.G. had a keg fall on him today.  Gobed  10.30 PM

September 1900

14.  Friday.  5.AM.  Ther.  53.  88.  60.  =  67.

Clear Easterly wind.  Drive E. and NE of town AM  B.C. mostly cut.  It is reported to be going up in prices.  Tue and Ferd went to Berts getting some peaches.  Ora sick at home in Loxa.  Ferd got letter from Addie  Maggie got dinner which I ate about 1 PM.  Corn on toe kept me awake all night.  Maggie and Phebe to dance at Decker Park.  Roads good becoming dusty  Mostly clear day with easterly wind.  Gobed 9 P.M.

15.  Saturday. 6 A.M.  Ther.  65.  95.  70.  =  76 2/3

Mostly cloudy.  S.E. wind.  Sprinkle rain 7 A.M.Mrs. Owens came to help Tue.  Can fruit &c.  Return shoes to AM Mitchell and he Crs. me 5.00  Pay him $20.00 ch on account which leaves me owing him ten or twelve dollars.   B.C. is reported to be a little higher.  Mostly clear day wind getting round to  NW before night.  I drove Queen up  town after supper for grub.  Talk a while with W. H. Campbell on west side.  Says he is doing well in restaurant.  Bad runaway in front of our premises   about 8 P.M.  Lee Wright and others nobody hurt seriously but vehicle demoralized ,  C.D. Mitchell pays me for lumber ch. 42.02  get couple show tickets of Al Parker through P.O.  Tue thinking of taking another roomer.  Gobed 9.30 P.M.  ~~~~ (shorthand)

16.  Sunday.  6 AM.  Ther.  50.  75?. 50 = 58 1/3

Clear.  Brisk N.W.  Turned cool in night.  Start bout 9.38 AM.  Thinking of going to Ranch but only go far as Kickapoo.  Coming back by   Myers lane,  getting home about noon.  Feeling without  tobacco, very sleepy.  Tue and I start for Berts about 3 P.M.  Drive through Loxa stop at Hen's.  He is gone to Dakota. Ora sick in bed, better than she was.  Gilbert girls staying with her found their farm on fire PM and extinguish it.   Bert's folks not at home when we got there at 6.15 PM. and got on wrong road going home getting down by Hayden Kings.  Mostly clear day.  Take Snap shot at Bert's house from S.W. before they get home.  Gobed 9 PM

February 16-19, 1914 in Charleston, Illinois

February 1914

16.  Monday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  4.  28.  22.  = 18

clear. N.W.3.  Order load of Panama coal from Andrews WN @ .350  they send it just after dinner.  It is some improvement on the coal we have been burning all winter.  The load 465 lbs. at average consumption this season this should last till Mar. 15.  they had good deal trouble getting in owing to ice N. of barn.  Tue irons AM. Cap Alexander was buried today.  Mrs. Brooks called a while 3 PM.  I cleared the way for coal man.  Charles chored 4 PM.  Mostly clear day clouding  toward night.  Tue went up town  and down to  Hat's.  She was in great demand over phone by Helen.4' (sic) and Mrs. Grove.  Helen wanted her to accompany  her to  grand concert at Normal but got home too late.  She went over to Groves till after I  retire~  Mostly clear day moderate westerly winds.  Gobed 9 PM

17.Tuesday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  24.  52.  38.  =  38

clear. S.4.  The new coal does fine but will have to hold it down to keep fire at night.  We get letter from each of girls this morn.  Phebe thinks will be home tomorrow.  I sent Buddy birthday card yesterday.  Tue mails papers to Muggs and Marie* this morning.  Tue ironing AM.  Harman phones regarding B.C.**  We decide to not sell at Harryman ($110.20) offer.  Buddy 27 today.  Have been reading over old diaries for several days.~  Pulling brass tacks from old trunks AM.  Sort over papers on "desk" PM.  Tue went up town late PM. is sending a mop to Buddy by mail.  The R.H. enlarged its sheet yesterday one column.  Mostly clear SW to W wind and snow gives off pretty fast.  Gobed 8.30.  Tue wrote to Bert about Bim.***
*Buddy is Marie's nickname  **Broom corn    ***Bim is Henry Hildreth's nickname

18. Wednesday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  34. 40.  34.  = 36.
Cloudy. E.2. light foggy. Light rain began 8 AM and continued all day with snow at night.  Moderate northeasterly winds.  Think about two inches snow fell at night.  Charley came to chore.  Tue pays him to date 3o c.  I employ self reading old letters.  Mrs. Chamberlin and others.  Henry Sutton , an old friend died a day or two ago of cancer.  The gas gives out on account of slight accident at plant.  We look for Phebe in afternoon but she did not come till nearly midnight.  Fern remained at Chicago.  gobed midnight.

19.  Thursday. 7 AM.  Ther.  28.  36.  26.  =  30.
Cloudy N.E..1.  Clear off before 11 AM.  Phebe went to Station for suitcase, not getting it.   Big four.  Harman phones about B.C. thinks better sell for fear it spoils.  Coldwater Bill  off the snow.  Tue  Pd. him.  The gas appears all right about 7 A.M.  Phebe did not  get up to breakfast.  H.G. called 2 P.M. to inquire and intended ally &c about and Nels Thomas farm. A  friend thinks of trading for same.  I can't help him much.  Shave self late P.M. first since 8th (?).  Think there was about 2 in. snow yest.  With the rain which fell earlier made.95 in Precipitation.  Clear afternoon with moderate N.E. wind.  the P.O. inspector is here to decide as to P.O. site.  there are several locations to choose from.  He will be here till  Saturday.  Phebe and Tue both home at night.  Play Graphophone  good deal.  Gobed 10.

 

December 3,1912 & 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

1912

3.  Tuesday. 6.30 AM Ther.  28.  50.  46. = 41 1/3
Clear.  S. 2.  Heavy hoar frost.  Ice 3/8 in.  Walter Smith  & Company came early so that it is about as good as it was before they worked on it.  Think  it about worn out in places.  the house was very uncomfortable this morning with no fire, got a good one by  10 A.M.  Tue got letter from Buddy A.M.  was well.  Tue   getting for some church doings which occur soon.  Hitch up about noon deposit B.C. check 321.32 at 2nd.  The check was defective being  10.00 too much on the lower line.  Drive out far as Watsons toward night.  Met Eastin with Fitz.  Is now chopping ~~  The roads are some muddy - not deep.  They are still hauling crushed onto south road.  Have a light application for about half mile E. of Shannon's.  Return S. road.  Jack went.  He has swelled jaw.  Part cloudy.  Light southerly winds.  Read Borcacico at night.  Go bed 10.30~

1887

3.  Saturday.  6 A.M.  Ther.  44.  54. 55.

Cloudy and raining frost.  Pete Snider came about 5 AM for family for Fan.  Patton stopped about 8 A.M. saying Fan couldn't live wanted to see her father  Start out to Uncle John's in heavy rain, about 8.30  He came in with us but Fan was dead when we got back Uncle John and Tue went down there afternoon getting back before night.  The funeral will be tomorrow 2 P.M.  Christian Church.  Phebe had but slight croup tonight and hope she is over  with it.  Guiney paid me in full for wood $3.00.  Rain occasionally during day very heavy in forenoon, heavy at night.  Baby cried till midnight.  Kate Myer had been taking care of her today.  11 P.M. 

*Personal note- this must have been a very difficult day for my family.  Fan lived all the way out by, what is now, Lake Charleston.  That would have been a difficult ride in a buggy and heavy rain.  Tue and Charles had two sick kids at home.  My mother has always told me that babies often died in their first two years of life, so the baby being sick must have worried them a great deal.  Fan had three small children that would need cared for.   Though this happened many years ago, my heart aches for all of them.  CMS

November 30, 1912 & 1887 in Charleston, IL

1912

30.  Saturday,  5.45 A.M.  Ther.  26.  54.  48. = 42 2/3 E. Meter 591.000
Clear.  S.E. 1. white frost.  ice 5/16.  Get letter from Muggs is much better and has got to work and likes the place pretty well.  I drove down to Harryman B.C. warehouse A.M. looking for Harman B.C.  I did not get in till after noon and I didn't see it.  He reported about 4 P.M.  Straight 21355 lbs. @ 90.00 Cr 300 lbs. at 1 ct my  eked was 321.32 = our third.  He is very anxious to get Sexton fence up.  Tue sweeps, vacuates mops &c all day and is pretty tired at night.  Jessie Popham here at night till 11oc.  I study catalog of books.  Got through Muggs at night.  Part cloudy, brisk southerly winds much like rain much of P.M.  Alfred chores nt.  Go bed.  12.30 am

1887

Wednesday, 7.45 AM  Ther.  30.  39.  28.

Some cloudy.  Phebe does not feel very well this morning.  Buy yeast and bread at Lee's.  About 2 1/2 P.M.  Tue and self started down to Fan's.  Found her to be very bad.  We brought Ferd home with us.  Went over to Patton's office after coming home.  Said he was going right  down there.  Phebe choked  up again with croup and Maggie and baby very nearly had it.  Strong S.E. wind all night, very chilly.  The roads are not very bad considering the amount of rain.  J. Calhoun says last weeks rain amounted to nearly seven inches.

October 27- 28, 1912 in Charleston, IL

27, Sunday.  Ther.  42.  70.  56. = 56.
Clear. S. 2.  Get start Ranch 9.30 AM.  Took Jack: he rode much of way.  Mare drowsy.  A mile or two of fresh gravel made slow trip.  Met J.K. Rardin with Bony Whittey.  They had been to Rardin's "ranch"  Says he has  10 A. down there which he can't find without survey.  Reach Warrens about 11.  W. not at home.  Jack and I ate our dinner out at old point.  I start to walk  down the hill but gave it up after getting halfway.   Most of leaves are on trees but falling  fast now.  There is fine stand of clover on much of old field in the weeds.  It is  growing up to blackberry sasafras (sic) and persimmon.  I did not drive through it much.  Warren says he and Ike R. will give it any  treatment I prescribe.  I did not go around by  Ikis R. but return by regular Diona road same as went.  Got home before 6 P.M.  Bert Wright caught ride with me.  I did not meet many autos.  Clear day moderate southerly winds.  The roads are getting very dusty, Mrs. Eagleston was here to supper and attended church with Tue at night.  She lives at Seymore, Ind.  Go bed 9.30

28.  Monday.  6 A.M.  Ther.  48.74.  56. = 59 1/3
Clear. S.@.  Paint an hour or two in  W.C.  Tue a while P.M.  Hitch up A.M. but didn't drive any till toward.  Tue got letter from Buddy says Walter has had his salary increases.  Muggs gets offer of position in MO. State Library as manager of Traveling Libraries.  Harman phones that wants to sell clover seed and BC and wants me to come out.  Bails to clean up S.W. forty and sell corn (only 3 A) has disposed of his share.  Tell him to sell mine too.  Have promised to  visit farm tomorrow.  Mostly clear day with fresh southerly wind.  Weather reports predict rain in day or so.  Gobed. 8.30 P.M.

Charleston, Illinois on Oct.15, 1912

15, Tuesday, 6 AM.  44.  70.  50.  = 53 2/3   (Some short hand here.)
Clear, N.W. 1.  Get start Loxa 9 A.m.  Learn that Roosevelt was shot yesterday at Milwaukee.  Buy a  paper and get to Loxa say 10.30.  took Mrs. Gaines about a peck of pears.  She says Florence very poorly.  Drive round on back of place where eat lunch taken,  from there went to house.  Preston calls Cliff over.  They have (?) phone between.  Cliff settles some collections.  Collects  S of Haltons 3.00 and pays for  Tile at Loxa last spring 4.70 and some nails &c at Loxa.  See bill in back part I got 4.15 check out of transaction   Preston and Hamm an are anxious to rent the farm and will let them have it probably.  Cliff talks good deal about the B.C.  It is built and looks pretty good B.C. is selling $120 per ton.  Harman is fears he can't get more than a hundred for ours, funny.  He and Pr  shuck sack corn for me.  Cliff ties bale hay behind.  I get home about 5 P.m.  Clear day easterly wind.  Mare to pasture.  Gobed 8.30

September 28, 1912 in Charleston, Illinois

28,  Saturday, 6 AM.  ther.  42.  72.  56. = 57 1/3
Clear, S.E.2.  Harman phones A.M. that finished putting B.C. in shed 3 P.m. yest.  Tue feeling better and does her ironing which has been neglected  for several days.  Got letter form Buddy A.M. reports all well.  Nothing more from Muggs.  Mort called P.M. to figure on W.C. and will begin Monday.  Mostly clear wind becomes N.1. P.M. and cooler.  I got  bu. oats at I.B.'s at  night 4 oc.  Learn that Emmett Fritz is work on Clover R.R. section.  Go bed 9 P.M.

September 11, 1912 in Charleston, IL

11,  Wednesday,   6 AM.  Ther.  66, 86, 66.  = 72 2/3
Clear. N.2.  Rhoda came to wash, also at other work.  She stayed til dinner.  I feel poorly all day.  Hitch but did not get out till about supper time.  Drove down to Emmetts to find  him working in country at B.C.  Bert's Helen here  while.  Js attending Normal.  I got short letter from Muggs nothing important.  Neighbor chickens annoy us very much.  This  coolest day for two weeks.  Probably ends our hot weather.  Mostly clear.  Brisk N. winds.  Tue attends prayer meet night.  Jack dog went with her.  Nay Rheumatism very much.  Gobed 8 P.M.

August 2, 1912 and 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

100 Years Ago . . .

Friday,  August 2, 1912  6 A.M.  Ther.56.  78.  66. = 66 2/3

Part cloudy, N.2.  Spend an hour or two fixing up old buggy and harness.  Frommel repairs traces. Sibert removes front shoes.  Tue went out  to Chautauqua AM staying until night.  I drove south P.M. to Kickapoo and beyond.  Met Mel Stark and others Walker's Ford.  Lindsey Barnes has field of big B.C.  He lives on McKinzie place near Mt. Zion.  Mort and Kate over at night on  porch only.  I did not meet them.  I  take mare to Nickles:  Snorff boy brought me home.  Fair day with moderate northerly wind.  Go bed 9.30

125 Years Ago . . .

Tuesday, August 2, 1887     6 A.M.  Ther.  70. 99.  75.

Clear.  Started down to mill with H.G. before 8 A.M.   Commer says about finished up.    Where he is ,  We came home by Farmington getting in 3 P.M.  the dust in places is immense.  What corn I saw did not amount to much.some dryer down there than here.  Hot close day, no clouds.  Hat spent day with Tue.  Mrs. Perrill, Kate P. and Mrs. Davis call at night.  Baby and Phebe are better.  Go bed 9 P.M.

June10, 1912 and 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

100 Years Ago

Monday , June 10, 1912.  5 AM.  58.  80.  64 = 67 1/3

Part cloudy, E.2.  Harman phones that only rec. 6 bunches shingles.  I start Loxa after 10 A.M.  The boys (Cliffs) just finish plowing 1st time 29 A piece.  I drove up to barn where P& P were at their dinner.  Cliff brought up lost shingles P.M.  I ate my shortcake in field.  He has finished break B.C. ground will plant this week.  I rest a while on pile of fodder in B.C. shed.  Darling calls.  Says I owe him for 8 loads manure 2.00, but I didn't pay him.  Leave by Loxa and S. road.  Stop at H's for buttermilk.  Most clear S.E. 3 Gobed 9 P.M.

125 Years Ago

Friday, June 10, 1887, 6 A.M.  ther. 65.  80.  67 

 Foggy early but clears off by 9 A.M.  wind N..  Silkworms appear to be  some better this morning.  Ruth's worms began spinning yesterday being the 31st day since hatching.  Tue and self took drive after supper out west of town.  Tue went up with me to feed worms which seem to be dying in afternoon.  Had finest lot of peas from our own  vines.  Go bed 9.30 P.M.

May 31, 1912 and 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

100 Years Ago

Friday,  May 31,1912.  6 AM.  Ther. 50.82.64. =65 1/3

Clear, S.E.1. light fog early.  Get letter from Andy Moore to come over and look over line fence where he wants to put flood gate.  I let him do it his own way and I pay half.  Drove over to Sexton corner where Paul  and Curtis were hunting crows in the corner locust.  The are breaking  26 A for B.C. will finish in a day or two.  They had just done planting.  Cliff had just gone home, I didn't see him.Went round by BC shed and south to Loxa.  Cliff's corn where up looks pretty well- good stand.  Clover meadows only fair.  Return South road getting home 6.30.  Didn't get tired as usual.  S road very rough generally dry Mostly clear day S.3.  Tue and Phebe town at night.  Not many people on road today.  Gobed 9 P.M.

The Weather for May 1912

Mean temp 67.7 Max. 88 on 23d.  Min 38 on 13th light frost 13th only one.  Precipitation, 3.12in on twelve days. .96 on 5th .40 on 10th .45 on 11th .50 on 15th and 16th.67 on28th other days light or trace.  Clouds 34%. Thunder 5th, 10th, 11th, 24th 26th and 28th.  The winds for May were N 4 3/5, NE2, E 2/3, SE 4 2/3, S 11 1/3, SW 4 1/3, W 1 1/3 and NW 2 days.  The roads are dry but rough.  Oats generally looking well also meadows.  There is still much water in ground.  Corn 7(?) at Loxa Butter 25 to 35.  Eggs 15.  The biggest corn have seen say  in.  Half the corn is 6(?).

125 Years Ago

Tuesday, May 31, 1887    6.30 A.M.  Ther. 59.70.55.

Cloudy damp day occasional light rain.  Bad weather for the worms which which don't seem to be doing very well.  Tue not very well satisfied with Delia and they have a few words.  Got paper and begin to paper hall, but get only half done.  Snider** brings butter and lard and take home jug.  Went up to Anderson's before supper after osage.  Father* went with me.  Go bed 9.30 PM  Got sack  flour at Hills 1.30 cr.

*William Sayre Gramesly, Charles' father.

**John Henry Snider