May 1- 20, 1890 in Coles County, Illinois HIGHLIGHTS

May 1890

1. Thursday - Set out  lot of grape cuttings.  Skelly got seven years in pen,  for murder of Woodrum.  New Council met tonight six petition for license presented.

2.  Friday- Crass worked all PM at Sewer at Store getting done about dark. 

3.  Saturday-  H.G. very Cranky.  Uncle John was  in town   Has sold the mules he bought of Pete Snider.  Got letter from John Armstrong saying her would shear my sheep, any time.

4.  Sunday - Bill Kelly died yesterday and was buried today down at La?b Kelly's graveyard.

5.  Monday

6. Tuesday - Comer was in City purchasing committee met but did nothing lumber bill.  Comer went home before they met  Electric lights not burning till 9 P.M.  Comer wanted me to be present present when committee met.

7.  Wednesday -   37.  53.  39.  Arrived at ranch about 8  Find that Armstrong had sheared sheep which I did not expect him to do as it was very cool .  Go bed 10 P.M. bed bugs 

8.  Thursday - we cut logs all day round the mill  The boys have been cutting some logs on the Wes Decker Ridge  We have cut in all log measure about 7700 ft.  Comer sawing mostly City stuff.

9.  Friday - Lost another ewe last night the effect of shearing too soon I presume.

10.  Committee gave Comer City contract @ 15.00 per  (?)

Saturday - figuring on building a large ice box in rear of Store  Bill Hatton worked a while digging for waste pipes.  Bert and Rene in to dinner.  Paid John Armstrong for shearing sheep.   warren Decker settles up for hay and hauling.  He took out some feed for sheep and some hungarian (sic) seed.   Sprinkle rain several times during day and grows colder with N. wind  1 AM    Warr(?) tells that Nannie goat had 4 Kids last night - two of them dying.

11.  Sunday.  Maggie and self  start for ranch as soon as we got our dinner.  Only one of the kids is  living and the other one not very well.

12.  Monday.  We start home 7 AM.  arriving  at 9.  Got Carlo on road home.  Figure on ice box up at store will get Geo Kellogg to build it.

13.  Tuesday - Walker delivered old stove I bought from them yesterday and Tue decides to put it in the kitchen.  Mrs. Trainor buried today Nick went to funeral.  Bin in for Dr.  Ora sick.

14.  Wednesday -  Tue and I went to look at Mrs Rogers old mare and then went out to Uncle Johns  Found him making a gate.  Bim's wife sick abed.

15.  Thursday -  Took Carlo  (to ranch) and he made a break for the sheep as soon as he sighted them.  

16.  Friday   5 AM.

Went down to mill all hands had to go to trial between Jo and Harrison Handly.

17.  Saturday  - Democratic primary for delegates to Co. Conven

tion.  Get lumber for ice box.  John Simons gets telegram that  his mother is sick and leaves for Crawford Co at 11 PM.

18.  Sunday - 

19. Monday - Bill Jones patches up back of building and Kellogg begins on ice box.  Town full of delegates to Democratic County Convention   They nominate O. G Berver for Sherriff.  

20.  Tuesday  6.30 AM.  Clear day and cooler  47.  66.  53.

Uncle John down to dinner.  Kellogg works all day  on ice box making slow process.  Comer did not saw having broken something about the mill  Pay Claude 1.00 to get repair  Mrs. Rogers ironed having washed yesterday.  Pleasant day N wind AM SE PM.  Old Mrs. Davis very bad  Gobed 11P.M.

April 11-30, 1890 (HIGHLIGHTS)

April 1890

11.  Friday.  

Start for Ranch by Handly Ford.  Have been clearing W. Decker Ridge.  Stay with them P.M.  They are doing it extra well.

12.  Saturday,

Red Sow had pigs last night. Goat chewed up rig seat last night.

13.  Sunday.

Lombard Plum in full bloom.  Tue to P Ch to meeting AM.  Drove with Maggie and Phebe out to Mrs. Lowes Woods AM.  Drive with Tue and baby out to Uncle John's after dinner getting home before dark.

14.  Monday. 

 Wright stakes raspberries.  Bert here to dinner  Hat was down after dinner.

  she and Tue went over to Knocks.  The elections tomorrow creates  good deal of interest.

15.  Tuesday

Work all day on election board.  Nick and H go fishing.  The democrats carried all the wards but 1st by large maj.

16.  Wednesday.  

Have mares shoes taken off.  Hymen and Friecberg in town.   The election yesterday resulted democratic 1st Ward Baker R 15 over Will Miles  2 C. W. Roberts D 88 over Gro Ginters  3 Noa Moore 147 over Alex Biggs R  4th R Cadle D 33 over FK Dunn   D Dod? 177 over M.W. Robbins R. total vote on Alderman 1st 194.  2d  212.  3rd  315.  4th  227.  Total 948  The  The  Dem alderman are supposed to be in favor of license.  

17.  Thursday

18.  Friday.  

Talk timber with Comer till about noon.  He offers to log and saw it up at $7.50 per M. Scribnar scale.  He will set mill just above Handlys wheat field in S. Hollow.  Tues red sow had five pigs last week and the McKee sow 8 on Apl 16th and I found black sow with 3 in hollow before starting home.

19.  Saturday

20. Sunday.

 Almond and sherries in bloom.  Dandelions coming out.  Maunie Lang here good part of day as usual.  

21.  Monday.

Crass opens clogged sewer from W.C. and begins on ditch for water works to barn yard.  Crass works at water works Fatty puts in pipe P.M.  Tue and Hat went calling P.M.  Tue buys new pair shoes at Mitchells 3.50 CA.  

22.  Tuesday.

Crass works at water works  Fatty puts in pipe P.M.    P.M. Tue and Hat went calling P.M.  Trade fair Court in session.

22.  Tuesday.

23.  Wednesday.  Comer has moved his mill.

24.  Thursday

Ranch  count sheep and lambs  70 sheep  65 lambs one of which came this morning.  Bill Kelly very sick and they think he wont get well.  

25.  Friday  

Court in session Grand Jury adjourned Tuesday without finding any indictments against liquor men.  Jo Laudes  had damage suit against him by Mrs. Woodrum  The jury have been out a day or two still out.

26.  Saturday

Comer in town.  Settle in full with him.  Make kick about terms ib which he is to saw timber.  Didn't come to any  understanding  Uncle John in town P.M.    Jo Lander jury came out with sealed verdict.  River said to be rising fast.  

27.  Sunday.

Planted  50 sprouted peach pits in garden.  Great blow at dinner about nothing.  Tue and children  went to P Church.  Learn that Bill Kelly is not expected to live.

28.  Monday.  7 AM

Comer called about  9 AM and we agree to go to work at timber.  Mrs. Woodrum  got a verdict against Jo Laudes for 195.00 damages for the killing of her husband by Skelly.  Rip Clark and Ira Brooks had trouble at Pentacost Meeting Tonight.

29.  Tuesday

Bill Kelly still alive but very low.  Old Mrs. Davis has been sick a long time and does not get any better.  Skelly trial in progress.

30.  Wednesday

At Ranch.   Separate rams from ewes.

March 1-8, 1890 in Charleston, IL

March 1890

1.  Saturday 6 AM.

at ranch

John went after hay to Sims got a small load of the of the best we have had.  Rile worked till noon, and settle with him for work done to date.  He still owes me for two months rent.  Several lambs died today and three well five new ones this morning.  Pretty clear pleasant day but cold NW wind.  Gobed 10.30 PM.  John and wife went out to barn in night

2.  Sunday 6 AM. At Ranch.  Ther

Clear day.  John and Warren went for corn.  I walked over across hollow AM.  Johnny Decker dined with us.  Rile Decker worked all day at odd jobs.  Had to nail stripes on south side of shed when wind changed to SW in PM.  There have been six lambs today two died in house.  Gobed  11.30 PM

3.  Monday. 5 AM.  Ther.                34  =
Partly cloudy.  John started for another load of hay at about 8 AM.  I work with sheep and lambs till 10.30 AM and start home getting there at about 3 PM after the roughest ride I ever had.  I counted lambs pretty carefully this AM and make 49 alive most of them pretty good, as nearly as I can tell then have ten of them died, and 43 of the ewes have had lambs 16 ewes have had twins according to this.  Two or three of the remaining 27 ewes are probably not with lamb.  My trip home nearly used me up and I did not go up town. Abbot brought me some cull posts and cut up for wood toward night.  Our worst trouble at ranch is want of milk for young lambs, John will buy a cow as soon as he can.  Gobed.  10.30 PM -- 

4.  Tuesday 7 AM  Ther  27.   27.  19.  =  24 1/3
cloudy and snow flying from NW.  Mostly clear day with N.W. wind.  Remain at home all day all the neighbors have called today.  Hat was here toward night.  Feeling badly self and took some oil sat up till 1.30 AM waiting for it.   Abbott cut lot of cull posts and some poles into stove wood  Grows colder.  The street lights not lighted tonight  nor last night  Tue spent evening up at Lattas  Gobed  1.30 AM

5.  Wednesday.  7.30 AM.  Ther.  Ther 13.  25.  16.  =  18
Cloudy and snowing lightly from N.E.  Snows about 1 inch AM.    Went up about 10.30.  Remit Dunnaway.  Pabst. F. Strauu & Co in full send WHR  JM A(?) & Co. Louieville KY to free (?) B ? Whiskey.  Bert down to dinner.  Came in with team and wagon.  Bim was married last Saturdat to Ora Easton.  Bill Kelly works at store washing bottles P.M. says has good cow to sell.  Spent evening at store first time in a week .  Street lamps not going tonight.  Go bed 11.30 PM

6.  Thursday 7 AM.  Ther  4.  27.  21  = 17 1/3
Clear with N.E.  wind.  Get letter from Aunt Maria.  The first in a long time.  Uncle John down to dinner.  Bim and wife are going to live with him this sumer (sic).  Get samples grass seed from WS Hill and pay him for all I have bought.  Council meet at night and vote to have special election on license question on  Apl 23.  Tue feeling badly today and also at night.  Marie sick in night - Tue  thinks from swallowing a piece of chewing wax.  Tue and baby got up and spent night on the lounge down stairs  Mostly clear day with N.E. wind:  hazy night.  Circle around moon.  Sat up till after 2 A.M.

7.  Friday 7.30 AM.  Ther  21  32  22  =  25
Cloudy and snowing from S.E  Tue not feeling much better.  Self about sick all day and night had high fever at night did not go bed till 2.30 AM.  Snows lightly most of day from N.E. about 2 1/2 in  Mrs. Eastins sick sent Ed for Ed for whiskey  Trade light, did not go up town at night  Bill Kelly gives me order for his cow if I want her at $25.00  He recommends her highly.

January 21-24, 1890 and 1901 in Coles County IL

January 1890

21.  Tuesday, 7 am.  Ther  11.  20.  10  =  13 2/3

Clear, N.W. wind.  Got tp store 7.30 H.G. opened this morning.  Nick still at home His wife had baby girl P.M.  Bill Jeff sick at home C. with grip.  Bishop, also.  Frank McGurty buried this AM.  Father not very well thinks he has caught cold.  Baby better  Milt Drake up P.M.  One old ewe has died and are (?) twin lambs.  He is going to try to get some hay tomorrow.  Baise tells me he has persuaded John Simons to backout(sic) of baigins with me.  Have not seen Simons.  Gobed 11 PM.  

22.  Wednesday 6 AM  Ther 1.  23.  22.  =  15 1/3

Clear wind E.  I got up and made fires this morning.  H.G. and Nick both on hand today  Pay Ginther bal. 20.00.  Sal Myers $17.30 $3.75 in old liquor a/c Pay John Riri $$1.60 cash settle with Wright- my a/c 44.  Began to snow about 7 P.M. till 10 P.M. wind S.E. about 3 inches fell.  Ground is frozen land.  Nick went home early and father stayed at store with me till closing 11 PM.

23. Thursday,  7 AM ther 28

H.G. sent word to Nick this morning the he was worse and would not be able to open up.  So Nick did so but was rather late about it. Bill Kelly helps clean up some in morning and washes bottles cleans out stable, shovels snow off side walk.  Grows warmer and snow melts a good deal.  Pay Dr. Patton in full 20.00

24.  Friday 7 AM.  

Nick opened this morning  He has been complaining a good deal and knocks off after noon. goes home - thinks he has the "grip" as nearly every body else.    Feeling badly myself all PM.  had some fever  Took medicine at night and did not sleep very well.  Did not go home to supper but ate some herring and crackers.  Bill Jeffrees still sick with the grip  Learn that Gen Mack Mitchell very sick. Dad stays at store till I close as usual.

January 1901

21. Monday. 5 AM.  Ther  45.  55.  36.  =44

Clear southwind.  Get to Gaines' 10 AM John went to Janesville today.  Jo burning brush in hollow S.E.  He went round W and S. line fences P.M.  I went to Elisha Smiths to see about selling cow at tomorrow's sale.  They haven't room for her.  Look at his horses  Think will go to sale tomorrow.  After going back to place get home 6 P.M.  Clear AM S. to NW.  Jo Fasnot at Gaines PM.  Tue very sore throat at night.  Clara washed AM.  Gobed.  9.30 P.M.

22.  Tuesday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  30.  43.  32  =  35

Cloudy light easterly wind.  Tue was complaining much in night of her throat but was up to breakfast and around all day.  Clara ironing.  I went out to E Smiths sale and to Gaines' to dinner.  Did not bid nor buy at sale. large crowd and things sold well.  Bert was there.  Will have  a sale of his own about Feby 15.  Think will take veciores(sic) cow down there to sell.  Mostly clear day.  S.E. wind  Roads good and dry  Marie went to H.Gs. to stay all night with Helen.  Tue better than last night.  Gobed 10 PM.  Marie spent night with Helen.

23.  Wednesday 5.30 AM.  Ther 34.  53.  36.  =  41

Light shower before day.  Cloudy with light rain or sleet in south, Clara finished ironing.  Roads and streets are generally dry.  Mostly clear day with southerly wind.  Tue feeling about the same. Very sore throat but did not get Dr.  Queen Victoria died Tuesday eve.  Daily papers have been full of this for several days.  Tue Groves at night 9.30 P.M.  Wednesday had talk with Ira Brown.  Claims there are 1100.00 feet logs in woods.  Ask him for offer on his interest in mill yard.

24.  Thursday. 5.30 A.M.  Ther  32.  26.  20. = 26

Cloudy. Snow fluries from NW all day not much falling.  Clara making cream puffs.  W.E. Jenkins will have paper put on room where falling off.  Took Queen up to Ric shop after breakfast but they didn't shoe her.  Strong NW wind all day.  Pretty hard  keeping the house warm. Tue sent waist to Phebe by express 26cts. Tue feeling better today. Didn't hitch up today. Tue and Clara played cinch at night.  Gobed 10 PM.  Marie sick at night. 

 

December 9-10, 1889 and 1900 in Coles County Illinois

December 1889

9. Monday.  7 AM  Ther 33.  56.  47 = 45 1/3  
Clean and fine.  Order  bottled Beer White frost Deposit for firm $154.55 get Jo Marston to haul  load of hay from Van Meter barn.  Bill Kelly clean out stable and help Marston with hay in P.M.  My cut foot  which I hurt last Tuesday morning has been troubling me ever since, worse today.  Saw Dr. Montgomery at night gave lineament and tells me to keep still.  Marie gets tube green paint to day, daubing herself well with it.  Bright clear day till toward night  Began to rain after dark and continues all night.  Gobed 12.30

10.  Tuesday.  7.30 AM.  ther.  52.  72.  53  =  59
Raining moderately wind SE. shifts to S. and S.W.  Foot about same, slept well.  Thunder about noon  heavy rain and hail storm from SW about 1 P.M.  Hail strong larger than hickory nuts with a stem like ice icicle an inch or two long  Mostly clear afternoon Strong W wind at night.  Town branch pretty well up, gave Kelly  order on Wright for 175    They hauled about a ton of hay yesterday.  Foat about  sawed all day.  Kept in house  Go bed, 11.30 PM

December 1900

9.  Sunday.  7 AM.  Ther  27.  27.  22.  =  25 1/3

Clear N.W. wind.  Roan horse was out in yard last night till midnight.  Got up and put him back.  Ferd called AM to say that Helen disappeared yesterday along with a friend.  Ferd and self drove out to Stiles' after dinner.  Find that they spent night with Dolly Finsbie   We drove onto road N from Nobles getting home about sunset.  Clear day northwind Freezing all (?)  Gobed 8.30

10. Monday.  6 AM.  Ther.  16.  30.  22.=  22 2/3

Clear.  Northerly wind.  Shortess cow  had calf last night.  It seemed about dead this morning.  They took it in house and it revived.  Heavy white frost.  Pay up I.B. Mitchell old a/c bal. this morning Ch 36.39   Hens been having fun for several months  Pay H.G. Loan & int. up toJan 1, 1901. 2. MO. 17.10.  Buy lot of groceries &c Mitchell and W.E. Hill - Gaizen pays for lot of  fencing 10.60 cash.  Tue Gets letter from Phebe pays we expect her home next week.  Put Ad for hired girl in Courier Paid 25c.  Clear day,  N.W. wind.  Read a while up stairs before going to bed  Tues eye is getting bad again  Gobed 9 PM.

October 8, 1889 and 1900 in Charleston, IL

October 1889

8.  Tuesday. 7 AM  Ther 35.  60.  40  =  45

Clear very heavy white frost.  Bill Kelly works at stove most of day.  Telegraph Strainess not  not to send brandy order.  Down at E Light house AM.  Buy old goat and two kids of Richters boy for 3.00.  Uncle John in town P.M. says he is about to buy the Vietch farm  HG complaining   Go bed 10.30~

October 1900

8.  Monday. 5.30 AM.  Ther 50, 63, 50  =  54 1/3

Cloudy.  went uptown for a shave before breakfast.  Man called to rent Perkins room.  Clyde did not get here until 7.30 AM.   Capriness micacues  in front yard.  No word from Phebe today.  I try to cut some glass for windows at Loxa.    Armstrong calls and says is about to sell B.C. @  80.00 told him to let mine go with it.    Geo Weyoth gives me bill for 1700 ft lumber which he wants right away.  Mrs. Knock gets some 244-10s (?) siding for fence along alley.  Clears off before noon  Cool day Northerly wind.  Go bed. 8.30 PM

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

September 4-7, 1889 and 1900 in Charleston, IL

September 1889

4.  Wednesday, 5 am  Ther  70.  80.  70 = 70

Cloudy misty - Start for timber at 6 AM  arrives 7.30.  E Johnson cuts his foot and quits.  Rogers and Riley made posts a while P.M.  Milt and self try  to fix  for sheep yard AM.  P.M. Milt went into hollow after pa(?) stuff   Rain P.M. after 2 P.M. and all night  go bed 9.30 P.M..  Strong wind in night.  Snider handed me two (?)  to pay for Milt helping him thrash.

5.  Thursday.  5.30 AM.  Ther 60.  70. 55.  =  68 1/3
Cloudy and misty till  nearly noon.  Boys fill up well up well dug the other day in morning and make some posts.  Rogers and Riley set fence posts P.M.  Milt hauls out strips.  I start home at 5 P.M.  getting there 7 P.M.  Roads muddy in places.  The rain last night was very heavy  River rising a little.  Go to bed 10.30 ~

6.  Friday.  6 AM.  Ther 50.   75.  57  =  61 2/3
Clean cool day.  Trade dull.  Uncle John passed through town on way to Sniders.  has colt show today.  Sell Sam Adams one thousand 30 in. (?) at 1.00 for hundred.  H.G. went hunting P.M.  Bill Kelly cleaned windows at Store P.M.  Drake hauled load of wood to Alex Fischer.  Remit D(?) and Pabst in full.  10.30 P.M.

7.  Saturday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  58.  79.   58.  =  65
Clear and  Pleasant day.  Milt brought up 1570 boards.  Light  crowd in town for Saturday.  Deffenbach  (?) Circus in town.  The ice box which has been leaking badly stopped today.  Gobed 10.30 PM.

September 1900

4.  Tuesday 5.20 AM.  Ther.  62.  93.  75.  

Mostly clear.  Mrs. Owens washes.  John Driscoll tells me he wants lot of good fencing.  Sell W.L. Harding 278 ft. 2 in 8. @ 1.75 4.88.  Owe him on a/c 18.45 Bal. 13.87.  No Stir in B.C. as yet.  Tue wanted me to go to Berts for peaches P.M. but I thought I could find them north or east of town but didn't.  Much B.C. being cut N.E. many  seeding B.C.  The crop not down as bad up N.E. but move crooked.  Last road making me late getting in.  Home 9 P.M.   Go bed 9.30

5.  Wednesday,  5.20 AM.  Ther 72,  97,  75?  =  81 1/3

Mostly clear.  Clyde helps me oil buggy  Start for Renes for some peaches early stop at Gaines'  Nobody at home Drive down to Shirleys.  Saw Ora.  They begin baling after dinner and I stayed there most of P.M.  Start down to Renes from there 4 PM.  Getting about a bushel and back to John's at 7  staying all night.  Play 7 up till 9 oclock  Mostly clear day, southerly wind.  Gobed 9 P.M.  

6.  Thursday.  4.30 AM.  Ther.  70.  96.  76  =  80 2/3

Mostly clear.  Lightning NW before sunrise Shirley will deliver BC in Charleston tomorrow.  Tue determined to sent Phebe to Northwestern University and is  fingering pretty strong on it.  Maggie G. went to  Barbeque at Oakland at noon.  Maggie Devone ironing.   Self about  overcome by heat all P.M.  Tue ate dinner at Mrs. Knocks.  Self drove up north of town far as township line at night.  Rose too several pieces lumber from yard today to use on boxes for sewer.  Gobed 9 PM

7.  Friday 5.30 AM.  Ther  64.  85.  70  73

Mostly cloudy early but clears away.  Buy lot of envelopes &c at W.E. Hills.  Maggie Devone leaves A.M. to stay.  Shirley brought in four loads BC AM. and two PM. from indications will have nearly 15 ton.  Three loads left over for tomorrow.  Take Maggie Do things down to Mrs Sains P.M.  Drive down to see Mrs. Owen at night.  She was not at home.  Tue was down to Mrs. Blairs.  B.R. buyers claim  brush in lower.  Nearly had serious accident down near Molten warehouse with Roan horse this P.M>  Gobed 9 P.M.

August 29-30, 1889 and 1900 in Coles county IL

August 1889

29.  Thursday. 5.15 AM.  Ther  58.  90.  66.  =  71 1/3

Clear smokey.  Start at 6.10 with girls.  Milt Riley and Enoch work at digging all day.  Think have got a good supply of water for stock.  Began on well for house.  Two had to work hard, roads very dusty and pastures getting very dry.  Get home 7 P.M.   Found two drummers waiting for me.  Brown and Nelson.  Warren brought up a load of posts.  Gobed  10.30 PM

30.  Friday.  7 AM.  Ther  69  94.  70  =  77 2/3

Clear - Bill Kelly works while for me in morning.  JTS drummer still here order claret from Thirsker,  Tue has caught very bad cold.  Uncle John  came down but didn't stay for dinner  Milt brought in load of wood selling to Moderal in part from old watch.  Quit chewing tobacco tonight.  Have been using it for about a month.  Gobed 11 PM.

August 1900

29.  Wednesday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  67.  90.  70.  =  75 2/3  

Clear.  Very heavy dew several mornings.   Clyde Ashby choring  Maggie Devone ironing  Tue  fixing up Miss Ford Room.  Drove out to  Fair ground.  Marshall getting their BC out of buildings  Get some fungi   Lepiota  Canlifer    Simons brings in load of lumber all sorts.  He has  brought John's   ( Decker)and Jim's plans and they will start for the Nation or Arkansas soon.  Molter wants to buy our B.C,  Geo  Rosebraugh offer 80.00  Lon Armstong brought me sample of his father's brush.  Look for cow supposed to be out.  she proved to be in pasture,  Gobed 10PM

30.  Thursday.  5.45.  A.M.  Ther.  66.  92.  75  =  77 2/3

Mostly clear.  Easterly wind.  Our cow supposed out still in pasture.  Clyde Ashby continues working for us.  Takes home to Chas Marshalls a lot of borrowed magazines.  Tue finishes up Miss Fords room.  Start out to Loxa 2.30 P.M.  Meet Shirley with C.H. Jones.  S. says is bound to sell his share B.C. today  Jo hauling out BC seed.  Pay him 12.00 check on wages  Took out rope for well.  Shirley sold for 82.50 which is the best have heard of sales here.  I get home 7 P.M.  Clear warm day roads getting dusty.  Wind easterly.  Mort and Kate over at night  Gobed  9 P.M.

June 15- 24, 1889 in Charleston, IL (highlights).

June 1889

15.  Saturday.  Trade another watch with  Charley  Dinoch for 2 shoats.  Uncle John down to dinner.  

16.  Sunday.  

17.  Monday.  

18.  Tuesday.  Big party at Swicks at night.    Bill Kelly washed up at store.

19.  Wednesday.  Ten Cent Circus in town.  

20.  Thursday.  Pay Thurber Wheyland & Coin Fulk.  10 Cent Circus quit tonight.

21.  Friday.  City Council tonight contracted  with Chicago parties  to put up electric lights.  Trade good.  Mrs. Davis helping Tue sew.  Ed Eastin on a "tear" tonight  they sent for city marshall.(sic)

22.  Saturday  Bert was down to dinner.   All hands are invited down to Sniders tomorrow Mrs. Wentz's Birthday.  Baby not very well for a day or two.

23.  Sunday    Took Tue and Phebe down to Sniders.  Maggie rode with Frank Snider as also did Hat and Father.  I drove down to Milt's and he and I rode over  south end of land most of afternoon., start home about 6.  Stop at Sniders and eat supper:  get home about half after 8.

24.Monday.  Paid up McCravey a/c .  Buy  suit of clothes  for W.S.G. also straw hat.  $15.75.  Tue putting up cherries and raspberries.  Began closing at 10 P.M. tonight.  Have been closing at 11 PM.

January 4 - 5, 1914 and 1889 in Coles county Illinois

Note to my readers:  If you are wondering about the punctuation and spelling, I am trying to transcribe it as he wrote it.  He often uses his own abbreviations and does not always use punctuation.  I do this because in some cases the rules changed  and he is writing for himself and I wish to preserve the man, Charles Gramesly, through his writings.  His word choices and spelling are from the time he lived in.  Catherine

January 1914

4.  Sunday.  6.30  AM.  ther.  34.  36.  34. = 34 2/3

Cloudy. N.W.4.  We had breakfast very late.  Tue attends church A.M.  I shave self am getting quite expert: think only need good tools.  Gus and John call while waiting for a car P.M.  George Boulware was buried today at Mattoon.  Dark gloomy day.  Cloudy with brisk NW wind light snow at times after 9 AM  The ground has thin covering of snow.  some which fell Christmas  It is  several weeks since we saw the sun or stars.  Go bed 10 P

5.  Monday.  6.30 AM.  Ther 30.  34.  32.  = 32

cloudy N.3.   Tue  irons good deal.  She spent evening at Grove's  Harman phones will be in soon to settle.  Will bring us piece of good beef.  Alfred chored.  All cloudy day with brisk north wind.  I had one of my spells of "congestion" after I retired and it kept me awake till after midnight.  I didn't go up town today.  Ground is covered  lightly with late snow.  Gobed 9

January 1889

4.  Friday 6 AM.  Ther 31.  49.  38.

Mostly cloudy and looks like rain.  collect months rent of Miss Kumayer and deposit 72.50  Bill Kelly cleans out stable and stops holes in fence.  Let pigs out in barn lot.  Pay Wright $4.95  Dick Bails $1.50 I.B. Mitchell 4.40 Geo McNutt .75 all in full.  cloudy day with southerly wind  Gobed 9 P.M.  (?) ins. on ST. 800.00

5.  Saturday. 615 AM.  Ther 35.  39.  36.

Cloudy and damp wind N. cloudy all day.  Tom Burk paid me 5.00 on a/c  Called on Sam Cooper but got no money.  Tue  r(?) Nicholson house to old Man  Sanders for 6.00 till Mar. 1, he paid up.  H.G. and Hat were down here at night till 8 PM.  Maggie spent the night with Marnie Lang.  sold Mrs.  Turnam 50 c  worth of wood,  Interest on  (?) note paid up to Dec 31   Gobed 9 PM ~  Jim Chapman died tonight

July 3-4, 1913 and 1888

1913

3.  Thursday,  5.30 AM.  Ther.  76.  92.  84.  =  84.

Clear. S.E.1.  gs.  Get start for Loxa before 8 AM.  Met Steam Threshing out near Jo Reats.  I drive through Loxa about 9.30.  Met Florence Gaines.  I took in whole farm.  Things looking better than average farm this year.  Paul with Cox and a hand were plowing corn S.E. of house.  Charley Jones paid 5.00 Oakley rent.  Charley will renew my sub. to R.H.  I get home 12.30.  Part cloudy, fresh south wind.  Get Ben Oats at I.B.M. at late P.M.  Tue over at Groves at night.  Jim Turner died last night.  No word from Emmett and letting work go for the present.  Gobed 9.30

4.  Friday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  74.  92.  82.  =  82 2/3

Clear.  S.3.  Get shave at Browns after breakfast, paid 30 c.  So much  firing in vicinity that don't hitch up till about noon.  Old mare and Jack dog kind of crazy about fire crackers.  However I took them both out P.M. without accident.  I drove out by Al Latta's place return by Helen's in time for supper big crowds have gone to the park today and to Mattoon.  Phebe and Fern went over to Mattoon on 2.30 P.M. car.  Part cloudy with sp. rain about 3 P.M.  Emmett phones that will work tomorrow if I want him.  Gobed 10

1888

3.  Tuesday,  5.30 AM.  Ther.  75.  93.  78.

Clear.  Baby sick this AM.  Tue sends for Dr.   Bill Kelly works all day for me.  (?) out washes windows, &c.  (?) hauls down load of old lumber.  hat here P.M.  Give up keys to Miss Kemayer P.M., she signs lease dated July 4th.  Still have skylight and some other things to fix.  Myers came up in morning and makes lots of promises about rent, pays Tue $1.00.  Tomorrow he will owe balance 3.12 and rent for July 6.00.  Looks like rain at night.  Lightning in N.  Sultry day and night. Tue and baby sleep downstairs until after midnight.  Think baby better.  Gobed 10 PM.

4.  Wednesday,  5.30 AM.  Ther.  74.  94.  73.

Mostly clear.  Very few people in town today.  Kirk & Co.up with Tess say they are going to quit.   Have put out 120 the last time went down to H RR () Kirk & Co count them.  Paid them $11.00 in full.  Girls celebrate with fire crackers.  Baby better.  Rain storm at night with some wind N. about 9 P.M.  Cooler at night, gobed 9 PM.

May 27-30, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

27.  Sunday.  6.45  AM.  Ther.  70.  80.  67.
Mostly cloudy wind S.  Some thunder with a little rain. toward morning.    Baby cried a good deal in the night.  Maggie does not seem very well.  She has  been sleeping in the hall for several nights.  Bill Kelly called in morning, had intended to go down to timber but looks like rain.  Would have to go long road as river is pretty high, so we don't go.  Storm about 4 P.M. very heavy  rain.  rain at intervals in night.  Much thunder.  Tue takes off her flannels.  M & P sleep in east room together.  Go bed 9.45

28.  Monday.  5.45 AM.  Ther.  67.  80.  60.
Mostly cloudy SW wind.  Kelly came about 7 AM.  Fatty looks at roof and cornice and  says will get Tommy and will fix it  in a day or two.   Kelly cleans off roof and carries  (?) up stairs.  Patch up  tower roof.  John Bails wife died to day and Kelly couldn't work P.M.  Mrs.R ogers washed.  J. Chapman paid me 2.75 for wood after  kicking some.  Wind came up from N. about 4 P.M. getting cooler some rain afterward.  Maggie has bad cough.  Baby has been very cross at night lately.  She walks alone now pretty well.  Go bed 9.15

29.  Tuesday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  60.  80.  60.
Mostly cloudy wind northerly.  Tue  not feeling pretty well.  Kelly  came to work before 7 AM.  take out stove at store and sweep out thoroughly.  Miss Kenoyer called to look at room in P.M. but did not decide to take it at my price $375.00 would let me know in a day or two.  Mrs. Rogers ironed.  Talk to John Hill about Ponk house says it can be  bought cheap.  Kelly hoed in garden P.M. a while.   Pleasant day variable wind.  Gobed 10 PM.

30.  Wednesday  5.30 AM.  Ther.  57.  81.  67.
Part cloudy.  Speak again to Zay Johnston about Ponk house.  H.G. and self went down there in afternoon,  Take good look over it and decide don't  like it as well as did before.  Kelly worked forenoon hoeing &c.  Took down stove in kitchen.  Fatty Knock does not seem to want to fix cornice.   Maggie has very bad cough.  Decoration Day, some extra crowd in town.M & P went out to old (?).  Tue sells milk to Mrs. Eastin.  Go bed  9 P.M.   1/2

May 23-26, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

23.  Wednesday 5.45 AM.  Ther.  62.  76.  62.  

Cloudy wind S.E. looks like rain.  Cloudy.  H.G. was down in morning.  Baby broken out with measles or something similar.  Drove down to river to shoot turkey with Bill Kelly at 5 P.M.  got home at 9.  Ate supper down  down there.  Shot several but didn't get any of them.  Tue  churns first time.  the Alumni folks call on Tue for assistance.  Gobed 10 PM.

24.  Thursday.  6 AM.  Ther.  63.  80.  65.

Some cloudy wind S.E.  Thunder with some rain toward morning.  Sultry day.  Clouds up P.M. and began to rain about 4.30 with much thunder.  Rain continuing into night.  Decker brought half cord wood for  winter.  T. Thelkeld Pd me  5.00 for Bethesda.  Got 6 pans at McNuts on Cr.  Last day of school M &P both went.  Find curculio have been working at the plums.   C not very well today.  Gobed  9.30 PM.  

25.  Friday. 5.45  AM.  60.  75.  61.

Cloudy W. wind, misty.  Snider was up AM wanting some spirit.  Got brown suit of clothes at Winters, they seem to  suit very well.  Drove over to  Miles over with  Tue toward night.  The Alumni meeting is there  tonight.  Kate  Myers and Kate Perrill called toward night.  Has been mostly clear day.  The  rain last night made roads pretty muddy.  The suit at  Winters cost 30.00 on Cr.  He owes me for 3/4 cord wood 2.25.  Go bed 10 PM~

26.  Saturday,   5.45 AM.  60.  85.  70.

Clear Very heavy dew.  did not find any curiculio but see they have been at work some.    The old cow has about eaten up her pasture.  She is a great eater but does not give much milk.   The locust

trees are in full bloom.  Grass on meadows looks short owing to dry weather.  All kinds of fruit seems ti be set pretty full.  Lombard plums are about an inch long.  Peach trees have good many on. Corn looks yellow and small but is beginning to grow now.  Cut worms have been very bad this year.  Garden stuff of all kinds is backward on account of early dry weather.  Ground  up scythe and mow grass for cow.  Engage Bill Kelly to help me next week perhaps a latter week.  Uncle John in town.  Sultry day.  Took Tue out to cemetery after  supper to set out some flowers.  Go bed 10 PM.

May 20-22, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

20.   Sunday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  50.   70.  56.
Clear with SE wind.  No curculio, think  found one about last Wednesday and a few plums that had been stung then no more.  Had big  mess of mushrooms for breakfast bought of Geo. Modual yesterday.  Went there to perk horse with H.G. and W.S.G. in forenoon.  Talk of going to Indianapolis next Thursday to look round.  Drove while toward night with Maggie and after with Tue and Phebe.  Phebe ran against the  corner of the house and hurt herself, bruised her face and head.  8.30.

21.  Monday.  5.30  AM  Ther.  50.  75.  55.
  Clear.  wind SE.  Got letter from Birnhuser Bartle, they think I can sell my furniture to Walsh at Mattoon.  Mrs. Rogers washes.  Warren Decker says he will  begin hauling wood tomorrow.   Plant six row white stone potato in bottom.  Winter says will have my suit done Thursday.  Think some of going over to Indianapolis with  H.G. to look round.  Warm pleasant day E. wind go bed 9 PM.

22.  Tuesday  5.45  AM.  Ther.  60.  80.  65.
Some cloudy E. wind.  Start for timber at 7 AM with Bill Kelly work till  after  5 P.M. at clearing out fence row.  Hot day down there.  Got home little after 7 PM.  Tue thinks the baby has the measles.  Mrs. Rogers irons.  Pay  R. Rutherford order on N. McMorris for 1.00  Did not have my (?) with me.   Pleasant day, things growing.  Baby was very restless at night.  Gobed 9 P.M.  Decker hauled wood to E.H. Clark.                              

May 6-9, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

6.  Sunday,  5.15 AM  Ther.  62.  82.  68.
Clear.  No curculio yet.  Went down park house with H.G.  Then drove awhile with  Tue.  Drew off "french" at store about 3 1/2 gal.  C.G. feeling badly all day.  Phebe  still sick not much fever though and does not  break out thoroughly.  Has been warm day and dry, need rain Go bed 9.45 PM.  Maggie at Davis at night.

7.  Monday.  5.45 AM.  Ther.  60.  75.  68.
Cloudy and sprinkling lightly at times.  found no curculio yet.  Plums on some trees are as large as small peas.  Set out row of tomatoes  along the N. fence  E.  and 11 optiums, then 7 Paragon 8 Golden (?)  Phebe  about the same this morning but better toward night.  Mrs. Rogers washed.  Plant some sage and radishes.  Pay up Kink and Co and they start west.  Receive  65.20 from Bruner for 63 ties.  Tue not feeling very well.  Tom Knock says  will  build my fence tomorrow, Bill Kelly  agrees to help.  Sprinkle rain several times during  day with several light showers after dark.  Go bed 9.30 PM

8.  Tuesday. 5.30 AM.  Ther.  62.  75.  60.
Partly clear.  Sprinkle rain little in forenoon.  Bill Kelly works all day, put  up some trellis in garden and spades in garden.  Mrs. Rogers works all day at cleaning up stairs.  I plant two rows of peas in garden.  Three cases Bethesda cerriis(?)  from Chicago.  Baby  took a step or two alone on Sunday the first.  Think she will soon be able to walk.  Go bed 9.30 P.M.

9.  Wednesday.  5.45 AM  Ther. 62.  65.  58.
Mostly cloudy day.  Kelly cut burdock &c. round place AM.  Couldn't get T. Knock to work at fence so set Kelly at it, rather slow work.  New tenant moves into one of Curney's house , gave her hay to fill a bed.  Myers pays 2.50 on rent.  Bob Brown brings up another load of wood for Mrs. Perrill half cord.  Cool day but warmer toward night.  Go bed 8.30 P.M.