May 21-22, 1890 and 1901 in Coles County Illinois

May 1890

21. Wednesday.  6.15 AM.  Ther 57.  78.  65.

Most cloudy with fresh S. wind  Geo Kellogg gets Charley Sallens to work at ice box.  Some of lumber got of Fuller so bad had to take back and exchange.  Got box about finishes expect except door and sawdust.  Old Mrs. Davis died about 11 PM  Tue stayed over there most of the night and Ruth stayed with Maggie and Phebe.  Ought to have gone to timber tonight but too tired.  gobed 10.30

22.  Thursday.         63  87  73

Decide not to go to timber today in order to go to Grandma David funeral at 3 P.M.   intended to go at night but H.G. objects says has to leave tomorrow morning on important by   Klelogg and Sallues work on box and  shed all day getting door in and shed nearly up.  Jim Pinnell has had a man hauling City stuff for me all the  week - Jo Drake.   Paid Jo 1.50 order.  Learn that John Spurgeon is very sick.  Pleasent day and warm.  gobed  11.30 PM.

May 1901

21.  Tuesday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.    52.  55.  52.  =  53

Cloudy with light rain. N.E. wind.  Mrs. Owens washed finishing before noon.  I took her home.  Rain continued all day quite heavy at times in P.M.  Wind changed to N toward night to N.W.  I stay at home most of day.  Gaines telephones that planter did not work right.  John Linder said he would  fix it.  Bretz contractor for paving Seventh St  gets his outfit on ground.  gobed 8 P.M.   Garrisoon paid 50.00 check.

                         

22.  Wednesday.  5 AM.  Ther  47.76.  58  =  60 1/3

Clear S.W. wind.  Charlotte Sproule comes to sew for Tue all day.  Start to Gaines 9.30  Jo has planter at work and about 9 acres to plant  Thinks some may not be checked owing to the planter out of fix.  Corn planted last week coming up,  took out Mrs. G. carpet  warp.  She owes 40 cts on same.  I get home time for dinner.  Mostly clear day S.W. wind roads somewhat muddy ex Gravel, Self toothache and headache.  Tue over  Grove, at night.  Charlotte going to move from Grove house  Gobed 8.30 P.M.

April 1-3, 1890 and 1901 in Coles County Illinois

April 1890

1.  Tuesday, 7 AM  Ther.

Clear N.E. wind Nick and H.G. go hunting.  I start for ranch at about 9 AM.  Find Johnny and Warren at work  Warren is working in John's place while he went to election.  Got the sulky harrow yesterday.   When John got home we harrowed the grass plot for samples.  Gobed 10 

PM

2.  Wednesday, 5 AM.  Ther
at Ranch
Partly cloudy, wind S.E.  Johnny  and Riley burn brush back of  barn.  Simon and self went AM to look at line surveyed by Green.  It puts the five east sycamores on my land.  I sowed sample grass seed after breakfast.  Simons makes and hangs two gates in P.M.   other boys making fence  Part cloudy day S.E.  wind and signs of rain  Did sprinkle lightly from 4 P.M. till in night  Gobed  10 P.M.

3.  Thursday  5.30 AM.  Ther
Cloudy and raining light rain most of  night and until noon.  Works a little in barn Simons starts for corn after dinner.  I started home Find Tue about sick with neuralgia  Council met tonight and decide not to have vote on the license question  This would seem to settle it  Heavy rain about and after dark  11.30 PM

[Stop of page]  Stopped yesterday to get Carlos but he would not follow me

April 1901

1.  Monday.  5.15 AM.  Ther.  27.  49.  40.  =  38 2/3

Partly Cloudy white frost S.E. Wind Clara washed  Saw John Marshall about Walls and Garrison.  Fear may lose 40.00 owing me by Noble.  Garrison pays me $15.00 for which I give receipt as against Walls.  Cow got out P.M. and over in Maxwell's field.  I telephone Wall at Casey but could not hear much from him  Get Gaines' clock again at Jenkin's P.M.  Mostly cloudy day dark and threatening toward night with E. wind.   Order fourth half ton of coal.  Miss Ford went to Bloomington today for two or three days.  Charlotte Sproule over at night.  light showers after.  gobed 9 P.M.

2.  Tuesday.  5.40  Ther  35.  45.  40.  =  40
Cloudy and raining lightly.  S.E. wind  Tue and Clara cleaning Miss Fords room most of day.  Went up and voted AM.  The main question today seems to be  Co Bond  issue  Ricter delivers fourth jag of coal.  Mist or drizzle most of day southerly wind.  No fire in furnace and house pretty cold.  Florence Moore here sewing with Phebe P.M.  Shortess cow loose in street and barn lot P.M.  Make halter for big calf and look over old harnesses.  Intended to go to Loxa A.M. but weather prevented.  Gobed 9 P.M.~

3.  Wednesday 5.30 AM.  Ther  35.  46.  40  =  40 1/3
Cloudy.  Northwind.  Tue and Clara continue work on Miss Fords room  Jo Crail carries in lot of coal and get house warmed up.  Jo helps clean lot of carpet and I took him part way home.  Tue works all day although feeling badly.  I start for Loxa 1 P.M.  Found Jo plowing having about finished the oats ground.  He will get done by noon tomorrow and go to town for seed oats.  He did not get check mailed last Friday and I drove down to Loxa to find out about it.  Didn't learn anything  Took Gaines' clock out.  Got home 6.30 P.M.  Mostly clear P.M. north wind.  Roads pretty muddy but drying fast.  gobed 8.30 P.M.

March 9-21, 1901 in Coles County, IL

Lto R:  Phebe, Margaret, Marie, Tue

this picture is at the front of the 1901 Journal.

March 1901

9.  Saturday.  5.40 AM.  Ther  45.  47.  51.  =   47 2/3

Cloudy, foggy, Light showers in night wind South Easterly.  Earl Decker leaves horse in barn.  I sign note with him for 10.00 90 days.  He intends to get married next week.  Alex weighs 8 lb.  Big Alex 10 lb.  The freeze is not not yet out of ground.  Dem and Rep. Tp primaries today and big crowd of men on streets P.M.  Tue called in Dr. Patton to consult.  She has decided to begin doctoring for her trouble and will go to his office tomorrow morning.  She and Clara begin piecing quilt P.M.  I went  up town after supper but could not learn result of the primaries.   Cloudy day with occasional sprinkle rain heavy showers after dark and in night  wind southerly.  gobed 10.30 P.M.

Shorthand at top of  page

10.  Sunday.  6 AM.  Ther.  51.  55.  32.  =46

Cloudy S.E. wind. showers last night.  Went with Tue to Pattons after breakfast - first time. A showery morn  Fix stall for brown cow.  Look for calf very soon: The freeze not yet out of ground.  River water very muddy  Cistern pumped dry yesterday.  Clara got letter from Harvey :  first since they left last Wednesday.  Wind changes to N.W. before with snow flurries.  Coal about about out today but didn't need much fire.  Tue feeling better than she expected to after treatment.   Gobed 9 PM.

11.  Monday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  27.  45.  40.  =  27 1/3
Partly  cloudy.  Evans sends wood by boy not to bring him cow  Clara didn't wash as usual -Helping Tue sew  Mrs. Owens will wash tomorrow  Get jag coal, Richter put in back Cat.  Mrs. Grove over  P.M. arguing about Mrs. Trobaugh.  Clara sick P.M. and night.  Tue over at Groves at night.  Roads said to be very bad today.  Mostly clear day.  Chilly N.W. wind  Gobed 10 P.M.

12.  Tuesday.  5.40 AM.  Ther.  38.  63. 55=  52.
Mostly clear.  Southerly wind.  Mrs Owens washes AM  Clara helps Tue sew clothesline broke down.  Take Evans pair of sho?es to mend.  Says will take cow and wants her at once.  Take out 20 lbs timothy and clover seed which horses get at  Jo grubbing out willow down near Loxa.  John and Edith there.  they will take cow whose horns have been removed to town tomorrow  I decide to remain all night.  Mostly clear day with violent southwind.  Sleep with Jo in SE corner E room.  Gobed 9 PM.   I went with Tue when she took treatment AM.

13. Wednesday.  4.30 AM.  Ther.  43.  40.  36.  =  37 2/3
Cloudy SW wind.  Turns colder in night.  Jo was up before 3 AM.  Cow very gentle and  they lead her to town leaving her at Evans' AM.  Put calf in my barn  Brown cow no calf yet.  Udder seems to be caling and I milk her twice in PM.  Clara ironing.  Maggie went to Champaign for a few days visit.  I took her to 11.38 AM. train.  Kate went with Kate Grove  to Prescilla Club meet at Dr. Starr's.  Snow flurries during day.  Mostly cloudy, eith high winds S.W.  Take Ferd down to his Grandma's toward night.  Play cinch with Phebe Marie and Clara till bedtime.  10.30 PM.

14.  Thursday 5.30  AM.  Ther.  34.  34.  32.  =  33 1/3
Cloudy west wind snowing-light- house pretty cool- no coal in the cellar.    Tue has a bad spell after breakfast.  Pay Clara Fisher 4.55 fo C. Pinatil furnace repairs last fall.  Brown cow has yellow male calf AM. other calf eats corn and oats all night - consider it weaned.  Clara went to du?tesls P.M.  Cloudy day with  frequent snow flurries westerly wind  Didn't go up town  Play cinch at night with Tue and girls.  House has been cool today.  No coal in the cellar, about half inch snow at night.  Gobed 10 P.M.

15.  Friday 5.40 AM.  Ther  30.  33.  26  =  29 2/3
Cloudy, N.W. wind.  Learn on street that Wall has sold out his saloon to Casey party.  Have not seen him.  Dr. Patton came down and gave Tue treatment says he is going away for a week.  Clara get letter from her mother, first since they left.  Trobough carries coal down cellar.  Didn't settle with him.  I call to see Evans milk the cow let him horn: seems to be all right.  Mort and Kate were over at night.  Phebe to dance with Ben Hill.  Gobed 10 PM. -

16.  Saturday.  5.40  AM.  Ther.  21.   45.  36.  =  34
Clear N.W. wind.  Evans sends word before breakfast to take cow away says will keep her two or three months if can milk her.  Mrs. E. has got scared.  Bandy takes cow to milk A.M.  Dick Wright calls P.M. and will work for me Monday.  Get another 1/2 j Hillsborrough Coal of Richter P.M. which they deliver at barnyard.  Pay up Bandy for butter.  Went with Tue to Patton's office for treatment 4 P.M.  Clara away at night taking bird.  Mort and Kate over at night.  I drove up town after supper calling at Evan's for shoes which didn't get.  Self not feel very well today.  Mostly clear day streets not bad and drying  fast Gobed 10 PM.

17. Sunday.  6.15 AM.  Ther 31.  44.  46.  = 47.

Clear.  Tue feeling badly this morning.  Dr. Patton called to say he was going away to he gone about a week.  I  made some small repairs on harness and clean up buggy some.  Slept a while after dinner.  Hitched up Queen before noon.  Toward night drove south of town and round town some streets getting good some heavy in country.  Clear day, Southerly wind.  Very pleasant and many people out riding and walking.  Tue and Clara telling snake stories at night  Gobed 10 PM

18.Monday 5.30 AM.  Ther 45.  72.  57.  =  58
Clear.  SW wind.  There was an alarm of fire in night.  Mrs. Owens washed AM.  Fix up clothes line.  Tue feeling badly all day.  She went over to Grove's at. Dick Wright did not come as promised.  Learn he is sick.  Partly cloudy day with strong sw wind and warmest we have had for several months  Play cinch at night with Clara and Marie Gobed 10 PM

19.  Tuesday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.      57  54
Cloudy sprinkles rain .  Strong southwind I start to Gaines 9 AM.  Find him grubbing on Tue's north  twenty.  John and wife still there.  He asks permission to stay two months which I didn't grant. Get home  for dinner.  Shirley has cut a few stalks south of house.  Roads good all the wau.  Brought Gaines clock again for repairs.  Clara finished ironing.  I went up town for coffee at night.  Mort and Kate over at night  Tue wuit taking medicine and feels some better  Cloudy day with frequent light showers.  Lightning after dark  Gobed 10 PM.

20.Wednesday 5.30 AM.  Ther  30.  28.  26  =28
Cloudy high SW wind.  Got telephone message from Gaines that white hourse was choked.  Thought to go out but too cold.  Learn at night that horse was all right.  Talk with Garrison at night.  He paid me Wall's rent for month ending today.  Got letter from AL & T. Co. saying couldn't loan on City R.E. but could do so on Loxa farm.  One of  worst days this mo.  Strong westwind with light snow.  Self and Tue feeling badly and both retire early.  Phebe out at night  Gobed 8 AM.

Shorthand at top of page.

21.  Thursday.  5.30 AM.  Ther  25.  37.  34.  =  32
Mostly cloudy strong west wind.  Dick Wright works 7.30 AM. to 5 PM.  Down cellar in stable and at woodpile.  Tue gets special Del. letter from Maggie saying she would be home Saturday and sent her dress and other things by Express.  Charlotte Sproule called AM.  :pis and Pauline Shortess here P.M.  Mostly cloudy day with NW wind and snow flurries.  Self feel badly toothache &c.  Didn't eat dinner.  Go bed 7.15  AM.  Write letter of inguiry to AL. & T Co. 24

December 21-31, 1900 in Coles County Illinois

December 1900

Top of Page:  Brown cow's calf supposed to be due either about Jan 18 or Mar 12  (followed by short hand)

21.  Friday.  5.15 AM.  Ther 30, 50, 37.  =39.

Clear Southerly wind.  Start for Loxa 9.10 - Jo grubbing.  John out after traps.  Snowden calls before noon.  After dinner Jo and self build platform for well and get pump to working.  Shirley burns off BC stub  P.M.  get home dark.  Bacon called today when I was gone.  Drive over there after supper.  He and Kate attending Farmer's Institute.  Clara ironing AM. and  (?) sick at night.  Phebe expected tonight and Tue and Marie  sat up till the came at i PM.  Bacon rode home with me from Franks and helped me unharness.  Light cloudy day.  Strong SE to S wind.   Roads good  gobed 9 PM

22.  Saturday.  5.30 AM. Ther  38.  57.  48.  =  47 2/3.  

Clear SE Wind  I went up for Bstk. early.  Mrs. Stone called with butter.  Kate and Bacon call about 10 P.M.  Saw Kate and her girls at noon train  starting home.  Talk with Job Mason at ?.L. Depot.  Simons and Warren in town:  loans them level.  Pay Earl 9.00 for wood and posts cut by him and Zoll.  Garret Wall pays me Mo rent at night after much kicking and getting mad.  I took Tue down to Hats.  Helen is there and there has been a big kick from Snider.  Understand that Brown has  moved out his mill and did not do any sawing from my logs.  Mostly cloudy day.  fresh southerly wind sp rain P.M.  with light  showers toward night and after dark.    Mrs. 

grove over at night Clara washing windows PM.  gobed 9 P.M.

23.  Sunday. 6 AM.  Ther.  40.  37.  35.  =  371/3

Cloudy strong S.W> wind no rain after 9 PM. last night.  Tue and Clara catch chicken AM.  Ferd called and I took him to Hats and over to his grandmothers.  Fix and tone lot of  prints P.M.  Take Tue and Ferd over to Hats about dark.  Buy bottle of paste at Paynes Cr.  Lot of young folks here at night to see girls.  Cloudy day high wind S.W. to west.  Spits snow several times during day.  Gobed 9 PM.

24.  Monday. 5 AM.  Ther 24.  35.  30.  =  27 2/3

Mostly clear sharp frost SW wind.  Pay Richards note 132.00   E Bishop talks of buying cow. @ 40.00  (shorthand)  Drive out to Gaines  P.M.  Jo grubbing  John and Edith left this :  will be married at place tomorrow night.  Roads good.  Clara's sister, Daisy, came P.M. and went to Loxa on 9 PM train.  Establish at S.H,  Yellow cow and leave back in with 

Note the next couple of pages are of very poor quality.  I have tried my best to read and transcribe what I can.

I didn't reach Loxa today.  Dec pay off (?)  Tue up town at night   Hat and (?) will come to dinner tomorrow so said Ferd.  Gobed 9 P.M.

25.  Yesterday   6 AM.  Ther  20,  25,  28.

Cloudy and light snow.  JEM McGurty and Wall  each give me Xmas present.  Just a shifting of snow on the ground.  I got dictionary stand and  (?) (shorthand)   at 7 P.M. felt  sick  H.G. didn't come.  Court house was open a little today.  70th Anniversary of Coles Co.   Clara went to Loxa P.M.  returning   Maggie and Phebe attend a dance at night.  Tue and (?)  (?)  with Marie went to Court House.  I was over it late P.M.  Mostly alive west used.   

26.  Wednesday, 6 AM.  Ther  22.  30.  24.  =  25 1/3

Cloudy, about 1/4 in light snow fell in night, mostly disappeared during day.  Mrs.  Owens and  (?)  Kate Grove and Clara helping Tue till PM.  Self feeling  (?) badly have been drinking and eating too much intake.  Drive over to Defenbaughs P.M.  Hadays will have all the money he owes on Saturday.  Foreclosure papers must be served before Friday January 4.  Intended to o to Gaines P.M., but too cold for sick mare  Sat and read in furnace room at night.  Chewing some tobac.  Gobed 10 P.M.

27.  Thursday.  6 AM.  ther  24.  36.  35.  =  31 2/3

Partly cloudy.  White frost.  Charlotte Sproule helping Tue on dress for Maggie P.M. also Clara.  Maggie attends party at Coons  It began to hail from SE of AM. trying to rain which continued all day.  Still chewing tobacco slightly.  Gobed 9 PM.

28.  Friday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  30.  28.  19.  =  25 2/3

Cloudy N W wind.  Order mushroom book through W.E. Hill - Nina L. Marshall* - Clara and Tue ironing all day.   Self down to R.R. about noon.  Tue went up town with Helen P.M.  Phebe gone to Montgomery party at night.  Drive down and pay Mrs. Lloyd for washing.  Family far at night I eat very little.  Made mush before gobed 10 P.M.

*Nina L. Marshall wrote books on mushrooms.  Some of her books were reprinted in 2013.  CG's mushroom books were donated to Boothe Library on the EIU campus after my Grandmother Marie Gramesly Reasor passed away.

29.  Saturday.  5.30 AM.  Ther 12.  34.  28.  =  24 2/3

Mostly clear southwinds (????????????????????????????????????????????) Will Goodman fixed stairs at store yesterday.  Spend u(????????????????????????)Tue  gets damper in pipe  Miss Ford room.  John Simons up and we have talk in basement.  Mr. Scott came PM. staying all night.  Tue went uptown with Helen to buy some things.  Helen has been staying at Hat's a week or two, will continue.  Start out to Gaines late PM and stay all night.  John Gaines was married (?).  (?)  May and Edith went to Loxa after supper.  Sleep with Jo.  Roads good (?)  Clear day with southerly wind gobed 9 P.M.  Promised (?) 

30.  Sunday  5 AM.  Ther  30.  43.  (?)

Cloudy and snowing quitting before dinner (????????????).    Jo hitched up for me and started on trip to Janesville to be gone till tomorrow.  John went with to investigate his trip.  I drove to Loxa getting things for (?)  (???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????)  Leave for town 10 AM. furniture sold to John Simons. (?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????)  Not feeling well today  Chewing tobacco  Take Tue  and Marie down to Hats toward and go after them after them at 8 AM.  Snow mostly goes off  Mostly clear AM  Clouding up somewhat later.  gobed 10 PM. Westerly winds.

31.  Monday 6.30 AM.  Ther  30.  20.  8.  =19 1/3

Cloudy, Northerly wind. about same and often as fell yesterday came last night growing clder all day.  (shorthand)

Daisy Mitchell, Clara Ester came on PM train and stays all night  Maggies party to number of 30 or 40 came and we set up  up till after midnight.  Clear day turning colder all day.  I stay  in furnace room at night keeping fire till party broke up.  gobed 12.30 AM.

  Newyears carry to new book

December 14-20, 1900 in Charleston, IL

December 1900

(top of  page)
Mrs. G was letting cow which has young calf out of barn when she turned on her and towseled her around for two or three rods till Mrs.  got chance to get through a fence.  She tour(sic) of her clothes off and brushed her all over Jo telephoned for me but didn't get me.

14.  Friday.  6.30 AM.  Ther  20.  26.  25.  =  23 2/3
Cloudy N.E. wind.  Hitched up right after breakfast and went to Local for girl.  Got her.  Maggie not any better in morning and send for Dr. Starr.  Meet Bacon AM.  Is down with load of potatoes for Breeden.  Says will be here again next week   Tue attends R.C. PM.  Cloudy day N.E. wind NO rain or snow.  Several ladies including Charlotte Sproule call to see Maggie who lies in bed all day.  Tue up town a while at night,  Gobed 9.30 PM  Marie on cat our room.

15.  Saturday.  6 AM.  Ther  25.  34.  30.  =  29 2/3
Cloudy.  East wind.  Maggie seems better this morning.  Started for Gaine's 9.15  Find Jo at home and Mrs. Gaines very badly injuried by line back Jersey cow.  I had to help get dinner after which Jo went to work patching roof  Mrs. G hardly able to do anything and I stop at Dishons for  one of their girls to go over.  I did not get home till nearly dark.  Cloudy dark day.  East wind.  Simons was up but I didn't see him  Gobed 8.30  PM.

16.  Sunday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  30  40.  37.  =  35 2/3
Mostly cloudy, Southerly wind  Start out to Gaines 9.30  Mrs. G. not so bad as expected.  Up and around &c.  Maggie Dishon there helping.  Jo tied cow with dress but backed out.  Chilly day.  I get home before dark and found nobody home but Maggie.  She is better today and as up until bed time  Mostly cloudy SE wind.  Gobed 8.30 PM -

Have been recently annoyed good deal by noises in house at night supped to come from water pipes.  They have moved C.L. Depot to south of tracks and are laying foundation for new on site of old one.

17.    Monday.  6.30 AM.  Ther  37.  54.  45  =  45 1/3
Mostly clear, SW wind.  Jack works AM. putting wood in cellar. &c 60 c paid.  Get lot of grub at I.B. Mitchells all paid.  Maggie up all day and went to town PM.  Family moving into Goodmans new house back of our barn.  AM Alex Briggs has sold his room 608 6th St. and will build large building opposite Mrs. Knocks in spring.  I took Marie and Tue down to Mrs. Dr Jefferies at night.  Throat somewhat sore at night  Gobed 9 PM

18.  Tuesday.  5,30 AM.  Ther  39.  54.  40.  =  44 1/3
Clear.  SW wind.  Heavy dew.  Clara cleaning out pantry today.  JW Gaines brings in good load of sheaf oats which I help unload and get toowarm.  He took Roan out to farm for awhile.  Shirley and wife called P.M. also Charlotte Sproule .  Made me bottle of cough syrup P.M.   Bluebell and hoarhound(sic).  Pay Winter a/c to date 75.00  Maggie able to be uptown P.M.  Print dague or two photos Mostly of family.  Martha sends word that she will come but Tue does not her as long as Clara stays.  Get letter from Phebe AM.  Take Tue down to Shatzbergers after supper.   Mrs. Jefferies here at night  Gobed 8 P.M.  Have about decided that brown cow will have calf month or  two before expected.  Clear day southerly wind.  Cow was taken to Wileys bull Apl 13 and June 5th

19.  Wednesday 5.30 AM.  Ther 28.  40.  34.  =  34.
Clear fog or smoke.  Milk before breakfast  Lloyd girls wash A.M.  Went out to Gaines' P.M.  Mrs. Gaines getting well but her hand very bad yet.  She has another girl named Edith.  Jo is grubbing and will continue long as good weather lasts.  John Gaines there trapping.  Pay Jo 3.00 on wages, and settle for eggs up to date.  bring  home 2 1/12 doz not (?).Isaac Vail quit day before yesterday.  Tue attends Liquid Air lecture at Christian Church.  Cloudy day with northerly wind  Gobed 8 AM.

20.   Thursday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  24.  45.  35.  =  34 2/3
Clear NE heavy white frost.  Clara ironed.  Pay John VanMeter a/c in full 11.15  D(?) Wall for months rent but he does not respond.    Maggie working at Jenkins P.M. first time since she was sick  Learn that Helen Snider has left her fathers and is staying at H.Gs.  Take pay for wash down to Mrs. Lloyd.   Tue attended discussion at Christian Church.    Miss Ford getting to go to Chicago tomorrow.   Maxwell putting roof on new house.  Roads mostly dry  Gobed 9 PM
(shorthand)
Brown cow's calf supposed to be due either about Jan 18 or Mar 12
(shorthand)

November 20 - 23, 1889 and 1900

November 1889

20.  Wednesday, 7.15 AM  Ther  43.  55.  47   = 

Cloudy but clears away.  Grand Jury adjourn AM.  They did nothing with self and others returned for working on Sunday.  There are indictments against several liquor men in town for selling to minors.  Went down to depot in morning, Sefton says road is not going to buy any ties this year.   Phebe came home PM   with head ache.  Start 6.30 for ranch about 3.45 P.M.  Got there 6.30  Took lantern which was much help  Gobed at Milts 10 PM  Comer presents bill to date $49~  Henry Meyer here.  buy Bby,

21.  Thursday 6 AM.  Ther at C.  42.  53.  45  = 46 2/3

Cloudy, Sprinkle rain light good part of day.  Milt and self work in barn building partition.  The roof I find finished in pretty good shape.  Sheep feeling better.  Start home about 4 P.M. raining most of way home, and very muddy.  Mrs. Rogers washing today leaving clothes out all night.  Strong NW wind at night  Gobed 10.30~~

22.  Friday 6.30 AM  Ther 35.  48.  35  =  39 1/3

Nearly clear and clearing.  Wind strong NW.  Tue got up early to take in clothes.  Mrs. Rogers ironed.  Get shave at night at May's.  Kelly washes and fills lot of bottles P.M.  Remit Bernbi(?)  B & U. 165.50 and Mullaney & H 7.00  Loan "Neighbor" a V.  Send receipt for 5.00 to Mattergly for 5 (ink spot)  Whisky  The  first really pleasant day for long time  Go bed 11.PM

23.  Saturday 7 AM.  Ther 29.  55.  58 = 45 2/3

Clear.  N. Wind.  Gets into south.  Decide on amt of John VanMeters hay 25 x20 x 20 ft  600 cubic feet to ton.  Uncle John in to dinner,  Has not decided to trade with Burgers for Gage place.  Drake comes in and starts out between 4 and 5 PM.   Frank came with him Abbott will saw some wood for us Mondays, Mostly clear day, trade rather dull.  Fresh south wind.  Stay at store till midnight figuring  Go bed at 1 AM.

November 1900

20.  Tuesday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  60.  70.  62  = 64

Cloudy misty or fog.  southwind  Charlotte Sprorch  sewing for Tue.  Mrs. Owens washing.  Plumber takes pump to send away for repairs.  Went out to Gaines after fork after dinner.  Jo has only 30 shocks of corn to schuck.  Mrs. G complaining  I brought home two  gallon jar of pickles.  Mostly cloudy day.  Print lot of pictures for Lillie  She is going to stay and do ironing tomorrow.  No rain today.  Roads bad except where graveled.  Tue over at Groves' at night  Dun Wall for rent to date but they didn't buy.  Gobed 9 PM.

21.  Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  42.  45.  45.  =  44

Mostly cloudy.  Storm of wind and rain in night with sudden change.  Stopped yesterday again to see Maggie  Dlisorn and think can get her to help us when Lillie leaves.  Lillie irons.  Tone and mount some pictures for her.  AM.  Ther was down to 37 about 9 AM.  Charlotte Sproule sewing all day.  Took Lillie home about 4 P.M.  Charley Black says is talking of buying out Wall.  Wall has not paid last months rent.  Mostly clear P.M. and growing warmer.  Weather report saus cold wave  Mort fixed shelf for Tue in pantry    Mort and Kate over at night after I go bed 8. P,M.

22.  Thursday.  5.45. AM.  Ther.  49.  74.  55  =  59 1/3

Pretty clear.  Southerly wind.  Charlotte sewing A Barner sends for spooler for Mr. Gaines machine.  Pay Bartors a/c in full 55 cts.  J.W. Evans pays me on lumber bill 85 c. leaving  40 c. due.  Wall pays rent to  20 inst cash. No chk.  Have talk with Tredene Arnold about saw mill.  Shave at Browns Paid.  Paid up last week.  Richard Walker wants to rent Perkins room.  I start for Gaine's after dinner thinking to get Drihre girl to work at house.  Didn't see her start home late and return staying all night.   Playing seven up till bed time  House cold as a barn and damp.  Jo finished shucking corn today making 1513 bu sold for 446.74*  Including fed and in cribs 1820 bu from 35 a.  Much lightning S & SW at night and change of wind to north and cooler in night  Gobed 9 P.M.

* With inflation, that amount would be about $12026 today.  However, today's farmer would get about $7350 for that amount of corn.  According USDA - The 2014 average U.S. corn yield is now estimated at the record level of 174.2 bushels per acre, 

23.  Friday 4.30  AM.  ther 37.  42.  39.  = 39 1/3

Mostly cloudy NE wind.  Jo hauls in fodder.  I put glass in door taking till 9 o'clock  Intended to take tickets to Loxa and make and make a draw but mailed on time there after I got home.  Find I  injured buggy shaft running into wagon on way home Tuesday night.    Lillie called PM she will start for Spokane Tuesday.  Tue writes to Phebe.  Miss Ford gone to Paris institute for day or two.  It began raining and sleeting 4 P.M. wind N.E.  Jo came in after stove and took out some planks for platform at well.  He brought in big jar of pickles, and some pop corn.  He took potatoes down cellar.  Gobed 8 P.M.  .

At the top of the page:  Fir. Noble Cafee & others fined of stick of Dynamite 3 P.M. One of the three sent him by Express Monday

October 7 1889 and 1900 in Charleston, IL

October 1889

7.  Monday.  7 AM.  Ther  27. 52. 33.  =  37 1/3

Clear very heavy frost  the first heavy one  Most trees are green yet and Hickory nuts have not fallen much as yet.  Caught more cold last night.  Mostly in my head.  Put on woolen underclothes this morning.  Begin getting ready for stove at store.  Streamer drummer in town, buys small bill from him.  Mrs. Rogers  washes, Milt and Warren did not come up - supposed to be working on road.  Go  bed 10.30 ~~

October 1900

7.  Sunday, 6 AM.  Ther.  58.  63.  55.  =  57 2/3

Cloudy.  North wind. Quite a heavy shower in night.  turning cooler.  Looked for  Phebe some in  night.  Have had no word from her since I sent telegram.  Drive south of town P.M. looking for mushrooms.  didn't see any.  Charlotte Sproule here P.M.  Jack Cabby brought lot of mushrooms mostly Campestris    Lulu Dorsch here at night staying with Maggie.  They have company with oysters.  Ferd here all night.  Went to bed at 8.30 PM, but got up at midnight to to train for Phebe  Walk down.  She didn't come however.  Gobed 1.15 AM.

October 3-5, 1889 and 1900 in Charleston, IL.

October 1889

3.  Thursday 6.30 AM.  Ther.  56.   76.  46  = 57 2/3

Clear and pleasant.  Second day and last day of re-union .  Good many in  and trade  equal to Saturday.  Warren hauls load of Cooper  Milt finishes 3 cord to Hibbard.  Sold J. Dice 99 posts @6 1/4. cash.  Uncle John down to dinner.  Bert in town but didn't come down Gobed 10.30 ~

4.   Friday.  5.30 AM.  Ther  46.  70.  48  =  54 2/3

Clear and cool.  Probable light-frost start for timber before 7 AM.  Min (sic) making roads from hollow didn't finish.  Rode around S side PM looking at timber get pretty well tired out.  Got home at 7.15 P.M.   Find mess of puffs balls by Edmons.  Tue spent day at Hats   HG took off screen doors at store today  Gobed 12.30

5.  Saturday  6.30 AM.  Ther 45.  62.  42.  =  49 2/3

Clear.  Caught cold last night sore throat  cool day.  P(?)  smoke stack to Light Plant.  H.G. abusive.  Make wife sick P.M. and he not there at night.  Uncle John in.  Warren haul load to Cooper.  Milt l to Anderson.  Gobed 11.30

October 1900

3.  Wednesday. 5.30. AM.  ther 60.  88.  63

Clear.  S.E. wind.   Get Ed. Wells to pull weeds and sort over seet corn.  Harvest pumpkin crop in bottom.  Ike Rogers up with BC which he sold for 80.00  Warren with Lim  MR. Owen irons.  Get mess of Lycapendons in Wileys pasture.  Ed. Wells went with.  Mrs McKee rides home to town with me.  Tue  and Mrs. McKee rides home to town with me.  Tue and I  drive while at night till say 8.30.  Today  the first day I have not used tobacco since Mar 1.  Fill plate holders to camera at night in dining room.  Gobed 9 P.M.

4.    Thursday 5.30 AM.  Ther 60.  90  68  =  72 2/3

Mostly clear.  Start to Loxa about 9 AM.  Jo grubbing Mrs. G out in field.  I fool round till  dinner and them stay till about 4 P.M.  Was  down in corn and in lower part  of John's new (?) get home before 6.  Charlotte Sproule,  Mort & Kate here at night.  Jo coming to town tomorrow morning says will mow weeds.  Clear day.  Gobed 8.30 PM

5.  Friday 4 AM.  Ther 63.  91.  70  =  74 2/3

Clear.  Jo came about 8 AM. and began mowing bottom.  Rene and Bert in staying to dinner.  Tue gets letter from Phebe and Bert in staying to dinner.  Tue gets letter from Phebe and telegrams from NWU dean.  Phebe says she  cant  stand it there and must come.  I spent afternoon at Shannons trying to phone to her but no good.  Telegraph 7 P.M. to her telling her to come home at once.  Rene and Bert went home  5 P.M.  I take Irene down to Warrens to have her fortune told  Tues didnt amount to much.  Tue and I ride a while at night, east  and south of town.  Mostly clear day and about the  warmest we have had lately  Jo mowed the weeds in bottom and left for  Loxa about 5 P.M.  taking load of manure.  Miss Ford not here at night.  Grama phone waked us at about midnight.  Warm night.  Gobed 8.30 P.M.

  

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.

July 30- August 1, 1889 and 1900 in Charleston, IL

July 1889

30.  Tuesday.  6.30 AM.  Ther. 65.  80.  65.  =  70.

Clear.  N.W. wind.Crass works all day at straightening up things, and will probably work all the week.  Bis dull.  Drake brought load of wood to Tooke  McCarty pays me 45c. for posts.  Mrs. Rogers washes and irons.  clear and pleasant.  Prospect for fine weather for races.  Gobed 10.30 PM.

31.  Wednesday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  64.  85.  66.  = 71 2/3

Clear  Crass works till 3 P.M. at clearing furniture and went home his wife being sick.  Warren Decker brought load of 50 posts which he took to Milton.  Sell Alex Fischer half cord wood which Milt delivers, one more load will finish out Tookes  3 cord.  Get blue suit of  clothes at Winters for which I owe him 33.00  Trade dull for horse races.  There are more entries than usual but farmers don't seem to come to town.  The races do not begin till tomorrow.  Gobed 10.30 pm.

August 1889

1.  Thursday.  7 AM.  Ther. 67.  73.  69.  =  69 2/3

Partly cloudy, hazy, sprinkle several times during day  Wind S to SW.  Crass finishes clearing at store and pay him up.  F (?) of Cincinnati here AM buy from him half Bbl Alcohol @ 2.00  Horse Fair for some reason does not make much business so far.  Drake up  today with wood which he takes to Tooke.  Gobed 10.30

July 1900

30.  Monday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  63.  88.  75.  =  75 1/3

Mostly clear.  I quit tobacco (have been chewing since Saturday.) till Christmas next.  Jo Reat says will take 5,000 ft BO fencing @ 1.70 if good.  Looks at pile at store in back lot.  Phebe and friends getting ready for camping over at Dr. Byers.  Learn that Gaines wanted to see me and start out there 3 P.M.  Jo grubbing.  They are putting in new iron bridge opposite my place on Mattoon road.  Get corn cucumbers eggs &c but finaly (sic) decide to stay all night.  Chudy Talbot cutting weeds in road.  Jo fixes fences says horses came in corn last night.  they haul balance oats to barn Sat. PM.  Clear day mostly.  Play seven up till bedtime.  Gobed 9.30 PM.

31.  Tuesday 4 AM.  Ther.  70.  95.  75.  =  80.

Clear.  Jo helping at bridge with team today  I started home at 8 o'clock.  Yellow cow had dalf in pasture this morning   Sex unknown.  Maggie Devone washed first time  Charlotte Sproule helps Tue sew PM.  I brought in lot of stuff also sack of corn.  Com Eastin rides with me home PM.  tue and  I down at night till 9.30 PM.  She  visited the Camp at Dr. Byres.  This one of the  warmest days.  N.W. wind calm.  Gobed 10.30 PM.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~August, 1900~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1.  Wednesday 5.30 PM.  Ther.  70.  98.  75.  =  81

Clear N.W. wind.  El Marshall  tears out old urinal new one not come yet.   John Simons come with first loads of lumber 1020 ft. 2 1/2x10-14 for Tp and 79 ps for BC shed self.  We pile it all in front Perkins lot.  Simons & Warren help arrange gate posts for piling lumber on.  Heavy wind with thunder storm from north about 2 PM.  then falling from 98 to 70 within 20 minutes.  Maggie Dvone ironing.  Notify Snider that Tp. lumber is here.  Mailing letter after supper.  clears off after shower.  Ink got spilled in S. chamber today.  Gobed 10.30 P.M.  Develope (sic) two or three plates at night - first for many months.*

*These are the glass plate negatives he took.  I own many of his glass negatives.