June 11-13, 1913 in Charleston, IL

11.  Wednesday,  5.40  AM.  Ther.  44.  84.  62.  = 63 1/3
Clear.E.1.  Rhoda came early and worked till 2 P.M.  I felt poorly all day on night have gone to Loxa.  Hitch to new buggy Drove SE of town AM.  Met Steve Hall.  His farm in river bottom is suffering from drouth as bad as the uplands.  Rhoda ironed till 2 P when Tue and the girls took in hand.  I tried to write letter to Phelps regarding axles but could not get good start.  Tue  went  to prayer meet at night.  Phebe out with Ora til 10 P.M.  Clear day light easterly winds.  Gobed 9.30

12.  Thursday 5.40 AM.  Ther.  48.  88.  66.  =  67 1/3
Clear, E.1.  Get shave of Yates:  Bob Wilton there.  Harman called a few minutes at barn while was hitching up, said he called to see buggy.  Think he is fixing up scheme about hay but said nothing about it.  I would have gone to Loxa if had not felt so badly  Emmett Fritz called a while P.M.  Says will help at any time after tomorrow.  Gets iron bar.  I try to write letter to H.G. Phelps but fail.  Took Tue  and Charles out to Helens late P.M. getting home after sunset.  Clear day with light variable  winds.  Just like every day this week but drier.  The grass is like tinder.  Henry and Hat were here when we got home.  Mrs. Balch fell from Cherry tree hurting herself.  Dr. Hite and Florence Wright were married tonight.  Gobed 9.30

13.  Friday. 5.30.  AM.  Ther.  50.  90.  70.  =  70.
Clear. S.W.1.  Wrote a hasty letter to Phelps asking advice.  The program today is for me to go to Loxa and rest  of family to dinner at Helens.  I start 9 AM.  Teach Loxa 10 AM. and drove pretty well over place.  Did not meet Cliff.  He does not seem to be doing anything with the clover meadow.  It is ready to cut.  The crops are looking better than average of this season.  Talk while with Cox and start home via Loxa and S. road.  I  saw Mrs. Gaines, Retha's boy was born last Friday.  Hugh putting up fence between  Jones 5a and  our farm.  Get small sack meal of C.H. Jones and reach Helen's about 12.30.  Tue, Phebe, Marie with Charles there and were eating.  I joined them.  the Normal Grocery and adjoining residence burned  2 P.M.  I start home 4 P.M.  the rest follow on 7 P.M. car.  Tue was ordered over to at once.  Rob Mitchell called after I left.  I got home wanting some poles.  He didn't get them.  Clear day light S.W. winds quite sultry but cool night and  and morn.  Jack dog crippled and couldn't go.  Go bed 9.50

June 3-5, 1913 in Charleston, Illinois

3.  Tuesday  6 AM.  Ther.  64.  90.  68.  =  74.
Part cloudy.  Griffins B.C. warehouse burned last night.  Emmett came 7.  Cuts long grass.  Sets out 25 tomato plants.  John Hall hauls away load of wood for Emmett.  Wells did not bring lawn mower.  Get birthday card from Hat.  Maggie sent me a small mem. book.  Let Emmett go at noon paying up 2.65.  Tue and Buddie iron.  Ad Miller called P.M. and will help me at any time.  I drove late P.M. to see Rhoda to wash tomorrow:  from there continue W and return by Helen's getting home 7 PM.  The folks were out at night.  Most clear day N. and N.E. winds.  Cooler at night.  Gobed 9 PM.

4.  Wednesday.  5.30.  AM.  Ther. 56.  88.  70.  = 71 1/3
Mostly clear.  N.E.2.  oil old buggy.  The new one not yet received.  Has  been shipped since 23 (?).  Rhoda came to wash working till 4 P>M>  I get start for Loxa 9 AM getting home 1 PM.  Drove out through place from Loxa.  Think Harman's crops look better than the average.  I drive to Dennison line.  Found Cliff on NW 40 replanting corn.    Talk a while with him and refuse to go to dinner with him.  I did not take lunch nor Jack.  I stop in Loxa returning long enough to pay Hough S. for putting up yard, fence $7.00 ck.  Few people visible in  in Loxa.  I left Loxa about noon.  The  roads are very dusty.  Before night drive over to Well's for lawn mower.  Paid 50c.    Tom Snider was badly  hurt by auto today.  Mostly clear day with fresh N.E. wind and numerous  small whirlwinds:  Mrs. Curd and Mrs. Brooks over at night.  Go bed 9.30 P.M.

5.  Thursday.  5.30  AM.  Ther.  .60.  90.  76. = 75 1/3
Partly cloudy.  S.E. 3.  learn by phone that buggy has been received at CL Depot. Put in  good  post of forenoon hunting but not finding dray man.  They are very busy.  Phebe writes will be home Sunday.  A letter from Muggs P.M.  does not state when she will be at home.  Gwin and McK brought up buggy P.M.  Sibert came over and set it up.  Although a good buggy I do not feel stucdk on it.  Mostly clear day with moderate S.E. winds.  No signs of rain.  The drouth here is becoming serious.  I had bad spell cramps.  P Maud night.  Tue  and Buddy went down to H.G.'s after supper.  Go b 9.30

April 18, 1913 and 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

1913

18. Friday.  5.30 AM.  ther.  54.  80.  64.   = 66.

Clear W.1.  Hitch up early and start for Loxa 8.45 AM.  get there 10.  Saw Mrs. Oakley.  Her husband has the measles.  Talk with Hugh about building fence on three sides of the lot.  He will do it as soon as I finish material.  Saw Mrs. Gaines as passed.  She brought out Florence's baby baby for me to see.  Went on up into place.  Harman has put a gate at head of street.  Harman, Cax an Paul at work each 4 horses  Cliff dragging stalks south of house, other two plowing with sulky plows N. ride S.W. 40.  I drove over to where Cliff &co put in 8 in. tile.  Saw Cliff.  Is through  sowing oats.  Will take posts down to Loxa for house lot there  Drive to BC shed and down to Loxa E. side place.  Talk while with People.  Corn 50c.  Talk with  A. Moore; pay him 40c. for some work along line.  Talk with James at Watson place.  He wants to rent farm for his son in law.  Got home 2.30 P.M.  Stood trip better than expected.  Smoked another cigar.  Maggie set me out some dinner.  Tue  gone to R.C.  Maggie went to Grace's P.M.  I get shave at Browns late P.M.  Tue and Muggs went to look at some pictures at C.H. at night.  Lightening and heavy thunder in night  Sprinkles rain.  Gobed 9.30 P.M.  Jack didn't go.

1888

18.  Wednesday  6 AM  Ther.  45.  60.  50.

Clear pleasant day.  People mostly talking about yesterday's election.  Rink and J. Rutherford bring up 1017 feet lumber for city.  Meyers did not come to work.  Sell.  Looke 20 butternut posts stop the Plainsdealer paying them up  15.  Gobed 9.30 PM.

February 12-14, 1913 in Charleston, IL

12.  Wednesday.  6.15 AM.  Ther.  10. 20. 12. = 14
Clear. N.W.2.  Tue got up rather late.  Rhoda washed in afternoon.  Tue attends "white" sale at Parkers P.M.  We get a long letter from Buddy.  She is somewhat alarmed about scarlet fever  in their neighborhood but all well.  Ray feeds last of corn and hay to mare at night.  Cliff phones that will bring feed tomorrow.  Preston is moving out today up to Fairgrange.  Tue went to library at night taking Magazine forgotten by Phebe about coldest day to date most clear Northerly wind 8.30

13.  Thursday.  6.30.  Ther.   6.  30.  22. =19 1/3
Clear. S.3.  I scrape up enough for mare breakfast.  Helen calls AM and Tue pays egg bill 2.10 ck.  Tue and self finish novel Woman in White.  I  got tired reading it.  Expected  Harman in with some feed today.  Didn't hear from him.  Sent mare  up to Nickles stable at night for a day or so.  Another  cold day barely thawing at any time.  Clear day barely thawing at any time.  Clear day with moderate southerly wind.  Gobed 9

14.  Friday.  6.30 A.M.  Ther. 22.  46.  36. =342/3
Clear, S.2.  Pump in cellir(sic) clogged with snails and roots.  Clean it out it out A.M.  Harman phones noon that will be in with hay &c if possible.  Says hie expected tenant for house backed out and * Had piece for dinner.  Tue to R.C. 2 P.M. at Jo Reats.  Shave self P.M. ~~  Harman came 4 P.M. bringing me 4 b hay 1.92, 4 b.  straw  .75, 2 bu oats .60 and about 5 bu corn from my own crib.  We settle to date far as possible.  NW ditch 16.00 and fence 4.00 feed 3.27.  pay check 23.27.  Ray went up for mare.  Preston still at farm.  They are trying to arrange so that he will remain there.  the ground is generally bare where exposed to the sun.  Clear day moderate southerly wind.  Go bed 8.30

November 20, 1912 & 1887 in Charleston, IL

1912

20.  Wednesday.   6 A.M.  Ther.  44.  66.  52.  = 54

Mostly clear S.W. 2.  Tue and I start to Loxa about 9 A.M.  taking Jack and no lunch.  Tue stopped to see Mrs. Gaines and Mrs. West.  We drove up to to house.  They have some thirty acres corn to shuck.  We drove over to Cliffs but would not stay to dinner.  Look at his hogs &c.  He gives me check for 42.79 for 104 50/70  bu corn bringing my half of "pond" called 3 1/2a.  After going about an hour  we get home  at 2 P.M.  Tue gets letter from Muggs at Jeff City.  She seems  to like it pretty well.  Mrs. Knock calls P.M.  Fine day with light S.S.W.  wind clear.  Tue  stirs up old afcs at night and reads an hour or two from this book.  Gobed 8.30 P.M.  We stop at cemetery returning.

1887

20.  Sunday.  6.30 A.M.  Ther.  10.  28.  17.

Clear.  Waterworks froze up in house  also out doors.  Went up to store after breakfast for Doc Dunbar some corn.  Peel lot of  quinces and sweet apples which Tue cooks after dinner.  Got  mare out about 3 P.M.  Took Tue drive round town awhile.  Baby has a bad cold. from yesterday.  Gobed 9.30~~

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

Charleston, Illinois on October 5, 1912

5, Saturday,  6 QM.  ther.  54.  82.  66. =67 1/3
clear. SW1.  Mort finished about 11 AM and settle 16.45.  There will be some trimming up after plastering.  Alfred came AM.  Picked some pears &c.  Mrs. Veach called AM for 2 bu.  Preston (the new man at the farm) with wife  call PM. getting pears.  brought ck from Cliff for hay sold J.O.L.  He wants to rent part of  farm next  season.  Helen Leone and George drove in about noon.  I didn't go up town till sunset get coffee at O&R steak at Dorsch's not good.  Boys play ball good deal in library lot and annoy us taking pears &c.  The authorities  have promised to stop them.  Tue  and self at home tonight, nobody called.  Mostly clear day with light southerly wind.  9.30

September 24, 1912 in Charleston, Illinois

24, Tuesday,  6 AM.  Ther.  50.  76.  64.  =  63 1/3
Part cloudy.  S.E.1.  Tue gets letter from Muggs - special del. stating that she expects to soon loose her place at O. State Library because not a native of state.  I start Loxa 10. A.M.  Go S. road  and through farm up to B.C. shed.  Harman has 25 men cutting B.C. and are about half done cutting.  Expect to begin seeding tomorrow.  Cliff has fired Curt and he will soon move to near Lerna.  Harman picking up around shed.  P & P have finished but I have not seen them.  I return N. road getting home 6 P.M.  Tue at Groves at night.  Mostly clear with light S.  Took lunch.  Jack didn't go.  I was sick in night.  Gobed 9

September 13, 1912 in Charleston and Loxa, Illinois

Friday, 5.30  A.M.  Ther.  50.  80.  66
Clear, E.1. A, Preacher is moving  in house back of us he owns.  Get start Loxa 9 AM or later went through and pretty well over farm.  Harman's crops look about as well as the neighbors.  P&P not there.  They  have done nothing for two weeks.  Cliff has clipped much of oat stubble.  the clover looks well.  The thins places pretty good.  Have fine stand on most of 62 acres sown.  Haas cut NW 8 acres supposedly for seed.  I drove from W. to BC shed could not get round so return round field and visit shed from S.  Saw no one but Mrs. Binge.  Did not get out at premises.  Gather peck or so grapes SW house on fence Drove down through Loxa seeing Hogg and CHJ.  Return S. road and home before 2 PM did not eat dinner which took.  Drove to Parkers toward night.  Didn't  see him.  Tue at Groves night.  Mostly clear.  Light southerly wind with light whirlwinds.  The roads are good and quite dusty in places.  Gobed 8.30

August 30- September 1, 1912 in Charleston, IL

30   Friday,  6 AM.  Ther.  70.  90.  80. =80
Cloudy, light fog.  Tue ironing AM.  I drive S.W. looking for "flux weed."    The mare felt foxy and flies are bad so she made good time.  It tired me out to hold her.  I did not find any of my weed.  Mike Fletch formerly  of Loxa calls to rent farm.   Also (?) Hensley of Humbolt.  Tue deposits oats check at 2nd NB.  Jack and self both getting better.  Toward night we drove E. to scene of his accident last Thursday.  Take mare to Nickles.  Kate Grove and her sister Sarah call this evening.  Mostly clear light southerly wind.  Gobed 10 P.M.

31  Saturday,  5.30  AM.  Ther.  72.  92.  80. = 81 1/3
Part cloudy S.W.2.  Tue and self get off for Loxa before 8 AM. driving to Loxa first.  Tue calls at Mrs. Wests and at store.  Pay up Charley Jones for R.H. and afc to date 7.77 ch.  Met Cliff at Loxa and he follows us to farm.  Parker and Plow working on shed.  Harman went to W. side with Tue and Self. I offer him clover meadows to cut for seed for half.  Says will cut new clover S.W. cor of NW 40 about 5 acres for half.  Tue bought chickens of Lulu.  We went out to Cliffs to weigh it.  Harman when struck me at Loxa was on his way to thresh S.  We reach home before noon worn out with  Harman the heat.  One of the hottest day, light SW wind.  H.G.  called P.M. to renew &c.  Mare about worn out when we got home.  I drove to Fritz before dark.  He will work for me Monday.  I put mare in pasture.    Mail check 82.05 to S.H. Record for tile.  Gobed 10 P.M.

The Weather for August, 1912.  Mean daily temperature 73.  Max 92. on 13th, 18th, 19th, 29th and 31st.  Min 46 on the 5th on.  Rain 5.17 in.  thus 1.2 on 9th, 1.21 on 13th, .34 on the 16th and 1.37 on 20.  It rained on 15 days and has been a damp month for August.  Clonchieress 33 1/2 %  Many oats are still un threshed.  Streams are high for season.  There has been much thunder.  The roads have been quite muddy at times.  Corn promises well but much weedy.    The roads at present are fine.  The duration and direction of winds have been - N 2 2/3 days N.E. 4 2/3; E 1 2/3;  SE 2/3; S 6; SW9 2/3; W 4 2/3 and NW1 days  The winds have been light, few winds  storms.  Corn is standing up, grass weeds and trees are making unusual growth.  Oats 25 cts, Eggs 15 young chickens 20c per live pound.

September

1  Sunday  6 AM.  Ther.  74.  90.  78.
Clear S.W. 2 a hot night.  I forgot to put up bar last night and mare was out.  Find her in library lot.  I didn't hitch up today.  Tue went to church and got paper.  Mrs. M. and Beulah Howell call meanwhile~  Another very  hot day and I keep quiet as possible.  Clear day with S.W. breeze.  Mort and Kate have been over to Mattoon.  Go bed 9.30

It is August 6, 1912 in Charleston, IL

100 Years Ago . . .

6,  Tuesday, 6 AM.  ther.  56.  84.  72. = 70 2/3

Mostly clear. E.1.  Get horse shod all round and spokes at Siberts' AM.  Paid check 1.75.  "Look for Harvey" AM.  Shrivers begin repair roof in morn.  Maggie went over to Graces PM.  Tue attends aid meet.  I  look again for Harvey not finding him.  Cliff phones will be in for lumber PM and I drive to Andrews .  Met Cliff on State St. on way to B.PA.'s "to help Paul load up."  Cliff calls later and we settle so far as can to date.  He  gives check for 45.64 which is bal. due me after deducting several items among which is an iron gate(8.00), 20 rods  of fence (8.00) &c.   they did not take out the roofing but part load 1 X 4 ~10.  Take mare to Nickles at night.  Shriver (2 men) work most of the day on roof fair day E and S.E. winds.  Muggs and Ph to library night.  I set up reading till 10.30                                                                        

Charleston, Illinois June 25, 1912 and 1887

100 Years Ago

Tuesday, June 25, 1912  4.30 AM  Ther.  62.  86.  72.  = 73 1/3

Part cloudy, haze. N.E.1.  I start Loxa after 8 AM and through town up to place.  Cliff cutting meadow E. of  branch.  Has cut and put piece clover west of Loxa Creek 12 1/2 acres.  The  B.C. is up  and good stand but is very small.  Cliff 4 men cutting E& W on 30 a piece.  The timothy meadow has improved.  the oats look better.  His corn fair.  Don't think stand first rate.  I stop little at B.C. shed and start home about noon by S. road.  Stop at Helen's getting B&E  Drank glass of buttermilk which disagrees with me.  got home 1 P.M.  Parker called and will go with me to look at old poles in morn.  Buddy getting ready to go to  Hindsboro in morn.  Mostly clear light N.E. winds.  Small whirlwinds from N.E. A.M.  Go bed. 10 P.M.

125 Years Ago

Saturday, June 25, 1887  6.45 AM.  Ther.  63.  76.  57.  

Cloudy.  Was a sprinkle of rain early.  Took pants up to Winters to get repaired.  Got  overcoat which had been there two or three months.  Sir  Jo Liston about repairing buggy.  He gave me an order for  some lumber.  The City Authorities culled out several hundred feet of what has been brought up.  Settle up in full with Geo. Weber.  He thinks of going to work for Harry Holmes in Mattoon.  Cloudy cool day.  Go bed.  12 oc.  Get pants repaired at Winters.

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.

June 3, 1912 and 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

100 Years Ago

Monday, June 3, 1912   5.30 A.M.  ther 56.  82.  70. = 69 1/3
Clear.  Emmett came 7 and worked all day.  Mows yard, cuts weeds, Pick cherries, puts wood in cellar, I start Loxa 9 AM.  Meet Cliff at Loxa gate and drive up where A. Moore is putting in our floodgate.  Cliff seems to have blues today.  Some of his corn not good stand.  Cliff let me out front gate and I got home 1 PM.  Dinner was over but I managed to eat too much of  what was left and was sick all P.M.  Kate and Stella called while I was eating dinner and I promised to take them down to Mrs. Bacon's someday this week.  John Parker came toward night and will repair porch in a day or two.  Pay Electric light for Apl. 1.20 and May 2.11.  Clear day with Southerly winds.  Go bed 9.30

125 Years Ago

Friday June3, 1887  6.30 AM.  Ther.  67.  85.?  68

Clear.  Started for timber at 10 AM.  got there before noon Comer thinks will be ready to saw some by tomorrow.  Men are cutting logs.  Start for home 4.45 by Walker ford.  Has been very warm day.  Ther. above 85.  Father opens hay shocks in yard 8 AM.  Roads are very good except places in river bottom.  got clear day with N.W. Wind.  Gobed 9.45 PM.

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