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

January 1892

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

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

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

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

Henry Gramesly 

Henry Gramesly

 January 1903

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

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

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

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

March 26-31 , 1890 and 1901

March 1890

Spurgun loaded two loads hay today.

26.  Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther

clear, wind N.W.  Simons went to Comers for load of strips.  John and Rile making stakes. Caught flying squirrel with young.  I start home before noon going by Jo Monforts place get home about 7 P.M. very tired.  Buy spring tooth harrow of Montfort  @ 6,00  Roads dry everywhere  The fastest drying I ever saw.  Find Tue had joined Presbetyrian (sic.) Church in my absence 10.30 P.M.   ? Surveyor went down today but missed me.

27.  Thursday. 7 AM.  Ther  44.  
Cloudy wind SE. sprinkle several times in night and during day  Heavy rain with thunder toward night  Wind changes to W from SE and grows cooler  Intended to go to ranch today Buy steak at Bishops at night.  Tue went to church P.M. and night  Gobed about midnight

28.  Friday.  7 AM.  ther  28.  33.  33.  = 31 1/3
Cloudy and snowing  Half inch on ground wind west cloudy all day  Maunie Lang here  Girls at home The schools have vacation this week  Tue went to church PM and night go bed about Midnight

[top of Page]  Great Cyclone at Louisville  Thursday night 27th

29.  Saturday, 7 AM.  ther  26.  57.  37  =  40
Nearly clear SW wind.  Mostly cloudy day SW till 4 PM. changing to N and much clouder. [sic.]  Not many people in for Sat.  Send word by Warren for John to go for harrow as soon as possible.  Kelly found  Carlo at Andrew Walters but they refused to give him up.  Settle in full with Milt Drake collecting rent to  Apl 20.  Al King makes break at night.  Buy can oysters at Lchrers cash.  Give Cassand second old  coat to repair  Gobed  10c

30.  Sunday. 7.30 AM   Ther  26.  47.  36  =  36 1/3
Mostly cloudy, NW wind.  Tue went to Pres. church girls to Christian Sunday School.  Not feeling well today or should have gone to timber.  Chilly mostly cloudy day with N.E. wind P.M.  Gobed 10 P.M.

31.  Monday.  7 AM.  Ther  30.  40  32  =  34
Cloudy wind N.E. about half inch snow on ground which fell last night.  Phebe does not go to school.  Election day tomorrow and liquor men decide not to open at all.  Got shave at Mays at night  Gobed  11.30

March 1901

26.  Tuesday, 5.30 AM.  Ther  39.  45.  42  =  42

Cloudy S.W. wind.   Sprinkles rain in forenoon.  Self feeling badly all day.  Tue built a little fire in furnace.  Clara ironing most of day and feeling bad with neuralgia.  Jack Trobaugh will help me in morning floodgate and fence.  Cloudy all day with westerly wind.  Tue went somewhere with Kate Grove at night.  Phebe also out.  Gobed.  9.30 P.M.

27.  Wednesday  5.30 AM.  Ther  38.  42.  37  39

Cloudy westwind (sic).  Jack Trobaugh fixed bottom fence except floodgate and helped oil buggy.  I went to noon train looking for Maggie but she didn't come.  Tue wrote to her today. Was up tp see Hodgen P.M. but he was away till Sat.  Find that Wall owes me $40 on rent.  the 5000 paid by Garrison being paid for themselves.  The Cols time for selling his place his place expired today.  I was up at Marshalls office.  Cloudy chilly day.  Play cinch at night with Marie and Clara.  Phebe went to dance with Carl not getting home till toward Morning  Gobed 10 P.M.

28.  Thursday.  5.15 AM.  Ther.  30.  42.  40  =  37 1/3
Partly cloudy.  North wind.  Dick Wright works 8 to noon.  Has worked to date 18 1/2 hours.  Today fixed flood gate and trimmed trees mostly. quitting at noon.  Tue feeling badly  Maggie got home P.M. has been gone since 13th (?). She is not feeling very well. After doing chores I go out to Gaines'.  Stay all night  Jo began plowing across branch for gate.  Roads good.  Cloudy chilly day N. wind - I ate lunch on road.  Sleep with Jo w room lying awake  most of time  9 P.M.

[At top of Page]  shorthand

29.  Friday. 5 Am.  Ther  35.  44.  39.=  39 1/3
Mostly cloudy Easterly wind.  They are repairing branch sewer where injuried by high water.  Jo went to plowing 6 AM.  Roan horse tore buggy cushion last night.  I got home at 9. AM.  Ruth Reat rode with me.  Learn that Dr. Bush does not want the  lumber brought him last fall.  Buy narrow scoop at Van Meters Cr. 1.00  Miss Ford has party of friends at night.  Phebe went to party at night.  Gobed 10 P.M.  N

30.  Saturday.  6 AM.  Ther  39.  55.  38.  =  44
Cloudy Easterly wind.  There were light showers last night toward morning.  Maggie started again to work at Jenkins although not feeling very well.  Treas Gannaway tells me that no costs will be placed on taxes till April 10.  Garrison Bros indemnity bond does not satisfy me.  Get halter for cow Al Frommel 65c cr.  Call on Hodgen  AM Says will loan me money on farm as cheap as any body.  Mail check for 18.00 to Jo Gaines on wages: first I have paid him on this year  Partly clear day growing Tue went up town at night.  Phebe went home with Lude Record gobed  11 P.M.

31.  Sunday.  6.30 AM.  ther  33.  42.  34  =  36 1/3
Cloudy North wind.  Snow flying AM. [shorthand]  thought to hitch up and try roads PM but too chilly  Sun came out middle of day but mostly cloudy with northwind  Gobed 9 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

March 1-3, 1901 in Coles County Illinois

 From the journal

1.  Cloudy west wind.  Trees covered with snow and about 3 in on ground.  Take picture of Phebe in back yard, and another of cat and Marie N. of house at diner time.  

(I thought this was the photo he was talking about, but she is too young in this photo.  I thought you would like to see it any way.)

G. Wall pays me $25.00 on Months rent still owes $15.00  Take Tue's shoe to J.W. Evans.  He says will take my cow and break her to milk two or three months.  Dark cloudy day SW wind most of snow went off.  Play cards with the girls till 9.30 P.M.  Gobed 9.30 PM.

2.  Saturday at 5,30 AM.  Ther 34.  58.  40.  = 44.

Mostly clear early, foggy later, and later clear  Get shave Browns after waiting an hour.  Supposed had paid Ges. Gray bill, but it seems I have not.  John Simons called for hay Knife  I buy lot of groceries Custers  & Johnson.   Get bu  potatoes own about gone.  Tue feeling badly  all day, and went to bed just after dinner.  Dick Wright calls and would like to work for me.  Phebe sewing P.M.  Saw Charles Happer P.M.  Wall pays me bal. on rent 15.00 to 20 Feby.  Harvey Mitchell calls to see Clara about noon.  I went up after grub &c after supper.  Fair day sprinkles rain about 4 P.M.  Gobed 9 PM.   Cass and Ocalin in town Soma Cases

  

Shorthand at the top of the page.

3.  Sunday 5.45  A.M.  Ther.  45.  53.  40.  =  46

clear, southwind.  Tue got up to breakfast and feels some better.  I went out to Gaines' getting there about noon.  Find them discussing, Jo thinks beat to drive line back cow to town  settle with Jo in full to Mar. 1.  He has worked for me after all deductions 10 monthes @ 20.00 and has drawn 196.00  Pay him check $4.00 which afterward cash.  Leave there 4.30 P.M.  Met John Linder on way home   Mostly  clear day with Southerly changing to N.W. wind, and cooler at night.  gobed 8.30 P.M.  ? roads better than I expected.

Headed to bed I will catch up another day.