March 1-31, 1891 in Charleston, Illinois Highlights

March 1891

1.  Sunday 8 AM.  Ther  10,  25, 20.

Ed Eastin died about 8.30 AM and Tue went over there after breakfast  He had been confined to the house a week or two.  

2. Monday.  7 AM.

Ed Eastin was buried this PM  Turie went to funeral at the house.  Ice is said to be 3 inches thick but nobody has packed any.

3.  Tuesday.

Tom Stansberry called to get price on 20 acres land adjoining them.

4.  Wednesday.

H.G. has now decided to  fill the ice box with ice and I get men and teams to work toward night.  Ice on Bishop's  Pond about 4 in.  Got in two loads will need four more.  Latta began moving old stable on lot across the  road.  Self about sick all day.  High fever at night.

5.  Thursday

Got our haul of ice nearly six large loads costing us altogether about 8.00.  Felt better today but catch more cold.  Somebody did a lot of painting on Pentecost Church creating quite a sensation.  The Council refused at a meeting tonight to allow a vote on license.

6.  Friday

Self feeling badly with sore throat and bad cold in general.  Maggie and Phebe went to ? social at night.

7.  Saturday

Uncle John was down to dinner.  Hat was down to supper.  Tue and she went up to Eastins.  D ?p and 
H.G. shot off Al King tonight.

8. Sunday

9.  Monday
County Court in session trying Pentecost offender.  Buy sack Decatur flour at W.E. Hill.  Learn that McCornell has bought Alveys store room and will move  his grocery store back there.   Prisoners at jail nearly got out today.  they found it out just in time.

10.  Tuesday,
Father not very well.

11.  Wednesday
Father cough so bad he had to get up in night and remain up  Marie still sore throat.

12.Thursday
Buddie [Marie] still has bad sore throat.  

13.  Friday
2 1/2 inches of snow on ground.  Maggie very heavy cold and does not got to school  Marie's throat still very bad.   Mrs. Davis sewing here P.M.

14.  Saturday
Uncle John was in town PM.  He got letter from Henry Hildreth of Berlin [Wisconsin] wanting to borrow $300.00.  Self not very well.

15.  Sunday
Maries throat better  Maggie about same.  None of the girls went to Sunday School.  Maggie complaining good deal with sore throat and tongue.

16.  Monday
Maggie didn't go to school. She and ? went walking P.M.  Tue went up to dressmaker P.M.  Tue got a letter from Aunt Fan.  Sam Goodrich's wife was buried today

17.  Tuesday 
Crail did not come  Learn that his wife is sick.  Got Sutton to extend water pipe in barnyard.  Learn that the temperance people  had meeting tonight to select candidates for city offices.

18.  Wednesday
Baby [Marie] had croup last night.  Spaded place along Eastins fence set out pie plants. I planted my mushrooms today in bed in smoke house.  Marie feeling badly all day and has croup at night.  Learn that McCraveys have rented Alvey room and will move there next month  Marie slept down stairs Tue with her.

19.  Thursday.
Set out lot of turnips for greens got some medicine of Dr. Patton for Marie she seems better toward night.  Maggie did not go to school.

20.  Friday.
Marie had croup spell from 4 A.M.  Our chickens worry us a good deal we don't know whether to sell them or go without garden like we did last year.  Marie seemed much better today.  Phebe's school was out today and Maggie went over with her P.M.

21. Saturday,

22.  Sunday, 

23. Monday,
Marie does not feel first rate yet.  Self pain in side all day or might have gone to ranch.  Side feeling bad all day.  Begin to doctor for it at night.  Temperance people settle on a ticket for city officers.  Councilman 1st Winter  2nd  W Goodman 3 H?  4th A.M. Bain  Mayor, Chas Wiley  Treas. Jo McCravey.

24.  Tuesday  

25.  Wednesday.
Crail dug waste drain to hydrant in barn yard.

26.  Thursday
The pain in side not much better than for last few days.  Marie set her dress on fire today.  Nobody home but M&P they put it out before much damage was done.  

27.  Friday
Maggie and Phebe went to Pres. church at night at night to an easter (sic) entertainment.

28.  Saturday
The Reps endorse the FMBA ticket recently put in the field

29.  Monday
Pain in side about the same or worse.  Girls got up early to color Easter eggs.  I spent the day doctoring and dieting for lame side.  M & P went to S.S.  Tue to church.  Tue and  Phebe went to Hats after dinner.

30.  Monday
Tue bought lot of plants from Mrs, Sefton.  Maggie and Phebe start to school.  L? side about same and stay round house most of day....

31. Tuesday,
Find that hens have injured my mushroom bed badly, Tue has four little chickens she keeps in house all that two nests of eggs yeilded.  Mrs. Perrill called at night says Mr. Perrill quite sick















4

February 16-28, 1891 in Coles County, IL

February 1891

16.  Monday. 8 AM.  Ther.   54.  59. 55.  

Cloudy SW. wind little rain in night  Brownfield finishes mushroom bed, patches smoke house roof  and saws  wood P.M.working most of day  Tue  suffering very much with neuralgia did not get supper   I trimmed grape vines and some trees  Mostly cloudy day with south wind and occasional light rain.  The warmest day we have had this winter  Trade quiet get sarsaparilla for Tue  Gobed 1  About clear at midnight

17.  Tuesday 730 AM  Ther.  33.  40.  27.

Cloudy.  N.W. wind No rain in night.  Tue  better this morning.  Maggie complains  of stiff neck.  Marie 4 years old today.  Height.  37 1/8 in.  weight .30 lb. Apl 4   Maggie didn't go to school.  Richtin children  Hat Mrs Knock and several others called today  got some mushroom spawn which will plant when bed gets warm enough  Cloudy day wind NW early AM S.  at noon and NW before night,  growing colder.   gobed 12

18.  Wednesday.  7.30 AM.  Ther 12.  27.  23.

Cloudy N. wind  Mrs. Rogers washed.  Uncle John  in town but didn't come down to dinner. Witnesses and others went up to Springfield to attend trial of Ed. Melville    Jo crail came down in morning says  he will go to work as soon as it thaws out.  Order two pounds yellow Danevers Onion seeds from I B Mitchell.  Trade quiet.  Cloudy day and cool.  Wind NW AM at noon  E before night.  Light snow for an hour or two P.M.  Not enough however to cover the ground  Gobed  1230---

19.  Thursday,  7.30 AM  Ther  20.  33. 33.

Cloudy NE wind snowing till 8 AM 1 1/2 in  Dr. Hall and wife want to buy part of our bottom field.  I took in the washing for Tue this A.M.  Cloudy and disagreeable day snow and sleet in morning and quite heavy rain 3 to 5 P.M.  heavy mist at night wind E and SE.  Gobed.  1230

20.  Friday.  730 AM.  Ther  46.  56.  38

Cloudy and raining, wind S.  Moderate rain most of night.  With heavy wind toward morn.  Rain most of day till 2 P.M.  Offer Dr. Hall 50 ft. S side bottom field for 300.00 which he does not accept.  the stove pipe at store blew down last night.  Jake Duzy says 2 1/2 in rain fell yesterday and today  Trade dull.they took Jerry Johnson to Springfield today as witness  Wind gets in SW and finally in NW before night growing cooler  Mrs. Davis here today. Mrs. Rogers and Fannie ironed P.M.  gobed 11.30 PM    Pd. V.K.Curd bal SM Hutch a/c 21.90

21.  Saturday.  730 AM Ther  31,  48.  33.
Part clear wind NW Uncle John was down to dinner  Says wants to pay for Phillips farm next Saturday and will want all the money I can spare.  Warren Decker was up on horse back.  Reports roads very bad and river swimming.Says they have cleaned off two or three acres lower Fritz hollow.  Partly cloudy day with NW wind  Trade quiet for Saturday  gobed 1130 PM  Crail says will help me all next week.

22.  Sunday. 8 AM.  Ther  22.  42.  39.
Clear SW wind  Tue had headache and tooth ache all day.  Didn't go to meeting.  It is reported that Jerry Johnson escaped from Geo Sullivan on way to Springfield.  Clear day SW wind got into S.E. before night and clouds up  Go bed  11 PM --

23.  Monday  7AM.  Ther  38.
SE wind and cloudy sprinkles rain 8 - 9 AM  Jo Crail comes at  7 and begins work at 1.00 per day clean out stable and began digging for back fence at which he work rest of day  Brought rake and spade at Stodded on Cr.  Mostly cloudy day with strong South wind and signs of rain Roads drying fast  Gobed  11.30

24.  Tuesday.  7 AM.  Ther.  50.  60.  56.
Cloudy strong S. wind all night with occasional sprinkle rain.  Crail came at 7 AM and works at fence all day without accomplishing much  Tue feeling good deal better than she has lately.  Comer got his mill up to Latta  & Richter today  The authorities  have offered  50.00 for arrest of Jerry Johnson  Trade quiet but better than this time last week.  Cloudy day with strong wind (?) occasional sprinkle of rain, late showers 8 to 10 PM. with some thunder, Wind died down after dark, change to W 11P.M. ther 40  AT 12   gobed 12.

25.  Wednesday, 7.30 AM  Ther  20.  30.  24.
About clear N.W. wind strong.  Crail to work all day at back fence.  Tue set PR here in middle manger P.M.  Tom Houghton and Hilleyrn drummer in town.  bought  some wine of Mayan  Easton's evidence cleared Ratcliff today disappointing the authorities.  Clear day with fresh NW wind W at night.  Girls went to some sort of show at Christian church at night.  Gr Bros subscribe 10.00 toward remodeling race track  Gobed  11 PM

26.  Thursday, 7 AM.  Ther.  13.  23.  18.
Cloudy N.W. wind  lt. sn. flying Crail did not work today too cold.  Mrs. Rogers washed AM.  Tue cuts garmment for Mrs. R.  Freiburg     drummer arrives at night .  Clears off AM mostly clear day with brisk N.W. wind  Trade very quiet gobed

27. Friday,  8 AM.  Ther  10.  30.31.
Clear SW wind.  Friday drummer here buy from him 1 Bbl  87 Bond  & Hillard.  Hyman  also here but did not see him.  Uncle John down to dinner says he will his mortgage on store if will pay 600.00 tomorrow.  Mrs. Rogers  ironed P.M.  Miss Green called P.M.  Pay Walter Briggs insurance on store and barn.  Crail has not shown up since Wednesday evening  Mrs. Eastin says Ed is worse - has been very bad for a week or two.  Trade quiet.  Annie Rooney  - Maltese Kitten caught two mice in evening.  Clear morning.  Clouds up about noon and looks much like snow.  wind a little E of South.  Roads in town good  gobed

28.  Saturday,  7.30 AM  Ther  7.  18.  9.
Clear with N wind, about one inch snow on ground which fell after 1 AM.  John Simons in town reports that he and Warren  have been making fence this week settle with him for Feby.  He  says the nannie goat is dead.  This lets me out of goat biz  John Simons ate dinner with us as did Uncle John.  I draw $250.00 from store and borrowed 300.00 at Bank 90 days which with what I had in bank made up 600.00  to pay Uncle John.  He released mortgage and gave up note which has been running nearly fourteen years.  This is really a gift of 1300.00 [$1,300 of 1891 dollars would be worth: $34,210.53 in 2015] from him.  Riley Decker was up and I paid him some on ties he has been making.  Clear cold day with N.wind.  Trade moderate  Bought a load of corn of John Leavitt  28 20/70 bu @ 50c.  Settle with Crail in full of has worked 3 days this week and will go  ahead soon as weather permits  Simons brought us a gallon jug of Maple syrup.  Having chewed or smoked tobacco constantly for a year I have decided to quit altogether till July 4 or longer  Then at midnight 7.  Gobed 1.30

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.

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

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.

July 8-16, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

8.  Sunday.  6 AM.  Ther.  75.  90.  70.
Clouding up.  Heavy rain AM.  More in P.M. and all night much thunder and lightning.  Grows cooler about 6 P.M.  Thought of going out to Bert's this morning.  Concluded to go out to Uncle John's after dinner.  Did neither on account of rain.  Marnie Lang here P.M.  Phebe at dinner down at Dowlings.  Gobed 10 P.M.

9.  Monday.  5.30 AM  Ther.  70.  82.  72.
Cloudy and light rain.  Rained most of night pretty heavy.  Creek up good deal not so high as a couple weeks ago.  Roof at store leaked some last night.  Kelly gets sconces  down for Miss Kumayer.  Pay him order on Bails 1.50 still owe him 1.00.  Mastes speaks to me about  a lot of fencing.  Phebe went up town with me at night; bought some fans bacon  beef  paid Jonathan Lee 25 c.  I owe him.  Go bed 10 P.M.  Mrs. R. washed.

10.  Tues 5.45 A.M.  Ther.  68.  81..  68.
Cloudy, but soon clears off. Went down to see McMurtrie about sky light, found him at Richters.  Have decided to have him make skylight instead of ordering one from Soh.  Sell Geo Mather 15o posts @ 6.00 per hundred.  Dick Curd owes me bal. of 2.00 he paid me 10.00 today.  Jeff & H.G. gave me keys to back doors.  Cow got into garden.  We let her in the road and she didn't come home.  Kate Myers over at night.  Go bed 10 A.M.

11.  Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  70.  86.  72.
Clear.  Baby was sick in night - severe (?).  Cow did not come home, look for her around town and drive out to Uncle John's.  Tom Messick went with me.  Heard nothing of old cow.  Remit 9.00 in full to  Bethesda Agcheg in  Chicago.  Bruner writes that they will receive ties on 20 or 25 inst.  Kelly went with me to look for cow toward night.  Baby gets better.  Clear day and getting warmer.  Gobed 10 P.M.

12.  Thursday  5.45 AM.  Ther.  73.  92.  80.
Clear, fresh N.W. wind.  Buy some apples of Harriman. 2.00.  Try all evening to get some one to haul Mather's posts.   T Reccer  dreying on them P.M. but , Kershaw forbid him putting them on lot.  McM brings up skylight and I give it one coat VF paint toward night.  Dave Tremble says tax money has to be paid this week sure will have to borrow some.  Jim Robertson pays me 1.25 for wood got last winter.  H.G. pays 75c on a/c.  Has been very hot today in sun but brisk west wind made it comfortable, change in night about ten oc Gobed 8.30 P.M.  M & P went down to Mrs. Royers at night.

13.  Friday.  5.30  AM.    Ther.  65.  78.  65.
Mostly clear.  Sudden change in night for cooler from N. or N.E.  Maggie went with Miss Johnston to river sketching early.  Paint sky light again, McMuries says he will fit it next week.  Buy bunch of shingles of Minton on Cr.  Deliver Mather's balance of posts and he pays for them $9.00.  Baby pretty bad all day something like the flux.  Drive a while after supper.  Mrs. davis are going to Bloomington on a visit.  They will start tonight.  Ed Eastin is "off" again has been for several days.  Clear and cool  Gobed 9.30 P.M.

14.  Saturday 5.45.  AM.  ther.  65.  75.  61.
part cloudy wind S.E.  Phebe was sick in night from eating green apples.  Baby seems about the same this morning.  McCormick glazes skylight in P.M.  Sold Kelly 1/2 cord wood delivered.  Take 11 sawed ties down to R.R. making 149 altogether there.  Paid Batermines  50 cents dray.  It rained lightly most of forenoon.  I puttied up some cracks in old (?).  The (?) building is up about one story.  Borrow  50.00 at 2nd Bank for 30 days and pay taxes balance $95.50.  Pleasant P.M. and cool.  Go bed 10 P.M.~
Tue got meddy for baby of Dr. Patton.

15.  Sunday 6 A.M.  Ther.  65.  80?  65.
Clear or nearly so started for timber with Kelly about 9 AM. to  get some of tools left there.  Bob Brown agrees to bring up logs for Weiss rollers this week and  will also load lumber.  Kirk & Co. have moved out of house in bottom taking my broad ax with them.  Baby still complaining but not so bad as she was.  Got bottle Rhewfard syp in AM.  Kelly  and self got home at 6 AM.  Today exhausted my supply of spirits of all kinds.  Kelly was feeling badly today owing to having been to Mattoon last night.  Go bed 9 A.M.

16.  Monday 7 AM Ther. 70.  87.  70.
Partly cloudy.  Mostly clear day.  Myer pays Tue 100 on rent, still owes 142 in last month girls put up their hammock and have company all day.  Wrale Cooperation BP Assm. sending 1.40 for Nos 5,6,7,8 & 9  order gal. whiskey from M.&H. (?) X.  Buy bacon of Dick Bails qt. blackberries.  Had rheumatism in left shoulder  P.M. and night.  didn't sleep much.  Gobed 10 PM  Drove with Doc Dunbar AM.

July 2, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

2.  Monday 5.30 AM.  Ther.  70.  90.  73.
Clear.  McMurtrie puts up 8 ft. of shelving works from 7 AM till about 2 PM.  John McCormick paints two old counters and stair shelving P.M. has just been  painting Mrs. Monroe's front.  Pay him in full 50 c.  Drove down to Nickleson place after supper and post notice to quit on door.  Ed Eastin had a runaway yesterday and more serious one today about dark his rig lands in creek near culvert.  Miss. Kemayer wants to move tomorrow.  Hot day   Gobed 10 P.M.

May 12-14, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

12.  Thursday.  5.45 AM.  Ther.  73.  92.  80.
Clear, fresh NW wind.  Buy some apples of Hariman, 20.c.  Try all  morning to get some one to haul Mather Posts.  T. Reden  dreying on item PM but Kershaw forbid him putting them on lot.  McWm brings up sky light and I gave ita one coat vf paint toward night.   Jim Roberts pays me 1.25 for wood got last winter.  H.G. pays 75c on a/c.  Has been very hot today in sun but brick west wind made it comfortable change in night about 1 AM oc.  Go bed 8.30 PM.  M & P  went down to Mrs. Rogers at night.

13.  Friday. 5.30 AM  ther.  65.  78.  65.
Mostly clear.  Sudden change in night for cooler from N. or NE.  Maggie went with Mrs. Johnston to river sketching early.  Paint sky light again McMurtrie says he will fit it next week.  Buy bunch of shingles of Minton on Cr.  Deliver Mathers balance of posts and he pays for them $9.00.  Baby pretty bad all day something like the flux.  Drive a while after supper.  Mrs. Davis are going to Bloomington on a visit.  They will start tonight.  Ed Eastin is "off" again has been for several days.  Clear and cool gobed 9.30 PM

14.  Saturday, 5.45 AM.  Ther.  65.  75.  61.
Part cloudy wind S.E. Phebe was sick in night from eating green apples.  baby seems about the same this morning.  McCormick glazes sky light in P.M.  Sold Kelly 1/2 cord wood delivered.  Take   11 sawed ties down to  R.R. making 149 all together there.  Paid Bateman 50 cent dray.  It rained lightly most of forenoon.  I puttied  up some  cracks in old (?).    Pleasant P.M. and cool.  Go bed 10 PM-  Tue got meddy for baby of Dr. Patton.

May 10-11, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

10.  Thursday. 5.30. AM.  Ther.  62.  80.  67.
Mostly cloudy.  Kelly works all day at fence Zeke  Eastin brought Alex Ficher 3/4 cord wood.  Pay him order for hauling $1.35.  Select goods for a suit at Winters. to (?) $30.00.  Have found no curculio yet.  There was light showers this morning  about  sunrise.  Tue set some tomato plants at night.  The ground is very hard and dry hard digging post holes.  Old Mrs. Eastin has been quite sick for a long time.  We slept up stairs last night for first time since last fall.  Mases Kenshaw paid me today for posts and lumber full $16.75  Gobed 10 PM

11.  Friday  5.30 AM.  Ther.  63.  85.  65.
Partly clear looking like rain.  Kelly and self finished fence at noon, he worked at spading in bottom P.M.  Chanceller was hunting for me all afternoon.  Wants to rent our room for beer club.  I got  to warm today and about sick at night.  Strong S.W. wind all day storm came up fro N.W. about S.W.  about dark  and some rain fell.  Bob Brown hauled 1/2 cord wood to Ed Easton  Mrs. Perrill and Kate called at night.  Gobed 10 PM.

February 23, 1913 and 1888 in Charleston, IL

1913

23.  Sunday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  18.  34.  26.  =26.

Mostly clear N.2. Ice 3/4 in.  Tue at church AM.  She got some Graham yesterday and we are living on germs as we used to.  It remained cold and cloudy most of day so did not drive.  Light northerly winds with light snow 4 P.M. until after dark.  About half an inch fell.  Gobed 9 PM.

1888

23.  Thursday 6.30 PM.(sic) Ther.  31.  55.  37.

Clear smoky. calm Wind N. Easterly after while.  Ed Eastin buys old harness @ 3.00  Pay Seph MClasky for labor yesterday .70.   Trim up vines south of smoke house.  Dam Van Sickle calls trying to sell me a pony.  Hat was here in afternoon.  Looki tells me I had better rent the Nicholsen place as his customer won't want it till fall.  Pearl Davis and Cecy Fisher came home  with the girls.  Self not well.  Tue has tooth ache good deal.  Gobed 9.30 PM.  foggy night.

February 15-18, 1888 in Charleston, IL

15.   Wednesday.  6.30 A.M.  Ther.  11.  26.  22.
Clear with fresh N.E. wind.  There was an alarm of fire just as went to bed last night from Cash and Griffiths Store did not burn any though.  Tue working hard all day to  get ready for party of women tomorrow.  Mrs. Easton over AM again after dark.  Baby has  caught very bad cold.  Mostly clear day with N. wind.  throwing good deal ice sun.  Gobed 9.30 PM.

16.  Thursday.  6 A.M.  Ther.  18.  45.  38.
Clear wind S.  Tue got up at 5.30 and built a fire this morn.  Caylor delivers 2 cords  of wood to Ed Eastin.   Tues co. all came.  Mrs. Knocks, Grandena  Davis, Mrs. R. Davis, Kate Myer, Mrs. Feagan, Mrs. Perrill and Kate.  Father ate dinner at  H.G.s and self took lunch uptown.  Fatty  Knock repaired water pipes at store and turned on the water.  Tom Burk paid me 5.00 on a/c.  Went to Sam Rays toward night got lap robe, old coat and carpet from buggy.  Saw my rope hatter side curtains and rubber apron in buggy.  Clear day, wind SW gobed 9.30 PM.

17.  Friday. 6 AM.  Ther.  35.  45.  37.
Cloudy, wind W somewhat foggy.  Mrs. Rogers decides not to wash till next week.   Sam Goodrich helps pile up lumber on yard.  It does not suit mme very well.  There are about 2100 ft. mostly 2 in. plank.  Caylen takes cord of wood to C. Mason.  Pay Sam Ray 50.00 on a/c leaving bal due him of twenty or thirty dollars.  He wants a cord or two of wood.  Mrs. Ray is dangerously sick.  Stop at Fattys shop a while P.M.  Wrote to Brunce answer PC resd yest.  Clear P.M. awind W.  Go bed 9 P.M.  Baby has very bad cold she is a year old today.

18.  Saturday. 6 A.M.  Ther 33.  55.  49.
Clear wind W.  white froswt.  Went down to Rays Stable and have error of 10.00 corrected.  Mrs. Ray very sick.  Caylor hauls some wood to C. Mason and bringa me a load of stable manure after dinner.  Uncle John was down to dinner.    Comer sent up some 4x5- 14  300 ft.  Pay Wade Hall 6.00 for hauling lumber   Jo Spuregean 91 cts.  Amt due Sam Ray to day in full for keeping horse is 30.00  he wants a cord or two of wood.  I told Bob Brown today that I would want my house in the woods.  Mostly clear pleasant day and the ground thawing out very fast.  Gobed 9.30 PM~

February 8 -9, 1913 and 1888 in Charleston, IL

1913

8.  Saturday.  6.30.  A.M.  Ther.  16.  36.  24.  = 25 1/3

Clear.  S.W.2.  I slept well, and found W.C. alright when got up.  Tue spends much of day writing to Muggs.  I copy two recipes for same~~  Harman called P.M.  Has been to a sale and sells an old mare for say 17.50.  Reports the roads good.  Mostly cleat day moderate westerly winds.  Self not feeling pretty well., worse at night and didn't sleep good.   Gobed.9

9.  Sunday.  7 A.M.  Ther.  22.  44.  30.  = 32

Cloudy. W. 1.  The air full of fog and frost.  Tue went to church AM getting Sunday R.H.  Shave self all right AM.  We had dinner 1 P.M.  this the warmest day for a week or two and the snow is settling.  Mostly cloudy light SWS winds ~~  Self complain of stiff neck all day.  Tue went to Grove's from after dark till 10 oc.  Gobed 10  Jack had fit in house at night.

1888

8.  Wednesday  6.30  AM.  Ther  8.  22.  12.

Mostly clear with N.w. wind.  Answer Tom Frost's letter.  Meet M. Sandy uptown, he came down to house at night.  Snider was here to dinner.  Mrs. Rogers ironed in afternoon.  Tue went up town to buy some things P.M.  Mrs. haw is better today.  Curt Davis baby is very sick with whooping cough.  Cloudy or hazy day forenoon, light snow most of P.M. about two inches falling and growing colder.  Gobed 10.30 P.M.

9.  Thursday.  6.30 AM.  Ther  -5.  7.  0.
Mostly cloudy, wind easterly.  One of the coldest mornings we have had.  M & P went to school.  M.S. Dowling and H.G.  call on me.  Scott and Den Dowling have a sale tomorrow.  Still chewing tobacco, have tried to quit, but have not been able to make it stick yet.  Curt Davis little baby died today of whooping cough.  Sell Jim Campbell half cord of wood.  John Rice will pay for it.  Ed Eastin says he will wand cord tomorrow.  He says his mother is sick.  Mostly clear day with north wind.  Gobed 10 P.M.~~

January 25-28, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

25.  Wednesday.  6.30 AM.  Ther  30.  36.  10.
Cloudy.  Wind SW. light snow flying Maggie and Phebe both went to school.  Phebe has not been since 9th  inst. Pay off men for piling ties yesterday $4.30.  Comer up and working at ties, am going to let him finish them.  Ed Eastin pays me balance on note.  12.30 releasing mortgage on lot. Cleared off before noon: wind W.  Tue  got letter from Aunt Mate.  Went down to tie pile after dinner.  Strong wind from N.W.  Snow melting fast.  Pay winter bal 13.36 Recketts 15.00 both in full.  Caught more cold and laid up at nights with sore throat.  Maggie has very bad cough.  Turns colder toward night.  Gobed.  10 P.M.

26  Thursday.  7 AM  ther 2.  22. 20.
Clear NW.  Maggie and Phebe don't go to school.  My throat some better this morning.  Worst cold I have had for two years.  Sell Ike Hughes half cord of wood.  Somebody hauled load of new posts to yard 52. probably Riley Eastin.  Comer finished stacking ties.  I have been out $6.50 on this job.  Recketts took clock up to shop and repaired case.  Bought Gelatin and glycerin.. N. Main returned borrowed book by Sexhres.  Hat was down toward night.  Pleasant day get chilly with westerly wind.  Maggie and Phebe both have bad colds.  Gobed 10PM~~


January Paid McKee1.25 and Sandy .45 for Comer for work done yesterday.

27.  Friday.  6.30 AM.  Ther 14.  29.  26.
Nearly clear.  Wind North.  Undertake to make a copying pad but fail.  Tue sewing on dark dress for her mother.  Maggie and Phebe still remain from school   their colds not being any better.  Went down to switch ties and put Comer's on each pile according Bruner's instruction.  Tue writes a letter to Aunt Mate at night.  Has been pleasant day,  clear with chilly north wind.  Gobed 11 PM

28.  Saturday  7 AM.  Ther.  14.  32.  24.
Nearly clear.  Wind easterly.  Baby cried good deal in night and coughed like croup.  R.R. Browne of Helena, Ark in town   A.Bunk pd. a/c in full $1.65.  Uncle in and down to dinner. seems to think Snider biz. in pretty bad shape.  Comer in before noon.  The R.R. man did not receive ties up again Monday.  Bought  1 lb coffee at Vansickles.  Sold  half cord of wood to C. Mason Cr.    Total eclipse of moon in evening.  The roads are still good and lots of wood coming in.  Gobed.  10 PM  Pay Riley Eastin for 105 posts $3.25.

December 27-29, 1887 in Coles County, IL

27.  Tuesday.  7 A.M.  Ther.  31.  36.  35.
Cloudy, wind south.  Misty all day after 9 A.M.  Wind got in S.W. before night.  Walked down to ties in morning and went to depot.    Bob Brown  and Marion Johnson brought orders from Comer.  Sold Dougherty all apples.  Mrs. Rogers washed.  Pay up J.W. Neal & Co. $2.50.  Maggie and Phebe spend most of the afternoon at Davis'.  Tue not very well.  Saw Cummings at Alex Richters this morning says he has about all the lumber he will need to finish his present contract.  Gobed 9 P.M.

28.  Wednesday.  6.30  A.M.  Ther.  =5.  7.  2.
Clear very strong N.W. wind blowing all night.  About quarter inch snow on ground which fell before bedtime last night.  Find ther. at about 27 in room.  hang door and fire up old coal oil stove raising temp to 32.  Maude Lang here to dinner.  Have only been having two meals a day this week.  Sell Mrs. Lang  cord of wood at 3.50 to be delivered tomorrow morning.  Clear day with brisk N.W. wind.  Kate Davis over in eve.  Tue had toothache and headache bad at night.  Go bed 9.30 P.M.

29.  Thursday.  6.30  A.M.  Ther.  -4.  22.  15
Clear.  Mostly clear day with N.W. wind.  Deliver Ed Eastin two cords wood.  Will pay Saturday. Learn that Lem Stark is very low and can't live long.  Pay Geo Rosebaugh in full $50.00 cash taken from deposit at 1ST.  Comer men up want city to fill out their order as they are going to shut down.  Sell L Dunbar a Bbl of apples.  There are about 7 Bbl left all usable, they don't seem to take very well.  Phebe sick at night with sore throat.  Go bed 10 P.M.  Got up and stand till after midnight.

December 19, 1912 & 1887 in Coles County, Illinois

1912

19.  Thursday.  6.30 AM.  ther.  30.  42.  36.  = 36.

Part cloudy.  W. 3. ice 1/4.  Tue got long letter from  Buddy yesterday and one from  Phebe this morning.  She expects to start home Sunday from Ann Arbor, Mich.  Will come via Chicago.  Too cool for me to try Loxa trip.  I hitch up about noon and drove down to  Whalens elevator.  Order load Linton coal.*  Tue wrote girls mailing letters PM.  Learn that Dick Stoddert (Harry's) is dead at Kankakee.  Order at Geo Gray's pair shoes as have been using for 12 years.(sic)  Mostly clear day Southwesterly light winds.  Go bed 9.

*

1887

19.  Monday.  6.30 AM  Ther.  35.  48.  42.

Partly clear. at sunrise.  Wind S.E.  Fresh wind all night probably S.E.   Ed. Eastin calls for step ladder.  Finish up the  pork and sausage in  morning.  Bert was in and ate dinner. Uncle John in town.  Tue went up town PM to get some things for Christmas.  Renew  note with H.G. 65.00 for 90 days.  Thought there might be some lumber come up but didn't hear of any.  The roads are probably pretty bad.  Mostly cloudy day,  wind mostly south.  Tue not feeling very well.  Took medicine at night.  Uncle John says Aunt Deal** is worse than usual.  Mrs. Davis over at night, she is making dress for Ma.  Gobed 10.30

**Aunt Deal is Uncle John's wife and Tue's mother, Eliza Cordelia Amidon.  Sadly, Cordelia was marked insane in several census.  In this entry she is also referred to as Ma.  Cordelia was beloved by the family.

November 21-22, 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

21.  Monday.  5.30  AM.  Ther. 24.  40.  35.
Clear, Smokey, Brisk S. wind.  Very heavy  smoke all day, otherwise would probably have been clear.  It is supposed to come from fires in southern Illinois and MO and Ark - has been so for over two weeks whenever wind was southerly.  Mrs. Young didn't come to wash today.  Comer was up and had kind of a squaring up with him.  Snider called morning says Fan* is sick came for Dr.   Pay Comer $75.00 and settle bill at Wrights for him 32.20.  Ed Eastin and wife have gone down in country for few days.  Tue gets wood box in house.  Strong SSE. wind all day.  Gobed 9.45 P.M.  Baby cried till nearly midnight.

*Tues' sister

22.  Tuesday.  6.15 AM  ther.  35.  52.  46.(?)
Smokey.  Wind S.  Snider called this morning.  Fan's baby born last night was dead.  Took Tue and baby down  there* forenoon, getting home at noon.  P. Snider brought Tue and baby  up at night.  Sell Farrell lot of posts and fencing.  Had to come home with Phebe.  Maggie got lost, but found her at Wentz.  Lean that Ark hunters will be home this week.  Basier got home a day or two ago.  Dark smokey day with south wind.  gobed 9.30 PM

*Fan lived in the house high on the hill just before the Lake Charleston entrance.  It is still there, at least it was last time I was out that way.  The house was known as the Blakeman house.  You used to see that there were steep, steps from the house down to the road.  My Grandmother always told me Fan fell on those steps when she was pregnant and  she lost the baby.  There is, however, no mention of her falling in this journal.

September 3 - 4, 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

3,  Saturday,     6 A.M.     Ther.  71.  86.  65.
Cloudy.  Uncomfortable night.  Mosquitoes are getting pretty bad.  Tue paid Mrs. Wentz, milk & cream bill from Apl 1 to  Sept. 1. Ca. 2.00.  I find this was all settled  yesterday, however.  Bim was down while eating dinner.  Says Uncle John's horse which was sick last Sunday died that night.  Rec. letter from Geo. Curriens offering to trade residence in Mattoon for timber.  Dr. J.C. Hall pay  up $1.75 says is going to California.  Will Hall , M.D. says will move to Washington (?) soon.  New Clock runs too fast , try to regulate it at night.  Buy Mutton at Mason's at night.  Looked like rain  today, but didn't.  Bring down Gal MVM for E. at night.  Go bed  10 P.M.

4,  Sunday,  7.30 A.M.  Ther.  abt. 70.  91.  73.
Part clear.  Didn't sleep well in night.  Phebe had spell of vomiting in night.  Drive down to see M. Comer fore noon.  Sictton went with me.  Get home before 1 P.M.  Comer thinks he will be up this week.  Thinks will not entirely lose use of eye..  Very dusty.  Many people going to camp meeting, this being  the last day.  Ed Eastin still sick.  Tue and children up there and to Davis' toward night.  Kate Davis over while evening.  Gobed 9 P.M.

September 2, 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

2   Friday, 6.30  A.M.  Ther.  63.  87.  70.
Clear.   Fix platform for cistern.  Nile Carutan adjusts clock around noon.  Went over to see Ed Eastin AM.  He thinks he is pretty sick and probably is.  Tue cans grapes and peaches.  Drive with H.G. around town before supper.   Drive alone after supper.  Baby not very well.  Clouds up  toward night and looks like rain.  Tue pays Mrs. Wentz in full from Apl. 1 to Sept. 1.   today, Mrs. E. gave Tue chicken, says she is going to sell them all.  Gobed 10 P.M.

August 30 - September 1, 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

30  Tuesday,  6.30  Ther.  62.  83.  70.
Mostly clear.  Start for timber at 7.30.  Look over Decker's wood not very good.  Walk round over Timber on S. side.  Met Milt Drake who says he is going to move to town.  Went down when preparing for mill.  It will be some days before they get ready to  saw any.  Got a  letter from Rev Currans of Mattoon who wants to buy timber land.  Didn't eat any dinner today.  Took dinner but saved it for supper.  Got home before dark.  Comer has not yet found water for his mill.  Has dug two wills.  Warm night- gobed 8.30 PM.

31  Wednesday,  6.30  AM.  Ther.  67.  88.  70.
Mostly clear.  Walk down to new school house staying there most of forenoon.  Ed Eastins sick abed.  Clear day very dry and dusty.  Wind E. big whirlwind passed south of branch.  Talk with D. Stoddert P.M.  H.G. again wants to rent room.  Speak to G H Jeffries about selling timber land.  Comer said the other day he was willing I should sell.  Gobed 8.30 PM.

September

1  Thursday,    7 AM  Ther. 67.  88.  65.

Clear. Write letter to Geo.Currens reguard to timber offer land offer $2800 , timber alone $2000.  Start up town about 10 AM.  Met Ray and Johnston.  Say Comer had his eye  put out this AM.  Find him at Dr. Steelles office.  He went home about noon feeling very badly.  Get clock at Ricketts for 15.00.  Mill Carman brought in -  down but did not get it fixed satisfactorily.  Gave City bill to Tooker  1237 ft = 18.55  Ruth Davis down in P.M.  Pacify Jo Dikob about clock trade.  Tue puts up some  grapes.  Go bed.  9.30 P.M.

1887 , August 13 in Charleston, IL

125 Years Ago . . . 

13.  Saturday,   6 AM.  Ther.  78.  94.  78

Clear.  Good many people in town today.  Uncle John down to dinner.  Snider called after dinner.  Sold old buggy to Nicholson for 12.00 to pay next week.  Comer was up P.M.  Has not yet decided what he will do.  Pay freight & dray(?) on case Bethesda recd recently.  Learn that Ed Eastin was partly paralyzed and is going  to springs.  Pay Warren Decker 5.00 on hauling wood.  Engage Riley Eastin to make lot of red oak (1 tree) boards and deliver in town @ 40 cents per hundred.  Lightening N & NW at night storm came up about 11 P.M.  little rain 8,30 P.M.