April 1-5, 1914 in Charleston, IL

April 1914

Top of Page~ Average Temp for Apls for 28 years, today included 46.8

1.  Wednesday 6.30  AM.  Ther.  58.  62.  50.  = 56 2/3

Mostly cloudy S.2.  There was  quite a shower with thunder at 3 AM  .50 in.  Tue has engaged  Warman girls to wash and they came for  clothes before breakfast.  Tue got letters  AM from Muggs and Phebe.  Muggs talking of quitting her job.  She is going down to see Ferd soon.  Mail check to C.I.P.S. Co. for E. light for Mar. 2.43.  Helen called P.M.  She and Tue  called on Mrs. Glassco (Annie)  She is 81 now living with Liela Bunch on Fourth St.  Cloudy day and much colder before noon wind shifting to N.W.  Gobed9

2.  Thursday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  46.  60.  44.  = 50.

Part cloudy.  Clearing. N.W.3.  Gus brought eggs.  Tue gets wash from Warmans Pd .75.  Tue gets letter from Buddy P.M.  Ad Miller called a day or two ago.  Has been preaching all winter and will finish painting our house soon as weather permits.  He is doing some work for Mrs. Curd.  Theatre putting big bill board just across street.  I felt very poorly all day and didn't hitch up.  Tue goes up town P.M.  Gobed 9

3.  Friday.  6 AM.  ther.  36.  50.  40.  =42.

Clear . N.W.1.  Nickles calls and pay him 25.00 on livery bill.  Miller left his things here, working a little  for Mrs. Curd.  Tue attended R.C. at Chenowiths P.M.  later went up town.  I did not get out much, am out of corn.  have plenty of oats and straw.  I let mare in pasture P.M. a while.  she was crazy  bout it.  Had intended  to hitch up but seemed too cold for me.  Grace S. called P.M. inquiring about Muggs. Tue wrote Muggs at night and went up late to mail letter.  She complains much of rheumatism or something of the sort in legs and back.  Gobed 9.

4.  Saturday.  6.30. AM.  ther.  36.  54.  40.  =  43 1/3

Cloudy. S1.  Tue right limb painful from hip down  in night.  Seems better this morn.  She gets up and goes ahead as usual.  this is another raw morning.  We have to continue furnance fire from day to day.  We are nearly out of coal again.  Hitch up P.M. and drive out by Cemetery return south road.  The roads are good.  Hardy Hill has been grading down front of his place.  Walter has a sawmill cutting the timber around his barn and west.  I drove to IBM getting 1/2 bu corn for feed.  Tue ironed some P.M. she took one of Colche sal pills AM and thinks it helped her good deal.  Mrs. Brooks came over spending evening.  Gob 9.30

5.  Sunday. 6.30 AM.  Ther.  34.  54.  42.  =  43 1/3

Clear mostly N.2.  Tue lay till near 9.0c.  Shave  ok AM.  Tue went to church AM and got  4th edition R.H.  We had dinner 1.30  I hitch up 3 P.M. and later drive over to see Hatton.  He  will work for me tomorrow but has demanded more wages.  That is he will quit at 5 PM instead of 6 PM.  The roads not so good as I supposed.  Many  mud holes way I went.  drove down past hog farm returning by Phipps place getting home say 5.30.  Mr. Bell reported worse today.Groves did not come as expected.  Tue did not attend church at night.  Mostly clear light N to E winds.  Gobed 9

March 10-11, 1914 and 1889 in Charleston, IL

March 1914

10.  Tuesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  32.  52.  38.  = 40 2/3

Clear. S.E.2.  The weather bureau gives hope of warm weather for this week at least.  Receive letter from Phebe AM.  She had gotten packages sent her last week.  I spent several hours sorting over old papers in attic.  Tue  getting ready for Rhoda to wash tomorrow.  Rene phones Tue but she happened to be at Morty's.  Clear and fine much of A.M. but colder after dinner wind shifting to NE and stronger cloudy P.M. with snow flurry sometime in night.  Gobed 9  No Alfred

11.  Wednesday, 6.15 AM.  ther.  28.  34.  30.  =  30 2/3  Av 28 years 40

Cloudy. N.E. 4 ground covered  with "skeft" of snow.  Rhoda's people phone before I got up to say she was sick and couldn't wash today.  Tue went  at it herself after breakfast.  finishing about 2 P.M. when she got ready later went up town with Mrs. Curd to prepare for tomorrow's function.  H.G. called P.M. and engage him to do an errand for me tomorrow.  Gus brought us a dozen eggs  P.M. also brought me some dried apples from Helen.  Mostly cloudy day strong N.E. wind clears off at night.  There was a fine eclipse of the moon from 9 P.M. till 1 AM.  Old fiddlers contest at Opera House at night.  I had intended to go but forgot it.  Gobed  9.30

March 1889

10.  Sunday. 7 AM.  ther.  26.  45.  30.  =  36 2/3

Clear N.W. wind Maggie and Phebe went to Sunday School.  they went up to Davis with the baby a while toward night.  All therm of them have very bad cough.  I went up and talked with Reub Davis a while at night about sawing up my timber.  He did not give me very much satisfaction ~ wants me to buy interest in his mill ~ can't go down there for a month or so anyhow.  Yesterday I made him same offer as agreement with Comer that is  75% of the proceeds for him  25% to me.  Clear day and chilly.  Baby cough very bad at night.   Gobed 9.30 PM.  

11.  Monday  5.30 AM.  ther.  26.  45.  38.  =  36 1/3

Clear wind southerly.  Wrote W.H. White telling him could not take tie contract and deliver on  big time, that is May 30 .  Started to timber about 8.30 getting there about noon.  Rode round on east 40.  Went to Warren and engaged him.  John and Jim to help tomorrow also Riley and Steve.  Bob moving Riley Decker.  Pleasant and roads  pretty dry in places and very rough  River up pretty  high but fordable at Walkers.  gobed 9 P.M.

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

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

January 1914

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

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

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

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

January 1889

4.  Friday 6 AM.  Ther 31.  49.  38.

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

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

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

October 12-16, 1913 in Coles County Illinois

October 1913

12.  Sunday.  6 AM.  Ther.  44.  73.  52.  =  56.

Clear.  S.W.3.    Tue did not get up till past 7.  I get off to ranch say 9.  Get there about11.  Warren was at home and he and I drove over both pieces land   in buggy.  Warren has done good deal of work cuttingbriars on his part burning.  We parted near back gate and I ate my dinner out on usual point after walking about an hour on north side.  I had not been there for two or three years.    The brush and trees are growing fast.  Warren has good passage where says can get down the hill and will try it some day.  We drove round by Ikes he was not at home.  Warren went with me down to Jo Hadley place where they are building a new barn.  Had to  wait to Jack dog  at ford.  I got home 6 PM.  Jack would not ride  and about gave out.  Mrs. Grove Mrs. Brooks and Mr. Grove were there when I arrive.  Idid not meet them but stay down till church time when they left  Tue going with them after setting out supper.  Clear day with moderate westerly winds.  Gobed 8.30

13.    Monday.  6 AM.  Ther.  48.  76.  62. = 62

Clear. S.E.1.  Gas,  Miller worked the day painting mostly N. side .  The waiting paint expected today.  Itdidn't come.  Gus was here and picks some pears for us.  Tue went to Albert Alexanders with Ollie Rosebraugh with flowers for May Edman who died yesterday.  I drove to Loxa 2.30 Pm Call at Loxa house.  Family has moved in.  They want latches on inside doors and floors patched.  Harman is cutting B.C. south of  brick house and met him near shed.  He rode with me to NW 40 where he has several acres of five bull nettles with very little corn.  At Loxa settle with Charley Jones to date getting sack Canarota flour and one of meal. paid bal. 7.16 check  He paid me 4.50 for posts and rent on house 5.00  They are about half done the B.C.   The seeder Bill Decker pulled in  4 P.M.  Harman let me out NW gate and rode to his house.  Jack dog went but wouldn't ride.  I went home from Harmans N. rode getting there 6 P.M.  Clear day with southerly wind Gobed.  8.30.

14.  Tuesday.  6 AM,  Ther.  54.  76.  58.  =  62 2/3

Part cloudy SE1.  gas.  Miller came working till 10 AM. where quit for want of paint which failed to come.  H.G. came AM. and got a few pears.  .  They are nearly gone.  Pay telephone for Sept. 1.50 ch.  Tue went driving with Mrs. Chas. Griffith going to Loxa and the farm.  Seibert sets boxing in front wheel and tightens up fifth wheel so that I came near wreck several times before I knew what was wrong.  I drove S.W. meeting  Mrs. Reed.  Says peaches all gone.  Order 2 bu oats and 1 of corn IBM.  The roads are all good.  There is large amt. of corn cut up.  Tue went over to library a while at night.  Most clear southerly moderate winds.  Harman reports 50 a broken. Are seeding BC today.  Gobed 9P.

15. Wednesday.  6 A.M.  Ther.  56.  76.  60.  =64.

Part cloudy S.2.  Miller came nut went home to wait for paint.  The paint came this morn and I drove down to till (sic)  Miller.  Briggs says will not let me return any surplus.  Get steak Dorsh.  Called at Interurban Sta Manager says did not read our meter last Mo.   Will mail bill next Mo.  Miller painted P.M. most first coat front porch.  I drove E. to woods P.M.  getting home 5.30.  My new pants were sent down P.M.  Tue and Mrs. B went to PM night  Gobed 8.30

16.  Thursday.  6 AM.  ther.  54.  78.  66.  =  66.

Part cloudy. N.E.1.  Miller worked all day mostly on front. gets new brush &c.  I drove up for  oil AM.  I find boxing loosein rear buggy wheels now.  Tue attends aid meet at Fuller's P.M.  Warren called to water  horses..  Has got his ground about all cleaned up and will go to breaking soon as rain.  Get shaved at Brown's in C. Hotel first time.  Bill Hatton calls late P.M.  Indice mushroom bed shows signs of bearing soon.  Order bale hay of I.B.  It proves to be the toughest to handle I ever head.  Tue over to Grove's at night.  Gobed 8.30  R. night.  .65  Meas. 6 AM 17th

September 3-8, 1913 in Charleston, Illinois

3.  Wednesday  6 AM.  Ther.  72.  98.  84.  =  84 2/3
Clear N.W. 1.  Rhoda washes working till 2 P.M.  I drove up for  bread before noon and get a water melon of Amyx.  Tue got letter from Muggs.  Yesterday I sent specimmen fungus to Prof. Pecks hepiota  granidosus  supposed.  Toward night I drove down by  Wrightsville going E. road return by cut off.  Everything is ready to take fire.  We learn that Oakley has left Loxa house.  Val Hanley wants to rent the same.  Don't let him have it.  I know Val of old.  Mostly clear day N.W. moderate shift to N.E.  gobed 9 P.M.

4.  Thursday.  5.30  AM.  ther.  70.  94.  78.  =  80 2/3
Clear. N.E.2.  Get shave AM. Pd.  Hitch up and start out to find some peaches which find at  one Reed's at Ben Rosebrough place.  Will get some in day or two.  I continue west and south going home by Mat Browns.  There is some pretty good corn in Kickapoo bottoms.  There is quite stream running in Cosell Creek at Lattas place and also at the bridge below Mrs. Richard's - roads are very dusty.  I got home 12.30.  Clear day with brisk N.E. wind.  Too warm for comfort.  Tue went with Mrs. Curd to concert    Gobed 9

5.  Friday.  5.30 A.M.  ther.  68.  92.  78.  =  79 1/3   (shorthand note) 25
Clear.E.1.  Cooler night.  Write John Armstrong L + Q Co for price fine limestone.  No word from Phebe yet: she is supposed to be at Havana, Ill.  Her notice of aplication for a divorce appeared to be in Courier yesterday.  It will come up at  Oct. term of court.  Not quite so hot but very uncomfortable.  Mrs. Grove over P.M.  Later Tue was over at O'Neals.  At night she went calling with Mrs. Brooks.  I drove E. on Westfield road.  "Cap" Wiley has cut his B.C.  I buy water melon of Geo Waters.  Henry Newell overtook me on road.  I get home 6.30.  Gobed.9.  Clear day light easterly winds.

6.  Saturday 5.30  AM.  Ther.  68.  94.  82.  =  81 1/3
Clear. S. 1.  Buy suspenders at McCravys Pa.  We did not hear from Phebe yet since she expected to reach Havana.  Tue at Hats late P.M.  I was up town little while P.M.  Mostly clear day clouding up some in night.  Mrs. Brooks called after supper:  later M & K.  I had gone to bed.  Another very hot day with light southerly winds.  Gobed 8.30

Phebe's address  P.O. Box 253 Havana, IL.

7.  Sunday 5.30.  AM.  Ther.  76.  94.  78.  =  80.
Mostly cloudy S.E.1.  the isce wagon team ran away on Sixth St. this morning.  Sprinkle of R between 6 AM and 7 AM. (.03).  Thunder P.M. but no more rain.  I drove up for R.H. and Tue attended church in morning.  4.30 P.M. we drove out to Helen's getting home about 7.  Had some ice cream at Helen's.  Gus seems to feal (sic) rather blue about crops &c   I quit smoking after a week at it to taper off "from chewing.  Part cloudy day and good signs of rain.  Gobed 9

8.  Monday.  6. AM.  Ther.  70.  92.  78.  =  80.
Mostly clear.   There was sharp lightning in N. at 3 AM.  We had beeb intending to go to Loxa this AM. but did not rise in time.  No letter from Phebe yet we don't know whether she has gone to Havana or not.  Get letter form Mr. H.A. Neal asking  her address.  He is her attorny.  I quit tobacci altogether kast night and feel very poorly.  Our pears are falling fast.  They are hardly mature enough to use yet.  Very many of the winter apples are dropping off.  Tue went out to John Reed's about three miles west of town for peaches late P.M.  Part cloudy moderate N. to NE winds gobed 8 P.M.

June 20-22, 1913 in Charleston, Illinois

20.  Friday.  6 AM  Ther.  70.  98.  82.  = 83 1/3
Part Cloudy.  W2.  Hitch up 11 A.M.  Buddy gets ready to start home and I take her to 3.14 train.  Phebe went to depot with Charles.  No word from Phelps and think will let him go to thunder.  A shortage in ice developes (sic) in and Tue buys of other Co.  The city seems  to be putting in an extra  water  tank for horses in wagon yard.  Ben Maxwell is building new reinday(?) on Harrison across from Mrs. Coons rear building.  Jack dog has about succumbed to the hot weather.  Phebe went to Picnic at Urban Park late. P.M. getting home 10 oc.  Tue and I drive SW as far as Gee's leaving home at 6 and getting in 8 P.M.  Part cloudy day westerly wind.  Some signs of rain in clouds.  Gobed 9.30

21.  Saturday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  80.  96.  72. = 82 2/3
Cloudy. W.2.  there was light sprinkle rain only  trace say between 2 and 3 AM.  Tue gets letter from Muggs at Moberly Mo.  Thursday.  Said nothing about coming home.  Mrs. Harman hitches in the shed going home 3 P.M.  We got another letter from Muggs from Mexico, Mo.  I did not drive today.  Tue orders a bush corn at I.B.M.  It clouds up 4 P.M. and very windy from North very dusty:  Light rain later with thunder.   Think very heavy rain 3 or 4 miles S.W. and S. much thunder S. drizzles at night.  Go bed 9

22.  Sunday.  6 AM  Ther.  68.  80.  74. =74
Cloudy. N.1.  Gus brought us some butter.  Tue got 1/2 chicken of Mrs. Grove which have for dinner.  Tue attended church A.M. getting paper.  I start to hitch up but don't on a/c of light showers.  About 5 P.M. drove out as far as Huffmans and find roads quite muddy.  I came near have trouble with mare south of garden.  I met a clothesline and had to back out.  Tue over at Mrs. curds at night.  Julia Kenayer has taken rooms there.  Cloudy day, light northerly  winds, light rain at times .  Same quite heavy showers at night and thunder.  The rain today and night .58 (to 6 AM 23rd)  We are "raising" another lot of chickens like we did last season. - on shars.  they will soon be edible.  Gobed 10.30 P.M.

Coles County, Illinois on October 22-23, 1912

21.  Tuesday.  6 A.M.  Ther. 54.54. 46. = 51 1/3
Cloudy and raining began perhaps after midnight .06 to 7 A.M.  wind N.W.3  Tue and I had intended to go to Loxa early but light rain most of A.M. prevents.  Tue went  Loxa 3.45 car collecting West's rent and seeing Alva Armstrong about plastering.  I hitch up 4 P.M. and drive to lumber yard.  Have decided to put strip in W.C. and begin it at once.  Frank Balch cleans off of furnace and  adjusts doors- putties up all cracks.  Paid 2.00 ch  Helen calls at night.  I take mare to Nickles.  Mostly cloudy day with strong northerly wind.  Sprinkles rain occasionally AM and after dark clears off late at night.  Muggs out with Dora A getting home after we retire.  The rain amounted to .10 altogether barely laying the dust.  Gobed 9.30


22.  Wednesday.  6 A.M.  Ther. 34,  54.  38. = 42
Clear. N.W.1. heavy white frost.  Rhoda washed A.M.  I put up strip in W.C. doing a poor job get can flat white at Briggs cr. 50 cts. and begin putting it on.  Think will have to quit trying to do anything.  Tue working hard all day mopping &c,  I  felt very poorly and think overworked this morning.  Gus and George brought some eggs &~  Clear day with light northerly wind,  Mare in pasture.  Gobed 9.30