August 24-28, 1891 and 1902 in Charleston, Illinois

August 1891

24.  Monday,  5 AM  Ther

Partly cloudy. Riley and J.S. make barn door s. side and nail up  Warren went to town without load.  I start home about 10 AM getting there noon.  Sps rain AM.  cool.  Nick on hand but feeling badly.  I stopped an gathered lot of mushrooms (supposed Agaricus Procerus, and had one small one for dinner.  Phebe and Turie both sick at night vomited till after midnight.  Self not feeling very well nor W.S.G.  attribute to mushroom at first but decide must have been  very rich soup for dinner  Go bed 1 AM.

25.  Tuesday, 6 AM  Ther.

Clear  Ringling Bros Circus in town  Unusually large crowd  all of timber fellows in, settle with most of them.  Uncle John  says can have team wagon and plow which Squires may come after Saturday  W.S.G. and  children went to circus P.M.  W.S.G.  Tue and Hat at night.  Trade hardly as good as it should have been considering the big crowd.  Jo Parker worked forenoon patching roof.  Brownfield helped all day at store  Nick there all day, but not well.  Police give permission to keep open till 11 PM while do not accept.  Bert Bim and Uncle ate dinner also H & Hat.  Gobed  11 PM

26.  Wednesday  6 AM  Ther 50

Clear wind, S.  Jo Parker came early Brownfield helped him an hour or so ? up floor on porch and get ready to put on roof before quitting at night.  Warren finishes Mrs. Coon wood 6 cords @ 3.00  Pleasant day.  Tue not very well  Gobed  10 30 PM

27.  Thursday  Ther

Cloudy wind NW. light rain till 10 AM  Parker works 3/6 day on roof Brownfield 1/2 day.  Put 15 Cull Cercrops on willow tree.  Have 50 spinning up stairs  clear PM and much cooler  Gobed 10 30 PM

28.  Friday 6 AM  Ther 44  70.  52  =  55 1/3

Clear and almost frost.  Parker and Branford work all day on roof  getting it nearly done.  Mrs. R washes and irons  K of P here big meeting in town  Quite a crowd in town  Warren brought load of wood to Mrs. Norfolk  Settle in full to date with Chut Bennett.  R.R. spots ties and pay me for 144.  Clear day N. wind Gobed  10.15 PM~~

August 1902

24.  Sunday,  5 AM.  Ther  45.  82.  58.  61 2/3

Clear.  Helen and Marie started at 620 AM train for Indianapolis to visit Laura Clark for today.  I drove down to Mt. Zion School House      and around by Woodson Place looking.  Didn't find much.  Got home 1 P.M.  Went over river at bridge and into the hills near the road beyond,  Didn't find much.  Got home 1 P.M.  Tue was up most of P.M. but not feeling much better.  Dr. Patton brought me lot of mushrooms mostly Puff Balls and too old.  Drove up to Decker Park and got mess of Pluteus at saw dust.  Then down to Galodays to tell her not to come tomorrow.  Mostly clear day N.E.  wind  Gobed 830 P,M,

25.  Monday  6 AM.  Ther.  48.  82.  60. = 61 2/3
Clear  N.E, wind.  Marie and Helen  came home about midnight last.  Try to write good description of Psalliota  I have been finding in  woods.  Tue was up all day but feeling badly  I drove up to Dr. Pattons pasture after dinner  Intended to from three to Gaine's was taken sick about 3 P.M. came and couldn't eat any supper.  Clouded up P.M. and  lt rains after 4 P.M. and much of night, wind easterly.  I got to sleep on lounge till after 10 P.M.

26.  Tuesday,  6 AM.  Ther 57.  76.  58.  =  63 2/3  
Cloudy and raining lightly easterly, rain continued till 9 AM.  I drove down to Wrights to investigate mushrooms  Did not find any worth while.  Some fellows sawing on Stoddard 40.  Jo with family came in after dinner in buggy for spade and shovel to work on road.  Pay Wilson and McClara in full to date, check 5.51 includes shovel and knife  'Drove up to Dice woods getting fine mess of  supposedly Clyloryte ordores which undertake to have for supper but fail to get them them through.  Saw  but one specimen of large Psatliola today.  Many fungi coming up in woods.  Bridges pays me rent for month ending Aug 20 being in  full to  that date.  Tue up most of day and over at Groves at night.  Gobed 9 P.M.

27. Wednesday 545 AM.  Ther  57  84  62  =  67 2/3
Mrs. Galoday washed.  I intended to go out to Joe's but felt too badly In P.M. drove east of town finding many kinds of mushrooms  Some good ones.  Lepiota  procuruis,  A sylvaticus, ?,  Pluteus cervinus  various forms of elits cups  Got home before night was up town after supper.  Tue over to see Cottons baby which is sick.  Gobed 9.30 P.M.

28.  Thursday, 5.45 AM.  Ther 57.  84.  70  =70 1/3
Partly cloudy, hazy, light easterly wind.  Tue and I start for Loxa before 10 AM.  Took her to Hen's, I went up to Gaines'.  Shirley about half done B.C.  He does not want me to insur his part of B.C.  says will not have more than ten tons.  I insure part of Shirley's at night with WW Scott agt.  All of the Jim Decker B.C. with Frommel for 600.00.  Met C Talbot who will help me build fence if I need him.  I drove up to Dice's woods on way home getting home 5.30 PM.  Tue decided to stay at Hen's all night.  Mostly clear day; light easterly wind  Gobed 9 P.M.

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August 20-23, 1891 and 1902 in Coles County, IL

August 1891

20.  Thursday  6 AM  70  87  74 = 77

Cloudy W or SW wind  Mostly cloudy day occasional thunder shower heavy about noon damp and sultry.  

21.  Friday, 6 AM.  66  80  65 =  70'

Mostly clear N.W. wind some cooler.  Nick still remains at home  sent up word that he thought he would be able for duty next Monday.  I remain at store all day in fact have not been able to write up this record this week.  gobed 1030

22.  Saturday,  6 AM,  62.   .  60  = 

Mostly cloudy went down to RR to see Sefton about Bbl of whiskey which came last Monday with only 12 gals in it.  Walked down to tie pile count 149.  18 of them are John Whites.  Have heard from Woods once or twice this week.  Warren brought up load of 11 ties.  Chut load  70 posts  Report John Simon pull onions  Monday dig potatoes Wednesday cut sprouts other days and probably work at ties rest of the time.  Uncle John brought basket of Poocerus mushrooms which prove to be good eating.  Say at store all day.  Trade good  Hat was down to supper.  31 silk worms have began to to spin.  Had on hand in all this AM 124.  Change 23 on hillside to another limb  Part cloudy day  N wind and growing cooler.  Gobed  10 30 PM

23.  Sunday.  7 AM.  Ther 54,

Mostly cloudy.  Was sick in the night but don't lay it to mushrooms rather to watermelon eaten yesterday P.M.  Starts to ranch at 2.30 P.M. getting there before night and went over to east field boys have not made much headway sp...ding this week.  Clover looks fine.  Warren decided he can't break my wheat ground.  Had 22 BushVictor potatos [sic.] and about 25 bush onions all in barn.  Sp Rain about dark  Gobed 8 P.M.

August 1902

20.  Wednesday  830 AM.  Ther  65.  90.  67 =  74

Mostly clear.  I had sore throat keeping me awake most of night and lay in bed till long after breakfast.  Drove east of town A.M.   Get lot of young Leoiota procerus which gave to Mrs. Dr. Patton also several other kinds clitoeybi  and Trichicholoma. Very close and warm  Sold Sam Weyth 10 1x6 - Paid $1.25  I drove out to Fairground toward night getting back just in time to escape thunder shower with light rain from 5 P.M. till after dark.  Feeling very badly self today  Tue and girls sewing.  Florence Moore went away tonight.  Gobed 8.30 P.M.

21.  Thursday.  5.30  m.  Ther  62  88.  67  =  72 1/3

Mostly cloudy.  Phebe up early to go on excursion to Marion, IN.  Tue wants to allow Marie to go to Indianapolis Sunday on excursion.  Start to Gaines 9 AM.  Jo mowing weeds along branch.  I did not stay to dinner but went to Loxa calling on Mrs. Bridges for rent which didn't get.  Return Gaines through place.  Mash of corn looking well.  I didn't eat any dinner today.  Very sultry somewhat cloudy day.  Stay at Gaines till about 4 P.M.  Stop at Talbotts.  He gave me about 1/2 bush fine potatoes.  Got home before 6.  Oran Pierey rode part way too  town with me,   Took home a lot of corn beans cabbage tomatoes &c from Joe's.  Pay Jo check  18.00 on month wages.  Self feeling badly all day.  Roads good.  The rain on Monday morning was heavy at Loxa.  Met Shirley hauling BC[broom corn] for Downey  Gobed 8 PM.

22.  Friday  6 AM.  Ther  58.  84.  56.  =  66

Clear N.E. wind.  Tue had toothache all night.  Helen and Maggie got breakfast.  Phebe did not  come home last night, staid [sic] at Montgomery's.  Get Reasor to put in new  hydrant at barn which they finish 2 P.M. but pump in cellar does not work.  Tue feeling badly went back to bed in P.M.  I drove down south of town P.M. getting big lot of ?Psalliota two kinds, also a lot of puff balls.  I   left mess of PBs at Dr. Pattons.  Mrs. Patton sick.  Warm  AM but cooler and cloudy P.M.  There was a fall of 10 degrees in temperature between 1 P.M. and 2 P.M.  I went up after dark talk while with Garrison but didn't get   rent.  Gobed  9.30 PM

23. Saturday.  6.15 A.M.  Ther.  52.  80.  56  =  62 2/3

Partly cloudy.  Tue felt badly all night with tooth ache &c.  Thinks she ate too much for supper.  Fix her up some bitters after breakfast.  Drive up by  Dice's woods but didn't find any  mushrooms worth saving.  Jim Decker up and  I go on his note for 100.00 for 90 days to harvest B.C. [broom corn]  Marie and Helen went to party at Straley's at night.  I drove uptown for some grub so many buggies I couldn't tie up, so didn't stay long.  The Salvation Army are still preaching at 3rd and Monroe.  Couple fellows rode down there with me.  Partly cloudy day with easterly wind.  Jim thinks will begin cutting B.C. Monday.  Tue kept her bed all day today.  Gobed 9.30 PM

July 7- 11, 1891 and 1902 in Charleston, IL

 July 1891

7.  Tuesday.  Ther  70  76  67  =  69 1/3

Mostly cloudy with S wind.  Brownfield hoes garden AM.  First  lot of cercropius coming out of second molt today  they are yellow with two rows of blue horns on both sides two rows of yellow ones on back and four red horns on head.  The last lot have finished hatching and  have about half died through neglect.  Nick reports his baby better today and he is at store.  Brownfield and self clean up buggy wheels P.M.  Sprinkle rain  9 30 AM light shower about noon, heavier rain   S.E. Chut Bennett brought up load of ties 15.  Mostly cloudy wind variable S to W AM. but settled in NE about 1 PM and blew strong all day and night.  Gobed  10 15 PM~

8.  Wednesday,  6 AM  Ther   55,  69  55  =  59 2/3

Cloudy fresh N wind.  Nicks baby getting better.  Mrs. Rogers washed  AM and ironed P.M.  Uncle John was down to dinner.  Oce  Bennett brought in 15 ties  Says they will finish hauling in my rye today.  Trade light.  A. Frieberg gets in at night.  Gobed.  11 P.M.

9.  Thursday.  6 AM.  Ther  50.  80.  62 = 64

Clear  E. wind   Freiberg drummer in town.  Trade him 5 Bbl of Matingly spirits for  Draling paying him 2 1/2 cts to boot.  Renew demand note at 2nd National Bank for 600.00 charging interest from 8 to 7% to agree with new law.  Learn that Jim Cassady will thresh my rye.  H.G. informs me that he has to go down to Grose Nest tomorrow.  Clear day with easterly wind gobed 11.30

10.  Friday.  6 20 AM.  Ther  60

Clear, E. wind.  Learn that, Cassady will thresh Jo Handlys wheat tomorrow.  Would have gone down there but over son and Hat went to  Grose Nest  He got back at night.  Mostly clear day  SE wind  gobed  11.30 P.M~

11.  Saturday,  6 AM  Ther               87.  70

About clear, wind S.  Start for ranch 7 AM went to Jim Cassaday, learn that they will not cross river today with machine so turns round and back home by 11AM.  Sell uncle John bal of bacon for 1.00  learn that R.R. has inspected ties went down.  They have spotted pile of 177, Culling 9 and leaving one (?) Rec. check from White 64.84 for 168 ties.  Chut brought up 14 which are un-inspected.  Buy 3 gal. blackberries @2.00  Trade only fair.  Go bed midnight

July 1902

7.  Monday.  6 AM.  Ther.  74.  90.  75.  =  79 2/3

Mostly clear, light SW wind.  Mrs. Golladay washes.  Meet Harry Hagen first time since he quit work for me.  Maggie suffered much from toothache in night.  E. Garrison pays me $10.00 on rent thus settling up to June 14,  Deposit Richter check 17.73 +5.00 = 22.73 at 2nd National Bk.  Sort over some papers A.M.  Ch. Fitzsimmons clears out closet at store - Pay him 50c.  Tue and I start to Loxa 5.30  Taking some eggs to Hen.  Hen and I take drive up through corn.  Think Shirleys shows up best. plows too deep near corn.  Shirley on war path very offensive  The worst case I have had.  Gate post down at end of street.  We start home about 8 P.M.  Not quite so warm as yesterday.  Mostly cloudy.  SW wind  Thunder about 2 P.M. but no rain here  Gobed 10 P.M.

8.  Tuesday.  5.30 A.M.  Ther.  70,  90,  76,  =  78 2/3

Partly cloudy, Light S.W. wind.  Shave and haircut at Brown's after breakfast,  Up to  J.H. Marshall's office and to C.H. with  with him at adjusters and Board of Review.  The cancel all back taxes J.H.M. advises me to avoid Shirley as much as possible.Windows need putty &c at store.  Thought to go out to Gaines P,M, but will wait till morning.  Helen went out home after supper to stay a while.  Marie went with her.  Fred took them out  Mostly clear day with light SW wind,  Lightening NW at night.  I drove up town after supper  Gobed 10 P.M.

9.  Wednesday 6 AM.  Ther  74.  88.  72.  =  78

Clear SW wind.  Start to Gaines 9AM.  Met Chas. Talbott at gate and he drove through Jo's corn with me.  Jo  having out sweet corn.  Is not very well; has had diarrhea all week.  His corn looks better.  I did not go to Loxa.  Stay to dinner at Jos.  He went to work for Talbott in hay P.M.  Charley thinks can cut my hay tomorrow.  I start home 3 P.M. in front of storm which overtook me near Salem Church  It didn't rain much   I drove up to Decker woods and waded across creek to sawdust  Phebe went picnic.  I took Maggie over to Sefton's and drove SW of town looking for fungi.  Everett McKee rode in with me, occasional light shower PM till after dark.  Mostly clear AM. good deal of wind with first shower SW to W.  Tue has bad pain in side supposed lifting.  Gobed  10 AM

10  Thursday 5.45 AM.  Ther.  60.  75.  58.  =  64 1/3

Clear.  Much cooler.  N.E. wid.  Phone from Loxa that Jo is sick, early.  Mrs. Baird had a girl baby about 6 A.M.  They occupy Mrs. Eastin's house now belonging to the city.  I started out to Gaines 10 AM.  Find him in bed thinks will be up tomorrow.  I ate some crackers and cheese on  road for dinner.  Jos folks did not get any  I stay till about 2 P.M.  Feeling badly today  Think ate too much "force"  Tue about sick.  Helen and Marie came in a while from Sniders.  Mostly clear day with cool N.E. wind.  Gobed  9 P.M.

11.  Friday  5.30 AM.  Ther  50,  80,  63.  =   64 1/3

Clear N.E. wind.  Look round for a hay rack in morning but didn't find one.  Will have to build one.  Had another talk with Jack Scott.  I got home about 2 P.M.  Tue feeling badly today.  Ed wells works all day about the place mostly mowing yard will work tomorrow.  Self feeling badly with toothache PM and night.  Mostly clear day with variable light wind.  The roads are good and crops look fine.  My harness (girth) broke down south of town and near caused a wreck AM. get it repaired.  Gobed 9 P.M.

February 1-11, 1902 in Coles County Illinois

February 1902

1.  Saturday,  6 AM.  Ther.  22.  32.  22.  =  25 1/3

Mostly cloudy, or foggy light easterly wind  Shirley called AM.  I did not have lease ready for him to sign.  Pete Drake carried out ashes from setting R.  pit.  but didn't have time to clean out the stable.  He was drunk before night.  Will attend to stable Monday.  Republican primaries PM.  Vote about 4 P.M.  The regular organization won.  Cloudy day with easterly wind self feeling badly  Several young people here at night playing cards till after 10 P.M.  Light snow P.M. and  night.  Say 2 in. and grows colder.   Snow and mist 5 P.M.  Gobed 10 P.M.

2.  Sunday.  6.30 AM.  Then  2.  8.  -2.  =  2 2/3
Clear, strong NW wind which was blowing all night  The 2 in snow that fell after dark last night drifted good deal.  Kept petty business making fires today. Tue sent package to Maggie by Lewis Marshall.  Clear day with brisk NW wind and colder at night.  Gobed  8 .15 PM.

3.  Monday, 6 AM.  Ther. -8.  18.  10  =  6 2/3
Clear Light. N.W. wind Pete Drake came to work but stable frozen up.  Mrs. Smith came to wash before 7 A.M. and worked till after 5 P.M.  Mrs. Knock and Mrs. Grove visiting Tue toward night.  Clear AM but mostly cloudy P.M. with variable wind settling into south with 1 in snow at 5 P.M.  Tue feeling badly with  neuralgia in face all day, and retired early  Gobed 9 PM

4.  Tuesday.  6 AM.  -4,  4,  -1.  =  -1/3
Clear N.W.wind.  Change in night blowing a regular cyclone  about  1 oclock with snow.  Proves to be  one of worst days this winter to keep house warm.  Very high NW wind clear and pleasant with  ther. but little above zero.  Tue still suffers with her face and retired early.  Mort and Kate  were over till 9 P.M.  I got up at midnight fearing something wrong with furnace but was all right.  Got meddy for Tue in night.  Gobed 9 PM.

5.  Wednesday.  6 AM. ther. -6.  18.  15.  =  9
Mostly clear, wind W. Rhoda ironed AM.  Tue did not get up today,  but seems to be feeling better.  Charley Talbot called P.M. reporting Jo's Folks all right,  but want me to come out.  Met Tennant Bridges yesterday.  He said would mail me amt due on rent at once.  Mostly clear AM Cloudy P.M. south wind with light snow about dark.  one inch.  Gobed 9 P.M.

6.  Thursday.  6 AM.  Ther.  19.  32.  20.  =  23 2/3
Cloudy, Southwind, Snw flying.  Tue feeling some better and got up late P.M. eating supper with us.  Self feel badly with stomach all day  and take medicine which gets me out in night.  Dick Cadle offers me 1000.00 for 100 feet bottom.  Jack dog did not show up today and we fear he is lost or dead.  Cloudy day wind south to NW and colder at night.  Buy lot gro. at night Wrights PM.  Light snow again toward gobed 9 PM.

7.  Friday, 6 AM Ther.  0.  19.  12.  =  10 1/3
Clear, NW. wind  Jack came this morning having been gone since night before last.  They are moving barn from Woodson place to seventh St.  Have it as far as church.  Tue lay in bed till after breakfast.  Buy bread 10   hominy 10    beans 15     at Wrights AM Cr  Had some trouble getting water at barn thawed out  today.  Dick Wright wants to work for me also wants to borrow money.  Our water pump has not worked this week been out of  order several weeks.  Kate and Mort came after I went to bed.  Mostly clear day NW wind gobed 8 P.M.

8.  Saturday. 6 AM.  Ther  -4  14  4.  =  4 2/3
Mostly clear, light NW wind.  Sort over lot of old papers AM. finding tax receipt for Loxa land, (8 1/2 a) that has been sold.  Marie and  and Helen went with Ferd out to Sniders to visit over Sunday.  Phebe has party of fourteen girls here to supper 8 P.M.  I spend evening in basement reading.  The suit of various parties against the County comes up Monday 24th Long article with picture of  Court House in Chicago Record Herald today.  Meet tie man at McGurty's Combs.  Mostly clear day NW wind gobed 9 P.M.

9.  Sunday 6.40 AM.  Ther  -4  19 12  = 9
Clear NW wind.  Lu?ly Record stayed all night with Phebe  We ate cold dinner in kitchen today.  Marie and Helen got back in afternoon  Mostly clear day with light w. or N.W. wind clouding over toward night.  Tue over to Groves at night  Go bed 930 P.M.

10.  Monday, 6. A.M.  Ther.  11.  24.  20 =  18 1/3
Cloudy westwind.  Light snow flying.  Rhoda came to wash, working all day.  Mr.Bell has been sick since Sunday  Mrs. Bacon was in town but I didn't see her.  She telephoned to Tue.  Mostly cloudy day NW or westerly wind  Helen spent night at John Clarks  There was great fire at Paterson, N.J. yesterday
Gobed 8.30 P.M.

11.  Tuesday.  6 AM.  Ther  15.  24.  20 =  19 2/3
Mostly cloudy SW wind.  Bert and Rene came in A.M. and stayed to dinner and until 4 P.M.  It began to snow before 10 P.M.  and continued until 5 P.M.  about 1 1/2 inches.  Court  adjourned last Saturday to meet again  on Feby. 24, when Courthouse case will be tried.  My stomach feeling badly  Gobed  7.30 P.M.

December 2-9, 1901 in Charleston, IL

December 1901

2.  Monday, 6.45, AM  Ther.  36.  40.  35.  =  37.   

Get a letter from N.S. Page this morning

Cloudy and damp: Barely  sprinkles rain all night.  Mrs. Smith came 7 AM. to wash, working till after dinner.  Charley Wiley calls after dinner to see about bottom lot for Carnagie Library.  I start out to Gaines 2.30 P.M.  He changing work with C. Talbot get tickets.  Jo has 14 tickets 334 bu at 56 and 94 5/7 @ 55 = 428 5/7 = 239.14  Garrison pays me rent to 14 inst. check.  Florence Gaines at home sick.  Shirley not quite done shucking corn  Capt Tillotson called P.M. to see me but I was not here.  Grows some cooler before night.  Cloudy day Northerly wind.  Roads good.  Gobed 9 PM

3.  Tuesday, 6.15 AM.   Ther 32.  37.  28  =  32 1/3

Most cloudy N.E. wind.  Simons and Warren did not come in with corn as promised.  I drove down to see how the Col [H. G.] was AM but did not go in.  Hat said he was no better.  Dr. calls it the "Grippe."  Pay Wilton & Tillotson a/c in full 49.75  Tillotson as one of the committee for Park and Carnagie Library asks price of bottom lot south of branch.  They cant use it at our price $3500  Partly cloudy day with NE wind.  Pay Sam Ray for bus and baggage fare  Partly cloudy day with NE wind.  Ferd was here for a while at night.   Gobed 8, P.M.

4.  Wednesday.  6.30 AM.  Ther  24.  30.  20.  =  24 2/3

Partly cloudy.  Eastwind,  Tue and Phebe ironing  Pay JH Pinnell a/c in full to date 7.35 Deposits Garrison check 50.00  Rent to 14 inst  2d National Bank  PriScilla Club here in afternoon.  Talk with I.Winter PM about park and Library.  He is one of committee and does not much like using our lot at price offered.  Stop at Henry Shoots to ask about Col.  Drive down there and him no better.  Phebe and Helen making candy in kitchen at night  John Clark's  daughter studying with Marie.  Mrs. Clark called for her.  Partly clear day with E to NE wind and growing colder  Gobed 9 PM

5.  Thursday. 6 AM.  Ther  18.  30.  22. =23 1/3

Partly cloudy, hazy, Easterly wind, white frost morn.  Tue and self buy some oysters for the Col and start for his house about 9 AM  old mare made break on Madison St breaking up shafts, buy new pair at Wilton & G costs me 3.00  The Col. better this morn.  Gaines came in with part of a load of straw.  Will be in again tomorrow.  Simons and Warren brought two loads corn 60-50 sold to Griffin @ 60.  Shirley brings in Linders check for balance of his corn 776.56  They think there is error somewhere but I fail to find it for certain.  Buy Warrens grey horse for 80.00 and he will bring him up tomorrow or Saturday.  Hannah Marshal here  at night.  Turie over at Groves till bed time.  Light cloudy day E to SE light winds  Farm's returns so far think the farms have yielded in money about same as last year  Gobed 10 PM

6.  Friday.  6.30 AM.  Ther 20.  33.  30.  =  27 2/3

Clear light SE wind.  Self sore throat.  Worse this morn has been coming for several days.  Jo Gaines in with anther small load of straw.  While he was in house his team & was tore off both hind wheels, breaking shaft off at collar.  I spent most of the day trying to find way to fix it and finally order entire new axle through W.&T.   Tue and Helen went down to H.Gs. toward night finding him much better Simons and Warren did not come in with wood.  I figure up Shirley corn tickets for sure getting it about same as Linders check.  Mostly cloudy day E & SE wind.  Phebe attends dance at night with Bres???  Gobed 9 P.M.

7.  Saturday. 6.30 AM.  /ther 30.  39.
Mostly cloudy. Southwind.  Jo came with small load straw taking out four joints of 15 in sewer tile for well at Loxa from Andrews @ 30 c per foot.  I went over to Loxa 11.38 AM returning 1.12 P.M. Settle with JD Linder for balance corn  779.14 Shirley 239.14 Gaines in two checks 777.56 and 240.72  Deposit 777.56 at State Bank KG a/c 240.72 at 2d Natl C.G.  Shirley raised 3663 bushels on about 130 acres.  J.W.Gaines (heard) raised 1373 50/70 bushels partly estimated on about 47 acres.  Warren and Simons brought about cord of wood and grey horse which did not pay for today.  Cloudy day mostly with southerly.  Indications of rain.  Was up town most of PM.  Wilton ordered axle yesterday.  Paid W.M. Scott (Bill)  14.40 Ins. on house and furniture  Cloudy day southwind.  Light rain after dark  Gobed 9.30 P.M.

8.  Sunday.  7 A.M.  Ther.  45.  50.  33.  =  42 2/3
Cloudy and raining. S.E. wind.  Rain began in night.  Stay in house most of day.  Rain much of the time, but light.  It snowed about an inch after dark.  Tue bad pain in side and went to bed early.  Wind swings round to SW and finally to NW  Gobed  9.30 PM

9.  Monday. 6 AM.  Ther.  29.  33.  20 =  27 1/3
Cloudy Northwind light.  Mrs.Smith came to wash 7 AM.  Bill Scott calls again AM.  Mrs. S. works all day. will iron Wed.  Charley Wiley called AM. while I was up town about lot for Library &c.  I didn't see him.  Cloudy with N. to NW wind  The snow did not melt off much.  Should think rain about 3/4 in.  Roads reported muddy.  No word from buggy axle yet  Self not feeling pretty well.  Tue over at Groves till bedtime.  Spend most of the day reading novel "Kidnapped" Mrs S had her boy with her today.  Gobed 9 P.M.

November 28-29,1890 and 1901

November 1890

28.  Friday 6.30 AM  Ther  25.  44.  29.

Clear South wind, sharp frost, AM S(?) took 800 more boards and paid me for all  Nick still remains at home with swelling in in his face.  I stay at store pretty close trade only moderate a load  of each ties wood and boards came up today.  Fine clear weather but ground pretty dry roads are first rate but getting dusty.  Spoke to Briggs about lot says he dont care about selling now.  Gobed 12oc

Hibbard paid 10.50 for 3 1/2 card wood.

29.  Saturday.  6.30AM.  Therr22,  48,  42.

Mostly clear and coldest morning we have had this fall.  Nick was on hand this morning all right get offer from Atherton for 10 Bbl of their whiskey which we have  Chut hauls load of ties  Warren load wood settle with Warren to date except Latta's wood.  Good crowd in town trade good.  Uncle John in town P.M. order seltzer from Meyer.  Mostly clear day S wind  all changing to W before noon.  Brisk W wind at night and partly cloudy.  Gobed

November 1901

28.  Thursday. 6 AM.  Ther. 19.  46.  35.  =  33 1/3

Clear, calm.  Heavy white frost.  Helen went out home yesterday to stay till Saturday.  Tue was much discouraged about the duck but finds it all right.  Mrs.Knock ate dinner with us.  Have 1 1/2 cords wood left which think will sell.  Tinker around barn AM. and after dinner drive south of town and to river.  Roads good.  Mostly clear day with Southwesterly wind.  Stronger at night Gobed 10 PM

29.  Friday 6.20  AM.  Ther.  38.  56.  35.  =  43.

Mostly clear.  Fresh SW wind.  Mrs.Smith came to wash and iron.  Maggie and Olive did not get up till about noon.  Mrs. Shaw called saying Committee having Carnegie Library business  in charge had called on her to see about buying her lot and they would probably call  (?) one.  Put handle in ax for Jo Gaines.  Mrs. Smith worked AM. washed and ironed worked on 5th St P.M.  C. Talbot helping Jo shuck corn.  Will finish tomorrow.  Shirley has turned his stock on 80. and is hurrying Jo up.  No School at Loxa school till Monday.  Corn today 56.  Start home 4 P.M.  Clear day Southwesterly wind roads good.  Get home 6 P.M.  Girls had a function at night  I was up town a while.  They kept the house awake until midnight.  Self Gobed 10 P.M.

July 25- August 14, 1901 in Charleston, IL (highlights)

July 1901 (highlights) 

25.Thursday  100

Last night seems the warmest we have had.  I started to Loxa early getting there before 10.  Didn't eat any dinner lay on the floor in the east room upstairs P.M. till 4 P.M.  Retha got lost in the corn, but came in before I left at 5 P.M.  Rep of cyclone in Chicago this AM.  The heat about floored me today.  Corn suffering.

26.  Friday.  Sign consent for gas pipes on sixth ST South of Jackson.  Drive after supper with Tue past Pigeon Roost Normal and Half Mile House.  Phebe at party at Seftons.   Etta still in town and is staying with Vivian.

27.  Saturday -  Maggie has been working at Jenkins Store, this week.  Charley  South rode to Loxa with me.  His wife will probably recover.  Grass has been green until the last few days.

28.  Sunday-  I drive down to river Old Ashmore Road.  Drive with to Pigeon Roost and beyond.

29.  Monday - 

30.  Tuesday - Marie complaining of her back and chest.

31.  Wednesday - Alexander tells me A.M. that Alex Briggs has bought the old Norfolk house - half the lot for $2,250.00.  Learn that Jubal has gone to Kansas City &c.  Report big rain 1 1/2 to 3 in water.

August 1901 (highlights)

1.  Thursday - 

2.  Friday - 

3. Saturday - Miss Ford left for home in New York P.M.  

4.  Sunday - Tue cleaning up Miss Ford's room.

5.  Monday - Dick worked all day.  Hitch up makes mushroom bed in back yard.  Bert was in town and to dinner.   Drive with him down past Normal.  Has been with family down to White Co.  Marie and Helen went to river with Geo. Snider.  Learn that Geo. Tucker has bought Charley Black Saloon.  Tue feeling badly.

6.  Tuesday - An Uncle Tom Cabin show in town P.M. tent next to be R.R.  Geo. Rosebraugh leaves key to Eastin House says that Mrs. E will be home in a day or two.  Her place not rented boys have been looting it as well as our old house recently.  Jo G, says Hen has gone to Iowa again.

7.  Wednesday - Old mare chowed up bag of bran last night.  Etta Vandmysen here last night and will stay with us for a few days.  Big ad painted on Plainsdealer  Bldg recently  Geo.  Tucker is running the Charley Black Saloon on 6th St.  I sort over papers today finding some quite important that were needed.  Tue and I drive late P.M. down to cow at Johnsons  Saw her - looking well.  Drove down cross river at Oliver bridge Went south returning by Five mile house - a long trip started 4.30 and home 8.30.  Mrs. Eastin got in today  after absence of nearly two years.  Helen stayed with her all night.

8.  Thursday  I stop at winters to look at samples for suit.

9.  Friday - 

10.  Saturday - Took samples back Winters and order suit with extra pair pants @37.00 whole outfit.  

11.  Sunday - 

12.  Monday - Caught boys prowling around barn today.

13.  Tuesday - Learn Hen back from Iowa.  Ice bill to 1st inst 3.50.

14.  Wednesday - C lannaham moves into Mrs. Eastin's house.

July 6 - 10, 1890 and 1901

July 1890

6.  Sunday.  7 AM   Ther  66.  92.  73.

Mostly clear wind southerly.  Start from home at 11 AM. went out to Vanmeter house with Geo Kellogg to look at hay find there is 6 ton poor hay there yet.  Get to Simons about 3.30 nobody home, ride around pastures till night,  Warm day dryer here shower uptown.  Gobed 9,30 PM.  Warren says he will begin hauling wood for me this week.

 with Zeke Eastin for hauling

7.  Monday.  4.30 AM.  70.  94.  77.

Clear, start home after breakfast getting there at 8.30  Mrs. Rogers  the washes.  Tue and Hat pick berries P.M.  Get buggy repaired at Pughs charges 1.00.  Settle with Zeke Easton for hauling lumber  also Sutton puts another bib on hydrant in barnyard.  Present bill for lumber to council at night 398.98.  Very warm and dry.  Clear all day with southerly wind go bed 10.30 PM.

8.Tuesday.  6 AM.  82.  99.  72
Clear.  .  Mrs. R. ironed P.M.  Bim was in to dinner  This has been the hottest day so far.  Thunder shower with sprinkle rain between 1 & 2 PM another with heavy wind from N. between 5 & 6 P.M.    Mostly clear day  heart very oppressive  Settle with M. Comer in full to date also with Jack Handly and Geo  Walter  Sold Will Myers two large hogs fo 18.00  F m B A. have county assembly in court house quite a large crowd.  Cooler night Go bed 10.30 P.M.  

9.  Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  72  85  60  Clear Cooler.  Took wool down to Factory P.M.  292 lbs @ 24 c.  Not many in town everyone busy in country  Sampson and Reynolds each brought up load of walnut.  Hat and Tue pick berries.  Play croquet after supper.  Gobed  10.30 PM

10.  Thursday.  6.30 AM  Ther  55.  85.  62.Clear with fresh E. wind.  Draw rent money and deposit, pay bal  taxes for last year 111.02 .  Pay Skidmore 25.10   J.L. Green drummer in town  Buy from him 1 bag and most coffee for our own use.  WH White here wants me to try a lot of ties  Phebe has the  ? and suffers   seems to suffer good deal with it.  Sampson hauls up  load of walnut.  Clear day S wind  Gobed 10.30

July 1901

6.  Saturday.  6 AM.  Ther.  65.  89.  68.  =  74

Clear.  Northerly or NW afterward S.W.  Coolest for aome time,  Jake sawing on wood - finished it and settle in full.  Kate & Bacon called before noon.  They went to Franks to dinner leaving their team here.  They started home about 6 P.M.  Minnie and Maggie got rig at Berkleys and drive A.M.  Minnie did not start home as intended.Went up town after supper to buy some grub.  Engage veal roast at Huttons  Clear day S.W. to W or NW  and much cooler  Gobed 9 P.M.  ~  

7.  Sunday.  5.30  AM.  Ther  58.  70.  58.  =  62

Clear NW wind.  I went uptown for fish before breakfast.  Drove out to Gaines starting 9.30 AM.  went South road and  through Loxa going through place.    Corn looks well.  Not been so much rain out there as in town. Jo hoeing in garden.  I stay to dinner after which Jo and self take good look at clover meadow.  It is not so good as I thought and hardly worth cutting.  Get some potatoes in sack also some beets and leave  at 4 P.M.  Clear chilly day with N.W. wind. My oats have begun to turn.  Didnt decide what would do with meadow.  Gobed 9.30 P.M.

8. Monday.  5 AM.  Ther  50.  78.  61  =  63.

Clear N.E. wind.  Mrs Smith and mother came to wash finishing about noon. Received notice of filing of my claim against Wall  Bill Campbell has sold out and quit the restaurant business.  Geo Stegman advises me to cut my patch of weedy meadow.  Minnie  Scott started home home 11.38  Take her baggage to  to depot.  Jubal mows yard P.M. using Groves mower.  I went out to Gaines.  He was cutting thistles and weeds in pasture.  Quit and took mower to Loxa for repair McPheron did not fix it.I brough scikle to town to sharpen and repair.  Tue had Reading Circle women here at night.  I got home about 7.30 PM.  clear day with NE to E wind.  Gobed 9 PM.

9. Tuesday.  5 AM.  ther  55.  88.  68.=  70 1/3

Clear  SE.2  Maggie went early with girls to Decker Spring.  Nell Bishop stayed all night with Phebe last night.  Take sickle to Merriths before breakfast and start for Gaines 8. oc.  But machine would not wouldn't work worth a cent  Get another sickle at Merritts and get to Gaines about 5 P.M. staying all night.  Mrs. G. cut her foot very bad on glass in yard.  Clear day, southerly wind.  Thought would have to take machine before anything.  Corn looks pretty well but needs rain around Loxa  Gobed 9 PM

10.  Wednesday.  4 AM.  Ther  65.  95.  80  =  80.
Clear.  SW wind.  Investigating machine after breakfast find all it needs is oiling, after which it cuts very well.  Had to go to Loxa for bolt.  Leave for home 10 AM.  Took Helen out to Hens P.M.  Hen and Ora  gone.  Jo got meadow nearly done the machine working very well.  Very warm day clear with SW wind.  Roads getting dusty W.  I got too warm A.M. and about sick  Gobed 9 P.M.

June 5 - 10, 1889 and 1901 in Coles County Illinois

If you like reading about the Gramesly Family watch for our up coming book Ordinary People, Extraordinary  Lives: The Story of the Grameslys  Richard Stickann with Catherine Reasor Stickann

June 1889

5.  Thursday 6 AM.  Nick on hand this AM but not very well yet.  Al Prevo says he wants 25 ? ft. fencing and wants me to make him a price on it delivered at his  place.  Mart Comer was up P.M.  Make out city bill which council allowed it amounted to  $173.22.  Supervisor Maffet was censured for  not  counting all lumber instead of leaving it to us  gobed 11.30 P.M.

6.  Friday.  7 AM.  Clear and cooler.  W or NWard

Sent WH Rees for 15 Bbl whiskey  to J Mathesten Co  9 Bbl to  WBSamuels & Co 1 Bbl  89 Mattergly &  to Buchabab (?)  Car load of beer came for us and Latta and work most of the day putting it away  George Kellogg finishes putting in screens at store which he began on yesterday  Scott Dowling wants to "open up" again which I refuse to allow  Cool day with NW  wind.  Cloudy at times 10.30 P.M.

7.  Saturday 7 AM  Clear Ther 60 75.  60

Tue feeling badly girls have not come home yet.  Mrs. Rogers cleans house AM irons P.M.  Boy at Skidmores cleans up my  harness.  Settle with Comer and other  (?) Warren  brought up load lumber.  Get ton ice of Will Myers  Latta  Daugherty and self got car load of beer yesterday  Cool and pleasant N.E. wind. Trade fair  Gobed 12

8.  Sunday.  7 AM.  60

Hazy, wind easterly  Pleasant day.  .  Bins [Henry Grameslys] came at dinner time bringing girls who have been gone a week.  Start for Ranch after dinner walk round both pastures with Simons  Gobed  10 P.M.

9.  Monday.  5 AM at Ranch.  sprinkles rain in night and rains moderately all forenoon  Simons worked in farm  Made door after dinner and then cut weeds in pasture mostly clear P.M.  Gobed 9 P.M.

10. Tuesday 5 AM.  At Ranch.  Except S.  Decker all hands cut logs all day along river cut logs  along river bluff.  T Spurgen  logs  Mill remaining all day  and has quite a pile of lumber on  hand.  Several loads went up town today.  Pleasant day westerly wind   gobed 9 PM 

June 1901

Settle up with Jubal $2.90

5.  Wednesday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  65.75.65.  =  68 1/3

Cloudy S.E. wind.  Light thunder shower 6 AM.  More at noon and heavy rain at night.  They have cut down street back so that have to go out through front yard.  Tue worrying about undone wash.  Has promise of Mrs. Owens tomorrow.  I drove out to Mrs. Gaines  P.M.  Jo plowing near barn second time that piece.  Mrs. G. has lady visitors.  Pasture and oats looking fine.  Occasional thunder PM and heavy rain at night.  Get home about 6.  Helen came today to stay a while with us.  Fair day with fresh S.E. wind.  Gobed 9 P.M.

6.  Thursday 5.30 AM.  Ther  64. 75.  60  =  66 1/3

Cloudy Rain much of night, probably an inch.  Streets muddy.  Jubal  helped me couple of hours  AM.  They are  not working back street today a/c of mud.   Spend AM. looking for a woman to wash.  Didn't find any.  Pinnell took away calf P.M. 320 lbs @ 4 1/2 = 14.40 not pd.  Brick rose pays me 2.00- for lumber got last summer.  Mail 2.00 to Record Herald for 6 Mo subscription.    Send bill for Mrs. Eastins Rebate on paving tax to Council by Mort Grove $14.40

.  Meeting 8th.    Mail 25c to C. Eui A (?) for buttons sent me.  Helen and Marie washing (?) P.M.  Cow appeared to be in heat P.M. and tie her in barn all night.  Gobed 8.30 P.M.  Al Crews  has brought back Starr poney (sic.)

7.  Friday .  5 AM  Ther. 49.  70.  56.  =  58 1/3

Clear.  NW wind.  Hitch up and milk before breakfast start for Gaines 8.30 8.30 AM.  went out in back way today.  Gaines plowing on piece near barn.  He did not plow yesterday too wet.  Re planted where planter did not work.  I walk around North piece corn.  Shirley plowing S.W. was heavy rain there.  Edith there washing also South kid.  Home by noon.  Jubal took brown brown cow out to Huffmans bull A.M.  I owe him 75 c.  H.G. didn't eat any dinner.  Drive N.E. of town P.M.  Crops that way look fine especially oats,  and corn.  Started to go and see my "hookey cow" but had forgotten name of man who had her.  City not working back ST. except surveyor  They are going  (?) deeper.  Mostly clear day with strong NW wind.  Roads dry.  Gobed 8 P.M.

8.  Saturday, 5.30 AM.  Ther.  50.  57.  52  =  53

Mostly clouds moving E.  S.E. wind.  Heard noises several times in night.  Tue thought burglers.  Nothing missing this morning.  Warren came with load of wood but could not drive in with it; had to carry it carry it in.  Simons brought up Will Decker tax receipts.  Cloudy day with SE wind Drizzling rain most of day after 10 AM.  I  use back street all day but crossing not safe.  Warren brings 20/32 cord of wood. finest he has haul.  I pay him for hauling $1.50 per cord.  gobed 8.45 P.M.

9.  Sunday.  5.30 AM.  Ther 50  80  64  =  64 2/3

Clear Eastwind.  Didnt ' get breakfast till after 8  I thought I might go to ranch and left about 10 A.M.  Went down by Woodson place.  Pass Mt. Zion  Meet J.R. Haddock near Lamb Kelly place talking with him an hour or two.  Wine across road there which I passed.  river pretty high  Didn't try to ford it.  Went South far as Cecils.  Met Sale McClasky.  Return by Farmington road getting home 4 P.M.  Mostly clear day clouding W.  toward night and turning much warmer.  Roads muddy at starting mostly dry in P.M.  Mrs. Knock who got back from the south a week or so since here P.M.  Tue went to church at night.  All family up looking for burglars about 10 P.M.  Gobed 9 PM ~~

10. Monday 5 AM.  Ther. 62.  90.  72 = 74 2/3

Partly clear S.E. wind. Get change done and hitch up before 7 A.M.   Cow in heat again  think and drove down to get Jube.  Dice however not to take her.  Went  to see Mrs. Owens about wash.  She can't do it.  Take Tue over to Anderson where she engages Mrs. Eggens to come in morning.  Jube fixed fence in bottom.  He and I take lawn mower to Rezor but he did not help it any.  I start for Loxa 2.30 P.M.  Fix rocking chair for Mrs. Gaines.  Myrtle and Ruth there also Alex South.  Jo working SE got peas onions and beets, starting home 5 P.M.  Jo working Queen and sorrel get home 6.30 P.M.  Milk late - Kate Grove over at night  Mort came after I went to bed.  Partly cloudy day wuth fresh SE wind.  Perhaps the warmest day we have so far this season.  Gobed 8.30  P.M.

May 23-25, 1890 and 1901 in Coles County, Illinois

May 1890

23.  Friday 6 AM.  70.  84.  63.

Kellogg and Salleus  finish at noon and pay them off.  K.   . 6.50  S. 3.15.  Get ton of ice of Will Myers @ 8.00  Have decided to take  beer if Pabst B Co. in Co with Latta and Daugherty  , Getting car load at once.  The ice box works very well but is not large enough.  H.G. went away in morn and again in PM.  Is figuring on buying a house.  Quite a heavy shower about sun set and still more in night  Mrs. Feagan here P.M.  Kate Myers Grove has moved into her house over the way this week  Gobed 10.30 PM~

24.  Saturday.  7 AM.  65.75.65.
Mostly cloudy.   Heavy rain last night, wind S.  This week has had the first growing weather we have had this spring.  H.G. bought himself a house yesterday.  Rain occasionally and heavy at times in the night  Not many in town from the the N. where they say it has not rained much.  Settle in full with Steve Decker.  Gobed 12.30

25.  Sunday 7 AM.  Ther 58.  72.  58
Clear with west wind.  Start to ranch  10 AM. go by Handlys ford.  River up into buggy and very muddy.  Find Simons at home and walk round   pastures with him in P.M.   Roads pretty muddy  grass is growing.  That sown about Mar 1 seems to be doing best.  Sheep are doing better have been running outside.   gobed 9.30 PM  clear day with NW wind.

May 1901

23.  Thursday.  5 AM.  Ther 60.  86. 73.  =  73

Clear Southwind.  Lincoln Wood and Ike Reese move lumber and posts 75c paid.  Buy churn and trimmings at Bartons 52 cts.  Perrill pays for calf 9.00.  Settle a/c with him 40 c.  Will Goodman shows me over his new house which he says  costs 1700.00~ Met Shirley near fair ground P.M. says Jo is done planting.  Mrs. S. had been to dentist  Hen and Ora called a little while towards night.  Mostly clear day and warmest for several weeks  Brisk southerly wind.  I drove out to Decker Spring P.M. and out by our old place southwest of Cemetery.  Untraveled roads are very rough.  Self not feeling well  Think have chill and fever every day lately  Gobed  9 P.M.

24.  Friday.  5.15 AM.  Ther  64.  83.  51 = 66

clear NW wind.  there was some thunder and lightning about 10 last night with very light shower.  Mrs. Owens comes early to iron, finishing before noon.  Get shave and haircut at Browns. pd  Pay Jo Parker & Co a/c in full 45.85  K ch.  Pay Morgan and Grove a/c 25c.  Start to Loxa 2 P.M.  Jim Warren says will mow my yard Monday.  Jo harrowing on last piece of planted  John had been to Mattoon.  They will move tomorrow.  Pay Jo 18.00 on months wages.  He has been  working old Queen this week.  Got home 6 P.M.  Helen here to sup. Kate Grove over at night.  Partly cloudy  day wind getting strong N. and much cooler P.M.  Gobed 8.30 PM

25.  Saturday 5.20  AM  Ther  46.  57.   49. = 50 2/3
cloudy high N wind all night Drive down to Richters for Hillibono coal.  couldn't find it and are almost out.  Bessie Elder a friend of Maggie from Campaign  comes P.M. remains over Sunday.  Self feeling badly all day  Tue and  Marie went up for grub at night.  First time Tue has been up town for two or three weeks.  Saw  Earl Decker who says that Simons nearly done breaking and planting. Cloudy day N wind light rain or mist toward night.  Gobed 8.30 P.M. (shorthand)

April 5-8, 1890 and 1901 in Coles Coles County Illinois

April 1890

5.  Saturday.  7. AM.  Ther.

Mostly  clear.  Wright works at raspberries and cleans up front yard.  Simons and gang in pay in pay them off.  He took down chaff and seed out of barn.  Uncle John in, says he has to have his team right away.  Anti license people have  meeting at night but make no nominations  Tue still suffering from neuralgia.  Pay Ed Wright  for two days @ 100.  Part cloudy day with easterly wind sprinkle rain about 10 PM.   gobed 1oc

6.  Sunday.   7.30 AM.  Ther.  45.  64.  60

Part cloudy wind southerly  Tue went to church came home sick went for Dr. P at night.  Warm and partly clear day.  Went up to drug store for meddy for Tue P.M.  Gobed 10 PM.

7.  Monday.  7 AM.  Ther  53.  79.  68  =  66 2/3

Mostly clear.  Tue did not sleep much last night and seems worn today  Got medicine of Patton for her again.  Ed Wright cleans out stable and buggy  Straightens up Eastin's fence. &c  Intended to go down to Ranch but could not leave on account of Tue.  Hat was down toward night.  Sprinkle rain 4 PM and in night  Gobed 10.30 PM

8.  Tuesday, 5.30 AM.  Ther  63.  81.  68 =  70 2/3

Mostly clear..  Thunder shower about day light with a little rain,  Wright works all day spades up for  peas beans radish and cabbage which plant.  Stram drummer in town.  Mrs. Rogers washed and ironed.  Hat here most of day.  Tue feeling badly and had  Dr again PM.  I start for ranch 4 P.M.  but turned back deciding to go tomorrow  Maggie sick  caught cold yesterday.  Warm day with S.S.W. wind.  lightning east at night.  Gobed 10.30 PM

April 1901

5.  Friday 5 AM.  Ther.  49  60  49  =  52 2/3

Cloudy S.E. wind   Ate breakfast at  Starr and Start for farm 7 oclock.  Jo sowing oats.  It began to rain about 9 AM shower occasionally all day  Jo finished sowing oats about 4 P.M.  I stated home 5 P.M.  Took old harness to town for repairs.  Roads very slippy  Rain today prevented my looking round much.  Forgot to take rubbers.  Miss Ford got home from her visit  Tue went over to Groves at night.  Rain pretty heavy 3 to 4 P.M.  Wind got NW  Gobed 9PM

6.  Saturday.  5.30 AM  Ther  48. 45. 45. = 46

Cloudy NW wind.  Talk with Hodgen.  He thinks can furnish loan of 9000.00  On farm @ 5% and I  took up one of abstracts P.M.  Pay Pete Drake P.M. .65.  Paid  Charleston Tp tax PM. to H.T. Miles   Col. 204.37 - $2.04 = 1% off  Dark disagreeable day N wind mist at times.  Gobed  9 P.M.

7.  Sunday,  6.30 AM.  Ther  42  54  42  =  46.

Mostly cloudy N.E. wind.  Tue and  girls attended church  Look over a few things in old house AM.  Mare stood in shed all day.  Thought to hitch up P.M. but too cool.  Mostly clear bright day northerly wind.  Helen and Ferd  here at night.  Tue was going to church but didn't.  Clara attended Christian ch.  Read or do nothing most of day.  Still chewing.  Gobed  9 P.M.__

8.  Monday.  5.30 A.M.  Ther.  33.  53.  37.  =  41

Clear chilly Northerly wind.   Went up to Hodgens and talk with him a while.  Give him abstract to part of Loxa (42) land to examine   Garrison not got bond as yet.  Pay  Lafayette Tp taxes 78.54 and Hutton Tp.  14.57 to Ganaway Treas  Pay 1.72  on piece  24a included mine and Jane Handly's.  William Garrison went to Casey to see sick  father.  Self feeling badly all day.  Mostly clear day N or NE wind.  Tue and children went to lecture at Episcopol (sic) church.  Clara Washed A.M.  Gobed  10 P.M.

February 24-28, 1901 in Coles County Illinois

February 1901

24. Sunday, 6.30  AM.  Ther.  20.  36.  25  =  27

Partly cloudy Brisk west wind,  Tue feeling very badly today.  Helen came in  morning remaining to dinner and all day.  Hitch up after dinner - 3 PM - and drive out to Gaines' and Loxa.  Jo reports that has hedge about half trimmed.  John has hired to Sam Berry by month.  Is staying at Janesville, Cumber. Co. ILL.  I drove down to Loxa for Clara.  She  and Daisy riding to town with me.  Roads good.  Slightly rough except gravel.  Get pretty cold going out.  Clear day with W to SW wind.  Helen here to bedtime.  Maggie and Buddie took her way home.  Horses in pasture made raid on my buggy today.  We got home about 7 P.M.  Gobed  9.30 P.M.  ( shorthand)

(shorthand at the top of page)

25.  Monday.  6 AM. Ther.  30.  40.  27.  =  32 1/3

Cloudy SW wind and snowing late.  Clara washes  Her father leaves today for Indiana.  Daisy called to see Clara AM.  I quit tobacco for sure last night.  Went up after grub toward night.  Get Capon 75 and steak 20 at Pinnells, Cr. 95 c.  Tue, Maggie and Marie went to church at night.  Lois Shortess has the measles.  After dinner I got ready to go to Loxa but decide to wait till tomorrow.  Snow falling much of forenoon about an inch falling mostly disappearing P.M. sunshine.  Gobed 10 P.M.

26.  Tuesday.  5.30.  AM.  Ther.  16.  29.  14.  =  19 2/3

Clear NW wind.  Clara ironing P.M.  Tue went to church and to lecture afterward.  Wall pays me 10.00 on last month's rent and will pay bal. 40.00 tomorrow, is talking again about selling out.  Tue and self bought several lots of soap and  starch.  Too cold for me to drive out to Loxa but hitched up mare after dinner.  Clear day with NW wind.  Play Cinch at night  Gobed  10.30 P.M.

27.  Wednesday.  5.30.  AM.  Ther 15.  40.  22.  =  35 2/3

Clear,  N.W. wind.  Phebe making shirt waist.  Hitch up to go to Loxa but decide to wait till P.M.  eating early dinner.  Get Mrs. Gaines' bucket and towel.  Their clock not yet repaired.  Get to Gaines  2 PM  the the two Mrs. Gs drove to Loxa.  John and wife there.  Look over meadow north of orchard but can't tell much about it yet  start home 5.30 P.M.  Clear day N.W. wind.  Roads first rate.  Tue feeling badly but went to church at night.  Marie Clara and self play cinch  Gobed  10 PM.

(shorthand at top of page)

28.  Thursday.  5.30.  A.M.  Ther  18.  34.  35.  33.  =  34.

Mostly clear S.E. wind.  Began snowing  A.M. from E.  Caught big rat in trap in old house A.M.  Got a letter from Mrs. Perrill - first since they got home.  Pay up Pinnell for stuff got there last Mon. night 95 cts.  Occasional light snow till along in P.M. where it began to snow in earnest, stopping before dark.  About 3 in damp heavy snow fell  Calf from Brown cow due Mar 12 likely to appear sooner.  Clara finished ironing.  Tue sewing but feeling badly.  East.  Play cards with the girls at night.  gobed 10 P.M.

February 18-23, 1901 in Coles County Illinois

February 1901

18.  Monday,  5.15 AM  Ther,31.  40.  31.  =  34

Mostly cloudy.  Northerly wind.  Saw C. Black early AM  He discusses "The Col" who is tending bar for him.  Clara washed.  Tue feeling badly.  Something in my right eye annoyed me all day.  Went to Storm but failed to find him  Pay Mark Mitchell check a/c in full to date.  Tue Marie and Maggie gone to church at night.  Clear day northerly wind.    Tue stops card playing at night. burn up cards.  Gobed 7.30 P.M.

19.  Tuesday.  5.30 AM.  Thr  18.  23.  14.  = 18 1/3

Clear, NW wind.  Clara ironing.  I intended to go out to Gaine's P.M.  and from there to Bert's sale tomorrow morning but too cold.  Tue got letter from Phebe P.M. saying she will start home soon as she can get money to come on.  Tue feeling badly P.M. and did not go to church at night.  Marie Clara and self play cinch till bed time  Gobed 10.30   
strong NW wind.  Hard to keep house warm.  Mostly cloudy pay per . tax 82 cts.  Lafayette colector (sic) calls

(shorthand at top of page.)

20.  Wednesday.  5.40.  A.M.  Ther.  10. 21.  15 =  15 1/3
Mostly clear.  N.W. wind.  Tue wrote Phebe sending draft for 50.00  Expect duplicate Mar. 1. in place of one she lost.  She is  expected  home this week to stay.  Inmates of Anchor resort and others  having a trial before Squire Davis.  Berts sale today but too cold for me.  Clara ironing AM uptown P.M.  Her father expected to go to Indiana thie week.  Marie went to party at Brightbills at night afterword to Dorsch's.  I walked up town with Tue, she going to church.  Partly cloudy day with N.W. wind  Snow flying A.M.  Gobed 10.30 P.M.

21.  Thursday.  5.45 AM.  Ther 8. 29. 20. = 19
Mostly clear westerly wind.  tue getting ready for Reading Circle function tomorrow.  She attended church P.M. I didn't go uptown today.  Clara making doughnuts P.M.  Mushrooms by  Nina L. Marshall recd. from W.E. Hill today 2.00  Folks all went to church at night,  Cloudy day with W. wind growing colder P.M.  Half inch fine snow after dark Gobed 10 P.M.  (shorthand)

22.  Friday.  5.45 AM.  Ther 10.  19.  8.  =  12 1/3
Clear NW wind.  Tue gets special delivery letter from Phebe early AM. saying she would be home on 1.12 P.M. train.  Later recieve telegram that she had missed train and would start at 5.30 P.M.  I met her at Mattoon and we got home at 1 oclock night.  Tue had Reading Circle with refreshments P.M.  This was their last meeting here this season.  Cold mostly clear.  Fresh NW wind snowing flying at times  Gobed 1.30 A.M.

(shorthand at top of page)

23.  Saturday 6.30 AM.  Ther.  8.20.  16.  =  14 2/3
Cloudy NW wind Snow flying.  Papers say no signs of warm weather yet.  Earl Decker calls and settle with him in full to date.  Think can't cut away any more wood at present.  Reports  Simons sick la grip.  Helen here to dinner.  Phebe glad to get home; has very sore throat.  Tried to find chicken P.M. but couldn't   Clara went home on 9.03 P.M. train expecting to return tomorrow or Monday morning.  Her folks are intending to move to Indiana soon.  Tue feeling badly.  I went up town after supper getting veal roast coffee &c.  Cold cloudy day.  NW wind with light snow squalls.  Thought to go out to Loxa but too cold.  Sleep in NW room.  Marie with Tue.  Gobed 10.30 P.M.

January 29- February 1, 1890 and 1901 in Charleston, IL

January  1890

29.  Wednesday.  Ther  36 46 ( an ink smear across this entry.)

Cloudy a light shower between 6 and 7 AM.  H.G. an hands , Nick has not shown up yet.  Learn today that he is better.  Kelly helps most of day washes bottles and cleans furniture.  He is going to work for R.R.  Very dull day muddy and dark  Paid water rate to July 1 for house and store  

gobed 11 PM  Fog at nt.

30.  Thursday 7 AM.  Ther  37.  48.  48. = 44 1/3

Foggy morning.  Another dark muddy day.  Tue spent day at Perrills.  Very few country people in town now days.  The roads are said to be as bad as ever known.  Frank McGurtys baby  and Jeff Watens sister buried today.  Nick still at home.  Cloudy day strong S. wind at night.  Gobed midnight

31.  Friday.  7 AM.  Ther  48.  52.  40.  = 46 2/3

Part cloudy day.  Nick up AM first time.  Trade dull.  Tue complaining Bish killed billy kid.  gobed midnight.

February 1890

1.  Saturday.  7.15 AM.  Ther.  34. 

Cloudy sprinkle snow last night.  Nick at Store all day first time since sick.  Bill Kelly working for R.R. Co.  Engage Brownfield to help clean up.  John Simones in town says he is reading to move at any time.  Snider will help one load.  Snider was married last Wednesday night  to Phillip's daughter  Uncle John was down to dinner self not very well.  Paid winter a/c in full to date  Gobed  1 AM.

January 1901

29.  Tuesday.  6 AM.   Ther  22.  40.

Partly cloudy N.W. wind.  Jack Trobough work 8 to 10 AM.  Takes out  ashes; turns manure and oil buggy and took it up to Davis Shop  Mrs. Wm. Brazleton died this morning  after being sick a long.  Old Mr. Sproule very sick.  Tue went over there after dinner.  Helen here to supper.   Davis did not repair buggy and I went after it  toward night.  Took Tue and Helen to H.Gs after supper.  Kate Perrill  who arrived with her mother from Wellsville, Ohio here with Groves till bedtime.  Marie seems better but remains at home.  Cloudy with variable wind a little rain and sleet during day about an inch snow at night.  10 PM.  

( Shorthand at top of Page)

30.  Wednesday. 5.15 AM.  Ther. 20.  19.  8  =  15 2/3
Cloudy northerly wind.   Clara ironed all day and went out with Daisy at night.  Growing colder all day  Partly clear P.M.  NW wind.   Tue over at Grove's at night.   Mrs. Brazelton was buried today  Pay F.M. Payne druggist a/c $7.70 in full. check.  Gobed 10 PM.

31.  Thursday. 6 AM.  Ther.  24.  29.  26  =  29 2/3
Clear SW wind.  Gaines calls me at Central while at breakfast.    Send him check 18.00 on wages  Think overpaid some.  Tell him to get line back cow dehorned at once.  Defenbaugh calls to get to get me to release Mortgage will have to see Jim Stevens.  Tue over at Groves w(?) Mrs. Perrill and Kate.  I went over to supper  Kate sick.  Marie still complaining good deal but think getting better slowly.  Clear AM and getting warmer but cloudy P.M. and colder NW wind.  Self feeling badly and still chewing tobacco.  The snow which fell Tuesday still covers ground  Go bed 10 P.M.
(shorthand)

February 1901

1.  Friday.  5.45 AM.  Ther.  27.  30.  30.  +  25 2/3

Clear westwind.  Clara washing windows.  Reading Circle met here P.M.  I sat in furnace room most of P.M..  Play seven up in dining at night  Marie went to school first time for week or two  Gobed 9 30 PM.