February 1 - 11, 1891 in Coles County Illinois

February 1891

1.  Sunday. 7 AM  Ther 38.  31  25.

Cloudy NW.  Went up to store 9 AM. and scour up spoons &c till after noon.  Tue complaining with neuralgia all day better at night girls went to S.S.  Dark and damp grows colder before noon.  Caught roosters at night gobed 1030  

2.  Monday 6.30 AM.  Ther 20.  47.  47.

Clear with SE wind, heavy white frost.  Nick on hand this morning. all right.  There was an alarm of fire this morning  Harry Lawle house.  Mrs. R. failed to come today as was expected.  Maggie and Phebe went up to Davis at night.  Trade quiet Ground hog day the  The sun shone out brightly this morning  Mostly Cloudy day wind SES SW & W.   Grows colder at night go bed 11.30.

3.  Tuesday 7 AM.  Ther 3. 14.  16.

Clear, strong NW wind /snow and Sleet in night about 1 in snow on ground  Self about sick today  Got 7-10 butter of Harrison in rolls  Kill two roosters this AM and pick.  They have caught 4 of suspected P.O.  thieves.  Trade very dull.  Clear day with W wind  Gobed 12

4. Wednesday,  7 AM.  Ther -5.  17.  16. 

Clear with N.W. wind.  Began growing colder about 8 P.M. yesterday thermometer falling from 16 to about zero at midnight  15 gross flasks came today from Auder(?) Ind  Mrs Rogers took washing home.  Mrs. Knock called PM  Charley Bond paid me for lumber got some time ago  Fresh S. winds at night gobed midnight.

5.  Thursday, 7 AM.  Ther  18.  47.  33.  

Clear, S wind.  Uncle John was down to dinner.  Rec.  2 Bbl Mallingly Whiskey today out of bonel(?).  Trade light.  Pleasant day clear with strong SSW what little snow was on the ground ha disappeared  Gobal 11.30

6.  Friday. 7 AM.  Ther.  26.  47.  34.

 Clear /sw wind.  Green drummer here.  John Simons up.  Warren brought load of 50 posts.  Lizzie Decker wants to make maple sugar on shares.  Brownfield cleaned out out stable and sawed some wood in afternoon.  Collect 2 mo rent of John Cadle 2.00.  Post master from Brocton here and they another of robbing gang - Ed Melville  Clear day with Southerly wind. still night gobed 11 PM ~~

7.  Saturday.  7.30 AM.  Ther.  34.  45.  32.

Cloudy and raining lightly. Wind N. sunshine some more before noon dark day and roads said to be pretty bad   Uncle John was in town but didnt  come down.  Trade only moderate.  Hat was down to supper.  The  girls spent afternoon at Fishers gobed 1

8.  Sunday.  730 AM.  Ther 31.  42  34  

Foggy.  S.E. wind. Girls went to S.S. Interested to go to Ranch but afraid it might rain.  Did rain light shower just after dark Cloudy day with SE wind.  Maggie went to church at night.  Self feeling badly P.M.  gobed  10 PM

9.  Monday.  7 AM.  28.  25.  21

Cloudy wind NW and growing colder.  Perrill taking fencing off bottom lot.  Mrs. Rogers washes AM.  Riley Decker up settle with him 1.25 for posts to date says he will go to work at once on ties on ridge s. of mill.  Sent word to Simons to make sugar troughs.  Tue and Marie visit Mrs. Knock P.M. old Mike Kelly died yesterday.  Cloudy day with occasionally a snow flake wind w. or N.W.  Trade great  gobed 12.30

10.  Tuesday.  7 m.  Ther.  10  30  23

Cean with NW wind.  Alex Fisher took half a cord of Warren wood.  Went down to collect Rodes & W. Bill.  Walk up track and look at ties   Find there has been a mistake.  Col Connolly here examine  Ed Melodle Brocton P.O. Burgler.  They decide to hold him and will take him to Springfield tomorrow  Clear day with w or Nw wind.  Tue  went to  church taking Phebe.  Gobed  11.30 ~~

11.  Wednesday, 730 AM.  Ther  20.  40.  32.

Mostly clear.  SE wind.  light white frost.  Get new kick rein for harness at Skidmores  Start for ranch about 2 P.M.  Find roads bad most of the way got there before dark.  Warren went Fox hunting getting in at 2 in morning  Old White face was bred on 8th visit to John Handleys bull.  Simons made a lot of troughs today for maple trees  gobed 9 PM mostly cloudy day with southerly wind.

  

January 8-20, 1891 in Charleston, IL

January 1891

8.  Thursday,  8 AM  Ther  18  37.  28.

Cloudy E wind.  Uncle John in town  does not think he is going to get the Phillips place  Charley Bond took load of lumber from pile by back gate.  The pile contained at first 1056 ft = 132 pieces.  Hear that Comer will move his mill at once up to Richters timber.  Tue and children up to  Davis at night  Maggie stays all night with Mrs. Knock again.  Mary Davis stays all night with Phebe.  Cloudy day east wind, began snowing lightly about 10 P.M.  Roads appear to be good.  Gobed 1230 ~~

9.  Friday 8 AM.  Ther  26. 32.  31.

Cloudy and snowing slowly about an inch on ground light  snow most of day in all perhaps two inches.  Thawing most of the day, heavy fog at night wind Easterly.  Trade light.  Look over bills and prepare to make inventory of stock a rough estimate shows the profits  to have been satisfactory.  Tall cigar drummer in town.  Mallaways man was here yesterday.  Maggie stays with Mrs. Knock  Gobed

 

10.  Saturday, 730 AM.  Ther 29  37  32

Cloudy, light SE wind.  Settle with R Decker JW Decker and Warren Decker, all in full to date.   John Simons up from ranch  Hire him for another year from Mar. 1 @ 21.00 per MO.  Maurice Burgner looks looks at boards but does not buy.  Uncle John down to dinner.  Says he is sure of getting Phillips farm now.  Owen McGurty pays me up    Figures up invoice carefully make just about same as estimate yesterday.  Trade rather light.  Dark cloudy day with very little wind.  Foggy at night gobed 2 AM  Maurice all night.

11.  Sunday,  8 AM.  Ther.  30.  32.  20.

Cloudy  ad occasional snow flying.  M &P went to S.S.  Buddie went to  Christian Church with Maunie.  Interested to go to timber today but too threatening.  Repack (?) &c in Bbl.  Cloudy day occasional snow flying N wind grows colder at night  gobed 12

12.  Monday.  7.15 AM.  Ther  19.  30.  19.

Cloudy NW wind light snow flying all day  Dull day  roads somewhat rough.   Mrs. Rogers washed.   Tue about sick with bad cold  Find some errors in invoice figures which correct making still better.  Tue reading Flauntleroy at night  Gobed 12 ~~

13.  Tuesday.  7 AM.  Ther 6.  30.  28.

Mostly cloudy.  S.W. wind.  The cow got in front yard this morning.  We turned her in street and she failed to come home at night.  Mrs. Rogers ironed  Bought sack flour and sugar at Wrights today paying cash.  Have decided to pay cash henceforth.  Tue about sick with bad cold.  Mostly clear day with strong SW wind.  gobed  1 AM.

14.  Wednesday.  730 AM  Ther  22  35 20

Clear.  Wind,  Get things ready to start for timber before dinner.  H.G. makes draw of check for 250.00.  Tue still feeling badly.  I start for ranch about 3 P.M. overtake Ed. Wright who rode with me a mile or two.  Went by Handly ford and get there 5.30  John has been working on his house this week  Clear day wind NW PM.  gobed  9 PM.

15.  Thursday 5 AM.     Ther  23  30  26

Partly cloudy with SE wind hard frost  Warren took load of wood to town for John.  John hung door t sheep shed.  Jo H, Handly and family there to dinner also  also Lucys mother.  Jo went down river for load of boards which he will haul tomorrow.  He has rented John Simons place for this year.  Fred Decker called to get a job but failed.  I start  home at 3 P.M. getting there at 6.  Roads not so bad as yesterday and quite good much of the way.  Paid up Lucy today for board from Oct. 1 to Jan 1 inclusive 4.50.  Mostly cloudy day with SE wind cleared ff at night.  Gobed

16.  Friday, 730 AM.  Ther  20  36  24

Clear, White frost, wind N.  Jo H Handly brought in small load of boards not counted, perhaps 1200.  Brownfield helps a while toward night at smoke house.  Minstrel show at hall to night to which father went.  Clear day with N. wind, fine weather.  gobed

17.  Saturday.  745 AM  Ther  22  28  25

Cloudy, N wind white frost  Brownfield came 8.30, and we finish smokehouse except door  Take meat out of brine.  Ferd was down to dinner  Uncle John came after we got through  Tue sick at night  Trade rather dull.  Dark cloudy day snow flakes flying AM and N.  Go bed

18.  Sunday.  730 AM.  Ther  24  30  25

Cloudy N. wind Tue feeling badly.  Self and Maggie got breakfast and dinner  Girls went to S.S. taking Marie  Phebe went with Richters girls to church at night.  Maggie has a very bad cold.  Bryan to put in smoke house but postponed it till tomorrow  Cloudy day old Bill Morris was killed today by falling down stairs  some snowflakes.  S wind at night  gobed  11.30

19.  Monday, 7.30  AM.  Ther  20.  41. 29.

Clear wind S.W. heavy white frost  Tue feels better this morning  Mrs. R. washes   Brownfield hung up meat and I build smoke under it.  Bill Morris killed yesterday was buried to day down in Cumberland Co.   GrBro subscribe 25.00 toward foundry fund.  Warren Decker says he will go to hauling posts this week.  Tue feeling badly P.M.  Phebe and I brought in the washing  Mrs. Knock and sister over at night.  The Authorities close poker rooms.  Splendid weather clear with SW wind roads first rate.  Nick about sick, has been complaining week or two but still on duty  Gobed.  

20.  Tuesday. 7 A.M.    Ther  26.  50.  37.

Mostly clear S. wind.  Get lock for smoke house also for she up at Perkins room  Tue complains good deal  Self not very well.  Charley Bishop started west tonight to sell goods for Weiss Mill  Weather  fine, clear with fresh SW wind.  Mrs. Latta was over today.k  quiet  gobed

Jan 1-7 1891 and Jan 7, 1902 in Charleston, IL

January 1891

1.  Thursday  6 AM.  Ther  49  55  30
Cloudy and raining, wind S or SW. light showers during night - Too wet to do anything out doors.  John and Rile have done nothing for a week  I start home soon after dinner  John and Warren went after load of fodder up to fathers place  John helped dig some roots in river bottom west of John Handlys.  Roads pretty bad did not get home till nearly dark.  Tue had company today  Mrs. Perrill and Davis  the three Kates Mort Grove and perhaps others  Showery all day SW wind sunshine at times high wind changing to west at night growing colder snow squalls at nt[sic]. about half inch remaining on the  ground  go bed 11PM ~~

2.  Friday  730 M  Ther  24  29  22
Cloudy wind N W  Jo Crail straighten up Perkins room and Bill Meyers takes possession.  Jo worked a while for me PM cleaning out stable and piling boards.  J.R. Cunningham died last night, has been sick good while.  Phebe began yesterday t keep family expense book and Maggie keeps record of the weather.   Cloudy day with day with occasional snow flakes.  Wind NW  trade rather dull as has been all the week  Not many people in town.  Gobed 11.30 P.M.

3.  Saturday,  130 AM  Ther  22.  28.  22.
Cloudy SE wind.  Pay drafts from Straws and Kiefer    John Simons and Warren were up and ate dinner with us  Pay Simons months wages for Dec.  Jo Crail piled most of boards in afternoon.  Settle with Jo H. Handly for hauling hay  J.R. Cunningham who died night before last was buried today.  J? Charley Briggs has been here several days.  Uncle John was in town but didnt come down.  Maunie Lang and Davis children here at night.  Cloudy day with easterly wind and snow flying some AM. about clear at 11 PM.  go bed. 1 am

4.  Sunday.  9 AM Ther  15  28 .  22
Clear.  Sit round house all day.  Girls went to sunday School.  Tue to church.  Several children here  visiting girls in afternoon.  Tue went down to Hats after dinner.  Clear day with southerly wind  gobed 11 PM

5. Monday 7 30 AM.  Ther 19. 38. 27
Clear S Wwind.  Mrs. Rogers washes.  Girls start to school Phebe to Miss Whitleman.  Maggie to Western.  Pay up A.M. Agriculturist to July 1892 3.60  Settle with McCravy 11.00  Warren Decker brought load for John Smions  Warren thinks John is going to  to leave me in spring.  School began today.  Trade light.  Clear day SW wind Gobed 11 PM ~~

6.  Tuesday.  7,30 A.M.  Ther  15  33.  21
Clear, Tue not very well Settle with Winter C.E. 20.25  I.  16.00 my account against Isaac 7.10 gave check for for bal.  Harman brought us jar butter,  Get letter from WH White enclosing check 34.58 for 91 ties,  Bought copper TeaKettle [sic] for Tue at Van Meters.  Trade light.  Clear day with NE wind, all electric lights went out tonight about ten oclock   gobed 12.30

7. Wednesday, 7 AM.  Ther 14.  32  22
Clear, NE wind, heavy white frost.  Jo Crail helped put on lock on back to gate to Perkins building and work down at house PM. cleaned out stable and smoke house.  Jake Dice called for lumber
 but didn't get any.  Tue and Maggie went to prayer meeting at night and Maggie then went to stay the night with Mrs. Knock.  The news from Fatty is that he is n better and is perhaps a hopless [sic.] case  Clear day with N.E. wind.  The predictions in daily papers say snow  tonight  Trade only fair.  Roads said pretty  rough.  Learn that Mart Comer talks of sawing up Alex Richters timber.  Gobed 230

January 1902

7.  Tuesday,   6 AM.    Ther  30.  43.  32.  =  35

Mostly clear.   Tue and Phebe ironing.  Went down by the H. G. [Henry Gramesly]  but didn't stop.  Look for man to help me get Pete Drake who comes after dinner and works from 12.20 to 4.20 P.M.  Carries wood down in basement.  Cleans out Stable repairs fence in bottom and will help me tomorrow morning a while.  Mostly clear day SW wind somewhat warmer but ground still frozen.  Gobed 8.30 P.M.

December 13-31, 1890 Charleston, IL (Highlights)

December 1890

13.  Saturday, 7:45 AM  Ther  15  38  32

Myers brought in hogs killed yesterday.  Warren brought in a load of wood 4 cord which sold Spurgeon.  Self about sick all day.  Trade medium.  Mostly clear day SW wind fine weather Rent Perkins room to fellow for shooting going in Monday  Gobed 12 oc~~

14.  Sunday,  8 AM  Ther 25.  44.  20

Clear SW wind.  work at hogs in cellar till nearly dinner time.  Tue did not go to church  Start for timber about 3 P.M.  Fellow named Edinunrode 5 miles home with me claiming he had sprained ankle.  Got to John's before dark.  Clear day with SW wind.  Warren went fox hunting.  Gobed 9 P.M.

15.  Monday,  5.30 AM Ther  15.  34.  35.

           Clear S.E. wind white frost.  Boys finish NW corner of roof.  I went out with gun saw three pheasants which couldn't shoot.  Ride down to where they have been making boards and rode among the hills an hour or two.  John and Rile count at boards before noon.  John Simons desires to work another year for me, but make no bargain yet  I start home about 1 P.M.  Saw Harrison this AM.  He will haul hay for me tomorrow if the weather admits.  Fathers cold seems good deal worse.  The roads are generally [sic] dusty scattering this patches of last Monday snow still on N well beds.  Gobed12.

16.  Tuesday 7 AM  Ther  33.  35.  30.
Cloudy and raining SE lightly continuous till about till about 10 AM turning to snow from SW. which continues most of day melting as it fell  Light sprinkling of snow on ground at night wind W.  Mended up sausage grinder  which took me about all day and made case sausage which took me about all day  Tue helping apart of the time  Business fair.  Court in session.  King Murder trial in progress.  Gobed  11.30 P.M.

17.  Wednesday 7.30 AM
Bought load if hay of Bradberry 10.64  2660 lbs.  Sold 200 boards.  Natl. Cash Register Agt. here Deius  drummer.  King murder trial closes, jury out with case tonight.  Mostly cloudy AM.  

18.  Thursday.
Tue works at hogs lard.  I packed  hams shoulders and sides in Bbl and cover with brine.  W Decker hauls load of wood on yard last load of dry.   Stranes drummer here, also H Meyer.  Uncle John down to dinner.  Mrs. Rogers ironed PM.  Settle up with Skidmore  Gobed  1130 PM

John Simons in town says has three teams to haul down old hay from Vanmeter shed, today.  Uncle John in town and down to dinner.  Mrs. Alex Fisher was buried today.  H.G. wants to go hunting  Monday if snows.

21.  Sunday
Maunie Lang here to dinner.  Start to ranch 330 getting there about dark.

22.Monday
Clear, wind SW  John Warren and Jo H. start for two loads hay about sunrise they with Harrison got three down here Saturday.  They got here today about 2 P.M.  John and Rile work at boards in river bottom.  

23.  Tuesday. 530 AM.  
Boys work at making red oak cut by Milt into boards.  Chut Bennett took 528 ft fencing up and took the same quantity yest.  Went by Walkers for first time in many in many moths.  Stop and dig briar roots on river bottom.  Tue about sick.

24.  Wednesday  Chut Bennett brought lumber he started with yesterday and Warren brought 1600 boards.  Remain at store most of day.   Began snowing shortly after midnight  Hyman in town.

25.  Thursday  Thursday  8 AM.  Ther. 22.  27.  17.
Snowing moderately from N.E. began about midnight last night, snowed most of day today making a fall of about 3 inches.    I got a case comb and brushes in my stocking  also also some other things  Maggie and Phebe some books &c and Marie two fine dolls.  Tue gave father a pair of felt slippers.  I paid note of  Tue and self for $400 at bank today and made a new one of  100.00  I did not eat any dinner today Stay at store  /stay at store all day Ate too much for breakfast.  Hat and H were down to dinner.  Clears off at night and grows colder, wind N.E. gobed 12

26.  Friday 7.30 AM.
This is the coldest morning since last winter.  H. G. and Due Dowling went hunting today  and I remain at store all day.  H.G. got back before night  Mostly clear day with SWwind.

27.  Saturday.  8 AM
Roads said to be good but no sleighing.  Uncle John in town but did not come down to dinner.  He has not yet closed his trade for the  Phillips farm.  Says if he does  not  he will go 8 Seattle.  Old Mrs  Pineel who died a day or tw ago was buried today.  Mount joy  & Do had "passover supper at  Geo Lees tonight..  Mrs Latta's niece was over at night playing on piano.  Tue built fire up stairs at night  for first time  this  season.bill Meyers wants to rent Perkins room 6 months.

28.  Sunday
Alarm of fire about 8 AM  

29.  Monday

30.  Tuesday
Sutton fixed waste in water works in woodhouse.   Bill Meyers decides to take Perkins room 6 months @10.00 per month as son as shooting man gets out.  

31.  Wednesday
Uncle John down to dinner.  I got started for ranch  3.15 PM.  Tom Level rode with me part of the way  got there about dark.  Lucy sick with bad cold.  One of the spring lambs died last night.

June 21-25, 1890 and 1901

June 1890

21.Saturday 6.30   Ther  77,  92,  77.

Clean  S. wind Warren and Simons came while we were eating breakfast with 16 shoats which we turn in the barn yard.  They take a load of corn back starting about noon.  Pay Heddin for  48 bu corn bought yesterday.  Pay off all the gang I could today.  Pay Dave Masters for 4 loads of corn bought last winter 100 bu 23.60.  Have decided to get out of the hog business (?)  and will sell all I have except  a sow or two and some pigs.  One of the hottest days we have had not much of a crowd in town but trade fair.  Jack Handly took down a load of tile for me for well.  Cal Noble says he will have it in a week or ten days.  Pentacost band are still  in town and were around this AM soliciting donations for building a church  Mostly clear day.  go bed  11.30 PM  

22.  Sunday.  6 AM.  Ther.  79.  94.  70.

Clear with S.W. wind.  Have written nothing in this book for over a week and there is some guess work about this record since last Sunday.  I write it up today.  Heavy thunder shower between 4 and 5 P.M.  Hogs brought up yesterday tearing the barnyard all to pieces.  Tue went to church AM. -- go bed 10 P.M.

23.  Monday.  5.30 AM.  Ther  70.  94.  77.  

Mostly cloudy.  Dickenson made hog pen and patched up fence in bottom working all day.  Yesterday and today are the two hottest days so far this season.  Farmers not in town  much.  Fair corn weather and prospects good  Wheat will not amount to much here.  Intended to go to ranch yesterday nut had to fix hog pen.  Mrs. R. washed and ironed  Gobed 10 30 PM

24.  Tuesday, 4 AM.  Ther   70.  98.  79.  =  82 1/3

Start for ranch 5 AM. getting there before 7.  Boys cutting logs on ridges next to river.  Went to house for dinner  Cut up on levels P.M.  Heat very oppressive.  Milt not running and no one at work there  Mostly clear day with W wind  Go bed 9.30

25.  Wednesday  430  AM.  79.  98.  79.  =  85 1/3

Mostly clear boys begin cutting Sprouts in east pasture  Start for home at 9 AM.  Stop at mill and decide  to go back to dinner  Send Rile and John down to mill P.M. to saw off and pile some cull lumber.  Start home agin at 1 P.M.  getting there about 4.   Mrs Perrill and Kate there   We have cut to date 547 logs measuring 58647 ft.  Comer has sawed to date 10 AM 429 logs measuring 48070 ft. leaving still in woods 118 logs containing  10,607 ft. some few of them are useless when crooked or rotten.  Pay Deckmen 1.00 of 1.45 owing him for work  Very hot and oppressive  Gobed  10.30 P.M.  Rile Easton broke down with load of lumber today.  

June 1901

21.  Friday 5.50 AM.  Ther.  71.  92.  72.  = 78 1/3

Mostly cloudy SE wind.  Thunder and lightning all night with light showers, apparently heavy rains north last night.   Tue was up several times in night.  Self didn't sleep much.  Get  Jo Crail to lay tile for cross on Fifth St. which he does before noon Pd 50c  Mrs.  Smith works all day wash iron &c.  Colby sends more  Pleurotus mushrooms.  Thunder showers with little rain till nearly noon and also toward night.  I drove out to Gaines P.M.  Jo plowing SW field.  Corn looks fine and growing very fast.  They had very heavy rains a few miles north last night.  River water thick with mud.  Council have resolved to move all buildings back from St line.  Sultry day.  S.W. wind  Gobed 9.30 P.M._ _ _

22.  Saturday. 5.30 AM.  Ther  65.  93.  79. =79.
Mostly cloudy southerly wind. Sprinkle rain in night Thunder north this morning  Mike Handley calls to work with team but cant use him today.  Had some P.ostreatus [ http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/oct98.html ]   from Colby for breakfast which were very good.  John Simons in town but did not bring wood.  Set trap in barn and caught big rat.  Get bridle repaired at Shoemakers  P.M.  Garrison pays rent to July 14 50.00 and gives indemnifying bond June 6th  Pay W.F. Jenkins (K.G. check) 150.00 still owe her forty or fifty dollars.  Thunder showers around with light sprinkles here several times during the day.  the warmest day this season so far,  variable wind strong from S.W. and W. AM.  Mrs. Bell milked tonight first time.  Sharp and continued lightning at night north.  Gobed 9 P.M.

23. Sunday.  5.30 AM.  Ther  65.  93.  79.  =  79.
Mostly clear northerly wind.  Heavy rain with much thunder in night, bginning about 10 P.M. continuing most of night from north.  Buy meat Pinnells.  Drive to river on Westfield road.  River pretty high and very muddy Roads somewhat muddy but not deep.  Ferd here to dinner and supper.  I sort out lot of Records &c in old house after dinner. Did intend going out to Gaines but too hot.   Got straw hat at Winter AM. Cr. 25.  Mostly clear day and sultry  Variable wind  No rain here today but thunder and lightning in night.  Gobed 10 P.M.

Top of page - Rose Fuller told me Sat. Jo wanted to go to Mississippi to work for them. (shorthand)

24.  Monday 5.30 AM.  Ther.  77.  93.  80.  =  83 1/3
Partly cloudy much thunder and lightning N and NW toward morning.  Mrs. Smith and Mother came to wash P.M.  Deposit Garrison check for 50.00 at 2d.  Start out to Gaines 2 P.M.  Joe plowing S.E. piece.  Leave word at home that will stay all night and did so.  Corn along road looking well and mine as good as any.  Band of movers (gypsies)? camped along road west of gate.  Very sultry today and I suffer much from heat.  went to bed 9 P.M.

25.  Tuesday 4 AM.  Ther  775.  99.  77=  83 2/3
Mostly clear The storm last night did not extend east of Loxa.  Lask at Meadow and think much of it good, will cut it  Hannah Talbot over to borrow tub &C.  Mr & Mrs. G drove Queen to Mattoon Sunday.  Jo got out to work at 5 AM this morn.  Shirley somewhat later.  I intended to drive through to Loxa but didnt.  Wind last night blew big tree down in pasture.  Drive down to it.  Drove down road to NW corner and look at Shirleys corn.  Gypsie camp opposite place.  Got home 9 A.M.  This has warmest day to date.  99 2.30 P.M.  Courtney boy rode to town with me.
[There is a large section that was written in pencil and is faded to the point that it is unreadable.]

June 1, 1890 and 1901 in Coles County, Illinois

June 1890

1. Sunday  6.30 AM.  Ther.  65

Mostly clear.  Painted screen doors up at store.  Crass helped oil buggy and I started for Ranch at 11 A.M. by way of Handly Ford getting there about 1.30 P.M.  Rile Decker over toward night settle up with him.  Clear day NW wind  9.30

June 1901

(top of page)  Geo Gray has recently had "new" front put in Shoe Store.  Mrs. Monroe building  they are painting it today May 31.

1.  Saturday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  53.  74.  54.  =  60 1/3

Cloudy Sprinkle rain.  Roan untied himself last night and was grazing back of house when got up.  Jubal Jones came 7  AM and worked till nearly 6 P.M.  clean up grass, cut wood &c. will come again Monday.  John Simons  brought up hayrack.  Settle with him as  possible.  Giving him check for balance 5.50.  Renew note at St. with Earl Decker 10.00 for 90 d. promise not to do it again.  Will Decker says taxes paid on piece to be decided to Bachman June 13.  Pay Mrs. Dorsch a/c K.G. ch. 6.70 ice full to date from last Dec. 22.  Oscar Decker is working for  Walter Briggs.  Miss Ford's friend Miss Wheeler came P.M. to stay a while with her.  Phillip Davis building a new house which shows up strong in S.W.  They are just getting the roof on.  Self bellyache after supper.  Tue got a letter from Mrs. Eastin at Denver yesterday inquiring about her tax &c.  Fair day with northerly wind  Clear at night.  The rain early A.M.  Gobed.  9.30 AM.~ 

March 1-3, 1901 in Coles County Illinois

 From the journal

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

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

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

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

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

  

Shorthand at the top of the page.

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

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

Headed to bed I will catch up another day.

February 18-23, 1890 in Charleston, Illinois

February 1890

18.  Tuesday.  7 AM  Ther  39.  40.  36.  =  38 1/3

Cloudy and growing cooler.  Wind NW.  Uncle John and Hen were down to dinner.  Hen got locked up at night.  Surveyor Green did not come sown till night so I did not go to  timber as intended.  Will go tomorrow if does not storm.  Mostly cloudy day with NW wind.  Cobble rode mare a while.  Uncle tells me he will want team to break up some new land.  Gobed 11 PM.

19.  Wednesday.  7 AM.  Ther  35.  432.  35.  =  37 1/3

Cloudy wind E. Began to rain about 9.30 AM continuing till 1 PM  Much thunder with it.  Heavy rain & hail between 12  and 1 P.M.  Wind SE to NW.  Green and self decide to  postpone trip to timber for a while.    Package of things from  Berlin recd.  Hen still where they put him last night.  Dwyer says will let him out tomorrow morning.  says will let him out tomorrow morning.  Phebe not well yet and has not been to school since quitting  Gobed 12

20.  Thursday 6.30 AM.  Ther 23.  25.  18.  =  22

Cloudy and windy, NW.  Bim got out in morning and Tue got his breakfast.  Came down and stayed all night.  Hyman drummer in town.  Surveyor Green gets done here and goes home, says  will do our work next week if possible.  Cloudy day NW wind clears off night.  Trade light  gobed  11 PM.  

21.  Friday.  7 AM.  Ther   9.  27.  22.  =  19 1/3

Mostly clear, Wind NW.  Phebe feels better but did not go to school.  Pay up Chambers & Parker 17.00 Ck C Griffith a/c wood 3.75  Learn that Drake and Simons are moving today  H.G. very cranky at night  Mostly clear day cloudy at night  Trade rather light.  Go bed 10.30 PM.

22. Saturday.  7 AM.  Ther.  22.  28.  32  = 27 1/3

Cloudy and  snowing quit about 8 AM and lightly at times during day.  John Simons up about 11 AM.  Reports sheep doing badly as last two ewes and lambs since I was there Feby 13  He took out grass seed bought of Bill Hill and some feed for sheep, also condition powders  Trade light.  Tue  went to show at night: left baby with dad.  Gobed 11 PM ~  The girls staid(sic) all night with Maunie  Cloudy.

23.  Sunday,  7.30 AM.  Ther.  33 - 42 - 41 =  38 2/3

Foggy AM.  Girls brought Maunie  home with them and she stayed all day.  Cloudy day but warms and snow all goes off by bedtime  I made batch of doughnuts toward night.  Wind S.  Gobed 8.30 PM  

January 25-28, 1890 and 1901 in Charleston, IL

January 1890

25.  Saturday 5.45 AM.  30.  47.

Father and Tue got up pretty early but I did not get store opened till nearly 7 AM.    Kelly came late and helped all day although about sick I felt badly all day but  no worse than yesterday  Can stand  the grip pretty well if this is all   Neither Kelly nor self went to  our meals today Not because we had not time but we did not want any.  John Simons claims  he has not backed out of  his trade with me and does not intend to.  He wants to move as soon as possible.  Frank Drake was in today to tell me they had got a load of hay!  Another old sheep dead and a number of pigs.  Trade very light till Saturday warmer day  and snow mostly goes off gobed 11 PM. foggy at night.

26.  Sunday 8 AM  Ther.    62  48

Foggy AM.  Sun comes out before noon.   Kelly and self try to do cleaning at store and get done about 1 PM.   He is still to do cleaning at store and get done about 1 PM.  He is still feeling badly, self better.  Kelly went down to see Nick and H.G. and reports them both improving.  Warm day mostly  cloudy.  Gobed 11 PM

27.  Monday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  36.47.  33  =  42

Clear.  H.G. came up this morning  first since last Thursday.  Did not hear from Nick today  Bill Kelly works all the forenoon cleaning out ice box.  Trade dull.  The grip  is  through  Not quite so numerous as it was.  Clear day  Gobed  11 PM. 

28.  Tuesday 7 AM.  Ther 24. 47.  39 =

Mostly clear.  Wind E.  Did not get to store till nearly 8 AM.  Sold a lot empty bottles today to Indianapolis a/c  to date Tue;s check $25.00   Clara's sister called to see her P.M.  Marie at home sick all day.  Tue attended R.C.  P.M.  Jo Davis shod old Queen in front, came down after her.  I did not hitch up till toward night  Mostly clear P.M.  gobed 10 P,M~~

26.  Saturday  6.30 AM  Ther  25.  35.  24  =  28

Cloudy and Snowing S.E. about 2 in. heavy snow on ground.  Grows warmer during day.  Saw Shirley and wife on east side  Wall pays rent, allow 25.00 for brickwork and plastering up stairs.  H(?) and Daisy Mitchell call for Clara P.M. - she left Linder's P.M.  Self feeling badly all day and at night.  Marie is home all day but seems better.  Tue and Clara sew late at night  Cloudy day southerly wind  gobed 11 PM

(shorthand at top of page.)

27.  Sunday.  7 AM.  Ther.  25.  35.  25.  =  28 1/3

Cloudy, N.W. wind.  Light snow flying at times, but mostly clear day with NW wind.  Self not feeling very well.  Marie about same call in Dr. Starr to see her P.M.  Mrs. Bell borrows Alex's cat.  I went up town for tobacco and tablets toward night.  Daisy called on Clara and they went away together about dark.  Most of snow still lies on ground.  Tue over to Grove's at night  Marie and I play knokonole.  Gobed 9. P.M.

28.  Monday.  5.45 AM.  Ther.  25.  31.  14.  = 23 1/3

Clear, northerly wind.  Clear.  Northerly wind.  Clara washes AM.  Pay up Center & Johnson a/c 1.85  Tue attends Reception & c at Johnny Marshalls P.M.  Marie about same all day  Tue thinks no better at night.  Clara sewing P.M. to see Daisy at night  Self feeling badly.  Thought of quitting tobacco today  Mostly clear but not thawing much  Ground still covered with snow.  gobed 9 P.M. 

January 21-24, 1890 and 1901 in Coles County IL

January 1890

21.  Tuesday, 7 am.  Ther  11.  20.  10  =  13 2/3

Clear, N.W. wind.  Got tp store 7.30 H.G. opened this morning.  Nick still at home His wife had baby girl P.M.  Bill Jeff sick at home C. with grip.  Bishop, also.  Frank McGurty buried this AM.  Father not very well thinks he has caught cold.  Baby better  Milt Drake up P.M.  One old ewe has died and are (?) twin lambs.  He is going to try to get some hay tomorrow.  Baise tells me he has persuaded John Simons to backout(sic) of baigins with me.  Have not seen Simons.  Gobed 11 PM.  

22.  Wednesday 6 AM  Ther 1.  23.  22.  =  15 1/3

Clear wind E.  I got up and made fires this morning.  H.G. and Nick both on hand today  Pay Ginther bal. 20.00.  Sal Myers $17.30 $3.75 in old liquor a/c Pay John Riri $$1.60 cash settle with Wright- my a/c 44.  Began to snow about 7 P.M. till 10 P.M. wind S.E. about 3 inches fell.  Ground is frozen land.  Nick went home early and father stayed at store with me till closing 11 PM.

23. Thursday,  7 AM ther 28

H.G. sent word to Nick this morning the he was worse and would not be able to open up.  So Nick did so but was rather late about it. Bill Kelly helps clean up some in morning and washes bottles cleans out stable, shovels snow off side walk.  Grows warmer and snow melts a good deal.  Pay Dr. Patton in full 20.00

24.  Friday 7 AM.  

Nick opened this morning  He has been complaining a good deal and knocks off after noon. goes home - thinks he has the "grip" as nearly every body else.    Feeling badly myself all PM.  had some fever  Took medicine at night and did not sleep very well.  Did not go home to supper but ate some herring and crackers.  Bill Jeffrees still sick with the grip  Learn that Gen Mack Mitchell very sick. Dad stays at store till I close as usual.

January 1901

21. Monday. 5 AM.  Ther  45.  55.  36.  =44

Clear southwind.  Get to Gaines' 10 AM John went to Janesville today.  Jo burning brush in hollow S.E.  He went round W and S. line fences P.M.  I went to Elisha Smiths to see about selling cow at tomorrow's sale.  They haven't room for her.  Look at his horses  Think will go to sale tomorrow.  After going back to place get home 6 P.M.  Clear AM S. to NW.  Jo Fasnot at Gaines PM.  Tue very sore throat at night.  Clara washed AM.  Gobed.  9.30 P.M.

22.  Tuesday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  30.  43.  32  =  35

Cloudy light easterly wind.  Tue was complaining much in night of her throat but was up to breakfast and around all day.  Clara ironing.  I went out to E Smiths sale and to Gaines' to dinner.  Did not bid nor buy at sale. large crowd and things sold well.  Bert was there.  Will have  a sale of his own about Feby 15.  Think will take veciores(sic) cow down there to sell.  Mostly clear day.  S.E. wind  Roads good and dry  Marie went to H.Gs. to stay all night with Helen.  Tue better than last night.  Gobed 10 PM.  Marie spent night with Helen.

23.  Wednesday 5.30 AM.  Ther 34.  53.  36.  =  41

Light shower before day.  Cloudy with light rain or sleet in south, Clara finished ironing.  Roads and streets are generally dry.  Mostly clear day with southerly wind.  Tue feeling about the same. Very sore throat but did not get Dr.  Queen Victoria died Tuesday eve.  Daily papers have been full of this for several days.  Tue Groves at night 9.30 P.M.  Wednesday had talk with Ira Brown.  Claims there are 1100.00 feet logs in woods.  Ask him for offer on his interest in mill yard.

24.  Thursday. 5.30 A.M.  Ther  32.  26.  20. = 26

Cloudy. Snow fluries from NW all day not much falling.  Clara making cream puffs.  W.E. Jenkins will have paper put on room where falling off.  Took Queen up to Ric shop after breakfast but they didn't shoe her.  Strong NW wind all day.  Pretty hard  keeping the house warm. Tue sent waist to Phebe by express 26cts. Tue feeling better today. Didn't hitch up today. Tue and Clara played cinch at night.  Gobed 10 PM.  Marie sick at night. 

 

January 1-2, 1890 and 1901 in Charleston, IL

Diary, Jany. 1  1890 - Dec 31, 1891

C. Gramesly

Mar. 26- 1890

joined Pres. Church

January 1890

1.  Wednesday 8 AM.  Ther  51.54.55  =  53 1/3

Raining since 11 oc  last night.  Thunder in the night.  Marie had a touch of croup about 3 AM.  The roads had got pretty good not having rained any for over a week.  This rain spoils them for this winter.  Had a talk with John Simons says he can go down to my place at anytime.  Rain all day from S.  gobed 11 P.M.

2.  Thursday 7 AM  Ther.  44.  44.  34.  =  40 2/3

Cloudy, wind N.W.  School begins today after holiday vacation  Phebe didn't go.  A strike is in progress on narrow gauge R.R. stopping most of trains.   Trade rather light at store.  Send Wing $3.00 RH Smith Diona 3.25  Hat was here P.M.  Tue has decided to keep  plush cloak.  It suits her better than she thought  Mostly cloudy day with N. wind  Newspapers predict cold wave.   Made a failure in roasting some coffee at night.  Self not very well.  Quit chewing tobacco yesterday having used it almost constantly since last spring  Gobed 10.30 PM

January 1901

1901 (Shorthand)

Jany.  Deposit Df. ch at State 3rd 350.00   F. Popham asks about Def.

1.  Tuesday. 6 AM.  Ther.  2.  18.  5  =  8 1/3

Clear Northerly wind.  Went up town for bacon before breakfast.  Parker boys  Will and Frank call at 9 AM. as agreed to say could not use my Perkins lot.  Daisy Mitchell left on 11.38 train,  Clara going to depot with her.  Defenbaugh did not call and pay off yesterday as promised.  Nor today  This has been the coldest day since last winter.  Old Queen very smooth in front and hardly dare drive her on pavement.  Maggie and Phebe went to dance at  night.  Helen here at supper time  Clear day northerly wind.  go bed 9 P.M.

2.  Wednesday, 5.30 AM.  Ther  10.  26.  12.  =  16.

Mostly clear.  The Mrs. Lloyds washed  Phebe left on 11.38 for Evanston.  I went to depot to say good bye.  Jack Turbough takes out ashes from basement.  Learn that water pipe burst up at store supposed to be under sidewalk .  Cooney Schaytt will fix it soon as he can  Tue much worried about Phebe.  I tried to phone to her at night but she was not at Evanston.  Tue retired right after supper  Defenbaugh pays me check $350.00 to apply to his note.  Cold day N.E. wind.  I had to Kindle furnace fire before going to bed  N.E. wind and clear  Gobed 10 P.M.

December 21-31, 1889 in Coles County Illinois

December 1889

21.  Saturday. 7.30 A.M.  Ther.  38.  46.  53.  =  45 2/3

Cloudy wind S.E.  Kelly starts for  hay  8 AM intending to take small load down to woods taking over  half  a ton got back at 4 P.M. lead my mare down rode back leaving team.  Have talk with John Simons who proposes to work for me for 20.00 per month.  Milt up town says a black ram lamb was born yesterday  Milt gets full and gets in Calaboar at night.   Late rain forenoon heavy after dark with some thunder  Clear night with strong W  wind Uncle John down to dinner, self nearly sick all day  Gobed 12.30  Got Marie's photos 1 1/2 doz. 5.00

22.  Sunday, 7 AM.  Ther.  32.  46. 31.  =  36 1/3 

Clear, wind N.W. girls went to S.S. sent Phebe to Gee Lee's after oysters  Maunie Lang here nearly all day, of course.  Tue and  baby went up to Davis after dinner  baby has caught bad cold cough at night.  Tue has 47 hens they are beginning to lay  gobed  10 PM~

23.  Monday  6.30.  AM  Ther.  32.  54.  48.  =  44 2/3

Clear with S. sind Milt was up after load of hay.  Pay him up except my board,  Think over pay him Tue received plush muff by mail.  Settle with Kelly paying him 6.00 still owe him half cord wood.  Flash (Flack) arrive from Pittsburgh .  Clear day westerly wind.  Elight went out too soon tonight at store.  gobed 11.20 PM

24.  Tuesday 7 AM.  Ther  52.  68  62  =  60 2/3

Mostly clear AM.   TV(?) pays  old a/c 3.25  Trade pretty good but don't collect much.  Old man snow saws wood all day t 100 per day   Kelly works all at store cleaning up windows and washing bottles  Flasks come from A. Glass Co.  15 (?) Cloudy day being warm  gobed 12.30

25.  Wednesday. 7AM.  Ther  45.  63  61  =56 1/3

Cloudy N.E. wind AM SE and 5 P.M. W.  at night trade not as good as yesterday.  H.G. and Hat down to dinner.  Shaw saws wood AM.  Fellow tries to work the change racket on me at night.  Write letter to Aunt Maria.  Letter from SN Weil & Co refusing to let us have 50 without attaching WHRs to acceptance.  Cloudy all day clear at night gobed 10.30 PM  Buy 15 Bush corn of Prices @  .23.

26.  Thursday.  7 AM.  ther 45  63  61  =  56 1/3

Clear w. wind, grows cooler wind N.W.  Fischer stove at store smokes so we didn't have any fire and think I caught some cold.  Trade quiet.  Ferd came up in P.M.  Warren up on his way to Simons.  Mary Davis to dinner  Maunie Lang stays all night.  gobed 12 oc ~

27.  Friday.  8 AM.  Ther  27.  51.  39.  =  39

Heavy white frost Mostly clear wind S.W.  Millers man changes stove pipe running it through sky light.  Warren says he will haul load of hay for me tomorrow if Milt will  Uncle John in PM went down to house but no one home.  Trade light.  Nicks wife sick at night.  Partly clear day SW wind go bed midnight  Sent Marie's photos to Aunt Maria.

28.  Saturday 7.30 AM  Ther  39.  61.  58  =  51 2/3

Mostly light cloudy day  Uncle John down to dinner.  Warren and Mils did not come up.    Uncle John down to dinner  Tue's cloak comes from New York and does not suit she thinks of returning it.  P. Garwee pays me $6.00 for posts  Kelly  says will go to ranch with me.  Tomorrow after clearing up.  Went down to light house toward night to ask for little longer times at night with lamps.  They have been shutting off before we closed.  Clear off at night, furious south wind all night and warm  go bed 12.30

29.  Sunday 8AM.  Ther  62.  37.  26  41 2/3
Partly clear SW wind very high growing colder all day.  Mostly cloudy clear at night and freezing some.  Maunie Lang here in morning but soon went home.    Maggie went to S.S.  Phebe has sore throat and tooth ache at night.  Tue not very well  Violent SW  W wind all day.  Gobed 11 P.M.  Ther 24

30.  Monday.  7.30  AM.  Ther.  24  40?  23  =  29
Mostly clear day.   Kelly and self start for ranch bout 10 AM taking Carvlo whom we lost before we got to Mt Zion.  They have a new baby born last night.  Old sheep look very badly.   Rutherford there.  Kelly and Frank went after rabbits.  Tell Milt that can't keep him got home at 6 P.M.  Carlo not there  Trade has been dull since Christmas  gobed 1. oc

31.  Tuesday.  7.30 Ther.  22.  39.  42.  =  34 1/3
Mostly clear S.E.  wind.  Alarm of fire about 1 AM  N.E. corner of square.  Tue and Mrs. Davis went to Kate Groves to spend day taking Marie.  Milt and Jim Decker up after hay mostly clear day with SE and S wind    Began to rain about 11 P.M.  Draw $200.00 from firm  H.G. draws 337.59  makes us even on checks  Marie has touch of croup in night  Gobed  1230~
Bought can of oysters at Scherers
Carried to New Book January 1 1890

December 1-4, 1889 and 1900 in Coles County IL

December 1889

1.  Sunday,  8 AM.  Ther.  26.  46.  39.  =  37.

Clear.  W.S.G. cleaned out stable AM out of hay and nearly out of straw.  Tue cooked two rabbits for dinner.  Mrs. Mount was buried today.  Jim Walker died Friday.  Maunie Lang here most of the day.   Walked over to look at Eley hay rack and decide that I don't want it at any price.  Clear day light wind.  Gobed 9 PM

2.  Monday  7 AM.  Ther  36.  58.  48  =  47 1/3

Clear and fine, SW wind.  Mrs. Rogers washed and ironed.   Uncle John in town not down to dinner.  Has traded Kline Farm with Burgers for Gage property paying some 1500 dollars to boot.  I start for ranch about 3 P.M.  Getting there about dark.  Milt and Frank hauled jag of hay today from John Van Meters barn.  Mostly clear day and quite warm.  Very strong SW winds.  Roads bad by bridge river barely fordable.    Gobed  9.30 P.M.

3.  Tuesday.  6 AM  Ther at C.  43.  43  36  =  40 2/3

Damp cloudy day  Johnny Decker worked 7 to 5.  Milt hauled two loads corn from Martins.  Hang gate in barn door.  Corn crib floor, some troughs Warren bought load corn 16 (?) @ 25. 56 bush (2 loads) from Martin @ 22 1/2  self hurt left foot with timber  very painful in night couldn't sleep.

4.  Wednesday 6 AM.  Ther  at C.  34.  41.  39.  =  38

Cloudy.  Johnny worked 7 to 5.  Milt went to town Stanberry suit compromised.  Milt got home about  8 P.M. slow rain good part of PM.   and in night  John and self make rack in  in sheep shed  with troughs  Ran up balance of stairs,  Milt got 400 lb shats at Wings.  Wind S.  River fordable.  Milt returned by Walkers   F Drake daubed on house today.  Gobed 10 PM  a corn kept me awake nearly all night.

December 1900

1.  Saturday. 6 am.  Ther  32.  50.  34.  =  38 2/3  Foggy N wind  Didn't sleep much with toothache all night.  Lamn came 730 working all AM cutting up kindling and other jobs.  Meet Brown in town and have a settlement of my collections to date  Pay him 40 65 check  We decide to  quit soon as he can finish up some sawing now on hand.  Drive down to Wrightsville to catch John Simons  He will set some men cutting wood on me Monday 65 cts and burn brush.  Tue ate dinner at  Groves also children.  I did not eat dinner.  Pay Lamb in full 1.50  Was up  town while after supper.  Mort and Kate over at night  Mostly clear day self about sick.  Have lately been eating and drinking too much.  No tobacco since I quit!  Was at Marshall's office AM.  More there  Gobed 10.PM

Shorthand at top of cage.

2.  Sunday.  6.45  AM.  Ther.  32.  55.  47.  =  43 2/3

Clear Southerly wind Heavy white frost.  Thought it was snow when woke up.  Start for ranch 10 A.M.  Went to John Simons where Jim Decker used to live.  Ate dinner after which John and went back to where End and Jol will begin to cut wood in morning.  Not much good timber till things get back some distance.  Will pay them 65 cts per cord for good wood  1 ct for good 10.0 posts.  We  then went over to Ira Browns and talked a while  It was after dark when I got home  Roads generally good little mud, but rough.  Clear day Southerly wind.  Roger Bennett rode a ways with me going down.  Gobed 8 PM~~

3.  Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther  30.  40.  38.  =  36.

Clear N.W. wind Martha Parsons did not come yesterday as promised by phone other day.  Shirley called AM and Paid 168.19 ch for our half bal of corn also paid rent on 5 acres in hungarian 25.00  Pay him for labor 4.00  This was an extra I never heard of.  Thought made mistake but couldn't find him up town.  Bert was down to dinner.  Has been sick.  I drove out Gaines to take hammer &c  He had been hauling up wood today.  Deposits above check and other cash at 2d Natl 224.49  No book.  Bal in B 15.00  Cloudy day estimated 245 acres 2046.00 or 8.35 average per acre.  This is so much better than past years that feel encouraged to continue  farming.  All hands away at night as usual.  Maggie was sick in night.  Tue and self got up  Gobed 8 P.M.  Lloyd women said would come to wash Wednesday morn early.

4.  Tuesday.  6 AM.  Ther. 36.  40.  37.  =  37 2/3

Cloudy NW wind light.  Maggie feeling better and went to work.  Sell Harding lot Cull 544 @ 1.50      8.16 which  Crt on my coal oil a/c.  They are putting in steam pipes from 4th west on Jackson.  Intended going to Loxa but will wait till tomorrow.   Pay Mike Millen a/c 10.50   Courier 5.50.  C.E. Winter 5.50 all chs,  Telephone Martha at Cent. says she is not coming at least, not before New Years.  dark and chilly day wind Northerly to N.W.  Rain and sleet AM at times, very light however.  Tue over at Mrs. Knocks at night  Gobed 9 PM.

November 15 - 19, 1889 and 1900 in Charleston, IL

November 1889

15.  Friday  6.30 AM.  Ther 24,  41,  30  =  31 2/3
At Ranch  Clear, heavy frost.  Boys finish S. side and begin on N.   Milt puts rough floor in  in east loft in barn.  I  left at  11 AM.  Jim Cassody will take me two loads hay next Monday.  Learn on getting home that Uncle Henry is dead.  Uncle John was in today.  He has been trading for the Gage house near R.R.  Mostly clear day.  Gobed 10.30

16.  Saturday 7 AM Ther  26.  45.  35.  =  35 1/3
Part cloudy.  Uncle John down to dinner.  He has not yet tracted for Gages property.  Trade dull.  Bought shed of hay of John Van Meter @3.75  Guage machine by Grifferd   Milt in and started about small load of hay about dark   Gang were mostly all up and paid off.  after Kicking from two others.  gobed 11 P.M.

17.   Sunday 7.30 AM.  ther  35.  33.  33  = 332/3
Select.  Cloudy N E wind.  Began to snow about 10 AM. and Kept it up all day, Phebe went to S.S. Maunie Lang here all P.M.  Mary a& Paul Davis at night.  M & P agree to  Keep record of weather  Will pay them each 25c per month for same.  It quit snowing abt dark about 1 in. left on ground bal. melted.  Wind NE all day.  Gobed 10 PM.

18.  Monday  7 AM.  Ther  33.  41.  41.  =  38 1/3
Cloudy foggy snow still on ground but melts off.  heavy mist all day.  Out of wood at house  Try to get dray to haul some from pile in front, didn't find one.  Warren Decker up pay him $13.50 for lab at shed.  Trade fair.  Very dark damp and discouragable weather  Gobed Midnight ~~

19.  Tuesday   7 AM.  Ther.  41.  49.  45.  =  45.
Cloudy, damp, foggy.  John Simons says he will go down on my place in Spring  if Milt Drake leaves.  Grand Jury still working   Learn that they have thrown out the sunday(sic) case against self  Kellogg and others, also learn that no one in Charleston has been indicted as yet.  Full  (?) got home from Ark this AM.  Hat was down at our house, she had letter from H.G. order 1/2 Bbl Blackberry from H. Myer  Damp day foggy 11 P.M.  J. Mountjoy hauls 2 loads wood from pile in front.

November 1900

15.  Thursday.  6 AM.  Ther 30.31.  21 = 27 1/3

Mostly cloudy N.W. wind.  Lillie ironing.  She decides to start for Spokane, Wash. on 27 inst.  Thrilkeld and agent call to see her.  Telephone, didn't get him, Gaines have bought stove for him of of Mrs. Knock for 3.00  Pay Mrs. Dorsch a/c in full to date 18.00  ch  Deposits J.O. Linder check at 2nd Natl  121.92  My a/c about 30.00  behind.  Pinold puts new pipe to furnace.  Has been at it a month or two.  Berthold plumber tries to fix motor pump but fails.  Clear day NW wind.  Roads dry and dusty  Corn thinly cuts. in Loxa. (C.H, Jones)  Peel quinces at night  Dick Wright called today and said he would work for me some next week.  Gobed 9 P.M.   

16.  Friday.  6. AM.  ther.  19.  34.  34.  = 29.

Easterly wind.  Write P card to Gaines telling him have bought a stove for him.  Jim Decker up with wood.  Says Smions and Warren shucking corn.  Tue went up town P.M.  Marie has friends here after school.  Take Lilly over to her aunts in west part of town.  A.J. Weil drummer in town. P.M.  Cloudy day with E to S.E. wind sleet and rain occasionally till toward night.  some heavy showers in night.  Self not feeling well today.  Get shave Brown and settle up with him  Gobed 8.30 P.M.

top of next page-  shorthand

17.  Saturday.  5.30 AM.  46.  52.  50.  =  49 1/3

Cloudy and raining.  Southwind.  Some thunder this  morning.  Showers most of forenoon.  Sort over papers AM.  Tue working on dress for Maggie.  Nobody  up from my part of Hutton Tp  Not large crowd in town for Sat.  Drive over to Mrs. Walter  Loggins P.M. to tell her could find no abstract.  Buy feed P.M. of W.D. Smith first for many months.  Went up at  night to see that I got it.  Marie and self buy thermometers with "Wheallet."   Tue and Maggie and Lilly working sewing at night.  Mostly cloudy day with southerly wind.  Gobed 10.30 P.M.

18.  Sunday.  6.30 AM.  ther.  53.  60.  59  = 51 1/3

Cloudy. southwind  Showers occasionally PM and at night heavy at times.  Drive up for Oysters & C noon. Drove down to Lloyds but they couldn't wash for Turrie tomorrow.  Buy some tablets at Shannon's.  Lulu Dorsch here a while at night.  Cloudy day Southwind.  Drive Queen.  Streets sloppy.   Intended to visit ranch today but weather too bad.    Gobed 9.30 PM~

Top of page-  shorthand.  Tue, Learn that Lag Harris died last night  He fell and broke  hip last Friday P.M.  Burrial 10 A.M. tomorrow.

19.  Monday.  6 AM.  Ther  58.  63  60  =  60 1/3

Cloudy.  Rain last night Wind south.  Take Tue to Shalgburger AM.  Leave Lillie shoes at Gray's.  Went out to Gaine's after dinner  Met funeral procession  Maurice Burgness child.  Mrs. Gaines has been away several days - just got home Wal her brother there on visit Jo shucking shock corn. hauling fodder.  Is nearly done with standing corn.  Part cloudy afternoon.  Roads muddy except gravel.  Start home 5 P.M.  Drive to down to Dishon's to see about girl didn't get one.  Gobed 9.30 P.M.

October 6, 1889 and 1900 in Charleston, Illinois

October 1889

6.  Sunday.7.30 AM.  Ther.  40.  47.  38.  =  41 2/3

Clear.  brought white cat up from woods  There was alarm of fire in night,  Farris' house.  Start for timber at 9 AM. taking gun.  Strong N. wind all day and cold.  Rutherford at Mitts count  sheep finding them all right.  Rode up Fritz Hollow and into Hall and Davis  land  Get home after 6 P.M.  Roads Good.   Pasture very short   gobed 9.30

October 1900

6.  Saturday, 6.30 AM.  Ther.  70.  80.  72  =  74

Partly cloudy.  Went up to Mitchells pastures north of town before breakfast getting assortment of mushrooms Battiiola Camefeshe, Lycaofer gregardeum.Callyhiradica  which I ate also several others which didn't eat.  Lepiota procirus.  Lepiola Naucmies  (at home)  Caprenius micaceus perhaps Polyporus raeticala.  Forenoon I went up and about Decker spring getting lot of old psaldiola such as such as I transplanted some of the spawn of!  they must have appeared about 2d or 3d and all  rather small  Fine rain much of time AM.  Tue got another letter from Phebe AM.  nothing new.   John Simons up but didn't see him.  He and Earl Decker have had qarrell (sic).  Went with Neal Brown to look for Lycoperlon.. found some. Quite heavy rain/ (?) 4. till 5 P.M.  Fix up mushrooms to dry in old house.  Lycoperdoms are growing finely but are full of insects soon as they get any size.  Tue worrying much about Phebe.  Mrs. Knock here when I arrive 5 P.M.  Ike Rogers rides from town to wagon yard E. with me & Pug. talking m(?).  He sold his B.C.  for 80.00 and intends to grow it next year, Renting ground.  I took Ferd down to his grandmas at night he has decided to go to public schools in Charleston~

Cloudy day with quite  heavy shower about  4 P.M.  Didn't cat supper.  gobed 9 P.M.

Note:  It was impossible to read the exact spelling of the mushroom names.

September 10-13, 1889 and 1900 in Coles County Illinois

September 1889 

10.  Tuesday, 6 am.  Ther 66.  86.  70  =  74

About clear.  start for timber at 7 AM got my own breakfast.  Got up last night and shave about 1. AM.  Find Rogers and old man Decker at work.  Red sow had eight pigs last night.   Had boys cut load apples for Reynolds.  Start home at 3 P.M.  Gather mess of puff balls on way home which cook and give dog  They taste good and didn't hurt the dog.  Gobed  11 P.M.  Some cloudy in day.

11.  Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther 70.  88.  70  =  76

Mostly clear.  Drive south of town with  girls after fungus.  Tue puts up 6 cans peaches.  Drake hauls load of green wood on yard.  Very  hot day.  Gobed 11 P.M.

12.  Thursday 6 AM  Ther  70.  88.  70  =  76

Clear.  Tue and girls went to fair AM staying all day  Sent Maggie home sick.  B. Anderson paid me for Keg bought last spring.  Drake brings up green wood.  Trade good.  gobed 10.30 PM.

13.  Friday.  6.30 AM.  Ther 68.  87.  70  =  75

Part cloudy warm pleasant day.  Crowd at fair not so large as expected  was out awhile P.M. so was Tue and father.  Bill Kelly helps at store did yesterday.  Milt brings wood on yard  gobed 10.30~

September 1900

Kate Longshore was buried today - died Sat. night.

10.  Monday.  5.30  AM.  Ther.  73.  95.  77  =  81 2/3

Mostly clear.  Just learn of big storm at Galveston several thousand people drowned.  Charley  Gowdwin hauls down old scraps and cleans up yard at store AM.  Mottes offered 80.00 for Armstongs B.C.  Try AM to get A. by phone at McGurtys.  He says he won't sell @ 80.00 and will not bale till next week.  Maggie bout sick and went over to see Dr. Starr.  Drive up to township line with Tue and Marie at night.  The schools began today.  Very warm day  go bed 9 P.M.

11.  Tuesday 5.40. Am.  Ther.  73.  90.  75.  =  79 1/3

Clear Southerly wind.  Mrs. Owens washes.  Pay Charley Goodwon for dray &c.   Went out to Gaines' AM.  Jo cutting corn  Get basket of tomatoes &c.  Back home before  noon.  Take Mrs. Owens home after dinner  Violent S to west wind all day but no rain.  Lightning S.E. at night.  John Simons brought up a small load of corn: did not see him.  Ferd was here to supper and all night   Says  has left home and will go out to New York in two or three weeks.  Thought would go out to Loxa at night but decide not to go  gobed 8.30 P.M.

12.   Wednesday 5 AM.  Ther.  58.  88.  60?  =  68 2/3

Clear N.W. wind.  Mr. Scott was expected today but didn't come.  Ferd here to diner and supper.  He has fully determined to go back to Sag Harbor and will probably leave in tow or three weeks. (Top of page has a lot of shorthand.)  Take Maggie down to 3.30 train.  Get back for  Walls coal house.  Henry Reasor puts new stop-and - waste at barn and tries to fix water pump in basement.  Gaiser says will take what fencing I have on hand which count 129 ps 1x6 ass lengths 12 to 16.  Drive out to Gaines' late.  Find them  gone to bed at 7 P.M.  Jo has been cutting corn and burning brush all the week.  Mostly clear AM cloudy some P.M.    looking like rain   Wind N.W. Go bed 9 P.M.  Shirley pays Ins. on B.C. 2.65

13.  Thursday.  3.30 AM.  Ther  50?  86.  60.  =  65 1/3

Mostly clear wind.  Shirley came for Jo to help in hungai(?).  Get bushel of tomatoes and other things  Leave Gaines' 10 A.M. over take Bill Myers on way home.  Mrs. Owens ironing today.  Mr. Scott here to dinner and P.M. till 9.05 train.  Ferd here to supper.  He has not heard from Sag Harbor lately.  They have taken water trough away from  NW corner sq.  Schenen building upto second floor  Black running "The Health Office" alone  The Walls being busy at their place in Brocton.  I met Armstrong on road today.  he does not want to sell his B.C. for less than 100.00.   Mostly clear day westerly wind.    Al Deffenbaugh gave me receipt for work done on road in Lafayette 13.37.  This is road tax on everything at Loxa  Gobed 8,30 PM