January 21-31, 1891 in Charleston, Illinois

January 1891

21.  Wednesday.  7 AM  Ther 31  37  29

Cloudy and damp, wind W.  was probably sprinkles from before daylight  Chet Bennet brought up load of 55 posts, very small, Uncle John was down to dinner.  I got too much fire under meat today and injured it some.  Mrs. Rogers ironed in afternoon.  Hat was here to supper  Tue stills feels badly.  Trade dull.  Cloudy with mist and light rain and W wind.  NW at night and clearing.  Gobed  1230

22.  Thursday  7 AM.  Ther  29.  35.  29

Cloudy, wind w about 1/2 in snow on ground fell last night occasional snowflakes most of day, dark and disagreeable Briggs offers bottom field for 500 dollars  Tue feeling some better.  Crail works over stable  manure and cleans out stable.  Gobed 1230 ~~

23.   Friday  7  AM.  Ther  24. 34.  27.

Clear, light wh. frost.  Clouds up AM and cloudy day with 'westerly wind.  NW toward night clear at 9 P.M.  Tue feels better today Self not very well took med at night.  Trade very quiet and has been all the week.  We do not decide to buy Briggs' lot thought would wait and consult Uncle John.  Mrs. Curt Davis here P.M.  Kate Davis over toward night  Gobed 12.45

24.  Saturday.  7.30 AM.  Ther 23.  26.  18

Cloudy.  Turie can't decide to buy Briggs lot Uncle John was down to dinner but we said nothing about it to him.  Johnny Decker was up settle with him to date.  He reports that Nannie goat got killed in hog pen.  Heard that Latta and Alex Richter were going into the saw mill business.  Father not very well.  Hat was down at night and stayed to supper.  Trade light for Saturday Order claret and rum from Meyer.  Partly cloudy day.  Clear at night.  Wind N.W.  Roads are said to be rough  gobed. 

 25.  Sunday, 8 AM.  Ther.  20,  41,  32.

Clear, Wind S. Heavy  white frost.  Tue did not go to church.  I start for ranch 3.45 getting there about dark John and Lucy gone to meeting Rile Decker and Warren there.  Clear day with westerly wind, roads good much of the way. river very low.  Go bed, 9 AM.

26.  Monday  6 AM.  Ther.  29.  37.  36.

Partly cloudy.  John fixes to separate sheep so can feed the thin ones, and burn brush.  I walk out to rye No. 2 find it looking pretty well.  John and Rile go to work at posts in river hills.  Lizzie and Lucy are willing to tend a small field of onions on shares (half) I to furnish land and seed John and I look at Fritz hollow and think it will do first rate.  I started home after dinner John went to  F Hol with me.  Got home 5 PM. been sick since Saturday has not been to stove.  Buy lot of Briggs for 510.00 go bed  10.15  PM  Bob Reat died.

Top of page:  Post Office was broken into last night young Drummer arrested for same today.

27.  Tuesday  7 AM.  34.  52.  37.

Mostly clear..  Went to store without breakfast which I didn't get till 10 oclock  Dinner at 3.  Mr. Piper called P.M.  Tue and self sign note to Briggs 12 mo 8% int for lot in bottom.  Briggs makes out deed squeezing in the taxes on lot.  Father not very well yet.  Weather Jim Roads good Warren Decker brought up 52 Posts go bed 11 P.M.~~

28.  Wednesday, 6 A.M.  Ther  40  46  42

Cloudy and raining lightly, continuous till afternoon sunshine occasionally PM.  foggy at night.  Nick not round yet.  Uncle John in town has been to Snider several days  Stays all night with us  Hat was down to supper.  R A Reat was buried today.  John Reat was buried today.   John Snider of town died last night  Trade quiet go bed go bed 12

29. Thursday  7 AM  Ther  41.  51.  37.

Cloudy, wind S.  Nick still sick.  I went up before getting my breakfast  Look over records at Court house regarding the lot in the bottom.  John Snider was buried today.  Brownfield cleaned out stable.  Mrs. Rogers ironed  Trade fair warm and pleasant with SW wind tell about  1 P.M. wind charged to W strong.  gobed 12

30. Friday.  6.45 AM.  Ther 27  44  .36

Part cloudy.  Nick not yet up town P.O. inspector here examiner Drumifer P.O. robbery suspect Ed Bond was brought to town crazy to night.  Father still complaining.  Somewhat cloudy day wind variable.  Gobed 12

  

31 Saturday 6.30 AM   38  46  42  

Cloudy with light rain which continued till night with short rests.  Uncle John in town but not down to dinner.  the deed for Phillips farm have come.  Nick was up town today first time since last Saturday but he didn't stay long  Cloudy wet day Trade better than expected  Gobed 12

November 10-27, 1890 in Charleston,IL

November 1890

10.  Monday, Court convenes and grand jury organizes  Trade dull for Monday .

11.  Tuesday.  Tue went to meeting of aid society leaving father with baby.

12.  Wednesday 

13.  Thursday, Grand Jury in full blast has done nothing so known to parties here.  Briggs got home today from Chicago  Tue thinks we ought to buy his lot in bottom  children all have colds.

14.  Friday  Brownfield washes bottles AM.  bottled some Grechese liquor AM.  Lynch Bros case in court  jury left out at night.  Baby not well and threatened with croup at night

15.  Saturday - 

16.  Sunday - Was up  at 4.30 with belly ache.

17.  Monday- 

18.  Tuesday - 

19.  Wednesday- 

20.  Thursday - Cut big pin oak near river for boards find it very brittle and hardly fit for boards.

21.  Friday 5 AM- Went out after breakfast and shot a squirrell [sic]  worked all day doing better than we expected to do  Warren went fox hunting at night

22.Saturday    I start home at 10.30 getting there before John did.  Uncle John in but not down to dinner.  Says he has bought the Phillips farm N. of Stockton this week 260 a @ 35.00 

23.  Sunday - Baby about sick Tue giving her oil  Thinking she might have the Whooping Cough.  Maggie and Phebe went walking with other girls after dinner.  Kate Davis was over before night.  Clear day SW wind

24.  Monday  Drake Groves has come home to get married.  

25.  Tuesday.

26. Wednesday,   Boys go to work on big pin oak making boards.  Warren went at night on fox chase returning at 3 in morning

27.  Thursday, Think boys will finish big tree today. It has made about 5.500  I stayed with boys till about 10  AM and started home.  I rode in bluffs next the river a while this morning looking for board timber  Got home about noon.  Find that Nick has been sick since yesterday evening and not able to be at store.  Today is Thanksgiving clear and pleasant with northerly wind.  Maggie went to Mrs Jenkins house warming at night and Tue went up to Bolten with other girls.  RR ball at hall  Gobed 11 PM ~~ White paid

February 10 - 11, 1914 and 1889 in Charleston, Illinois

February 1914

10.  Tuesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  28.  38.  26.  =  30 2/3

Cloudy. NE.2.  Snowing before 7.  Phebe by hurry  got off on 10 car expecting ti meet Fern on car at Division St. and take 11.10 AM train at Mattoon.  She expects to stay in Chicago about a week.  Tue came just before noon. (was much disappointed to find Phebe gone.  She left M & C  early morn.  Buddy all well.  Tue writes to Marie P.M. and begins  straighten up things which suppose is badly needed.  I did not get out today on account  inclemency.  It clears off before noon and mostly fair P.M.  About  an inch light snow AM. yields .05 water.  Mort and Kate over from 7.30 to 10 P.M.   gobed 10.30 P.M.

11.  Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  16.  26. 20. = 20 2/3

Mostly clear. N.1.  Rhoda came early washing &c.  The politicians are having quite lively fight about Clinton P.O., but Marvel seems to be  in the lead.  Tue put in much of the day cleaning up.  Chas. chored will come Friday P.M.  Tue went uptown later for grub gets halibut &c.  I did not get out.  The weater too inclement.  Part clear day with raw N.E. wind exspecially at night.  Will soon be out of coal.  Gobed 9P

February 1889

10.  Sunday. 7 A.M.  Ther.  25.  44.  34.

Partly clear, hazy, white frost.  Wind S.E.  Tue still having toothache and neuralgia.  Flurry of snow and about  noon from S.W.  Mostly cloudy day with S.W. wind, light "skift" of snow  about dark.  Kate Davis over P.M.  Mrs. R. Davis called a while at night.  Go bed 9.30 PM~

11.  Monday 5.30 AM.  Ther.  21.  30.  22.

Cloudy N.W. wind.  Ther, at 5.30 was 28. growing colder.  Riley Decker called to see about working for me.  Maggie did not go to school, has a sore eye.  Phebe and I went up town at night for meat.  Buy 2 1/2 bush. clover seed at Wrights.  Mostly cloudy day clears off toward night.  Go bed 8.30 PM.

September 12-17, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

12.  Wednesday, 5.45  AM  Ther.  63.  78.  55.
Clear, N. Wind, down to timber all day 4 - men at work.  Steve Decker cut his foot and had to quit in P.M.   Wind N.  After eating dinner I went over on ridge back of Wes Deckers and look round an hour or two.   Bob is hauling out sheeting nearly done.  they went to town yesterday.  I got home at 6.40 Gobed 9 PM

13.  Thursday. 5.45 AM.  Ther.  43.  68.  54
Clear and cool said to have been light frost last night.  I took the girls out to the fair in morning.  Jo Dikob rode back to town with me.  Went out myself after dinner.  Not feeling very well, got home 5 P.M.  Paid Zeke Eastin 5.00 for Riley which I borrow from V.K. Curd.  Settled with Oce Bennett in morning.  Tue finished ironing she washed and ironed this week.  Gobed 9.20 PM  Bim borrows buggy for tomorrow.

14.  Friday, 6.30 AM.  Ther.  44.  68.  58.
Clear.  Tue makes tomato ketchup.  Went up town to get cans for it but could not find any.  Pay Zeke E.  $3.50 none for Riley.  Hat came AM. and went to fair with Tue after dinner.  Self feeling badly all day with colic.  Went to fair in afternoon.  Kate Davis here at night.  Bim and his girl here in P.M. while Tue and self were at the fair.  Gobed 9 PM.

15.  Saturday, 6.30 AM.  ther.  57.  71.  58.
Cloudy or nearly so.  Sprinkle rain in morning and occasionally during day.  The gang were in AM. and paid off.  Got butter and mutton at Bill Myers, AM. some meat P.M.  Got 1 1/2 doz (?) jars at Bin Mitchell's on Cr.  Tue went to fair afternoon with Hat and Mrs. K,  Self  feel bad all day.  Bim brought cow in at night.  Uncle J. sold his hogs yesterday at 5.50.  Gobed 9PM

16.  Sunday  7.30 AM.  ther.  55.  70.  55.
Cloudy and light showers with thunder before day light.  Ferd woke us up early after his coat.  Occasional showers all day.  Girls did not go to S.S.  Ferd* and Helen* here most of the day.  Tue went over to Perrills P.M.  Gobed 9.30

*Ferd and Helen are Tue's sister Fan's children.  Fan died in December of 1887.

17.  Monday.  6.30 AM.  ther.  53.  58.  54.
Cloudy.  Light  mist nearly all day.  Got ready to start for timber but gave it up.  E. Easton says will haul boards tomorrow.   Have sold C. Steigman a load.  Alex Briggs tells me he has rented Mrs. Norfolk's lot.  Went down to Nickolson place but Myers was not at home.  Maggie and Phebe start for school.  dark cloudy.  Has rained enough to lay dust on mud.  Self about sick all day.  Gobed 9 PM

September 9-11, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

9.  Sunday.  6.30 AM.  64.  80.  55.
Clear.  We started out to Berts about 10 AM took baby.  Ma about same.  Stop to look at Gideons broom corn shed.  Came home through Loxa and stopped at Uncle Johns.  Find that the cow went homethe day she left us.  Got home about 7 P. M.   Laura Perrill and baby came home on  a visit today.  Mrs. Perrill and Hugh went to Columbus a day or two ago.  Go bed 9.30

10.  Monday  5.30 AM  Ther  47.  80.  64.
Clear  Timber all day, 4 men work at burning brush.  They will work tomorrow and next day.  Brown hauling sheeting, says he will come to town tomorrow.  Tue did washing herself, Mrs. Dickenson failing to come.  I got home before 7 P.M.   Dowling paid me 3.50 which he collected of Byrd  Olmstead clear day wind variable gobed 8.30 PM

11.  Tuesday  5.30  AM  Ther.  55.  87.  71.
Timber all day boys burning brush and logs and cutting (?).  Pick basket butternuts  (much unreadable )  wind varible.  Gobed 8.30 PM.S

August 19-21, 1913 & 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

1913

19.  Tuesday.  4.30 AM.  Ther.  74. 94.  78.  =  82.

Mostly clear. S.1.  Tue and I start to Loxa 6.29 A.M.  going S. road.   Leaving Buddy and Chas. in bed.  Stop at Jones'.   Tue collecting his rent and at Gaines' where she saw the two babies and there at Mrs. Shirleys.  Mrs. S. is feeling poorly and has  changed much.  We drove up through the place going over to west side and through all cloverfields.  Do not think there is much seed in any of it and told Cox same when got to place.   Cox has visitors.  We did not see Harman and it was so warm we soon left for home.  The corn does not promise any more than at last visit.   Half a crop is big estimate.  We got home about 11 A.M. after very hot drive.  Shirleys digging well near their house.  Cox says they have plenty water at farm.  Can see nothing of clover sown with oats.   B.C. looks well.  Thunder much P.M. and mostly cloudy.  Sprinkle rain.  Apparently heavy rains S.  Find lot of supposed lepiota Granulosus  in garden.  I did not drive any more after getting home from Loxa.  Old mare seems to feel downsy (sic)she is worse to drive than I ever knew her to be.  Tue and Buddy over on 4th street at night.  Later they go up town.  This the first day of Coles Co. fair.  Admish is 50c. this year as it was last.  Gobed 8.30

20.  Wednesday.   5.30  AM.  Ther.  74.  94.  76.  =  81 1/3

Clear.  E.1 Walter came before we got up.  He has a short vacation.  Rhoda came to wash.  She irons most of P.M.  I drove up town 10.A.M. soon returning.  The heat very oppressive.  Mostly clear AM but clouding up P.M. with much thunder and heavy showers around .62 in. fell here between  5 and 6 P.M.  Must have been immense rain few miles south.  None of attended the fair.  Slightly cooler at night.  Go bed 9 P

21.Thursday.  5.30. AM.   Ther.  74.  94.  76.  - 81 1/3

Light fog. W.2.  Walter took Chas. to fair AM.  I drove up town for cream.  There are several bands of gypsies in town I met them on 4th St.  Later drove over to see Bill Hatton but didn't  met(sic) Boden.  Tue and Buddy up town P.M. leaving me with Charles.  Write Leader Engine Co. for catalogue of tractors.  Part cloudy AM but mostly overcast P.M.  Light shower 11 A.M. heavier showers late P.M. all for today, .34 in.  I felt the heat bad as ever today;  Skinner comes after I go bed, and stays the night.  He has been hurt in Chicago and has crutches.  Gobed 9.30

1888

19.  Sunday  6 AM  60.  83.  66.

Clear.  We started for  Berts before 9 AM leaving father alone at home.  Stayed til 5 P.M.     (/0 hitch and  several of his children were there.  Found Ma not so well as last time we saw her.  Got home before 7 P.M.  Has been pleasant day  mostly clear.  The roads are good and not dusty.  Gobed 9 P.M.

20.  Monday,  5.40 AM  Ther  64.  75.  68.

Cloudy and raining since two or three o'clock.  Intended to  to make early start for timber but for the rain.  Put handle in another ax.  Phebe had tooth ache all night and today.  Mamie Lang here all day.  Bims call toward night and looked at swelling on calf's flank.  Kate Davis got home today.  Mrs. E. has been pretty sick for several days.  Turie decides to let them have qt. of milk a day.  I mowed in yard hour or two P.M.  Went up town at night.  Had talk with Sam Litch about  sheep.  Go bed 9 P.M.  Wind E.

21.  Tuesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  66.  83.  70.

Cloudy and raining began after midnight.  Phebe cried all night with toothache.    Mrs. Dickenson  comes to wash finishing at 3 P.M.  Dressler & (?) call to look at bar furniture and offer 325.00 for it which I refuse.  Phebe feeling very badley all day, face swells up mostly cloudy day, wind N. roads said to be muddy.  Gobed 7 P.M.

June 14 - 22, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

14.  Thursday  5.30  Ther.  70.  92.  78.

Clear.  Myers works in forenoon, worked alone part of P.M.  Val Mount called a while P.M.  Tue and children went down to Fackler P.M.   Mary Fackler is going to California soon.  Very warm day wind S.W.  Ordered a case of beer from Durning;  Warm night couldn't sleep much.  Gobed 8.30 PM.

15.  Friday,  6.30 AM  Ther.         79. 90.  70.

Somewhat cloudy an hazy.  Git Trunk Gordon to make some mortar for patching.  He endures to do patching but gets Thracher.  Kelly works in P.M.  Get ready to (calr?) round soon.  Pd. Gordon 25c, Thracher 50c.  Jake Rutherford uptown.  Pay him $5.00, tender  2.00, ch. 3.00.  Hot day with occasional sprinkle of rain.  Get case beer.  Go bed 9.P.M.

16.  Saturday  5.45  SM   Ther.  75.  85.  72.
Cloudy.  Kelly works all day mostly cad?ing.  Can't do any good job especially in round room  Baby very cross has been for some days  is getting some more teeth.  Mostly cloudy.  Gobed 10 P.M.

17.  Sunday 6.00 AM.  75.  93.  78.
Mostly clearday.  Pick mess of peas before dinner, awful hot.  Had lot of strawberries in shortcake for dinner.  Baby very cross all day is about sick.  she had a very serious accident early this morning before getting up.  Kate Davis  was over toward night.  I trimmed up all the tomato vines.  Go bed 9 PM

Light shower with thunder about 4 P.M.


18.  Monday.  5.45 AM.  Ther.  76.  95.  78.
Mostly cloudy  Kelly came early and wheels down some wood.  Whitewashes back room at store and wash woodwork in round room.  Learn that Haley Buckner was Killed on   engine onLCoSTH this morning.  Mrs. R. washed very large washing.  Hat was down all day.  H.G. is at work with  gang of men down at the water works.  Get brush and can of y. ochre at Dr. Neals on Cr.  John M.C. looks at rooms and says he will paper them for me on Wednesday.  Tue worked herself (?) today.  Go bed 9 PM

19.  Tuesday.  5.30  AM.  Ther.  77.  95.  74.
Some cloudy .  Very warm night last night,.  Kids came early work till noon cleaning.  He has to attend Buckners funeral P.M.    Mrs. R. irons P.M.   Spill ink all over carpet while writing.   Doug Graham looks at my furniture and thinks he will buy it in a week or two.  Heavy thunder shower came up from S. between 4 and 5 P.M. with good deal of wind.  Sultry day.  we needed rain very much.  Baby still cross but not quite as bad.  Gobed 9 PM.

20.  Wednesday, 5.15 AM  Ther.  74.  84.  74.
Mostly cloudy, looks like rain.  Get paper for rooms at store and John McCormick gets well along with it.  Haley Buckner was postponed to 10 AM today.  Got mare before supper and drive till nearly dark with Tue.  Bert was in a few moments P.M. says they are going to keep Ma.  Dog show in town.  Gobed 9 P.M.

21.  Thursday.   5.15 AM  Ther.  76.  87.  70.
Mostly clear SW wind.  MC finishes papering at store and puts glass in front window.  Good many people in town to SS convention.  Kelly scrubs out working P.M.  Find roof leaks  good deal yet.  Heavy raining with wind about  4 P.M. from N.W. Good many folks get out.  Paper in room cost 5.78 in full Cr. at Jenkins.  Bob Quin walked down as far Davis with me  at night.  Shower in night probably about midnight- gobed 8.30

22.  Friday.  5.30 AM  Ther.  65.  88.  70.
Clear wind East rain in night about midnight.  MC & Kelly (?) off front.  MC paints round room.  Kelly washes windows P.M.   MC quits about 4 P.M.  Kelly works all P.M.  Tue sick after go to bed.  (A large portion unreadable here.)    . . .and disagreeable weather.  Wet and warm, good weather for things to grow.   Misty cloudy  day.  Ladder stolen last night and (?) before.  Gobed 9.30 P.M.

April 10, 1913 and 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

1913

10.  Thursday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  58.  66.  50.  = 58

Cloudy and raining.  S.2.  It drizzled all night.  Am entirely out of hay or any substitute for it.  Have been feeding rotten straw for several days. Pay telephone 3.13 AM ch 1.70.  20 cts. toll for law.  I hitch up after dinner and drove up town.  Pay Hutton tax to Freeman.  34.94.  This is highest lately.  The dirt streets are very muddy.  Tue and Helen to Hats &c P.M.  I got home 6 P.M.   and leave Nickles.  Oscar Lawyer brought me home.  R. today .10 after 7 AM.  Mort and Kate over while at night at supper stay till after 9.  Clears off noon and late.  Cloudy night.  Goo bed 9:30.

Wm. Rosebrough died today.

1888

10.  Tuesday. 6.15 A.M.  Ther.  52.  57.  48.

Cloudy, wind W. or S.W. having changed in night blowing very hard and raining some.  Sun came out before noon and pleasant day.  Myers worked in P.M.  says  he owes me $4.85 on which is about correct.  He  put in afternoon piling  walnut lumber and sowed fertilizer on the garden.  Think my cold a little better.  Kate Davis was down a while after school.  Snider called  write(sic) we were eating supper, has been out to Uncle John's a day or two.  Fresh west wind all day.  Go bed 8.30 P.M.

March 22-24, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

1888

22.  Thursday 6.30 AM.  Ther  8.  22.  21.

Clear.  Violent NW wind all night cold night and froze up waterworks and pump in kitchen.  Rec. seeds from store H.G. remains at house all day.  Clear day , strong N.W. wind moderates a little toward night. Sell Mrs. Turman 50c. woods.  Kate Davis was over toward night.  Maggie and Phebe were over to Davis' in evening.  sat up till nearly midnight not feeling well.  11.30

23.  Friday.  6.30 A.M.  Ther.  26.  42  36.

Cloudy, SE wind.  Mrs. Rogers washes.  Snow and rain lightly several times during day, but clear and  bright in afternoon.  Sam Leitch came down to see about fencing.  Tell him will let him know tomorrow.  He advises me to run for  assessor or collector.  Send to Stern and Harrison for some cherry trees and grape vines.  Gobed 9.30 PM  

24.   Saturday.  6.15 AM.  Ther.  32.  32.  32.

Cloudy, E. wind.  Intended to go to timber today but it looked too much like rain.  Fine mist in morning getting heavier and turning to rain after noon.    Rained all day P.M. and probably all night freezing  as it fell.  Uncle John was down to dinner.  Sold him some lumber $4.20.  Went to Republican convention nominating  delegates to  Co Covention.  Dem Tp Convention  P.M.  Comer thinks his chances are good for collector.  Tue irons and gets about sick.  H.G. takes last of liquor at store.  J. Ria  pays for Cambell's wood.  Caylor paid me 2.50 for wood sold.  Have only abt. 3 1/2 cords left.  Sat up till 12.30.

March 18, 1913 and 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

1913

18.  Tuesday 6 AM.  Ther.  38.  64.  50.  = 50 2/3

Clear S.3.  Helen Hildreth called a while AM on her way to the Normal.  Tue attended the Rankin Funeral P.M. with Mrs. Brooks.  At night she went with Mrs. Curd to concert at Normal.  I hitched up about noon and after Ray got shores done He went with me up town.  Pay A.G. Frommel a/c to date 12.30 check.  Will Campbell 35 cts cash.  Got some eggs Helen left at IBs.  went to P.O. no mail.  Drove out far as Huffamns Ray going.  Meet Harman going home.  He had bought a pump at Olivers my a/c.  I did not tell him to.  Clear day with high southwind.  Was surprised to find the roads dry most of the way.  He supposed the mud deep.  Tue got home 10 oclock.  Gobed 10.

1888

18.  Sunday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  52.  64.  55.

Clear, light white frost.  Went to s(?) Rays in morning to look at house to ride but did not see one I would like to try.  Measure up wood on yard.  there is just about  8 1/2  cords.  Gueney wants half a cord tomorrow morning.  This is about the first spring day we have had.  Mostly  clear with light south wind.  The ground  is frozen pretty solid on N. side of house.  Kates Myers and Davis over P.M.  9.30 ~~ 

March 7-9, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

7.   Wednesday  6.30  AM.   Ther.  21  36.  29.
Clear with N. wind.  Hat and Mrs. Dowling call in AM.
 Uncle John was in and came down to  dinner.   Comer
in town but doesn't get to see me.    Spoke to H.G. about  running
for collector.  Pleasant clear day but chilly and not
thawing in shade.  Hutton of Hutton TP speaks to me
about  buying land.  Buy some white star potatoes at Bactan,
 just a sample.  Kate Davis was over little while at night.
 C.G. not very well  Gobed 10 P.M.

8.  Thursday, 6.30 A.M. Temp.  28.  43.  40.
About clear.  Light easterly wind.  Tue makes fire as
she has all this week.  H.G. down before breakfast says the
City will take all of the lumber.   I have settled for them and advises me
to have more sowed.  Buy bushel white star potatoes Bactans
Bruce Myers works at hot bed from 4 to 6 P.M.  Do list finish.
Fisher and Dr. Hull got wood.  Have only about 11 cord left.
Not feeling very well myself.  Clear day with light variable wind.
Mostly east.  Gobed 9 P.M.

9.  Friday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  38.  52.  50.
P. cloudy with fresh SE wind which was blowing all
night.  Baby very restless all night.  Myers comes
to work about 7 works about two hours.  Give him  cr. on post
with 50c. from yesterday and today.  Let Paley have half cord
wood on cr. and Caylor pays me for half cord for unknown man.
Write Jos. Harris about overchg. (sic)   Simon Sterns 3.75  for ins. on wky.
Try to make out list of trees but fail to finish it.  Uncle John in
town P.M.  Cloudy day.  Sprinkle rain toward night.  Gobed 9 P.M.

January 11-12, 1913 and 1888 in Charleston, IL

1913

11,  Saturday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  42.  40.  26. =36.Booze came AM from Mc.
Cloudy, fog.  S.2. R later.  Cloudy day, snow flurries at night.  Tue took up and deposited  Harman check at 2nd Natl. 378.14 .Walter Smith fixes grate which had gotten off again.  I did not go uptown and am feeling poorly yet.  Lee and Law take N. Chamber @ 10.00.

12.  Sunday.  7 A.M.  Ther.  10.  24.  20.  = 18.
Clear N.W.2. One of our coldest to date.  Tue didn't attend church.  Phebe got Sunday paper.  Frances and Ora were here at night.  The three call on Mrs. Mellissa(sic) Stoddert who is sick.  Gobed 9

1888

11.  Wednesday.  6 A.M.   Ther.   5.  16.  13.

Clear.  I built fires all round this morning, Father lying in bed till nearly 7 A.M.  Mrs. Rogers came to  wash.  Mr. Abbott finished sawing wood.  Kate Purill called AM.  Maggie was promoted today to the third room.  Kate Davis.  Phebe remain at home and is feeling pretty well, she went up town with me P.M.  Hat down in afternoon.  Learn that  Al Prevo has come from Ala.  The (?) R.R. took four sets of my switch ties today .  to be paid for on next estimate.  Go bed.  10  PM.  Not feeling very well.  Compared a/c with Skidmore today and owe them $6.55.

12.x  Thursday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  18.  36.  40.

Cloudy.  Wind came up in night from S.E. icing in force.  None of us rested well last night.  Began snowing at 10 AM. turning to hail by noon and finally  to rain got warmer all day.  Settle with W.G. Wright owed him balance of 13.08.  Tue sick all day.  Got dinner at 4oc.  There was probably 2 1/2 in of snow fell.  Self not feeling very well today.  gobed 9.30 P.M.

January 1, 1888 in Charleston, IL

1912 - 

Apparently when I copied the journal, I missed a couple of pages at the beginning of 1912. The journal entries will continue on January 4th.   I apologize for the interruption in the story. 

 CMS

January, 1, 1888

1.  Sunday.  7 AM.  Ther   18.  19.  17.
Cloudy but soon clears off.  Father reports waterworks at store burst from frost.   Get F. Knocks  wrench and shut it off after  breakfast.  Phebe appears to be all right this morning.  Figure on apple account and post up Comer.  Roads are frozen up smooth and solid very slippery in places.  Hen bought us a couple of chickens yesterday and we had one of them for dinner.  Lem Stark funeral was at 2 P.M. today  did not attend.  Kate Davis was over a while at night.  Baby cried till after midnight.  Gobed  11.30 P.M.

December 27-29, 1887 in Coles County, IL

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

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

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

December 21-22, 1912 and 1887 in Coles County, IL

1912

21.  Saturday.  6.30 AM.  ther.  20.  42.  30. = 30 2/3
Clear.  S.W. 2.  Tue felt poorly all night.  Sweeps most forenoon.  Colby calls and patches W.C. up stairs and comes close to flooding house.  Tue sends for oysters for dinner.  N. G. Harman calls P.M. paying notes with int. total 307.80.  Shre(?) was with him  and paid use of drill 3.00.  Mrs. Grove was over P.M.  Mort is sick.  Alfred was expected A.M. but didn't  show up till late P.M. . . then did not finish up his work.  Clear day with moderate southwesterly winds.  gobed 9.30.

22.  Sunday.  6.15 A.M.  Ther.  22.  .40.  26. = 29 1/3
Clear.  W.1.  ice 1/2.  Tue feeling poorly and did not attend church A.M.  I hitch up and  get paper 11 A.M.  Nobody called today.  W e had dinner 2.30 P.M.  Later I started and to take a drive but did not get further than old Kelly place, where return.  Too cool for me to drive for pleasure.  Many autos out today.  Clear with S.W. wind.  The roads some dusty.  Tue attends concert with Mrs. Knock at night.  Gobed 10.

1887

21.  Wednesday.  6.30 A.M.  Ther.  2.  14.  8.

Clear strong N.W. wind all night.  Coldest day we have had so far.  Sold half cord wood to Met Stark.  Tue went to schoolhouse fore noon to take girls dinner.  She made some cakes in P.M.   Snider called toward night.  Kate Davis was over at night doing some Christmas sewing until after 9 P.M.  Learn that Nettie Perrill has regained teachership and will go to California.  Clear day with fresh W. or S.W. wind.  Self not feeling very well, nor Tue and baby.  Buy jacket for W.S.G.  Gobed 10 P.M.

22.  Thursday.  6.15  A.M.  Ther.  8.  22.  14.

Clear. W. Wind.  Sell C. Mason 1 cord wood @ $3.oo  Mrs. Perrill called little while AM.  Mrs. Rogers washed.  Uncle John and Hen were down to dinner.  Made a rack to measure  half cord wood for use on yard.  Sold McMurtrie some ties and plank $2.60.  Made out C.E. Winter bill  $10.05.  Joe  Brandenburg pays a/c  1.50 per W.H. Goodman.  Kate Perrill called at night.  Tue left her clothes out all night.  has been just about freezing in Apple room today.  Gobed 10 P.M.

December 18, 1912 & 1887 in Coles County, IL

1912

18.  Wednesday.  6.30 AM.  Ther. 34.  36.  32.  = 33 1/3

Mostly cloudy W.2. white frost;  thin ice; I had intended going to Loxa too inclement and did not hitch up.  Rhoda came  AM helping Tue till say 2 P.  Washed windows mostly and stayed to dinner.  Is sick.  Tue putting rubber strip on windows setting R. and Kitchen.  she went to prayer  meet with Mrs. Brooks.  I send 2.00 to Natl Geoa(sic) Soc for annual dues and the Magazine.  Cloudy with moderate westerly wind.  Alfred chored.  Go bed 10 P.M.

1887

18.  Sunday.  7 AM.  Ther.  35.  43.  37.

Cloudy, wind N.W.  Partly cloudy day with variable wind Southeasterly at night.  Tried to get pork out of the way but did not finish it.  Up town little while  afternoon.  Kate Davis over about dinner time.  Maggie, Phebe and father went out with the baby a while.  Pig made about 13# of sausage.  Gobed 10 PM ~

November 1-2, 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

1. Tuesday,  6.30 AM.  Ther.  31.62.  43.
Clear.  Bill Hatton piled old lumber from 8 till 12 oc.  Final switch ties came up four loads.  Package goods came by Ex. from M. & H. which let Arkansas hunting party have.  They are getting ready  to start tomorrow.  Went uptown at night to give Jeff keg.   Gobed 10 P.M.

2.  Wednesday,   6 A.M.  Ther.  40.  71.  55.
Clear and smokey.  Let Hunting party have Keg.  They got off at noon,  H. Gramesly, WA Jefferies, Jas. Skidmore, A. Ambrose, G. R. Lee, Chas. Lee,   Jonathon Lee, and Ed Mason to Ark.  To be gone three or four weeks.  Got peace (sic) for  Aunt Fan.  Sold Aubrum 4 ties Ezeikel Easton Bbl No 2 apples.  Mrs. Young ironed today and it took her nearly all day.  Tue feeling badly.  Kate Davis was over to supper.  Gobed 9 P.M.

September 30, 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

30, Friday,6.30 AM  Ther.  57.  61.  59.
Cloudy, heavy shower in night.  Phebe about sick with bad cold and stays home from school.  Ate too many grapes and about sick all day.  Buy four squirrels o f Freeman Biggs.  H & H here to dinner.  Discovering umbrella.  Got a letter from B.F. Bruner with  order for 15 set switch ties.  Rain occasionally during day heavy toward night.  Kate Davis was over toward night.  Gobed 9 PM

September 28, 1887 in Charleston, IL

28, Wednesday,  7 A.M.  ther.  57.  62.  60.
Cloudy E. wind  Misty.  Kate Davis over in morning.  Maggie and Phebe takes dinner to school. Write letters to  Skeese and Glasford in regard to lumber.  Deposit to Comers at 2nd Bank 107.03 being settlement to date for all lumber sold and paid for.  Felix Lauder called to tell me could get pants today.  Got  old boots at Ralls on which owe 85c.  Learn that Lem Stark is very sick up at Arcola.  Rained lightly good part of day harder toward night.  Have been troubled for a week or more with rheumatism in the shoulders it gets worse.  cleared off after dark; wind E. gobed 9 P.M.

A sketch by Charles Gramesly found in the journal folded in a napkin.

September 19 - 20, 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

19  Monday,  6 AM.  Ther.  63.  76.  66.
Fog.  Mrs. Dickenson washes.  Maggie and Phebe start for school.  Patch up roof up at store in forenoon.  H.G. went with me down to Cormer's starting  at 2 P.M.  Find him con fined to the house.  Thinks the mill will get to work in a day or two.  Learn that Capt. JM Ashmore died today has been sick fome time.  Kate Davis over at night she has just  begun teaching at Western school house.  Drove down  to Mr. Youngs after getting home, he wasn't there.  Mrs. Easten called at night few minutes.  Gobed  9 P.M.

20  Tuesday,  6 AM  Ther.  64.  90?  70.
Clear  Get ready and start to timber at 7.30  H.G. going with me  Found the men three nearly ready to saw.  They sawed several hundred feet in afternoon.  Stay with log chopper an hour or two and start home at 4 PM.  Moore paid me 1.00 on wood taken some time ago.  Mrs. Dickenson ironed.  Buy scoop for Comer at Ginther's.  Hot day.  Ther. must have been up to 90.  Get crib up stairs for baby.  Go bed.  8.30