January 5-6, 1890 and 1901 in Coles County Illinois

January 1890

5.  Sunday.  6,15  AM  Ther  57.  60.  61  =  59 1/3

Cloudy wind S.  Started out to Uncle Johns with Tue about 9 oc. AM.  Found him washing up his breakfast dishes.  Had not been very sick.  Snider and Ferd came before noon als (sic) Oscar Dryold.  We left at 3 P.M.  Roads very bad.  Heavy showers in afternoon and very heavy rain in night  Maggie and Phebe stay at home with baby and grandpa.  Grass and wheat are very green and buds on fruit trees are swelling some.  Gobed 9 ~~

6.  Monday 7 AM.  Ther 31.  30.  27  =  30 1/3

Cloudy heavy rain in night.  Some rain AM.  Sleet P.M. and night.  Wind NW and N.  Trade very light.   No country folk in town.  Am worried about stock down at ranch as Milt  said he was nearly out of corn.  Pay Ginther $20.09 still owe him $20.00 (gave note).  Tue sent cards to Mary Sayre.  Gobed 11 P.M.

January 1900

5.  Saturday.  5.45 A.M.   Ther  32.  39.  32.=  34 1/3

Mostly cloudy easterly wind.  Sch(?) got WW all in yesterday. Repairs.  Clara general scubbing   Helen here to dinner.  Warren Decker up with gray horse says will clean up where am cutting for one crop.  Daisy Mitchell calls on Clara P.M.  Tue over at Shortess' after supper.    Clara went to Loxa to remain over Sunday on 9 P.M. train.    Mushroom (shorthand) book will not be ready till Jany 25.  Mostly cloudy day  Easterly wend gobed 10.30

6.  Sunday.  7 AM.  Ther. 39.  45.  42.  =  42.

Cloudy Southwind.    Self feeling badly  Pick up things at barn a while AM.  Didn't  hitch up till toward night.  Then drive round town a  while  Tue got letter from Phebe yesterday, first since she left Rob went through to Evanston with her.  Roads sloppy  Snow disappears today.  Tue and children go to  church at night.  I sat around a while ate too much cold supper and gobed.  9 P.M.

September 30 - October 1 1900 and 1889 in Charleston, IL

September 1889

30.  Monday, 7 AM.  Ther 58.  70.  62.  =  63 1/3

Cloudy and damp.  Mostly cloudy day but clears off before night.  Wind W.  Hitch up PM to go to Montforts to look at a harrow but learn that it was sold.  Drove round town a while toward night  Oil buggy  Milt didn't come up today, roads pretty slick.  Tue bought girls shoes at Mitchell's on cr.  gobed 1020~~

October 1889

1.  Tuesday. 7AM.  58.  70.  54.  =  60.
Clear.  Fresh W. wind.   Maggie starts to school.  walk down to depot in morning.  Drake did not come up today.  Tell Warren Decker he can begin hauling wood this week @ 1.75.  Jeff Bishop & Co went to Silverwood fishing.  Tue up to  Davis P.M. leaving baby at home.  Trade dull.  11.15 P.M.

September 1900

30.  Sunday. 6 AM.  Ther 42.  74.  52. = 56

Clear wind.No frost that I noticed Clyd did not come till 10 AM  I intended to visit ranch but did  not get ready till  8.30 AM.  I intended to visit ranch, but did not get ready till 10 AM.  Drive put to Decker Park - Dice Woods to look  for mushrooms.  Get  bunch of Polypiness sulfiurous  which cook for dinner but didn't eat.  Tone and mount lot of pictures.  Marie and friends &c.  Gather some quinces in morning and bake.  The 3 little trees on hillside have about a bushel on.  Mrs. Knock and Tue sent to church at night.Stopped at Shannons to hear  from Phebe.  I left call for  her to be there at 7 P.M.  I stay till 9 P.M. but she did not call.  Roads better than I had expected.  Gobed 9.30 P.M.

October 1900

1.  Monday.  5.30 AM.  Ther  44.  80.  64  =  62 2/3

Clear, with little wind; heavy dew.  We hear many rumors about Phebe but had not letter since Saturday.  I see J W Marshall HA Neal and Phona Shena about H.G. Loan Stock.  Take C Winter home at noon he was complaining.  Ferd calls about noon is getting brace fixed.  Tue  gets letter from Mary Sayre P.M.  I start to Loxa 1 P.M.  Call at Schalzburger to see about lumber wanted.  See H.C. Defenbaugh along road about saw logs,  Jo Grubbing and says nearly done.  Will bring in potatoes &c. in day or two.  I brought home lot of tomatoes and other stuff.  Clear day Easterly  wind gobed 8.30 PM.

 

August 21-26, 1900 in Charleston, IL

August 1900

21.  Tuesday.  5.15 AM.  Ther  74.  98.  82.  =  84 2/3

Mostly clear lightning N. all night.  My feet itching kept me awake.  Start out to Gaines about 8 AM.  They  thresh most of time.  I was there.  There is much trouble in holding hands most of the time.They are paying 1.25 here with 1.50 demanded by many.  I start home 1 PM  Very sultry day and mostly clear, variable light wind.  Miss Green and Mrs. Knock here at night.  I drove down again to see Kellogg but he cant help me tomorrow.   Gobed 9 PM.

22.  Wednesday 6 AM.  Ther  72.  90.  77.  =  79 2/3

Cloudy Northerly wind.  Much thunder with some wind and rain between 2 and 3 AM.  Making streets muddy.  See C.D. Mitchell and send to planning Mill for him three 2 in plank 8 in wide. by  Thed Arnold.  B.C. hands on  strike for 1.50 per day Shirley and wife were in P.M.  Armstrong has given up  Shirleys B.C. and S is going to finish it himself.  See Geo Kellogg and says will try to go to work back of store tomorrow morning.  Kate Grove  and Charlotte here at night.  Gobed 9 P.M.

23.Thursday. 5.30 AM.  Ther 75.  95.  80.  =  83 1/3

Mostly cloudy wind west.  Was light shower about midnight  Streets some muddy.  Armstrong in town after hands and employs several.  Promised to go  on his note but ask him for mortgage on clover and he gets money otherwise.  Employ Jack Van Pelt to work back of store.  Mrs. Grove and Mort over at night after I had gone to bed.  Dr. Patton was hurt in runaway Tuesday and is very bad today.  I intended to go to Loxa this P.M. but could not get away.  Buy lumber at Minton's for back fence at store.  Van Pelt cleans up privy  &c.  Owen did not come till dark tonight.  Maggie and Phebe went to doings at Paris.  Mostly clear day.  Thunder at night gobed 9 PM

24.  Friday. 5.30 AM.  Ther  75.  95.  78.=  82 2/3.

Clear.  Girls got home about 2 AM.  Lulu Dorsch with them.  Yesterday Frank Snider told Tue big story about  Johns mistreating his children.  Dr. Patton thought to be some better.    Clear day with strong SW wind.  Van Pelt builds back fence of stone.  I start for Gaines about 3 PM.    Jo Cutting BC for Shirley I decide to stay all night and slept but little on account of bed bugs and coffee.  Shirley  expects to finish  cutting tomorrow and Elisha Smith will do  his threshing Sunday.  Armstrong is also cutting.  Jo has some leg. play 7 up till 9 PM.  All BC hands are now getting 1.50 per day.  Gobed 9 PM  

25.  Saturday.  4 AM.  Ther.  70.  90.  75.  = 78 1/3

Partly cloudy.  Shirleys gang gets to work before 6.  I start home 7.30 taking tomatoes and potatoes.  Take sample  BC to Wright think  can get today 80.00 or 85.00 John Simons in to settle for hauling lumber.  Pay him 18.02 for his  11.58 and Warrens 6.44.  Dr. Patton still mending.  Van Pelt finishes about noon and I pay him up deducting old bill of 50 c.  5.00; pay Loving for haul trash.  Marie went with Oka and Ruth Decker when they returned home to Terre Haute today.  Marie intends to visit there till next Saturday.    Go bed 10 PM.

26.  Sunday. 6.20 AM.  Ther  70.  85.  72.  =  75 2/3

Mostly clear.  N.W. wind.  There was a light shower in night.  I drove down to  Coonnod Schey  to get him to put in urinal at store and then start for ranch 10 AM.  Earl lets me through upper gate and I went to mill where Simon and Ira were setting .  Ira and  I ate dinner at Simons.  Decide to let Ira saw awhile as he has been doing with understanding (stated before Simons) that in case of dissatisfaction of either party will make a new contract or quit entirely.  He  thinks this week will  finish up BC threshing and will go back to mill.  Ferd was in today first time for several weeks.  Tue writes Mary Sayre about Ferd.  Simons   went over to cornfield.  Corn looks very well.  Light spirinkles rain several times and with distant thunder S or SW.  Get home before dark.  Gobed 9 PM --

December 15 - 31, 1888 in Coles County, IL (Highlights)18. Tuesday

1888

15.  Saturday.  Uncle John in to dinner.  Is about to trade Nicholson place to Ving Curd for Kline farm.  We get letter form Aunt  Mary Hildreth the first from Berlin* in nearly a year.  

* Berlin, WI

16.   Sunday. 

17. Monday.  Maggie got  a letter from Minnie Ansley stating among other things that Uncle Gus Page  is very sick and not expected to live.

18.  Tuesday.  I scour up an old saw.

19.  Wednesday  Hat here in P.M. she and Tue are working some dresses for Fan's* children.  Maggie and Phebe take volume of Country Gent. which has been here for months home to Capt. Alexanders.

* Fan was Tue's sister.  She died at in December  1887.

20.  Thursday.  Maggie got a letter from Mary Sarye this morning.  Baby not well at night.

21.  Friday.  Uncle John was in town and came down to dinner.  After which I took him out home.  He came back with me and spent the night.  

22.  Saturday.  Uncle John went away before noon and didn't come back.  They (M and P) each got a picture of Mary Sayre.

23.  Sunday.  Maggie and Phebe made sketches today of the cow and churn.

24.  Monday.  Got a pin for Maggie and Phebe at JoDrtobs (?) in morning.    Our Christmas this year is likely to be very thin.    Tue got something for the girls and I went up at night for some nuts  (?). I gave father a nice cap.   

'77 Dinner Party in Mrs. Norfolks house.

'78  Put up ice at store all day.

'79  Home all day.  Ther. at 2.

'80  Sleighing.  Bert , Henry and W.S.G. to (?).

'81  Engagement to go to Uncle Johns.  Roads muddy, didn't go .  Mostly cloudy day.

'82  H &H  to dinner.  Then 4.3 rain.

,83  Moderate day. 

'84  Family party.  Snow most of day, cold.

'85  H & H to dinner.  Moderate day.

'86  Family Party.  Cool day.

'87  Snider and children here.  Cold day.

25.  Tuesday.  7 AM  Ther.  50.  55.  50  

Cloudy, rain  most of night.  Fan's children came up yesterday and came over today.  Ferd and Hellen were here all day and the girls had other callers.  Keeping up a big rumpus all day.  Snider called toward night and presented Tue with a lactet(?) case and an albumn.  We had an oyster dinner.  Cloudy day with light rain P.M. and  heavier  in night.  Go bed 9 P.M.

26.  Wednesday.Experiment a while  with sherry in forenoon.  Ferd here all day.  Shep Hunt's wife died this afternoon over at Mrs. Chancellers.

27.  Mrs. Hunts funeral will be tomorrow at 1 PM.  Ferd here most of the day.  Phebe had  toothache at night also Tue.

28.  Friday.  Eunice Chanceller was buried today.  Tue went to the  funeral.  Nat was here in afternoon.

29.  Saturday.The girls got a doll today. by mail.

30.    Sunday.   Tue  boiled a leg  of lamb today.  Churned at night.

31.   Monday.  Uncle John was  in PM said he had two pigs we could have.  Helen was over most of the day. and staying all night.

December 15 - 31, 1913 (highlights) Coles County Illinois

1913

15.  Monday.  Leaks in furnace sometimes pretty bad.  Miller called for first time since quit painting Nov. 31.  Took away his long ladder.  Says will finish painting house in spring.T & P  want whole family to go down to Mt. C. to spend Christmas.  I don't feel able to take trip.  Go bed 8.30 P.

16.  Tuesday.  Tue and Ph. busy sewing something for Charles.  I let mare in pasture P.M.  She kicked Jack disabling him for present.  Fern called at night  she and Phebe attend show.  Tue went over to Groves till 9 PM.  I  remain at home reading story saved from R.H.  "In the name of Liberty"  

17.  Wednesday.  Charley Millers baby died yesterday.  Phebe attends funeral with Frances.  

18.  Thursday. 6 AM.  Spend most of AM trying to fix furnace grate.  Edith Bates called morning.  Tue and Phebe attend moving pictures at theatre with Fern at night.

19.  Friday.  We get letter from Muggs.  She will be here next Wednesday night. 1 AM.  H & H  here when got home staying to supper and until 9 P.M.

20.  Saturday.

21.  Sunday.  

22.  Monday.  Phebe got me Columbia Catalogue which I read  till gobed 10 PM

23.  Tuesday.  Tue got a letter from Buddy.  She has moved into new house and probably will not visit us Christmas.  Phebe went to Mattoon P.M. to meet friend - Mr. Marvel of Clinton Ill.  They came over on the 6 car and he stays the night.    Self feel worse than usual.  Gobed 8.30.

24.  Wednesday.  Mr. Marvel left for home before noon.  Maggie wires about noon that Miss Wales has to leave and she can't come today.  I got a letter form  Addie first for several years.  She is not well and with Mary will depart for Europe on the Adriatic Jan. 10.   Italy is their  destination.  Gus called AM and Tue gave him Christmas tree left here by T.C.

25.  Thursday.  6.40 AM.  Ther.  36.  36.  34.  = 35 1/3

Cloudy, E.4.  Phebe gave me 12 in. record - Attila &c -also food chopper.  We did not eat breakfast till after 8 oc.  Helen sent me puzzle.  I got handkerchiefs  socks &c from several of family.  Tue got some things and letter from Mrs. Knock and sister.  It began to snow about 9.30 AM.  quiting(sic) at noon after some 1 1/2 or 2 in.  H & H came about 10 A staying the day.  We have our last chicken for dinner.  Little snow after 12 noon but cloudy all day, wind shifting to northerly.  Tue at Groves at night  gobed 10 P

26.  Friday.  Tue sent Muggs  box of things as she will not be home  during the holidays.  We have not heard any more from her since her telegram.

27.  Saturday.  Phebe got me Attilla and Aida Seleclious record Christmas and am palying that when I get time ha! ha!  Phebe went with Grace Miller to Ariel's.  I smoke a cigar  that HG gave me Christmas.  Tue got me a couple more.

28.  Sunday. Tue went to Brooks leaving Phebe abd self at home to work checker board puzzle.  Phebe has gotten it twice.

29. Monday.  We got a letter from Muggs: also two boxes gifts.  She sent me two Victor records. no.s 74167 and 70036.*, also lot of things which T & P repack and send to Buddy. 

*I found these listed on Ebay 

 #70036 Lucia Sextette Chi mi frena. #74167 Serenade. 

30.  Tuesday.  Phebe gets me two cigars.  I expect to quit entirely Thursday.  Learn Charley Jone's mother is dead.

31.  Wednesday.  Tue gets letter from Mary P. Sayre.  The Fahys family will start for  Florida Jany. 12.  She with Addie will sail for Italy on Jany 10 on Adriatic.

Weather for December 1913

November 3 - 8, 1912 in Charleston, Illinois

3,   Sunday.  5.45  Ther.  28.  52.  44.  =41 1/3
Clear S.2.  First real heavy frost:  ice 1/3 in.  tub.  Had thoughts of going to ranch.  Too cold.  Shave early,  Bert's Helen called and Tue goes home with her on 11:45 car.  I did not hitch up till 4 P.M. and then drove out to Huffman's.  Tue returns on 5.30 car.  Grace was here to dinner, which had 2 P.M.  Mostly clear day with fresh to strong southerly wind.  Some cloudy toward night with signs of rain at sunset.  The roads are good ~ Grove's were over about time I hitched up.  Tue has engaged Mort to repair lot of little things.  Go bed 9

4.  Monday.6 AM  ther.  42.  60.  52. = 51 1/3
Mostly cloudy.  S.3.  R.7. A.M., only trace.  Tue up town A.M.  I fill cracks in WC ciel.  Tue gets can paint at Briggs which exchange.  Mostly clear P.M. Very high southerly wind all day diminishing at night.  Mostly worked P.M. at odds and ends put broken glass in coal room &c.  I drove east of town to exercise mare.  Jim Turner drove piece with me going.  Merritt returning.  Having plenty feed keep mare in stable nowadays.  Tue over Groves at night.  Muggs has decided to accept MO posish at 85 and will leave about 15th.  Promise fair day for election tomorrow.  Gob 8.30

5.  Tuesday. 6 AM.  Ther. 50.  60.  56. = 55 1/3
Mostly cloudy, S.2 general election day.  Taft, Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson running for president.  I voted the republican ticket.  Pet Dickens held mare.  Met Abbot and Steve Decker.  Light rain 11 A.M.  It began to rain about 11 AM and continued the day.  Grace Sefton here to dinner. R to 6 P..50  I did not go up town again  Maggie and grace went to Lelas to spend the night.  Muggs came home to bring dog.  After we retired.  Cloudy day light southwind.  Alfred did not come.  Drizzle rain much of night.  Go bed 9.

6.  Wednesday, 6 AM.  Ther.  56.  62.  50. = 56
Cloudy. still raining S.1. R. to  7 a.30  Woodrow Wilson Dem was elected President.  Dunne for Governor   Nearly everything went democratic of course.  I did not hitch up till late P.M. and then drove up to Dicewoods looking for fungi.  Nothing appearing ~  came near getting caught in shower.  cloudy light rain at times Southwind becoming N. P.M. Gobed 9

7.  Thursday.  6 A.M.  ther 44.  56.  40. = 46 2/3
Cloudy N.3.  I drove over to see Jo Hatton.  He couldn't work.  Saw Mr. Fritz and Emmett will come tomorrow morn.  Cottingham and hand work at W.C. AM and again PM.  We have a slight  hitch when  go to move wash basin from Kitchen to W.C. but they  soon went to work again.  I drove E. up town late P.M.  they are scraping down the Westfield Road.  clear day ex. morn, light northwind  Gobed 9  Mrs. Gaines called 6 P.M. waiting for car.

8.  Friday.  6 A.M.  ther.  40.  60.  46.  =48 2/3
Clear. W.2. Emmett came and worked all day in cellar ~ Cottingham and Fleming work most getting the job about finished.  I don't like the way it is done in the basement.  Tue went to R.C. P.M. at W.E. Hill's.  Emmett quit at 5.30 and will return in morning.  High wind most of the day with high westerly wind.  Maggie gets letter from MO library and need not go until week after next.  Tue has recently had a letter from Mary Sayre  the first for several months.  reports Fahys folks going to Florida for winter.  Go bed 9. 

September 23, 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

23,  Friday, 7 AM.  ther. 52.  63.  58.
Mostly cloudy.  Write J. Walker Brewery Co. for amt due for empties 9.20.  Remit Bethesda 4.00 in full.  Draw off more old accounts in afternoon.  Sampson and McClosky  haul up 1400 ft. city lumber.  Pay Mrs. Comer 20.00 for Mort making 4 checks for it.  Let her have bottle sherry for Mort.  Decidedly chilly day N.E. wind., cloudy at times.  Frank M. Guse had trial today for selling liqueur without license.  Went up town for Mrs. E, at night.  F. Roderers in with me a while.  Go bed 10 PM.  Quit taking ice regularly.  Maggie got letter from Mary Sayre.

Mary Sayre

Charleston, Illinois June 27, 1912 and 1887

100 Years Ago

Thursday, June 27, 1912, 5.30 AM.  Ther.  62.  90.  72. = 74 2/3

Part cloudy, N.E. 1.  Rhoda washes A.M.    This the warmest day to date the season.  Part cloudy, cloudy and threatening about 4 P.M. with what appeared to be  a thunder storm with rain a few miles W. and N.W. but did not rain any here.  Clears off before night. I kept pretty still all day.  Tue and Phebe up to hear band at night leaving me alone.  Gobed 9.30

125 Years Ago

Monday, June 27, 1887  6.30 A.M.  Ther.  67.  88.  66.

 Clear.  Jo Liston takes old buggy to repair.  Pay Winters express charges on two boxes of beer reed week or two ago.  Seph MClasky and I went down to mill after my buggy getting home about 3 P.M.  Got a lot of butternuts on road home.  Mrs. Lainel  washes.  Tue not very well AM baby not well P.M.  Wrote letters to Mary Sayre last night.  Kate Davis over while at night also Kate Myers and Mrs. Feagan.  Clear day, strong  east wind.  Awful dusty and dry.  Go bed, 10 P.M.  pay Seph for trip 1.00

June 2, 1912 and 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

100 Years Ago

Sunday.  6 A.M.  Ther. 58. 74. 62. = 64 2/3

Part cloudy S.W.3.  The rain last night measured one inch.  None fell after 9 P.m.  I was born seventy years ago today.  I have received a straw hat and a pocket knife.  I got the paper.  Tue and Phebe went to church.  I drove E to timber getting home about noon.  Toward night drive via J.B. Hills to town line returning by Watson's.  Dirt roads quite muddy.  Think more rain north.  I call at Emmetts.  Will work for me tomorrow.  Has lost my spade fork.  Saw Nick in passing.   Part cloudy day moderate W. wind, becoming light southerly at night.  Mrs. Knock here till 9 P.M.  Gobed 10.30

125 Years Ago

Thursday,  6.30 AM  Ther  60.  80.  64

Cloudy, was clear early.  Got a baquet  for breakfast this being my 45 birthday.  Buy 5 1/2 yards matting to put in hall, cr. at Chambers $1.92.  School committee go to Chicago  to see about new school house.  Delia concludes to quit  Saturday.  Council meet tonight, but did not act on the pitch for license.  Put in a/c against City for lumber to date $14.50.  Take a lot more silkworms up town.  They don't seem to be doing well.  Mostly clear day with N.W. wind.  Got letter from Mary Sayre mostly about Aunt C. & Geo.* Go bed 10 P.M.  Father** and self went after hedges to Anderson's.

*Aunt Charity and Uncle George Wade- Charity was my Gr-gr-grandmother's sister.  This couple was very dear to Charles and Keturah.