May 1-20, 1901 in Coles County Illinois [Highlights]

May 1901

1. Wednesday.  Harry Stoddert getting better, but not up yet.  Take Tue up to Dr. Patton 8:30 AM.  Tue and Marie at Shortess.  

2.   Thursday

3.  Friday 

 Phebe went to doings at Paris.  Got home about 2 AM.

4.  Saturday

Find dead rat in older house  Have been looking for it for a week.   I Tue up to Dr. Patton's AM.  Tue feeling all day also self.  Thos. Briggs has been appointed City Marshall.  Ras Skidmore Supt. of streets.  Everything was changed by the new Mayor.  Tue was sick all night thought threatened with pneumonia.

5.  Sunda

I went after  Patton for Tue.  He came before noon, leaving medicine.  

6.  Monday,  John Marshall has been appointed Normal trustee in place of Henry Neal, and has gone to Chicago.  

7.  Tuesday.

Mrs. Irene came to wash with Mrs. Loving  They hang clothes in attic.

8.  Wednesday

9.  Thursday  

Call Patton to see Tue.  He left medicine.  Saw Hen again about helping me - says Ora wont let him work out with team as agreed.

10.  Friday  

Hannah Marshall was here to dinner.  Maggie and Phebe at dance at night.  Tue coughs very much at night.

11.  Saturday  

Tue did not get up today.

12.  Sunday

13.  Monday

14.  Tuesday

15.  Wednesday

16.  Thursday
 d that Mrs. President McKinley died this morning at San Francisco.  they have been repairing culvert on south sixth St. for several weeks both ends.  Saw Harry Stoddert up town this AM.  He has been paralyzed.

17.Friday 
 Phebe went to doings at Champaign.   to return tomorrow.   Bob Hodgen here AM for affidavit about Snider & children.  Tue about the same but  think getting hotter slowly.  I went  to clerks and treasures offices to see about land mine and Deckins sold for taxes of 1898. Must be redeemed soon   Henry Stodert is better and round town again.

18.  Saturday. 
Phebe went to doings at Champaign.  n to return tomorrow.   Bob Hodgen here AM for affidavit about Snider & children.  Tue about the same but  think getting hotter slowly.  I went  to clerks and treasures offices to see about land mine and Deckins sold for taxes of 1898.  Must be redeemed soon   Henry Stodert is better and round town again.

19.  Sunday.  
Phebe did not come.  Mat Brown shows me picture of his mother &c.  Geo Bunch offers 500.00 for 57 ft off S side bottom  Says will try to sell HG place for 1600.00  Says will charge 20.00 commish.  Piece to repair buggy not yet come.  think not safe to drive much.  

20.Monday 4.30 AM.  Ther.  49.  70.  55.  =  58
Mostly cloudy early N.E. wind - 4   I went uptown for coffee bacon and eggs before breakfast.  Charlotte  Sproule sewing for Tue all day.  Deposit Hodgons check bal. left of loan at State Bank $3044.29 and pay 2000.00 on note there leaving after taking out over draft about 6oo.oo  I start out to Gaines after dinner to take piece of machine broken last week.  Jo Harrowing SW piece and intends planting tomorrow.  Did not go to field.  Learn that John and wife will move to Loxa Thursday.  Tue feeling better today.  Mostly clear and NW wind and cool, road getting dusty.  I brought 3 hens for Mrs. Gaines.  gobed 8.30 P.M.  oil and tighten up buggy after breakfast. [shorthand]

April 25-26, 1914 and 1889 in Charleston, Illinois

April 1914

25.  Saturday. 6 AM.  Ther.  68.  76.  64.  =  69 1/3

Mostly cloudy. 9. S.4.  there was fresh wind all night with sprinkle R.  Emmett came at 7 A.  Finish mow yard.  Dig up old raspberry patch and set two rows N & S, west of pear tree.  Spades balance of garden.  Plant beans and peas.  Fastens up rosebush south of house.  Went to Country P.M. clean up lot and sow another dose of grass seed.  Last year's sowing did not do well.  We returned 4 P.M. pay ch 2.10 in full to date.  Mrs. Harman and friend tie horse in barn.  Mostly cloudy AM. light rain an hour or so.  I felt very unwell and did not go up town any more.  Tue went after supper.  Gob 9.30

26.  Sunday.  6 AM.  Ther.  60.  82.  70.  =  70 2/3

Cloudy.  Heavy fog and mist wetting like rain.  Talk a while with Mr. Warman early AM.  Hitch up early to take Tue out to Helen's.  She didn't  get  ready till about 11 AM.   Louise and daughter there.  I would not stay to dinner but drove southwest two or three  miles returning by Mat Brown's getting home 2 P.M.  Tue kept key to back door making it inconvenient.  Grove's were anxious to come over but would  not in her absence.  The country looks very dry.  The roads are good:  many of them have been draged(sic).  Peaches, pears plums and cherries have been in full bloom for past week.  Mostly clear day.  Tue came home 7.30 car  gobed 9.30

April 1889

25.  Saturday.  7 AM.  Ther.  60.  68.  48.  =  58 2/3

Cloudy E. wind.  Milt Drake was up with his first load of wood which he took to S E  Ray.  he and Johnny Drake will work the loads Monday and Tuesday.  Uncle John down to dinner.  Will send a lot of cones down to woods Monday.  Chilly day S. wind business pretty good.  I quit using tobacco today.  Gobed 11 P.M.

26.  Sunday. 8 AM.  Ther.  60.  73.  60.  =  64 1/3

Part cloudy.  S. wind.  Rene and Mrs. Wentz with all children came before noon and stayed to dinner.  Frank drake came up to  help Uncle John drive down cows tomorrow.  Mostly cloudy PM. and sprinkle rain several times.  Baby feverish at night self not feeling very well  gobed  10 Pm  Fix 2 Bbl (?).

April 14-15, 1914 and 1889 in Charleston IL

April 1914

14.  Tuesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  44.  66.  54.  =  54. 2/3

Part cloudy. E.2.  Hatton didn't come as agreed.  Self feeling poorly; am much worried about garden.  Hitch up AM.  Take Tue down to McCravys PM. later she went to Hat's.  I drove S.E. of town a while.  The  roads dry  Many of streets quite rough.  I felt so bad all day didn't care to do anything.  We get letter from Phebe.  She sent two records in box but there was but one when received.  Tue is  fretting about her washing.  Can find no one to do it.  Most cloudy with light N.E. winds.  Go bed 9

15.  Wednesday 6 AM.  Ther.  50.  70.  54.  =  54

Mostly cloudy. N.1.  Bill did not appear.  Tue gets Warman girl to help clean out tanks.  I drove to "Andersonville" to look for Steve Decker.  Zett said he had moved to country  quite  lately.  I get two pounds "lawn" grass seed at I.B.M's. 50 c Cr.  got  half bu corn there yesterday.  they are charging full price for things this season.  Tue and self plant some lettuce and radish P.M: trim vines.  Helen was in AM bring some buttermilk.  Tue  got a letter from Buddy.  she and Charley had been exposed to diphtheria but thought danger was past.  Drive over to see Hatton at Joe's.  Bill is working for Latta.  Jo will work for me tomorrow.  I kept on west crossing at Latta and Green bridges and down nearly to Mat Brown's.  I got  home 6 P.M.  Most clear NW2.  All roads are dry.  Streams getting low for season.  Tue went to church night - BMP (?)  Go bed 10 P

April 1889

14.   Sunday.  7 AM.  Ther.  39.  58.  48.  =  48 1/3

Cloudy.  Easterly wind.  chilly day.  Clean up some seed in stable to take to woods  Tue chickens from Ds all went back this morning.  Cloudy day and very dry strong  east wind.  Peaches are mostly in full bloom  garden stuff not growing much.  Have very little planted.  Prohibition meetings are being held at churches.  Go bed 10 PM

15.  Monday.  6 AM.  Ther.  38.  65.  48.   =  50 1/3

Clear east wind NOt feeling very well.  Up town most of forenoon.  There is considerable interest in the election tomorrow both on the license question and politically.  General impression seems to be that it will close all round.  The liquor men are not trying to do anything.  After dinner drove with Tue out to Uncle John's: found him burning brush.  Tue and I drove up to N. end of farm.  Uncle J. gave us some potatoes and 20 or thirty pounds of  pork.  Roads dry and dusty, got home sunset.  Milt Drake was up, his family went down Saturday.  John Rice's boy got dangerously scalded this PM at slaughter house.  Went up to Cancin(?) at night.   Gobed 10 PM

October 3-5, 1913 in Coles County Illinois

3.  Friday.  5.30  AM  Ther.  42.  74.  56.  =  37 1/3
Clear. N.1.  I got start say 8 oc with a full load.  Had to return for something.  Miller not there but came on first car say 9 and went to work.  A big school picnic at Park drew a big crowd on Inter (?).  I drove up through place Mr Cox plowing near Darlings.  Think has near 20 A done~ looks well.  Didn't meet Harman.  Cox intimates that he intends to put  present  breaking into corn.  Will see about that.  I return by Loxa leaving Miller working at  1 PM.  Getting home 2.15P.  Tue attended first R.C. meet up at Lola Cottinghams.  Helen went to the picnic.  Clear day light variable winds.  Whirlwinds.  Tue and Helen went to picture late.  Gobed 10.30  I left dog Jack at home.

4.  Saturday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  52.  78.  66.  =  65 1/3
Clear. S.2.  Gas smell.  Tue got letter from Phebe also one from Marie.  Phebe will come home 13 divorce proceedings.  Buddy writes that Walter is coming up tonight.  I get hat at Winters but think will return it.  Rene came over AM to investigate Helen's truancy.  She has been claiming to attend the Normal but seems has not done so altogether.  They fix it up and she will  continue to attend Normal borarding at dormitory instead of with us.  Ad Miller calls and I pay for Loxa repairs 2.00 will begin painting sooon as I can get ready.  Rene and Helen stay to dinner.  H &H were down to supper.  He is idle now.  I take severe case cramps with purging 3 P.M.  Warren calls and I promise him and Ike Rogers the ranch land.  They will begin at once to clear it off.  Mostly clear day.  Phone V.E.M. for same getting it toward night.  Tue bought quinces of Heddin.  go bed 10 P

5.  Sunday.  5.30  AM  Ther.  62.  76.  68.  = 68 2/3
Mostly cloudy. S.2. Sp rain 7 A and light showers later till 1P.  Tue attends church comm(?) getting paper.  Walter didn't come as expected  We ate dinner at 1.30.  at 3.30 I took drive S.W. nearly to  Mat Brown's getting home about 6.  I had load of children going nutting on way out return same way met Sam and Tom Walters near Burk hill  Mostly cloudy day with rain much of AM Part clear AM and threatening at sunset.  The dirt roads quite muddy.  Gravel pretty good.  Tue at Grove's when I got home.  Cloudy night.  No rain.  Gobed 9

September 3-8, 1913 in Charleston, Illinois

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

July 6-7, 1913 and 1888 in Charleston, Illinoid

1913

6.  Sunday.  5.00 AM.  Ther.  68.  88.  76.  =  77 1/3

Clear. N.W.3.  Old buggy hardly safe to use but hitch up and get paper.  Tue and Phebe went to church AM.  Tue went down to  H.G.'s late afternoon staying till 9 P.M.  I drove SW after 4 P.M.  Went by Mat Brown's turning by J.W. Percy's and Busk Woods: get home 8 P.M.  Much good corn in creek bottoms.  Streams are getting very low.  I did not meet any autos.  Mostly clear day with high Northwind diminishing at night.  Gobed 10 P.M.

7.  Monday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  66.  90.  78. =  78.

Part cloudy.  Phone J.E. Mc for same which got 3 P.M. and pay Ex on last lot.  Went over to Siberts with old buggy but couldn't get near shop A.M.  Tue got letter from Buddy P.M.  Self feeling worse than usual.  Fair day light southerly winds.  Tue went to Holiness meeting  with  Mrs. Brooks at night.  Gobed 10 P.M.

1888

6.  Friday.  5.30  A.M.  ther.  73.  93.  78.

Clear.  Father and Phebe up in night.  They ate too many string beans.  Stay at home all day  too hot to move round much.  Bert was here to dinner.  Ma has been staying  with them for a week or so.  Put a blind  up on S. side of W.C.  Hat calls in morning.  Go bed 10 P.M.

7.  Saturday.  5.30   Ther.  80.  95.  75.

Clear hot day.  Stay at home.  Up town at night for grub.  New band playing on street corners.  Get Mutton at Bill Myers 25c. on Cr.  Clouds up and storms up light shower about dark cooling air some.  Past week has been very oppressive to hot to work or to even eat.  Have had no butter for several days.  None in town.  Tue sells milk to Eastin's folks and she does not give enough for (?).  Gobed 10 P.M.

March 29-30, 1913 in Charleston, IL

1913

29.  Saturday 5.30 AM.  Ther.  22.  48.  38.  =36.

Clear.  S.3.  Scarcely frost.  Ray chored and owe him for four days say .55 didn't have any change.  I get letter from Muggs AM. date 27th and daily R.H.  Mrs. Brooks phones inquiring about Tue.  She has learned that there has been washout near Mt. Carmel and that it maybe  three or four days before trains run from Mt.C. to Paris.  Old Mr. Hicks died yesterday, was living alone an neighbors found him dead.  Just as I was getting ready to start up town after eating dinner (ha!ha!)  Warren Decker called, was glad to see him.  He and Heally want to plow up ranch field for me.  He told me to come and stay a week or longer with him, he is batching too.  After Warren left John Simons called hunting for Warren and another invite to come down and stay while.  After he left went to 2nd BK to see about sending Treuett Mathis 750.00 int. on  note  Get book balanced which shows much less than expected.  Went t o P.O. but no letter from Tue..  I let the T. M. matter rest till Monday.  Will have to borrow some.  Ontho (sic) way met Zack Scott and Jim Bolin in alley and talk a while with Zack who invites me down to stay a week.  Rene phones  but I can give her no news of Tue.  The boys have started again on library lot.  Sleep on couch till midnight.

30.  Sunday. 5.30 AM  Ther.  46.  70.  60.  = 58 2/3

Part cloudy. S.5.  I got new sack flour yest. and made biscuit for breakfast.  There were not gilt edged.  Also got  peck  E Ohios which are no good.  No appetite today so hitch up.  Went up for pape(sic) going to P.O. No mails.  After which drive SW nearly to Mat. Browns but turn north and west and return by Helens.  I did not see anybody learn that J.H> Snider is here; has been at Hot Springs Ark for health.  Helen by phone said she would send me loaf of bread and some eggs tomorrow.  George and Olive Rosebraugh called toward night and stayed on hour or two.  I found roads better than expected.  The fields everywhere look heavy and soaked.  There has been no work done at farming yet.  I drove up to P.O. at night.  I had good relish for vit(?) when got in from my drive.  Cooking bacon and eggs for dinner.  Mostly clear day with strong S. wind lightening NE night.  Gobed9

June 29, 1912 and 1887 in Charleston, IL

100 Years Ago

Saturday, June 29, 1912     5.40 Am.  Ther.  68.  88.  74.  = 76 2/3

Part Cloudy.  S.1.  Was up town AM looking for friends from Fox Ridge.*  Few in town.  John Simon called P.M. and talk about poles.  He cant do it for me at present.  John Hall speaks about hay.  Record names Bill for tite last winter.  Buddy got home about 3 P.M. from visit to Reasor's in Hindsboro.  I met Mat Brown uptown P.M. and Phone Nick for Same which got 5 P.M.  Self Delivery.  Talk a long time with him: says he is getting very feeble.  I start out after supper to see Emmett but firecrax drove me home.  Part cloudy day light south wind Thunder North P.M. with sprinkle here.  Tue and Buddy went to show.  All away but self and Charles.  Go bed 9.30

*This is the first time I have seen "Fox Ridge" used in the journal.

125 Years Ago

Wednesday,, June 29, 1887  6.30 AM.  Ther.  70.  94.  73

Some Cloudy, Send letter to Addie Sayre.  First silk moths come out, seems to be mostly males.  Only three pairs out today.  Black harness and get it together.  Broke off hydrant in front yard and have to get Fatty to fix it.  Decide to take it out and fill up the hole.  Considerably cloudy at times and very light sprinkle rain several times.  Brisk S.E. wind.  Kate Davis over at night.  Mrs. Wray brought couple chickens over.  Laind ironed.  Gobed 10.30 P.M.

May 28, 1912 and 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

100 Yeas Ago

Tuesday, May 28, 1912,  6 AM, Ther.  64. 80. 64.= 69 1/3

Cloudy and light rain.  there were heavy showers toward morn to 7 AM measuring  .62 in. more later with light shower 6P.M. say .05.  Tue washing AM.  They are working to raise six thound(sic) dollars for the Sanitarian.  We cannot give any.  Phone Nick P.M. for same.  The streets and roads quite muddy, gravel good.  I drove down by Mat Browns P.M.  Return by  Kickapoo.  The rain didn't raise streams.  Most of ground down that way broken  Planting mostly finished and corn coming up.  Part clear day high south wind.  Threatening with thunder several times wind becoming S.W.  Phebe out at night.  Tue went to library.  Go bed 10 P.M.

125 Years Ago

Saturday 6.45 AM.  Ther 58. 78.60

Clear.  Try to select some wall paper for hall.  Young rakes up and shocks the grass.  Settle with Fred. Wiber, Uncle John and Snider in town P.M.  Promise Mr. Cormer that will go down and see Milt Drake and John Handley Monday.  Tue gets hats for herself and girls at Mullens on Cr.  Settle with Bennett Bros. for chopping wood paying them 4.82.  Pay Warren Decker $15.00 verbal order to Stoddert.  He has hauled to date 520 posts @2c. leaving bal due me of $4.60.  Go bed 9.30 P.M. ` Took nearly half of silkworms up town.  Bought 2 qts. s berries at Wrights.