August 15, 1892 and 1903 in Coles County Illinois

August 1892

15.  Monday 6 AM.  ther  63,  87,  69
Clear NE wind.  Drove with Tue and Marie out to Emmett Glasco place  getting a basket of  large lepiota,  L. Morgani Poison same as I thought made me sick several weeks ago.    Try some for dinner and no bad effects.  Father also ate more than self with no unpleasant effect  To day has been rather warm  The last lots of cecropias are spinning    Nine of the lots began Sat.  Trade rather quiet for Monday, clouds up toward night with some signs of rain but clear off.  Wind N.E.  Maggie spent night with Maunie Lang.  Gobed 1030

August 1903

15.  Saturday 6:40 AM.  Ther  62.  77.  66.  =  68 1/3

Mostly cloudy. E. wind.  Over slept ourselves this A..M.  Drive up to timber getting fine mess of  A. abruplus.  Gave some to Bill Hill some to Nick   Jack Colby thinks Bill Decker will get money of home party to buy my land next week.  Saw Bill and he seems hopeful.  Very heavy thunder shower and rain 1 PM till 3 P.M.  I slept through most of it and did not get up town to get plows  left at Pugho for sharpen.   It cleared off toward night.  Jo Walton pays 50.00 rent up to Sept 10 check.  Drove with Tue around town awhile after dark.  Gobed  11.30 P.M.     [shorthand]

At the side of page:  Tue got card from Maggie  Says she and Hannah will go to Geneva Sunday.  They were at Niagara on Friday.  

January4, 1892 and 1903 in Coles County, IL

January 1892

4. Monday.   7.  AM.  Ther  26.  30.  24.  =  26 2/3

Mostly cloudy, wind SW.  The girls start to school this morning to public schools.  They had been going to Miss Whitlemore since October.  Tom Rice brought big piece of ice form Bishops pond about 3 inches thick.  Mrs. Rogers washed AM.  Maunie Lang went back to school.  Learn that Latta has bought the Wait place SE of town.  Buy load of coal of Reicters.  Wind got round to NW before noon.  Mostly.  Mostly cloudy chilly day  Gobed midnight ~

Charles Gramesly

January 1903

4.  Sunday,  7 AM.  Ther.  25  35  30  =  30

Cloudy, NW wind.  I (?) round house all day.   Sort over in den awhile P.M.  Maggie is getting ready to return to school tomorrow AM.  Miss Ford arrives from NY PM, were expecting her.  Moderate day.  Sun shone out about noon.  Gobed 9 P.M.  Snow at night.  Took a wire in my right tumb P.M.

William Sayre Gramesly, Phebe Gramesly , Marie Gramesly, Margaret Gramesly

The vine on the house is a beautiful trumpeter vine.

July 5-6, 1891 and 1902 about

July 1891

5.  Sunday 7 AM.  Ther  66.  87.  66    73

Clear SE wind.  Mary Davis stayed all night with Phebe  last night Maggie with Maunie Lang.  Cecropius not doing so well especially the younger ones.  I start for timber about 5 P.M. getting there just before dark.  Chewing tobacco yesterday and today does not agree with me.  The boys have made 204 ties to date.  Warm partly cloudy day with SE wind.  gobed 930 PM 

6.  Monday ? AM.  Ther  65  86  76 = 76 2/3

Mostly clear S SE wind   John went down to truck patch dug potatoes and picked cucumbers.  R.&J. straighten up things in barn.

Harrison Handly says he will help.  hauling my rye tomorrow.  Have failed to find anyone who will thresh for me this week  I start home at 10 AM.  Getting there about (unreadable)

. . .wah today  Nicks baby sick since yesterday noon and he was at store but little today nor at night.  Mostly clear day with S. wind  go bed 10.15 PM

July 1902

5. Saturday  7 AM  Ther  66.  92.  74.  =  77 1/3

Partly cloudy SW wind  Self feeling badly all day  Did not sleep last night.  Think it was the mushroom but I ate enough trash for supper to give me cholera morbus.  It beat a big dose of pills, did not vomit.  Good crowd in town.  Mostly clear day with W. wind.  Drive down to Richters toward night collecting for load corn 20.23 paying coal to date / $2.50  These are warm days.  Corn 60 cts.  Gobed 10 P.M.

6.  Sunday  6 P.M.  ther.  75.  93.  78.  =.  82.

Partly cloudy.  Fresh SW wind. I drove to Kickapoo and around.  Observe chanterelles, Russula, and Boltus very scattered however.  Some pastures are filled with  Lepiota Morganii.  Numerous puff balls but the weather is too hot for them to be good.  There is family of movers camped near school house for past two weeks.  Old James Finch rode into town with me.  Mostly clear AM.  Thin cloudy P.M. and very sultry.  At night drove NW of town with Laura Clark and Marie.  Jack got run over by buggy.  Tue went to church with Mrs. Knock  Gobed  10 PM ~ Men work on Laundry chimney AM.

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.

April 11-30, 1890 (HIGHLIGHTS)

April 1890

11.  Friday.  

Start for Ranch by Handly Ford.  Have been clearing W. Decker Ridge.  Stay with them P.M.  They are doing it extra well.

12.  Saturday,

Red Sow had pigs last night. Goat chewed up rig seat last night.

13.  Sunday.

Lombard Plum in full bloom.  Tue to P Ch to meeting AM.  Drove with Maggie and Phebe out to Mrs. Lowes Woods AM.  Drive with Tue and baby out to Uncle John's after dinner getting home before dark.

14.  Monday. 

 Wright stakes raspberries.  Bert here to dinner  Hat was down after dinner.

  she and Tue went over to Knocks.  The elections tomorrow creates  good deal of interest.

15.  Tuesday

Work all day on election board.  Nick and H go fishing.  The democrats carried all the wards but 1st by large maj.

16.  Wednesday.  

Have mares shoes taken off.  Hymen and Friecberg in town.   The election yesterday resulted democratic 1st Ward Baker R 15 over Will Miles  2 C. W. Roberts D 88 over Gro Ginters  3 Noa Moore 147 over Alex Biggs R  4th R Cadle D 33 over FK Dunn   D Dod? 177 over M.W. Robbins R. total vote on Alderman 1st 194.  2d  212.  3rd  315.  4th  227.  Total 948  The  The  Dem alderman are supposed to be in favor of license.  

17.  Thursday

18.  Friday.  

Talk timber with Comer till about noon.  He offers to log and saw it up at $7.50 per M. Scribnar scale.  He will set mill just above Handlys wheat field in S. Hollow.  Tues red sow had five pigs last week and the McKee sow 8 on Apl 16th and I found black sow with 3 in hollow before starting home.

19.  Saturday

20. Sunday.

 Almond and sherries in bloom.  Dandelions coming out.  Maunie Lang here good part of day as usual.  

21.  Monday.

Crass opens clogged sewer from W.C. and begins on ditch for water works to barn yard.  Crass works at water works Fatty puts in pipe P.M.  Tue and Hat went calling P.M.  Tue buys new pair shoes at Mitchells 3.50 CA.  

22.  Tuesday.

Crass works at water works  Fatty puts in pipe P.M.    P.M. Tue and Hat went calling P.M.  Trade fair Court in session.

22.  Tuesday.

23.  Wednesday.  Comer has moved his mill.

24.  Thursday

Ranch  count sheep and lambs  70 sheep  65 lambs one of which came this morning.  Bill Kelly very sick and they think he wont get well.  

25.  Friday  

Court in session Grand Jury adjourned Tuesday without finding any indictments against liquor men.  Jo Laudes  had damage suit against him by Mrs. Woodrum  The jury have been out a day or two still out.

26.  Saturday

Comer in town.  Settle in full with him.  Make kick about terms ib which he is to saw timber.  Didn't come to any  understanding  Uncle John in town P.M.    Jo Lander jury came out with sealed verdict.  River said to be rising fast.  

27.  Sunday.

Planted  50 sprouted peach pits in garden.  Great blow at dinner about nothing.  Tue and children  went to P Church.  Learn that Bill Kelly is not expected to live.

28.  Monday.  7 AM

Comer called about  9 AM and we agree to go to work at timber.  Mrs. Woodrum  got a verdict against Jo Laudes for 195.00 damages for the killing of her husband by Skelly.  Rip Clark and Ira Brooks had trouble at Pentacost Meeting Tonight.

29.  Tuesday

Bill Kelly still alive but very low.  Old Mrs. Davis has been sick a long time and does not get any better.  Skelly trial in progress.

30.  Wednesday

At Ranch.   Separate rams from ewes.

March 26-31 , 1890 and 1901

March 1890

Spurgun loaded two loads hay today.

26.  Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther

clear, wind N.W.  Simons went to Comers for load of strips.  John and Rile making stakes. Caught flying squirrel with young.  I start home before noon going by Jo Monforts place get home about 7 P.M. very tired.  Buy spring tooth harrow of Montfort  @ 6,00  Roads dry everywhere  The fastest drying I ever saw.  Find Tue had joined Presbetyrian (sic.) Church in my absence 10.30 P.M.   ? Surveyor went down today but missed me.

27.  Thursday. 7 AM.  Ther  44.  
Cloudy wind SE. sprinkle several times in night and during day  Heavy rain with thunder toward night  Wind changes to W from SE and grows cooler  Intended to go to ranch today Buy steak at Bishops at night.  Tue went to church P.M. and night  Gobed about midnight

28.  Friday.  7 AM.  ther  28.  33.  33.  = 31 1/3
Cloudy and snowing  Half inch on ground wind west cloudy all day  Maunie Lang here  Girls at home The schools have vacation this week  Tue went to church PM and night go bed about Midnight

[top of Page]  Great Cyclone at Louisville  Thursday night 27th

29.  Saturday, 7 AM.  ther  26.  57.  37  =  40
Nearly clear SW wind.  Mostly cloudy day SW till 4 PM. changing to N and much clouder. [sic.]  Not many people in for Sat.  Send word by Warren for John to go for harrow as soon as possible.  Kelly found  Carlo at Andrew Walters but they refused to give him up.  Settle in full with Milt Drake collecting rent to  Apl 20.  Al King makes break at night.  Buy can oysters at Lchrers cash.  Give Cassand second old  coat to repair  Gobed  10c

30.  Sunday. 7.30 AM   Ther  26.  47.  36  =  36 1/3
Mostly cloudy, NW wind.  Tue went to Pres. church girls to Christian Sunday School.  Not feeling well today or should have gone to timber.  Chilly mostly cloudy day with N.E. wind P.M.  Gobed 10 P.M.

31.  Monday.  7 AM.  Ther  30.  40  32  =  34
Cloudy wind N.E. about half inch snow on ground which fell last night.  Phebe does not go to school.  Election day tomorrow and liquor men decide not to open at all.  Got shave at Mays at night  Gobed  11.30

March 1901

26.  Tuesday, 5.30 AM.  Ther  39.  45.  42  =  42

Cloudy S.W. wind.   Sprinkles rain in forenoon.  Self feeling badly all day.  Tue built a little fire in furnace.  Clara ironing most of day and feeling bad with neuralgia.  Jack Trobaugh will help me in morning floodgate and fence.  Cloudy all day with westerly wind.  Tue went somewhere with Kate Grove at night.  Phebe also out.  Gobed.  9.30 P.M.

27.  Wednesday  5.30 AM.  Ther  38.  42.  37  39

Cloudy westwind (sic).  Jack Trobaugh fixed bottom fence except floodgate and helped oil buggy.  I went to noon train looking for Maggie but she didn't come.  Tue wrote to her today. Was up tp see Hodgen P.M. but he was away till Sat.  Find that Wall owes me $40 on rent.  the 5000 paid by Garrison being paid for themselves.  The Cols time for selling his place his place expired today.  I was up at Marshalls office.  Cloudy chilly day.  Play cinch at night with Marie and Clara.  Phebe went to dance with Carl not getting home till toward Morning  Gobed 10 P.M.

28.  Thursday.  5.15 AM.  Ther.  30.  42.  40  =  37 1/3
Partly cloudy.  North wind.  Dick Wright works 8 to noon.  Has worked to date 18 1/2 hours.  Today fixed flood gate and trimmed trees mostly. quitting at noon.  Tue feeling badly  Maggie got home P.M. has been gone since 13th (?). She is not feeling very well. After doing chores I go out to Gaines'.  Stay all night  Jo began plowing across branch for gate.  Roads good.  Cloudy chilly day N. wind - I ate lunch on road.  Sleep with Jo w room lying awake  most of time  9 P.M.

[At top of Page]  shorthand

29.  Friday. 5 Am.  Ther  35.  44.  39.=  39 1/3
Mostly cloudy Easterly wind.  They are repairing branch sewer where injuried by high water.  Jo went to plowing 6 AM.  Roan horse tore buggy cushion last night.  I got home at 9. AM.  Ruth Reat rode with me.  Learn that Dr. Bush does not want the  lumber brought him last fall.  Buy narrow scoop at Van Meters Cr. 1.00  Miss Ford has party of friends at night.  Phebe went to party at night.  Gobed 10 P.M.  N

30.  Saturday.  6 AM.  Ther  39.  55.  38.  =  44
Cloudy Easterly wind.  There were light showers last night toward morning.  Maggie started again to work at Jenkins although not feeling very well.  Treas Gannaway tells me that no costs will be placed on taxes till April 10.  Garrison Bros indemnity bond does not satisfy me.  Get halter for cow Al Frommel 65c cr.  Call on Hodgen  AM Says will loan me money on farm as cheap as any body.  Mail check for 18.00 to Jo Gaines on wages: first I have paid him on this year  Partly clear day growing Tue went up town at night.  Phebe went home with Lude Record gobed  11 P.M.

31.  Sunday.  6.30 AM.  ther  33.  42.  34  =  36 1/3
Cloudy North wind.  Snow flying AM. [shorthand]  thought to hitch up and try roads PM but too chilly  Sun came out middle of day but mostly cloudy with northwind  Gobed 9 P.M.

February 10-17, 1890 in Coles County Illinois

February 1890

10.  Monday.  6.30 AM.  Ther  24 .  45.  34  =  35 1/3

Clear.  Mrs. Rogers washed.  Uncle John was down to dinner.  John Simons in with team. after corn and feed  Has bought another load of hay from Hasney.  Does not think Milt is going to vacate very soon.  Bill Myers  took away calf.  Sell Vansickle load wood.  Maggie not very well at night.  Dog Shirley chaws(sic) up clothes  Clear day chilly some snow still on ground  Gobed 10.30 PM

11.  Tuesday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  34.  55.  34.  =  41
Clear wind S. and W. P.M. NW at night and growing cooler  Many calls for wood today but have sold all I can spare.  Order 8  Bush Blue 8'Orchard and 4 Red top through W.E. Hill.  Abbott  says  will work for me tomorrow.  Milt Drake up P.M. purports to go into my south house as soon as  Rile Decker gets out.  Clear warm day  Snow goes off   Gobed 11 PM~

12.  Wednesday.  7 AM.  ther.25.
Cloudy.  Abbott began early working all day mostly sawing wood  Reynolds hauls last load up for me.  Milt did not show up early,  got ready to start about 2.30 P.M.  Went by  walkers ford.  river pretty well up I cross in boat  Milt on mare.  Got to Milt's about 7.30 and gobed  10.30 PM   Co Surveyor will come next week.

13.  Thursday.  6 AM  Ther
At ranch.  clear frosty morning stock looks badly.  Simons and self walk round most of most of AM.  Decide to build barn yard fence first  Milt helping Riley Decker in order to get his house done  Milt purposes to move as soon as Riley does..  Start home at nearly 4 P.M. by Handly ford.   home at 7:30  P.M.  Rain at 9 P.M. and most of night thereafter.  Gobed 11 P.M. 

14 Friday.  7 AM.  Ther  43.  50.  42.  =  45
Cloudy rain nearly all last night  cloudy damp day, with mist or fog all night.  The roads are as bad as I ever saw them.  Pay up  Abbott for work this wk settle with Briggs Insurance barn and store trade dull.  Very few people in town.  Have talk with Comer about gering out my timber this spring  Gobed 11 PM.  

15.  Saturday.  7 AM  Ther  30.  52.  37.  =  39 2/3
Clear.  Light white frost.  some signs of better weather.  Uncle John was down to dinner.  Henry Hildreth who has been gone since last March ate supper with us.  He has been in Dakota and Virginia since.  Father got some butter at  J.B. Hill which  couldn't use.  I got some butter at  McCaud at night.  Pay Warren Decker in full to date   Trade better than late Saturdays Fine Day, wind S Gobed 11 PM  Girls want to stay all night with Maunie Lang.

16.  Sunday 7 AM  Ther  34.  57.  47.  =  42 2/3
Clear morning, light frost.  S wind.  Tue sent Phebe up to Lees for oysters.  I undertook  to clean up in smoke house PM but gave it up.  Tue and children over to Davis P.M.   Pop corn at night.  Mostly clear day with S wind  gobed 9.39 PM  ~~

17.  Monday 6.30 AM  Ther  43.  64.  55.  =  54.
Partly cloudy, S wind.  C McCravy says Mrs. Straw has sold her lot down in bottom to Perishs.  Tell A. Buirk to bid 6.00 on sulky harrow at his sale tomorrow.  Phebe came home from school at noon sick and did not go PM  Dr.  Sparks pays me 1.90 for load wood.  Pleasant day, mostly clear AM.  Tue consults Dr. Patton about herself and gets some medicine  Gobed.  10.15 PM  Marie 3 years old.

February 8-9, 1890 and 1901 in Coles County Illinois

February 1890

8.  Saturday.  7 AM.  Ther, 10. 24. 13  =  15 2/3

Clear. N.W. wind.  Did not go up town today.  Maunie Lang here most of day.  Paul Davis sawed  us some wood P.M.  Uncle John was down to dinner  Cold raw day with NW wind mostly clear Not many country people in town  Gobed.  11 P.M. ~

9.  Sunday.  7.30 AM.  Ther  17.  34.  27.  = 26.

Part Cloudy.  wind S.  Maggie went to S.S. Pleasant day but does not thaw much and most of the snow that fell last Friday not melted much yet.  Kate Davis here while P.M.  Wind South and mostly clear day  Gobed 9.30

February 1901

8.  Friday 6.30 AM.  Ther 26.  35.34  =  31 2/3

Cloudy SE wind sifting of snow in night.  Clara got up and made fires.  Mrs. P and Kate Perrill left AM. promising to come and spend night with us.  Kate and Mrs. Bacon called P.M. on way to Dale Woodworths  funeral which will be tomorrow.  They left their team here and  went to Franks.  The reading Circle was in session when K & B called and Tue did not seem them.  Cloudy all day snow turns to heavy rain and sleet P.M. continuing til after dark.  Play cinch at night.  Gobed   9.30 P.M.

9. Saturday  5.15 AM.  Ther  26.  29.  25.  = 26 2/3

Cloudy N.W wind.  Frozen up and snowing lightly  Everything covered with ice  Clara helping Tue make shirt.  K & B call for team and stay for dinner starting home about 2.30 P.M.  I had bad toothache all last night which still continues.  Bacon is going to move in a few days to near Humbolt  Clara left at night to be gone till Monday noon.  I went up town for shave.  Didn't get it.  Fell down and hurt knee over at Court House.  Tue and Buddie over at Grove's at night.  Kate Perrill called P.M. and said she might be here to stay all night.  She didn't come.  Mrs. Perrill over at Bains.  Decide to quit chewing tobacco tonight  Gobed  10 P.M.

January 11-12, 1890 and 1901 in Coles County IL

January 1890

11. Saturday 7 AM.  Ther  61.  70.  58  = 63

Cloudy AM. but mostly clear day with strong SW wind  Milt was in and reports everything OK Uncle John was down to dinner  Good many in town and trade better than lately  Warm day and more like Apl or May than Jany  Roads said to be in terrible condition   C Teel and Jo Drake have the grip also many other cases Rain after 11 PM  Gobed 12.30  

12.  Sunday.  7.30  AM  50.  67.  58  =  58 1/3

Cloudy wind S.E.  light rain at times in night.  Mrs. Harley is sick.    Thought of going to ranch today but too much like rain.  Girls went to S.S.  Maunie lang over about noon and until night.  Phebe feverish at night gave Eilert Pill.   Rain toward night and very heavy after dark with much thunder and violent gale  Maggie got  caught in storm taking milk to neighbors  Mostly cloudy day with strong S.E. wind  gobed 9 PM ~

January 1901

11. Friday.  6.45 AM.  Ther.  32.  36.  28.  =  32

Cloudy NW wind some sleet and rain in night night  I did not wake till 6.30  Clara did not come on 5.37 as expected but arrived on local.  My supper disagreed with me last night and feel badly this  morning.  Light fine snow a while in morn.  Shirley called about 9 AM.  Paid me 5.00 borrowed last week.  Clara ironed  Tue attends R.C. at J.H. Marshalls.  Peel last of quinces.  Buy clock and oil cloth at Jenkins, paid.  Maggie over at Roman's at  night.  Clara went to see Daisy.  Tue and Marie at Groves.  Cloudy day with NW wind fine snow occasionally (?).  gobed 9.30 P.M.  

12.  Saturday.  5.30 AM.  Ther  24.  36.  32.  =  30 2/3

Partly clear.  Westwind.  Jack Trobaugh works from 8 am till 4 P.M  Pay him 1.00 which is 16 cts over.  Clara uphosters her kitchen table.  Jack split and piled wood and clean out stable &c   Defenbaugh pays up and I release mortgage  Allowed him about 5.00 to pay for abstract I promised him.  Mrs. Gaines sent for some goods which I buy at Jenkins.  Hearty talking of a greenhouse and would like to lease bottom lot.  I went up town after supper and had accident with Queen on way up.  Harness came off in part and might have had serious runaway.  Tue and Marie went up town at night.  Buy chicken at Hutton's  Mostly clear day with westerly wind.  Defenbaughs bal. pd today 75.00  Gobed, 10.30 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 14-20, 1889 in Charleston, IL

December 1889

14.  Saturday.  7 AM  Ther 57.   48.  34.  = 46 1/3

Cloudy w. wind begins growing colder about 7.30 AM.  Cloudy day wind N. clears off at night  Uncle John & Snider to dinner.  Snider brought us piece of beef.  Drake up with team.  Got  small load hay yesterday.  Got drunk this evening and starts home about 7 P.M.  Frank with him.  Gobed 11 P.M. ~ Electricity is out until 11 P.M.

15.  Sunday.  8 AM.  Ther  30  51.  47  =  42 2/3
Cloudy S. wind Heavy white frost  Maunie lang here most of the day and dinner.  Intended to go out to Uncle John P.M. but too much company.  Mrs. Harley here at night  gobed 10.30

16.  Monday 7 A.M.  Ther  50.  69.  57  =  58 2/3
Cloudy wind SW.  Start for ranch with Kelly 10.30 AM.  Found Milt Killing hogs brought up team and wagon get home about 6.30  Johnny McKee rode up with us.  Brought up  spotted Kid.  Milt has Devinely's Black billy goat there also Snider's Nanny.  Had Electric light put in  store today  Warm day part cloudy southerly wind, Road getting good most of way  gobed  midnight

17.  Tuesday,  6.15 AM.  ther.  55.  55. 42  =  50 2/3
Cloudy with SW wind.  Heavy rain between 8 AM and 10 AM.  Got stuff at Mintons to finish hay rack and Kelly and self work on it a while in PM.  Mrs. Wentz here in afternoon.  Gobed  11.40  PM.

18.  Wednesday 7 AM.  Ther  40.  60.  48.  =  49 1/3
Mostly cloudy SW wind.  Kelly and self work all day on hay rack slow work.  Hot here at night.  Harley boys over after school to see goat Mrs. Rogers irons.  Tue went up town PM.  Gobed  11.45  
AJ Weil drummer here.  buy 50 bbl J GMatteringly & S 5.89.  @ 41, acept M(?) 1.  Clear all day.

19.  Thursday.  7.00 AM.  Ther.  36  64  55  =  51 2/3
Clear Kelly and self work all day finish hay rack  Tue and  Grandpa go to HG's for dinner  Hat here at night  pretty cloudy PM  good deal cloudy PM.  gets warmer in night  Trade dull.  Gobed  11.45  

Carried over

4 pages of weather statistics

20.  Friday  7.30 AM.  Ther  47  45  41  =  44 1/3
Cloudy wind SW, light shower before light in morning.  Kelly  intended to take a load of hay down to timber today if it had not rained, instead brought load to stable  and hauled wood in P.M. three loads.  Will take  load to ranch tomorrow if weather will permit.  Cloudy day wind W. and N.W.  School closed today till after New Years.  Go bed 12.30

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.