August 1- 17, 1891 in Charleston, IL HIGHLIGHTS

August 1891

1. Saturday

Pentecost camp meeting brings big crowds. Trade good.  H.G. and Bill Jefferies are going to start to Detroit tomorrow.  Came near putting Marie's  left eye today  knife  it gave us all a good scare.

2.  Sunday

Went up to store about 10 AM "Our son"getting ready for GAR trip tonight.  Maunie Lang here all day.

3. Monday

H.G and Jeff started at midnight.  50 kegs of beer came on local freight. 

4. Tuesday

I sent word to the ranch for boys  to move N. fence over to line at once.  He report that we are losing good many onions stolen.  

5. Wednesday  
Brownfield straightens oil room in forenoon and I begin measuring preparatory to invoicing  Warren was in with load of wood for Mrs. Coon bringing word that R. Decker would not let them pass through his lot on to ridge to make fence.  He had finally decided to allow it however.

6. Thursday
Have been trying all week to get butchers to take lard out of Perkins building so could move barrels over there.  Learn that some the GAR crowd had got home but no news of Jeff and H.G.   Cecropia worms are getting fat and crawl all over the room.  they are an awful nuisance. Tue went out to McCravy's in country with other ladies of Pres Church leaving girls and baby at home.  Maggie got  supper.

7. Friday
H.G. and Jeff arrive at 5 P.M. having been gone since Sunday night to Detroit G.A.R. reunion  Pete M Gurty, baby died tonight been sick some time

8.  Saturday
Our son [H.G] on hand as usual
this morning. Brownfield hoed out garden yesterday.  He cleaned out Perkins back room and moved Bbls today.  

9. Sunday
Maggie and Phebe went to the Pentecost Camp Meeting.

10.  Monday
Had two two narrow escapes from accident with horse  one at ranch and one while unharnessing.  Tue getting ready for Phebe's birthday party tomorrow.  Try two new  mushrooms.

11.  Tuesday
A large arch in the new school house  now building today.  No signs of spinning among my cecropias yet  Older ones 50 days  younger 40.  Phebes birthday she had quite a crowd of little girls here 15 or 20 to supper.  Change last lot of cecropia in bottom to another branch  They were through their 4th molt yesterday the majority of them.

12.  Wednesday
Tue went down to Hats P.M.  I walk down and look at new Western School House   

13.  Thursday
Get ready and take Tue, Hat and Marie out to Uncle John's house getting back self about 11 AM.  I went out after T., H., and baby about 6 P.M and didn't get back till dark. Cercropias very restless today and  nearly the whole lot in house crawling  over the floor in P.M  Found two of them spinning at night which are the first , nearly 53 days old.

14.  Friday
John Simons up to attend suit of Jo Handley against Edweare.  Turrie went to Batten girl funeral P.M.  six of the cecropia are spinning today.

15.  Saturday
Two more cercropia began spinning  The largest worm on  tree in bottom got ready to spin and left for parts unknown.

16.  Sunday. 
 Six more cecropias spin today making 14.  Divides large lot of new ones in bottom into two parts.  I start for ranch at 3 P.M.  Struck large lot of mushrooms (aguricus causpeatris ) in  Bishop bottom gather about half a bush and go back home.  Maunie stays to supper.  

17.  Monday, 4.30 AM.  68.  87.  77. = 77 1/3
Mostly cloudy.  N. wind.  Start out with girls and get about 3 pecks of mushrooms  get home and find that Nick is sick and had not been to store  He is about worn out with sick baby.  Sultry day, occasional sprinkle of rain.  Gobed  10.30 PM

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

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 8- 15, 1913 in Charleston, Illinois

8.  Tuesday.  5.30.  AM.    Ther.  68.  92.  78.  =  79 1/3
Clear S.W. 1.  Hoden was in AM.  Settle for butter and eggs Since last Feb. Ck. 6.50.  Tues finishes fixing an old rug for Buddy.  Tue  attends Aid meet at McCravys P.M.  Fern N; helping Phebe with dress most of day.  I drove E. to Alexander woods. late P.M.  there is  nothing doing in the  woods.  Got home about 7.  Mostly clear day.  Heavy clear day.  Heavy cloud from northerly at 8 P.M. with lots of wind and dust No rain but good deal of thunder.  a light shower later in night.  .o5.  Gobed 9.30.

9.  Wednesday.  5.30  AM.  Ther.  72.  94.  78.  =  81 1/3
Mostly clear.  S.W.2.  Rhoda comes to wash, working till 3 P.M.  Get shave A.M. pd.  Later hitch up and drive up town.  Pay E. Light bill for June 1.89 ck.  Perry Grove has recently resigned his posish with Public Service Co.  I got jag of corn of I.B.M. yest.  they pay 65 and sell @ 75c.  I drove N.E. P.M.  going N. on Anderson road and returning by Ashmore road corn look well up that way- No corn firing as yet.  I got home 7.30  Part Cloud day Showers S.E. P.M.  Heavy thunder in that direction about  3 oclock.  wind northerly at night and cleared off.  Go bed 9.30.

10.  Thursday.  5.30  A.M.  Ther.  62.  84.  70.  = 72.
Clear. N.E.2.  another change in weather without rain.  Tue goes up later.  I get start to Loxa 9 A.M. going through to farm which look over pretty well.  Cliff at work in B.C. south of house with five teams.  Talk with him while.  Paul and Mr. Cox both sick.  He has four hands hired in  field. has cut say ten acres oats.  Asks me to  send Abbott out - which I did P.M.  Return through Loxa getting home say 1 P.M.getting sheaf oats.  Met Zeke Gilbert.  Toward night drove round by Siberts: he will shoe horse  &c in  morn.  Saw Abbott: Says will go out in morn.  Says Jo Bill now working for Interurban.  Clear day with a steady N.E. whirlwinds.  Lighter at night.  There is no running water in Cossell Creek.  All streams are going dry.  Plenty of water at head wall Loxa Branch.  Tue  and Phebe were up to  hear band in evening.  Fern here during day working with Phebe.  Gobed 10 P.M.

11.  Friday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  60.  90.  80.  = 76 2/3
Clear.  N.E. 2.  Tue got letter from Muggs yesterday:  says will be home Saturday.  Got mare shod in front AM.  at Siberts on 7th St.  Cr,  They came for her and return her when shod. Get good steak at Dorsch's.  S. Emmett helping him put up hay.  Clouds up light shower about 1 P.M. with thunder.  More light showers in night.  Order of I.B. late P.M. bu oats and bale threshed timothy which they deliver.  I drove late down Myers house through Wrightsville getting home after 6.  Part cloudy day Strong southwind P.M.  Go bed 9.30.

12.  Saturday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  70.  88.  78.  = 78.
Cloudy early W.4.  Strong southerly wind all night with light dashes of rain - Not enough to do any good.  I drove S.E. nearly to river AM looking for chickens.  Didn't find any.  I got home noon finding Muggs here, sooner than she expected.  She has four weeks vacation.  Grace and Fern here P.M.  Mostly clear day with high westerly winds.  Old man McGaham died yesterday.  Learn that Sam McPheron is dead at Mattoon.  Tue and girls went up town a while at night.  I  have had bad pain in right side for week.  It worries me.  Got buttermilk at Creamery.  Gobed 10 P

13.  Sunday.  5.30  AM.  Ther.  70.  94.  86.  = 83 1/3
Clear mostly S.W. 3.  Hitch up early.  Tue and girls sleep till about 8.  Tue attends church morning.  Shave self AM.  Had intended to go to ranch or elsewhere AM. but proves to be too hot about 5 P.M.  drove to ice plant for ice and later took drive down by Woodson place.  Corn looks well in spite of the drouth.  I got home 7.30  Roads dry and dusty.  Little signs of rain.  Mostly clear day with strong SW wind.  Go bed 10 P.M.

14.  Monday.  5.30  Ther.  78.  92.  86.  85 1/3
Cloudy and very threatening.  Heavy black cloud approaching from N.E.  It yielded little rain (05)  The rheumatism in right side which has annoyed me for a week or two so much worse today that keep pretty still.  Toward night I drove SW getting home 8 P.M.  I got three chickens at Louis Songer's 1.00 check.  Part cloudy and threatening but no rain here except sprinkle in morn.  The  corn Emmett planted is up two or three inches.  Corn in country looking well.  Part clear S.W.3.  Go bed 10 PM.

15.  Thursday  5.30 AM.  Ther.  78.  94.  84.  = 85 1/3
Cloudy with thunder S.2. Sp. rain 6 P.M. .03.  The pain in my side gets worse.  I did not hitch today on account of heat.  Didn't go up town.  Sat in buggy in barnyard much of P.M. reading.  The heat very oppressive.  No rain although cloudy and threatening late P.M.  This drouth is pretty general in the middle West.  Sat with Tue, Muggs and Phebe on hillside after supper.  Wish Buddy was here.  Mosquitoes still pretty bad.  Jack dog something in his throat.  Gobed 9.30 P.  Tue sends box to Buddy Express.

Charleston, Illinois, on October 11 & 12, 1887

11,  Tuesday, 6.15,  AM.  Ther 45.  54.  48.
Almost clear.  Fresh N.W. wind.   Tue thinks she has ague and takes tonic.  Mrs. Dickenson sends word again that she can't come till tomorrow.  Eastin and Decker bring two loads green wood  for Mrs. Robinson which she refuses to take, so put it on the yard.  Bill Hill unloading car load of potatoes, get samples.   Paid Easton 1.00.  Very raw day.  Wind nearly North considerably cloudy P.M.  Tue buys undershirts and hose at Chambers.     Mits for girls at Frommell.  Buy socks at McCravys.  went up town at night to see Sol Meyers.  Go bed 9 PM . . . .

12, Wednesday,  6.30 AM.  ther.  36.  57.  47.
Clear.  Heavy white frost.  No word from Dorsey yet wrote him last Thursday.  Mrs. Dickenson washes.  Comer up town.  He and John Huffman talk a while in my place.  Tue went up to  Mrs. Norfolks while in P.M.  Collect several dollars of different parties.  Have been taking ice for a few days.  Clear day with W, S.W. wind.  Gobed 9 P.m.