April 9-10, 1890 and 1901 in Coles County, Illinois

April 1890

9.  Wednesday.  6.15  Ther  45.  43,

Change cooler toward morn.  Violent NW wind with rain at times  Tue did not sleep much but complain of feeling some better this morning,  Wright spading in bottom  Simons brought up  team and wright took it out home after dinner.  Hat and Mrs. Knocks here P.M.  Tue feeling better P.M.  Cloudy misty  Gobed  12  Pants of Winter

10.  Thursday, 6.30 AM.  Ther  30  48  38 = 38

Clear.  White Frost.  Tue not so well this AM.  Wright spade in bottom, also repairs back fence at SW.  ? tie man here He pays only 38c for ties and does not want any switch ties.  Wiel drummer here but  don't buy  anything.  Rep and Dem both nominate in 4th ward tonight  Fran Dawn and Dick Cadle  Geo ? and Blanche Sefton married tonight.  Gobed  10.30 ~~ Clear day N.W.

April 1901

9.  Tuesday.  6 AM.  Ther 32  60  44  = 45 1/3

Clear Northerly wind   white frost Northerly  wind .  Owen slept this Morn  See Frank Moffett and Geo Durbin about abstract.  Mrs. Gains gives me latter with check missent  Mar 30.    Garrison fails to get banker on bond.  Went to Loxa after dinner  Jo combing down stacks E of barn  Hans finished oats  harrowing  twice yesterday.  Shirley cutting stalks on north piece.  Took out harness i side repaired.  Drive to Loxa getting 2 bu. potatoes E. Ohio.  Get deed needed for abstract of Charley Jones.  Pay up a/c and for potatoes to Landay all 2.05.  Roads mostly dry and hard.  Somewhat rough near town.  Get home 6.30 P.M.  Mostly clear day  Northeasterly wind.  Signs of .  Gobed  9.30 P.M.

10.  Wednesday.  5.30 AM  ther  31.  64.  44.  =  46 1/3

Clear N.E. wind out of  coal of Richter after taking Mich home.  Left Sawin deed with Hodgen AM.  Clara ironing.  Buy 45 lbs timothy seed and 30 lbs clover seed at Mitchells which take out to sow on piece E of creek supposed 9 acres.  Edith drove mare to Loxa for grub.  Adjust seeder for Jo and get home 6.30.  Mostly clear day  N.E. wind roads dry and hard.  Rogers ditching near cemetery near cemetery. rode to town with me.  Gobed 8 P.M.

December 14-20, 1900 in Charleston, IL

December 1900

(top of  page)
Mrs. G was letting cow which has young calf out of barn when she turned on her and towseled her around for two or three rods till Mrs.  got chance to get through a fence.  She tour(sic) of her clothes off and brushed her all over Jo telephoned for me but didn't get me.

14.  Friday.  6.30 AM.  Ther  20.  26.  25.  =  23 2/3
Cloudy N.E. wind.  Hitched up right after breakfast and went to Local for girl.  Got her.  Maggie not any better in morning and send for Dr. Starr.  Meet Bacon AM.  Is down with load of potatoes for Breeden.  Says will be here again next week   Tue attends R.C. PM.  Cloudy day N.E. wind NO rain or snow.  Several ladies including Charlotte Sproule call to see Maggie who lies in bed all day.  Tue up town a while at night,  Gobed 9.30 PM  Marie on cat our room.

15.  Saturday.  6 AM.  Ther  25.  34.  30.  =  29 2/3
Cloudy.  East wind.  Maggie seems better this morning.  Started for Gaine's 9.15  Find Jo at home and Mrs. Gaines very badly injuried by line back Jersey cow.  I had to help get dinner after which Jo went to work patching roof  Mrs. G hardly able to do anything and I stop at Dishons for  one of their girls to go over.  I did not get home till nearly dark.  Cloudy dark day.  East wind.  Simons was up but I didn't see him  Gobed 8.30  PM.

16.  Sunday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  30  40.  37.  =  35 2/3
Mostly cloudy, Southerly wind  Start out to Gaines 9.30  Mrs. G. not so bad as expected.  Up and around &c.  Maggie Dishon there helping.  Jo tied cow with dress but backed out.  Chilly day.  I get home before dark and found nobody home but Maggie.  She is better today and as up until bed time  Mostly cloudy SE wind.  Gobed 8.30 PM -

Have been recently annoyed good deal by noises in house at night supped to come from water pipes.  They have moved C.L. Depot to south of tracks and are laying foundation for new on site of old one.

17.    Monday.  6.30 AM.  Ther  37.  54.  45  =  45 1/3
Mostly clear, SW wind.  Jack works AM. putting wood in cellar. &c 60 c paid.  Get lot of grub at I.B. Mitchells all paid.  Maggie up all day and went to town PM.  Family moving into Goodmans new house back of our barn.  AM Alex Briggs has sold his room 608 6th St. and will build large building opposite Mrs. Knocks in spring.  I took Marie and Tue down to Mrs. Dr Jefferies at night.  Throat somewhat sore at night  Gobed 9 PM

18.  Tuesday.  5,30 AM.  Ther  39.  54.  40.  =  44 1/3
Clear.  SW wind.  Heavy dew.  Clara cleaning out pantry today.  JW Gaines brings in good load of sheaf oats which I help unload and get toowarm.  He took Roan out to farm for awhile.  Shirley and wife called P.M. also Charlotte Sproule .  Made me bottle of cough syrup P.M.   Bluebell and hoarhound(sic).  Pay Winter a/c to date 75.00  Maggie able to be uptown P.M.  Print dague or two photos Mostly of family.  Martha sends word that she will come but Tue does not her as long as Clara stays.  Get letter from Phebe AM.  Take Tue down to Shatzbergers after supper.   Mrs. Jefferies here at night  Gobed 8 P.M.  Have about decided that brown cow will have calf month or  two before expected.  Clear day southerly wind.  Cow was taken to Wileys bull Apl 13 and June 5th

19.  Wednesday 5.30 AM.  Ther 28.  40.  34.  =  34.
Clear fog or smoke.  Milk before breakfast  Lloyd girls wash A.M.  Went out to Gaines' P.M.  Mrs. Gaines getting well but her hand very bad yet.  She has another girl named Edith.  Jo is grubbing and will continue long as good weather lasts.  John Gaines there trapping.  Pay Jo 3.00 on wages, and settle for eggs up to date.  bring  home 2 1/12 doz not (?).Isaac Vail quit day before yesterday.  Tue attends Liquid Air lecture at Christian Church.  Cloudy day with northerly wind  Gobed 8 AM.

20.   Thursday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  24.  45.  35.  =  34 2/3
Clear NE heavy white frost.  Clara ironed.  Pay John VanMeter a/c in full 11.15  D(?) Wall for months rent but he does not respond.    Maggie working at Jenkins P.M. first time since she was sick  Learn that Helen Snider has left her fathers and is staying at H.Gs.  Take pay for wash down to Mrs. Lloyd.   Tue attended discussion at Christian Church.    Miss Ford getting to go to Chicago tomorrow.   Maxwell putting roof on new house.  Roads mostly dry  Gobed 9 PM
(shorthand)
Brown cow's calf supposed to be due either about Jan 18 or Mar 12
(shorthand)

November 19 - 24, 1913 in Coles County Illinois

1913

19.  Wednesday.  6AM   Ther.  58.  72.  64.  =  64 2/3

Part cloudy.S.3.  Rhoda came to wash 7. light rain began about 7.30  Rhoda works till dinner.  I  intended to start early to Loxa but too threatening.   Went up and  got shave at shop north of laundry- first time.  More light showers but get start after 11 AM.  It began light rain soon after starting.  It was so strong when reach cemetery that turn back for home where say 12.30 in time for dinner.  I got quite wet on outside but altogether only .07 in. in town - More west.  Harman phoned later seems to be quite anxious about something and have decided to go out in morn if weather permits.  The showers quit about 1 P.M. sun coming out and pleasant  afternoon.  Tue went over to Brook's.  Later I drove up for some bread.  The mare very drowsy and think have been feeding too much.  Alfred and  Bro bring two old tubs for ashes.  Clear at night.  Go bed 8.45 PM.

20.  Thursday.  5.20 AM.  Ther. 62.74.  64.  =  66 2/3

Part clear. S.3.  I misunderstood the clock and got up an hour too early.  Start Loxa 10 A.  went to farm through Loxa driving over place as usual.  Everything looks about same.  Found Harman and P. Cox with Mr. Grubb shucking on NW 40. having perhaps 12 acres of it shucked.  Where working now yields about 25 bu.  Some of it has done much better.  These are Harman's figures.    Much of it will go less: some nothing.  Taking the corn to Linder on Neil place at 55 c.  70 lb.  Will take snapped at 75 lbs.  Harman did not have much to say after all and am guessing why so anxious.  I soon left Mrs. Gaines at Loxa.  Learn that Patrick has recently lost an eye and had been in Mattoon sanitarium 3 weeks.  Mud roads somewhat heavy.  I saw several bunches fungi along the road.  Jack dog went.  Tue spent much of day at Hats.  Mostly clear day with fresh south wind.  There was sprinkle rain say 11 AM.  :earn that John A. Parker Lila's man is dead here.  His family is in Cal.  Harman has plowed 10 A clover W.  of house since I was out there that is all.  the B.C. Stubble has not been touched.  Gobed 9.

E. Meter.  948000 st 5 P.M.

21.  Friday.  6 AM.  Ther.  58.  74.  64.  = 65 1/3

Mostly clear, S.3.  there was alarm of fire 9.30 AM.   After hitchingup drove down to Miller's.  Nothing doing.  I took Tue to Fulton's for RC 2 P.M.  Cor. 11 and Taylor. and then drove east to Alexander's Woods.  No fungi although the weather seems favorable.  They have been fixing the roads near Huckaba's so they are very fine.  Jack went.  Met funeral at N. end Huckaba Lane on return.  Pick up a hunter on S. road who gave me a rabbit which I dress soon as got home.  Get home 5 oc.  Clear day with high southerly wind.  Roads fine.  Gobed 9

22.  Saturday.  6 AM.  Ther.  60.  76.  64.  =  66 2/3

Mostly clear.S.3.  Heavy dew.  We had the rabbit for breakfast.  I did not eat it.  Mrs. Bell is worse.    Tue has a tiff with boys running over yard.  John Mock came down  to see about it.  Return gal.  Paint no 336 to Thos. Briggs  Talk with Steve Decker.  T. Briggs. DR. to paint returned 2.00.  Mrs. Chapman calls wanting  room.  She didn't get there.  They read E Meter P.M.

It began showering 2.30 P.M. with mild thunder.  Alfred came P.M. doing up wood &c.  Tue had thought  of going out to Bert's but had to give it up.  She  went up town 5 PM. getting some oysters and other grub.  Mostly cloudy PM with some light showers in all .10 in. , southerly winds.  Go bed 9

23.  Sunday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  44.  54.  40. = 46.

cloudy in part N.2.  Tue went to church  AM.  I didn't hitch up till 3 P.M. and them drove SW as far as C.h high bridge.  Go home 5.30 P.M.  Mort and Kate were over 4 P.M.  Mrs. Bell is worse.  they report she cannot recover.  Mostly clear with light northward.  The roads dry and smooth.  Tue went to church again at night.  She is  not feeling well today.  Gob9

24.  Monday.  6 AM.  Ther.  36.  56.  38.  = 43 1/3

Clear. N.W.1.  Tue gets letter from Buddy.  they are intending to move into a new house soon.  I drove up town for bread &c before noon.  Mrs. Bell continues very bad.  Tue went up town to Hats and elsewhere P.M.  I  employ self  most of P.M. in arranging and sorting old newspapers.  Clear day, light  northerly winds.  Go bed 9.30.  Get 2 balas st. P.M.

June 11-13, 1913 in Charleston, IL

11.  Wednesday,  5.40  AM.  Ther.  44.  84.  62.  = 63 1/3
Clear.E.1.  Rhoda came early and worked till 2 P.M.  I felt poorly all day on night have gone to Loxa.  Hitch to new buggy Drove SE of town AM.  Met Steve Hall.  His farm in river bottom is suffering from drouth as bad as the uplands.  Rhoda ironed till 2 P when Tue and the girls took in hand.  I tried to write letter to Phelps regarding axles but could not get good start.  Tue  went  to prayer meet at night.  Phebe out with Ora til 10 P.M.  Clear day light easterly winds.  Gobed 9.30

12.  Thursday 5.40 AM.  Ther.  48.  88.  66.  =  67 1/3
Clear, E.1.  Get shave of Yates:  Bob Wilton there.  Harman called a few minutes at barn while was hitching up, said he called to see buggy.  Think he is fixing up scheme about hay but said nothing about it.  I would have gone to Loxa if had not felt so badly  Emmett Fritz called a while P.M.  Says will help at any time after tomorrow.  Gets iron bar.  I try to write letter to H.G. Phelps but fail.  Took Tue  and Charles out to Helens late P.M. getting home after sunset.  Clear day with light variable  winds.  Just like every day this week but drier.  The grass is like tinder.  Henry and Hat were here when we got home.  Mrs. Balch fell from Cherry tree hurting herself.  Dr. Hite and Florence Wright were married tonight.  Gobed 9.30

13.  Friday. 5.30.  AM.  Ther.  50.  90.  70.  =  70.
Clear. S.W.1.  Wrote a hasty letter to Phelps asking advice.  The program today is for me to go to Loxa and rest  of family to dinner at Helens.  I start 9 AM.  Teach Loxa 10 AM. and drove pretty well over place.  Did not meet Cliff.  He does not seem to be doing anything with the clover meadow.  It is ready to cut.  The crops are looking better than average of this season.  Talk while with Cox and start home via Loxa and S. road.  I  saw Mrs. Gaines, Retha's boy was born last Friday.  Hugh putting up fence between  Jones 5a and  our farm.  Get small sack meal of C.H. Jones and reach Helen's about 12.30.  Tue, Phebe, Marie with Charles there and were eating.  I joined them.  the Normal Grocery and adjoining residence burned  2 P.M.  I start home 4 P.M.  the rest follow on 7 P.M. car.  Tue was ordered over to at once.  Rob Mitchell called after I left.  I got home wanting some poles.  He didn't get them.  Clear day light S.W. winds quite sultry but cool night and  and morn.  Jack dog crippled and couldn't go.  Go bed 9.50

April 18, 1913 and 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

1913

18. Friday.  5.30 AM.  ther.  54.  80.  64.   = 66.

Clear W.1.  Hitch up early and start for Loxa 8.45 AM.  get there 10.  Saw Mrs. Oakley.  Her husband has the measles.  Talk with Hugh about building fence on three sides of the lot.  He will do it as soon as I finish material.  Saw Mrs. Gaines as passed.  She brought out Florence's baby baby for me to see.  Went on up into place.  Harman has put a gate at head of street.  Harman, Cax an Paul at work each 4 horses  Cliff dragging stalks south of house, other two plowing with sulky plows N. ride S.W. 40.  I drove over to where Cliff &co put in 8 in. tile.  Saw Cliff.  Is through  sowing oats.  Will take posts down to Loxa for house lot there  Drive to BC shed and down to Loxa E. side place.  Talk while with People.  Corn 50c.  Talk with  A. Moore; pay him 40c. for some work along line.  Talk with James at Watson place.  He wants to rent farm for his son in law.  Got home 2.30 P.M.  Stood trip better than expected.  Smoked another cigar.  Maggie set me out some dinner.  Tue  gone to R.C.  Maggie went to Grace's P.M.  I get shave at Browns late P.M.  Tue and Muggs went to look at some pictures at C.H. at night.  Lightening and heavy thunder in night  Sprinkles rain.  Gobed 9.30 P.M.  Jack didn't go.

1888

18.  Wednesday  6 AM  Ther.  45.  60.  50.

Clear pleasant day.  People mostly talking about yesterday's election.  Rink and J. Rutherford bring up 1017 feet lumber for city.  Meyers did not come to work.  Sell.  Looke 20 butternut posts stop the Plainsdealer paying them up  15.  Gobed 9.30 PM.

November 21-22, 1912 in Charleston, IL

21.  Thursday.  6 A.M.  Ther.   42.   62.  42.  + 48 2/3
Clear S.S.W.2.  Mrs. Gaines phoned last night that Patrick could do the patching at Loxa house next Sunday.  Rhoda comes to wash early.  This is great weather.  Clear with southerly light winds. I got large Ostreatus (sic.) at grave yard yest.*    I get to Loxa before left some lime at Gaines for Patrick and drove up through place Old mare byit(sic.) my middle right finger and shall lose the nail.  I saw Harman and hands shucking piece S. of house.  They began on this their last piece this morn. Lost Jack and return through finding same.  Before leaving deposit ck 42.49 at 2d.  Clear day wind becomes w. and cooler.  My damaged finger kept me awake all night.  Rhoda took out the ashes today.  Go bed 9 P.M.
*I think this is fungi

22.  Friday. 6.30  AM.  Ther.  30.  58.  44. = 44
Clear. W. 1 ice 1/10.  Slept but little and about sick this morn.  get shaved at Brown's.  Mrs. Grove over to dinner.  Tue went to R.C. I hitch up about 4 P.M. drive up town and to P.O.  Tue got letter from Patrick regarding the plastering and later phones Harman concerning the same.  clear day light light westerly winds.  Harmans letter told of yesterday did not arrive He said it contained check for my share to Elevator.  Gobed 9P

November 20, 1912 & 1887 in Charleston, IL

1912

20.  Wednesday.   6 A.M.  Ther.  44.  66.  52.  = 54

Mostly clear S.W. 2.  Tue and I start to Loxa about 9 A.M.  taking Jack and no lunch.  Tue stopped to see Mrs. Gaines and Mrs. West.  We drove up to to house.  They have some thirty acres corn to shuck.  We drove over to Cliffs but would not stay to dinner.  Look at his hogs &c.  He gives me check for 42.79 for 104 50/70  bu corn bringing my half of "pond" called 3 1/2a.  After going about an hour  we get home  at 2 P.M.  Tue gets letter from Muggs at Jeff City.  She seems  to like it pretty well.  Mrs. Knock calls P.M.  Fine day with light S.S.W.  wind clear.  Tue  stirs up old afcs at night and reads an hour or two from this book.  Gobed 8.30 P.M.  We stop at cemetery returning.

1887

20.  Sunday.  6.30 A.M.  Ther.  10.  28.  17.

Clear.  Waterworks froze up in house  also out doors.  Went up to store after breakfast for Doc Dunbar some corn.  Peel lot of  quinces and sweet apples which Tue cooks after dinner.  Got  mare out about 3 P.M.  Took Tue drive round town awhile.  Baby has a bad cold. from yesterday.  Gobed 9.30~~

November 16-18, 1912 in Charleston, IL

16.  Saturday.  6 A.M.  The38. 32.  54. = 41 1/3  (shorthand)
  Clear.  S.W.1.  Sharp frost. ice. 1/8 in tub.  I start Loxa about 10 a.  The  roads are generally dry many ruts.  Gang of men repairing West of Frank Newman's.  I pass through Loxa to west part  place.  Mrs. Gaines gave me  large pumpkin.  I did not see Harman  Preston was shucking also Paul and another hand ate light dinner.  W. Crabapple (written in margine)  Find they are missing good deal of corn.   There are a lot of red pigs staying in field.  See that Harman has appropriated whole of N.W. 40.  Count 13 head of cattle in there today.  Jack didn't go.  Mrs. Galbreath came today.  She went uptown with Muggs and Tue at night.  Gobed 8.30 P.  Clear Day. varible winds.

17.  Sunday.  6.30 A.M.  Ther.  28.  52.  40.  =40.
Clear light northerly winds.  Clear W.1. Heavy white frost.  Ice 3/16 None of folks attend church. Maggie about sick and took meddy all night.  Mrs. Galbreath left for Terre Haute on 3-4 P.M. car.  We had dinner about 2 P.M.  I hitch up early but didn't drive till after 4 P.M.  Went down by Woodson place and home by  Wrightsville.  The roads generally dry some rough.  I met no autos in country but one or two in town.  Too cool for driving much.  Muggs  felt poorly all day but she is determined to start for Jefferson City, MO in morn.  Friday (scratched out) is Father's birthday.*  Tomorrow grandmother's.**  Go bed 8.30

*	William Sayre Gramesly Birth 17 Nov 1809 in Goshen, New York, USA Death June 2, 1898 in Charleston, Coles, Illinois, USA

**

Margaret Sayre Birth 18 Nov 1787 in Warwick, Orange, New York, United States Death 19 Jul 1865 in Geneva, Ontario, New York, United States

18.  Monday.  5.45.  A.M.  Ther.  34.  58.  44. = 45 1/3
Clear. S.W>1.  Heavy w.fr.  Muggs and Tue getting ready for trip and go to Mattoon on 10.15 car to  take train that does not stop here.  I hitch up early but could not help them much.  Grace Sefton called after they had gone as did Dora Alexander.  Muggs is to take near noon train at Mattoon and will meet Miss Wales in St. Louis.  Charley Smith came and chored. (er)  Tue got home on 1 oc. car and went up town till dark.  Self poorly all day.  We were alone at night.  Tue let her dishes go till morning.  We were alone evening.  It seems dull without Muggs.  Go bed. 8 P.M.  Shave self P.M.

Charleston, Illinois on Oct.15, 1912

15, Tuesday, 6 AM.  44.  70.  50.  = 53 2/3   (Some short hand here.)
Clear, N.W. 1.  Get start Loxa 9 A.m.  Learn that Roosevelt was shot yesterday at Milwaukee.  Buy a  paper and get to Loxa say 10.30.  took Mrs. Gaines about a peck of pears.  She says Florence very poorly.  Drive round on back of place where eat lunch taken,  from there went to house.  Preston calls Cliff over.  They have (?) phone between.  Cliff settles some collections.  Collects  S of Haltons 3.00 and pays for  Tile at Loxa last spring 4.70 and some nails &c at Loxa.  See bill in back part I got 4.15 check out of transaction   Preston and Hamm an are anxious to rent the farm and will let them have it probably.  Cliff talks good deal about the B.C.  It is built and looks pretty good B.C. is selling $120 per ton.  Harman is fears he can't get more than a hundred for ours, funny.  He and Pr  shuck sack corn for me.  Cliff ties bale hay behind.  I get home about 5 P.m.  Clear day easterly wind.  Mare to pasture.  Gobed 8.30

May 15,1912 & 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

100 Years Ago

Wednesday, April 15, 1912  5.20 AM, Ther. 48, 60, 52, = 53 1/3

Most clear. SW.3.  I got start for Loxa 9.  Drove in Cemetery as pass many farmers at work along road.  I drove down by Loxa.  Stop a bit to talk with Mrs. Gaines.  My pincers are there, also chair, saw Retha.  Drove pretty well over the place.  Met Cliff and hands at house as they came for dinner.  They are harrowing north of A. Moores, and discing W. side of 29 1/2 piece.  Cliff has about 50 a broke and say 20 planted.  They intend to plant this P.M.  I ate lunch  on road and start home soon after noon owing to weather.   Mostly cloudy and threatening rain.  Light sprinkles much of P.M., heavier toward night.  Come home S. road getting there 4 P.M.  dirt roads dry and rough.  Varible winds.  Gob 9P  Tue and E cleanup attic today.  Clean out tank.  The Dr. Walker trial has got started.

125 Years Ago

Sunday, May 15,1887   6 A.M.  Ther 64, 88? 64.

Pleasant day warm and dry.  Start for timber with Seph McClosky about 8 A.M. intending to fish but not much encouragement when we got there.  Went east road came back over road, home at 6, too tired to go after Tue and girls.  Delia got home.  Effie Eastin  stays all night  with her.  Most of Ag. Dep. silkworms hatch today.  Gobed 10 P.M.