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

May 22- 28, 1889 in Charleston, IL

May 1889

22.  Wednesday.  6.45 AM.  Ther.  40.  60.  44.  =  48.

Part clear.  brisk N.E. wind very chilly.  Start for timber 10 AM.  Mitt hauling out lumber.  Will work out my tax and his (?) on roads next week.  John Handley has moved his fence about a rod west.  I got home about 7 PM.  Mrs. Feagan helping Tue sew carpet which I bought this AM.  Clear day, chilly day said to have been light frost this morn.  Gobed 12.30

23.  Thursday.  7 AM  Ther.  54.   73.  65.  =  64.

cloudy strong SE winds.  Cloudy all day sprinkles rain several times, heavy rain about dark and till in night much lightning.  Wind S. all day.  Trade dull.  John Kink up with two loads of ties, says there are but two more in woods.  Mrs. Rogers helping Tue make carpet.  Tue buys a rug of peddler.  Gobed 11 PM 

24.  Friday.  7 AM  Ther.  65.  73.  52.  =  63 1/3

Part cloudy.  Mrs. Rogers helping clean front room.  Self not feeling very well.  Dullest trade we have had.  Went down to R.R. and counted ties P.M.  229 out.  Kink says there are about two loads more in the woods.  Set out a few tomato plants at night.  Fellows singing and selling books on P.(?) corner at night.  Order blackberry sherry and dry Caturbbor of B. B. & U. Gobed 11.30 AM.

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 roads  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 PM~~

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

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

27.  Monday.  7 AM.  Ther.  60.  73.  55. = 62 2/3

Mostly clear.  Strong westerly wind.  Glave(?) came from Burby & Co.  Look for Uncle John all the morning, and drove out there after dinner to find that he went with cattle early in morning.  Drove down as far as Mt. Zion toward night to take Frank part way home.  Baby was sick all day.  Go bed midnight.  

28.  Tuesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  58.  66.  54. = 59 1/3

Mostly clear, hazy.  Learn that  Uncle John got to ranch with  cows yesterday.  He stayed at Sniders last night.  Warren up with another load of posts which he took to Mintons.  Says there is one more load in the woods.  Mostly cloudy day, get thicker toward night.  Began to rain and continued all night.  Business dull.  Baby better than yesterday but not well yet.  Mrs. Rogers washed and helped Tue put down carpet.  Go bed 11.30 PM.

June 1-2, 1913 and 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

1913

1.  Sunday .  5.30 AM.  Ther.  72.  94.  76.  = 80 2/3

Part cloudy. W.2.  Kenneth brought paper.  Shave self AM.  It was hard job.  Hitch up about noon.  Toward night drive south by Woodson place rounded by Wrightsville getting home sunset.  The roads dusty.  Largest corn 4 or 5 in. high much of corn not yet up.  Oats will be near a failure - thin and short.   Earliest are heading out about .8 inches high.  Partly cloudy with indication of rain P.M. northerly winds.  It cleared off at night and cooler.  Tue and  Buddy went to church at night taking Charles but Buddy had to return with him.  Go bed 9.30 P.M.

2.  Monday.  5.30. AM.  Ther.  62.  92.  74.  =76.

Clear N.E.2.  This is my seventy first birthday and I don't feel worth a cent.  Emmett came 7. hitching up:  takes lawn mower over to Wells.  Went with me to R.R.  the buggy has not come.  Give Tue check for church dues, 16.00.  Emmett cuts weeds AM all over place P.M.  Wheels out manure on hillside.  Went up for Mower but not done.  Emmett will come tomorrow.  I decide to quit chewing for an indefinite length of time.  Mostly clear day with easterly light winds.  Groves were over at night.  I go to bed. P. M.

June 1888

1.  Friday  5.15 AM.  Ther. 50.  67.  52.

Partly cloudy.  Three cuculio this morning.  Kelly works in garden most of forenoon.  Bob B(?) brought  up material for flood gate for which he charged $1.25.  Had a few words  with Perrill about building water gate.  He threatens to tear it down.   Pay Kelly 2.00 order on bill still owe him  about 1.00.  Kink  & Rutherford get back from MO. and want to go to making ties again.  Val Mount called and wants to rent room over store, didn't let him have it.  Not very well self today caught cold yesterday.  Mostly cloudy  N. wind sp. rain several  times.   Go bed 8.30.

2.  Saturday  5.15  AM Ther.  45.  65.  48.

About clear.  My birthday.  Phebe gave me a bouquet of roses.  Kelly  Painted upper roof at store.  Miss Kurayer tells me she will take the room 3.75.00 per year.  Uncle John was in toward night.  Zeke Easton brought in half a cord of wood which he sold.  Warren Decker also brought in wood.  Zeke E. will help me next week at making fence.  Got  more surprised ciuculios this morning.   Hardly believe they are ciuculios as but few plums have been stung.  Bought keg of nails of Ginthers.  Mrs Wentz was over at night.  Go bed 10 P.M. 1/2

April 28-29, 1888 in Charleston, IL

1888

28.  Saturday 5.45 AM.  Ther.  60.  82.  61.

Clear S. wind.  Learn that Geo Lee's wife has just died in Chicago.  Kirk and J. Rutherford bring in some old lumber, two loads.  Went down to R.R. with Kirk to see ties.  They have not unloaded yet.  Pay J. Rutherford and Jim Campbell for work done yesterday.  Uncle John was in PM.  says Bim has got home.  Thinks will stay there.  Father later sawdust from round house.  Maggie and Phebe have company P.M. Balten girls.  Gobed 9.30 P.M.

29.  Sunday 5 AM.  Ther 62.  81.  61.

Clear.  S. or SW wind.  Got  up early and jar plum tree for curculio for first time.  Will  try to keep them off this year.  Didn't find any today.  Have about decided to fence off back part of lot and get a cow.  Mrs. Wentz and Louise were over to dinner.  Geo Lee is very sick and not expected to live.  Geo M Cornwall wants to rent my store for the Herald office, offers but 20 per month.  Had to get stuff for E's folks  This is the last   My  U.S. license expires tomorrow.  Take the girls out to Tower's  woods  after dinner and drive round town with Tue a while.  It clouds up in afternoon and began to rain before dark.  wind N.W.  Gobed 10 PM.

April 28-29, 1913 in Charleston, Illinois

1913

28.  Monday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  42.  64.  50. = 52

Mostly cloudy. N.3.  Raw chilly morn and  did not hitch up till 3 PM.  Helen Ferrish came with George and stayed to dinner.  Mrs.  Grove was over AM.  She with Tue went over to see Mrs. Bell who is sick in bed.  I went up to Perkins lot PM.  Rennells have got old brick out.  I.HR. was there and. they were about to take last load.  I drove down to see Jackson at BPa & Co.  He will investigate the  mine prop proposition with some of the mine men.  Call and look at Oliver's (McCartys old) buggies finding nothing to suit me.  Emmett calls at night saying will go to work for me tomorrow.  Mostly clear day strong N. wind.  Buy knife at Oliver's .85 pd.  Go bed 9.30

29.  Tuesday.  5 AM.  Ther. 38.  72.  56.  = 55 1/3

Mostly clear.  May have been light frost. wind N.1.  Emmett came 7.  Took mare to Sibert to shoe behind.  Rhoda came to wash and works all day.  Emmett also worked all day.  Mowed and trimmed up yard and patched up sod in front.  I drove P.M. up to Dicewood but only went into Stodded woods looking fir Morels, found none.  Bob  Hill says they had fine mess Sunday.  Emmett finds large arvenies in barn which eat dinner.  Drive to Tp. line and round by Watsons.  Stop at Grave yard.  People have been mulilating trees on our lot cutting some and hitching others to.  I got home before 6P  Tue and Rhoda cleaning up stairs.  Tue works too hard and don't  feel pretty well at night.  Self feeling poorly.  Most clear day with moderate northeasterly winds.  Gobed 9.

April 26-27, 1913 and 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

1913

26.  Saturday.   5.15 AM.  Ther.  38.  68.  48.  = 51 1/3

Clear. N.1.  Tue got letter from each Muggs and Buddy.  Bud had hurt her knee.  Exam old brick on Perkins lot: think there are about  2000.  Mr.s. Rennells pays 5.00 in part payment.  they will take them Monday.  John Abbott calls and I engage him for Harman to begin work Monday.  I drove over to his house in Anderson.  He is married lately and lives  where F. Balch used to.  Mostly clear clouding up say 4 P.M. with light R .03.  Tue over to visit Mrs. Brooks.  I  drove up for some cream and drive out as far as Huffman's.  Helen sent eggs and loaf bread.  Mort Grove got injured today and Tue went over at night.  I did not learn details.  Gobed 9 P.M.   At 4 PM or earlier  then fell from 68 to 54.  Paul  Harman friend hitch horse in shed PM.  Some folks claim light frost this morn I didn't see it.

27.  Sunday  5.30.  AM.  Ther.  38.52. 44. = 44 2/3

Mostly. clear. N.W.2.  I turn mare in pasture for first since fall.  Tue was expecting to go to church but decided to to Helen's on 10.15 car.  Louise is visiting there.  She came home on the 6. bringing some chicken &c. The R.H. did not come today.  I partly hitch up but too chilly for driving.  Mr. and Mrs. Grove called P.M.  They pass on to Bells.  Mrs. Leroy calls leaving some tablets for Tue.  She expects to start for Alabama Tuesday.  Part cloudy day with strong northwind.(sic)  Sprinkles rain 1 P.M. and after.  Tue went to church at night.  Gobed 9 P.M.

1888

26.  Thursday, 5.30  AM  58.  78.  64. 

Nearly clear strong wind.  Intended to go to timber.  Vol Mount was going with me with me,  He couldn't go as I got Jim Campbell to work about two hours setting grape vines in garden east row W. N. end 4 Salem then 4 Goethe.  In P.M.  I planted beans corn a few potatoes carrots and parsnips.  The  bridge of ISSOH over Cassell Creek burned this morning delaying  trains and mails.  Mrs. Wentz and Fred were over in P.M.  Myers called in morning to say he couldn't work till he  felt better.  Clear day and very dry.  Gobed 9.30 PM

27.  Friday.  5.30  AM.  Ther.  62.  78.  60.

Clear S. or S.E. wind.  Start for woods about 7.15 with Jim Campbell.  He and Rutherford work at pictures lumber. from 10 AM till nearly 6 P.M.  got home about 7.00 PM.  Geo. Lee's wife died today.  Phebe does not seem very well and we decide to have her quit school.  Clear day and very warm down in timber.  Fatty Knock put up sink in kitchen and ceiled in corner.  The roads are very dry and the river is getting pretty low.  Gobed 9 PM.

January 2, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

2  Monday,  7 AM.  Ther 10.  32.  32.
Clear, but clouds over got a letter from Bruen saying would take 10 set more switch ties after receiving trace out which would do Jerry H.   Tue ironing.  Mrs.  Wentz over P.M., also Mrs. Feagan.    Tue sends Maggie to tell Mrs. Rogers not to wash tomorrow.  Settle with  F. Knock to date, he paying me $7.35.  Mr. Sutton went away last Saturday night to stay.  Glasco boys take possession of the Plaindealer today.  Uncle John was in till 3 P.M.  Saul Snider at night  says will keep my mare down there for something more than 2.00 per mo.  Pay P.O. sent 25.  Soup at Mcs 25.  Comer was up at night.  Says will send City and Coal Shaft bills  up  Wednesday.  Gobed 8.30 P.M.

December 24-25, 1912 and 1887 in Coles County Illinois

1912

24.  Tuesday.  6.15 AM.  Ther.  24.  48.  34.  = 35 1/3

Clear. SW.1.  Sh fr.  Ice 3/8.  Tue gets number of Christmas cards for herself and girls.  Alfred still fails to come.  Not fell any better and will have to take meddy or Dr.  the late analysis of river water pronounces it not contaminated with Typhoid.  Tue was up town an hour or two P.M.  I hitch up 4 P.M. and drove round town a little while to exercise the mare.  Tue learns from Mrs. Brooks that  Rhoda's folks sick.  We were expecting Phebe all day but she did not arrive until after I retired.  Tue and Buddy went up to  11 P.M. car for her.  Clear day with moderate  S.W. wind about the finest weather ever known here Christmas.  Gobed. 10 P.M.

25.  Wednesday,  6 A.M.  Ther. 30.  50.  36.  = 38 2/3
Clear. S.W. 2.  Ice 3/8.  Phebe came 11 P.M. last night.  I had gone to bed.  Phebe has been working for Mallauex and Darling at Ann Arbor for several months.  Christmas gifts were short this year.  Charles seems to have all he needs.  I get some fine brushes from Phebe, some socks from Buddy.  I hitch up about noon  and at 4.15 P.M.  drive out by cemetery returning S. road.   They have crush rock on road from cemetery to Watson's and from S. Hamons to Crans.  Met auto at W. crossing scarring mare some.  Skinnier Reasor called P.M.  He is working at plumbing at Chicago.  Clear day with moderate S.W. wind.  I quit shewing tobacco tonight- indefinitely.  Gobed 10 P.M.

1887

24.  Saturday.  6.30 A.M.  Ther.  12.  25.  15.

About Clear.  Baby takes weaning  (?) than thought she would.  Al Moonie  calls for his apples.  The girls  went up town with me to buy a few things for Christmas. Snider was down afternoon.  Comer and gang were up toward night but didn't call for much money.  Bought can oysters at night. Tried to make some  candy until  nearly midnight.  Got a letter from Aunt Cornelia  saying there are no apples for sale there.  Clear day with (sic)  Gobed at midnight.


25.  Sunday.  7.30 AM.  Ther.  12.  25.  23.
Clear.  Christmas presents not numerous or expensive.  Tue gave Father some stockings and mittens and me two silk hankierchifs (sic).  M & P. got a book  each.  Marie got a spoon and fork from Aunt Maria.  Snider came about noon with the children staying till about 4 P.M.  Mrs. Wentz called P.M.  Clear day but cool.  this kind of weather will make good roads in few days.    Several small  loads of lumber came up from lumber came up from the mill last week.  Tue went up to store with me at night.

December 1, 1912 and 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

1912

The Weather etc. for November , 1912

Daily mean 44.73+  Max.  72 on 11th.  Min. 22 on 28th.  Rain 1.11. on the 5th .50-  6th  .36 and 12th .25.  Snow flew on 1st. and 24.  Ice on 12 mornings from 1/2 an inch down in all  about 3 inches.  Direction and duration of winds - from N.3:h E.0; SE 1/3;  S 7; SW 7 2/3; W. 6 1/3 and N.W. 5 2/3 days.  Thunder on 12th.  Corn is about all shucked:  has ranged from 42cts to 36 cts.  Butter 50.  Eggs 25.  This has been the best season for  shucking for years.  The crop is  is generally big and good quality.  Lighter crop around Loxa.  Roads are excellent  quite dusty.    There have been substantially no easterly winds.  Streams are running higher than usual.  Clover and grass have made great growth.

1, Sunday.  7AM  Ther.  48.  60.  56.  = 54.2/3
Part cloudy S.3.  There was light sprinkle rain 1 AM.  Tue went to morning church.  She baked the rest of her chicken for dinner.  I fixup(sic) weather for Nov. and hitched up but did not drive till after 3 P.M. when start to woods but too dark and threatening  and I get home at 4 P.M.  Got far as branch on Ashmore Road.  Mort and Kate were over till after dark.  It began to rain 4.30 P.M. and continued  light showers till say midnight.   Violent wind all night South to westerly.  Rain .45 in.  Gobed9.

1887

1.  Thursday.  6 A.M.  Ther.  28.  40.  39.

Clear fresh S.E. wind.  self slight sore throat this morning.  Mrs. Rogers irons.  The doctor thinks Fan  some better this morning but very bad yet.  Mrs. Wentz is down there she came here tonight.  Thinks Fan better.  Ferd went over to Wentz at night with his grandma.  Phebe stops  up again but later, and worse than heretofore.  Mrs. Feagan was over before supper.  Didn't send in city bill tonight.  Mr. Cummings gave bill today which sent Comer.  Gobed 10.30  Strong S.E. wind all day also at night.

November 10 - 12, 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

10.  Thursday, 5.30  AM  Ther.  37.  48.  47.
Cloudy Wind N.  Caught another large rat which is the third lately.  Spotted cat taken away last week came back a day or two ago.  J.M. Eastin has sold his store room up town to Jay Johnston and will pay note.  I have on him.  Pay up Mike Miller for gasoline stove &c.  Air raw and chilly not so bad  toward night.  Stay at apple store all day but don't do very much.  Good many talking of buying .  Buy buckwheat at Wrights at night.  Mostly cloudy day .  Clear at night.  Go bed.  8.30 - Mrs. Wentz gets bush  Applies on GrS.

11. Friday, 5.30 AM  Ther.  34.  51.  37.
Clear.  The smoke so thick for a few days has about gone.  Wind N.E.  Alarm of fire Mrs. Atwells  This is the day for  the Anarchist hanging in Chicago.*  Tue was up town toward night and paid up  Mullen sisters $12.90.  Kate Myers was over at night.  Phebe cried with toothache good deal early in night.  Gobed 10.45 P.M.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haymarket_affair

12.  Saturday.  6.15 AM  Ther.  27.  51.  45.
Clear, wind N.E.  Pleasant day chilly.  Uncle John was in town.  Learn that over tenant Mr. Young is talking of moving to Terre Haute.  If  he does will probably owe Tue about $18.00.  Comer and Gary were up P.M.  Buy big piece of Ham at Masons which make  (?) sausage at night Phebe still has bad toothache.  Gobed 10 P.M.

September 3 - 4, 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

3,  Saturday,     6 A.M.     Ther.  71.  86.  65.
Cloudy.  Uncomfortable night.  Mosquitoes are getting pretty bad.  Tue paid Mrs. Wentz, milk & cream bill from Apl 1 to  Sept. 1. Ca. 2.00.  I find this was all settled  yesterday, however.  Bim was down while eating dinner.  Says Uncle John's horse which was sick last Sunday died that night.  Rec. letter from Geo. Curriens offering to trade residence in Mattoon for timber.  Dr. J.C. Hall pay  up $1.75 says is going to California.  Will Hall , M.D. says will move to Washington (?) soon.  New Clock runs too fast , try to regulate it at night.  Buy Mutton at Mason's at night.  Looked like rain  today, but didn't.  Bring down Gal MVM for E. at night.  Go bed  10 P.M.

4,  Sunday,  7.30 A.M.  Ther.  abt. 70.  91.  73.
Part clear.  Didn't sleep well in night.  Phebe had spell of vomiting in night.  Drive down to see M. Comer fore noon.  Sictton went with me.  Get home before 1 P.M.  Comer thinks he will be up this week.  Thinks will not entirely lose use of eye..  Very dusty.  Many people going to camp meeting, this being  the last day.  Ed Eastin still sick.  Tue and children up there and to Davis' toward night.  Kate Davis over while evening.  Gobed 9 P.M.

September 2, 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

2   Friday, 6.30  A.M.  Ther.  63.  87.  70.
Clear.   Fix platform for cistern.  Nile Carutan adjusts clock around noon.  Went over to see Ed Eastin AM.  He thinks he is pretty sick and probably is.  Tue cans grapes and peaches.  Drive with H.G. around town before supper.   Drive alone after supper.  Baby not very well.  Clouds up  toward night and looks like rain.  Tue pays Mrs. Wentz in full from Apl. 1 to Sept. 1.   today, Mrs. E. gave Tue chicken, says she is going to sell them all.  Gobed 10 P.M.