April 1-5, 1891 and 1902 in Charleston, Il

April 1891

1.  Wednesday.  6 AM  Ther  37.  61.  52. = 50
Clear. S.W. wind.  Reported that there is prospect of a war with Italy causing good deal excitement up town.  Pain in side seems worse this morning and went up to Dr. Pattons  Took some of his medicine but felt worse than usual all day  Settle with Johnny Decker for ties all but 1.65 held for culls. Uncle John  Eastin tells me has sold his tie timber to Ledbetter  Tue cleaning up yard P.M.  Mrs. R wash PM.  Tue went to church at night Mostly Clear some cloudy toward night night wind S.W.  9 PM

2.  Thursday.  6 AM.  Ther  47.  43.  38.  =  41
Cloudy N. wind wind.  Sprinkle rain 6 AM.  Feel some better this morning.  Stay at home all day and take tonic  Mrs. R. and Fannie iron.  PM.  Maggie went to Highlads for milk.  Cloudy day with NW wind sp rain occasionally and at night  Learn that Fatty Knock died last evening at the Asylum at Kankakee. Go bed 9 PM.

3.  Friday 6 30  AM.  Ther  30.  34.  27  =  30
Cloudy and snow flying.  wind N.W.  Dont feel as well as yesterday.  Fatty Knock was buried today  Tue went to the funeral at 2 P.M.  Hat was here toward night, she and Tue  went over to see old  Mr. Wentz who has sick long time.  Rechters folks moved from here a week or so ago.  Maggie and Phebe went to birthday party at Griffins in afternoon.    Maggie didnt come home  Tue and Phebe found her at Latta's at 9 PM.  I stay home all day.  The pain in my side about same as yesterday  Cloudy day.  Snowing lightly when got up and continued lightly all day mostly melting as it fell.  Wind w. or NW  Crail has not shown up this week  Go bed 9 45 PM

4. Saturday.  7 AM.  Ther 26.  33.  31.  = 30
Cloudy and snowing lightly wind NW.  Tue about sick  Self about the same as yesterday.  Maggie has a very sore tongue for a very long time.  Went up town first time since Wednesday.  Democrats considerably interested in city election, they don't know who to run for mayor.  Uncle John was in PM has been sick with cold this week.  Trade light for Saturday.  Jo Handly will lend me a load or two of corn till the roads improve.  Tue to Davis toward night.  Mostly clear dayue felt badly all day.  Maunie Lang over to supper.  Gobed. 11 P.M.

5.  Sunday.  7 AM.  ther  28.  43.  38  =  36 1/3
Clear  a little haze.  Wind SW. heavy white frost this AM  Maggie did not get up till 9 AM. her tongue no better.  Phebe and Marie went to S.S.   Tue to church AM.  Self stay home all day  Found side of meat fallen down in smoke house  and partly eaten up by mice.  Children and Tue went up  to  Davis toward night.  Mostly clear day S.W. wind  Hazy in P.M. gobed 9 PM

April 1902

1. Tuesday.  6 AM.   Ther.  30.  35.  31.  =  32

Cloudy NW wind.  Rhoda washed & working till 3 P.M.  Township election Did not hitch up today.  Too cold for me to drive to Loxa. Cloudy all day and occasional snowflakes  Most of day  Tue went over to Groves at night.  Fern Griffith stays all night with Phebe.  Jenkins sends bill which is some 197.00  I have done nothing about fence in the bottom.  I seems difficult to find good hand to make fence.  Have had to keep fire in furnace all day.  Coal will not last many days at this rate.  Gobed 9 PM

2.  Wednesday 6 AM.  Ther 32.  41.  34.  =  35 2/3

Clearing off light westwind.  Learn that Republican ticket carried excepting J.W. Waltrip for Commissioner.  Wrote  and mail letter to Aunt Cornelia asking Uncle M [Marcus] to send me 20 Keiffer pear and 50 Columbian raspberry.  I intend to set there in bottom.  Didn't eat any dinner.  Get ready to go to Loxa P.M. but thought too late.  See Co Surveyor and we measure across pasture and find that my fence on 5th St should set further out some four feet.  Partly cloudy and quite chilly Gobed 9 P.M.

3.  Thursday, 6 AM.  Ther  27.  46.  39  =  37 1/3

Mostly clear E wind.  Charley Jones found me in banken shop We went to  Court house and look over old delinquent list  He thinks Sawin will release over 8 1/2 acres sold for taxes.  Mrs Eastin here to dinner.  Prof. Baird family moving into her house which now belongs to the City  She will leave for the west in  day or two.  I ate too much for dinner and felt badly all P.M.  Saw Billy Watson and he says will run lines for fences tomorrow P.M. if I can be here,  Rhoda ironed P.M. but gave it up.  Tue went to church at night  Mostly clear day E & S wind  Gobed 9 P.M.

4.  Friday  5.30 AM.  Ther.  28.  50.  40.  =  39 1/3

Mostly clear Easterly wind.  I got started to Loxa 8 A.M.  Old Queen tried to run away on  road out there.  Jo and Wall breaking: have about 12 acres broke.  They are working south of house  Shirley breaking down by Loxa.  Three families in Loxa are quarantined for small pox also Wallace Defenbaugh.  Take Mrs. Shirley some chrysanthemums  Saw Ora. Try to settle with McPheron but I didn't have my a/c with me  Pay Al Newby 2.00 for calf services of bull.  got home about noon  Get Watson P.M. and we establish line for fence on west side lot 127.  It runs 3 to 5 feet further in street than original fence  We measure west from Sixth St.  on Van Buren on on Harrison and get line form these points.  Tue had Reading Circle here PM with refreshments.  Saw Emmett Fritz.  He says he will help me tomorrow  Mostly clear day northerly wind Gobed 9 P.M.~~        

5.   Saturday.  5.40 AM. 30.  55.  50.  =  45
Clear white frost Southwind. Emmett came working till 3 P.M.  Pd him 1.00 which is 10c. over.  He hitchedup & carried out all ashes.  Sorted and ? post s for bottom fence, and carried down cellar a lot of wood also ground up some of our tools  Mr. Bell had oil stone and drawing knife supposed   John Simones and Warren in after new planter amt, of Dr. Bush lumber 491 ft oak and elm amounting to $8.36.   Pay  interest on Mrs. Eastins note up to next Nov. 1.  Elvira Garrison pays $5.00 on rent for Mo. end 14 inst.  Kate Bacon called PM and stays to supper   I took her over to Franks - a very dark drive as lights were out.  It began to sprinkle 2 PM and occasionally after that with heavy thunder showers and wind later say after 9 P.M.  Tue and Groves folks intended to to entertainment at Normal  but too threatening.    Laura Clark stays all night with Marie and Phebe  went home with Hannah Marshall  Gobed 8.30 PM.                                         

February 16- 28, 1902 Highlights

February 1902

16.  Sunday

Find Mrs. Eastin's old cat dead at barn this morning.  Ferd here while at night.

17.  Sunday, 6 AM.

Cloudy and snowing.  This is about the 24th "tracking" snow since the first in Dec 13th.  Marie is fifteen years old today and had several girls callers at night.  Self not feeling very well.  Tue has not heard from Maggie for nearly two weeks.  Self not feeling very well  Gobed  8.30 PM

18.  Tuesday.  6 AM.

Hannah was here most of P.M.  I sort through some photo trash P.M.  W.W. at the barn have frozen up everyday lately.  Cistern has been about dry for sometime.  N at night Self feeling badly.

19.  Wednesday

In yesterday Courier that Tom Tremble will go to Indianapolis in a week or so.  Has not paid rent due.--  Learn that Dan Tremble has moved out.  Tell Scott to rent the house.  Buy meat 55, pots 10  carrots 5 & Codfish 15  85 cts at Bantons.  Tue was up town P.M. with Mrs. Knock to Parkers opening.  Carlos Wing called to see about Cols. Place.  Mostly clear East wind.Girls all went coasting at night to Miles.

20.  Thursday

They are hauling  pipe for gas main on this street.  The girls coasting again tonight till late.  [Tue and Charles sick]

21.  Friday.  6 AM

Self about sick this morning.  Tue same.  I went up to Dr. Pattons office for medicine for Tue; he was not there.  Bert in town  and called awhile P.M. and called a while P.M.  Self and Tue both about sick.  Mostly clear day N.W. wind.  there is several inches of ice and snow on ground some of which has been there since Dec. 14.  Gobed  8 PM.

22.  Saturday

Wing calls AM to see about renting HG house.  I was busy and didn't see him.    Gave him the keys P.M.  Was about sick all day and got meddy for self and Tue of Dr. Patton.

23.  Sunday 7 AM.  Ther  30.  40.  36.  =  35 1/3
Tue kills one of her big roosters.  I spent much time looking over seed and fruit tree lists today.  I don't feel any better.  

24.  Monday
Wing and Sal McClasky still talking about trading for H.G. house.  Johnson and Melville take job of cleaning out privy  back of store for 3.00    Phebe went to ball at night with Geo Davis and stayed all night with Hannah

25.  Tuesday
Get barrel which make watering tub in barnyard.  Overhaul west room old house P.M. find boys  have taken all the old brass also saw.  Henry Heagan calls AM.  Self feeling badly but worked good deal today.

26.  Wednesday 
Went up to Marshall's office to get leases written. He advises me to write  them myself.  

27.  Thursday
Cloudy and raining which began about 10 last night.  The back street so bad Mrs. Bell has to go  round by sidewalk to milk our cow. It rained much of day from SE blowing into Attic windows and soaking through into Miss Ford's rooms.   Bert here on political biz and stays to dinner.  

28.  Friday
Al Latta  has his farm and his property across the street.  Tue attends Reading Circle P.M.

(One half page of February weather chart and graph.  Monthly mean 20 degrees  Clouds 44 1/2 %)

Highlights of November 10 - 27, 1901

November 1901(Eastern Trip)

10.  Sunday  Flora and husband call toward night spending an hour or two  We - John Will  Black has had very good success growing cabbage this year and thinks I might make it profitable in Illinois.

11.  Monday Warmer.I helped them at pears AM. and drove down to Matildas toward night.  Got knife, which lost there other day.  They had just heard from George.

12.  Tuesday.  I helped them today opening bbls. and nailing hoops.  Snow squalls at night.

13.  Wednesday.  About an inch of snow on the ground.  I help them some ad Uncle Mark thinks they will finish the pear business tomorrow.  It was too bad a day for me to be out or would have tried to reach Geneva.  Have been trying all week to get to Geneva or Billsboro Sta

14.  Thursday,  Cold and windy snow squalls.  Jennie took me down to Billsboro Station Uncle Mark objecting not seriously, however.  Train left at 9.10 AM.  Saw Newt for few minutes before leaving.  Get too Geneva, Shave buy pair of rubbers and up to Cynthia's before dinner.  Jim not home time for dinner.  P.M. went down to Aunt Margarets where I stay all night.  Snowing squalls most of day with genuine blizard at night.  Not very cold however, but little below freezing. Aunt Margaret and I sat up and talked till nearly midnight.  She is 81 quite deaf but smart for her age  I slept in room over sitting room  113 Lafayette Ave.

15.  Friday  Snow must be three or four inches deep.  Went - walked - down town about 10 AM. returning to dinner.  After this I went over to Aunt Mary's on hour or two.  She is going to spend winter in Brooklyn with Seymore leaving Geneva next Wednesday, I returned to Aunt Margarets  Jim Cynthia and Susie were there also Louise Eshnour and we had very pleasant time till 10 P.M. when I went home with Jim and family.

16. Saturday, 6 AM  Buss called for me 7.30 AM  and I left Geneva 7.55 getting to Buffalo about noon.  I rode out to Pan American grounds in P.M. but too cold to be out much.  They have not made much of a show tearing down the buildings yet.  Had lunch at depot restaurant and leave on SW limited about midnight.

17.  Sunday  Reach Charleston before 3 P.M. not much behind time.  Found folks all well and had been looking for me several days.  I didnt sleep any last night.  I rode second class from Buffalo.  My cheap ticket was no good having expired Oct 22.

18. Monday,  Start for Loxa after dinner.  Find Jo in field shucking.  He is over half done.  Corn is yielding rather more than he expected.  Is 53 cts today.

19.  Tuesday.  Rent home to R. Bridges at 5.00 per Mo. beginning tomorrow.

20.  Wednesday.  Took Jo some gloves and salve for hands.  Jo has decided to stay with me another year.

21.  Thursday.  Bert and Irene were in to dinner.  They have bought Baker place between Loxa and Mattoon.  

22. Friday,  Tue attended Reading Circle P.M. at Alexanders.

23. Saturday,  

24.  Sunday.  I did not hitch up but spent most of day writing up this thing from Oct.17 the day on which I left for NY.  There are some unimportant errors in dates especially while I was at Sag Harbor. I did not make any notes while gone nor did the people at home.   

25.  Monday, Parcel of girls here in the night in the kitchen.

26.  Tuesday.  Get two prints and four plates (in holders) Palmers and settle with him to date $1.05 pocket  Jackson St. from 5th to Second has been closed since early in  fall a/o paving and we have to go round by Sixth to get up town.  Ferd was up to supper at night.  Learn that H.G. is sick at home having doctor.

27.  Wednesday,   Tue expecting Maggie today.  She came at 1.12 PM. bringing Olive Chacey.  Tue feeling badly all day.

July 6 - 10, 1890 and 1901

July 1890

6.  Sunday.  7 AM   Ther  66.  92.  73.

Mostly clear wind southerly.  Start from home at 11 AM. went out to Vanmeter house with Geo Kellogg to look at hay find there is 6 ton poor hay there yet.  Get to Simons about 3.30 nobody home, ride around pastures till night,  Warm day dryer here shower uptown.  Gobed 9,30 PM.  Warren says he will begin hauling wood for me this week.

 with Zeke Eastin for hauling

7.  Monday.  4.30 AM.  70.  94.  77.

Clear, start home after breakfast getting there at 8.30  Mrs. Rogers  the washes.  Tue and Hat pick berries P.M.  Get buggy repaired at Pughs charges 1.00.  Settle with Zeke Easton for hauling lumber  also Sutton puts another bib on hydrant in barnyard.  Present bill for lumber to council at night 398.98.  Very warm and dry.  Clear all day with southerly wind go bed 10.30 PM.

8.Tuesday.  6 AM.  82.  99.  72
Clear.  .  Mrs. R. ironed P.M.  Bim was in to dinner  This has been the hottest day so far.  Thunder shower with sprinkle rain between 1 & 2 PM another with heavy wind from N. between 5 & 6 P.M.    Mostly clear day  heart very oppressive  Settle with M. Comer in full to date also with Jack Handly and Geo  Walter  Sold Will Myers two large hogs fo 18.00  F m B A. have county assembly in court house quite a large crowd.  Cooler night Go bed 10.30 P.M.  

9.  Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  72  85  60  Clear Cooler.  Took wool down to Factory P.M.  292 lbs @ 24 c.  Not many in town everyone busy in country  Sampson and Reynolds each brought up load of walnut.  Hat and Tue pick berries.  Play croquet after supper.  Gobed  10.30 PM

10.  Thursday.  6.30 AM  Ther  55.  85.  62.Clear with fresh E. wind.  Draw rent money and deposit, pay bal  taxes for last year 111.02 .  Pay Skidmore 25.10   J.L. Green drummer in town  Buy from him 1 bag and most coffee for our own use.  WH White here wants me to try a lot of ties  Phebe has the  ? and suffers   seems to suffer good deal with it.  Sampson hauls up  load of walnut.  Clear day S wind  Gobed 10.30

July 1901

6.  Saturday.  6 AM.  Ther.  65.  89.  68.  =  74

Clear.  Northerly or NW afterward S.W.  Coolest for aome time,  Jake sawing on wood - finished it and settle in full.  Kate & Bacon called before noon.  They went to Franks to dinner leaving their team here.  They started home about 6 P.M.  Minnie and Maggie got rig at Berkleys and drive A.M.  Minnie did not start home as intended.Went up town after supper to buy some grub.  Engage veal roast at Huttons  Clear day S.W. to W or NW  and much cooler  Gobed 9 P.M.  ~  

7.  Sunday.  5.30  AM.  Ther  58.  70.  58.  =  62

Clear NW wind.  I went uptown for fish before breakfast.  Drove out to Gaines starting 9.30 AM.  went South road and  through Loxa going through place.    Corn looks well.  Not been so much rain out there as in town. Jo hoeing in garden.  I stay to dinner after which Jo and self take good look at clover meadow.  It is not so good as I thought and hardly worth cutting.  Get some potatoes in sack also some beets and leave  at 4 P.M.  Clear chilly day with N.W. wind. My oats have begun to turn.  Didnt decide what would do with meadow.  Gobed 9.30 P.M.

8. Monday.  5 AM.  Ther  50.  78.  61  =  63.

Clear N.E. wind.  Mrs Smith and mother came to wash finishing about noon. Received notice of filing of my claim against Wall  Bill Campbell has sold out and quit the restaurant business.  Geo Stegman advises me to cut my patch of weedy meadow.  Minnie  Scott started home home 11.38  Take her baggage to  to depot.  Jubal mows yard P.M. using Groves mower.  I went out to Gaines.  He was cutting thistles and weeds in pasture.  Quit and took mower to Loxa for repair McPheron did not fix it.I brough scikle to town to sharpen and repair.  Tue had Reading Circle women here at night.  I got home about 7.30 PM.  clear day with NE to E wind.  Gobed 9 PM.

9. Tuesday.  5 AM.  ther  55.  88.  68.=  70 1/3

Clear  SE.2  Maggie went early with girls to Decker Spring.  Nell Bishop stayed all night with Phebe last night.  Take sickle to Merriths before breakfast and start for Gaines 8. oc.  But machine would not wouldn't work worth a cent  Get another sickle at Merritts and get to Gaines about 5 P.M. staying all night.  Mrs. G. cut her foot very bad on glass in yard.  Clear day, southerly wind.  Thought would have to take machine before anything.  Corn looks pretty well but needs rain around Loxa  Gobed 9 PM

10.  Wednesday.  4 AM.  Ther  65.  95.  80  =  80.
Clear.  SW wind.  Investigating machine after breakfast find all it needs is oiling, after which it cuts very well.  Had to go to Loxa for bolt.  Leave for home 10 AM.  Took Helen out to Hens P.M.  Hen and Ora  gone.  Jo got meadow nearly done the machine working very well.  Very warm day clear with SW wind.  Roads getting dusty W.  I got too warm A.M. and about sick  Gobed 9 P.M.

January 29- February 1, 1890 and 1901 in Charleston, IL

January  1890

29.  Wednesday.  Ther  36 46 ( an ink smear across this entry.)

Cloudy a light shower between 6 and 7 AM.  H.G. an hands , Nick has not shown up yet.  Learn today that he is better.  Kelly helps most of day washes bottles and cleans furniture.  He is going to work for R.R.  Very dull day muddy and dark  Paid water rate to July 1 for house and store  

gobed 11 PM  Fog at nt.

30.  Thursday 7 AM.  Ther  37.  48.  48. = 44 1/3

Foggy morning.  Another dark muddy day.  Tue spent day at Perrills.  Very few country people in town now days.  The roads are said to be as bad as ever known.  Frank McGurtys baby  and Jeff Watens sister buried today.  Nick still at home.  Cloudy day strong S. wind at night.  Gobed midnight

31.  Friday.  7 AM.  Ther  48.  52.  40.  = 46 2/3

Part cloudy day.  Nick up AM first time.  Trade dull.  Tue complaining Bish killed billy kid.  gobed midnight.

February 1890

1.  Saturday.  7.15 AM.  Ther.  34. 

Cloudy sprinkle snow last night.  Nick at Store all day first time since sick.  Bill Kelly working for R.R. Co.  Engage Brownfield to help clean up.  John Simones in town says he is reading to move at any time.  Snider will help one load.  Snider was married last Wednesday night  to Phillip's daughter  Uncle John was down to dinner self not very well.  Paid winter a/c in full to date  Gobed  1 AM.

January 1901

29.  Tuesday.  6 AM.   Ther  22.  40.

Partly cloudy N.W. wind.  Jack Trobough work 8 to 10 AM.  Takes out  ashes; turns manure and oil buggy and took it up to Davis Shop  Mrs. Wm. Brazleton died this morning  after being sick a long.  Old Mr. Sproule very sick.  Tue went over there after dinner.  Helen here to supper.   Davis did not repair buggy and I went after it  toward night.  Took Tue and Helen to H.Gs after supper.  Kate Perrill  who arrived with her mother from Wellsville, Ohio here with Groves till bedtime.  Marie seems better but remains at home.  Cloudy with variable wind a little rain and sleet during day about an inch snow at night.  10 PM.  

( Shorthand at top of Page)

30.  Wednesday. 5.15 AM.  Ther. 20.  19.  8  =  15 2/3
Cloudy northerly wind.   Clara ironed all day and went out with Daisy at night.  Growing colder all day  Partly clear P.M.  NW wind.   Tue over at Grove's at night.   Mrs. Brazelton was buried today  Pay F.M. Payne druggist a/c $7.70 in full. check.  Gobed 10 PM.

31.  Thursday. 6 AM.  Ther.  24.  29.  26  =  29 2/3
Clear SW wind.  Gaines calls me at Central while at breakfast.    Send him check 18.00 on wages  Think overpaid some.  Tell him to get line back cow dehorned at once.  Defenbaugh calls to get to get me to release Mortgage will have to see Jim Stevens.  Tue over at Groves w(?) Mrs. Perrill and Kate.  I went over to supper  Kate sick.  Marie still complaining good deal but think getting better slowly.  Clear AM and getting warmer but cloudy P.M. and colder NW wind.  Self feeling badly and still chewing tobacco.  The snow which fell Tuesday still covers ground  Go bed 10 P.M.
(shorthand)

February 1901

1.  Friday.  5.45 AM.  Ther.  27.  30.  30.  +  25 2/3

Clear westwind.  Clara washing windows.  Reading Circle met here P.M.  I sat in furnace room most of P.M..  Play seven up in dining at night  Marie went to school first time for week or two  Gobed 9 30 PM.

November 2-8, 1900 in Charleston, IL

November 1900

2.  Friday. 5.30 AM.  Ther  38.  62.  42  =  47 1/3

Mostly clear S.E. wind.  Figure on lumber biz till 10 AM.  Take  Maurice down to  Ricketts, and drive up in Anderson.  Make out bills for all lumber I have sold that is uncollected.  Take Tue to Reading Circle at Fullers PM.  Thought to go to Loxa PM but too late.  Much corn  coming in 30 cts. here.  Cool mostly clear day with easterly wind   Hent and H.G. here at night.  Hent bad spell supper time  gobed, 930 PM  Pay Ricketts and Storm for abstracts 65.50 mailed ck.  

(Short hand at top of page.)

3.  Saturday. Light  white frost  5.30 AM.  Ther 32.  64.  50.  = 48 2/3

Clear.  Warren and Simons came about 9 A.M. with loads of corn 11.31 S. 33 back which put in crib at barn  Shirley calls with two checks amount of out share of raised by him and delivered up to date.  $426.43 which dep. at State Bank.  Brow supposed to be in town but didn't see him.  Popham pays bill 43.42 which also deposit at State.  Good deal pf BC coming in Learn that it is picking up in price  Pay John and Warren for  haul lumber balances all up to date  Simons 10.86  Warren 5.85  all on check $16.71  Mostly clear cool day  Gobed 10 PM~~

4.  Sunday,  6 AM. Ther.  44.  64.  50.  = 52 2/3

Clear southwind (sic).  Drive out to Gaines AM get  home time for dinner.   Jo was burying his potatoes.  He has delivered to Linder 764 5/7 bush corn a  mostly at 29 c  This besides  what he has cribbed  altogether amts to about 1050 bush  thinks he is more than half done.  Take couple snap shots of Marie and Lilly in back yard.  Develop at night.  Ferd calls at night.  Clear day southwind (sic)  Gobed 930 PM.

5.  Monday 5. AM.  ther 36.  58.  36.

Mostly thought to drive out to Gaines early but have to return and oil buggy.  Pay back dues &c on H.G. Loan Stock 113.45  giving  Tue's check to Phonso Shera great deal of interest in tomorrow general election  Many men drunk at night.  Received by mail John Linder check 222.74 being for  764. 50/70 bush corn all of Gaines to date.  Clear cool day with  NW wind.  Gobed 11 P.M.

6.  Tuesday, 6 AM.  Ther 33.  58.  50 = 47

Part cloudy.  Self feeling badly.  Went  up town after bacon before breakfast.  Vote 11 AM.  Start to Gaines' 2 P.M.  No body at home till after 4 oclock (sic)  Mrs. Groat shucking corn.  Started home at 5.  Went up town after supper but couldn't hear anything about election, went home and to bed.  The roads are pretty good, slightly rough in places no dust.  Trees are mostly green.  Many tomato vines are growing.  Maggie had company  at night: Her companions at Jenkins store.  Saw Roger Bennett on west side at night.  Says  I Brown not saw till next week and that he did not get the Cumberland Co. bill he expected  The other Mrs. Owen washed AM.  Sprinkle rain 4 to 5 P.M. very light  Gobed 10.30 PM.

7.  Wednesday 5.30  AM.  Ther  40.  52.  42 = 44 2/3

Cloudy smokey or foggy.  Up town before breakfast learn that Republican carried every thing.  Tone up some pictures of Lillie Beck, printed yesterday.  W.R. Highland was beaten several hundred.  Crowley dem for Congress supposed to be elected.  Cadle dem for eglization (sic) board thought to be elected. otherwise all elected on repub ticket.  Tate Gov probably 75000  Pay all Frommel a/c in full 7.80  This for this year and last.  Tue F. Shatsburger pays 100 on lumber; still owes 50 c.  Will Decker in town and says will fire up and saw tomorrow.  Mostly cloudy day N W wind.  Tue got letter from Phebe which answered sending 500  Lillie washing windows.  Abbott will work at wood tomorrow.  Gobed 9.30 P.M.

(shorthand at top of page)

8.  Thursday.  5.45. AM.  Ther.  28.  35.  26  =  29 2/3

Clear; strong N.W. wind  Abbott came and worked at wood & c till 5 P.M.  Lillie ironed.  Warren and Earl Decker up with two loads corn Supposed 31 and 33 bushel latter load for Simons.  Send Draft to Phebe and deposit 222.44 Linder check for  Gaines corn at State Bank  Tom Messick calls to rent room for himself and Harry  I stat to Loxa 2 P.M. to take Harness and glass &c forget harness.  Jo shucking but came in while.  I was then complaining  good deal of the cold.  I got home before six  Partly cloudy day with brisk NW wind.  Gobed 9.30 PM

December 4- 14, 1913 in Coles County IL hightlights

December 1913

4.  Thursday.  Tue received two 12 in Records from Muggs suppose for birthday.  Rhoda came after dinner and worked most of P.M. helping get ready for the reading circle which meets here tomorrow P.M. the first time since last winter.  I hitch up PM. and drive up and round town a while.  

5.  Friday.  Tue gets nice towel from Phebe by P.P.  Tue . . . gets ready for the R.C.  They began to appear about 2 P.M. and having hitched up before noon I  take a long drive going as far as the river E. of J.W.Kings.  I went by Kickapoo road returning by Wrightsville.  Bill having rode from Wrielle to Half Mile House.  He was hunting a stray horse..  

6.  Saturday.  Tue got letter from Buddy.  Tue got 4 Masda lamps today.  We learn that Ill BC has about doubled in rates.  Tue has birthday friends at night Mrs. Grove Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Curd and Mrs. Campbell who used to live back  of us - now of Wyoming.  I did not feel well enough to meet them.

7.  Sunday.  Shaved self AM quite successful did not draw much blood.  Felt quite proud of job.

8.  Monday.  Doctor up old watch with peppermint.  I have not carried a watch for over a year.  Help tue recover her kitchen table.  H. and H. called a while at night.  He presents me with a small glass for Christmas I presume.  After they went home.  We look for  Phebe some today  She didn't come.  Gobed 9.30

9.  Tuesday.  Alfred has missed for several days.  Tue and self are doing chores.  She irons AM also kills one of her roosters.  Tue finished ironing.  We looked for Phebe all day.  She came before midnight.

10.   Wednesday.  Alfred  came but did not half do his work.  Tue and Phebe went to town toward night.

11.  Thursday.  Mail check which had forgotten to C.I.P.S. Co. $2.92 net for Nov. light.  They have recently raised their old rates.  By old rates it would be $1.86.  Pay phone for Nov. 1.50.  Tue and Phebe getting ready for R.C. entertainment tomorrow.  Several of the R.C. members called in evening staying till 9 P.M. or after.  I slept on lounge in den evenings.  

12.  Friday.  Learn that W.A. Campbell has moved his store to (?).  Drive with Phebe up town and then down to Normal and up town for bells for the "circus."  Se had a lunch in kitchen about 1 P.M. and the ladies began to arrive soon after. The function was reported a success.  Most of the R.C. members were present.  The RC borrowed several records of J.D. and we played these at times later.  

13.  Saturday.  Order rig and with Phebe return borrowed Things, bells &c.  Tue gets lamp with shade for sitting room.  Do not think much of it.

14.  Sunday.  Tue did not get down till after 8 Decide not able for trip to ranch One Hackett calls to look at lumber and brick and curry combs.  ha - ha.  He did not buy any thing, offer 5.00 for the pave brick.  The roads are generally good.  Autos made good use of them today.

April 11-13, 1913 in Charleston, Illinois

11.  Friday. 6 AM.  Ther.  44.  52. 44. = 46 2/3
Cloudy. S.W.3  Tue irons finishing before dinner.  She attended Reading Circle P.M. first time for a month.  They met at Hugh Johnstons.  Helen not feeling well and did not attend the Normal.  Self about sick.  Left mare at Nickles all day today.  Cloudy day with moderate S.W. winds.  Learn through Courier that Linder Bros. have sold out their clothing store*.  Sprinkle rain 6 P.M.  Go bed 9.

*According to Nancy Easter-Shick's  book  Round the Square -   1908 Linder Bros. Clothing Store , 601 Monroe Street on the Sherer Block.  This is where Shafer's Men and Boys was later located.

12.  Saturday.  6 AM.  Ther.   44.  46.  42. = 44.
Cloudy. N.1.  Ray came and did chores.  Pay him to date 85 cts.  He will come Monday morn next.  Mr. Armstrong calls and talks fruit trees a while unsuccessfully.  Tue get letter from Muggs enclosing one from a friend living at the flood in Columbus.  Get Interest note No.2 $750.00   from TM B. Co.  Paid APL. 1.  Helen went home on Interurban after dinner.  Tue got letter from Buddy P.M.  They have been expecting Charles to get measles but think danger past.  Tue went up town for grub toward night.  Mrs. Brooks called late P.M.  Cloudy, moderate north wind with light rain at times.TWP at night go bed 8.30 P.  

13.  6 Am.  Ther.  42.  56.  44. + 47 1/3
Cloudy N.3..  Get R.H. of Courier today.   Tue baking bread today.  She attends church AM.   I order mare from Nickles 1 P.M. and about 3 start out for a drive.  Went  east on Ashmore road far as the Huckabo crossroad which find has been graveled since last fall so cross over and return  south road.    Gravel roads somewhat moist, dirt roads quite muddy.  The  fields look soaked and it will be somedays before much farm work starts.  Grove's came over about 4 PM.  I took mare up to Nickles.  Shave self noon.  Gobed  9 P

Charleston, Illinois, October 11 & 12, 1912

11,  Friday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  62.  82.  74.   = 72 2/3
Part cloudy S.2.  I find two spokes broken R rear wheel of old buggy.  Tue and Maggie iron A.M.  I drove to Dicewood and beyond: no fungi excepting Clitocybe illudeno which meet in Stoddert's  pasture.  I got home say 11 AM.  There is a teacher's meeting at E.I.S.N. and great crowds are coming in especially on interurban.  Tue takes four of them to lodge just for tonight - all young ladies.  Tue attends RC* at Ed Millars P.M.  Grey Anderson and help put coat plaster on new W.C. and will come in morn and finish.  J.B. Hill filling New Silo as I pass AM.  The  mud is light and will soon be gone..  Mostly clear day with light to high S. to SW winds.  Lightning around at night.  Tues lodgers attended theatre (sic) til late and keep us awake &c.  Gobed 9 lightning nt.

* Reading Circle

12,  Saturday, 6 A.M.  ther.  52.  64.  48.  = 54 2/3
Part cloudy N.W. 5 .  Violent wind all night.  Lightning but no thunder nor rain.  Jack smuggled himself into house last night.  Think sprinkle rain in  night.  The  change occurred after midnight.  I pick up pears early before breakfast.  Think five or six bu. still in trees.  The teachers meeting closes today.  Said to be 1500 in town.  Anderson and hands finish plaster W.C. P.M. and pd 7.50 ch.  I drove to Dicewoods AM failing to find any fungi excepting  Chilocybi illudeno ~   Mostly clear day with  N.W. wind.  Self not feeling as well as last week.  Got load Pana lump coal today it is poor stuff for our furnace.  Get letter fr Cass Shaver wants to rent.  Gobed 9

July 5, 1912 and 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

100 Years Ago

Friday, July 5,1912   6AM  Ther.  74.  92. 78. = 81 1/3

Part cloudy. S.1. I drove E to timber .  Fungi are coming many spieces.  They are scathering(sic) however.  Visit P.O. Mitchells a/c 1st. 127.49.  I got  home before noon.  Tue very busy with her R.C.* work other members here P.M. helping her.  I drove to Dicewoods late P.M.  Nothing doing in fungi there.  The dirt roads are generally dry and rough.  This the hottest so far the season, I saw but one or two plowing corn.  It is too wet.  There is great growth of weeds and briars in the woods.  Mostly clear day light S or S.E. winds.  Mrs. Curd was over while at night.  Go Bed 10 P.M.

* Reading Circle

125 Years Ag0

Tuesday, July 5, 1887,  6 AM.  Ther 72.  90.  75.

Uncle John

Partly Cloudy.  Last night just before went to bed Uncle John came to stay all night.  Had trouble with Bert out at Loxa.  Made up bed for him in lounge.  He went home this morn after breakfast.  Bim was here to dinner.  Ruth and Mary Davis were over P.M.    Rails  called in morning.  Maggie and Phebe took lesson of Miss Piperion  morning.   H.G. was down P.M. with his account of lumber which I think agrees nearly with Comer.  Newt Calhoun thinks  he will have a bill for us in a few days.  Go bed 11P.M.

May 10, 1912 & 1887 in Charleston, IL

100 Years Ago

Friday, May 10, 1912  5.40.  Ther. 52, 76, 68. =65 1/3

Clear S.E.3.  Buy hoe W.E.H. pd.  Get shave and hair cut at Browns A.M. Pd. 40c.  Emmett called 1 P.M. and set him at work mowing yard.  There is a big field -meet at the Normal and people are sprucing up.  Tue over to G.G. Lee's P.M. on R.C.* biz..  I drove down by Nick's and order "sauce" but did not go for it.  Emmett will come in morn to finish.  Tue over to Grove's at night .  Helen brings Tue some butter and eggs~ Somewhat threatening P.M. with lightening S.E. at night and heavy showers later.  I pay Frank Ricketts 2.00 ck for bill last winter.  Tue decides to keep Ellen another week.  Gobed 10 P.M  R. 4.0 in

*Reading Circle

125 Years Ago

Tuesday,   May 10, 1887  7 A.M.  Ther. 70,81,68.  Clear.  Geo and Chanceller help til about 10. A.M. putting away things at store.  Take Tue and baby for drive in afternoon east of town.  Roads pretty rough but dry.  After we got home drove around town with father awhile.  The silk worm eggs which I raised began to hatch today.  Eastin folks have completed their summer kitchen which they have been working on for several days.  Go bed 9.30