Dec 13-31,1901 and Jan 1-5, 1902 in Charleston, IL (Highlights)

December 1901

Love boy begins carry wood evenings after school.

13.  Friday.  6.30 AM.  Ther 52.  40.  20.  = 37 1/3

Cloudy and raining southwind.  Rain began about midnight or after being in light showers.  Thunder about 8 AM.  Sign of moderate weather to come.  Rain all day wind getting north P.M.  With sleet after dark.  Spent long time today sorting papers and looking for Shirleys old lease which I didn't find.  Was up town toward night getting home 6 P.M.  Gobed  10 PM

14.  Saturday.  5 AM.  Ther  -2.  0.  -8.  = -3 1/3
Trim covered with with ice drops: Chickens about frozen.  We have 8 or 10 chickens.
Cloudy early but clears off.  The storm quit in night   Strong north wind all day.  It was the worst storm we have had in years and the first  cold wind we have had this season.  Perhaps two or two and a half inches of snow fell.  I spent most of day with furnace which had to run full capacity to keep house warm..  

15.  Sunday.  6 AM.  Ther. -12.  4.  -2  =  -3 1/3
I water and feed about noon.  Have been feeding horses but twice a day before cold spell.

16.  Monday

17.  Tuesday
Garrison says water pipe froze up back part of store.

18.  Wednesday
Warren  and Simons call and I pay Warren check for gray horse $80.00.

NOTE:  For 19-23 just posted day and temps.  Other days below are the same or posted very little.

19.  Thursday. -11.  4,  -4  =  -3 2/3

20.  Friday,  -11. 4,  -4  = -3 2/3

21.  Saturday

22.  Sunday

23.  Monday

24.  Tuesday,  
Drive out to Loxa P.M.  find Jo sick and Mrs. G gone to Loxa.  Took presents to children.  

25.  Wednesday  -  send some quinine tablets to Jo AM.

26. Thursday

27.  Friday

28.  Saturday.

29. Sunday   Karl Love still carries up wood and coal.  Miss Ford came home last night 2 AM.

30.  Monday
Pay Chambers and Linden in full $3.00 chk.  Marie has function at night.

31.  Tuesday.
I start out to Gaines 9. AM. but  came back and start again 10.30 AM.

January 1902

Anticipate trouble with Shirley this season.

1. Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  24.  40.  34.  =  32 2/3

Clear.  Easterly wind.  Self not feeling pretty well.  Go up town 10 AM.  Go up town 10 A.M.  Shave Frank May.  Pay a/c at Paynes drug store, check to date: , $7.10  Stores generally closed P.M.  Banks and PO all day.  Mostly clear day with E To S wind.  No signs of cold or stormy weather.  Didn't hitch up horse today.  Mort and Kate over at night  gobed 8.30 P.M.

2.  Thursday  6.15 AM.  Ther.  38.  36.  26.  =  33 1/3  Mostly clear.  Brisk SW wind.

3.  Friday. say 6.30 AM.  Ther  11.  20.  14.  =  15.

4.   Saturday say 630 AM.   Ther.  8.  29.  18.  = 18 1/3

5.  Sunday.  7. AM.  Ther.  14.  35.  25  = 24.

December 2-9, 1901 in Charleston, IL

December 1901

2.  Monday, 6.45, AM  Ther.  36.  40.  35.  =  37.   

Get a letter from N.S. Page this morning

Cloudy and damp: Barely  sprinkles rain all night.  Mrs. Smith came 7 AM. to wash, working till after dinner.  Charley Wiley calls after dinner to see about bottom lot for Carnagie Library.  I start out to Gaines 2.30 P.M.  He changing work with C. Talbot get tickets.  Jo has 14 tickets 334 bu at 56 and 94 5/7 @ 55 = 428 5/7 = 239.14  Garrison pays me rent to 14 inst. check.  Florence Gaines at home sick.  Shirley not quite done shucking corn  Capt Tillotson called P.M. to see me but I was not here.  Grows some cooler before night.  Cloudy day Northerly wind.  Roads good.  Gobed 9 PM

3.  Tuesday, 6.15 AM.   Ther 32.  37.  28  =  32 1/3

Most cloudy N.E. wind.  Simons and Warren did not come in with corn as promised.  I drove down to see how the Col [H. G.] was AM but did not go in.  Hat said he was no better.  Dr. calls it the "Grippe."  Pay Wilton & Tillotson a/c in full 49.75  Tillotson as one of the committee for Park and Carnagie Library asks price of bottom lot south of branch.  They cant use it at our price $3500  Partly cloudy day with NE wind.  Pay Sam Ray for bus and baggage fare  Partly cloudy day with NE wind.  Ferd was here for a while at night.   Gobed 8, P.M.

4.  Wednesday.  6.30 AM.  Ther  24.  30.  20.  =  24 2/3

Partly cloudy.  Eastwind,  Tue and Phebe ironing  Pay JH Pinnell a/c in full to date 7.35 Deposits Garrison check 50.00  Rent to 14 inst  2d National Bank  PriScilla Club here in afternoon.  Talk with I.Winter PM about park and Library.  He is one of committee and does not much like using our lot at price offered.  Stop at Henry Shoots to ask about Col.  Drive down there and him no better.  Phebe and Helen making candy in kitchen at night  John Clark's  daughter studying with Marie.  Mrs. Clark called for her.  Partly clear day with E to NE wind and growing colder  Gobed 9 PM

5.  Thursday. 6 AM.  Ther  18.  30.  22. =23 1/3

Partly cloudy, hazy, Easterly wind, white frost morn.  Tue and self buy some oysters for the Col and start for his house about 9 AM  old mare made break on Madison St breaking up shafts, buy new pair at Wilton & G costs me 3.00  The Col. better this morn.  Gaines came in with part of a load of straw.  Will be in again tomorrow.  Simons and Warren brought two loads corn 60-50 sold to Griffin @ 60.  Shirley brings in Linders check for balance of his corn 776.56  They think there is error somewhere but I fail to find it for certain.  Buy Warrens grey horse for 80.00 and he will bring him up tomorrow or Saturday.  Hannah Marshal here  at night.  Turie over at Groves till bed time.  Light cloudy day E to SE light winds  Farm's returns so far think the farms have yielded in money about same as last year  Gobed 10 PM

6.  Friday.  6.30 AM.  Ther 20.  33.  30.  =  27 2/3

Clear light SE wind.  Self sore throat.  Worse this morn has been coming for several days.  Jo Gaines in with anther small load of straw.  While he was in house his team & was tore off both hind wheels, breaking shaft off at collar.  I spent most of the day trying to find way to fix it and finally order entire new axle through W.&T.   Tue and Helen went down to H.Gs. toward night finding him much better Simons and Warren did not come in with wood.  I figure up Shirley corn tickets for sure getting it about same as Linders check.  Mostly cloudy day E & SE wind.  Phebe attends dance at night with Bres???  Gobed 9 P.M.

7.  Saturday. 6.30 AM.  /ther 30.  39.
Mostly cloudy. Southwind.  Jo came with small load straw taking out four joints of 15 in sewer tile for well at Loxa from Andrews @ 30 c per foot.  I went over to Loxa 11.38 AM returning 1.12 P.M. Settle with JD Linder for balance corn  779.14 Shirley 239.14 Gaines in two checks 777.56 and 240.72  Deposit 777.56 at State Bank KG a/c 240.72 at 2d Natl C.G.  Shirley raised 3663 bushels on about 130 acres.  J.W.Gaines (heard) raised 1373 50/70 bushels partly estimated on about 47 acres.  Warren and Simons brought about cord of wood and grey horse which did not pay for today.  Cloudy day mostly with southerly.  Indications of rain.  Was up town most of PM.  Wilton ordered axle yesterday.  Paid W.M. Scott (Bill)  14.40 Ins. on house and furniture  Cloudy day southwind.  Light rain after dark  Gobed 9.30 P.M.

8.  Sunday.  7 A.M.  Ther.  45.  50.  33.  =  42 2/3
Cloudy and raining. S.E. wind.  Rain began in night.  Stay in house most of day.  Rain much of the time, but light.  It snowed about an inch after dark.  Tue bad pain in side and went to bed early.  Wind swings round to SW and finally to NW  Gobed  9.30 PM

9.  Monday. 6 AM.  Ther.  29.  33.  20 =  27 1/3
Cloudy Northwind light.  Mrs.Smith came to wash 7 AM.  Bill Scott calls again AM.  Mrs. S. works all day. will iron Wed.  Charley Wiley called AM. while I was up town about lot for Library &c.  I didn't see him.  Cloudy with N. to NW wind  The snow did not melt off much.  Should think rain about 3/4 in.  Roads reported muddy.  No word from buggy axle yet  Self not feeling pretty well.  Tue over at Groves till bedtime.  Spend most of the day reading novel "Kidnapped" Mrs S had her boy with her today.  Gobed 9 P.M.

October 21, 1890 and 1901

October 1890

21.  Tuesday.  5.30 AM Ther

Light white frost  clear with N.E. wind  John went over to rye patch east to repair fence.  I start home 10 30 getting there 1 oclock.  Arterburn hauling away walnut.  R. Eastin brings up load locust posts  John McCormick puts in large glass at the store.  Pay up Dr. Hellegass 4.65 for two glass.  Pd Geo Knock for repair Simoms gun.    Clear till P.M clouds up with SE wind and signs of rain got shave and hair cut tonight at John Mays  Roads are good  Measured up  Gruings Wood 3 1/2 "cord" wants 2 cd green, noq.  Gobed 10.30  PM~~

October 1901

21.  Mondaay.  5.30 AM.  Feeling better this morning and decided to start for Geneva at once  Start  SW Limited 7.24.  Pleasant but cool. arriving 11.20   Left valise &c at Depot and went up town  Ate dinner at Kirkwood.  Call on Aunt Mary 210 Lewis and Aunt Margaret 113 Lafayette Ave.  And meet Jim Wilkie on way down town.  Went home with him 218 Williams St after getting baggage from Depot, staying all night.

Note:  All of the people mentioned in the 10/21/1901 entry are Charles' relatives on his  Father, WSG's family.

October 20, 1890 and 1901

October 1890

20.  Monday 530 AM Ther.

White frost. Not very heavy  Have had no frost to amount to any thing.  Warren went to town with load of wood.  John and self went over turnip patch and sowed it in rye which I brought down yesterday also sow the piece on N. side of barn  Simons works PM at putting siding on south side of barn.  Matt Comer calls PM. says thinks he will move mill Wednesday  Mostly clear day and cool N and NE wind  gobed 9 P.M.

October 1901

20.  Sunday,  7 AM.  walk round City all was able  Ate dinner restaurant Swan and Ellicoats.  The attendance at Exposition yesterday 163,000 the best day.  Felt badly all day and think I shall have to rest.  Get dose of of C. oil at drug store at night which kept me on move till nearly morning.

October 19, 1890 and 1991

October 1890

19.  Sunday.  7AM.  Ther 36.

Mostly clear with fresh wish. Paint wood box for Tue and start for Ranch soon as got dinner get there 4.30 P.M. ride over east pasture and fire a brush heap.  Simons and Riley Easton about finished hauling hay yesterday and think I have about 6 ton from Anderson.  Pleasant day but cool  gobed 8 P.M.

October 1901

19.  Saturday.  Buffalo day today at P.A. and decide not to attend Exposition today.  Threatening weather, light rain about 10 AM.  Went to Niagara about 10 AM. by  trolley about, remain all day.  Return to Columbia about dark very tired and retire early.

The Pan- American Exposition was a world's fair.  President McKinley, while visiting the Temple of Music,  was shot September  6.

July 1 - 5 1890 and 1901 in Coles County Illinois

July 1890

1.  Tuesday.  5 AM.  Ther  78.  90.  75.

H. G. changed on beer last week PT car load to come yesterday not come and will not probably.  Start for timber 4.30 P.M.  Met Comer at Kickapoo  got there before dark.  Simons cutting sprouts  No one else working  Gobed 9.30

2.  Wednesday 5 AM.  Ther  70  85  67.

Clear.  Simons goes with Spurgeon to look up logs on Decker ridge R & J cut sprouts AM.  Afternoon boys cut logs over near river bottom, fell large white oak across hallow and had good deal of trouble with it.  Mill not running say they are out of logs.  Start home about 6 P.M. getting there at 8,  Settle in full with Simons wages and board to July 1.

3.  Thursday. 7 AM.  Ther `

Clear.  Worry nearly all day with pile of city lumber Geo Kellogg and two other men pile whole lot over in afternoon  Maffett sick and could not come over and recive it   Drove over there at night.   Council met and ajourn without doing anything to meet Monday night.  Comer up town and pretty full full  thunder shower about 5 P.M. light rain here.  Been about sick all day took medicine and ate nothing  Tue not very well.  Gobed  10.30 P.M.

4.  Friday 6 AM  Ther  67.  78  55

Cloudy with N. Wind quite chilly, but sun comes out after a while and turns out to be a fine day  Crowd in town only moderate and trade only fair for 4th.  John Kings little girl got hurt with a sky rocket at night.  John Simons and Warren brought my wool and two large hogs.  Send out new C.C. sow by Simons.  Go bed 11 P.M.

5. Saturday. 7.30 AM.  Ther 50 78 60

Clear  Temp was 44. early this morning.  Frank Maffett counts up lumber and makes it substantially same as myself  the bill  unpaid at date amts. to 26599 ft $398.98  Give Hutton Tp bill to Geo Dallas $11.99  Not a very busy Saturday.  Bert was down to dinner.  I took buggy up to Pugh PM to repair but didnt finish it Crass pulled it down again.  Settle today with R. Eastons and H House for hauling lumber.  Pleasant cool day with easterly wind  Gobed 11 PM.

July 1901

1.  Monday,   6.30 AM.  Ther  80.  97.  80  =  85 2/3

Clear, southerly wind.  Was about sick all night.  Mrs. Smith came to wash about 7 AM. with her  mother.  We are out of both coal and wood.  engage Jubal Jones to cut the load of wood on hand 7/8 of cord.  Tue and girls sewing P.M.  Phebe went to picnic.  Gone all night.  Very sultry with southerly wind mostly clear some clouds.  Calhoun says 1.89 in rain fell last Thursday after midnight.  Gobed  9 P.M.

2.  Tuesday 5 AM.  Ther  75.  98.  75.  =  82 2/3

Mostly clear:  light southwest wind.  Jubal comes to saw wood at 7.  Helps hitch up and  I start to country 7.15 A.M.  Jo plowing on E side N. piece.  Stop at Courtneys says will look at my meadow today and report in morn if I  go out.      Owe Mrs. G. 30 cents for eggs.      Mrs. Gaines washing.  I get a lot of beans, beets and other vegetables, also eggs.  Getting home time for dinner.  McGintry ask for use of   bottom lot for balloon fourth of July celebration which didn't get.  Very sultry day s.w. wind mostly clear AM. but cloudy after 4 PM  Light shower  between 5 and 6P.M with signs of more.  I lost my knife today.  Maggie and Minnie drove roan while at night. Cooler at night  gobed 9 P.M.     

3.  Wednesday,  5 AM.  Ther.  70.  98.  74  =  80 2/3
Partly cloudy, N. wind.  Jubal sawing wood and helped hitch up.  I start out to Gaines about 9 AM.  Jo Courtney says cant cut meadow.  Jo plowing SW piece  Edith there.  I got home before dinner  Leave house and buggy  at Binkleys for cleaning up getting him toward night 75c  pd.  Storm comes up just after dinner  Much thunder and wind blowing many limbs off trees in yard also everywhere in town.  Lost cane today think where I hitch near Evan's.  Gobed.  9 P.M.  Cloudy P.M. and cooler.

4.  Thursday.  5.15 AM.  Ther  72.  96.  74.  =  80 2/3
Mostly cloudy, Southwind.  I went up to Wrights for ham before breakfast.  They have our block  each side of square blocked off today.  I drove up to Decker Spring AM.  Saw no fungi.  Pet Dickens rode to town with me.  Balloon ascended twice near Baptist Church.  Very sultry.  Said to have been good trade in town.  The heat hurt me worse than usual.  Mostly clear except early and late southerly wind  gobed 9 PM.

Top of page:  Learn that John (Butch) Klein and Mrs. Albright are dead this week.

5.  Friday, 6 AM.  Ther  72.  90.  75.  =  79.
      Cloudy and raining since 3 AM. said to have been quite heavy.  Get check books at both State and 2d Banks.  They redeem stamps t State.  Checks vc do not require stamp after 1st inst.  Get blank of Charley Lee and have John Marshall fix amt   Wall bankrupt a/c which mail to E.S. Robinson Referrce (sic) Springfield.  Jubal came after dinner and picked up litter left by storm in front yard also saws splits wood a while.  Drove SW looking for fungi.  Several species Rusula , Telephera  Scherwinity  Small hycoperdone. are all I saw.  Maggie and Minnie  had some entertainment P.M. - girls.  Mostly clear day with strong S.W, wind much of time.  Gobed 9 P.M.      

Photo  copyright Charles Gramesly

                                                                                                                                                 

June 2, 1890 and 1901 in Coles County Illinois

This is Charles Gramesly's and my daughter Keturah's birthday!

June 1890

2.  Monday, 5 AM.  Clear.  Rile Decker went to town JS and John Decker help dip the lambs today till noon.  Then cut logs P.M. on ridge south of mill cutting about 1200 ft.   ? JD and Steve have the west end of that ridge about finished.  Left sheep in pasture today.  They have been running outside.  10 P.M.

June 1901

Sunday. 5.30 AM.  Ther.  60.  82.  70 2/3

Clear westerly wind.  Found light in sitting room had been burning all night.  This is C.G.'s birthday - 59.  Start for ranch 9.30 AM.  by Wrightsville, getting to Timons 10.40 AM.  He  I drive down through his place to where mill was and down to Val Handly line, back by Ira's .he was not at home.  Ate dinner at Simons and drove down past old place.  they have plowed up pasture and orchard and put in corn.  Went as far as Milt Hand(?);  Will not at home, waited to see his tax receipts.  He went with Ira  John Simons tells me Sunday about trade Geo Martin has figured on making.  Thinks can get 10.00 per A for ranch land.  Did not have time to look over lumber Sunday.  Stop at Aunt Malinda's going back.  Settle with  Warren, but did not pay anything.  Owe him 5.50 bal on labor done.  7 days @ $1.50 10.50 less 200 posts 5.00  Get home 7 P.M.  Mostly clear warm days  Light shower sprinkle 4 P.M. at ranch. and  thunder shower at night while milking.  Roads fair, dry but rough south of Five Mile House.  Gobed 9 P.M. [shorthand]

 

April 5-8, 1890 and 1901 in Coles Coles County Illinois

April 1890

5.  Saturday.  7. AM.  Ther.

Mostly  clear.  Wright works at raspberries and cleans up front yard.  Simons and gang in pay in pay them off.  He took down chaff and seed out of barn.  Uncle John in, says he has to have his team right away.  Anti license people have  meeting at night but make no nominations  Tue still suffering from neuralgia.  Pay Ed Wright  for two days @ 100.  Part cloudy day with easterly wind sprinkle rain about 10 PM.   gobed 1oc

6.  Sunday.   7.30 AM.  Ther.  45.  64.  60

Part cloudy wind southerly  Tue went to church came home sick went for Dr. P at night.  Warm and partly clear day.  Went up to drug store for meddy for Tue P.M.  Gobed 10 PM.

7.  Monday.  7 AM.  Ther  53.  79.  68  =  66 2/3

Mostly clear.  Tue did not sleep much last night and seems worn today  Got medicine of Patton for her again.  Ed Wright cleans out stable and buggy  Straightens up Eastin's fence. &c  Intended to go down to Ranch but could not leave on account of Tue.  Hat was down toward night.  Sprinkle rain 4 PM and in night  Gobed 10.30 PM

8.  Tuesday, 5.30 AM.  Ther  63.  81.  68 =  70 2/3

Mostly clear..  Thunder shower about day light with a little rain,  Wright works all day spades up for  peas beans radish and cabbage which plant.  Stram drummer in town.  Mrs. Rogers washed and ironed.  Hat here most of day.  Tue feeling badly and had  Dr again PM.  I start for ranch 4 P.M.  but turned back deciding to go tomorrow  Maggie sick  caught cold yesterday.  Warm day with S.S.W. wind.  lightning east at night.  Gobed 10.30 PM

April 1901

5.  Friday 5 AM.  Ther.  49  60  49  =  52 2/3

Cloudy S.E. wind   Ate breakfast at  Starr and Start for farm 7 oclock.  Jo sowing oats.  It began to rain about 9 AM shower occasionally all day  Jo finished sowing oats about 4 P.M.  I stated home 5 P.M.  Took old harness to town for repairs.  Roads very slippy  Rain today prevented my looking round much.  Forgot to take rubbers.  Miss Ford got home from her visit  Tue went over to Groves at night.  Rain pretty heavy 3 to 4 P.M.  Wind got NW  Gobed 9PM

6.  Saturday.  5.30 AM  Ther  48. 45. 45. = 46

Cloudy NW wind.  Talk with Hodgen.  He thinks can furnish loan of 9000.00  On farm @ 5% and I  took up one of abstracts P.M.  Pay Pete Drake P.M. .65.  Paid  Charleston Tp tax PM. to H.T. Miles   Col. 204.37 - $2.04 = 1% off  Dark disagreeable day N wind mist at times.  Gobed  9 P.M.

7.  Sunday,  6.30 AM.  Ther  42  54  42  =  46.

Mostly cloudy N.E. wind.  Tue and  girls attended church  Look over a few things in old house AM.  Mare stood in shed all day.  Thought to hitch up P.M. but too cool.  Mostly clear bright day northerly wind.  Helen and Ferd  here at night.  Tue was going to church but didn't.  Clara attended Christian ch.  Read or do nothing most of day.  Still chewing.  Gobed  9 P.M.__

8.  Monday.  5.30 A.M.  Ther.  33.  53.  37.  =  41

Clear chilly Northerly wind.   Went up to Hodgens and talk with him a while.  Give him abstract to part of Loxa (42) land to examine   Garrison not got bond as yet.  Pay  Lafayette Tp taxes 78.54 and Hutton Tp.  14.57 to Ganaway Treas  Pay 1.72  on piece  24a included mine and Jane Handly's.  William Garrison went to Casey to see sick  father.  Self feeling badly all day.  Mostly clear day N or NE wind.  Tue and children went to lecture at Episcopol (sic) church.  Clara Washed A.M.  Gobed  10 P.M.

March 26-31 , 1890 and 1901

March 1890

Spurgun loaded two loads hay today.

26.  Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

March 1901

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

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

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

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

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

[At top of Page]  shorthand

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

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

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

February 2-7, 1890 and 1901 in Coles County IL

February 1890

2.  Sunday, 8 AM.  Ther. 36.  45.  49.  =  43 1/3
Cloudy. damp day.  Felt badly all day and didnt go up to store.  Tue and Phebe went to Hats after dinner  Did not rain today although looking much like it.  Go to bed 9. P.M.

3.  Monday 6.30 AM.  Ther  49.  70.  60.  =  59 2/3
Part cloudy.  Milt Drake up with for load of corn  Mare sick didn't take much.  Warren took down load for Simons.  Milt says will leave  house pretty soon.  R. Decker came up with him.  Old Mrs. Bunch was buried today.  Partly clear day and warm light shower about 5 P.M.  Warm night.  Gobed 10.30 ~

4.  Tuesday.  7 P.M.  Ther. 57.  72.  63.  =  64
Cloudy wind South changing to SW and at night W.  Warm spring day with strong wind  Roads very bad but drying  fast.  John Snider sent teams up for load of Simons things and Warren took another load.  Simons is now moved into Wes Deckers and will go into my home as soon as Milt goes out.  Tue makes Maggie stay home from school AM.  Gobed 10 PM.  

5.  Wednesday 7 AM  Ther  43.  45.  37.  =  41 2/3
Cloudy.  Wind, N.  Turner patches roof sp. rain AM.  Uncle John was down to dinner.  He has sold the Gage house making about five hundred on it.  Walter McKinley died this morning of consumption.  Brown drummer here P.M. also Cohert.  Turner patches house roof in morning cloudy Cool north wind  11.30 PM.

6.  Thursday  6.30 AM.  Ther.  27.  40.  35.  =  34.
Part cloudy.  Self sore throat been coming on for several days.  Stay home most of day.  Hat here in P.M.  Got some catalogues of Ralf Hunon.  Bought some oysters at night E and NE wind all day and signs of snow.  Trade quiet Gobed 11PM.

7.  Friday. 7 AM.  Ther  30.  40.  34.  =  38
Snowing, NEasterly wind.  Got a letter from Aunt Mary Hildreth this morning.  Sell half cord wood to  Martin.  Lou Reynolds hauls me  a load of wood.  Still got sore throat and go up town only little while toward night  Snow till 9 or 10 AM wind gets in N.W. grows colder at night.  Gobed 9.30
Sold Calf to Bill Myers for 12.00

February 1901

2.  Saturday. 6.30 AM.  Ther.  30.  36.  32.

Cloudy and snowing Slept late, was wokened by carrier with speed delivery letter form Phebe telling that she had lost draft $36.00 sent her the other day write to Phebe and tell Wheatly of the loss.  Mrs. Perrill and Kate came AM. and will stay a few days with us.  Kate is running a millinery store at Wellsville, O.  Snow continued all day from the S.E. about 5 in. damp and heavy.  Clara went up after chickens &c. at night.  I slept on lounge in sitting room.  Gobed 12 oclock after reading an hour or two.  Ground hog didnt see his shadow today.

3.  Sunday. 7 AM.  Ther.  34.  45.  32.  =  37

Cloudy and raining  wind S.E. quite heavy rain most of A.M. and snow settles fast.  Mort and Kate over to dinner and stay till night.
Take two exposures of party in sitting room after dinner.  Sure came out came in P.M.  Kate Perrill not very well.  Wind got round to west toward night and grows colder.  Clara went to church at night.  I slept on lounge going to bed at 11 P.M. Alarm of fire  P.M.  H. Hildreth called PM but did not stay.

4.  Monday.  6 AM.  Ther.  25.  27.  14  =  22

Cloudy weat wind.  Kate Perrill and her mother went over to Groves after dinner  Methodist Aid Society meeting there.  Send check to A. Richter for coal 21.53  Have about enough to last till Mar. 1.  They move the P.O. yesterday to NW room in court house from Jefferies building on S. side.  Take picture of Clara in kitchen P.M.  Helen here toward night  Develop three plates at night.  Tue and Marie over at Groves.  Clear day N.W. wind.  quite slipery on side walks.  Mrs. P. and Kate stay at Groves at night.  Gobed 10.30 PM. _

( some where I have this picture of Clara)

5.  Tuesday.  5.20  A.M.  Ther.  7.  18.  10.  =  11 2/3

Clear N.W. wind.  House rather cool this morning Clara washing.  Get some chemicals and make up new solutions after dinner and spend P.M. at that and toning some cards  Maggie out at night.  Rest of us play cards tell had time.  Clear N.W. cold day.  Gobed 10 P.M.

6.  Wednesday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  4.  26.  14  =  14 2/3

Mostly clear.  Sprained knee very bad in Kitchen this morning.  I was quite painful all day.  Jim Pugh mends buggy shafts P.M. leaves picture of Laura and family  they are staying at Grove's Tue at Groves at night girls and self play cards  Mostly clear day.  Owen Curd was buried today.  Gobed 11 P.M.

7.  Thursday.  7 AM.  ther  20.  35.  28  =  27 2/3

Cloudy and light snow wind easterly.  My knee better this morning.  Clara got up and made fires.  Clara ironing all day.  Tue making shirts for me.  John Simons called about noon and we settle for hauling corn. 10.35

5.70 for S 4.65 for Warner. 207 bush.  Still have crib of about 150 bu at Simons place.  Give him lot of old Country Gentleman.  Clear up lot of old spoiled plates and tone some prints P.M.  Miss Perrill and Kate came and remain all night.  Mort and Kate over till 9 P.M.  Self bad toothache at night and didn't sleep much.  Cloudy day S.E. wind  Gobed 9 P.M.  Drop line to J.M. Stevens regarding mortgage.

October 30- November 1, 1889 and 1900 in Charleston, IL

October 1889

30.  Wednesday 6 AM.  Ther

Cloudy and getting ready to rain which began about 8 o.c. AM.  Ring three sows noses  Two more pigs missing this morning, one in spring.  Boy work while I sawing store wood and quit working a while P.M.  Milt repaired roof some and went out hunting in P.M.  Rained at intervals a;; day but not heavy.  Gobed 10 PM

31.  Thursday.  6 AM.  Ther           56.  50.  =

Cloudy but not raining  Ride down to river bottom  Cut L board tree in S. Hollow which wouldn't work.  Look for  more which couldn't find find boys cut one in little Fritz hollow P.M. which we think all right  Start home at 3.30 PM arriving at 6 P.M.  Roads very muddy and slow driving.  Mist and fine rain PM and night  Gobed at 10.30 PM~  Trade has been light this week.

November 1889

1.  Friday.  7 AM.  Ther  55.  65.  53  = 57 2/3

Cloudy and rain at spells all day.  Interested going to woods.  Pay Popham per load of hay. 3.00 .  HG will start for Ark. next Tuesday, with hunting party.  Trade not very lively, am somewhat discouraged about my shed and feed for sheep.  Have done but little toward it for two weeks on account of  rain.  Gobed 11 PM 

October 1900

30.  Tuesday  5.30 AM.  Ther.  63.  78.  65 = 68 2/3

cloudy.  Southerly wind.  The other Mrs. Owens comes to wash.  Tue  and Lillie move Miss Ford into east room. (shorthand)  Learn at Gaines' that Irene was expected home today.  The roads excepting paved streets are very muddy this morning   Lend Deffenbaugh abstract for ranch.  They are  getting their pipes together in front of Perkins lot.  on way to square with steam heat.  Simons did not come up with corn as intended.  Hatton has not shown up this week.  Went out to Gaines' 2 P.M.  Jo. shucking shock corn.  Has got 14 loads in to  elevator.  They  have only paid 29 cents for past week.  Get a  basket full of vegetables and start home 5 P.M.  Partly clear day slightly cooler than yesterday.  Got pretty good mess of Caprinus comatus at Bill Hill's which which have for dinner.  Jo Gaines has shucked about 750 bush corn to date.  I did not visit Loxa today.  HOme in time  for supper  Gobed 8.30 P.M.

31.  Wednesday 5.30 AM.  Ther 63.  78.  60  =  64

Drove up to Dicks AM and beyond No mushrooms in sight.  See Teo Sefton about coal.  Take Bill Campbell down to his place AM.  They are digging ditch for heat pipes in ally back of store.  Lilly ironing.  CD Mitchell gives me bill for 1200 feet more lumber.  Saw Hatton crossing overhead bridge AM.  They have had saw mill on Decker land north of spring a week or two.   T. Armstrong out of common corn.  P.M. load still in barnyard.  Got a letter from Charley Popham saying need not bring rest of his bill.  Showers P.M. with heavy rain toward night and after dark.  Take Marie over to Weyths after supper to Halloween party.  Corn 30 cts here am entirely out of corn except sweet.  Gobed 9 P.M.

November 1900

1.  Thursday. 5.30 A.M.  Ther.  50.  60.  50  =  53 1/3

Mostly cloudy.  N.W. wind.  Clears off before 9  A.M. and clear day.  tue and Lillie making pumpkin pie AM.  Shave AM. Cr.  Sent draft $120.00 to Loan and Trust Co.  John Simon and Warren up with wood.  Says Ira does not intend to sow any more until after after the election.  Give Bob Chapman key to Perkins room for station purposes.  Charge no rent.  Harry Stoddert wants lot of 2x4 - 12 and 14.  Dun Evans for small bill due.  Tue  sends some shirts to Phebe in newspapers.  Bill Hill called with Caprinus comatus while we were at breakfast.  John Simons calls after dinner and give him bills amounting to some 3600 ft.  Saye Brown in town.  He called P.M. and we settled for all collected by both of us, self to pay hauling.  Give Ira ch for $19.04  Simons not very well satisfied with Tom's management.  Pick balance of quinces.  Had about  1 1/2 bu on three trees.  Fair day westerly wind.  Tue over at  Groves at night.  Gobed 9 PM.

October 20, 1889 and 1900 in Charleston, IL

October 1889

20.  Sunday.  7 AM.  Ther.  48.  54.  43  =  48 2/3

Clear except  smoke or fog.  Start for  ranch 9 AM  Phebe went with me.  Frank Smith there.  Phebe and self gather a few nuts.  Look at saw logs.  Milt said he would go over F. Goodmans and borrow wagon to haul logs.  We got home about dark  Maggie had a light chill this AM.  Pleasant day smokey NE wind gobed 10 P.M.

October 1900

20.  Saturday.  6 AM.  Ther   50.  75.  60  =  61 2/3

Mostly clear  Tue feeling some better , and  up to  get breakfast.  Got another load wood (cord) of Newell  which didn't pay for.  Simons not up today.  Learn that Brown  (Ira) was here but did not see him.  They (H Plant) are putting in heating pipes on 5th St. North blocking that St to RR.  Corn 30.c here.  Very little B.C. selling.  Price about 70.00  per or more per ton.  Campbell tells me  of Piercy girl W of town  Tue and Marie eat supper at Mrs. Knocks.  Let  Bush have elm @ $16.50.  his bill  will be next.  NO boy yet.  Have been doing chores self.  Bill Hatton has promised to begin working for me Monday at 1.75 per day.    Will Campbell and self drive round town a while at night.  Met him at Wrights.  Paid up gro. bill yesterday - some 31.00+.

Arc light around town out at P.M.  Town dark probably all night.  Go bed 10 P.M.   Took pill.

Walls bill, presented 50.00 rent says come Monday.

October 16-19, 1889 and 1900 in Charleston, IL

October 1889

16.  Wednesday.  5.30 AM.  Mostly clear.  white frost.  Milt helped  about logs today with horse and we get nearly two thousand feet cut and down hills.  Milt loads wood so as to start early tomorrow .  Riley Decker and old man have been burning brush this week and have nearly finished.  Gobed 9.30 PM.

17.  Thursday, 6 AM.  Ther.                               64.=

Cloudy and signs of rain.  Decide to have Milt help today.  Cut walnut blocks and head up to house  boys cut red oak tops getting several good logs  Settle on site for  shed after dinner.  Leave Milt to put in gate posts west of house  start home about 4 PM with Frank Drake arriving about 6 P.M.  Find that Maggie has been sick all the week with  hives  Hat here to supper.  Business has been dull since I left on Monday morning.  Mostly cloudy day and warm  Gobed 10.30 PM ~ 

18.  Friday 7 AM.  Ther    60.  66.  43.  =  56 1/3

Mostly cloudy.  Milt brought up load of stove wood.  Warren finishes Coopers  8 cent and puts some on yard.  Milt took goats and kids down  He and Warren will haul logs tomorrow if they can get Comers wagon.  Drove out to Uncle John's P.M.  but didn't see him   got black pup at Shirleys  Trade dull.  Maggie had light chill, has one every day this week.   Newly had runaway at night while unharnessing.  Uncle John is building house on Hawkins place.  Fresbie doing work  go bed 10.30 PM.

19.  Saturday.  7 AM.  Ther  43.  71.   54  =  56

Clear  Pleasant day.  Maggie had a chill but lighter than yesterday.  The gang was up and paid off.   Milt hauled load of wood to Anderson and got drunk leaving stable for home at 10 P.M.   Bought  52 bushels of oats of Jo Whelan @ 26 c.  Uncle John in town after lumber.  Trade good and one of best Saturday we have had.  Kelly worked most of day at house and store  Walk round after shutting up looking for Mat think he didn't go home.  gobed 11.30 PM

October 1900

16.  Tuesday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.

Cloudy northerly wind.  Went to Mattoon to see Irene about H.G. place but train too late to talk much got home 2 P.M. went out to Gaines to take rods for wagon  He has shucked  two loads today. finest.  Mrs. Owens washed A.M.  Saw Bert in Mattoon.  Tue fired Clyde Ashby A.M.  He was no count.  Buy two cords wood of Henry Newell @ 3.25  Tue about sick with her eye.  Thought of going for doctor at night  Gobed 8 P.M.

17.  Wednesday 6 AM.  Ther   30.  60.  42.  =  43

Clear very heavy white frost first hard frost.  Newell hauls the wood and settle with him.  J. Simons and Warren bring lumber for Weth & Hardin.  Geo Weyth pays 30.00 for bill of lumber to W.&H., all delivered in car here  Mrs. Owens irons  Tue in bed most of day and feeling very badly.    Don't milk but once per day now  Meet Emmet Balch up town AM  Gobed 8 PM

18.  Thursday.  6 AM.  Ther  30  70  50  =  50

Clear Easterly wind.  Look for Newell AM for more wood but didn't find him.  Tue  feeling some better today.  I drove out to  Loxa P.M.   May not at home when I get there 2 P.M.  Jo Shucking corn has two hundred bushels shucked up to tonight.  Yield hardly as good as expected  They will take it at Loxa Saturday @70lb  H.G. and Hat here at night: first time in good while  clear day and slightly warmer.  Pick lot of string beans out at Gaines.  Simons not in today  Gobed 9 PM  Pay off Winter note at First Natt. Bank 211.58 using Renes check 200.00

19.   Friday 6 AM.  Ther  40.  75.  60  =  58 1/3

Clear SE wind.  Buy another cord of wood of Newell.  Simons and Warren stop on way to Pophams with lumber.  Tue's eye better but she is still feeling very bad and wants to get a girl.  Corn selling for 30-70  Sent picture of her house to Rene in Oklahoma  Try to find some body to cut wood PM. but didn't.  Went to show at night taking Seph McClasky.  Gobed.  10.30 PM

October 10, 1889 and 1900 in Charleston, IL

October 1889

10.  Thursday.  7 AM.  Ther  50.  76.  56.  

Clear.  Mullany  & Hayes drummer here.  Start for timber at 9.30 did not not go, Stop at Wade Halls sale and stay till nearly night.  buy big spotted sow for 13.80. and stay till nearly night, Billy Bishop rode home with me  Milt - Drake up without any wood broke down yesterday  Warm pleasant day  gobed 11 P.M.

October 1900

10.  Wednesday 4 AM.  Ther  39  70  58 =  55 2/3

Clear Went out to creek where Jo was gubbing  Mrs. Gains on sick list Start home 11 AM.  Thought some of going to Mattoon Street Fair which began yesterday.  Tue feeling badly.  Charley Popham gives me  bill for 3100 feet lumber.  Simons up  with lumber and will be up tomorrrow.  Ferd here at night  Mostly clear some cloudy, P.M.  Gobed.

October 9, 1889 and 1900 in Charleston, Illinois

October 1889

9.  Wednesday 7 AM.  Ther.  40.  70  47  = 52 1/3

Clear No frost.  Tom Houghton drummer here.  Buy stove of Main mfg Co and get it set up $11.00  Milt nor Warren up today.  The electric light will start about Saturday night.  They fixed up their engine today for first time  Good many people gone to St. Louis fair this week.  Father has caught heavy cold.  Go bed  11PM

October 1900

9.  Tuesday.  4 AM.  Ther  37.  66  50  =  51

Clear probably white frost not the first.  Start for ranch abour 8 AM.  Meet Simons and Warren with wood.  They report Brown as sowing rye.  Lucy would not let little Johnny go with me to open gates.  Gave Will Decker,  Wyeth and Hardin bill.  He says  they will begin sawing it today.   Cross river at Handly ford.  Take Val Handly's wife and child across river.  Went round by Replogles get home  bout 1 P.M.  Mrs. Owens washed.  We hear from N W U that Phebe is likely to stay .  Armstrong  delivers BC to Matter having sold it for 80.00  My share - one third was $153.~  Start for Loxa 5 P.M.  quite chilly get there just as they were getting supper.    Play seven up a while at night clear day with northerly wind.  Jo still grubbing.  Gobed 9.30

August 13-18, 1900 in Charleston, IL

August 1900

Another big "Cake Walk" at Decker park Monday Night.   Didn't go.

13.   Monday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  AM.  Ther.  70.  93.  75. =79 1/3

Mostly clear.  Very heavy rain with wind in night probably about midnight.  Maggie D got home in night.  Owen helped me hitch up AM first time since in Spring also milked at night  Has quit working at Stodderts.  Drove east of town P.M.   and ride with G Kellogg at night E. of  half Mile house Doc Bennett says Ina Brown is to pull out his engine tomorrow morning.  I took quinine AM and felt bad till late afternoon.  Mostly clear day and quite sultry yet.  Maggie gives up her Centralia trip  Gobed 9 PM.

14.  Tuesday 5.30, AM.  Ther.  72.  84.  75.  =  77

Partly cloudy.  Owen helped me hitch.  Mrs. Owen washed.  I saw Charley Mitchell and start for ranch 8.30 AM.  Getting across river.  Heavy storm from NW made me return  Met storm at Wrights where I stop for an hour getting home about noon.  Heavy rain with wind and thunder from 10.30 till 11.15 AM.  Clears of P.M. and air very close.  Speak J H Marshall about Brown   Owen milks.  Gobed 9 P.M.  (shorthand)

  Next page - Two rows of shorthand.

15.  Wednesday.  5.30  AM.  Ther.  70.  90.  75? = 78 1/3

Partly cloudy.  Much lightning N in  night.  Thought to go to ranch, but Heavy shower came up about 9 AM.  Urinal for store came yesterday but decide not to put it till Geo Gray vacates our back lot.  Wall is starting a saloon at Brocton.  West out to Gaines P.M.  Gaines gone to Mattoon did not get home till night.  Shirley and Arnut(?) in townclear hunting BC Hands.  Self feeling badly all day.  Gobed 9 PM

16.  Thursday.  4 AM.  Ther 70.  85.  76.  =  77

Mostly clear at 4 AM.  but some clouds up  Shirley began cutting BC. Jo will help him and will probably help Armstrong.  I got  some eggs  tomatoes and corn and get home 8.30.  Learn through Gaines folks that Bert has gone to Dakota.  Very heavy shower between 9 and 10 AM. but mostly clear P.M.  Drive down to see Kellogg P.M. but he was not at home.  Tue  over at Groves at night.  She is not feeling so well as usual  Gobed 9 PM.

17.  Saturday 5.20 AM.  Ther.  78.   100.  85.  =  86  . 87 2/3

Mostly clear  Roan horse was loose this morning and had demoralized everything about the farm.  Start for Gaines 7 AM.  They have about 20 hands cutting BC south of house.  Intended to go home early but went on errand for Armstrong and stay round till 4 PM.  They get to threshing about 3.  Too warm for me to move around much.  They have 15 acres cut.  Get home 6 P.M.  Pay Simons for  amt. (to date) of C.D. Michell bill coming to  (?).  Maggie Dvone and sister were going home tonight but gave it up.  Drive round town a while at night.  ( shorthand)  Gobed 10 PM

18.  Friday.  5.30 AM.  ther.  73.  99.  85.  =  85 2/3

I start for ranch after breakfst to see if Brown had moved  found him just across Blakeman bridge on way to Perry Rennells.  Says can fix up another bargain and that BC thresh will not hold him long.  Very hot especially PM and night.  Warmest night   Gobed 9 PM    Oka and Ruth Decker came at night.

May 11- 16, 1914 in Charleston, IL

May 1914

11.  Monday.  5.30 AM Ther.  64.  90.   76.  =  76 2/3

Cloudy. S.2.  Emmett comes 7 AM.  Burns brush, mows yard, took out ashes.  Puts lot wood down cellar and  straightens up in barn till 5 PM. Pd  ck 1.50 M&M work till 3 P.M. when finish and take away their outfit.  Didn't settle.  Emma helps Tue wash &c till 3 P staying to dinner.  Tue got so tired she went to bed.  M &M work on roof and porch floor.  We are well pleased with job.  Total net cost about 75.00  Have three gallons paint to return to Briggs but may use it at Loxa.  Mostly clear day strong southerly wind.  Sharp lightning N & NW at night with dash of rain about midnight.  The warmest day since last Sept. 11.  Gobed 9P

12. Tuesday 5.30 AM.  Ther.  68.  50.  46.  =   542/3

Cloudy SW 3 light rain 7 AM.  also in a little in the night.  Turns colder 7 AM.  M&M came AM and I pay firm  check 21.00 in settlement.  Cold cloudy day.  Strong NW wind.  Went to town for tobacco late PM.  Tue gets letter from each Muggs and Phebe.  Phebe expects to be at home early in June.  Didn't hitch up.  Get bale timothy of Ryan Cr .60  Have just enough coal for a good fire in furnace.  Go bed 9

13.  Wednesday. 6 AM Ther  46.  66.  54. + 551/3

Cloudy N.3.  Mist.  Tue ironing AM.  Make good all wood fire in furnace.  Hitch up 10 A.  T.W.P.  The Warman children running over and order  P.M.  Shave self P.M. later drive to Andrews' Lumber yard and order two glass for kitchen door at farm 40 1/8 x 10 1/2 half circle at top.  Helen sent butter by John.  I saw JE McGurty this morn : he has been to  French Lick Springs for health.  Tue went to town for book for Journal  She got one but it did  not fill the bill.  Partly clear day with moderate northerly winds  Gobed 9

14.  Thursday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  50.  72.  52.  =  58.

Part cloudy.  Telephone rang about  5 AM  We could get no response.  Old woman calls selling "numbers" in a quilt.   Tue didn't buy any.  Tue cleaning windows upstairs.  I drive uptown and E a mile.  Several large fields corn E. of town up and  looking well~ the finest corn I have seen.  Mrs. Harman phones Tue about paper hangers.  Reports Mrs. Shrivers sick.  Sent package by P.Post to Phebe to  Mail papers to each of girls.  Roads are getting dusty.  It is  very dry:  Things not growing much.  Cool mostly clear day very day.  The Morties came over 7 PM  Mrs. Curd soon joined us all sp(?) evening till about 9 PM  write 3 &BCo Peoria

15.  Friday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  42.  74.  56.  =  571/3

Clear NW1  Had thought to go to Loxa early but didn't get off till after 10.  Took kitchen door glass 2 and 3 panes 10x16 for Loxa house.  I pass through Loxa going out  Drove through place to NW 40  where met Harman.  He had quit for noon and rode with me to front which he opened for me.  Think has planted 37 acres I get to Shrieves just dinner time.  Mrs. S had  gone for seed corn.  Jack and self ate our cake at BC shed.  Shrieves has about 30 acres in the ground.  Start home at noon going south and the  sweetwater getting home 3 PM.  Roads dry and  dusty.  Most people busy planting.  Harman has one piece up.  I reached home by Al Latta route  Met McKee boys near Greens  Emma helped Tue today  Tue lost her specs and we hunt for them till dark.  Clear North wind whirlwinds.  Gobed 10

16.  Saturday.  5.30  AM.  Ther.  44.  78.  56.  =  59 1/3

Clear NE 1 Tue and I look for  glasses till 10 oc when she found them in N. Chamber.  Get letter from Phebe she has sent home a porch swing, not yet recieved.  Pay Telephone for Apl. 1.50  I was up town.  Tue went down to Hats  late P.M.  Mostly clear day: light easterly winds.  Not many in for Saturday, all busy planting.  I have not seen Simons since he lost his horse.  Gobed 9

October 24-29, 1913 in Coles County Illinois

October 1913

24.  Friday.  4.45 AM.  Ther.  46.  62.  44.  =  50 2/3

Cloudy,  fog.  NE.2.  Phebe starts for Havana 6.15 car via Mattoon and Lincoln expects to get there 4 P.M.   Tue works hard on her R.C. work much of A.M.  Hatton works at wood P.M. and gets most of large timbers worked up into posts.  Tue attended RC PM at Ollys.  I drove south of town.  Thought might meet some fungi coming on the trees.  The roads except gravel quite heavy.  Mostly clear P.M. light N.E.  Tue over at library night go bed 9 PM

25.  Saturday.  6 AM.  Ther.  36.  62.  44. = 47 1/3

Clear. NE 1.  Light white frost reported.  Bill came early at wood helping hitch up.  Tue  prepares for "function" at  church.  I take her up there 11 AM.  Some ladies aid by.  She came home to dinner.  I drove over to Miller's he had gone to one of  his appointments.    Saw Warren and Simons AM with stove wood.  W. has begun plowing his piece.  Bill worked the day and I pay him in full 2 1/2 days. and  he will come again.  Monday.  Clear day  N.E. to E. light winds.  No fungi starting except few campestris in bed in garden  too cold.  Go bed 11.

26.  Sunday 6 AM.  Ther.  44.  68.  44.  =  52.

Clear.S.2.  Shave self before breakfast which we had 8 AM.  I hitched up early and got paper.  Tue  decided not to attend church.  Later I drove up to Dicewoods and to town line returning by Watson road which they have been grading recently.  We have dinner at 2 P.M.  Rene with Dora and son call 4 P.M.  Tue over at Groves a while at night.  She wrote Buddy mailing letter 9 P.M,.  Mostly clear day winds shifting from S to NW and cloudy at night.  Go bed 10

27.  Monday 6 AM.  Ther.  42.  50.  44.  = 45 1/3

Cloudy and light rain since early morn.  N.E.3.  Have stiff neck.  The sun came out over AM, otherwise cloudy day with northerly winds and light showers till in night in all .55 in to 6 AM (28th.)  I didn't hitch up.  Tue  spent PM at Mrs. Brooks'  Spend day with victrola (sic) and catalogue.  Miller did not appear not Bill.  Think too cold for painting.  Gobed 10 PM

28.  Tuesday.  6 AM  Ther.  38.  56.  44.  =  46.

Part cloudy W3  Hatton came working all day at wood and odds and ends pay him full to daye one day  1.50  Miller called and paint on house tomorrow if weaather permits.  Jo Hatton will help.  We got a letter from Phebe.  She reached Havana  OK much earlier than she expected to.  She has deposited her alimony at Charleston trust and savings through H.A. Neal.  Bill and I put storm windows south of furnace room.  We over haul old pile fencing and recover same bout 25% of it has rotted.

29.  Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  32.  34.  38.  = 34 2/3

Cloudy. N.W.4.  Snowflurries (sic) much of forenoon beginning after 6AM about one inch fell yielding .10 in partly rain.  The ground and trees cover ground and trees(sic).  Tue got long letter from Buddy and one from Muggs who is attending a wedding at Columbus O.  She intends to call a day or two on her way back to Jeff Cy.  Order  bu oats 1 bu corn, bale each of straw and hay of IBM & son.  Tue went up town toward night returning all (8) but four Victor records and getting another lot one twelve inch. and a dozen 10 in.  Tue and self put in evening playing them.  I made pot of mush at night.  Go bed 10 P.

December 14, 1912 and 1887 in Coles County Illinois

1912

14.  Saturday.  6 AM.  Ther.  28.  54.  40.  = 40 2/3

Clear. S.W. Alfred came early and did his work.  David sick and can't work as agreed.  Alfred reports several of family sick.  There are many cases  typhoid in  town.  Irene came in AM paying Bert's note 127.00 with interest 133.70 total.  Tue deposit 125.00 of same at 2nd getting book.  I was up town.  Saw Simons but couldn't get to speak to him.  Drive to C.I.P.S. C0. office and pay E. light bill for  Nov. 2.51.  Clear day with fresh southwesterly winds.  Harman phone that Linder will take my crib corn at 42 at Neal Place; decide not to sell now.  They have been hauling 8 in. tile from Record and have nearly enough for line - The west gully.  Learn that J.K. Rardin died at Sanitarium early this morning.  Tue went to Hat's after supper till 9.30.  go bed 10 P.M.

1887

14.  Wednesday. 6.30 A.M.  Ther.  28.  48.  37.

Clear. Rec. letter from Uncle Henry saying Uncle G. was not expected to live through the winter.  Sell C. Winter Ag.P. 670 ft. 2 in. plank. Crass helped load lumber little while, say about an hour.  Mrs.  Rogers ironed P.M.  Crass has promised to help at ties tomorrow.  Buy cups 15.  Pay dray on lumber, 25.  Clear all day clouding up a little toward night.  Gobed 10 P.M.  Buy list slippers J.M.&G. CO.

This is July 16, 1912 & 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

100 Years Ago

Thursday, July 16, 1912  5.30  AM.  Ther.  62.  84.  74.  = 73 1/3

Cloudy, N.E. 3.  McNeel have a fellow pecking on furnace.  Says intends to finish it today.  I start Ranch 8.15 AM.getting to Simons before 10 AM.  John went out to woods with me.  Every thing looks about the same as at last visit  which was Aug 6, 1911.  Jack dog and self eat dinner at usual camp.  There was heavy rain her yestereve and people cant work in fields.  Simons with Johnny Handly  and Hally cut the poles P.M. and will deliver them up town up town tomorrow.  I left for home before 4 P.M. getting there 5.30  Self horse and dog stood trip better than expected.  Mostly cloudy day AM. and clear P.M. and quite warm.  Wind N.E.3.  Took mare Nickles night  Tue went B. Concert night.  Go bed 10 P.M.

125 Years Ago

Saturday, July 16, 1887,  5.30 A.M.  Ther.  80.  100.  86.

Clear, Tue finished ironing Draw & "break" bbl of river water  They are going to shutoff the water works tomorrow.   W...make repairs  Went up town about 3 P.M.  Gave Cormer bill for City lumber.  they have begun delivering  R.R. bill.  Can't find any green fruit in town so buy some canned. Get out oat meal  D apples, D beef.  Bert in to supper.  Brought my mare and took home his own, says uncle John wont have her out there.  Kate Davis over while toward night.  Go bed 10 P.M.