January 6th in Coles County Illinois 1802 and 1903

January 1892

6.  Wednesday, 7.30 AM.  Ther  21.  20.  6.  = 15 2/3

Cloudy NW wind light snow.  My foot was better this morning and by night didn't feel much different  from usual.  Old Mr. Ball died today of grip, Tom Messicks niece also died.  Cloudy day, light snow flurries all day, clears off in night.  probably 1 1/2 inches fell.  Turned much colder about 2 P.M.  Ther at 4 PM. was 8 and stood at zero at midnight gobed Midnight.

January 1903

6.  Tuesday. 6.30, AM.  Ther. 24.  34.  30.  =  29 1/3  

Cloudy S.W, wind.  S now flying.  Phebe up but feeling badly.  Tue went up to Starrs for meddy.  Mrs. Groves over AM.  Dick and Bert sawing and splitting wood and piling near house.   Was up town AM. for pork.  Jack Jefferies says [ink splat].  Blair still wants to buy my store building.  Self feeling better than lately.  Tue on W.P. [war path] at night.  Phebe went out at night till late hour, so suppose she is filling much better.  Dessa  out with friends at night.  Louise  over at night.  Mostly cloudy day with SW wind.  Wind  rises at night with some light snow in night.  Go bed 9 P.M.

August 1- 17, 1891 in Charleston, IL HIGHLIGHTS

August 1891

1. Saturday

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

2.  Sunday

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

3. Monday

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

4. Tuesday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

July 12-31, 1902 in Coles County, Illinois HIGHLIGHTS

July 1902

12.  Saturday

My faced swelled but less painful this morning.  Ed Wells works AM. Cow out at night  Tue and I drive round late looking for her.  Learn she was seen over at Hodges.

13.  Sunday

Start for cow soon as up.  Found in Maxwells barn but she got out and Mr. Bell and I had long hunt.  Marie came in from Snider's with  badly sprained knee  

14.  Monday

Marie's knee about same and they call in Dr. Starr.

15.  Tuesday

Maries leg still disables her but better.  They are preparing to move back the old Maples Hotel at Depo.  They will move back all buildings on that block for new depot.

16.  Drove down 11th & Van Buren Sts where they struck gas in a well yesterday.  I drove over to Laura Clarks with her and Marie after which Marie and I drive to Dkr Spr getting Plutins cerrunces which had for supper.  

17. Thursday

Start out to Berts about 9 AM with Tue and Marie, getting there 10.30.  I remain to dinner and start home.  I get home about 730 and make supper on mush and milk.  Tue and Marie will remain at Berts several days.

18. Friday

19. Saturday

Geo Gray kicking about Garrison Saloon  Says will have him closed up if he does not do better.

20. Sunday

Had mushrooms (Pluteus) for breakfast.  I got most of breakfast.  Vivian she will stay until they go away.  Chickens scatter mushroom spawn in old house, I started out about 10 AM down by Woodson place Mt Zion gitting [sic] more spawn near school house.  Campers there yet.  I took my dinner and ate hearty out in branch W of H.S. afterward which went over river to Langs Mill No fungi there.  Girls had a function to day, I was not here.

21.  Monday

Vivian left us today.  Maggie gets letter from Tue.

22. Tuesday

Girls didnt [sic] get up until late. Helen went out to Berts with Tom Marshall PM and brought Marie home.  Maggie went to picnic late PM.  Phebe went riding at night.  We didn't have any supper.

23.  Wednesday 

I was so sick 3 AM could hardly get down stairs to get something to eat.  I call girls this morn but they did not get up. I offer Perkins lot to Alexander today for 1000.00  Cow got out.  Mrs. bell found her.  Kept her up today.  Marie came home with Helen last night.  they are connecting Carnegie's excavation with 6th sewer.

24.  Thursday 

I got my own breakfast,  the girls are not rising until 7.30.The band played in count yard and quit a crowd.  The girls cleaning up kitchen and pantry most of day.

25.  Friday

Went to ranch.  Lost my whip which later learn aunt Malinda found.  Cross at Walker's, mare fell at Marion Cassadys breaking both shafts.  Marion helps me fix up  and get home after 10 PM

26. Saturday

Ed came and worked most of AM mowing &c He  and I fix up broken shafts but they are not very strong.  Marie says Tue wrote for me to come for her Sunday but I went about 7.30 P.M. staying all night.   Mrs. Tom Ginther was buried 10 AM today died night before last.  Mrs. Henry Williams was buried yesterday.

27.  Sunday

We start home 930 AM.  getting there 11.  Ferd and Helen  at our house.  There was a big Temperance meeting at Fair Ground today and there were lots of strangers here.  Turn old Queen in pasture at night.  She seems to be "getting no better fast."  

28.  Monday

Drive to Decker Park getting lot of Plulues part of which I gave Ben Hill.  W.E. Hail  has bought out  R.D. Morgan Grocery and is invoicing.  Dr. Patton speaks to me about mushrooms.  A young man named Dick Clark was drowned yesterday near Big Four bridge while bathing.  Raindere told me Al Latas and Will Brown's barns were struck by lightning and burned this P.M.  Garrison paid me 25.00.  says would like to buy building and I promised to set price in day  or two  (shorthand)

29.  Tuesday

Got shave at a new shop  ( Brown & Hawkins) before breakfast.  Get 4 plates of Palumen and see  negatives taken Sunday at Berts.  The shutter does not work well and they are no good.  

30.  Wednesday

Work on puzzle AM sending in answer to R.H. [Registered Herald Newspaper]  I drove down to  Blakeman place P.M. and up nearly to old sugar camp.  Walkers boy rode a piece with me on way home.  Learn at night  Frank Lietch is dead.  He had been sick many months.  Roads are good.  

31.  Thursday

They have not got started moving the Maple House yet.  (Chart of temps for the month of July)

March 1-31, 1891 in Charleston, Illinois Highlights

March 1891

1.  Sunday 8 AM.  Ther  10,  25, 20.

Ed Eastin died about 8.30 AM and Tue went over there after breakfast  He had been confined to the house a week or two.  

2. Monday.  7 AM.

Ed Eastin was buried this PM  Turie went to funeral at the house.  Ice is said to be 3 inches thick but nobody has packed any.

3.  Tuesday.

Tom Stansberry called to get price on 20 acres land adjoining them.

4.  Wednesday.

H.G. has now decided to  fill the ice box with ice and I get men and teams to work toward night.  Ice on Bishop's  Pond about 4 in.  Got in two loads will need four more.  Latta began moving old stable on lot across the  road.  Self about sick all day.  High fever at night.

5.  Thursday

Got our haul of ice nearly six large loads costing us altogether about 8.00.  Felt better today but catch more cold.  Somebody did a lot of painting on Pentecost Church creating quite a sensation.  The Council refused at a meeting tonight to allow a vote on license.

6.  Friday

Self feeling badly with sore throat and bad cold in general.  Maggie and Phebe went to ? social at night.

7.  Saturday

Uncle John was down to dinner.  Hat was down to supper.  Tue and she went up to Eastins.  D ?p and 
H.G. shot off Al King tonight.

8. Sunday

9.  Monday
County Court in session trying Pentecost offender.  Buy sack Decatur flour at W.E. Hill.  Learn that McCornell has bought Alveys store room and will move  his grocery store back there.   Prisoners at jail nearly got out today.  they found it out just in time.

10.  Tuesday,
Father not very well.

11.  Wednesday
Father cough so bad he had to get up in night and remain up  Marie still sore throat.

12.Thursday
Buddie [Marie] still has bad sore throat.  

13.  Friday
2 1/2 inches of snow on ground.  Maggie very heavy cold and does not got to school  Marie's throat still very bad.   Mrs. Davis sewing here P.M.

14.  Saturday
Uncle John was in town PM.  He got letter from Henry Hildreth of Berlin [Wisconsin] wanting to borrow $300.00.  Self not very well.

15.  Sunday
Maries throat better  Maggie about same.  None of the girls went to Sunday School.  Maggie complaining good deal with sore throat and tongue.

16.  Monday
Maggie didn't go to school. She and ? went walking P.M.  Tue went up to dressmaker P.M.  Tue got a letter from Aunt Fan.  Sam Goodrich's wife was buried today

17.  Tuesday 
Crail did not come  Learn that his wife is sick.  Got Sutton to extend water pipe in barnyard.  Learn that the temperance people  had meeting tonight to select candidates for city offices.

18.  Wednesday
Baby [Marie] had croup last night.  Spaded place along Eastins fence set out pie plants. I planted my mushrooms today in bed in smoke house.  Marie feeling badly all day and has croup at night.  Learn that McCraveys have rented Alvey room and will move there next month  Marie slept down stairs Tue with her.

19.  Thursday.
Set out lot of turnips for greens got some medicine of Dr. Patton for Marie she seems better toward night.  Maggie did not go to school.

20.  Friday.
Marie had croup spell from 4 A.M.  Our chickens worry us a good deal we don't know whether to sell them or go without garden like we did last year.  Marie seemed much better today.  Phebe's school was out today and Maggie went over with her P.M.

21. Saturday,

22.  Sunday, 

23. Monday,
Marie does not feel first rate yet.  Self pain in side all day or might have gone to ranch.  Side feeling bad all day.  Begin to doctor for it at night.  Temperance people settle on a ticket for city officers.  Councilman 1st Winter  2nd  W Goodman 3 H?  4th A.M. Bain  Mayor, Chas Wiley  Treas. Jo McCravey.

24.  Tuesday  

25.  Wednesday.
Crail dug waste drain to hydrant in barn yard.

26.  Thursday
The pain in side not much better than for last few days.  Marie set her dress on fire today.  Nobody home but M&P they put it out before much damage was done.  

27.  Friday
Maggie and Phebe went to Pres. church at night at night to an easter (sic) entertainment.

28.  Saturday
The Reps endorse the FMBA ticket recently put in the field

29.  Monday
Pain in side about the same or worse.  Girls got up early to color Easter eggs.  I spent the day doctoring and dieting for lame side.  M & P went to S.S.  Tue to church.  Tue and  Phebe went to Hats after dinner.

30.  Monday
Tue bought lot of plants from Mrs, Sefton.  Maggie and Phebe start to school.  L? side about same and stay round house most of day....

31. Tuesday,
Find that hens have injured my mushroom bed badly, Tue has four little chickens she keeps in house all that two nests of eggs yeilded.  Mrs. Perrill called at night says Mr. Perrill quite sick















4

January 21-31, 1891 in Charleston, Illinois

January 1891

21.  Wednesday.  7 AM  Ther 31  37  29

Cloudy and damp, wind W.  was probably sprinkles from before daylight  Chet Bennet brought up load of 55 posts, very small, Uncle John was down to dinner.  I got too much fire under meat today and injured it some.  Mrs. Rogers ironed in afternoon.  Hat was here to supper  Tue stills feels badly.  Trade dull.  Cloudy with mist and light rain and W wind.  NW at night and clearing.  Gobed  1230

22.  Thursday  7 AM.  Ther  29.  35.  29

Cloudy, wind w about 1/2 in snow on ground fell last night occasional snowflakes most of day, dark and disagreeable Briggs offers bottom field for 500 dollars  Tue feeling some better.  Crail works over stable  manure and cleans out stable.  Gobed 1230 ~~

23.   Friday  7  AM.  Ther  24. 34.  27.

Clear, light wh. frost.  Clouds up AM and cloudy day with 'westerly wind.  NW toward night clear at 9 P.M.  Tue feels better today Self not very well took med at night.  Trade very quiet and has been all the week.  We do not decide to buy Briggs' lot thought would wait and consult Uncle John.  Mrs. Curt Davis here P.M.  Kate Davis over toward night  Gobed 12.45

24.  Saturday.  7.30 AM.  Ther 23.  26.  18

Cloudy.  Turie can't decide to buy Briggs lot Uncle John was down to dinner but we said nothing about it to him.  Johnny Decker was up settle with him to date.  He reports that Nannie goat got killed in hog pen.  Heard that Latta and Alex Richter were going into the saw mill business.  Father not very well.  Hat was down at night and stayed to supper.  Trade light for Saturday Order claret and rum from Meyer.  Partly cloudy day.  Clear at night.  Wind N.W.  Roads are said to be rough  gobed. 

 25.  Sunday, 8 AM.  Ther.  20,  41,  32.

Clear, Wind S. Heavy  white frost.  Tue did not go to church.  I start for ranch 3.45 getting there about dark John and Lucy gone to meeting Rile Decker and Warren there.  Clear day with westerly wind, roads good much of the way. river very low.  Go bed, 9 AM.

26.  Monday  6 AM.  Ther.  29.  37.  36.

Partly cloudy.  John fixes to separate sheep so can feed the thin ones, and burn brush.  I walk out to rye No. 2 find it looking pretty well.  John and Rile go to work at posts in river hills.  Lizzie and Lucy are willing to tend a small field of onions on shares (half) I to furnish land and seed John and I look at Fritz hollow and think it will do first rate.  I started home after dinner John went to  F Hol with me.  Got home 5 PM. been sick since Saturday has not been to stove.  Buy lot of Briggs for 510.00 go bed  10.15  PM  Bob Reat died.

Top of page:  Post Office was broken into last night young Drummer arrested for same today.

27.  Tuesday  7 AM.  34.  52.  37.

Mostly clear..  Went to store without breakfast which I didn't get till 10 oclock  Dinner at 3.  Mr. Piper called P.M.  Tue and self sign note to Briggs 12 mo 8% int for lot in bottom.  Briggs makes out deed squeezing in the taxes on lot.  Father not very well yet.  Weather Jim Roads good Warren Decker brought up 52 Posts go bed 11 P.M.~~

28.  Wednesday, 6 A.M.  Ther  40  46  42

Cloudy and raining lightly, continuous till afternoon sunshine occasionally PM.  foggy at night.  Nick not round yet.  Uncle John in town has been to Snider several days  Stays all night with us  Hat was down to supper.  R A Reat was buried today.  John Reat was buried today.   John Snider of town died last night  Trade quiet go bed go bed 12

29. Thursday  7 AM  Ther  41.  51.  37.

Cloudy, wind S.  Nick still sick.  I went up before getting my breakfast  Look over records at Court house regarding the lot in the bottom.  John Snider was buried today.  Brownfield cleaned out stable.  Mrs. Rogers ironed  Trade fair warm and pleasant with SW wind tell about  1 P.M. wind charged to W strong.  gobed 12

30. Friday.  6.45 AM.  Ther 27  44  .36

Part cloudy.  Nick not yet up town P.O. inspector here examiner Drumifer P.O. robbery suspect Ed Bond was brought to town crazy to night.  Father still complaining.  Somewhat cloudy day wind variable.  Gobed 12

  

31 Saturday 6.30 AM   38  46  42  

Cloudy with light rain which continued till night with short rests.  Uncle John in town but not down to dinner.  the deed for Phillips farm have come.  Nick was up town today first time since last Saturday but he didn't stay long  Cloudy wet day Trade better than expected  Gobed 12

December 13-31, 1890 Charleston, IL (Highlights)

December 1890

13.  Saturday, 7:45 AM  Ther  15  38  32

Myers brought in hogs killed yesterday.  Warren brought in a load of wood 4 cord which sold Spurgeon.  Self about sick all day.  Trade medium.  Mostly clear day SW wind fine weather Rent Perkins room to fellow for shooting going in Monday  Gobed 12 oc~~

14.  Sunday,  8 AM  Ther 25.  44.  20

Clear SW wind.  work at hogs in cellar till nearly dinner time.  Tue did not go to church  Start for timber about 3 P.M.  Fellow named Edinunrode 5 miles home with me claiming he had sprained ankle.  Got to John's before dark.  Clear day with SW wind.  Warren went fox hunting.  Gobed 9 P.M.

15.  Monday,  5.30 AM Ther  15.  34.  35.

           Clear S.E. wind white frost.  Boys finish NW corner of roof.  I went out with gun saw three pheasants which couldn't shoot.  Ride down to where they have been making boards and rode among the hills an hour or two.  John and Rile count at boards before noon.  John Simons desires to work another year for me, but make no bargain yet  I start home about 1 P.M.  Saw Harrison this AM.  He will haul hay for me tomorrow if the weather admits.  Fathers cold seems good deal worse.  The roads are generally [sic] dusty scattering this patches of last Monday snow still on N well beds.  Gobed12.

16.  Tuesday 7 AM  Ther  33.  35.  30.
Cloudy and raining SE lightly continuous till about till about 10 AM turning to snow from SW. which continues most of day melting as it fell  Light sprinkling of snow on ground at night wind W.  Mended up sausage grinder  which took me about all day and made case sausage which took me about all day  Tue helping apart of the time  Business fair.  Court in session.  King Murder trial in progress.  Gobed  11.30 P.M.

17.  Wednesday 7.30 AM
Bought load if hay of Bradberry 10.64  2660 lbs.  Sold 200 boards.  Natl. Cash Register Agt. here Deius  drummer.  King murder trial closes, jury out with case tonight.  Mostly cloudy AM.  

18.  Thursday.
Tue works at hogs lard.  I packed  hams shoulders and sides in Bbl and cover with brine.  W Decker hauls load of wood on yard last load of dry.   Stranes drummer here, also H Meyer.  Uncle John down to dinner.  Mrs. Rogers ironed PM.  Settle up with Skidmore  Gobed  1130 PM

John Simons in town says has three teams to haul down old hay from Vanmeter shed, today.  Uncle John in town and down to dinner.  Mrs. Alex Fisher was buried today.  H.G. wants to go hunting  Monday if snows.

21.  Sunday
Maunie Lang here to dinner.  Start to ranch 330 getting there about dark.

22.Monday
Clear, wind SW  John Warren and Jo H. start for two loads hay about sunrise they with Harrison got three down here Saturday.  They got here today about 2 P.M.  John and Rile work at boards in river bottom.  

23.  Tuesday. 530 AM.  
Boys work at making red oak cut by Milt into boards.  Chut Bennett took 528 ft fencing up and took the same quantity yest.  Went by Walkers for first time in many in many moths.  Stop and dig briar roots on river bottom.  Tue about sick.

24.  Wednesday  Chut Bennett brought lumber he started with yesterday and Warren brought 1600 boards.  Remain at store most of day.   Began snowing shortly after midnight  Hyman in town.

25.  Thursday  Thursday  8 AM.  Ther. 22.  27.  17.
Snowing moderately from N.E. began about midnight last night, snowed most of day today making a fall of about 3 inches.    I got a case comb and brushes in my stocking  also also some other things  Maggie and Phebe some books &c and Marie two fine dolls.  Tue gave father a pair of felt slippers.  I paid note of  Tue and self for $400 at bank today and made a new one of  100.00  I did not eat any dinner today Stay at store  /stay at store all day Ate too much for breakfast.  Hat and H were down to dinner.  Clears off at night and grows colder, wind N.E. gobed 12

26.  Friday 7.30 AM.
This is the coldest morning since last winter.  H. G. and Due Dowling went hunting today  and I remain at store all day.  H.G. got back before night  Mostly clear day with SWwind.

27.  Saturday.  8 AM
Roads said to be good but no sleighing.  Uncle John in town but did not come down to dinner.  He has not yet closed his trade for the  Phillips farm.  Says if he does  not  he will go 8 Seattle.  Old Mrs  Pineel who died a day or tw ago was buried today.  Mount joy  & Do had "passover supper at  Geo Lees tonight..  Mrs Latta's niece was over at night playing on piano.  Tue built fire up stairs at night  for first time  this  season.bill Meyers wants to rent Perkins room 6 months.

28.  Sunday
Alarm of fire about 8 AM  

29.  Monday

30.  Tuesday
Sutton fixed waste in water works in woodhouse.   Bill Meyers decides to take Perkins room 6 months @10.00 per month as son as shooting man gets out.  

31.  Wednesday
Uncle John down to dinner.  I got started for ranch  3.15 PM.  Tom Level rode with me part of the way  got there about dark.  Lucy sick with bad cold.  One of the spring lambs died last night.

April 11-30, 1901 in Coles County Illinois (HIGHLIGHTS)

April 1901

11.  Thursday.  5.30  AM.  Ther  36.  63.  50  =  49 2/3

Mostly clear  Fresh N.E. wind.  Receive anew book on mushrooms from C.H, Peck.

12. Friday

Hen's to remain over Sunday.

13. Saturday   

Mrs. John Trobough died P.M.  Has been very low long time.  Marie sore throat.

14.  Sunday

H.H. has a new phonograph and quite a crowd at their house.  Uncle Jim Shoemaker reported very low.

15.  Monday

Circut Court  begins.  Bert on Petit Jury and went  to dinner with  me.  

16.  Tuesday

City Election.  Ramesy  Rep elected  Mayor rest of Rep. ticket elected except P. Kane dem.

Ald 3rd ward.  Clara's sister Daisy came today to testify in Clara's divorce case which will come up soon.

17.  Wednesday

Bert in on train today was down to dinner.  Snider and Cant labor case in on train today.  Went up to Pattons  with Tue 8.30 A.M.   Clara and Daisy went up to court 4 P.M.  Judge Dunn granted Clara divorce.

18.  Thursday

I went up town to learn that G Wall had made assignment and that Garrison Brothers had dissolved patnshp.  

19.  Friday

bert was down to dinner.  Tue and Marie went to Loxa on local freight about 5 P.M.  Maggie and Phebe attend Owl Ball at night.  Court adjourned till Monday.

20.  Saturday

Queen was sick this morning and did not hitch up all day.  Uncle Jim Shoemaker was buried this morning.  School election P.M.  didn't vote.

21.  Sunday

22.  Monday.

Clara thinks she will quit this week and go to Huttons where she will get better wages.  

23.  Tuesday

24.  Wednesday.

Got Dr. Starr for Maggie at night.

25.  Thursday.  

Drove up to Pattons Office A.M.

26  Friday

Clara left at 10 A.M.  Party of little folks surprise Marie at night. 

27.  Saturday

Goodman has frame of house up back of house up back of our lot & Mrs. E's.*

Henry Stoddert is very low   Has had two paralytic strokes.  John Ricketts died two or three days ago.  Helen here to supper.  I took her down to H.G.'s.  Marie went up with  Ora Goodman for flowers.

*5th Street.

28.  Sunday.

Hannah Marshall  here to dinner.  

29.  Monday

30.  Tuesday

Maggie working at Jenkins.  

February 20-22, 1914 and 1889 in Coles County Illinois

February 1914

EMeter 1044,000

20.  Friday 6.30 A.M.  Ther.  20.  36.  24.  =  26 2/3

Part cloudy N.E.1.  Norton, Lafayette collector calls.  He gives me figures on tax at Loxa : total 162.58 being 7.57 more than last year.  Tue attends R.C. at Myra Alexander's.  Alfred did chores tonight.  Chas. got hurt at school not seriously.  Phebe is getting ready to start Sunday for Havana, ILL.  Tue and self have been talking of offering our house and grounds to P.O. agreed McGreggor for P.O. site.  Such a thing is possible not probable.  Mrs.  Darmblaser (GA) and Mrs. Morg Anderson reported dead in Courier.  Mostly  clear nearly freezing all day: light northeasterly wind.  Gobed 9

21.  Saturday. 6.30 A.M.  Ther.  14.  40.  38.  =  30 2/3

Clear. E.1.E. Meter reads (C.S.) this morn 1044 K.W.  they read it today for month, with discount off makes 3.34 bill for Feby.  Phebe getting ready to leave for Havana.  She  has decided to start Monday  morning.  Mostly  clear day variable  E to S. winds growing warmer after dark.  I didn't go up town.  Mort and Kate came over while we were at supper staying till 10 P.M.  My hands are very sore from the weather and dust.  there is still good deal snow in patches.  Gobed. 10.

22. Sunday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  40.  24.  18.  =  27 1/3

Most cloudy N.E. 2.  Tue attends morning church, getting paper R.H. 7cts.  It began sleeting about noon an alarm of fire 12.30 P.M. proves to be the Methodist church.  It burned most of afternoon.  Think it about ruined.  Phebe very busy getting ready to start for Havana at 6 tomorrow morn.  It was cloudy and storming all P.M. and night sleet and ice at times but settled down to snowing later with fierce N.E. wind.  Proves to be one of worst storms of  season.  Gobed 8.30

February 1889

20.  Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  0.  29.  21.

Clear light S.W. wind  The coldest morning to day to date.  Woodpile is getting low have not more than a  a cord in woodhouse altogether.  Maggie still stays home from school has a very bad cough night and day.  Made a bottle of syrup for her P.M.  Tue cutting out woolen dresses  for the girls.  Have been discussing the the plan of going down to timber to live a while.  Clear day with westerly wind.  Stay at home all day can't afford to  expose myself (?) sort of weather.  Gobed 9.30 PM 35.

21.  Thursday.  6.15 AM  Ther.  23.  46.  36.  

Clear S. wind.  Tue worked up stairs AM till she got tired out.  Uncle John was in to  dinner.  Mostly clear day with S. wind.  Cutting snow pretty fast.  Had thoughts of going to timber tomorrow but (?) roads are too bad.  Maggie's cough seems some better today.   Kate Davis over little ehile toward night.  also Mamie Land.  gobed 8.30 PM

22.   Friday.  6,30 AM.  Ther.  28.  28.  6

Clear early but clouded up wind N.W.  Then went up to 32 by 8 AM which was the highest it grew colder all day  mostly cloudy.  Snow flying at times.  H & M here to dinner also Bert's for a day or two.  Maxine Lang spent afternoon here.  Maggie at home.  a good deal of the last fall of snow on the ground.  ~ 8.30

January 4 - 5, 1914 and 1889 in Coles county Illinois

Note to my readers:  If you are wondering about the punctuation and spelling, I am trying to transcribe it as he wrote it.  He often uses his own abbreviations and does not always use punctuation.  I do this because in some cases the rules changed  and he is writing for himself and I wish to preserve the man, Charles Gramesly, through his writings.  His word choices and spelling are from the time he lived in.  Catherine

January 1914

4.  Sunday.  6.30  AM.  ther.  34.  36.  34. = 34 2/3

Cloudy. N.W.4.  We had breakfast very late.  Tue attends church A.M.  I shave self am getting quite expert: think only need good tools.  Gus and John call while waiting for a car P.M.  George Boulware was buried today at Mattoon.  Dark gloomy day.  Cloudy with brisk NW wind light snow at times after 9 AM  The ground has thin covering of snow.  some which fell Christmas  It is  several weeks since we saw the sun or stars.  Go bed 10 P

5.  Monday.  6.30 AM.  Ther 30.  34.  32.  = 32

cloudy N.3.   Tue  irons good deal.  She spent evening at Grove's  Harman phones will be in soon to settle.  Will bring us piece of good beef.  Alfred chored.  All cloudy day with brisk north wind.  I had one of my spells of "congestion" after I retired and it kept me awake till after midnight.  I didn't go up town today.  Ground is covered  lightly with late snow.  Gobed 9

January 1889

4.  Friday 6 AM.  Ther 31.  49.  38.

Mostly cloudy and looks like rain.  collect months rent of Miss Kumayer and deposit 72.50  Bill Kelly cleans out stable and stops holes in fence.  Let pigs out in barn lot.  Pay Wright $4.95  Dick Bails $1.50 I.B. Mitchell 4.40 Geo McNutt .75 all in full.  cloudy day with southerly wind  Gobed 9 P.M.  (?) ins. on ST. 800.00

5.  Saturday. 615 AM.  Ther 35.  39.  36.

Cloudy and damp wind N. cloudy all day.  Tom Burk paid me 5.00 on a/c  Called on Sam Cooper but got no money.  Tue  r(?) Nicholson house to old Man  Sanders for 6.00 till Mar. 1, he paid up.  H.G. and Hat were down here at night till 8 PM.  Maggie spent the night with Marnie Lang.  sold Mrs.  Turnam 50 c  worth of wood,  Interest on  (?) note paid up to Dec 31   Gobed 9 PM ~  Jim Chapman died tonight

June 28 - July 2, 1913 in Charleston, Illinois

June

28.  Saturday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  76.  98.  86.  =  86 2/3.

Clear SW.1. Ship axles to Phelps by Express Write him enclosing 2.50 as per his letter.  Prepaid Ex. on  axels.  Fritz did not come.  The heat was too much for me today and I  kept busy trying to keep cool without success however.  Drive SW toward night to cool off.  The crops down that way do not show much improvement from the rains.  I went out far as the Parker farm.  Many heavy clouds at mid day with showers around especially south where there was heavy thunder for an hour or two P.M. and apparently heavy rains.  Clear at night variable light  winds today.  It is the hottest average yet.  My mouth and teeth make me very uncomfortable today.  Upper lip swollen.  Rile Hampton rides in Gobed 9.30

29.  Sunday.  6 AM.  Ther.  76.  94.  82.  =  84.

Clear. SW.1.  Mouth kept me awake most of night.  Phebe went for paper - all gone.  shave self AM.  Tue went  over to Bells AM., Mr. B very poorly.  Put some washers on old buggy A.M.  and hitch up.  Much cloudy P.M.  Good deal deal of thunder about noon, looks like showers around.  No rain here.  Harman phones AM.  He is very much discouraged says oats are no good.  I drove down to Emmetts late P.M.  He will help me tomorrow if Dorsch doesn't thrash.   I drove up to town line and west to Watson road thence S to Big Four and home S road getting there 7 PM.  The Groves were over till about dark.  I didn't see them.  there is a big gospel tent right back of their house where crazy meetings are held night and day.  My mouth and face are getting worse.  Some cooler at night.  Gobed 9.30

30.  Monday.  6 AM.  Ther.  82.  96.  90.  =  89 1/3

Part cloudy. W.  I did not sleep much on account of my mouth and it was worse than ever this morning.  It broke about noon relieving me very much.  Emmett did not come.  Have hopes of his appearing tomorrow.  Decide not to hitch up and leave mare in pasture.  Mrs. Brooks calls P.M.  Learn that Mrs. J.W. Frazier is dead 85.  Phebe borrows Francis Stodderts R.H.  Mostly clear day with good W. breeze.  W.W. Bishop (Capt.) is dead in Tenn.  Jim  Barr is dead at Newman.   Helen Ferrish calls P.M. staying to supper.  Today hottest average day.  Lightning at night in S.N.E. Bureau predicts rain tomorrow.  Gobed. 9.30.

The Weather Etc. for June 1913 at Charleston, Ill.

Daily mean average 76.34.  Maximum 104 on 19th Minmum 40 on 10th Percipitation 1.66 in.  Mostly light showers which fell from 21 to 25.  Rain has fallen on only six days and there has been but little thunder.  The rains last week helped corn a good deal.  There will be big shortage in that crop in this section Oats will not be half a crop- Clover hay short but pretty good in quality.  Timothy very light.  Much  oats will not be cut.  Corn say 60  oats say 40  eggs 15  butter 30 (country)  Roads were muddy last week have gotten good again.  Corn is looking well where up and growing.  The trouble is much of it never came up.

July

1.  Tuesday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  78.  94.  78.  = 83 1/3

Mostly cloudy. W.1.  Perhaps the hottest night on record here.  Mare was out in 4th St. this morn but comes up and I hitch her up.  It starts out to be hot as yest but dash of rain about 11 AM and cooler P.M.  other light showers P.M.  Mrs. Grove over  afternoon.  I drove to Emmetts P.M. his wife says he intends to work for me tomorrow.  I drove into cemetery.  The rain two miles N. made good deal of mud enough to stop  most of autos.  Much cloudy day with light variable winds.  I met Harman coming home near Western S.H.  Gobed 9.30

2.  Wednesday. 5.30 AM.  Ther.  74.  92.  84.  = 83 1/3

Cloudy. N.W.1  Rhoda comes early to wash working till 2 P.M.  Emmett is working for Dorsch.  I shall not run after him any more.  Can get David.  I sit round trying to read until after 4 P.M. when drove the long drive down by Kickapoo and return via Wrights.  Roads are good.  Corn is looking better much of it small.  Get home at 7 P.M.  Leave mare at Nickles intending to go Loxa in Morn. Mostly fine clear day no dust little wind and slightly cooler.  Gobed 9.30