January 21, 1914 and 1889 in Charleston, Illinois

January 1914

21.  Wednesday. 6.30 AM.  Ther.  24.  30.  30.  =28.

cloudy. N.W.5. Furnace leaks worse than ever inside.  We have been having BW cakes cakes for breakfast two weeks but skip this morn.  Ora  ate dinner with a friend today.  It is not known how long she will tarry with us.  Tue attends Pictures exhibit at Court House P.M.  Phebe sewing.  They read E. Meter P.M. 1013.  This makes 39 K.W.H. for last month ending today.   This will make our light Dec. cost us about 4.00  Charley Smith did chores.  Alfred has quit - can't afford to do it for a dime.  The girls were up town till bedtime.  Cloudy day with scattering snowflakes.  Strong N.W. wind  Go bed 10 P

January 1889

21. Monday 5.50 AM  Ther.  8.  31.  26.

Clear.  This is the coldest morning since last Mar 8.  Cistern and WW frozen up in Kitchen.  Jim Dawson got half cord of wood.  Mrs. Abe Woodrum  called AM. wanting some coal.  Abe (?) Byres went down yesterday to tie job.  Mrs.  Munroe here P.M.  Clear day with N.W. wind  Gobed 9.30 PM   

December 15 - 31, 1913 (highlights) Coles County Illinois

1913

15.  Monday.  Leaks in furnace sometimes pretty bad.  Miller called for first time since quit painting Nov. 31.  Took away his long ladder.  Says will finish painting house in spring.T & P  want whole family to go down to Mt. C. to spend Christmas.  I don't feel able to take trip.  Go bed 8.30 P.

16.  Tuesday.  Tue and Ph. busy sewing something for Charles.  I let mare in pasture P.M.  She kicked Jack disabling him for present.  Fern called at night  she and Phebe attend show.  Tue went over to Groves till 9 PM.  I  remain at home reading story saved from R.H.  "In the name of Liberty"  

17.  Wednesday.  Charley Millers baby died yesterday.  Phebe attends funeral with Frances.  

18.  Thursday. 6 AM.  Spend most of AM trying to fix furnace grate.  Edith Bates called morning.  Tue and Phebe attend moving pictures at theatre with Fern at night.

19.  Friday.  We get letter from Muggs.  She will be here next Wednesday night. 1 AM.  H & H  here when got home staying to supper and until 9 P.M.

20.  Saturday.

21.  Sunday.  

22.  Monday.  Phebe got me Columbia Catalogue which I read  till gobed 10 PM

23.  Tuesday.  Tue got a letter from Buddy.  She has moved into new house and probably will not visit us Christmas.  Phebe went to Mattoon P.M. to meet friend - Mr. Marvel of Clinton Ill.  They came over on the 6 car and he stays the night.    Self feel worse than usual.  Gobed 8.30.

24.  Wednesday.  Mr. Marvel left for home before noon.  Maggie wires about noon that Miss Wales has to leave and she can't come today.  I got a letter form  Addie first for several years.  She is not well and with Mary will depart for Europe on the Adriatic Jan. 10.   Italy is their  destination.  Gus called AM and Tue gave him Christmas tree left here by T.C.

25.  Thursday.  6.40 AM.  Ther.  36.  36.  34.  = 35 1/3

Cloudy, E.4.  Phebe gave me 12 in. record - Attila &c -also food chopper.  We did not eat breakfast till after 8 oc.  Helen sent me puzzle.  I got handkerchiefs  socks &c from several of family.  Tue got some things and letter from Mrs. Knock and sister.  It began to snow about 9.30 AM.  quiting(sic) at noon after some 1 1/2 or 2 in.  H & H came about 10 A staying the day.  We have our last chicken for dinner.  Little snow after 12 noon but cloudy all day, wind shifting to northerly.  Tue at Groves at night  gobed 10 P

26.  Friday.  Tue sent Muggs  box of things as she will not be home  during the holidays.  We have not heard any more from her since her telegram.

27.  Saturday.  Phebe got me Attilla and Aida Seleclious record Christmas and am palying that when I get time ha! ha!  Phebe went with Grace Miller to Ariel's.  I smoke a cigar  that HG gave me Christmas.  Tue got me a couple more.

28.  Sunday. Tue went to Brooks leaving Phebe abd self at home to work checker board puzzle.  Phebe has gotten it twice.

29. Monday.  We got a letter from Muggs: also two boxes gifts.  She sent me two Victor records. no.s 74167 and 70036.*, also lot of things which T & P repack and send to Buddy. 

*I found these listed on Ebay 

 #70036 Lucia Sextette Chi mi frena. #74167 Serenade. 

30.  Tuesday.  Phebe gets me two cigars.  I expect to quit entirely Thursday.  Learn Charley Jone's mother is dead.

31.  Wednesday.  Tue gets letter from Mary P. Sayre.  The Fahys family will start for  Florida Jany. 12.  She with Addie will sail for Italy on Jany 10 on Adriatic.

Weather for December 1913

December 9, 1912 and 1887 in Coles County, IL

1912

9.  Monday, 5.30 AM.  The. 14.  36.  30. = 26 2/3Clear SW.2.  ice 3/4.  This is coldest morning since Mar. 25 when temp was 10.  Furnace leaks so at times am afraid to build all we need.  Jim Turner brought me bushel butternuts P.M. paid 75c.  Grace Sefton called P.M. says her father feels better.  Her brother George Sefton has been here from Ark. for two or three weeks - returned today.  Tue gets letter from Muggs also one from Phebe.  Alfred didn't come was expected.  Mostly clear with Southwesterly strong.  Learn that  Bud Skidmore is dead.  He lived in St. Louis.  Gobed. 1030.

1887

9. Friday  6.30 A.M.  Ther.  41.  46.  46.

Cloudy, misty Wind E.  Mrs. Davis helping  Tue on dress for Ma.*  Ruth Davis sent off her cocoons today.  I packed them up last night.  A dark day.   Heavy mist from N.E.  raining at times.  Few People in town.  Roads very bad.  Learn that coal shaft is down  about 60 ft.  Phebe has not been to school this week.  Tue feeling some better.  C.G. (him) sick in night from oysters.  Baby had terrible spell of crying in night.  Her front teeth are coming through.  Gobed 9P.M.

*He is talking about his mother-in-law who is also his aunt.

December 8,1912 & 1887 in Coles County, IL

1912

8.  Sunday.  630  AM.  Ther.  34.  36.  24.  = 31 1/3

Mostly cloudy.  W.3.  ice 1/4.  Tue went to church AM.  I didn't hitch up.  Had thought of going to ranch if pleasant.  Snow flying many times today and at night; but little fell however barely visible   Had to rush  fires a little.  Furnace keeps leaking fear it will give out before spring.  Tue attend entertainment with Mrs. Brooks at night at church.  Go bed 9.30

1887

Cloudy day E. wind.

8.  Thursday.  6.30  AM  Ther.  32.  44.  43.

Cloudy  Foggy.  Mrs. Rogers comes to iron at 8 AM.  Told Sam Ray yesterday to put my mare on lighter feed at 6.00 per month.  Snider  took Ma home today.  He stopped here but she did not get out.  Harman brings jar butter  8 1/8 lbs. 1.65.  Took out another jar.  Mrs. Davis helping Tue sew in P.M.  Got lot of Couriers with Fannie's notice and sent to the relations.  Harry Holmes has damage case in court.  Trial this P.M.  Geo. Weber over.  Baby still very cross.  Tue seems to feel some better.  Gobed 9 P.M.

November 27, 1912 &1887 in Charleston, IL

1912

27.  Wednesday.  6 A.M.  Ther.  26.  36.  30. = 30 2/3

Clear.  W. 2.  Rhoda came to wash, irons a while and stays to dinner.  Tue gets cards from Phebe and Helen.  Helen is in  S.W. visiting.  The furnace leaks again but stops.  We are good deal worried about it.  Cottingham came P.M. taking away misfit grate, says right one has come and he will put it in soon.  Thinks like of leak in furnace.  Nickles bill for board mare is 18.00.  I did not hitch up today.  Clear and cool brisk N.Westerly  wind.  Tue got her vacuum carpet cleaner, and uses it much of P.M.  We did not hear from Muggs today and feel quite anxious about her.  I order third sack  wood plaster sent to Loxa for West's house.  Tue went to Grove's 8 P.M.  Self gobed 9 P.M.

Interesting links:

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/historyonline/housework.cfm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_cleaner

1887

No entry

November 26, 1912 and 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

1912

26.  Tuesday.  6 AM.  30.  44.  32.  = 35 1/3

Clear. W.2.  Tue ironing AM.  Leak in furnace seemed much worse yesterday, am getting alarmed about it.  Tue gets letter from Muggs and she has been sick and was so at time of writing yester morn.  Carson Cutler calls and pays note with int. 70.90 which I deposit P.M. and leave Barnes' Chisms and Frankhausers notes at  bank for collection.  Jessie Popham here P.M.  Hat was here hour or two A.M. is visiting Mrs. Curd.  H.G.* working for Comer.  I drove out far as Hoffmans late P.  Mostly clear day with moderate Northwesterly wind.  The roads dry and dusty.  Go bed 9

*Henry Gramesly, Charles' brother

1887

26.  No entry

September 23, 1912 in Charleston, Illinois

23,   Monday  6 AM.  Ther.  44.  74.  56.  =58
Clear.  S.E.1. Gas. Cottingham's men work most of AM at furnace.  They had to take off two  top section to stop leak.  Mrs. Grove was over P.M.  I try the roads south after 3 PM down by Woodson place gettinghome before 6 P took mare to Nickles.  The roads are dry except a few mud holes.   They are a silo south of Wrightsville.  There have been many silos put  this season.  Clear day; light S.E. wind.  Tue attended church at night.

Map of Coles County:
http://castle.eiu.edu/~localite/coles/archlib/eiuarch/images/coles_county_l.jpg

September 21, 1912 in Charleston, IL

21, Saturday  6 AM.  Ther.  62.  70.  58.  = 63 1/3
Cloudy light showers toward morn. (05) to 7 AM.  Take mare to Nickles last night, first since  25 ult?  It sprinkled and threatened rain all day but did not measure much at night. (03)  Phone  JE Mc for gal Monarch which got A.M.  I felt bad all around today with rheumatism.  Met Frank Wickham.  He is in Oklahoma on Alex Briggs"ranch".  Cottingham  thinks will have to take down furnace to stop leaking.  Cloudy day light southerly winds.  Rains lat at night with thunder.  Go bed 8.30 PM

September 19-20, 1912 in Charleston, Illinois

19, Thursday,  6 AM.  Ther.  48.  72.  56. =58 2/3
Clear.  W.3.  Kit skinned her back rolling.  Broke strap on harness which repair.  The water leaked out to 1st floor radiators but think slacking up.  Harman phones for nails and roof roll.  Order Andrews to send same Loxa this P.M.   Harman will get nails says P.P. & another man at work at roof Harman says .  Bert's Helen calls AM staying to dinner.  Tue sending Buddy box of a +Ps.  Walter Smith works a while P.M. trying to stop furnace leaks.  He didn't do it, and thinks may have to take it down again.  I drove down to Wrightsville  and return by Normal late P.M.  Clear day with W or NW. wind.  Gobed.9

20, Friday, 6 AM, ther. 54.  80.  68. = 67 1/3.
Part cloudy S.3.  Tue makes fire in the furnace but leaks continue bad. as ever.  I repair girth and drive to  B.P.A.  Talking  a while with Jackson.  Order jag of coal which deliver late P.M.  Can't fill coal room until proposed W.C. is put in.  Mrs. H. over P.M.  Jack and I drive to Dicewood 4 P.M.  Didn't see any fungi.  More burrs than anything else.  Bert's Helen stopped P.M. on way home from Normal is sick.  The road mostly dry and somewhat rough.   Most cloudy P.M. threatens rain 8.30

September 18, 1912 in Charleston, Illinois

18,   Wednesday, W.2.  Ther.  56.  68.  52.  =  58 2/3
Part Cloudy, W.2.  Tue makes arrangements with Helen by phone and starts for Mattoon on 9 car.  It began to rain light about 10.30 AM.  I had just got hitched up.  Let water in furnace and find it leaks badly.  Phone Fred.  I drive S.W. three  or four miles starting 2 P.M.  Saw several cutting B.C.  Drove round by J.W. Pierceys returning by Al Latta's getting home 4.30.  Tue came at 5.  She with Helen ate dinner at Louise's.  It clears off at night.  Tue attended prayer meet night gobed 9.