March 19-23, 1914 in Charleston, Illinois

March 1914

19.  Thursday.  6.15.  AM.  Ther.  26.  34.  32.  =  30 2/3
Cloudy, N.E.2.  Self not well as usual.  Did not rest well.  Bill came 7 working till noon.  He took out ashes from furnace and cut wood which put in cellar also some pieces old walnut (braces).  It snows most of the day and Bill did not return.  Mrs. Curd was over an hour or two P.M. talking politics.  Tue reading up on RC work.  She was over at library at night.  She is feeling badly:  has been taking some kidney pills.  Cloudy day with some snow 1 1/2 in. north wind  go bed 8.30


20.  Friday.  6 AM.  ther.  14.  38.  30.  = 27 1/3
Clear. N.1.  Quiet like winter.  Tue and selph (sic)both grunting worse than usual. 
Tue reads to me her RC lesson on Margaret Fuller.  It seems  to be all right.  The R.H. did not come  till P.M.  I read meter (EL) PM  1062. KW  Tue attends RC at Dillards.  Bill works P.M. and pay him  un full 1.50.  Shave self PM. doing fine job.  Bill cut up some of worst lumber I am trying to sell.  Will work Monday if Paddy McNeal does not want him.  Pleasant  day but raw and chilly northerly winds.  Bill fills up coal hods and wood box.  Sarah Myers Hall is visiting Mort and Kate.  Tue went over to library at night.  Gobed 9


21.   Saturday.  6 AM.  Ther.  26.  46.  38.  = 36 2/3
Part cloudy. E.1.  Helen sends us 1lb. butter and eggs by John.  Gus calls for old counter but didn't take it today.  H.G. calls for Geographic AM.  Tue over at Groves a while.  It seems Sarah went home Tuesday.  We had been expecting  a call from her several days.  Tue sweeps until tired out.  Got a letter from Muggs P.M. has sent us some new records.  Tue feeling badly and has discontinued pills.  Part clear day with  chilly NW wind.  Remit check to J.J. Trimble col water rate to July 1 wrote checking regarding old piano.  Gobed 9


22.  Sunday. 6.30 AM.  ther.  26.  38.  38.  =  34.
Cloudy W 2.  There was skift of snow fell early morn and snow flying tr much of AM.  Mort Grove got the paper for us.  Gus  brought us 1 lb. butter AM all some pieces of  chicken which were very acceptable.  Self troubled in bowels and have to discontinue beans &c.  Mort and Kate over P.M.  Part cloudy day with moderate westerly winds.  Gobed 9


23.  Monday.  6 AM.  ther.  26.  52.  40.  =  39 1/3
Clear.  W.1. get a letter from Phebe  and a package by P.P. for Tue  also Phebe.  Weather predictions are for warmer weather and more of it.  Tue wrote Muggs, AM.  Boys annoy us good playing  ball on library lot running over our garden and  lot.  Their ball broke E. DR window in afternoon stirring them up to extent of  two dollars.  they took sash up to Briggs where it remained all night.  Tue had conniption about it and went over to Groves  till 10 P.M.  Clear day with brisk southerly wind.  I try to trim some grape vines.  Had to give it up.  The trouble with is becoming chronic.  Gobed 9 PM. 

March 14-18, 1914 in Charleston, Illinois

March 1914

14.  Saturday. 6.30 AM.  Ther.  38.  68.  46.  =  50 2/3
Clear.  S.3. Pay telephone for Feb. 1.70  Helen, John and Geo. came 9 A. to stay the day.  I intended to go to sale at McNeil's old shop but didn't feel able.  After dinner order mare and drive SW to Sam Walters gate, getting home about 4 P.M.  Tue went up town with Helen and children before 3 P.  Found roads generally good but I drove mostly gravel road, Jack  went with me.  I drove round by Hattons.  He will come Monday if a good day.  Leave mare at Nickles.  Crawford brought me home.  There is much snow in banks yet along fences and in the woods.  This is first day have driven mare since Jan 31.  Harryman's BC warehouse burned 8 PM.  Gobed 9.30


15.  Sunday.  6.30   AM.  ther.  36.  70.  58.  =  54 2/3
Clear. S.1.  Strong gas.  Light white frost.  Make little  fire furnace A.M.  Tue went to church and got paper.  We had dinner 1 P.M.  Order mare at noon and 2.30 P. drove down Kickapoo road going down by Normal and west at Tom Phipps farm.  Found some pretty tough road but none serious.  Nothing starting much  Pussy Willow earliest.  Catkins on hazel.  The  worst roads were on  road leading E. from Woodson.  Jack went with  me and got treated bad by dog at that farm I came by gravel road meeting several autos.  I got home 3 P.M.  Taking mare to Nickles later.  Clear day light southerly winds.  Tue not well, did not go to church.  Gobed 9.30


16.  Monday.  6 AM.  Ther.  44.  56.  42.  =  47 1/3
Part cloudy.  W.2.  Bill came 7 to work.  He took out all ashes recovering dump to  DR grate.  Trims up much of trees not finished, however.  He went down for IE McRoller Rake yard and begin rolling will come in the morn.  Part cloudy and much cooler than (?) w. to N.W. winds.  I was out doors most of time today and get  pretty well tired out.  Gobed 8.30


17.  Tuesday.  6.15 AM.  Ther.  38.  48.  32.  = 39 1/3
cloudy S.2.  Bill finished rolling  "Andy" Cooper took JEM roller to C Lee's.  It rained lightly much of forenoon but Bill worked much of time in barn where we hung a door after much trouble as light rain continued I paid him off at noon ck 2.25.  He will work for Paddy McNeil tomorrow and on L.D. Norton collector calls PM  and I pay him Lafayette taxes $162.58,  It is  some higher than last year.  The young man failed to  sign the tax receipt.  Later Arthur Johns Collector Hutton Tp. came and I pay Hutton taxes 38.02 which is the highest in recent years.  Most cloudy day light showers at times very dark from NW at 3 P.M. growing colder with strong N.W. wind.  Tue went up to  library for book after supper.  Have not investigated Charleston taxes yet but will soon as go up town.  They will return books Apl 1 Norton said.  Gobed 8.30


18.  Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  26.  36.  32. = 30.
Clear. N.4.  Today takes good fires again.  Order ton of coal from B.Pa + Co they deliver 10 Am.  think about 600 lbs. on hand yet.  This last order makes over nineteen tons for the past  season.  T.W.P. I fix up solder outfit and repair some tin cups P.M.  Had to est the precipitation yesterday at .10 ins.  Hatton called and want to work tomorrow.  Mostly clear with light northerly   Tue went to church at night with Mrs. Brooks.  Gobed 9.30

January 8 - 15, 1914 in Coles County Illinois (highlights)

January 1914

8. Thursday- Had thought  to order my horse, but Harman borrows her to go to sale.  He bought a large gray mare at sale for 19.00.  thinks he is on trade for his Colo. land.

9. Friday.  Nothing "doing' today.  Tue attends R.C. at Pophams first meeting  since the 13 the (?).  

10.  Saturday. 6:30 AM.  We have not heard from Buddy for about two weeks.   We get letter from Buddy P.M.  She is all well but (?) Charles has taken Whooping cough.  Phebe over at Library at night.  I read Lucia till went to sleep.

11.  Sunday.  I devote much time to keeping up the fires.

12.  Monday.  6.30 AM.  coldest since last Mar. 2.  Hat invites family down to dinner.  Tue and Phebe went about 11 AM, but I stay at home.  

13.  Tuesday.  Find lower W.C.*froze up.  It let loose about 10 AM.  They fix up  box to send Buddy P.M. by P. Post.  Tue works P.M. getting ready  for washing tomorrow.    Saw Maynard Miller first time for 30 or 40 years.

*Water Closet

14.  Wednesday.  Order mare late P.M. first I have driven since Dec.22.  Drive out the Watsons returning the south road.  Ora Webb came 2 P.M. to visit Phebe a few days.

15.  Thuesday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  36.  54.  44.  = 44 2/3

Part cloudy. W.2 becoming W.2. becoming SW2 later.  Order mare 10 AM.  Pay A.G. Frommel , check  1.10 paying for hols back straps which he failed to charge.  The ground has been frozen in places since Sat.  Is thawing and slightly muddy places.  I drove E of town near to Goble place and back,   Mrs. Dr. Walker is dead.  Pay I.B. Mitchell + Son to 14th  in full, 200.38.  Tue took check to them.  Pay C.E. Tate for paints mailing check.  I drove late south of town return by Wrights.  Mostly clear day light SW wind  The  frost about all out: roads somewhat spongy - little mud.  Phebe  and Ora went to Mattoon P.M.  Tue over at Groves night  Gobed 8.30

January 3, 1914 and 1889 in Charleston, Illinois

January 3, 1914

3.  Saturday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  34.  34.  30.  =  32 2/3

Cloudy. NW. 2. T.W.P.  I am very nervous to  today think quitting chewing.  Tue  has recently (this week).  put small stove in E. Chamber and they sew up there a good deal.  Cloudy day with fresh NW. wind.   I didn't go up town.  Tue went up late P.M. for grub also get book for me at library Bride of L.  Light snow flurrying in night.  Gobed 9 P.M.

January 4, 1889

3.  Thursday 6 AM.  Ther.  28. 49.  35.

Clear westerly wind Special election today  for  State Senator  (I) acted as clerk on the board in this precinct  Monroe got got 40 maj. in this precinct and 78 in township.  I came (?) to dinner and supper.  Got done before 10 PM.  Uncle John brought in 3 pigs which he put in the corn crib.  Pleasant day S. wind.  Gobed 10.30 PM. 

October 20-23, 1913 in Coles County Illinois

October 1913

20.  Monday.  6 AM.  Ther.  40.   38.  36.  =  38.

Cloudy.  N.W.3.  Raining.  It began probably after midnight.  Tue got letter from Muggs.  It rained light  much of AM.  I did not hitch up.  Nobody called.  It grows colder and snow flies for two or three hours in afternoon.  Toward night I covered our beans and a few of the tomatoes.  Tue went up town toward night getting some grub.  Cloudy day with N. to W. high wind and light rain or snow most of time.  Gobed 9.  Clear at night.

21.  Tuesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  32.  42.  38.  =  37 1/3  E. Meter  924.000

Part cloudy N.W.3.  The first frost here.  Ice 1/8 in.  Miller came and went to BPA & Co. ordering flooring and glass for repairs at Loxa which he will do tomorrow.  Hatton came and began again at wood pile.  We spent an hour trying to fix furnace grate: he took out the ashes.  They read E. Meter today first for two months.  Rhoda came 10 AM washes &c. staying  to dinner, and working a while P.M.  I hitch up 4 P. and get boxing set in  (Sibert cr.) rear buggy wheels  Billy worked all day and will come tomorrow.  Tue up at library till after 9  Part cloudy light N to easterly winds Gob 9.

22.              Wednesday. 6.30.  Ther.  38.  52.  42.  =  44.

Rain .15      Cloudy E.2. Raining.  Raining began in night.  Phone J.E. M. for same AM.  Tue 

to 7 AM      learns from  H.A. Neal that expects Phebe here by Friday.  Tue gets lot of stuff                                     ready and leaves for Mattoon to attend surprise B.D. party for Louise Snider.  She 

left in heavy shower leaving me alone with Jack.  She got home on 4.30 car.   Loxa  phones that glass for door a misfit and will have get other.  Rene phones she didn't go to party on account of rain.  It began regular rain 9 AM continuing all day and into night.  Got letter from Phebe.  Says will be here Thursday.  Cloudy rainy day.  The sun shone once 8 AM.  When thought of hitching up but didn't.  Gobed 9 P.M.  still raining

Rain 7 AM to

6 AM. 23d 1.88

23.  Thursday.  6 AM.  Ther.  40.  50.  48.  =  46.

Cloudy. N.2.  Light rain till after 6 A.M.   This measured in with yesterday except  morn 1.88 in.  See yest.  Miller called says patched floor at Loxa house yest. working 8 h.  He can't account for his mistake in morning glass.  Hitch up 11 AM and get "same" ord yet T.W.P.  Phebe came 1 P.M.  Later she and Tue  went up to courthouse and she got her decree of divorce from Tom and alimony.  Phebe presents me with victrola No. IV which I fool with  till midnight.  Phebe and Tue went to Francis Stodderts to call a while.  We all sat up till near midnight.  Cloudy day lt. R. 8 PM and nt.

R.03

February 12-14, 1913 in Charleston, IL

12.  Wednesday.  6.15 AM.  Ther.  10. 20. 12. = 14
Clear. N.W.2.  Tue got up rather late.  Rhoda washed in afternoon.  Tue attends "white" sale at Parkers P.M.  We get a long letter from Buddy.  She is somewhat alarmed about scarlet fever  in their neighborhood but all well.  Ray feeds last of corn and hay to mare at night.  Cliff phones that will bring feed tomorrow.  Preston is moving out today up to Fairgrange.  Tue went to library at night taking Magazine forgotten by Phebe about coldest day to date most clear Northerly wind 8.30

13.  Thursday.  6.30.  Ther.   6.  30.  22. =19 1/3
Clear. S.3.  I scrape up enough for mare breakfast.  Helen calls AM and Tue pays egg bill 2.10 ck.  Tue and self finish novel Woman in White.  I  got tired reading it.  Expected  Harman in with some feed today.  Didn't hear from him.  Sent mare  up to Nickles stable at night for a day or so.  Another  cold day barely thawing at any time.  Clear day barely thawing at any time.  Clear day with moderate southerly wind.  Gobed 9

14.  Friday.  6.30 A.M.  Ther. 22.  46.  36. =342/3
Clear, S.2.  Pump in cellir(sic) clogged with snails and roots.  Clean it out it out A.M.  Harman phones noon that will be in with hay &c if possible.  Says hie expected tenant for house backed out and * Had piece for dinner.  Tue to R.C. 2 P.M. at Jo Reats.  Shave self P.M. ~~  Harman came 4 P.M. bringing me 4 b hay 1.92, 4 b.  straw  .75, 2 bu oats .60 and about 5 bu corn from my own crib.  We settle to date far as possible.  NW ditch 16.00 and fence 4.00 feed 3.27.  pay check 23.27.  Ray went up for mare.  Preston still at farm.  They are trying to arrange so that he will remain there.  the ground is generally bare where exposed to the sun.  Clear day moderate southerly wind.  Go bed 8.30

February 5-6, 1913 and 1888 in Charleston, IL

1913

5.  Wednesday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  6.  20.  8. = 11 1/3

Most clear.  NW.2. W.C. again froze up.  We have to thaw out with lantern.  Rhoda came to wash 7.30.  Tue went up to Parker sale at store AM.  Rhoda does other work and stays the dinner.  This the coldest day this winter.  Light westerly wind all day.  Mostly cloudy  PM with snow flurries.  The weather forecasts predict same for several days.  I did not get out much.  The furnace "off" again early and had to work an hour before could build fire.  Ordered cobs Whalens for morn.  Self feel poorly.  Gobed 9.30.

6.  Thursday.  6 AM.  Ther.       0.  32.  18.  = 16 2/3.

Mostly Clear W.1.  Again trouble with W.C. freezing.  I did not let loose till noon.  Think I can fix it good tonight.  Attic tank ran dry last night.  We borrow lamp lanterns in coal room  might benifit W.C.  Could not see difference: it froze all same.  Load cobs from Whalens came 1.00 cr. per load P.M.  Tue works of PM on R.C.  lesson.  Think have WC fixed so  will stand cold night - will let it run all night.  Part cloudy  day: light SW wind.  Mrs. Fulton called to see  Tue P.M.  Tue got armful of books from library.  One of cold days.  Go bed 9.

1888

5.  Sunday.   7 AM.  Ther.    24.  29.  22.

Cloudy wind NW.  Baby slept well and think she is  all right.  Don't think she has the whooping cough.  It is very prevalent in town and several children have died from it quite recently.  W.L. Montecue died suddenly at Dr. Steele's office yesterday morning.  Maggie and Phebe got to S.S. in AM. and up to Davis after dinner.  Open Bbl of Baldwin apples, have just finished one of gradings.   Tue went over to Perrills a while toward night.  Called at Mrs. Shaw's she is not much better.  Have been smoking cigar since July 11 and have decided to quit for a while toward night.  Cloudy AM  clears off  and  clear night.  Go bed.  9.30 P.M.

6.  Monday,  6.30 AM.  Ther.  15.  34.  31.

Clear with S. wind.    Girls both go to school.  Mrs. is reported better today.  Get  John Savely to saw up  half cord wood.  Comer up town.  Order him to saw  me 2000 ft.  2 in. plank and 2000 ft. 2.3 and 4 by 5 such as city uses @ .70 on the yard in wood.   Pay him check $100.00  on balance due him.  A. Taylor working  for Winter was  found dead  in his bed this morning.  Jim Perrill  got some more sheeting and ordered 400 ft. 2 in elm plank 14 ft.  Baby had  a severe time with her bowels after supper.  Mostly  clear day, wind southerly.  Go bed 10.30 PM.

Charleston , Illinois October, 1,1912

1  Tuesday, 6.15  Ther.  36.66 48. = 50
Clear.  S.1 Mort worked all day.  Change around foundation to agree with rest of house.  He got sheathing on.  Fred Cottingham and men come say 4 P.M. and begin to put in plumbing &/c for WC..  Tue went calling  W. with Mrs. Brooks.  Alfred Smith whom Tue  has engaged to do chores did not come today.  I stay home to meet him.  Had intended trip to country.  Tue got letter from Walter yest. proposing for Buddy and Charles to come here and spend the Winter.  Tue over at Library at night.  8.30

September 7, 1912 in Charleston, Illinois

7,  Saturday  5.30  AM.  Ther.  70.  92.  76  =   79 1/3
Clear. S.1.  The authorities have made great improvement in 5th St. back of us.  Several men still working on Library lot cutting and hauling off the hay.Think there is about half a larn of it.  ~  I drove down to plant three times today getting ice last time.  Pay Geo Shriver yest. for repairing roof 32.25  think rather steep - the repairs.  Parker called and I  make payment on work at Loxa, 30.00 check.  Harman called a few moments  Wants to engage corn at 42c.  Today about as hot as usual    Clear A.M.  Threatens rain 4 to 5 P.M. with thunder N.  No rain here.  Tue got letter from Phebe at Chicago.  I drove S.W. by Johnstown road returning by Al Latta's before dark.  Gobed 9.30

May 29,1912 and 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

100 Years Ago

Wednesday,   May 29, 1912   5.40 AM.  Ther 58. 60. 56 =58.

Mostly cloudy N.3.  Get stuff ordered Nick yest.  Colman on duty at Interurban.  Met Cooney Scheyetl.  He lives and works in Chicago.  Tue and Phebe finish ironing.  Tue has determined not to get Ellen any more.  they are cutting the hay on library lot.  Some of the aldermen get it.  Tue and Phebe up town P.M.  I get shave at Brown's pd.  Helen phones in wanting to borrow my mare to disc with.  They didn't  get her.  I drove out to Dicewood late P.M. nothing doing.  Cloudy day with stiff north wind.  The mud about dried up.  Tue write Buddy night.  Go bed 10

125 Years Ago

Sunday, May 29, 1887  7 AM  Ther 68. 82. 67.  

Some cloudy.  Look over things up at store.  There is some prospect for license some people think.  Delia has company most of the day.  Tue down to  Dowlings after dinner with baby and Phebe.  I d drove a while with Maggie and went after osage.  Gobed 9 P.M.  Phebe not well.