June 11 - 14, 1890 and 1901 in Coles County IL

June 1890

11.  Wednesday 5 AM.  at Ranch  All boys go to work this morning cutting logs the river  Stay there till 10.30 AM and start home getting there 1 P.M.  The river is  getting pretty low.  Clouds up and rains heavy shower soon after I got home, another still heavier about 6 P.M.  The hardest rain we have had here for years  Town Branch way up.  gobed 10.30 ~~

12.  Thursday.  7 AM.  Pleasant day very close and warm.  Water  yesterday flooded basement under MCravys store  Scott Dowling has sold his his "outfit" to parties who are moving it out.  They began taking the Circus here last week  Claud Comer says water washed out road up Hollow.   Saturday June 14  Good many in town.  Trade moderate.  Hottest day this season so far  Ther 92 yesterday next Ther 90.   Heavy thunder storm 10 P.M.  Hadeback stops me to return to the store trade only moderate today mostly beer  GEO here collecting for the 4th of July Celebrate.  Comer up toward night.  No hauling lumber since last Wednesday  Gobed 11 P.M.~~  This Sat. 6/14/90

13.  Friday  

14.  Saturday above.  Sultry all day and everyone says it will rain before night.  Geo Kellogg looks at building and says will take  two hundred  Dollars  to raise porch and put on new roof.  Pay draft J M (?) Co Tax 5 Bbls 10h.  Get letter from Samuels saying they have no free warehouse.  Gobed 10.30 PM

June 1901

11.  Tuesday.  5  AM.  Ther.  68.  94.  75.  =  79

Partly cloudy, southwest wind Jube came before 7. but we cant do anything with mower.  Mrs. Eggers and  daughter came to wash about 7 A.M. working  nearly all day $1.00 Jubal and I take mower to Olmstead AM but he didn't do i, mt much good  I tinker with it most of P.M. and send it back to him.  Buy  pens ink and paper at WE Hills P.M. 25cts paid.  Drove mile or two  east of town corn growing fine.  This has been the warmest  day   South wind.  Gobed 8.30 P.M.

12.  Wednesday.  4.30 AM.  Ther.  65.  92.  68  =  75.

Clear wind blew up cooler from north last night.  Mrs. Smith ironed.  Olmstead did not have mower fixed.  Didn't find Jubal.  Started for Gaines' 8 AM. but turned back at Jones place  Thunder showers  AM.  Get new hat at Winter Cr.  Hepholorna Cardolleamen  in yard I got back home 9.30 AM  turns hay in barn.  City working on back alley AM  Jubal get mower but it wont cut so borrow Shortess which he uses P.M.  Get hat at Winter & Mc. which return P.M.  Have glasses repaired at Ricketts with new case 75 c.  Roam horse not feeling very well P.M.for past day or two.  Has sore mouth.  Think he got too warm Monday.  Jubal worked till 5 P.M.  ? Thunder shower;  pretty heavy rain 7 to 8 P.M.  Milk in rain  Gobed 8.30 P.M.

13.  Thursday.  5. AM.  Ther.  65.  89.  64.  =  72 2/3

Mostly Cloudy.  Start to Gaine's 8.30 AM. very little rain there.  I broke off short right at my gate.  Jo plowing on South piece.  Shirley working with 3 teams just south of garden.  Too wet to plow near Charleston.  Tue gets gasoline stove in house.  Louise Snider calls while after dinner.  Edith at Gaines washing.  Alex Short there.  Got mess  of new potatoes - first.  Went to clerks office and find Bachmans tax deed will be  in  E#1/2 NE 13 instead of W1/2  Does not cover Will Decker but catches 4 acres of my own  Fair day with southerly wind  Gobed 8.30 P.M.

14.  Friday.  4 AM.  Ther.  63.  87.  75.  =  75

Mostly cloudy.  Ate breakfast at Starr and Smiths  get some paper for kitchen at farm (promised to take out yesterday) and take out start 7.30 AM.  Today last day of school  Loxa.  Sprinkles a little on the way out..  Mrs. G. thinks she will wash place before she puts on paper.  Mrs. Talbot there sewing.  Jo plowing SE field.  I left for home before dinner.  Settle with Jube P.M.  $1.75.  He digs back bank a little.  Can't get city to take hold of this job.  Mrs. Grove here at night so couldn't early enough  gobed 9 PM

June 1, 1890 and 1901 in Coles County, Illinois

June 1890

1. Sunday  6.30 AM.  Ther.  65

Mostly clear.  Painted screen doors up at store.  Crass helped oil buggy and I started for Ranch at 11 A.M. by way of Handly Ford getting there about 1.30 P.M.  Rile Decker over toward night settle up with him.  Clear day NW wind  9.30

June 1901

(top of page)  Geo Gray has recently had "new" front put in Shoe Store.  Mrs. Monroe building  they are painting it today May 31.

1.  Saturday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  53.  74.  54.  =  60 1/3

Cloudy Sprinkle rain.  Roan untied himself last night and was grazing back of house when got up.  Jubal Jones came 7  AM and worked till nearly 6 P.M.  clean up grass, cut wood &c. will come again Monday.  John Simons  brought up hayrack.  Settle with him as  possible.  Giving him check for balance 5.50.  Renew note at St. with Earl Decker 10.00 for 90 d. promise not to do it again.  Will Decker says taxes paid on piece to be decided to Bachman June 13.  Pay Mrs. Dorsch a/c K.G. ch. 6.70 ice full to date from last Dec. 22.  Oscar Decker is working for  Walter Briggs.  Miss Ford's friend Miss Wheeler came P.M. to stay a while with her.  Phillip Davis building a new house which shows up strong in S.W.  They are just getting the roof on.  Self bellyache after supper.  Tue got a letter from Mrs. Eastin at Denver yesterday inquiring about her tax &c.  Fair day with northerly wind  Clear at night.  The rain early A.M.  Gobed.  9.30 AM.~ 

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 22-25, 1890 and 1901 in Coles County Illinois

March 1890

22. Saturday 7 AM.  Ther  40.  47.  37  =  41 1/3

Part cloudy wind N. Demo Township primary good many in town, trade only fair.  H.G. complaining and at home most of day.  I stay at store most of time out of wood again  Brownfield saws some up two or three  poles.  Think I heard of dog Carlo last two months or more ago.  Pleasant cool day NW wind drying fast  gobed 12.45

23.  Sunday.  7 AM.  Ther 34.

Clear.  NW wind. Start for ranch about 9 AM getting there at 1 P.M.  Fired Simon at Wes'  Johnny will go to work tomorrow  Gobed 10 PM.  Light rain at times in night from E or SE.

24.  Monday, 5.30 AM  Ther.

Cloudy, wind S. John and Rile work in in west pastures cleaning off  for grass samples.  Castrate and dock lambs AM.  Have 46 R and 22 E.  I went down on river  where disputed line is and measure up what logs are left there, about 3500 ft.  There are 13 logs left and about 10 have been taken away.  Simons hauled load of strips P.M.  Went after Hanleys harrow which didn't get.  A fair ewe died tonight after being sick a few hours.  Pleasant warm and windy, light sp rain in night.  Gobed 10 PM  Violent S and SW wind.

25.  Tuesday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.

About clear wind west John started for town with small load of wood getting back about 5 P.M.  Reports road good. brought chickens down  Rile and John make stakes and and rails in west field.  John brought feed down  Reports no hay at home.  Go bed 10.30

Ferocious W wind all day. 

March 1901

22.  Friday 5.30 AM.  Ther  25.  70.  43.  =  46.

Clear light S.E. wind.  Dick came  about 7.30 and worked till noon mostly cutting wood.  Jo Gaines came for load of manure 8 AM.  I see John Marshall advises me to have bond &c fixed up at once.  Look at harrows W & T. over take Ma and Mrs. G going to Loxa. Ate dinner at G's afterward went to Loxa Saw McP. No money.  Buy plow Linder 13.00  Decide to get harrow of W.O.Y.  Came south road home.  Nancy Grishu and Mrs. Mote ride to town with me.  Folks, except self, all went to Passion Play moving pictures.  Pres Church at night.  Mostly clear day, southerly wind.  Roads mostly dry and pretty good.  Go bed 9 PM  Jo sows clover & timothy west of house after dinner.  Tell Jo  John & wife can remain there a while but not long.  John working on Loxa section  Gobed 9 PM

23.  Saturday  5.45 AM.  Ther  25.  55.  52  =  44.

Mostly clear.  Gaines came 8 AM. taking out load of manure and new harrow.  John Simons and Warren put horses in stable.  John has sold part of his place to Ina Brown.  Met Ina with Will Decker and talk about scrap lumber on mill site.  J.H. Marshall fixes up lease and bond for Garrison Bros. and they sign lease will fix bond soon as possible. No word from Maggie  Expected to her home today.  Tue went over to Grove's showers PM and at night not heavy.  Gobed. 9.30 P.M. --

At top of page : 25th Tue had several Reading Circle ladies here P.M. fixing up program for next season.

24.  Sunday.  6.30 A.M.  Ther.  51.  68. 60.  =  59 2/3

Partly cloudy.  Self feeling badly.  Tue better than for several days.  Ferd here to diner.  Drive down to Mrs. Owens toward night.  Geo Kellogg and I drove down to Myers lane to see new gravel road.  Dirt road very muddy.  Partly cloudy day southerly wind.  Very heavy rains with much thunder in night and some hail about 9 PM.  Owen and Reynolds boy help me get cow in.  Phebe stayed all night with Lizzie Shoot.  Gobed  8.30 P.M.

25.  Monday  5.10 AM.  Ther  50.  62.  45.  =  52 1/3

Cloudy, S.E. wind.  Branch was high in night and washed out lower flood gate.  Clara washed.  Pay Mel. Stark Charleston personal tax check - $4.63  Pay Loan Assn. dues and int.  Mar 1 to May 1.  17.10  Deposit Garrison ch 50.00 and 15.00 cash at 2d  Clears off AM. and bright pleasant day with SW wind.  Streets drying fast.  I drove to 3.20 PM train but Maggie didn't come.  Haven't heard from her since last Wednesday  Gobed 9 P.M.

February 18-23, 1901 in Coles County Illinois

February 1901

18.  Monday,  5.15 AM  Ther,31.  40.  31.  =  34

Mostly cloudy.  Northerly wind.  Saw C. Black early AM  He discusses "The Col" who is tending bar for him.  Clara washed.  Tue feeling badly.  Something in my right eye annoyed me all day.  Went to Storm but failed to find him  Pay Mark Mitchell check a/c in full to date.  Tue Marie and Maggie gone to church at night.  Clear day northerly wind.    Tue stops card playing at night. burn up cards.  Gobed 7.30 P.M.

19.  Tuesday.  5.30 AM.  Thr  18.  23.  14.  = 18 1/3

Clear, NW wind.  Clara ironing.  I intended to go out to Gaine's P.M.  and from there to Bert's sale tomorrow morning but too cold.  Tue got letter from Phebe P.M. saying she will start home soon as she can get money to come on.  Tue feeling badly P.M. and did not go to church at night.  Marie Clara and self play cinch till bed time  Gobed 10.30   
strong NW wind.  Hard to keep house warm.  Mostly cloudy pay per . tax 82 cts.  Lafayette colector (sic) calls

(shorthand at top of page.)

20.  Wednesday.  5.40.  A.M.  Ther.  10. 21.  15 =  15 1/3
Mostly clear.  N.W. wind.  Tue wrote Phebe sending draft for 50.00  Expect duplicate Mar. 1. in place of one she lost.  She is  expected  home this week to stay.  Inmates of Anchor resort and others  having a trial before Squire Davis.  Berts sale today but too cold for me.  Clara ironing AM uptown P.M.  Her father expected to go to Indiana thie week.  Marie went to party at Brightbills at night afterword to Dorsch's.  I walked up town with Tue, she going to church.  Partly cloudy day with N.W. wind  Snow flying A.M.  Gobed 10.30 P.M.

21.  Thursday.  5.45 AM.  Ther 8. 29. 20. = 19
Mostly clear westerly wind.  tue getting ready for Reading Circle function tomorrow.  She attended church P.M. I didn't go uptown today.  Clara making doughnuts P.M.  Mushrooms by  Nina L. Marshall recd. from W.E. Hill today 2.00  Folks all went to church at night,  Cloudy day with W. wind growing colder P.M.  Half inch fine snow after dark Gobed 10 P.M.  (shorthand)

22.  Friday.  5.45 AM.  Ther 10.  19.  8.  =  12 1/3
Clear NW wind.  Tue gets special delivery letter from Phebe early AM. saying she would be home on 1.12 P.M. train.  Later recieve telegram that she had missed train and would start at 5.30 P.M.  I met her at Mattoon and we got home at 1 oclock night.  Tue had Reading Circle with refreshments P.M.  This was their last meeting here this season.  Cold mostly clear.  Fresh NW wind snowing flying at times  Gobed 1.30 A.M.

(shorthand at top of page)

23.  Saturday 6.30 AM.  Ther.  8.20.  16.  =  14 2/3
Cloudy NW wind Snow flying.  Papers say no signs of warm weather yet.  Earl Decker calls and settle with him in full to date.  Think can't cut away any more wood at present.  Reports  Simons sick la grip.  Helen here to dinner.  Phebe glad to get home; has very sore throat.  Tried to find chicken P.M. but couldn't   Clara went home on 9.03 P.M. train expecting to return tomorrow or Monday morning.  Her folks are intending to move to Indiana soon.  Tue feeling badly.  I went up town after supper getting veal roast coffee &c.  Cold cloudy day.  NW wind with light snow squalls.  Thought to go out to Loxa but too cold.  Sleep in NW room.  Marie with Tue.  Gobed 10.30 P.M.

May 11-16, 1889 in Charleston, IL

May 1889

11. Saturday.  5.30.  AM.  Ther.  62.  72.  52.  =  62.

Partly cloudy.  Clouds up and  storm of wind and rain about 11 AM.  Girls went to picnicking at river and got wet  H.G. and Nick open store early.  Trade not very lively for Saturday and first day.  Minors plenty.  Warren Decker hauled load of 60 posts.  Has pretty tired at night.  Cloudy day after the rain.  Go bed 11.30

12.  Sunday.  7 AM  Ther.  65.  65.60.  =63 1/3

Mostly clouds up and begins rain slowly about and continues most of the day.  I start for ranch about 10 A.M. buy two shoats of Joe Hutch on way down.  Did not rain there yesterday.  Milt going up after pigs tomorrow.  Frank hurt his shoulder and they sent for Dr.   Lost umbrella on road down.  got pretty wet coming home  rained most of P.M.  Got home about 7.30.  There was a shooting last night by Julia Wood she is now in jail  Gobed 10 PM

13.  Monday 5.45 AM.  Ther.  57.  65.  55.  =  55 2/3

Cloudy foggy wind W.  Milt Drake came up for hogs leaving one here supposed barrow but proved to be a boar.  Crass helped about pigs.  Package (?) came.  Trade rather dull.  Dark gloomy day muddy sprinkles several times damp and misty.  It is  thought the man shot Saturday night will die  Julia Wood is out on bail.  I remain at store till shut up 11PM.  Order rye and French of BBon and Blue Lick.  Gobed 11:30 PM~~

14.  Tuesday.  7 AM.  Ther.  Ther.  50.  75.  60.  =  61 2/3
Clear  Pleasant day with light W. wind M & H  Drummer here.  Uncle John was in to dinner.  trade rather dull  Ed Daughterty and Jo Lands will open in a few days  Ed has up his new furniture.  Phebe sick all day Tu thinks caught cold at picnic Sat.  Gobed 11.30 PM

15.  Wednesday.  7 AM.  Ther.  65.  72.  66.  =  67 2/3
Cloudy strong S. wind damp.  Mrs. Rogers washed.  Wind gets up and blows a violent gale before noon raining some; and doing some damage to fencing.  Uncle John was in on his way to Snider.  Business dull.  Afternoon pleasant.  Got stuff to build a partition in back room.  Learn at night that tax sale is going on, had forgotten about my taxes.  Man who was shot still alive.  Gobed 11.30

16.  Thursday.  6.45 AM  Ther.  68.  90.  73.  =77.
Hazy.  Abbott comes to work early, working all day.  Geo Kellogg puts up partition at store.  The man shot last Saturday died P.M.  Julia Wood was sent to Jail.  Green drummer in town.  Trade light .  Clear day with strong S. wind Uncle John settled with Hibbard and thinks he beat him  Gobed, midnight.

March 27-31, 1914 in Charleston, IL and Weather

March 1914

27.  Friday.  6.15 AM.   Ther.  58.  64.  48.  =  56 2/3
Cloudy S.E.1. Light R. began in night.  Bowles not any worse.  I build a fire in furnace 10.30 AM. to dru off the damp mess.  The atmosphere is loaded with moisture.  A light drizzle all AM does not better things.  It continued to drizzle till say  2 PM.  Meas at 3 P 53 Tue got some "Cod" fish last evening which is too different.  Tue attends RC PM at Dillards with her article on Margaret Fuller.  She  got home 4.30 and later went up town Learn that Ruth Talbot died yesterday  Uncle John died nineteen years ago today.  Cloudy day think sun out once.  SE wind till toward noon when shifted to light northerly.  The Groves were over to 10. P.M.


28.  Saturday.  6.15  AM.  Ther.  48.  66.  58.  =  57 1/3
Cloudy, heavy fog E.2. Supposed would be much colder, but not so.  The cold wave passed a thousand miles NW and North of us.  Get letter from Chickerings and sons regarding old piano. No. 1049.  It was  sold from him factory to Mr. William Savage of Boston Mass.  Apl. 24, 1832.  That was ten years before I was born. Frank Wilson died today.  Harman brought me sack of oats  first time in long time.  I owe him for same.  He drove in to Ruth Talbotts funeral at 2.30 P.M.  Tue attended same.  I hitch up late P.M.  driving up town.  Later got shoe at Evan's pd 50.  Mrs. Curd was over after supper.  She went with Tue to Grove's and elsewhere till after I retire.  Mostly cloudy day light E. to S. wind.  Gobed 9


29.  Sunday. 6.30 AM.  ther.  56.  70.  62.  = 62 2/3
Cloudy thick fog. S.E.1.  There was light rain about 4 AM. Sham Self did fine job- no blood.  It took rest of AM to oil buggy repair harness and harness mare.  Tue  attends church AM.  We had dinner about 1oc.  By time I got ready  to take drive it began to drizzle.  In driving out of shed about 4 PM. came near wrecking shed and other things.  I drove round by Sanitarium and got home time to miss showers, all rain today .15 in.  Streets very sloppy.  Grass and weeds are growing.  Gobed 9.30


30.  Monday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  52.  54.  48.  = 51 1/3
Cloudy:  fog. N.2.  Tue was expecting woman to wash.  She phoned she couldn't come.  Miller called AM for ladder.  Says will finish painting soon as weather predicts.  Catharine and Betty Shaffer call to  play an hour or two play an hour or two A.M.  Steve Decker was here wanting work.  He lives at N. E. of 11th St.  Gus got  old shelfing with drawers.  Frank M. Wilson buried today.  Tue has trouble finding was woman.  She mops kitchen P.M.  I walk up town P.M. Pay Charleston taxes at Court House 118.98 which makes our total tax 319.54.  The highest on record I think for us.  Tue spent evening at Groves.  Cloudy light northerly winds 9 PM.


Top of page:  R. Esterbrook & Co No.28 five points  good pen


31.  Tuesday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  50.  64.  58.  =  57 1/3
Cloudy. light. trace of rain in night.  Phone J. E. Mc early for "same" and try to see him when passing uptown but didn't.  I hitch up mare A  Mostly cloudy day with easterly light wind becoming southerly.  Gobed 8.30M.   She acts very bad.  Curry her off  She is very dirty.   I went up to Interurban Sta for same.  Saw Latta who has bought house near Sta.  Get same about noon.  I drove south to Phipps and return.  the gravel and other roads pretty bad.  I got back 6.  Mostly cloudy day with easterly light wind becoming southerly.  Go 8.30.

March 1914 Weather

The Weather &c at Charleston, Ill for March 1914.  Mean temperature 41.  Max 70 on 15.25 and 29th Min 10 on 1st.  Clouds 49 1/2 % Precipitation 1.16 inches on fourteen days.  Snow about 3 inches in light falls on nine days  Winds ~ North 4 2/3;  N.E. 3;  E. 2 1/3;  S.E. 1 2/3;  S. 6; S.W. 3 2/3;  W. 4 2/3 and N.W. 5 days.  The precipitation has been light with much damp foggy weather.  The roads are  pretty bad (Mar. 31) gravel roads mushy in many places.  Roads have been worse early in month and were better about middle.  No farming done yet.  Rains have kept people out of their ground.  Grass growing fine in yard and will soon need mower.  Eggs    .  Butter country 30.  Oats Corn  Hogs  .  the wagon yard has been  closed to country people several weeks.  The city can't afford to pay rent on same.

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

March 5 - 8, 1914 and 1889 in Charleston, IL

1914

Note:  March 5-6 are missing.

7.  Saturday  6.30  AM.  Ther.  34.  40.  32.  = 35 1/3

Cloudy W.2.  Snowing.  Clean out Furnace grate and fill up.  Fire will hardly burn today.  Alfred came before dinner with friend to do chores.  Will return Monday eve.  We are trying  to eat up all our scraps:  it is an interesting job.  They are about gone.  Mrs. Jo Curd called 2 P.M.  They are going to give Hat a surprise on her birthday which occurs on 12th next.  Learn that Geo Kreig died yesterday.  The funeral will be at Mattoon.  Mrs. Brooks wants Tue  to go with her.  Most cloudy with snow flurries much of time.  Wind west to north.  Tue went over to library 8 P.M.  Gobed 9

8.  Sunday,  6.30  Am.  Ther.  28.  36.  32.  = 32.
Cloudy NW.2.  I feel pretty badly this morning.  Tue decides to not go to  funeral with Mrs. Brooks and goes to church 10.30 AM.  Snow flying most of day but it did not amount to much.  We neglect to get any meat yesterday and got along very well without.  Tue went to Grove's at night till after 9 cloudy day moderate NW wind  Gobed 9.30

1889

5.  Tuesday  6.30  AM  tjer 34.  49.  38 = 40 1/3

Cloudy and snow flying, wind N.  Jim Campbell cleared out stable and carriage house.  Will come tomorrow morning to build a pig pen.  Got 3 hens and a rooster at Wrights.  Get letter from WH White saying will want (?) ties by May.  Wrote him would put them out by June 1.  Phebe has caught a bad cold but went to school.  Pleasant day, N wind.  Gobed 9.45 PM.  paid personal taxes to M (?) $17.44

6.  Wednesday 6 AM.  Ther.  30.  53.  42.  = 41 2/3

Clear.  White frost, wind, N.  Jim Campbell works all day.  Made pig pen and hot bed dug parsnips, &c.   turned old cow  in road first time since last fall.trimmed trees and vines got two more hens of Wright 63 cts. on Cr.  Look over a/c of Sam Roys owe him bal. of 98.85.  Mrs. Brown called about noon brought in  a pt. of maple syrup.  Warren Decker here paid him 570  Very pleasant but somewhat  chilly northerly wind got letter form Bethesda  they have not  shipped the water ordered.  Go bed 9.45 ~~

7.  Thursday 5.30 AM  Ther.  34.  46.  39. = 39 2/3

Clear, light frost N. wind.  Train grape vines and most of raspberries.  H.G. thinks will be licensed.  They are petitioning council for vote on it.  Old cow failed to come up tonight, also one hen missing.  Discover that Perrill has been digging with a (?) on my land.  Gobed 9 PM  Partly cloudy day N. wind.

8.  Friday.  6 AM.  Ther.  32.  32.  29. = 31

Cloudy was  clear early, wind westerly.  Cow not home yet has probably started out to country.  Uncle John was in to dinner, he had not seen cow. Says  Cer(?) is going to saw for Snider.   Got letter from White saying he can have bill of S ties if can deliver them by May 30.  Tue went to high school with Minnie Knock in P.M.  Sold load of wood half cd. to colored barber some to Alex Fisher.  Father learned  at night that Haddock boy who has been caught stealing  chickens recently and was to be sent  to reform school hung himself in jail.  Cold cloudy day.  Snow flying most of the time.  gobed 9.30 PM.

July 8-16, 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

8.  Sunday.  6 AM.  Ther.  75.  90.  70.
Clouding up.  Heavy rain AM.  More in P.M. and all night much thunder and lightning.  Grows cooler about 6 P.M.  Thought of going out to Bert's this morning.  Concluded to go out to Uncle John's after dinner.  Did neither on account of rain.  Marnie Lang here P.M.  Phebe at dinner down at Dowlings.  Gobed 10 P.M.

9.  Monday.  5.30 AM  Ther.  70.  82.  72.
Cloudy and light rain.  Rained most of night pretty heavy.  Creek up good deal not so high as a couple weeks ago.  Roof at store leaked some last night.  Kelly gets sconces  down for Miss Kumayer.  Pay him order on Bails 1.50 still owe him 1.00.  Mastes speaks to me about  a lot of fencing.  Phebe went up town with me at night; bought some fans bacon  beef  paid Jonathan Lee 25 c.  I owe him.  Go bed 10 P.M.  Mrs. R. washed.

10.  Tues 5.45 A.M.  Ther.  68.  81..  68.
Cloudy, but soon clears off. Went down to see McMurtrie about sky light, found him at Richters.  Have decided to have him make skylight instead of ordering one from Soh.  Sell Geo Mather 15o posts @ 6.00 per hundred.  Dick Curd owes me bal. of 2.00 he paid me 10.00 today.  Jeff & H.G. gave me keys to back doors.  Cow got into garden.  We let her in the road and she didn't come home.  Kate Myers over at night.  Go bed 10 A.M.

11.  Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  70.  86.  72.
Clear.  Baby was sick in night - severe (?).  Cow did not come home, look for her around town and drive out to Uncle John's.  Tom Messick went with me.  Heard nothing of old cow.  Remit 9.00 in full to  Bethesda Agcheg in  Chicago.  Bruner writes that they will receive ties on 20 or 25 inst.  Kelly went with me to look for cow toward night.  Baby gets better.  Clear day and getting warmer.  Gobed 10 P.M.

12.  Thursday  5.45 AM.  Ther.  73.  92.  80.
Clear, fresh N.W. wind.  Buy some apples of Harriman. 2.00.  Try all evening to get some one to haul Mather's posts.   T Reccer  dreying on them P.M. but , Kershaw forbid him putting them on lot.  McM brings up skylight and I give it one coat VF paint toward night.  Dave Tremble says tax money has to be paid this week sure will have to borrow some.  Jim Robertson pays me 1.25 for wood got last winter.  H.G. pays 75c on a/c.  Has been very hot today in sun but brisk west wind made it comfortable, change in night about ten oc Gobed 8.30 P.M.  M & P went down to Mrs. Royers at night.

13.  Friday.  5.30  AM.    Ther.  65.  78.  65.
Mostly clear.  Sudden change in night for cooler from N. or N.E.  Maggie went with Miss Johnston to river sketching early.  Paint sky light again, McMuries says he will fit it next week.  Buy bunch of shingles of Minton on Cr.  Deliver Mather's balance of posts and he pays for them $9.00.  Baby pretty bad all day something like the flux.  Drive a while after supper.  Mrs. davis are going to Bloomington on a visit.  They will start tonight.  Ed Eastin is "off" again has been for several days.  Clear and cool  Gobed 9.30 P.M.

14.  Saturday 5.45.  AM.  ther.  65.  75.  61.
part cloudy wind S.E.  Phebe was sick in night from eating green apples.  Baby seems about the same this morning.  McCormick glazes skylight in P.M.  Sold Kelly 1/2 cord wood delivered.  Take 11 sawed ties down to R.R. making 149 altogether there.  Paid Batermines  50 cents dray.  It rained lightly most of forenoon.  I puttied up some cracks in old (?).  The (?) building is up about one story.  Borrow  50.00 at 2nd Bank for 30 days and pay taxes balance $95.50.  Pleasant P.M. and cool.  Go bed 10 P.M.~
Tue got meddy for baby of Dr. Patton.

15.  Sunday 6 A.M.  Ther.  65.  80?  65.
Clear or nearly so started for timber with Kelly about 9 AM. to  get some of tools left there.  Bob Brown agrees to bring up logs for Weiss rollers this week and  will also load lumber.  Kirk & Co. have moved out of house in bottom taking my broad ax with them.  Baby still complaining but not so bad as she was.  Got bottle Rhewfard syp in AM.  Kelly  and self got home at 6 AM.  Today exhausted my supply of spirits of all kinds.  Kelly was feeling badly today owing to having been to Mattoon last night.  Go bed 9 A.M.

16.  Monday 7 AM Ther. 70.  87.  70.
Partly cloudy.  Mostly clear day.  Myer pays Tue 100 on rent, still owes 142 in last month girls put up their hammock and have company all day.  Wrale Cooperation BP Assm. sending 1.40 for Nos 5,6,7,8 & 9  order gal. whiskey from M.&H. (?) X.  Buy bacon of Dick Bails qt. blackberries.  Had rheumatism in left shoulder  P.M. and night.  didn't sleep much.  Gobed 10 PM  Drove with Doc Dunbar AM.

April 3-6, 1888 in Charleston, IL

3. Tuesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  36. 57.   48.
Clear day.  Howard Robinson died last night.  I was on foot all day  doing what I could, but was beaten 90 votes.   The whole Dem ticket elected excepting T. Stoddert for supervisor 53 maj.  Uncle John was in all day  and stayed all night.  Rutherfords were up and I paid them $4.50 in orders.  The result of the election was a surprise to most people.  Stay up till they counted out.  Went to bed 1 A.M.

4.  Wednesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  42.  70.  63.
Clear.  Al Crass helps pile walnut lumber in morning an hour or two.  Howard Robinson was buried today.  Uncle John says I better fence a part of my land and he will send a lot of cows down there in May.  Would have gone to timber today if had not been so tired.  Baby sick all day and in night.  Pleasant day.  (The print runs off the page).

5.  Thursday.  5.30 AM. Ther.   65.  77.  54.
Some cloudy, strong S. wind, blowing all day.  Thunder shower from W. about 4.30 PM. raining about half an hour.  Thought of going to the timber, but looked too much like rain, Rutherfords were up and I let them have the lot of old corn I had left.  Bruner called P.M. and paid  me for a set of switch ties which they took up this week.    Says I can put out all the ties I want to before June 1. Advises me to Meyers works  8 hours spreads manure, plants potatoes in bottom.  1st row east plant deep with S. phos.   2d. row shallow with phos.  3rd row shallow without phos.  4th row peas N. end phos.  Put in city bill at night 37.53.  Gobed 9 PM.  Paid tax on nine bbls. b&h.  Whiskey $350.70.

6.  Friday.  6 AM.  Ther.  36.  58.  47.
Clear day with northerly wind.  Meyers works all day.  Tear down old hog pen and do good deal of cleaning up.  John Spurgeon brings up 387 ft  2 in. Planks.  Got poll list of F. Blankbenbakee.  Remit Sucion Sturm 1.45 being amt insurance bal on 7 P  whiskey B &h.  Tue not feeling well.  Have had very bad cold in head self for day or two.  Gobed 10 PM.

April 2, 1913 in Charleston, Illinois

2.  Wednesday.  5.15.  AM.  Ther.  54.  78.  66.  = 66.
Most cloudy  wid S.4.  There was good deal lightning and thunder about 2.30 AM. No rain.  Ray came late doing chores and helping hitch up.  He went up town with me holding horse while I pay taxes at Courthouse.  Total for Charleston 110.06 Paid Larry Wright J/P Col.  Get letter of 31st. from Tue  per carrier 9 AM. was  intending to start home today under date of Monday.  Agent here says trains not running farther than Lawrenceville yet.  Gus brought us doz. eggs.  The election went entirely dem.  I drive west 4 P.M.  to Shannon cross road N. to N. Mat. road to Huffman Lane N. to  Tp line and back to town by lane E. of Stoddert place about nine miles.  Saw no muddy road but very rough dirt.  Gravel roads are good.  Stodderts have cut most of their timber. past winter.  Dr. Patton has also been thinning out timber and cutting back brush in his big pasture.  Harness broke near Cemetery Cottage but get her stopped without damage.  Mostly clear day with violent wind, southerly.  I ate supper which was pretty hard work lay down sleeping til 9.30 whew gobed.

March 13, 1913 and 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

1913

13.  Thursday.  6 AM.  Ther.  52.  66.  58.  = 58 2/3

Part cloudy, S.2.  J.H. Parker called an hour or so He has been  visiting at the water works.  Says they have the filtering  plant in full operation.  Pay L.D. Norton Lafayett collector 1912 taxes for that township.  We called at house.  Tue went to the G.R. Chambers funeral P.M.  I hitch up after dinner but did not use the mare.  Light rain rain about  3 P.M.  and much heavier later.  Tay helps unhitch.  Some quite heavy thunder about 4 P.M.  Mostly cloudy day stiff SE winds  Part  clear at night.  No rain after dark.  Tue now expects her roomers to get out  Saturday.  Ray does not do much and will let him go soon.  Finish Treasure Island.  Gobed 9.

1888

13.  Tuesday.  6 AM.  Ther.  23.  34.  25.

Cloudy.  Wind N.E. fresh.  Half inch snow on ground cleaned off and was pleasant day.  Mrs. Rogers did not come to wash.  Will come tomorrow went up town and  got 43/4 lb. lard sent 2 gal. jar up to fill P.M. at Masons.  Emma Knock and and Fatty's wife were over in afternoon.  Have not felt well to day.  Have not yet sent order for fruit trees.  Gobed 9.30

March 10-11, 1913 and 1888 in Charleston, Illinois

1913

10.  Monday,  6.15  Ther.  36.  50.  38.  = 41 1/3

Cloudy, foggy N.E.2.  Law is getting ready to quit.  He has  feared to get out  on a/c of Measles.  Lee has already left Tue says taking key ~~  The sun appears about noon.  It began light rain 2 oc. and showers till 8 P.M. from light to heavy.  I spend  much of P.M. reading over old letters mostly H.Gs. war letters.  Tue went up town P.M.  Cloudy day with moderate northerly winds.  Gobed 9.30.

11.  Tuesday.  6.15 AM.  Ther.  30.  50.  40.  = 40 2/3

Clear. N.1.  Ice  1/16 white frost.  Tue over at Grove's AM.  Helen Hildreth called.  Tue sends some papers, Couriers, to Muggs and Phebe.  Helen repoprts Charley sick at Decatur.  She visited him last week.  Hitch up 3 P.M. drive up and pay personal tax 3.55  R.E. Taxes are rather higher than usual our tax in Charleston besides Per. 110.06.  Harry Wright is collector at Co. Teas. Off.  Later drive S. on 4th St. to Lincoln return by Division and Jackson.  Lincoln although graveled is very bad.  I feared to venture on any dirt road.  Mr. Law was up town for first since the measles.  The  boys are preparing to leave us, Mostly clear day N. to Easterly light winds southerly at night with gas smell.  Tue got Treasure Island at library O. night.  Gobed 9 P

1888

10.  Saturday 6.45 A.M.  Ther.  45.  54.  28.

Cloudy with nearly S. wind, was some rain in the night.  Try again to make out list of trees to order but didn't do it.  Snider called about noon but did not stay to dinner. He has got a woman and her son to live with him.  R. Rutherford and friend called to see about ties.  H.G.  called for some stuff.  I went uptown about  3 P.M. saw Dock Dunbar & Co.  Light rain most of the day heavier toward night wind changed to  NW about 4 PM.  Gobed 9 PM

11.  Sunday.  6.45 AM.  Ther.  20.  34.  30.

Clear with NW wind which blew all night and all day.   Very muddy.  Frost is about out of the ground.  Clear day.  Tue went over to F. Knocks leaving baby with me and grandpa.  Girls took a walk toward night.  Kate Davis called while Tue as at Knocks.  I  went up to store before dinner.  Think there is about a cord of wood missing from the yard.  Gobed 9 PM.

 

May 23, 1912 and 1887 in Charleston, Illinois

100 Years Ago

Thursday, May 23, 1912  5.40 A.M.  Ther. 64. 88. 74. = 751/3

Clear. S.3.  Emmett came.  I get off for Loxa a 8.30.  Cliff down E. of B.C. (?) where boys plowing.  He has sit hitch post outside front gate.  Curtice has put up mail box there too.  Cliff on horseback let through yards.  We  drive over 12 a clover south of B. shed.  He will cut it sell it and give me half then break and plant B.C.  He was in hurry to go Mattoon 10 car and left me at S. end piece.  I drove over much  of west but didn't visit house.  Start home 11 AM via Loxa.  Jones pays me 5.00 rent for  (?) 25cts extra paper not bought.  Hugh not visible Cindy says cutting hedge.  Went home N. Loxa road arriving 1 P.M.   It proved pretty hot for (?) today, the hottest to date this season.  Emmett finishes cleaning up lot and puts wood in cellar.  Pay him 3.00 all to date.  Get shave Br.4, P.M, Pd.  He has new boy working .  Tue went up to hear band.  Phebe walks with Ora.  Mostly clear with high south wind.  Gobed 9.30

125 Years Ago

Monday, May 23, 1887  6.30 A.M. Ther. 68, 81, 66

Cloudy and muddy.  Pay taxes on Store and Timber.  A large block fell from the  cornice about noon having rotted off.  Went up on roof with D. Wesley P.M. and found the others solid.  Delia washed.  Tue has been dissatisfied with her for some time  and talks of letting her go.  Drove to Half Mile House for hedge after supper.  Tom  Stark with me.  Mostly cloudy day.  Some rain about 1 P.M. roads pretty muddy.  Gobed at 10 P.M.