July 21, 1892 and 1903 in Charleston, IL

July 1892

21.  Thursday, 5.30 AM.  Ther.  72.  90. 73.

Foggy early AM.  Leman Circus in town big crowd but said to be their show Maggie and Phebe with Rairden.  Hitch up horse and Tue drives P.M. after which she and Buddie [Marie] went up to Sniders.  He brought them back about dark and Phebe went home with him staying all night.  First lot (lot C) Cecropias began spinning today.  About 44 days old.  Partly cloudy day Gobed 1130 PM

July 1903

21.  Tuesday.  5.30 AM.  Ther 62.

Cloudy SW wind 3  Mrs. Cunningham washed.  I bought half a ham at Mitchells 1.20  It cleared off 9 AM.  I went out Gaines after dinner.  Went to Loxa before going house  Drove up on W. side  8V. as far as old orchard returning to Loxa where I saw young Gilbert  He decides not to take 5 a piece at my price but will look at N. piece tomorrow.  C.  Talbott cutting oats and thinks will finish before noon.  Mrs. Gaines gave me  1 1/2 gal blackberries.  Ruth Talbott there.  I did not see Joe.  He was working for Talbott.  I drove round oat field  they are not very heavy  Talbott thinks will make 40 bu per A   I got home 7 P.M.  Partly clear day with SW wind  Clouds up toward night  and short thunder shower after dark.  they are putting up big telegraph pole in front of house which we don't like  Gobed  8.30 P.M.

July 20, 1892 an d1903 in Charleston, IL

July 1892

20.  Wednesday, 530  AM ~ Ther.  76.  98,  69

Clear wind south.  Proves to be the warmest day in several years.  Uncle John was down to dinner.  Heavy wind storm came up 3.30 P.M. with a little rain.  1/4 in. in all wind was from N.W. and very strong but did no damage here  Freeberg drummer in town  Gobed  1130 PM

July 1903

20.  Monday.  5.30 AM.  Ther.  58.  82.  65.  =  68 1/3

Clear, Westerly wind 2.  Take pair of pants to Winter to have altered  Buy scythe and stove at Wilson & McC.  Get start for Loxa about 9 PM Jo trimming hedge.  He and self drove over E meadow before dinner   C.Talbott begins cutting oats in afternoon.  Jo Quit the  hedge and helps him.  Joe seems to be somewhat out of humor.  I drove down to Loxa P.M. getting getting pay of John Linder for two loads of corn hauled last week  C. Enloe went with me to examine Loxa  meadow, and rode up to oat field with me.  Mrs. G pulling up berries.  mostly clear day with N.W. wind I got home 6 30 P.M.  Gobed  9 P.M. --

July 19, 1892 and 1903 in Coles County, IL

July 1892

19.  Tuesday.  530 AM.  Ther  72,  94,  76,

Windy clear.  S.W. start for ranch with grub for Johnny [can't read last name] at 7.45  Very oppressive roads somewhat muddy three or four miles south  they had heavy rain at 2 this morning  I got back 1 P.M.  Took Tues mare, she got pretty tired, had to walk most of the way.  Return the Mrs. Maitice jar and pay her for butter 1.10  got week before last.  This about warmest day we have had.  Corn needs rain badly  Gobed 11 P.M.

July 1903

19.  Sunday.  6.30 AM.  ther  60  80  65  =  68 1/3

Clear NW wind 3.  I read till 10 AM.  Kate sent Stella up asking me to take  Grandpaw Catlin down there which I did  They are having a family reunion there today.  Emmett Bloch there.  I drove up to Dice woods looking for fungi.  Saw nothing but Laxtarius piperitus .  Nothing in the fair ground.  I intended to going to to ranch but got up too late.  I got plates of Autoin Beruner yesterday but they were no good tried to print and tone some from there today but couldn't.  Drove with Tue at night S and E, of town.  Mostly clear day with westerly wind 3.  Gobed  9.30 P.M.

July 18, 1892 and 1903 in Coles County, IL

July 1892

18.  Monday,  5.30  Ther 65.  84.  75.

Clear SE wind.  Mrs. Rogers washes and irons.  Clear AM but clouds up P.M. and  sprinkles about 4 P.M.  Light shower about 10 P.M.  Present bill for lumber  bought last fall Mrs. Furman.  Try  on coat  Winter is making for me.  Gobed  10.40

July 1903

18.  Saturday, 6 AM.  Ther 66.

Mostly clear wind N.W. 3.  I went up town before breakfast getting some cucumbers.  The wind last night broke limbs off trees including my pet peach near old house.  Ferd is still watch at Opera H and eats breakfast with us.  Neither Steve nor Riley Decker have deed I wanted  Will Decker in town and thinks he will get loan leaving out the 4 A. piece.  I put on new pants got recently of Winter.  They are too long.  Abbot called early A.M. and I pay him for yesterdays work.  Talk with young Gilbert P.M.  He wants to buy my timothy meadow.  Says the corn not down much out there.  Not so many as usual in town Sat.  I passed Kate's and saw her sister Minnie from  Mo.  Mostly clear day with N.W. wind  Gobed 10 P.M.

July 17, 1892 and 1903 in Coles county, IL

July 1892

17.  Sunday,  5.30 AM.  Ther  62  80?  65

Clear E wind.  Phebe and I start for ranch 8 M.  Nobody at home.  we stay round barn a while them went over on Long Point and ate our dinner looked for fungi finding very few.  At no time since early spring have they been so scarce.  It is very dry and corn is needing rain.  The boys have gone over all of it plowing and cutting out weeds and sprouts,  Think will thresh this week.  Folks were at home when we got back to barn.  Left for home about 530 went up Indian creek  Gobed  930.

July 1903

[Side of Page]  Ferd here to breakfast, says Labor union will not let him work unless he joins union.

17.  Friday,  5.30  AM.  Ther.  63.  84 [Loxa], 78.  =  75

Mostly clear hazy.  Phebe went with parties to "breakfast picnic" and was early.  Abbott came to work at 7.  He hitched up for me and I left at about 8 AM.  Met C. Talbott and D Auduson up town, and got out to Gaine's about 10 AM.   Jo trimming hedge  I drove down to to Loxa for  for barbed wire and employed Ed Wright to help Jo Hicaure at 1 PM. and they patch up fence around.  They had worst rain at Loxa ever known Branches higher.  It must have been much heavier than in town.  Jo avens that he measured it five inches in can in yard. Riley creek was over the road at near Township line.  Buy 100 b.wine  @ 3.50 and 10 cts staples at Chad H. Jones'.  Jo says he has had to sit up nights to watch water gap.  Mrs. G. and girls picking blackberries P.M.  I went over and thinned out E. half of seed plot  It is looking better.  I was also out where Jo and Ed were at work.  Corn looking well except down some  Oats all right but more of them down than other day.   I got home at say 6 P.M.  Jack dog came with me has been at Gaine's since Wednesday.  Muggles are the order with the the authorities now.  Much  cloudy today with sprinkles rain at times: distant  thunder AM SW and W. wind S.E. to S.W. 4  Heavy storm develops about 9.30 with much wind and thunder considerable rain.  It tore up Kitchen screen door  It continued lighter till perhaps midnight  gobed 10 P.M.

. 

July 16, 1892 - 1903 in Coles County, Illinois

July 1892

16.  Saturday,  6 AM.  Ther  57.  76.  68

Clear strong E. wind.  Coolest day we have had in some weeks.  Settle with  Steve Decker for day in harvest.   Pay him two dollars for Rile.  Uncle John  in town P.M.  Trade pretty fair.  Clear day E. wind learn that Warren Decker will thresh Monday.  Shall go down there tomorrow.  Gobed 11 PM

July 1903

Thursday 5.45 AM.  Ther.  55.  78.  66.
Cloudy and raining.  It began to thunder about 2 AM and to rain between three and four oclock  Very heavy rains till morning with much thunder.  It rained with much thunder.  It rained until 8 or 9 AM.  Met Bacon at P.O. and took him.  Engage Abbot to come and work P.M. but he failed to come.  Kate was up PM and settled with Tue.  Her sister from Missouri is here on a visit.  Rec phone from Loxa that flood gate washed out this morning and they want me to come out in morning.  Louise was here most of day.  Helen has gone to  Ora's to stay and Ferd is staying all night at the Opera House.  This will probably break up their housekeeping.  It cleared off before noon and clear day thereafter;  light S.E. wind.  I estimate rain at about 2 in.  I got shave at Brown all paid.  Saw Ed Wright who renews his 40.00 note at State. 90d.  Gobed  8.45 P.M

April 25, 1892 and 1903 in Coles County, IL

April   1892 

25.  Monday,  5.30 AM  ther  47.  67.  53.  =55 2/3
Mostly clear, wind, N. E.  Ride aroundtill 10 AM then start home.  Riley plowing  John and Oscar clearing north side.  Warren hauling out rails for John Simmon.  Got a lot  of large brown fungus and a few M. escuelauter also some old a. campestres on old stable site.  Mrs. Fleming rode to town with me from Husheron, get home 12.30.  Roads rough no mud much. Harrison worked AM for Mrs. Eastin.  Mrs. R washed AM ironed P.M.  Harrison and self set out grape vines &c P.M.  1 Niagra in 1st row next to path 3 N end and 3 same 2nd row 2 Dutchess N end third row! Brighten at south end of each second and third rows.  ?net up some old peach trees in hen yard.  Tear down division fence between hen and cow yard.  1 dwarf D de aug??lesen pear south of apple tree on hill.  Mostly clear E wind  gobed 10.30  

April 1903

25.  Saturday, 5.45 AM.,  Ther  41,  42.  37, = 40.

Cloudy,  Northerly wind.  Vandemeter worked  till 10 AM mostly rakes garden.  Pay up  Van 35c.    Look at harness at Frommels but didn't .  It began to mist about 4 AM. and thickened up to rain by 1 PM continuing until night slacking up at times  I went up about 4 to send T & M Draft, and again six for grub &c (get shovel).  There werre not many people in town today.    Have talk with Bill Decker.  Tell him don't want to sell trees at precount.  They work a while on Opera House AM.  Rain stops them  Gobed  9P.M.

February 1- March 13, 1903 in Coles County, IL Highlights

From earlier  February 1903 enteries:

1. Sunday 
 Ficklin visiting Marie P.M.

2.  Monday
John McGunty still figures on bottom lot for Opera House

4.  Wednesday
Did not learn where they decide to put opera house nor whether they decided they decided or not last night.  Ed Brown sick in bed since last Sunday.

6.  Thursday
Henry Hildreth [Tue's brother] called AM is here about to sell his place north of Loxa.  Has been offered 100.00 per acre and seems to have a notion of taking it.  He had been down to his 40 S of town  They City Council at meet last night raised the license to one thousand dollars in advance.

8.  Sunday
I took picture of house from over near Groves also one looking S.W. down South also one of Jack in yard south of house and one of Phebe and Marie from front porch east.  These plates have been on hand two or three years

10. Tuesday
Fill camera with Eastman plates which have been on hand for three years.

11.  Wednesday
Print and try to tone a few pictures P.M. but toning bath does not work.  Have forgotten must knew about this thing.

12.  Thursday
I keep on sorting over things in den  Mel Stark's boy died today.  He had been sick about two weeks with pneumonia.  Phebe to ball at night Dessa and Marie went to show, not together.  Louise here sewing.

13. Friday
There was no school today at Normal or High school.   Miss Ford went to Shelbyville to institute.  Gang of girls here all PM and at night.

15.Sunday
Marie went with Emilie to show at hall night.

16. Monday
 There is a function at JH Marshalls and Tue and Miss Ford and Pearl Davis will attend.

17.Tuesday [Marie's Birthday] 630 AM  Ther  -14, 5, 3, = -2
Light ice in NW kitchen sink,  House pretty cold  Ther in Kitchen 34.  Sitting 44.  Jo Gaines and C. Enloe call AM  Jo came ito have his frozen fingers operated on.   They left 11.10.  A week or two of this weather will exhaust coal.  I put in day ostly at keeping up fires.  Sit in furnance room mostly til bed time.  Tue very sore toe at night.

18. Wednesday  Ther    -8.  3.  -4  =  -3
Claud Fuller had his foot amputated today at Champaign.  This weather covers the  entire country and is the worst cold wave for years  The papers report nothing better for several days.  Stores have quit delivering with wagon except on paved streets.Gang here at night and I go to bed before 8 P.M.

19.  Thursday  Ther  -6.  22.  10.  =  8 2/3
Young Fuller died at Champaign last night.  They did not amputate.  His body arrived here P.M. Marie went coasting at night.  Louise over at night.

21.  Saturday,
Buy lease blanks and tolet paper at W.E. Hills  Paid for.  He tells me Opera House people have decided to build on Stoddert lot on seventh street. tue feeling badly all day and consulted  Dr. Starr getting medicine from him.

22.  Sunday,
Tue did not get up this morning to breakfast . . .  She felt so badly call Dr. Starr toward night.  He left medicine which helped her right away.  I have felt worse for several days than for a long time.  I attribute it to hauling coal and wood.  Made Tue some liminent.  Girls fussing in the kitchen at night.  Louise and Marie.

23. Monday,
 Tue in bed all day.

24.  Tuesday  
Tue got up to breakfast remaining up till bedtime.  I felt badly and went to Patton for medicine.  It is said now for sure they have decided to build the Opera House on lot  south of the jail on Seventh St.

25.  Wednesday, 
Tue up to breakfast but does not feel up to mark.  Talk to Geo. Gray about Rhodes, also with C. McCravy reguarding Opera House.  He says they have not yet decided where it will be.  I felt pretty bad all day, and Tue was up till after supper not so well as yesterday and she called in Dr. Starr toward night.

26.  Thursday, 
Tue did not feel like getting up this morning.  I went up to Pattons to ask about self.  He discourages me somewhat.  Tue did not come stairs today.  Marie plays BasketB game at sch house at night.

27.  Friday
Self very puny..  Have cold in head- must be grippe.  Feeling very bad all over and worse at night.  I think have fever all the time.  Marie attends party at night  Phebe went to show

28.  Saturday
Miss Ford went to Mattoon last night to meet Miss Wheeler.  They got here on 6.20 train this morning.  I took two or three doses of qunine today and think it helped me.  Louise Snider was helping iron AM.  Tue is feeling some better and sat up at night.  Recieve notice from Weaver that Encyclopedia was  shipped Thursday.


March 1903

3.  Tuesday

Dessa "made" fires.  Write to  Prof. Peck first time for two or three years.  Chas Ricketts thinks there is still a chance to sell our bottom lot for Opera House.  Gang here at night and I sit in basement till bed time.

4.  Wednesday
See Al Parker for first time in three or four weeks and inquire about Opera House.  He does not think it too late to change if they can buy my lot.  Charles McCravy called P.M.   called P.M. to talk it over.  I went up to abstract office.  We find Briggs deed for bottom lot (?) me out.  I have missed it at home for several years but supposed it to be recorded.   Decide to make a thorough overhauling of old papers ad find it if in the house.  It was made Jan 27 1891 according to my journal work till 9.30 P.M.. hunting for it. My cold in head much worse than it has been.  Damp Day with easterly wind.  Light rain much of afternoon.  I give price of 2500.00 to Parker on bottom lot and he says they will decide in a few days.  ? ? for O.H,  gobed10 PM

[side of entry] Rec,  Prof. Peck's reports for 1900

January , 1891

• 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.~~

5.  Thursday

My cold as bad or worse than yesterday but keeps in my head.  I put in good deal of time sorting papers.  No trace of fast deed.  Tue busy helping Snider children [Tue's dead sister, Fanny's children] select furniture &c.  they are thinking of going to keeping house soon.  Snider girls here at night.  My old trouble seems a little better.

6.  Friday
I went up to C.L. Ricketts office.  He could not learn from records any about [word off page] supposed to be lost ,  John McGurty has returned from Arkansas (Hot Springs).  Ricketts advises me to persever in looking  for missing deed which I do out in old House P.M.  Find nothing, little encouragement to hunt any where.  Marie went to Masque Party Dennus Laughlns at night.  Tu was up town most of P.M. helping select stuff, furniture  &c. for the Snider girls.

[Side of Page]-  Rec.  Prof. Peck's  reports for 1900 and 1901  also letter from hive in reply to mine 3d inst.  He says my Mushroom is Agaracess abrceptus

7.  Saturday
I put in most of forenoon searching among papers in garnet.  Search P.M. among old checks in den.  Did not find last deed but little traces of the transaction.  Stub to check Oct. 23 1891 for 529.56 was settlement of note of note given for land & int. there on.    Ricketts thinks better make move on Briggs  think have exhausted every chance to find the deed.  Snider girls moved today to Ficklin's.

8.  Sunday,
Phebe stayed last night with Hannah.  Still hunting for evidence of title  to bottom lot.  Put in several hours PM in old house among old Gramesly Bros and other papers.  Found check which paid the note.  It was payable to bearer $529.56  This covers the note which must have beeen 50.00 with int.  I paid the extra 10.00 the day he gave deed.  

9.  Monday  
J E McGurty  Chas McCravy and Ch ricketts call AM. and persuade me to take seat in Opera House as an inducement to get it on Sixth and I accordingly do it.  Briggs says will make me new deed (? claim) for lot in place of one lost.

10.  Tuesday  Tue went up town to help Sniders in morning staying till nearly noon.  I fill out QC Deed which Briggs takes to sign.  Parker hints they have decided to buy to buy my lot for O.H.  Henry Hidreth called AM. says he is talking of buying a place in town.  Learn later thathe has bought the J. White place near Half mile corner 6 acres.  The Ency. came today and I am pleased with it it.

[Side of page]-Recieve Ferndale Cal paper with -- Pay Lafayette Taxes in full $88.30

[Side of Next Page] - Recieve Ferndale Cal paper with noticed of death of Coozine Kingsly at Ferndale on Feby 28.

11.  Wednesday
I put up Ency"Bookcase" AM.  Tue gets letter that Maggie still sick and  thinks she go to Champaign right away.  Chas Ricketts calls AM reporting more trouble in abstract .  Briggs deed from Shaw is "off" this time.  The Opera Co begin hauling old lumber on to lot today and we have to shut our cow up.    Tue had club meet here P.M.  Tue thinks she will go to Champaign Friday.

12.  Thursday
. . . think will get most of bottom lot business finished tomorrow.  Have to get T.C. Deed from  Chas E Shaw and wife of Paris for deed Briggs lost.  She [Tue] went Gertrude Brazelton P.M  Phebe bowling at night and wake toward morning.

13.  Friday,  6.15 AM.  Ther  28.  62.  43.  =  44 1/3
Cloudy Very Heavy Fog.  Could not see house more than 4 rods  Tue gets off on 11.16 train late Intends to stay over Sunday  She lets Dessa go, but could not get home so came back and spent the night.  The Opera House people continue to haul stuff down to the bottom lot.  They have bought the old Park house and will utilie the material in building the O.H.  I fill T.C. deed and mail it to Chas E. Shaw to have signed.  Enclosed One Dollar  Ricketts  has finished abstract of  bottom lot and given to Parker.  The Republicans had primary yesterday.  C.C.  Digby was nominated for Mayor.  It is thought the Dems will put up Geo Muchmore.  Bill Scott carried line and I measured from Mrs. Shaws to Eastin lot AM., with tape line making total distance 470 1/2 feet.  Mostly clear day after fog cleared away SE wind  Roads reported about impassible for single horse vehicle.  Gobed 9 PM.

February 16-19, 1892

February 1892

16.  Tuesday 5.45 AM.  Ther  16.  36.  33.  =  28 1/3

Clear   Harrison came at 7:30 AM.  Maggie takes music lesson.  Harrison trims trees in garden AM.  Make fence  between barn and hen house P.M.  Seph took Tom horse up to buyer but he didn't want him,  Good many horses in town to sell to buyer (Bacon)  Mostly  clear day, with S.E. wind.  Trade a little better than yesterday    Gobed.  11.45, P.M.

[Top of Page]  Marie height 2/21  39 5/8 in.  Weight  2/24 33 1/2 lb.Thursday,

17.  Wednesday.  5.30 AM Ther  28.  51.  42.   =  40 1/3

Mostly clear,  S. wind Harrison comes at 7 AM.  Yesterday we found most of large peach trees in garden is dead or dying.  Think it caused by dry weather and overbearing last season.  Harrison splits some posts, sorts over and piles some lumber, trim some trees on hillside, piles boards &c.  marie's birthday, she spent PM at Daviss [sic.].  Tue not very well  Trade dull.  Partly clear day, S.E. wind ground about thawed out, except north sides,  Gobed 10 30 P.M.

18. Thursday, 6 AM.  Ther  43, 47,44  =44 2/3
Cloudy and raining slowly since after midnight wind a little E of South.  Harrison didn't come today  Tue about sick.  Cadle and Mitchell solicit subcriptions to canning factory stock  H.G. takes 4 John McCurtyfor himself.  Light Rain occasionally all day set in after dark and rained all night.  Trade light.  Roads must be very bad.  Sold light brahma cock to John McGurty for 75  Cloudy all day  gobed  1130 PM

19. Friday 5.40 AM.  Ther  45.  50.  39.  =  44 2/3
Cloudy.  Wind S.  Rain slowly all night.  Creek rising.  Didn't get up very high.  Charly McCravey home from Dwight reports himself cured.  [Keeley Cure of alcholism]   H.G.got his incubator yesterday.  Set Brown hen in 13 eggs at head if stairs  in stable.  Andrew Moones sale today brought good many to town and trade better.  Cloudy all, a little rains about 9 P.M.  damp musty day foggy at night papers predict cold wave  Tue's feeling some better  Gobed  11 PM

January 9-12, 1892 and 1903 in Coles County, IL

January 1892

9.  Saturday.  7.30 AM  Ther  -2.  22.  8.  =  9 1/3
Clear NW wind.  Emma failed to rise early and we didn't get breakfast till nearly 9 AM.  Warren Decker brought up 1000 boards  Settle with him for boards 100 ad 7 days work 5.25  Reports Riley sick.  Ferd Strauss drummer here in AM.  Uncle John was down to dinner.  Trade only moderate too cold for people to come out.  Hat was here to supper.  Tues cold about the same probably no worse many people sick with so called grip and there have been many deaths in town this winter.  The roads are in fine condition in town but are rougher out in the country.  A good deal of c??? came in today.  Gobed midnight - -Mostly clear day   Ther at midnight 4 deg.  Get pair of shoes for Maggie.

January 7-8, 1892 and 1903 in Coles County, IL

January 1892

7.  Thursday 7 AM.  Ther.  -5, 18. 20 =11

Clear with S.W. wind.  Get ready and go to work at cutting and put up ice.  Crass and Rice cutting and Kizer and Rhodes haul.  The Brownfields helped a little.  Harrison Mullens packed the ice  we finished filling ice about dark.  Got about six loads inside and piled one outside  The whole cost us about 8.00  The ice is average 4 1/2 inches and very good.  Several parties are talking about putting an ice plant here and have been soliciting subscriptions for two different companies.  Al Latta and wife left last evening for the south to be gone several weeks.  Recd.3.70 from WH White for ten ties rec??ed last week.  Pleasant day mostly light cloudy spit snow about 11 PM S to SW wind, W at night.  tue has caught very bad cold supposed from changing to thinner under clothing  Gobed after midnight.

8.   Friday 7 AM.  Ther 15.  24.  9. = 16

Mostly clear west wind.  Tue's cold about the same as last night.  H.G. [Henry Gramesly]  went hunting with Den  Dowling  [Henry's brother-in-law] and R.S. Curd getting  back about 4 P.M.  Variety Show in town at night.  Mostly cloudy day snow flakes bout 4 P.M. wind  W and NW.  Trade somewhat better than last week.  Docifer and Brady pulling up 6 inch ice.  Clear night and change for colder go bed midnight

Henry Gramesly 

Henry Gramesly

 January 1903

7.  Wednesday.  6:15 AM.  ther.  28.  29.  18.  =  25

Cloudy.  Very high S. to West wind all night with snow flurries.  Didn't sleep well for wind and snow sliding off roof.  Mrs. Cunningham washing.  High west to N.W. wind all day and mostly cloudy with light snow flurries.  Sidenstricker wants to  rent part of old shop for team.  Let him have it for 50 c per mo.  just for stable and feed.  Done through phone for Loxa.  Tue got letter from Maggie who arrived in Champaign.  Gobed 9 PM

8.  Thursday  6.30 AM.  Ther.  8.  17.  10.  = 11 2/3

Clear, high NW wind  Snowflurries night  and early  morn.  Dessa and Tue iron.  Dick and Bert Wright finish 2 cords of wood piling it west of back door.  Pay Dick in full for 2 cd  saw and split 3.00 and 65 for labor to date.  Tue check 3.65  I have not investigated conditions at store yet.  Tue up town town P.M. and was sick all night with sore throat &c.  A cold clear day with with NW wind not so strong as yesterday.  Go bed 9. P.M.

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.

January 5, 1892 and 1903 in Coles County, IL

January 1892 

Charles 50, Tue 36, Margaret 14, Phebe 12, Marie 5.

5.  Tuesday.  7AM.  Ther  18.  27.  23.  =  22 2/3

Cloudy E. wind.  Enloe took another small load of lumber and paid me for all.  Maurice Burgner has got his 500 posts and will pay me soon.  Tue went to Dick Norfolks funeral P.M. He died yesterday at house here.  Brownfield straightened up posts after dinner.  have on hand 165  Many of them culls.  I put up roosts for hens in the hog pen and Tue and self caught them and put them in there after supper. I fell and hurt my foot so could hardly get around.  We have 37 hens and roosters and 4 ducks.  Cloudy day E wind AM moving gradually around toward N. a little NNE at night and very light fine snow after 9 P.M barely covering the ground.  My foot hurt so I had chill about 10PM.  Gobed midnight.

January 1903

Charles 61, Tue 47, Margaret 25, Phebe 23, Marie 16

5. Monday.  6 AM  Ther.  25. 28.  25  =  26

Cloudy, N wind.  Maggie gets ready and starts for Champaign on 11.15 train.  About 3 in. heavy snow on ground.  It fell in night probably after midnight.   Nick Smith says Garrison sold out and purchaser again sold but I have not verified report.  Mostly cloudy day with NW wind.  Phebe sick at night self about sick.  Quitting use of tobacco feels worse than usual.  Snow remains on ground.  This snow was exactly like one a week ago.  Gobed 9 PM

January4, 1892 and 1903 in Coles County, IL

January 1892

4. Monday.   7.  AM.  Ther  26.  30.  24.  =  26 2/3

Mostly cloudy, wind SW.  The girls start to school this morning to public schools.  They had been going to Miss Whitlemore since October.  Tom Rice brought big piece of ice form Bishops pond about 3 inches thick.  Mrs. Rogers washed AM.  Maunie Lang went back to school.  Learn that Latta has bought the Wait place SE of town.  Buy load of coal of Reicters.  Wind got round to NW before noon.  Mostly.  Mostly cloudy chilly day  Gobed midnight ~

Charles Gramesly

January 1903

4.  Sunday,  7 AM.  Ther.  25  35  30  =  30

Cloudy, NW wind.  I (?) round house all day.   Sort over in den awhile P.M.  Maggie is getting ready to return to school tomorrow AM.  Miss Ford arrives from NY PM, were expecting her.  Moderate day.  Sun shone out about noon.  Gobed 9 P.M.  Snow at night.  Took a wire in my right tumb P.M.

William Sayre Gramesly, Phebe Gramesly , Marie Gramesly, Margaret Gramesly

The vine on the house is a beautiful trumpeter vine.

January 3, 1892 and 1903 in Coles County Illinois

January 1892

3.  Sunday.  7 30 AM. Ther 1.  18.  21. = 13 1/3  

Clear NW wind coldest morning since Feb 23 89.  Girls went to SS.  Marnie here all P.M. is going back to St. Mary's tomorrow.  Phebe stayed all night with her.  Mostly clear day  Cloudy toward night wind W.  Sat night Tinker at Marie's chair  Gobed 10.30

Alarm of fire 9 AM was Skidmore house.

January 1903

3.  Saturday, 6.30 AM. Ther 31.  34.  27.  =  30 2/3

Cloudy  northerly wind. (NW) Dessa coughing all night.  I made fires.  Howard Mitchell calling on Phebe A.M.  Jo Gaines came about 10 AM.  reports about 3 or 4 acres corn in field.  Bring in tickets for last lots by him self.  Pay Ed Lumbhart for shuck 124 40/70 bu,@3 check 3.75   WW froze and burst at store.  Reasor will fix PM  Met C Talbott who seeks Jo at G.W. Grays.  Talk with Ed Decker Jim in town but did not talk with him,  The Roads reported passible.   Jo brought 6 tickets amounted to 224 = 48 bu corn.  Miss Ford expected back tomorrow. Self &c.  Henry calls and leaves 3 doz eggs for which I owe him 75c  Light sn. ocasional .  Cloudy day  gobed  9 PM.

January 2, 1892 and 1903 in Charleston, Illinois

January 1892

2.  Saturday 7 AM.  Ther 15.  18.  8.  = 13 2/3

Part cloudy, strong w wind which blew all night.  Uncle John down to dinner  He went off again without basket of  "grub" which I had to bring him at night.  Vandermeter worked a while P.M.  Took onions up town.  cleaned out stable I built fire under meat first time.  Very dull day  The dullest of  a dull week  Emma went to her sisters to stay all night.  Clear day with brisk NW wind   gobed midnight

January 1903

2. Friday.  6.30 AM.  Ther.  31.  35.  32.  =  32 2/3

Cloudy and light rain, east wind.  Dessa makes fires.  Desa irons.  Rained ceased AM. and began again about dark.  Dark cloudy day, with easterly wind  We get yesterdays Daily paper AM and todays PM  Dick did not come today.  I did not go up town .  Think the tobacco Habit dating this time from  Apl 1, 1902 has hold of me pretty bad.  Hartly friend of Phebe came P.M. remaining till nea

rly midnight - supper &c.  It rained and sleeted after dark.  Light, however.  Dark, damp day.  I did not hitch up  and did not ever go to town.  Dessa very bad cold but went to Salvation meeting at night  Turee was up till 11 P.M.  Very heavy fog P.M. getting heavier followed by rain and sleet in night easterly wind.  Self go to bed 9 P.M.

A New Year Begins - January 1, 1892 and 1903

A Note to my followers:  I am still recovering from surgery, which explains the Gramesly Journal not being posted.  I hope to Start this new year with several posts every week.  The postings began with a post on my Grandmother Marie's 125 Birthday and a post 100 years ago as well.  As there was a huge gap in 1915, I picked up and started from 1900.  The two entries are now 11 years apart.

January 1892

1. Friday.  7 AM.   Ther 50.  54.  20 = 41 1/2

Mostly cloudy.  Very red before sunrise.  Furious S. wind all night.  Dashes of light rain about 8 A.M.  Plastering in E room room up stairs fell after breakfast nearly catching the children who were all three playing up there. Maurice Burgner got his last posts.  I did not count them.  Bought oysters and a rabbit.  Sprinkle rain occasionally.  High south wind all day changing to west before dark about two inches  snow before 9 P.M.  Trade light  H.G. made eggnogg [sic] Go bed Midnight 

Note:  Charles is 50; Tue is 36; Margaret is 14; Phebe is 12 and Marie is 5

January 1903

1.  Thursday.  7 AM.  Ther  15  38.  32  =  28 1/3

Clear S.E. wind.  Dick returns my shotgun A.M and works two hours at cleaning out furnace room &c.  Pay W.E. Hill a/c AM.  9.23 K. ch.  Think there is mistake.  Dick has taken 2 cd. wood to saw and split for me and began on it before noon.  Self quit tobacco for sure last night and feel quite drowsy this morning.  Dick cleans out stable P.M. but didn't cut any more wood.  He worked 3 1/2 hours today besides sawing some wood which is by the job.  Mostly clear day, SE wind:  more cloudy toward, and light rain after dark.  Marie spends the night at the Stones.  Phebe at ball.  Tue over at Groves till 11.  Self gobed 830 P.M.

 Charles  is 61; Tue is 47; Margaret is 25; Phebe is 23 and Marie is 16.

Catching up November 29, 1891 and some highlights

I am so sorry it has been so long since I have posted.  I had surgery and I am recovering.  I hope this will bring all of us up to date.

Catherine 

Highlights Since last post

10/20/1891 - Tuesday -

I ordered 48 ft wood gutter for south side of house.

10/30/1891 -  Friday - 

All electric lights went out about dark and did not light up again  caused by a break in their engine.  They are a building brick sidewalk on west Lafayette St from Wrights corner west.

11/3/1891 - Tuesday

Good deal of excitement about election in N.Y.  O.  & Iowa today.  No election here.

11/4/1891 - Wednesday

H.G. [Henry Gramesly] not at store P.M. is making improvements at his place AM.  Mrs. Dowling is very sick and not expected to recover

11/7/1891 - Saturday
The electric plant not in full running order yet.  Street lights don't burn until stores shut up.

11/9/1891 - Hat sick Mrs. D tells.  Old misses Dowling fell and bust herself of saturday eve. [hard to read]

11/10/1891 - Electric plant not running yet all round

11/12/1891 - Thursday
Grace Hill died yesterday and is to be buried today.  Old Mrses Dowling is worse.  Emma and girls making candy at night.

11/13/1891 - Friday
Tue bought an alarm clock.

11/14/1891- Saturday
Uncle John [John Hildreth, Tue's father] had accident with horse on way home came back and borrowed my harness.

11/15/1891 - Sunday
Jim Decker says Johnny D was married today to Emma Neese.  Phebe and self sort over cecroiapia cocoons.  Total eclipse of moon just after dark.

11/16/1891 - Monday
Sam Johnson died today at insane asylum, Kankakee. [sent there 11/1891]

11/18/1891 - Tuesday
Good many Mattoon men over RR suit which didn't come off.  The Grand Jury still in session.

11/23/1891 - Monday
Court convenes P.M.  Judge Wright sentenced A Ramsey to 2 years for perjury.  Al Latta moved today to Wisely house opposite our house.

11/24/1891 - Tuesday
Court getting jury for Winkleblack trial.  Tue went to aid society P.M.

11/25/1891 - Wednesday
Cadle Salon opened today.  The Winkleblack trial going.  The jury took the case about 9 P.M.

11/26/1891- Thursday
Jury brought in verdict of guilty in Winkleblack case and twenty years in pen.  Trade light supposed to be on account of Cadles Saloon.    Tue went to concert tonight  Mary Davis over here with the girls.

11/28/1891 - Friday
Write letter to Prof Peck.  Uncle John in to bid on Bob Reat place Didn't buy it. Learn that Annie Glassco  had stroke of paralysis this morning.

11/29/1891 - Sunday, 730 AM.  Ther  3.  20.  13
Clear.  Maggie & Phebe went to S.S. after which Phebe went over to Jo Listons to spend the day.  Stay in house all day keeping fires.  Coldest day so far this season, clear with N or NW wind.  Gobed 10 P.M.

October 8-12, 1891 in Coles county, Illinois

October 1891

8.  Thursday, 6,30, AM.  Ther, 41,65,45 

Partly clear NE wind Brownfield works most of day - say 8 hours and gets barn yard pretty well cleaned up. Simons brings up  a small load of rye bush which sell to Griffin.  I bought a load of corn 25 bush of O= Haddin. at 46 cts.  Simons seems determined to leave soon, he did not say when.  He told Nick, however he intended to leave Monday.  I made up what cabbage we had into kraut.  Brownfield and self caught a lot of ov* chickens at night and put them in new roost.  Mostly cloudy day with light rain after 4 PM gobed 1045

9.  Friday  630 AM  Ther
Mostly clear N wind.  Simons bought remainder of rye and onions.  Nothing said about leaving today but satisfied he will.  I look at stoves at March and Bradleys but don't buy one.  Learn that Alex Gordon had his leg broken at Greenup yesterday falling from a baloon [sic].  The baloonist [sic] was killed.  Gobed 11 P.M.  Sell 10.5/0  87  at huton  to the ? M  A Co

10. Saturday, 6 AM  Ther                       .42
Clear , light white frost.  N. Wind.  I started at 8:15 out to Uncle Johns to see if he didn't want my hogs - took Phebe with me.  We had narrow escape from getting caught by an engine on I 7 St.L R.R. at fair ground crossing.  Got back home 10 AM.  Hogs arrived tells me he will leave Monday Uncle John didn't want them.  Simons finally tells me he will leave Monday.  Uncle John down to dinner also H & H [Hat and Henry Gramesly].    Mrs. John Reat was buried today.  I bought 8 bushl Ben Davis Apples from J  of Westfield.  Pleasant day with northerly wind  Trade good.  gobed 11 P.M 

11.  Sunday  Sunday,  7 AM.  Ther. 40.
Clear  NE wind.  After Sunday school Phebe went to dinner with Clara Liston and a drive up to the Hickories,.  I start for Ranch 230 PM  getting there before night.  Ben Lawson came with two of Bain's teams to move John tomorrow  I rode over to the pasture to look at stove wood boys had cut.  Clear day N.E. wind.  Ate supper John had all  tools &c picked up and in barn  Gobed 9,30.

12.  Monday 5 AM  Ther  .  .  .45
Clear easterly wind.  Riley Decker came in morning and dug out water holes for sheep and helped change them into west pasture.  He and I went down to slab pile and I give him several loads.  He then ceruits up, and made ties in the woods making 70 still there.  Somebody has cut large black foot last near road recently, probably last night.  Brownfield and boy arrive about 9 AM.  Johnny Decker came over before noon.  He cut his last Thursday.  It is getting well fast.  Brownfield & self went down to truck patch and load up pumpkins  He picks up some scraps of wood and we all leave about 2 P.M.  John and family left place about 830 AM.  I got home about 5.30 so tired I did not up to store.  Go bed 9.30C

September 12- October 7, 1891 and 1902 in Coles County, IL HIGHLIGHTS

My husband and I will be at Bob's Book Store on the square in Charleston, IL (October 7, 2016 at 7 P.M.) reading and signing our book which tells the story of Charles, Henry and William Sayre Gramesly.  If you enjoy the Gramesly Journal, you might enjoy more of their story.

September 1891

12. Saturday  Ther  59.  82.   70.
Clear easterly wind.  Trade some better than Thursday.  I did not attend the fair, neither did Henry or Nick

13.  Sunday.  
the Cecropia worms have all began spinning excepting two.  

14.  Monday
Barnimus show in Mattoon tomorrow.   Girls start to school Phebe to Mrs. Whitt****s  Maggie in big hall over central building.

15.  Tuesday
Barnimus show took large crowd to Mattoon today.

16.  Wednesday
Tue sick with cold and cough.

17.  Thursday

18.  Friday
Sold Calf to Dreifus for 7.00  Straighten up numbers on cocoons.   Find I have 106.  Reunion over at Kansas today drew large crowd, many going from here.  Phebe stays all night with Maunie Lang.

19.  Saturday
Timber gang up except Simons and paid off.

20.  Sunday

21.  Monday

22.   Tuesday
Uncle John and Hen down to dinner.  50 kegs, beer ordered Saturday came today.  Have been out of beer and ice too for a day or two.

23.  Wednesday 
A ten cent circus in town today.  Tue pickling peaches.

24. Thursday
CG Sick

25.  Friday

26.  Saturday
Uncle John  was down to dinner.  Snider has invited Tue and Hat to go down to his place tomorrow to basket meeting.   As I write this at 10.55 P.M. earthquake shook the house  I thought it was it was Tue moving round the up stairs.  [I then went upstairs] finding Tue quiet.  I then went up town where there seemed to be good deal of excitement about it.

27.  Sunday
Tue and Hat went down with Snider to basket meeting at Blakeman place getting home before dark.

28.  Monday
Masquietos [sic.] have been very bad in the house for severl nights keeping us awake.  . . .He  reports the gas well strike at Phillips farm last week strong as ever.  

29.  Tuesday

30.  Wednesday
John Simons tells me today that he will have to leave me owing to his wifes dissatisfaction.  

October 1891

1.  Thursday Am worried a good deal about John Simions threatened leaving me.  Weigh the remainder of cocoons.  Have 110.  The heaviest weighs 132 gr and is grown in open air with out any covering.

2.  Friday

Tue and girls  Left the baby with me went to entertainment at hall at night in which Maggie and Phebe took part.  Left the baby with me she had an awful tantrum.

3.  Saturday

4.  Sunday

5.  Monday

Fungus   Green surveyor is down and I agree to take him out to Uncle Johns in the morning.  Brownfield moved to Quincy house back of us today.

6.  Tuesday 

Started with Green at about 7 AM.  I took him on to Loxa and get home by 10 AM.  Tue finds that childrens heads are infested with vermin.  Mrs. Rogers, washing gets sick and has to quit.  Nothing has been said by John or Lucy about quitting since spoke to me last week  they have something on their mind.  I heard today from two sources that he was going to leave Monday.

7.  Wednesday, 6 AM  Ther  41  58.  40.

Cloudy and light rain from early AM. quit about 7 AM.  Simon didn't come up with rye, probably the roads are too muddy.  Look again at stoves at VanMeters but can't decide which to buy.  Uncle John was down to dinner  Came in to make deeds for lots he has sold out at Loxa.  Mrs. Rogers irons P.M.  Brownfield helps set up stove in front room and we fix a place for the chickens to roost. He helped about 3 1/2 hours  Cloudy morning cleared off before noon but looked like rain P.M. wind northerly

go bed 1030~~ 

September 1902

12.  Friday

Phebe is working at Jenkins millinery.  Marie stayed all night with Laura Clark.  I built first fire in furnace.  Saw Reasor AM and he promised to fix pump in cellar this P.M.  He didn't come.  Howard Mitchell here at night girls popping corn.  Tue over at Groves.

13.  Saturday

Old Queen not feeling good today.  Think have been feeding her too much.  Miss Ford was expected today but hear nothing from her.  Maggie will start for Champaign Monday.  Old mare ate too much new corn last night.

14.  Sunday

Miss Ellen Ford came today has been gone since June 29.  Maggie going away.  Gang here all day and at night.

15.  Monday

I took Maggie down to 244 PM train.  Jack and I drove out east of town. Several fields of B.C. being cut along the road.  Went up after some bologna after supper.  Tue went over to see Mrs. Cottons baby which is very sick.

16.  Tuesday

I went down main hollow and visited pawpaw patch near river find Val has the bottom in corn.  I return to buggy over hill having a hard trip of it.  Didn't get any pawpaws, ate dinner and fed near old mill site at forks of creek and leave at 3P.M.  Drove nearly to E line in Bennett hollow.  Find lot of unknown white fungus on hillside near camp.  [more fungi]

17.Wednesday

They are repairing bridge on Jackson Street near Division.

18.  Thursday

19. Friday

Ora gave Tue a stool which we brought home.  

20.  Saturday

Marie and Helen went to picnic at Endsleys woods P.M.  Charley Talbot got home from his western trip today.  Nearly got to speak to him.  I went up town after tobacco.  Salvation Army still working.  Was at their meeting cor Jax & 6th tonight.  [fungi]

21.  Sunday

22.  Monday  

23.  Tuesday

Tue and Mrs. Grove over at Mrs. Knocks at night.  Geo Bunket asks me about selling my store.  Phoned me.

24.  Wednesday

 Tue over at Bairds at night.  Their baby sick.  Cow is in heat and shut her in yard.

25. Thursday

26.  Friday

Reasor came about 7 AM to repair  water lift & c.  gets pump to working pretty well also repairs valve in W.C. and  packs some bibbs worked most of the forenoon and had to work on W.C. P.M.  Marie had several friends here at night.

27.  Saturday

Old Mrs. Compton died a day or two ago and will be buried tomorrow.  Cow has been shut up since Thursday, I let her out tonight.

28. Sunday

Marie and Helen went out to Endsley's woods for specimens P.M.

29.  Monday

30.  Tuesday

Mrs. Cottons baby died about 8 AM.

October 1902

1.  Wednesday  Turie got  letter from Uncle Perrin saying Aunt Fan died last Sunday AM. and was to buried yesterday.  Mrs. Cotton's baby funeral at 2  this P.M.  

2.  Thursday, 

3.  Friday

4.  Saturday, 

Miss Ford had a fire which damaged her desk and books to some extent also a breath of carpet.  I drove to tell Fred Charlesworth about it after supper.

5. Sunday, 

6.  Monday,

Saw Bill Scott about fine Sat. night.  told him 5.00 would pay bill.  

7.  Tuesday, 5.30 AM.  Ther  42.  68.  44.  =  48 2/3

Clear, wind NW.  Drove over to tell Miss Rice not to come to iron today, she had already gone.  Start to Gaines 9 AM  Helen bought skirt for Mrs. Gaines at Jenkins.  She was well pleased with it.   Charley Talbott cutting wood. at Morris Burgnes.  Jo was home to diner, ate dinner very little.   My fill of last made me feel very badly all day.  I started home after 2 oclock.  Drove to NW cor of place  The corn  even  ? looking well.  Tue cleaning house or something like it.  Clear day with NW wind.  Met C. Talbott coming home, tell him to save me at least 5 bushels of potatoes.  Didn't feel able to go to Loxa  Mrs. G has reports about Shirley  I took home sack of corn will get a load in a few days.   Gobed 9 PM