Torrance Diary - 1877

Jan. 17 - We remained home for the first day for over a week.

Jan. 18 - Papa conducted a funeral for a child. I went with him. We called to see Mrs. Bricker’s corpse and the little babe.

Jan. 20 - Papa and I went to East Linn for the first time to visit Mr. Brown. I had hard work to reach the train in time.

Jan. 21 - Sabbath. No one went to church with Papa. Cold at school house.

Jan. 26 - Papa, W., Grandma and I dined with Miss Hemphill. She gave me 60 cents.

Jan. 27 - We are very tired. Mr. Ashby over here to see about wood hauling. Mr. Marshal brought hay. Jimmie told a yarn to Mr. Marshal about a colt; Papa whipped him. We are troubled.

Jan. 28 - Washed, ironed, baked and cooked for wood haulers but they did not come.

Jan. 29 - Mr. T., Mary and Ella went to Methodist revival tonight. The frost has been going out since Friday. No rain, roads not very deep; does not freeze at night. Weather was very cold through the winter but not so severe as it used to be in Iowa.

Jan. 30 - W. and N. walked out on the new boardwalk. Papa preaching at the Methodist revival tonight.

Jan. 31 - Our family, except W. and G., visited Mr. Marshal. I hope we did some good. In the evening I went with Papa for the first time to the revival meeting at the Methodist Church. The minister required all in the church to rise and sing a hymn or sit among those who had no interest in Christ. There were many of our own people there, some rose and sang but most of us sat and kept silence. We could not violate our convenant engagements with our own church.

Feb. 5 - Papa has gone to Mr. Sloan’s to instruct new applicants to church membership. The two little ones and I are alone. It has been a long time since we have been at home together. I sent Gracie to get the dust pan. She went for it but heard the cars and ran to me, saying, “Cars get baby.” When the house is quiet she frightens at the whistle.

Feb. 10 - Children writing letters and getting ready to send off valentines.

Feb. 16 - Our festival for the benefit of the church came off last evening. We were so tired we did not sleep good when we did go to bed. We went back today and cleaned the church. We had a good merry time, cleaned all the dishes too. Raised $55 or so. We are going to bed now. Good night.

Cholera is an infectious disease characterized by severe cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. It is caught by eating or drinking water, milk or food contaminated by others with the disease, usually the result of poor sanitation. It can often be fatal.

A paroxysm is a violent outburst.

A cistern is an underground tank to hold a supply of fresh water.

Fodder is dried food, such as hay, for livestock.

I think Sarah used S.S. to abbreviate Sunday School.

A chemise is a loose-fitting undergarment.

Calico is printed cotton cloth.

Pinworms were a fairly common ailment a century ago. Although it is still possible to get them from eating homegrown pork that is not fully cooked, few people become infected with worms anymore. A worm infestation results in intense itching around the anal region.