Bailey and Mary Street Diary

1890-1892

Bailey and Mary Jane Purcell

INITIAL EXPLANATORY REMARKS

This is a transcription of a diary started on January 1, 1890 by Bailey and Mary Jane Purcell Street and ending on December 31, 1892. Bailey and Mary are farming and living in Winneshiek County, Iowa. They live about a mile from Newburg Township, Fillmore County, Minnesota, and trade in the village of Mabel, which is located in that township. They live about a mile from Spring Grove Township, Houston County, Minnesota, and trade in the crossroads of Newhouse, a railroad depot in that township. They live in Iowa, a mile from the Iowa-Minnesota state boundary line. Much of this diary concerns interactions with Winneshiek County residents, many related to them. They live about 16 miles north of Decorah, the Winneshiek County seat. The small village of Hesper is less than two miles away, in Hesper Township, and is the center of their business and church activity. They are members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) Meeting there.

The diary itself is in relatively good condition, with both covers intact, but some pages loose. The pages are yellowed and the ink is faded in some places. The diary measures 7 1/2 inches in width by 12 1/2 inches in length. It is about 1/2 inch in
thickness The hard cover is a worn and mottled light brown. The pages are lined horizontally with blue lines and there is a vertical red line on each page, that is approximately an inch from the page border. A sample photo-copied page shown at the end of the diary transcription shows the actual handwriting of the authors. This comes after the transcription and with the every-name index, maps, photographs, and other items included in this booklet. The original pages in the diary are numbered from 1 through page 181.

This diary is currently in the possession of the transcriber, Keith Street, a great-grandson of Bailey and Mary Jane Street. It came to him from his father, Guilford Street, and grandfather, Oscar Street. This diary was transcribed and indexed during August and September of 2003, for the pleasure and benefit of relatives and others interested in pioneer life in Iowa and Minnesota and/or in genealogy. It is possible to order copies from Keith Street at his 2003 address, which is 325 Franklin St., Wapello, Iowa 52653-1515. A previous Bailey Street diary, beginning in 1880, has already been transcribed. Since I am now 76 years of age and in failing health, no future guarantees of the availability of copies of these transcriptions may be made. Approximately 30 copies of this transcribed diary have been distributed in the spring of 2004.

Bailey Street was a son of Aaron and Elizabeth Clark Street. Bailey’s mother, Elizabeth, sisters Mary (Mrs. Bennett Haines) and Eunice (Mrs. Ezra King) and brothers David, Lindley and John are mentioned several times in this diary. Another six brothers and sisters of Bailey had died as infants or young children. Mary Street Haines eventually settled at Maddock, North Dakota. Eunice Street King settled at Muscatine, Iowa; David and Lindley at Moose Lake, Minnesota; brother John in Northfield, Minnesota. Some of the descendants of these siblings of Bailey still reside in those localities, while the rest are widely scattered throughout the United States.

Bailey was born in 1844 in Henry County, Iowa. When he was about 5, his family moved to Dewitt County, Illinois, where his father, Aaron, operated a grist mill. When Bailey was about 8, the family lived in Cedar County, Iowa, but shortly moved to Winneshiek County, Iowa, where Aaron purchased or rented a small mill on Canoe Creek. The mill burned and the family moved for a few months to Louisiana, where they lived on the banks of the Mississippi River and cut and sold cord wood to Mississippi River steamers. Bailey’s sister Mary became quite proficient with an axe, as did Bailey. By 1856 the family had moved back to Winneshiek County, Iowa, in Hesper and Highland Townships. During the 1860s the Aaron Street family moved to a Quaker community in Jasper County, Missouri, near where the family of Mary Jane Purcell was living. This is presumably where Bailey and Mary first met. Both families were probably driven to Kansas during the Civil War, as Jasper County, Missouri, became decidedly unhealthy for foes of slavery. Bailey was married in 1868 in Jasper County, Missouri, where his wife, Mary Jane Purcell, had been raised. Rosella and Oscar were born in Jasper County, Missouri, near the small town of Alba.

Bailey’s father, Aaron, died the day before Oscar was born, but I have never been able to pinpoint the place of Aaron’s death, whether in Kansas or Oklahoma. Aaron was operating a small store for the Little Osage Indian tribe when he contracted cholera. He died at age 60. At the time of Aaron’s death, David was 19, Lindley was 17 and John was 15. Aaron’s widow, Elizabeth, with the three boys, initially returned to Jasper County, Missouri, where her father still lived, but soon moved to Winneshiek County, Iowa, settling in Highland Township in the early 1870s, living with or close to her daughter, Mary Street Haines.

Bailey and his wife, Mary, with infants Rose and Oscar and with Mary’s brother, George Duncan Purcell, caught the Western fever and moved to Hillsboro, Oregon, in the middle 1870s. They took a train out, boarding it in Kansas. George records events in his diary. Oscar and George primarily cut cord wood by hand, with saw and axe, while in Oregon. For more than a year George lived with them. Son John was born in Oregon in 1875, shortly before Bailey and family became disillusioned and returned to their familiar haunts near Winneshiek County. They took the long way home, first taking a train down the Pacific Coast to San Francisco, where George remained for several months. I once heard a story that Bailey taught a term of school in California, and that Lou Hoover, wife of President Herbert Hoover, was one of his students. This seems not to be true. Bailey and Mary then returned to the Hesper area, in Houston County, Minnesota, where Bailey started teaching in a Minnesota township school. Twins Alfred and Albert and son George were born while the family lived in Houston County, Minnesota, and both Albert and George died while they were living there.

The family’s economic situation improved greatly after the return from Oregon. The present diary starts seven years after the previously transcribed 1880-1883 diary ended. Bailey's family raises most of what they eat. Mary is in poor health quite a bit of the time. Bailey no longer teaches school and is buying a 10-acre farm that he is busily improving. He is a truck farmer, raising commercial quantities of strawberries, grapes, gooseberries, raspberries, blackberries and currants, while also processing and selling honey produced by his many hives of bees. He raises sugar cane, from which he makes molasses, and raises pop corn and broom corn. He makes and sells brooms. These are the same kinds of activities that Oscar pursued during his life, and passed on to his own children. Oscar and Rose no longer attend school on a regular basis. Both work at home on occasion, but for the last year of this diary coverage they primarily work and live with other employers.

Bailey and Mary are both 46 when this diary begins. Their only daughter, Rosella, is 20. Oldest son, Oscar, is 18; second son, John, is 14; son Alfred is 10. Albert, twin to Alfred, and youngest son, George, are both deceased. Bailey and Mary’s
daughter, Rose, later settles near Ivanhoe, Minnesota, as the farm wife of Stone Tweten. Oscar lives as a truck farmer near Hesper, Winneshiek County, Iowa. John becomes a school superintendent, teaches in several Iowa towns, and ends up living in Des Moines, Iowa, as the Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction for the state of Iowa. For many years Alfred teaches Industrial Arts in a technical high school in Cleveland, Ohio, where he finally settles. All moved for a while to the Maddock, North Dakota, area. The descendants of Bailey and Mary Jane are widely scattered, as are their diaries.

To me, this diary is fascinating to read. I become immersed in it. Bailey died 10 years before I was born, and Mary died about six years before Bailey did. Because of the diary, however, I can connect with them and feel that I know them. I hope the same applies to those who read this transcription. Read and enjoy. Read slowly. Use your imagination to picture them making soap for the family wash, carrying water into the house in the middle of the winter, heating that water on top of a wood stove, scrubbing the clothes on a scrub board, wringing the water out by hand, hanging the clothes to dry outside on a clothes line, ironing with an iron heated on the stove, etc.

I explain some things in parentheses in the transcription itself, but have restricted this to only a few entries. An every-name index is attached to the end of this transcription booklet, and may give a fuller explanation of some relationships. This is the second of several diaries of Bailey and Mary that I am in the process of transcribing, but this diary does not chronologically follow the first diary transcribed. This diary begins seven years after the 1883 end of the first diary transcribed. The status of Bailey and Mary in the community has changed, as well as their economic situation. They are now recognized as community and church leaders. They do much more visitation with neighbors and relatives. They are leading members in the Hesper Quaker Meeting and are faithful attenders at the regular Sunday and Thursday meetings held in Hesper. Mary is provoked with daughter Rose when Rose prefers going to picnics with girlfriends on Sunday mornings rather than going to Meeting.

See the index at the bottom to learn more about those named in the diary. We have added photos of many of the people named in the diaries. The photos might be the only ones we have and are not age appropriate to the time of the diary.


The Streets about 1885; front row: Bailey,
Alfred and Mary; back row: Rose, John and Oscar

BEGINNING OF 1890 DIARY TRANSCRIPTION


Wednesday, January 1, 1890--Bailey and I were both at home all day. Oscar and some neighbor boys went to Bear Creek hunting. John and Alfred went to Newhouse to get John some mittens. It rained most of the afternoon.

Thursday, January 2, 1890--Bailey went to Meeting. The children went to school. Froze up a little again. Lou and Birdie came over here this afternoon to fit my dress and I concluded to let them make it.

Friday, January 3, 1890--4 b. Last night was the coldest night we have had this winter. It was four below zero this morning. I have a bad cold and cough.

Saturday, Januray 4, 1890--29 a. Rained most all last night, or rather, sleeted. Masa Hutchins staid all night here last night. My cold is worse. Ezra Pearson & wife were here visiting today. Our menfolks and Ezra and Masa all went rabbit hunting in afternoon. Masa killed a pheasant.

Sunday, January 5, 1890--Sleeted most all day yesterday and last night and has sleeted a good part of today. We have quite a heavy sleet now. It is dangerous to walk out. None of us went to Meeting. Too slick for colts.

Monday, January 6, 1890--3 b. Quite cold. Bailey went to Hesper to see about getting the colts shod. Everything is covered with ice. I am still very poorly.

Tuesday, January 7, 1890--3 a. Some warmer. The ice is melting in the sun a little. Bailey took the colts up and got shod. Sam fell down as they went up. I feel very poorly, but am able to be up and around yet. Oscar is quite poorly today. He did not go to school.

Wednesday, January 8, 1890--A beautiful day, except high winds from west and NW, but in spite of cold winds the ice melted enough so that we could get our cows to Swainson’s spring. Oscar seemed better today, but not well enough for school. I still feel very poorly. I think I am a little better. Bailey went to Hesper.

Thursday, January 9, 1890--A beautiful day. Bailey went to Meeting and took E. Johnson’s and Mary Haines. I was left here all alone. I felt quite a little better til about ten o’clock, when I was taken worse, and was so bad when Bailey got home that he went for a Dr.

Skip to Thursday, January 16, 1890--20 b. I have been too sick to keep record the past week. I am better now, but not well. We have all had influenza. Did not hurt the children much. Bailey was quite poorly 3 or 4 days. I was sick over two weeks with it, quite poorly part of the time. Last Sunday it snowed all day and part of the night. The men think there is eight inches of snow. It has turned cold, too, so winter has come. This is the coldest morning we have had. I think 4 below is
the coldest til this morning, when it reached 20 below. This is a still bright day. Bailey went to Ogden Casterton’s this morning. The children have taken the team to school all this week. E. Pearson was here awhile Tuesday.

Friday, January 17, 1890--5 a. This is a bright clear winter day. Bailey and I have been quite poorly today. Bennett Haines was here quite a while this forenoon. He is still quite poorly. So is Mary Haines. The children all go to school.

Saturday, January 18, 1890--2 a. Nice day. Bailey went to meeting. The boys hauled up wood, hay and straw. Rose washed. A. & J. churned. I got dinner, the first kitchen work I have done for some time. I have been quite comfortable today. We all are better.

Sunday, January 19, 1890--5 a. Nice day. Oscar went to Meeting. Zeno preached. We are not quite so well as yesterday.

Monday, January 20, 1890--5 b. Quite clear or cold but a nice clear winter day but little wind. Alfred did not go to school today. We are having his boots mended. Bailey went to L. Talbert’s and Bennett’s in forenoon. In afternoon he went to Hesper and got A’s boots and Will Antrim’s mare for the children to take them to school. We all are better today.


Will and Josie Antrim and children Fred and Vinnie


Tuesday, January 21, 1890--15 b. Very cold. High wind from west and a little while from south west. Children took W. Antrim’s mare today and Bailey has commenced hauling with our team. He expects to haul manure from Hesper in forenoon and wood in afternoon. We don’t feel quite so well today.

Wednesday, January 22, 1890--25 b. Cloudy. Mercury went up 29 degrees in 6 hours. Bailey hauled two loads of manure from Hesper today. I had sick headache all last night and all day today.

Thursday, January 23, 1890--2 a. Clear and cold. Mercury has dropped since morning to seven below and a big wind from NW. B. Haines was here awhile today. He says Dessie got home last Tuesday. Bailey hauled 3 loads of manure from Hesper. I have been very weak today. I had not eaten anything for 38 hours til this morning. Benny (?) and Sarah Newcomer have another boy, born yesterday morning. They are all getting along nicely.

Friday, January 24, 1890--Cold day. Towards evening it was almost a blizzard, but not near as cold as in the morning. Bailey fixed the windows and door so we will be warmer in the house. Bailey hauled some wood this afternoon.

Saturday, January 25, 1890--Very pleasant day. Mercury up to 40 a. and but little wind. Clear most of the day. Today is the first I have been out of doors for several weeks. Bailey took me out for a ride today. We called at F. Newcomer’s & L. Johnson’s. We all seem better.

Sunday, January 26, 1890--Pleasant day. Cloudy part of the day. Bailey went to Meeting. Oscar does not seem so well. He is hoarse again. Pliny Chase and F. Fuller took dinner here today. B. Haines folks were here awhile in afternoon.

Monday, January 27, 1890--16 a. Nice day. Bailey hauled 3 loads of manure from Hesper. Then him and I went to I. Fawcett’s a few moments to see the sick folks. They all have the la grippe. Rose has gone there to help them a few days.


Isaac and Nell Fawcett and children Bessie, Lillian and Ralph

Tuesday, January 28, 1890--A lovely day, melting the snow considerable. Bailey hauled three loads from Hesper and some cord wood from Swainson. I still very weak.

Wednesday, January 29, 1890--Nice day. Bailey hauled three loads from Hesper. B. Haines family were all here last evening to visit. Burritt & Desway came too. I feel some better today. We went to see I. Fawcett’s awhile. They are all sick.



Bennett Haines and two of his sons, Burritt and Desway



Thursday, January 30, 1890--3 a. Warm day. Sleighing about all gone. We went to Meeting today. Water is running. We went to see I. Fawcett’s this afternoon. They are better.

Friday, January 31, 1890--Pleasant day. Children took our team to school today. Bailey walked up to Hesper. He got Oscar a pair of boots.


Saturday, February 1, 1890--Quite cool, sharp wind from south. Bailey went to Riceford to mill. John went to Hesper in the evening. He got two sacks of buckwheat flour and one of white flour. Rosa has a bad sick headache.

Sunday, February 2, 1890--Warm, cloudy, and misted some, so none of us, except Oscar, went to Meeting. There will be no school this coming week.

Monday, February 3, 1890--Cloudy. Misted some. Melted all day and all night. Seems like spring. Men got up two loads of wood. Rose is sick. Pliny is sick.

Tuesday, February 4, 1890--42 a. Cloudy and rainy in forenoon. Nice and clear in afternoon. Rose has been setting a quilt of mine together today, one she gave me. I am working at my carpet rags all the time I can. Bailey went to Hesper today. Rose is better. Warm, melting. Bees were out lively today. They have flew every month this winter.

Wednesday, February 5, 1890--Bailey and Oscar cut wood in the timber in forenoon. Bailey went to I. Fawcett’s and F. Newcomer’s in afternoon. Rose and Oscar have diphtheria, but not severe.

Thursday, February 6, 1890--A lovely day, clear. Bailey went to Meeting. Oscar is better. Rose is most well.

Friday, February 7, 1890--Snowed a little last night. We all, except Oscar and John, went to Will Casterton’s a visiting today. Had a pleasant visit. Rose staid there tonight as expects to visit at G. Fawcett’s tomorrow.


Will and Hilda Casterton


Saturday, February 8, 1890--Some colder, froze up. John and I ironed a big ironing. Did all the seventh day work, only churning. Oscar did that. Bailey fixed up the harness and him and Oscar sawed and chopped some wood here.

Sunday, February 9, 1890--Cloudy, snowed some last night. Cold, chilly wind from southeast. Bailey went to Meeting. I don’t feel very well today. Oscar still keeps very hoarse.

Monday, February 10, 1890--Nice day. Warm. Mercury most up to 40 a. School commenced again today. Eliston teaches this week. Pliny is not well enough yet. Bailey helped Mose Oren take cattle to Mabel. Oscar has gone to Hesper to attend a mass meeting to see about the saloon.

Tuesday, February 11, 1890--30 a. Quite warm when we first got up, but the wind changed to the NW and it is getting colder.

Wednesday, February 12, 1890--Nice day. Bailey and I visited at B. Haines today. Desy is at home. We had prayer meeting here last night. There were several here. Ezra Pearson and wife staid all night with us.

Thursday, February 13, 1890--A lovely day. Mercury got up to about 40 a. Clara Johnson was here visiting today. Lou and Birdie came by in the evening. They had been to Linn Talberts. Bailey hauled from Hesper in forenoon and wood and hay in afternoon. Alfred came home sick this evening.

Friday, February 14, 1890--30 a. Nice day. Bailey hauled one load from Hesper, and Alfred was so poorly he quit and staid in house til in afternoon, then he went to see Dr. Strong about him.

Saturday, February 15, 1890--48 a. Nice day, very warm. Bailey went to Monthly Meeting. Alfred is a great deal better. The fever seems subdued. We set up with him last night. Oscar is helping Will Johnson saw wood. John has gone hunting with Haines’ boys and the Fuller’s. I am alone with Alfred.

Sunday, February 16, 1890--Nice warm day. Alfred is so much better that I left him with John while we all went to Meeting. Had a splendid sermon by E. Pearson. Elijah and Loo Johnson came home with us from Meeting and staid til night.

Monday, February 17, 1890--Cloudy and foggy all day. Warm. Alfred is about well. I am taking cold and feel poorly. Bailey hauled one load from Hesper. Since then he has been fixing his corn.

Tuesday, February 18, 1890--2 b. Cold and windy. Clear. I washed some today and mopped. Bailey has a visitor, Vain Fulgum. (?)

Wednesday, February 19, 1890--Cold and cloudy, wind NE. Bailey hauled one load from Hesper, then he had a visitor, Mr. Pendegast. Snowed some this afternoon. Mercury 17 a.

Thursday, February 20, 1890--Cold, high wind from NW. We did not go to Meeting. Bailey sorted broom corn. I cut carpet rags. Wallace Sinclair spent the evening.

Friday, February 21, 1890--11 b. Cold, but moderated some towards noon. Mary Haines and I visited at L. Talbert’s today. Bailey took us down and Bennett went after us. Bailey sold his pigs today to B. Haines.

Saturday, February 22, 1890--17 a. Warmer. Bailey was gone all day locating school houses. Oscar and John hauled some hay, straw and wood. Rose washed a large washing.

Sunday, February 23, 1890--Quite cold. Bailey and I went to Meeting. Heard a good sermon by Mrs. Emma Coffin. Linn Talbert’s children were here in the afternoon.

Monday, February 24, 1890--More pleasant. John staid at home and helped Bailey haul straw.

Tuesday, February 25, 1890--Cool and cloudy in the morning and commenced storming before noon. Had quite a snow storm and blizzard. We had a rag bee at Will Johnson’s today.

Wednesday, February 26, 1890--4 b. We had quite a snow. Bailey put up his broom machine today. Children took the team to school today. Children spent the evening at L. Talbert’s.

Thursday, February 27, 1890--3 a. We went to Meeting. Bailey took the children to school and went after them. E. Johnson’s went to Meeting with us. We have got rid of the saloon at Hesper.

Friday, February 28, 1890--4 a. A regular blizzard. Linn Talbert’s horse was sick last night. I took the children to school and brought them home in the evening. Pa was down to Talbert’s til about noon. The wind went down about nine.


Saturday, March 1, 1890--15 b. Clear and cold. George and Abby Shallock spent the day here today. Oscar did not go to school today. L. Talbert got home tonight.

Sunday, March 2, 1890--10 b. Clear and cloudy by turns. Pliny Chase staid all night with us last night. Mother and Father went to meeting. John Street. (He wrote entry.)

Monday, March 3, 1890--4 a. Pleasant day. Snowed a little. Bailey and Oscar attended school meeting. Rose visited in Hesper. I did up some baking. John helped me.

Tuesday, March 4, 1890--10 b. Quite cold. Clear most of the day. Oscar took the children to school, then he staid at home. He is very hoarse. Him and Bailey made brooms in afternoon. Bailey worked at brooms most all day.

Wednesday, March 5, 1890--10 b. Clear and cold. Not much wind. It is north. Bailey, Dess Haines and all our boys went to Decorah. Got each of the boys a suit of clothes. Bailey came home sick, was sick all night. Lucretia visited with me today.

Thursday, March 6, 1890--8 b. Clear, and cold wind SE. Oscar and I went to Meeting. Bailey was too poorly to go. Lou and Elijah and Bird went with us to Meeting.

Friday, March 7, 1890--A beautiful day. Snow melted some. Bailey visited the school and Amos, Lucretia and I visited with Rebecky Earle and Mary Painter. Had a pleasant visit. Isaac Fawcett’s came to see us today.


 Rebecca Earle         Amos Earle         Mary Painter    

Saturday, March 8, 1890--A lovely day. Bailey worked around home. Oscar helped L. Talbert take off cattle this forenoon. Rose washed today. Billy and Sophia took supper here.

Sunday, March 9, 1890--We all went to Meeting today. Rose staid up til night meeting. Zeno preached.

Monday, March 10, 1890--Damp, drizzly. Bailey went to school meeting. Oscar staid home.

Tuesday, March 11, 1890--Rained a little this morning. Cleared off towards noon. The rest of the day very nice. Bailey went to Hesper in forenoon. Oscar sawed wood.

Wednesday, March 12, 1890--Clear and warm. Mercury up to 52 a. Bailey and Oscar made brooms and took the balance of our bees out for an airing. Found one stand dead and another mostly dead. All the rest are all right.

Thursday, March 13, 1890--Clear and cold. We went to Meeting. Ezra came home today and those Evangelists came too.

Friday, March 14, 1890--15 a. Quite a blizzard, so we did not go to F. Newcomer’s. This is the last day of school. Charley Camp was here yesterday a while.


Charley Camp


Saturday, March 15, 1890--6 b. Clear, and cold wind NW. None of us did much today. I baked a little and Rose ironed her clothes and Bailey’s white shirt. Men hauled very little load of hay home. Too windy for that. John and Al. spent the day at B. Haines. P. Chase was here awhile.

Sunday, March 16, 1890--We all went to Meeting. I staid up. I went to Stella’s and got dinner and staid all night. Em Coffin & Miss Wold, ministers, are having meetings.


Stella Haines Camp


Monday, March 17, 1890--Nice day. I staid in town all day. I called on several folks today and took dinner with J. Antrim’s and supper at Stella Camp’s. Came home after Meeting.

Tuesday, March 18, 1890--Nice in forenoon. Somewhat blizzardy towards night. Bailey, Oscar and all went to Mabel to hear John P. St. John lecture on the twin robbers, the saloon and the tariff. I took the sick headache about the time it was over and was very sick all the way home and all night.

Wednesday, March 19, 1890--A beautiful day. I am better today, but not well. I ate a little at dinner. None of us did much but visit with Bennett this forenoon, except grind axes. Bailey went to 2 o’clock meeting and the boys cut some wood in the timber this afternoon. I sent Florence Meader a setting of eggs.

Thursday, March 20, 1890--Nice warm day. Muddy. I have been sick all day. Bailey and Oscar made brooms in forenoon. In afternoon Bailey went to Meeting. The boys worked in the timber. Rose made her other new dress and several aprons. She gave me an apron. I have been sick all day. Have not been able to sit up much.

Friday, March 21, 1890--Nice warm day. Bailey and Oscar made brooms in forenoon. In afternoon Bailey went to Meeting and the boys worked in timber. Rose ironed and I baked light bread. I am better today, but my cough is bad. Bailey and Oscar went to Meeting last night and tonight. Oscar has went every night this week.

Saturday, March 22, 1890--Bailey, Oscar and I went to Monthly Meeting. Mrs. Emma Coffin preached. We had a good meeting. John and I did our baking after we got home.

Sunday, March 23, 1890--All of us that is at home went to Meeting. Had a good sermon by Emma Coffin. Oscar went to night meeting. F. Fuller took dinner with us.

Monday, March 24, 1890--Rained a little last night and this forenoon. I was sick last night, pukeing and purging. Am very weak today, hardly able to be up any. Men made brooms and went to B. Haines’ after a load of corn.

Tuesday, March 25, 1890--Cold and blustery. Rose came home today and Nettie Fawcett came home with her and staid all day. She has a nice baby. Men finished making brooms today.


Nettie Casterton Fawcett

Wednesday, March 26, 1890--A lovely day. Mother Street came here today. She is helping me cut carpet rags. Men are cutting wood.


Elizabeth Clark Street, Bailey's mother


Thursday, March 27, 1890--Cold and a terrible wind in the afternoon. It was almost a hurricane, with snow. We are cutting carpet rags. Men cut wood in forenoon. In afternoon they hauled a few loads of manure out, but it is too stormy.

Friday, March 28, 1890--Pleasant. Oscar took Mother home this morning. Bailey went to Hesper.

Saturday, March 29, 1890--Pleasant at home, but cold riding. Bailey and Oscar went to Decorah today. We cut carpet rags and baked today.

Sunday, March 30, 1890--Very nice day. I was too poorly to go to Meeting. Oscar and John went.

Monday, March 31, 1890--Clear nice day. Men cut wood and hauled hay and corn home. Rose washed in forenoon and we cut carpet rags in afternoon.


Tuesday, April 1, 1890--A lovely day. All the men except Oscar cut wood. He hauled. We cut rags and colored rags.

Wednesday, April 2, 1890--Nice day. Boys went to B. Haines to an egg eating. Rose went in afternoon. Bailey hauled three loads of wood.

Thursday, April 3, 1890--Cloudy and rainy. Rained some last night. Men did not do much today. We finished cutting our carpet rags today.

Friday, April 4, 1890--Nice clear day. Bailey fixed a floor in the horse stable. Oscar had headache. John helped me. Rose went to Amos Earle’s to help Rebecca a few days.

Saturday, April 5, 1890--Bright and clear in the morning, but clouded up between ten and eleven. Bailey went to Spring Grove. Oscar put his bees on their summer stands.

Sunday, April 6, 1890--Cloudy and clear by turns. We all went to Meeting. Went to Elijah’s for dinner. John came home. Rose and Oscar and Alfred went to B. Haines for dinner. Rained most all last night, also a hard shower this eve.

Monday, April 7, 1890--Cloudy with high wind from SE. Sprinkled some. Bailey chored around some. Oscar helped at Amos Earle’s. Rose is working at Amos Earle’s. John and I washed today. Alfred mopped. The old cow dropped a calf today.

Tuesday, April 8, 1890--Cloudy. Rained in evening. Bailey went to Pendegast today. Oscar went to Hesper.

Wednesday, April 9, 1890--Clear and cloudy by turns. Cooler. Rained a good part of last night moderately. Men cut up some wood at home today. John and I ironed.

Thursday, April 10, 1890--Nice day. Boys cut wood at home. Bailey went to Hesper in the afternoon. John and Alfred papered the kitchen.

Friday, April 11, 1890--A beautiful day. Men cut some wood at home, then cut out wood in red raspberry. We had a rag bee here today. Got about half my rags sewed. Had a good time.

Saturday, April 12, 1890--Cloudy. I had headache all day. Rose staid at home today. Men cut out wood of red raspberrys. Grace & Burr Talbert and Eddie & Willie Haines were here this evening.

Sunday, April 13, 1890--Rained today, so none of us went to Meeting. Oscar will work for Jack Darrington this week.

Monday, April 14, 1890--A beautiful day. John and I washed. Bailey was away in forenoon trying to sell our cows. In afternoon him and John went to B. Haines to get some oats.

Tuesday, April 15, 1890--A nice day. Men cut out wood in red raspberrys most of the day. They got a load of hay from I. Fawcett’s. I was over to B. Haines in afternoon. Dessie took the impression of my mouth. We all went to Newhouse this forenoon and got the men shirts and myself two calico dresses, but one of them is gingham.

Wednesday, April 16, 1890--A lovely day. Grass and gooseberries are getting quite green. Bailey hauled two loads of manure from Hesper and some from our barn. Planted potatoes & peas today.

Thursday, April 17, 1890--Bailey went to Mabel in forenoon and in afternoon he hauled wood from Swainson’s. Nice day.

Friday, April 18, 1890--Nice day. Bailey did various chores. Him and John moved the wire at Hogan’s fence. I went to see Aunt Mary Painter. She fell and is in a critical condition. Isaac Fawcett bought our old cow for 20 dollars.

Saturday, April 19, 1890--Nice day. Some cooler. Bailey, John and I went to Monthly Meeting. Ezra Pearson is to sit head of our Meeting now. Bailey and I went to Billy Sinclair’s and paid up our interest. The children went to missionary meeting.

Sunday, April 20, 1890--Nice day. We all went to Meeting. Staid to school. Rose and Oscar went to Methodist Meeting.

Monday, April 21, 1890--The men plowed. Rose went to visit Hesper School. Nice day.

Tuesday, April 22, 1890--Rained a little last night, but not much. Men harrowed and put out apple trees. Cloudy.

Wednesday, April 23, 1890--Quite cold. We finished putting out our orchard out north. John worked this forenoon for J. Swainson.

Thursday, April 24, 1890--Nice, only cold. Men plowed in forenoon and took up all our apple trees and healed them in. We ironed. Bailey went to Hesper in the evening. He took some apples to Burt’s. Our first chickens hatched today. Mrs. Osgood was buried today.

Friday, April 25, 1890--Nice day. John harrowed our new raspberry ground. Bailey smoothed the patches and took up some of our healed-in apple trees for G. Fawcett, also some raspberry plants, and in afternoon we gardened some. Planted some peas, potatoes, radishes, lettuce, beets and onions.

Saturday, April 26, 1890--Nice day. Bailey and I went to Quarterly Meeting today. Had a good meeting. Dr. Slack preached. Bert and Rose Shattock came home with us. We found Will and Lizzie Casterton here when we got home. They were after apple trees and Susie Talbert and her children were here ready to go to the woods after wild rose flowers.

Sunday, April 27, 1890--Nice day. We all went to Meeting. Dr. Slack preached a splendid sermon to the young folks. Him and Ezra was here awhile in the afternoon. So was a lot of young folks.

Monday, April 28, 1890--Cool and cloudy. Men smoothed and marked out the raspberry land and did other work around home. John and I washed. Rose went this morning to work a while again for Rebecca Earle. The children all went to Easter Services last evening at the Methodists.

Tuesday, April 29, 1890--A lovely day. We got our plants from A. M. Purdy. Are not well pleased with them. The men are putting them out today. I took my gingham dress over to Birdie this afternoon. She is going to cut and fit it for me.

Wednesday, April 30, 1890--Nice day. Bailey and I went to Decorah today. We went to John I. Taveners and got L. Talbert a sitting of turkey eggs and ourselves a sitting of P. Rock eggs. Then we went up town and did some trading. Got hundred lbs. of flour and Rose a hat & then we went to John L. Stevens and got dinner. Then we went to Elwick’s and got some raspberry plants. Did not have time to get the strawberry plants, so he will send them Friday. We got 1,150 raspberry and 1,000 strawberry plants. I also got some flower roots.


Caroline Fawcett and John Isaac Tavener married and
had seven children. It is assumed these are the youngest, Arthur and Laura



Thursday, May 1, 1890--Very dry. High wind. Men are putting out raspberry plants. I have been busy indoors, only John and I put out our flower roots. Loo Johnson and Lucretia Talbert were here awhile today.

Friday, May 2, 1890--Men finished putting out raspberry plants. Boys had a ratting late in afternoon and Bailey went to Hesper and got our strawberry plants. Mr. mail carrier brought them up for us from Elwick’s.

Saturday, May 3, 1890--Men put out over 1,000 strawberry plants today and planted some potatoes in the sod. Alfred and I trimmed strawb. plants.

Sunday, May 4, 1890--Cloudy and cold. Rained some. We all only went to Meeting except John. He has sore eyes. L. & Mary Chase came home with us and took dinner. Then we all went to see Aunt Mary Painter. She is quite low.

Monday, May 5, 1890--Cold. Everything froze stiff and snowing some. Oscar is plowing ground for our cane patch. John went to Hesper in forenoon to get some soap. His eyes are sore.

Tuesday, May 6, 1890--Rained and snowed quite a lot today. Cold. Oscar finished plowing and harrowing the cane patch and Bailey marked it off. Bailey took up part of our grape vines today.

Wednesday, May 7, 1890--Very cold. The ground froze some. Bailey and Oscar went to Amos Earle’s and got another bushel of Beauty H. potatoes to plant. Then they planted a lot of potatoes and began to plant our cane patch. Billy Sinclair and wife were here to get apple trees and black berries.

Thursday, May 8, 1890--Nice day. Bailey went to Meeting. Oscar helped me wash in forenoon. John’s eyes are better. We got medicine from Strong for them. He has erysipelas in them. In afternoon men cut out wood in raspberrys. I went to E. Johnson’s and got my dress.

Friday, May 9, 1890--Cloudy. Rained most all day, a good gentle rain. I and Oscar ironed. Wallace Sinclair was here after more apple trees for Billy.

Saturday, May 10, 1890--Nice day. Men cut out old wood in the oldest black raspberry patch and united two stands of bees. I did my Saturday’s work.

Sunday, May 11, 1890--We all went to meeting and Sabbath School. Lillie & Grace Haines and Agnes Battey came home with us. Late in the afternoon we went to see Aunt Mary Painter. She is very low. We took Rose and Agnes back to Amos Earle’s. Oscar went up to evening meeting.


Agnes Battey


Monday, May 12, 1890--Commenced raining before day awhile this morning. Men put out raspberry plants, mostly red ones. Jut Cely (?) and Mr. Bacon got 200 raspberry plants today.

Tuesday, May 13, 1890--Men finished up putting out raspberry plants today, and in afternoon Oscar plowed the ground for broom corn and Bailey and John finished raking the ground for our other patch of strawberrys.

Wednesday, May 14, 1890--I have wrote from memory and have made a blunder. What I wrote above for afternoon should have been in today’s work, and Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday forenoon the men planted cane and popcorn.

Thursday, May 15, 1890--Early in the morning the men harrowed and smoothed and marked off the broom corn land. Then the boys went to planting and Bailey and I went to Meeting. In afternoon Bailey smoothed more garden land for tomatoes, and after the boys finished planting broom corn, they and Bailey plowed and smoothed land in raspberry patch. In afternoon I visited at L. Talbert’s.

Friday, May 16, 1890--Very high wind from SW til about 3 o’clock, then from NW. Men got strawberry plants at B. Haines and put them out. It is warmer this eve. We have been having very cold weather all this month for the time year. The ground has froze some several nights and frost almost every night.

Saturday, May 17, 1890--Bailey and John hauled straw in forenoon, and Oscar helped Jack Darrington take cattle to Mabel in afternoon. Bailey and Oscar hauled straw and John raked the new strawberry bed. Ezra and Anna Pearson took supper with us and their little girl was with them. They have taken her to raise.

Sunday, May 18, 1890--Cold yet so that we still wear our winter dresses to meeting, and heavy shawls. We had another splendid sermon from Louisa Painter. We all took dinner at B. Haines.

Monday, May 19, 1890--Quite cold wind. North. John and I washed. Men got more strawberry plants and fixed up some grape trellises.

Tuesday, May 20, 1890--Clear and cloudy by turns, some pleasanter in the forenoon. Bailey tied up grave vines and Oscar & John put out more strawberrys. In afternoon Bailey and Oscar plowed the raspberrys, grapes and strawberrys and John raked the strawberrys.

Wednesday, May 21, 1890--Cloudy and cold. Rained most all night and part of today. Men did not do much. John visited the school in afternoon. O. went to Hesper. Bailey went to B. Haines.

Thursday, May 22, 1890--Rained considerable part of today. Bailey went to Hesper in afternoon and Oscar to Newhouse. Rose came home this evening to fix for picnic.

Friday, May 23, 1890--A lovely day. Cleared off. Warm. Rose is fixing for John’s Birthday picnic. Mary A. Darrington came home with Alfred from school to picnic. Bailey went to Mabel. He took some Snyder blackberry roots to B. Hall’s and got some Ancient Brittons. He also got 500 berry boxes from D. Taber.

Saturday, May 24, 1890--Cloudy. Rained til most ten, then cleared off. Bailey went to Monthly Meeting in the afternoon. Him and I went to E. Johnson’s and B. Haines awhile. It rained in the morning so the children could not have their picnic, so they went to B. Haines and spent the day.

Sunday, May 25, 1890--Cloudy and clear by turns. Rained some. We all went to Meeting and Sabbath School. Had another good sermon by Louisa Round. We went to see Aunt Mary Painter late this afternoon. Found her suffering a great deal.


Louisa Painter Round, daughter of Mary and Thomas Painter

Monday, May 26, 1890--Quite cool. Clear. We, Bailey, O. and I, went to Newhouse this morning. John did the washing. Men got some lumber. Robert and Ann Benedict took dinner here and staid part of the afternoon. Then they went to see Aunt Mary Painter. Oscar hauled one load of wood. Then those boys put out the blackberries we got of Hall. Then Bailey and Oscar put out a row of Glendale’s strawberry plants.

Tuesday, May 27, 1890--The men hoed blackberries in forenoon. In afternoon it rained several showers. When not raining we planted flowers and garden stuff, also sweet corn and pumpkins. Some warmer.

Wednesday, May 28, 1890--Quite warm. Things grow today. Bailey went to Newhouse and got some lumber to fix shop. We went to Newhouse Monday and got some ship lap lumber to fix shop, but concluded to keep that to fix the house. They have been fixing the shop today. It is now ready to work in. I have been quite poorly today. Have had headache for several days. John went to Hesper this afternoon.

Thursday, May 29, 1890--Nice warm day. Bailey went to Meeting. I was too weak to go. Robert Benedict was here today and got 12 apple trees and a few currant bushes. Boys hoed. Rained quite a shower today.

Friday, May 30, 1890--Nice warm day. I was visiting at B. Haines today. Men put out more strawberry plants and hoed old strawberry bed and cultivated the new beds.

Saturday, May 31, 1890--Men worked at hoeing old strawberry bed til noon. Then Bailey went to Mabel and I went to Hesper. I got me a new dress. It cost 65 cts. per yd. The two oldest boys staid at home hoeing. The young folks went to missionary meeting tonight.


Sunday, June 1, 1890--We all, except John, went to Meeting. He staid at home to watch the bees. We heard a splendid sermon by E. G. Pearson. Eddie & Willie Haines came home with the boys.

Monday, June 2, 1890--Clear til most eleven, then we had a hard rain and it rained a good part of the afternoon. Bailey went to Spring Grove today to see Berge. We traded our heifer to Will Johnson for an old buggy. Got it home today. I have been poorly today.

Tuesday, June 3, 1890--Cloudy til noon, then the sun came out hot. Men worked on the road some this forenoon, and in afternoon Bailey went to Mabel and the boys hoed. This morning the men worked at bee hives while it was wet. Rose came home this morning.

Wednesday, June 4, 1890--Rainy. Men worked at bee hives. Bailey got our berry boxes yesterday. Rose and I went to B. Haines this afternoon. Got my blue dress cut.

Thursday, June 5, 1890--Bailey and I went to Meeting. Had a splendid Bible lesson by E. G. Pearson. Began raining before meeting was out and rained the rest of the day. Boys worked at berry baskets. Bailey made crates.

Friday, June 6, 1890--Cool and cloudy. Rained a little early this morning. Bailey went to Hesper. He finished our buggy. Then they plowed and hoed. The ground is too wet to work good. It has rained every day this week, except Monday.

Saturday, June 7, 1890--A lovely day. Men fixed fence and put our cows in our own pasture. Rose went to John Pendergast’s and Bailey went to Mabel and I to Hesper late in afternoon. I went to Dr. Strong’s for medicine.

Sunday, June 8, 1890--Nice day. Four of us went to Meeting. John staid up to attend Methodist meeting, it being Children’s Day. Oscar went up after we got home.

Monday, June 9, 1890--Cool and cloudy, threatens rain. Men are plowing and hoeing. The census man was here today. I have been poorly ever since Saturday. John nipped raspberry plants.

Tuesday, June 10, 1890--Cloudy. Misted some. We had a real hard soaking rain yesterday afternoon. It was the hardest rain we have had for several years, I think. Bailey and John went to John Pendergast’s this afternoon. Oscar went to Hesper. G. B. Lewis sent the money back that we sent for bee supplies. We got it today. He could not fill the order.

Wednesday, June 11, 1890--A beautiful day. Bailey and I went to Brickner’s today to get some bee supplies. We got 100 sections and 4 supers and some foundation comb. Boys staid at home. Birdie started for Mason City today.

Thursday, June 12, 1890--Nice day, quite warm. Bailey and I went to Meeting. Men cultivated our patches today and hoed some. I found three ripe strawberries today (Crescents). Black raspberries in full bloom and have been for a week or more. The red raspberries are just beginning to bloom a little.

Friday, June 13, 1890--Cloudy and rained most all the forenoon. Men finished making berry boxes and then worked at hoeing in afternoon, all only Oscar. He had colic. I picked a nice lot of gooseberries to make pies and sauce.

Saturday, June 14, 1890--Cloudy. Rained a good part of today. Bailey worked at beehives. I did my baking. Oscar and John went to Hesper. L. Talbert’s boys were here today.

Skip to Monday, June 16, 1890--Bailey went to Mabel. He got some buckwheat to sow. Rose washed. The boys worked at home. Cloudy, sprinkled a little. Rose and I picked a lot of gooseberries in afternoon.

Tuesday, June 17, 1890--Nice day. Had our first mess of strawberries today. Men worked at cane patch. Rose ironed and we canned some gooseberries.

Wednesday, June 18, 1890--Nice day. Quite warm in forenoon. Men cultivated and hoed fruit and garden. Loo and Clara Johnson were both here awhile today. We picked a lot more gooseberries.

Thursday, June 19, 1890--Cloudy and cool. Men cleaned out cane patch. The teacher, Josie Shipley, came home with Alfred this evening to stay all night. Bailey and I went to Hesper this evening. He got himself and boys shoes. I engaged two sittings of eggs from M. Cameron and one of Florence Meader.

Friday, June 20, 1890--Cloudy, cool and rainy. Rained most all night last night. Oscar had to take Miss Shipley to her school today. Alfred is not well enough to go. We have canned 27 qts. of gooseberries. Rose & Oscar went to L. Chase’s.

Saturday, June 21, 1890--Nice in forenoon, but cloudy. Late in the afternoon we had a very hard rain. Boys picked over a case of strawberries today. We, Bailey and I, went to Monthly Meeting. Judson Bly and Isaiah Davidson were at our meeting today.

Sunday, June 22, 1890--Nice clear day. Warm. Part of us went to Meeting. Ezra preached a big sermon. Chase’s young folks and Lizzie Haines came home with us to dinner. In the afternoon Eddie & Willie Haines, Frank & Everett Fuller, G. Talbert and Will Casterton’s family and Prudie all were here. We have sold 60 qts.

Monday, June 23, 1890--Cloudy and warm this morning. Bailey and I went to Newhouse and got us one hundred lbs. of sugar and the same amount for B. Haines. The boys picked strawberries while we were gone, and Rose washed. Loo Johnson was here to get some goose berries. Oscar took off about three cases of strawberries and sold them at Hesper and Mabel for 10 cts. per qt.

Tuesday, June 24, 1890--Clear and very hot. We had the hardest rain last night we have had for a good many years, also a great deal of wind and thunder and lightning, but I was nearly crazy with headache, so I could not enjoy the storm much. Men opened the ditches this forenoon and Bailey went to Hesper in afternoon and the boys went to I. Fawcett’s to buy corn and to Swainson’s for cord wood.

Wednesday, June 25, 1890--96 a. Nice and warm. Bees swarmed today. The old black stand, a large swarm. Men picked over three cases of strawberries today and sold them to O. Casterton, F. Darrington & Pete Newhouse. I spent the afternoon at B. Haines. Rose put screens on the windows today. Bailey came over to B. Haines and took supper with us. I bought 2 lbs. of butter of Loo Johnson. The rain storm Monday night did a great deal of damage.

Thursday, June 26, 1890--96 a. Nice clear day. Very hot. Bailey and I went to Meeting. He came home with headache and after dinner he got his leg hurt with pump handle and then he had a hard chill. Boys hoed some.

Friday, June 27, 1890--96 a. Nice day. Children went to School Picnic at F. Darrington’s. Bailey put up screen doors today. Loo came again this morning and got more gooseberries. Rose did not come home. The boys report a good time.

Saturday, June 28, 1890--Nice day, only very warm. I have hardly been able to be up today. Have been up very little this afternoon. I had to be this forenoon to do my baking. Men picked about 60 qts. of strawberries and sold them. Rained a hard shower this morning.

Sunday, June 29, 1890--Clear and cloudy by turns. Rained several small showers. The boys went to Meeting. I was not well enough to go. All of I. Fawcett’s hands and hired girl were here awhile this afternoon and late in the afternoon Lizzie Casterton & children and Prudie and Rose came here and Rose went back to Will Casterton’s to stay 2 days. I am a little better. Had our first mess of peas today, a nice large mess. Oscar’s bees swarmed early this morning.

Monday, June 30, 1890--Cloudy. Rained several small showers. Men hoed some. I had a hard chill this afternoon.


Tuesday, July 1, 1890--I have not been able to sit up any today. Was quite sick yesterday evening. We did so hope Rose would come home this evening, so she could get breakfast, but she did not. Nice day.

Wednesday, July 2, 1890--Nice day. Rose came home this morning. She is washing. Yesterday Oscar canned 19 qts. of strawberries. All the men folks and Mrs. Sinclair helped to pick them over. Men hoed today.

Thursday, July 3, 1890--Nice day. Cool. Rose ironed and fixed for the fourth. We had two swarms of bees today. Italians.

Friday, July 4, 1890--A lovely day. Cool. All the children are off to Picnics. All are at B. W. Haines’s, except Rose. She is at Plunkett’s. I was very sick in forenoon, but am all right this afternoon. Relieved by answer to prayer.

Saturday, July 5, 1890--Cloudy and rained some. Mother visited here today and Mary Haines came this afternoon and staid til most dark. Rose came home this afternoon.

Sunday, July 6, 1890--We all, only Rose and John, went to Meeting. Mrs. Hawks fainted or had a spasm in Meeting today.

Monday, July 7, 1890--Nice day, but hot. Rose washed. Men hoed.

Tuesday, July 8, 1890--Nice day. Cool. We had pickers today. I went to Hesper this afternoon to stay til Thursday.

Wednesday, July 9, 1890--I staid at F. Newcomer’s last night. Today I staid at J. Antrim’s til afternoon, then called on Francis Meader, Mary Cameron and Caroline Miles. The latter was not at home. Then I staid all night at Martha Battey’s. Nice day. Cool.

Thursday, July 10, 1890--Nice cool day. We met at the Meeting House about 8 o’clock to answer queries. After meeting Mother, Mary and I went to Ezra Pearson’s for dinner. In afternoon we met to organize a Ladies Aid Society. Then I went to F. Newcomer’s and waited til Oscar came along from Mabel, then came home.

Friday, July 11, 1890--Nice day til in afternoon, then we had several light showers. We had pickers yesterday. They picked 170 boxes. Bailey bought a cheese from Mr. Toms while I was gone. It is splendid. Men hoed some.

Saturday, July 12, 1890--Had pickers. Had nearly 300 qts. I went with Oscar to Mabel and got chain for my new carpet. We also got 72 cans for fruit. Nice day.

Sunday, July 13, 1890--Nice day, only hot. We went to Meeting. Bailey and I did not stay for school. I was too poorly. We canned over a hundred qts. after they were canned last night after dark. We got through just before midnight. Bailey, Oscar and I canned them.

Monday, July 14, 1890--Nice day. Cool breeze from NW. We had a lot of pickers today. They picked 417 qts. We sold most of them at Mabel and could have sold more. Oscar was sick today.

Tuesday, July 15, 1890--Nice cool day. I picked one case of gooseberries and the boys and me picked 2 cases of currants. We are going to try to sell them. We canned 6 qts of currants today. I have been poorly today.

Wednesday, July 16, 1890--Nice cool day. Had pickers today. I went with Oscar to Mabel. We sold more than one case of currants, but only 6 boxes of gooseberries. We got 8 cts. for currants and only 6 for gooseberries.

Thursday, July 17, 1890--I went to B. Haines today to color my carpet warp. Nice day. The ground is getting very dry.

Friday, July 18, 1890--A nice day. Had lots of pickers.

Saturday, July 19, 1890--Nice day. We, Bailey and I, went to Monthly Meeting. Oscar went to Newhouse.

Sunday, July 20, 1890--We all, except John, went to Meeting.

Skip to Saturday, July 26, 1890--Nice day. We all went to Quarterly Meeting. Had a good meeting. A minister, Mr. Stubbs, was with us. Also, Dr. Slack. I was clerk for the day.

Sunday, July 27, 1890--We all went to Meeting. Mr. Stubbs preached a powerful sermon. Richard and Ella Gripman and Charley Graves came home with us to dinner. We all went back to afternoon meeting and the children staid up to evening meeting. Sister Nevil is to address the young folks missionary society.

Monday, July 28, 1890--Nice day, only high wind from SW. Menfolks and Rose picked 27 boxes of blackberries. Bailey and I picked 8 qts. of Cuthberts and I canned them. I also canned 3 qts. of black raspberries.

Tuesday, July 29, 1890--Very hot. Rained a very little last night. The children have picked one case of raspberries. Rose washed. I washed about 63 mason’s jars today. Men are hoeing some.

Wednesday, July 30, 1890--Very hot. Bailey and children picked blackberries. They sold them in Hesper. Rose ironed some in evening.

Thursday, July 31, 1890--Cooler. A very pleasant day. Bailey, Rose and I went to Meeting. We took dinner at Carolyn Miles, then Bailey went to Mabel. I staid to the Ladies Aid Society. Rose staid there til about four o’clock, then she went to Plunkett’s to a birthday party.


Friday, August 1, 1890--Nice day. Menfolks are picking blackberries. Rose has not come home yet. We bought some fish today. Rose came home awhile before dinner. She gave me a cake dish. She got her a waterproof cloak and a sugar bowl. I went to B. Haines awhile this afternoon.

Saturday, August 2, 1890--Very hot day. Mercury 99 in shade. High wind from SW. Men hoed some, then picked 21 boxes of blackberries for me to can. I canned them. They made nearly seventeen qts. I picked a few to finish out the last can. Bailey has gone to Hesper this afternoon and Rose has gone to E. Johnsons. Al to L. Talberts. The other two boys expect to go to E. Johnsons this eve.

Sunday, August 3, 1890--Clear part of today and rained one shower about 2, then cleared off til most evening, then rained again. We all went to Meeting. Chase’s young folks came home with us. They and our children went to song service. Mary Painter died last evening at seven o’clock. Funeral tomorrow at ten.

Monday, August 4, 1890--Nice day. Cool. We all, except John and Alfred, went to Aunt Mary Painter’s funeral. There was a large crowd. It rained til about midnight last night, I guess, so the children did not get home until this morning. They also got the buggy broke. We had lots of company this afternoon, Loo and Birdie Johnson, Grace Gunning, Lucretia, Susie, Grace, Burr and Willard Talbert, and Mrs. Sinclair. They were here to supper. Oscar made ice cream.

Tuesday, August 5, 1890--Nice cool day. Boys picked a case of blackberries for J. Darrington. Nicholas Battey and Martha visited here. Rose washed some and fixed a picnic.

Wednesday, August 6, 1890--Clear and cloudy by turns. The children went to Cold Water was for G. Gunning. Nettie Fawcett & Clara Johnson and Juwa (?) and Kate Antrim were all here visiting today.

Thursday, August 7, 1890--Warm day, threatened rain. We picked over 100 boxes of blackberries today and did not get over the patch. Mrs. Kingsberry and daughter and Gertie Chase took dinner here, also Alvin Hawks. Mr. Hussey was here awhile this morning. Bailey, Alvin Hawks, Mary Haines and I went to Amos Earles this afternoon. Oscar worked for L. Talbert.

Friday, August 8, 1890--Very hot. Menfolks picked 2 cases of blackberries and Bailey took them to Hesper. Oscar is working for L. Talbert. Alfred went to a picnic at Moses Orens.

Saturday, August 9, 1890--Oscar worked half a day for L. Talberts. Nice day. Picked berries, took them to Hesper.

Sunday, August 10, 1890--We all went to Meeting. Hussey spoke. We had a good meeting. Francis was here to dinner.

Monday, August 11, 1890--Nice day. Picked berries in forenoon. Took them to Hesper. Bailey and I went to Newhouse. We got 50 lbs. of sugar and 100 lbs. of flour and 10 yards of bleach muslin and a few other things.

Tuesday, August 12, 1890--Cloudy and rained moderately a good part of the day, so we could not go to Highland today. Sam is very sick.

Wednesday, August 13, 1890--Nice day. Rained considerable last night. We started early this morning for Highland. Got back late this afternoon. Enjoyed the trip very much. Sam is some better.

Thursday, August 14, 1890--Bailey and I went to Preparative Meeting today. Children picked berries. We had lots of company this afternoon. Among them was Mary Morris and Nell Fawcett. We had lots of ice cream. Nice day.


Nell Casterton Fawcett

Friday, August 15, 1890--Nice day. Bailey worked for I. Fawcett in forenoon. In afternoon Bailey and Oscar helped J. Darrington thrash. Rose went to B. Haines to sew and visit.

Saturday, August 16, 1890--Sprinkled some, then turned cold. Boys picked berries. Rose ironed. I baked. Bailey went to mill in forenoon. Oscar went to see horse dr. in afternoon. Our horse seems better.

Sunday, August 17, 1890--Nice day, only cold. We went to Meeting. Oscar staid with the horse. Had a splendid sermon by E. Pearson from Isaiah, 4th chap., 1st verse, put thine house in order.

Monday, August 18, 1890--Nice day. Rose came home today and Hilda Casterton came with her. She got some berries. Men helped J. Darrington thrash. Boys picked berries in forenoon. In afternoon John and I went to Hesper. He took the berries and sold them. Bailey helped E. Johnson thrash tonight.

Tuesday, August 19, 1890--Bailey worked at home. Oscar went to L. Chase’s Sunday to begin work Monday. He expects to stay all the week. John and I take care of Sam.

Wednesday, August 20, 1890--Rained last night a little. Cold. Men hoed, only Bailey and I went to see the horse doctor. I visited at L. Talberts yesterday.

Thursday, August 21, 1890--Clear and cloudy by turns. Bailey went to mill at Riceford and came home by way of J. Pendergasts. I went with Loo & Elijah Johnson to Newhouse. Lucretia and Grace Talbert were here this afternoon. Boys picked berries today. I canned them.

Friday, August 22, 1890--I finished my ironing and did my baking. Bailey helped Billy Sinclair thrash this afternoon. The horse Dr. was here this afternoon and opened a place on the joint of Sam.

Saturday, August 23, 1890--Cold and cloudy. Rained in afternoon. Keeps cold all the time. Bailey, John and I went to Monthly Meeting. Frankie Johnson had another sun stroke yesterday. He is very low.

Sunday, August 24, 1890--Cloudy. Rained a little most all the time today. I did not go to Meeting. F. Johnson is better.

Monday, August 25, 1890--Nice day. John and I washed. B & A hoed. Rained a nice rain last night.

Tuesday, August 26, 1890--Nice day. John took Oscar as far as Hawks on his way to L. Chase’s. Bailey went this afternoon to help thrash at Billy Sinclairs. Lucretia Talbert spent the day with me. Their family all went to picnic on Bear Creek. It was in honor to Mr. Olivers.

Wednesday, August 27, 1890--Nice day. I canned a lot more blackberries and apples. Bailey helped B. S. thrash again. Did not get home til nine o’clock. This has been a sad day to me.

Thursday, August 28, 1890--Nice day. Bailey and I went to Meeting. John and A. went to Sinclairs this morning to see Rose. Mrs. Sinclair and Rose was here awhile. Rose went on to see Nell.

Friday, August 29, 1890--Nice day. This is Bailey’s birthday. He is 46 years old. I baked him a birthday cake. We all went to E. Johnsons last evening to a sociable. John and Alfred have gone to Bluffton today to picnic given by the Missionary Society.

Saturday, August 30, 1890--Nice day. Mother Street was here today visiting. Oscar and John helped Will Johnsons thrash. Bailey’s side is hurting him some today, but not so much as yesterday. Lucretia and Grace Talbert were here this afternoon.

Sunday, August 31, 1890--We all that are at home went to Meeting, then went to B. Haines. Dessie leaves home tomorrow for Decorah. Chase’s young folks and Laura Burt took dinner at Haines’s.


Monday, September 1, 1890--Nice day. Warm. I have been poorly since Sat. with bowel complaint. Boys helped thrash at Will Johnsons til ten o’clock, then the men fixed up stable. Clara Johnson and children spent the afternoon here.
Tuesday, September 2, 1890--Nice day. Quite warm. We washed in forenoon. Bailey and Oscar went to Mabel in afternoon. I was at L. Talberts a little while this afternoon.

Wednesday, September 3, 1890--Rained a good part of today, just a little. I ironed. Men did various things. Bailey worked at fixing buggy box.

Thursday, September 4, 1890--Nice day. Bailey and I went to Meeting and I went with Mary Haines to Newhouse. Bailey finished fixing buggy box. I have 6 qts. of tomatoes canned.

Friday, September 5, 1890--Nice day. This my birthday. We all went to Decorah. Got each of the menfolk a suit of clothes. I got a hand satchel for a birthday present and Bailey got a collar button for his birthday present. We stopped at J. Stevens awhile.

Saturday, September 6, 1890--Clear and very hot. Rained some last night. Bailey finished fixing an axle for his wagon. I made 2 gallons of Duchess apple sauce today and did my baking. Alfred and John helped me some.

Sunday, September 7, 1890--Rained almost all the forenoon so we did not go to Meeting, only Oscar. He wore his rubber coat and went on horseback. I wrote to Eva Cather today and Bailey wrote to George Purcell.


Eva Cather          George Purcell


Monday, September 8, 1890--Nice day. We washed. Bailey helped fix the meeting house stove pipes in forenoon. In afternoon he hauled some wood and straw. Boys hoed strawberrys. I was down to I. Fawcetts awhile this afternoon.


Tuesday, September 9, 1890--Nice day. Bailey and the boys cut corn fodder. I ironed. Alfred has a bad cold. Drove Sam to the field.

Wednesday, September 10, 1890--Nice day. Bailey and I attended Fair at Decorah today. Saw a good many nice things. Boys and Rose are going tomorrow. Boys staid at home to see to things today. We went to the Fair with Bill Burges. He took Fawcett’s team.

Thursday, September 11, 1890--Nice day. The children all went to the Fair. They report a good time. We, Bailey and I, went to Meeting and I went to see Clara Johnson in afternoon.

Friday, September 12, 1890--Rained a little this morning, but not enough to amount to anything. Men cut up corn in forenoon. In afternoon they husked some popcorn. I prepared and canned 26 qts. of tomatoes today.

Saturday, September 13, 1890--Nice day. Quite cold last night and awhile this morning. Quite a bit of frost. It nipped our tomatoes and squash and melon vines some. Did not hurt corn on high land. Men cut corn today. Alfred dug some potatoes. I did a lot of baking for our dinners the day of Barnum’s Show.

Sunday, September 14, 1890--Nice day. We all went to Meeting. Francis Fuller came home with Oscar. Bailey and I went down to I. Fawcetts awhile this afternoon. Roe Whites were there. There was all B. Haines children and Rose and Agnes Battey. Also Nellie Pendergast, Ella Nelson, Pete Nelson, and Tom Allen here this afternoon.


Monroe and Rebecca White

Monday, September 15, 1890--We all went to Decorah to see Barnum’s Show today, except Oscar. He saw it four years ago. The show of animals was good, but we think the circus poor. Rained some today.
 
Tuesday, September 16, 1890--Nice day. We washed. Men gathered pumpkins, pulled beans and some other work around the stable. John and I, when we got through washing, went to E. Johnsons and picked up a sack of crabapples, then on to B. Haines and gathered a sack of hops and some sage.

Wednesday, September 17, 1890--Nice most of the day. I ironed. Men covered tips of raspberry canes and hoed.

Thursday, September 18, 1890--Nice in forenoon. Men hauled up a lot of topped fodder from B. Haines. In afternoon they thrashed some beans and got the rest into shop. I went with Lou Johnson to M. Orens to meet with the Ladies Aid Society. It began to rain between 3 and 4 o’clock and rained very hard til after dark. Bailey came after Lou and I in the rain. Oscar had sick headache.

Friday, September 19, 1890--Nice day, only cold in the morning. Men cut and hauled cane home today. There was a little frost this morning. It did no damage. I did all my baking. Tomorrow is Mon. Meeting.

Saturday, September 20, 1890--Nice day. We all, except Alfred, went to Mon. Meeting. He staid at home to watch the grapes. Susie Talbert was here awhile this afternoon.

Sunday, September 21, 1890--Nice day. Bailey, Oscar and I went to Meeting. Rose and Grace Talbert were here today.

Monday, September 22, 1890--Nice day. John and I washed. John did about all of it. I fixed some sweet corn today and canned some crabapples. We churned. Bailey and the boys gathered a load of grapes this forenoon and this afternoon they took them to Mabel. Sold most of them for 6 cts. per lb. and some at 7 cts. and some at 5 cts. per lb. They took 168 lbs.

Tuesday, September 23, 1890--Lovely day. Menfolks gathered over 100 lbs. of grapes and took them to Burr Oak. Got 5 cts. per lb. Bailey and the boys stripped cane the rest of the day. I ironed, baked light bread and put out a batch of sweet corn to dry. I then went to E. Johnsons to get some crabapples for sweet pickles.

Wednesday, September 24, 1890--Nice day, except high wind. I went to a quilting at Em Orens. I went with E. Johnsons. Had a good time and got a good lot of quilting done. Men worked at cane.

Thursday, September 25, 1890--Nice day. Bailey and I went to Meeting. Boys hoed and tipped raspberrys. Bailey is making a hay rack. I went to L. Talberts a while this afternoon. So did Loo.

Friday, September 26, 1890--Nice day. I made my sweet pickles today. Nell and Rose was here awhile this afternoon, and Frank Darrington and wife were here awhile this forenoon. They all wanted grapes.

Saturday, September 27, 1890--Nice day but quite cold. Menfolks picked the rest of our grapes this forenoon. Men tipped raspberrys and dug and got in some potatoes, also got in squashes. I picked my ripe peppers and green tomatoes.

Sunday, September 28, 1890--Nice day. We all went to Meeting and went to Bennett Haines for dinner. Desway was there. Mark Haines leaves for Highland today. Expects to start for home Monday. Ezra and Anna are at home.

Monday, September 29, 1890--Nice day. We had quite a frost for two nights, but my flowers are not killed. John and I washed this forenoon and him and Alfred dug potatoes in afternoon. Bailey and Oscar hauled logs for kitchen. Cal Roe (Rowe) had a sale today.

Tuesday, September 30, 1890--A beautiful day. Quite warm. I ironed and did several other things. Bailey and Oscar helped J. Swainson thrash today. John helped til noon. Afternoon John and Alfred dug potatoes. This is Grace Talbert’s birthday. She is going to have a party.


Wednesday, October 1, 1890--Nice day. The menfolks all helped B. W. Haines thrash and I helped Mary cook for them. So did Stella.

Thursday, October 2, 1890--Cloudy. Men got through thrashing at noon today. I went to Elijah Johnsons this afternoon to meet with Aid Society.

Friday, October 3, 1890--Cloudy. Sprinkled some. We had our missionary rag bee at B. W. Haines today. Did not get near done. Bailey is making a batch of sorgum today. Roe White made a batch of plum sauce today.

Saturday, October 4, 1890--Rained some last night. Nice today. Menfolks made a batch of molasses in forenoon and we made a batch of sauce this afternoon, all for Will Casterton.

Sunday, October 5, 1890--Nice day, but cloudy part of the time. We all went to Meeting. Had a splendid sermon by E. Pearson. Mary Haines is sick. She was taken yesterday morning.

Monday, October 6, 1890--Cloudy. Bailey worked some at taking roof off our kitchen. In afternoon the two older boys helped Billy Sinclair thrash. Charley Camp came here today.

Tuesday, October 7, 1890--Nice day. Rained last night, a bad time for us. Men finished taking our kitchen down today. I made pickle lillie besides moving out of kitchen. I am quite tired. Charley Camp brought another load of the well drill today.

Wednesday, October 8, 1890--Cloudy, looks like rain. It rained some last night. This forenoon men worked at cellar for bees. This afternoon Bailey and Oscar hauled some hay home from Ed Torsens. The drillers commenced drilling here today at 20 minutes past 2 o’clock. The boys got me some wild crabs.

Thursday, October 9, 1890--Rained most all day, part of the time quite hard. Men hauled a load of hay home from E. Torsens. The drillers went down about 2 feet today. Had to quit on account of rain. They are 14 feet deep now. Bailey went to Meeting. I am having quite a poorly spell with stomach. John washed today.

Friday, October 10, 1890--Nice day. Men worked at cellar. I am better. Drillers drilled in afternoon nine feet. Mary Haines was here this afternoon. Anna Copeman came here to visit. Rose came up awhile this afternoon and took Anna down with her.

Saturday, October 11, 1890--Rained all day. Very muddy. Men had to stick to the house. George Cater went home. They could not drill. Towards evening it quit raining a while and Edda Haines came over and brought us some sweet potatoes and took home a Langhang rooster.

Sunday, October 12, 1890--It rained most all night last night and today a large share of the time, so we did not get to Meeting. Fuller and Milt Chase were here awhile today. So was the neighbor’s wife. Very muddy.

Monday, October 13, 1890--Rained all last night. Quit this forenoon and Bailey has gone to work at kitchen. Boys drawed the water out of bee cellar. Anna Copeman came here today.

Tuesday, October 14, 1890--Nice day, except high wind. Bailey and Oscar worked on kitchen most of today, only Bailey went to Newhouse and got some lumber and shingles. The drillers are at work. George has a bad toothache. I am not well today. Anna Copeman left today.

Wednesday, October 15, 1890--Men worked at kitchen and drilling, only Oscar made a batch of molasses. I ironed. I went to see Nell Fawcett awhile this afternoon.

Thursday, October 16, 1890--Nice day. Estella Camp visited here today. The drillers went over 20 feet today and 27 feet yesterday. They found a little water at about fifty or fifty-five feet, but not enough. This is Oscar’s birthday.

Friday, October 17, 1890--Nice day. Froze a little last night. Bailey, Oscar and the other boys worked on house, only when John had to drive for drillers.

Saturday, October 18, 1890--Rained some last night and til noon today. Bailey worked about 2 hours in the rain last night to keep water out of the kitchen cellar, and til noon today. Clara Johnson stopped here a while yesterday as she went home from Mother Streets. She said Mother had been quite poorly in forenoon, but that she was much better in afternoon.

Sunday, October 19, 1890--Nice day. We all went to meeting and Sabbath School, then Bennett & Mary Haines. Bailey and I went to Charley Camps for dinner and then we all and Charley’s went to see old man Camp. Mother and Grace went too. The boys and Rose went home with B. Haines’ children.

Monday, October 20, 1890--Nice day. Drillers did not come today. Men worked at kitchen and Oscar went out east of here and bought some corn. Then he went to Newhouse to get some lime, but could not get any, and in the evening him and John went to Mabel, but could not get any there.

Tuesday, October 21, 1890--A nice day, not clear all the time. Drillers are here. Bailey and Oscar worked at kitchen only. Oscar and John got a load of sand. I ironed. Clara sent me two heads of cabbage.

Wednesday, October 22, 1890--Nice day. Bailey worked at kitchen and Oscar and John helped M. Oren thrash. Drillers were here. I did baking and my general housework. We borrowed several lbs. of pork of I. Fawcett today.

Thursday, October 23, 1890--A lovely day. All the boys helped I. Fawcett thrash today. Bailey worked at home til noon, then went to Mabel. The drillers are here.

Friday, October 24, 1890--Nice day. Some cloudy in afternoon. Drillers are here. Bailey and I went to Select Meeting this afternoon. I. Wooton and Philip Slack were at Meeting.

Saturday, October 25, 1890--Cloudy and rained part of the day. We all except Alfred went to Quarterly Meeting. Had a splendid sermon by I. Wooton. Had a long business meeting.

Sunday, October 26, 1890--Nice day. I had sick headache last night and today, so could not go to Meeting. Wooton preached a powerful sermon. I was some better in afternoon, so went to the lecture on our church. I was not able to attend evening meeting.

Monday, October 27, 1890--Nice day. I was very sick awhile this morning. Mr. Bly and wife stayed all night here. Had pleasant visit with them.

Tuesday, October 28, 1890--Cloudy and some rainy. I am better today. Bailey worked at house and Oscar helped part of the time. The boys husked a small load of corn at E. Johnsons, then John and Alfred gathered our rutabagas.

Wednesday, October 29, 1890--Cloudy and cold. Spit snow a little. Bailey and Oscar worked at kitchen. John and I washed. We moved back into the kitchen and seems so nice to have more room. I have headache some today.

Thursday, October 30, 1890--Cloudy and some cold. Menfolks worked at kitchen. I had headache in forenoon. I fixed up things a little. We did not go to Meeting. I spent the afternoon at Nell’s.

Friday, October 31, 1890--20 a. Cloudy and cold. Men cleared off chips and fixed banking around kitchen and steps, also plastered some and fixed stables some. John and Alfred got in my flower roots. John also helped me iron. I baked bread. John McMullen broke his leg yesterday. E. Pearson lost his mare night before last. We slept in our new bedroom last night.

Saturday, November 1, 1890--Nice day. Bailey and I went to Newhouse in afternoon. We got some bed ticken and stuff for comforter and some other things. We took up 7 dozen eggs. Got 16 cts. per doz. for them.

Sunday, November 2, 1890--Rather cold, cloudy. We all went to Meeting and back to the lecture in afternoon. It was given by Levina Benedict on the W.C.T.U. and the home and retreat. It was good.

Monday, November 3, 1890--Cloudy and snowed a very little. Bailey and Oscar put down part of our grapes and our new blackberries. John and I washed. The drillers came back about 3 o’clock today. Got ready to begin drilling again in the morning.

Tuesday, November 4, 1890--A lovely day. Men gathered corn at E. Johnsons. Alfred drove for the drillers. I did a lot of baking. Mary Haines was here in afternoon.

Wednesday, November 5, 1890--A beautiful day. Men husked at Johnsons. Alfred drove for drillers. I tried to rest up a little but was too busy to rest much.

Thursday, November 6, 1890--Quite a blustery day. Misted some. Chilly. Men husked at Johnsons. Alfred drove for drillers. Stella Camp visited here today. Rose and Ralph Fawcett was here a while last evening.

Friday, November 7, 1890--Pleasant day, cloudy part of the time. Men husked at E. Johnsons. Alfred drove for drillers. They are near 200 feet deep now, and no water yet. We feel pretty blue about it, but I trust we will be cared for. I am tired.

Saturday, November 8, 1890--This has been a very stormy day, disagreeable to be out. Men husked in forenoon. Finished at E. Johnson’s. Men had to stay in afternoon. I have been resting up a bit today. Snowed today quite hard. Rose got a letter from Lillie. I got one from Jim’s wife.

Sunday, November 9, 1890--Cold and mostly cloudy. We all except Alfred went to Meeting. Then we took dinner with E. Johnsons. Oscar staid up to F. Newcomers and went to song service and in the evening him and Charley went to Mabel to Meeting. John took Birdie to song service and in the evening he took Rose, Birdie and Lizzie up to Prayer Meeting. Al went too in evening.

Monday, November 10, 1890--Clear and nice. Melted the snow some. John and I washed in forenoon. I was nearly sick all day. Bailey went to Hesper and B. Benedicts in forenoon and to B. Haines in afternoon. Oscar chopped up some wood here at home. Eddie Haines spent this evening here. Alfred went to Will Johnson’s this afternoon.

Tuesday, November 11, 1890--Menfolks put down grape vines in forenoon. They finished that. In afternoon they husked out some fodder and hauled it home.

Wednesday, November 12, 1890--Bailey started for Wisconsin this morning. John took him up to Newhouse. In afternoon the boys hauled fodder home. I ironed some today. Rose came home today sick.

Thursday, November 13, 1890--Nice day. I went to Meeting with E. Johnsons and staid up til evening to E. G. Pearson’s donation party. I did not get to go to the rag bee yesterday. Boys hauled fodder today. Rose went up with me to visit Hesper School. She is better.

Friday, November 14, 1890--Nice day. Children all went up to missionary meeting last night. Boys hauled fodder today. Rose went back to Fawcetts today. Lucretia Talbert was here today. Charley Morgan shot Bob Fulton and another man a few days ago, while drinking and gambling.

Saturday, November 15, 1890--Rained some last night. Very muddy, so the boys could not haul fodder. They chopped a lot of wood and then went out awhile and killed 4 rabbits.

Sunday, November 16, 1890--Cloudy and foggy. We all that are home went to Meeting. Rose came and went with us. Francis Fuller & Charley Newcomer came home with the boys and Eddie and Willie came over after dinner.


Charley Newcomer, Ed Haines and Will Haines


Monday, November 17, 1890--Rained most all night and til noon today. We washed in forenoon. Oscar cut some wood. Alfred churned. Late in the afternoon the boys (Oscar and Alfred) went to Newhouse to meet Bailey at the Depot. They got home about 7. We were glad to welcome him home.

Tuesday, November 18, 1890--Nice day. The drillers got here in time this afternoon to put in about an hour’s work. Bailey and Oscar hauled fodder. No, John helped Bailey. Oscar was sick.

Wednesday, November 19, 1890--Nice day, clear and warm. Bailey and Oscar hauled our last load of fodder this morning. The drillers worked this forenoon. Then they broke their jars and had to quit. Bailey went to Mabel this afternoon. Boys worked on road to haul our wood home.

Thursday, November 20, 1890--Nice day. Mother visited here today. Bailey went to Hesper and got one load of manure. When he got as far back as Swainsons, one of his wagon tires broke. He took the wheel to Hesper this afternoon to get it fixed. Boys worked at blackberries some.

Friday, November 21, 1890--Nice day. Some cooler. Boys finished putting down blackberries. Bailey went to Ogden Casterton’s to get some money in forenoon. In afternoon he went to Hesper and got his wheel and took Mother home.

Saturday, November 22, 1890--Nice day. Ground froze a little last night. We all except Oscar went to Monthly Meeting. A preacher from Kansas, Smith by name, was at our meeting and preached. Alfred went home with Roe Whites.

Sunday, November 23, 1890--Nice day. We all went to Meeting. After meeting I went to stay with Anna Pearson while Ezra went to Mabel to preach. I also staid with her while he went to evening meeting. The children staid up.

Monday, November 24, 1890--A lovely day. Rose washed. Men got a team of B. W. Haines and hauled wood. John chored around home.

Tuesday, November 25, 1890--Rose ironed. I went to B. W. Haines to visit with Mother. Bailey hauled some stumps and manure. Boys started to school. Nice day.

Wednesday, November 26, 1890--Nice day. Bailey butchered a pig. I did some baking for Thanksgiving. Rose went to G. Fawcetts yesterday.

Thursday, November 27, 1890--Nice day. We all except Rose went to Meeting, both in forenoon and afternoon. Bennett’s and us took our dinners with us and went to C. Camp’s to eat it.

Friday, November 28, 1890--Nice day. We took Mother to Decorah to start to Ezra Kings.  We got a new bedstead, also a pair of horse blankets.

Saturday, November 29, 1890--Nice day. Bailey hauled manure and hay and straw. I did my baking and tried out some lard. There was school today.

Sunday, November 30, 1890--Cloudy and cool. We went to Meeting. Bennett’s family was here this afternoon. Desway and Nettie Newcomer were here.


Monday, December 1, 1890--Clear part of forenoon. Cloudy and spitting snow in the afternoon. The drillers got here about eleven this forenoon and began to drill about half past one. The children are at school. Rose has not come home yet.

Tuesday, December 2, 1890--9 a. Cloudy. Drillers got to work early and worked til noon. Then it snowed so hard they quit and went home. Bailey worked at kitchen bedroom doors.

Wednesday, December 3, 1890--6 a. Cloudy and stormy. Drillers did not come. Lillie Casterton and Prudie Reed were here visiting today. Had a good visit. Bailey visited with us most of the time. He put two of Oscar’s stands of bees in chaff. The bees now are all in winter quarters.

Thursday, December 4, 1890--1 a. Cloudy. Bailey went to Meeting. The drillers are here, so I could not go. Began to snow awhile before noon and snowed until sometime in the night, so they only drilled in the forenoon.

Friday, December 5, 1890--8 a. Cloudy most of the time. Mr. Coffeen visited the school yesterday. He also lectured last evening at the schoolhouse to the scholars and parents. The two older boys went.

Saturday, December 6, 1890--13 a. Clear and cold. Bailey and I worked at fixing up our spare bedroom. John helped. Alfred chored around and helped some. Oscar and Bennett’s boys and Charley Newcomer all went off on a hunt.

Sunday, December 7, 1890--1 b. Clear and cold. We all except Oscar went to Meeting. Rose has not come home yet. Bailey and I went home with Ezra Pearson and staid til evening.

Monday, December 8, 1890--6 a. Nice clear day. Drillers are here today. They found water, but not enough. Rose came home this evening. Bailey went to Hesper, then drove for the drillers.

Tuesday, December 9, 1890--24 a. Wind south. We went to the funeral of Sid Hubble’s wife. Brother Traman preached the sermon, a splendid sermon, too. In afternoon I went to B. Haines to make a bed tick.

Wednesday, December 10, 1890--32 a. Nice clear day. Men worked all day trying to get the rope out of our well. Yesterday while Bailey and the boys were drawing water, the rope broke and dropped back in the well.

Thursday, December 11, 1890--Cold and cloudy. I went to Meeting. Bailey had to stay at home to help get the rope out of the well. It is still in the well. I walked up to Hesper to Meeting and came back with E. Johnsons. Children went to missionary society.

Friday, December 12, 1890--Nice day. Men got the rope out of well late in afternoon yesterday and they began to drill again about 11 o’clock today. Rose and I did a big ironing this forenoon and in the afternoon we and John went to Newhouse.

Saturday, December 13, 1890--22 a. Cold wind from SW. The teacher, Miss May Decker, came home with the children last evening and went with them to the teacher’s meeting at Hesper today. We all went up this evening to the entertainment. Had a pleasant and, I trust, a profitable time.


May Decker

Sunday, December 14, 1890--28 a. Nice warm day. We all except Alfred went to Meeting. Agnes Battey staid all night here last night. Miss Decker came home with us from meeting. When we got home we found Charley Newcomer and Will Camp here.

Monday, December 15, 1890--22 a. Nice day. Bailey fixed for drawing water from our well. We have plenty of water but a hard way of getting it. I went to Susie Talberts this afternoon to do some sewing. I made three pillow ticks and did some other sewing.

Tuesday, December 16, 1890--26 a. Nice in forenoon, blustery in afternoon. Bailey made a drum for drawing water, then went to B. Haines and got some lime. Rose washed. I put house finish on the kitchen. The teacher came home with the children and went with them to the Endeavor.

Wednesday, December 17, 1890--16 a. Nice day. Bailey made a spout to run water into a tub and did some other chores. Bailey visited with Billy Sinclair quite awhile. Him and wife took dinner here.

Thursday, December 18, 1890--29 a. Nice day. Bailey plastered overhead in kitchen. We ironed in forenoon. In afternoon I went to Hesper to meet with W.C.T.U. Had a good meeting. Thomas Wilson died yst. morning at 5 o’clock.

Friday, December 19, 1890--29 a. Cloudy in the morning but it soon cleared off and a lovely day it was, warm and bright. Bailey was plastering the kitchen. I did my baking. Rose went to visit the school.

Saturday, December 20, 1890--36 a. Nice day. We went to Monthly Meeting. Boys killed 2 rabbits and got up wood to do over Sunday. Bailey finished plastering.

Sunday, December 21, 1890--36 a. Nice day. We all went to Meeting. Took our dinners and did not come back til after the funeral at 2 o’clock. Mr. Ridley preached the funeral sermon.

Monday, December 22, 1890--Nice day. Bailey went to see Monroe this forenoon and to B. Haines in afternoon. Rose washed. B’s hogs are dying with cholera.

Tuesday, December 23, 1890--16 a. Quite cold, high wind from NW. Bailey helped Will Johnson saw wood. Rose, Oscar and myself went to G. Fawcetts to their wooden wedding. John and Alfred went to B. Haines.

Wednesday, December 24, 1890--6 a. Cold and cloudy. Snowed some, not enough to cover the ground. Bailey helped Will Johnson saw wood til noon.

Thursday, December 25, 1890--Clear and cold. Bailey and I went to Meeting, then to B. Haines to dinner. The children went from home to Bennett’s. Charley Camps were there too. Mary Haines took sick just before dinner. We all went to Hesper last evening to a Christmas tree. Had a nice time. The trees were very pretty and loaded with presents.

Friday, December 26, 1890--28 a. Heavy wind from SW. Bailey took our chickens to Mabel and sold them. Got 5 cts. per lb. Mary Haines was very sick all last night. Is some better today.

Saturday, December 27, 1890--6 a. Clear, cold. High wind from NW. Bailey went to Riceford to mill. He got a sack of meal and 50 lbs. of buckwheat flour and 50 lbs. nice middlings. He suffered a good deal with cold. Lucretia Talbert and Grace visited here this afternoon.

Sunday, December 28, 1890--16 a. Nice day. Wind S. We went to Meeting. Ezra preached a good sermon. Eddie & Lizzie Haines, also E. Fuller were here this afternoon.

Monday, December 29, 1890--20 a. A lovely day. Rose washed. Men cut wood. Clouded up towards night. Rose and I went to I. Fawcetts this afternoon to sew some.

Tuesday, December 30, 1890--30 a. A lovely day, quite warm. Boys helped B. Haines saw wood. Bailey chored around home. We ironed and did various things.

Wednesday, December 31, 1890--39 a. Cloudy and misting. The boys helped B. Haines saw wood. Bailey and Rose whitewashed the kitchen overhead. Rose and I put our comfort in the frames and in the evening B. Haines’ children, Birdie Johnson and B. Burgess and E. Fuller came in and helped our children tack it.


Thursday, January 1, 1891--33 a. Rained most all night and was still raining this morning, but soon quit and began to snow. The girls could not go home last night. Oscar took them home this morning. Prudie Reid came here this afternoon.


Prudie Reid (married Henry Casterton)

Friday, January 2, 1891--6 a. Nice day. Ground froze. The boys cleaned the school house. The young folks came here this evening to surprise Rose. She is 21 today. They staid til one o’clock.

Saturday, January 3, 1891--6 a. Nice day. Bailey is sick abed today. He has grippe, I guess. We did not do much. I went with Lizzie Casterton to B. Haines to see about her teeth. We were not gone long.

Sunday, January 4, 1891--12 a. Nice day. All of us except Bailey and Alfred went to
Meeting. Prudie and Agnes went with us. We had a splendid sermon.

Monday, January 5, 1891--15 a. Nice day. Children commenced school again today. Bailey fixed up the stables today. Rose washed this forenoon and we quilted this afternoon. Rose went this eve to J. Darringtons to work a few days. Bennett was here today.

Tuesday, January 6, 1891--18 a. Nice day. I had a sick headache all day and still have it tonight. Bailey chopped wood at home.

Wednesday, January 7, 1891--15 a. Nice day. Bailey and I feel some better. We went to E. G. Pearson’s hauling bee. We all had a nice time, and they got up a big lot of wood. There was a liquor trial today in Hesper.

Thursday, January 8, 1891--9 a. Nice day. Bailey and I went to Meeting, and we and Elijah and Loo went to Frank Newcomers for dinner. Then Loo and I went to meet with the Ladies Aid.

Friday, January 9, 1891--19 a. Nice day. Clear. Melted some. Bailey hauling manure from Hesper. I ironed in the forenoon, then helped John with his paper for the Literary. Then quilted
some.

Saturday, January 10, 1891--17 a. Nice day. Melting some. Cloudy part of the time. Bailey hauled one load from Hesper and one load of wood from timber. Oscar went to Bersee’s and L. Talberts. John went to I. Fawcetts and got me a piece of meat for greaser for griddle pan. This afternoon the boys hauled a load from Hesper and Bailey chopped wood at home. We all went to the Literary last evening.

Sunday, January 11, 1891--20 a. Nice clear day. Pa, Oscar and I went to Meeting. Mother staid at home with Alfred. He was quite sick last night. Charlie Newcomer was here this afternoon. Rose got home tonight.

Monday, January 12, 1891--24 a. Cloudy and spit snow all day. Turned cold in the evening. Alfred is better but did not go to school. Pa and Ma went to Roe Whites tonight. They will start to Highland tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 13, 1891--9 a. Nice day. Wind SW. Roe Whites and Bailey and I went to Highland today. Did not get cold.

Wednesday, January 14, 1891--Wind NW til about 2 o’clock, then turned to the SW. We were at Highland Preparative Meeting today. We find the friends here in better condition than we expected, though not all that we could desire.

Thursday, January 15, 1891--Cloudy and cold in the morning, but cleared off nice towards evening. Bailey went to meeting. Nettie Fawcett came here to visit, so I could not go.

Friday, January 16, 1891--9 a. Cloudy and spitting snow most all day. The Aid Society had a Bee at J. Antrims to sew for Kenyons. We did considerable sewing and got suits for the two older boys.

Saturday, January 17, 1891--13 a. Lovely day. Mercury up to 34. Oscar took our hogs to Prosper. Got 3 cts. per lb. for them. John went with B. Haines folks to Decorah. I was down to J. Fawcetts a while today. Bailey fixed a pen for our little pigs that W. O. Casterton gave us.

Sunday, January 18, 1891--23 a. Very nice warm day. We are having a Jan. thaw. We and the boys went to Meeting and Sabbath School. Rose has not been home since Thursday. Ezra Pearson’s brother is here now. Anna keeps poorly.

Monday, January 19, 1891--21 a. A beautiful day. Boys all went to school. Bailey hauled from Hesper in forenoon and in afternoon he hauled grubs. I fixed up John’s coat.

Tuesday, January 20, 1891--30 a. Warm and cloudy. Mercury up to 40 at noon. Bailey hauled from Hesper in forenoon and grubs in afternoon. I was at Nell Fawcetts awhile. Grace Casterton was there.

Wednesday, January 21, 1891--29 a. Cloudy and snowed most all day. Pleasant. We, Bailey and I, went and took Bennett & Mary Haines to L. Chases to visit. Elijah and Lou Johnson went too. We all had a pleasant visit. E. G. Pearson and brother stopped there awhile. They were on their way to Bluffton & Cresco.

Thursday, January 22, 1891--23 a. Cloudy and spit snow most all day. Bailey and I washed in forenoon. I took cold, and it first settled in my cheek, then went to my throat. Miss Decker staid here tonight. She and the boys went to Endeavor meeting.

Friday, January 23, 1891--20 a. Cloudy. I had quite a spell. My face swelled up first, then it went to my throat, and that was terrible sore, but this morning I seem all right. Bailey and I went to Select Meeting today.

Saturday, January 24, 1891--3 a. Nice day, some colder. Bailey, John and myself went to Monthly Meeting. We took the ministry away from Aaron Davidson and Zeno Battey. Then Zeno resigned his right of membership with us. Our Elders now are Moses Gove, A. Hawks, Bailey G. Street, Lydia Cook, Deborah Hawks and Mary Haines.

Sunday, January 25, 1891--22 a. Nice day. Mostly cloudy. We all except Oscar went to Meeting. He is not well. Bailey and I went to B. Haines for dinner, and all their children and Flora Cameron came here. Mr. Bly preached for us yesterday and today. He preached a splendid sermon today. Oscar is better this eve.

Monday, January 26, 1891--21 a. Nice pleasant day. Dessie was home yesterday. Rose came home yesterday. She washed today. Bailey went this forenoon to see about getting some more wood.

Tuesday, January 27, 1891--Nice clear day. All of us boys went to school. Pa hauled two loads of manure in forenoon. Pa and Ma went to Billy Sinclairs to spend the evening. Rose went this eve to work for Dilwin Miles.

Wednesday, January 28, 1891--28 a. Cloudy and snowed most all day and is still snowing this eve. Bailey went to Newhouse this forenoon and got a new rope for our well. He took up 5 dozen eggs. Got 18 cts. per dozen. Got rope for 12 1/2 cts. per lb.

Thursday, January 29, 1891--Cloudy and snowed some. We now have about 8 inches of snow. Bailey and I went to Meeting. Miss Decker came home with the children.

Friday, January 30, 1891--10 a. Beautiful day. Mercury up to 35 before 10 o’clock. Wind south. Alfred came home sick last eve. He is quite poorly today. The children and teacher and Grace Talbert all went to Endeavor last eve. I ironed today.

Saturday, January 31, 1891--30 a. Pleasant. Snowed more last night. Cloudy today. Bailey hauled one load wood in forenoon. In afternoon O. & J. went to Newhouse and got each a new pair of overshoes. Ezra and Anna Pearson were here visiting today. They took dinner with us.


Monday, February 1, 1891--10 a. Cleared off nice, only cold. We all except Alfred went to Meeting. Ezra preached a good sermon. We brought Nellie Pearson home with us today. We all went to the Medal contest last evening. The speakers all did well. Oscar Street took the medal.

Monday, February 2, 1891--3 b. Last night was the coldest we have had this winter. Mercury went down to 4 below, but it has been going up all day til it reached 19, then the wind got back to the NW and at dark it is 4 below zero.

Tuesday, February 3, 1891--27 b. Very cold. High wind from SW in forenoon and mercury come up to 21. Then the wind turned to the NW and mercury began to go down. Will Johnson was here awhile. Too cold to work outdoors.

Wednesday, February 4, 1891--30 b. Very cold in forenoon. A heavy wind from SW. A good deal warmer by noon, 6 b. Bailey took the children to school. Nellie Pearson is going to school from here now. Alfred is still too poorly to go. I ironed and baked light bread today.

Thursday, February 4, 1892--29 a. Pleasant day but cloudy. Sprinkled snow a little. We went to Meeting today again. Bailey came home and I staid up and attended Union. I took dinner with Kate Antrim. We all attended evening meeting.

Friday, February 5, 1892--18 a. A lovely day. Clear. Bailey and I attended Meeting at ten. J. Coleman preached a good sermon on sowing. We all went to evening meeting.

Saturday, February 6, 1892--27 a. Cloudy all day. Spit snow a little. John helped me in forenoon. Bailey went to see Amos Earle. O. & J. cut up some wood here. Alfred went to L. Talberts today to visit with Frank Johnson’s boys. In aft. Bailey hauled 2 loads of wood from timber and John sawed wood at schoolhouse. Oscar sawed some there this forenoon.

Sunday, February 7, 1892--27 a. Cloudy. Spit some snow today. Snowed two or three inches last night. We went to Meeting in the sled. Mr. Parker preached. Mr. Coleman is sick. We all went to evening meeting and took Lou & Flo. Mr. Parker preached.


Eli Parker


Monday, February 8, 1892--16 a. Stormy in forenoon. We washed in forenoon. In afternoon Bailey hauled wood. We all only Oscar went to evening meeting.

Tuesday, February 9, 1892--10 b. Quite cold. Clear and but little wind. Bailey and I went to Meeting at 10. We all except Oscar went to evening meeting. We do have such splendid meetings. We took up 5 doz. eggs at 20 cts. per dozen.

Wednesday, February 10, 1892--23 a. Pleasant. Cloudy. Snow is melting some. Bailey and I went to Meeting at 10. We all went to evening (meeting). Had a good meeting.

Thursday, February 11, 1892--5 a. Quite a cold blustery day. Bailey and I and Lou & Birdie went to Meeting. Had pretty fair meeting. E. Johnson took off his hogs. We took dinner there so Bailey could help Elijah load up his hogs.

Friday, February 12, 1892--Zero. Cloudy. More pleasant. Bailey and I went to Meeting. Had a tolerable good meeting. I got each of the older boys a white shirt and Alfred a box of collars.

Saturday, February 13, 1892--29 a. Pleasant day. Mostly cloudy. Boys cut wood at home this forenoon and Bailey went to B. Haines. Alfred helped me iron. In the afternoon Bailey went to O. Castertons to pay off interest. Oscar went East to visit a school. A. went to Talberts. John helped me.

Sunday, February 14, 1892--12 a. Cold. Heavy NW wind. Bailey and I went to Meeting. Had a good meeting. Joseph Coleman preached. The house was full. We all except Oscar went to evening meeting.

Monday, February 15, 1892--20 b. Quite cold. Clear. We washed in forenoon. In afternoon Bailey went to O. Castertons. Alfred was not well enough to go to school. He professed conversion last evening at meeting. So did E. Fuller.

Tuesday, February 16, 1892--9 b. Not so cold as yesterday. Bailey and I went to ten o’clock Meeting and all of us to evening meeting. Had good meetings.

Wednesday, February 17, 1892--27 a. Quite warm. Sleighing most gone. Bailey and I went to ten o’clock Meeting and all only Oscar to evening meeting.

Thursday, February 18, 1892--14 a. Some colder. Wind NE. Cloudy. Bailey and I went to ten o’clock Meeting. Had a wonderful good meeting. God was with us in power. Joseph Coleman came home with us for dinner. The Insurance Agent took dinner with us too. We all went to Endeavor and evening meeting. The battle between God’s children and Satan is raging hot. Aunt Deborah Hawks fell in getting out of the buggy and hurt her arm badly.

Friday, February 19, 1892--14 a. Cloudy. Snowed a little last night. We did not go to ten o’clock Meeting. I had to iron and bake light bread and Bailey went to look for feed. We all went to Meeting this evening. Had a good meeting. Willie Haines & John Smelsley both professed conversion this evening.


Will Haines


Saturday, February 20, 1892--Bailey and I went to M. Meeting today. I staid up til evening meeting. So did Lou Johnson. We went to Sam Osgoods and got dinner and staid til after 5 o’clock. Then we went to F. Newcomers awhile & to Mr. Nelsons and Lydia Cooks. Had good meetings.

Sunday, February 21, 1892--22 a. Cloudy and warm. We had to take to the buggy again. We all went to morning Meeting. Mrs. Marrige preached about our individual influence. Our Meeting House was well filled. Rose & Hilda came and went to meeting with us. None of us went this evening. The boys went to Mabel to hear another colored man preach. O. & J. went to Canton to hear him lecture last evening.

Monday, February 22, 1892--34 a. Cloudy and foggy. We washed this forenoon. In the afternoon Bailey went to B. Haines. The boys went to evening meeting and to school exercises afterwards. I have a bad cold.

Tuesday, February 23, 1892--32 a. Cloudy and foggy. Bailey and I went to ten o’clock Meeting and I staid up til evening meeting and attended Mothers Meeting at three o’clock. It was a good meeting. Mary Haines, Lou Johnson and I took dinner at J. Antrims.

Wednesday, February 24, 1892--33 a. Cloudy. Snowed a little last night and today. Bailey went to Hervey Battey’s sale today. He bought some corn, a clock, a map & some jars. Oscar did not go to school today. He is not well. Bailey also got 8 saucers at sale, also several other small things. I have a cold.

Thursday, February 25, 1892--32 a. Nice day. I went to Meeting. Bailey went to Hervey Battey’s after corn. It cost 35 cts. per bushel. I staid up til evening to attend the Temperance Lecture by Rachel Marrige. It was good. Lou Johnson and I took dinner at Parkers.

Friday, February 26, 1892--Clear nice day. Bailey brought home 2 loads of corn from Batteys. I ironed. I set two hens today. I was over to see Big John’s baby. It is a girl.

Saturday, February 27, 1892--28 a. Pleasant. Bailey and Oscar hauled a load of flax straw and a load of cane stalks to cover crib and covered it. John cut and sawed wood most of today. The other boys helped him some when not busy at other things. Alfred helped me some about Sat. work.

Sunday, February 28, 1892--28 a. Pleasant, cloudy and snowed some. We all went to Meeting and Oscar went to evening meeting.

Monday, February 29, 1892--30 a. Pleasant. Cloudy. Snowed an inch or so last night. We washed today. H. Battey and Ruby were here awhile today. So was Linn T.


Tuesday, March 1, 1892--14 a. A beautiful day. Bailey hauled 3 loads from Hesper. He got our buggy tire mended, also Alfred’s boots half-soled. I did various things.

Wednesday, March 2, 1892--Cloudy. Bailey hauled one load from Hesper. Bailey fixed his buggy wheel today. Miss Decker came home with the children this evening, and Lizzie and Eddie Haines came over to spend the evening.

Thursday, March 3, 1892--32 a. Cloudy. Bailey and I went to Meeting. The boys went to Endeavor and Joseph Coleman came home with the children. He starts home tomorrow. Rained some today.

Friday, March 4, 1892--32 a. Cloudy. We started to Decorah between 6 and 7 o’clock to  take Joseph Coleman. Snowed last night. Bailey got him an overcoat. Paid 6 dollars for it. I got me a coat. Paid 5 dols. I got me a pair of shoes for 1.25; John a pair of shoes for 2.00; Alfred 1.15. I got Oscar a stiff hat. Paid 1.25. Got me a footstone for 35 cts. I got Rose an apron, black sateen. I got 2 yds. bleach muslin, 8 cts. per yd.; paper 10 cts; breast pin 50 cts.; rubbers 40 cts.

Saturday, March 5, 1892--26 a. Nice clear day. I ironed and baked and the boys sawed a little stove wood. Bailey went to Hesper. Mr. Parker was here awhile this afternoon. We sent for Green’s paper today.

Sunday, March 6, 1892--26 a. Nice day. We all went to Meeting and then we all went to B. W. Haines for dinner. Mr. Cammack and wife went there too. So did C. and E. Camp. We had a pleasant time.

Monday, March 7, 1892--21 a. Nice clear day. We washed in forenoon and in afternoon Bailey went to school meeting. They elected L.Talbert for Director.

Tuesday, March 8, 1892--27 a. Warm day. Mercury got up to 43. I ironed. Bailey hauled two loads of manure from Hesper on to Pike’s Peak and one load home. We spent the evening at Castertons.

Wednesday, March 9, 1892--26 a. Quite a blizzard from the NW. Snowing and blowing. Charley Camp and Stella came down to visit. It stormed so they had to stay all night. Started order for seeds today.

Thursday, March 10, 1892--2 a. High wind from NW, but not so bad a day as yesterday. Charley Camps went home about eleven o’clock today. We had a good visit with them. We did not go to Meeting. I have a bad cold. So has Oscar.

Friday, March 11, 1892--Bailey went to Bob Fulton’s sale this forenoon. Clear but not cold. Nell & Nettie Fawcett were here visiting. Had Bessie and their two little tots with them. We had a pleasant time together. Bailey went to Hesper in afternoon.


Saturday, March 12, 1892--12 a. Nice day. Water run lively. I did my baking up in forenoon and went to Hesper to hear Mr. Hector lecture at 2 o’clock on Prohibition. It was splendid. Jay Bowerman and Charley Newcomer were here to dinner and staid all day. In afternoon Bennett’s boys and Everett Fuller came. We left them and our boys here, and while we were gone Everett got his arm put out of joint at the elbow, and the bone the Dr. says is fractured. Him and Jay
were scuffling and fell. Dr. Worth set it.

Sunday, March 13, 1892--17 a. Quite a cold day. Froze up and rough. I did not go to Meeting. I have headache. B. Haines family all came here to dinner, but Mother did not come, as we expected. Dr. Worth was here again today to see Everett’s arm. Boys except Alfred went to night meeting at Norwegian church. So did Lizzie Haines.

Monday, March 14, 1892--7 a. Quite cold. Clear. Bailey went to School Meeting. I was not well enough to do much. Susie Talbert was here awhile this afternoon. Alfred did not go to school today.

Tuesday, March 15, 1892--5 a. Quite cold. Wind NW. Clear. We did not do anything today. Bailey is not well. Neither am I. Oscar went to a sale NE of here at Liens. John visited the school east of here this afternoon. Al was at Linn’s awhile. Everett is better. Bill Berg, E. Haines and Fuller were here last eve.

Wednesday, March 16, 1892--Zero. Nice clear day. Quite cold, but little wind. Bailey and I washed in forenoon. Oscar went to Hesper and got Sam’s front shoes fixed and John and Alfred sawed and split cord wood at home. In afternoon they all went to timber.

Thursday, March 17, 1892--Zero. Clear and cloudy by turns. Quite cold wind NW. Bailey and I went to Preparative Meeting. Got home half past two. Boys finished cutting our wood down in Bursee’s woods this afternoon. Bailey & Oscar went to the half-acre SW of here to chop, and John and Alfred hauled cord wood from Swainsons.

Friday, March 18, 1892--11 a. Clear and nice. Quite cold in the morning, but got very pleasant up in the day. Bailey hauled wood from Bursee’s timber. Oscar and Alfred chopped in timber in forenoon. In afternoon Oscar helped L.Talbert take his fat cattle to Mabel. John helped Will Casterton saw wood today. I feel very poorly.

Saturday, March 19, 1892--8 a. Mostly clear. High wind from NW. Quite cold. Bailey went to M. Meeting today. It was so blustery and I have a bad cold, so I did not go. Bailey and Oscar both have bad colds. The boys, O. & J., cut wood in the timber. I got my crayon portrait today. I would not give five cents for it. It don’t look like me at all.

Sunday, March 20, 1892--20 a. Nice day. We all except Oscar went to Meeting and then to B. Haines for dinner. Dessie and Nettie were there. Also Charley and Stella Camp and Charley Newcomer. Oscar went to Mabel to evening meeting. Hector preached.

Monday, March 21, 1892--11 a. Very bright early this morning but soon clouded up. Raw wind from south. The menfolk put their bees out this morning. I guess they will put them back this evening. They wintered well. We washed. Bailey got up 2 loads of wood. Boys chopped in timber. This afternoon Bailey went to Hesper to get the horse’s shoes sharpened. No more school this term. Mae Decker is sick.

Tuesday, March 22, 1892--22 a. Warmer. We had quite a blizzard last evening and night. About an inch of snow, but it is melting today. Bailey and Oscar sprouted potatoes this forenoon and John and Alfred shelled some corn to take to mill this afternoon. O. & J. went to the timber to cut wood. I am not well. Had sick headache last night, so I could not go to Hector’s lecture. The boys went. Set a hen.

Wednesday, March 23, 1892--15 a. A beautiful day. Clear and pleasant. Bailey and I took a sack of corn to McMillen to get ground. Then we went to Roe Whites and spent the day. Prudie Reid got married today. We called at Joseph Hawks a while. It was between 7 & 8 o’clock when we got home. We left E. Fuller alone. The boys chopped in timber. Alfred went with us. He staid all night there.

Thursday, March 24, 1892--27 a. A lovely day. Oscar hauled one load of wood. Then they chopped here the rest of the day. It was too muddy to haul. Alfred got home between 1 & 2 o’clock. None of us went to Meeting. Bailey and I went to see May D. & Em Oren.

Friday, March 25, 1892--28 a. Nice day. Seems like spring. A robin sang us a song this morning from the top of our weather vane. Men cut wood here today. They put the bees out for a fly. We set a hen today.

Saturday, March 26, 1892--28 a. Cloudy most of the time. We went to L.Talberts to a dinner given in honor of Lucretia’s birthday. She is 78 years old. We had a nice time. Men finished cutting what wood was here, and Oscar went to Newhouse and got him a pair of rubbers. Bailey took dinner at Linns. The two boys went to F. Newcomers this evening to a birthday party for Frank. They report a good time.

Sunday, March 27, 1892--30 a. A lovely day. Alfred and I did not go to Meeting. Our buggy is broke. Those that went report a good meeting. John staid up.

Monday, March 28, 1892--27 a. Nice day. A little cooler, but very pleasant. Bailey and I washed this forenoon and the boys cut cord wood in our timber. In the afternoon Bailey went to Mabel. The boys all piled brush awhile, then Oscar & Grace Talbert went to M. Orens to give Mae Decker a Bible from her pupils, and Alfred quit to play with Burr and Willard Talbert, so John was left alone. E. Fuller is still here.

Tuesday, March 29, 1892--32 a. Warm day. High wind from south. Bailey and John & Everett went to a sale east of here at Kjomme. B. got a molasses keg for 35 cts. Oscar burned brush in forenoon. In afternoon he cut a cord of wood at timber. Sowed my tomatoes today.

Wednesday, March 30, 1892--Rainy last night and today, but little water fell. Boys cut cord wood in forenoon. Bailey fixed up his grindstone. They did not work in afternoon. Too rainy.

Thursday, March 31, 1892--Warm day. Bailey went to Meeting. There was a minister there from Ohio named Jacob Baker. He preached a good sermon. I was not well enough to go. Oscar chopped all day down in the timber, and John most of the day, too. Alfred helped me.


Friday, April 1, 1892--52 a. Quite warm. Showery most of the day. Bailey and John went to Meeting. The boys chopped 2 cords of wood this aftenoon. Everett went to Amos Earles to visit with Eugene.

Saturday, April 2, 1892--39 a. Some cooler. Bailey and Oscar went to Newhouse this forenoon (so did Alfred) and this afternoon Bailey & Oscar went to Mabel. They were looking for a buggy, but concluded to get our old buggy fixed up. John staid at home with me this afternoon. Al went to L. Talberts. Everett Fuller came back this afternoon.

Sunday, April 3, 1892--Cloudy and showery towards evening. We all and Everett went to Meeting. Heard J. Baker preach a good sermon. Mother Street was at meeting. She came to Hesper on the stage Friday. She is well. Bailey & I went over awhile this afternoon to see her. Everett went home with Francis today after meeting.

Monday, April 4, 1892--Cloudy and rainy part of today. Cleared off about noon until evening, then it rained a little more. After dinner Bailey and I went to Hesper, he to take the buggy up, I to see Mary Cameron. The boys worked in timber this afternoon. In forenoon John and I washed and the others washed off the buggy wheels and got them ready to take to
the shop.

Tuesday, April 5, 1892--Cloudy all day. Wind NW. Some cool. The boys worked in timber cutting posts til noon. David and Alfred spread manure awhile, then Bailey went to Earles. H. W. Johnson to see about hay this afternoon. He went and got a half ton from W. Johnson. Boys moved some corn from stable loft to crib. Then they took up our blackberries and cut out some wood in red raspberry patch.

Wednesday, April 6, 1892--A lovely day. Clear. Men grubbed today. They got Uncle Russell Tabor’s machine. A. & I ironed. E. Fuller came back here today, this afternoon. My tomatoes are up and have been several days. E. Darrington gets married today.

Thursday, April 7, 1892--Nice day. Bailey and I went to Meeting. Also E. Fuller. I staid up to the Union, then came home with Lou and Elijah Johnson. Boys grubbed all day and Bailey helped them in afternoon.

Friday, April 8, 1892--Quite cold this morning, freezing some. Menfolks are grubbing. I went to L. Talberts awhile this afternoon and Susie and I came up to Johns awhile.

Saturday, April 9, 1892--17 a. Cool. Ground froze hard. Quite a wind from NW. Men worked this forenoon with overcoats & mittens on, cutting out wood in old raspberry patch. This afternoon Bailey and Oscar grubbed & John went to B. Haines and F. Newcomers to take saw home and get some harrow teeth. Alfred staid in the house. He has a bad cough. Oscar’s cold or grippe still holds onto him but don’t stop him from work. We all have colds.

Sunday, April 10, 1892--17 a. Nice day. Cold. We all went to Meeting. Mr. Westgate preached a good sermon. B. Haines & family and Mother came home with us and staid til evening.

Monday, April 11, 1892--24 a. Some warmer. A nice day. John and I washed in forenoon. Bailey and Oscar grubbed a while, then they broke both chains and Oscar took them to Hesper and got them mended. Then he went out east of here and got a load of oats for Jim Cameron. Bailey and the other boys grubbed the rest of the day.

Tuesday, April 12, 1892--28 a. Quite warm. Men grubbed, all but one of them, and they hauled wood. I went to E. Johnsons this afternoon to get Bird to cut my gingham dress for me, the one Lizzie Casterton gave me. I ironed in forenoon. I am not well.

Wednesday, April 13, 1892--38 a. Cloudy and the wind is chilly. Men grubbed this forenoon, only Bailey had to go to Hesper to transfer the Preparative Meeting property over to the Monthly Meeting. In the afternoon Bailey and John grubbed til about the middle of the afternoon and Oscar hauled wood. Then it began to snow, and we had quite a hard blizzard, only not very cold wind to NE.

Thursday, April 14, 1892--33 a. Nice day overhead. Snow melted a good deal, but some is left yet. Bailey and I went to Preparative Meeting today. Was our last one. We laid down the Preparative Meeting today. Had a good meeting. Oscar worked awhile this morning. He finished cutting out old wood in this old red rasp. patch. Bailey went this afternoon to see John O. Johnsons, also to see B. Haines.

Friday, April 15, 1892--Nice bright day. Pleasant. Most of the snow melted today. Men grubbed. Lou and Birdie Johnson were here today (this afternoon) and Birdie fit my dress and almost made it. Lou helped her. She basted. We had a pleasant time together.

Saturday, April 16, 1892--40 a. Nice day. Heavy wind from SE. All the menfolks grubbed in forenoon. After dinner Bailey and I went to W. O. Castertons to see Rose about helping me clean house. When we got home, Oscar went to hauling posts and Bailey & John to grubbing. Alfred went to hunt flowers.

Sunday, April 17, 1892--42 a. Nice day. Bailey & Oscar went to Meeting. Oscar broke the axle of our wagon yesterday, so I could not go, and John had a cold sore on his mouth and Alfred said he was not well.

Monday, April 18, 1892--32 a. Nice day. We washed today. Bailey did various things. He looked for a team to brake up our grub land and fixed our wagon and set 2 hens. Grubbed quite a bit. Oscar helped me awhile, then went to Ogdens to get a plow. This afternoon he went to see Ford Worth. He is not well. John and Alfred hauled off grubs.

Tuesday, April 19, 1892--30 a. Nice day. Men tried to break our grub land today but could not. Did not have help enough. Oscar is sick this afternoon. Bailey went to see Dr. Cady. He got some medicine for Oscar and some headache medicine for me.

Wednesday, April 20, 1892--33 a. Cloudy, chilly east wind. Bailey hauled one load of manure from Hesper and John one load. Then Bailey and Al mulched some of the blackberries. John carried out and burned raspberry brush. Alfred churned two churnings, which made 5 lb. of butter. Got cream of Haines. Paid 16 cts. per lb. In afternoon Bailey went to L. Talberts and got some plum trees and they put them out. Then he plowed a small patch in the garden and we planted some peas. We were expecting to plant onions and some other things, but Mr. Parker and family came here and took supper with us. Oscar is poisoned with ivy. I think he is better.

Thursday, April 21, 1892--33 a. Everything is white with snow. It is two or three inches deep, but will soon melt if it keeps as warm as it is. It began to rain last evening and rained til past midnight. Then it turned to snow. Bailey fixed up his harrow today. B. Haines was here this afternoon. John went to Hesper today to canvass for a book, The Life of Spurgeon. We sold ten grape vines to Will Aiken today.

Friday, April 22, 1892--38 a. Nice clear warm day. Snow is all gone. Bailey went to Mabel this forenoon and got some lumber and our trees from Budd. We aren’t very well pleased with them. John helped L. Talbert get and put out some maple trees at school house. Oscar isn’t so well today.

Saturday, April 23, 1892--40 a. Nice day. Bailey, John and I went to Meeting. Had a good meeting. Oscar is better. We planted onions, radishes, beets and potatoes today. Ruddy White came home with us. Got a bottle of sarsaparilla.

Sunday, April 24, 1892--33 a. Nice day, but quite cool. All only Oscar went to Meeting. He was not able. When we got home we found Rose, Hilda and Myrtle here. They and the boys went out east for a ride. Lizzie Haines and Flora Miles were here awhile this afternoon. Mr. Westgate preached today.

Monday, April 25, 1892--30 a. Quite cold. The ground froze some. Bailey, John and Eddie Haines are breaking our grub land. Oscar & Alfred started for school today. I sold W. Goram two settings of eggs today. The men had to quit breaking at noon today on account of rain. Rose came home today. She is going to help clean house. She is washing today.

Tuesday, April 26, 1892--Cool and cloudy. Men are breaking grub land. Eddie is