Diary of Bailey and Mary Purcell Street

1880-1883

Transcribed by Keith Street, great grandson of Bailey and Mary Jane Street

INITIAL EXPLANATORY REMARKS

This is a transcription of a diary started in 1880 by Bailey and Mary Jane Purcell Street. They are living in Houston County, Minnesota, Spring Grove Township. Bailey is a teacher in a rural township school. They live close to the Winneshiek County, Iowa, state boundary line, and much of this diary concerns interactions with Winneshiek County residents. Bailey and Mary are residents of Winneshiek County part of the time period covered by this diary.

The diary itself is in poor condition, with both covers off and several loose pages. The pages are yellowed and the ink is faded in some places. The diary measures 6 1/4 inches by 7 1/4 inches. The hard cover is a mottled brown. The pages are lined horizontally with blue lines and there are two vertical red lines on each page, approximately an inch from the page borders. A sample photo-copied page shown at the end of the diary transcription shows the actual handwriting of the authors. This comes before the every-name index and after maps and other items.

This diary is currently in the possession of the transcriber, Keith Street, a great grandson of Bailey and Mary Jane Street. This diary was transcribed during July and August of 2003, for the pleasure 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.

Bailey Street was a son of Aaron and Elizabeth Clark Street. His 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. Most of them live close by. Bailey and Mary are both 36 when the diary begins. Their only daughter, Rosella, is 10. Oldest son, Oscar, is 8; second son, John, is 4; son Alfred is a baby of 10 months. Albert, twin to Alfred, has died within the last few months. The last son, George, who died in infancy, has not yet been born. George is listed as 10 months old on July 13, 1883, toward the end of this diary. His birth date is not given.

Bailey was born in 1844 in Henry County, Iowa. When about 5, his family moved to Dewitt County, Illinois. When he was about 8,  the family lived in Cedar County, Iowa, buBailey was born in 1844 in Henry County, Iowa. When about 5, his family moved to Dewitt County, Illinois. When he was about 8,  the family lived in Cedar County, Iowa, but shortly moved to Winneshiek County, Iowa. Bailey bought or rented a mill, but after about a year, the mill burned and they moved for a few months to Louisiana, where they cut and sold cord wood for 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 family moved to Missouri, and possibly Kansas, during part of the Civil War. Bailey was married in 1868 in Jasper County, Missouri. Rosella and Oscar were born there. Bailey’s father died the day before Oscar was born, but I have never been able to pinpoint the place, whether in Kansas or Oklahoma. At the time of Aaron’s death, David was 19, Lindley was 17 and John was 15. Elizabeth, with the three boys, moved to Jasper County, Missouri and then back to Winneshiek County, Iowa, settling in Highland Township in the early 1870’s. Bailey and Mary, with Mary’s brother, George Duncan Purcell, caught the Western fever and moved to Hillsboro, Oregon, in the middle 1870s. Son John was born there in 1875, shortly before the family became disillusioned and returned to their familiar headquarters near Winneshiek County, but across the state line in Houston County, Minnesota. Alfred was born in Houston County, Minnesota, and we are at the point where this diary commences.

Bailey’s family is poor. They have no horse, no wagon or buggy or sleigh, and only one cow. He walks everywhere. They raise most of what they eat. Mary is in poor health quite a bit of the time. Bailey teaches school, as does his brother, David, and works for neighboring farmers. By 1883, he is in partnership with his brother, David, on a rented farm, and has leased a 40 of his own. He is beginning to grow strawberries and raspberries on a commercial basis, and make molasses from sugar cane and raise bees for their honey. These are the same kinds of activities that Oscar pursued during his life, and passed on to his own children. 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. 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.
 


Aaron and Elizabeth Clark Street,
parents of Bailey Street, sometime before 1870.


Bailey Street family ca 1887
Front row from left: Bailey, Alfred, Mary; back row: Rose, John, Oscar


BEGINNING OF DIARY TRANSCRIPTION FOR 1880


Saturday, January 10, 1880--Spring Grove, Minnesota. High wind from south. Cold in the morning. I went to Spring Grove, got a minute hand put on my watch. Got a lantern globe and two lamp flues, also a map.

Sunday, January 11, 1880--High wind from NW. It has been getting colder all day. D. Street (Bailey’s brother David) was here a while in the evening.

Monday, January 12, 1880--Clear and cold. Mercury 1 below zero. School small today.

Tuesday, January 13, 1880--Mostly clear. Very high wind from the SE. Very chilly! Went down to Mr. Foss’ (landlord, I think) after school.

Wednesday, January 14, 1880--Wind NW and high. It has been getting colder all day. The baby (Alfred) has not been well today.

Thursday, January 15, 1880--Very high wind from SE. Thawing some.

Friday, January 16, 1880--Cloudy and warm. Quite muddy. Mrs. Foss was here today visiting. School small today. I have taught just one month.

Saturday, January 17, 1880--Cloudy but not cold. Got a load of corn home. Bought a cow of Mr. Foss for twenty five dollars.

Sunday, January 18, 1880--Clear and warmer. Mercury 57. B. Haines were here visiting. (Bennett Haines’ wife, Mary, is Bailey’s sister.)


Bennett Haines   Mary  Haines

Monday, January 19, 1880--Cloudy, not cold.

Tuesday, January 20, 1880--Weather about the same as yesterday. The baby has been very sick today.

Wednesday, January 21, 1880--Drizzled the forepart of the day, then turned to snowing. The baby is still quite sick.

Thursday, January 22, 1880--Stormy for a while in the morning, then cleared off. A little colder than has been. The baby is about well.

Friday, January 23, 1880--Clear nice day. The snow melted some. I now have twenty four scholars enrolled.

Saturday, January 24, 1880--Clear and pleasant. Went south three or four miles in a cutter (a kind of buggy), but the roads are very rough. Had a turkey for dinner.

Sunday, January 25, 1880--Rather pleasant. At home all day.

Monday, January 26, 1880--Warm, wind south till evening, when it turned to the NW. Two more new scholars today.

Tuesday, January 27, 1880--High wind from north. Snowed part of the day. Pretty cold.

Wednesday, January 28, 1880--Cold, one below in the morning, five below zero in the evening. High wind from NW.

Thursday, January 29, 1880--Cold high wind from NW. I am sick with headache.

Friday, January 30, 1880--Clear and cold, high wind from west. I am still sick. Got Olive Peterson to teach school in my place. Mary and John are about sick.

Saturday, January 31, 1880--Clear and snowy by turns during the day. Went to Monroe’s and came back by Robinson’s and got some corn. Bought some hay of Foss.

Sunday, February 1, 1880--Clear and cold.

Monday, February 2, 1880--Cloudy and some cold. We are all getting better. School small today. 14 below zero.

Tuesday, February 3, 1880--Cold and snowing some. Went to Bellatt’s (?) in the evening after school. Sent a letter to George (George Purcell, Mary’s brother) and also a card to Purdy and Stoddard.


George Purcell


Wednesday, February 4, 1880--Clear for a while in the morning, then snowed the rest of the day. Cold.

Thursday, February 5, 1880--Cold, 12 below zero.

Friday, February 6, 1880--Snowed some last night and a while this morning. Clear the rest of the day. Had a spelling school in the evening.

Saturday, February 7, 1880--Clear nice day, mercury 11 below zero. Got a load of corn from Robinson’s. Received the first no. of the Inter Ocean (a magazine), dated January 29, 1880.

Sunday, February 8, 1880--Clear, with high wind from S and W. At home all day. Shot at a wolf that came close to the house. Cold in the evening.

Monday, February 9, 1880--Pleasant. High wind from south.

Tuesday, February 10, 1880--Clear and warm. Wind south. A beautiful day. The snow melted considerable.

Wednesday, February 11, 1880--Warm. Rained about all day. In the evening the wind got to the west and it cleared off. Hard thunder and lightning. One new scholar today.

Thursday, February 12, 1880--Cold with high wind from west. The ground is about covered with ice.

Friday, February 13, 1880--Nice clear day. Mercury at zero.

Saturday, February 14, 1880--Wind SW. Some chilly. Went to Mabel afoot. Received a copy of the Fruit Recorder (a magazine).

Sunday, February 15, 1880--Pleasant. Ice thawed some. Went over to Mr. Sample’s in forenoon.

Skip to Tuesday, February 24, 1880--Warm and cloudy, wind south. It has been warm for several days. I sold my team to Sample’s and he came and took them last Friday. I went and got two roosters last week, one a Plymouth Rock of A. Haines for one dollar and a quarter, and a Cochin of B. Haines. Yesterday was a clear warm day. I had a spelling school last Friday evening. The house was full.

Skip to Sunday, February 29, 1880--It has been warm last week til last night. It sleeted some yesterday and in the evening turned to snowing and snow perhaps three inches this morning. The mercury was five below zero.


Monday, March 1, 1880--Cold in the morning but pleasant the rest of the day. School small today.

Tuesday, March 2, 1880--Warm wind south. Snow all melted today.

Wednesday, March 3, 1880--Warm. Rained a considerable part of the day. I have not felt well today.

Skip to Saturday, March 6, 1880--Clear and warm. High wind from south. Mercury 48. Went up to Spring Grove and got my picture taken with five of my pupils.

Sunday, March 7, 1880--Clear and cold. Very high wind from north. Mercury 15 above zero in the morning and 10 in the evening. Mrs. Foss was here awhile in the afternoon. She got two settings of eggs. Mary set a hen last evening.

Skip to Wednesday, April 14, 1880--The warmest day this spring. Mercury 78. Very high wind from south.

Thursday, April 15, 1880--Quite cool. I walked to Decorah and back. It is about eighteen miles there.

Friday, April 16, 1880--Snowed three or four inches forenoon but was mostly gone by night. Went to Mabel in afternoon. (Mabel, Fillmore County, Minnesota, one mile north of Hesper, Iowa).

Saturday, April 17, 1880--Pleasant. Went to Nelson’s and got the contract drawn up for the school I am going to teach this summer.

Skip to Wednesday, April 28, 1880--Pleasant. Rained about all the afternoon. Planted a few potatoes. We have had a good deal of rain this spring. Farmers are not done seeding yet.

Thursday, April 29, 1880--Cold high wind and showery.

Friday, April 30, 1880--Cold.


Saturday, May 1, 1880--Clear and warm. High wind from south. M. and I went to Mabel. Planted some potatoes, onions, radishes and mended Mary’s shoes.

Sunday, May 2, 1880--Clear and warm, a beautiful day. Got Mr. Foss’ team and went to B. Haines and did not get home til dark.

Skip to Monday, May 17, 1880--Clear and warm. High wind from south. We cleared out the kitchen. Moved the stove and whitewashed some.

Skip to Monday, May 31, 1880--Clear and cool. Helped about washing and went to B. Haines. Rained a good deal last night. We have had cool and rainy weather for two or three weeks. We received a letter from E. King (Eunice King, Bailey’s sister) today. Also one from Father (Mary’s father, John Purcell) from Mo. last Saturday.


Eunice Street King      John Purcell

Tuesday, June 1, 1880--Cool. A little showery in the middle of the day. Went to Spring Grove and got some melon seeds, our first planting having mostly failed. Planted melons and cucumbers. Fixed a chair, hoed in garden some and studied some. Small grain looks well, but corn is rather late.

Wednesday, June 2, 1880--Quite cool. Showery in the afternoon. Studied most of the day. The wind blew very hard part of the time. The plums are mostly dropping off.

Thursday, June 3, 1880--Cool. Rained some last night. Threatened rain in the afternoon. Hoed some and went to Newhouse (railroad station) and got the paper.

Friday, June 4, 1880--Some warmer. A large amount of rain fell last night, also rained in the afternoon. I went to Mabel, sold some butter at eight cents per lb.

Saturday, June 5, 1880--Some warmer. Threatened rain in the afternoon. About home except in the evening went to the post office.

Sunday, June 6, 1880--Clear and cool. Very high wind from NW.

Monday, June 7, 1880--Clear and cool. Helped about washing and hoed in garden.

Tuesday, June 8, 1880--Still cold. Hoed some. Brother Lindley from Hampton, Iowa, was here visiting with us today. Went to the office (post office) in the evening.


Lindley Street and family


Wednesday, June 9, 1880--Rather warm and showery. Rained a great deal last night. Also very high wind from NE that shook our house. Got a spade and fixed the cellar where it caved in.

Thursday, June 10, 1880--Rained very hard in the morning and threatened rain all day. Sultry.

Friday, June 11, 1880--Very hot. Fixed the cellar where it had caved in. Showery.

Saturday, June 12, 1880--Clear and pleasant. Got Mr. Foss’ team in the afternoon and got a load of corn from Robinson place.

Sunday, June 13, 1880--Clear and pleasant.

Monday, June 14, 1880--Rained most of last night and about all day. Cool. Wrote a letter to Father and took it to the office.

Tuesday, June 15, 1880--Clear nice day. Helped about washing. Hoed some. Broke the hoe. Went to B. Haines and got a hoe.

Skip to Thursday, June 24, 1880--Very warm. Showery. We have had no rain for over a week. Fixed the cellar. Spaded up a cabbage patch.

Friday, June 25, 1880--Got a letter from Father. I intend to go to Decorah tomorrow.

Saturday, June 26, 1880--Clear and warm. I went to Decorah yesterday. Did not get home til ten o’clock. Attended Cole’s Show (circus). Mary, Mother and Estella (Haines married Charlie Camp) were visiting with Mary yesterday.


Estella Haines, left;  Elizabeth Street (Bailey's mother), right



Sunday, June 27, 1880--Mr. Foss and wife visited and took dinner with us. Very warm. Rained a good deal in the evening.

Skip to Tuesday, June 29, 1880--Cool with one or two showers yesterday and today. I am teaching school.

Wednesday, June 30, 1880--Clear and warm. I went to Decorah and got a certificate. David was here most of the day. He had a chill.


Thursday, July 1, 1880--Clear nice day. At my school again.

Skip to Saturday, July 3, 1880--Had a young fried chicken today.

Sunday, July 4, 1880--Rained until near the middle of the afternoon, when it cleared off. Bennett and Mary were over in the evening and got some butter.

Monday, July 5, 1880--Clear warm day. At my school.

Tuesday, July 6, 1880--Clear, warm and still. A good many farmers are cutting hay.

Skip to Thursday, July 15, 1880--Pleasant. High wind from NW. Up to last evening the weather has been very hot for the last ten days, the mercury being 90 to 94 in the shade.

Skip to Tuesday, July 27, 1880--Commenced harvesting for Mr. Pendegast. A very pleasant day.


Skip to Wednesday, August 4, 1880--A pretty warm day. Finished harvesting today, having worked at it seven days.

Skip to Friday, August 6, 1880--Commenced stacking for Mr. Pendegast.

Skip to Wednesday, August 11, 1880--Finished stacking today, having worked at it five days. Very warm.

Skip to Sunday, August 15, 1880--The weather has been hot and dry for a long time. We had one shower during harvest. Today is cool and threatening rain. David was here a little while in the evening.


Skip to Monday, September 6, 1880--Clear and pleasant. Finished my summer school today. We have been having dry weather since before harvest, with the exception of a few light showers. Got a letter from Father in Mo. last Friday.


Skip to Saturday, October 16, 1880--We had several hard frosts from the ninth to the sixteenth of last mo. The weather has been pretty dry this fall most of the time. Last night it rained some and this morning at daylight it was snowing and it snowed by spells all day. It has been getting colder all day. At dark the ground was freezing.

Sunday, October 17, 1880--Cold with high wind from NW. Snowing a good part of the day. Very disagreeable to be out.

Monday, October 18, 1880--Mercury 21 above zero.

Tuesday, October 19, 1880--Some warmer. Clear and cloudy by turns. Went to B. Haines to attend to some business for David, and got twenty-two pounds of flour of Bennett. Hands to husk corn are in demand now, but they only offer fifty cents or two bushels of corn a day. Fat hogs are dying off with some disease. A man on Portland Prairie has lost over one hundred head.

Wednesday, October 20, 1980--Clear and pleasant. Finished digging potatoes. Thursday, October 21, 1880--Pleasant. Clear part of the day. Worked at making a stable. Went to Newhouse in the evening.

Friday, October 22, 1880--Cloudy and pleasant. Went to Decorah. Started at three o’clock. Walked most of the way there but got to ride back. The road was frozen some in the morning.

Saturday, October 23, 1880--Cloudy. Helped Mr. Foss fix fence until noon.

Sunday, October 24, 1880--Clear and pleasant, wind south. A very nice day. Mary and I went out to where A. Reid lives and looked around some. We have been talking about renting that place.

Monday, October 25, 1880--Pleasant. Some cloudy. Did not do much of anything. Mary and the children went to Mr. Foss’ and got some molasses.

Tuesday, October 26, 1880--A nice day. Made arrangements for going to mill tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 27, 1880--Cloudy and very chilly. Wind east. Went to mill to Riceford with 11 1/2 bu. of wheat and three bu. of corn. A neighbor went with me and took a small grist along.

Thursday, October 28, 1880--Chilly in the morning but some warmer in evening. Went and got the grist and Oscar and I husked corn in afternoon to pay for the use of the team.

Friday, October 29, 1880--A nice warm day. Oscar and I husked corn for Albert.

Saturday, October 30, 1880--Wind turned to the north and got some colder. Fixed the stable for the cow and chickens.

Sunday, October 31, 1880--Clear nice day.


Monday, November 1, 1880--Clear and pleasant. Mary and I went to Mabel with Mr. Foss to do some trading.

Tuesday, November 2, 1880--Some cloudy. Went to Spring Grove to vote, then went over to Mother’s. We have had fine weather for work since the snow.

Wednesday, November 3, 1880--Quite warm, looks some like rain. Went to see Mr. Sample. Sorted the potatoes. Sawed some wood and kindling.

Thursday, November 4, 1880--Warm and cloudy. Rained gently all the afternoon. Friday, November 5, 1880--Cool. Sawed and split wood.

Saturday, November 6, 1880--A nice clear day but pretty cold. Went over to B. Haines in afternoon.

Sunday, November 7, 1880--Quite a hard freeze last night. Mostly cloudy.

Monday, November 8, 1880--A nice clear day. Helped about washing and went to Mabel and got some things. They were taking in hogs along the railroad today. They paid from $3.75 to $4.00.

Tuesday, November 9, 1880--Some cloudy. Went to Decorah. Started at 4 o’clock and got back at one. I got to ride most of the way there and back.

Wednesday, November 10, 1880--Rained all last night and for most of today.

Thursday, November 11, 1880--Snowed by spells all day. Cold.

Friday, November 12, 1880--Cold, 15 above zero. Clear part of the day. Went over to B. Haines.

Saturday, November 13, 1880--Cold with high wind from west. Snowed by spells all day. Got a team and took off nearly five dozen chickens. Got twenty cents apiece for some and twenty five cents for the rest. Bought 35 bu of corn at 75 cents a bu. and brought home part of it.

Sunday, November 14, 1880--Clear and cool.

Monday, November 15, 1880--Cold with wind from west. Went to Mabel and got some goods.

Tuesday, November 16, 1880--Cold. Wind high from west. Mercury 3 above in the morning and 2 above in the evening. About home.

Wednesday, November 17, 1880--Six below zero and high wind. Went to see Mr. Sample in the evening.

Thursday, November 18, 1880--Went to see Mr. Foss, then went to see about getting some straw and from there to A. Holland’s and fixed up the contract for my school and from there to the post office. Not so cold as yesterday. Wind south west. Chilly.

Friday, November 19, 1880--Cut and split stove wood. Pretty cold.

Saturday, November 20, 1880--Cold with high wind from the west. Clear forenoon, snowed some in afternoon. Sawed and split wood.

Sunday, November 21, 1880--14 below zero with high wind from S west. Wrote a letter to Father, also to E. King and D. Street. Sent for copies of Youth’s Companion and Rural New Yorker, also to A. M. Purdy.

Monday, November 22, 1880--Clear and cold. Went to B. Haines and got a team. We expect to go over there visiting tomorrow.

Tuesday, November 23, 1880--2 below zero, wind SE. Went over to B. Haines. Snowed some.

Wednesday, November 24, 1880--Staid overnite at F. Newcomer’s, then went back to Bennett’s and came home in the evening. 4 below in morning.

Thursday, November 25, 1880--10 below zero. Hauled water and straw and then took the team home.

Friday, November 26, 1880--Clear and cool. Sawed and split wood.

Saturday, November 27, 1880--Clear and warmer. Went to Spring Grove in forenoon and to see Sample in afternoon.

Sunday, November 28, 1880--A nice day. Commenced getting colder in the evening.

Monday, November 29, 1880--Clear and cold, 10 below zero. Commenced my school. Had twelve pupils. Our baby (Alfred) is not well.


Skip to Saturday, December 4, 1880--Warm and cloudy. Rained in the afternoon. Went to A. Earle and B. Haines.


Amos Earle


Sunday, December 5, 1880--2 below in morning and 4 below in the evening, with very high wind from west. The last of last was pleasant. Friday warm.

Monday, December 6, 1880--10 below zero with high wind from NW. Did not get above zero all day. Clear.

Skip to Saturday, December 11, 1880--The weather has been very cold all the past week. Wednesday and Thursday mornings the mercury was 17 below zero with a good deal of wind.

Skip to Saturday, December 25, 1880--Still and cloudy and pleasant. The weather has been pleasant for the past two weeks with snow enough to make for good sleighing. Snowed a couple of inches last night.

Sunday, December 26, 1880--Moderate wind, a little west of south. Commenced snowing at ten o’clock and snowed all the rest of the day. At night the wind was blowing hard from the west. Mercury 20 above in the morning and 16 at night.

Monday, December 27, 1880--High wind from NW. Snow blowing. 22 below zero in the morning and 23 at night.

Tuesday, December 28, 1880--High wind from NW. Air full of snow. Very cold. 28 below in the morning and 23 at night.

Wednesday, December 29, 1880--Very high wind last night and today a very disagreeable day to be out. The air full of snow. 21 below zero in the morning and 6 in evening. Went to Sample’s and Stroud’s, also to see Tommy Thompson.

Thursday, December 30, 1880--Clear and cold. Went to Mabel and paid my store bill and from there to Hesper and got dinner at B. Haines and got a horse and cutter to go to Decorah tomorrow. 14 below.

Friday, December 31, 1880--Clear and cold. 12 below zero. Went to Decorah and paid Truman off. $174.30.


Saturday, January 1, 1881--Some warmer than has been. About home except to go over to the office.

Sunday, January 2, 1881--Weather about the same as yesterday.

Monday, January 3, 1881--Clear and cold. 11 below. Commenced school, which was small. Mary has the headache.

Tuesday, January 4, 1881--A little warmer than yesterday. Wind south. Mary is still poorly.

Wednesday, January 5, 1881--Snowed all day. Pleasant. Mary is better this evening.

Thursday, January 6, 1881--Cold. Mary is about well but the baby is quite sick.

Friday, January 7, 1881--Clear and cold, 30 below zero. The baby was very sick all last night and today. Did not have school. I went to Hesper to see a Dr. We were up with the baby all last night.

Saturday, January 8, 1881--Cloudy. 20 below zero. The baby is getting better. B. and M. Haines were here visiting today.

Sunday, January 9, 1881--22 below. A. Peterson’s were here. Mary had the colic in the morning and I have a very sore toe. We got a letter from G. Purcell last Thursday.

Monday, January 10, 1881--Clear and cold. 32 below zero in the morning and 2 above at noon.

Tuesday, January 11, 1881--Pleasant. Very high wind from south. The snow drifted a good deal.

Wednesday, January 12, 1881--Pleasant. Mercury up to 28 above.

Thursday, January 13, 1881--2 above in the morning and 23 below in the evening, with high wind.

Friday, January 14, 1881--35 below zero with considerable wind from south.

Saturday, January 15, 1881--Received the Jan. no. of the Recorder last evening, also a letter from Father from Mo. Cold. Went to Hesper. Renewed for the Inter Ocean.

Sunday, January 16, 1881--Snowed some in the morning. Clear the rest of the day. At zero. The snow is about 18 inches deep on a level.

Monday, January 17, 1881--Clear and cold. 21 below. Not much wind.

Tuesday, January 18, 1881--9 below. Wind south. Mostly clear. School small today.

Wednesday, January 19, 1881--Some warmer.

Skip to Friday, January 21, 1881--Pleasant. Snowed all day.

Saturday, January 22, 1881--Snowed all last night and some today.

Sunday, January 23, 1881--Snowed a good deal of the day. Pleasant. Mary and several of the children are about sick.

Monday, January 24, 1881--Not cold. All some better.

Tuesday, January 25, 1881--Cloudy.

Wednesday, January 26, 1881--1 below zero. High wind and very chilly. The air full of snow all day.

Thursday, January 27, 1881--9 below. Cold all day.

Friday, January 28, 1881--12 below.

Saturday, January 29, 1881--Warmer but very damp. It sleeted and snowed most of the day. I went to A. Stroud’s and bargained for twenty bu. of corn and two sacks of wheat. Came back by A. Hollands and got some books.

Sunday, January 30, 1881--Clear and nice most of the day. Cloudy in the evening. Our baby is sick today.


Skip to Monday, February 7, 1881--The past week has been cold and stormy. We had one nice clear day. The wind has been from SE most of the time. There was about six inches of snow fall. The mercury ranged until yesterday from three below zero to twenty above. Yesterday the mercury got to 34 above. It rained and snowed all night and is snowing now with a dreadful wind from SE. The snow is drifted so badly it is hard getting around. Recd. the Jan. and Feb. no.s of the American Agriculturist (magazine) yesterday. Snowed and rained about all day. The mercury got up to 38 above. John and Oscar both had the diphtheria but are now about over it.

Tuesday, February 8, 1881--Pleasant and cloudy. 26 above in the morning. Wind SW. School small. Rained considerable last night, which settled the snow some. After school I went to see about getting some wood. In places the lanes are drifted full of snow as high as the fences.

Wednesday, February 9, 1881--Clear most of the day. 12 above and got up to 34 at noon. The snow melted some. Quite foggy in the morning. Borrowed a sack of oats for the cow.

Thursday, February 10, 1881--Cloudy. High wind from NW. 24 above, got up to 30. Snowed a little in the morning.

Friday, February 11, 1881--24 above and 30. Cloudy. High wind NE. Very chilly. Went to post office in the evening and got some mail. They have had a good many hands shoveling snow on the railroad all the week and just got the road opened
yesterday. This is the first mail we have had for nearly two weeks.

Saturday, February 12, 1881--8 above. Cloudy with very high wind from north. Snowed some last night and the air has been full of snow all day. Sunday, February 13, 1881--6 above. Clear with considerable wind.

Monday, February 14, 1881--9 below. Rather cloudy. School small. Sent off six postal cards for catalogues.

Tuesday, February 15, 1881--Very chilly. Wind SE. Snowed most of the day. A. Stroud brought me some feed and flour.

Wednesday, February 16, 1881--12 below. Clear nice day. Some wind from NW.

Thursday, February 17, 1881--Cloudy and very chilly. Snowed a little.

Friday, February 18, 1881--6 below. Clear and cold. Went to the P. Office after school but did not get my this week’s papers.

Saturday, February 19, 1881--8 below. Clear and cold. Took the dog over to the neighbors. We gave him away as we had no use for him. Mended my boots and took home some oats and meal that we had borrowed.

Sunday, February 20, 1881--9 above. Clear nice day. Martha Foss was here with the children.

Monday, February 21, 1881--2 below. Clear but cold.

Tuesday, February 22, 1881--21 above in the morning and 10 in the evening. Clear and cloudy by turns, sometimes snowing fast. Very high wind from NW.

Wednesday, February 23, 1881--5 below morning, 6 above noon, 2 below night. Clear with some wind, which ceased at night.

Thursday, February 24, 1881--1 below, got up to 22 above. Very high wind from the south in the morning. Snowed til afternoon, when it cleared off.

Friday, February 25, 1881--Clear and cool.

Saturday, February 26, 1881--35 above. Thundered some today. Drizzled part of the day. Mercury up to 42 above. I went to Mabel and got a few things. Mended Rosa’s shoes in the evening. Got some more catalogues.

Sunday, February 27, 1881--27 above. High wind from NW. M. & B. Haines and E. & S. Johnson were here visiting today.

Monday, February 28, 1881--1 above. Clear. High wind from NW. One new pupil today. I now have 36 enrolled.

Tuesday, March 1, 1881--7 above. Mostly clear but chilly. Wind east.

Wednesday, March 2, 1881--18 above. Cloudy. Wind NE and very high. Snowed fast all the afternoon. One new pupil today.

Thursday, March 3, 1881--Mostly clear. 8 above. Very high wind from NW. The air full of snow, which is drifting badly. The trains are stopped by snow.

Friday, March 4, 1881--8 above. Snowed a good deal last night and today. Dreadful high wind from NW. The air full of snow all day. We could see but a short distance ahead of us. School small, only five boys.

Saturday, March 5, 1881--15 above. Clear nice day. Had school. Went to the office after school. There has been no train here since last Wednesday. They say this is the worst blockup we have had this winter.

Sunday, March 6, 1881--Clear still day. Warm. The snow melted considerably.

Monday, March 7, 1881--Clear and warm. A snow melted a good deal today.

Tuesday, March 8, 1881--Weather same as yesterday. The cars came through today for the first time since the storm. I went to the office in the evening and got my last week’s papers.

Wednesday, March 9, 1881--For the last three days the mercury has been up to 40 or 45 above. The snow has melted a good deal.

Thursday, March 10, 1881--Weather same as yesterday. A good deal of water is running in the ravines. Went to the office in the evening and got the mail.

Friday, March 11, 1881--Cloudy, wind east. Looks like storming. Mary and Mr. Foss and wife visited the school in the afternoon. I had spelling school in the evening.

Saturday, March 12, 1881--Commenced snowing last night soon after dark last night and snowed till noon today, the wind blowing very hard all the time, which drifted the snow very badly. The cars will be stopped again. I went over to B. Haines in the afternoon and sold our cow for $35.00.

Sunday, March 13, 1881--Clear and pleasant. The snow melted some. B. and M. Haines visited with us today.

Monday, March 14, 1881--Clear for a while in the morning but some cloudy the rest of the day. Pleasant. School small.

Tuesday, March 15, 1881--Pleasant, but some stormy.

Wednesday, March 16, 1881--Snowed very fast part of the time and part of the time
it drizzled.

Thursday, March 17, 1881--Clear and cloudy by turns all day. Mercury up to 36. Went to the office in the evening and got the paper and a card from G. Purcell.

Friday, March 18, 1881--Clear and still. A beautiful (day).

Saturday, March 19, 1881--Cloudy with high wind from the north. I had school today.

Sunday, March 20, 1881--Clear part of the day. Very high wind from the north. Our baby has been sick yesterday and today.

Monday, March 21, 1881--17 above. Clear most of the time. The snow melted some. The baby is better.

Tuesday, March 22, 1881--Clear still day.

Wednesday, March 23, 1881--Clear and cloudy by turns. Got a letter from B. Purcell, also Father. The snow melted a good deal in the afternoon. The snow is mostly gone now, except for where it drifted.

Thursday, March 24, 1881--48 above. Mostly clear. The snow melted a good deal. Went to post office in the evening. Got the April no. of the A. Agriculturist.

Friday, March 25, 1881--Clear but cool. This is the last day of my school.

Saturday, March 26, 1881--Went to Mabel and in the evening went to A. Holland’s and got the order for my school money and came home by the post office. Have not got our this week’s Inter Ocean.

Sunday, March 27, 1881--Cool and mostly cloudy. A. Holland was here in the evening.

Monday, March 28, 1881--Cool and cloudy. Wind NE. Drizzled a little but cleared off in the evening. Settled up with Mr. Foss and got my school money. Went to Mr. Lamb’s and from there to Newhouse. Went to N. Peterson’s and in the evening went to Lamb’s and got two gallons of molasses.

Tuesday, March 29, 1881--Clear with a cold wind from NW. Went to office and started a card to Father. Then went to B. Haines and got his team. Came home and Mary and I went to Mabel and bought some things.

Wednesday, March 30, 1881--Clear and cold. Our family all went to B. Haines on a visit. High wind from north.

Thursday, March 31, 1881--Snowed all the forenoon. High wind from NW in the afternoon. I went to Hesper and Mabel and got Oscar’s shoes that had been left at the shop to be mended. Tonight the wind is blowing very hard and it has been cold all day. A very disagreeable day to be out.


Friday, April 1, 1881--Clear and cold with high wind from NW. I went over home and fed our chickens. Got a letter from brother David, also papers.

Saturday, April 2, 1881--Cloudy and cold. Went to Hesper in the morning. Bennett came and brought us home in the evening. Snowed some last night and this morning.

Sunday, April 3, 1881--Cloudy and cold. Snowed a little during the day.

Monday, April 4, 1881--Clear and cold. Considerable wind from the NW. Went to Lamb’s and got some potatoes. Took some eggs to Newhouse and went to the office in the evening. Wrote a letter to Father.

Tuesday, April 5, 1881--10 above. Clear and cold. Went to Newhouse. Mary and I got supper at John Hallan’s. The spring is very cold and backward.

Wednesday, April 6, 1881--Clear and cool. A little warmer than yesterday. Went to see Mr. Monroe and to the office in the evening.

Thursday, April 7, 1881--Clear and some warmer than yesterday. Went to Gilmore’s in afternoon.

Friday, April 8, 1881--Clear and pleasant. Mercury got up to 53 above. Went over to Lamb’s and the store. Mrs. Foss was here in the afternoon.

Saturday, April 9, 1881--Clear and pleasant. Went over to B. Haines.

Sunday, April 10, 1881--Cloudy and cool. Snowed considerable part of the day, which melted as fast as it fell.

Monday, April 11, 1881--Snowed steady all day. Went to B. Haines and other places to see about getting a house to move into. A very disagreeable day to be out.

Tuesday, April 12, 1881--Snowed a considerable part of the day. Looked around some trying to get a house to move into.

Wednesday, April 13, 1881--Clear and cold. Went to see Levi Teemenson (sp) and in the evening to the office. Got a letter from brother Lindley.

Thursday, April 14, 1881--Cold in the morning but pleasant in evening. Wind in the south. Rained a little in the evening.

Friday, April 15, 1881--Cloudy in the morning but clear and pleasant the rest of the day. About home.

Saturday, April 16, 1881--Clear still and warm. Mercury as high as 63. A good many farmers are seeding, although the ground is rather wet. I was looking around seeing about getting a house to go into.

Sunday, April 17, 1881--Mostly cloudy. Mercury up to 65. Mary and I went over to A. Reid’s in the afternoon. Wind east.

Monday, April 18, 1881--Cloudy forepart of the day. Warm. Went to B. Haines forenoon and to Mabel in afternoon. Got some garden seeds and a spade.

Tuesday, April 19, 1881--Clear forepart of the day. Rained a little in afternoon. Went to Mabel. Bought a hoe and a bottle of vinegar bitters for Mary.

Wednesday, April 20, 1881--Clear part of the day. Mercury got up to 68. Wind east. Went over to B. Haines and got a little flour. Went over to the office in the evening.

Thursday, April 21, 1881--Mostly clear and warm. Mary and Oscar went up to Spring Grove with B. Haines.

Friday, April 22, 1881--Quite warm. Got the Agriculturist for May this evening.

Saturday, April 23, 1881--Warm, mercury 85. Went to see about a house to move into. Mary and I went over to the store in the evening.

Sunday, April 24, 1881--Warm. High wind south. Went to B. Haines in the evening and got a team to move with.

Monday, April 25, 1881--Rained about all day.

Tuesday, April 26, 1881--Clear until evening, when it rained some. Moved three loads of our things and a load of wood. Cool.

Wednesday, April 27, 1881--Clear and cool. Finished moving and took the team home.

Thursday, April 28, 1881--Rained half the forenoon and quite a shower in the afternoon. I eat dinner at B. Haines and went with him to Mabel and got some lime and other things. Warm forenoon and cool afternoon.

Friday, April 29, 1881--Clear and cool. Worked at white washing the house.

Saturday, April 30, 1881--Finished whitewashing and went to new house. We now live 2 1/2 miles from Newhouse and 3 1/4 miles east of Hesper.


Sunday, May 1, 1881--Clear and cool. B. Haines were over in the evening.

Monday, May 2, 1881--Clear and cool. Quite a frost this morning. Went to Mother’s, also to Moses Oren’s, then to W Casterton’s and got some butter. Got F. Johnson to plow for a garden and planted lettuce, peas and onions. Mary set a hen this evening.

Tuesday, May 3, 1881--Clear and cool. Planted more onions, radishes, beets, parsnips and potatoes. I guess farmers are about done sowing small grain around here.

Wednesday, May 4, 1881--Cloudy, with high wind from south. Fixed stove and pipe and helped some about washing. Rained gently most of the afternoon. Cleaned out the cistern. Alfred has the chicken pox. John had it three weeks ago.

Skip to Sunday, May 15, 1881--Clear and pleasant. The weather has been warm and showery for the last ten days, so that vegetation has come forward very fast. A great many farmers have not commenced planting corn yet. I have worked for A. Lamb six days at seventy-five cents a day. I was plowing most of the time. Mary went up to Hesper today.

Monday, May 16, 1881--Clear warm day. Went to several places trying to get a team to plow our patch. Cleaned out the well and fixed the cistern cover and cellar door.

Tuesday, May 17, 1881--Clear and warm. Got A. Lamb’s team and ploughed our patch of land in forenoon and planted potatoes and soup beans and worked some in garden.

Wednesday, May 18, 1881--Clear and warm. Planted more potatoes and some cane, popcorn and peas. Took some carpet balls over to Mother’s and went on to Hesper. Mother is going to weave us a carpet.

Thursday, May 19, 1881--Cool and cloudy forepart of the day. Went to B. Haines and got our cow back again. Planted a few more potatoes. Got a pail of plaster at M. Oren’s. Fixed the well. Got some sand and worked some in the garden.

Friday, May 20, 1881--Clear and warm during the day but cool during the night. B. Haines came and fixed our cistern. Hoed in the garden in afternoon. Mary set out her tomatoes this eve. Also wrote a letter to her Father.

Saturday, May 21, 1881--Clear and warm. Set up the loom and made a shed for it for Mother. Had toothache in the evening. Got June Agriculturist.

Sunday, May 22, 1881--Clear and warm. My tooth hurt me some all day.

Monday, May 23, 1881--Clear and warm. We are needing rain now. A good many farmers are not done planting corn yet. Some are not done plowing. Went with B. Haines to Riceford and got some bread stuff. Had headache most all day.

Tuesday, May 24, 1881--Clear and hot. Hoed some in the garden and got some broom corn ready to make up tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 25, 1881--92 above. Went to Bennett’s and made one dozen brooms. Mary went with me, left Rosa and Oscar at home. Mother is weaving us a carpet. Weather dry and hot. Mary is making her a new dress. Clear.

Thursday, May 26, 1881--Clear and hot. Made a dozen brooms and worked some in the garden.

Friday, May 27, 1881--Very hot last night and today. Rained some in the afternoon. Got our new carpet home and helped about putting it down. Sister Mary and Estella were here in the afternoon.

Saturday, May 28, 1881--Hot and in the afternoon, showery. Rained some last night. Stuck the peas and went to Mabel and Newhouse.

Sunday, May 29, 1881--A pleasant day. Rained last night.

Monday, May 30, 1881--Hot and showery. Cleared up the yard and went over and got some broom corn ready to work up. Every thing is growing very fast now.

Tuesday, May 31, 1881--Rained a good deal today. Made 1 1/2 dozen brooms. Brought one home for our own use.


Wednesday, June 1, 1881--Pleasant Prairie, Winneshiek County, Iowa (no longer Newhouse, Houston County, Minnesota). Some cooler. Cleaned and fixed up the gun, rebottomed a chair, and hoed in the garden.

Thursday, June 2, 1881--Cool. High wind from NW. Worked on the road.

Friday, June 3, 1881--Cool and clear. Worked on road forenoon. Wrote to J. F. Purcell and went to the office.


James Frederick Purcell, Mary's brother



Saturday, June 4, 1881--Cool. Worked in the garden. Raspberries have been in bloom for a few days. Mary picked some gooseberries yesterday for the first. Wild strawberries are turning ripe a little, but they are scarce about here.

Sunday, June 5, 1881--Still cool. Rained considerable last night.

Monday, June 6, 1881--Very cool. Worked in the garden and helped about the house forenoon. Mowed weeds three hours in afternoon for M. Oren.

Tuesday, June 7, 1881--Thick cloudy and cool. Went to Mabel forenoon. Hoed in garden and trimmed up trees in the yard afternoon.

Wednesday, June 8, 1881--Mostly clear and warmer. Worked for L. Talbert hoeing.

Thursday, June 9, 1881--Clear and hot. Worked for L. Talbert again. Mary and the children are visiting at the neighbors today.

Friday, June 10, 1881--Clear and hot. High wind from south. Mowed weeds in wheat for Mo. Oren. Got a letter from Father in Mo.

Saturday, June 11, 1881--Cool and cloudy. Worked for A. Lamb in the forenoon. Rained most of the afternoon.

Sunday, June 12, 1881--Clear forenoon, rained afternoon. Mary went to meeting to Hesper. Wrote to Father, also Stoddard and American Book Exchange.

Monday, June 13, 1881--Brother David staid with us last night. Worked about home hoeing.

Tuesday, June 14, 1881--Hoed in forenoon. Got some broom corn ready for making up.

Wednesday, June 15, 1881--Rained some in forenoon. Made 21 brooms.

Thursday, June 16, 1881--Hot. Hoed some. Mowed some in yard and went to Newhouse.

Friday, June 17, 1881--Clear and hot. Helped L. Talbert about putting up a windmill.

Saturday, June 18, 1881--Very hot. Rained. David S. was here awhile in the evening. Got Will Johnson’s horse and plowed the garden.

Sunday, June 19, 1881--Rained again. David was here in the evening. This is good growing weather.

Monday, June 20, 1881--Rather cool. Mowed weeds for M. Oren. David was here today. He starts back to Hampton tomorrow.

Tuesday, June 21, 1881--Clear and rather cool. Worked for B. Haines hoeing. Changed the cow into F. Johnson’s pasture.

Wednesday, June 22, 1881--Clear and cool. Hoed till noon for Bennett, then went to Hesper and Mabel, then Newhouse.

Thursday, June 23, 1881--Clear and cool. Hoed for Bennett.

Friday, June 24, 1881--Cool. Hoed at home forenoon. Rained some just after dinner and a hard shower in the evening. Went to the post office.

Saturday, June 25, 1881--Got bark and bottomed a chair in forenoon.

Sunday, June 26, 1881--Cloudy and cool. Rained some.

Monday, June 27, 1881--Clear and warm. Hoed at home.

Tuesday, June 28, 1881--Clear and very hot. Mercury 92 here and at Decorah it was up to 100 in the shade. Worked at home hoeing.

Wednesday, June 29, 1881--Clear and hot. Helped B. Haines stacking clover hay. A big storm passed around us last night. The wind blowed pretty hard here.

Thursday, June 30, 1881--Clear. Hot with a nice breeze. Helped stack hay again. We finished it by working till dark.


Skip to Sunday, July 17, 1881--The weather has been very hot the past week with some rain. I worked three days haying for Lamb the past week and one and half days the week before. Some have commenced to cut wheat, which is being very much damaged by the bugs.

Skip to Tuesday, July 26, 1881--The weather has been cool for a few days. We had a very hard rain last Thursday. I worked for A. Lamb haying 6 days. I am now working for M. Oren, harvesting. The chinch bugs and army worms are doing great damage to crops about here. Mary had a quilting last Wednesday. M. Haines, L. Johnson, M. Newcomer, E. and C. Johnson and Mother were here helping quilt. Had our first mess of sweet corn last Sunday.

The next page has no diary entry. It is labeled “No. of rabbits caught and shot during 1889”. Oscar caught 7 and shot 4; John shot none and caught 4; Alfred neither caught nor shot a single rabbit.

We skip to Friday, July 1, 1881--Clear and hot. Hoed for L. Talbert. Had our first mess of peas today.

Saturday, July 2, 1881--Weather same as yesterday. Mowed and cleared up the yard and went to Newhouse. Had our first mess of beans today. We had our first mess of potatoes over one week ago.

Sunday, July 3, 1881--The ground is getting pretty dry. About home.

Monday, July 4, 1881--Clear and hot. About home.

Tuesday, July 5, 1881--Very hot. Went to Newhouse in the afternoon.

Wednesday, July 6, 1881--Worked at haying for A. Lamb until noon, when it rained some. Also rained hard in the evening. Changed our cow back into Will Henry’s pasture this morning.

Thursday, July 7, 1881--Went to Newhouse. About home the rest of the day.

Friday, July 8, 1881--Very hot. Worked at haying for Lamb.

Saturday, July 9, 1881--Rained last night and today. Went to Newhouse and got the mail.

Sunday, July 10, 1881--Rained last night and today. The chintze bugs are injuring the wheat a good deal.

Skip to Wednesday, July 27, 1881--Worked for M. Oren harvesting. Have worked for him 4 1/2 days. Pretty warm today.

Thursday, July 28, 1881--Clear and hot. Did not do much except go to the office and get the mail.

Friday, July 29, 1881--Worked for B. Haines harvesting. Mary has been quite sick today.

Saturday, July 30, 1881--Mary is a good deal better. Worked 3/4 of a day at Bennett’s.

Sunday, July 31, 1881--Mary is about well. Very hot day.

Skip to Sunday, August 28, 1881--We moved back into the house from the railroad the 18th inst. We have had rain enough so that farmers can plow. David and I have about bargained for the Cook place for three years. He is to stock the place for us with cows and hogs. We do not get possession until next spring. I was sewing brooms yesterday. Mary was at E. Johnson’s the day before, visiting.


Skip to Tuesday, October 4, 1881--Cool and clear. Yesterday was a clear warm day. Set out about three hundred strawberries plants and about forty raspberries plants today. We have had a great deal of rain this fall. We moved onto this (Cook’s) place the 8th of last month.

Skip to Monday, October 10, 1881--Clear and cool. Went to Riceford mill with 8 1/4 bu. wheat. Last Saturday I finished up one month’s work for David.

Tuesday, October 11, 1881--Worked for David. Rained part of the day.

Wednesday, October 12, 1881--Worked for David til noon. Was quite sick the rest of the day.

Thursday, October 13, 1881--Clear and cool. Quite a freeze last night. Went to Mr. Sample’s and sorted some broom corn. Mary and children got two milk cans and squashes in.

Friday, October 14, 1881--Rained all day. Staid at home.

Saturday, October 15, 1881--Stormy forepart of the day. Cleared off in the evening. Quite cool. Worked at making brooms.

Sunday, October 16, 1881--Quite a freeze this morning. Rained in the afternoon. David and Rosa went to the funeral of William Cook.

Monday, October 17, 1881--Cold and cloudy. Rained some. Bailey worked at home til noon getting up wood, then sorted some broom corn, then took Oscar to Hesper to get his tooth pulled.

Tuesday, October 18, 1881--Cloudy and cool. Bailey made brooms.

Wednesday, October 19, 1881--Clear in the morning but rained a while about noon. Cleared off in the evening and had a white frost and quite a freeze. Mercury 27. Newcomer’s baby was buried today and John Street (Bailey's brother) was married today.

Thursday, October 20, 1881--Fine day. Clear and pleasant. Bailey worked at making brooms. The children, Rosa and Oscar, went over to see their Pa make brooms. I staid at home with baby and ironed.

Friday, October 21, 1881--Rainy part of the day. Warm and pleasant. Bailey made more brooms today.

Saturday, October 22, 1881--Rained all night last night and all day today. Bailey went over to the shop and trimmed and curried 10 doz. brooms and then went to the p.o. Got an Agriculturist.

Sunday, October 23, 1881--Rained most of last night and today. Cold and dreary weather. At home.


Skip to Tuesday, November 1, 1881--Clear and pleasant. Went to Sample’s forenoon and husked corn the rest of the day. Yesterday was a nice day. Worked at corn cribs and husked corn.

Wednesday, November 2, 1881--Snowed and rained most of the day.

Thursday, November 3, 1881--Attended to some business of my own forenoon, and husked corn afternoon. Cool and cloudy.

Friday, November 4, 1881--Cold and cloudy. Snowed four or five inches deep. Husked corn.

Saturday, November 5, 1881--Mostly cloudy and some warmer. Worked at the barn. Snow melted some.

Skip to Friday, November 11, 1881--We have had good weather this week till about ten o’clock today, when it commenced snowing, and snowed the rest of the day. We finished husking corn at noon today.

Saturday, November 12, 1881--Newhouse, Minnesota. (Change from Pleasant Prairie) Snowed some today. David and I set fence posts.

Sunday, November 13, 1881--Cloudy and snowed some.

Skip to Wednesday, November 23, 1881--4 above with high wind from NW. We moved into this, the Peterson house, last Friday. The roads have been very rough for some. The weather has been cold for some time.

Thursday, November 24, 1881--4 below zero. Clear nice day. Some wind from NW. Went to B. Haines and from there out East. Bargained for some corn of B. Haines and tried to find some hay for sale, but could not. Hay is scarce.

Friday, November 25, 1881--High wind from south. Much warmer than yesterday. Went to Mabel and got Rosa some shoes and some other things. Snowed some.

Saturday, November 26, 1881--Cloudy and cold forepart of the day. Some warmer towards evening. Got a load of corn from B. Haines.

Sunday, November 27, 1881--Clear and warm. Went in the evening to A. Hallan’s and got the school register.

Monday, November 28, 1881--Clear and warm. 50 above. Commenced teaching school. Twelve pupils.

Tuesday, November 29, 1881--Warm and cloudy. Drizzled a little in the morning.

Wednesday, November 30, 1881--Snowed some during the day. Some colder.


Thursday, December 1, 1881--Clear pleasant day. Mercury 10 above. Wind south. Went to the office in the evening. Shelled a sack of corn.

Friday, December 2, 1881--Clear and pleasant. Went to David’s after school and got his team to go to mill tomorrow.

Saturday, December 3, 1881--Commenced snowing before day and snowed slowly about all day, but it mostly melted. Went to Riceford mill.

Sunday, December 4, 1881--High wind from south. Chilly.

Monday, December 5, 1881--Cloudy. High wind from south. Pleasant.

Skip to Sunday, December 25, 1881--Clear part of the day with high wind from SW. Mercury 47 above. Nearly all this month has been pleasant with little rain or snow. I have taught just one month of school. Have vacation this week.

Monday, December 26, 1881--Mostly clear and pleasant. Wind NW. Went to Mabel. Also went to see L. Tominson. Started an order for the Recorder and Rural New Yorker.

Tuesday, December 27, 1881--The mercury got up to 35 above. Some cloudy. Went to Mabel forenoon, and to Lamb’s, M. Oren’s and David’s.

Wednesday, December 28, 1881--Clear nice day. Mercury up to 37a. Snowed a little last night but mostly melted today. Helped David haul rock in afternoon and brought his team home.

Thursday, December 29, 1881--26 above in morning and 9 above at evening with high wind from the west. We were all at B. Haines. Got two bu. of corn and 5 bu. of wheat. It snowed considerable during the day.

Friday, December 30, 1881--6 above in m. Got up to 13 above. High wind from NW. Intended to go to mill today, but it was so cold and blustery gave it up. Took the team home and came home by the P. office. Got a Christmas supplement with the Inter Ocean.

Saturday, December 31, 1881--Clear and cold. 4 below mo. and 9 above eve. High wind from NW. Went to Hesper. Got some oil and a few other things.


Sunday, January 1, 1882--Cold and cloudy. 5 b. 13 a. About home all day. Wrote a letter to L. M. Street and some cards for catalogues.

Monday, January 2, 1882--6 a. 13 a. hi. Clear. Went to Mr. Foss’, then to David’s and to Mr. Lamb’s and the post office. Got a letter from Pa, also portrait of Garfield. Mended Oscar’s boots in afternoon.

Tuesday, January 3, 1882--6 a. 16 a. Clear. Commenced school again.

Wednesday, January 4, 1882--Clear. Nice day. 10 a. 21 a. Killed a couple of squirrels in the evening.

Thursday, January 5, 1882--Cloudy. 11 a.

Friday, January 6, 1882--Partly clear. Snowed a little last night. 22 a. 35 a. Went to the Cook place after school and got David’s team.

Saturday, January 7, 1882--30 a. 33 a. Sleeted some during the day. Took some wheat and corn over to David’s for him to take to mill next week for me. Mended Oscar’s boot and went to the P. Office.

Sunday, January 8, 1882--28 a. 20 a. Cloudy. High wind from NW. It has been getting colder all day.

Monday, January 9, 1882--Clear nice day. 14 a. 33 a. Mr. Cameron, the county supt., was at my school today. Went up to Spring Grove after school.

Tuesday, January 10, 1882--24 a. 33 a. Cloudy. Commenced snowing before noon and snowed the rest of the day. I have 21 pupils enrolled now.

Wednesday, January 11, 1882--Clear nice day. 16 a. 30 a. Went to P. office and got papers and catalogues.

Thursday, January 12, 1882--10 a. 26 a. I have been sick today. Was dizzy.

Friday, January 13, 1882--26 a. 0. High wind from NW. The snow has drifted today. A disagreeable day. I feel a little better than yesterday.

Saturday, January 14, 1882--13 b. 20 a. Wind south. Went to David’s in forenoon, mended shoes, killed six squirrels and went to the P. Office. Got a letter from G. Purcell.


Sunday, January 15, 1882--17 a. 30 a. Snowing and high wind from NE in evening. Went and got a grist home from David. Mary has been about sick with a cold for several days. Alfred also has a bad cold. I went over to Osgard’s in afternoon.

Monday, January 16, 1882--8 b. 2 a. Quite a wind from NW. Mary was quite sick last night but is a little better today. No school today.

Tuesday, January 17, 1882--19 b. 7 a. Clear. Wind south and very high in evening. Went to Hesper and got some things. Mary is a little better. No school today. Paid for the Inter Ocean for next year.

Wednesday, January 18, 1882--14 a. 22 a. Very high wind from south all last night but changed to north west this morning. Had school today but will not have any more this week on account of sickness. Mary has been quite sick all day.

Thursday, January 19, 1882--2 b. 20 a. Clear mostly. Wind SW. Mary is better today. Killed two squirrels for her. Went to the office. David Street was here awhile today.

Friday, January 20, 1882--19 a. 31 a. Clear. At home all day. Mary not so well in morning but is better this evening.

Saturday, January 21, 1882--24 a. 19 a. Very high wind from NW. Growing colder all day. Oscar went to Office and got the first two no.s of the Rural New Yorker. He then went to B. Haines and got some yeast. Rosa went to Mr. Foss’ and got some light bread for Mary, who has been quite poorly all day. I killed a squirrel for Mary.

Sunday, January 22, 1882--8 b. 10 a. Clear still day. Wind blew hard all last night. Mary has been very sick all day. I went and got D. Street to go for Dr. Worth. He was here in the afternoon and left medicine for Mary. B. and M. Haines were here all the afternoon.

Monday, January 23, 1882--11 b. 1 b. Cloudy. Wind S. east. Very chilly. Mary is much better today. She rested well last night. She has the lung fever. (pneumonia)

Tuesday, January 24, 1882--8 a. 26 a. Cloudy. High south wind. Mary’s fever and cough are better but she is sick at her stomach. I went over to the Cook place and got some beef for Mary that Mr. Pilgrim brought from B. Haines. Also some liver and heart. Rosa has some cough.

Wednesday, January 25, 1882--33 a. 39 a. Drizzled all day. The snow melted considerable today. Went to the office in evening.

Thursday, January 26, 1882--24 a. 15 a. Rained forepart of the day and then turned to snowing and snowed 4 or 5 inches deep. The wind blew dreadful hard and drifted the snow.

Friday, January 27, 1882--0. 30 a. High wind from south. Clear. Mary is getting better. Last night was the first night that I did not keep a fire all night for nearly two weeks.

Saturday, January 28, 1882--7 b. 0. Very high wind from NW. Very bad day to be out. Started a letter to Mo.

Sunday, January 29, 1882--17 b. 12 a. Clear. Mary is improving every day. She sat up a little while today. D. Street was here awhile.

Monday, January 30, 1882--11 a. 30 a. Commenced school again. Mary sat up some today.

Tuesday, January 31, 1882--24 a. 27 a. Clear part of day. Mary sat up considerable today.


Wednesday, February 1, 1882--19 a. 27 a. Mostly clear. Got a letter from brother Lindley and some catalogues.

Thursday, February 2, 1882--26 a. 34 a. Clear nice day. Mary is improving slowly.

Friday, February 3, 1882--19 a. 38 a. Clear. Snow melted considerable. Killed two squirrels in the evening. Oscar caught a rabbit last night.

Saturday, February 4, 1882--16 a. 34 a. Clouded up in the evening and commenced to snow after dark. Had school today. Received some seeds from the rural seed distribution.

Sunday, February 5, 1882--19 a. 40 a. Clear nice day. Snowed about two inches last night. I went to David’s and got a few potatoes in the morning. Bennett’s folks were here visiting today. The snow melted considerable today.

Monday, February 6, 1882--30 a. 56 a. Clear, wind south. Snow melted fast. School small.

Tuesday, February 7, 1882--32 a. 24 a. Wind NW. Mary is still improving.

Wednesday, February 8, 1882--11 a. 34 a. Clear nice day. Went to office in evening.

Thursday, February 9, 1882--23 a. 43 a. Clear. We are having very nice weather. The snow melts every day. There is not much now except where it is drifted.

Friday, February 10, 1882--26 a. 43 a. Clear most of day. Rosa went to school today. The first for nearly two weeks on account of her mother’s illness.

Saturday, February 11, 1882--36 a. 54 a. Clear. This is April weather. Went to Hesper and got a P. O. order to send for garden seed.

Sunday, February 12, 1882--44 a. 64 a. Clear. The snow is about all gone and the mud is getting deep.

Monday, February 13, 1882--26 a. 40 a. Clear. Started an order to Shumway for garden seeds. Got the Feb. no. Recorder.

Tuesday, February 14, 1882--23 a. 45 a. Clear. Wind south. Went to David’s to get some potatoes after school.

Wednesday, February 15, 1882--31 a. 59 a. Wind south. The ground is drying up fast. Went to Mr. Hallan’s and got some books.

Thursday, February 16, 1882--30 a. 46 a. Went to Monroe’s after school.

Friday, February 17, 1882--14 a. 24 a. Wind from east. Very chilly. Went to the Cook place after school.

Saturday, February 18, 1882--27 a. 33 a. Sleeted forepart of the day. Commenced raining about 3 o’clock and rained hard the rest of the evening. Had school today.

Sunday, February 19, 1882--11 a. 19 a. Wind NW. I went to David’s in the evening and did not get back til bed time.

Monday, February 20, 1882--10 a. 20 a. Wind north east. Commenced snowing forenoon and snowed hard the rest of the day. The worst day this winter. Went to the Cook place after school.

Tuesday, February 21, 1882--11 a. 20 a. 7 a. High wind from N west. The snow blowed and drifted all day. I think the snow is about a foot deep on the level. Packed up our things to move tomorrow. School small today. Mary and the children are taking bad colds.

Wednesday, February 22, 1882--10 b. We got Brad Foss with a team and D. Street and moved back on the Cook place. Wind NW.

Thursday, February 23, 1882--6 b. Clear. School small.

Friday, February 24, 1882--26 a. Wind south.

Saturday, February 25, 1882--Wind south. Not out a good deal.

Sunday, February 26, 1882--Cloudy and warm. The snow is melting fast.


Skip to April 12, 1882--Commenced plowing today. Also moved Mother home today.

April 13, 1882--Plowed. David fixed water tank.

April 14, 1882--Plowed. Mary and Rosa put down our carpet in the parlor.

Skip to April 19, 1882--We planted some peas and onions.

Skip to April 22, 1882--We planted more peas and onions. Also some parsnips, beets, carrots, radishes and potatoes.

April 23, 1882--Rained in forenoon yesterday and snowed in evening. Quite cold.

April 24, 1882--Nice day but very cool. Trees are putting out some. Bailey has been sowing oats today. David has been sowing clover.


Skip to Monday, May 1, 1882--Quite cold wind from north west. Bailey plowed for corn. David worked around barn. Bailey went to see a girl about working for us in afternoon.

Tuesday, May 2, 1882--Quite cold this morning. Mercury 19 a. but nice and clear and but little wind. Getting some warmer. Bailey is plowing for corn. D. is seeding for pasture.

Wednesday, May 3, 1882--Drizzled rain all day. Quite foggy in afternoon. Bailey plowed all day.

Thursday, May 4, 1882--Rained considerable last night. Nice warm day today. Grass growing nicely. Received our strawberry plants and peach tree from Purdy today and put them out. They were in fine condition.

Friday, May 5, 1882--Cold northeast wind today. Bailey plowed all day. David chored around.

Saturday, May 6, 1882--Nice day. Wind from NE and some chilly. Clear. Bailey plowed all day.

Sunday, May 7, 1882--Very high wind today. Some warmer. Sprinkled some in the evening. D. went to Hesper and Bennett’s put cows on the meadow for the first time this season.

Monday, May 8, 1882--Very warm. Mercury up to 76. Windy. Wind southeast in morning, in evening southwest. Thundered and threatening rain. Bailey plowed all day. D. went to Hesper in forenoon to get a horse of Cook’s, but failed. He harrowed corn stalks in afternoon with Ned (horse).

Tuesday, May 9, 1882--Warm with high wind from southeast. Bailey plowed. Our hired girl came yesterday afternoon. She washed today. D. got Elijah Johnson’s horse this evening.

Wednesday, May 10, 1882--Bailey plowed and David harrowed sod. Tilda cleaned cheese room. Had our first mess of pie plant.

Thursday, May 11, 1882--Rained most all day. Colder. NE wind. Men staid in the house today. Tilda ironed in forenoon.

Friday, May 12, 1882--Cold NE wind. Rained a little. Bailey plowed. D. harrowed sod and smoothed some after plow. We cleaned bedroom and Tilda whitewashed it.

Saturday, May 13, 1882--Cleaned pantry and kitchen and Tilda whitewashed kitchen. Bailey plowed and D. harrowed sod.

Sunday, May 14, 1882--Nice clear day. Some warmer but fire feels comfortable yet. Tilda has gone to meeting at Spring Grove and D. has gone to Hesper to get his mail, so we are all alone once more.

Monday, May 15, 1882--A very nice day but quite cool wind all day from north. Bailey plowed. D. smoothed in forenoon and harrowed in afternoon. Sam is sick this evening. Children and I made some flower beds and Tilda washed.

Tuesday, May 16, 1882--Nice clear warm day. Bailey finished plowing for corn. Plowed a little more in the garden.

Wednesday, May 17, 1882--Nice warm day. Bailey & D. planted their first piece of corn today. Oscar and John smoothed for another piece. Got through about 3 o’clock. Mary Haines is here visiting today. We cut out Rosa’s red dress. Thursday, May 18, 1882--Cloudy and high wind from southeast. Rained a little in the evening. Commenced planting their last piece of corn today. Tilda and Rosa went to John Fosson’s to sew and got their supper there.

Friday, May 19, 1882--Cloudy and clear by turns. High wind from southeast. Planted some sweet corn and beans and cabbage & radishes & also some flower seed. The men are getting along fast with corn planting.

Saturday, May 20, 1882--Commenced raining last night and has rained most all day today. Men in the house all day.

Sunday, May 21, 1882--Cloudy and very cold all day. Wind from west. We were alone most of the day.

Monday, May 22, 1882--Clear cold morning. White frost. Wind NW. Ground froze some. Tilda is washing today. The men finished planting corn and planted some potatoes for David.

Tuesday, May 23, 1882--Very cold last night. Ice formed nearly a quarter of an inch thick. Currants froze stiff and potatoes tops killed to the ground. Some warmer today. This morning the men are planting more potatoes for David.

Wednesday, May 24, 1882--Cool and cloudy. Bailey hauled manure till 5 o’clock, then quit on account of a pain in his side. D. used the scraper til five, then went somewhere.

Thursday, May 25, 1882--Nice clear day. Some warmer. Men went off after hay in forenoon. I planted some melon seeds on the sod. This is John’s seventh birthday. Men hauled manure in afternoon.

Friday, May 26, 1882--Nice pleasant day. Some cloudy in the afternoon. Men hauled manure all day.

Saturday, May 27, 1882--Cold cloudy morning. Wind NE. Men are hauling manure. D. quit work at 4 o’clock and went to Spring Grove and Bailey went to scraping.

Sunday, May 28, 1882--Pleasant day. All at home. Tilda went home last night.

Monday, May 29, 1882--Men hauled manure all day. I have been quite poorly all day and last night, caused by eating something that disagreed with me.

Tuesday, May 30, 1882--Cloudy and showery. Men are doing what they can with manure, but it is too showery to work much at a time. Brin swelled up this morning but is better now. Tilda came home last night. I feel about all right again.

Wednesday, May 31, 1882--Clear nice day. Some cool. Men hauled manure awhile, then plowed our potato patch. Have felt quite poorly today.


Thursday, June 1, 1882--Clear in forenoon, cloudy in afternoon. Men harrowed and smoothed in forenoon. In afternoon planted some potatoes and sweet corn, also corn beans.

Friday, June 2, 1882--Finished planting potatoes and planted some squashes and melons, also some peas, buck beans and corriander. Rained a little, but not enough to amount to much. Quite cool.

Saturday, June 3, 1882--Mostly clear. Cold enough to wear overcoats and not any too warm then. Bailey & I went to Mabel in the forenoon and in afternoon planted some cane seed and a little more sweet corn, also cucumbers and musk melons.

Sunday, June 4, 1882--Clear and cloudy by turns. Quite cool.

Monday, June 5, 1882--Nice clear day. Pleasant. Bailey put in posts in hog lot and commenced the lane.

Tuesday, June 6, 1882--Nice clear day. Warm. Men plowed a patch for artichokes. Very dry. The men have to spend much time doctoring sick cows. The clover bloats them.

Wednesday, June 7, 1882--Nice clear day. Warm. High wind from SW. Alfred and I went to Bennett’s. The roads are very dusty. The drouth is becoming very severe. The men are planting artichokes.

Thursday, June 8, 1882--Nice clear day. Warm. Men and children finished planting artichokes and David went to Hesper.

Friday, June 9, 1882--Nice warm day. Wind from SE. Some cloudy. Men are making a fence around the timothy. 6 head of cattle bloated this evening. One calf died. Three of the best cows are very bad. Several more bloated a little.

Saturday, June 10, 1882--Cold and cloudy but no rain. Children are herding cows on timothy. Men are at work on the fence. Bailey sent crop report to Rural N. Yorker today.

Sunday, June 11, 1882--Nice warm day. Burritt Haines (son of Bennett and Mary) came over here and helped David work at wire fence. Oscar got his finger split open with the barbed wire.

Monday, June 12, 1882--Nice warm day. Bailey worked at fence. David worked part the day, then went to Mabel.

Tuesday, June 13, 1882--Warm day. Cloudy and threatening rain. Bailey worked at fence til noon, then plowed corn. David went to Decorah. Tilda washed clothes.

Wednesday, June 14, 1882--Rained some last night, also this morning. David has gone to Mabel. Showery all the afternoon. Bailey plowed corn in the afternoon. Fixed fence in forenoon.

Thursday, June 15, 1882--Nice warm day. Sowed our rutabagas seed early this morning. Men worked at fence. We children cleaned out our small onions this evening.

Friday, June 16, 1882--We had a hard thunder shower this morning with considerable hail. Warm nice day. Bailey plowing corn. He moved our stove out early this morning.

Saturday, June 17, 1882--Very warm day. Bailey plowed corn. We had our first gooseberry pies baked today.

Sunday, June 18, 1882--Sprinkled some today and turned very cold. Fire feels good. All at home.

Monday, June 19, 1882--Quite cool. Bailey plowed corn. D. went to Hele’s (?) sale. Tilda washed. Some warmer in evening.

Tuesday, June 20, 1882--Quite cool again, almost cold. Bailey is plowing corn with his overcoat on, and is none too warm. Sam and Ned ran away with the wagon today. Oscar was thrown out, too, but not hurt much.

Wednesday, June 21, 1882--Pleasant. Cloudy. Bailey plowed corn. I was quite poorly, with pain in my side.

Thursday, June 22, 1882--Cloudy and rainy. Keen lightning and heavy thunder. Bailey plowed what time he could for rain. I was poorly all night and feel quite miserable today.

Friday, June 23, 1882--Quite nice today. Clear most of the time but very warm. Tilda left us today about 2 o’clock. I am feeling better today.

Saturday, June 24, 1882--We had a fearful rain and wind storm last night and this morning, also severe lightning and thunder. Rained considerable today. Is nice and clear this evening but quite hot. Wind a little southwest this evening. I feel quite well today.

Sunday, June 25, 1882--Quite pleasant. Wind from north. Everett’s children were here awhile. D. took racer to Mabel.

Monday, June 26, 1882--Nice cool morning. Clear. Quite warm in afternoon. Bailey plowed corn. D bought a new mower.

Tuesday, June 27, 1882--Cool and cloudy. Looks like rain. Bailey is plowing corn. D. has gone to the election. Ellen Olson commenced work here today. Bailey went in afternoon to election on prohibition. Sowed more rutabagas.

Wednesday, June 28, 1882--Bailey worked for himself cleaning out cane and garden. Elijah Johnson was here cleaning up grain. Was here for dinner. Stone was here for supper. D. tried his new mower and then went to Mabel. We put out our
cabbage plants.

Thursday, June 29, 1882--Bailey plowed corn. D. cultivated his mangels (a vegetable similar to beets). Rained some in afternoon and it rained hard in the night and the wind blew hard. Thundered and lightened a great deal.

Friday, June 30, 1882--Nice clear day. Men hoed artichokes in forenoon. Bailey plowed in afternoon. David cut clover.


Saturday, July 1, 1882--David went after poles in forenoon. Bailey raked hay.

Sunday, July 2, 1882--We were all alone today, which we consider quite a treat. Bennett and Mother were here awhile in the afternoon. Had quite a pleasant visit with them.

Monday, July 3, 1882--Nice most of the day but cloudy part of the day. Rained several showers. Cleared up nice in the evening. Cris brought a hay fork to David. Bailey raked hay in forenoon. D. hauled a load of poles. Fixed up their hay fork and hauled in a load of hay. Ellen has gone home to go to the celebration tomorrow.

Tuesday, July 4, 1882--Very nice pleasant day. Clear and cool. We staid at home and worked all day. D. went to Hesper and Mabel. The boys went with him.

Wednesday, July 5, 1882--Nice clear day. Cool and pleasant in shade but hot in the sun. The men fixed up their hay fork. It was fixed wrong. Bailey cocked hay in afternoon. D. cut hay. The boy plowed corn. He also plowed yesterday.

Thursday, July 6, 1882--Pleasant in forenoon. Rained in afternoon and turned cool. Ellen came back today about nine o’clock. Men worked at hay in afternoon. I have been quite poorly all day with a bad cold.

Friday, July 7, 1882--Cool and cloudy. Rained some by spells all day. Bailey did not work today. D. went to Mabel. The boy worked til noon. I feel much better today.

Saturday, July 8, 1882--Nice pleasant day. Men worked at hay fork, then hauled a load of hay. Boy plowed. I was sick all day. Cold on my lungs. Elijah hauled grain from here. He is about done.

Sunday, July 9, 1882--Very pleasant day. Sprinkled a little about noon. Then the wind turned to the northwest and cleared up. Quite cool. I am much better today. D. went to Joel Battey’s funeral. Rosa went home with Ellen.

Monday, July 10, 1882--Nice day. Bailey plowed in forenoon and raked hay in afternoon. D. went up on Looking Glass. Ellen washed.

Tuesday, July 11, 1882--Nice day. Bailey cocked hay and D. mowed hay. Ellen ironed.

Wednesday, July 12, 1882--Cloudy and drizzled some. Edda Benson helped the men about haying today. Oscar helped too.

Thursday, July 13, 1882--Rained some. The men worked at barn in forenoon. In afternoon Bailey and Oscar hauled in hay and D. worked at barn.

Friday, July 14, 1882--Nice clear day. Bailey and Eddie hauled hay all day. D. cut til noon, then raked a while, then went to hauling too. I coughed fearful last night and feel
pretty much used up today.

Saturday, July 15, 1882--Cloudy and showery most all day. Men worked at hay til afternoon awhile, then hoed for D. Ellen left today. Bailey went to Hesper and got me some cough medicine.

Sunday, July 16, 1882--Nice most of the day. Had a few light showers. D. went to Hesper and got Mary Cutting to come and work for us.

Monday, July 17, 1882--Nice in forenoon but cloudy and showery in afternoon, and rained quite a shower after dark. Mary Cutting commenced work for us today. My cough is very bad yet.

Tuesday, July 18, 1882--Nice bright morning. Some cloudy in afternoon but no rain. Bailey hoed for D. in forenoon. In afternoon he sowed our turnip seed and hoed our cabbage.

Wednesday, July 19, 1882--Clear and cloudy by turns. Bailey hoed and thinned out mangles in forenoon. D. sat up on a corn plow. Ben Harkness boy is plowing here today. My cough is some better.

Thursday, July 20, 1882--Nice clear day. Bailey plowed corn til noon, then helped J. Swainson cock hay. D. cut hay.


Friday, July 21, 1882--Nice clear day. The men are at work at hay. Bailey and Oscar are stacking. D. is cutting hay. My cough mends slowly. Alfred has a very bad cold too.

Saturday, July 22, 1882--Nice clear day but very hot. Men worked at hay. Bailey got too warm while putting hay in the barn & worked til after dark. Bailey not well. Got a letter from Pa and a card from George.

Sunday, July 23, 1882--Nice clear day. Very hot but quite a good breeze. At home alone today. D. and Mary went to Hesper.

Monday, July 24, 1882--Clear most of the day. Very hot, but a good breeze all day. Men working at hay. Have got the barn full and some stacked. Bailey feels poorly. Rosa & Oscar not well. Baby and I better of our colds. Mary washed today. Sent a letter to George today.

Tuesday, July 25, 1882--Nice clear day. Very hot but a nice breeze. Men worked at hay. Bailey feels quite poorly. The rest all better.

Wednesday, July 26, 1882--Nice clear day. Quite hot except a good breeze. Bailey took Tommy’s wagon home, then dug post holes. D. cut hay. Bailey feels better.

Thursday, July 27, 1882--Nice clear day. Very warm, but little air stirring in forenoon, but considerable wind in afternoon. Bailey plowed our cane this morning, then run an old piece of wire in his foot between his toes, which laid him up for the day and perhaps a good deal longer. D. is cutting hay.

Friday, July 28, 1882--Nice day. Bailey’s foot quite sore. D. hunted for hand in forenoon, and him and J. Swainson (?) cocked hay in afternoon. I have been quite poorly today.

Saturday, July 29, 1882--Very nice cool day with good breeze. D. & John Swainson & Cal Roe (Rowe) stacking hay. Torson’s & Johnson’s are here putting up hay. Bailey’s foot very sore.


Skip to Wednesday, December 6, 1882--1 a. Considerable wind from NW. Snowed some. Worked for David yesterday. Started money for the Youth’s Companion day before yesterday. Quite cold yesterday. Began to get colder about noon, with very high wind, and by night it was 9 below.

Thursday, December 7, 1882--Clear. 23 below m. and 13 below e. Last night was one of the worst nights I ever saw. Dreadful wind from NW. Snow blowing and so cold. Went to the office and got the mail. We kept a fire all last night to keep things from freezing in the cellar.

Friday, December 8, 1882--During the night the mercury got down to 18 below, but the wind got around to the south and by daylight it was up to 4 below and during the day got up to 8 above. David got a load of wood.

Saturday, December 9, 1882--Some warmer but quite chilly.

Sunday, December 10, 1882--Clear nice day. Bennett’s folks and Mother were here
visiting.

Monday, December 11, 1882--Cold with high wind in evening. Helped David butcher a calf. Helped about washing and went to the office.

Addendum from middle of page:
5 steel bodkins, Mrs. Lois Rowe, 5 cents.
2 tape needles, Mrs. Sarah Pike, 5 cents.
15 toilet pins, Mrs. Louisa Tamness.


Skip to Sunday, January 14, 1883--23 below. We have had very cold weather for three weeks. Mercury often down to 15 and 20 degrees below zero. We have had a good deal of wind the past week, drifting the snow badly. The trains are stopped now by snow.


Skip to Monday, April 9, 1883--The warmest morning we have had this spring. Some snow still to be seen. High wind from south yesterday. Started a letter to Pa, also to James H. Gregory.

Tuesday, April 10, 1883--Cloudy, sprinkled some. High wind northeast in morning, east at noon, southwest in afternoon and northwest in evening. Hauled corn home from Osgard’s.

Wednesday, April 11, 1883--Nice clear morning. Cold. Ground froze some. Snowed some last night but was all gone before noon. Judson was here, so was Brunson and Minlaw.

Thursday, April 12, 1883--Cool and cloudy. Sprinkled in afternoon a little. I went with Bailey to Newhouse. Got some sewing done and done some trading. Bailey cleared out some of the currant bushes.

Friday, April 13, 1883--Cool and cloudy. Wind southeast threatening rain. Bailey and Oscar took up pump rod Feltly (?) lost.

Saturday, April 14, 1883--Cloudy. Rained a very little. Bailey went to Hesper. Bought some seed corn of Bennett. Paid $2.00 per bushel. Bailey went to Newhouse this evening. Sold 41 cts. worth paper rags.

Sunday, April 15, 1883--Cold and cloudy. Wind west. At home all day. David passed here, stopped awhile. Got his beauty Hebron potato.

Monday, April 16, 1883--Nice warm day. Bailey plowed part of our garden. I almost made a pair of pants today for Oscar.

Tuesday, April 17, 1883--Clear and cloudy by turns. We made garden some. Planted some onions, radishes, parsnips, potatoes, peas & lettuce. I set a hen on 13 eggs and Bailey set out some raspberries and strawberries.

Wednesday, April 18, 1883--Cool wind northeast. Worked at the pump most of the day. Finally got it all right. Got three bushels of corn of Mr. Judson to grind for house use.

Thursday, April 19, 1883--Clear and cool. Wind NW. Took some corn to Hesper to get ground. Mary went as far as F. Newcomer’s and we got dinner there. Saw some snow.

Skip to Saturday, April 21, 1883--Finished putting out strawberries and raspberries, gooseberries and currants. Have now over 400 strawberries out. High wind from SE.

Sunday, April 22, 1883--Rained a good deal last night and forenoon. Cool with very high wind from SE.

Monday, April 23, 1883--High wind from east. Bailey took Kate over to Bennett’s to let them work her. I set a hen. He also went to David’s to get some meal home. Quite cold. Froze some last night.

Tuesday, April 24, 1883--Cold wind from NE part of the day, and north and northwest. Ground froze some last night. Mercury down to 30 above this morning. Bailey commenced work for Rufus Everett this morning. We washed clothes this
morning.

Wednesday, April 25, 1883--Beautiful morning, still and clear. Some cold, but warmer than for several days. Heavy frost this morning. Wind this afternoon from NW. Bailey is working for Rufus again today. Maples are in bloom and have been for nearly a week. Gooseberry leaves are getting green.

Thursday, April 26, 1883--Nice warm day. Clear mostly in morning. Wind NE, in afternoon NW. Got a letter from Pa, also the press from this office. Put short dresses on (baby) George today. Children all have bad colds and coughs. Bailey been around home today.

Friday, April 27, 1883--Nice warm day. Mercury up to 80. Alfred & George sick with bad colds. Bailey staid at home to help me take care of them.

Saturday, April 28, 1883--Cool and cloudy in the morning, but got warm enough to be pleasant after it cleared off about ten o’clock. Mercury 60. The children still poorly with their colds. Baby (George) quite sick.

Sunday, April 29, 1883--Clear and cold wind NW. Children quite sick (Alfred & George). Dr. Worth was here to see them. He says they have lung fever (pneumonia). Old Mrs. Everett was here. She made onion poultices for the children’s lungs.

Monday, April 30, 1883--Nice warm day. Wind SE. Alfred and George are still quite sick but not so bad as yesterday. We thought yesterday that perhaps our baby would not live. Bailey & I are about wore out taking care of them and losing sleep.


Tuesday, May 1, 1883--Cool and cloudy. Rained in afternoon. George was very sick last night and this forenoon. He is better this afternoon. Alfred is better too. Dr. Worth was here today. He thinks with good care they may get well. Rena was here awhile. Mrs. Everett staid all night with us last night.

Wednesday, May 2, 1883--Cold and cloudy. Rained hard last night. Rained some today. Mother, Mary and Estella were here awhile to see our sick folks. Our pets are better. Dr. Worth was here today.

Thursday, May 3, 1883--Cold and cloudy. Drizzled some. Children are better. We now think will soon be well. We are tired and sleepy and have a bad cold, sore throat & lungs.

Friday, May 4, 1883--Rosa washed a few things today. We slept some last night. All are still improving.

Saturday, May 5, 1883--Did but little but housework, baking, etc.

Sunday, May 6, 1883--Pleasant day. Clear in forenoon, rainy in afternoon. Quite stormy at night, with thunder and lightning. Sick folks still improving.

Monday, May 7, 1883--Clear warm day. Mercury up to 72 a. Planted some sweet corn, beans, potatoes, and more peas and some beets. Children still improving.

Tuesday, May 8, 1883--Pretty cool. Mercury 62. Rained some. Bailey worked for David. They worked at fence in forenoon. In afternoon Bailey harrowed. The children are well again. We have some chicks.

Wednesday, May 9, 1883--Still cool. Rained all night last night and most of the day today. Eddie brought Kate and Cora over this afternoon. We cut up our potatoes today.

Thursday, May 10, 1883--Cold today. Bailey went Rufus and I went along. We were there only a few minutes, on business. Bailey took off Kate’s shoes.

Friday, May 11, 1883--Still quite cool. Bailey hauled a load of wood in forenoon. Fixed the harrow ready to commence to harrowing in the morning. (this afternoon)

Saturday, May 12, 1883--Still quite cool, though the sun has shone most of the time yesterday and today. Bailey is working for Ruf today. Oscar is harrowing our corn and broom corn ground. Rosa is washing and John and I are doing housework and tending baby.

Sunday, May 13, 1883--Rained all day. Cool.

Monday, May 14, 1883--Cold and blustery. Rained all day. Rosa and I ironed. Got our big bob strawberries today. Bailey put them out today. Set 2 hens.

Tuesday, May 15, 1883--Pleasant day. Children went to school, all but John. Ground quite wet. Got our broom corn seed today from Sibley (?).

Wednesday, May 16, 1883--Fine day. Wind from SW. Bailey worked for John Pendegast. Oscar went to William’s and bought us 2 lbs. of good butter at 14 cts. per lb. Mercury up to 75.

Thursday, May 17, 1883--Cool and cloudy in morning. Wind south. Commenced to rain about ten o’clock and rained the rest of the day. Bailey worked a quarter of the day for Pendegast.

Friday, May 18, 1883--Quite warm. Mercury 80. Uncommon high wind from south and SW. Mostly clear. Bailey fixing up cow lot fence. Oscar staid at home today. He has a bad cold. Baby been poorly too.

Saturday, May 19, 1883--Cool and rainy. Wind NE. Rosa sick with cold. Oscar some better but staid at home. Bailey and I planted some more garden stuff, beans, sweet corn and potatoes.

Sunday, May 20, 1883--Cold. Sprinkled at spells all day. Wind NW til evening, then north and cleared off.

Monday, May 21, 1883--Clear and cold. Wind N. Froze last night and a heavy frost killed our potato tops and some of our flowers. Bailey’s harrowing for corn and broom corn. Some warmer. I washed some.

Tuesday, May 22, 1883--Cool pleasant day, rather cool. Bailey harrowed again today. Will commence planting tomorrow. I planted some garden stuff today and hoed our early peas. We have some sweet corn up. Some frost this morning.

Wednesday, May 23, 1883--Clear and warm, but some frost this morning. Mercury got up to 82 in afternoon. Bailey planting corn and broom corn. Our cow has got away from us and we can’t find her.

Thursday, May 24, 1883--Rained some last night and is still raining some this morning. Bailey found our cow this morning. Rained most all day. In evening we planted our squashes.

Friday, May 25, 1883--Cool and cloudy and rained some. Bought a cow of Oscar T. for 35 dollars. Got her home this morning. Bailey fixed up cow lot fence yesterday and today. I washed today.

Saturday, May 26, 1883--Nice day til late in afternoon. Then we had a few light showers. Sowed our cabbage seed. Bailey planted our beans, potatoes and pop corn with Oscar’s help. He also finished planting broom corn. Yesterday was John’s 8th birthday.

Sunday, May 27, 1883--Nice day, but pretty cool. Some showery. We all, except Oscar and John, went to Bennett’s visiting. Had a very pleasant visit.

Monday, May 28, 1883--Nice day. Bailey planted some corn and broke the planter and had to quit.

Tuesday, May 29, 1883--Nice day. Bailey finished planting corn. We planted our melons and cucumbers and set out some tomatoes.

Wednesday, May 30, 1883--Clear nice day part of the time, but cool and cloudy in afternoon. I went to Elijah Johnson’s visiting today. Bailey planted cane at Bennett’s.

Thursday, May 31, 1883--Nice warm day. Bailey finished planting cane at Bennett’s. I staid at home alone with the two little ones.


Friday, June 1, 1883--Warm. High wind from south. Set 2 hens. Bailey’s harrowing corn and broom corn. Alfred went with the children to school.

Saturday, June 2, 1883--Bailey harrowed for David. Oscar and John went to Bennett’s and staid all day. They are having a well drilled. It is 35 feet deep now. Setting hen broke up last night.

Sunday, June 3, 1883--Cold and cloudy. Rained some last night. We looked at forty of land some today.

Monday, June 4, 1883--Cool morning but nice and warm the rest of the day. Bailey worked for David. Another hen broke up last night. Mercury 78.

Tuesday, June 5, 1883--Nice warm day. Mercury 78. Rained considerable last night, nice gentle rain. Bailey and I washed this forenoon and Bailey went to Hesper this afternoon.

Wednesday, June 6, 1883--Nice clear warm day. Bailey worked in garden some, cleaned a barrel and went to Newhouse. Took some eggs, got 13 cts. per doz. He is quite unwell this afternoon. No school today. Teacher has toothache. Set a hen.

Thursday, June 7, 1883--Nice clear warm day. Mercury up to 81 a. Bailey worked on the road today. I cut out some of my dress today. A peddler ate dinner with us today.

Friday, June 8, 1883--Worked on the road forenoon. Rained about all the afternoon. Rather cool. I have had the toothache some today. Small grain and grass look well. Corn just coming up. Mary not well today.

Saturday, June 9, 1883--Worked on road in forenoon. In afternoon went to mill.

Sunday, June 10, 1883--Nice day til evening, then a gentle rain.

Monday, June 11, 1883--Nice in forenoon but quite showery in afternoon with high wind. Bailey got our 2 pigs home from Bennett’s today.

Tuesday, June 12, 1883--Bailey worked in garden in forenoon, and went to Mabel in afternoon. Our garden looks splendid. We have radishes and lettuce big enough to eat.

Wednesday, June 13, 1883--Nice day. Bailey went to Billy R’s (Robinson) today and to Mabel and Hesper and back by Bennett’s. Eunice expects to be there tomorrow night.

Thursday, June 14, 1883--Nice day but pretty high wind. Bailey went to Ed Torson to see about a cultivator. I went and visited with Mrs. Everett today.

Friday, June 15, 1883--Hoed in garden in forenoon and worked in field in afternoon. Oscar took Loo’s quilting frames home. He saw David’s sweetheart. Eunice is at Bennett’s.

Saturday, June 16, 1883--Bailey worked in garden in forenoon and sowed our rutabagas. He went to Newhouse in afternoon and heard a trial. The hottest day of the season. Mercury got up to 86.

Sunday, June 17, 1883--Rained most all day, a nice gentle rain. We have not seen Eunice yet.

Monday, June 18, 1883--Nice day. Bailey went to see Eunice today. They are coming here to visit Wednesday.

Tuesday, June 19, 1883--Nice day. We washed today. Bailey and Oscar hoed in field til noon, then Bailey went to Tommy’s. Judson was here to see about the berries.

Wednesday, June 20, 1883--Cloudy and showery a good part of the day. Mother, Eunice and Mary were here visiting today. David took dinner with us too.

Thursday, June 21, 1883--Cloudy most of the time. I have headache. Bailey plowed corn.

Friday, June 22, 1883--Clear nice day. Bailey plowed corn most of today. He went to Tommy’s awhile. Still have headache. Baby fretful.

Saturday, June 23, 1883--Cloudy, very hot. Rained hard in afternoon. Bailey and Oscar hoed broom corn. Mercury up to 86.

Sunday, June 24, 1883--Clear and cloudy by turns. Quite cool all day. Went to Bennett’s to visit with Eunice and relatives. Burritt King was there. Had ripe strawberries for dinner.

Monday, June 25, 1883--Nice clear day, quite cool. Bailey and Oscar hoed broom corn in afternoon. In forenoon Bailey got Ruf’s cultivator and plowed broom corn.

Tuesday, June 26, 1883--Bailey and Oscar hoed broom corn in evening. Oscar went in search of a cultivator. Found none they could get.

Wednesday, June 27, 1883--Bailey and Oscar hoed broom corn in afternoon. Bailey was hunting for cultivator in forenoon. Nice day.

Thursday, June 28, 1883--Very warm day. Mercury up to 88, but a nice breeze. Bailey and Oscar hoed broom corn. Rosa washed in morning.

Friday, June 29, 1883--Very warm day. Mercury up to 89 a.. A good breeze. We went over to look at a forty of land in forenoon. Worked in garden in afternoon. Put our cabbage plants out. I have a stiff neck.

Saturday, June 30, 1883--Very warm. Bailey plowed broom corn most of the day. He went to Hesper to get some medicine for my neck and shoulder. They pain me very much. Mercury up to 89 a..


Sunday, July 1, 1883--Very warm. Mercury here 95 and some places it was up to 100. Rosa and John took Cora home today. I have been quite poorly all day. Sit up but little. A good breeze all day.

Monday, July 2, 1883--Very warm but little breeze. Mercury 98 a. here and 114 a. in Decorah. Bailey and Oscar hoed corn. Jim Williams got his skull broke today. A horse kicked him.

Tuesday, July 3, 1883--Very warm. Mercury 92 but a good wind all day. In the evening it rained hard. Wind blew some and thundered and lightened constant.

Wednesday, July 4, 1883--Nice day. Cloudy most all day. Quite cool in evening. Children all went to Williams’. Bailey and I and the 2 least ones staid at home. Had our first mess of new potatoes.

Thursday, July 5, 1883--Nice clear day. Mercury up to 82 a., but little breeze. Bailey hunted for a plow in forenoon and plowed in afternoon. He plowed our garden, too. He got me some medicine for my neck and shoulder.

Friday, July 6, 1883--Rained quite a shower this morning. Clear and cloudy by turns. Showery in afternoon. Bailey’s plowing corn. All the children are at school. This is the last day of the summer term. My neck better.

Saturday, July 7, 1883--Quite cool. It rained very hard most all the afternoon. The children and Bailey, too, came home wet as drowned rats.

Sunday, July 8, 1883--Nice clear day but quite cool. All of Everett’s children here all day. Bailey and I went to Roof’s a little while in evening. Had our first mess of peas.

Monday, July 9, 1883--Very cool. Mercury 50 in the morning. My neck worse again. Did not sleep much last night. B. plowed. O. hoed.

Tuesday, July 10, 1883--Nice warm day. Bailey plowed. Oscar hoed. Yesterday afternoon Oscar went to Hesper to get me more medicine. In forenoon he hoed. Bailey plowed.

Wednesday, July 11, 1883--Nice day. Bailey plowed. Oscar hoed. He got all hoed except one row. My neck better again. Other ways I am not well. Rosa washed. We had a currant cobbler for dinner.

Thursday, July 12, 1883--Nice day. Pretty cool in the morning. Bailey plowed. Oscar finished hoeing broom corn and him and John hoed sweet corn.

Friday, July 13, 1883--Nice clear day. Bailey plowed. Boys minding cows. Mercury 84. Had another currant cobbler for dinner. George is ten months old today. Set Cochin.

Saturday, July 14, 1883--Clear and cloudy by turns. Quite cool in morning. Bailey plowed broom corn.

Sunday, July 15, 1883--Nice day. Bailey and I at home. Oscar went to Hesper. The other children went to the forty and did not get back til after 2 o’clock.

Monday, July 16, 1883--Quite cool. We had a heavy rain last night and this morning it is too wet to plow. Bailey worked at rutabagas.

Tuesday, July 17, 1883--Nice day but very cool. Bailey went to Hesper and Mabel to try and sell roan in forenoon and in afternoon fixed up the fence.

Wednesday, July 18, 1883--Very nice day but very cool. Mercury down to 48 this morning. Bailey is helping Pendegast hay today. Oscar, John and myself are hoeing some in garden.

Thursday, July 19, 1883--Cold and cloudy. Rained a little last night and threatens to rain more. Bailey and Oscar hoeing potatoes. Had another currant cobbler for dinner. Wrote a letter to Pa.

Friday, July 20, 1883--Had the heaviest rain of the season last night. It rained some this forenoon. Bailey went to Hollands in forenoon to see about a wagon and went to Mabel in afternoon to see J. Hansen about his 40 acres.

Saturday, July 21, 1883--Rained hard again last night and some today. Bailey mowed some hay today.

Sunday, July 22, 1883--Rained last night and most of today. The ground is so well soaked with water that we can hardly get in the garden to get vegetables without getting stuck in the mud.

Monday, July 23, 1883--Rained all night last night and most all day today. Bailey and Rosa washed today, but we can’t hang the clothes out today. We had another currant cobbler today. They are splendid.

Tuesday, July 24, 1883--Mostly clear. Dried our clothes. Bailey went to Pendegasts. The ground is full of water.

Wednesday, July 25, 1883--Nice clear day. Warm. Bailey prepared the ground and planted our turnips in forenoon. Oscar helped him some. In afternoon he went to Mabel. Bennett’s children were here today, also Clarence Chase and Edda Everett.

Thursday, July 26, 1883--Nice most of the day. Had a small shower in afternoon. Bailey and Oscar worked in the field in forenoon and Oscar and John in afternoon and Bailey went to Mabel and got the contracts signed, leasing us the forty north of here.

Friday, July 27, 1883--Nice day. Bailey plowed corn and Oscar and John hoed and pulled weeds.

Saturday, July 28, 1883--Nice day but quite cool. Bailey plowed in forenoon. The boys hoed and pulled weeds. In afternoon Oscar plowed and John hoed and pulled weeds. Bailey not well. Rosa had headache last night.

Sunday, July 29, 1883--Nice day but cool. All well again. Judson’s were here to gather their currants.

Monday, July 30, 1883--Nice day but cool. Mercury down to 48 this morning but soon got warmer. Oscar plowed in forenoon and John hoed. Bailey plowed in afternoon. Oscar worked for David putting up hay. John played with Clarence.

Tuesday, July 31, 1883--Nice day. Bailey plowed broom corn and Oscar worked for David in the hay. I finished Oscar’s calico shirt today and we had our last currant cobbler for this year.


Wednesday, August 1, 1883--Bailey finished plowing corn today. Oscar worked for David half the day today.

Thursday, August 2, 1883--Bailey and Oscar hilled up our potatoes today and then went over to the 40.

Friday, August 3, 1883--Bailey fixed up the fence in lane to give the cows more pasture and put up some hay in evening.

Saturday, August 4, 1883--Bailey and Oscar stacked hay in forenoon and Bailey went to mill in afternoon. I went as far as Ida’s.

Sunday, August 5, 1883--Nice clear day. Bailey and I went to Rufe’s in evening to see Rene. She is sick. There were five girls here today to play with Rosa.

Skip to Saturday, August 18, 1883--Warm day. Bailey looked around some for a horse in forenoon. In afternoon he went to David’s and fixed some sticks for window blinds.

Sunday, August 19, 1883--Cool only in the sun (shade). The sun is quite hot. We all went to the 40 and then to see our crop. Threatening rain. Had a mess of sweet corn.

Monday, August 20, 1883--Pleasant day. Bailey helped about washing in forenoon and cut weeds on the 40 in afternoon.

Tuesday, August 21, 1883--Nice day, only high winds. Bailey went to Bennett’s in forenoon and helped R. Everett stack in afternoon. Oscar helped too.

Wednesday, August 22, 1883--Nice warm day. Bailey stacked all day for R. Everett. Turned very cool.

Thursday, August 23, 1883--Cool. Bailey helped R. Everett stack grain. Broke down several times. I and Rosa went to Everett’s a while. Had quite a frost last night. Killed some of our squash vines.

Friday, August 24, 1883--Still cool. Another frost this morning, though not so heavy. Bailey helped R. E. til nearly noon, and him & I went up to the store. He went on to Williams’. The children had a picnic here this afternoon.

Saturday, August 25, 1883--Nice clear day but cool. We all did but little today. I set a hen. Rained a little.

Sunday, August 26, 1883--Nice day but quite cool. Oscar went to Bennett’s.

Monday, August 27, 1883--Rained nearly all the forenoon. It will do a great deal of good if it continues warm. Bailey went to the 40 to work this afternoon.

Tuesday, August 28, 1883--Cloudy and cool. B. & R. washed today in forenoon. Bailey went to work for Bennett in afternoon.

Wednesday, August 29, 1883--Cloudy and clear by turns. Bailey did not come home last night. This is his birthday. He is 39 years old. Baby not well. Went to store at N’house.

Thursday, August 30, 1883--Bailey looked around a little for a horse and wagon. He got none. We went to Bennett’s in afternoon to get broom thresher.

Friday, August 31, 1883--Bailey put up his BC thrasher today and tried it a little. I guess it will work.

Saturday, September 1, 1883--Bailey bought a wagon and got it home today. He went to the school meeting this evening. They elected H. Williams for Director.

Sunday, September 2, 1883--Nice day. Meeting at school house today.

Monday, September 3, 1883--Bailey fixed up his wagon in forenoon and went to Hesper in afternoon.

Tuesday, September 4, 1883--Washed and ironed some.

Wednesday, September 5, 1883--My birthday. 39 years old. Bailey took me to Bennett’s to visit around 2 or three days. Quite a frost last night. Did but little damage. Gathered their first broom corn today.

Thursday, September 6, 1883--Bailey thrashed in forenoon and went to Bennett’s after me in afternoon. It rained two or three hours today.

Friday, September 7, 1883--Cloudy and cold all day. Getting colder as the day advances.

Saturday, September 8, 1883--Very cold. Cleared off some time during the night, and we had a big frost and ice the eighth of an inch thick. Mercury 32 a.

Sunday, September 9, 1883--We had a white frost this morning and everything froze stiff. Ice a fourth of an inch thick. Everything killed except cabbage and rutabagas and turnips. Mercury down to 29 a.

Monday, September 10, 1883--Cool and cloudy. Rained a few showers. Warmer. We washed. Bailey thrashed for a dutchman.

Tuesday, September 11, 1883--Nice clear day. Cool. Bailey thrashed again for the same man. Rosa went to Pendegast’s and Williams’ on a visit. B has got a school.

Skip to Monday, September 17, 1883--Nice warm day. Edda and Lizzie here. They took Cora and Kate home with them.

Tuesday, September 18, 1883--We cut a lot of sweet corn today. Bailey is expecting to help St. Clair thresh.

The next page has been torn out. The top of the next page is titled “Receipts and expenses for the month of January, 1881.“ January 1 shows $1 for the American Agriculturist and $1 for the Recorder; January 1, one gallon oil for .25; January 15, clothes for children $1.00; Inter Ocean $1.15; Sugar .15; Apples .10; Beef .25; Dried
apples .25; Leather .20; Pegs .05; Tin box with lock .60; For mending Oscar’s books .25. January 31st: Earned for teaching school, not paid yet: $30.00

Wednesday, September 19, 1883--Washed clothes today.

Thursday, September 20, 1883--B. got a horse and tried to plow some, but did but little except to scour the plow.

Friday, September 21, 1883--Bailey worked half the day for Pendegast. Rained last night. We ironed today.

Saturday, September 22, 1883--Nice day. Bailed worked half a day for Pendegast & Rosa went to Williams’ to a bee. Nelly S. came home with her.

Sunday, September 23, 1883--Nice day, but muddy. Rained last night.

Skip to Friday, September 28, 1883--Very cold. Snowed some today.

Skip to Monday, October 1, 1883--Very cold. Ground froze some.

Tuesday, October 2, 1883--Still cold. Ground frozen again.

Wednesday, October 3, 1883--Colder. Ground froze again. Seems like winter.


The above is the last diary entry in this diary. The next page has receipts and expenditures for February, 1881. They are: 5th, oil, .30; Sugar, .25; 11th, postal cards, .10; 14th, wood-one cord, 2.75; Oats for cow, 1.00; 15th, corn-12 bu., 3.60; 4 bu. wheat, 3.04 and taking to mill and bring to me, 2.50; 16th, Brissels, .05; awls, .05; 18th, sold four doz. eggs at .15 per doz.; bought calico, .60; 26th, coal oil, .30; Rubbers, .80; Broom, .25; matches, .25; Shoe blacking & brush, .45; pens, .05; paper, .10; ink, .05; envelopes, .32.

The next page has receipts and expenses for March, 1881, as follows: 7th, Saleratus, .08; 12th, sold 6 hens and one rooster, 2.00; recd. 10.00 on cow bill; 21st, bought 5 lbs. butter @ .15 per lb., .75; 24th, bought buttons, .22; Shoe strings, .05; lead pencil, .04; Needles, .05; 26th, vinegar bitters, 1.00; Rice, .25; Rosa’s shoes, 2.25; Beef, .35; Gum, .10; Fish, .15; a old debt, 1.25; 28th, for teaching school four months, $120.00; for house rent, $5.00; an old debt, $10.00; for 11 1/2 bu. wheat got last fall, 8.87; 29th, Mary cloak, 5.50; Hat, 1.75; Dress, .80; aprons, .87 1/2; Hairpins, .05; color, .15; for myself, boots, 2.50; Pants, 1.75; Rosa’s dress, .42; Hat, 1.40; Apron, .39; Box, .15; two handkerchiefs, .15; Cape, 1.75; Thread, .30; Boys pants and coat, 1.81; Waist, .19; Domestic, .12; Coat lining, .14; Babies shoes, 1.25; Candy, nuts and apples, .25; Buttons, .05; Notions, 1.15; sold eggs, .88; 31st, mending Oscar’s shoes, .60.

The next page has receipts and expenses for April, 1881, as follows: 4th, sold 9 1/2 dozen eggs, .95; Spool thread, .05; bought one bu. potatoes, .50; 7th, sold 2 doz. eggs, .20; Sugar, 8 eggs and lard, .25; 13th, sold 2 1/2 doz. eggs, .25; 16th, sold 2 1/2 doz. eggs, .25; bought three lbs. butter, .42; 18th, Garden seeds, .85; Stove polish, .90; 19th, spade, 1.00; Hoe, .75; Rosa’s drawers, .40; one bunch onion sets, .10; 100 lbs. flour, 1.00; bread pan, .25; dipper, .10; Salt, .25; cake cutter, .05; Candy, .05; Soap, .05; Pan, .12 1/2; Thread, .15; Oscar, two pictures, .50; 28th, ax and handle, 1.25; coffee mill, .75; Lime, .40; 30th, Oil cloth, .85.



END OF 1883 DIARY TRANSCRIPTION

About those named


Battey, Joel--Neighbor of Bailey Street. 38. The Battey family were Quakers and later moved to Muscatine, Iowa. Bellatt--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Benson, Edda--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Brin--One of Bailey’s cows. Cameron, Mr.--County superintendent of schools. Camp, Estella Haines--A daughter of Bailey’s sister Mary Street Haines. She married Charles C. Camp, and had a daughter, Maude, who married Homer Kelts. The family lived not far from where Bailey Street did both in Hesper, Iowa, and Hesper, North Dakota. Casterton, W.--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Clark, Elizabeth. See Elizabeth Street. Cole’s Show--A circus. Cook, William--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Cora--One of Bailey’s horses. Cutting, Mary--Hired girl of Bailey Street. Minnie and Ruddie’s Aunt Alice Fawcett married an Arthur Cutting, who may be related to Mary. Earle, Amos and Rebecca--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Oscar Street married Rebecca’s grand niece, Minnie White. Rebecca Fawcett was an aunt of Minnie and Ruddie’s mother, Rebecca Painter Fawcett. Everett, Rufus--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Feltly, Mr.--Pump repairman. Foss, Mr. and Mrs. Martha--landlord and/or neighbor to Bailey Street when he lived in or near Newhouse. Fosson, John--neighbor of Bailey Street. Fruit Recorder--A magazine Bailey Street subscribes to. Garfield--Refers to U S. President Garfield. Gilmore, Mr.--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Gregory, James H.--Correspondent of Bailey Street. Haines, A.--I assume some relation to Bennett Wren Haines, an uncle to Bailey. Haines, Bennett and Mary--a brother- in-law and sister of Bailey Street, living in Highland Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa Their children were Burritt, Estella, Desway, Edgar, Lizzie, Willis, Grace. Haines, Burritt--Nephew of Bailey Street, son of his sister Mary. Haines, Elizabeth (Lizzie), daughter of Mary Street and niece of Bailey. Hallans, John--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Hansen, J.--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Harkness, Ben--Worked for Bailey Street. Henry, Will--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Holland, Mr. A.--A neighbor of Bailey and probably a school director. Johnson, Elijah & Louisa--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Johnson, F.--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Johnson, Will--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Judson, Mr.--Supplier of nursery stock to Bailey Street. Kate--Horse of Bailey Street. King, Burritt--Nephew of Bailey Street, son of his sister Eunice. King, Ezra and Eunice--Brother-in-law and sister of Bailey Street. Lived at one time in Winneshiek County, then in Hampton, Iowa; Crete, Nebraska; and Muscatine, Iowa. Children were Erma, Burritt, Clara and Willett. Lamb, Mr. A.--Neighbor of Bailey. Minlaw, Mr. Monroe--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Morinson, J.--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Ned--Horse of Bailey Street. Nelson--Neighbor and school director. Newcomer, Frank--Neighbor to Bailey Street. Related to Nettie Newcomer, who married a first cousin of Bailey Street, Desway Haines. Newcomer, M.--Neighbor to Bailey Street. Olson, Ellen--Hired girl of Bailey Street. Oren, Moses--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Oscar T. Osgard, Mr.--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Pendegast, John--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Bailey worked for him at various times. Peterson, A. & N.--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Pilgrim, Mr. Neighbor of Bailey. Purcell, B. --May refer to Benjamin Purcell, an uncle of Mary. Purcell, George Duncan--brother of Bailey Street’s wife, Mary Jane Purcell. Purcell, James F.--brother of Bailey Street’s wife, Mary Jane Purcell.

Purcell, John.--Father-in-law of Bailey Street, lives in Alba, Jasper County, Missouri.  Children by first wife, Lucy Elizabeth Ann Stith, were Benjamin, Mary Jane and George.  By second wife, Elizabeth Caroline Bowers, the children were Cordelia Evaline, James Frederick, Daniel Braden, John William, Franz Siegel, Charles and Oscar Grant. Purdy, A. M.--Business correspondent with Bailey, sells nursery stock. Reid, A. Neighbor of Bailey Street. Robinson--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Rowe, Cal--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Rural New Yorker--Magazine that Bailey Street subscribed to. Sam--Horse of Bailey Street. Sample--neighbor to Bailey Street. Shumway, Mr.--Sold garden seed to Bailey Street. Sinclair/St. Clair, Mr.--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Stoddard--Business correspondent to Bailey Street. Street, Aaron, Jr.--father of Bailey, husband of Elizabeth Clark. Street, Albert--son Bailey Street, twin brother of Alfred, born and died in 1879 in Houston County, Minnesota. Street, Alfred--son of Bailey Street. Married Josephine Plunkett. Was a school teacher in a technical high school in Cleveland, Ohio. Children: Herschel, Mona Evelyn, Ada Blanche.  Street, David--brother of Bailey Street. Formed farming partnership with Bailey. Later married Ella Mae Kibbie and moved to Moose Lake, Minnesota. Children: Clifford, Merle, Lew, Gladys, Grace, Brisben, Tracy, Lyndon, and Lois Vera. Street, Elizabeth Clark--Mother of Bailey Street, living nearby at the time this diary was written. Married Aaron Street, Jr. Children: Ann, Eunice, William, Jane, Mary, Margaret, Bailey, Burritt, Aaron, David, Lindley, John. Six of her twelve children died at an average age of about three or four; the surviving six children averaged living about 87 years. First moved to Winneshiek County about 1855. Husband, Aaron Jr., died of typhoid fever in 1871 while tending a small agency store for the Little Osage Indian tribe in Kansas or Oklahoma Territory. Street, Eunice. See Ezra and Eunice King. Street, George--Son of Bailey, born in 1883 and died in 1886. Street, John Purcell--Son of Bailey Street. Married Margaret Plunkett, an older sister of the Josephine Plunkett John’s younger brother, Alfred, married. John, like Alfred and Oscar and Rose and uncle and aunt Bennett and Mary Street Haines, joined the family exodus to Benson County, North Dakota. Returning from there, he went to college in Des Moines and then was a superintendent for several Iowa school districts. In later years he became the appointed Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Iowa, under Jessie M. Parker, and lived in Des Moines, Iowa. Children of John and Margaret: Mary Lou, Erma Blanche, Ethyl Joy and Marjory Hope. Street, John--Yougest brother of Bailey Street. Lived at Northfield, Minnesota. Married Mary Jane Winship. Children: Claude, Bernard, Arthur, Bayard, Edith, Beth, Florence, John, Douglas, Theodore. Douglas was still living in the year 2000. Street, Keith--Great grandson of Bailey Street and transcriber of this diary. Street, Lindley M.--Brother to Bailey Street. Lives in Hampton, Iowa, when this diary was written. Later settled at Moose Lake, Minnesota. Married Ida May Hansell. Children: Maud, Ethel, Harold. Street, Mary. See Bennett and Mary Haines. Street, Mary Jane Purcell--Wife of Bailey Street. See brothers and sisters in entry for John Purcell. Street, Oscar--Son of Bailey Street. Married Minnie White, sister of Ruddie and daughter of Barzillai Montroe White and Rebecca Painter Fawcett. Children: Guilford, Granville, Merrill, Grace, Leroy, Byron. Street, Rosella--Daughter of Bailey Street. Married Stone Tweten. Lived in Winneshiek County, Iowa; Benson County, North Dakota; and Ivanhoe, Lincoln County, Minnesota. Children: Marian, Myrtle, Henry Alton, Ruth. Stroud, Mr. A.--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Swainson, John--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Talbert, L.--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Thompson, Tommy--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Teemenson, Levi--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Tilda--Hired girl of Bailey Street.  Torson, Ed--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Truman, Mr.--Banker or financier of Bailey in Decorah. Williams, Jim--Neighbor of Bailey Street. Worth, Dr.--Physician for Mary Jane Purcell Street, Bailey’s wife. Youth’s Companion--Magazine that Bailey Street subscribed to.





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