January 1st 1857

Very fine weather, clear nearly all day. Moved into the front room today. Mrs Burnet called and made
us a visit. Spent the very pleasantly. Mr. Maas spent the evening with us.

January 2nd

Cloudy and cold. Had a large school today. Moderated a little toward evening. High wind all night,
snowed some.

January 3rd

Very cold and cloudy. High wind the fore part of the day, colder toward night. Went to an oyster supper
at the Mc Millens. Turpen and Lady Tomlinson and Lady Manfy and Lady Mutchett, Dickey and Lady were
there. Had a good time, came home about half past 11 O'clock.

January 4th

Not so cold as yesterday, cloudy, not much wind. Did not go any place except to Mr.Maas.

January 5th

Cloudy and rather cold. Nothing of importance occurred Today.  Mr. ant Mrs. Dickey and Mr. Maas
called in the evening.

January 6th

Cloudy, about as cold as yesterday. Mr. Dickey moved away today. Got along is school tolerably well.
Switched Roland Galloway for tearing his book.


January 7th

Mostly cloudy about as cold as yesterday. Nothing of importance took place today.

January 8th

Cold and mostly clear. Pretty full school, especially for such cold weather.
January 9th

Still cold as Greenland, clear all day, became more moderate toward evening. Went to a social party at
Mrs. De Wester. Had a first rate time. Turpin and Lady and French and Lady, Tomlinson and Lady,
McMillen and Lady, Mrs. Matchett and Mrs. Fletcher were there.

January 10th

Cloudy and has been  snowing, wind blows some. Been doing Saturdays work. Joseph and John McLellan
came here this afternoon. Lydia Galloway and her father called in this evening.

January 11th

Cloudy most of the day, very cold.


January 12th


Still cloudy and cold occurred. Mrs Rome was buried today. Mr. Johnson and Tutt called in to see the
school this evening.

January 13th

Clear and more moderate. Joseph and John started for home this morning. Had a very pleasant time in
school today.

Janaury 14th

Cloudy and snowed some pretty cold. A report is in circulation that the small pox has broken out
about 1 1/2 miles below here, a good. many are in a panic.

January 15th

Cold and clear part of the day. A man was burned. up in a car about 3 o'clock this morning.
How it happened and who he is are among the mysteries.

January 16th

Weather much the same as yesterday. School rather small, on account of fears of small pox.

January 17th

Moderate the fore part of the day, became colder toward night, cloudy.

January 18th

Very cold and clear. Ate breakfast 5 minutes before 10 o'clock A.M. Wind blew some and is very
unpleasant to be out.

January 19th

Rather colder this morning than yesterday. Clear and more pleasant, less wind than yesterday.

January 20th

Cloudy and more moderate. Some wind stirring.

January 21st

Clear and very cold, wind blows pretty keen from the S.W.

January 22nd

Another cold day, clear and not so windy as yesterday.

January 23rd

Very cold but not as cold as the 21st. Rather pleasant mostly clear.

January 24th

Cloudy and more moderate with high winds been snowing nearly all day. Went up to Long
Ornery today. A woman died there this morning early. Assisted them all I could and then
came home. A hard looking place it is that Long Ornery. No wonder the woman died.

January 25th

Clear quite cold but very pleasant. Went up and assisted to dress the corpse. Trew moved
away today. Glad of it.

January 26th

Cloudy and more moderate. Sleeted most of the day. No important items for today.

January 27th

Very warm today. Cloudy in the morning and threatened rain. Became more clear and pleasant
toward noon. Very pleasant this evening.

January 28th

Some colder and cloudy this morning. Cleared off about 8 o'clock,
and was very pleasant all day.


January 29th

Clear and very pleasant. Quite cold though.

January 30th

Rather cloudy and hazy. Woke -up this morning at 1 o'clock by fire. Went to the door and saw White's
warehouse enveloped in flames. The Warehouse, Post Office and a store kept in it were a total loss. Grey's
store, the saddlers shop and shoe store were burned but most of the goods were saved. We could see to
read a distance of 3/4 of a mile by the light. So bright and clear were the flames that we could distinctly see
all the doors and windows and the frame of the building. It would have been a splendid sight had it done
no harm, but the knowledge that a large amount of property was being destroyed spoiled the beauty of the
scene. Went up this evening to see the ruins.

January 31st

Cloudy, Snowed a little during the night. About noon cleared up and is quite clear this evening.
Much colder than it was this morning. Got a letter from cousin Bill today.

February 1st

Clear the fore part of the day, pretty cold, became cloudy towards evening. Rose at 9 o'clock and took
breakfast at 10 o'clock this morning.

February 2nd

Clear, all day and cold. Had a very good school today. Called on Mrs. Mc and Mrs. De Wester this evening.

February 3rd

Cloudy early this morning. Soon cleared up and Continued so till noon, when it became hazy.

February 4th

More moderate. Cloudy all day. Rained some today. Nelson turned our horse out and could not find him
in the evening. We suppose he has gone back to the Springs. Heard today for certain that John Galloway
has the Small-pox.

February 5th

Warm and cloudy - Rained, more today than yesterday. Excitement very high about the contagion,.

February 6th

Warm and cloudy most of the day. The sun shone this after noon.  Suspended school to an indefinite
period today. The panic general. Everything is at a stand. It seems like a very solemn time.

February 7th

Cloudy with high wind appears like rain. Commenced raining about 4 o'clock and is coming down
good this evening.

February 8th

Clear and cold. Snow fell during the night to the depth of two inches. Quite a change in the weather
since last night.

February 9th

Clear and colder than yesterday became more moderate toward noon. Seems very lonesome.

February 10th

Much colder today. Wind, blows from the W. and N. NW.  Nelson started to Jay county today guess
he will have a cold time. I went to the store today for the first time in 2 weeks.

February 11th

Clear and pleasant this morning. very still. More moderate. This is a great day for Nelson to hunt.

February 12th

Warmer than yesterday and very clear and pleasant. The snow nearly all left us today.

February 13th

Very warm today and mostly clear. Looked for Nelson all the afternoon but he did not come.

February 14th

Warm and cloudy all day. Rain set in about dark and rained Considerable during the evening.
Nelson came home this evening. He killed 15 squirrels and one pheasant.

February 15th

Warm and cloudy all day.  Rained some during the night.

February 16th

Weather much the same as yesterday. Appears like clearing off this evening. Got a pair of new shoes today.

February 17th

Warm and cloudy most of the day. Made some Beer today. Rained a little in the night.

February 18th

Clear and warm the fore part of the day. Cloudy all the afternoon. Commenced raining about 4 o'clock.
Thundered considerably. Wind pretty high. Got a letter from Abram today. . Washed today and got my
clothes out in time to take the shower. Feel very tired this evening. Wind blows some this evening and is
quite clear.

February 19th

Rained nearly all day. Found some of my clothes down in the mud this morning and had some to wash over.
Got a letter from Mother and one from Franklin today.

February 20th

Cloudy all day and rained most of the time. Some colder than yesterday. No letters today.

February 21st

Cloudy and cool. Snowed a little in the morning.

February 22nd

Still cloudy and cool. Sun shone a little in the after noon, and became quite clear toward night.
Took a walk up  to the Bellefontaine R.R. as far as the Catholic grave yard. R. Conover spent the evening
here and introduced politics as a topic of conversation and got so badly beat that he beat a retreat.

February 23rd

Clear and pleasant this morning and continued so all day.

February 24th

Clear in the morning, but not so pleasant as yesterday. Got up before 5 o'clock this morning. Nelson started
off on the morning train for Greenville to hunt his horse. Became cloudy toward noon and the wind rose very
high. Rained a little in the afternoon and evening. Washed today. Had a good time hanging up clothes. The wind
whipped the hem out of one end of a blanket.

February 25th

Cloudy most of the day and colder than yesterday. Wind not so high.

February 26th

Clear and pleasant all day. Quite cool though. Had quite an exciting time this afternoon at Mrs. Maas. Olive had
a fit and the family were very much alarmed. I was in the house for the first time since they had the small-pox.

February 27th

Cloudy all day. Cool in the morning. Moderated toward evening and hailed and rained a little. Went with
Lydia Gallaway to see her grandmother Mrs. Rand and would have had a first rate time but Lydia got sick
 and spoiled our fun a little. Had all the maple molasses we wanted to eat. Nelson came to me this afternoon
heard nothing from his horse.

February 28th

Clear and pleasant, but this air is quite cold. Called on Mrs. Randall today. Mrs. Turpen and Mrs De Wester
called this afternoon.

March 1st

Cloudy and cold, very windy. Did  not go anywhere today.

March 2nd

Clear and still but cold. Commenced school today.

March 3rd

Cloudy and more moderate. Got along very well in school today.  Nelson heard of his horse today but he is dead.

March 4th

Cloudy all day and rather warm. Not a very good school day, Sent a letter to cousin Bill this evening.

March 5th

Pretty cold today. Mostly clear.

March 6th

Cloudy and blustery became quite cold and wind rose toward evening.

March 7th

Clear and cold all day Went to Greenville today and got a certificate. Had an unusual disagreeable time.
Bat life of Marion and some other matrons.

March 8th

Mostly cloudy not so cold as yesterday. Staid at home all day.

March 9th

Cloudy and very cold. Wind blew strong from the west. Snowed all the forenoon. Cleared up toward evening.

March 10th

Clear and cold - Wind pretty high all day.

March 11th

Clear and pleasant but quite windy. Had quite a large school today.

March 12th

Still clear and pleasant. Wind not so brisk as yesterday. We wrote a letter to Mother this evening.

March 13th

Quite pleasant all day. Had a very good school.

March 14th

Clear and warm. Been having one of Dinah's Clarin up times today. Very tired this evening. J. Galloway
and Lady spent the evening with us. Had a particular good time.

March 15th

Warm and pleasant Lydia and I took a long walk today I got dreadfully tired.

March 16th

Partially clear and quite warm. Had a hard time in school today.

March 17th

Mostly clear today. Some appearance of rain this evening. Had a large school today.

March 18th

Cloudy and threatened rain all day. Became colder toward evening. Snowed a little during the night.

March 19th

Another cloudy day. Not so cold as it was last night.

March 20th

Clear and pleasant all day. Had the sick headache this afternoon.

March 21st

Another fine day. Looks like spring today. Got to do lots of work.

March 22nd

Very pleasant, rather cool in the morning.

March 23rd

Unusually warm and pleasant for the season. Became cloudy toward evening and began to rain
and continued to rain all night. Thundered and lightened a good deal.

March 24th

Some colder but clear. Wind rather high.

March 25th

Clear and frosty this morning pleasant tonight, quite cool.

March 26th

Clear and pleasant and warmer than yesterday. Mr. Mc Millan, Mrs. De Wester, Mrs.Burnet and Mrs.
Galloway spent the afternoon with Lydia Galloway.

March 27th

Quite warm and pleasant all day.

March 28th

Still clear and warm. Seems like spring.

March 29th

Clear and very pleasant. Staid at home all day and read.

March 30th

Still pleasant and warm

March 31st

Mostly cloudy. Began to rain about dark, and continued all evening. J. Gallaway and Conover spent the
evening with Nelson I staid with Lydia.

April 1st

Cloudy all day. Rained and snowed some. Cleared off this evening.

April 2nd

Clear and quite cold for the season.

April 3rd

Clear and warmer than yesterday. School closed today I was heartily glad of it.

April 4th

Clear in the morning. Became cloudy toward evening and rained all night.

April 5th

Cloudy and rainy, quite cold. Snowed all the afternoon and evening.

April 6th

Partially clear and very cold for the season. Snowed some this morning. Been horrid cold and
blustry all day. Ice froze 2 ½ inches thick over the washing tub.

April 7th

Not so cold as yesterday but mostly cloudy. Washed today and got awful tired.

April 8th

Cloudy and threatened rain. Ironed today and called on Mrs. Maas and Mrs. Randall.

April 9th

Partially clear, rather cold. Visited Mrs. Burnett in company with L. Galloway.

April 10th

Clear and pleasant till about noon , then became cloudy. Rained some in the evening.

April 11th

Cloudy and blustry all day snowed some.

April 12th

Rather more pleasant and not so cold. Easter sunday, called on Mauzy's and Johnsons.

April 13th

Cloudy and cold. Gave away our things today.

April 14th

Cold and blustry pack up the rest of our things ready for start to Iowa. Stayed at John Maas all night.

April 15th

Started for the depot at half past 5 o'clock. Oh so cold end blustry. I suffered very much with the cold.
Started for Indianapolis 15 minutes past 6 o'clock and passed over a new and heavy timbered country to
Winchester 10 miles from Union. Saw some fine farm and good horses but most were hard looking cabins.
Left Winchester 20 minutes past 7. Passed through a fine rolling country to Farmland 8 miles from
Winchester. Passed through Smithville 6 miles from Winchester 45 minutes past 7. Face of the Country
more level and very heavy timber, not much improved. Passed over a county considerably well improved,
interspersed. with land heavily timbered to Yorktown quite a large and pretty town a county seat. Thence to
Muncie also a county seat. Chesterfield farther west is a is a hard looking town. Thence west 6 miles to
Andersonville through a heavy timbered country. This is rather a nice town and a county seat. Pendleton
8 miles from Anderson. It is a very pretty town. Crossed Fell Creek the R.R. bridge is fastened at one end to
an old dingy looking building. Quite an object of curiosity to travelers. There is a cascade in the creek below
the bridge, which forms a dam for the mill just below. Country much the same as that we have passed over.
Alfont, Fortville, and McCords, small stations. Face of the country more level, timber heavy. The road is very
rough. Lanevile a small town. The fire has passed through the woods here last fall. Reached Indianapolis
10 minutes past 10. There is a fine 3 story brick building of the city. The architecture Gothic. I think It is an
academy. Saw several insane persons at the depot. Their friends were taking them home from the asylum.
The legislature of that state have refused to make appropriations for that end, the blind asylum and the patients
and inmates are to be sent home. Such as have no home are to be sent to the poor house. Left for Lafayette,
10 minutes before 12. Crossed the White river west of the city. Passed Agusta 10 miles from Indianapolis,
Zionsville 15 miles from I’ds.  Small but rather nice towns. Face of the country much varied, some level,
some rolling, some thick with woods, interspersed with well cultivated. Whitesville 2l miles, Lebanon 28 m’s
appear to be thriving towns. Nazlerigg 33 m’s from Ind. Hard looking place. The country for some miles has
been swampland and heavily timbered. Thorntown 38 m’s. poor looking place, Midway 43 m's ditto,
Clarksville 48m’s ditto. The  country looks horrible, Bakers 52 m's ditto. Cut 20 or more feet deep 1/4 mile
long near Lafayette, farther on a long deep fill on another road. Lafayette is a very pretty town. The country
around is rolling in many places, quite rough and broken, but it adds much to the scenery. A great proportion
of the buildings are large and of brick or stone. The public buildings are large and well built. So are private
residences. Had a fine view of the Wabash river at this place. I forgot to mention that from Union to
Indianapolis we had a great many portly men for follow passengers, from Ind-- to Lafayette a lot of inquisitive
old women. Crossed the Wabash north of town. The banks are very regular and tolerably high and it in a pretty
stream at this place. Battle Ground 8 m's north of town. Deep cut north of the battle ground, 20 feet or more in
come places and about a 1/4 of a mile long. Brookston 14 m's from Laf. is a hard looking place. Going awful slow.
Very poor fire in the stove. We are suffering with the cold. We are crossing Kankakee prairie, it's level and
 about 1/2 of it is under water. It is interspersed with few groves of timber. One grove in particular is very fine.
Francesville on the prairie is a hard place. I should think one might starve to death there. The wind has been
blowing dreadfully all day. Medargsville 47 m’s from L. is a mean looking place as it's name might indicate.
Stopped at San Pierre long enough to get supper. Went on slowly till within about 20 m's of M. City when we
came to a freight train whick had run off the track. Here we came to a dead halt from 7 to 11 o'clock. We had
a lot of fat men on board, some of than very jolly. They kept up the spirits of the rest of the passengers, some
of whom were very despondent. About 10 o'clock our train backed about a mile to take in water, and in so
doing they ran the engine off the track. At 11 o'clock a train arrived from Y. City to take us up and we had to
walk up. The wind blow hard and it was very cold. We kad a dreadful time getting there but we all arrived safe.
Reached Michigan City at 1 o'clock. Left for Chicago at 2, and arrived there about 5 o'clock. Staid there till 9 A,M.

April 16th.

Then left for Rock Island. Are now crossing a level prairie, as we go west however the prairie becomes higher and
drier. We passed over prairie and timber alternately till we came to Joliet A beautiful town. There is a beautiful
school house near the depot. There are many fine public and private buildings.

Crossed a very pretty stream west of the town. Also saw 2 very fine stone quarries at some distance west of the
 town. Ottowa the next town of importance. Quite a large town but we could not see much of it from the R.R.
After leaving town saw some of the finest quarries of stone that I ever saw. West of the quarries we passed
through a tunnel. La, Salle on the Illinois river is a large handsome town. The central canal passes through the
town. Saw a large steam boat there. Guess the next town is rather a pretty town. Crossed the Rock river on a
covered bridge. It is quite a large stream at this place, only 2 or 6 miles from it's mouth. The banks are low but
regular. We first came in sight of the Mississippi near Moline. It is a large and beautiful stream. The banks are
rather low in most places. Next we arrived at Rock Island. This is quite a large town, and rather a pretty one.
Crossed the Mississippi at this place. Davenport on the west side of the river is a handsome town. West of
town there is a deep cut in the R.R. 20 feet deep or more. We stopped near Davenport a while waiting for the
train from Iowa City.  It now became dark so that we could not see much of the country.

Arrived at Iowa City about 10 o’clock.-. Took the omnibus for the Truedall house. Got there safe but was awfully
crowded in the bus. Went to bed immediately and slept soundly till 7 the next morning. This is a very prettily situated
city. Some very fine buildings but it is behind Janesville and Madison in Wisconsin. I did not go around much,
was too tired.

April 17th

This morning the 17th was pleasant but it was colder and more blustry and a snow storm from the N E commenced
about 4 o'clock P M. left Iowa City 1/4 past 4 for Muscatine. We crossed a large handsome prairie, then passed
through a fine belt of timber. Now again we crossed a fine prairie, then an excellent timberland. Now another prairie.
This one is narrow at each end and were in the middle bounded on each side by grand trees. We have just passed
a nice clear pond west of the road. I have forgotten to mention that we saw large numbers of ducks on nearly all the
ponds and slues we passed. Just crossed Cedar river, a handsome stream. Just got to the junction and waited about
an hour for the train from Davenport. It was dark when we left for Muscatine. Got there about 9 0’clock. Stayed at
the Clover House all night.

April 18th

Rather blustery, this snow about 4 inches deep on a level.  Soon after the sun rising warm and pleasant but the wind
blew cold from the west.  Left Muscatine about 11 o’clock for P. Knott’s distance 16 miles. Went 12 miles in a
covered carriage to Ononway(?) There we hired an open wagon to take us the rest of the way. Between Muscatine
and Ononway. We like to have upset and had to get out in the mud and snow before the team could draw the wagon
out of the mud.

April 19th

Clear and more pleasant to day, nothing of interest to note for today. The distance we have traveled since leaving
home is 554 m. From Union to Indianapolis 83 miles. From Indianapolis to Lafayette 64 miles. From Lafayette to
Michigan City 91 miles. From Michigan City to Chicago 55. From Chicago to Rock Island 183. From R.I. to
Iowa City 55. Thence to Muscatine 32. Thence to P. Knott’s  16.

April 20th

Cold and high winds. Threatened snow.

April 21st

Still cold cloudy, very windy. The men went out ducking and killed 8. Nelson and Charles Allen did not get in
till 8 o’clock.

April 22nd

Quite warm & pleasant. The men went to Muscatine & we washed and made soap.

April 23rd

Knott girls so pleasant as yesterday.. The men went fishing today. Caught a good many large fish. One weighed 18 lbs.

April 24th

Moved into our shanty today. Found it as dirty as a hog pen.

April 25th

Partially clear and warm. Spent the day cleaning up and putting things to rights. Got about 10 bushels of dirt out of the house.

April 26th

Cloudy and cold with high winds.

April 27th

Clear to warm. Finished cleaning up.

April 28th

Warm and cloudy. Been making a little garden today.

April 29th

Quite pleasant. Feel pretty tired after working in the garden

April 30th

Cloudy and some appearance of rain. Washed this afternoon.

May 1st

Still cloudy and threatens rain. Wind is pretty high

May 2nd

More pleasant today. Made a little more garden.

May 3rd

Warm & pleasant. Went to hear a funeral sermon preached at Widow McNemar’s

May 4th

Still pleasant and warm. Made a vest today.

May 5th

Cloudy and looked like rain. Commenced Johnny’s coat.

May 6th

More pleasant today. Finished the coat. Nelson came home this evening.

May 7th

Warm and very pleasant. Made up beds and planted all my flowers, planted peas & beans also.

May 8th

Very high wind and warm today.  Mr. Spurgun plowed our garden today.

May 9th

Clear and pleasant. Wind rather high. Planted our lot today.

May 10th

Warmer and more pleasant than yesterday. R. & D. Knott came to see us and took dinner.

May 11th

Cool and cloudy in the morning became more pleasant after noon.

May 12th

Clear and rather cold, became warmer toward evening and partially cloudy.  Rained hard during the night

May 13th

Cloudy and rained some wind blew hard.

May 14th

Still cloudy. Rained some this afternoon, wind very high; been sewing all the week.

May 15th

More pleasant this morning. Washed today and went to Mr. Foster’s with Nelson and got some chickens. Clear this evening.

May 16th

Very pleasant and quite warm. Baked and ironed today. Nelson went to Mr. Bromley’s and got some pork and to Ononway and got some sugar.

May 17th

Not so pleasant as it was yesterday. Had a pot pie made of pigeons for dinner.

May 18th

Clear and warm. Been sewing today. Went to Mr. Foster’s this evening. Nelson killed 8 squirrels today.

May 19th

Still pleasant. N. fixed the cane today and killed a pigeon.

May 20th

Weather continues fine. Nelson killed a duck, 2 other water fowls and some pigeons.
 
May 21st

Still warm and pleasant. Nelson has been husking corn and I have been stripping the husks and filling a tick.

May 22nd

Weather the same, finished filling the tick I commenced yesterday and have come to the house to get dinner. Going to commence filling another in this afternoon.

May 23rd

Very warm today and sultry. Finished my husk bed today and done Saturday’s work. Nelson went to Grandview
this morning and in the afternoon finished husking.

May 24th

Cloudy most of the day and rained some.  The wind blew hard part of the time. Commenced raining about dark
and rained moderately most of the night

May 25th

Cloudy and appears like more rain. Everything looks very much refreshed. Weeded and hoed the garden.

May 26th

Stil cloudy and sprinkled a little. Washed today and got very tired.

May 27th

Clear & cloudy both by turns April showers in May by spells all day, in the intervals the sun shone bright.

May 28th

Clear most of the day. In the afternoon we had 2 or 3 more light showers; cleared off at night.

May 29th

Clear all day and no rain. The finest day we have had for some time. Ironed & baked today.

May 30th

Cloudy this morning. Rained hard part of the forenoon. Replanted our lot this afternoon. Got tired
almost to death.

May 31st

Cloudy and rainy all day. Read, wrote, and slept for recreation.

June 1st

Cloudy this morning but soon cleared off. Nelson went to Snyder’s to work today. Been mending today.

June 2nd

Clear this morning but became cloudy toward noon. Some appearance of rain

June 3rd

Partially cloudy all day. Sprinkled toward evening. Roed and stuck my peas today.

June 4th

Cloudy this morning but cleared up about noon and seems very warm.

June 5th

Clear and very warm. Baked and worked in the garden.

June 6th

Clear and warm, been sewing today. Nelson came home this evening.

June 7th

Very warm and sultry all day. P. Knott and Lady, 3 children; J. M. McCormick & Lady
& 3 children came here and took dinner.

June 8th

Very pleasant. Not as warm as yesterday.

June 9th

Very warm today and clear.

June 10th

Cloudy nearly all day. Rained a little. Washed today and got very tired.

June 11th

Partially clear. Threatened rain a part of the day.

June 12th

Very warm and considerable appearance of rain.

June 13th

Very warm and still threatening rain but it don’t come this way.

June 14th

Cloudy most of the forenoon. Thundered and lightened a good deal. A heavy shower went north.

June 15th

Cloudy part of the day and much appearance of rain. All signs fail in a dry time.

June 16th

Vry cloudy and appears like rain. Did rain a little through the night and sprinkled a little today.
Been working in the garden today.

June 17th

Got up this morning and found it raining.  Been showery all day. Nelson went fishing yesterday and
caught enough fish to last us a week.

June 18th

Cloudy and looks like rain but has rained but little, cleared off this afternoon. Clouded up after sunset
and about dark we had a good shower.

June 19th

Clear and cool. Worked all the forenoon in the garden. Had a good shower this afternoon between
5 & 6 o’clock.

June 20th

Clear again this morning and continued so till toward evening. Had a light shower about 6 0’clock and
a little part of it rained hard.  I think it rained some during the night.

June 20th (Here she has the 20th twice.)

Clear and rather cool today

June 21st

Pleasant and cool. Wrote a letter today.

June 22nd

Clear and pleasant today. Nelson went to Grandview this morning to work.

June 23rd

Pleasant today. Been washing. Rained a little this evening.

June 24th

Very warm today. Baked and ironed today.

June 25th

Warm and clear. Worked in the garden some today

June 26th

Very warm and threatened rain. Went to Peter Knott’s today. Had a good visit today

June 27th

Still warm and clear

June 28th

Very warm again today. Had some peas for dinner.

June 29th

Weather the same. Been sewing today.

June 30th

Weather very warm. Finished H. Spurgeon’s shirts today.

July 1st

Not quite so warm today. Been washing. Nelson killed 2 squirrels, 1 quail, 1 prairie hen. Rained a little this evening.

July 2nd

Looks some like rain, very warm. Baked and ironed today.

July 3rd

Warm and clear. Nelson dug the well deeper today and laid the hearth.

July 4th

Very warm today. Rained a little this afternoon. Been baking today. Nelson went fishing and caught nothing.

July 5th

Very warm & clear today. N. T. went to Sabbath school and R. Knott & A. Mercer (?) came home with him.

July 6th

Weather still very warm & dry. Nelson went to Grandview this morning and got 4 letters, one from his father
informing him of the sudden death of his dear mother.  We mourn her loss but not as those without hope. She
had passed from labor to reward.

July 7th

Been sewing today. Weather still warm, some appearance of rain.

July 8th

Been baking today. Nelson went to Grandview again today.

July 9th

Washed today and got tired out. Very warm and threatened rain this afternoon.

July 10th

Ironed today and sewed this afternoon. N.T. went to S. Rodden’s to work.

July llth

Baked today. Had a fine shower this afternoon and another after night.

July 12th

Partially clear today, very warm. Threatened rain but did not rain but little here, rained a pretty good shower
during the night.

July 13th

Clar and warm. Looks like rain. Sewed today.

July 14th

Some cloudy this morning soon became clear and excessively hot. N.T. went to Ohonaway (sic) and got a
trowel and some sugar. Sewed today.

July 15th

Weather still the same. Washed today. Got very tired.

July 16th

Ironed today. Warm and sultry today.

July 17th

Weather still excessively hot. Been sewing today. Mrs. Foster was here this afternoon.

July 18th

Been baking today. Very warm. Had a good shower this afternoon. Hailed some. I picked up some of the
largest hailstones I ever saw. Nearly as large around as a hen’s egg.

July 19th

More pleasant today, looked some like rain.

July 20th

Quite cool and pleasant, but was warm through the middle of the day.  Had some green beans for dinner
today. Went to Mrs. Foster’s today and got some turnip seed.

July 21st

Very cool this morning but like yesterday became warm toward noon. Baked and sewed today.

July 22nd

Quite pleasant. Washed today. Nelson finished T. Roddan’s cistern today.

July 23rd

Warm and sultry. Nelson took a job of harvesting of N.(Nelson)Spurgeon.(1828-1907)

July 24th

Very warm today. Some appearance of rin.

July 25th

Still warm and appears like rain.

July 26th

Peter Knott & Lady came here today. Had a very good visit. Rained hard this afternoon.

July 27th

Cloudy and threatened aqain all the forenoon, became clear this afternoon. N. T. & Romine commenced
in the wheat today.

July 28th

Clear & pleasant. Been baking today.

July 28th

Washed and got tired out. Clear & pleasant, rather warm

July 30th

Very warm today. Been ironing.

July 31st

Excessively warm today.  Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Jordon visited here this afternoon.

August 1st

Cloudy and cooler than yesterday, been raining. N.T. went to Grand View this afternoon.

August 2nd

Quite pleasant rather cool

August 3rd

Clear and cool this morning but became warmer this afternoon and rained quite hard about 9 o’clock and
was showery all night.

August 4th

Still cloudy and appears like rain. Cleared off about 10 o’clock. S. Epley & J. Payne came to see us this evening.

August 5th

Clear and warm

August 6th

Still warm and appears like rain

August 7th

Very warm Nelson & Romine finished their wheat today at noon. Rained some this afternoon. Nelson went to
Grandview and got a letter from P. C. Galloway & 1 from W. A. Norton.

August 8th

Cloudy nearly all day rained some

August 9th

Rained some especially this morning but cleared off before 8 o’clock. Nelson went to hear Mr. Reeder preach.

August 10th

Clear and warm

August 11th

Clear most of the day been washing.

August 12th

Wind very high from the S.W. Ironed today

August 13th

Clear & more pleasant than yesterday.  Baked today. N. Spurgen commenced thrashing wheat today.

August 14th

Cloudy & looks like rain and did rain good this afternoon which put a stop to their threshing.

August 15th

Cloudy & rainy all day.

August 16th

Weather still the same. Rained hard this afternoon.

August 17th

Mostly cloudy today but rained but a very little. Romine & Nelson went hunting today and killed an otter.

August 18th

Clear today. Been sewing yesterday and today.

August 19th

Some appearance of rain today but none came.  Finished thrashing this evening.

August 20th

Threatened rain this morning but finally cleared up without any.  Put our cow in pasture this morning.
Washed today. Nelson helped P. Knott thrash yesterday.

August 21st

Rained some today. Been ironing.

August 22nd

Cloudy most of the day.

August 23rd

Clear and pleasant all day. Took a walk to the east side of the big pond for plums.

August 24th

Clear today. Been fussing around all day and scolded a good deal.

August 25th

Very pleasant and warm. Washed today.

August 26th

Weather much the same as yesterday. Ironed today.

August 27th

Weather still pleasant. Been quite unwell all day and could not sleep at all through the night.

August 28th

Warm and pleasant. We made a frolic today and the result was we came in possession of a little girl baby.
Mrs. Foster, Mrs McNemar, Mrs. Knott & Dr. Latta were here.

August 29th

Weather still the same. Nelson went to Grandview for a girl and came back without one. It was noon
today when we got breakfast. Nelson has been doing the work. Got our furniture and goods from
Muscatine this afternoon.

August 30th

No change in the weather. Set up in bed and mixed bread for breakfast. After breakfast washed and
dressed the baby.

August 31st.

Warm again today. Almeda Musser spent the day here.

September 2nd

Weather still the same. Been putting up plums today

September 3rd, 4th, & 5th

Cloudy and rained some. On 5th received a letter information us that Artemesia Wilson and S.(?) Patton
had run off and got married.

September 6th

Partially clear today for the first time since I was sick. Mr. Foster & family called here this evening.

September 7th

Mostly clear today. I cut a pair of pants for Nelson today.

September 8th

Quite pleasant today. Sarah washed. Mrs. Spurgeon and sister called. Also P. Knott and Lammy(?)

September 9th & 10th

Weather much the same been sewing and putting up plums. On the 10th Nelson commenced work at
Edmondson’s.

Septembe 11th & 12th

Sewed some. Finished Nelson’s pants on the 12th.

September 13th

Rather pleasant today. Hannah Musser came to stay with us.

September 14th

Very pleasant and indeed gathered lots of plums today. Gave a fellow a good raking for coming and
stealing some.  

September 15th

Cloudy and threatened rain.

September 16th

Rained today. Been sewing today

September 17th

Partially clear. Washed today and got the clothes dry.

September 18th

Rainy today

September 19th

Cloudy and rained some.

September 20th

Quite pleasant today. R. Knott took dinner with us.

September 21st & 22nd

Cloudy and cool today.

September 23rd

Very pleasant. Washed today. Mrs. Clark & Jordan called here.

September24th

Weather much like yesterday. Ironed today.

September 25 & 26th

Clear and pleasant. Hannah by on the 26th

September 27th

Cloudy and rained some. S. Spurgeon’s wife took dinner here today.

September 28th

Mostly cloudy today

September 29th

Weather much the same. Rained a little. Been baking today.

September 30th

Tolerably clear. Washed today.

October 1st

Cloudy all day and rained some. Gathered some hazelnuts.

October 2nd

Still cloudy. Went up to Fosters this morning. Came home and found cattle in the garden, had a good
time driving them out and fixing the fence. Ironed and molded candles today.

October 3rd

Cloudy, made preserves today and finished moulding the candles and went with Nelson to gather hazelnuts.
Got a good many.

October 4th

Still cloudy. Went and got some plums to eat.

October 5th

Rained all last night. Cloudy all day, rained but little. Got our cow home today. She has been gone since Friday.

October 6th

Very foggy this morning, then cleared off about noon. Baked today.

October 7th

Clear and quite pleasant.

October 8th

Quite pleasant today. Been busy fixing up things. Called on Mrs. Jordan.

October 9th

Quite pleasant,ironed today.

October 10th

Still pleasant and warm. Went to the school house to meeting this evening but no preachger came.

October 11th

Quite pleasant this morning. Wind raised about 9 o’clock and blew hard. Went with Nelson to
P. Knott’s. Began to rain about noon and rained till night. Peter brought us home in the wagon.

October 12th

Very pleasant after the storm. Baked today.

October 13th

Weather still pleasant. Went and helped Mrs. Foster quilt all day.

October 14th

Cold and clear. Quite a hard frost in some places this morning. Washed today.

October 15th

Rained some this morning. Cold and cloudy most of the day. Been ironing and baking.

October 16th

Quite clear and pleasant. R. Knott & Z. Johnson took dinner here today.

October 17th

Rather cloudy all day began to rain toward evening. Nelson killed an old cat that has pestered us all summer.

October 18th

Cold and rainy all day.

October 19th

The hardest freeze that we have had this fall. The ground froze and ice over the water.

October 20th

Very cool this morning. Another hard frost. Been gathering pumpkins today.

October 21st

Not quite so cold but frosty through. Washed today. Beame cloudy toward night and rained before morning.

October 22nd

Cloudy and cold, rained but little.

October 23rd

Weather much the same yesterday.

October 24th

Rather more pleasant today yet still cloudy.

October 25th

Clear today and quite pleasant. Staid at home all day.

October 26th

Clear and pleasant part of the day. Became cloudy toward night.

October 27th, 28th & 29th

Cold and cloudy, but little rain. A little wee bit of snow in the air.

October 29th & 30th

A hard frost this morning and clear and cold but clouded up this afternoon. Nelson dug potatoes and then went and got a puppy.

October 31st

Cold today, but clear. Nelson worked at N. Roddan’s cistern. Our puppy went home last night and Nelson had to go after him. We are going to keep him in the house tonight.

November 1st

Very pleasant today and warm for the season. Stayed at home all day.

November 2nd

Weather still fine. Nelson played off sharp on me this morning.

November 3rd

Not so pleasant as yesterday but still very fine day. Been washing today.

November 4th

Weather much the same, ironed today.

November 5th

Cloudy and some appearance of rain. Nelson killed a wild goose this morning.

November 6th

Still cloudy and appears like rain. Nelson went to the mill today.

November 7th

Cloudy with a drizzling rain all day.

November 8th

Very cold and unpleasant. J. Henderson came and brought 3 letters.

November 9th

Still cloudy & cold.


November 10th

Very pleasant today. Mrs. Foster called.


November 11th

Cloudy. Snowed some today.

November 12th

Cloudy still. Snow nearly all disappeared.

November 13th

Clear most of the ay and quite cold, finished digging our potatoes & beets & pulled our onions and
making pumpkin butter.


November 14th

Very pleasant today. Been washing & baking today.


November 15th

Clear most of the day and not so cold.

November 16th

Cloudy al day and moderate, became clear after sunset.

November 17th

Rather pleasant this forenoon but cold. Made arrangements to cll on Mrs. Clark, but Granny Musser called
and that prevented that.

November 18th

Cloudy and rained some this forenoon, became quite pleasant about noon but did not last long. Called on
Mrs. Clark in afternoon. Found her away from home. Then went to Mrs. Jordon’s. She has a young son
one day old. Rained quite hard this evening and the wind blew so hard.

November 19th

Very cold and high wind all day. Washed today. Partially clear.

November 20th

Not quite so cold today but still very cold. Been knitting today.

November 21st

Clear most of the day. Wind very high. Nelson went to Grandview brought letters from P. R. Galloway,
A McGellan & R.H.H.

November 22nd

Cloudy and snowed all day.

November 23rd

Very cold and mostly clear. Finished Nelson’s mittens today.

November 24th

Clear and quite pleasant. Nelson repaired the house some today. I have been ironing.

November 25th

Colder than yesterday but clear and quite pleasant. Been washing today.

November 26th

Quite warm and pleasant today. Been packing up to move and sent one load. Tomorrow if nothing
happens we shall leave this apology for a house, perhaps forever. Well we have passed many happy
as well as anxious days here. It was here we first commenced housekeeping in this State and a dreary
looking place it was then. Not a green thing to be seen and the house hard dreadful dirty but we wrought
quite a transformation. Here our darling little Emma first saw the light and here we have encouraged each
other and under all times and difficulties and now we are going to leave it toward a more pleasant and
comfortable abode, we hope.

November 27th

Commenced raining this morning before daylight and continued all day at intervals. Went and cleaned up
the house this afternoon.

November 28th

Quite pleasant this morning but soon became cloudy and remained so most of the day. Moved today
and got things fixed up.

November 29th

More pleasant than yesterday but partially cloudy most of the day. R.(Romine) Knott called on us this afternoon.

November 30th

Mostly clear and colder than yesterday Did washing today.
December 1st

Quite pleasant and warm for the season.

December 2nd

Clear and pleasant. Went to Ononway today. Walked to P. Knotts and rode horseback the rest of the way.
Had a troublesome time going, the horse was so lazy. Done better come back but the baby cried nearly all
the way. Walked from Peter’s home and carried the baby. Was very tired.

December 4th

Still fine weather. Been mending an old dress and washed my dress & apron.

December 5th

Cloudy and rained some today.  The baby has been very cross today.

December 6th

Clear today and quite warm. Rose very late this morning and was ll day puttering around.

December 7th. Cloudy this morning and rained. This afternoon and evening. Washed and then set things
to rights in the large room.

December 8th

Still cloudy and showery all day. Been baking pumpkin pies and sewing today.

December 9th

Quite clear & pleasant today. Went to Mrs. Meacers(?) this morning

December 10th

Colder than yesterday but clear. Went to Mrs. Fosters today and then finished the baby’s hood.

December 11th

Weather must the same as yesterday. Been patching and baking. This evening grated corn to get meal
to make yeast.

December 12th

Fine weather today. Been chasing around all day and done but little. Mr. Woodard helped Nelson saw
wood today.

December 13th

Unusually warm and pleasant for the season. Staid at home all day.

December 14th

Still very pleasant. Rather cooler today. Been washing. Appear like rain this evening.

December 15th

Cloudy but not cold. Made Nelson’s undershirt today.

December 16th

More pleasant today. Been mending

December 17th

Cloudy and rained some in the evening. Been cutting and fitting garments.

December 18th

Still cloudy and appears like rain

December 19th

Clear and frosty this morning, became cloudy toward evening. V. George helped Nelson haul corn today.

December 20th

Cloudy all day. P. Knott & family were here today.

December 21st

Cloudy and quite cold. Been snowing all day. Washed today.

December 22nd

Clear and cold though quite pleasant

December 23rd

Still pleasant and mild for the time of year. Baked today.

December 24th

Very pleasant indeed today. Been cutting out garments today. Ironed this evening.

December 25th

Clear and frosty this morning but moderated and became cloudy before noon and snowed some toward
night. Visited Mrs. Foster today. W. Mason committed suicide this morning by jumping into the well before
daylight. Nelson went there this morning and is going to stay all night.

December 26th

Clear all day and colder than yesterday but quite pleasant. Been doing Saturday’s work and chasing around.
Nelson went early this morning to help dig the grave. It is not two years yet since they were married. We met
the wedding company as they were going to the infair and a fine time they had but they little thought so soon
their rejoicing would be turned into mourning. None but the All Seeing Eye knows the end from the beginning.

December 27th

Clear this morning but cloudy most of the afternoon. Quite moderate for the season. Libbie Newell spent part of
the day here.

December 28th

Clear and colder than yesterday. Washed today.

December 29th

Partially cloudy today. Been sewing.

December 30th

Rather colder and appears like snow and did snow some this evening. Went to Mrs. Fosters this morning. Nelson had a spelling school this evening.

December 31st

Quite a pleasant day but rather cold. Then came a squall of snow this afternoon but became pleasant before nightfall. Mr. And Mrs. Newell spent the evening here.