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The Private Diary of F. Frank Johnson March 19, 1896 to March 14, 1900 (Frank is age 25 in 1896)** Research and Transcription ; Started November
1999 by:
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Wedding Photo of F. Frank Johnson and Bessie M. Johnson. November 17, 1906 |
Johnson Family Background:
Frank Johnson was the first son of Theodore and Frances A. (Hardy) Johnson, our great grandparents. Theodore and Frances Johnson were married at Huntington, Indiana, August 3, 1868. They settled briefly at Berea, Ohio, where they had been students at the Baldwin University. Theodore was pastor of the Old North Royalton Church, at Berea, Ohio.
Theodore had served in the One Hundred & Thirteenth Illinois during the Civil War, under General Shernam; discharged after the fall of Vicksburg on account of sickness. The Johnsons immigrated with a number of relatives and others from Ohio, to Nebraska by train, traveling overland from the Missouri river to homestead on Cub creek in 1868, close to the Oregon Trail. Theodore conducted a general farming business and taught school in the vicinity of Bower (Bowerville) and old Plymouth.
A page from the old Johnson family bible records: the birth of their first daughter Dora Johnson, on December 6, 1869, and their first son Frank F. Johnson, on October 28, 1871, both at Bowerville, in Jefferson county Nebraska.
The Johnsons had three additional children; daughter Eva M. Johnson
born at
North Eaton, Ohio July 11, 1874, and son Win Dell Johnson, born
at Amboy, in Webster county Nebraska, September 10, 1880. Their last
child, daughter Tressa B. Johnson was born at Bower, Nebraska, June 5,
1887. Theodore Johnson was the first postmaster at Bowerville, later
renamed Bower, because of confusion with Brownsville in Nenaha county.
Theodore was an evangelist preacher, in the Church of Christ. The
1898 obituary for Frances A. Johnson, written by Theodore, credits their
efforts as "instrumental in the organization of the churches at Bower,
Fairbury, Grand Island, and others".
We know Theodore traveled around south central Nebraska working to establish
church
congregations. The 1893/94 Grand Island, Nebraska city
directory lists the family living at 116 N. Eddy Street, Grand Island,
Nebraska. Church records credit Theodore with helping to organize
the First Christian Church of Grand Island, February 12, 1892. Later,
in 1896, Theodore and Frances were living in Fairfield, Nebraska; where
Frank was attending Fairfield College. Daughter Eva and, son-in-law
Clarence E. Corey also lived at Fairfield. The Johnson family owner
a farm at Riverton, in Franklin county Nebraska at that time; which is
some distance from Fairfield.
Frank's diary starts in March 1896, as he is about to graduate
from Fairfield College. In early June Frank returns to Jefferson
county to live at Bower, Nebraska, with his aunt and uncle Hattie &
George DeVore and their children Bert, Lillie, and
Joey; also Grandfather Joe Hardy.
Frank's Private Diary is mostly filled with day to day accounts of work, looking for work, social events, the weather report , and politics. Frank mentiones many of the area residents by name, so I am sure other decendents of those early Jefferson county folks will find interest in these pages. There is something about seeing their names in print, linked to a past event that gives me a little zip; but on with the story.
Frank is employed doing farm work during 1896, becomes a school teacher in 1897, and is appointed as one of three new postmen at Fairbury in 1903. I have a great picture of these young fellows in their new postal uniforms, with their names written on the back in Frank's hand. I have seen Frank, referred to as Frank F. Johnson, F. F. Johnson, and F. Frank Johnson. We have a number of old pictures and writings signed by Frank, as F. F. Johnson, also as F. Frank Johnson; which he preferred, must have changed from time to time, as we have seen all of the combinations used. We do not know his exact name, but hope to discover this during our research.
On November 17, 1906, Frank and Miss Bessie M. Martin of Fairbury were
married. Frank is 35 and Bessie is 19 years of age in the year 1906;
pictured on the next page.
Bessie Martin is the second daughter of Jefferson county homesteader
and long time Fairbury residents, Henry W. Martin and his wife Fidelia
"Delia" L. (Munger) Martin. Henry server in Company A, 10th
Regiment of New York during the civil war, homesteaded north of Fairbury
in 1868, and inlisted as a private in the 1st Regiment,
Nebraska Cavalry Militia mustered in June of 1869 to guard Jefferson
county against indian attacks, which had been a problem a few years earlier.
By the spring of 1909 they had started their family of three sons, with
the births of Martin Weaver Johnson, at Fairbury, March 23, 1909; Francis
Bonwill Johnson at Fairbury, August 23, 1912; and my dad, Lawrence
Rinear Johnson, born in Lincoln, Nebraska August 5, 1915.
The Johnsons had moved to Lincoln, Nebraska about 1914. Frank is
employed by the U . S. postal service. Bessie goes to work around
1918 for the State Journal Printing Company a local newspapers.
More later !!!!!!!
See foot notes to support statements above.
Foot note detail posted at various locations through out this document.
Foot Notes:
*1. From the Newspaper clips: Obituary for Frances A Johnson
written by
Theo. Johnson . November 1898. Likely the Fairbury Journal.
Also,
obituary for Delia L Martin, 1898, and obituary for Eva Johnson Corey,
1898
*2. Photo copies of Pages from Old Johnson Family Bible
*3. Newspaper Clippings from Grandma Bessie Johnson's Scrap
Book (transcribed)
*4 Pioneer Tales of the Oregon Trail and of Jefferson
County by Charles Dawson
1912 Topeka Crane & Company Page 470
*5. http://www.ukans.edu/carrie/kancoll/andreas_ne/jefferson/jefferson-p3.html
goto page#3 Fairbury: Churches
*6. Newspaper clippings from Grand Island Independent 1893,
1907.
*7 Pioneer Tales of The Organ Trail and of Jefferson
County by Charles Dawson
1912 Topeka Crane & Company Pages 169 & 170
Physical Description of the Frank's Diary:
A small tri-fold leather bound book, 4" X 6", light tan in color,
"well worn". It holds tablet paper ruled in blue & red,
with what looks like red and gold scallop design on the outside page border.
The diary is written in blue fountain pen ink. The inside flap
has the volumes recorded in ink, but, these are very hard to read as the
ink is faded. The diary has a pencil holder with small pencil. Also,
a fan fold poutch for keeping loose paper inside the back cover.
There is a trade mark stamp on the lower right hand corner numbered
3990 with a stamp that looks
Like a book with a ball or globe reading "PROGRESS".
About a 200 page book: Almost all pages are full.
( The inside cover reads: )
Private Diary F F Johnson
New# 1
Old #'s 1 - # 8
March 19, 1896 - March 14, 1900
( The first blank sheet reads: )
Lincoln Nebraska
March 14, 1934
This is my old
Diary (Copied)
Began March 19, 1896
At Fairfield, Nebr,
And Kept almost
Continuously -->
(this book to Feb, 1900)
(Books#1-#8)
F Frank Johnson
1445 D st
( The first blue and red ruled page is missing )
Conventions:
( Page # ) Frank did not number his pages, I numbered to help
keep track. if the pages ever separate, as the old book is under some stress
now.
(?sp?) = can not read exact spelling
(?) What, I do not understand
(/////) =Frank lined something out, usually day or date
(? text ?) = I think he is saying
(text)* comment written by Frank at the time of his
recopy in 1934
(text)** comment written by me 1999
( Page #1 )
Diary
F Frank
Johnson
Fairfield, Clay Co., Nebr.
1896
March 19 - Subscribed for " Nebraska Independent " $ 1-
20 - Subscriber for " Clay County Patriot". (Both populist papers)
April 22 - Gave note $ 8- to Jan 1, 1897 to C H Bedl(sp) for tuition
spring term college
23 - Sent Gray's Botany to Marie Long Wit McLucar(sp)
elected mayor of Fairbury
Albert T Goodwin (Pop) congressmen 5th Alabama Dist. V.
E Shirley
Sick + absent from C- (class)**
24 - Senior class met with Shirley - adj to May 5.
( Page #2 )
April 24 Mother sick abed and I had to do the work.
Cow gives a qt. of milk
Mrs. Eriso(sp) - Elarn(sp) called - Tressa didn't go to school
Our Moot Senate adjourned, Johnson, Elam, Motteo, Lewis McReynolds
present.
25. Bakes biscuits this morn Pa
& Winnie came from farm - brot a pair pigeons
Mrs Elam cleaned front room ant brot a loaf of bread.
Rec'd copy sen Tillman's Speech Shirley
out in the eve
.
26. Clearence Corey came up in P.M. Eva came on eve train
-
Both stayed all night, Workt all A.M. - P.M. workt
on my Commencement Oration,
27- I did the washing. Eva got dinner
& fix flowers, ect. I trimmed some trees.
(Page #3 )
April 28- Rain The wind howled ect. Gave
Theodore a "blowing up" for his darned Meanness to Ma.
Decided to go to work as soon as possible. Wrote to Uncle George
& Lillie, Don't care a darn for College any more but must
keep my record almost perfect while I stay.
April 29. Rained. Talkt with Eva about work and plans
for the future.
Winnie made a gun stock. Got Prof. Hubbell to hear Greman
& French
Class in Shirley's absense.
April 20. Ma sick most of day. Our class read German
& French to ourselves.
Shot 8 plovers with 2 shots. Eva here all day. Theodore
went to ? xunese ?
( Page #4 )
May 1- Bright & Sunny Prof. Hubbell
heard Ger. Class Read 1/2 lesson add in in ?
Shot 4 plovers 2 shots. Eva here today.
Ma in bed. Pa & Winnie went to Albee's. Tessa
hanging "May baskets tonight.
2- Eva baked bread. I cleaned up wood pile and yard in the P.M.
Letter from Lillie. Wrote a on speech for "Moot Senete"
3. Bright morning, cleaned up my room. Trimmed trees on
campus. Chatted with Shirley, Theodore "cussed" about a gear(?)
with Winnie.
Workt on Com. Oration. Went to German meeting. Eva went
to Corey's in P.M.
( Page #5 )
May 4- Did the washing. Slept an hour P.M. Ate no supper. Shot a plover for Ma. Eva over in eve.
5- Shirley on deck again. ?I got stuck in livry but got out?.
Hard studying P.M.
"1896 Class" met in eve. And decided on motto- "Palma non sine Julvere"
6. Went to P.O. & got only papers. Eva up in eve. They
are talking of living in Canada.
(suburb of Fairfield, I guess)
7. Thur. Sprinkle AM. Hot PM. Posted
challenge at College.
"(don't remember what it was)" ..."This line likely added during 1934
recopy"
Reading athellie(?) in French.
8. Fri. "Moot Congress" met. ?Persion? Bill.
Adjourned ofc threatening storm.
Some of the boys got wet going home. Winnie & I waited
till a pause in the storm.
( Page #6 )
May 9- Sat. Chopt wood. Raked in yard. Gave Winnie ?badt?
10- Sun. Clearance & Eva were over in eve.
11. Mon - Washt, Extra big.
12. Tue. Sported with Elain a little about Grant, Lee etc. talkt with Andrey Titus..
13. Wed. Rained. Shirley shot off some ?"Musia"? today. ?Beall? told ?thurtle? what he could do.
14. Thu.- Rinker decorated Beall's Hat green and I put it above one
of Theodore's
and at noon Rinkerm Thuth & I decorated his classroom green.
(He was keeping Co with a girl named Green) Likely a 1934 note
15. Fri. Rained. Rinker Late. Found Shirley's class
room decorated with dead brush?.
Rinker defunct in French,
( Page #7 )
15 ctd. Discussed at Elan a Little about money (no use). Boys devilled Shirley.
16 Sat. Rain Cleared up. Half soled my shoes. Band
Concert in eve - good.
Pa & Win brot bull home. Winnie said Art Hall was "full".
17 Sun - Sunshiny day. Finished coping my oration. " The Ship
of State".
Went to German meeting P.M. Sang some good old songs in
eve & played piceolo. Lookt over a lot of papers.
18 Mon. Washt. Mailed letter to Aunt Janie.
Heard about cyclone (Bradshaw!)
Gave my oration to Miss Clark. Saw Sallie Cornelison, She
said Yah Pa went after Tressa.
19 Rained a little. Corey's
house broken into a watch stolen. Eva came over,
Went down town.
( Page #8 )
May 20. Wed. All hands on deck. Had lesson (drill)
on oration of Sallie Correlison(?sp) She said it was a pretty nice
oration. Miss Clark said it was as good as
Mr. Earl Boyd's.
21. Thur. Shirley late for Ger & Rinher & I read alone. Team ran away from Winnie. Tought Liz Kerson(?SP).
22 Fri Rained, Shirley around.
Class '96' met. We saw Prof Mercer about grad-
uation Cards & programs. Took Elocution lesson.
Sallie C- had headache and I a belley on a Stick -
lettuce from Saddie Cox.
23. Sat. Shirley a minus quantity. Theo went to Spring
Ranch.*1
Visitors at College. Saw Dr. Spatz & got Medication.
Ambrose Epperson & wife )
Blanche Halet) in town. Ma went to Corey's.
( Page #9 )
24 Sun. Lookt over a lot of papers. Clearence & Eva
came in Eve & took bird away.
Practiced on my Oration A.M. Fixt up my show case.
25. Mon. Washt till 2 P.M. Prof Hubbell lookt over
my Oration
Decided to rearrange it according to original plan.
26. We. Had class meeting Teagarden racket up (Dancing)
Ordered 100 class cards printed: on condition that Mercer takes four
and fourty cents
provided Teagarden?? Thanks??. Pa went to farm.
27. Wed. Wrote to Sadie Cox .(Giua??) Shirley askt about Teagarden.
28. Thu. (blank)**
29 Fri. "Zeke" & "Philo" "Society Meetings
- to have rallies. Cold started.
Eva sent bananas.
30. Sat. Had a cold all day. Hoed. Rained at night. Broke wash mol.
31. Sun. Rained & cloudy. Finished rewriting &
learning Oration.
( Page # 10 )
1896
June 1 - Mon. Good day.
Saw Rinher, Woods, Lewis ect. Ma sick. Hubbell
Okd oration.
2. Tue. Shirley now ??? misses Graves,
Johno & Babcoch ???
Visited college. Eva in.
3 Wed. Good day. Missed Virgil. Class meeting
(16 - 1)
Silver & Gold In class ribbons. Mathiyitean(?sp)
Suey(?sp) meetings.
Corn - Audrey Titus, Ethel Corey, Pearl Green, Tuma Rinher, Nelson,
& Johnson.
4 Thru. Miss Clark talkt to me about graduation & teagarden.
Miss Clarks' Sister came and Thinher excused us from livy(?sp)
Theo & Winnie went to the Blue and Deroese to play thunder.
( think Frank is saying they went to Preach)**
5. Fri. Recd draft for $ 6 from Uncle Eavery.
Got Cards etc. O.K.
( Page # 11 )
Class meeting. Changed colors to Ultra Marine blue & something
to match.
We adopted resolution unaminisly to black list Teagarden
( this was a fuerile(?sp?) thing to do tho)
talkt with Miss Clark's sister. Wrote to Jennie Cunningham.
Mailed invitations to her Myrtto Paulson, Mrs Mary Porter,
Lina Curtis, Orea & Maggie Limt(?sp) Angeline Seeley, Lutie
Thomes, Aunt Jamie, Lillie & Ma.
6. Sat. Finished all recitations
Had no Examinations.
Got clothes of A.G. Arnold Co. for graduation exercises % c $ 11.
Got hair cut . 25c
Winnie went to Harvard - got wet. Faculty met.
7. Sun. Washt & fixt clothes.
Attended Bacaloritt Semenar by Prof Hubbell.
( Page #12 )
1896 June
8. Mon. Practiced Oration Twice at church. Got
things ready for Social Good time at
the Society Reunion - joint program. Met Teagarden. "Good Old
Boy".
9. Tue- Went up to College. A long day. Teagarden
"flossy".(?sp??)
He was going to throw me out of window - but didn't.
Attended Elocutionary entertainment - not very good.
10. Wed. Practiced oration at Church, Board
Meeting (College). Teagarden made
another apology. Gave Boyd note $ 5 for diploma.
Have sore throat. Annual address and reception for Miss
Clark.
11. Thru. Ate dinner at Eva's. We had class picture taken,
graduation exercises in eve.
O.K. - Everybody got diplomas.
( Page# 13 )
11 Ctd. I received flowers, from Miss Ella Crawford,
Nell Hutchinson, Ama Case,
Bernice Clarke, Marie Long, Johnson's, Rinher, Nelson, Green
ect.
12. Fri. All alive, Eva and Ethel Norwood came up.
Slept P.M. Boyd and I
beat Teagarden with myself in the lead. Cleaned off coquiet(?sp)
ground. Saw Miss Clark off. Sallie & Riggs &
Ethel ect.
Said my oration was all right.
13 Sat Went up to College. Elan(sp) & Beall cleaning
up.
Be all gave me some College ??ammrcy?.
I owe over $ 100 after Graduation. Ate supper at Riggs.
Boyd goes to Bower to preach. Copied Pol Econ. For Elan(?sp).
1<
( Page # 14 )
1896 June
14. Sun. Shaved & Cleaned up room. Talke with
Beall at College.
Went to German meeting P.M. Still laid up with
a cold.
15. Mon. Washt, Summer Normal Started. 15 enrolled.
Wrote to Uncle Every & Aunt Janie (Every J. & Hanna Jane
"Janie" (Hardy) Smith)**
16. Tue. Dug patatoes. Wrote several letters.
Rode into the country with Dr. Spaty to Edd.
Wed./
17. Ate dinner with Eva. Beall said Teagarden
wanted someone to go to Trumbull
pretty bad - that it was a good point (to preach)
18. Thru. Did little.
19. Fri. Wrote to Erily (Gaylord) Wlty. Talkt politics
with boys.
McKinley nominated at Republican . . Convention for
Pres.
Seor. Uller, DuBois, Carmon, Hartman ect walkt out.
( Page #15 )
20. Sat. Turner Hubbell home. Party at Corey's, fair time. 12%
21. Sun Shaved. Eva came & took home Hubbard's Success.
22. Mon. Rained. Washt. Papers from Berea Ohio College. Got Carlisle's Speech.
23. Wen. Mixed corn? Bread. Hung out clothes. Pickt
peas.
Getting ready to pack up. Put books in trunk.
24. Wed Washt shirt. Packt Papers. Let Win have
my 1c songs.
Got a lunch for trip to Bower. Saw Eva and said good byes.
Rained 6 P.M. to 8 P.M & lookt like rain E.E.
Rained all night.
25. Thru. Got up hourses. Started for Edger with Win
at 4. P.M.
Good Bye Old College and Fairfield.
( Page #16 )
Page left blank
( Page #17 )
June 25. Thru On road to Edger we met Al Westering.
Got into swampy road. Got to Edger at 6.30 P.M.
Went to Chas Franz. We had Visit & talkt of Bower times.
26. Fri. Saw Dr Shirley & Miner(?sp)
Left Edger at 8.30. Got to Wright Stacey's and
had dinner with them on at 1.30 Got to Davenport
about 3.0-c.
and to Carleton & styed at a hotel 25c. sprinkled a little.
27. Sat Lorvry. Up at 6.30 started on at 8 -
got to Christy's (No of Belvidere) at 11.30. Ate dinner with
them.
Wrote to Mother. Mand Christy graduated this year, H.S.
, likes History.
We sang songs, solos, German songs and had a good time.
( Page #18 )
1896 . June
28- Sun. Went to S. S. with Christies at Belvidere. Met
a Mr. Dill and went out with him 2 mi south. Ate dinner with them
and had a pleasant 2 hrs visit.
Went on to Hebron at 4.15. Founf Williams alright
Mr. W -- didn't kno me.
Elmer & Ethel away.
Rode hourses after cows. We went to meeting. Nice
church to sing & speak in.
Ethel W - graduated from Hebron H.S.
29 Mon. Rain 1 in at M. Elmer came home.
Drove around town P.M.
Read Hacher's book "Red hot for the Preacher", Got copy
of "Truth Speeker" - good.
30 Tue Read Ethel's essay. (Incorrect) Read "Emancipated Woman"
( Page 19 )
July 1 - Wed. Said Goodbye to Williams at 9:45
Rode to Belvidere with a Mrs. McKee - Her husband Ex Co Judge
at Hebron. Road home (East) with Mr Mark
Father of George Mark who is at Gering, Nebr Editor "Nebr. Homestead"
Went on to Bailey Harold's near Alexandria & stayed all night.
( Page # 19 ctd. )
2. Thur. Found I had lost my keys. Well water
is fine.
( The water at Fairfield was alkaline & .hurt me).
Met Ida' Basley's brother at Geo Basley's old place.
Stopt at Chapman's (Leonard) Cora (Chapman) Daughterty didn't
kno me.
Mr. & Mrs. C - at home. Heard of Robert
Easlry & Weaterhoff.
( Page #20 )
(Contd) (2 Thur.)
Got to country store at Bower cross roads. Ordered Clem Hedges
to
throw up his hands, ( Had been a hold up there, Russ Graham shot)
Keyser, Hiram Chapman & F Gage there.
Arrived at Uncle Georges'.
Win (Win Dell Johnson Frank's brother)** rolled in on a high bicycle
about 9 oclock. Bert (Berton O DeVore)** and I went swimming
on Fred Bower's place.
Harlow B- & others there.
Had been a big rain and oats knocked down.
3. Fri. Lillie (Lillie DeVore)** & I went to Fairbury.
Win went on his wheel.
Ate dinner at Uncle Orra's (Orra H. & Maggie (Rosenberger)
Hardy)**
Called on Uncle Al Curtis. (Albert Frank & Louisa (Johnson)
Curtis)**
Met H T or (HF??)** Bower & Jim Gage & Susie G -
Met Chas Hurlbut & Jack Hughes.
Went over to Murrey boarding home with Avern(?sp).
( Page #21 )
July 4. Sat. Bert, Jim Carlisle & I went to Plymouth
Celebration.
Ball game Bower vs Plymouth. Bower boys.. Ed
Enfield, Joe (mex) Urias
Walter Chapman, Dayton Hedges, Val Keyser, Chas Hughes, John Hedges,
Alvin Keyow. Met old friends & acquaintences. Walter,
Elmer & Flora Farmer
Willis, John & Ada Burkhart, Tom & Mollie Freed, Jim
Terp & wife,
Lou Hurlburt, Denna Littlrell, Nora Gage. Loren Oaks, Homer Tolleth,
Mr. Ryder & Lydia, John Decher & Brother . Guy
Nash.
Back to DeVore's late tired & sleepy.
( Page # 22 )
July
5 Sun. Went to S.S Mrs. Hedges
there this time. Reading Uncle Tom's Cabin.
6. Mon. Read A.M. - Rained P.M. Played
checkers with Joey.
(Joseph H. DeVore, age 12, born Feb. 3, 1884-Bower)**
Shot off Firecrackers in eve - ran them up on windmill tower.
7. Tue. George & I shocht North field of oats, Went to Endeavor
Society.
(Christian Endeavor)**
Sick at night. Winnie came out from town.
8. Wed Rained. No harvesting. Put weight on screen door. Played dominos.
9. Thru. Went to Fairbury,
10. Fri. Visited Fairbury Journal office.
Demo. Conv. In Chicago Bryan in lead.
Nom. 5th ballott. Went to see ice crea?? plant. Uncle
Lloyd in town.
(Lloyd E Hardy)**
E Boyd & I went out with Uncle George.
( Page # 23 )
12. Sun. Went to meeting. Big Young Men's club.
Went home with Sadie & Ora Cox.
Sang Songs. Others there . Helpt do chores. Late
to church.
Had fun Over Ben Casebeer & Maude Pearson.
13. Mon. Shockt Oats for George.
14. Tue. Helpt Jim Turp thrash. Pitcht in field. Stood
it pretty well
Dave Rider thout my ball game write up good.
15. Wed. Helpt Turp till 9.30 Went to Binkharts, had some milk & apricots.
16. Thru. Went to Ed Fairley's. Saw Wish & Ed
Benkhart.
Shockt @ 2/5 of George's oats.
Vinna Bower, Bell & Ethel Rutledge at DeVore's. Played churchs
in eve with Bert.
Some good plays.
(This is about 1/8th of an inch. Of the Diary transcribed... about 1 full inch left to go.. Nov 12, 1999)**
( Page# 24 )
July
17. Fri. Turp gave me $ 1.25 (day and a quarter ) Threshing in progress.
18. Sat. Wrote song for Bert. Went to ball game at
Spring Valley vs Bower.
Stopt with Eveart Chapman.
19. Sun. Arven(?sp) came in P. M.. We went to meeting in Eve.
20. Mon. Went up to store. Went to town with Dalph(?sp)
Basley.
Saw Jane Speenburg in Journal office. Called on Henry Showalter(/sp)
& met Pryor Rigdon., Harry Riggs, Lina, Maude McChesney & I
went to meeting. He sang "Swinging in the Grape vine suing(?sp)"
21. Tue. Lina, Maude & I took walk to S.S. picnic. Met
May Davis - Nice girl.
Uncle Al & I went swimming
( Page #25 )
21. ctd.
Met Edna Arnell (cousin to May Davis - good girl I suppose but a
Corker & full of devilment. Lina & I went over to Arnies(??)
& Maggie's in eve.
22. Wed. Populist National Conv. Meets today. Wrote to mother.
Wrote up ball game for Journal.
Called on Hinshaw & met Ernst Thomas. Saw - Mattie (Baker)
Greenlie & Cora Hart
23. Thur. Rained. Played Churches with Dr. Tibbalsa
Dr. Clarke Talkt with
Ed Cowles. Saw Tandem (bicycle) Sang Songs at Uncle Al's.
24. Fri. Played Chucrhes. To meet to sing with boys tonight "Bryan
Glie Club"
Met Yager & Jennings
( Page # 26 )
24. ctd. Heard Cong. Haimer Rep. Speak. Poor talker & poor argument.
25. Sat. Met Jeff Moss. Hartigan & S. M. Moss.
Bryan endorsed by Pop.
Tom Watson for V.P. Rally in eve (Demo Pop) parade - fireworks
&
Pandemonium. Glee club sang - I in it.
Met Jim Hughes.
26. Sun. Went to S.S. in Fairbury. Dr. Andrews' class
Met. W.M. & J C McLusas & Sim
.
Moss, J R. Nelson. (Old Family Friends)
I was invited to sing in choir at Christain
Ch. Sang with them in eve. Met Minnie (Moss) Thomas
Lora Nelson, Mattie Baker didn"t remember me.
( Page #27 )
27. Mon. Mother and Tressa came on train - took them to Orra's Tressa & I went back to uncle Al's. Neighbors collected at Uncle Al's and we had a jubille sing & big time. Played checkers.
28. Tue. Beat Dr. Tibbals at checkers (playing
Stiffer). Called on Supt Atkinson
29.\\ Ate supper with Mrs. Gage. Helped Neal get started with
a load of corn. Rain.
29. Wed Rode out to Bower with Neal Fitzpatrick.
At John Hedges for dinner.
Stopt at Ed Burkhart's
30. Thur. Went to Hughes & played churches with Charlie. Stayed all night.
31. Fri. Heavy rain - - Creek up. Played checkers
all day.
Sadie, Ora & Jim Cox came in eve.
( Page # 28)
1896
Aug. 1 - Sat. Went to town with/4 Uncle George.
Pop Co. Corn'm, Courtroom.
Glee club sang.
2. Sun. Went to Methodist S.S. in Fairbury. Saw Lina Brock
& Artis (Sprenburg)? --
Went to Christian Church meeting & sang in choir.
Mrs. Dr. Andrews introduced
Introduced herself and asked me home for dinner.
I went and met her daughter Grace.
Mother came for dinner too. Dr. Andrews unwound a long
string about the Worlds' Fair. Very pleasant afternoon. Mande,
Lura & I went to open air meeting.
Took mother back to Orra's - She got chilly. (Her brother's Orra
H. Hardy)**
(Laura = Lura Hardy or Curtis I think)**
( Page # 29 )
3. Mon. Went to Orra's for dinner, Theodore there.
Mother's birthday.
F. C. & Mrs. Fairley & Mrs Sondengger & Clara there.
Bryan glee club in eve. We sang quartet. Craft Ashby, Beatrice,
Spoke.
4. Tue. Mother, Father & Tressa went to Beatrice
Dist Conv. P.M. -
I d Stark nom for Congress.??
Lura & I went over to see Win's girl in eve.
? (Franks' ? mark)**
5. - Wed - Helpt Uncle Al with goods. Went to the river.
Rode out to Bower with Ed Farley. Bert , Joe & I went to
the creek (Cub).
(Joe may be Joe Hardy, grandfather to Bert DeVore and Frank F Johnson,
father to
Frances A (Hardy) Johnson & Harriett "Hattie"(Hardy) Devore.;
Frank referes to Grandpa later, so …. Joe could be "Joey" DeVore
brother to Bert DeVore)***
(Note.. Aug. 5 was my dad's birthday 19 years in future this day in
the diary.
Frank was 44 when dad was born)**
6. Aug\\ - Thru - Went to store & had dinner with Ernest Chapman. Our Reynolds rally failed. Burkhart's for supper.
( Page #30 )
Aug. 6. Thru - John Burkhart & I walkt to party at Hughes. I didn't join the parth games. (I seemed to old for them) Played checkers with Jack. Used Keyser's bike.
7 - Fri. Slept afternoon. Pops none. Silas A Holcomb
for Goven Nebr.
Went to Keyser's at night.
8. Sat. Read forenoon. Went to ball game at Western in P.M. Bower vs Western Tobias' & .Ohiowa(?sp?) Rained & I staid all night again.
9. Sun. Talkt all A.M. with Keyser. We got Stopt after
dinner. Alvin & I went to Ernest C's. (Chapman)**- found
him sick. Went to meeting.
Boyd on deck. Storm threatened.
( Page #31 )
10. Mon. Went up to Ed Burkhart's but Het (his wife) was sick
so went on to our old farm. Got some apples. Ate dinner with
Tom Vickers. Went with Bert to party at
Arther Goff's. 7 girls there. I visited with Goff.
11. Wed. Spent A.M. there. Went home (to DeVore's
) & to ball game with Ed Fairley.
Game in Homer Tolleth's pasture. My folks came out to DeVore's.
Shavedt went to Party at Souderregers(?sp) -Good time.
Ate supper with Idella Richards. Bert & I had fun over
M Kinley .badges, got home late.
( Page # 32 )
Aug.
13 Thru. Went to town with Lillie, Win's girl
(Dora) Lura & I went to picnic. (Guess that was a
girl we kidded Win about)* May Davis spoke "College
Oil Can".
Maud Tolleth(?sp) & Mattie Greenlee sang.
14. Fri. Went to Teacher's Institute. Elsie
Graves there. Didn't see Elam(?sp). Had pleasant
chat with Eld. Collins. Wrote to Eva. Rode out to bower with
Alvin Keyser.
I stayed at store all night with John H.
15. Sat. Ate breakfast at Hedges. Back to Devore's
took Tressa & Lura thru nursery. Bert, Harlow Bower & I went
swimming in Blue near Helvey.(?sp)
Colt cut up a little & scared me.
( Page #33 )
16. Sun. I am out for Bryan now. Rena Bower & Sallie Lewis came & Cleon Richards & Idella came in P.M. Went to meeting with Lura in eve.
17. Mon. Raining A.M. No one working.
18. Tue. Bert has sick headache, Father & Tressa started home. (Have boil in my left ear). Talkt with Ed Burkhart.
19. Wed. To Fairbury with George. We ate dinner at Harris'.
20. Thru. Looking for work. Sang with glee club in
eve. Played churchs with Tibbals.
Letter from Ethel Williams.
21. Fri. Joined Bryan Club. Went with glee club to Diller. (Diller is a town)** Barnes & Cramb spoke. Had glorious time. Rained.
( Page #34 )
Aug
22. Sat. Rode out with Henry Bower, Rena, & Maud
Pearson. Took Maud home from
Henry Bower's. Stayed all night. (at Bower's I presume)*
23. Sun. Perry Bower & I went to church too late. Drove to DeVores' in eve & to U.B. Meeting.
24. Mon. Went to DeVore's. To Hedges for Dinner. Went to Fairbury with Dayton Hedges. Bryan rally on courthouse square. Capt. Ashby spoke.
25. Tue. Stayed in town. No M Kinley meeting. Political Pot Boiling.
26. Wed. Rode out to Bower with Mr. White & Cora Hughes, Bert & I went to Victory to Ralley. Ernest, Jack Jennings, Yager & McClanahan & I sang, Bames Spoke.
( Page #35 )
27. Thru. Ate supper at Perry's.
28. Fri. At Hedges for dinner. Jack Jennings, Holmes, Wallace & I went to Bryan Rally at Powell. Big time, I Hartigan spoke on patriotism.
29. Sat. Glee Club parcticed P.M. 5 Ladies present.
We went to Bryan rally at Jansen at night.6 ladies 7 gents. I drove
for Mattie Greenlee & Mrs. Smith,=Dickinson,
Misses Zimerman, Brown Ella Sheldon, McClanahan & Higgins.
About 800.
Biggest rally yet in Jeff. Co. Mr. Berge (of Lincoln) spoke
in Eng. & Greman,
Fine Talker. Miss Zimmerman sang some of the campaign songs
in Ger.
( Page # 36 )
Aug
30. Sun. To meeting in Fairbury. Sang in choir. Went to Bower with H. T. Bower. Perry cut my hair. Had some maple syrup and some fun. To Meeting & home. Met George Daugherty.
31. Mon. Helpt George, hay.
Sept.
1. Tue. Commenced working for Fairleys at noon. @
. 5c per day & board.
Raked and mowed hay.
2. Wed. ditto.
3. Thru. "Bert helpt in P.M.
4. Fri. Fram Farley & I went to store in eve. Clem Hedges has rheumatism.
5. Sat. Went to Endover at night. New song books
6. Sun. Went to Meeting, Walkt home with Jennie Bower, Practiced singing P.M.
( Page #37 )
7. Mon Went to Nursery & visited with Alven & ate
grapes.
Went to town with H Showalter. Glee Club practice at Baker's.
8. Tue. Went home with Ora Cox.
9. Wed. Saw Charles Hurlburt about work. Said they'd need help about Oct. 1.
10. Thru. Rain. Bert & I went to Victory to hear Hinshaw
Rep. Rally.
He is slick & smooth.
11. Fri. Have a cold. Lillie home.
12. Sat. Went to Bryan rally in Fairbury, Berge Spoke. Went to Gladstone in eve with glee club -10 with Parsor Rigdon. Stayed at Uncle Al's
13. Sun. To church & home with Jeff Moss. Met Al Moss.
Rained & stayed all night
Had good visit. Read Bryan's speech at St. Louis.
( Page #34 ) (A SONG)**
She is the best little girl in the wide wide world.
There lives a charming little girl , But I'll not tell you where.
No matter what that weather be, Tis all ways sun shine there.
She lives in no fine Mansion grand. But to you I'll confide.
No matter where her home may be, I'm happy by her side.
She is the best little girl in the wide wide world.
Eye's not so bright as the stars, And her hairs not curled.
She's just a plain little girlie, But good a gold.
She is the best little girl in the wide, wide, wide world.
( Page #35 )
2
I thought I loved my sweetheart more than I loved my life, But Tonier
loved my sweet heart As I loved my darling wife. I could
not find another though, I journeyed far and wide, But She's
my little sweet heart. Th ………… still
The Best of friends beside.
Bless he heart
Cho. (?sp)
Words as sang by
Mr. Bland. Strickney
Riverton, Nebr.
Franklin
Co. / '' (?sp)
( Page #36 )
14. Mon. Rain. Went with Curtis" to McChessney in eve. Had some fun. The girls and I took Lillie Davis home. More fun.
15. Tue. Boys sang in eve.
16. Wed. Rode to Bower with Jim Terp. Letter from
Ma. To town with Ed Burkhart.
Part of Glee club sang in photograph (I, one.).
17. Thur. Rode & walkt out to S.M. Barnes. Raind eve.
18. Fri. Rained. Reading & played checkers with S.M.
19. Sat. P.M. I went over to Ella (Beanes), Pleasant chat. Went to Hebron and to William's. They in bed.
20. Sun. Elmer & I went out to see eethel (teaching school) Lot of singing - I corded on organ. We all went to C. E. Ethel gave me her picture.
( Page #37 )
21. Mon. Wrote to Hurlburt. We went to Bryan club meet at courthouse.
22. Tue. Went out to Dill's. Went to Belvidere with him. Went out to Christie's and had a lot of fun over M Kinley badge that I wore (in fun).
23. Wed. Went to Carleton. Oked a Republican farmer.
Got to Fairfield at 7. P.M.
Saw Clearence & ate supper with him and Eva. Republican Rally
Ed Rosewater
Spoke. (Silver men cheered for Bryan but R- stood
his ground)
Went up to mother's and found her up yet.
24. Thru. Monkeyed around some, got potatos, wood etc. Talkt with Prof. Mercer.
25. Fri. sent picture to Ethel Williams. Visited business class at college.
( Page #38 )
26. Sat. Rode out with Dr. Spatz. Got some Homeopath medication.
27. Sun. Writing on song Medley. Dinner at Eva's
28. Mon. Went to Literary socy.
29. Tue. Took supper at Sallei Riggs.
30. Wed. Washt some. To Riggs in eve.
Oct. 1. Thur. Finished tinkering. Packt up & went to Fairbury. Stayed all night at Staceys.
2. Fri. Onto Fairbury.
3. Sat. Sunday School rally. Ate dinner with Bower folks.
Went to Bower with Wish
Burkhardt. (Willis).
4. Sun. Bert & I went to Joe Teber's & Carlisle's P.M.
5. Mon. Went to Jensen P.M. with George. Saw Albert Delano.
( Page # 39 )
6. Tue. Helpt Bert Norman for Uncle George.
7. Wed Made boxes at nursery. Walkt home - legs tired.
8. Thru. Helpt. Bert shuck corn. We went to
rallies at Fairbury P.M. (Demo & Rep)
Psig blow out. Tim Rah! For M.Kinley & Bryan.
16 minute parade in P.M.
10 minutes at night. Hastings Band & Lincoln Flaumbean club
(120)
1000 tourches. Will Cramb graduated from Clifton's smoking
room.
9. Fri. Hired to George Cox to shuck corn. Monday at 1 1/2c
per bushel Got some work cloths.
(note: U. S. congress established minimum wage at 25c per hour
in 1938)**
10. Sat. Rainy. Went to store.
( Page # 40 )
11. Sat. Rany. Went to store. Went to Cox in eve.
12. Mon. Dug potatos, snapt corn & pitched millet at Cox's.
13. Tue. Shucht corn. 22 & 25 bu.
14. Wed. "" "" 25 & 26 "
15 & 16 Thru & Fri ditto
17 Sat. Tinkered arround (wet) Went to town P.M. got gloves.
18. Sun Walkt over to DeVore's. Got package from mother.
19. Mon. 22 Thru. About 50 bu per day.
23. Fri. Helpt shell corn - shovelled. Had some fun over politics.
24. Sat. 60 bu corn.
25. Sun. Finished reading "Notra Dame".
26. Mon. 28 Wed. Shuckt corn @ 30 bu. (shuck = removing the corn husks)**
29. Thr. To wet to work - " M Kinley has old Rothchield's gold. To help him bag his game. Bryan has no gold at all But'll get there just the same" (Political stuff)**
( Page #41 )
Oct. 30. Fri. Sun came out Helpt haul Millet P.M.
31. Sat Rallies in town (Political).
Nov.
1. Sun Went to DeVore's Went over to store P.M.
2. Mon. Muddy in field.
3. Tue. Election Day. Went to Richland Center & voted.
4. Wed. Nebr. Went for silver except one congressman.
5 - 7 Thru - Sat. @ 50bu. Colder.
8. Sun. Uncle Lloyde out to DeVore's
9. - 15 Shuckt all week. Sprianed wrists & a little sore.
16 Mon. 12 Sat. Wrists still sore. Fell(?sp) off a
little husking this week.
McKinley Elected Pers. Reports claimed Bryan was
counted out.
Presume he was in the east.
( Page #42 )
= Political Note =
These Campaign rallies, speeking, street parades, torch processions,
fire works,
Glee club singing etc. were the last of this old time campaign
(Presidential at least)
Style of politics. They were used very little after this.
Gusee the people were
Getting tired of this Hural(?sp??) spirit, bombast. And either read
and thot more
For themselves or were disgusted and more content to Keep Quieter and
let things go.
The secret ballot probably had a tendency to hinder the ???erding(?sp?)
of voters.
( Page #43 ) Left Blank
( Page #44 )
1896 -
Nov. 22
Sun. Cool - Went to DeVore's. Lillie went to her school
Popped corn.
Mrs. Lewis & Sallie there P.M.
23. Mon. Fine day. Geo & Mrs. Cox went to
town & we had Cold dinner
(Cornhuskers) 3 of us. Had a chewing rag with Pat.
24. Tue. Sleet N.E. Tharwd P.M.
Reports factories closing up & wages
cut everywhere. Corn 9c
25. Wed. Rain & Showers.. Shoebothan offered me 2c for shucking.
26. Thru. Stormy Thanksgiving day. Cox's went to Rosenberge's
for dinner.
They left us a chicken dinner cookt and ready.
Went to store & to DeVore's. Got letter from mother
& Tressa.
27. Fri. Saw Johnson about husking at 2c. Quit Cox's $ 16.86. Went to DeVore's.
( Page #45 )
28. Sat. Went to town with Arven He related a lot of tales.
29. Sun. Bert & I went to store. We went to church.
Arven took Idella Richerd & I
walkt with her. ?? Wrote to mother . (scotch peopa???)
Went to Tom Johnsons's to work.
30. Mon. 45 bu corn. (up at 4 A.M.
Dec 1.
Tue. 50bu. Used mittens of canton flannel.
2. Wed. John Burkhart helping.
5. Sat. Shuckt all week. Arm lame.
6. Sun. Askt Uncle George about staying with him some this winter.
Offered $ 1 per week Slept some.
7. Mon Soft in field.
8. Tue. Ernest & Walter Chapman & Keyser boys helpt shucking.
Practiced for Cantata in eve.
9. Wed. Tom went to meeting.
10. Thru. All hands fired. Went to Spring Valley meeting
$ 10- (must of got paid )**
Unison prayer a conglornerated blat.???????????sp?????