October 1881 - December 1881

October 1, 1881 - December 31, 1881


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Disclaimer:The opinions on these pages are those of the writers and don't necessarily reflect my own views. More...


July 1, 1881.
Clear and quite cool.  It has been a most delightful day.  I called at Robert Parks this afternoon.  Annie came up and preserved some raspberries for us.  Glover went up to Dardenne Prairie with McCausland.

July 2, 1881.
Clear, bright cool morning.  Henry Davis cutting my meadow today, it is a heavy crop.  Wrote a letter to my wife today and received one from Tom Johns and Mattie.  Everybody was terribly shocked to hear that President Garfield was shot in the depot in Washington early this morning, by a crazy devil who lives in Chicago and who had been disappointed in not getting an office.  He shot twice, once hitting the shoulder and the other, much lower down the back.  His condition reported very dangerous.  The last accounts this evening he was worse.  What a terrible calamity it would be if he should die, under such circumstances.  This assassin is a republican stalwart, his aim was to get Garfield out of the way so that Arthur, Vice-President, might take his place.  A hot contest has been going on in the Republican party between the Grant and anti-Grant men.  Arthur is a Conkoing [sic] and Grant man, was turned out of the New York Custom House by Hayes for corruption in office.  Garfield has just entered upon his office and so far has done well.  And all good citizens deprecate [sic] and deplore such diabolical acts as this.  What a sad condition of things that such devils are abroad in the land.

July 3, 1881  Sabbath.
Clear, bright morning, warmer.  The President is reported better.  May the Lord restore him.  Annie and Fred came up in evening for tea.  I attended the Children's Missionary Meeting in afternoon at 4 o'cl.

July 4, 1881.
Clear day, warm.  This anniversary of our National holiday will be celebrated all over the land.  It would be a great thing if people understood its true import and the true principals on which our forefathers founded the government.  We have grown beyond all precedent in extent of territory, in population and wealth and in general, intelligence but there are serious symptoms of corruption in the body politic.  Nothing but the leaven of the Gospel can save the nation.  Very hot day, 92° at noon.  President reported worse, still in danger.

July 5, 1881.
Clear and warm, mercury 72° at 6 o'cl.  Got a mess of the Burbank potatoes for dinner.  They yield better than the Early Rose.  My wife and Shirley expected to leave Sedalia today.  Received postal today saying that little Mattie was so sick they put off coming until Saturday.  The thermometer now at 2 o'cl is 98°.

July 8, 1881.
Clear and hot, mercury 80° at 6 o'cl.  Promises to be another very hot day, no signs of rain.  Had my garden and corn patches plowed yesterday.  At 2 o'cl mercury 99°.  Called at Mr. Gill's after supper.

July 9, 1881.
Clear and excessively hot, hottest night we have had.  I was up at 3 o'cl this morning, not a breath of air stirring.  Saw the comet in the north, tail west.  I saw two beautiful and brilliant stars in the east.  At 6 o'cl this morning the mercury was 82° and at 9 o'cl it is at 90°.  This is the hottest day we have had, mercury got up to 100°.  Expect my wife and Shirley tonight.

July 10, 1881.  Sabbath.
Clear and very hot, mercury 82° before 6 o'cl.  My wife and Shirley came last night.  We have not seen each other for two months.  The intense heat continuing, it is terrible, scorching, mercury today got up to 103°.  It is bothering vegetation rapidly.

July 11, 1881.
Clear and the same intense heat, mercury 80° at 6 o'cl this morning.  Wind gone to east and some cloudy.  A thunder cloud in the southeast passed us just at noon, mercury 100°.  Thunder clouds in the west about 2 o'cl.  Sunstrokes frequent, bowel diseases.

July 12, 1881.
Clear and hot still, yesterday evening a heavy rain passed south and east of us, we had a light shower, mercury this morning at 6 o'cl, 82°.  We have a mess of tomatoes today.  Intense heat burning up vegetation, mercury at 2 o'cl, this afternoon, 100°.  We have a very good mess of roasting ears from the sweet corn.  I gathered a mess of potatoes from a few hills I planted from potatoes sent me by Judge Buckner (White Elephant Potatoes).  They are small, been two [sic] dry for them.  We expected to go out to Mr. Garvin's to a sociable but were disappointed in getting a buggy.  Just at 8 o'cl a cloud from north came ever with good deal of wind but no rain, cooler.

July 13, 1881.
About 2 o'cl this morning we had a heavy dash of rain for a few minutes.  It cooled off very much and this morning, very wet.  This is a great relief from the burning heat, cloudy today with some appearance of rain.  In afternoon a cloud arose in southwest and about 3 o'cl we had a good rain with some wind.  What a blessing!  Mercury went down to 75°.

July 14, 1881.
Cloudy, had another good rain during night.  The ground now is quite wet, the rain yesterday and last night general in the region and the change of temperature a great relief to everybody.  Fred and Annie here to dinner today.

July 15, 1881.
Clear and warmer, mercury 77° at 6 o'cl a.m.  I rode down in the bottom three or four miles to Joe Rock and my bottom lands.  The corn crop looks tolerably well, much of it late, the late rain great benefit to it.  A crop of corn could have been raised on my land after the water fell.  I have had arrangements with Achepohl to cultivate it next year at $4 per acre.  At 2 o'cl. the mercury 92°.

July 16, 1881.
Very hot again, clear this morning, mercury 82° at 5 o'cl, very hot day.  Arthur came to tea.

July 17, 1881. Sabbath.
Warm, mercury 82° at 6 o'cl a.m., cloudy, threatened rain before noon, cooler.  Wind in the north and has been very pleasant all afternoon, mercury 84°, cloudy.

July 18, 1881.
Clear and cooler, mercury 70° this morning.  It was a delightful night, great relief, this change.  Tomatoes abundant now.  Arthur left this morning.

July 19, 1881.
Clear, mercury 73° this morning at 6 o'cl, nights very pleasant now.  Had blackeyes peas [sic] for dinner.  Blanche, Shirley and I went across the river in Ferry Boat.  Mercury got up to 92° at 2 o'cl, we need rain again.

July 20, 1881.
Clear and hot, mercury 82° at 6 o'cl this morning.  At one o'clock p.m. the mercury 100°.  We are in another terrible hot and dry spell.  By 3 o'cl the mercury got up to 103°.  The wind felt like it came from a furnace.  Shirley had a slight attack of cholera morbus.

July 21, 1881.
Clear and the hottest morning this summer, at 6 o'cl a.m., mercury 85°, at 9 o'cl a.m., 92°, quite windy, at 12 o'cl and 1 o'cl and at 2 o'cl, mercury 104°.  This wind and heat is withering and scorching everything, almost unprecedented.

July 22, 1881.
Cloudy and cooler.  In the night a cloud arose in the west and promised rain but passed off.  Wind this morning in the west and cooler, mercury 80°.  At 2 o'cl p.m. the mercury is 78°.  What a delightful change, cloudy.

July 23, 1881.
Clear and cool, mercury 70° at 6 o'cl a.m.  Heavy dew this morning for the first time for days.  Went out to Mrs. Watson's with Mrs. Durfee, Blanche and Shirley.  She is suffering with a sprained foot.  In afternoon went to the prairie and by Mrs. Durfee's place with my wife and Shirley. The corn crop is suffering from dry weather and chinch bugs.  Had Mrs. Rogers buggy and horse.

July 24, 1881. Sabbath.
Clear, mercury 72° at 6 o'cl.  Reverend Mr. Vardeman preached for us today.  His theme, Christian himiliation [sic] and exaltation.  He and Mr. William Parks took dinner with us.  We had a little shower at 5 o'cl this afternoon.

July 25, 1881.
Clear, mercury 72° at 6 o'cl a.m.  Everything is wet this morning from shower yesterday afternoon.  This has been a very pleasant day, mercury 86° at 2 o'cl p.m.

July 26, 1881.
Clear and cool, mercury 68° at 6 o'cl a.m.  Cloudy in forenoon.  New Moon today.  Cloudy all day and looked like rain but all passed off.

July 27, 1881.
Clear and quite cool, mercury 64° at 6 o'cl this morning.  This is a delightful day.  If we only had a good rain to refresh the earth!

July 28, 1881.
Clear and warmer, mercury 65° at 6 o'cl a.m.  Had four loads of brick bats hauled for the road in the yard and at the gate.

July 29, 1881.
Clear and pleasant, mercury this morning 67°, no signs of rain.  George went off to Wentzville on 27th to attend barbecue at Flint Hill yesterday.  Glover went up to Femme Osage today to Wedig Tyler's.  George came home.  He and Dr. Davis, Editor of Cosmos had a fight about some editorials in the Cosmos and Journal, somewhat personal.  Davis met him this morning and cursed him and George knocked him down twice.  They were separated.  I rode with Fred in afternoon to Asylum and looked at a milch cow at Jerome White's and called at William Parkes.

July 30, 1881.
Clear and cool, mercury 64° this morning.  Glover came home to breakfast.  How dry it is, no signs of rain.  I bought a milk cow and calf of Jerome White for $45.00 and sold my cow to E.C. Cunningham for $40.00.  Warmer today, mercury 90° at 2 o'cl p.m.

July 31, 1881.
Clear and hot, mercury 72° in morning and went up to 92 at 2 o'cl p.m.  The Reverend Mr. Dubose one of our missionaries in China preached for us this morning.  His coming was very unexpected.  He is just returning from China by way of San Francisco.  His wife and three children with him.  They have been in China for ten years.  He told us of religions in China.  Fred and Anne took tea with us.

Aug. 1, 1881.
Clear, hot and dry at 5 o'cl a.m. It was cloudy at noon, mercury 92° and at two, 95°.  The dryness is terrible, some floating clouds.  got my new cow today.

  Aug. 2, 1881.
Clear and hot, no sign of rain, at noon 96°, at 3 o'cl, 99°.

Aug. 3, 1881.
 Some clouds early this morning but mercury 76° at 6 o'cl a.m.  I rode down in the bottom on horseback bout six miles to see a man to make a wire fence on my bottom land next to the lake.  I have rented this land to Henry Achepohl.  It was a very hot dusty ride.  Mr. Horton, a classmate of George's at Princeton, came today on a visit on his way west.  Glover went up early this morning to Dog Prairie to a picnic.  The mercury was 100° at one o'clock today.  The sun fairly blazes and burns.

Aug. 4, 1881.
Clear and hot, mercury 78° this morning.  another parching hot day before us.  Lizzie and her children came today from Sedalia.  we had some clouds in the afternoon.

Aug. 5, 1881.
Clear and very hot, mercury 78° at 6 o'cl a.m.  George went with Ed Gill to Augusta, this county.  At 2 o'cl p.m. mercury 99°, the heat is most distressing.  We have some corn, plenty of tomatoes and potatoes.

Aug. 6, 1881.
Little cloudy and very hot this morning, mercury 78° at 6 o'cl a.m.  At 2 o'cl, mercury 100°, about 3 o'cl a cloud arose in southwest and thundered by passed away without rain.  George got home from August[sic] at eight o'clock and said he had a heavy rain at Weldon spring.  Fred and Annie came up after supper.

Aug. 7, 1881.  Sabbath.
Clear and cooler.  This has been a very pleasant day, mercury not up to 90°.  The drought is very extensive in the west and the corn crop seriously damaged.

Aug. 8, 1881.
Clear and cooler, at 1 o'cl p.m. mercury 92°.  The pastures all dry as the streets.  I feed my cows with green corn and that is drying up.  There was an explosion at the foundry yesterday afternoon in which one man was killed and two badly injured.

Aug. 9, 1881.
Clear and hot, mercury 80° at 6 o'cl this a.m., good deal of wind stirring.   this day can take the premium for heat.  At this hour, 3 o'cl p.m. the mercury in the shade is a little over 106°, two degrees higher than it has been this season.  a strong breeze blowing from the west.  These extremes in temperature are for some wise purpose in the economy of nature and in the ordering of the all-wise Providence.  The Lord reigns.

Aug. 10, 1881.
Clear and hot, mercury at 6 o'cl a.m. 78°, at 12 o'cl. 98°.  this is a better day than yesterday.  No signs of rain yet.  The President Garfield is worse again.  He has a hard struggle for life.  This has been another very hot day, mercury 102° at 2 o'cl p.m.  My corn is burning up in my garden.

Aug. 11, 1881.
Clear and hot, mercury 80° at 6 o'cl a.m.  No signs of change.  This is a terrible day for heat, now at 3:30 o'cl, the mercury 107°.  It is almost insupportable.

Aug. 12, 1881.
Some clouds this morning but soon disappeared.  At 6 o'cl a.m., mercury 84°, the hottest morning.  Very hot night, no air.  Now at twelve o'clock, mercury is 104°.  The heat is awful.  It got up to 107° at two o'clock.  Some clouds in afternoon.  Heavy clouds and thunder and lightning in southeast across the river.  very hot and close in forepart of night. 

Aug. 13, 1881.
Partly clear this morning and fresh breeze from east, mercury 78° at 6 o'cl a.m. a Most delightful change.  Old Aunt Patsy, the old negro woman who was with us so many years, returned from St. Louis where she went a year ago with her daughter who died there. She is very old but very vigorous.  She has no home.  It has been cloudy most of the day and cool fresh wind from the west.  Heavy rain with great deal of lightning in St. Louis yesterday evening.  Lightning set fire to mill and other buildings, loss $200,000.

Aug. 14, 1881.  Sabbath.
Cloudy and cool, mercury 70°.   Arthur returned from Kentucky yesterday where he has been recuperating for a week.  Letter from him today says he has improved. Mrs. Glenday is ill.  Letter from Louisa today, cloudy and pleasant all day.  we expect Mattie, Mr.. Borden and Shirley in a few days.

Aug. 15, 1881.
Clear and cool, mercury 66° at 6 o'cl a.m.  No signs of rain.  mercury got up to 90° in afternoon.

Aug. 16, 1881.
Clear and warmer, mercury 67° at 6 o'cl a.m., appearances indicate hotter weather and no signs of rain.  Mercury went up to 90°.  went to Charlesworth to a party.  Lizzie and her children went over to Mr. Gauss to stay as Mattie is expected tomorrow.

Aug 17, 1881.
Cloudy in west, north-mercury 80° at 6 o'cl a.m. Before 7 o'cl heavy thunder in the northwest and some prospect of rain.  May the Lord in mercy send it.  we had a shower between seven and eight this morning that laid the dust.  It has been partly cloudy during the day.  the mercury went to 98° about 2 o'cl.  in afternoon wind changed to west.  Mr. Borden and Mattie took a buggy ride in afternoon.  The President has been very much worse for several days.  He is now reduced so low that there is little hope of his recovery.

Aug. 19, 1881.
Cloudy and not so hot, mercury 76° at 6 o'cl a.m.  Wind west and north.  John Gibson of St. Louis with his son, Marshall, 8 years old, dined with us today.  Mr. Borden left for Philadelphia this evening.  Mr. Yosti and her daughter, Jennie Lentz, Mrs. Fielding, Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Alderson called.  Cunningham took the calf home.  Fred and Annie called after tea.

Aug. 20, 1881.
Very cloudy, mercury 70° at 6 o'cl a.m.  Glover went to St. Louis today.  Very cloudy all day, just before night cleared up.  We can get no rain.  I called in afternoon on Reverend Uncas McCluer at Mr. Gauss.  Arthur and Glover came in evening from St. Louis.  The pastures are as dry as the street.  I cut corn for my cow.  Arthur's health has greatly improved by his visit to Kentucky.

Aug. 21, 1881.  Sabbath.
Clear and cool, mercury 70V at 6 o'cl a.m.  All our children except Louisa and Mary are with us today.  These are happy occasions in our lives.  At one time we care scattered far apart and through the good Providence of our Father we are brought together.  How many blessings we enjoy as a family.  Reverend Uncas McCluer preached for us today a good sermon but spoke so indistinctly that a great many could not hear it.

Aug. 22, 1881.
Clear and cool, mercury 62°.  Arthur left on early train.  In afternoon, mercury 88°.  The President is reported much worse today, blood poisoning.

Aug. 23, 1881.
Clear and warmer this morning, mercury 70° at 6 o'cl a.m., at 3 o'cl p.m. the mercury up to 94°.  The President is very low.

Aug. 24, 1881.
Clear and warmer, 72° at 7 o'cl a.m. at noon, 96°, another hot spell, no signs of rain.  I rode out to Mrs. Watson's and stopped at George B. Johnston's.  He is going to move to Texas soon.

Aug. 25, 1881.
Cloudy and red in the east this morning ans some clouds are around, warm, mercury 72° at 6 o'cl a.m.  This is the day of the picnic at Walnut Grove.  Our old cow that has given us milk and butter for five or six years went off to the butcher today.  she has given milk without a calf nor for 2½ years and fives now 2 gals a day.  she has been extremely fat for two years and I have to sell her because I must have a cow that gives more milk.  At 3 o'cl p.m., mercury 99°.

Aug. 26, 1881.
Clear and hot, mercury 75° at 6 o’cl a.m., no signs of rain, the heavens are brass and the earth iron.  It is most unprecedented and distressing draught and the weather so hot.  The President is extremely low.  Mercury 102° at noon and 103° at 2 o’cl.  Fred and Annie called after tea and Dr. Martin also.

Aug. 27, 1881.
Clear and hot, mercury 75°.  Mrs. Rood has been very low for days.  Every sign of another very hot day, mercury 102° at 3 o’cl p.m.  went to William Parks in afternoon.  Mrs. Rood lies very low.  She is 76 years old. I was at her wedding forty-three years ago.

Aug. 28, 1881.  Sabbath.
Clear and hot, mercury 74° at 6 o’cl a.m., another hot and dry day ahead of us.  Mrs. Rood died this morning at 7 o’cl.  Mrs. Mattie Edwards died at 3 o’cl of puerperal fever.  Two members of our church gone in one day.  Mrs. Edward’s death is sad indeed, a young wife and mother (32) leaving four little children.  Her mother and brother died last spring.

Aug. 29, 1881.
Clear and hot, mercury 78° at 6 o’cl a.m., about 9 o’cl this morning the wind commenced blowing strong from the east and now at twelve we have heavy clouds and every appearance of rain.  Rained a little about three this afternoon.  Attended Mrs. Rood’s funeral at 4 o’cl.  I have attended the funerals of her father, mother and two sisters and their husbands and her husband.  Now at 7 o’cl heavy clouds and some rain, much cooler, the mercury went down to 80°.  George went to St. Louis this morning and returned in evening.

Aug. 30, 1881.
Partly cloudy, had a good shower this morning about five o’clock.  The mercury 70° at 6 o’cl a.m.  This rain and change of temperature great relief, the dust was terrible.  At 12 noon the mercury 88° more signs of rain.  I see by the papers that the rain was general over the state yesterday.  The president is still better.  Attended Mrs. Edward’s funeral at four o’clock.

Aug. 31, 1881.
Clear and warm, mercury 77° at 6 o’cl a.m.  sowed rye in the orchard yesterday.  In afternoon we had heavy clouds with a little rain.  Afternight, a great deal of thunder and lighting in the southwest.

Sept. 1, 1881.
Clearing, warm, mercury 75° at 6 o’cl a.m., a very light rain in the night.  Went out to sale at George B. Johnston’s.  Very warm.

Sept.2, 1881
Cloudy this morning, mercury 74°.  Annie and the baby are here today.  Lizzie expects to leave this evening for Sedalia.  At 11 o’cl a.m., heavy clouds, thunder.  Jim McDearmon and Miss Irvin were married last night.  George attended. This terrible drought is in France and Canada as well as in this country.  It rained a little about 1 o’cl today and much cooler.

Sept. 3, 1881.
Cloudy, cool, mercury 70

Sept. 4, 1881.  Sabbath.
Clear, warm, mercury 76° at 6 o’cl a.m.  At 2 o’cl, mercury 102°.  This is a very hot day, strong south wind and feels like it comes from a furnace.  It feels like it would bring rain, no clouds.  Arthur came up today.  His house has been very busy.  Fred came up in evening to tea.

Sept. 5, 1881.
Clear and the hottest morning this summer, mercury 83° at 6 o’cl a.m.  Arthur returned to the city on early train.  No clouds.

Sept. 6, 1881.
Clear and hot, mercury 80° this morning.  What a summer of heat and drought.  Here we are into September and no relief.  I have been suffering for weeks with an itching of the body something like heat or rash.  Very hot day, good deal of air stirring but brings no rain.

Sept. 7, 1881.
Clear and warm, mercury 80° at 6 o’cl a.m.  We had a lawn party here last night, great many young people, a very pleasant affair.  Mattie went to St. Louis this morning to visit Mrs. McCarty.  This has been a very hot, sultry day, mercury 100° at 2 o’cl p.m., cloudy in evening.

Sept. 8, 1881.
Some clouds this morning, very heavy clouds with thunder and lightning in the west.  It passed around us.  Cooler this morning, mercury 76° at 6 o’cl a.m.  My cow jumped out last night and I had quite a hunt for her and when I came back she was at home.  Judge Dryden was in town today looking after our church case.  Robert Miller died very suddenly today.  Cooler, mercury 90° at 2 o’cl p.m., cloudy this evening and some thunde.  Mattie returned from St. Louis this evening on eight o’clock train.

Sept. 9, 1881.
Cloudy and cooler, mercury 72° this morning.  Heavy cloud rose in southwest last night, gave us a light rain and passed north.  George and Shirley Borden went with a party to fish on Peruke Creek.  Raining now at 8:30 a.m.  Very sultry in afternoon though the mercury was 88°, about 4 o’cl p.m. heavy clouds rose in the south, good deal of wind, some rain, later a cloud came from the west and good rain after dark.

Sept. 10, 1881.
It rained a good deal in night. Shirley got back half past twelve at night and George at Three this morning.  Sowed winter turnip seed for greens in lowest part of garden.  It became very cool about noon.  The town is crowded today with people to see Forpaugh Great Show.  Quite cool tonight.

Sept. 11, 1881.  Sabbath.
Extreme and violent changes of weather, clear and the mercury down to 52° at 6 o’cl. a.m.  In Michigan there was terrific destruction of crops, houses, forests and fences and human lives by fire.  Thousands of people utterly destitute.  In afternoon rode with Mr. Stonebraker to see Mrs. Eliza Miller.

Sept. 12, 1881.
Clear and quite cool, mercury 56° at 6 o’cl a.m., heavy dew. This has been a pleasant day, mercury went up to 80° today.  Our yard begins to look green again.  Shirley Borden and Shirley Winston and I went to the country this afternoon to see Mrs. Durfee’s farm and my farm.  They are cutting corn and plowing for wheat.  The corn on my place will make about 30 to 35 bu. Per acre.  The drought has greatly interfered with the plowing.

Sept. 13, 1881.
Clear and warm, mercury 58° in morning, at noon 80°, getting cloudy.  Judge Dryden in town today on our church case again.  At 3 o’cl p.m. mercury 82°.  Headache all afternoon.

Sept. 14, 1881.
Partly cloudy, mercury 62° at 6 o’cl a.m.  I had a most distressing headache all night, got no sleep.  Got a box ready to send to Mary Pearce, a great deal of valuable clothing in it.  Called on Mrs. Ross and C. Shaw in afternoon.

Sept. 15, 1881.
Cloudy and cold, mercury 58° at 6 o’cl a.m., a heavy cloud with lightning hung to the west last night and this morning heavy dark clouds are flying from northwest and quite cold.  It rained a little in the night.   It has been a cold day, overcoats in use and we have a little fire tonight.  What a change from the melting heat a few days ago.  The dark clouds have hung over us all day.  Judge Dryden and Mr. Strong took testimony on the church case today.  The evidence is very strong that the plaintiff brought the suit at the request of the church here and for its benefit, as they had no interest in the matter, having left here never expecting to return.  This ought to throw the case out of the United states court.

Sept. 16, 1881.
Cloudy and cold, mercury 52°, the sun has been out sometimes but mostly cloudy, windy and cold all day, at three o’clock mercury 62°.

Sept. 17, 1881.
Clear and cold, mercury 43°.  Papers report snow in Minnesota and North Missouri.  It got a good deal warmer today, mercury got to 80° at noon.  I sowed lettuce seed, early curled head, today and some spinach for greens in the spring.  Everything very dry again.  The President reported worse today, too much blood poisoning.

Sept. 18, 1881.  Sabbath.
Clear and cool in morning.  Arhtur came from St. Louis this morning, he looks very well.  Dr. Irwin preached for us this morning, Mr. Martin absent at meeting of Presbytery at Montgomery city.  Warm in middle of day, mercury 86°, getting very dry again.  President very low.

Sept. 19, 1881.
Clear and warm, mercury 62° at 6 o’cl. a.m.  Arthur left on early train.  It has been warm today, mercury 90°.  Mattie and Shirley Borden left for Philadelphia this evening.  They were here nearly five weeks, Mattie is in fine health.

Sept. 20, 1881.
Clear and warmer, mercury 66° at 6 o’cl  a.m.  Plowing lower pastures for rye.  Sowed rye in little orchard.  President Garfield died last night at Long Branch at 10:35, General Arthur was sworn in this morning at 2:30 a.m.  There will be a great mourning throughout the land.  The President’s death will cause no trouble, there will be changes in the cabinet but the affairs of Government will move as usual.  This is a very hot day, mercury now 96° at 2:30 o’cl p.m. Called out to see E. C. Cunningham who is sick.  The Northern Presbytery met here this evening.

Sept. 21, 1881.
Clear and warm, 66° at 6 o’cl a.m. and 94° at 2 o’cl p.m. today.  Attended the meeting of the Northern Presbytery.  Dr. Gauss of St. Louis dined with us.  Both Presbyteries appointed a joint committee to settle the Washington church case.  Dr. Marks gave a very interesting account of the Southwestern Missouri.  The numerous mineral springs and the rapid filling of that country by building railroads and mineral health.

Sept. 22, 1881.
Clear and hot, mercury 70° at 6 o’cl a.m.  Received a letter from Mrs. Mary Johns at Denver, Colorado, saying they expect to leave there for this place today.  At 2 o’cl p.m. mercury 92 Received a letter from Mrs. Mary Johns at Denver, Colorado, saying they expect to leave there for this place today.  Fred and I rode to the Asylum and to Mrs. Durfee’s for apples.  Called at Ned Cunningham’s, he is sick.  I called in morning at William Parks and Robert Parks.  Cloudy in afternoon.

Sept. 23, 1881.
Clear and hot, mercury 72° at 6 o’cl a.m.   Another very hot and dry spell.  At 2 o’cl p.m. the mercury 92°.  Fred had a hemorrhage last night that was alarming and very weakening.  It seems that he had them last spring but during the summer has been very well till a few weeks ago.  During a cold spell he has a return of them.  I was kept in ignorance of them until today.  It is a great trial to us as well as to him and his wife.  He has gotten into a fine practice here, all hi prospects very bright but this casts a shadow over all.  He thinks of making a trip to the southwest for a few weeks to recruit.  Glover is thinking of leaving here permanently, no opening here for American young men.  He will try St. Louis and if he fails there will go southwest.  How happy we have been in having our boys around us.  But it seems that this cannot continue longer.  All sources of human happiness are uncertain.  May the Lord in mercy give us strength for all trials.  Our trust must be in his merciful care, his goodness and wisdom in ordering all affairs for his glory and our best good.

Sept. 24, 1881.
Clear and warm, mercury 76° at 6 o’cl a.m., windy this morning and for several days from south.  It feels like it would bring rain but no clouds.  We expected my sister-in-law, Mrs. Mary Johns, and Bonnie on the 5:25 train this morning from Denver but a freight train got off the track near Warrenton and they are delayed.  Glover went to St. Louis this morning on the accommodation train to seek a situation in some business as he finds he can do nothing here in the law or anything else.  My sister-in-law and Bonnie came at ten o’clock this forenoon.

Sept. 25, 1881.  Sabbath.
Some clouds, had a light rain in the night, a good deal of thunder and lightning.  Barely laid the dust.  Strong appearance of rain in forenoon.  Glover returned from St. Louis last night.  Mr. Martin preached a sermon appropriate to the death of the president.  Hallelulah!  The Lord reigns!  Mary and Bonnie look very well.  She is a very active well preserved woman for age, sixty-six.

Sept. 26, 1881.
Clear and little cooler, heavy clouds passed us on the north and west last night.  This is the day of the funeral of the president and memorial services will be held all over the land.  We all attended the service in the Jefferson Street Church.  Mr. Morton preached a very fine sermon.  John Lindsay took Mr. Morton’s horse today.  Fred is still having hemorrhages and expects to take a trip southwest.  The mercury got up to 96° today.

Sept. 27, 1881.
Cloudy and signs of rain, mercury 72° at 6 o’cl a.m.  Glover goes to St. Louis today looking for a situation in business.  I go with Dr. Ferguson and Kirkpatrick to divide the Dr. Overall estate, to look at his land in the Prairie.  We started to the Prairie but a heavy rain came up before we got out of town and we turned back.  It was a good shower and looks like rain at this time, 11 o’cl a.m.  I have just sowed Timothy seed on the rye patch in lower lot.  Some of the rye is up.  About 2 o’cl p.m. we had another good shower, another light rain form five to eight o’clock tonight.  Called at King’s in afternoon.  Ed Gill and Minnie McDearmon spent the evening here.

Sept. 28, 1881.
Cloudy and foggy, cooler, mercury this morning 68°.  The large Pine tree in my yard I fear is dying, the Arbor vita is dead.  They are a great loss to the yard.  Cloudy most of the day and light rain before noon, mercury today down to 76°, clearing in evening.

Sept. 29, 1881.
Clear and warm, mercury 72°, very cloudy, and windy from the south. I went with Ezra Overall, Dr. Ferguson and W. Kirkpatrick to the Prairie near Grafton to see Dr. Overall’s land there.  Farmers very busy sowing wheat and most of the fields very dry and cloddy.  No rain on that side of the Prairie.

Sept. 30, 1881.
Raining this morning, commenced raining at five this morning.  It is a good rain.  Glover went to St. Louis this morning.  It is now ten o’clock and pouring down rain and has been for about five hours.  It has rained steadily all day, everything is thoroughly wet at last.  What a change from extreme dry to extreme wet.

 


Source: Location of handwritten original unknown.  Transcription and excerption by Florence Johns in 1960s.  Transcribed to softcopy by Susan D. Chambless, 1999.


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Last modified:Sunday, 09-Nov-2003 16:36:12 MST