Apr. 1, 1883.
I suffered a great deal last night with toothache from cold.
Apr. 2, 1883.
George left on early train. I sent a sketch of Thomas Lindsay to Dr.
Farris for publication in Synodical minutes, semi-centennial.
Apr. 3, 1883.
I had the fence between the garden and the front pasture moved today.
Called at William Parks in afternoon. Received a letter from Mary Johns
today. Lizzie spent the day with us. Mrs. Frayser called in the morning.
Apr. 6, 1883.
Called on John Stonebraker, he is improving very slowly. James Dougherty
says the wheat in the Prairie looks a good deal better.
Apr. 7, 1883.
Rode to the Prairie with Shirley and Eugene in afternoon and to Mrs.
Durfee's farm, wheat looks well on her place, my place the wheat is
injured about one-fourth, killed in spots. Farmers sowing oats and planting
potatoes. Good many lady callers in the afternoon, Mrs. Watkins, Miss
Aurelia McDearmon and Miss Lucy McDearmon and Mrs. (Dr.) Johnson. Eleanor
M. was out in afternoon.
Apr. 10, 1883.
Mrs. Alderson and Fannie Durell took tea with us.
Apr. 12, 1883.
I called in afternoon at Dr. Johnson's, Mr. Stonebrakers, Theodoric
McDearmon's and Dr. Rives.
Apr. 14, 1883.
George came up last night on the 6 o'cl train to attend the Pink Tea
party for the benefit of Miss Howatt. I expect to go up to Wentzville
today with Shirley and Eugene, on the 5 o'cl train. Found Mary and her
children all very well and comfortably fixed. It is a great improvement
over their Arkansas life.
Apr. 15, 1883. Sabbath.
Henry Gauss and Lizzie were over in the afternoon. Went to the Jefferson
Street Church tonight and heard a very good sermon from a Mr. Singleton
who says he was here and preached for us in the old Blue Church twenty-two
years ago.
Apr. 16, 1883.
Henry Gauss and Lizzie came over in afternoon. I called on Mr. Stonebraker,
improving slowly.
Apr. 18, 1883.
Presbytery meets tonight in our church. Reverend Mr. Hollifield and
Elder Ware and Reverend Barnett came to our house in the evening. Mr.
Hollifield preached tonight.
Apr. 19, 1883.
Dr. Brank had to leave the Presbytery in the afternoon to preach the
funeral of Dr. Grasty at Mexico, Missouri. Reverend Thomas C. Smith
took tea with us.
Apr. 20, 1883.
Reverends J. A. Smith and Banks dined with us today. The Presbytery
adjourned about 4 o'cl p.m. We were delighted with Mr. Hollifield and
Ware.
Apr. 24, 1883.
Mercury 35° in morning. The papers say there were heavy snow storms
in Illinois and north of us yesterday and on Sunday terrible tornadoes
in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, killing a great many and destroying
whole towns.
Apr. 29, 1883. Sabbath.
Mercury down to 42°, we keep up fires all day. Mr. Martin went to
Dardenne Church to preach and we had no service in our church. Heard
Mr. Singleton in the Jefferson Street church preach. Ice.
Apr. 30, 1883.
Arthur, Dollie and George left on early train this morning. Circle around
the sun, sign of rain. Called on Robert Parks in afternoon.
May 2, 1883.
In afternoon Mrs. Durfee, little Annie Gauss and I went out to her farm.
The wheat in many places is too thin and looks feeble. We called on
John Lindsay on our return home.
May 3, 1883.
Mrs. Glenday, Lizzie and Eleanor Martin went to St. Louis today. Mercury
now up to 85°.
May 4, 1883.
Saw Robert King of Jerseyville, Illinois yesterday. He is going to California
to live.
May 5, 1883.
Went with the boys down to the Marias Croche Lake to fish. The lake
is very full. George came on early train.
May 6, 1883. Sabbath.
Dr. Irwin preached in church today. Dr. Martin expected to go to St.
Louis yesterday to assist in the ordination of Mr. Douglas but was taken
sick. The Circuit Court is now taking the final steps in the church
law suit which began here in 1867, sixteen years ago. The Court will
decree the title to new trustees in place of Alderson and Walton so
we have the property entirely under the control of our church. What
a sad chapter in church history! What bitterness and waste of money
in law suits which all might have been avoided by compromise, which
we offered them time and time again -- we offered them one-half.
May 7, 1883.
Lizzie has a severe attack of dyspeptia [sic]. Dr. Bruere was here twice.
I called to see Mrs. Ross.
May 12, 1883.
Dr. Alexander Martin arrived at his brother's last night. He is a very
fine looking man.
May 13, 1883. Sabbath.
Dr. Alexander Martin preached morning and night, very fine sermons.
George came last night.
May 26, 1883.
I returned home today from Lexington, Kentucky. In my absence my wife
made the following notes:
May 15, 1883. Mr. Johns left today for Lexington where the General
Assembly meets and to visit Rutherford Douglas. May 19, 1883. Some
appearance of storm around us and terrible cyclone in upper part of
county. Rain in afternoon and some hail. Apr. 20, 1883. Cold and little
rain. Apr. 21, 1883 Very cold and cloudy. Apr. 22, 1883. Heavy white
frost and thin ice. Apr. 24, 1883. Sick. Apr. 26, 1883. Rain last
night. -----
May 26, 1883.
I left home on morning of 15th and St. Louis that evening at 7:45 reached
Louisville at 7 o'cl a.m. on 16th. Missed connection and stayed over
till 2::40 p.m. and then left for Lexington. We passed through a beautiful
country and reached Lexington at 7:00 p.m. Rutherford Douglas's son
George met me and took me to his father's, 5 miles in country. Rutherford
Douglas has a large highly cultivated farm with large fine house. His
is a lovely family. This is a beautiful and rich country, the celebrated
blue grass region -- great many fine blooded horses and cattle. Lexington
is a beautiful little city, great many wealthy and cultivated people.
The cemetery is beautiful with monuments of Henry Clay in the center,
nearly 100 feet high. The General Assembly met on Thursday at 11 o'cl.
Old Dr. Pryor of Virginia was elected Moderator. The most interesting
event was the reception of the Delegates of the Northern Presbyterian
Church. Judge Strong of U. S. Supreme Court, Judge Moon of Chicago,
Dr. Prione of New York, observer St. Michells of St. Louis. Their speeches
and the occasion created the most intense excitement. I attended the
meetings of the Assembly for a week and a great many interesting subjects
were discussed. I met Judge Buckner a brother of our Dr. Buckner who
treated me with great kindness.
May 27, 1883. Sabbath.
George came last night. Had a good sermon today from Dr. Martin on the
sealing of the Holy Spirit. Travelling is very pleasant in many respects
but it is a great comfort to be at home among the dear ones.
May 30, 1883.
Henry Gauss returned from Colorado this morning. Eleanor Martin, Lizzie
and Henry took supper with us. Called on Mrs. Ross.
June 1, 1883.
Received a letter from George, saying that Mary Johns and Bonnie had
passed through St. Louis on their way to Providence, Rhode Island. In
afternoon I rode out to Mrs. Durfee's farm with E. C. Cunningham. The
wheat in her lower field is turning yellow and the blades drying up.
Some persons think it is a worm at the root but couldn't see anything.
No other wheat seems to be affected.
June 2, 1883.
George with his classmate and friend Mr. Blair came on the early train.
He is a son of Montgomery Blair of Maryland.
June 3, 1883. Sabbath.
No service in our church today as Dr. Martin is in Troy, Missouri. Went
to hear Dr. Irwin's Baccalaureate sermon to Lindenwood graduates.
June 4, 1883.
George and Mr. Blair left on accommodation train. Took out an insurance
policy on my house ($2,000) vs tornadoes. Called on Dr. Martin in afternoon.
June 6, 1883.
Attended the Lindenwood Commencement this forenoon, 9 graduates. Henry
and Lizzie and Eleanor Martin took tea with us.
June 7, 1883.
Attended the exhibition of the St. Charles College in Methodist Church
last night.