Jan. 1, 1887.
Here begins another stage in the journey of life and with me
past 67 it is a down grade. And here I raise another memorial
and say "Hitherto hath the Lord helped me, Forever blessed
be His Name of the goodness and mercy to me all the time. During
the past year the Lord has been exceedingly kind to us as a
family. We have had almost uninterrupted health and a bountiful
supply of all our wants. The only regrets is our own ingratitude
and unprofitableness in His service. Our children are scattered
far away, have been kept in good health and comfortable. The
Lord's name be praised. May the Lord give us grace in the coming
year to honor, love and serve Him more faithfully. And may it
be a year of great prosperity for his cause and kingdom in the
earth. Called in afternoon on Mrs. Watson, Mrs. Ross and the
Martins.
Jan. 2, 1887. Sabbath.
Shirley returned from Wentzville. I fear the peaches are killed
again as they have been for four winters past. It is so unusual
to have so many sever winters in succession. Fortunately, the
wheat is well protected by the heavy snow. Another good thing
for our town there is suffering among the poor, as the car shops
give full employment to all that want work. May this first Sabbath
be the beginning of good things to all God's people in this
and all lands. We had a good sermon from Mr. Howison today on
God the bearer of prayer. Today begins the week of prayer by
all Christians in all lands. John Douglas called on us this
p.m. greatly improved and they are doing well in St. Louis.
Eleanor Martin came over and took tea with us.
Jan. 3, 1887.
Eleanor Martin came over in afternoon to bid us goodbye, she
leaves on the 9 p.m. train for Lexington, Mo. Shirley and I
attended the union prayer meeting at Methodist Church this evening,
good meeting. My wife has been a good deal troubled with rheumatism
in right writst for several days. Received a letter from Mr.
Gauss today and mattie and Calvert Johns. Old Dr. Pen, long
an elder in Mispah Church, St. Louis, Co., was buried today,
78 years old.
Jan. 8, 1887.
Jim Pourie and Lawrence Davis stayed all night with Shirley.
Intense cold in northwest.
Jan. 11, 1887.
Old Mr. Charles Johnson died this morning at 5 o'cl. aged 95
years. His mind, health and strength was wonderfully good until
the last few months. He was an honest, high-minded, worthy man.
My wife and I called at his house this p.m. and at Mr. William
Parks. Mrs. Glenday has eczema.
Jan. 13, 1887.
Attended the funeral of old Mr. Charles Johnson. I have known
him for 40 years. Mr. and Mrs. Howison, Daisy and Aphra Martin
took tea with us. Mrs. Wm. Parks called in afternoon.
Jan.15, 1887.
We attended a church sociable this evening at Mr. Snyder's.
At night attended a meeting of the Literary and Scientific Association
at the St. Charles College. They propose a public library for
the town and Mr. Alexander read an essay on the origin of written
language.
Jan. 19, 1887.
Received a letter from Louisa Morgan and Mattie. John Morgan
has gone to the Indian Nation to stay till spring hoping the
milder climate will help him. Called on Mrs. Alf Stonebraker
in forenoon, called on Mrs. Frayser in afternoon. Tome Barron
came on 6 o'cl train, he and Mr. Howison and myself were appointed
a committee by the Presbytery to consider the Shotwell case.
Jan. 21, 1887.
Received a letter from Mary Pearce, she has great trouble with
Tom and Anna. The old horse in bad condition. Called on Mrs.
Ross and Reverend Mr. Woods, Learned that Judge Barwise died
yesterday morning at 2 o'cl, 96 years old od cancer - also that
Wilson Fergerson died a few days ago in Arizona of consumption.
Jan. 25, 1887.
Old Mr. Haigler died last night, aged 79. Had my pork jung up
in smoke house. Went to the funeral of Mr. Haigler in afternoon.
He has been a member of the Meghodist Church nearly 60 years.
Shirley went over to the Martins to tea with Lawrence Davis
who goes to Virginia tomorrow. We received a letter from Mattie
today, she expects to go to Tezas 1st of March. We commenced
buying milk of Sturmer yesterday evening, something new for
us.
Jan. 27, 1887.
This afternoon I went out to Lindenwood to attend a religious
service in the order of prayer for schools and colleges. Reverend
Dr. Martin of St. Louis made an address on christian growth.
This is a matter of vital concern to the future of church and
nation that our schools and colleges should be pervaded by a
strong healthy religious influence. It is a happy thing that
most of the colleges are religious institutions, even our state
universitys are manned by chirstian men. Ober Kutter died, he
has been very feeble for years. I have dealt with him as shoemaker
for forty-on years, an honest man.
Jan 29, 1887.
Attended the funeral of Mrs. Lock this afternoon. Shirley and
some boys cut down an elm tree in the front meadow.
Feb. 1, 1887.
Saw Lelia Garvin at church Sunday. Received letter from Eleanor
Martin and Ellen Cowan. This is a dark cold morning, mercury
14°, before day it commenced sleeting a small white sleet
and still continued, ground is covered -- 2 inches, fine for
wheat. Papers full of war rumors in Europe. all the great nations
arming to the teeth, each fearing the other -- the burden of
supporting great armies equal to war itself. Mrs. Durfee sent
by mail 2 pairs of shoes for Fred's little girls.
Feb. 4, 1887.
Valentine Becker died today, he was an old citizen about 72
years old, wealthy but has been in decline for several years,
mind affected.
Feb. 5, 1887.
Received postals from George and Mattie and a letter from Henry
Gauss about the troubles in the church with Dr. Niel's drinking.
Mattie expects to be here on 13th of this month on her way to
Texas. Franklin Becker called to ask me to act as pallberer
for his father's funeral tomorrow at 10 o'cl. Called on Mrs.
Watson in afternoon, she is a lonely old lady - nobody to live
with her and cannot keep a servant for any length of time, she
is so peculiar - plenty of money but don't know how to
enjoy it. Mrs. Glenday thinks she felt an earthquake in the
night.
Feb. 7, 1887.
Received a delightful letter from Arthur today, he was elected
Deacon in the church at San Antonio recently. Their business
has been good last year, they cleared $5,000.00. Dr. Neil is
giving the church trouble. Received a letter from Tom Morgan,
Will Morgan left John in the Indian Nation with his uncles.
He has greatly improved. Mrs. Luther Robinson died yesterday.
Feb. 10, 1887.
In afternoon I went to appraise the personal property of Charles
Johns with others. Mrs. Shore will return to Wentzville. The
Ladies Sewing Society met here this p.m. They accomplish a great
deal for the church. My wife and Shirley went to the Mite Society
at Mr. Wm. Parks' tonight. Called in afternoon on some poor
families who children come to our Sunday School.
Feb. 13, 1887. Sabbath.
We gave up services at our church this morning and went to the
Jefferson Street Church to hear Dr. Brookes and in the evening
he preached in our church. His morning sermon was based on the
conduct of Queen Estehr in her interposition with the king to
save her people, the Jews from destruction. He drew from the
great doctrine of grace in the death of Christ for his people.
It was a very powerful sermon. The sermon at night was drawn
from an incident in the life of King Ahab "He was busy
here and there and he was gone". It was grand. George and
Minnie came to McDearmon's. George came home with us to dinner
from church and spent afternoon. Minnis is to remain all week
and he will come up occasionally.
Feb. 15, 1887.
Received letters from Mattie and Lizzie, Lizzie's folks have
made up their minds not to come to Missouri next summeer on
account of the expense. I was appointed Curator of Mary Pearce's
children by Probate Court and have an order of sale of their
interest in the Pearce land. Mr. John Redmon is quite sick with
a carbunckle on back of neck. William Parks is sick with fever.
Called at Mr. Alderson's in afternoon, he has written a paper
on the liquor laws of the state -- the high license laws, its
effects in reducing dram shops and in increasing the revenue.
Mrs. Shore and daughter called here in afternoon.
Feb. 19, 1887.
Mattie came this forenoon, George came on the early train.
Feb. 22, 1887.
This is a memorable day in the national annals -- the birthday
of Washington, a name preeminently above all other earthly names.
The Martin girls called, also Minnie Bruere. Called on Mrs.
Ross. The German elections reported favorable to the government
which means Bismark's measure to increase the army and is considered
to mean peace with France. Mattie and Mary Pearce left, Mattie
goes to San Antonio, Texas. She is a little body, but so full
of life and energy -- Mary's is an unhappy life, such a poor
trifling, lazy, ill-tempered husband. How different the lot
of the same family.
Feb. 25, 1887.
I am reading "Creoles of New Orleans" by Cable. The
creoles are the descendants of old French settlers of New Orleans.
New Orleans and that part of Louisiana was first settled about
1685 by French from Canada and France and some Spanish. They
had great difficulties to encounter with Indians, floods and
the changes of government from France to Spain and back and
then England. This continued for 80 years. Wrote to John Pearce
and Mr. Ezra Overall.
Feb. 28, 1887.
I went to the Methodist Church wher Reverend Mysonhiemer is
conducting a meeting. He is quite young and certainly the most
nervous and excitable man I ever saw. He does everything to
create excitement. Received a postal from Mary Pearce, they
expect to move tomorrow.
Mar. 2, 1887.
Helped to appraise the personal property of Mr. Jesse Haigler's
extate. Received a letter from Mattie and postal from Arthur
who met her at the same place he met us, 50 miles this side
of San Antonio. Mrs. Capt. Woodson, sister of Mrs. Frayser,
was buried yesterday, 80 yrs, he is 90. Received a postal from
Mary Johns, they saw Mattie as she passed through Austin, Texas.
Mar. 7, 1887.
Court is in session today. Mrs. Ross and C. Shaw called in afternoon.
I called at Mrs. Frayser's in afternoon. Henry Ward Beecher
reported dying of apoplexy. He has been a very prominent man
for 30 years in this country, somewhat erratic as a theologian,
some clouds over his moral character -- but great power as an
orator. We attended the funeral of Mamie Overall, a daughter
of Dr. Overall, aged 19 -- she died in Kansas City, was buried
here. Reverend John Robinson, her uncle, conducted the services.
It was a very solemn and impressive service, she was raised
here. Received a letter from Mary Pearce, they are at their
new home in Lincoln County.
Mar. 11, 1887.
Mrs. Howison returned from Arkansas. John Cunningham and I sold
46 acres of E. C. Cunningham's land to Max Lang for $4,300.00.
Professor Meyers came out to see Mrs. Durfee to talk with her
about old Mrs. Collier, the founder of St. Charles College.
I planted a small patch of early Ohio potatoes in garden, I
put a little ashed in the hill and then put mixed straw and
manure on top with some earth over it. Plowed the patch behind
stable and planted it in early Ohio potatoes, put some straw
on part of them. These are raised on shares with colored man,
Curtis -- give him one-third. Bads, the great engineer is reported
dead. Went to Lindenwood to an entertainment of music, recitations
and essays.
Mar. 14, 1887.
Received a letter from Mattie, she had a note from Fred saying
his baby, Eleanor, was dangerously ill. The San Antonio people
all well. Mrs. Howison took tea with us. Mrs. Alderson quite
sick again. Called on William Parks in afternoon.
Mar. 17, 1887.
Mrs. Alderson is much worse today and the doctors think she
is dangerously ill. I attended a meeting at St. Charles College
this afternoon to celebrate the birthday of George Collier who
aided liberally in endowing the college, - his mother founded
the college first. The calisthenics drill of the boys was fine.
Saw Dr. John Pitman today, his mother is dying.
Mar. 19, 1887.
Mrs. Alderson better this morning. Mrs. David K. Pitman died
this morning at O'Fallen;
Mar. 21, 1887.
Mr. Howison preached on the values and influence of the Bible
yesterday. St. Charles County Bible Society met last night.
Received a letter from Leakey from Mattie, she and Arthur went
out there last Tuesday. Fred's Baby very ill with braonchial
pneumonia. I sent $25.00 today to J. B. Gabaniss, Huntsville,
Ala., Register in Chancery, as costs in the Mary P. Rice will
case which we are contesting in the Chancery Court. Called on
Mrs. Frayser in forenoon.
Mar. 22, 1887.
I attended a meeting of the Literary and Scientific Society
at St. Charles College this evening. Mr. Alexander read his
paper on the origin of the Cherokee Indian Alphabet. It was
invented by an untutored Indian. Syllables instead of letters
-- 86 of them, and is so simple that a boy can learn to read
in two days. We received letters from Arthur, Mary and Eugene
Gauss. Arthur wrote the day after he returned from Fred's, says
the baby was better -- very dry there. In afternoon I called
on Mrs. Salveter and Mrs. Ross, and Mrs. Watkins.
Mar. 25, 1887.
In afternoon I distributed some cards for Dr. Wells' evangelistic
work in our church to begin Sunday Night. Called on Mrs. Alf
Stonebraker.
Mar. 26, 1887.
We expect Dr. Wells, our synodical evangelist tonight. I walked
with Shirley through the car shops this afternoon. It is a big
thing, especially since the addition of passengers car building.
A letter from Mattie today, the baby was decidedly better.
Mar. 27, 1887. Sunday.
Dr. Wells came last night at 10 o'cl. He preached at night,
Mr. Howison in morning. Had a large audience, he is a clear
strong preacher and very conservative in his methods, no excitement.
Mar. 30, 1887.
Dr. Wells is preaching very able and powerful sermons to large
audiences. May the Lord save the people. Commenced snowing in
the morning and continued all day and in the evening the snow
was 4 inches deep -- something rare for this season. Getting
to church was difficult but the audiences were good under the
circumstances. Madge Martin and Shirley stood up, expressing
concern for their souls. May the Lord enable them to accept
the Savior.
Notes:
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