Oct. 1, 1887.
Received a telegram from Arthur saying he would be in St. Louis
Monday morning and here at night. This is a very unexpected
pleasure. Received postal from Ellen Cowan.
Oct. 2, 1887. Sabbath.
The funeral of Rev. Mr. Goebel, pastor of of the German Evangelical
Church in the county took place at 1 o'clock p.m. I went out
to it, great crowd, he was a very good man.
Benign
Oct. 4, 1887.
Arthur came last night, he looks very well. It is a great pleasure
to us for our children are so far off that we seldom see them.
He has been four years in Texas. He saw President Cleveland
today in St. Louis at exchange. St. Louis is giving him a grand
ovation. His wife attracts great attention. Arthur went down
today at 11 o'clock to see the Veiled Prophet parade tonight,
immense crowds of people in the city.
Oct. 6, 1887.
Arthur came on the ten o'clock train last night. He saw a good
many of his old friends in the city. He has some cold. He and
I called at Mr. Howison's this a.m. His mother, Mrs. Bennett
is there. He and Arthur were at Westminster College together.
Oct. 8, 1887.
Arthur still with us. He has a very bad cold. He called on the
Martin girls in forenoon. Arthur and I rode down to Marias Croche
and out by Mrs. Durfee's farm. I called to see Jim Moore who
is sick. Mr. Howison called out to see Arthur and Mrs. Glenday.
Professors Gibson and Teal were called an afternoon. Letters
from Fred and Dollie.
Oct. 11, 1887.
Arthur left this morning for St. Louis on his way home. His
visit has been a great comfort to us. He is a good fellow, honest,
energetic and self-reliant -- a good businessman. He has strong
filial feelings. His health is not firm. Mrs. Glenday comes
downstairs every day now but has no use of her hand and looks
badly. I wrote to Fred. Saw Mrs. Sydnor Martin on street. Mrs.
Glenday received a letter from Mary Johns, enclosing one from
Claude Johns to her. He is certainly a model son, he had done
so much and proposes to do so much more for his mother and sister
who are dependent. It is a noble essence of filial kindness.
He is poor, himself, and has to struggle hard to support himself
and them for several and Austin, Texas. He married about a year
ago and his wife joins him in all his efforts to help them.
Mrs. Ross and Miss Charlotte Shaw called in afternoon. I called
on Mrs. Watson in afternoon. Received a letter from Mattie.
She is sick, something malarial fever.
Oct. 16, 1887. Sabbath.
Sunday school convention meeting in our church today. Mr. Paxson
is here. Received a letter from Mr. Borden about Mattie's sickness,
she is quite sick. We had an interesting meeting in the Sunday
School Convention in afternoon and at night. Messrs. Sharpe
and Paxson made fine talks. Old Brother Vardeman is Chairman.
The American Sunday School Union has done a great and blessed
work in the destitute parts of our country and is still doing
great work. All Evangelical Christian units in the work. Dr.
Paxson preached a fine sermon on the importance of religious
training of the children in this land. Mr. Sharpe took tea with
us.
Oct. 18, 1887.
I wrote to Mrs. Glenday's sister. She received a letter yesterday
from her enclosing some money. I wrote Mary Johns. Received
a letter from Mr. Borden saying that Mattie was some better
but it was a decided case of typhoid fever. We feel very uneasy.
May the Lord help us, he is our only refuge in every time of
trouble. I rode out to Mrs. Durfee's farm in afternoon. Wheat
fields look green, rain needed. The forest trees look beautiful
now in their gorgeous colors. Mrs. Glenday suffered a good deal
with pain in the paralyzed area last night. I wrote postals
to Fred and Mary Pearce. Mrs. Frayser called in forenoon. An
afternoon Mrs. Alderson and Mrs. Joice and daughter and Dr.
Johnson. I called at Mrs. Frayser's to see Maggie who has just
returned from a four-months trip to No. Carolina and Virginia.
Oct. 22, 1887.
Received letter from Mr. Borden in regard to Mattie's condition
is favorable, she knows she has typhoid fever. Received a Miami
University College paper containing a picture of her old president,
Dr. Bishop. Went to sociable at the college tonight.
Oct. 24, 1887. Postal for Mr. Borden, Mattie improving.
My wife and I rode down town and then called at Mrs. Ross' and
looked for a house for the Martin girls. I went to the depot
and met Mr. Howison and Mr. Stonebraker returning from Senate
at Palmyra. John Kennedy, colored, our church sexton died this
afternoon from protracted illness with dropsy and heart disease.
Received the engraving, Christ before Pilate, and letter from
Eleanor Martin.
Oct. 27, 1887.
Received letters from Annie Johns and Annie Gauss, all well.
I read a very interesting article on the Jews in the Southern
Presbyterian Review by Dr. A. W. Miller. He says the Jews are
taking the lead in all the nations into wealth, Education and
Politics. They are divided into classes, the Orthodox and the
Reformed. The latter are rationalistic and altheistic. He thinks
according to Scripture, they are to be converted to Christianity
and then through their instrumentality, the full of the Gentiles
will come in. They are to repossess Judea and Jerusalem and
to become a great and blessed people.
Oct. 28, 1887.
Received a postal from Mr. Borden -- Mattie improving. Rode
out to Lindenwood with a Miss Maggie Frayser and saw the new
addition. Cleaned the kitchen chimney and my Franklin stovepipe.
Oct. 30, 1887. Sabbath.
Mercury 23°. This cold dry weather is very severe on late
wheat and Timothy. Mr. Howison preached this a.m. on the duty
of a public profession of Christ. Young Edgar Chenoweth joined
a church on profession. His mother was a Miss Hatcher of Dardenne.
Nov. 1, 1887.
Shirley and I rode out to Mrs. Durfee's farm. Dierker is clearing
out ditches in the prairie field. The wheat is up but the ground
is excessively dry. Shirley has to take more medicine for his
liver.
Nov. 2, 1887.
This is the 40th anniversary of our wedding. We were married
40 years ago at Mrs. Durfee's house on her farm. Six young person
stood up with us at all her dad except James Gallagher and many
parts, Mrs. W. G. Clark. There was a large number of friends
and acquaintances present. How many events have occurred in
our family cents. We embrace a large family of children and
they have given us a great deal comfort. We have had sore bereavements.
Five of the dear ones have gone as we hope to the better land
-- Maggie and Blanche in infancy -- Johnny, dear little boy
at 10 years, Annie 16 and Glover, a noble young man. Our children
have been a great comfort to us. We have eight now living all
but one professing Christians -- only one the youngest, 14 years
old, with us. The Lord has been very kind to us. Miss Emma Cornforth
came at 10:00 AM and spent today. I took her home in afternoon,
called at Mrs. Ross' and got some ice cream. Looked at the Salveter
house (late Atkinson). He's building a fine establishment, has
a fine stable.
Nov. 4, 1887.
Received a letter from Mr. Borden, Mattie still improving. Shirley
Borden goes into business in iron and steelworks in Danville,
Pa. Mrs. Ross and Mrs. Wm Parks spent the afternoon. Shirley
went back to college today, he has been sick.
Nov. 6, 1887. Sabbath.
Will Morgan came unexpectedly last night at 7 o'clock. He had
been to Illinois and came by St. Louis to buy some landed in
Oregon County, Missouri. He looks well, though greyer. He expects
to sell out in Kansas. He left on the 9:30 train.
Nov. 8, 1887.
Great excitement about the condemned anarchists of Chicago who
are to be hung next Friday. Great pressure is brought to bear
on governor of Illinois to commute the sentence to imprisonment.
My wife and I called at Wm Parks' on Mrs. Clark and Mattie Rood.
We called at that McDearmon's and saw Mrs. William McDearmon
of Kansas City. Mrs. Howison, Pourie and Kramer called in p.m.
Nov. 10, 1887.
The Democrats carried New York and Virginia in the election
on the 8th. That about insures Cleveland's nomination and election
next year. I saw Col. Clayburgh of St. Louis this p.m. in town
he wants to be Governor of Missouri. Received a card from Mary.
Mrs. Theo, J. K. William and older Mrs. McDearmon called on
us this p.m. Mrs. Fielding and Madge Martin called. Four of
the Chicago Anarchists were hung today. The governor of Illinois
sent two to penitentiary for life. Rode out in afternoon to
my farm in the Marias Croche. Rhaker is walling his cedar with
brick.
Nov. 12, 1887.
George and Minnie came over last night for an hour. Minnie and
the children spent the day with us. They have fine health good-looking
boys. The papers are full of execution of the four anarchists
in Chicago. It is to be hoped that this will be a lesson to
the infernal crew, the enemies of mankind and all that is good
society.
Nov. 14, 1887.
Received a postal from Mr. Borden saying that Mattie still better
and one from Lizzie reports all well. Great crowds at the anarchists
funeral yesterday in Chicago, no disturbance but a great deal
of wicked diabolical talk and threats from them all over the
country -- should go slow now.
Nov. 15, 1887.
Wrote to Mattie. Met Dick Overall from Texas. He thinks the
cattle business will improve, great many cattle had died and
from the low price for several years, not so many raised. He
thinks a process has now been discovered by which dressed beef
can be shipped in cars to take place of ice, a great deal cheaper.
It is some process of Aqua Monia, by which the temperature of
a car or house can be kept a certain point just above freezing.
The Star of Bethlehem, very large and brilliant is visible in
the East between 4 and 6 o'cl a.m. It is said to be visible
only once in 300 years. Received a letter from Fred today. Wrote
a postal to Ellen Cowan. My wife and I called to see Minnie
and the children at McDearmon this afternoon.
Nov. 17, 1887.
My wife and I, Mr. and Mrs. Howison went down to see William
Parks and wife and James Dougherty's folks this morning. It
was a cold ride down facing a north wind. The roads very fine,
I hadn't been to that part of the prairie for 10 years. It is
a continuous lane with a house every half mile. We got back
to 5:00 p.m. Received a letter from Mr. Borden, Mattie still
improving, a postal from Mary Pearce saying she would come down
tomorrow. They have no church or Sunday school in the prairie
and they rarely come to town to church -- an unhappy state of
things. Mr. Parks has about 10,000 apple trees and almost an
entire failure this year of fruit and it is general over the
country.
Nov. 18, 1887.
Mary Pearce and Arthur and Katie came today. Minnie and children
came over in afternoon. George came on accommodation train and
after supper they went over to McDearmon's. We received letters
from Fred, little Mary Glenday and and Annie D. Gauss.
Nov. 21, 1887.
Saw older Mrs. Mathews at church and Mrs. Boyd of Jackson, Mississippi.
Very smoky, the whole country is covered with smoke from forest
fires in Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri. So smoky
that the sun looks like a ball of fire.
Nov. 22, 1887.
This is the day of election St. Louis for Public School Directors
to decide whether German shall be taught in the public school
any longer. The teaching German or any other foreign language
is an outrage. The public system was established to teach our
children the common rudimentary branches of an English education.
We received a letter from Mattie, the first she has written
since she was taken sick with typhoid fever nearly two months
ago.
Nov. 23rd, 1887.
Raining. What a blessing! Began raining about 3 o'clock this
morning, a good rain. What relief to the country that is burning
up and people in many places to have to haul water for miles
for themselves and their stock. Mary and children left on evening
training.
Nov. 24, 1887.
This is Thanksgiving day throughout the land. The nation and
the states recognize God and the Christian religion in this
public official way. The two Presbyterian churches and the Methodist
united in worshiping in our church (Madison Street). Dr. Irwin
preached the sermon. He dwelt on God's dealing with us as people
in giving such a broad rich land, free civil and religious institutions,
our schools and our Christian homes. Our only safety is in God
and our Bibles.
Nov. 27, 1887. Sabbath.
Mr. Howison preached a good sermon -- the Sabbath which was
made for man and its observance an absolute essential to preservation
of our civil and religious institutions. Robert Pourie called
and afternoon. Mrs. Salveter called in afternoon.
Nov. 30, 1887.
Received a letter from Arthur, all well, plenty rain and good
grass in Texas. I wrote a letter to Tom Pearce about his idle
and wicked life and a few lines to Mary Pierce. Mrs. Durfee
wrote a letter to Mattie.
Dec. 1, 1887.
Received a postal from Henry Gauss and a paper containing an
article by George B. Johnson on the Agricultural resources of
Southwestern Texas, around San Antonio. I wrote to Arthur. Called
it Mrs. Ross', Miss Charlotte Shaw sick. Ladies Sewing Society
met here today. Good deal of excitement in France, serious charges
against Wilon, President Grevy's son-in-law. Grevy talks of
resigning and the republic shaky.
Dec. 3, 1887.
Received letters from Lizzie and Mattie, all well -- Mattie
is going about house some. Saw Mr. D. K. Pittman today. He is
about 80 and very active.
p. 137
Dec. 4, 1887 Sabbath.
Mr. Howison preched on Civil Government -- ordained of God as
well as the family and the church and to be obeyed and sustained
by all Christian people. The French elected a new President
yesterday -- Carnot in place of Grevy resigned. The election
of Carnot has restored peace to France.
Dec. 6, 1887.
I called on Mrs. R. H. Parks in afternoon, she has been in bad
health for some months. President Cleveland's message in papers
today. It is a very able and wise paper -- devoted to the Teriff
exclusively. Its reduction absolutely neede to reduce the enormous
susplus in the Treasury. Mr. Lamar appointed Supreme Judge.
I took Mrs. Glenday out riding in afternoon. I wrote to Lizzie
Gauss.
Dec. 8, 1887.
Received letters from George and Ellen Cowan. Mrs. Durfee received
a letter from Virginia Gauss, Theodore and Mrs. Gauss had been
sick with Typoid Malaria. My wife and I called at Daisy Martin's
and Mrs. Ross in afternoon. Mrs. Alderson is sick. Mrs. Durfee
received a letter from Bettie (Alderson) Watkins. Had some cracks
filled in the walls of the house. Received letters today from
Mattie, Annie and a postal from Lizzie, all well. Wrote to Sis
Gauss.
Dec. 12, 1887.
The Jefferson Street Church took fire from the furnace yesterday
during service but was soon put out. Got a fresh cow and calf
today from Mr. Wm Hoffman, a present from Mrs. Durfee to my
wife. Killed my hogs today. Received a letter from Mary Pearce,
a postal from Arthur and a likeness of Dollie and the three
children.
Dec. 16, 1887.
Made sausage and lard. I wrote postal to George, Arthur and
Fred. I wrote to Hon. John M. Glover in answer to his. Wrote
postal to Mattie, wrote to Mary Pearce and sent her $5.00 for
Christmas. We went to an oyster supper given by Methodist at
Opera House last night. George and Minnie have gone to the city,
boarding at Baumont Flats. Received letter from Mattie with
some money for Shirley, Mary Pearce and Ellen Cowan for Christmas.
I wrote to Tom Johns and Mattie. Sent some Christmas present
to Fred's children by mail. Called on Mrs. Watson.
Dec. 19, 1887.
John Tanner and Miss Mollie Wells called in afternoon and Mrs.
Higerson with Mattie Salveter. St. Charles Bible Society meeting
tonight in Methodist Church. I called at Mrs. Ross after noon,
Miss Charlotte Shaw has been quite unwell for some time.
Dec. 20, 1887.
Last night a young man came and said his name was Ulysses Johns,
son of Calvit Johns of Denver, Colorado. He left home two months
ago to seek employment, came to Kansas City and then on to St.
Louis and finding none, came here.
Dec. 21, 1887.
Received letter from John M. Glover, N.C. and Shirley and letter
from Mattie. Went to Lindenwood in afternoon to the dedication
of the new chapel. Address by Reverends Nichols, Wilson and
Martin. Ulysses Johns left us thismorning for Mississippi. He
came here without money or clothes. He seems to be a good young
perhaps visionary. I gave him $15.00 and a suit of clothes and
an overcoat. Letter from Sis Gauss. Wrote to Lizzie and Nattie
and Ellen Cowan.
Dec. 24, 1887.
Eleanor Martin came in unexpectedly after dinner. We are exchanging
Christmas presents this evening and everybody is happy. Joy
to the World, The Lord is come.
Dec. 25, 1887. Sabbath.
Christmas Day. This day celebrates the most wonderful event
that ever occurred in this world and probably in the universe
-- the Birth of a Saviour for a lost world. It was announced
and celebrated by a convoy of Angels to the Shepherds on the
plains of Bethlehem. His birth, his life and his death and resurrection
have done more to influence the conduct and destiny of the human
race than all other events in human history. It has poured joy
and peace into the homes and hearts of millions for eighteen
centuries. How our hearts should swell with joy and gratitude.
Dec. 26, 1887.
This day is observed as Christmas holiday. Letters today from
George, Minnie and a postal from Arthur. Called at Mrs. Ross',
Miss Charlotte Shaw has been confined to the house for many
weeks. Received letter from Calvit Johns of Denver, Colorado.
Dec. 29, 1887.
Wrote to Arthur. we expect some friends to supper today. Received
letter from Mattie. Governor Marmaduke died last night.
Dec. 30, 1887.
Mr. and Mrs. Howison, Mrs. Ross and Miss C. Shaw, Eleanor, Daisy
and Aphra Martin and Mrs. Wm Parks took tea with us lat night.
George came up on early train. I got a postal today from Lys
Johns on his way south.
Dec. 31, 1887.
Received a letter from Mary Pearce. We are now in the last hours
of 1887. As a family we have been greatly favored. We have a
happy home where peace and concord reign and while we have many
things to lament in our lives as Christians we rejoice in the
precious hopes of the gospel throught our Lord Jesus Christ
through the influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I desire
to be deeply thankful to my Heavenly Father for all these blessings
and I humbly confess my sins and implore His Blessings upon
us in the future. Amen.
More on:
French Politics of the time
http://gallery.sjsu.edu/paris/politics/ThirdEmpire00.htm
François Paul Jules Grévy
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francois_Paul_Jules_Grevy
Marie François Sadi Carnot
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Fran%E7ois_Sadi_Carnot
Ulysses Johns (maybe)
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/oh/oh-footsteps/2002/apr/v02-088.txt
Calvit Johns
http://www.researchonline.net/mscw/index/index89.htm
Notes:
- JJJ is my short-cut for my great great grandfather, John
Jay Johns, who kept this journal for more than 40 years (18??
to 1899). He lived in St. Charles, Missouri.
- Thanks to Skip & Winston Johns, there are now photos
of some of these folks on my web site. Look for "The
Virginia Stash".
- Mary Pearce was JJJ's daughter. Her husband was Tom Pearce.
- Mary Johns was the wife (widow at this time) of JJJ's brother,
Alfred Johns. Alf was probably Alfred Johns, Jr., her son.
- Fred was JJJ's son.
- Mrs. Durfee was JJJ's mother-in-law, mother of his wife,
Jane Amanda Durfee. Mr. Durfee was Thomas Russell Durfee,
a Presbyterian minister from Massachusetts.
- Louisa Morgan was JJJ's daughter from his first marriage
to Catherine Woodruff.
- On the Missouri Central Railroad :
http://members.tripod.com/mo_central_rail/history.html
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/features/timeline/riseind/railroad/cmp.html
- On "The Chicago Five" :
http://www.chipublib.org/004chicago/disasters/haymarket5photo.html
http://www.chicagohs.org/hadc/chronology.html
http://www.chicagohistory.org/dramas/
-
French Politics of the time
http://gallery.sjsu.edu/paris/politics/ThirdEmpire00.htm
-
François Paul Jules Grévy
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francois_Paul_Jules_Grevy
-
Marie François Sadi Carnot
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Fran%E7ois_Sadi_Carnot
-
Ulysses Johns (maybe)
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/oh/oh-footsteps/2002/apr/v02-088.txt
- Calvit Johns
http://www.researchonline.net/mscw/index/index89.htm
Home
