Monday April 26, 1880
Dupont Street - Collins Center, New York
Miss Smith and Libbie came up here. Mattie came in and stayed a few minutes too - not on hundredth part as long I wanted to see her though.
Editor's Note: Mapleside Farm is a gathering place and a wide spectrum of people are often dropping by unexpectedly. There are several reasons for this: First of all, Leila is a teacher at the local schoolhouse and as such, she touches the lives of many of the community families and parents want to discuss their children with her. Second, Mapleside Farm is sizable and employs seasonal workers. People drop in looking for work or looking for short term help on their own farms. Third, Leila's father (AKA "Pa" or "John E. Randall") is not only a lay preacher and elder of one of the local church's, but he was the resident "veterinarian" and was known to have extraordinary healing skills with animals of all kinds. You will see later by Leila's accounts that Pa was even called away from time to time to tend to farm injuries to humans when a proper doctor could not be found. Of course the most basic reason is that there were no telephones in town (the telephone had been invented just three year before). If you wanted to visit a friend, you sent a letter to announce yourself or you just dropped by!
Tuesday April 27 1880
This morning while I was fixing the fire ( and by the way I had a fearful time with it ) someone came to the door looking for work and without knocking he opened the door and came in! He was deaf and dumb, was well educated from what I could tell and very nice looking with black curly hair. He came before school called and stayed till about ten o'clock. Then he went up to the Cook's house. Mrs. Cook came down at noon to see about the fellow that was here last Wednesday, Joseph Mow.
Saturday May 8, 1880
Albert Mackmer and his mother were at our house. Carl (Carl is Leila's older 22 year old brother) and Nell (Nell is Leila's younger 17 year old sister AKA Ella) went to the Center in the evening. Mrs. Herms is very sick.
Sunday May 9, 1880
Went to Church - Miss Smith came up a few minutes, she will be going to Buffalo this Sunday. Uncle Curtis and family were up. Very heavy rain just at night.
Monday May 10, 1880
Mrs. Herms died at 12 o'clock. Uncle Curtis (Uncle Curtis is Pa's Step Brother, Curtis Ingalls Bates, age 36 and a merchant) and family (Aunt Calista Eliza Bates - Briggs age 34 and children Alton Curtis, John Taylor, Mary Eliza and Ethel Calista) went home.
Tuesday May 11, 1880
Pa, Ma, me and the children went to school and passed by Mrs. Herm's house. We went in to see her body and pay our respects. Ma and Pa went to Aunt Helen's. At recess Caleb Knight came by and I went out to see him. I am afraid I saw him for the last time! He goes home tomorrow. Ida Andrews was here all day. Allen Dalahoy came after recess, walked home with me and stayed for supper. At noon I had a swing put up in the orchard for my children at the school. Mr. Grimm put it up. The school children had a grand time with the swing.
Wednesday May 12, 1880
I went home with Eddie Russell. Then I went out to the barn to help them milk. Eddie and Harrie and I played with the doves that they keep and then we fixed up the horses and took them over to the factory. We went to the factory with Casper Russell. Next morning Casper got the cream ponies out and he and I went riding. We went to the factory, then down to Mr. Vail's place. We got them so they would canter nicely. I was thrown off once though! I wasn't hurt very much.
Thursday May 13, 1880
This is the last day of the 10th week of my school session. How fast time flies. An awful thunder-storm is coming this evening. I can hear it in the distance. Mrs. Ida A. is here again today. Mrs. Cook went and had Joe Moor take down the swing. There was worry that one of the children would be hurt. So the swing is done with.
Friday May 14, 1880
Pa has gone with Herbert to find a horse that ran away. Aunt Lucy and Mira went with him. Carl came after me at night with Mag (Mag is one of their cherished horses. Mag is like one of the family) and the buggy when we got home. Carl and I went for a ride in the woods. Miss Bartlett's school closed today because of sickness. So much sickness in the school that there not many scholars in my school now. Today there are only 12!
Wednesday May 19, 1880
Had a thunderstorm. It has rained almost every day for some time now. M. went by today and he never looked toward the house! (Leila has some romantic interests and hope for marriage one day. She spoke of it often. From what we know M. and Leila had a mis-understanding of some kind that ended any future hopes of romance.)
Sunday May 16, 1880
There are such odd sorts of persons that have come here this morning. Andrew Yohan was here. He came before school and staid till noon. Farther on in our conversation, I decided that he must be crazy by the way he talked to Mrs. Cook.
Monday May 24, 1880
Mr. Norman Cook raised his barn today. When it was ready, they sent me word and I went up with all my school children to see the work that had been done. Will Beverly, Lemmie Russell and Fred Stage were all there too.
Tuesday May 25, 1880
Pa and Ma went to the Center. Pa went to the school meeting to see about the new house in town. It looks like they are going to build a new school house. Messrs W. A Johnson, C. J. Bates and M. Beverly are the trustees of the school board..
Wednesday May 26, 1880
This morning an officer came to take John Redfoot for stealing. They came over to our house and Pa went to Gowanda with them to be of some support to Mr. Redfoot since he is a good friend and does work for us on the farm. Mr. Redfoot's trouble was about some bed springs that didn't belong to him.
Friday May 28, 1880
Went to Mr. Crampton's and stayed all night (Leila's school is some distance from home. If she is there late or the weather is bad and Pa is not able to pick her up, there are neighbor's close to the school that will take her in for the night.).
Monday May 31, 1880
Mr. John Knight was buried. Bro. Burgess preached after the funeral. He and his wife came to our house to supper. Carl, Ella and I went to the factory where Carl put the cans of milk off and Miss P. (The woman working at the milk factory at this time) got on and we started off with nothing but boxes for seats in the wagon. We met Lillie C. along the way so we got another box and she went with us too! We went to Mr. Paxson's to see his bees.
Tuesday June 1, 1880
Can it be possible that this is the 2nd day of the 7th week of my school? Last night someone came in the school house and left the most beautiful bouquet I ever saw. Oh! it was lovely. I have found out who it was, it was Henry Colvin. He took out a window light and raised the window. His mother told me! Today, I have 19 scholars.
Wednesday June 2, 1880
Yesterday Pa drove old Kate (Kate is one of their other esteemed horses. Kate is also like one of the family) for the first time with the new colt, when he came after me at school. Today he and Ella went to Uncle Ezra's with Kate and the colt. I have but 11 scholars today. There are 25 on the roll. It is very cold. I have to have a fire in the schoolhouse stove all the time!
Sunday June 6, 1880
Mrs. Knapp died today. Uncle Curt and Aunt Calista (Bates). were at our house for a visit.
Monday June 7, 1880
I was sick and could not teach school. Mr. Caleb Knight, Mother's cousin from Kansas was at our house, then I was glad that I was sick for had it not been for that I should not have seen him at all. We had a splendid visit. I sent some sugar cakes to his girls.
Tuesday June 8, 1880
Ma, Pa and I went to the Center after school. I stopped at Miss B. Bartlett's school a few minutes.
Saturday June 12, 1880
Carl and I went to the Center. Carl bought some new work clothes.
Sunday June 13, 1880
Went to church. Nell (Leila's younger sister) stayed at Aunt Calista Bates then she and Carl went to the Center and then on to Gowanda to church. They plan to stay all night at Fred Hepfinger's. I went riding with A. D. ( Another one of Leila's romantic interests. Pa did not approve of this one. ) Pa did not like it after he thought it over. But I don't think it did any harm at all.
Wednesday June 16, 1880
Yesterday Mr. Cook's people went away and wanted I should stay with Hellen over night. Charley Colvin was in the evening. He was going to Vermont in abut two weeks. Hellen and I played and swung. Miss Patradge went home with me and then she and Ella and I went to the factory. Pearle P. emptied the milk and called us "children". The three of us laughed about this later.
Thursday June 17, 1880
Today Misses Pike, Ella Mackmer and Nell visited my school. Mr. Nuces horse ran away and hurt three women. Hellen got kicked upon the knee.
Saturday June 12, 1880
Carl and I went to the Center. Carl bought some new work clothes.
Saturday July 3, 1880
Last night Pa and I went to see the trustee of the school. We have concluded to have a vacation of two or three weeks. I am to keep Monday to make up a lost day.
Monday July 5, 1880
Have been down to see Mrs. Colvin. she will take care of my plants (in the school house) during vacation. Gusta K. went back to Mr. Crampon's this morning. She has been sick. Sat. night we celebrated the 4th. We had two old saws for drums and a lot of paper caps with little pistols. We rattled an clattered all the time. Carl was gone to take the milk to the factory and when he came home he brought C. and F. Redfoot and Howard Potter. They fired a gun a while then set an old brush heap on fire. It took till 11 o'clock in the evening to burn it!
Tuesday July 6, 1880
I washed most all day. Mr. Blakely is to work here. We had our first mess of green peas of the season for dinner!
Saturday July 7, 1880
Washed again today. Mr. Mercer drove in with his big horse.
Wednesday July 8, 1880
Eliza Knight came early this morning. Our men worked at Aunt Maria's haying. Rained very heavy in the afternoon. The men came home and mowed some here at home. I mowed while they were milking. The first mowing that I have done this year.
Friday July 9, 1880
Mrs. Harris came and ironed. She had five shirts, sixteen cuffs and twenty handkerchiefs and about forty collars and other things accordingly.
Saturday July 10, 1880
It is 8 o'clock. The boys and I did the milking and Pa went to Morton's Corners to trade horse rakes. He traded a wooden tooth sulky for an iron sulky. The men are going to work at the Center in haying and Ma is going along. She is making me a light calico dress. Nell has one like it already. Mr. Blakely went home yesterday morning. Nell and I and the children were alone today. Mrs. Harris told our fortune last night in a tea cup and we talked it all over this morning. She said I was to have a ring and an offer and a ride in a short time. She said that someone was watching me and that...........Oh! I don't know what all!!!!!! About noon Amy marched into the veranda and took us all by surprise. Our people came real late. Charley W and Alton Bates (son of Uncle Curt and Aunt Calista Bates) and Annie Potter (Leila's cousin) were with them.
Sunday July 11, 1880
They stayed all night. Amy and Ann went to the meeting with me. Amy intended to go back college this fall. Arthur Davies was at the at the Center Friday morning. Uncle Curt was up for a little while to visit. Amy went home with them. Elwin Bartlett came to church and brought his little girl.
Monday July 12, 1880
Charley is here. I have done a big washing and cleaned my room. Charley raked with the new wheel rake. We picked a mess of peas.
Tuesday July 13, 1880
Carl and Mr. B. Cradled the wheat and I washed the milk cans. Brother Burgess came and brought Millie (Millie Burgess is Brother Burgess 21 year old daughter) up. I raked some.
Wednesday July 14, 1880
I did the ironing and Nell baked and got dinner, after dinner I raked some more. The colt did not like it so he would bite at the horse and kick at everyone that came along. Charley went home but came back again. He is having a great time.
Thursday July 15, 1880
Mr. Washburn came here last night about 11 or 12 o'clock in search of his horse that ran away. This morning he came after Pa to go and sew up a wound that the horse had on his chest. Charley and Curtis (Curtis is Leila's 14 year old brother, John Curtis Randall) went to the Factory and we sent word by them to bring Emma Beverly, who is visiting to her Grandpa's, home with them (which they did to our great surprise and gratification!). She staid till milk time at night. Before dinner we girls went out and sat on the hay and talked. After dinner Emma and I went to see Lovina. We staid until nearly supper time. Then we came home through the meadow and we each picked a bouquet of wild flowers and grasses. I sent mine to her mother. After milking, Emma, Maud, Ella and I went to the Factory. We got there just before Mr. Beverly. On our way back home, we got as far as the grave-yard and there were Curtis and Charley. They had a high time coming home. Mr. Russell was here this morning. He says that he is trying to hire another teacher. I hope he will succeed!
Friday July 16, 1880
This morning I was sick so I got up and helped milk the cows. Then I ate breakfast, I went back to bed and now it is about two o'clock in the afternoon and I have just got up again!
Saturday July 17, 1880
Our folks got all the wheat in yesterday afternoon. I milked twelve cows and carried the milk. This morning I got up, ate breakfast, washed the cans and pails and went to bed since I am still not feeling well. I think Pa will go and carry me up to see Amy about Friday. He said that is if everything was all right he would. Oh, what hen scratchy writing this is in my diary! Well, I have written it all in a hurry and I know what it means. Anyone else hasn't any business with it anyway so there! Who ever you are that has it now, (and I mean you!) I better not catch you with my book! Pa had Viole's boys hoe on his potatoes. They have got all the hay down on the Rush Farm now. I went to sleep again. I have just woken up but I don't know what time it is. I must go down stairs as I want Ma to fix my night sack. When I got down I found that dinner was not ready. Carl went to the Center. Charles thought he would stay until Sunday. The children went to the factory and when they got home we played the game of Proverbs.
Sunday July 18, 1880
Pa wanted one of us to go on the Hill with him so I got ready in about fifteen minutes and went. He said it would not rain and we did not take anything for it. When we got down to S. Philips we had to stop. I went in the house, he staid in the barn. S. was mowing with the machine, so was Gothra. C. Russell was drawing in. There was only a few out at church since there was so much work to be done in the fields today. Jennie does not come anymore. She went to the dance on the 4th. Charlie and Maud went home. We saw R. Grimm. He said George fell down the stairs and that was the reason he did not come over last week. He is well now and he is coming over this week.
Monday July 19, 1880
Nell washed and I did the work. We had a roast for dinner. Mr. Haskins drove with the ponies. Our folks are peeling bark off logs. Had an awful thunder shower. Our folks came home as wet as could be.
Tuesday July 20, 1880
Nell baked and washed enough dishes to put on the table and got dinner. Ma and I did the milk house work and washed the cans and pails. I helped about the house after dinner. I washed a stack of dishes and Nell wiped. Pa went up to see Mr. Russell about school. He is going to have Miss Ella Spring as a teacher. I think she will be very good!
Wednesday July 21, 1880
This morning Mr. Washburn came after Pa to go and see that horse again. It is some better now. I had to help milk, then I went to the Factory to deliver the milk. Nell and I have cleaned the chambers. Allen Pierce came along on his way to the Mt. Pleasant graveyard and stopped to talk a long time. He said that N. Cook had a dance in his new barn last night.
Thursday July 22, 1880
Carl and Mr. B. cut some of the oats this morning. Nell and I went over to Mr. Tracy Burnap's (Tracy Burnap would be 70 years old at this time and died in 1889 according to cemetery records.) after dinner. Mrs. Burnap (Julia A. Burnap-Irish who would have been 65 years old and died in 1903 at age 88 according to cemetery records) played on the organ and Bennie on the violin. Then we had to play and sing for them. Bennie looks so much like Brumley but I hope he is not so cruel as Brumley when he grows up! Perhaps Brumley thinks that I was to blame and maybe that certain others have more reason to think that I am cruel because of what happened. Well Brumley has gone west to work on his farms now. So, I will "let bye-gones be bye-gones" and say no more about it this time. We staid to dinner and supper. Coming home we met Mr. Arthur Wilber and his wife. This is the first time we had a chance to meet her.
Friday July 23, 1880
Pa is very busy in the hay field and so I will not be able to see Amy today as I expected. I am afraid I can not go at all! School is to begin in a short time and there is to be another Institute at White's Corners next week and I want to go there if I can. This morning I went to the factory with Kate and left the colt at home. We got the dinner ready and I went up with it into the Beaver Meadow on the rake to take dinner to our folks. Then I came home across and got some nice wild flowers. We collared ( put a ribbon around the bouquet of wild flowers and grasses) some wild flowers and grasses today and they are handsome. We had a very heavy rain today.
Saturday July 24, 1880
Went to the factory again this morning, then went up with the men's dinner to the hay field early and helped rake. Went over to Mr. Abbey's to get some water for the men. Later I stopped by Mr. Washburn's to see the sick horse. Our folks have finished the meadow work today. Ma got three baskets from an Indian woman.
Monday July 26, 1880
Yesterday morning Pa and I went to the Hill to Meeting and I had the little class. We saw Mr. Cain, the one Ma thinks is so nice. After meeting we went to Mr. S. Lindsley's to eat supper. Mr. Lindsley is quite sick. They have a cute little baby. After supper it rained real hard though it was as clear as a bell in the morning. We started for home when it stopped raining. We went a new way by where Pa lived when he was a boy. When we got home Carl was getting read to go somewhere. I asked if I could go and he said yes, so I combed my hair and went! Uncle Curt and Aunt Calista came just before we got away. They had their new colt and it is easy to see that she looks just like Tammy's colt. We went by the school house and I got out on the corner and Carl went and changed our buggy (without a top) for Mr. Redfoot's (When the Randall children started to go to the Scrabble Hill School House, Mr. Redfoot and Pa built a barn across from the school to keep a spare buggy and to provide protection for the neighbors when transporting children to and from school in case of bad weather.) top buggy in the barn. We went to Gowanda, put the horse in Mr. Hepfinger's barn and as Carrie (Carrie and Carl are to be married in April 1881) had gone to church, we went up also. Brother Fell preached a very good but very long sermon. Just before the close Charlie came in to ring the church bells as Fred was gone to the west on business. After church we went back to Carrie's. The old folks went to bed so there was only Charles and Carrie and Carl and I. We had a great time. About 12 o'clock midnight Carl commenced to talk about going home and Charley and Carrie said he could not go. We shut Carl and Carrie out of doors but they broke in again. About half past 12, Carl got the horse out and I went to get in when Lo and Behold!, Carrie stepped in ahead of me and off they drove. Charley and I went back into the house and had a good long visit of one hour and a half. When Carl and Carrie came back, we started for home at 2 o'clock, it was getting day light when we got home. We went to bed. I did not get up till after breakfast. Nell washed in the forenoon. Then she and Pa and Ma went to the Center and did not get home till after dark.
Tuesday July 27, 1880
It rained so Pa and Ma and Edna (Edna is Leila's 6 year old sister) went up to Jake Mackmer's. Aunt Calista, her mother and the children came up as our people were gone, they went right back. At night Nell, Carl and I went up to get my school roll and plants.
Wednesday July 28, 1880
Pa went to mow for Mr. Abbey, he is talking of trading land with him and then building a house in the Beaver Meadow. Uncle Ezra Nichols (At this time Ezra is 85 years old.) and Aunt Maria came. I have straightened out my school register and expect to take it to the Center in the morning.
Thursday July 29, 1880
Nell and I went to Aunt Hellen's, She had gone black-berrying, so we staid till after dinner then came to the Center the south way, when we were most of the way to Uncle Ezra's coming with a scythe on his shoulder (Not bad for 85!). He said he must wash up a little before he could visit with us. We went to the store and Herbert hitched the horse in the yard. I got some shoes, then we went into the house, had a great time looking at the pictures from Chili. In the midst of the fun Charley came in and said, at the same time throwing his arms around me to hold me in the chair " Your old horse Kate has lain down in the thills." Well, I just jumped up preparatory to running when he told me that he had taken her off in a little time we went to unhitch her and she laid down again, we got her home and she was so bad that she was all cold and had the shakes. Pa gave her about 10-12 quarts of milk and molasses and she got better.
Friday July 30, 1880
Kate is all right, only she looks as if she had been "off on a drinking spree". Pa and the boys went to help Tracy Burnap cut his oats so I can't go to Amy's today either. Oh, dear! When can I go to see her?? It has been nice pleasant weather for these days. Pa and Ma have gone to the factory and are to stop to Mrs. Potters when they come back. Well, I must stop as I can see no longer, it is getting so dark.
Saturday July 31, 1880
Pa and Ma went to the Center. They planned on coming right back but finding Cousin Janette Nichols at Aunt Lucy's, they staid longer.. Tommie Slocomb came in the afternoon while I was milking. He told me something of his Chili affairs. This is Nell's Birthday! She is eighteen! Carl and Tommie went to the Center this evening.
Sunday August 1, 1880
Tommie and I went to the Hill and Pa went to Collins Center. After the church meeting, we went to Daniel Irish's for supper. We had a real time singing and playing. Coming home he told me all about Chili and just how he came to go and see Mary and the "other thing" that I should have thought he would not have told me at all.
Monday August 2, 1880
This was one busy day! Uncle Ezra and Jeanette came real early for it was raining. Then Aunt Calista and her Mother and the children came later. Uncle Ezra was sick so they did not stay very late. Brother Mosier died this morning. Pa and Ma went there this evening. They asked for Carl and I to come and sit up tomorrow night (with Brother Mosier). School commences tomorrow. Miss Julia Wells is to teach.
Tuesday August 3, 1880
Went to school with Edna and Fay. All the rest except Nell went after black berries.
Wednesday August 4, 1880
Last night Charley and Lovina Redfoot went with Carl and I to sit up with Brother Mosier. It was not so hard as I had thought it would be since Carl did all that was to done with him. We had four rocking chairs and two lounges bit did not sleep much. Got home at six in the morning. I slept till eight and then went to school. Father and Mother and Nell went to the funeral. Brother and Sister Burgess and Brother and Sister Inman and Aunt Mariah came here for supper.
Thursday August 5, 1880
Our people went black berrying. Ma and Nell wore men's clothes to keep from getting all scratched up by the brambles. On the way home from school at night we stopped to see the reaper run at Mr. Redfoot's and Pa let me drive it around the field once. When I got home, Jennie Clark, Mattie C. and Minnie Parkinson were here. Mattie helped us milk. Mr. R. Grimm came with Carl. After milking we had a "sing". Charley R. rode up to the parlor door to hear us and say hello.
Friday August 6, 1880
Men worked at Mr. R's. and then Carl used the reaper on our oats till dark.
Saturday August 7, 1880
Mother and the boys went berrying.
Sunday August 8, 1880
Brother Steele came and went to the Hill with Pa so I went to Collins Center. Charley Pike came for Nell to go to Gowanda. George and Jennie are going too. Why does she go with George? She says she don't care for him. But talk is cheap. Charley R. Came for the wagon, they are going to their Uncle's.
Monday August 9, 1880
I am not going to school any more. It does not pay for me to spend my time and strength in so small a school. Carl and I went to the Center. Myra has been to Buffalo. She got a new picture album so I looked at the Chili picture all over again.
Tuesday August 10, 1880
Nell washed and I did the work and Mother worked on Nell's new black cashmere dress. Brother Burgess and Millie stopped to dinner on their way to Dansville after Nettie. I took Blaze's wagon home and rode old Kate back. Nell and I went to the cheese factory. George Briggs's child and Mr. Gaylord were buried.
Wednesday August 11, 1880
George Pierce has run away! He said he would kill his wife and children! Thaddeus Constantine Sybiski Blakely was here to supper. He and Carl cut a tree with bees. Got honey enough to eat for some time.
Thursday August 12, 1880
I went to the cheese factory. The men topped out the stacks of oats in the Beaver Meadow. Nell has been cooking for the camp meeting.
Friday August 13, 1880
Father and mother went to Aunt Hellen's (Believed to be Hellen Ferris-Potter, Ma's Sister.). She and Uncle had gone to see Ida (Believed to be Ida J. Randall - Catlin of Angola, NY, daughter of Caleb J. Randall. Caleb was Pa's first cousin ) so they drove down there. Uncle John Knight (Believed to be the brother of Ma's Mother, Ruth Knight-Ferris, so this was Leila's Great Uncle. ) was not home.
Saturday August 14, 1880
Pa, Ma, Nell and Will went to Gowanda to camp meeting.
Monday August 16, 1880
Yesterday morning Carl and I went to camp meeting. Amy and Emma Walston was there and most all of Collins Center. Mrs. Wood, Mary Johnson and Mrs. Hicks were baptized. We went to Carrie's to supper and then staid all night there. Got Fred's picture and a promise of Charlie's. Went to bed at twelve and talked about two hours. This morning we went up to the Glenn. When we started for home we drove up to the Foundry where Charles is at work. We made arrangements with him to go to Fair Point one week from next Thursday. But when we got home, Ma said I could not go with Charley H., so that ends that matter! I don't see why it need always be that way!
Wednesday August 18, 1880
Getting ready for the Camp Meeting. Carl waited till so late before he said he would not go that Ma can not get ready so I am going instead of her. Carl went after Mira. About 11 o'clock Brother Burgess and family and Brother Lamberts came.
Thursday August 19, 1880
Brother Burgess started for the Camp Meeting at 7 and we at 8 in the morning. We took luncheon on the road and got there about one or two. Carl staid to help get the tent up then he started back for home. It rained very hard. Brother Barrett preached late but we went to bed. There are five of us.
Friday August 20, 1880
Sister Manning and Will, came and were at our tent for dinner. It was rainy all day.
Saturday August 21, 1880
Sister Manning and Will, and Sister Kelley, Grace and Brother McAlpine's two children staid here last night. Today Mr. Kendall Freeland came and is to stay in our tent nights. Sister Manning and Will are to stay too. I have drank so much water that it has made me sick.
Sunday August 22, 1880
There was a real crowd last night and if can be, there is more today! George and Albert came this morning, ate dinner with us. Nellie B. fell and laid two hours.
Monday August 23, 1880
Brother Manning came. George and Albert went. Albert got home sick, he could not stay. Five or six preachers came on tonight.
Tuesday August 24, 1880
The Marshfield people went home today. They are going to Forestville. About sunset, Nell and I asked Will to go up to the road with us. We went a ways and he said he'd go get the team if we would wait. we rode about ten miles. We sang as we rode along. It was a pleasant evening over-head be we had lightening all around us. Will reminds me of Herbert D. and looks like him too.
Wednesday August 25, 1880
Carl came this morning about one o'clock but it was still before we went to sleep. This was Mr. Freeland's birthday. He was 20. His Sister Mattie and Myra each gave him a thrashing. We had quite a high time in the tent this day, although we did not do anything bad. It was so rainy and cold all day that I did not go out until night. They had a meeting in the tent. Brother Merette preached. Emma Sarle fell and laid about 6 hours. Brother Manning went at noon. After tea, Pa and I went to the train with Will and his mother. Will wanted to stay so bad he said he would cry if he were younger.
Thursday August 26, 1880
Last night the meeting broke up. The preachers marched around twice. We girls were next to them and Brother Burgess sent us up in the stand to sing. We were there about 1 1/2 hours. Brother green fell and Brother Metcalf got very happy and so did others. Some of the crowd shouted right near the stand. There were one pair of eyes there that I think I shall not forget. They were under a black hat that was on one side and he kept in front of the crowd and looked so honest. There was one man there that was six feet and eleven inches. Carl looked like a boy beside of him. We started for home about eight o'clock this morning and got home between one and two. Brother Burgess and family came to supper. Myra staid all night.
Friday August 27, 1880
Pa went to draw cheese. Myra went home. Ma went to the Center and got my black dress and herself a new dark gray one. Nell and I were both sick but we had to get Carl and Will ready for Forestville.
Saturday August 28, 1880
The boys left for Forestville at 4 o'clock.
Sunday August 29, 1880
Pa and Nell went to the Hill. Mr. Newell is very sick. He has inflammation of the brain. It was quite rainy all day.
Monday August 30, 1880
Pa went this morning early to see if I could get a room at Aunt Maria's and go to school there. He found her quite sick. She said I might have the room. I have a very hard cold. School commenced today.
Tuesday August 31, 1880
Boys came last night. G Steele came with them. I was not well enough to go to school. Pa and Ma went to see how Aunt was. They found her no better. Uncle John Knight came after dinner.
Wednesday September 1, 1880
I was in the bed till nine then Pa wanted me to go to Aunt's! I went but, it tired me so I did not get over it till next day. Aunt is no better at least not much anyway. Drove Kate without the colt.
Thursday September 2, 1880
Felt some better and went to Aunt's again. Went by the school and stopped to see Mrs. Colvin about peaches. She says Mrs. Cook don't like the new teacher. She says Charley is enjoying himself hugely in Vermont and this is his twenty third birthday. His sisters are to make him a party. Uncle John went home this morning. Carl thrashed for Mr. Tanner in the evening. Mr. Newel is a little better. Emmy Potter died last night. She was sick scarcely one week!
Friday September 3, 1880
Am much better. Ma and Curt went after the peaches this morning. They got two bushels for $2. Ma and I peeled all the forenoon. Carl is thrashing at Tanner's. Ma and Curt have gone to the Center. Curt is to stay till Sunday. There! Now I am up with the time though I have had to guess at some of it. I have given up going to school. Carl is going to Buffalo next Tuesday and I was going with him but can't now as I have not time to get ready. Oh how I wish I could go! It seems as if I could not give it up!
Saturday September 4, 1880
Carl trashed at Tanner's till noon. Will is at Blasses. We finished putting (Canning) up peaches.
Sunday September 5, 1880
Pa went to the Center, Ma went to stay with Aunt. Pa said they saved fifty dollars for Brother Burgess. Carl is fixing to start in the morning.
Monday September 6, 1880
Ma took Carl to the Center at six. Brought Mrs. Bruce to se Aunt. She got home about 11. Aunt Hellen Came directly after in search of a man to help her get in the wheat. In the evening Henry Came and brought the teacher over. They staid the evening. Horace Pike was here in the afternoon to trade for the old mare.
Tuesday September 7, 1880
I washed dishes two hours steady in the morning then went to see Aunt. Ate dinner with Hiram. Went to the Center, got Ma's hair dressing. Went over to buy some whisky and had a talk with Johnny. He was very interesting. Got an invitation to Nettie Burgess wedding.
Wednesday September 8, 1880
Pa has gone to the Center to have the horses shod. We are to go to the wedding this evening if nothing happens. Will is thrashing at Mr. Redfoot's. I must go now and peel some tomatoes to put in the jugs. I thought of Johnny yesterday.
Thursday September 9, 1880
Well, Aunt Betsey Stephenson came yesterday so my jugs did not get filled but I have filled them today. We went to the wedding last night. They waited for us a long time. Myra took a set of tea spoons, a napkin-ring for the Bridegroom and a clock. Carrie and Fred gave a lamp, set of goblets and a glass pitcher. Then there were other dozen knives, and table spoons, 2 doz. sauce dishes, a sugar bowl, milk pitcher, a spoon holder and a tidy pair of vases from Emmie Scerles and some other things. ( a very nice painting by Willie ). Brother Burgess performed the ceremony. The guests were the Metcalf's, Sis Juliet and Willett, Mr. Zimmerman and wife, A. Pinckney and wife, Mame Henry, Fred and Carrie, Mill Scerles, Ella Corliss and two other ladies who came with Bro. Buckley and Myra, Ella, Will and I. The Bride was dressed in light gray. For tea there was biscuit and butter, pickles, cheese, pressed chicken (the best that was ever made!) cold tongue and five or six kinds of cake, and what Mary called "Young Pies". We also had a little music. We went to the center this morning - got Mrs. Frisk to work for Aunt Mariah.
Friday September 10, 1880
Pa took Aunt Betsey up to Mr. Russell's. Ma went to see if Carl had come. Found him at the Center. Aunt had a bad spell yesterday. Carl brought the cup and saucer Mrs. Dusenbery gave me.
Saturday September 11, 1880
Pa and Nell went to the Center. Miss Wells had a picnic today in the Clark Grove. We did not go. I think Carl is to stay at home today. We are talking of having a change in the program. Carl and I are to run the farm and the rest are to live at Aunt Mariah's. This of course is all talk, but I am in hopes it will be a reality.
Monday September 13, 1880
Yesterday Pa was sick, so he staid at home. We children went to hear Brother Burgess last sermon for the year. Uncle Curt and family came and staid all night. He and Pa had quite a discussion on political matters and whiskey. Carl went to see Carrie and got home as we were getting up. Breakfast is ready....so good bye. Myra and Charley can not go to Oberlin.
Tuesday September 14, 1880
I went to see Aunt Mariah, she is better. Carrie Holton and Aggie Reynolds were there. Mr. Newel is worse. I went to the Center. I took a ride to the office to see Carrie.
Wednesday September 15, 1880
Ma and pa went to Aunt Hellen's. Ma went to sew on her machine. Pa went to the Hill and Gowanda to see about a top buggy. He is not to buy one now. Mrs. Liddy Pierce was here and says G. Pierce has come home. His wife went after him last night. Miss Wells rode one of Mr. Russell's horses down here. Boys cut the buck-wheat.
Thursday September 16, 1880
Pa went up to Mr. Cook's, says he wants to be trustee and have Miss Bartlett teach this winter.
Friday September 17, 1880
Ma and Pa went to the Center. Got two large baskets of tomatoes. Mr. and Mrs. Warren Tanner called here.
Saturday September 18, 1880
I washed and did up six fine shirts, ten pair of cuffs, thirteen collars and twenty-eight handkerchiefs. Carl and Nell went to the Center. Brother Irons and children were here to tea. Father Reddy is here to stay all night. Nell saw Miss Fred and she wants me to come up while our people are gone.
Sunday September 19, 1880
Went to church. Father Reddy preached. Aunt Mariah did not know him!
Monday September 20, 1880
Pa and Ma started for the Conference this morning. They are going to stay all night at Harlow Nichols. Father Reddy is still here, he gave me his photograph. Herbert W. drove into the yard for a minute. Aunt Lucy is better and is thinking of coming home before long.
Tuesday September 21, 1880
Brother Reddy went this morning, It is very cold.
Wednesday September 22, 1880
Will and Ella went to meeting. Heard that Aunt Hannah was on her way out here. Cold nights and a little frost on the ground.
Thursday September 23, 1880
I went up to school in the afternoon to get the boys books. Drove the "Old Mare" on the market wagon. Sun is very warm but there is a cool breeze.
Friday September 24, 1880
Boys took their dinner in the beaver meadow to cut corn. We girls have washed a little most every day this week. I ironed a little and I have swept the chambers.
Saturday September 25, 1880
Boys went to cut corn again.
Sunday September 26, 1880
Mr. Steel came for Will to take him to the Hill so we had to stay at home. Last night the boys went to the R. Meeting at the Center, they marched and had a grand time. Carl saw Lannie and George. They want us to come tomorrow. I don't know how I shall feel by that time, but I feel kind of stuffed up now with a cold. Got a letter from Carrie, best one she ever wrote.
Tuesday September 28, 1880
Yesterday morning we got up at five and were ready to start at about eight for "Miss Fred's". Found George and Lannie not ready so Carl told them that I said I wanted to ride with George and Let Lannie ride with them. So when she was ready they went and we went when he got ready. We had a carriage to ride in. They tried to make fun of us for driving so slow, but we had a good time. Had all the peaches and grapes we could eat, then we had prunes and pears! I thought I should make myself sick and George kept plaguing me all the time for eating so much. He said that I should not ride home with him if I got lips stained with grape. He has a very small watch, which he let me take on the way up. I had it all day. He said that I might have it when I taught again. The boys made some cider with a hand press. George and I came near having a fuss about the book Through the Looking Glass! A. looked like "60" when we got there and waited as long as he could before he changed his cold and wet clothes. Coming home George and I came through the woods. We got to J's first, rained most all the way going and was very cold. Glad we had a top buggy. I drove and George read the book part of the way, but it was too cold to enjoy it. Pleasant coming home but cold. Today we have been getting ready for our people whom we expect might come. Maybe Fred and Carrie whom we expect tomorrow!
Wednesday September 29, 1880
Well, they did not come, any of them. It rained all day in showers about ten minutes apart. It is very cold. Mr. Kickerson stopped by on his peddlers cart through one of the showers. Carl went to the mill Tuesday, the boys raised a pole some 25 or 30 feet high with a streamer and little flag on it. they put it up through the window then a hole in the scaffold, then through the roof. It says Garfield and Arthur. (this was for the presidential election of 1880)
Thursday September 30, 1880
Rained all the morning. Pa and Ma came about three o'clock. Brought six yards of gray water proof cloth (think of a rain poncho) for Nell and I to each make a circle. The men got some socks and Pa got a hat. They were gone eleven days. Pa is talking of going to take Nell and I out to Buffalo himself instead of our going on the train cars.
Friday October 1, 1880
Cold and Rainy morning. Pleasant afternoon. Am going to the torch light procession this evening. Ma is making our circle (of water-proof material for rain wear).
Saturday October 2, 1880
Went to the Torch Light Procession. Had a splendid time. Saw Jane B. - Went to the church and heard part of the speech. Stood on Morton's store steps and saw the procession pass. A. M. was there. They marched around the old pole after the speech. We left and at the Center I ran most of the way down there after they broke up. When we started away, a fellow in the Springville wagon said "I know that girl with the stiff hat on" and he repeated it a number of times, so Carl said. Got home and found Fred and Carrie here. She and I slept together and talked about three hours. This morning Tommie came - Pa went to Uncle Ezra's with him to trade horses. I got in to Tommie's buggy and took Carrie riding. Then took Fred and drove around the yard. Fred said drive to the barn, so I did. He took the harness off the horses, put on saddles and we went riding horse-back. Carl, Fred, Carrie and I went to the woods and had a gay time.