Fri Dec 31: Rainy part of the day. The snow going off very fast. Had to go down to do Whitney's chores in the evening.
January 1881
Sat Jan 01: Whitney came from LaConner this morning sick. I did his chores to day. Ground very full of water but warm. Turned Whitneys horses out again across the slough.
Sun Jan 02: Raining again this morning. Ida not gaining strength much. Mrs. Dick Ball came over to day.
Mon Jan 03: Went down to Whitneys & got a grindstone & fixed it up in the granary.
Tue Jan 04: Went to LaConner. Had a hard time. Head tide both ways.
Wed Jan 05: Done chores in the fore noon & fixed an apron to the sluice box by the 45 ft slough in the P.M.
Thu Jan 06: Rainy part of the time. Dug ditch in the orchard for under drain. Allen brought the boat home.
Fri Jan 07: Ida worse than common to day. Dug ditch in the A.M. I fixed for killing hogs in the P.M. Fine weather.
Sat Jan 08: Worked on the bridge up by Callahans road work. Pleasant frosty morning.
Sun Jan 09: Staid at home all day. Rainy.
Mon Jan 10: In the A.M. went up & got Otto & butchered the hogs. Ditching in the P.M.
Tue Jan 11: Cut up the pork. Done the chores & went to LaConner. Staid all night at McGlinns. Stormy.
Wed Jan 12: Came home from LaConner. Done the chores, Whitneys also, finished the ditch in the orchard.
Thu Jan 13: Done chores then went down to Klingenmaiers. Got some drags for wood. Made an extension to the wood shed in the P.M. Mr Gilkie here to dinner.
Fri Jan 14: Doing chores & working on the wood shed. Went up to Geo. granary & got some lumber. Traded a hog to him for 400 sq ft lumber. Very pleasant day. Freezing a little at night.
Sat Jan 15: Clean & cold this morning. Mercury at 24°. Worked on smoke house & done chores.
Sun Jan 16: Pleasant day. Darcys folks & Al Leamer here.
Mon Jan 17: Raining. Signed note to H B Stewart for $500. Wrote to Smith and sent the money to him. $597. Made settled bal.
Tue Jan 18: Worked in the granary making bedstead, &c. Worked on smoke house in the P.M. Done chores &c. Rainy.
Wed Jan 19: Very warm & pleasant. Whitney came home to day. Went up to the timber & sowed ditching timber ground. Very wet & full of water.
Thu Jan 20: Worked on the bridge up beyond Callahans place. Road work. Very pleasant. Frosty weather.
Fri Jan 21: Worked on the bridge part of the A.M. Finished putting on the stringers. Began filling ditches in the P.M.
Sat Jan 22: Went to the timber & sowed ditching timber. Pleasant.
Sun Jan 23: Very pleasant day. Was down at Whitneys. Spent the day reading & writing to George.
Mon Jan 24: Went to the timber & made posts & shake timber.
Tue Jan 25: Making posts. George Brown had my team to ball out his ditching stuff. Hauled a load for me.
Wed Jan 26: Finished making posts & hauled out the balance of my cedar. Also some wood for smoking meat.
1881 Jan 27-Feb 18 (pp 296-297)
Image Id: 002-0440
Transcription
Thu Jan 27: Clean frosty weather. Made a gate and hung it out by the road. Began making fence on the south line. "West side of Allen 80". Rec'd the mortgage from Smith.
Fri Jan 28: Very hard snow storm all day. Cut wood some and fix my wagon. Helped Whitney scow his horses across the slough.
Sat Jan 29: Pleasant day. Snow about 8 inches deep. Got Whitney to help me and scowed my timber home from up the slough.
Sun Jan 30: Staid at home all day. Clear & cold. John Ball was here a little while. Went up & put the scow in the slough by the dyke.
Mon Jan 31: Sharpened posts & unloaded the scow. Weather getting warmer & snow going off fast.
February 1881
Tue Feb 01: The highest tide of the season this morning. Finished sharpening posts & finished the smoke house in the P.M.
Wed Feb 02: Went out & made fence a little while. Had to quit for rain. Cut wood outside of the dyke in the P.M.
Thu Feb 03: Made fence most all day, but it is a very nasty day to work on account of rain.
Fri Feb 04: Hauled some posts & punchions in the morning. Rainy in the A.M.
Sat Feb 05: Building fence on the line between the Allen 80 & lot 8. Warm nice weather for winter. Wilson came back to Whitneys. Got a letter from George.
Sun Feb 06: Warm & rainy. Wrote a letter to Aunt Lou. Heard a frog.
Mon Feb 07: Fixed the road out by the barn. Made a fence out by the 45 ft slough and hauled wood for smoke house and 200 fence posts &c.
Tue Feb 08: Began the east & west ditch through the plot bed. Rec'd a letter from Father. Warm & pleasant.
Wed Feb 09: Pleasant day. Mrs Allen here visiting. Ditching & driving posts. Took the meat our of the barrel & hung it up ready for smoking.
Thu Feb 10: Ditching all day. Began smoking meat. Mrs Cornelius here this evening. Willie Stewart & Miss Upson here at Whitneys. Fine drying weather.
Fri Feb 11: Pleasant. Willie Stewart & Lettie Upson here in the A.M. Did not sleep much last night - Pearl, cause. Ditching & cleaning out an old ditch. Gave Wilson a note & mortgage for $400. [margin: with interest from this date at 15% note payment of the taxes.]
Sat Feb 12: Digging ditch & driving posts. Snowing in the P.M. & evening. Ordered my oats shipped by this mail.
Sun Feb 13: Staid at home all day. Mrs Cornelius went to Darcy's. Clear & cold with some snow.
Mon Feb 14: Cool this morning. Digging ditch all day.
Tue Feb 15: Dito yesterday.
Wed Feb 16: Dug ditch all day. Finished driving posts & the string of ditch with them.
Thu Feb 17: Ed Stacey & Lyle Wallace here. I went to the woods. Cut down a fir tree for wood & cut some maple, alder & birch.
Fri Feb 18: Filed my saw & dug ditch in the P.M. Wallace & Ed went home to day. Storm last night.
1881 Feb 19-Mar 17 (pp 298-299)
Image Id: 002-0441
Transcription
Sat Feb 19: Warm with south wind. Fine weather for working. Spent the day hauling rails posts & ditch stuff.
Sun Feb 20: Very quiet Sunday. Rainy & windy most of the day. Allen's folks returned & he brought the mail but no letters for us. The rain warm & spring-like. Reading papers most of the day.
Mon Feb 21: Rainy day. Did not do much, but cut wood & do chores.
Tue Feb 22: Staid in the house and mended socks most of the day. Rainy.
Wed Feb 23: Rainy most all day. Did not do much. The old black sow had 10 pigs yesterday. 1 died.
Thu Feb 24: Another pig died to day. Staid in the house most of the day. Windy & rainy. Whitney killed his hogs. Began reading Ivanhoe.
Fri Feb 25: Rather pleasant day but very windy. Had rheumatism in my back & legs. Did not do much but chores.
Sat Feb 26: Sowed the balance of my timothy seed. Still had a lame back & legs, also sore throat. Clowdy.
Sun Feb 27: Nona calved today, killed the calf. Rainy all day. Still under the weather. Heard of Annie Armstrong death yesterday. Very warm and the grasses growing finely.
Mon Feb 28: Not rainy to day. Allen down here to fix his sail. I helped him make it.
March 1881
Tue Mar 01: Ditching & filling ditch. Took down the bacon & packed it 240 lbs fell short 16 lbs in curing. [margin: Gave J.P. Stewart note & mortgage for $500 dated Jan 15th with interest at 12 1/2 percent.]
Wed Mar 02: Went to LaConner. Took the meat and sold it to Andrews. Mrs Wallace & Alfred came home with me.
Thu Mar 03: Went down to the beach & cut wood all day & brought a boat load home.
Fri Mar 04: Worked in the garden, filling ditch, digging parsnips, carrots &c.
Sat Mar 05: Went to town to take Mrs Wallace & Grandma. Did not get home till 9 P.M.
Sun Mar 06: Clowdy & rainy. Emona(?) Stroble stopping here now.
Mon Mar 07: Went down to the beach and got a load of wood with Whitney's boat. In the P.M. filled & covered ditch.
Tue Mar 08: Helped Whitney clean grain to day. Heavy rain last night.
Wed Mar 09: Helped Whitney in the A.M. drove posts in the P.M.
Thu Mar 10: Filling ditch most all day. Rain again last night. Windy today.
Fri Mar 11: Filling ditch in the A.M. & working for Whitney in the P.M. Cleaning grain. Rainy in the P.M. & last night.
Sat Mar 12: No rain to day. Working for Whitney cleaning grain.
Sun Mar 13: Very pleasant & drying day. With strong north wind. Went up to Jone's. He was not at home. Jenkins was here today.
Mon Mar 14: Started for Utsalady with Whitney. Arrived at 3 P.M. Fine day.
Tue Mar 15: Staid in Utsalady all day looking over grain for Whitney. Rainy. Found some grain spoiled.
Wed Mar 16: In Utsalady getting out reffuse lumber all day. Idaho in town this morning.
Thu Mar 17: Started or home at 2 P.M. got home at 6. Sailed all the way.
1881 Mar 18-Apr 12 (pp 300-301)
Image Id: 002-0442
Transcription
Fri Mar 18: Did not do much in the A.M. but fill ditch out in the meadow. Helped Whitney clean grain in the P.M. Warm & spring-like. [margin: The little white sow had 6 pigs.]
Sat Mar 19: Making fence all day out by the meadow. Fine weather no rain.
Sun Mar 20: Staid at home as usual. Pleasant day.
Mon Mar 21: Helped Whitney clean grain in the A.M. & cleaned my seed grain after dinner.
Tue Mar 22: Made fence & drove posts in the A.M. Worked in the garden in the P.M.
Wed Mar 23: Went up to the timber & cut stove wood. Rainy some. Came home & filed the saw before night.
Thu Mar 24: Went to the timber & cut wood. Ground drying off some.
Fri Mar 25: Not doing much but chores. Rainy day. Light rains.
Sat Mar 26: Showery & windy. Done the chores & made a crib for baby. Not much prospect of plowing in April.
Sun Mar 27: Clowdy with south wind. Staid at home all day.
Mon Mar 28: Rain, a considerable last night. Helped Whitney kill his cow and made garden in the P.M. Set out strawberries, planted potatos, peas, onions, radishes, lettuce, &c.
Tue Mar 29: Pleasant day. Began plowing for the first time this spring. Harry came home to work for Whitney.
Wed Mar 30: Warm & pleasant. Good growing weather. Plowing.
Thu Mar 31: Plowing. Ground drying fast.
April 1881
Fri Apr 01: Pleasant. Plowing. Finished the wehat lot & began on the 16 acre piece.
Sat Apr 02: Pleasant. North wind. Plowing. Pears in blossom.
Sun Apr 03: Staid at home in the A.M. was down at Whitneys in the P.M. Mrs. Jones was here to spend the day. Pleasant.
Mon Apr 04: Plowing. The steamer Susie in with our lumber. Went and helped to load her with grain in the evening.
Tue Apr 05: Helped to finish load grain in the morning. Plowed until 4 P.M. & had to quit for rain.
Wed Apr 06: Too wet to plow to day. Showery. Divide the lumber and hauled up two loads. Fixed fence & finished covering ditch in the garden.
Thu Apr 07: Showery in the A.M. Made an addition to the hen house and plowed a little in the garden. Pretty wet to plow. Whitneys teams running this P.M.
Fri Apr 08: Plowing all day in the 16 acre piece. Drying day.
Sat Apr 09: Plowing finished the 16 acre lot & began on the S.E. part of the Allen 80. Have 16 acres plowed. Had the first pie plant to day. Peas, radishes, &c. up. Heard from my oats. They sold for 142 1/2.
Sun Apr 10: Very drying day but cold. Staid at home in the A.M. & went up to the Ridge in the P.M. to take Mrs. Crumrine home.
Mon Apr 11: Plowing on the Allen 80. Fine weather.
Tue Apr 12: In the A.M. went to the burial of M.D. Smith and in the P.M. plowing. Darcy took his pig. Done 20 acres plowed now.
1881 Apr 13-May 9 (pp 302-303 Duplicate of next)
Image Id: 002-0443
Transcription
Wed Apr 13: Plowing in the A.M. & wheeling, harrowing in the P.M. Clowdy with a shower of rain just night.
Thu Apr 14: Rough harrowing in the A.M. & cutting wood in the P.M. Rain in the P.M. Ida in LaConner since Tuesday.
Fri Apr 15: Plowing in the A.M. Rain in the P.M. went and hauled a load of wood and cut wood.
Sat Apr 16: Plowing all day on the "Allen 80" farther end.
Sun Apr 17: Rainy this morning. Went to LaConner after Ida & the baby. Came back via Darcy's & got a sack of wheat for seed. Got a suit of clothes & 50 lbs sugar.
Mon Apr 18: Plowing all day. Clowdy. Not drying weather.
Tue Apr 19: Rainy. Plowing on the Allen 80 in the P.M. have 28 or 30 acres plowed now. Too wet to sow.
Wed Apr 20: Rough harrowing in the A.M. Rainy in the P.M. Plowed a little in the garden this morning. Charley Miller tried to shoot himself yesterday.
Thu Apr 21: Plowing on the longland north side of middle ditch on the Allen 80. Very windy day but not much rain.
Fri Apr 22: Clowdy but no rain. Rough harrowing on the Allen 80 south side.
Sat Apr 23: Whitney began sowing. Sowing oats all day. 9 1/4 acres. Pleasant drying day. Ground in fine order. Got a letter from George tonight.
Sun Apr 24: Clowdy & blowing strong from the S.E.
Mon Apr 25: Heavy rain last night. Did not do much to day but make a doubletree for the seeder.
Tue Apr 26: Heavy shower last evening. Ground very wet. Drying up some to day. Cutting wood up by Smith's.
Wed Apr 27: Plowing in the A.M. & seeding some in the P.M. Have 11 1/2 acres sowed now. Drying day.
Thu Apr 28: Plowing in the A.M. and harrowing in the P.M. Fine day. Ground drying very fast. Planted some mangolds.
Fri Apr 29: Harrowing after the seeder in the A.M. & plowing in the P.M.
Sat Apr 30: Sowing grain most all day. An acre of barley, sack of wheat & some oats. 6 1/2 - 18 acres to date.
May 1881
Sun May 01: Pleasant drying day. Staid at home most of the day. Callahan using the seeder. Dolly quite lame.
Mon May 02: Harrowing this piece by the barn in the A.M. Plowing in the P.M. 3 hours.
Tue May 03: Rough harrowing on the east end of the Allen 80.
Wed May 04: Finished harrowing & plowed some in the A.M. Rain in the P.M. plowed till 3 P.M. Whitney sick. Rain last night.
Thu May 05: Plowing most of the day. The Stacey Heifer calved today. Brought up up & milked her. Rain last night.
Fri May 06: Sowing oats all day on the Allen 80. E field. 8 acres.
Sat May 07: Sowed 3 acres. 29 acres to date. 40 sacks oats. Harrowing in the P.M. Fine weather north wind.
Sun May 08: Pleasant drying day. Jones & his wife here to supper.
Mon May 09: Kalsow plowing 1/2 day. Harrowing in the A.M. went to P. Ridge & hired Al Leamer's team in the P.M. Got home at 8 P.M.
1881 May 10-Jun 2 (pp 304-305)
Image Id: 002-0445
Transcription
Tue May 10: Harrowing & plowing. Kalsow plowing for me. Callahan plowing on the E. end of Allen 80. Ed Stacey came with the team this evening.
Wed May 11: Kalsow plowing 1/2 day. Edi plowing with Sulkey plow. I with my team on 3 acre lot by timothy patch.
Thu May 12: Plowing with 3 teams. Clowdy but no rain. Kalsow plowing. 1 day.
Fri May 13: Plowing with 2 teams on north side of the "80". Clowdy but no rain.
Sat May 14: Cold & clowdy. Rain some in the P.M. did not stop work. Ed harrowing with 3 horses. Sowed 6 1/4 acres. 9 1/2 sacks. Plowed 1/4 day with 2 horses.
Sun May 15: Cold with north wind. Drying wind. Whitneys folks here calling.
Mon May 16: Plowing, finished on the north side of the "80".
Tue May 17: Ed plowing all day with 2 horses. I plowed 1/2 day & harrowed 1/2 day with 3.
Wed May 18: Ed harrowing with 3 horses. Seeding with my team. 8 1/2 acres. 44 acres to date. Whitney killed my black cow.
Thu May 19: Whitney killed the black cow yesterday. Went to town with beef to day. Edi seeding in the A.M. 5 acres. Harrowing in P.M. with 3 horses.
Fri May 20: Ed harrowing with 3 horses. Sowed 4 acres by hand. Plowed the balance of the day 3/4.
Sat May 21: Seeding 5 acres. Write out rough harrowing. Plowed 1/2 day. Harrowed 1 day with 2 horses. Clear & pleasant. Ground very dry in the some places. 60 acres sowed.
Sun May 22: Staid at home all day. Mrs. Stroble & Mrs Crumrine were here to dinner. Clear weather & drying wind.
Mon May 23: Plowing with one team and harrowing with one team. Finished harrowing 4 acre piece by gate.
Tue May 24: Trimble plowing for oats & sowing also. 64 acres oats sowed. Clowdy to night looks some like rain. Got a letter from G. Brown Esq.
Wed May 25: Kalsow harrowing for me to day. Oats. Began plowing for barley with my team. Ed went home with Al's team to day.
Thu May 26: Kalsow working 1/2 day. Plowing all day.
Fri May 27: Finished plowing about 10 oclock and rough harrowed the balance of the day. Grandma went to P. Ridge.
Sat May 28: Rain some last night about 1/4 inche and some today. Sowed 5 1/4 acres barley to day.
Sun May 29: Clowdy day. Went up to Trimbles in the P.M. and got my hair cut.
Mon May 30: Began harrowing. Then went to Allen's with the seeder & sowed for him 3/4 day. Willie harrowing for me in the P.M.
Tue May 31: Shut up my pigs & went after a load of wood. Took the black sow down to Whitneys. Rain again last night. Sowed 5 acres for Allen in the P.M. Willie harrowing for me.
June 1881
Wed Jun 01: Capt Bowden staid here last night. Plowed on the E end of the Allen 80. Willie harrowing. Finished the barley field.
Thu Jun 02: Plowing in the A.M. In the P.M. rough harrowed & began sowing. Whitney got home from Utsalady.
1881 Jun 3-Jul 1 (pp 306-307)
Image Id: 002-0446
Transcription
Fri Jun 03: Finished sowing my late oats. 2 3/4 acres & began harrowing. Rain in the P.M. So I did not go out. Sowed the clover seed & hoed the garden.
Sat Jun 04: Some more rain to day. Finished harrowing in the A.M. & worked around the house in the P.M. P up up some grain to take to LaConner. Have 17 sacks left for feed.
Sun Jun 05: Staid at home all day. Except being down at Whitneys in the P.M. Whitney still laid up with sore legs.
Mon Jun 06: Worked in the garden in the A.M. hoeing &c. Harrowed in the clover seed and hauled a load of wood in the P.M.
Tue Jun 07: Went to Allen's in the morning. Filed a saw for him. In the P.M. plowing in the orchard. Quit for rain about 4 P.M.
Wed Jun 08: Working in the orchard all day & plowing & hoeing. Went to help Harry load the engine on the scow.
Thu Jun 09: Harrowed the orchard and took Whitney out to the grain on the sled. Hauled out manure on the orchard in the P.M.
Fri Jun 10: Rainy in the A.M. Working in the granary in the A.M. Fixing grindstone filing saws, &c. Hauling manure in the P.M.
Sat Jun 11: Went to the timber & cut threshing wood, Allen grain all looking well except where the wheat was. It is yellow & looks bad.
Sun Jun 12: Staid at home all day reading & writing letter to George. Darcy's folks here in the evening. Jenny & Otto also. Rainy in the P.M.
Mon Jun 13: Went to LaConner with a load of oats. 24 sacks. Rain some this morning.
Tue Jun 14: Worked in the garden in the A.M. Fine growing weather. Went to the timber & cut engine wood in the P.M. 35 acres of grain looks splendid. Late grain nothing extra. Cows got in the gard and eat off my oats.
Wed Jun 15: Working in the timber all day. Fine growing weather.
Thu Jun 16: Cutting fir wood on the Smith Ranch. Warm & dry.
Fri Jun 17: Made cant hooks for Whitney and filed his saws. M??? an ax & worked in the garden for myself. [margin: Bridge 1/2 day]
Sat Jun 18: Went to LaConner to get pictures taken. Did not get home until after 9 P.M.
Sun Jun 19: Staid at home. Mrs Siegfred staid all night here last night. Began raining at 5 P.M.
Mon Jun 20: Nice rain last night & this A.M. Working around the house in the A.M. & working on the Skagit road in the P.M.
Tue Jun 21: Working on the Skagit road all day.
Wed Jun 22: Working Skagit road 1/2 day. Chopped a tree for rails in the P.M. The heifer went visiting today.
Thu Jun 23: Splitting rail up on John Balls ranch. Fine weather.
Fri Jun 24: Hoeing in the garden in the A.M. Worked for Whitney 1/4 day taking timber out of the slough. Not feeling well.
Sat Jun 25: Went down to Whitneys to cut brush but it rained. Took the scow home. !/2 for bridge. Rainy day.
Sun Jun 26: Heavy rain last night. Clowdy & windy to day.
Mon Jun 27: Worked on the bridge cutting brush.
Tue Jun 28: Working for Whitney to apply on bridges.
Wed Jun 29: Working on bridge. Started a crib but it came up again. Fine growing weather.
Thu Jun 30: Working for myself making rails. Warm.
July 1881
Fri Jul 01: Making rails. Mosquitos very thick. Susie in to day with the bridge lumber. Barley heading out. Grain looking well.
1881 Jul 2-Aug 8 (pp 308-309)
Image Id: 002-0447
Transcription
Sat Jul 02: Did not do much of anything. Hauled a load of wood. It looks as though I would have to buy another horse. Dolly very lame.
Sun Jul 03: Ida & the children started for LaConner to celebrate the 4th. Eat dinner down to Whitneys. Frank Darcy here in the P.M.
Mon Jul 04: Went to LaConner to spend the fourth. Came back in the eve at 10 P.M.
Tue Jul 05: Went to the timber & cut wood. Came home at 3 P.M. to see the Buckeye Man.
Wed Jul 06: Worked on the bridge to day. Mosquitos bad.
Thu Jul 07: Hewing stringers for the bridge.
Fri Jul 08: Working on Bridge. Warm & dry, grain doing well.
Sat Jul 09: Working on bridge. Put in the first bent.
Sun Jul 10: Had the first green peas. Staid at home all day.
Mon Jul 11: Worked on the bridge 1/2 day. Fixed up the water scow and started with it for water.
Tue Jul 12: Went after water and to LaConner, also bought a horse of Engle for $120. - Borrowed $30- of Tom Barnet(?) for which I gave note & mortgage for the amt. due in 60 mos with interest of 1 1/2 per ct per month.
Wed Jul 13: Went to LaConner and brought the horse home.
Thu Jul 14: Working on the bridge 1 day. Put in bent and put on stringers. Poor hay weather.
Fri Jul 15: Working on bridge.
Sat Jul 16: Working on the bridge hewing stringers &c.
Sun Jul 17: Went up to Allen's in the P.M. horseback.
Mon Jul 18: Hauled a load of wood & worked on the bridge in the P.M. 1/2 day.
Tue Jul 19: Mowing some, broke the mower & did not do very much.
Wed Jul 20: Mowing some in the A.M. & went to Darcy's after my tank lumber in the P.M.
Thu Jul 21: Raked & put up hay.
Fri Jul 22: Putting up hay in the A.M. went to LaConner in the P.M. Paid for my lumber & bought some harness. Came home in the eve.
Sat Jul 23: Finished putting up hay & chored around some.
Sun Jul 24: Carrie & Frank White here. Went up to see Jones in the eve. Nelson Kelly here for currants.
Mon Jul 25: Mowing.
Tue Jul 26: Mowing until 11 A.M. Raking & putting up hay in the P.M. Kalso helped me 1/2 day to apply against Jones road work.
Wed Jul 27: Worked on bridge 1/2 day. Raking & cocking hay in the P.M.
Thu Jul 28: Rain a little last night. Finished cocking hay and mowed 3 acres in the P.M.
Fri Jul 29: Rain again last night. Did nothing with the hay today. Heavy shower in the evening. Did not do much.
Sat Jul 30: Rainy most of the day. Worked on the scow, plowed in the A.M. Chored around in the P.M.
Sun Jul 31: Pleasant day. Al Leamer here to dinner.
August 1881
Mon Aug 01: Mowing in the A.M. & raking in the P.M. with John Balls rake about 2 hours.
Tue Aug 02: Putting up hay all day. Kalso helped my about 4 hours.
Wed Aug 03: Started for LaConner to tend court as Grand Jury man. Put up at the Maryland Hotel.
Thu Aug 04: Working for Uncle Sam for 3.00 a day & doing nothing and boarding myself.
Fri Aug 05: Found a true bill in the case of U.S. vs Wm Goolson for selling whiskey to Indians. Came home at 12 P.M.
Sat Aug 06: Moved the hay press. Hot. Otto & team to help.
Sun Aug 07: Staid at home most of the day. Was at Whitneys a little while in the P.M.
Mon Aug 08: Went after water at 3 A.M. & down to Hansons. Got home at 5 P.M. on the scow 1/2 full of water.
1881 Aug 9-Sep 9 (pp 310-311)
Image Id: 002-0448
Transcription
Tue Aug 09: Hanson here working. Could not work all day for rain. Fixing up the hay press.
Wed Aug 10: Rain in the A.M. Making the pully block. Working on the press in the P.M.
Thu Aug 11: Hanson working for me on the bridge. Went to LaConner for rope. Pleasant day.
Fri Aug 12: John Ball had my horse "June" on Monday & wagon on Monday & Thursdays. Hanson working on the bridge in the A.M. & I 1 hour.
Sat Aug 13: Finished the press and baled 1 load. Baling hay all day. 17 loads. Bad weather, Hay rather damp. Hauled in 6.
Sun Aug 14: About the same as other Sundays. Wrote to George.
Mon Aug 15: Baling hay. Hanson helping.
Tue Aug 16: Baling hay. Jones helping. Hanson working on B. 1/2 day.
Wed Aug 17: Baling hay. Jones helping. Fine drying weather.
Thu Aug 18: Baling hay. Jones helping. Fine drying weather.
Fri Aug 19: Baling hay. Jones helping. Fine drying weather.
Sat Aug 20: Finished baling hay. First quality. Weight 14 bales average weight 290. Have 98 bales to sel.
Sun Aug 21: Clowdy but no rain.
Mon Aug 22: Hired Robinson. He came to work this morning. Hauled hay in the A.M. Went to see the B. Binder work at Rudenes in the P.M. Robinson working at Whitneys in the P.M.
Tue Aug 23: Went to LaConner after self Binder. Got home at dark. Sauer came along. Robinson working for W. on bridge.
Wed Aug 24: Rain some last eve. Set up the binder & tried it on my grain. Cut an acre of barley. It worked well.
Thu Aug 25: Robinson shocking barley & cutting around oat field no. 1. Helped Otto move machine in the A.M.
Fri Aug 26: Gave Sauer note for machine $355. due 1st of June 1886. One for wire $74 due in 60 days. Cut 8 1/2 acres of oats. [margin: Otto worked 3/4 day for me driving binder.]
Sat Aug 27: Otto driving binder for me 1/2 day. Robinson & I shocking till 3 P.M. Then hauled a load of hay & barley for hogs. 12 1/2 acres cut & shocked. Fine weather.
Sun Aug 28: Pleasant weather. Went down to get Mrs Klingenmaier to wash for us.
Mon Aug 29: Robinson working for Otto. Self 1/2 day. Mowed oats for my self and tore up the hay piles in the A.M. Whitney cutting oats.
Tue Aug 30: Robinson working for Otto. Myself 1/4 day. Made some gates & chored around the wheat & oats. Got 5 sacks of winter oats of Whitney. 456 lbs.
Wed Aug 31: Robinson working for Kalsow. Myself 1/2 day. Binding in the A.M.
September 1881
Thu Sep 01: Otto driving binder for me. Robinson & I shocking. Fine harvest weather.
Fri Sep 02: Otto driving binder for me. Finished cutting barley. Mr Ray Wallace & Preacher Taylor here. Otto keeping a team for me yesterday & today.
Sat Sep 03: Otto driving binder for me 3/4 day. Robinson & I shocking on East end of the Allen 80.
Sun Sep 04: Staid at home till 3 P.M. and started off with the water scow. Staind in LaConner all night.
Mon Sep 05: Robinson not working in the A.M. Shocking barley in the P.M. I came home & brought a scow load of water.
Tue Sep 06: Robinson & myself working for Whitney. Making water tank. Fine harvest weather. Otto cutting for Allen today & yesterday.
Wed Sep 07: R. working for Whitney. I went up to Lindsay's & got old Dolly. Otto at Allen's cutting.
Thu Sep 08: Robinson & I working for Whitney 3/4 day building shed. Then rafted up some timber for grain shed for my self. Fine harvest weather.
Fri Sep 09: Robinson & I working on shed for grain.
1881 Sep 10-Oct 4 (pp 312-313)
Image Id: 002-0449
Transcription
Sat Sep 10: Otto cutting for me to day. Robinson working on shed 1/2 day. Both of us shocking the balance of the time. Have cut to date 37 1/2 acres.
Sun Sep 11: Very pleasant day. Staid at home as usual. Wrote a letter to George.
Mon Sep 12: Otto cutting for me in the A.M. Robinson working for (Otto) in the P.M. Working on the shed/ 1/2 days.
Tue Sep 13: R. & I working on granary & shocking in the A.M. R. Shocking for Otto in the P.M. I working on granary.
Wed Sep 14: Otto cutting for Whitney. Robinson & I working for Whitney shocking &c. Fine dry weather.
Thu Sep 15: Threshing for Whitney. R driving team & wagon.
Fri Sep 16: Same as yesterday.
Sat Sep 17: Rain last night. Hauling grain & threshing. Self, team, man & wagon 3/4 day. Quit for rain at 4.30. Mr Kingsley came here to work.
Sun Sep 18: Rainy in the A.M. Pleasant in the P.M. Whitney cutting oats. Mr Burdon here to dinner. I got 8 3/4 bushels of potatos of price at 50 ¢ per bushel to be paid in grain. [margin: Rain in the eve.]
Mon Sep 19: Robinson & Kingsley working for me in the A.M. & for Otto in the P.M. R. began for Otto at 10 K & I working on the shed. Threshing for W. in the P.M.
Tue Sep 20: Rain last night. Hauling railed & working on shed in the A.M. Otto cutting for me in the P.M. & his Father shocking. Running engine in the P.M. Threshed 500 sacks in 4 hours 45 min.
Wed Sep 21: Running engine. Finished W.'s oats and threshed 126 oats & 97 sacks of barley & wheat for me. Otto cutting for me. R. & K. shocking Mr Kalsows also.
Thu Sep 22: Threshing. R. & K. hauling in oats in the A.M. 2 men, team & wagon. Working for Kalso in the P.M. Fine day.
Fri Sep 23: "Equinox" one day late in full force. Today threshing for Kalso till 10 oclock quit for rain. Robinson worked 28 days to date. Stored the baled hay in the P.M. Kingsley working 1/2 day.
Sat Sep 24: Strong north wind last night. Otto cutting for me to day. R. & K. & myself shocking.
Sun Sep 25: Otto cutting for him self. Finished small patch for me. Robinson sick. I had sore eye. K. working for Otto in the P.M.
Mon Sep 26: R. sick. K. & myself working for Otto from 9 till 4-30. Otto began cutting on my piece next to Allen's.
Tue Sep 27: Finished shocking & cutting my grain all but the late piece. K. working for Otto from 10 A.M. till night. Robinson working for Whitney. I working for Callahan binding & shocking in the P.M.
Wed Sep 28: Raining this morning. Not working today.
Thu Sep 29: Hailing wood in the A.M. Byron helped one load. Otto cutting & Byron helping him in the P.M. R & Myself helping Whitney shocking.
Fri Sep 30: Fired up to thresh but it rained. R. Hauled a load of wood. All threshed at Kalso's in the P.M.
October 1881
Sat Oct 01: Threshing at K. till 11 oclock. Byron working for Allen all day. At Allen's in the P.M.
Sun Oct 02: Dance at Padilla last night. Threshing at Allen's till noon. Then began at my place. R. & team at Allen's till noon.
Mon Oct 03: Threshing at home 718 sacks fine weather.
Tue Oct 04: Rain last night. B & R hauling in grain for me till noon also W. team & wagon per Ray. Byron working for Otto in the P.M. R. & I threshing at Whitneys team & wagon.
1881 Oct 5-Nov 1 (pp 314-315)
Image Id: 002-0450
Transcription
Wed Oct 05: Byron working for Otto 3/4 day. Finished cutting my oats. R. & myself threshing at Whitneys.
Thu Oct 06: All working at Whitneys. Byron covered sacks in the morning. Callahan went to look after the fire in the P.M. Fine weather.
Fri Oct 07: Threshing at Whitneys till 3 P.M. then moved to Otto's. Mr White & Frank here to supper.
Sat Oct 08: Threshing at Kalsow's in the A.M. and for me in the P.M. Had to quit for rain at 4 oclock.
Sun Oct 09: Fine weather again. Rain some last night. Not working to day. Pleasant.
Mon Oct 10: Finished threshing my grain & Callahan's 165 sks. Moved to Balls at 2.30.
Tue Oct 11: Threshing at Balls. Cold north wind.
Wed Oct 12: Threshing at Balls at 3 & moved to Kalsows Trimbles ranch. Ball lost 400 sacks by fire this morning. Ed Stacey here this P.M.
Thu Oct 13: Threshing on the Trimble ranch. The pump bothered a considerable. Finished at Trimbles and moved to Whitney's. Mercury at 22° in the A.M. Very dry, nice threshing weather. Ed. Stacey here today. [margin: Frost 22°]
Fri Oct 14: Threshing at Whitneys. Had to quit for rain at 4.45. Robinson driving team in the A.M. & Stacey in the P.M. Davis came to fix the engine in the evening. [margin: Frost.]
Sat Oct 15: Threshing in the P.M. Fixing engine in the A.M. Ed hauling sacks in the A.M. for me and grain for Whitney in the P.M. Owe Robinson $69.40 to date.
Sun Oct 16: Rainy day. Staid at home all day.
Mon Oct 17: Rainy day. Robinson went home. Ed to LaConner. I went & got the heifer home in the P.M.
Tue Oct 18: Clowdy but not much rain. Ed & I hauling in sacks from Otto's field 237.
Wed Oct 19: Rainy most all day did not do much but saw & splot wood. Ed hunting ducks. No prospect of clearing up.
Thu Oct 20: Heavy rains yesterday & last night. Ed & I hauling in sacks. 305. No rain to day.
Fri Oct 21: Ed & I hauling in sacks & R.W., Ball also 3/4 day. Finished the show. have 1588 all told. 1628 with Callahans. My share. Total production of ranch 1754.
Sat Oct 22: Threshing at Whitney's. Grain very wet. Ed, team, & wagon working also. Gormin' machine started for the Samish.
Sun Oct 23: Frog(?) day. Did not thresh.
Mon Oct 24: Made a gate for sluice box. Was out to fix the box last night. Ed & Otto move the hay press home. Threshing for Whitney in the P.M.
Tue Oct 25: Hauling wood & hay press in the A.M. Threshing for Whitney in the P.M. Very foggy & dewy. Too damp to thresh good. Otto & I fixing box again last night. (1 1/4 day on dyke out.)
Wed Oct 26: I owe Ed Stacey 16.75. Threshing for Whitney 740 sacks. [margin: Paid Fri 28th]
Thu Oct 27: I am 32 today and still poor and have to work hard, but appetite good and time turns also. threshing for Whitney 730 sacks. Strong S.E. wind. Fanny Lake after Jenni's grain.
Fri Oct 28: Heavy wind but not much rain. Finished Whitney's grain and began on Jenni's. Sold Capt. Hill the hay and 344 sacks oats at $22.00 per ton.
Sat Oct 29: Rain last night & showery through the day threshing for Jenni in the P.M. Was down to Whitneys in the evening to the mouth organ dance.
Sun Oct 30: Rain again last night & to day this A.M.
Mon Oct 31: Bad threshing weather. Went to town in the P.M.
November 1881
Tue Nov 01: (diary say Oct 1st) Staid to town last night. Came home at noon. Did not do much in the P.M. No threshing to day. Bought 100 sacks of oats of Allen last night at 45¢ per bushel.
1881 Nov 2-Dec 1 (pp 316-317)
Image Id: 002-0451
Transcription
Wed Nov 02: Went over to Jennes & got my team. Began plowing till noon. Threshing at Jennes in the P.M.
Thu Nov 03: Went over & fired up but had to quit for rain. Harry sick. Went down to weighed out seed oats in the P.M. which I bought of Allen. Rainy.
Fri Nov 04: Plowing some in the A.M. and down setting up with Whitney in the P.M. Heavy rain.
Sat Nov 05: Heavy rain last night. did not do much in the A.M. Plowing some in the P.M.
Sun Nov 06: Rain again most all last night. Harry still sick.
Mon Nov 07: Set up with Harry to night; or last night rather. Rainy last night & some to day. Otto & I put the binder away for the winter today. Plowing in the P.M. Rain again in the evening.
Tue Nov 08: Rather pleasant day. Plowing all day. Got a barrel of sugar from LaConner for Jones.
Wed Nov 09: Plowing.
Thu Nov 10: Plowing all day on the Allen 80. Ground in fine order.
Fri Nov 11: Fired up and threshed 18 sacks for Jenni then quit for rain. Cut wood & filed the saws in the P.M. Jim Gaches here to dinner. [margin: 150]
Sat Nov 12: Harnessed up old Doll & plowed a little. She is too lame yet to work. Went up to Jennes & threshed in the P.M. [margin: 175]
Sun Nov 13: Frank & Fred White here to dinner. Threshing for Jennes in the P.M. [margin: 175]
Mon Nov 14: Went up to fire up in the morning, again at noon & again at 3 P.M. did not thresh. Have had 10 sacks of Jennes damp oats. [margin: 100]
Tue Nov 15: Still blowing from the S.E. with frequent showers. Frank & Fred went home today. Cut wood in the A.M. Threshing & moving machine in the P.M. Rainy. Ground very soft. [margin: 150]
Wed Nov 16: Went to town in the A.M. Came back to Daveys in the P.M. & threshed till night. Cold with N. wind.
Thu Nov 17: Threshing at D'Arcys. Cold Mercury at 22° this morning.
Fri Nov 18: Finished Darcy's at 12 oclock & went to R.H. Balls in the P.M.
Sat Nov 19: Finished Balls at 3 P.M. & moved to Allens with team and the machine. Rainy in the P.M. Darcy Dn to team work 275.
Sun Nov 20: Cleaned the engine & fired up the A.M. & threshed at Allens in the P.M. Finished & moved the machine to Whitneys wharf at night.
Mon Nov 21: Started for Nevils to thresh this morning. Threshed in the P.M. some.
Tue Nov 22: Threshing at Nevils. Fine weather.
Wed Nov 23: Finished at Nevils & started for Squaw Bay. Arrived at Crandall's spit at 7 P.M. Staid all night at Bob Becker's.
Thu Nov 24: Moved up to Whites & began threshing in the P.M.
Fri Nov 25: Threshing all day at Whites. The engine leaking badly in the flues.
Sat Nov 26: Finished Whites job & moved to Cromptons. Threshed his & Burdons crops before night. Staid at Becker's all night.
Sun Nov 27: Came home at noon to day. It has been fine weather for 7 days. Raining this P.M. & eve. Am done threshing for 1881. Have left Upsons to wind up.
Mon Nov 28: Got up the team & hauled 2 loads of wood from the Smith ranch.
Tue Nov 29: Hauling wood all day.
Wed Nov 30: Rainy part of the day. Cutting and choring around.
December 1881
Thu Dec 01: Fixing dyke 1/2 day. Plowing some for ditches in the P.M. Began work on the house tank. Got some squashes & potatos of Burdon and let him have 4 sacks of barley. He owes me 3.70.
1881 Dec 2 -Jan 2, 1882 (pp 318-319)
Image Id: 002-0452
Transcription
Fri Dec 02: Rain cold weather. Hauled 3 loads of rails. Mr Upson here to dinner. He started for home today.
Sat Dec 03: Done chores worked on the tank some. Finished hauling rails. Grandma & Gertie Wallace came. [margin: Mercury at 20°]
Sun Dec 04: Alfie Stacey here to day & Darcy's folks in the P.M. Rainy some.
Mon Dec 05: Rainy day did not do much but chores. Set money to Wasthoff per Andrews.
Tue Dec 06: Otto Kalso here helping me kill hogs. Went to LaConner in the P.M. with Whitney.
Wed Dec 07: Cut up the pork & packed it. Shed-up 8 more hogs & began to feed them. White brought the machine home. Got a picture of Garfield(?) of France.
Thu Dec 08: Ditching in the A.M. Helping Whitney in the P.M. Tearing down the Powell house.
Fri Dec 09: Working for Whitney to day. 10 hours all told.
Sat Dec 10: Cold & windy. Ditching to day for myself.
Sun Dec 11: Strong wind last night. Water over the marsh but not very high for this season of the year. Went up to Allens in the P.M.
Mon Dec 12: Digging ditch & doing chores. A little snow on the ground this A.M.
Tue Dec 13: Dig ditch some but had to quit for rain. Cut wood & worked on tank some.
Wed Dec 14: Digging ditch all day & doing chores.
Thu Dec 15: Ditching some & cutting wood.
Fri Dec 16: Ditching in the A.M. & working on the tank in the P.M. Rainy.
Sat Dec 17: Ditto yesterday. Rainy in the P.M.
Sun Dec 18: Harry here in the A.M. & Mr Grey in the P.M. Mrs. Jones went home to day.
Mon Dec 19: Helped Whitney kill hogs & took the scow & engine over to Telegraph slough. Warm & pleasant.
Tue Dec 20: Digging ditch all day. Very windy & blustering weather.
Wed Dec 21: Started for LaConner with Whitney & the engine. Did not get there till nearly night.
Thu Dec 22: Strong S.E. wind yesterday & all day to day. Started for home with the scow & some lumber. Came as far as Kelly's & anchored. Got home at 1 oclock. Staid with Ed Stacey last night.
Fri Dec 23: Strong S.E. wind all day. Jones & I ditching all day on the 4 acre lot on the Allen 80.
Sat Dec 24: Jones & I ditching in the A.M. Clear pleasant day. In the P.M. I began work on the scow.
Sun Dec 25: Mercury at 30 this morning. White frost. Clear & pleasant Christmas day.
Mon Dec 26: Went out to ditch but had to quit for rain. Worked on thee tank some & cut wood. Highest tide of the season so far.
Tue Dec 27: Ditching some in the fore noon. Working in the granary in the P.M. Stormy day.
Wed Dec 28: Ditching to day. Frost this morning. Whitney gone to Seattle. Ed Stacey & Grandma here also Sauer.
Thu Dec 29: Ditching to day.
Fri Dec 30: Went with Wallace after the scow. Jones working here today. Begin work on the scow.
Sat Dec 31: Rainy in the A.M. working in the granary making work bench &c. Working on the scow in the P.M. John Siegfred here last night to but my oats I offered to let him have for 27.00 per ton.
Sun Jan 01: Very pleasant spring like weather. John Siegfred here this morning to tell me I could have 27.00 for my oats.
Mon Jan 02: Went to LaConner & rec $800. payment on my oats. Sent pay for my sacks & 63 dollars to Wilson. Gave(?) Eds. Cov. for 28.00. Went to the N.Y. Ball at the hall a little while to see them dance.