Thu Dec 11: The children were taken with scarlet fever. Cold weather. Right side remedy for Croup Membranous
Fri Dec 12: Up with the children most of last night. Had Dr. Calhoun. Mercury down to 22° this A.M. Worked on dyke in the P.M.
Sat Dec 13: Went to town and came home on the Merwin. Got a stove. Snowing some to day.
Sun Dec 14: Snowing hard to day. Old Prince got cash today.
Mon Dec 15: Mercury to 16° this A.M. Snow 7 inches deep. Aunt Lou & Mr Butters went to town on a sled. The schooner Lake at Whitneys for hay. Jenne sold his grain at 17.25 per ton on the 13th to Crosby. C & S. sold a week ago for $16.25 and have paid $3.00 of the rails.
Tue Dec 16: Cold working on the house. Children getting better. Whitney sick. Cold.
Wed Dec 17: Aunt Lou & Mr Butters married. Party in the hall this eve.
Thu Dec 18: Working on the house.
Fri Dec 19: Cold all this week.
Sat Dec 20: No entry.
Sun Dec 21: No entry.
Mon Dec 22: No entry.
Tue Dec 23: Went to town on sled. Paid taxes for W.
Wed Dec 24: No entry.
Thu Dec 25: Christmas party at the Hall last night.
Fri Dec 26: Working on the house.
Sat Dec 27: Working on the house. Painting. More snow.
Sun Dec 28: Not very well to day. Mr B. preached in the school house. Cold & good sleighing.
Mon Dec 29: Sick. Whitney also. He had Dr. Calhoun.
Tue Dec 30: Painting on the house. Inside.
Wed Dec 31: Went to town to get provisions. Sold note of H. Peck to Gaches. Good sleighing. [margin: Mercury down to 9°]
January 1885
Thu Jan 01: (entry 1)Cold good sleighing. Working on the house. Some warmer today. (entry 2)Weather growing warmer and the snow going off. Working on the Bradley house 8 hours.
Fri Jan 02: (entry 1)Thawing today. Working on the house. (entry 2)Still warmer. working on house 8 hours painting.
1885 Jan 3-10
Image Id: 002-0491
Transcription
Sat Jan 03: Rain all day and last night. Working on house.
Sun Jan 04: Pleasant day. Very high tide. Wrote a letter to Geo. Was over to A.G.T.'s some.
Mon Jan 05: Warm & wet; painting on the house as usual. Frost nearly out of the ground and lots of water over it.
Tue Jan 06: Heavy rain all night and the highest tide of the season this A.M. Jones place flooded. Painting 6 hours and 2 hours on the dyke. Making gate to S. box.
Wed Jan 07: Rainy. Land flooded with fresh water. Painting 8 hours. Mercury standing at 50.
Thu Jan 08: Little cooler and no rain. Land still flooded. Painting 8 hours. Stroebel moving to town to day.
Fri Jan 09: Pleasant day. Water going down some. Stroebel brought furniture and dishes from (unreadable).
Sat Jan 10: Fixed saw for Peter in the A.M. and moving the lumber (unreadable),Allen helping some (unreadable) have 6 more (unreadable).
1885 Jan 11-27
Image Id: 002-0492
Transcription
Sun Jan 11: Pleasant day but a light frost this A.M. Wrote to Geo.
Mon Jan 12: Moving and fixing up the house. Took supper by ourselves this eve. Worked on the B. house 2 hours. Fix my chimneys. Pleasant day.
Tue Jan 13: Painting out side 6 hours. Frost. Foggy day. Got the first Eastern mail of the year last night.
Wed Jan 14: Painted & marked grain 4 hours. Then went to Utsalady on the Monroe to see about getting lumber for a house.
Thu Jan 15: Staid in Utsalady until 3 P.M. Came to LaConner on "Quincy" and staid all night. Bought a bill of lumber. Staid at McGlinn's all night. Paid $200. on lumber.
Fri Jan 16: Staid in LaConner till 3 P.M. then walked home. Snowed all day. Very hard walking. Got home at 6 P.M.
Sat Jan 17: Stormy day. Did not do much. Borrowed 50 old sacks of Sterns to get saw dust in. Bowden after Seaman's grain to day. Snow 7 inches deep this A.M.
Sun Jan 18: Raining and freezing this A.M. Very disagreeable weather. Began writing in this book today. (unreadable) at night. Bowden here in the (unreadable) also Aunt Lou & Mr Butters, Mrs T. for a call.
Mon Jan 19: Helped fix up the house some. Filed a saw for Mr Butters. Fine weather.
Tue Jan 20: Filed a saw for Whicker and moved in books & case some. Rather pleasant weather. Tides low.
Wed Jan 21: Went to LaC with A.G.T. in Whitneys boat. Pleasant day. Got home at 8 P.M. Whitney some better to day. Got 2 boxes of apples & sack graham 25.
Thu Jan 22: Stormy day in the A.M. The "Bob Irving" here for grain at my place and I rec'd $200. more rent. Making $500 in all. $100 still to come.
Fri Jan 23: Filed a saw for Peter in the A.M. worked on the wood house and water barrel 6 hours. Otto signed his note to day. Mr Callahan here this P.M. or eve. Sent orders for lumber for A.G.T. & Sterns.
Sat Jan 24: Clowdy & a little rain. Worked 8 hours for W. filing saws & making steps for the house.
Sun Jan 25: Pleasant day. Staid at home all day reading & writing. Aunt Lou & Mr Butters gave us a call.
Mon Jan 26: Worked on the house 8 hours. Hanging paper & fixing foundation. Stoeble & Peter started for Olympia. A.G.T. went to LaConner. Fine weather for work.
Tue Jan 27: Worked 4 hours in the A.M. hanging paper. Allen's baby died last night. In the P.M. made a coffin for the baby. Aunt Lou came over this eve to help cover & finish.
1885 Jan 28-Feb 8
Image Id: 002-0493
Transcription
Wed Jan 28: Allen's baby buried today. Nettie not very well. Finished the coffin and worked about the house for my self in the A.M. Worked for W. boarding up around the house in the P.M. 4 hours.
Thu Jan 29: Rained 3 hours. Went to town to get medicine for Nettie. Grandma came home with me. Borrowed Ann's boat. Nettie has sore knee.
Fri Jan 30: Rained too much to do much out of doors. Spent the time drawing house plan. In the P.M. helped Peter on his house. 4 1/2 hours.
Sat Jan 31: Clowdy & warm. Working for Peter on his house about 9 hours. Sprinkled rain some but not enough to stop work.
February 1885
Sun Feb 01: Rainy day most of the day. Reading in the A.M. and over visiting with R.E.W. in the P.M. Nettie getting better. Wrote to Geo in the eve.
Mon Feb 02: Sterns & Crumrine hauled 30 bales of hay for me from the barn to the warehouse. I helped hauled and cut up the planks for a tank and put them in the granary. Pleasant but blowing a strong S.E. wind. The schooner Parry is out in the bay waiting to come in when the wind goes down. S. & C. owe me 8 bales of hay.
Tue Feb 03: Puttied in the window lights one hour and worked on Butters tank 4 hours. Wind still blowing from the S.E. Bowden unable to get in. Dave Foster sick with diphtheria.
Wed Feb 04: The schooner got in and we unloaded lumber all day. Windy but no rain. Crumrine & Sterns helped me in the P.M.
Thu Feb 05: Finished unloading lumber. Pleasant day, very like spring. Went to LaConner in the P.M. & staid all night went to church in the P.M. eve. Bowden went to town with me.
Fri Feb 06: Came from LaConner in the A.M. Sent money to Utsalady for lumber. Brought home my bureau. In the P.M. went to the "45 ft slough" to fix box. Worked 2 1/2 hours. Very pleasant day. The grass is getting quite green. Polson's oats sold lately for $1.10 in Frisco.
Sat Feb 07: Light frost this A.M. Worked on Mr Butter's tank & Tillinghasts folks went clamming tonight. First grass is 3 inches high in many places.
Sun Feb 08: The clammers are not home yet. Staid at home in the A.M. & wrote to Geo. Peter here to dinner. Went up to Callahans & got some Welcome oats in the P.M. Pleasant day. Whitney still in bed most of the time. Arlie not very well.
1885 Feb 9-25
Image Id: 002-0494
Transcription
Mon Feb 09: Not so pleasant to day. Snowing a little most of the day. The folks came home at 10. Working 8 hours. 1 1/2 hours on Butter's tank and 6 1/2 hours on Whitneys big tank across the slough. Amos helping me. Cold disagreeable N.E. storm in the eve.
Tue Feb 10: Worked for Whitney 9 hours making E. troughs. Rainy but not cold.
Wed Feb 11: L. Wallace was here and staid all night last night. Working on tank across the slough 9 hours. Clowdy and showery. Rained hard last night.
Thu Feb 12: Rainy day. Made window frames 6 hours for Peter & filed a saw. Was over to Tillinghasts in the eve. Cut my finger.
Fri Feb 13: Settled up with Whitney in the A.M. Worked on tank 3 hours in the P.M.
Sat Feb 14: Not doing much in the A.M. Worked on Whitneys tank 2 1/2 hours in the P.M. Rainy & muddy.
Sun Feb 15: Rainy part of the day. Was over to Whitneys in the eve. Butters & Tillinghasts folks here in the eve.
Mon Feb 16: Working for Whitney 9 hours on the shed by the hay barn. Nice weather to work.
Tue Feb 17: Tillinghast & Ida went to town. Sterns & myself hauling & stacking out lumber. Fine weather.
Wed Feb 18: Helped Whitney turn over the tank then hauled lumber until about 4 P.M. and quit for rain. Sterns & Amos helped. Til & Ida came home from town at noon.
Thu Feb 19: Strong S.E. wind. Piled lumber in the A.M. Sterns helped some. Got a Doz fruit trees from O. Dickinson. With Whitneys. Worked for Whitney 4 hours in the P.M. on tank & scow.
Fri Feb 20: Worked for Whitney 8 hours on shed. Putting on shakes. Alf Stacey here to dinner. Fine day.
Sat Feb 21: Working for R.E.W. on scow and marking oats 8 hours. Filed a saw for Whicken just night.
Sun Feb 22: Cold drying north wind to day. The steamer Quincy here for a load of Whitneys oats. Halt B. got his fingers jammed on scow plank. Very pleasant day, was over to Whitneys & Baileys. Pady O'Hare here in the P.M.
Mon Feb 23: Sent a letter to George. Worked for W. 8 1/2 hours pruning orchard.
Tue Feb 24: Filed a saw for Peter in the A.M. then went to look for ax on the dyke. Pruned trees for Whitney & staked out land for Butters. 5 1/2 hours.
Wed Feb 25: Worked for W 4 hours trimming ochard. Began dressing porch posts for myself in the P.M.
1885 Feb 26-Mar 12
Image Id: 002-0495
Transcription
Thu Feb 26: Rain & hail. Worked in the granary dressing posts & pruned trees some for myself. Alf Stacey here in the eve. Hard west wind.
Fri Feb 27: In the A.M. went with alf Stacey to look at the Dick's ranch. Found lots of water. In the P.M. sowed timothy end on the dyke and pruned fruit trees for self.
Sat Feb 28: Went down to the beach to get some wood logs with Sterns. Got home at 6 with 3 logs found. Fred White & Blanche Clark here. Pleasant day.
March 1885
Sun Mar 01: Windy but rather pleasant. Went to church and to Tillinghasts a little while. Fred & Blanche went home at 3.30 P.M.
Mon Mar 02: Pleasant. Worked 9 1/2 hs pruning orchard from Whitney. Set a letter to Geo with weather report for Feb.
Tue Mar 03: Worked 9 1/2 hs pruning orchard. Rained some in the evening. Art White here this eve to fix the Post Office papers. Whitney & myself went on the postmasters bond for 1000 dollars.
Wed Mar 04: Cleaveland's day. Went to Joneses to help him make a road out to the marsh. Rain part of the day. Ar. White over here this eve.
Thu Mar 05: Fixed Butters saw. Made a pair of clothes bars & planed porch posts. Finished them. Rainy day.
Fri Mar 06: In the A.M. it rained and I dressed planks for a tank to the new house. In the P.M. worked 5 hours pruning orchard for Whitney. North wind in the P.M.
Sat Mar 07: Pruned trees for W. 3 hours and for myself 1 hour. In the P.M. went down the dyke and sawed wood for myself on saw log.
Sun Mar 08: Beautiful day. Went up to Sterns in the P.M. T & B's folks went to the beach. Walking. Picked a fine boquet of pansies, daisies and wild currants are also in bloom. Ground very wet, but drying fast.
Mon Mar 09: Fine weather. Warmest day since last fall. Filed saws, pruned orchard for self and planted some plums stones(wild) also hazel nuts. Rec'd a letter from G.S. with an acct of weather very cold.
Tue Mar 10: Went up to my timber lot to cut ditch timber. Sterns worked with me. Cut my foot some and my boot more. Grass growing finely. Stock doing well without any feeding.
Wed Mar 11: Frank White here this A.M. Went to the timber to work sawing ditch timber. Peter working for me to day. Weather warm & springy. Crumrine & Sterns worked on company dyke or dam for me 2 1/2 days and myself 1/2 day which is not charged.
Thu Mar 12: Working in the timber making ditch timber. Sterns & Peter also. Very fine day. Heard that Mrs Ri?? was dead.
1885 Mar 13-28
Image Id: 002-0496
Transcription
Fri Mar 13: Fine growing weather. Tillinghast uncovering cabbage. I went to the timber to make ditch timber. Peter also. Have 13 or 14 cords made this week and road to it about finished.
Sat Mar 14: Working in the woods, Sterns & Peter also. Finished & brought home the tools. Have 16 cords of ditch & shingle timber. Made some rails & posts and the road in good shape to get it out. Fine weather all this week.
Sun Mar 15: Staid about home in the A.M. Went over to Whitneys in the P.M. Fine day. Was over to Aunt Lou's to hear Joe Goodwin in the eve. Fine N. lights to night. Wrote a letter to Geo.
Mon Mar 16: Set out some trees and worked in garden & orchard until noon. Had a fine view ot the eclipse. In the P.M. worked for W. 5 hours. Selling out fruit trees. Ground in fine order. W. began plowing with one team. Earl driving it. Planted a few potatos.
Tue Mar 17: Set out trees for W. 5 hours in the A.M. Planted some peas & dug ditch for self in the P.M. Whitney went to LaC for the first time this year. Ground is fine order. Most of the neighbors plowing.
Wed Mar 18: Ditching in the house lot for my self. Helped tip the scow over in the P.M.
Thu Mar 19: Ditching as usual. Splendid weather. Rec'd a letter from George.
Fri Mar 20: Ditching. A good many teams plowing. I think this is the finest March I ever saw.
Sat Mar 21: Ditching in building spot. Have 75 rods dug, 2 spadings deep. Foggy in the A.M. Crumrine plowing with 2 teams.
Sun Mar 22: Wrote a letter to Geo. Walked out a little in the P.M. Very pleasant drying weather. Tillinghast & Butters folks Went to Hat Island today for clams, &c
Mon Mar 23: In the A.M. went down the dyke & got a boat load of stove wood & then pumped scow for Whitney till 11.40. Land drying very fast. Farmers all plowing. Sawing wood in the P.M.
Tue Mar 24: Finished sawing up my wood log & split it up. Fixed saw 1 hour for Lee Bradley. Split stove wood till dinner time. Planted garden stuff on Whitneys land in the P.M. Peas, potatos, turnips, lettuce, Onions &c. Went to T's to get some seed in the eve. Very pleasant weather.
Wed Mar 25: Spent the day making and setting out a strawberry bed up on out own place.
Thu Mar 26: Pleasant drying weather. Sowing timothy seed for Whitney, picked some wild lillies. Sowed seed all day.
Fri Mar 27: Went to Jenne's with Pete to make a tank. Joe Bradley died this A.M. in Seattle.
Sat Mar 28: At Jenne's making tank. Peter also. Clowdy but no rain. Farmers putting in last licks.
1885 Mar 29-Apr 12
Image Id: 002-0497
Transcription
Sun Mar 29: Pleasant day. Mr Jorgenson down with a buggie from LaC. The peas are coming up. Had some radishes from Tillinghast gardens. Found blue grass over 2 ft high. Mr Brooks the minister here in the eve to practice singing for the funeral tomorrow.
Mon Mar 30: Made some grafting was and went to the funeral in the A.M. Fine day. There was a large turnout to the funeral, about 100 people. Grandma Leamer & Guss Stroebel here to dinner. Split wood and fixed a saw in the P.M.
Tue Mar 31: Went to the timber and cut found a tree stuff. Peter with me. Still dry weather. Ball breaking on new land.
April 1885
Wed Apr 01: Working in the timber same as yesterday. Fine weather. W sowing oats.
Thu Apr 02: Went to Jenne's to work on tank. Still fine weather.
Fri Apr 03: Still fine weather. I working on tank for Jenne. Finished making. 4 days. Sterns sowing 11 acres of oats.
Sat Apr 04: Spent this day staking out the channel to Indian slough. Fred White & Blanche Clark over today. Roy Carter here yesterday & today.
Sun Apr 05: Mr Brooks preached to day in the hall. Roy, Fred & Blanche here to dinner. Rain a little in the P.M. Eva & Nelson also Earl & Peter called on us in the P.M.
Mon Apr 06: Stuck out lumber in the granary in the A.M. & cut wood in the P.M. down side of the dyke. Whitney finished sowing oats on this side of the slough. Ground getting pretty dry. Peas, turnips, radishes &c up. Light frost this A.M.
Tue Apr 07: Quite a heavy frost this A.M. 31°. Worked for Whitney to day 10 hours. Moving Aunt Lou's chicken house 10 hours.
Wed Apr 08: Working for Whitney 10 hours. Sowing seed, filing saw, fixing fence & plane wood, &c. Frost again this A.M. Clear & pleasant. Ground getting pretty dry. Grandma L. here to day. She is keeping house for Alf Stacey.
Thu Apr 09: Working for Whitney all day making fence & chickenhouse for Mrs. B.
Fri Apr 10: Helping Bob Woodburn build chicken house for Mrs Bradley. Fine day. W. went to town in a wagon to day.
Sat Apr 11: Jenne went to the timber with his team & wagon and helped me haul out ditch & shingle timber. Got out about 13 cords. The steamer J.B. Lilly in after Whitneys hay & the schooner Parry after Seamen's oats. Fine weather. Every body sowing oats. Jenne finished sowing oats last night. Whitney has about 100 acres sown. Florence & Frank White came over today.
Sun Apr 12: Ida fell in the slop bucket this A.M. or tried to. Had a splendid rain today. Clarence & Frank here to dinner.
1885 Apr 13-26
Image Id: 002-0498
Transcription
Mon Apr 13: Fine growing weather. Went over to Jennes & got some surplus strawberry plants and made a scow oar in the A.M. In the P.M. worked for Whitney on chicken house & loaded hay also. Helped put stringers on the bridge up by Callahans.
Tue Apr 14: Made a scow oar and worked for W. 1/4 day on chicken house. In the P.M. went to Jones' to get a scow load of ditch timbers. Got caught in a wind storm and had to leave it at Soderburg's bridge.
Wed Apr 15: Went after the scow this A.M. Had a hard hailstorm. Got to my granary at 9 oclock. In the P.M. worked for W. 4 hours making gates.
Thu Apr 16: Split ditch timber for myself until 3 P.M. Went after a boatload of wood. Clowdy. Frost this A.M. Milked Sterns cows this eve.
Fri Apr 17: Began making shingles in the A.M. & went for ditch timber in the P.M. with scow. Bob Woodburn went with me in the P.M. got home at 8 P.M.
Sat Apr 18: Working for myself, made a maul. Went to Kalso's to get a froe. Split ditch timber some & made shingles.
Sun Apr 19: Went over to Alf. Stacey's and took the folks and in the P.M. over to Darcy's. Came home in the eve. The Padilla folks went to Saddlebag. Beautiful day but cool.
Mon Apr 20: Went to LaConner with Whitney in boat. He went to Utsalady for lumber. Came home in the eve. Bought some hats(?) of Martin.
Tue Apr 21: Rec'd some raspberries & currant cuttings, some grapes from Pa. Set them out and set some grapes also. Made shingles part of the time. Cool & windy. Garden stuff not growing much.
Wed Apr 22: Making shingles part of the day and hoing in the garden. The assessor was here and Harry Dewey arrived home from Cal. R.E. got home from Utsalady.
Thu Apr 23: Making shingles made over 1000 18 inche shingles. Whitney finished sowing oats, but not harrowing. Quite a hard frost this A.M. and has hurt some strawberries. Ground pretty dry and rain is wanted. Otto sold his oats yesterday for 17 dollars per ton.
Fri Apr 24: Making shingles. Weather about the same. Cold and dry.
Sat Apr 25: Making shingles. Jim Gaches here to get me to weigh grain.
Sun Apr 26: Weighing Otto's grain till 4 P.M. Strong drying north wind. After supper went over to Alf's to see the folks and back at 9 P.M. Very warm this eve. The warmest of the month, so far. Ground very dry and much of the grain will not come up till it rains.
1885 Apr 27-May 13
Image Id: 002-0499
Transcription
Mon Apr 27: Made shingles part of the day. Sterns hauled my a load of wood. Went over after the folks in the P.M. Weather dry & smoky. Feltwell had my scow to move seed grain. Vinz's mother's birth day.
Tue Apr 28: Made 900 shingles. The warmest day of the season so far. 64° Have 5750 shingles made to date.
Wed Apr 29: Making shingles. Rec'd the strawberries from Pa. and set them out in my garden. North LongfellowcrescentVick South West row MarieherterSharplessBidwell
Thu Apr 30: Set out and hoed S. berries till 10 A.M. Made shingles the balance of the day. Have 7850 or there abouts. Ground very dry and rain wanted.
May 1885
Fri May 01: Weight grain for Gaches till 10 A.M. Made a few shingles but had to quit for sore neck or stiff neck. W. started for Seattle. Went down & fixed the school blackboard. Planted the bliss peas. Some beans & S. corn.
Sat May 02: Spent the day readng and walking about the ranch. Was not able to work.
Sun May 03: Went to church at the school house. Warm & dry. Blanche Clark came down with Alphie Stacey just night.
Mon May 04: Making shingles again. Have over 8000 now.
Tue May 05: Making shingles.
Wed May 06: Making shingles splitting ditch timber in the P.M.
Thu May 07: Made a few shingles. Crumrine hauling wood & ditch timber for me. Split ditch timber & planted some beets & parsnips in the P.M. Rains nicely in the P.M. & evening. Just what is needed. Mr Flagg here to day.
Fri May 08: Make a meat sage most of the day. Fine growing weather. A fine rain last night and everything bounding.
Sat May 09: Splendid growing weather. Went to the timber with Crumrine and hauled out foundation timber. Crumrine hauling stove wood yesterday for me in the P.M. John Ball got a load of loose hay from me to day. Went down to the skating rink a while in the evening and tried on skates.
Sun May 10: Wrote to George. Went to S.S. Was made Supt. Darcy's folks over here & Ed Stacey's folks. Mrs W. got hurt. Fine day.
Mon May 11: Making a meat safe & planting carrots. Rain a little in the eve.
Tue May 12: Had a fine rain all the A.M. Spent the day making shingles. Have 11,000 made now. There is no danger of drought this season.
Wed May 13: Raining again this A.M. and a good part of the day. Ground very wet now. Made a box for the melodian and filed a saw.
1885 May 14-Jun 2
Image Id: 002-0500
Transcription
Thu May 14: Ditching & putting in ditch timbers. Ground quite wet, the grain is growing well, but is very weedy. Some of the grafts & cutting are starting. S. berries dying.
Fri May 15: Ditching & putting in cedar. Warm fine growing weather.
Sat May 16: (Diary says 17) Ditching in the A.M. fixed the organ box & hoes strawberries in the P.M.
Sun May 17: (Diary says 18) Went to Sunday school had good attendance. Fine day. Mr. Jorgenson & E Stacey was here. Blanche came back.
Mon May 18: (Diary says 19) Hoeing garden & filling ditches. Light rain in the P.M.
Tue May 19: (Diary says 20) Rain most all last night. Made few shingles in the A.M. and worked on a safe for McKown in the P.M.
Wed May 20: (Diary says 20, back in sync.) Rain a good deal last night and most of the time to day. Worked on the safe till 2 P.M. did not do much after that. Planted some squashes.
Thu May 21: Began a new ditch in the house lot in the A.M. and in P.M. worked on McKowns safe. Ground most too wet & cold for things to grow well.
Fri May 22: Ditching & filling ditch in house lot. Pleasant day. Heard of George's wedding on 21st ???. Wish him much luck & happiness.
Sat May 23: Ditching all day a light rain just night. Paid W. $20. on dyke lumber.
Sun May 24: Went to Sunday School as usual. Pleasant day & very warm. Was over to Tillinghasts in the P.M. Wrote to George.
Mon May 25: Went to town with Huff. Got home at 3 P.M. Rain part of the day.
Tue May 26: Ditching in the house lot and Tom Crumrine helping.
Wed May 27: Tom Crumrine helping. Made a sluice box to put up by the hay barn. One & a half day to the dyke & 50 cts. worth of spikes. 1/2 day filling ditches.
Thu May 28: Crumrine working I put 1 1/2 days on dyke putting in sluice box, filling in ditch 1/2 day. Got the box at the hay shed in, in good shape.
Fri May 29: 1 day on dyke making sluice box, self rec'd a letter from Geo. Had a mess(?) strawberries.
Sat May 30: Hoeing in the garden & planted some corn & beans. Went & got some salmon berries in the P.M. on John Ball's ranch.
Sun May 31: Went to S.S. and was at home the balance of the day. Had salmon berries for dinner. Grandma L. here. 40 present at S.S. to day. Wrote to Aunt Eliza in the P.M. Mrs. Jenne was here.
June 1885
Mon Jun 01: Fine weather. Working on sluice box for dyking Co. Otto & other began working on the road to day.
Tue Jun 02: Working on the large sluice box. Finished it. Piknic folks got home at noon. Ed Stacey here to dinner. Good growing weather.
1885 Jun 3-20
Image Id: 002-0501
Transcription
Wed Jun 03: Clear & pleasant. Helped Tillinghast all day hoeing garden.
Thu Jun 04: Sticking out lumber in the A.M. Rained some in the morning. Hoed strawberries in the P.M. Planted a few potatos.
Fri Jun 05: Made a ladder & split wood. Cool & clowdy. Poor corn(?) weather. Rec'd a paper with Geo's wedding in.
Sat Jun 06: Cold, clowdy & rainy, but pleasant in the P.M. Filling ditches making ladders & saw horses.
Sun Jun 07: Pleasant day. Went to Sunday School as usual. Attendance 44. Earl Whitney took dinner with us.
Mon Jun 08: Made 2 ladders. Cleaned out the granary & hoed in the garden. Filed Whitneys saw(framing saw).
Tue Jun 09: Good growing weather. Cleaned out ditch by the barn and filled ditch in the P.M. Pearl is 8 years old. Eva and Nelson Richards married last night in LaConner.
Wed Jun 10: In the A.M. did not do much but chore around. Help peters set up his stove. In the P.M. went after house timber, but could not get it on account of low tide. Schooner Parry loading oats at Whitneys for Victoria. [margin: Earl Whitney started for Cal. to day.]
Thu Jun 11: Changing work with Peter helped him hoe cabbage all day. Warm.
Fri Jun 12: Helping Peter 3/4 day hoe cabbage. Very warm & a small thunder shower in the evening. Had no letter from Geo for 3 weeks.
Sat Jun 13: Filed saw & hoed garden some in the P.M. & evening went after foundation timber. Did not get home until 11 oclock P.M.
Sun Jun 14: Quite a hard rain last night, but none today. Went to Sunday school about 48 present. Staid at home in the P.M. reading.
Mon Jun 15: Picked a small mess of peas last night fit to cook. Went up the slough & got my raft of timber then helped Crumrine scow hay. Picked strawberries in the P.M. in Tillinghasts patch.
Tue Jun 16: Sterns & myself hauling in & laying foundation to the house. Warm & sultry. Aunt Lou came here to work to day.
Wed Jun 17: Working on the foundation, Peter helping. Have all the ground sills laid and 3 sills up. Warmer.
Thu Jun 18: Peter helping me 1/2 day laying foundation. Self all day. Have the sills all laid. It looks strong & substantial.
Fri Jun 19: Planted some turnips. Worked on the foundation setting posts under the sills. Have them all under tonight.
Sat Jun 20: Hoing in the garden up at Sterns. 1/2 day & worked on foundation 1/2. Fine weather barley in full head in the orchard. Picked a mess of red raspberries & peas also. The orchard is growing splendid & no insects disturbing it yet. [margin: Strawberries growing lively.]
1885 Jun 21-Jul 6 (Duplicate of next)
Image Id: 002-0502
Transcription
Sun Jun 21: Went to Sunday School & to preaching by Mr Johnson. 60 persons at Sunday school. Lovely weather. Mr. Bunster killed on Skagit last Friday by a tree.
Mon Jun 22: Went over after mother Leamer this A.M. Did not do much but chore about. Pick berries, &c. Mowed the clothes line patch. Peter went to LaConner for Dr. Calhoun for Ida.
Tue Jun 23: Calhoun arrived & the baby was born at 1 oclock A.M. Spent the day not doing much in the A.M. and dyking with Sterns in the P.M.[margin: Grant Clark.]
Wed Jun 24: Working for the dyking Co. digging a place for the big box.
Thu Jun 25: Working for dyking Co. 3/4 day digging for a box. Mr Graham here. Went with him to see Crumrine.
Fri Jun 26: Working on the dyke & box 1/2 and for W on barn frame 1/2 day.
Sat Jun 27: Went to LaConner to help Peter prove up. Tillinghast also. Got home at 7 P.M.
Sun Jun 28: Went to Sunday school 41 present. Steamer Daisy here for hay. Darcy's folks called on us in the P.M.
Mon Jun 29: Sent away the school report & Geo some papers. Picked some berries up at Sterns 2hr and worked on Alfred's hay rack. Ida not so well today.
Tue Jun 30: Sent Lee Bradley for Dr Calhoun. He arrived at 11 and was here to dinner. Worked on the hay rack 1/2 day and helped Whitney fix a wagon in the P.M. Ida better in the eve. Guss Stroeble here to supper. Rain just night.
July 1885
Wed Jul 01: Worked on Alf's wagon, rack some and went to LaConner with Crumrine in the P.M. and started for Seattle on Steamer Munroe. Gave Graham & Naber note for 85.52 for on Crumrines acc. Took a chattel mortgage on his crop for 540 dollars to secure the rent and the above note.
Thu Jul 02: Spent the day in Seattle buying windows & doors & hardware &c. Went aboard the steamer Washington at 9 P.M.
Fri Jul 03: Arrive at LaConner at 7 A.M. & came home with Huff in the P.M.
Sat Jul 04: Went to LaConner with the Sterns and spent the day. Heard a good oration and had a pleasant time. Got home at 8 P.M.
Sun Jul 05: Went to S.S. and to preaching. The Rev Brooks was here to dinner. Warm & pleasant. About 40 present.
Mon Jul 06: Went to Skagit river to see Mr Rougbly the carpenter. Went on foot & went through Mt Vernon. Got home at 6 P.M. Ed Stacey here to supper. Warm.
1885 Jul 7-21
Image Id: 002-0504
Transcription
Tue Jul 07: Went up to John Ball's with Pearl to get her tooth pulled. Then helped Alfred Stacey put on his hay rack. In the P.M. picked berries & hoes garden & strawberries. Big fire up north very smoky.
Wed Jul 08: Have furnished for the dyke up to date 50 cts in spikes & 9 days 10 hours each. Working on house 3/4 day. Sawing up shedding. Crumrine took away a load of hay. Settled with Whitney just night.
Thu Jul 09: In the A.M. worked on house joists. Sawing. In the P.M. went to the Ridge and got a pail of b berries.
Fri Jul 10: Went to LaConner with Huff and came home with A. Stacey. Expected the house material but it did not come. Got a barrel of sugar & box of prunes(?). Fine weather but smoky.
Sat Jul 11: Sterns & R???y, self hauling lumber out to the building spot in the A.M. In the P.M. fixed up Rouglly's bed and not much else. Warm & pleasant. Good hay weather. Whitney mowing clover.
Sun Jul 12: Very smokey and warm. Went to Sunday School. 37 present. Tillinghasts folks called in the P.M. & Mr. Jorgenson. Ida came downstairs for the first time since baby came.
Mon Jul 13: Mr Rouglly came today. I worked on house about 3/4 day. People mowing but is not very good hay weather. Looks like rain. [margin: Many others came today]
Tue Jul 14: Mr. Rouglly began his work on the house. Put the joists on and framed the studding. Clarence White here. Guss Stroeble over to Whitneys. Not looking well.
Wed Jul 15: Working on the house. Mr Rouglly also. Finished figuring stud height and joists & began putting up the wood house & kitchen. Sent Lee Bradley to town to get nails.
Thu Jul 16: R. & self working on house. Got all the studding up. Fine weather. R.E. & others haying. Bowden took away Lethwells oats today.
Fri Jul 17: R. & self on the house. Finished putting on plates and put on the collar beams. No steamer yet. Began putting on rustic.
Sat Jul 18: R. working 1/2 day. Self all day and Sterns 1/2 on the house putting on rustic. Rained some between 9 & 10 & from 12 to 2 P.M.
Sun Jul 19: Went to Sunday school & to preaching by the Rev Johnson. Attendance at S.S. 46. Pleasant day. Went to see Jenne's colts in the P.M.
Mon Jul 20: R & self working on the house all day putting on rustic. Good hay day.
Tue Jul 21: R & self & Crumrine working on house. Went to LaC in the P.M. & home on Str. Mineral. Stuff came for the house.
1885 Jul 22-Aug 8
Image Id: 002-0505
Transcription
Wed Jul 22: R., self & Crumrine working on the house. Putting roof & cornice on the kitchen. Sterns hauling lumber some for me in the A.M.
Thu Jul 23: R, self & Crumrine work on the house.
Fri Jul 24: R. self & C. working on the house. Finished roofing the kitchen. Sent Geo Sisson a note for $700.
Sat Jul 25: Rougbly 1/2 day & self all day on house. Fine weather.
Sun Jul 26: Went to Sunday School 24 present. Scarlet fever cause of small attendance. Ida went up to the new house to day.
Mon Jul 27: R, Crumrine & self working on the house. Putting up rafters, roof boards & cornice. Weather dry, windy & smokey. Sterns & Whitney hauling hay.
Tue Jul 28: Self Rougbly & Crumrine work on the house putting on cornice & sheeting. Fine weather for work.
Wed Jul 29: R. & Self putting on the "hog trough" & shingles & finished sheeting. Crumrine went to town.
Thu Jul 30: R. & self shingling & putting iron around the tower.
Fri Jul 31: Rougbly, Sterns & self shingling finished the main building & began siding up the tower. Loaned Peter Miller $18.80 to be paid in 2 months or less. Pleasant day. Sent by Huff for paint.
August 1885
Sat Aug 01: R. & Sterns working 1/2 day. Self all day. Put cornice on the tower. Fine weather.
Sun Aug 02: Went to Sunday School & to preaching by Mr Brooks. Ida went up to Mrs Wallace's this P.M. I went up to the new house with Aunt Lou's & Tillinghasts folks. Fine day.
Mon Aug 03: R. & self working on house. R. on bay windows. Self shingling the tower. Finished shingling all but window & porch.
Tue Aug 04: R. working on bay window. Self laying floors down stairs.
Wed Aug 05: Ida & the children came home last night. R & self on the house. R on the window. I oiled the gutters. Painted some on the tower and put window frames together. [margin: Whitney began cutting oats.]
Thu Aug 06: R working on bay window 3/4 day. I putting window frames together. Put in the tower frames. Clowdy & sprinkled to rain some. Most every body harvesting.
Fri Aug 07: R. working on bay window frames. I on other frames. Finished all the frames.
Sat Aug 08: R. worked 1/2 day putting in window frames. Myself all day laying floor. Braced(?) some plum trees this eve & cut the strawberry runners. Whitney finished cutting on this side of the slough.
1885 Aug 9-24
Image Id: 002-0506
Transcription
Sun Aug 09: Went to Sunday school about 40 pres. Beautiful weather. Otto cutting oats. Mr Hurd & Mr Corkins called in the P.M. Was over to Tillinghasts and W's in the P.M. Guss Stroebel died Sunday night 12 M.
Mon Aug 10: R. working 3/4 day putting in window frames & making door frames. Self 3/4 day laying floors & several other jobs. Went to look for the heifer in the P.M. The White boys here in the eve. & Art staid all night.
Tue Aug 11: Worked 1/4 day in the A.M. then quit to go to Guss' burial. Finished the cornice moulding this A.M. Got home from the burial at 2 P.M. worked an house 1/2 day. Painted the cornice & took the scaffold down. R putting door frames together & putting in windows. Fine harvest weather. Everybody cutting oats. Otto cutting for Sterns today.
Wed Aug 12: R. & self working all day putting in windows, window & door frames. Finished the frames.
Thu Aug 13: Fine harvest weather. R. finished setting the windows & began finishing the bay window in the P.M. I working at windows & lining(?) the house.
Fri Aug 14: R. working on bay window. Self putting on ceiling.
Sat Aug 15: R. finished the bay window & began casing other windows. The bay window took about 8 days.
Sun Aug 16: Went to Sunday school and to preaching by Mr Johnson. Was out walking in my field in the P.M. Crumrine cutting oats. About 35 at S.S.
Mon Aug 17: Cool & foggy. Rowley working 1/2 day casing windows. My self putting on lining in D. room & tower 1st floor. Bob Burns here to dinner. Good harvesting in the P.M. Damp mornings.
Tue Aug 18: R. making & putting in door frames. S. cutting & putting in partitions.
Wed Aug 19: R. finished the door frames below & S. worked on stairs & ceiling.
Thu Aug 20: R. working at fitting & hanging doors. S. on stairs. Fine harvest weather. Crumrine finished cutting oats yesterday.
Fri Aug 21: R. working on house hanging doors & putting on locks. S. working 1/4 day. Went to town the balance of the day.
Sat Aug 22: R. putting on locks & hanging doors in the kitchen. S. finished the stairs. Put on ceiling, &c.
Sun Aug 23: Went to Sunday school. 34 present. Fine weather. Whitney finished cutting and set his threshing machine.
Mon Aug 24: R hand(?) doors & finished for present. Self working out side on the l??? & filing saws. Whitney threshing.
1885 Aug 25-Sep 10
Image Id: 002-0507
Transcription
Tue Aug 25: R. & S. putting on baseboards in the A.M. & began on the porch in the P.M. Got the sills up and began laying the floor. Sterns got his grain threshed today. Had 350 sks.
Wed Aug 26: R. & self working on porch all day. Got the lower floor done & began framing posts.
Thu Aug 27: R & self working on porch most all day. I helped Sterns haul 2 loads of lumber out from the granary and put in the house. Got the frame up and began laying the upper floor.
Fri Aug 28: Working on the porch. R & self. Finished laying & painting the floor & putting on the cornice.
Sat Aug 29: R & self working on the back porch. Got it done all but ceiling & lining.
Sun Aug 30: Went to Sunday School. Small school not over 30 in attendance. Very smoky weather. Two machines threshing as usual, one at Otto's & one at Callahan's.
Mon Aug 31: Cash of house to date 1596. R working 1/2 day finishing up porch & putting on corner boards. Self all day painted porch floors.
September 1885
Tue Sep 01: Reigenwatter threshing at Crumrines to day. R. putting on corner boards and putting down carpet strips. Self paint some & putting on corner boards.
Wed Sep 02: R. & self working on house. Began ceiling over head & made some back strips. Crumrine finish threshing on my ranch. He had 1662 sacks.
Thu Sep 03: R. & self ceiling finished below. Whitney's machine finished all inside of this dyke today & went to Ed Stacey's.
Fri Sep 04: R. fixing bay window & front door. Self making steps to front porch. Crumrine hauled out 2 loads of lumber and began hauling in his oats.
Sat Sep 05: R. working on wood house window frame & ceiling up kitchen and flooring the same. Self packing lumber & making steps and weighing grain bought of Crumrine at 20 dollars per ton to pay rent &c.
Sun Sep 06: Went to Sunday School & to preaching. 37 present.
Mon Sep 07: Went to LaConner. Ida also. Got my chimneys & stove. Got home at 4 P.M. Still no rain.
Tue Sep 08: A light rain this A.M. Strong S.E. wind all day and rain at intervals. Working on the house cutting holes for chimneys & stove pipes. [margin: The heifer calved last night.]
Wed Sep 09: Quite a hard rain last night and look like more. Began putting up chimneys & worked on kitchen some.
Thu Sep 10: Threshing some to day. Crumrine's sack pile burned over. Working on closet or painting partition.
1885 Sep 11-30
Image Id: 002-0508
Transcription
Fri Sep 11: Ceiling, the pantry & kitchen finished them. Rain from 10 A.M. Crumrines grain in bad shape. Put in the wood shed windows.
Sat Sep 12: Raining this A.M. Working on the wood house laying floor, &c. Cleaned out the house. Cut up oilcans to put over windows, &c. Driving storm all day.
Sun Sep 13: Went to Sunday school. Pleasant. Had a slim attendance. The smallest yet.
Mon Sep 14: Worked on the house a few minutes then went to help Whitney thresh till noon. Went to take Kalso's team home and made a nice board for the new stove. Had a hard rain from 3 P.M. till night.
Tue Sep 15: Moving to day. Pleasant till 4 P.M. then rain till night. Finished moving & hauled 3 loads of wood. Aunt Lou helped & Alf. Stacey's man & team.
Wed Sep 16: Working on house trimming windows and fixing chimneys. W. threshing in the P.M. Fed the calf(for the first time).
Thu Sep 17: Pleasant this A.M. Sterns went to the Samish to thresh to day. Dug my potatoes & made a gate.
Fri Sep 18: Finished trimming windows then painted the balance of the day.
Sat Sep 19: Painting most all day. Rain in the P.M. Mrs Wallace visited all night here last night.
Sun Sep 20: Rainy day most of the day. Whitney finished threshing. Did not have any Sunday school.
Mon Sep 21: Fine weather. Painting first coat.
Tue Sep 22: Painting, finished first coat. Frank White here in the eve. Fine day.
Wed Sep 23: Pleasant morning, but rained before noon. Hoed strawberries some. Picked up lumber in the yard & in the P.M. worked on the wall, putting on ceiling up stairs.
Thu Sep 24: Pleasant again. Filed saws in the A.M. & put sawdust in the closet in the P.M. Frank Graham was here to see the house.
Fri Sep 25: Filed a saw and put on ceiling up stairs the balance of the day. Had the house & furniture insured against fire for $1800. five years. Whitney started for Oregon to buy cows.
Sat Sep 26: Spent the day ceiling up the stair way & hall above. Bowden here in the P.M. looking at the house. Crumrine finished hauling in grain.
Sun Sep 27: Warm & pleasant. Staid at home all day. Did not go to Sunday School.
Mon Sep 28: Working on a tank and putting down matting. Peter helping. It rained some.
Tue Sep 29: Working on tank. Peter also.
Wed Sep 30: Working on tank. Peter also. ???? Clark here to day.
1885 Oct 1-18
Image Id: 002-0509
Transcription
October 1885
Thu Oct 01: Pleasant day with north wind. Peter & I working on the tank house all day.
Fri Oct 02: Peter helping till 4 P.M. Self all day on tank. Mr Fine weather with north wind.
Sat Oct 03: Mr Fine weather with north wind. Finished the tank house and painted it. Sterns went to the Samish & I done his chores. Alf Stacey here in the eve.
Sun Oct 04: Went to church to hear Mr Brooks preach on the China question. Fine day. Eve & Nelson called on us in the P.M. Mary Wallace here to dinner & Ray also.
Mon Oct 05: Worked in the orchard & strawberry bed. Put a new gate on the sluice box. Fixed a gate latch. Ground up tools and tinkered around generally.
Tue Oct 06: Picked the squashes. Oiled the front door. Made a calf pen. Clarence White here. Went out to see Crumrine in the P.M. and worked up stairs some. Steamer Merwin after Ball's grain.
Wed Oct 07: Working on the house all day. A Leamer & wife & Mrs Hancock here in the eve and all night.
Thu Oct 08: Working on house, began the lower stairs. Al's folks left here this A.M. Clowdy this P.M.
Fri Oct 09: Working on lower stairs.
Sat Oct 10: Working on lower stairs. Crumrine sold his oats to Dorr's 20. Rumor says.
Sun Oct 11: Pleasant day. Staid at home all day. Ed Stacey here & Blanche Clark. The latter to stay awhile.
Mon Oct 12: Went down to Boletinville in the A.M. Ceiling the tower in the P.M. John Ball threshing his last job. Otto offered 19.50 for his oats.
Tue Oct 13: Fine day. Ball finished threshing. Working on the house all day. At the tower, our bedroom. Huff came down to stay in the eve.
Wed Oct 14: Went to town with Mr Huff to sign his bond for carrying the mail. Ida went also. Callahan sold his oats today for $20.00 per ton.
Thu Oct 15: Went to the Olympia marsh with Mr Huff. Took guns along but did not see any deer to shoot. Got home at milking time.
Fri Oct 16: Went to Skagit River with Whitney to see Davis barn & imported stock. Fine weather. Frost this A.M.
Sat Oct 17: Fixed & made doors to the granary and put lock on. Put knobs on cow's horns. Lovely weather.
Sun Oct 18: Went up to Alf's & then to LaConner to church. Heard Mr Wickser preach. Came home at 5 P.M. Peter up here in the eve. Lovely weather.
1885 Oct 19-Nov 6
Image Id: 002-0510
Transcription
Mon Oct 19: Working on house 1/2 day. Helping Crumrine mark & tally grain 2 hours. Fine weather. Was down to Whitneys to settle up the dyke account in the eve.
Tue Oct 20: Helped Crumrine tally oats in the A.M. Hung window curtains in the P.M. Had a lame back.
Wed Oct 21: Worked on the house ceiling about 3/4 day. Have worked 7 1/2 days to date on the house that is not charged since Oct 3.
Thu Oct 22: Worked on the house 1/2 day & on the dyke 1/2 day taking dirt from behind the big box.
Fri Oct 23: Working on the house about 1/2 day & in the orchard fixing for cherry trees some. Crumrine hauling dirt for them from the Smith ranch. [margin: Harry & Peter here this evening.]
Sat Oct 24: Working on the house ceiling 3/4 day. Van Valkenburg here to see me to day. Frank White called also.
Sun Oct 25: Harry & Peter here to dinner. Clowdy. Went down to the saw mill walking in the P.M. It looks rather feeble. Was over to Sterns in the eve a little while. Wrote to Geo.
Mon Oct 26: Went to LaConner with Huff gave Bowden an order for lumber. Got $50. of Tillinghast on Note.
Tue Oct 27: I am 36 years old today and it is a cloudy rainy day. Went up to Jone's to get my mail. Put up the clothes line and worked on the house 1/2 day.
Wed Oct 28: Went over to Balls to get my scow. Worked on an oar some & in the orchard some. Rain last night.
Thu Oct 29: Went to the timber to get out some fence posts. Sterns & his team also. Rain last night.
Fri Oct 30: Went to Jones & got a scow load of rails & posts then hauled them out & hauled rails the balance of the day. Sterns helping all day, his team an half day. [margin: Alice Foster died this morning.]
Sat Oct 31: Rainy day, worked on the house 1/4. Began making crib for the boy.
November 1885
Sun Nov 01: Rained a good deal last night and looks like it yet. Alice Foster is to be buried today. Went to the funeral at 1 P.M. Rev Brooks made some remarks. [margin: Damp, clowdy & rainy.]
Mon Nov 02: Worked on a crib most of the day. Peter left his gun here.
Tue Nov 03: Sterns & I made fence in the A.M. worked on the house 1/4 in the P.M. Making door frames.
Wed Nov 04: Rain all day. Went out to make fence but had to quit. Worked on the house 1/2 day.
Thu Nov 05: Worked on house 1/2 day and on fence 2 hours. Frank McKown shot himself to day accidentally. Lots of rain last night & this A.M.
Fri Nov 06: Went to the funeral in the P.M. & made fence in the A.M. Sterns also. Darcys folks here to dinner to day.
1885 Nov 7-24
Image Id: 002-0511
Transcription
Sat Nov 07: Heavy rain all last: tank full. Sterns & myself went to LaC in a boat. Rainy & clowdy.
Sun Nov 08: Windy but no rain. Staid at home all day. Blanche Clark came down with Ed Stacey.
Mon Nov 09: Worked on the house 1/2 day and on babies crib. Rainy day. Land getting quite wet.
Tue Nov 10: Worked on the fence all day. Quite pleasant.
Wed Nov 11: Worked on fence 1/2 & on ditch 1/2. Sterns ditto. Clowdy & windy. Bob Feltwell drowned to day out in bay.
Thu Nov 12: Worked in the A.M. cleaning out the ditch, Sterns also. Went to Feltwell's funeral in the P.M. Strong wind & some rain.
Fri Nov 13: Sent off an order for fruit trees this A.M. to O Dickenson. Made a cow stable & Sterns hauled out some ditch timber. Rain in the A.M.
Sat Nov 14: Cleaning out ditch & putting in ditch timber. Clowdy but good working weather.
Sun Nov 15: Rainy, gloomy day. November so far has been a rainy, bad, month for work. Baby was sick most all night and we did not sleep much of any.
Mon Nov 16: Ditching. Sterns hauling d. timber from McKowns. The perry brought my lumber from Utsalady.
Tue Nov 17: Ditching all day. Nice day to work. Mrs ------ down at the mill died today, making four deaths in this neighborhood in three weeks.
Wed Nov 18: Ditching in the A.M. Began to rain at 11 A.M. Sterns hauled 2 loads of ditching timber from McKowns. Went to the funeral in the P.M.
Thu Nov 19: Ditching & splitting timber for ditch. Went down to Whitneys in the eve. Calling and to Aunt Lous last night.
Fri Nov 20: Rainy in the A.M. Aunt Lou up here washing windows & I putting in weights.
Sat Nov 21: Hauling lumber with Sterns in the A.M. putting down carpet in the P.M. Pleasant day.
Sun Nov 22: Staid about home all day.
Mon Nov 23: High wind last night. Went to ditching but quit & went to town, Grandma went with me. Gave not to Jim Gaches for $150. to be paid on demand for borrowed money. Got a bb sugar. Paid taxes, Paid Bowdin freight bill to Well. $10.00 paid Poole & Polson for plow.
Tue Nov 24: Highest tide in several years this A.M. the dyke broke at Till. Water about 6 inches deep around the house all day. Not doing much. Repairing dyke some John Ball & Jones flooded. This is a time of much wet under foot. [margin: No more plowing this fall.]
1885 Nov 25-Dec 11
Image Id: 002-0512
Transcription
Wed Nov 25: Worked all night last night putting in a dam. Another high tide this A.M. Higher than yesterday, 2 inches or more.
Thu Nov 26: Another very high tide this A.M. Ball's big gate is out of place. Went up to look at it today, worked on the dyke some in the P.M. Strong S.E. wind all day & the prospect good for another big tide tomorrow.
Fri Nov 27: Went up to help fix Ball's gates this A.M. 3 oclock. Another high tide this A.M. Fixed dyke some & cut up lumber for partitions up stairs, clothesrooms & put it up stairs to season. Heard that Vice-President Hendricks was dead. Oats are going down.
Sat Nov 28: Building fence out on the road in the A.M. & working on dyke in the A.M. down by Siegfreds point. Tide falling off today.
Sun Nov 29: Staid about home all day reading. Wrote George a letter in the P.M. Tides quite low today.
Mon Nov 30: Heavy rain last night & this A.M. Went up and got Crumrines team and in the P.M. began breaking meadow. Sterns helping with his team. Not going very well until just night.
December 1885
Tue Dec 01: Quiet. Breaking meadow getting along first rate to day. Weather warm & pleasant. The water from the break in the dyke had about ran off now.
Wed Dec 02: Breaking meadow. Sterns also. Frank White here to night. Fine weather. Heard that Mr Daniels was dead.
Thu Dec 03: Filling ditches & setting out trees. Got some trees from O. Dickenson by Tillinghast.
Fri Dec 04: Setting out trees & ditching in the orchard. Fine weather. Mrs. Bradley up here in the evening.
Sat Dec 05: Sterns plowing stubble some. Self ditching in the garden. Burdon here with squashes.
Sun Dec 06: Staid about home all day. Blanche Clark came back again.
Mon Dec 07: Plowing all day. Sterns helping. Fine day.
Tue Dec 08: Fixing fence in the A.M. and ditching also, plowing in the P.M. Wet disagreeable day & cold frost last night.
Wed Dec 09: Plowing all day. have about 8 acres plowed ad all the sod want to plow. Down to W's in evening.
Thu Dec 10: Sharp frost this A.M. Spent the most of the day helping Tillinghast cover cabbages. Sterns went to town. W.J. Whitney arrived yesterday from Cal.
Fri Dec 11: Coldest A.M. of the season 22°. Worked for Tillinghast 3/4 day. Whitneys & Sterns plowing. Ground frozen some.
1885 Dec 12-Jan 1, 1886
Image Id: 002-0513
Transcription
Sat Dec 12: Ditching in the orchard. Sterns plowing.
Sun Dec 13: Home all day. Wrote to Geo.
Mon Dec 14: Ditching in the A.M. went up to John Balls in the P.M. & graded sloughs some.
Tue Dec 15: Grading sloughs out in the Allen 80. Sterns plowing. Bargained for Crumrine's team & wagon, colt, plow, harrow &c at $100.
Wed Dec 16: Filling ditches and setting out trees. Sterns plowing.
Thu Dec 17: Fine day. Sterns plowing. Setting out trees in the A.M. & P.M. also.
Fri Dec 18: Sterns finished plowing the 11 acre piece. My self building fence. Fine weather to work.
Sat Dec 19: Went down to Whitneys & then down to the mill to see McKown. Fixed a saw in the P.M. and a water bb. Fine weather to work.
Sun Dec 20: Went to LaConner & staid all night. Went to Church and heard Banks preach. Staid at McGlinn's.
Mon Dec 21: Came home from LaConner at 4 P.M.
Tue Dec 22: Went up to the Smith ranch with Sterns to make rails for line fence.
Wed Dec 23: Went up to the Smith ranch with Sterns to make rails for line fence. Windy & cold, rainy some.
Thu Dec 24: Higher tide this A.M. but not so high as the Nov tide. Not working today. Laying off for Christmas tree this A.M.
Fri Dec 25: Christmas. Had a fine time last night at the tree, but the weather was bad & rainy. Had the highest tide this A.M. we have had for 10 or more years. John Ball flooded again. Our dyke all right. Except what ran over and leaked through. Very pleasant A.M. but clowdy towards noon. Got a chicken of Aunt Lou for Christmas.
Sat Dec 26: Went up to the Smith Ranch and made rails and at 10 P.M. went up and helped John Ball put in a dam. Sterns helping make rails.
Sun Dec 27: Helping Ball until 7 A.M. Was pretty sleepy. Rainy day.
Mon Dec 28: Helped Sterns fix the shed for his colts. Bought some oats of Crumrine. 90 dollars worth at 18 per ton. Fixed dyke some in the P.M.
Tue Dec 29: Worked for Whitney making a sluice box.
Wed Dec 30: Worked on the house ceiling, the large bedroom & done the chores.
Thu Dec 31: Went to Crumrines to get the team, but he was not at home. Help Sterns haul straw & hay. Got 910 lbs baled hay of Whitney. Crumrine brought the team down in the P.M.
Fri Jan 01: Spent the day in the house visiting W.J.W., Mr & Mrs Richards, Aunt Lou, A.G.T. & wife were here to dinner. Not a very pleasant day out of doors, but passable in the house by the stove. about 1/2 inch of snow.