Tue Dec 10: Went to LaConner and took Abbott. Warm. Rainy at night. J. Gaches here & got a sample of oats. Did chores, went up to Bartletts and down to the dams, stick in the box.
Wed Dec 11: At home all day. Warm & windy.
Thu Dec 12: Went to LaConner to settle up with Alf on Aunt Lou's account. He paid me $817.00. Sold Hanson some hay, 5 tons, he paid $10.00 on it. Wrote to Aunt Lou & G. Sisson. [margin: Rainy P.M. & eve.]
Fri Dec 13: Rainy last night & some to day. Sold Tom Esary 1885 lbs hay. He did not pay for it.
Sat Dec 14: High wind & some rain. Was down on the dyke 3 hours this A.M. and was up to Geo Jennes' in the P.M. to see Otto's dyke. Very windy.
Sun Dec 15: Went to church at B.V. Mr. Derbyshire was the preacher. About 4 inches of snow, but not very cold. [margin: Snow.]
Mon Dec 16: Snowy. Was up to Jenne's helping him get ready to move. Cold night. [margin: Snowy.]
Tue Dec 17: Not doing much but chores. John Ball here to settle up. Mr. Abbott here also. [margin: Mercury at 23°]
Wed Dec 18: Warm. Snow going off. Went to the meeting in Bay View in Bay View and was down to Esary's to dinner. Went to church in the eve. Abbott & Baker there.
Thu Dec 19: Snow gone. Went to Bay View in the P.M. Rain. Rain hard last night and some tonight. Mrs McKown taken to the Asylum yesterday. Will here to dinner.
Fri Dec 20: Stormy. Self & Ida went to town. Rec'd a P.O order from Purdy for dike bill. [margin: Rain & hail]
Sat Dec 21: Pleasant day, Walter here this A.M. cleaning oats for cow feed. In the P.M. went to Bay View to pay up dyke bills. Frosty at night.
Sun Dec 22: Did not go any where to day. No preaching in B.V. Wrote to Aunt Frank(?). Ed Stacey here and Walter.
Mon Dec 23: Walter & self went to town with a load of oats and broke the wagon tongue. Terrible strong wind all night and most of the day.
Tue Dec 24: At home all day. Stormy rain & snow. Walter took his feed up home. Was down fixing dyke a few minutes in the P.M. by the box. Self & the children went to B.V. Christmas tree in the eve.
Wed Dec 25: Rainy A.M. and strong west wind all the after part of the day. Tides not running very high now. E. Axel & Jon Wilson here. Went up to Kalso's in the P.M. and down to look at the dyke in the eve.
Thu Dec 26: Another windy day. Was down to the dyke sharpening post an hour or so. Sold Esary Dave some hay.
Fri Dec 27: Done the chores & went to town with Ida in the P.M. Mr Baker was here and some others in the eve to bible study. Pleasant P.M. but cool. Ida had a tooth pulled.
Sat Dec 28: Not doing much. Went down to the dyke a while digging ditch for posts. Frank White & wife here all night.
Sun Dec 29: Windy. At home all day. Franks folks here.
Mon Dec 30: Windy. Done the chores and not much else.
Tue Dec 31: Another high tide & west wind. Came near being flooded worked most of the day on the dyke and till 12 oclock or the end of the year. This was the highest tide in 10 years except the one last year. Moon full to day at 3 P.M. [margin: Very windy all day. High tide.]
January 1896
Wed Jan 01: Ten inches of snow to day & some wind but not very cold. Don Palmer here. Tide fell off more that a foot today from yesterday.
Thu Jan 02: Clear & pleasant and good sleighing. Wrote to Nettie this eve. Had company from LaConner. This evening also. [margin: Mercury at 22°]
Fri Jan 03: Warmer & the snow going off. Went to town in the P.M. to take D. Palmer. Got pack of envelopes, a sack of O meal. Tides have bee hoe since Tuesday.
Sat Jan 04: Warmer. Snow gone and raining most of the day. Washed & oiled the single harness.
1896 Jan 5-29
Image Id: 001-0081
Transcription
Sun Jan 05: Stormy most of the day, went to LaConner to church. Mr Baker's last Sunday. Elmer & Willie Esary baptized. The girls & self went to Mr Marshalls to diner.
Mon Jan 06: Ida & Pearl went to town. Self done the chores & made a fence around the straw stack. Rain at night. [margin: Warm. Mercury at 56.]
Tue Jan 07: Warm & windy not doing much. Pearl went to LaC yesterday & staid to the Social.
Wed Jan 08: Rainy all night and to day. Tides not high.
Thu Jan 09: Marnie Barr & Kalso's here this eve. Very warm. Pleasant in the A.M. but rainy, agin in the A.M. Went to town in the P.M. & got a can of oil. Skagit River high & much land flooded and North Fork bridge gone.
Fri Jan 10: Pleasant & cooler. Sold 500 sks oats to Culver at 12.00 per ton. Went to bible reading at Mrs. Crumrines this eve.
Sat Jan 11: Frost 27°. Lyle Wallace here to dinner. In the P.M. went to LaConner bot a horse, baker & paid some bills with oat money. Let Alf have Aunt Lou's money again $6.50. [margin: Clear & cold.]
Sun Jan 12: Went to LaConner to church. Mr Bakers last sermon. Wrote to Father. Arthur Whitney here last night & today. [margin: Frost 23]
Mon Jan 13: Some warmer & snow squalls. Went to LaConner in the P.M. & got the horse "Cap" & a washing machine. Also took a plow up to be fixed.
Tue Jan 14: Snow 10 inches deep to day & stormy most of the time. Mercury at 28 & 30 through the day.
Wed Jan 15: Coldest A.M. of the winter so far. Good sleighing. Young folks out sleighing last night. Self at home doing chores. Prince horse lame. Horses all down to Lees to day to get the "distemper". [margin: Mer at 14°]
Thu Jan 16: Fine sleighing. Got ready to go to town but did not go. Had company, Woodburn's & Mrs Wilson. Growing warmer & snowing in the eve. [margin: Mer. at 22]
Fri Jan 17: Chinook wind all night & the snow most gone. Strong wind all day. Mr Berger here from Avon this eve. Did not go to meeting on the acct.
Sat Jan 18: Rain a good part of the day. Grant & self went to town. Let Phipps have $100 of Aunt Lou's money on his note for one year at 9%. Ground full of water. Warm & spongy drove Cap. [margin: Bar at 29 2/10 Lowest I ever saw it.]
Sun Jan 19: Stormy, did not go any where.
Mon Jan 20: Middling high tide. Sluice box open some, flooded on Lee's. Was up to Kalso's with school teacher contracts. Wrote to Aunt Lou yesterday.
Tue Jan 21: Pleasant day. Done the chores & set 30 fence posts on the John Ball dyke. Was down to the box in the eve. It was open again to day for the third.
Wed Jan 22: Warm & pleasant. The E.D. Smith here to day for my oats. Shipped 500 sks. Mr Williamson & Lee help me load them. They averaged 97 1/4 lbs and came to 58 cts per sack. Price 12.00 per ton. In the P.M. finished setting posts on the dyke.
Thu Jan 23: Rain last night & some to day. Doing chores & washing & oiling harness. Dry in the P.M. with a west wind. Jim Callahan breaking sod this week.
Fri Jan 24: Choring & screening grass seed 314 lbs. Ida & Pearl over to Mrs Whitneys. Went to bible meeting at Polsons this eve. [margin: Snow the the eve, light]
Sat Jan 25: Warm & showery. Done chores & went to town. Lee's mare died from "distemper". Oats worth $12.50.
Sun Jan 26: Warm & no rain. Went to Bay View to hear Rev Wright but he was sick & did not preach. Elmer here to dinner.
Mon Jan 27: Went to town & got the plow & took up 5 sacks of timothy seed to Fister. Got sack sugar & 2.5 lbs flour.
Tue Jan 28: Put barbed wire on the John Ball fence & screened timorhy seed some. [margin: Pleasant.]
Wed Jan 29: Ida & Pearl went to town. Mrs Walter here. Self cleaning seed & sowing clover in the pasture field. [margin: Pleasant.]
1896 Jan 30-Feb 22
Image Id: 001-0082
Transcription
Thu Jan 30: Sowing seed & fixing fence. Got some S. oats of Lee and had 2 sks grass seed. Put 6 sacks feed oats in the bin. Callahan plowing. [margin: Pleasant.]
Fri Jan 31: Rained some last night & this A.M. Cleaning screenings & doing chores. Have 375 sks oats in the granary and 30 sks screenings. Hay sold to date $173.25. Loose all.
February 1896
Sat Feb 01: Rained some more last night windy & clowdy. Fixed up the hen fence some & took teeth out of the harrow. Not very cold. Grass growing some.
Sun Feb 02: At home all day. Rather pleasant. Ida not well.
Mon Feb 03: Went to town in the P.M. Snowed some, but melted. Made a bargain with Mr Ch. Wersen to work Mar 1st. Heard from Geo about Father & Netties accident. Hay market no good. Oats worth $12.50 per ton.
Tue Feb 04: Rain all day. Steady. Ground full of water. Oiling & fixing up harness. Wrote to Father this eve.
Wed Feb 05: Rain some last night. None to day. Warm, pleasant. Fixing up my old harrow, put the teeth in & done the chores. Was down accross the meadow, it looks better than it did last April 1t. Grant sick this eve.
Thu Feb 06: Clowdy & misty. Not doing much but chores. Went to B.V. in the eve & P.M. Ida went to see Mrs. Elliott. Heard Arthur's phonograph. Rec'd a letter from Aunt Lou with notes entered and wrote her another note for 160.55 at 6% on demand.
Fri Feb 07: Pleasant day. Took Littia P away. Heard from Geo that Father was worse.
Sat Feb 08: Windy. Not doing much but chores. Reading Last of the Mohicans in the eve aloud.
Sun Feb 09: Went to B.V. to church. Rev Mr Cuddy preached from Mat. 27-22. Pleasant day.
Mon Feb 10: At home all day. Mr Wright's folks here for a calf this P.M. Rather pleasant day. Mailed a letter to Aunt Lou. Heard from Father that he was some better. Grant has tooth ache this eve. [margin: Father died today at nine o'clock]
Tue Feb 11: Stormy last night inside & out. Grant keeped us awake all night with tooth ache. Cold wind all day to day.
Wed Feb 12: Another stormy day. Doing nothing but chores to speak of. Grant tortured with tooth ache most of last night. Warm & grass growing some, but ground very wet.
Thu Feb 13: Very windy day and rain in the P.M. Pearl & self went to town in the P.M. Very muddy. Heard from Father again but he is no better.
Fri Feb 14: No rain to day and quite warm. Sent the day finishing up the harrow & painting it. Cost 3.15 for iron & sharpening teeth, 50¢ for paint and about 2 days time or about 6.00 all told. I call it a good job. Nother encouraging about selling hay. No demand at all.
Sat Feb 15: Rather warm. Worked in the garden some cleaning out old raspberries bush. Rain in the eve. Land very wet. Grant has tooth ace again to night. Did not hear from Father. [margin: Rain.]
Sun Feb 16: Beautiful day. Grass growing. Mercury at 55° Wrote to Geo.
Mon Feb 17: Received letter this A.M. from Geo telling of Father's death which occurred at 9 P.M. on Feb 10th and the funeral took place on Thurs the 13th. He was 69 years 4 mos & 2 days old. Died of heart failure brought on by an injury to the knee, caused by falling on the ice in the street of Scranton on Jan 11th. Ida sick to day and had Dr. Shore from LaConner. [margin: Fine weather with north wind. Self made a chicken coop and done the chores.]
Tue Feb 18: Ida in bed to day. Self not doing much but choring. Was up to the Purdy Ranch & got some willow cuttings & sawed up rails some for wood. Miss Barr & Mrs. Crumrine here.
Wed Feb 19: Ida about the same. Self & Grant went to Bay View for strawberry plants. Got some of Jones. [margin: Light frost.]
Thu Feb 20: Ida no better. Plowed some in the orchard and set out some strawberries, land in fair order for February. [margin: Frost.]
Fri Feb 21: Ida no better. Self done the chores & went to town. Bell & Wilkie plowing. Fine weather.
Sat Feb 22: Set out some raspberries. Got them at Kalsos. Went to bay view social in the eve. Ida worse tonight.
1896 Feb 23-Mar 19
Image Id: 001-0083
Transcription
Sun Feb 23: Got Lee to go for Dr. Shore for Ida this A.M. She did not rest any last night & I did not sleep any. Dr. Shower here this A.M. Ida better in the P.M. Bailey's folks here. [margin: Clowdy little rain P.M.]
Mon Feb 24: Ida worse again this eve. Self done chores, set some rhubarb. Drove "Queen" & "Maud" some for excercise & to break "Queen". Rec'd the Factoryville Tiding with Fathers obituary notice. Wrote to Mr Baker in the eve. Set up till after eleven to give Ida here medicine.
Tue Feb 25: Had the Dr. again for Ida this A.M. & Lee went after him. Very windy day & all last night.
Wed Feb 26: Ida a little better to day. Self & Grant went to town to get some plants & seeds of Tillinghast. Rain hard to night.
Thu Feb 27: Wet, plowing done with for some time. Ida about the same. Mrs Alexander & Kate here & Mrs W. staid all night.
Fri Feb 28: Another cold windy day. Grant had tooth ache again again and I had to to take him to town to get them out. Got home at 7 P.M. Mr. Barr's folks here this eve. Ida not so well today.
Sat Feb 29: Colder & snowing thism A.M. Ida about the same. Cold windy night. [margin: M 24° this eve.]
March 1896
Sun Mar 01: Cold & windy all last night & today. Went to Tholstrups after meat & did not get any. Ida fussy all day nervous & stomach troubling her. [margin: Me. at 20]
Mon Mar 02: Clear cold night again last night. Sold Mr Maribaugh a ton of hay at $6.50 to be paid June 20th. Mr. Charles Werson came to work to day. [margin: M. at 20]
Tue Mar 03: Clear & cold. Steamer Lake here after John Ball's hay. Self & Werson cleaning screenings & seed oats. Tillinghasts folks here calling this P.M. Polly had a calf. [margin: M. at 15°]
Wed Mar 04: Cleaning seed oats finished. 135 sks & 10 1/2 "Lincoln". Some warmer. Have 212 sks feed grain in granary. [margin: M. at 20°]
Thu Mar 05: Warmer hauling hay & manure. Willard here to get more hay. He now owes me ten dollars which he is to leave at Cotlenbaughs Mar 20th.
Fri Mar 06: Rainy some. Harnessed up Rinca(?) & hitched up Lou(?) to the wagon. Hauled manure in the A.M.
Sat Mar 07: Today hitched Queen to the wagon & drove her most of the A.M. She did very well. Went to town in the P.M. Ida not so well for the past two days.
Sun Mar 08: Went to B.V. to church. Rainy P.M. Wrote to George.
Mon Mar 09: In the A.M. set fence posts in the Bradley lane. P.M. began cleaning out ditch at S.E. corner of ranch.
Tue Mar 10: Cleaning out ditch & was up to Kalso's & Ed Byron's.
Wed Mar 11: Started one plow team at the east end of Ranch.
Thu Mar 12: Plowing with two teams. In the P.M. one team. Queen for the first time. Land in very fair order.
Fri Mar 13: Plowing with two teams. Ida worse again last night & had the Dr. to day. Very drying day. [margin: Frost.]
Sat Mar 14: Lovely day. Plowing with two teams. Sold four tons hay to L.W. Wida at $6.50 or $26.00 which I am to be paid in Mds at the store in Anacortes. [margin: Frost M 28°]
Sun Mar 15: At home all day. Pleasant. Lots of company. Ida not very well. [margin: Frost.]
Mon Mar 16: Plowing with two teams 1/2. One team all day. Self setting out berries & currants in the P.M. Planted some peas. [margin: Frost 28°]
Tue Mar 17: Plowing all day with two teams. Lovely weather. Will's folks here & he went to town. [margin: Frost 28°]
Wed Mar 18: Plowing with one team. Self & Grant went to Anacortes for a load of groceries. Brought home $26.00 worth. Got home at 4.30 P.M. Planted some potatos & ?Gordensas(?) & went to Elliott's to bible reading in the eve. Pleasant & warmer.
Thu Mar 19: Plowing with two teams. Strong south wind all day. Land in first class order but it looks like rain. Received a good long letter from Nettie.
1896 Mar 20-Apr 15
Image Id: 001-0084
Transcription
Fri Mar 20: Rain last night and this A.M. Wersen oiling and washing harness in the A.M. Plowing in the P.M. Self went to town and Grant went also. Hay market flat. The Alanson hay sold for $4.00 per ton.
Sat Mar 21: Plowing with two teams. Finished across the road & began on the Whitney piece. E A Sisson Point Pen This is the last pen point pen banking pen banking pen
Sun Mar 22: Pleasant day at home all day. Vinz & Emma here also Wilsons & Esarys. [margin: Frost.]
Mon Mar 23: Plowing with two teams. Strong south wind and hard shower in the eve.
Tue Mar 24: Ground pretty wet this A.M. Plowing one team all day the other 1/2. Alf Stacey here also Frank & Blanche White. Strong west wind in the P.M. A.J Stacey has had (1540,1895) 3535 lbs of hay to be paid for next fall.
Wed Mar 25: Another fine day for plowing. Both teams at it.
Thu Mar 26: Plowing went to BayView in the eve to bible reading. Sold Magee 15 tons hay on 60 days time.
Fri Mar 27: Plowing in the P.M. Rainy A.M. not working. Went to the social in the eve at Bradleys [margin: Cold.]
Sat Mar 28: Cold south E. wind. Plowed in the A.M. & it rained in the P.M. Mr & Mrs Wright here in the P.M.
Sun Mar 29: Went to church both A.M. & P.M. Mr. Wright & Abbott preached -- Windy & snow squall.
Mon Mar 30: Plowing with two teams. Cold but fine for plowing. Began on the sod by hay barn and the last piece of stubble. [margin: Frost 28°]
Tue Mar 31: Plowing as usual. Lovely day but rather cold. Ground frozen hard until ten oclock. [margin: Frost 28°]
April 1896
Wed Apr 01: Fine day for plowing but cold & windy. Charley finished the pasture lot by the hay barn. Self plowing stubble.
Thu Apr 02: Plowing with two teams finished the stubble. In the P.M. self plowing for Lee. [margin: Frost 30°]
Fri Apr 03: Fine plowing weather. Finished my plowing 85 ac. Self helping Lee plow. Thompson got a ton of hay and is to pay for it when there is another carload of shingles shipped. Mida got the bal of his hay & Esary T got a ton. Charley plowing headlands in the P.M. Ida worse again. did not come downstairs today. [margin: Frost. Clear & pleasant but cold.]
Sat Apr 04: Plowing for Lee. Charley rolling sode. Little warm and looks like rain tonight. Drakes horse sick.
Sun Apr 05: The steamer "Similk" here for hay and loaded 40 tons for A. & Z. Seattle. Mr Williamson help me load. Grant has a bad cold and Ida up and down stairs again.
Mon Apr 06: Charley disk harrowing sod. Self rolling sod in the A.M. & went to town in the P.M. Rain at night. [margin: Rain.]
Tue Apr 07: Self finished plowing headlands. Charley disk harrowing. Pear trees just blooming. Weather too cold for stuf to grow. [margin: Rain some.]
Wed Apr 08: Rain some in the P.M. Charley disk harrowing across the road. Self rolling sod. Finished at noon. Charley & Pearl went to bible meeting in the eve.
Thu Apr 09: Charley disk harrowing. Rain some last night. [margin: Frost]
Fri Apr 10: Charley disk harrowing. Finished. Self began harrowing in the P.M. on the east end field. Pleasant in the P.M.
Sat Apr 11: Harrowing with two team in the A.M. Rainy & cold. In the P.M. hauled two loads of hay.
Sun Apr 12: Rain nearly all last night and some to day. Went to church this P.M. Abbott preached. Heard of Mrs Will Well's death at Mt Vernon.
Mon Apr 13: Charley not working. Heavy rain again last night. Ground all afloat this A.M. Went to LaConner this P.M. got a can of kerosene. Rec'd a letter from Aunt Francis Leighton.
Tue Apr 14: Not much rain to day. C. Wersen away to day. Self done the chores & loaded hay for B. & Phipps.
Wed Apr 15: Doing chores & in the P.M. hauled up lumber from the scow to fix fence in the lane & put on the boards. No rain.
1896 Apr 16-May 9
Image Id: 001-0085
Transcription
Thu Apr 16: Charley back and began harrowing agin. Self worked on the fence in the A.M. & harrowed in the P.M. Some people seeding. Pleasant. [margin: Frost 28°]
Fri Apr 17: Lovely day. Both self & Wersen harrowing. Finished. Rough harrowing. Self workin gin the garden in the P.M. Ida out riding this P.M. Fred Kalso seeding. Plnted some lettuce, peas, &c. [margin: Frost 28°]
Sat Apr 18: Raining again lightly this A.M. Fixing fence for pigs. Plowed the garden patch out in the old orchard. [margin: Pleasant towards night.]
Sun Apr 19: Very drying day. The girls went to Samish with Elmer. Nettie up to Baers. Wrote to Mother & Geo.
Mon Apr 20: Began seeding 16 acres. Fine weather.
Tue Apr 21: Seeding 17 acres. Went to B.V. in the eve to Bible meeting. Mr Abbott here to dinner. Rain in the eve.
Wed Apr 22: Clowdy & damp, seeding. 47 acres in tonight. 68 sks common oats sowed. 43 of ours. Began on the "Lincoln Oats" at 4 P.M.
Thu Apr 23: Rainy A.M. Began sowing grass seed. Williamson helping in the P.M. Self sowing Lincoln oats & wheats. Pleasant P.M. Charley harrowing.
Fri Apr 24: Harrowing one team all day one 1/2. Finished sowing grass seed. No rain but threatening some.
Sat Apr 25: Self seeding. Charley harrowing 2d time across the road. Hard 65 acres in. 99 sks oats, 20 of wheet & over 400 lbs of timothy. Rainy P.M. & tonight rec'd letter from Geo. written last Sunday.
Sun Apr 26: Stormy A.M. went to Bay View to hear Abbott in the P.M. & to hear Wright in the eve. Wrote a letter to Aunt Francis.
Mon Apr 27: Mother's birthday. She is 68. Stormy day. Charley fixing fence in the P.M. Nothing but chores in the A.M. Ida worse to day & had Dr. Howe this eve.
Tue Apr 28: Land very wet. A poor time for oat farmers. Making fence in the A.M. out by the house finished. The "Lake" here for Masseys day.
Wed Apr 29: Charley rolling on the sod piece next to the Purdy ranch. Miss Hawkins buried to day. Pearl & self went to the funeral. Some folks seeding in the P.M. [margin: Cold & windy some P.M.]
Thu Apr 30: Charley harrowing. Self rolling 1/2 & seeding in the P.M. 9 acres 14 sks. Very cold wind all day but not much rain land in pretty fair order.
May 1896
Fri May 01: Rain some last night still cold & windy. Seeding finished. Charley harrowing all over one. Steamer "Lake" here this eve for the hay. The girls & I went to Wrights donation meeting at Bay View.
Sat May 02: Still cold & windy. Charley not working. Went home. the Lake here yet. finished loading the boat this P.M. Hauled 9 tons of hay up by the hay barn. Pleasant in the P.M. but windy. Massey sending 63875 lbs shipped today at $5.50.
Sun May 03: Another cold windy day but not much rain. No church today in B.V.
Mon May 04: Rain in the A.M. went & got a raft of lumber & fixed the pig lot. In the P.M. charley harrowing on the Whitney piece. Self rolling. Some warmer. Mrs Jorgenson died tonight.
Tue May 05: Very discouraging weather. Charley choring cutting up rails for wood, fixing road to the hay barn, &c. Not raining in the P.M. [margin: Rain ready all last night.]
Wed May 06: No rain to day-- drying day -- Self went to town. Charley ditching in the A.M. & finished harrowing in the P.M. Went to bible meeting in the P.M. Rev Abbott here.
Thu May 07: Rain again this A.M. This makes people look down their noses. Charley not doing much in the A.M. working on the ditch in the P.M. [margin: Rain tonight.]
Fri May 08: No rain to day. Drying day. Charley ditching & fixing flower beds. Self up to the ridge & to LaConner in the P.M. Ordered lumber for a scow.
Sat May 09: Pleasant drying day. Charley ditching and in the P.M. rolling sod pieces. Self went to Woolley to the Republican convention. Got home at 5 P.M. Lee finished seeding. Fred Kalso not through yet.
1896 May 10-Jun 4
Image Id: 001-0086
Transcription
Sun May 10: Charley & Grandma went to LaConner to church. I went to Bay View in the P.M. Abbott preached. Rain this eve. Cool & windy.
Mon May 11: Charley working in the ditch in the P.M. Kill the pig in the A.M. Arnold Tholstrup helping. [margin: Rain last night.]
Tue May 12: Mrs Paulson died yesterday A.M. 3 oclock. Charley on the ditch. Packed the meat & went to the funeral in the P.M. Cold. Ida rode out to day. [margin: Rain last night.]
Wed May 13: Began hauling gravel for the lane from Stearns.
Thu May 14: Self planting garden, beets, &c. Ida riding out. Charley hauling gravel. Mrs Elliott & Walter here. Self made squash boxes & went to town. Oats looking well. [margin: Rainy A.M.]
Fri May 15: Sent $5.00 to the P.I. Co. for six months sub. for del'y. Charley hauling gravel. Self planting corn & squashes, beans & turnips. Windy. The girls went to Bay View to practice for entertainment. [margin: Windy. Cold.]
Sat May 16: Charley hauling gravel, self sharpening up tools & fixing fences. In the P.M. clearing grass out of the orchard. Have 23 loads of gravel hauled now in 4 days. Think it will take 123 yet to reach the barn or 150 loads to go. 95 rods. Oats looking fairly well but grow slow. int is so cold. Meadows & pasture not doing well and look no better than last year at this date. [margin: Showy in that A.M. and last night. No rain in the P.M. but still threatening.]
Sun May 17: Charley went to Mt. Vernon. Wrote to George S. no preaching in Bay View today. [margin: Pleasant.]
Mon May 18: Charley hauling gravel. Self went to Mt Vernon to see about getting a harness. River very low. Roads rough. [margin: Pleasant]
Tue May 19: Windy & clowdy. Charles hauling gravel. 35 loads to date. Self planting beans & beets. Was up to Kalso's to see his harness.
Wed May 20: Charley hauling gravel. Self choring, cutting thistles, working garden &c. Fine weather.
Thu May 21: Fixing out smokehouse. Charley hauling gravel. In the P.M. went to LaConner to get scow lumber & got Maud shod. [margin: Fine growing weather.]
Fri May 22: Charley hauling gravel. Self cutting up scow lumber & unloading gunwales. Went to concert in the eve "League". Buschetta & Miss Peck here to dinner. [margin: Rain some in the eve.]
Sat May 23: Rainy A.M. (light) Charley cleaning out the wood house & hauling gravel in the P.M. Self jointing scow planks. Mr Wrights people here for a call this eve.
Sun May 24: Pleasant but clowdy & rainy just night. Went to hear Abbott at 3 P.M. & to Wrights memorial sermon at night.
Mon May 25: Charley hauling gravel. Self working on scow some & went to Bay View with Ida in the P.M.
Tue May 26: C. hauling gravel. Self worked in the garden some and in the P.M. took Ida to town to stay all night. Pleasant growing weather in the P.M. Oats looking well. [margin: Rainy some in the A.M.]
Wed May 27: Pleasant growing weather. C. hauling gravel. 74 loads all told. Self working in garden in the A.M. & went to Mt Vernon to get harness in the P.M. Ida in LaC. Lockharts folks here last eve. The girls to Wilsons party this eve.
Thu May 28: C. hauling gravel 80 loads. Self choring in the A.M. & went to LaConner for Ida in the P.M. St. Louis cyclone last night.
Fri May 29: Warm & pleasant. C. hauling gravel. Self rolling grain. The girls went to Avon to concert. 86 loads.
Sat May 30: Decoration day did not go. C. hauling gravel. Self rolling. Woodburn's folks here. Most of the grain looking well.[margin: Fine weather.]
Sun May 31: No church to day. Went over to Mrs Whitney's with Ida for a ride. Saw Tillinghasts & Bailey's folks. [margin: Fine weather.]
June 1896
Mon Jun 01: Charley away, working his road tax. Self finished rolling in the A.M. Took Ida up to Balls in the P.M. [margin: Fine weather.]
Tue Jun 02: Charley away. The girls went to town. Self hauling manure & fixing ground for cabbage, cleaning &c.
Wed Jun 03: C.W. away yet. Self taking the meat out & fixing up the smoke house, in the P.M. went to the woods for some maple wood. Clowdy & a little rain this A.M.
Thu Jun 04: C. home again. In the A.M. hauled a load of hay & a load of bedding from the hay barn and leveled off gravel in the P.M. [margin: Rainy day.]
1896 Jun 5-25
Image Id: 001-0087
Transcription
Fri Jun 05: Wersen hauling gravel. Self hoing potatos & putting posts under the old house. Good growing weather and the oats looking well. Wrights folks here in the eve. [margin: Rain a little.]
Sat Jun 06: C. hauling gravel in the A.M. 101 loads to date. Self finished putting posts under the old house in the A.M. & went to Pleasant Ridge and LaConner in the P.M. Pleasant most of the day. Grain looking pretty well. Miss Bessie Marshall here this eve. [margin: Clowdy this eve.]
Sun Jun 07: Unpleasant day. Went to church at Bay View in the eve and P.M.
Mon Jun 08: Rainy A.M. Self went to Frank Darcys. In the P.M. went to Walters for a load of wood and to school meeting. Charley mowing the yard & hauling wood.
Tue Jun 09: Charley hauling & cutting up driftwood. Self helping some. Pearls party this eve. Pleasant day.
Wed Jun 10: Mrs Stacey here. Pleasant day. C. hauling gravel 4 loads. Began on the scow. Otto, Lee & Jim helping. Frank Wright here.
Thu Jun 11: C. hauling gravel 6 loads. Total 111. Working on scow finished and put it in the water. Pleasant. Otto, Lee & Jim W helping.
Fri Jun 12: All working for self & Charley & Jim W for Lee. Drove posts after supper. 23 Pleasant.
Sat Jun 13: Washing wagons & working in the garden. Self went to Pleasant Ridge for matters(?) & to LaConner. [margin: Fine day.]
Sun Jun 14: Pleasant day. Charley & Pearl went to Mt Vernon. Nettie, self & Grant went to the Baptizing in the eve at Bay View. Doran & wife, Jacobson, Crightton & wife & Mrs Thompson baptized. [margin: Fine weather.]
Mon Jun 15: Charley plowed & sowed the wheat patch to oats. Self worked in the garden. Drove two post & moved the scow at night.
Tue Jun 16: Charley & self making posts for the dyke in the P.M. Out of bridge stuff. Charley hauling gravel in the P.M. Self choring and picking of stuff where we build the scow. Ida worse again to day & sick a bed all day. [margin: Fine weather.]
Wed Jun 17: Charley & the folks went to the picknick at Mt Erie. Self painted the buggie.
Thu Jun 18: Began painting and cleaning up the sitting room. Charley hauling gravel in the P.M. 116 load to date.
Fri Jun 19: Charley fixing he Olsen Road. Self went to town and painted the sitting room 2d coat in the P.M. Fine weather.
Sat Jun 20: Warm & dry. Charley washing carpet & working in the garden. Self & Lee papering the sitting room. Mrs Woodburn & Lurine here in the P.M. Ida still poorly.
Sun Jun 21: Garden looking pretty well but needs rain. Self & Pearl went to LaConner to church in the A.M. and Grant, Nettie & self went to Bay View in the eve. Mrs Whitney & the girls joined the M. E. church.
Mon Jun 22: Self went to LaConner for medicine for Ida. Charley working on the Olsen Road with team. Put down the carpet in the P.M. Wills folks & Walters folks here to supper. Fine weather but quite dry. Rec'd a letter from George.
Tue Jun 23: Grand 11 years old to day. Charley & self sharpening post for dyke and move the scow in the P.M. with posts & lumber. Mrs Scott & her folks here this P.M.
Wed Jun 24: Charley & self working on the dyke & drove posts in the evening by Lees old warehouse. Lee & Williamson helping in the eve. Warm & dry.
Thu Jun 25: Charley & Williamson working on dyke. Self in the A.M. Drove posts in the eve. Same as last night. Self went to town to take Pearl in the eve. She started for Seattle. Warm. Grain look fairly well. Drove posts south of Lee's warehouse. Lee & W. on dyke 12 hours.
1896 Jun 26-Jul 21
Image Id: 001-0088
Transcription
Fri Jun 26: Lee & W on dyke 11 hours. Drove posts in the eve at Cultis dam. Warmest day of the season this year so far. Self & Charley working on dyke. Self not working in the P.M. Took Ida up to Kalso's. Mr. Champion here to dinner. [margin: My ther. at 75° Kalso's 83°]
Sat Jun 27: Charley & self on dyke 12 hours for Murman(?). Driving posts in the eve. Lee & W helping 5 hours. Help Lee turn his tank over after dinner. Ida out riding this P.M. [margin: Warm day.]
Sun Jun 28: Self had a bad cold. Did not go anywhere. Frank Wright here. A Mr. Abbott to supper. Had a light shower and some thunder this eve.
Mon Jun 29: Still warm and Skagit River pretty high. Charley working on dyke & self 1/2 Williamson 1 day.
Tue Jun 30: Charley working on dyke, self 3/4 by the warehouse. Very warm.
July 1896
Wed Jul 01: Charley hauling gravel on the Road. Self tending garden & went out riding with Ida. [margin: Went to church in the eve.]
Thu Jul 02: Charley hauling gravel on the road. Self working for Fred Kalso. Warm & dry. Mr Abbotts folks here all night last night.
Fri Jul 03: Chaley washing wagon & cutting thistles. Self painting the spring wagon & working in the garden. Warm & dry.
Sat Jul 04: All went to LaConner. Ida staid all night at Mr Abbotts - Nice day & lots of people in LaConner. Mr Hurd made the speech & Mr Abbott the prayer.
Sun Jul 05: Warm & dry. At home all day. Not very well. [margin: Fred Kalso married.]
Mon Jul 06: Self went to B.V. & got some strawberries. Charle fixing for a sluice box by the Olsen gate. Self not well.
Tue Jul 07: Charley hauling dyke punchions. Self went to town in the A.M. I am not doing much. Fred Kalso haying this week. [margin: Warm & dry.]
Wed Jul 08: Charley hauling wood from the Hansens place 10 cords. Self painted the kitchen floor. [margin: Warm & dry.]
Thu Jul 09: Charley choring most of the day. Worked at dyke timber 2 hours. Self scowing 1 hour.
Fri Jul 10: Charley mowing around fences & covering ditch by the hay barn. Self & clowdy driving dyke posts 4 hours 1 man. [margin: Lee some on dyke.] Self fixing up haying tools. Made a new tongue for rake. [margin: Warm & dry.]
Sat Jul 11: Charley cultivating & hoing garden & wash the way on. Self painted the farm wagon & went to town in the P.M. Ordered sacks through J. Goldsmith at 4 3/8 S. F. [margin: Ida came home this eve.]
Sun Jul 12: Went to B.V. to church to hear Mr Abbott. Ida went for the first time since Feb or Jan rather.
Mon Jul 13: Elmer Axelson began work. Mowing. Fine weather. Mr. Smiths folks moved down to day in the old house.
Tue Jul 14: Haying. Elmer, Smith, Olsen 1/2 self 3 1/2 tedding & raking. Fine weather. Elmer about through on the north side of the road.
Wed Jul 15: Haying. Elmer mowing. Self raking & tedding. Smith, Olsen, Arnold Tholstrup 1/2. Went to B.V. in the eve to church organization.
Thu Jul 16: Haying. Elmer broke the mower & went to town to get it fixed. Only mowed 2 hours. Self raking & tedding. Smith, Olsen & Tholstrups cocking. Chores.
Fri Jul 17: Haying. E. mowing 1/2. Mr Larimer here all night. Smith, Olsen & Tholstrups. Charley clearing track & cocking.
Sat Jul 18: Haying. Have about 27 acres cocked up. Elmer mowing all day. Self raking & tedding. Smith, Olsen, Tholstrup. Have about 12 acres to mow yet. This has been a first class week for hay, but is getting very smoky now.
Sun Jul 19: Pleasant day. Kalso mowing with two mowers. Went to church in the A.M. Ida also. Wright preached. Went to children's day exercises in the eve.
Mon Jul 20: Elmer mowing tell 2.30 & broke down again finished across the road. Elmer went to get mower fixed. Smith & Charley & Olsen Tholstrup 1/2. Self tedding & raking.
Tue Jul 21: Clowdy & a little shower. Elmer mowing 3/4, Smith cocking 3/4, Olsen part of the P.M. Charley worked a while in the A.M. then went to town. Hannah's birthday.
1896 Jul 22-Aug 13
Image Id: 001-0089
Transcription
Wed Jul 22: Finished mowing & putting up across the road. Smith & Tholstrup 1/2. Clowdy poor hay W. Self tedding & raking. Elmer tedding 1/2.
Thu Jul 23: Smith, Elmer & Arnold cocking hay 1/2 Charley 1/2 & hauling manure 1/2. Self raking in the P.M. Finished. Ida went to Anacortes on the cars.
Fri Jul 24: Charley & Smith cocking hay 1/2, finished. Elmer & self went to town & got the sacks & worked some about the barn. In the P.M. Burdon got the timber. Arnold got a load of old hay & Charley helping him.
Sat Jul 25: Elmer 1/2, Smith 1/2. Smith & Charley hauling in 2 loads of hay in the stable. Charley went to town in the P.M. for planks for sluice box. Self & Elmer fixing fine and getting ready to haul hay in the A.M. Self went to Anacortes in the P.M. Smoky, poor hay weather
Sun Jul 26: Self, Ida & Grant at White's. Self came home in the eve. Pearl & Nettie to church in the P.M. (Abbott) and to League in the eve.
Mon Jul 27: Elmer, Charley, Pearl & Smith blackberrying, had poor luck. Self fixing for hauling hay & painting eave troughs. Nettie started to go camping this eve.
Tue Jul 28: Charley & Smith hauling hay in the stable. 7 loads. 9 all told. Elmer went after his team. Self tinkering and helping mow away hay.
Wed Jul 29: Hauling hay with 3 teams. 30 loads. Queen lathered a good deal, kicking &c. Smith, Arnold, Olsen, Elmer, Ryland, Sorenson. Concert in B.V. this eve. Pearl & Grant, Charley & Elmer went. [margin: Good hay day. Hay in good order.]
Thu Jul 30: Hauling hay. Crew same as yesterday & John L. extra. Self driving fork team 1/2 & mowing away 1/2 (30).
Fri Jul 31: Hauling hay. Crew same as yesterday. 30 loads, 99 to day, 90 in hay barn. Haying has taken about 67 days to day for 1 man.
August 1896
Sat Aug 01: Rain some this A.M. Self & Charley mending sacks and cleaning out the granary. No hay hauling to day. Hard thunder shower in the P.M. which soaked things up good.
Sun Aug 02: Ida & self went to church. Mr Williams preached. Alf & Susie here this P.M. Pearl not well.
Mon Aug 03: Self went to town & got binding twine. 250 lbs at $8.50 per hundred. No rain but hay is damp. Charles Wersen went home to work for himself some.
Tue Aug 04: Weather clowdy & damp for haying. Not fit to haul to day. Charley away.
Wed Aug 05: Pleasant day. Lee hauling hay. Self went after Charley in the P.M. up to his ranch. Went to Meeting in B.V. in the eve.
Thu Aug 06: Clowdy A.M. Hauling hay with one team. Elmer, Charley, Smith 1/2 & Arnold Tholstrup 1/2. Self driving fork team. Put 10 loads in the old barn & one in the horse barn. 54 old barn, 49 new barn, 11 in the horse barn, 110 all told.
Fri Aug 07: Charley went home. Elmer hauled two loads hay to Geo Creighton. Clowdy A.M. Hay damaged quite a good deal by the rains.
Sat Aug 08: Rain again this A.M. Doing nothing to day. Went to town in the P.M. for the Dr. for Ida.
Sun Aug 09: Ida sick all night. Went to church this P.M. Abbott preached. Ida Bowden here since Fri night.
Mon Aug 10: No men to day. Weather fine. Grain ripening fast. Made a sluice box.
Tue Aug 11: Put in the S. box beyond the barn. Smith & Arnold helping 3/4 each. Arnold had the team yesterday & 1/2 to day to haul hay. Kalso baling hay. Smith helping Arnold haul a load of hay to balance his work since afternoon. [margin: Fine dry weather.]
Wed Aug 12: Arnold finished hauling his hay, Smith helped him haul one load. Fine weather. Byron cutting oats. The girls went to Edison tonight to concert.
Thu Aug 13: Went to town for binder but did not get it. Will's folks here. Ida sick again. Nettie went home with Leenie. [margin: Fine weather.]
1896 Aug 15-Sep 8
Image Id: 001-0090
Transcription
Sat Aug 15: Mr Mills here to set up the binder. Tried it in the P.M. It worked all right. Kalso not satisfied with his. Say it's no good. Ida no better in bed again.
Sun Aug 16: Damp and foggy. Did not go to church.
Mon Aug 17: Cutting oats by the hay barn & began on the sod piece. Binder all right. Smith & Charley shocking.
Tue Aug 18: Cutting oats, began the piece at the east end of the ranch. Smith & Charley shocking.
Wed Aug 19: Cutting oats. Fine weather, but damp morning. Smith & Charley shocking. Went to B.V. in the eve to go to meeting but there was no meeting. Dr Howe here to see Ida again. She is some better.
Thu Aug 20: Cutting oats after 9.50. Ed Stacey here to dinner. Charley & Smith shocking. Binder all O.K. yet. Oats very short, but I think the piece will make 400 sks. [margin: Fine day.]
Fri Aug 21: Cutting oats. Charley & Smith shocking. Fine day.
Sat Aug 22: Eclipse of the moon tonight. Cutting oats, finished across the road. Have 52 acres cut tonight. Fine. Charley & Smith shocking. [margin: Fine weather.]
Sun Aug 23: Went to B.V. to church meeting this P.M. Ida still in bed most of the time. Dr. Howe here this eve.
Mon Aug 24: Cutting oats. Smith & Charley shocking. Fine weather. Began on Whitney piece.
Tue Aug 25: Cutting oats on the last piece. Damp A.M. Smith & Charley shocking grain.
Wed Aug 26: Foggy & damp all the A.M. too wet to cut. Got some lumber of Lee & fixed the stable floor in the A.M. Cutting oats in the P.M. good run. Smith & Charley shocking.
Thu Aug 27: Cutting oats, finished at 3 P.M. Smith & Charley shocking.
Fri Aug 28: Went to Tom Esary's to cut oats. Charley ditching in the slough in Whitney field.
Sat Aug 29: Cutting for Esary. Finished & moved the machine home. Charley ditching & was down to Esary's in the P.M. to help move the binder. Esary's land too rough to cut with any machine.
Sun Aug 30: At home all day. Ida as miserable as ever. Wrote to Geo. Weather clowdy & dark. Nettie & Will Woodburn here.
Mon Aug 31: Smith went to shock for Lou Esary. Charley hauling water in the A.M. & went to thresh with team for Fred Jenne in the P.M. Damp and poor drying weather.
September 1896
Tue Sep 01: Still damp & clowdy. Charley at Jenne's. Smith not working. Was over to Kate's with Ida.
Wed Sep 02: Charley helping Jenne thresh. John Ball began threshing. Smith ditching in the A.M. & helping Kalso shock in the eve. Self made a table & went to town in the P.M. Smith has worked 25 days to date.
Thu Sep 03: Charley & team at Ball's hauling sacks. Smith shocking for Kalso in the A.M. and hauling sacks for Kalso with my team in the P.M. Kalso & Jenne sold 100 tons oats at $12.00 per ton and a load of hay at $5.00 this week. [margin: Fine weather but grain tough. ]
Fri Sep 04: Charley & team at Byron's & Lockharts. Smith, team & wagon at Kalso's in the A.M. Smith shocking for Kalso in the P.M. Finished Byron's and Lockhart's at 5 P.M. & began on Lee's grain.
Sat Sep 05: Charley & Smith & two teams at Lee's threshing. Self went to town in the A.M. and to road election in the P.M.
Sun Sep 06: Lee finished at 4.30 & the threshers came to my field. Threshed 160 sks. Lincoln oats. Smith at Lockharts some in the A.M. Charley away in the P.M. with tooth ache.
Mon Sep 07: Threshing 1440 sks. 1567 all told. No rain. Grain turning out very well for the straw. 2 loads made 44 sks and another two loads made 59 sks. Very damp A.M. Charley & Smith hauling sks.
Tue Sep 08: Finished threshing at noon 2156 sks & over 100 screenings. Fine weather. Lee had two teams to day & one yesterday.
1896 Sep 9-Oct 1
Image Id: 001-0091
Transcription
Wed Sep 09: Threshing crew. Lockhart man & team, Olsen man & team, Byron man & team, Woodburn man & team, Johnson & team, Ball two men & teams. 4 pitchers, 2 straw stackers, 2 band cutters, 2 sack fillers, 2 sack sowers, screening tender, man in granary. The machine at Olsens & the men & two teams here. Self & Pearl went down to Wills. Fine weather.
Thu Sep 10: Sold 1050 sks to Gaches at $12.50 per ton and loaded it to day. Williamson & Smith helping 1/2 day each. Sax averaged 96 lbs. Smith had the team to take a home a load of straw in the P.M. Charley at Bob Woodburns threshing. Looks like rain.
Fri Sep 11: Charley at Woodburns threshing. Smith hauling straw for himself. Self helped him load straw. Went to town & fixed fence by the straw stack.
Sat Sep 12: Went up to see the new machine at Abbotts. Light rain but not enough to stop threshing. Smith hauling straw. Charley at Woodburns but not working. Machine out of order.
Sun Sep 13: Fine day. Charley went home for good. Pearl with him & to Pecks in the P.M. Self & Ida went to Bay View to call on Mrs Wright.
Mon Sep 14: Smith at Woodburns & Balls threshing. Self fixing fence, hauling straw in the P.M. Lee & W. & I working to gether getting in straw.
Tue Sep 15: Rain a good part of last night & some to day. Smith moving sacks in the granary in the A.M.
Wed Sep 16: Smith ditching. Self went to town in the A.M. & to Bay view to meeting in the eve. No rain.
Thu Sep 17: Threshing today. Smith & team at Ball's and Misto's(?). Self hauling & splitting ditch timber & in the P.M. hauled a load of rock & straw for the dyke. Pearl & Grant went to Woodburns & got Nettie. Foggy & smoky. Oats not selling very fast and are $1.00 less than when I sold.
Fri Sep 18: Pleasant but very foggy in the A.M. Self not doing much in the A.M. but hauling straw for bedding in the P.M. Olsen helping Smith & team at Mrs Whitneys threshing. Mrs Elliott here in the P.M. [margin: Clear weather but foggy mornings.]
Sat Sep 19: Self working on dyke by Lee's warehouse 4 hours. In the P.M. got in the beans & went over to Kate's. Birger here to dinner. Mrs W. finished threshing this P.M.
Sun Sep 20: Fine day. The machine at Masseys. Not using my team. Went to Bay View to church in the P.M. Abbott preached.
Mon Sep 21: Went to Pleasant Ridge with Ida. Pleasant day all the machines threshing. Smith at Massey's. [margin: Nettie began school at Bay View.]
Tue Sep 22: Smith at Massey's. Self hauling dyke posts. Lee working on dyke some. Foggy A.M. [margin: A letter from Geo.]
Wed Sep 23: Smith at Masseys & Ball's. Self went to town & took Grandma. Digging potatos in the P.M. Misty & threatening rain.
Thu Sep 24: No rain but clowdy. Smith at Ball's. Self finished digging potatos & went with Ida down to Esary's & Bay View. Grandma went to town yesterday to stay a while.
Fri Sep 25: Self & Ida started to go to Woodburn's but the went to town so we went to Wilson's. Pleasant but cool & foggy.
Sat Sep 26: Self working on dyke 3/4 sharpening posts & hauling straw. Pleasant.
Sun Sep 27: Went to B.V. to hear Wright morning & evening. Pleasant.
Mon Sep 28: Clowdy & sprinkled some. Not doing much. Smith at Ball's. Went hunting with Grant, got nothing.
Tue Sep 29: Hauled a load of wood in the A.M. and went to town in the P.M. for baling wire. Ball still threshing. Grandma came home. Settled up with Gaches. Oats still poor at 12 to 13.75.
Wed Sep 30: Went up and settled up with the men at Ball's. The girls up to Barr's to go to Whatcom Fair. [margin: Rainy day.]
October 1896
Thu Oct 01: Pleasant day. The girls went to the fair. Self went up to the Ridgeto see Fred K. & in the P.M. went to LaC. Ida went to Jennings. S. 35 1/2
1896 Oct 2-31 (Duplicate of next)
Image Id: 001-0092
Transcription
Fri Oct 02: Rain again last night & this A.M. Smith had the team to go to the Ridge for wood. Self settled up with Lee. The girls not home yet. Pleasant in the P.M.
Sat Oct 03: Ball finished threshing. Smith & Olsen helping him 3/4. Self working on ditch some in the A.M. Mr & Mrs White here this P.M. Pleasant day.
Sun Oct 04: Blanche & Frank here & Mrs & Mr Bailey. Did not go to church. The girls went.
Mon Oct 05: Began baling hay. Smith helping stow away bales. Nettie going to school.
Tue Oct 06: Baling hay. 49 tons out to night. Hay turning out well.
Wed Oct 07: Baling hay. 74 tons out to night. Pleasant weather. 57 tons in first barn.
Thu Oct 08: Baling hay. 101 tons tonight. Fine weather.
Fri Oct 09: Baling until 11.30 then broke down. Smith ditching in the P.M.
Sat Oct 10: Finished baling at noon. 120 tons 1700 lbs. cost 135 per ton. 99 loads made 127 tons. 107 bales average of 266 lbs. [margin: Rain in the P.M.]
Sun Oct 11: At home all day. Wrote to Geo Sisson.
Mon Oct 12: Self & Smith on dyke 3 hours each. Driving posts. Smith & self du???? a pig for him in the A.M. He working on ditch some in the P.M. Fine weather.
Tue Oct 13: Self & Smith on dyke 3/4 & hauling manure. Drove posts & hauled straw for "Cultis" dam. Fine weather.
Wed Oct 14: Smith hauling manure in the A.M. & helping Byron stow hay in the evening or P.M. & Charly also. Ida & Pearl went to Samish. Self dug 3 sacks potatos. [margin: Fine weather.]
Thu Oct 15: Smith helping Byron 3/4 Charley there(?) also. Hauled manure till night. Went to the "Pop" meeting in Bay View in the eve. Self went to town in the A.M. [margin: Fine weather.]
Fri Oct 16: Lee baling hay. Smith hauling manure. Self fixing dyke & went after the scow. Ida & Pearl, Grant also, away yet.
Sat Oct 17: Smith & family went to Mt Vernon. Self not doing much but chores. Pleasant day. Roads fine & dry.
Sun Oct 18: Pleasant day. Went to B.V. to church. Abbott preached. Ida went to church.
Mon Oct 19: Smith & self went to the timber. to get posts for dyke by the hay barn. Mr Wright here in the eve. Ida went to Mt Vernon. Worked on dyke in the P.M.
Tue Oct 20: Rain A.M. went to LaConner in P.M. with hay for Gaches & staid to Rep. meeting in the eve. Smith also. Pleasant eve.
Wed Oct 21: Smith working on dyke by hay barn. Self in the A.M. & went to town in P.M. with hay for Martn. Brot home 3 bbs flour. One for Smith. Ida came home last night.
Thu Oct 22: Both working on dyke by hay barn. Fine weather.
Fri Oct 23: Smith working by the hay barn. Self 1/2 & up to Kalso's. Jenne Ranch in the P.M. Went to the "Social" in Bay View this eve.
Sat Oct 24: Smith working on dyke by hay barn 1/2 & setting dyke posts in P.M. by big dam. Self setting posts 1/2. Sold Osburg 100 sks "Lincoln" oats at $22.00 per ton. Common oats are now worth $20.00 for the first time in 3 years.
Sun Oct 25: Pleasant day. Ida not very well. Grandma went home with Will's folks.
Mon Oct 26: Smith hauling gravel. Self with him in the A.M. & went to town with Ida in the P.M. [margin: Fine day.]
Tue Oct 27: Smith hauling gravel 1/2 & went to LaConner with a load of hay. I am 47 today. Mr. and Mrs Wright here to celebrate it. Pleasant.
Wed Oct 28: Setting posts & went after the scow. Rain in the P.M. Zewerkh here looking at the hay. Arthur W. here all night.
Thu Oct 29: Smith worked 3/4. Driving posts 2 1/2 hours. Lee & Werek helping. In the P.M. Smith & self working on ditches in the Whitney field & on dam by the hay barn.
Fri Oct 30: Rainy day.
Sat Oct 31: Rain A.M. went to Bay View. Got the buggie fixed. Esary here & brot Grandma home.
1896 Nov 1-30
Image Id: 001-0094
Transcription
November 1896
Sun Nov 01: Went to B.V. & to Esarys & to church in the eve. Abbott preached. [margin: Rainy.]
Mon Nov 02: Smith & self working on dyke by hay barn. Rainy.
Tue Nov 03: Election day. Self on the board in Bay View. Rainy & heavy wind. Landslide for McKinley. Smith not working.
Wed Nov 04: Smith hauling wood for him self & broke the wagon wheel. Self not doing. Elmer here to dinner & took Pearl to LaC. [margin: No rain but windy.]
Thu Nov 05: Smith & self took the scow down to the dam. Then went to Bay View to fix the church shed, brot home a load of gravel to fix by the hitching posts. McKinley still ahead but the state all for Pops [margin: Pleasant.]
Fri Nov 06: Self went to town to get teeth made over. Smith was working for himself. McKinley elected for sure now. [margin: Pleasant]
Sat Nov 07: Smith ditching a while, but had to quit for rain. Self not doing much. Went to town in the evening for teeth but did not get them. Gaches offered 21 for my oats. Smith 57 3/4 days to date.
Sun Nov 08: Went to B.V. to church in the A.M. Stormy P.M. & eve.
Mon Nov 09: Driving posts in the A.M. Smith helping. Lee also. Went to LaConner in the P.M. & got my teeth. Sold my oats 600sks at 21.00. Ed Stacey here this eve.
Tue Nov 10: Driving posts in the A.M. Self & Smith. Woth(?) help one hour. Setting posts in the P.M. two hours. Smith 3/4.
Wed Nov 11: Driving posts Lee & Woth(?) helping. Took driver off the scow. Self, Smith & Lee putting on lumber in the P.M. Rain at night. Ida & Mrs B went to Bay View in the P.M.
Thu Nov 12: Went down to work on dyke but had to quit for rain at 9.30. Hard storm. Rain & wind all day. Mrs Smith & Pearl cleaning house yesterday & to day.
Fri Nov 13: Smith & self working on dyke. Lee also 8 hours.
Sat Nov 14: Smith & Lee on dyke in the A.M. 4 hours. Self on barn. Bandon got a load of hay. Rain in P.M. Self & Smith loading oats. 600 sks.
Sun Nov 15: Went to church in P.M. Abbott preached. Cold & light snow. Skagit River high.
Mon Nov 16: Smith & Lee on dyke 1/2 Self & Ida started for town but had to come back. Skagit over all the country between Indian slough & Sullivans. [margin: Cold & windy.]
Tue Nov 17: Water still high. Smith & self on dyke 1/2 Lee three hours. Smith 63 days to date. [margin: Frost 28]
Wed Nov 18: Raining again this A.M. Not doing much but chores. Clear & frosty at night.
Thu Nov 19: Went to LaConner & settled up with Gaches for the oats. Had to go on foot. Water still on the flooded dist. Lockharts & Mrs Walter here this evening. Smith helping Otto on dyke.
Fri Nov 20: Self at home. Smith helping Otto. Went to Bay V. in the P.M. Got Charley shod. Light snow at night. [margin: Temp 20]
Sat Nov 21: Very stormy day. Began feeding horses hay. Went to B.V. & got Nettie. [margin: Snow 6 in.]
Sun Nov 22: Snow on but warmer. Went to church at B.V. Wright preached.
Mon Nov 23: Cold again. Not doing much but chores. Elmer here this eve. Pearl went to B.V.
Tue Nov 24: Elmer & self went to town with Nevill's boat. Got a sack sugar. Paid Howe & Jorgenson & last on my coat. Sold Any Esary some hay. 25 tons. [margin: Mercury 24°]
Wed Nov 25: Cold freezing weather. Esary hauling hay. Smith went to town with boat. [margin: Mercury 20°]
Thu Nov 26: Thanksgiving. Clear & cold all day. Esary got the bal of his hay & his boy got his finger cut off. Went to Thanksgiving service at B.V.
Fri Nov 27: Cold as ever. At home all day doing chores & cutting maple wood. School closed at B.v. & Nettie came home. [margin: Mercury at 10°]
Sat Nov 28: Clear & cold. Went to town with Charley & the cart. Smith also. Came home and put the matting down in the P.M. [margin: Mercury at 12.]
Sun Nov 29: Still clear & frosty. But some warmer towards night. Went to B.V. to church. Abbott preached. [margin: Mercury at 10°]
Mon Nov 30: Nettie 16 today. Wright's folks here to spend the day. Rainy, snow coming off.
1896 Dec 1-Dec 30
Image Id: 001-0095
Transcription
December 1896
Tue Dec 01: Warmer. Dark & misty, Smith moved away to day self doing chores. Eliza Wright here.
Wed Dec 02: Steamer Smith here for Byron's hay. Rainy & misty. Sow about gone & the ice about out of the slough.
Thu Dec 03: Rainy & warm. Doing chores. Ida sick again.
Fri Dec 04: Ida abed all day. Was up to Fredonia to see Balls dyke. Skagit rising again. [margin: Rainy.]
Sat Dec 05: Rainy & Warm. Sold Nelson & Bates 20 tons of hay at 7.00 per ton. Hay sold to day including Nelson & Bates 523.70, Gaches 35 total 558.70.
Sun Dec 06: Rainy. did not go to church. Weather bad. Miss Martin here. Ida still abed.
Mon Dec 07: Rain all last night & all day to day. Ida still in bed. Land full of water. Warm.
Tue Dec 08: Windy, rain last night. Went to LaConner today. Plank Road all afloat. The station neighborhood flooded with salt water.
Wed Dec 09: No rain today. Nelson here to see about hay & bot 20 tons more at $7.00. Total sold to date, 5580.70+140 = 698.70.
Thu Dec 10: Steamer Laura here & loaded 25 tons hay for Nelson. The south dam on Whitney Island is out and the whole island flooded. [margin: Rainy]
Fri Dec 11: Done chores & went over to the Island. They are in a sorry plight over there. Help Fred top out some Dyke in the P.M. 1 1/2 hours. [margin: Rainy]
Sat Dec 12: Highest tide of the season so far. It was about 7 inches short of the big tide of Jan 1885. Put 15 tons hay aboard the Laura for Nelson. 40 all told. Worked topping out dyke two hours with Williamson in the P.M. Ida still abed & no better. [margin: Rainy, warm]
Sun Dec 13: Tide lower this A.M. by 2 feet. Went to church in the P.M. to hear Abbott.
Mon Dec 14: Nelson here & settled for his hay. Was up to the depot. Ida no better. Was up to Walters in the P.M.
Tue Dec 15: Not doing much but chores. Went up to Tholstrups in the P.M. & to the station. Nothing yet done about the Whitney dam.
Wed Dec 16: Went to town & took the calf. Water going off the road by the station. Tholstrups got a load of loose hay.
Thu Dec 17: Not doing much but chores. Whintey dam is still out and poo prospect of getting it in again. Frank White here this eve and all night.
Fri Dec 18: Went over to the Island. R.R. dam out middle S. Tholstrup got another jag hay. Weather warm.
Sat Dec 19: Full moon to day but a low tide.
Sun Dec 20: Steamer Laura here for Esary's hay. Went to church in the eve. Ms. France preached. Ida still in bed. [margin: Windy]
Mon Dec 21: Tide not very high for this time. Was up to the station & up to Callahan dyke with Otto. Pleasant some.
Tue Dec 22: Ida started for Seattle to see Dr. Turner. Pearl & Mrs Wright with here. I took them to the depot and bent the buggie axel. Went to B.V. & got it fixed. Nothing done on Whitney dam yet. [margin: Pleasant & warm.]
Wed Dec 23: At home most of the day. Went to the station for the mail. [margin: Rain some.]
Thu Dec 24: Went to LaConner for Pearl who came home to LaConner on steamer. Christmas tree in B.V. I did not go. [margin: Pleasant.]
Fri Dec 25: Christmas very quiet day. Went hunting with Grant.
Sat Dec 26: Pleasant. At home doing chores. Got letter from Aunt Frank & card from Ida. Tides not very high.
Sun Dec 27: Went to church in the P.M. Abbott preached. Warm but clowdy & windy.
Mon Dec 28: Fred Jenne got 3125 lbs hay. Went down to the school house in the P.M. Otto & I made out an order for Montgomery Ward & talked dyke & school. No prospect of putting in the Whitney dam. [margin: Rain some last night.]
Tue Dec 29: Fixing dyke. Doing chores & went to B.V. to get Nettie's bed & take the girls down to practice. [margin: Pleasant]
Wed Dec 30: Fixed dyke some & went to town. Don Palmer came home with us. Pretty high tide to day. Turned the scow over tonight. Otto came done to help do it, Fred also.
1896 Dec 31-Feb 1, 1897
Image Id: 001-0096
Transcription
Thu Dec 31: Done the chores. Took Grandma to the depot & in the eve went to the basket social, where they took in $33. Thus endeth the year 1896.
Fri Jan 01: Pleasant day & warm. Spent the day setting out 335 hills of new strawberries & dug the parsnips. Don Palmer & Grant hunting ducks.
Sat Jan 02: Not doing much but chores. Pleasant day.
Sun Jan 03: Went to Bay View to S.S. & church. Rev Wright preached. In the P.M. took Don Palmer to LaConner. [margin: Pleasant.]
Mon Jan 04: Rain some last night & clowdy today. Rec'd a letter from Geo.
Tue Jan 05: Rainy day. Not doing much but chores.
Wed Jan 06: Went to Mr Vernon. Mrs Wright came home from Seattle. No rain warm like spring. [margin: Tide med.]
Thu Jan 07: Done the chores & went to town in the P.M. Got a money order for Ida. Cool & west wind in the eve.[margin: Tides M.]
Fri Jan 08: Doing chores & not much else.
Sat Jan 09: Clear & pleasant. Done the chores & hauled 4 cords of wood from Hansons.
Sun Jan 10: Pleasant but cool. Went to B.V. Abbott preached.
Mon Jan 11: Doing nothing much but chores.
Tue Jan 12: Stormy day. Snowed some last night. Wrote to Geo.
Wed Jan 13: Went to town & Mr Baileys folks came home with us to stay all night. Clear & cold. [margin: M 25°]
Thu Jan 14: Went to town to take Baileys folks. Cold this A.M. [margin: 27°]
Fri Jan 15: Snowing in the P.M. but melting fast. Set up the small store in the shop. Kamb got a load of hay. Odd Fellows entertainment in B.V. to night. Girls gone.
Sat Jan 16: Pleasant. Some snow left yet but not cold. Went up to Walters to old folks concert meeting in the P.M. Rec'd a letter from Ida in which she says she is gaining. Rec'd a letter from sister Nettie also.
Sun Jan 17: Clowdy. At home all day. Frank Wright here & Mrs Axelson & Arlie Whitney. The girls went to League in the eve.
Mon Jan 18: Doing chores. Stormy weather.
Tue Jan 19: Doing chores. Went to Bay View to see about old (Stormy) folks concert. Ida getting better.
Wed Jan 20: Another stormy day. Reading & choring.
Thu Jan 21: Went to town in the P.M. and got the new book case & secretary. Clowdy & stormy in the eve.
Fri Jan 22: Pleasant. Wrote to Ida. Sent her an order for $15.00. Steamer Smith at Callahan's for hay. Kamb here for hay. Put castors on & set up the new book case. Went to B.V. in the P.M. on Concert business. the girls went to Elmers to pary tonight. Lee here this eve.
Sat Jan 23: Pleasant. John Jenne here for another load of hay.
Sun Jan 24: Stormy all day a melting snow. Went to B.v. to hear Abbott but he did not come.
Mon Jan 25: Colder doing chores & reading. [margin: M. 24°]
Tue Jan 26: Pretty cold weather. Choring & reading. They began driving piles for the Whitney dam. [margin: M. at 13°]
Wed Jan 27: Pleasant day. Wrote to Ida & had a letter from her. Chellis here to dinner. [margin: M 24]
Thu Jan 28: 2 inches more snow this A.M. Went to the Depot for Grandma. Nettie over to Kates to go to Mt Vernon. Warmer & rain in the evening. Letter from Aunt Lou.
Fri Jan 29: Concert at LaConner this eve. Grant & self went. It was very good.
Sat Jan 30: At home till 3 P.M. then went to concert meeting at B.V. Rain eve. A letter from Ida today. Grandma to Kate's.
Sun Jan 31: Went to B.V. to church. Wright preached. Nettie came home from Mt. Vernon. Wrote to Ida & Mother. [margin: Warm & pleasant.]
Mon Feb 01: Elmer Axelson began work to day and took a load of hay to Gaches. Lee & Jessie married at 6 P.M. and a party in the eve at the Bradley house. We all went & Will's folks came up and staid here all night.