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© Copyright 2000, All Rights Reserved, by Dolph L. Curb, Linda Cannedy Savage, Catherine "Kay" Cannedy Reynolds Dziadek, Kim Reynolds Gilonski, and Sarah Lanier Hollingsworth.  Except as permitted under the Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including the use of information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the copyright owners. 

 

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THE DIARY OF FANNIE CHRISTENBERRY CURB

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

The Historical Context

 

Frances ("Fannie") Jane Christenberry (January 4, 1846 - October 7, 1919) was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, to Daniel Asbury Christenberry and Margaret Rebecca Moore Christenberry.  (The name Christenberry  is sometimes spelled Christenbury, primarily by the North Carolina branch of the family.)   Fannie's parents moved to Summerfield, Dallas County, Alabama, in the year of Fannie's birth, and later settled near Marion in Perry County, Alabama, where Fannie grew up.

 

Fannie married Aaron Monroe Curb (March 30, 1843 - January 29, 1932), also of Perry County, Alabama, on October 19, 1865, after Monroe had returned home from his four-years of service in the Confederate Army.

 

Fannie and Monroe migrated in ox-wagons, along with other family members, from Perry County, Alabama, to their new home near Belton, Bell County, Texas, in the autumn of 1873.  With them on their journey were Monroe's father, Abner Cemp Curb (1824 - 1894) and mother, Mary McClanahan Abbott (1822 - 1908); Monroe's sister, Martha "Mat" or "Mattie" Jane Curb (about 1847 -  1908); Fannie and Monroe's 16-month old son, Daniel Napoleon Curb (1872 - 1957); Fannie's 19 year-old brother, McLeod "Mac" Christenberry (1854 - 1901), and Monroe's 12 year-old brother, Washington Rufus Curb (about 1849 - 1911).  On March 13, 1883, after ten years in the Bell County, Texas, area, Fannie and Monroe moved to the then Indian Territory (Chickasaw Nation) in what is now Love County, Oklahoma, where they remained for almost 20 years.  At that time they re-located for a short time in Old Greer County, Oklahoma, and finally settled near Gould in Harmon County, Oklahoma, where they remained until their deaths.

 

Fannie and Monroe had thirteen children---all of whom are mentioned throughout Fannie's Diary, and who were born in Alabama, Texas, and Oklahoma.  For genealogical researchers, the names of their children and known spouses include the following:

 

Margaret Leona "Lena" Curb (1866-1873)

Mary Viola Curb (1868-1872)

Ella "Jane" Josephine Curb (1870-1872)

Daniel "Dan" Napoleon Curb (1872-1957)

                +Etta Woolridge

Edwin "Edd" Andrew Curb (1874-1950)

                +Ethel Euna Abercrombie (1886-1974)

Etta Martha Curb (1874-1949)

                +Isom Wilcoxson

Charles "Charlie" McLeod Curb (1876-1951)

                +Martha Kilgore

William "Will" or "Willie" Abner Curb (1878-1962)

                +Lula Snell

Pinkney "Pink" Walter Curb (1881-1963)

                +Editha Wright

Katherine Irene "Rena" Curb (1883 -1963)

                +Foster Clary

Fannie Beata "Ada" or "B" Curb (1885-1907)

                +Corb Chainey

Oscar Monroe Curb (1887-1952)

                +Willie Frances Metcalf (1891-1962)

Emma Geneva "G" or "Neva" Curb (1889-1979)

                + Raymond Metcalf

 

During many of these eventful years, Fannie kept a diary of the day-to-day events in the lives of her family members and friends.  Fannie's Diary was described by Mary Goddard in her article, "Family Has Good Fortune in Finding Forebear's Diary," published in the Saturday Oklahoman & Times on September 26, 1987 on page 12:

 

Some of it was humdrum.  Some was heart-rending, as when three of the four children she bore in Alabama died of diphtheria within two weeks, at Christmastime.

 

More children arrived---there were seven by the time the couple came to Oklahoma [and three others were born afterwards].  The chronicle of life in half-dugouts is full of hard work; growing cotton and family food, scrubbing clothes with homemade lye soap, milking cows, churning butter, cooking on wood stoves, birthing neighbors' children and constant sewing.

 

The Three Parts of Fannie's Diary

 

Fannie's original diary was lost in her trek westward, but she reconstructed its contents in narrative form in a ledger given to her by her sons in the late 1890's.    Using her ledger, Fannie then faithfully recorded the events in her life up to April 22, 1903, when she finally ran out of pages.  This ledger ("Part I:  1847 - 1903") was donated for permanent preservation in July, 1990, to the Baptist Collection at the Oklahoma Baptist University Library, cataloged under "B - - Baptist Biography, Box 5-6."  The Oklahoma Baptist University is located at 500 West University, Shawnee, Oklahoma 74804 (800.654.3285 and 405.275.2850).  Along with the original ledger was also donated a typewritten transcript which had been prepared by Mrs. Russell Curb.  Part I was completely re-typed for electronic transmission by Catherine "Kay" Cannedy Reynolds Dziadek and Kim Reynolds Gilonske, both of Russellville, Arkansas, and their transcription is included here with their permission and without modification. 

 

[Please note:  These original materials have been subsequently moved to the Gaskin Baptist Archives & Historical Library, Baptist Building, 3800 North May, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112 (405.942.3800).   An appointment is required in order to view these documents because they are kept in a vault and not on public display.  Additionally, it should be noted that Part I of Fannie’s Diary was condensed by Dr. Dolph L. Curb in the late 1980s in order to facilitate a more economical reproduction of this segment of the Diary for distribution to family members.  Readers should keep in mind, therefore, that Part I provided on this web site is a condensation of Fannie’s original materials.  As time permits, we will provide a transcription of the unabridged original manuscript.  ---Rev. 08.16.01]

 

Two other sets of Fannie's subsequent writings have also been discovered.  The first of these two sets ("Part II") covers the period from June, 1903, until February, 1907.  Fannie's handwritten notes covering the years between 1903 and 1907 were originally transcribed in typewritten form by Dolph L. Curb, M.D., Fannie's grandson, in 1987.    Part II was re-typed for electronic transmission by Linda Cannedy Savage of Norwich, Connecticut and Sarah Lanier Hollingsworth of Bainbridge Island, Washington, and is included here with their permission.  Additionally, the version of Part II that is included here has been based solely upon Dr. Curb's original transcription; significantly, for historical scholarship purposes, it should be noted that it was prepared without access to Fannie's original notes. 

 

The final set ("Part III") of Fannie's Diary covers the period from April, 1907, to March, 1908.  It, too, was originally transcribed in typewritten form by Dr. Curb, presumably in the late 1980's.  Part III was re-typed for electronic transmission by Linda Cannedy Savage of Norwich, Connecticut, and is included here with her permission and without modification.

 

The three parts of Fannie's Diary have been transcribed by three different groups of people, all as noted above.  No attempt has yet been made to conform the three resultant styles.

 

 

 

Related Works of Historical Interest

 

Students of American history and genealogy may be interested in reviewing other works related to Fannie's Diary, as well as to early Oklahoma history and Curb/Christenberry/Christenbury genealogy published both in printed format and on the Internet.  So far as is presently known to us, these works include the following:

 

1.  Fannie Curb's Diary, 1865-1908:  Alabama to Texas to Indian Territory to Oklahoma Territory, which was published in 1987 in Lawton, Oklahoma (494 pages), and is available through the Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints (Call Number: 921.73 C922c/Location:  JSMB FAMHIST Book). 

 

2.  Preacher Charlie Curb:  The Life and Ministry of an Early Day Oklahoma Evangelist, Charles McCloud Curb, 1876-1951, by Dolph L. Curb, Houston, Texas, 1988.  This Monograph consists of 19 pages and is available from the Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints (Call Number 921.73 C922cd/Location JSMB FAMHIST Book).

 

3.  Christenberry/Christenbury Genealogy, by Albert H. Brigance, Maryville, Tennessee:  Brigance Enterprises, c. 1988.  This book consists of 231 pages and is also available from the Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints (Call Number 929.273 C462br/Location JSMB FAMHIST Book).  The LDS Notes describing this book include:  "The Christenberry/Christenbury/Crusenberry (formerly Quisenberry) families of Virginia, Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina and elsewhere.  Includes related families of Ferrell, Thomas, Curb, etc."  This book is also available from commercial book dealers, such as Barnes & Noble, as well as directly from the author at http://www.brigance.net/.

 

4.  Numerous works about Fannie Christenberry Curb and other members of the Curb Family, which were written by Dr. Dolph Curb, may also be reviewed at  http://www.homepages.go.com/~wilma_godsey/.

 [Please note:  As of this date, August 16, 2001, this link is no longer operable.  Mrs. Godsey is a well-respected veteran of Curb Family history, and as soon as she has located a new home for Dr. Curb’s articles, this link will be updated.  The authors apologize for any interim inconvenience.  ---Rev. 08.16.01]

 

 

Searching Fannie's Diary

 

Readers are advised, yet again, that every effort has been made to preserve Fannie's original spelling and punctuation.  Even the briefest glance at her Diary will reveal that she did not hesitate to refer to a given individual by any one of several nicknames, and that she also spelled with considerable variation the names of the various people who flowed into and out of her life.  It is highly recommended, therefore, that searches for specific names of people or places be Boolean in nature insofar as possible.  For example, the Van Clee surname is mentioned several times and variously spelled as "Van Clee," "Vanclee," and as "VanClee."  Another example would be references to Gladys (Young?), where that given name is variously spelled as "Gladys," "Gladis," and as "Glattis."

 

 

Errors and Omissions

 

As of the date of this writing, Dr. Curb has not had an opportunity to compare this work with his transcription and with Fannie's original, handwritten notes.  Any errors and omissions in the re-statement of Dr. Curb's transcription are, therefore, ours alone.  Fannie Christenberry Curb's Diary is being provided and published on the Internet with the express permission of and at the request of Dr. Dolph L. Curb, Fannie Christenberry Curb's grandson.

 

 

Acknowledgements

 

An enormous debt of gratitude is owed to Dr. Curb for his efforts to preserve and disseminate his Grandmother's historically significant work.  We wish to acknowledge that without his efforts, the present endeavor would never have been possible.  We join Dr. Curb in his belief that the humble efforts of Fannie Christenberry Curb to record both the mundane and poignant events of her life have resulted in a work of great depth and scope, as well as a work of historical and genealogical significance.  When read as a whole, it provides an extraordinary example of the principle of synergy, wherein the sum of the individual parts cannot begin to equal the sum of the impact of the whole.  We hope our efforts will enable each reader of Fannie Christenberry Curb's Diary to take from it what she or he will.

 

 

Linda Cannedy Savage, Norwich, Connecticut

Catherine "Kay" Cannedy Reynolds Dziadek, Russellville, Arkansas

Kim Reynolds Gilonske, Russellville, Arkansas

Sarah Lanier Hollingsworth, Bainbridge Island, Washington

June 15, 2000

 

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THE DIARY OF FANNIE CHRISTENBERRY CURB:

PART I (1846 - 1903)

 

(Transcribed by Catherine "Kay" Cannedy Reynolds Dziadek and Kim Reynolds Gilonske)

 

 

 

 

                Burneyville, Indian Territory. November 23, 1897.  I was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Jan. 4th 1846.  My father’s name was Daniel A. Christenberry.  My mother’s name was Margaret Moore Christenberry.  My mother is still living at the age of 87.  My father is dead.  They moved to Summerfield, Alabama the year I was born. While living there my brother W.A. Christenberry was born, Oct. 1, 1847.  My sister Mary Ann was born in 1849, my brother John Demus in 1850.  He died five days after he was born.  My sister Melissa Josephine was born Nov. 30, 1852.  In 1853 Pa moved to Perry County, Alabama, near Marion.  March 24, 1854 my brother Mcleod was born.  I went to school that year for the first time to my cousin, W.A. Montgomery and commenced to spell in Webster’s spelling book.  I remember very distinctly as if it were only a few years ago how I felt saying my first lesson.  My heart almost jumped into my mouth.  I made many acquaintances and learned to love them dearly.  Many memories are sweet to me.  Those were days of delight and pleasure.

 

                On April 24th. 1856 my brother Daniel Pinkney was born.  Uncle Fletcher Moore and Aunt Ara Mintry came on a visit from old North Carolina and spent a year with us.  I spent many happy hours with them in their little cozy “home”, but they returned and I never saw their lovely faces any more.  They are now in their beautiful home above with father and 3 of my sweet children and 2 dear brothers and 2 sisters.  My sister Emaline was born in 1857 and in 1859 my brother Philco F. was born.

 

                I think it was in 1860 that I professed religion and joined the Methodist church in the old church house at old Mt. Zion t the age of 14.  I am still trying to serve the Lord in my weak way.  In 1861 the Civil War broke out between the North and the South and went on for four years.  They called them out from 16 to 45.  Pa went about the third year.  There were many sad and lonely homes.  Many dear ones went away never to return home any more. Many were the sad hearts when the battles were waging to hear of the death of loved ones.  I remember how glad we were made one time when Pa came home on a furlough of 30 days, but the sad part was that I had gone on a visit to old Selma and Sutterfield.  Pa went home on the same train I went down on.  Had been home two weeks before I received news of his arrival.  The last time he came home on a visit was when we were all in school at old Morgan Springs.  He came home sick that time.  We did not have to witness or realize the sad parting scene this time, as the cruel war ended in April 1865.  Many were made glad and many made sad as our loved ones began to return home, while others had come to their deaths by disease or battle.  Those who loved ones came home did all in their power to make home attractable and enjoyable.  There was nothing left undone that we could do to make them happy.  The young especially had a nice time as the boys flew at the girls and spent many happy hours together.  Talk was some of the past but mostly of the future.

 

                In August of 1865 Mr. A.M. Curb and I became engaged to be married.  During our espousal we attended many protracted meeting in one of which he professed religion and joined the Methodist Church and was baptized by Brother B.D. Gayle at Old Fellowship over on Bushy Creek at a Baptist pool.  The same day he and his two sisters, Matte and Rena and a number of other youngsters taken dinner at my father’s house.  We spent the evening very pleasantly rambling o’er the woods and fields.  On October 19, the same fall, Monroe and I were married on Thursday eve at 3 p.m. by J. M. Mackey, Esq.  Many of our friends were there to witness our union.  Miss Fannie Gray and Mr. P. Lyda, and Mr. W.B. Curb and my sister Kate Christenberry were our bridesmaids and groom escorts.  We, with our selected group, after the usual congratulations went to his home where they had a nice supper prepared, of which we all partaken with relish and enjoyment. We taken up our abode with his father and mother and he made a drop the first year and I spun and wove my black Alabama Reunity coverlet and counterpanes.  In August of that same year Pa came in his buggy and taken me to his house.  On Sept.8, 1866 our first child was born, a sweet little girl which we named Margaret Lena.  My breast rose and I suffered a great deal and then commenced our troubles. I stayed at Pa’s for three months until very near Christmas, when we moved back onto his father’s place into a little house 100 yards from theirs, where Aunt Middy Summers had once lived.  We hired a nurse to care for my baby as my breast continued to rise for 7 months.  But our first nurse left us and Monroe rode night and day to procure another one, which he did in Lucretia Crews.  I weaned the baby at 9 months old.  The sweet thing began to walk right away before she was 10 months old.  In the year of 1868, the 1st of May our second child was born, Mary Viola, another sweet girl.  My own dear mother spent one week with me and then sister Kate came and spent another week, and then sister Josie came and spent a week.  Ma and Mat came often in the winter of 1869 as they lived near.  In that winter we moved on the new place in the woods back of his father’s place.  We made several improvements on the place.  Mr. Jesse Baylor dug a well.

 

                In July 1870 our third child, Ella Jane was born.  Monroe sold out to Hill James the dame day she was born, aiming to go Texas.  He went off to Bibb County to buy a yoke of oxen to make the trip.  I went back to Pa’s to stay until we should get ready to make the trip, but while I was there he changed his notion and bought Stockman place and we moved there that fall.  He made three crops there.

 

                In the year 1872 our first boy was born, Daniel Napoleon, on June 3rd.  Our dear little Ella was taken with diphtheria and died at my father’s as she was there on a visit.  So sad!  But cruel death did not stop there.  Two weeks afterward our second child little Viola was taken with the same disease and death took her on December 28th during the Christmas holidays.  The same eve that Viola was buried our first child was taken with same dreaded disease.  Oh, the horror that hung around that word diphtheria.  On January 2, 1873, Lena breathed her last.  Little Ella was 2 years 5 months old.  Little Viola was 4 years 7 months old.  Little Lena was 6 years and 2 months.  They all could sing little Sunday School songs and get their Sunday lessons. They were all obedient children but now they are at home above the skies where there is no more death or sorrow.  Lena spoke of going to be with her little sisters and said she would like to get on some high mountain and look over and see her sisters.  The night she was taken she sang “ I have sisters in the Promised Land.  My father calls and I must go to join them in the Promised Land.” She asked her Gramma to pray for her so that she might be ready to go. Ma asked her if she must pray for her to get well.  She said, “I believe I would rather go and be with my sisters”.  Those were sad! sad! sad! times for us.  Monroe was sick at the same time and came very near dying, but the kind father spared him to cheer my already broken heart I fell down at the feet of my Master in humble submission and said, “The Lord gives and the Lord taketh away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord”.  I promised the Lord that is he would stay the hand of death and spare my dear husband I would try to serve him more faithful and be more zealous for his cause than I had been in the past.  Whether those afflictions were sent on us for our disobedience and slothfulness, God only knows.  We feel and know that he “doeth all things well “. And now they are gone and are on the other shore beckoning for us to come.  I shall endeavor by the grace of God to meet them in the Bright Forever.  Farewell, loved ones, but not forever.  When our pilgrimage is over we will meet where partings never come.  Their little bodies lie buried in the Old Mt. Zion graveyard. Where they will remain until the morn of resurrection.

 

                In the fall of 1873 we sold out our old home again and made ready and started to Texas on the 21st of October, when came a solemn time again.  I kissed my father and mother and brothers and sisters and friends goodbye, some of them forever in this world but we hope not forever in the world to come.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Ore we reached Uncle Jesse’s.  It had been raining on us for about 10 days and we drove until late hunting a camping place.  When we went to make a cook fire to cook supper he raked around and started to blow.  Ma says, “why don’t you get grab some little whittlings to kindle your fire”.  He said, “Why! Why! Why! didn’t I stay at home when I was there..”  He seemed to be getting home sick but we started on from Uncle Jesse’s on Monday morning.  (I can’t remember dates now.  I kept a dairy but lost it.)  The next town of any note was Vicksburg.  We crossed the old Mississippi River on a ferry boat and came on the west side at a little station called Delta.  There at 12 o’clock we put wagons and teams on the train and sailed across the big swamp.  On the night of the 22nd of November we came into Red River.  It began to rain on us just at night, so we couldn’t get any supper.  We all went to bed in our wagons except Monroe.  He stretched our tent in the bed of the river. 

The water was knee deep.  In the morning, which was Sunday, we arose and yoked our oxen and started for dry land.  This was the first Sunday we ever traveled on our way to Texas. We rested every Sunday before this.  On the night of the 23rd we drove out of the river bed and onto the bank, hungry, tired, and cold.  We struck camp.  The sun was then shining.  Monroe hired a good lady to cook our suppers.  Made good coffee and cooked biscuits.  We enjoyed it hugely.  We slept in our wagons again.  The next morning we crossed the Red River.  It had rose and was just foaming.  Had 2 boats running.  We crossed early in the morning but Granpa didn’t get across until 12 noon.  He was very near frozen as it had turned off very cold.  It was election day and people were in much confusion.  Mc rode into Shreveport trying to sell a little pony and he sold him sure enough for $25.  Monroe gave him $2 for his trouble. 

 

                We traveled until we came to Tyler where cousin Madison Shelley’s lived, a nice family in good circumstances.  We arrived on Saturday eve and stayed until Monday morning.  We were old acquaintances and kinfolk and met with a kind reception.  We started our journey again on Monday through Upshaw County, Henderson County and Hill County.  Crossed the Sabine and Trinity Rivers and came to Mclellan County, to Waco. From there to Selton, where we found Uncle Jim Curb’s folks.  They gave us a warm welcome and invited us into their houses.  Monroe and I and Dan went in.  San was our only child we fed him on potatoes and sweet milk on the way.  He got fat as a pig. His pa got him some boots for the first time as he wore out his baby shoes on the road.

 

                We stayed there until Monroe rented some land from Mr. Davidson down near the  Lampasas.  We landed at Uncle Jim’s the 13th of December, very near 2 months from the time we had left Alabama.   We moved down on the farm just before Christmas.  Monroe pitched his corn crop.  Came up early, was looking fine.  Got killed sown the 9th of April. He planted the second time the 12th.  It came up all right but had very little rain that year, out there was a good season in the ground as the river had overflowed on the 20th of September before.  We made a fine crop that year.

 

                On July 5, 1874, Eddie and Etta were born, on Sunday between 12 and 2 p.m. Granpa Curb lived in the yard with us.  Ma lived with me and helped take care of the babes. Granpa got his finger broke staking an old white mare.  The next year we moved on Mr. Fisher’s farm, up near old Mr. Caddell’s.  The babes were then crawling.  That winter cousin Elam and Bette Horton came out from Alabama and came in and stayed in the house with us for two months.  They then went on Davidson farm.  Granpa’s folks moved on the Tyler farm.  Monroe made a crop there in 1875.  Mcleod, my brother, came from East Texas, where we left him as we came on at Tyler and boarded with us and went to school at Three Forks.  Monroe made a trip down to Gonzales county that year.

 

                In the summer of 1876 Uncle Joe Abbott and wife and children came on a visit.  Granpa moved back down on the same farm with us and we all enjoyed their visit so much.  We made a good crop that year.  Mc was then living at Mr. Joe Wallace’s.

 

                In October 1876 Charlie was born.  Cousin Bettie Horton was there.  Ma got her hand broke that fall when she fell down.  She couldn’t help nurse the babe.  He growed and done fine until June 1877.  He taken the fever.  He was sick all fall.  Dr. McGuire attended on him all the time.  He got better, but had risings and was puny all along while teething.  We had Mr. Smeldy make us a rocking chair to nurse him in. We bought a little hand sewing machine that fall.

 

                In January 1878 we moved to Palo Alto, 14 miles north of Belton, where Monroe bought a place.  Charlie commenced to walk, being about 15 months old. Monroe rented land from widow Berry that year.  I quilted a quilt there in dewberry time.  I commenced to wean Charlie the 26th of March.  We lived there until we gathered our crop.  We camped out and picked cotton for Mr. Brownlow and Mr. Marion James an old bachelor.  There were more ants on his place than I ever saw in one place.  We had a nice little home, a house with a side room  built on a little rocky knoll in a little oak grove, in a quarter of a mile of Mr. Hulsey and the same distance from Mr. Cox.  We had a good spring of water.  We made several acquaintances while living there, one I remember so well old Brother Jones and wife.  I eat my first vinegar pie at heir house.  We attended two good protracted meetings while there.  In October Monroe came back down to Belton and rented land from Mr. Burnett, across the Lampasas River from the Davidson and Fisher places where we first lived.  He came back home and made arrangements and moved sown there the 10th of November 1878 on the Fisher farm.  On the 3rd of December we moved across the Lampasas River onto the Burnett farm..  He and granpa built a new house in the yard with us.  Willie was born the same night we move, about midnight.  The babe and I done well until he was 3 weeks old.  Mc, my brother came to see us that winter on his way to Tehuama, Limestone County. 

 

                Willie commenced to cry with colic.  Seemed as though he would go into spasms at time.  But we bathed him and gave him some drops.  He kept crying every evening until he was 3 months old.  Old Dr. Hudson attended on him two or three times and didn’t do him any good.  Monroe and I taken him to old Dr. Burton at Salado.  He examined him good.  Said it was neuralgia, caused from inactive liver.  He gave him calomel in broken doses for 5 weeks.  He commenced to improve right away.

 

                Mr. Manning came down from Palo Alto and bought our little place.  Gave us 15 head of cattle for it.  I bought my first Singer sewing machine from Mrs. Carr that spring.  Give her 2 cows and calves and a year old heifer for it.  Mrs. Sam Bustee, one of our neighbors, died and left a young babe two weeks old.  He was the man who tried to borrow a wagon to haul her to the graveyard before she died.  We attended a big meeting at Salado that summer, conducted by Brother Penn the evangelist.  I heard some of the grandest sermons I ever listened at that meeting.  It was at that grand meeting in the of 1879 I joined the grand Baptist Church, and was baptized by Brother Green, the pastor.

We had good music by Prof. Buchanan and his choir.  Oh! So nice!  But brother Penn has gone to his home above and “his works do follow him.”  He is the author of that little song book, “Harvest Bells.”

 

                Monroe made a sorry crop of corn that year, owing to dry weather that year, but made a good crop of cotton and some wheat.   That same winter he moved back on the Fisher farm and pitched a crop.  He had his corn up, but on the 5th day of April 1880 he sold out crop and cattle and we started for Arkansas.  We camped on Pepper Creek the first night, but a few days before we started we received $50 from brother Philo off my father’s place and there was $50 more due.  We met up with an old man by the name of Horn and his wife and adopted daughter at Pepper Creek, and we traveled on together.

 

                We passed through Waco.  Rained on us there so we didn’t get any supper. Camped in a lane, no wood, no water.  Next morning Monroe went off and hired a woman to cook our breakfast.  It was sure nice and very acceptable, the hot coffee especially. with a wet norther blowing and us new beginners on a long trip.  We went through Dallas, Texas.  Camped out, rather than stay in the wagon yard, but we sure regretted it when some tramps tried to steal our horses, and Monroe and Mr. Horn had to keep watch all night.  We also passed through Waxahachie, a nice little town in Ellis County. It is beautiful country, grass was fine.  The country was dotted with fine milk cattle as well as beef.

 

                We met many families returning from old Arkansas who would warn us of the country, saying, “You’ll come back.”  One old man at Waxahachie said, “Why you are leaving the finest country God ever made.  This is a grand country.”  I was going against my will but was going to please the old men and children.  We went on until we got to Collins County.  There we found Mr. Horn’s kinfolks.  We struck camp for two weeks, had a nice time.  Monroe got work to do, as he thought it best to rest the horses a while.  One of them was foundered.  We had a good team.  Old Tobe and old Vic.  They were two faithful ponies.  Monroe swapped wagons with the Cambellite while there.  We started on and in a short time we struck the Chotaw Nation.  Old Mr. Horn stayed with us until we passed through Atoka and Stringtown, then he turned to the left and we kept to the right.  He was going to the Cherokee Nation and we to Arkansas.  So we thought then!  We went a few miles that night and camped. It was Saturday.  Dan got sick so we rested next day until noon.  We drove on in the eve and I slept and Willie threw his tucking comb out of the wagon and lost it.  We traveled two more days until one morning we got an early start thinking we would about make it to Fort Smith by Saturday night.  This was Wednesday morning May 1, 1880.  We drove up to a camp where a family was eating breakfast.  “Halo there”, we said.  “Halo yourself” said the man, “I want to tell you to tell me where you are going.”  Monroe said “ I am going to Arkansas and O don’t care who knows it.”  “How is the grass from here on.”  “Well” he said, “you’ll find no grass there.  Ain’t as much as a goose could eat between here and Fort Smith.  Man I’m sorry for you sure; you will sure come back.  This is my third trip and I am coming back without anything.  You see that old team and sorry wagon.  I went up there with a good team and a pocket full of money. “  “Well, but” says Monroe. “give me directions.  I must be going on.”  But I says, “ I don’t want to go no farther that way.”  “What’s the matter with that boy.” I says.  “Oh he just chilling,” the old woman spoke up, “that’s common in Arkansas. I sure pity you folks.”  Monroe says to me to drive on. (as I was driving)  The man says, “have you then horses cleated?”  Monroe, “cleated? No what do you mean.”  “Why some hooks or claws on them shoes so you can cling on them rocks.” “ Oh, I have my horses shod, they are all right.”   “Well you’ll see.”   By this time the man has his duds and things loaded up ready to pull for Gainesville.  Monroe says, “Can’t I get a good home for this team and wagon?”  “Yes,” he said.  “50 of them if you want it, but getting she of them.  The thing is you can’t give them away when you’ll want to come back to Texas.”  So I says, “Monroe, let’s go back.” He says, “well, I have been running the boat four years.

You can run it a while now.” So I just turned the team and wagon around and headed

for Gainesville. I drove about a 100 yards. Monroe says , “is there any room for me?”

I says , “ yes I would like to have you along very well.” 

 

                O, the children and horses and dogs and old folks were all happy and glad.  Seemed to be going home.  “Well”, say the man, “it’s wise in you to go back .  I have nothing to eat now and no money but I can get some at Gainesville, a middling of meat, a sack of flour and tell them I will work to pay for it.  A silver dollar would cure the sore eyes in Arkansas”.  He said he knew a man who wore out a wagon load of potatoes hauling them to town trying to sell them and apple were not worth anything. 

 

                The first night after we turned back we camped in a dewberry patch and gathered enough dewberries to make us a pie for dinner.  The next morning the man was out of grub but we didn’t know it.  So when we sat down to eat he says, “If the devil were traveling with me and didn’t have anything to eat, I would invite him.”  So Monroe says, “yes, come up and have some breakfast.  We did not know you were out.”  Sure enough they came and eat with us from then on. 

 

                We arrived at Gainesville the 14th day of May and camped on ease creek, 7 miles east of Gainesville, and sure enough he threw off his old wagon bed and old trunks and duds and said to his wife. “You mind the things.”  “I’ll go and get something to eat.”  Sure enough he soon came back with a middling of meat and a sack of flour, and a promise of work for him and Monroe too, hauling bricks at 10cents per 1000.  We camped at Pecan Creek, had a nice place and that was good.  Kind Mrs. Taylor loaned us a cow to milk and gave us plenty of nice vegetables.  There was a number of tarantulas here.  Dan had a very bad rising on his heel.  De snagged his foot while there, and I weaned Willie.  Dan taken the fever.  We bought a tent fly.  Monroe got work for Mr. Hobbs hoeing cotton and got a good house to go into.  Had plenty of good watermelons and garden vegetable and 5 good cows to milk.

 

                We stayed until January 1881.  We moved to a place on Dossier Creek and Pink was born on January 26th.  We had some singings in the neighborhood while there, but the children contracted the chills and were sick nearly all the time.  We moved out onto the parry during the summer and put two dozen cans of peaches and one 5 gallon can.  The children had whooping cough.  When Pink was two months old granpa’s folks came from Bell County and moved in the house with us.  We failed 3 years to make a full crop, so we moved onto the Able place and Granpa’s folks came to the Nations in the fall of 1882.  We moved in October on the Abel’s place and picked cotton until February, when we moved into the house with Mr. Haygood.  He and his wife and babe were sick with the chills and fever.  I waited on them, cooked and washed, so did Etta.  Nursed her babe, various other things to tedious to mention.  He hired her out but was too stingy and trifling to pay her a red cent.  I bought things from her such as coverlets.  She gave her dishes to me and several other little tricks when they starved out and started back to Alabama. After begging her folks for money to go on.  Monroe hauled them to Gainesville the 16th of November.

 

                Etta taken the fever that fall and lay three weeks.  The fever fell in her leg and it came very near rising.  I poulticed it and bathed it in liniment until it stopped, but it was drawed up so she had to use a crutch.  Oh, she suffered awful with it.  While she was convalescing she pieced a brickbrat quilt and read her second grade reader through.  

 

                On March 5, 1883. Rena was born, the same day Rufus came over and rented land to Monroe on the Odom farm in Indian Territory.  When Rena was 8 days old we loaded up and moved to the territory.  A damp drizzly day but they had a good fire.  Monroe lifted me out and sat me by the fire.  We all got along all right until May.  I taken the measles and from then on all the family taken them to.  But we got on very well.  Ma and Mat had to take them too.  Monroe made a good crop that year.  The next year, 1884, we moved onto the Wiggins farm.  Made one crop there.  Ma and Pa went on a visit to see their daughter, Rena James, the fall before, and Rufus was married on the 16th of September.  Rena was 3 months old when Ma and Pa left and was 13 months old when they returned.  She was just beginning to walk and she seemed to know granpa.  She was playing with the stovewood.  He said, “Ha, Rena, old granny bunch, what are you doing? Come here to me.”  She just throwed her wood down and held her hands up.  He took hold of her hands and said, “Climb, climb.”  She climbed clear on his breast.  He says, “ you little sow-booger you.” “She knows me.”  Mat was sick when they came.  We were just sitting down to dinner when we saw the hack coming. I says, “Yonder comes Ma and Pa.”

 

                In 1885 Monroe bought some land from Monroe Wiggins, or bought land on time.  On June 15, Beata was born.  We made 3 crops on that place.  Granpa lived about 100 yards from us in a little pasture.

 

                On that same place Oscar was born., August 3rd, 1887.  We became acquainted with the Dukes folks while we were there, and Monroe learned that Tonkaway could cure a bad cough.  On September 16, 1888 we moved on the Butram farm.  Jack Curb came that summer on a visit from old Alabama.  We made one crop there and built a new place out on Long Hollow.  Granpa’s folks moved out there in the spring and Dan and Edd lived with them.  They commenced to dig on the well but Monroe broke his arm and they didn’t finish.  On October 27, 1889 Neva was born.  Mr. Horn moved on the Hollow.  So did Rufus and he built where Mr. Abercrombie is now living.  His wife died that winter and we kept his babe for 2 months.  Mrs. Sells came to the country that year and she took the babe off my hands.  In 1890 Monroe set Dan free, his being 18 years old.  He went to New Hope Church that summer to a meeting and professed religion and joined the church.  Jim Shepard and Etta and Arizona went to.  It was there Etta got aquainted with Will Brawley.  In the spring of  1892 we had a sight of rain.  We wrote for ma to come and also sent her 25 dollars.  The boys all throwed in and helped, so on Aug. 14, 1892 my dear, dear, beloved mother arrived at our house.  I was not at home.  I was at Mrs. Boon’s in a trade for something of Mrs. Rogers.  Charlie came after me on old Button.  He says, “come on, Maw.  Guess who has come?”  I says “Ma.” “True” he says, “that’s who it is”. I could hardly believe my ears.  I grabbed my bonnet , put out to walk.  Charlie says, “get on this horse ma.”  “Oh” I says, “I can go a heap faster on foot.”  Mrs. Boon says, “get on that horse.”  I says, “I can outrun that horse.”  But they prevailed on me and I got up and rode but it seemed to me that I could have beat it afoot.  When I got home there was dear old mamma standing there by the fireplace wringing wet as she had been caught in the rain.  I gathered her around my neck and kissed her two or three times.  Oh, how sweet the memory of those hours and days!  I made her some hot coffee and washed her feet and combed her hair and sat down by her side and heard her lovely voice talking of past days.  I was glad to see Dan too as he had been gone so long.  He met Ma at Marietta and brought her in a buggy.  He was working for Mr. Pitman at the time.  Ma stayed with us that fall.  Monroe sold out to Mr. Young and Mr. Yocum.  He made a big crop that year, 1000 bushels of corn, and 20 bales of cotton.   Mr. Hiser soldout to Monroe and went to Pottawatamie country.  We moved to the Hiser place about the 20th of December, 1892.  Ma was with us when we moved but wouldn’t ride.  Came walking along with a parasol for a staff.  She stayed and swept out the house when we left.  Granpa’s folks stayed on at the old place until later on and Ma went back to Granpas on Christmas day and taken dinner with them.  We went to Friendly Hope to Sunday School.   

 

Jan. 1, 1893.  No Sunday School today. So sorry to miss the first day of the year.  Will Brawley and Etta went to Leon.  Ma and I stayed at home all day together.  We had a good time talking.   

Jan. 4th.  My birthday.  Ma still with us. Gave me a black scarf and a straw bonnet for a present.  Ellen Curb and all the children from Daugherty.

Jan 5th.  Ma and I went down to granpa’s and spent the day. They moved down on the Sell’s place.  Had a very nice time.  The last visit she will ever pay them maybe. 

Jan 6th.  All well making preparations for preaching.  Looking for Bro. Mullens and Johnson at our house. 

Jan 9th.  All went to preaching tonight.  Mr. Johnson preached and Bro. Mullens concluded.  Ma got happy and shouted. 

Jan 10th.  We all eat a good supper together as Ma is going to leave us the next day.  We sat up late and talked as we knew it would be our last night together on this earth.  Monroe and I and the 3 least ones took Ma to Marietta.  How sorry we all are; our mother and grandmother going away to visit Uncle Mcleod  We stayed all night at Mr. Jone’s cousin Nellie’s. 

Jan 12th.  Ma and I and children parted at the depot. We came home got in at sunset.  Ellen and children are here.  Abercombie sent for me at 10 p.m. Hassie was born.

May 26th 1894.  Charlie went to mill.  Didn’t get his meal.  Boiler was busted.

May 28.  Monroe, Dan and I went to Gainesville.  I had a set of false teeth made.  Cost $15.  We stayed all night at Mr. Adam’s while we were gone.  Charlie and Rena hoed out the garden while we were gone. 

June 3rd.  Dan 22 years old today.  He went to New Hope.  Rest of us went to Sunday School at the school house.  Good turnout. 

June 4th.  Charlie seems to have dyspepsia. Not much better.  Rena has ring on her neck.  Charlie gone to town to get medicine for Pink and himself. 

June 11th.  Etta here but not well at all.  They stayed all night.  Rode the pretty prancing mare.

June 17th.  Charlie no better.  Kept to his bed all week.  Been sick 3 months with dyspepsia.  Moved Etta’s bed down here to our house.  She is very bad off.

July 4th.  Big barbecue at Burneyville.  All went except Monroe and Mat.  Etta went and had all the cold lemonade and ice cream she wanted. 

July 5th.  Edd and Etta birthday.  Twenty years old today. 

July 15th.  Etta’s baby was born this morning at 6 a.m.  Was dead.  She is doing well. 

July 18th.  We moved Etta out of the kitchen into the house. 

July 25th.  Got a letter from Grandma Curb today.  A protracted meeting going on at Coffeepot and Burneyville.  Had 30 conversions to date.  Got a letter from sister Kate.  Mr. Young and wife ate dinner at our house.  Had fried chicken. 

July 31st.  Monroe traded wagons with Mr. Boon. Charlie commenced to teaching school.  I scalded and scoured the floors.

August 3rd, 1894.  Oscar’s birthday.  Seven years old.

August 4th.  Pink and I went to Aroor to S.S.  No one there.  Julia Moore came into the Yocum’s  with a baby born on the roadside near Tolivers.. her pa begged Yocum’s to take her in. 

August 9th.  Isom bought Granpa’s place.  Scalding and scouring and cleaning up down there.  We are making Kraut.

August 22nd.  Tore down the house that Monroe and Ison built on the hill and moved it down in our yard on the south side of the kitchen. 

August 23rd.  All working on the house.  Got letter from Ma that Eugene James has come from Alabama. The neighbors came and helped put the roof on the house. 

September 2nd.  Monroe  and I and children started to Rufus’s for a visit.  Our horse, “Old John” took sick at the bayou and came very near dying.  We didn’t make much starting on Sunday, but the horse got better and we went on to Mr.  Dodson’s  the night and camped on Caddo Creek.  The mosquitos came very near getting the best of us.  Children couldn’t sleep.    

Sept. 4th.  Got to Rufus’s late in the night after traveling all day.  Ellen had a big boy a few days old.  She was doing fine. Ma Curb was there. Hadn’t seen her since April. 

Sept 11th.  Bro. Bonds came in eve and stayed all night.  Charlie let Bro. Bonds gun off accidentally and shot a hole through the top of the house. 

Sept. 23.  All went to Bro. Boon’s to see Ollie Mills and Miss Bettie get married.  They were married at 10 a.m. by Bro. Forkner.  All went to church and heard a good sermon by Bro. Bennett.  He decided not to take care of the church. 

Oct 29th.  Charlie is 18 years old today. 

Nov. 3rd.  Wilhelm and Isom and Bud eat dinner.  All going to Friendly Hope to a singing.  Pro. Sewell’s going to sing.  Dan went with his girl, Miss Etta Woolridge. 

Nov. 12th.  Etta spent day here with Aunt Mat because Mat is fixing to leave to go live with Rufus. 

Nov 22nd.  Ples Chitwood had a cotton picking.  The children and I went to Tom for the cotton picking.  

Nov. 29th.   Had a dance at Isom’s.  I was sorry to hear that Dan was the cause of it. 

Dec. 4th.  Willie is 16 years old today.  Has a rising on his nose. 

Dec. 11th.  Dan, Edd, and Rena went to singing at the schoolhouse.  It is to go on until the 21st.

Dec. 28th.  Monroe went to Ardmore and sent Ma some money.  Saw Rufus there.

 

Jan 1, 1895

 

All alive and well.  All at home except Dan, and he is doing well.  I quilted one quilt today.  Put it up and got it out by 4 p.m. 

Jan 4th.  My birthday, 49 years old.  Monroe and boys dauoing the house.  Edd and Monroe fixed the chimney.

Jan 9th.  Edd and Monroe got in from Gainesville.  Got me a  new sateen dress.

Jan11th.  Monroe and Charlie rode around in the eve to see about money to fix the schoolhouse. 

Jan 14th.  Met at the schoolhouse to decide whether to move it or not.  Decided not to.  The singing school commenced taught by Prof. Sewell.  Children all went I spent the day with Sister Perdue.

Jan 16th.  All went to singing again.  Mr. Abercrombie came for me to go to Garner’s.  Mrs. Garner had a fine boy.  Both are doing well.

Jan 19th. The well bucket hung in the well..  Mr. Marbles came to see about the schoolhouse. 

Jan 21st.  All of us went to the singing except Monroe and Edd.  They bored down with the drop auger 37 feet from the house and quit. 

24th.  Charlie, Willie and Pink rode in the jumper and went to the singing.  I made my brown worsted bonnet.  Monroe making boards. 

3oth.  Dan came in from Ardmore well and hearty.

Feb. 4th.  Monroe and young Garner Abercrombie went to the bayou to get board timber for our little schoolhouse.  The balance of the neighbors cutting logs. 

Feb 8th. Charlie went to Self’s to ask for hands to raise the schoolhouse.

Feb. 8th.  Dan gone after Miss Phoebe, the school marm.  Came back Sunday.  We all went to church and before we could eat dinner Bro. Wilhelm came after me.  Sister Martha sick.  Dr. Briggs was there.  She had a big girl about 3 o’clock.  Awfully cold!  I stayed all night.

Feb. 14th.  Miss Phoebe and I got dinner.  Etta here learning to crochet.  One year today since granpa was buried. 

Feb. 15th.  Monroe, Dan and Edd working on schoolhouse.  Awfully cold.  Edd nailed some boards between the  house and kitchen to stop the cold wind. 

Feb.  18th.  Isom and Newt digging on well.  Found nothing but aim to dig deeper.  Dave Garner came after me.  Wife sick.  I went and spent the day. 

Feb. 19th.  Got to plenty of water.  Finished curbing on well.  Put up the pulley.  Finished covering the schoolhouse. 

Feb.  21st.  Miss Phoebe cut her waist and bonnet.  Monroe chinked and duabed the house.

 Feb 25th..  Miss Phoebe commenced school this morning.  I am piecing on my cotton quilt.  Charlie has a bad rising on his chin. 

Feb 28th.. Miss Phoebe lanced Charlie’s rising.

March 1st.  Pa’s birthday.  Would have been 73 if he had lived.  Ison, Etta, Miss Phoebe  and Rena all gone to Ples Chitwood’s singing at Blackjack schoolhouse. 

March 5th.  Rena’s birthday, 12 years old.  Six of the children in school.  Isom and Etta at home.  Dan there.  Edd and Willie plowing.  I am quilting my cotton stripe quilt. 

March 6th.  All well. Rena and I washed and scoured both houses. 

March 10th.  All went to church.  I went to Mr. Stogner’s for dinner.  Had singing at 2 p.m.  Preaching give out at Long Hollow. 

March 11th.  My sister Kate died today.  I spent the day at Etta’s, a pretty day. 

March 13th.  Isom came and got the bucket.  Taken to Mr. Stogner’s and swapped for a pump.  Dan teaching  an arithmetic school at night  at Long Hollow schoolhouse. 

March 14th.  I have been reading the Baptist Standard all evening.  A good paper. 

March 16th.  Got a letter from Josie bearing the sad news of dear sister Kate losing her mind but she was dead when we received this letter. 

March 19th.  Got a letter from Rosie this eve bearing the sad news of dear Kate’s death.  Died if rheumatism or paralysis of the brain. 

March 24th.  Dan, Phoebe and Rena went to Friendly Hope to preaching in the morning.  Organized our Sunday School in the Long Hollow schoolhouse in the evening.   The Mr. Sewell’s came and sang. 

March 29th.  Antitoxin serum for diphtheria.  Seen it in the Kansas City Times.  All well today.  We scoured the kitchen and everything in it. 

March 30th.  Monroe 52 today.

April 1st.  Monroe started on his book agency today, “The Character Sketches”. 

April 4th.  Finished planting corn in the upper field.  Monroe came in home from selling books.  Sold 7 up to date.  Stayed all night and started out next morning. 

April 13th.  Charlie got worse in eve.  Very bad at night.  Sent for Bro. Stapp to pray for him.  Dan went for Dr. Graham.  He seemed to be troubled about his sins and the salvation of his soul. 

April 16, 1895.  Charlie still puny, but sit up some.  Dan took the train today for

Ardmore. 

April 29th.  I got a letter from Ma today with a lock of my sister Katie’s hair. 

May 9th.  Charlie right pert again.  I sold my sow and 2 shoats to Charlie for $9.00.

May 17th.  I went to Burneyville with Bro.  Will’s folks and mailed a check for $2.00 to Bro Cranfil for he Standard. 

May 26th.  Charlie making up a school.

July 5th.  Eddie and Etta’s birthday.  They are 21.

July 18th.  Charlie teaching school.  All the children going.

July 23rd.  Our protracted meeting commenced.

July 24th.  Rained so couldn’t go to meeting.

July 28th.  Had a grand meeting.  Rena professed religion at night.

July 29th.  The Lord blessed us again.  Pink professed.

July 30th.  I received another great blessing from the Lord.

July 31st.  Charlie professed, so did Etta Wooldridge.  Both joined the church.

August 14th.  Baptizing today at Red River by Bro. Stapp.  Charlie, Pink, Etta Wooldridge, Alice Smith, Rena, Ida Self, preaching today and tonight with a great victory.

August 19th.  Charlie made arrangements to go to Jack County to the mineral wells.

September 4th.  Isom came after me at 2 A.M.  Etta sick.  Her baby was born at 6 P.M.  A little girl.  All doing very well.  I was the Doctor.  Fannie and Susie were there.

September 17th.  Mr. Bridges came after me to go to his house.  His wife had a 5 lb. Girl at 3 A.M.

October 1st.  Mrs. Yocum sent for me to come as her and Mrs. Snodgrass went to Etta’s in eve.  Those women fell out over the well.

October 7th.  Neva having the flux.  Giving her medicine.

October 12th.  Mrs. Bullener never married.  She skipped out and left.

October 20th.  Monroe went to Burneyville, came back, eat a hearty supper, taken very sick with throwing up.  Came very near dying.  Cramped very near to death.  Edd went for Dr. Graham in the night.

October 25th.  Mrs. Young sent Lena and Jessie after me.  I went.  She had a fine girl.

October 29th.  Charlie’s birthday.  He is 19.

November 1st.  Lilly is 2 months old today.

December 1st.  All went to Sunday School at log house on the hill.  I went to Etta’s to help cook for raising. 

December 2nd.  Isom had a house raising.  Splendid dinner.  Two years today since they married.

January 4, 1896.  My birthday, 50 years old.  I am growing old, time is flying, souls are dying.  I wrote to Charlie.

January 15th.  Henry Chitwood came this morning to get the hack to go to Marietta after Billie’s coffin.  He died this morning, one half past 3 o’clock.  Monroe and I went over there.

February 3rd.  Bettie Mills had a girl baby today.

February 4th.  Lilly five months old today.

February 5th.  I made my gingham.

February 6th. I washed with compound.  Monroe and boys finished breaking land.  Hurrah!! Hurrah!!

February 8th.  Monroe and boys gone to new place to commence plowing and clearing up.  Preaching by Bro. Stapp.

February 9th.  Preaching again at Friendly Hope.  We all went to Mr. Chitwood’s for dinner.  Found him suffering greatly.  Had Dr. Graham and another there. 

February 10th.  Old man Chitwood died today.

February 14th.  I went to Mrs. Chitwood’s  today and spent the eve.  Two years today since grandpa’s death.

February 15th.  Mr. Smith, the dentist, came and stayed all night.  Pulled one tooth for Edd, two for Bro. Stapp and plugged two for him.

February 16th.  All went to church.  Bro. Ray preached and came here for dinner.  Bro. Stringer came from Burneyville and preached at the Log House on hill.

February 18th.  Bro. Stringer still among us.  He is doing a good work here.

February 23rd.  All went to church at Friendly Hope.  Jimmie Self joined the church by experience.  Lester preaching too at Log House.

February 24th.  I went to Marbles in eve.  Stayed up with sick babies.

February 26th.  I wrote to Dan at Lone Grove.  I fried batter cakes for dinner.

February 29th.  All went to singing at Blackjack.

February 30th.  Monroe’s birthday.  He is 53.  Had onion tips and peas for dinner.  Charlie don’t feel well today.  Seems out of heart.

March 9th.  I went to Mr. Self’s to see sick baby.  Left it very sick.

March 10th.  Mrs. Self sent for me.  The baby died at 7 A.M.  I went to dress it and stayed all night. 

March 11th.  I stayed all day and made the burying clothes.  I stayed with her until they came back from the burying.

March 22nd.  Preaching today at Friendly Hope and at Long Hollow tonight.  Ollie Mills came after me to go see his little sick baby.  It died at 12 noon.  I washed and dressed and came home as they had plenty company.

March 23rd.  All went to the burying except Ma and Mat.  A little dove lit in the door while we were gone.  The cat caught it and Mat made it drop it and it flew away.  So glad to be free.

March 25th, 1896.  Etta sent for me.  The baby was sick but I found it better.  Was so glad.

March 26th.  I went to Hattie’s to make my new dress on her new machine.

April 1st.  I sewed on the children’s dresses.  Made Neva’s.

April 3rd.  Etta made her white dress.  I cut Oscar’s pants.

April 4th.  Bro. Stapp went to town.  Got Charlie some dried fruit.

April 6th.  Tom Newsom is lying low with measles, or really has pneumonia.  Etta and I went to Burneyville and traded.  Got Rena 2 dresses and $1.00 worth of coffee.  Took dinner with Sister Perdie.

April 12th.  All went to church.  Bro. Stapp preached.  Monroe and I and Etta went to Tom Barbie’s for dinner.  Mat went to Self’s.  All went to the river to the baptizing.

April 13th.  Mat washed out Bro. Stapp’s clothes that he wore at the baptizing.

April 15th.  The sewing machine man came and we bought a new machine.  He took the old one at $10 and we paid $25.  Gave some pigs too.

April 16th.  Bro. Will’s folks came in from Gainesville.  Got us 4 sacks of flour.  Brought Charlie some whiskey and brought the little clock.

April 17th.  I made Oscar some drawers.  Bro. Stapp and Oscar started over the river to see his folks and to buy hames and a tongue for his buggy.

April 21st.  Bro. Wilhelm took sick.  He is very sick.  I am sick too.  I am worse in the bed.  Not able to sit up.  Made myself sick washing quilts.  Mat and Bro. Stapp agreed to quit tobacco.

April 30th.  I spent the day at Bro. Wilhelms.  Came home and found Charlie bad off with his legs hurting him so bad.

May 2, 1896.  Monroe went to get sulfur water for Charlie.  The house caught fire upstairs from a lamp left burning.  Willie went for Dr. Graham in eve.  Charlie worse,  Ma put some grease in his potato soup and he didn’t know it.  So bad when she knew he couldn’t eat it.

May 3rd.  Mrs. Weaver came selling recipes to can fruit.  She stayed all night. 

May 5th.  I commenced making my bonnet and the babies bonnets.  Mr. Newsom came after me.  His baby is sick..

May 11th. Mat and Bro. Stapp rode around to investigate the tale about Alice Marble that she told on Bro. Stapp.  Found all to be false.  All talked in favor of him.

May 19th, 1896.  Pink gone to Burneyville to get crackers and fruit. 

May 20th.  Mrs. Young sent for me to come see her sick baby.  I stayed all day and nursed and watched over it until it died about 7 P.M.  I stayed until 10 P.M. and left Phoebe and Mrs. Wilhelm there.  They made it clothes.

May 21st.  All went to burying except Charlie and Mat and Grandma and myself.  Sister Abercrombie and Sister Wilhelm and I stayed at Ms. Yocums.  Pink came by with his foot cut.  Bleeding copiously.  I stopped it by putting flour on the cut and binding it.

June 1st.  Charlie went out to hunt a while.  Hunted too long and prostrated himself.

June 3rd.  Charlie and I wrote to Dan today.  His is 24 today. 

June 6th.  Willie got me a fine pair of shoes and some coffee.  Wen went to church at Blackjack.  Tested the tale that Alice Marble told.  All voted that Bro. Stapp didn’t say what she said he did.  All come out all right.

June 10th.  Charlie seems pert.  Had white head cabbage and cucumber pickles for dinner.

June 12th.  Charlie very puny.  Monroe gone to Leon for medicine for him.

June 14th.  All went to church except Monroe, Ma and Charlie.  Heard a splendid sermon.  Abercrombies and Wilhelms folks came home with us for dinner.  Some of the men went back the Methodist meeting.  No preacher.  All talked over the case of Alice Marble.  Some of them got pretty mad but that was all.

June 15th.  Beata’s birthday.  21 years old.  I went to see Phoebe Snodgrass for dinner.  They sent for me to come home. Ma got stung in the mouth by a wasp at the table.  Very serious

June 25th.  Mrs. Tyson sent for me.  Very sick.  She had a chill.  Monroe and I and Ma went to Boon’s and spent the day.  Found them in trouble about Saddie marrying.  We  talked to them.

June 30th.  Sister Boon and Sister Doyle came and spent the day.  Bro. Stapp came and they were at outs.  Would not speak.

July 8th.  Charlie improving.  Monroe went to Burneyville to have wagon tire shrunk.

July 9th.  Fixing for the protracted meeting.  Monroe gone to help build arbor.  I stayed at Sister Wilhelm while he worked.

July 11th.  Meeting commenced today in conference.  Moved the meeting to new arbor.

July 13th.  All went to church.  Bro. Ray preached from text, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”  He came home with us for dinner.

July 14th.  Charlie went to church for first time last night.  Sat in the wagon.

July 15th.  Monroe, Ray and I went to talk to Sister Wooldridge and Sister Boon, but did not succeed in getting them together.  Sister Boon put her letter in again, which she had taken out.

July 19th.  Monroe and I and the children all started to Sulfur Springs.  Went as far as

Wash Hopkins the first night.  Sister Boon and Olie and Bettie were with us.

July 20th.  We passed Ardmore and went as far as the arbor near Waldrups, where a protracted meeting was going on.  We heard a grand sermon by Bro. Keller.  His meeting was a success.

July 21st.  Arrived at the Springs about 10.

July 22nd.  Charlie stood the trip fine.  He is up calling for something to eat.  He went buggy riding.  We bought some soda pop.  Mrs. Young cooked him some light bread.  Monroe and I went to preaching at Tabernacle.  Heard a grand sermon on influence. Charlie improving.  Took two buggy rides yesterday.  Going across the creek to the black springs.  Children gone to get freestone water for Neva.  All well pleased with our location.  So many cold springs and a creek in 300 yards of us, and right under the tabernacle. 

July 27th.  We all went down town and spent the day.  Struck a Mexican doctor who said he could cure Charlie in 3 days, so’s we employed him, but he got worse under his treatment, so we dropped the medicine.

July 28th.  We all went to Black Sulfur Springs again.

July 29th.  I got a letter from Dan stating that he was aiming to marry August 9th.

August 2, 1896.  We all got ready and went home with Mr. W. and wife on our way to Oil Springs.  Those good ladies of the other camp came out to our camp.  Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Burkes and Mrs. Oliphant of Pauls Valley and Mrs. Rossenz of Wynnewood all came and bid us goodbye and gave Charlie good advice, and encouragement to go in the discharge of his duties.  They were kind.  Mr. Oliphant loaned us his buggy all of the time for Charlie to ride in.

August 3rd.  Oscar’s birthday, nine years old.

August 4th.  Went to Bro. Newton’s to see about getting Charlie a place to board.  We stayed all night there and enjoyed it so much. 

August 5th.  We started home.  Left Charlie there at Bro. Newton’s.  Got to Ardmore for dinner.  Taken dinner at Mr. Martin’s, Sister Boon’s kinfolks.

August 6th.  We arrived at Bro. Perdie’s for dinner and from there home.  Lilly, little sweet thing was walking all over the yard.  All children home except Charlie.  Dan is aiming to marry the 12th and we will wash and prepare for his wedding. 

August 8th.  Some of us went to church.  No preaching; Bro. Stapp didn’t get there.  Several of the brethren were there.  Didn’t have any service.  Twas a shame.  Never sang a single song or prayed a single prayer.  Too bad. 

August 11th.  Dan and Henry Chitwood talking over his and Sadie’s trouble.  Sadie repented of slighting him and sent Olie after her Henry.  So they made up to marry on the following Sunday.  We are cooking cakes for the wedding.

August 12th.  Dan was married today to Miss Etta Wooldridge.  All of us went to see them married.  Bro. Forkner performed the ceremony.  After partaking of a grand supper, we had music on the organ and singing.  All went off nicely.

August 13th.  Dan and Etta and the Wooldridges and many others came to our house for dinner.  Had a good time.

August 20th.  Monroe and I taken dinner at Mr. Youngs.  Boys rested in eve and played marbles.  Three months to day since I was here to nurse the little dying baby. 

August 21st.  Monroe gone to St. Joe, MO. To the reunion of the old soldiers. Pink and Dan swapped horses.

August 25th.  Etta and Pink and I went to Wooldridges and spent the day and quilted.

August 26th.  Bro. Boom came.  Said he was going to Oil Springs.  We sent Charlie his blanket. 

August 28th.  I taken dinner with Mrs. Wilson, the peddler’s wife today in the above the garden.  Mr. Newsom sent for me again.  The doctor came again and frightened her very near to death by threatening to kill Mr. Newsom.

August 29th.  Monroe very sick.  Punning off at bowels.  Pink went to Newsoms and got mustard for stomach.

September 4th.  Lilly one year old today.  She did not get to come see Gramma.

September 27th.  Monroe and I and Bro. Boon started to Oil Springs.  Got to Ardmore at sundown.  Stayed at Dan’s.

September 28th.  Traded some this morning.  Bought flannel, cottons, and calicoes.  Bought a dress for Sister Newton.  Ate dinner at the Washita River.  Got to Bro. Newton’s at 4 P.M.  Charlie was so glad to see us.  Stayed all night.  Charlie complained of his stomach hurting.  So sorry.

September 29th.  Bro. and Mrs. Newton went to town.  I stayed with Charlie and cut and made him 2 flannel shirts.  All went off to a burying and left Charlie and me alone.  We read and prayed together.  We felt that the Lord was with us to bless.  We stayed all night again.  A month from today is Charlie’s birthday. 

October 2nd.  I ate dinner alone.  All picking at new place.  Finished the 3rd  bale today.  Sold it for $0.02 a pound.

October 9th, 1896.  Took my plate to the dentist to have it mended.

October 13th.  Mrs. Tyson sent for me.  She is sick.  I arrived just in time to wait on her.  She had a nice large baby boy born at 5 A.M.  I came home and went to Mrs. Youngs and she and I cut my calico dress.

October 14th.  Mat, Rena and I washed a big washing.  Put out 117 pieces .

October 15th.  Monroe and I went to Burneyville to get my plated mended.  Dentist was gone a fishing so I left them.

October 19th.  Monroe gone to Marietta after Bro. Kuykendall to bring to our house to start debate the 21st with Fester, a Campbellite.

October 29th.  The debate closed at 4 P.M.  with a great victory for the Baptists ;and all in the best of feeling seemingly.

October 30th.  Bro. Wilhelm taken Bro. Kuykendall to St. Joe.  We were loath to give him up.

October 31st.  Will and Pink started to Oil Springs to see Charlie.  Monroe and boys started to cut logs to build our new house.

November 6th.  Charlie came in from Oil Springs.  He is improved in strength but not much in flesh.

November 7th.  Monroe started to Marietta with the range stove.  Couldn’t pay for it.  Cost too much, $69.00.

November 9th.   All cutting logs.  Bro. Boon’s folks all come to see Charlie and sharpen their knives.

November 10th.  Mr. Blackburn came after about 3 A.M.  She had a fine girl born at sun up.

November 13th.  Mr. Smith, the dentist, came and stayed all night.  Pulled 3 teeth for Mat.

November 15th.  The Friendly Hope church went to Red River to attend to the ordnance of Baptism of Bro. Abercrombie by Bro. Stringer.  Had a good time.

November 16th.  Edd, Willie and Monroe went to bottom to get timber for new house.

November 20th.  Neva still sick.  Am giving medicine.

November 22nd.  Nevs better.  Seems like fever under control.

November 25th.  Pink sent to see Mit Walker to get directions to send for a treatment for Charlie.

November 29th.  Rena went to see Ruthy Hughes.  She is very low with consumption.

November 30th.  We killed our hogs today, 10 head.  Made 1565 pounds of meat.

December 1st.  I am drying my lard, Monroe went to Burneyville to get new cans and pepper and sage.  I put up 23 gallons lard and 1565 pounds of meat.

December 4th.  Willie is 18 years of today.

December 8th.  Men raised the middle room of the house.

December 9th.  Charlie is very peart.  Got medicine from Graham and also from Dr. Brigg that Mr. Young got him to fix up.

December 10th.  The last sewing was done on the new machine.  The collector came and taken it off.

December 12th.  Monroe hauling mud to daub the house.

December 15th.  I went to Ardmore.  Pink and B and Neva bought Willie and Pink new suits.

December 16th.  I stayed at Dan’s all day today and done my trading.

December 17th.  Pink and I and the children started from Ardmore at 6 A.M. Got in home at 7 P.M.  (35 miles from Ardmore to home)

December 19th.  B and I cleaned off the yard fixing for preaching.  Bro. Stringer came in eve.  Had a splendid sermon at our house.  Not many of the church there.  Did aim to disband but declined as there were so few. 

December 20th.  Bro. Stringer came again and had a good sermon, after which the church went into conference.  By a motion and second and vote the Friendly Hope church dissolved.  How solemn and sad!  We all thought best as the church was small and other churches near where we could join and be made strong.  Canon Chapel is in 3 miles where some of us will put our membership.  The clerk was advised to write all the letters of dismission.

December 21st.  All men gone to commence another well as first was a failure.

December 25th.  Christmas Day!  Dan and Etta came here for dinner.

December 26th.  Dan came and helped take out the new room floor and helped Mat and Gramma move to the new place.

December 27th.  Dan, Isom, Bro. Abercrombie, Wilhelm and Tom Chitwood are here.  We all sang a while.  Had vinegar pie.

December 29th.  Rena and I scoured both houses.  Had chicken for dinner.

December 30th.   All up.  Moving today.  Rena and I washed in forenoon and until very near night.  We then loaded up the last load of things and Rena and I mounted the wagon

and I drove and she carried the glass and Edd and Will drove the cows and I called them and they followed.  We are all now moved to our new home.  Every thing so nice and new and plenty merciful kindness to us.  We are all well pleased but no water yet.

December 31st.  The war broke out between the North and South in 1861.  Monroe enlisted and went under Captain Tolbert and Lt. England.  Taken the train for Virginia the 20th of June, 1861 and spent four years in the war.  Was wounded once and was captured by the enemy and put in prison at Point Lookout, Maryland, where he remained 6 months.  He was paroled in April 1864 and came home.  The war closed in April.

January 1,1897.  Am so thankful to God for all His mercies to us.  Big rain last night.  Good for man and beast.  We now have water.  Monroe and Edd worked on chimney.  Pink got a nice book through the mail from Uncle Pink at Greensboro, Alabama.  (D.P. Christenberry, Librarian at Southern University).  The book was “Our Little Men”, a New Years gift.

January 2nd.  Twenty-four years today since Leona died with diphtheria.  Our first child.

January 3rd.  Had biscuits, butter, syrup and toasted squirrel for breakfast.  Edd is cutting Oscar’s hair.

January 4th.  I am 51 years old today.  Monroe went to Burneyville.  Got me a set of plates, cups and saucers.

January 6th.  Rena and all the children went to Isom’s.  Brought Lilly home.  Etta is aiming to wean her.

January 10th.  Mr. Bridges, Mr. Abercrombie, and Mr. Wilhelm all came for dinner and brought all the children for dinner. (When she mentioned a Mr. It referred to his household).

January 12th.  I made stiffening for my bonnet.

January 13th.  Monroe and Edd built the chimney.

January 18th.  Hattie sent for me about 3 A.M. Sunday morning.  Had a fine daughter born at 5 A.M.

January 22nd.  Isom came for me to go to Mr. Tyson’s to wash and dress a little girl that died at Mr. Kerr’s this morning.  I stayed all night.

January 23rd.  I stayed all day until we dressed her and put her in her coffin.

January 26th.  Pink’s birthday. 16 year old. Bro. Green still here.  We bought some calico and spectacles from him and sold him some pigs.

January 29th.  Still digging on well. Pink, Rena and B. went to Harris to haul water.  Pink got a rooster.

February 1st.  Still digging on well, 100 feet and no water.

February 4th.  Monroe and Edd went to bottom to get boards to curb the well.

February 7th.  Mr. Harris taken taken dinner with us.  Talked up a school.

February 11th.  Mr. Adams came and commenced on a new well.  I went to see Mr. Kerr’s baby.  It is very sick.

February 13th.  I made another bed tick and filled it.

February 15th.  School commenced today.  I stayed all night at Sister Wilhelm’s.  She had a baby girl born this morning.

February 21st.  Most of us went to church.  Bro. Stringer came home with us.  Fire came very near burning us out.  Had to burn against it.

February 22nd.  They sent for me to see the baby at Bro. Mills.  It was bleeding at the navel.  I stopped the bleeding with tannin.

February 24th.  Some drunk men came along and set the fence a fire.

February 25th.  Isom and Edd and Alvin Blair gone after men who burnt the fence.

March 5th.  Rena’s birthday.  14 years old.  Mrs. Hughes died.  Monroe and Charlie and I started to Ardmore.

March 6th.  Monroe went on to Oil Springs.  Charlie and I stayed at Dan’s.  They buried Mrs. Hughes while we were gone. 

March 7th.  Monroe got in from Oil Springs and we left Davis Sunday eve.  We got to Bro. Dotson’s by dark.  Had a nice time singing with music on the organ by Miss Lizzie.

March 11th.  Monroe and I went to Isom’s to a working.  Isom’s birthday, 29 years old.

March 17th.  Monroe and boys making a brush fence.  Rena went to Mr. Kerr’s to swap her dress.

March 18th.  The mules ran away and tore up the harness.

March 20th.  Monroe went to Mr. Young’s to borrow some money to buy some Indian medicine.

March 21st.  Monroe and Charlie and I went to church.  The mules ran away but no one hurt.

March 22nd.  Charlie is sore form his jump out of the wagon.

March 24th.  Charlie weighed today, 100 lbs.

March 30th.  Monroe’s birthday, 54 years old.

April 2nd.  Monroe gone to Ardmore to get molasses.

April 4th.  Rena got her hair frizzed.  I made a rug.  Ma is very sick.

April 11th.  Ma is 75 today.

April 14th.  The well is 108 feet.  No water.

April 25th.  I went down to see Mrs. Tyson she is very sick.  Been sick for 6 weeks.

April 27th.  My brother Pink is 40 years old today.

May 6th.  Edd make Charlie some crutches.

May 8th.  Edd made a cart for Charlie.  He is some better.

May 11th.  Boys commenced digging a cellar at noon.

May 12th.  Monroe and boys finished the cellar.

May 18th.  I cut the children’s dresses and Oscar’s pants.  95 chicks hatched off to date.

May 23rd.  Etta is sick.  Mrs. Wooldridge sent for me.  Dan and I rode under gallop 4 miles in 30 minutes.  An 8 ½ pound boy was born to Dan and Etta at 5 P.M.

May 24th.  105 chicks to date.  Old hen pecked me in the eye.  Came very near putting it out.

June 3rd.  Dan’s birthday, 25 years old.

June 11th.  I cut and made Pink a fine shirt.

June 15th.  B is 12 years old.

June 16th.  Etta is sick.  Got worse again.  She got so bad after supper sent for doctor.

June 18th.  Etta still sick, but sitting up.  Taking medicine.

June 20th.  Etta got worse again.  Sent Willie after doctor.

June 21st.  Etta worse again.  Sent Willie after doctor again.  Her baby was born before the doctor got there.  A boy, but it was dead.

June 25th.  20 years today since Pa died.

July 5th.  School closed today for good.  Too hot to teach.

July 11th.  Lester preaches at the arbor.  Charlie and Rena and Isom singing down there this eve.

July 15th.  I have a bad rising on my finger.

July 16th.  My finger bad.  I am starching and ironing.

July 18th.  We all went to church. 

July 19th.  Monroe and I went to doctor about my finger.  He gave me a good ointment.

July 20th.  I am suffering with finger awful.

July 26th.  I am cutting the boys’ shirts.  First work I have done since my finger got better.

July 27th.  I went to Bro. Mills and made Pink’s pants.

July 28th.  Bro. Wills got Charlie to take wild hairs out of his eyes.

July 29th.  The sun is in eclipse at 8 A.M.

August 3,1897.  Oscar is 10 years old today.  Monroe helping to build the furnace to make molasses.

August 6th.  Mrs. Taylor (Mr. Taylor is the old man that makes molasses) died this morning.

August 12th .  Edd and Will and John digging on well. Pink gone to singing.  I finished my bonnet.

August 18th.  Preaching by Bro. Rankin on the water of life.  Bro. Kuykendall preached at night on footmen and horses. 

August 26th.  Finished making our molasses.  Made 80 gallons. 

August 28th.  Isom and Etta came.  Going to Canon Chapel to a Campbellite meeting.  I got a letter form Bud, the first in 14 years. (her brother)

September 4th.  Lilly is 2 years old today.

September 10th.  Monroe working on the well.  Put the top over it and will let it rest for a while.

September 18th.  We all went to church.  Our day.  Bro. Kuykendall, Stringer, Ray and Everett.  Had a good sermon by Bro. Kuykendall on missions.

September 22nd.  Lee Hatley passed on his way to Pott country.

September 23rd.  A centipede bit B. on the foot.

September 26th.   Monroe went down to Abercrombies to see sick children, Leathy and Hassie.

September 30th.  Hauled off 280 chicks.  Bro. McDaniel passed going home on Caddo.

October 4th.  Taking off 6th bale of cotton.  Monroe and I going to Ardmore tomorrow.

Will stay at Burneyville tonight.

October 5th.  We went to Ardmore with the cotton and 2 dozen chickens.  Got $4.00 for chickens and $5.40 for cotton.  We spent the night with Dan and Etta.

October 6th.  We stayed in town and traded until dinner.  Eat at Davis.  Came on our way home as far as Mr. John Robers and stayed all night.  He gave me a white rooster.  We started home and got to Isom’s for dinner.

October 16th.  Our preaching day.  Monroe and Edd and I went.  Bro. K gave us his answer that he would preach for us.

October 19th.  Children went to bottom. Got pecans and grapes.

October 25th.  I cut and made Rena’s red sateen waist.  Her and Edd went to an entertainment at crossroads to see and elocutionist perform.

October 9th.  Charlie is 21 today. 

November 1st.  Bro. Etta came and ate dinner with us.  Charlie sold him a belt. 

November 2nd.  Charlie and I went to Chitwood’s in eve and sold them two belts. 

November 5th.  All picking on 11th bale.  A.M. give it to Will on his account.

November 8th.  Edd went to gin with 11th bale.  Monroe gives the children $0.10 per 100 from now on.  Has been giving $0.05 for some time.

November 9th.  Oscar gone to hunt gizzard linings for Charlie. 

November 10th.  Boys got in from town by 8 P.M. Will got him a suit, saddle, trunk, shoes and shirts.

November 14th.  Isom and Etta are here to see Lilly.  Will came and moved them to Newt Lovings to pick cotton.

November 16th.  Old man proctor came for dinner.  He is agent to sell suits.

November 18th.  Edd started to Gainesville to freight for Kirk and Allen.

December 1st, 1897.  An old Irish peddler came and I bought 2 towels and one handkerchief.  I cut B and Neva dresses.

December 2nd.  I mad Oscar’s pants.  Worked Pink’s filly to wagon for first time.

December 4th.  Willie’s birthday, 19 years old.  Charlie has chills and fever.

December 8th.  Monroe and Edd went to Burneyville with 16th bale.  I sent $0.40 and 5 dozen eggs to get me a fascinator.

December 12th.  Bro. Hobson and wife, and children, Luther Smith and wife and baby, Isom and Etta and Lilly,  Alice Marbles and children, and Boss Wilhelm and Willie took dinner with us today.  There were 3 pairs of twins here.

December 14th.  We sent for Dr. McGowan for Charlie has pain in head and chills and fever.  Edd went to Burneyville and got crackers and quinine and coal oil.

December 23rd.  We are scouring and fixing for Christmas.

December 25th, Christmas Day,1897.  Thanks to God our Father who has kept us all alive and permitted us to come together again.  All the children and the two little grandchildren are here, one little girl and one little boy.  Oh, how thankful we all ought to be.  So is our dear grandmother who has seen 75 summers.  She feels impressed that this will be her last Christmas with us.  Old Santa came with may good thanks.  Etta and Dan gone to her ma’s.  Rena went with them.  Isom and Etta went home as they were looking for company.  Pink and Oscar gone Christmasing.  Monroe and Charlie and Grandma and I here to enjoy our Christmas dinner.  Had pies, custard, cake, boiled ham, sausage and biscuits.

December 26th.  Monroe and I went to Bro. Abercrombie’s and spent the day with them for the last time.  They are loading up for Greer County.  Mr. Young came after me to go to Jim Page’s.

December 27th.  I spent the day at the Pages.  They had a fine girl born at midnight.

January 4th, 1898.  My birthday, 52 years old.  I spent the day at Bro.Wilhelm’s and made Charlie’s blue shirt. 

January 8th.  Isom brought the electric battery. 

January 9th.  Monroe and I went to Dr. McGowan with the battery.

January 10th.  We went from there to Burneyville to get someone to set the battery in motion.  Found Dr. Matthews who knew how.

January 11th.  Bro. Joe Cannon came and tried to sell us a hack.  Monroe gone to doctor’s to get a paregoric for Ma.

January 20th.  Monroe gone to help move Friendly Hope School house up on the hollow.  Are going to have a school taught there.

January 21st. They got the school house moved and up in one day.  That’s like business I tell you and hauled it 2 miles too!

January 25th.  Pink taking quinine for pain over his eye.  Been sick for 2 weeks.

January 26th.  Pink’s birthday, 17 today.

January 31st.  School commenced today at Long Hollow by Prof. Reeves.  All the children going from Charlie down, except Rena.

February 7th.  Monroe went to Burneyville to get picks sharpened.  Got Oscar a third reader.

February 8th.  Edd and Monroe still digging on well.  One year since the commenced.  140 feet now.

February 10th.  Beata sick with chicken pox.  Yocum brought me a note concerning his wife, asking me to wait on her.

February 13th.  Mr. Yocum came after me.

February 14th.  I stayed at Yocum’s last night.  Went over at 1 o’clock.  Came home this morning.  Left her up.  Beata still sick.  Yocum came after me about 8 P.M. and went over again and stayed until this morning.  Mrs. Yocum had a fine girl.

February 16th.  Mat took a severe pain in side.  Can’t get much relief.  Giving sodium and putting on ash poultices. Pink went to Yocum’s and got my money.

February 24th.  I wrote in my diary, bringing up the old diary and transferring to the ledger.

March 2nd.  Willie came by going to Dr. McGowans.  Got something in his eye.  The medicine soon relieved him.

March 4th.  Old Dr. Medlock came by.  Sold Charlie some medicine.

March 5th.  Rena’s birthday.  She is 15 today.  Monroe and Edd still digging on well, found vein.

March 10th.  Monroe and Edd hauled red clay to make hearth.

March 11th.  Had a big rain last night.  Caught the barrels full of water.

March 30th.  Monroe’s birthday, 55 years old.

April 1st.  We all went to spelling at night.  A good time.

April 12th.  I took out all of the bedding and scalded the bedsteads.

April 14th.  The peddler came,  I sold him 2 hens.  Got tin pans, tin cups and strainer.  He camped near out house.

April 17th.  Willie, Rena, Charlie, Oscar and Georgia all went in the wagon to Sunday School.  Pink went horseback.

April 18th.  Pink stopped school to work.

April 23rd.  I scoured off the front room and dining room.  I went as far as Isom’s with the mill wagon.  Got a box of crackers.  Monroe stayed at Burneyville to hear preaching. (Campbellite)

April 24th.  I ripped up Charlie’s shirt to make Oscar one.

April 28th.  Had a school meeting last night.  Made up the school.

May 1, 1897.  Charlie wrote a letter to the Signal today.

May 23rd.  Ma still confined to her room.  Ever since the 12th of April.

May 26th.  Charlie went to 5th Sunday meeting with Prof. Cortner is a buggy.

May 27th.  I am at Isom’s.  Etta had a fine daughter born this morning at 8:20 A.M.  Isom went to our house and told them about the girl.

May 30th.  Rena and B scouring the bath houses and washed the house linens.

June 1, 1898.  Mrs. Harris sent for me.  Had a fine son born at 8:15 P.M.  Old doctor and wife were there.

June 3rd.  Dan is 26 years old today

June 5th.  Charlie and the children and grandma went to church.  Bro. Ray preached.  Preferred charges against Willie for dancing and disorderly conduct.  Bro. Pierce made a statement  to the church denying the charges previously made against him.

June 15th.  Beata is 18 years old today.

June 17th.  Are having a boiled dinner every day.  So many potatoes and beans and beets.

June 21st.  Ma, Charlie and I and Neva went to Bro. Spencer’s and spent the day aiming to  attend the lectures at Burneyville by Prof. Coleman on a visit to Palestine.  Went to the chapel at night and heard another sermon from 1 Thes. 4:3, “ This is the will of God, even our sanctification.”

June 23rd.  I went to Wilhelm’s in eve and cut out Edd’s baseball pants.  We went to the Holiness meeting last night.  Several professed sanctification.  I wrote a letter to the Beacon notifying them to stop the paper.

July 5th.  Edd and Etta are 24 years old today.

July 10th.  All went to prayer meeting tonight at Canon Chapel.  Sanctified folks took up all of the time and both prayer meetings.  Agreed to organize a Baptist prayer meeting.

July 14th.  I finished fixing Oscar’s shirt.  Rena made Lilly a doll. Oscar and Neva are picking up the onions and potatoes.

July 15th. Oscar and I went to Burneyville.  Got Rena hat and shoes and Oscar a hat. 

July 21st.  Isom and Etta came to spend the day and help on the molasses mill.

July 23rd.  We are in Ardmore today.  Sent money for a machine.  Called at Signal office.

July 24th.  Monroe and the boys have gone after mud to build a furnace and also build an arbor over the door of the middle room and south door.

July 27th.  Isom and Etta are still her.  Building the furnace at the sorghum mill and cutting poles.  Boys all went to bottom to get a big pole to build and arbor over the mill.

July 30th  Monroe and Oscar went to Burneyville to take the sorghum pan to shop.  I got a letter from Ma dated July 25th.

August 3, 1898.  Charlie walking without his crutches at times.  Oscar is 11 years old today.

August 5th.  Having splendid luck running off syrup. Run of f 45 gallons yesterday.

August 6th.  All went to church tonight.  Had conference.  Excluded Monroe Smith and George Smith’s wife.

August 10th.  All went to church.  Had one truly penitent one crying out for mercy.  Mr. Poe came through.  Found Jesus precious to his soul.  He joined the church.

August 25th.  Got a card from Bro. Stamps about the machine.  It has come.

August 26th.  Monroe and I started to Ardmore after the machine and to the reunion.  Had a good time and a good dinner.  Beans and pork and coffee in abundance.

August 27th.  Had a grand day today at the reunion of the old veterans.  The “Blue and the Gray”.  Some grand speeches from some smart men.  Had music and the drums.

August 28th.  We started home from Ardmore.  Got the machine all right.  Got home very near sundown.

September 4, 1898.  Lilly is 3 years old today.  All up and went to church.  Doctor came to church after me as his wife is sick.  She had a fine son born at half past twelve.

September 7th.  Charlie and I went to Burneyville to attend the Association.  Got there for 3 o’clock service.  Heard a good sermon that night form Bro. Kuykendall.  We stayed at Bro. Grimes for the night. 

September 8th.  Stayed for preaching at 11 o’clock.  Discussed the different subjects, namely:  education, foreign missions, and so on.  Monroe came after me .  We went to Bro. Grimes for dinner then on home.  I patched some finished Willie’s drawers.  Prof. Courtner came by and stayed all night, soliciting pupils for school.

September 13, 1898.  Bro. Johnson her witching around for water. 

September 18th.  Will came last night.  We had a little family prayer meeting.  Sang songs in the “Harvest Bells”.  Bro. Willis came and got a shave.

September 19th.  I went to Isom’s.  Rode Pink’s pony and spent the day.

September 21st.  Some strange hogs here fighting.  I’m afraid of hydrophobia.

September 26th.  Oscar went to Leon.  Stayed too long.  Got a powerful whipping.  Got fruit for Charlie. O, I am sorry to see any child have to be whipped that way,  I wrote my brother Pink Christenberry a letter. 

October 1st.  Today is brother W.A. Christenberry’s 51st birthday.  The church liberated Bro. W.A.  Wilhelm to preach or to use his talents in any way that he feels it is his duty to do .

October 2nd.  Bro. Ray gone to Ardmore to attend Bro. Kuykendall’s trial.  O, don’t that sound awful trying a minister of the gospel and he says the charges are false.

October 6th.  All picked cotton this eve.  Pink picked 120, Rena 120, Beata 117, Monroe 120, Oscar 96.  Pink made him a cart to ride to the field on.

October 7th.  Pink and Oscar went hunting in their cart, and let the pony run away and tore the cart all to pieces.  We hear that Bro. Kuykendall made his acknowledgment.  Was not excluded from the church.

October 13th.  Pink and Edd and I went to Ardmore.  Got to Dan’s at 7 P.M.

October 14th.  I went down town in eve.  Done some trading at Maden and Sykes.  Got Pink and Oscar suit a piece and shoes and other merchandise to the amount of $30.00.

October 19th.  Thirty-three years today since Monroe and I married.

October 25th.  Beata taken a crick in her neck. Oscar went to the doctor’s to get liniment.

October 27th.  Neva is nine years old today.

October 29th.  Charlie’s birthday, 22 years.

November 3rd.  Mrs. Prosser sent for me last night.  Isom came after me about 1 A.M.  she had a fine daughter born about 3 A.M.  I came home and found Dr. McGowan’s family here to spend the day.  We have sure seen a nice time.

November 9th.  Monroe and Beatat and Neva and Oscar and Lilly gone to kill out the polecats.  All of them out and gone from the den.

November 21st.  the boys killed a hog and salted it away.

November 24th.  “Thanksgiving Day”.  We killed a big rooster.  Stewed and baked it and also ribs of a large hog.  Stewed and baked potatoes.  All seemed to enjoy their repast with gladness and much relish.  Mat and Ma had the children’s beds moved on the other side of the house.  Everything has to move around to suit their convenience.

November 26th.  Today is the day for Rufus to be released from prison.

December 3rd.  Monroe and Oscar went hunting.  Caught  9 rabbits.

December 4th.   Willie is 20 today.

December 7th.  Bro. Abercrombie came from Greer county.

December 13th.  Twenty-six years ago my little Ella died of diphtheria.

December 17th.  Bro. Wilhelm came by and Charlie and Mat and I went to church.  Bro. Wilhelm gave a good talk on “We see Jesus”.

December 20th.  Pink got ready and taken his books and clothes to go to college at Ardmore.

December 22nd.  All fixing for Christmas.  Willie came in from Ardmore with all the Christmas doings.  Got him a new suit.  Pink set in at Mansfield’s at Ardmore.  We miss him so much.  His vacant place at the fireside, at the table, at evening prayer, in the morning when fires are to be made, when water is to be hauled, wood to chop, but we can make out so he can go to school.

January 1, 1899.  All up for which I try to be thankful to God.  All of our lives spared one more year.

January 2nd.  Monroe called in Bro. Young and Wilhelm and Isom and Willie to kill hogs.  Killed 4 nice large ones.  All weighed 1077 pounds.  Have 2 large pots of lard and have worked up 8 gallons of sausage.

January 4th.  I am 53 years old today.

January 9th.  Monroe got very sick last night throwing up and running off at the bowels.  I gave him a small dose of calomel and he got relief in 10 minutes.

January 11th.  Monroe gone to Mr. John Harris’s on some business.  He borrowed some money to pay Mr. Young.  Mr. Young is selling out and going to Greer county next week. 

January 13th.  I went and spent the day with Mrs. Young before they leave. 

January 17th.  Mr. Young came by moving to Greer.  Six wagons.  Mrs. Young handed me a dollar.  I kissed her goodbye. 

January 21st.  Monroe and Oscar grinding axes.  Hall Woolridge stayed all night. 

January 22nd.  Got a letter from Rufus stating that he would come soon.  Will start  Monday.  Oscar spent the day at Bro. Wilhelm’s.  Had an invitation to eat Kraut.

January 24th.  I am knitting on Charlie’s sox.  Children are reading in their books. 

January 26th.  Pink is 18 today. 

January 27th.  Bro. Wilhelm got in from Gainesville.  Brought us a keg of Kraut. 

January 29th.  We are looking for Rufus and family.  Yonder they come.  It is 10 a.m. Bro. Wheeler came ahead and told us they were coming.  All went out to meet them up the road  except Charlie and me.  (Rufus was Monroe’s  bother.)  All glad to see them.  There is great joy.  Even Ma went up the road to meet them.

January 30th.  Rufus is sick this morning.  Mr. John Harris came this morning for his note.

January 31st.  Rufus is better, is up and about.

February 2nd.  Monroe and Ma and Mat and Beata and Neva all taken lagrippe last night.  Beata is the worse it seems. 

Febraury 3rd.  All the sick are better.  All can sit up some.  Rufus and Edd are out cutting firewood.

February 6th.  Edd gone to Bro. Ray’s after water to drink.  Rufus went to tank to get stock water.  Bro Dow Young came in from Greer yesterday. 

February 8th.  Rufus and Ella and Rena are gone to Bro. Ray’s to wash. 

February 12th.  Oh! So cold! So cold!  Everything frozen.  The chimney caught fire this morning and was in a flame when we awoke. 

February 13th.  Rufus went early this morn to set in at Bro. Ray’s to work by the month.  The children atarted to school this morning to Mrs. Mollie Locke.  Five years since grandpa died. 

February 17th.  Children are at school.  Had spelling.  Rena and Georgia went to school to hear them spell. 

February 18th.  Ella, Mat and myself went to church.  Had a good sermon by our pastor, Bro Ray.  Ephesians 3rd Chapter.  “We are no more strangers nor foreigners but are fellow citizens with the saints.” 

February 19th.  All went to church except Ma, Charlie and Eula and the little ones.  Had a great sermon by Bro. J.M. Green on  “His gospel shall be preached to all Nations.”  Old Bro. Heatham was there.  So glad to see him.  Had not seen him for 5 or 6  years.  He and Bro Green and Bro. Ray came home with us for dinner.  These are the servants of the Lord. 

February 20th.  Rufus and family moved today over to Bro. Ray’s.  Edd sold his molasses to Bor. Roberts.  I have a rising coming on my lip.  Hurts awlful bad. 

February 21st.  My mouth is very painful.  I am in bed most of the time.

February 22nd.  My lip is worse today.  I am suffering awlful.  Edd and Willie went to the Doctor for some salve but couldn’t use it.  Draws too much.

February 23rd.  I am still suffering with my lip.  Terribly swollen.  Seems to have erysepilas in it. 

February 24th.  Edd went after the Doctor for me.   He says I have blood poisoning in my lip.  Oh, how dangerous!  How it makes any one feel to think how we pass away. The Doctor seems to think he can control it.   

February 27th.  Bro. Young came and taken dinner with us.  Monroe and Charlie and myself and him had a chat on the condition of affairs in the Baptist denomination.

March 1st.  Beata had supper about ready.  Good fresh butter and cornbread and buttermilk, and vinegar pie.  Beata swept the east yard off this evening. I finished Oscars pants all except the buttons.

March 5th.  Rena is 16 years old today. 

March 6th.  Damn came after me stating that Pink had pneumonia and wanted me to come and nurse him.  Started about 4:30 p.m.  We arrived there at 11 p.m.  after along cold drive. Found Pink doing very well.  

March 7th.  The Doctor came this morning and found Pink not doing so well.  Put a large blister on his breast. 

March 9th.  Pink still improving.  The disease broke.

March 10th.  The Doctor came this morning.  Pink complaining of being so cold.  The Doctor changed the treatment and the new medicine soon got him all right. 

March 20th.  Monroe got my letter today stating for him to come and take Pink and me home.

March 21st.  Monroe arrived at Ardmore at 3:15.  Found all up and anxious to go

March 22nd.  Monroe, Pink and I started for home, but a norther came.  We tied the sheet down and came home all right.  Got home before sundown.  Pink stood the trip all right. 

March 26th.  Monroe taken down this morning with a pain in his eye.  We put him to bed and put hot ash poltices to him and gave him calomel.  He got quiet until late in the evening and got worse.  We sent for the Doctor.  He got a terrible earache.  We didn’t relieve him until 11 o’clock

March 27th.  Monroe is still very sick.  Has the fever and is suffering with his head awful.  Charley Barley came in after supper and stayed all night. 

March 28th.  Monroe still very sick.  Charlie traded watches with Barley. 

March 29th.  Monroe suffering from smothering with quinine.  Is better every other way.

March 30th.  Monroe is 56 today.  The Doctor came this morning and examined his ear. 

April 1st.  Monroe is sitting up in bed today.

April 2nd.  All the children are at home one more time.  All alive and well.  So glad to see them all  together. 

April 4th.  Willie gone to Ardmore with Dan.  He will take the train at 11 a.m. Willie got in from Marietta.  Said Dan is lame. 

April 6th.  Bro. Wilhelm came and brought Edd’s wagon and loaned us a sack of flour. 

April 11th.  Grandma is 77 today.

April 22nd.  Got a letter from Ollie Mills stating that his wife Bettie died on April 13th.

April 28th.  Rufus came early today.  Brought a letter to send to the Warden at Columbus, Ohio to Wright the Indian. 

May 1st.  Oscar and Neva at school. Are getting speeches to say on the last day of  school. 

May 4th.   I made Neva a red dress to wear to the speaking and spelling. 

May 5th.  It is raining at noon and we are anxious to get off to the speaking and spelling.  Willie gone after water and we will be late if we get off at all.  It slacked up and we got ready and went.  We were to late to hear anything except the recitation or two by Be and Neva and the singing. 

May 7th.  We are at Etta’s.  Newt and his wife and babe came and spent the day.  We came home in the eve and found all up and letters with sad news telling of dear Mrs. Boyle’s husbands death, being shot and killed, and also Aunt Martha’s death, Grandma’s sister. 

June 3rd, 1899.  Dan is 27 years old today.  We all went to prayer meeting.  Charlie and Bro. Will led the meeting.

June 4th.   Monroe and Charlie and Bro. Will went to Cannon Chapel and went into an organization of our Sunday School.  I borrowed a book called the “Little Baptist”.

June 6th.  All of the boys are gone now to work for wages.  Edd let us have 2 dollars to get flour.

June 8th.  So sorry the boys gone off hoeing.  We miss them so much.

June 12th.  Monroe started over the river to Bro. Stapp’s.  The river was up and he came back. 

June 15th.  Beata is 14 years old today.  We are all fixing to go to the picnic.  I cooked 6 pound cakes. 

June 17th.  Monroe and I and all the others except grandma went to the picnic.  We all had a nice time.  Bro. McCullough gave a nice address.  Bro. Robinson gave a temperance address.  Henry, the blind Ardmore broom maker, read a chapter in a raided letter Bible and gave anice talk.  Plenty of good cold lemonade. 

June 20th.  I got a letter from Josie at last, telling of Will’s death. 

June 24th.  Rufus is 28 years old today. 

June 25th.  Pa died 28 years ago today. 

June 28th.  Monroe and B and Rena gone to Bro. Ray’s for water.  We want to go to Ardmore tomorrow.  We dug our potatoes and onions.  Gathered roasting ears to take to Ardmore.  Coo at 11 a.m. Willie got in from Marietta.  Said Dan is lame. 

April 6th.  Bro. Wilhelm came and brought Edd’s wagon and loaned us a sack of flour. 

April 11th.  Grandma is 77 today.

April 22nd.  Got a letter from Ollie Mills stating that his wife Bettie died on April 13th.

April 28th.  Rufus came early today.  Brought a letter to send to the Warden at Columbus, Ohio to Wright the Indian.  May 1st.  Oscar and Neva at school. Are getting speeches to say on the last day of  school.  Are getting speeches to say at the last day of  school. 

May 4th.  I made Neva’s red dress to wear to the speaking and spelling. 

May 5th.  It is raining at noon and we are so anxious to get off to the speaking and spelling.  Willie gone after water and we will be late if we get off at all.  It slacked up and we got ready and went.  We were to late to hear anything except a recitation or two by Neva  and Be 

May 7th.  We are at Etta’s.  Newt and his wife and babe came and spent the day.  We came home in the eve and found all up and letters with sad news telling of dear Mrs. Boyle’s husband’s death, being shot and killed, also Aunt Martha Portwood’s death,  Grandma’s sister.

June 3rd.  Dan is 27 years old today. We all went to prayer meeting.  Charlie and Bro. Will lead the meeting. 

June 4th. Monroe and Charlie and Bro. Will went over to Cannon Chapel and went into an organization of our Sunday School.  I borrowed a book called the “Little Baptist.” 

June 6th.  All of the boys are gone now to work for wages.  Edd let us have 2 dollars to get flour. 

June 8th.  So sorry the boys gone off hoeing.  We miss them so much. 

June 12th.  Monroe started over the river to Bro. Stapp’s.  The river was up and he came back. 

 June 15th.  Beata is 14 years old today.  We are all fixing to go to the picnic.  I cooked 6 pounds of cakes. 

June 17th.  Monroe and I and all others except Grandma and Rena went to the picnic.  We all had a nice time.  Bro. McCullough gave a nice address.  Bro. Robinson gave a temperance address.  Henry the blind Ardmore broom maker, read a chapter in a raided letter Bible and gave a nice talk.  Plenty of good cold lemonade. 

June 20th.  I got a letter from Josie at last, telling of Will’s death.

June 24th.  Rufus is 38 years old today.

June 25th.  Pa died 28 years ago today.

June 28th.  Monroe and Bea and Rena gone to Bro. Ray’s for water.  We want to go to Ardmore tomorrow.  We dug our potatoes and onions.  Gathered roastenears to take to Ardmore.  Cooked light bread. 

June 30th.  We went to Ardmore.  Arrived at the city by 4 p.m. yesterday.  We spent all day in Ardmore.  Paid off the Baptist Beacon 85 cents and stopped the paper.  Paid 50 cents on the Signal.

July 4th.  Having a big time at Burneyville today.  A Sunday School picnic.  But got rained out by a rain that all will remember.  So powerful.  Ma and Charlie are both bad off with the flux. 

July 5th.  Edd and Etta are 25 years old today. 

July 7th.  The officer came by looking for  a man for murder.  He stayed with us Monday night in our crib.  The man killed an old man 3 or 4 weeks age. 

July 11th.  We came back from Isom’s.  Moved them home with us.  Going to stay awhile.  Lilly has some fever today. 

July 22nd.  Meeting still going on. Having a good time.  Several are joining.  Willie says he is not satisfied yet. 

July 23rd.  Willie got a greater blessing and joined the church.  Was baptized.  Also, Ula and Katie and two others.  Dan and Ettta came over and spent the day.  Had 20 or 25 for dinner.  Oh, I was so tired. 

July 25th.  Dan and Delos came and Jim Shapp.  They stayed all day and night.  Jim is dealing in organs. 

July 28th.  Mr. Brindle and Briscoe came and fixed the furnace at the sorghum mill.  Had green peas for dinner, and tomatoes and tomato pie. 

July 29th.  Wallace Wilcoxsin and Jimmie came in for a visit from the flat country.

August 3rd.  Oscar is 12 years old today. 

August 7th.  Be joined the church last night and will be baptized.

August 8th.  Oscar professed religion at Grove meeting.  Had a good meeting at Arbor too.  Four more joined the church. Baptizing tomorrow at 11. 

August 9th.  Preaching and baptizing at the water.  The children and I went.  Rena, Beata, Charlie and Neva.  Oscar and Beata were baptized and received into full fellowship and then granted letters of dismission.

August 11th.  Pink to Keltner ro get blackberry cordial for Charlie.

August 13th.  Monroe and Ma and me went to Rufus’s.  Ma moved her things to stay a while and drink cold well water. 

August 16th.  Rufus here at work.  I wrote to Ma.  The washing fluid came and I washed a washing for Etta.  I bought a recipe.  I think it is good. His name is Welsh.   

August 19, 1899.  We went to church at 11.  We went into the election of a pastor.  We got 11 votes for Brother Ray and 11 for Brother Hamilton.  We dropped both of them and nominated Bro. Webster.  He was elected unanimously to the care of the church.

Sept. 5th.  Today is Ma’s birthday.  She is 80.  Oh how I wish I could eat dinner with her today. 

Sept. 6th.  Monroe traded Edd his old big sow for a fattening hog.  Charlie gone to the association. 

Sept. 8th.  Pink came in at noon from the Taylor’s where he has been picking cotton.  He is picking for us this eve. 

Sept. 10th.  Rufus and family came and spent the day.  We went to Sunday School and prayer meeting at Cannon Chapel.  The children went to a singing at night at Boswell’s. 

Sept. 13th.  All up. Neva complaining.  Her and I picked peas to sell.  Ellen and the children came and are picking peas for winter use. 

Sept. 15th.  Charlie can walk without his crutches.  We had a good singing here  tonight. 

Sept. 18th.  Willie is picking cotton for Bunter’s.  Pink for Ccles.  Mr. Hunter at Keltner is very low, if not dead with consumption. 

Sept. 19.  Rena gone to Keltner for berries for Charlie.

Sept. 20th.  All well.  Feel thankful to our Heavenly Father for all his tender mercies in preserving our health. 

Sept. 21.  Monroe got 100lbs of flour, $1.00, coffee, sugar. 3 boxes of lye, washing compound, calico, and some Rough on Rats.

Sept. 22nd.  The agent for working Zephyr came and stayed all night and learned us to work zephyr flowers on the machine. 

Sept. 23rd.  Monroe took some territory from the man for $15.00.

Sept. 24th.  Luther Smith came after me to wait on Tommie.  She had a big boy born at 3 a.m.  Luther brought me home.

Sept. 29th.  We got a letter from Bro. Abercrombie and wife and children.  They all seem to be satisfied. 

Oct. 9th.  Monroe got ready and gone out to work his Zephyr territory.

Oct 12th.  Monroe went to Keltner to have his wagon tires put on. 

Oct. 16th. Monroe and I went over to Bro. Ray’s to get water.  Monroe went to Keltner to get crackers and fruit.  Came up a big cloud and poured down rain on us as we came home.  I fixed Charlie a band for his machinery.  Edd and Monroe making his wheel. 

Oct 19th.  Today is 34 years since Monroe and I married. 

Oct. 25th.  Monroe and Edd pulled up pea vines.  The children threshed them out and measured them up.  Pink worked on Charlie’s wheels.

Oct 26th.  Am making my new dress we got from the peddler. 

Oct. 29th.  Charlie is 23 years old today.  He is at Bro. Everett’s attending the meetings.  Monroe and I and Rena and Eula went to.  Had a meeting across the Rhubottom farm.

Nov. 2nd.  Monroe hauled 8th bale of cotton.  Brought $38.67.  The organ man came.  Wants to board with us and teach school, instrumental music. 

Nov. 4th.  All up this morning.  Pink and Neva gone to Biggamyers to pick cotton.  Beata scouring the singing room.  All fixing up to have singing here tonight.  A large crowd gathered.  Such fine singing.  People from Crossroads and Keltner. 

Nov. 5th.  All up.  A pretty day.  Charlie and I went to chapel to preaching.  Charlie made a good talk.  Oh, how pleasant to listen to the word.  All seemed to enjoy it. 

Nov. 7th.  Tom Roberts died Monday morning.  Will be buried today.  Edd went to the burying.  Mat went back to Rufus’s and Bro. Ray’s.  Sold a gallon of syrup.  Monroe bought 200lbs of flour, $1.00 coffee and fruit last Saturday.  Want to see how long it will last. 

Nov. 10 1899.  Jim Shepard and his partner, Mr. Chandler, stayed with us last night. He is and artist.  His pony got sick.  He will take our picture for us in a few days.  Edd loaned him Frank to drive to Mountain Springs. 

Nov. 11th.  Monroe and I and the children went by Etta’s and on to the bottom and got a nice mess of grapes, and spent the night with them.  They fixed to come home with us, Isom and Etta and the sweet babes, Lillie and Minnie, aiming to have their picture made but the artist never came. 

Nov. 12.  The artist came in at night and stayed the night with us.  Charlie went with

Bro. Wilhelm to Crossroads to talk for them over there.

Nov 13th.  The artist taken our picture in a group and also Edd’s and Ma’s separate.  Edd and Willie and Pink went to Crossroads tonight.  Charlie is holding a meeting over there.  Rena went to.

Nov. 14th.  Rena is taking down the house lining to wash it.  Mr. Palmer came after a keg of mollasses.

Nov. 15th. Monroe and I went to Ardmore.  Bro. Wilhelm and wife went with us.  We got into town at about candlelight. 

Nov 16th.  We spent the day at town.  Got our groceries and dry goods.  Got capes and hats. 

Nov. 17th.  Monroe and I started home about 7:30 a.m.  Arrived home about 5 p.m. with lots of good things to eat and wear. 

Nov. 19th.  Will and Pink and Edd are all here.  Had a good breakfast, biscuits, butter, jelly, grape preserves, coffee, sugar.  Rena  and Beata cooking a good dinner. 

Nov. 20th.  Willie and Edd daubed the house and hearth.

Nov. 24th.  Bro. Wilhelm trying to sell out. 

Nov 27th.  Monroe and Willie bought Bro. Wilhelm’s hogs.  He is selling out to go to Greer County.

Dec. 18th.  Rena made the house lining.  Bro. Will came here a while this morning.  Has sold out aiming to start to Greer County.  Trying to hire Willie to go with him. 

Dec. 19th.  Bro. Wilhelm started to Greer County. 

Dec. 21st.  Willie and Pink put up the canvassing in Granma’s room.  Bea scoured it out.  Monroe and Pink and Willie put the other glass window in in the eve. 

Dec. 23rd.  Ollie Mills and Willie hauled rock and fixed the hearth.  Am sure proud of it.  Rufus to see the marriage of Mr. William De Spain and Miss Ula Curb.  The ceremony was performed by Bro,. Ray.  Had a good dinner and a large crowd. 

Dec. 25th.  Thanks to our Father above at Christmas time.  Am thankful that we are all  alive and that our lives are spared one more year.  Children all fixing to go to a Christmas tree at Crossroads.  Rena got a present, Willie a badge.  Ollie Mills got drunk. 

Dec. 26th.  Willie came home with a false face on for a Christmas trick. 

Dec. 30th.  Pink gone to see Mr. Joe Harris about hiring out for about 6 months.  The house caught on fire last night.  Burnt some. 

Dec. 31st.  Goodbye old year.  You are gone with all neglects and regrets, and sorrows and joys.  No more will we live in 1899, but will, if spared until morning step into 1900. 

Jan. 1st 1900.  New year, we hail thee in gladness and in health given by our Heavenly Father.

Jan. 4th.  My birthday, I am 54 years old.  Ma had a pound cake for dinner.  Willie gave me a nice breast pin.  Monroe gave me a nice present.  Pink gave me an apple. 

Jan. 9th.  I finished Charlie’s drawers and fixed up the bedding.  Had prayers.  Had a good talk from Charlie and Ma after supper. 

Jan. 10th.  Monroe went to Leon.  Got coffee, soda, Hood’s  Sarsaparilla, and Horton’s Iron Tonic. 

Jan 15th.  Beata and Oscar and Neva started to school at Canon Chapel.

Jan. 19th.  Mr. Monroe Young and his mother started for Greer.  Also Mr. John Young. 

Jan. 21st.  Charlie and Edd and Will and Pink and Rena are all gone to Canon Chapel  to church.  Charlie preached from the text, “ How can these things be?”

Jan. 26th.  Pink is 19 years old today.  He is gone after water now.  Mat and Ren are cooking him a birthday dinner. 

Jan. 28th. Granma and I and Rena and Neva are reading the Bible through.  Ma was very sick Saturday night but is resting well  today. 

Jan. 3oth.  Granma is very sick yesterday and today. 

Feb. 1st 1900.  Willie went for the Doctor.  He came and eat dinner with us.  Found Granma very sick.  Thinks with good care she can pull through. 

Feb. 2nd.  Ma still very sick.  Rufus and family came and spent the day.  Willie went after Etta. 

Feb. 4th.  Ellen is here helping to wait on Ma. 

Feb. 5th.  Rena taken a chill just at night with severe pain in chest.  Suffering awful.   Sent for Doctor but he never came.  Only sent medicine.  Bro. Wilhelm came in from Greer. 

Feb. 6th.  Ma still very sick.  Don’t look like she can live.  Neighbors are coming in to sit up some.  Ellen and children are here all the time. 

Feb. 7th.  Oscar went after Sophia Frazier.  She came and stayed to help with Rena. 

Feb. 8th.  Rena is coughing and spitting up blood.  Ma is suffering greatly.

Feb. 9th.  Doctor hasn’t come yet.  Edd went to see what was the matter.  He was sick.  Sent medicine.  Ma is very sick. 

Feb. 10th.  Doctor came in the buggy.  Said Ma had pneumonia.

Feb. 12th.  Doctor came again.  Dismissed Rena. 

Feb. 13th  Ma and Rena both better.  Doctor will not come anymore.

Feb. 22nd.  Monroe taken Charlie to Marietta to see new Doctor at Forkner Hotel.

March 4th.  Monroe, Charlie, Beata, and Neva and Will and Pink all went to Cannon Chapel to hear Charlie preach.  His text was, “ Of a Man Die, Shall he live again?” Ren had dinner ready when we got home. 

March 5th.  Rena is 17 years old today. 

March 6th.  Ma is sitting up some every day now. 

 March 11th.  All up but Ma.  She can sit up a little.  The boys carried her to the door and back. 

March 12th.  Beata has a rising in her ear. 

March 14th.  Mr. Self and family came in from Cheyenne. Didn’t like the country at all. 

March 16th.  Beata and I went to the schoolhouse.  We went to Ellen’s for dinner and went from there to hear the speeches in the evening.  All had nice speeches and did well.

March 20.  Ma is walking about a little.  Is improving right along. 

March 29th.  Mat puny. Is walking on crutches. 

March 30th.  Monroe is 57 years old today.  I cooked him some cakes. 

April 11th.  Ma is 75 years old today. 

April 12th.  Monroe and I went to Ardmore.  Stayed at Brother Kuykendall’s all night.  Monroe paid $1.00 on the Signal.  We heard a  little boy preach at the First Baptist Church. 

April 13th.  Still in Ardmore.  Monroe and I did some trading.  Saw Dan and Etta and went home with them and stayed the night.  They are fixed up well. 

April 14th.  Monroe and I started home.  Had bad luck.  The mules got frightened and ran away.  Broke the wagon tongue.  Got a blacksmith to fix it. 

April; 20th.  Rena and Bea cooking pound cake for the meeting. 

April 21st.  Still cooking for the meeting. 

April  22nd.  Had all of our dinner put up in boxes and ready to go to the meeting, but thundering and raining too much.  We had a nice dinner at home.  Will and Pink gone out riding making up a singing. 

April 27th.  My brother Pink is 44 years old today. 

May 1st. 1900.  Viola would be 32 years old today. 

May 2nd.  Pink went to singing last night.  It closed.  Organized a singing class.

May 6th.  Oscar is fixing to go to Blackjack.  Charlie will preach there today. 

May 10th.  Charlie still improving, hunting birds and squirrels all around. 

May 12th.  Monroe traded a sow from Frank Hobson.  Gave 100 pounds kof meat and 5 gallons of molasses.

May 27th.  Minnie is 2 years old today. 

May 28th.  Sun was in eclipse at 7 a.m. today.

May 29th.  Rena finished her big star paper quilt. 

May 30th.  I carded bats and Rena made lining and top and I put my quilt up in the evening. 

June 2nd.  Charlie at home all day studying his sermon. 

June 3rd.  Dan is 28 years old today. 

June 6th.  I scalded Pink’s bedstead.

June 15th.  Monroe not well.  Wen to the plum orchard and eat too many plums.

June 23rd.  Mr. Hunter came after me.  They had a fine son, born about 8 p.m. I was the doctor.  She came out OK.

June 24th.  I stayed all night with the Hunters. Came home this morning early. Made ready and Monroe and I and children went to Cannon Chapel to hear Bro. Wester preach at 11 a.m. and Charlie preached at 4 p.m.  Lizzie Frazier  was married today to Mr. Ben Billington.  Willie and  Isom are  making a party up at Mr. Hay’s.

June 27th.  I put up a bushel of cucumbers in  the barrel. 

June 30th.  Will and Pink and Oscar gone to a pie supper at Needmore or New Jimtown.  I made my calico dress. 

July 2nd.  I plowed some with the cultivator.

July 3rd.  Pink gone to widow Allen’s to work.  Set in on Monday, the second for $14.00 per month. 

July 4th.  Isom and Etta came on their way to Greer County.  Got out to stay until Sunday. 

July 5th.  Edd and Etta are 26 years old today. 

July 6th.  Monroe and I went to Crossroads.  We went to a lecture at 5 p.m. on t he 5 different evils that beset humanity.  I went up to Mr. Stewards to a prayer meeting until candle services at night.  Had a good  meeting. 

July 11th.  Ellen Curb is 34 years old today. 

July 15th.  Have commenced our protracted meeting.  Had 4 preachers today. 

July 16th.  We moved a camping outfit to Rufus’s to stay during the meeting. 

July 17th.  Had the heaviest rain last night I ever saw.  Filled the well and wet everything in the house a Rufus Curb’s.  Had meeting today. 

July 18th.  Meeting still going on.  No converts but church is being revived. 

July 21st.  Bro. Wester preached today.  Charlie conducted the prayer meeting all the way through.  He will preach today. 

July 22nd.  Charlie preached last night on the office work of the spirit.  He preaches tonight. 

July 24th.  Mat and Charlie gone to Keltner to meeting.  The protracted meeting commenced there Saturday night. 

July 27th.  Pink not working this week.  Went  to meeting tonight with Favia Hopson.

July 29th.  Monroe and I and children all went to Keltner to preaching.  We all taken dinner at Mrs. De Spains.  The meeting broke.

August 3rd.  Oscar is 13 years old today. 

August 9th.  The men killed a lot of rats today. 

August 11th.  All went to Saturday meeting. Went into conference.  Elected Bro. Wester

unanimously to care of the church.  Elected Bro. Joe Cannon and Bro. Willie Curb as delegates to the Association at New Hope, and Bro. T.F. Monroe and Bro. Bridges as alternates. 

August 14th.  Today 8 years ago, my mother came to see me on a visit. 

August 15th.  Monroe and Etta and I went to Rufus’s to wash.  Washed 10 quilts.  We came home and found Newt and Carrie and baby here.  Boys and Newt were at Bro. Hobson’s  getting peaches and watermelons. 

August 18th.  Isom and Etta and Rena went to John Willcoxin’s

August 20th.  We all fixed  up to go to the singing but Monroe took a chill and got very sick and I didn’t go.  Will went after the Doctor.  He came and stayed  a good while. 

August 21st.  Monroe better this morning.  Missed his chill.  Isom and Etta are here.  Rena and her quilting in forenoon.  Pa begged them to put the quilting up and rest so he could be cool.  Beata and Oscar and Rena are at singing school.  Pink started to Greer County.

Sept. 7th.  Pink came in home from Greer County about sundown.  All glad to see him.  Cooked biscuits for supper. 

Sept. 9th.  Galveston, Texas blown away!!!  Also overflowed and 10,000 killed and drowned.  The storms track was 300 miles long. 

Sept. 11th.  Pink is boarding at Etta’s and picking cotton. 

Sept 26th.  Monroe and Willie and myself and Beata started to Marietta.  Broke out the wagon tongue.  Didn’t get there until 8 p.m. 

Sept 27th.  We done our trading at Bro. Holland’s.  He gave us a premium, viz., a nice set of china plates.  I got my specs changed for better ones.  Gave 75 cents.  Got home after sundown. 

October 6th.  Charlie and Mat gone on the “Bayou” to preach tonight.  Will be gone some time on a missionary tour and selling books and medicine and preaching.

October 14th.  Foster Clary was here.  He, Edd and Pink went to Crossroads  to a singing at 3 p.m. and to the Chapel at night.

October 16th.  Monroe and Mr. Hunter had a settlement.  Monroe owes his $18.60.  Paid me $5.00 for a visit to wife. 

October 22nd.  Mr. Clary came before breakfast.  He picked cotton for Edd.  Mr. Pierce got in from Greer today.

October 27th.  Neva is 11 years old today. 

October 29th.  Charlie is 24 years old today his health is getting better all the time. 

October 31st   Mr. Catledge eat dinner here.  Gave us some data about Greer County.

November 1st.  A man came to buy this place. 

November 2nd.  Will bought the Yocum place yesterday for $210.

November 3rd.  Mr. Yocum’s family came by on their way to Greer and stayed the night.

November 5th.  I read through the book, “Behind the Scenes.”

November 6th.  Great election day of the President.  Bryan and Mckinley are the canidates. 

November 7th.  Had a show at Canon Chapel.  An old blind man.  A “Magic Latern”.

November 12th.  Monroe started to Greer  this morning.  Charlie taken him to Petersburg tonight.  Will go on to Ryan tomorrow.  Mr. Clary stayed all night last night.  Asked for Rena.  Will and Pink went down to Loving’s to pick Monroe’s cotton.  Will board themselves. 

November 13th.  Rena gone to Etta’s to borrow some thread.  Lilly gone with her.  Minnie playing “cob” dolls. 

November 16th.  Isom got a letter from Charlie.  He went to Greer with Monroe.

November 18th.  John Wooldridge came and stayed last night.  So did Roxie. 

November 23rd.  Etta cut Rena’s cashmere dress and I made it into a wedding dress. 

November 25th.  We camped on old red Ricer was 23 years ago tonight at Shreveport. 

November 26th.  I whipped Oscar and Neva for fussing in the cow pen. 

November 28th.  Newt Lewis stole $10 from Pink last Monday night.

December 1st.  We received two letters from Monroe and Charlie telling us that he had bought a home in Greer County.  Paid $600 for 160 acres.  Sold mules for $150, cows for $332.50.

December 2nd.  Mr. Clary stayed all night. 

December 3rd.  Monroe and Charlie got in home from Greer County.  Both well and pleased with the new country.  Will commence selling out to leave.  Will says he thinks he will go with us. 

December 4th.  Will is 22 years old today.  He went off yesterday and hasn’t come back.

December 6th.  I commenced cooking cakes today.  Cooked all day cooking for Rena’ wedding. 

December 7th.  I cooked peach pies today.  Charlie gone to invite girls to Rena’s wedding. 

December 8th.  Etta came and cooked custards and made cakes and Be whitened them.  Mr. Clary came.

December 9th.  Mr. Clary and Rena married this morning at 10 a.m.  Bro. Webster performed the ceremony.  All went to church and left Etta and Ula and myself.  A large crowd came from the church for dinner.  Had a nice time throughout the day.  All of our children and grandchildren and son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws were with us.  Maybe for the last time as we are aiming to move to Greer County and leave some of our dear children behind.  But we will pray God’s rich blessings on them.

December 10th.  Rena and Mr. Clary went to his home down near Burneyville.  He is picking cotton down there. 

December 12th.  Mr. Clary and Rena came this eve.  We went to church.  Charlie preached.

December 14th.  Mrs. Woodridge and Etta and Hawley came and stayed all night.  Oh, we did enjoy ourselves so much.  Little Delos came too.  He is so sweet.

December 16th. This is the day set apart to ordain Charlie.  Monroe and myself and the children and Mr. Clary and Rena went.  There were 4 ordained preachers there.  Bro. Jesse Leverett preached the ordination sermon, Bro. Spencer prayed the ordination prayer, Bro. Wester  was clerk.  There was laying on of hands.  Bro. Hammons was moderator and presented the Bible, and gave the charge to the canidate.  Bro. Spencer gave the charge to the church.  Had a solemn time and a good meeting. 

December 17th.  All loaded and packed to move to Greer.  Mr. Clary and Rena came loaded up to go with us.  Etta cooking sweet cakes and Be cooked some pies.  Rena cooked a cake.  Mr. Willis and wife and children came in this evening from Greer County.

December 18th.  We all started for Greer County this morning.  Monroe and myself and Mr. Clary and Rena , Dan, Ed. Charlie, Willie and Pink and the children.  Taking the cattle with us.  Broke the coupling tongue out of the Clary wagon just this side of Hobson.  We traveled about 15 miles the first day to within 10 miles of Cornish. 

December 19th.  We got to Cornish at 11:00a.m. Bought candy, oranges and apples. Traveled near 20 miles.  Camped at Center Point, 6 miles from Loco. 

December 20th.  Cattle traveling all right.  Camped at a little town called Harrisburg at a bridge, near some Cheyenne travelers.

December 21st.  We reached Duncan at 10:00a.m.  Bought oats, corn, shoes for Neva, fascinator of Be.  A gin caught fire and burned down while we were there.  We came to a big cottonwood tree on a creek.  Mr. Banks from Greer was there. 

December 22nd.  Old preacher man traveling with us Ollsup.  Camped on Wolf Creek. 

 December 23rd.  We came to a mountain and camped on the south side.  Still in Commanche Nation.  Be and I got sick and throwed up some but we got better as soon as we drank soda water. 

December 24th.  We got lost and went off down south of the right road.  We took a right hand turn and came to Otter Creek and crossed at mud crossing.  Had to double teams for every wagon except the feed wagon.  Pink went on horseback and found the right road to Altus.  We cooked dinner on the prairie.  We crossed the river into Greer at about 4:00 p.m.  Got to our new house at about 5:00 p.m.  Found 2 families in the house, but all were friendly and  invited us in.   Charlie stood the trip all right.  Drove the cattle and drove the wagons some.  I am well pleased with my new home. 

December 25th.  Christmas day.  Charlie and Neva and I started to Bro. Abercrombie’s and met them going to  Bro. Wilhelm’s, so all went there and had a fine dinner.   

Pound cake, jelly, cheese, grape pie, butter and tea cakes.  Monroe and I spent the night with Bro. Ambercrombie.  They had a nice table.

December 26ht.  Monroe and I started home and met Dan and Ed and Willie and Mr. Clary on their way out west to file on a place for a home. 

December 28th.  Charlie went with Mr. Willis.  Taken a load.

December 29th.  We are cooking.  Looking for company.  Pies custards and cakes. I dried up my lard, ground my sausage.  George Young came and told me Mrs. Young would send me a turkey for New year’s.  Oscar went with him and brought it over.

December 30th.  Bro. Abercrombie’s folks came about 11:30.  Dan and Ed and Willie and Mr. Clary came in about 3:00 p.m.  All filed on places except Willie.  All were pleased with the country.  Mr. Snell and wife came over this eve.  Bro. Abercrombie went to Mr. Young’s to spend the night.

January 1st. 1991.  Dan and Ed and Willie and Pink and Charlie and Mr. Clary and Rena gone up near Dryden, O.T. with Mr. Willis to take a load for them.  Dan and Ed and Mr. Clary filed on a place apiece. 

January 4th.  My birthday today.  I am 55.

January 5th.  Pink gone to Commanche Nation for a load of posts.

January 11th.  Mrs. Hawkins was buried today at Navajoe.  Charlie performed the funeral services, the first in his life.

January 13th.  Charlie preached at night at school house.  Had a good crowd.  Wish I could have gone.

January 14th, 1901.  Charlie and Pink got up early and got breakfast and got ready and started to Fort Sill.  Charlie is going back to Chickasaw/  This is a beautiful day for their trip.  So sad to bid Charlie goodbye.  We had a prayer service before he started.  He prayed such a good prayer.  We all kissed him goodbye. 

January 15th.  Pink got back from Fort Sill.  He left Charlie with 2 men on their way to Ryan. 

January 20th.  Charlie Self came by and told us Mr. Melvin’s folks had the small pox.  Lulu Snell came by, and also Luther Abercrombie.

January 22nd.  Ed came in from Chickasaw on his way to his place.  We were sure glad to see him and hear the news.  He brought several letters from all of them down there. 

January 23rd.  Boys fixing up to go to their places out west a Dryden. 

January 26th.  Pink is 20 years old today.  Jennie Self married Jim Rhodes today. 

January 30th.  Pink got back from Dryden, Okla.  Pink and I covered the buggy with new black oil cloth.  Got it at Mangum.  Monroe fixed me a nice meal and flour box on legs.

Make a lid to keep out the mice. 

February 1st, 1901.  Monroe hired Pink at $15.00 per month.  He set in today.  Cut wook and sawed some/

Febraury 13th.  Mrs. McElroy came on a pony after me to go see a sick baby at Mr. Booher’s.  Found it in a bad fix from heart trouble or something of the kind.  It died at 10 p.m. 

February 27th.  Mr. Clary is 24 years old today. 

March 10th.  Monroe gave Oscar a whipping for not coming home  Saturday and Sunday until sundown. 

March 19th.  Monroe and I and Oscar and Boss (Wilhelm) went to South Bend  to preaching.

March 20th.  Pink’s horse fell with him and hurt him badly.  He and Foster went wolf hunting.  Killed one and  one cat and ran an antelope.  Monroe fixed all the broken chairs and put in new seats. 

March 26th.  Monroe painted Pink’s wagon red today/ 

March 30th.  Monroe is 58 years old today. 

April 1st.  Oscar has come from Rena’s.  Says old Mrs. Sniped threw a bucket of milk in Rena’s face.  Oh, so bad.  Am uneasy about them.

April 3rd.  Miss Irene James, the school teacher, came home with the children.  I signed a paper to divide the school district today.  Mr. Clary commenced to dig a dugout  on our place over by the well. 

April 10th.  Mr. Clary and Pink gone over to the creek to get covering for the dugout. 

April 16th.  Will and Pink started back up home this morning.  Mr. Clary finished his dugout.   He and Rena moved in. 

April 20th.  Pink came in from his trip to Dryden with Will.  He brought me a setting of duck eggs from Mrs. Wilhem. 

April 25th.  Mrs. Darwin came so did Lula Snell abd visited with us for awhile/

May 1st.  Viola would be 32 today if she were still living. 

May 5th.  Monroe and I went to Bethel to quarterly meeting. 

May 16th.  Rena and Mr. Clary had to move out of the dugout.  Water ran in on them.  Monroe went to Nacajoe.  Got letters from Dan and Mother.  She told of death of C.M. Christenberry, my own dear brother, whom I loved so dearly.  Died of appoplexy on May 2, at 5 p.m.  so sad to be called away so sudden without any warning.  Oh, I do hope he made peace with his God, but he never gave any testimony that I know of. 

May 29th.  Will came in on us last night and slipped into bed and we didn’t know it, but found it out directly and had a long chat.  Left Ed well. 

May 30th.  Walter and Ethel both have measles. 

June 1st.  Willie had been here a week and can’t get home because of high water,

June 3rd.  Dan is 29 years old today.

June 5th.  Willie started about 1 p.m. for home at Dryden.  Neva went and stayed all night with Ethel.  I got such a good letter from Hattie Abercrombie had a fine son born at 3 o’clock this morning.  She called him Charles Marion.

June 13th.  A man came here this evening selling Catarrh medicine.  Monroe bought $1 worth.  Edd and Lula are gone to Navajoe this evening in the buggy.     

June 15th.  Today is Be’s birthday/  She is 16.  Ed and Will came down from Dryden.  Rena and Mr. Clary stayed up there.  All the boys with us today.

June 16th.  Oscar rode Willie’s pony to Bethel.  Luther came home with him. 

June 17th.  Mrs. Snell is suffering greatly from pain in the bowels and back.  I went and stayed awhile.  Sent her Chamberlin’s colic remedy.

June 23rd.  Mr. Hawkins folks passed going home.  Stopped a Wylie’s.  We all wrote to charlie.  Nettie stayed here all night. 

June 24th.  Rufus is 40 years old today. 

June 27th.  Charlie came back to Ryan. 

June 29th.  Pink and Oscar came and stayed all day and night.  Ed and Monroe built and arbor. Ed went to the river and got the brush yesterday. 

June 30th.  Jim Thorton ate dinner here.  Ollie and Myrtle here all day. 

July 3rd.  Pink took children to plum orchard in wagon.  Mrs. Hawkins came and helped me put up my plums.  Oscar made a trade to water their horses. 

July 4th.  A big picnic on Otter Creek about a mile above the mouth. 

We had a good dinner.  Chicken , pound cake. plums, biscuits, butter, corn bread.  Oscar went and borrowed some meal from Mrs. Wilhelm.  A mad dog came and bit our pigs and old sow.  Mr. Snell came and killed the dog.

July 5th.  The children gone to the picnic again, a protracted picnic.  Monroe and I went to Abercrombie’s.  Stayed all night. 

July 5th.  Hattie and children came home with us.  Got here late.  Fleas didn’t bite any that night or next day.

July 11th.  Monroe gone to Altus with a bale of cotton and to get wire to fence his crop.  Cows getting into field. 

July 12th.  Mrs. Hawkins came by going to Navajoe.  Took Pinks letter to Tom Harris about the horse.

July 13th.  Monroe and Pink went Nation on the river to get a load of wood.  Got back about 4 p.m.  Mr. Tom Hawkins and Mrs,. Emma came by.

July 15th.  Kate and Ruth Wylie here today helping hoe. 

July 16th.  Monroe, myself and Neva started to Isolm’s.  Ate dinner on Otter Creek.  Met men coming from fort sill registering ro get land in the Commanche.  We camped on Post Oak Creek.  Seven other wagons camped for the night. 

Jul7 17th.  On our way again.  At a little creek 10 miles from Fort Sill we bought a map of the reservation from a surveyor.

July 18th.  We passed the red store today.  Camped 3 miles south of Fort Sill.  Mr. Case came to see us and traveled with us.  Camped on the side of a hill where there were some springs with some Wise County folks. 

July 19th.  We passed Ryan today. 

July 20th.  Got to Isolm’s at sunset. 

July 21st.  All went to Canon Chapel to meeting.  Ate dinner with Rufus.  Had a good time.

July 25th.  We all went to church.  Charlie was greatly blessed and rejoiced.  Charlie went back to Ryan.

July 27th.  All went to meeting.  Bro. Hobson’s girls professed and Florence Boyles joined tonight and Lora and Nora and Neva and 2 Neesmith girls and Bro. Jones.

July 28th.  Had dinner on the grounds of the church.  Went down to Rufus’s in the evening and on to the baptizing at the tank below Bro. Jones’s.  there were 13 baptized.  Mr. ?, 3 girls and himself, and Florence and Nora and Lora Hobson, ? Curb, and Neva and Bro. Jones’s son.

July 30th.  We are started to see Dan.  Got to Addington’s on the Lone Grove road and stayed all night.

July 31st.  Arrived at Dan’s about 10:00 a.m.  Found all well and a new baby and Etta up and around.  Named the baby Velma.

August 1st.  Guess we will start for Greer in the morning.

August 3rd.  Monroe and I and children started to Greer County this morning.  Got to Loco and cmaped there.

August 4th.  Ate supper in Duncan in the wagon yard/  bought pickles and meat.  Came on about 4 miles and camped in the Commanche.

 August 5, 1901.  Started by 5 a.m.  Came a big rain on us before we got to Big Beaver Creek.  We stopped and cooked breakfast and drove 13 miles this side of Ft. Sill before we camped. 

August 6th.  Came to Post Creek by 10:00 a.m. stopped and ate dinner.  Oscar treed a squirrel and cut the tree down and got the squirrel.  We cooked it for dinner.  We fed at Otter Creek and got home at 8 o’clock.  Mr. Clary and Rena and Pink were there.

August 7th.  Mr. Clary and Rena and Be and Lula went fishing at Otter Creek.

August 11th.  Monroe and I went to Mr. Yocum’s and spent the day.  Be and Ollie went to Blue Valley.  Went to Wilhelm’s for dinner. 

August 13th.  Monroe commenced plowing with sweep.  Children commenced to hoe again.  Mr. Clary and Will and Pink never work in the forenoon. 

August 18th.  Mr. McCaskell and families are here.  So glad to see them.  Babies are so sweet.

August 19th.  Isom and Etta and Will and Pink gone to the new town that is going up on Otter Creek to register for a town lot.

August 21st.  Isom and Etta and babies are here.  Also Aunt Mat. 

August 28th.   Monroe and I and Aunt Mat and Oscar and Mr. Clary and Rena went to Dunbar to church.  Mr. Clary professed a new hope in Christ.  Lilly Hawkins professed too.   Monroe and I and the children joined the church by letter and Mr. Clary by experience and baptism.

August 29th.  Mrs. Young’s baby died ladt night.  Buried it at Navajoe. 

August 30th.  Monroe and I and the children and Mr. Clary and Rena went to Otter Creek to the baptizing.  Bro. Harris baptized 28 new converts and was one of the candidates, and also Mr. Clary.  We are all so thankful and rejoice at his cionversion.  Pray that he will be useful in bringing other souls to the light. 

September 4th.  Ed started home this morning.  Isom and Etta and babies and myself went with him as far as Salt Fork by noon and camped at the little creek (Turkey Creek) 3 or 4 miles west of Duke.  Lilly’s birthday.  She is 6 years old. 

September 5th.  We started on and went through to Ed’s by 12 o’clock.  We like Ed’s place.  He and Will have anice crop of cotton and kafir corn.  Will and Pink still at Chichasaw.  No hearing yet. 

September 6th.  Ed and Isom riding around looking for vacant land 

September 7th.  Ed and Isom went to Mangum  and Isom filed on 160 acres. 

September 8th.  Ed and Isom got back by 10:00p.m.  We rode over to Isom’s land.  Mrs. Shinn came up in the eve.  A nice little woman. 

September 9th.  Isom and Etta and children and myself started home.  Got to the road that turned south and east and camped. 

September 10th.  We started on and got to Salt Fork and found it up.  Had to wait till it run down some.  Crossed about 11:00 a.m.  in a man’s wagon with 4 horse team.  Ate dinner this side of Altus.  Got home at sundown. 

September 11th.  Mr. Pounders came after dinner and sit a while.  Mr. Self and Burton came and ground their sickle.

September 13th.  Oscar asked us all to pray for him. He got satisfied.  Streeter came to stay all night.  Oscar gone to stay all night with Walter.  Oscar  professed being blessed yesterday morning. So glad.

October 16th.  Etta sick in bed.  I stayed there until bedtime.  Pink came in from Chickasaw.  Ate supper there.  He looked good. 

October 18th.  Foster and Aunt Mat started to Ed’s this evening, 4:00 p.m. Will stay at Bro. Wilhelm’s  tonight.  Lula came down here and she and be washed.  Foster and Aunt Mat will go to Mangum on this trip.

October 19th.  It is 36 years years ago today since Monroe and  I married/  Had many joys and sorrows and many logs across our pathway, but we always found under the cloud a silver lining and behind a frowning providence a smiling face. 

October 20th.  Mr. And Mrs. Day and little Cordie came and spent the day.

October 21st.  Mr. Clary and Mat gone to Mangum to file on land in the hand hills.

October 22nd.  Mr. Clary and Mat got in got in from Mangum while we were eating.  She filed on 160 acres at Es’s.

October 25th.  Pink killed the little brown steer and sold him out. 

October 27th.  Neva is 12 years old today.  Had a nice little dinner of cakes and custards. 

October 29th.  Charlie is 25 years old today.  He is at Marlow or Rush Springs in his new field of labor.

November 5th.  The railroad surveyor passed on the Altus road surveying the road.  Foster sold his 80 acres to Pink that Aunt Mat filed on up near Dryden. 

November 8th.  Monroe went to Navajoe to see h ow the land buyer are getting on.  He will not sell yet. 

November 9th.  Mr. Wylie came by.  Sold out his place for $2000.  Mr. Booher sold for $1300.  Pink kikked a beef. 

November 14th.  Mr. Boman came by.  Talked like he was about sold out.  I want to keep our home until we can get more and until we know where we will go. 

November 16th.  Monroe went to Navajoe to apply for money to pay his place out or sell it.  They offered $2000.

November 18th.  Mr. Cassidy came and told us Mr. Day’s barn burned. 

November 19th.  Mr. Clary came after me at 4:00 a.m.  Rena sick.  Sent Oscar after the Doctor.  He got here about sunup and stayed all day.  Rena got up and ate some dinner.  Mrs. Hawkins is here too.  The baby was born at 5:00 p.m.  A fine girl weighing 10 pounds.  Both doing well.

November 20th.  They let me name the baby.  We call it Eva.  Mr. And Mrs. Snell gone to the plains.

November 24th.  Mr. Robert Snell to be married today.  Will come in home tomorrow. 

November 25th.  Lula and Maggie cooking supper for their papa and new mamma.

December 4th.  Willie’s birthday, 28 years old.  He made a crop on his own land this year up in sand hills near Kelly and Dryden. 

December 6th.  Monroe picking cotton for Mr. Wyley for 65cents per 100.

December 11th.  Mr. Clary fixing his harness to go to Chickasaw.  Pink traded his pony for a bicycle. 

December 17th.  Some man came after cotton seed and ate breakfast. Paid me half a dollar. 

December 18th.  Rena came and spent the day.  Isom and Foster pulled her and baby in the buggy.

December 23rd.  All up preparing for Christmas.  Mr. Clary and Neva and Lilly gone to Navajoe to get Christmas.  I killed a turkey.  Isom killed a goose this morning.  Baking it for dinner.  Mr. Rob Snell and wife taken dinner with us.  Lilly Hawkins and Mary Young came and stayed all night and  Ollie and Lula stayed all night.  All of the youngsters played until 10 p.m.

December 27th.  All went to Snell’s for dinner.  Had turkey and all the good things.  Monroe and I and Oscar went to Mr. Will Snell’s for singing at night.

December 29th.  Isom and Foster started to hunt work on the railroad, going as far as Altus.

December 31st.  Lilly started to school this morning for the first time. Monroe and I went to Navajoe.  Got a letter from Dan with a $17.00 check in it/  We sent a $1 order to Ardmore for the Indian Territory Baptist for the New Year 1902.

January 1st 1902.  Isom and Foster are at work on the railroad.  Etta and Rena are staying here while they are at work.  Monroe fixing up his bridle and gear tko go to work.  Children gone to school.  Be went to Navajoe with Lula to have her toe nail taken out.  They chloroformed her.  All the family went with her.  I killed a hen for dinenr. 

January 2nd.  Etta and Be and Lilly and Minnie went to Bro. Abercrombie’s to stay until tomorrow.  Oscar brought Pink’s bicycle in broken.  Isom and Foster came in home just at night from the railroad.  Foster and Rena went home.  The railroad came and got the deed for the railroad right of way.  Myrtle and Ethel Aberctombie and Wilhelm came and spent the day here.  Mr. Marbles and Yocom and Bob Snell and wife came and stayed a while in the evening.

January 4, 1902.  My birthday was last Saturday.  I am 56.  Am beginning to feel old.

January 7th.  Isom and Foster building their wagons for the railroad. 

January 8th.  Isom and Foster finished up their wagons.  Willie got here from Dryden.  Etta and I cooked tea cakes and a pound cake for dinner.  Ed got in from Mangum after supper.  Mr. Will Snell and family came over after supper.  We had a good singing.  Isom led the class.  All the children and son-in-laws here.  Two are absent, viz., Charlie and  Daniel living in Chickasaw. 

January 9th.  Isom and Foster with their little families started to the railroad to get work.  Went across Otter Creek.  Will and Pink went with them to get posts .  Mrs. Mcelroy came with our book.  “The Story of Our Country”.  Paid $1.50 for it. 

January 11th.  Boys loading up their rails and posts.  All seem to be glad they are alive. 

January 12th.  All boys at home all evening.  Been riding the bicycle.  All went to a singing at Mr. Will Snell’s except Monroe and Ed and Mat.

January 13th.  Oscar and Neva at school.

January 14th.  Ed and Willie started home this morning.  Monroe and Pink and Oscar went with them. Will took his cattle.  Pink went a mile with them on his bicycle and Will came back with him and Pink went home with them.  Lula came and stayed all night. 

January 15th.  Today one year ago Charlie left us and went back to Yan and Petersburg.  Today he is praching. 

January 16th.  Mr. Clary and Rena came back from the railroad. 

January 18th.  Mr. Clary gone to commanche for work.  Etta and Isom got back before night.  They will stay with us for a while.

January 19th.  There is a company of railroad men camped near Snell’s. 

January 20th.  Monroe and Pink and Oscar came in at 11:00a.m.  Monroe let one of the pigs get away that Ed and Will gave him.  Mr. Clary and Rena moved to the dugout at old Mother Day’s and Pink set in with the railroad to work on the road.

January 23rd.  Pink  quit the railroad yesterday and came  in home. 

January 24th.  Monroe and I went in the buggy out across Otter Creek 3 or 4 mile in the Commanche Nation to see Isom and Etta and babies.  Ate dinner with them.  They are progressing well with the railroad running north and south to Park. 

January 26th.  Pink is 21 years old today.  Bro Wilhelm’s folks spending the day with us.  A big  norther came at 8 last night.  Awful cold.  Too cold to anything but cook and eat.  Bro. Wilhelm’s couldn’t go home.  Be went to Mr. Young’s last night and is still there too. 

January 27th.  Bro Wilhelm and family went home this morning.  Monroe and Pink went to the river aiming to cross for wood.  It was frozen couldn’t get across. 

January 28th.  Pink went to a party last night.  Came in a 2:00 a.m.  Monroe gone to the  commissary to get molasses, aiming to buy from the railroad men.  The railroad is moving on towards McElroy’s.  Mr. Clary is working on the road.  Be went home with Foster and taken the clothes to wash.  Is aiming to stay down there a while and wash for the railroad hands. 

January 31st.  Mr. Clary and Rena moved back up here again.  Rena not well.  Is taking medicine again.  Be and Rena got $4.80 for washing. 

February 3, 1902.  Pink couldn’t get off to Ed’s but is loading up to start tomorrow.  Mr. Clary has made arrangements to go and haul him a load of posts.  Isom and Etta and babies came in to our house about sundown.  Etta not well.  Will stay with us as Isom works on the road, I guess.

February 4th.  Foster and Pink started to Ed’s this morning with their load of posts.  Isom went over to the railroad to see about a job.  Came back.  Said he would work for Ollie.

February 7th, 1902. Mr. Clary and Willie came in from Ed’s. 

February 8th.  Willie still with us.  He tore down Foster’s dugout and has bought it.

February 11th.  Will started home with a load of post.  Mrs. Day and Alice and Mrs. Snell stayed all night. 

February 15th.  Isom gone over to the new town ( Mountain Park) or to Hazel to draw his railroad money.  Didn’t come back.  Stayed all night.

February 16th.  Isom got in off his trip to Hazel.  Got his money. 

February 21st.  Mr, Clary and Rena packed up and started to Ed’s and Will’s.  Rena was very weak and couldn’t walk to the wagon.  Mr. Clary carried her in his arms.  She has been sick two weeks.  Isom working on the railroad.  Neva in school.  Be and I loaded Rena’s things for her. 

February 23rd.  Writing a letter to Charlie this morning.  Sitting in Isom’s wagon while writing.  Mr. Booher and family came and spent the day.  Be Turner came awhile and old man Smith and Lula came in the evening. 

February 26th.  Neva wouldn’t go to school.  Teacher beat Gaston over the head with his fist yesterday. 

February 27th.  Neva made two trips to school house this morning.  Got no bucket and no books. 

March 1, 1902.  Mr. Will Snell got a card from Pink.  Said Rena and baby are all right.  Got a leger paper, the first number for us.

March 2nd.  Monroe went to railroad to get a job, but came back.  They had a hand.  Be and Neva and Lillie gone to Booher’s to get the turkey gobler, and the stove vessels I subscribed for.

March 3rd.  I went down to Mr. Wyley’s a while yesterday to see the sick baby.  I read some in the law book. 

March 5th.  Rena is 19 today.  She is at or near Dryden at Ed’s and Will’s.  I wrote to Rosie, Ellen and Grandma Curb. 

March 10th.  Isom gone over to the railroad to try to get work, but didn’t get a job.  Monroe went down to Mr. Miller’s and bought 90 pounds or meat for  &12.  Monroe taken 4 ½ dozen eggs to the commissary and got 4 packages or coffee and 19 pickles for a nickle.  He and the children shucked out the corn and shelled it that he got from Foster.  I filled up the tick with the shucks. 

March 11th.  Isom gone to the railroad to get work.  Etta and babies are here. 

March 12th.  My brother Philo’s birthday.  He would be 42 if he were living.  He died in 1887.  Etta cooking dinner.  Got done washing by 2:00p.m. 

March 15th.  Be sprinkled the dugout and swept out, and put on clean pillow slips.  We sent a letter this morning to Bett Company, Physician’s Institute, Chicago, Ill/

March 16th.  Boss Wilhelm came.  Oscar and he went to Bro. Abercrombie’s and spent the night.  I wrote to Charlie.

March 17th.  At  Bro. Abercrombie’s.  Went on to Bro. Wilhelm’s and Bro. Wilhelm and Monroe went to Altus and made arrangements with Hightower and Fun derourk and got 200lbs of flour, a keg of molasses, $1 worth of sugar, 1 box soda, 25cents of soap, 25cents of lye bluing, salt, Irish potatoes.  They came back and we stayed all night at Wilhelm’s.  Had a good time.

March 19th.  I read “The Little Baptist” through today to Be and Etta.

March 20th.  Mr. Snell called on Monroe for help and moved his house off of the cellar.  Aiming to build a storm house.

March 24th.  Mrs. Hawkins sent for me today at 12 o’clock.  She was sick.  She has fine 12 pound boy.  Born at half past one.

March 25th.  Be and Neva changed everything around in the kitchen.  Oscar gone to the commissary after tobacco for Etta. 

March 28th.  Oscar and Be and Neva planted watermelons and muskmelons.

March 30th.  Monroe is 59 today.  I killed a chicken for dinner and made dumplings.  Made a cake.

April 1st 1902.  Mrs. Young here.  Neva and Lillie  and I went home with her and stayed all nioght.  Sure enjoyed Mrs. Young’s company.

April 2nd.  Isom and Etta loaded up and started for their place this evening.  Will stay all night at Wilhelms.  Pink came at 8:20 after Mat.

April 3rd.  Pink loading up Mat’s things.  Be fixing to go to.  Stayed until after dinner and got off at 1:15.  A big sale of town lots on Headrick lands today.  Two miles from here.  The highest sold for $150.  Bought by Headrick.  He will name the town.  Lowest lot sold for $6.  I went to Mr. Will Snell’s in the evening.  I went up to the field and saw the people at the townsite.

April 4th.  Our family seems smaller now.  Four of us now.  Monroe and me and Neva and Oscar.  Still selling lots at the new town. 

April 7th.  Oscar and Gaston fixed the cow pen.  Made it smaller. 

April 8th.  Monroe and children planting Irish potatoes in the patch here at the house.  Going to put wire around it today and make me a garden within with chicken wire to plant cabbage, cucumbers, turnips, radishes and otheder things. 

April 9th.  Monroe broke the little garden spot and stretched the netting wire around it and Oscar reharroed the orchard spot.  Then he and Monroe stretched the barbed wire around the whole patch and I sowed radish, turnips, cabbage and onions and a few seeds of spinach.

April 10th.  Oscar and I went to Bro. Abercrombie’s to see Clara.  There came a terrible storm about 2 p.m.  Blowed one of Mr. Bere’s houses down.  Hattie and I and bessie and Zula and Charlie went into the storm house.  Bro. Abercrombie stayed in the house with poor little Clara, but all were saved.  All the children at school were saved.

April 13th.  Mr. Taylor’s house and also Mr. Beard’s and Mr. Yarbrough’s blowed away night befor last.  Monroe found our tub and one of Mr. Snell’s .  Brought then home.

April 16th.  I taken the clock down and cleaned it out and greased it and it runss all right now. 

April 17th.  I taken off a hen with 11 chickens.  Monroe got a lot of willow trees and is setting them out. 

April 18th.  Monroe and Oscar and Neva went to Navajoe.  He bought a black suit and got Oscar a hat, shoes and duck pants.  Got me a dress and Neva one, and Neva some slippers.  Got Mr. Clary’s and Rena’s sweet little Eva’s pictures today. 

April 22nd.  Gordon Drake came this evening and played a while. 

April 23rd.  Oscar making a windmill and fixing up the chairs.  Fixed them nice and good.  April 24th.  Neva went to Mr. Will Snell’s  a while and got the mail.  A letter to Iscar from seed man.

April 25th.  I cracked a lot of peach seed and planted them in the patch neat the garden. 

April 26th.  Monroe gone to Navajoe to see about buggy and seed Oscar’s seed money.  I sent my machine gatherer to Ardmore tko be exchanged for a new one.

April 27th.  My brother Pink’s birthday.  He is 46.  Lena and Kate went with us to Union school house to Sunday School.  We all joined.

April 29th.  Got a letter from Charlie.  He was well and going ahead in the work.  Got the Signal and the News. 

May 2, 1902  My brother Mack Christenberry died yesterday was a year and was buried yesterday was a year ago.  Monroe went to Navajoe with Bro. Day in the morn.  Streeter stayed all night

May 8th.  Ruth and Kate came and stayed a while and Neva went home with them.  Monroe went to Navajoe with Mr. Day to bring the buggy.  Had a storm of wind and rain and hail last night and Monroe didn’t get in.  Stayed all night came in before breakfast. 

May 5th.  I ripped up my flowered sateen dress and taken out the black front and remodeled it.  Like it much better.  Monrie fixed up the buggy harness.

May 7th.  Monroe and Oscar built sod around the house in forenoon.

May 8th.  Emmett Yocom is very sick.  Oscar and Monroe went down there. 

May 9th.  Monroe and Oscar came back.  Said Emmett resting well.  Thought he was poisoned.

May 12th.  Another house came to the new town today. 

May 13th.  New town improving and building up.

May 15th.  Leatha and Oscar and Neva having a nice time playing and reading and singing.  Gaston came a while this morning. 

May 19th.  Neva and I taken Leatha home in the buggy.  Met Bro. Abercrombie coming after her.  Oscar went to Headrick and bought some fish hooks and some lines.  Hattie gave me some black berries. 

May 20th.  I wet the floor of the dugout and mudded in the fleas.  Mr, Headrick came and tried to buy Monroe out. 

May 24th.  Neva went home with Flora.  Oscar came in at sundown with a 3 pound fish. 

May 25th.  Street came and spent the day with Oscar.  Oscar went to his hooks.  Had 3 catfish weighing 4 pounds.  So we had fish for dinner.  Oscar and Street and Neva went on to the mountains in eve and got berries and currants. 

June 1st.  Ruth came and stayed all night with Neva.  Her and Ruth and Kate gone to the Vanclee’s to spend the day.  I finished reading the book “Faith and It’s Affects” through this morning.  A good book. 

May 3rd.  Daniel’s birthday, 30 years old.  Neva and Oscar worked on his bicycle.  Got it so he could ride it. 

May 8th.  Monroe and I went to Sunday School.  All met at Collin’s to arrange a program for July 4th. Picnic. 

May 9th.  I cut and made my gray mother hubbard.  Got a Leger News.  Mr. Miller came to speak to me for his wife. 

May 12th.  Hattie’s baby Charlie a year old today. 

May 13th.  Neva learned to ride the bicycle.

May 15th.   Be’s birthday, 17 years old.  She is at Ed’s.  Been gone nearly 3 months.  Monroe and Monroe Young and Bro. Hawkins  have agreed to work for Bro. Fayette Hawkins next Tuesday.  Monroe gone to Mr. Day’s to tell him to help. 

May 16th.  Neva hoeing sown weeds in the cotton.  Worms eating cotton so bad.  Mr. Tom Hawkins came after a barrel of water. 

May 17th.  Monroe pulled some early roasting ears and sent Oscar and Neva to Headrick to sell them but couldn’t sell them.  The hotel man was drunk and so was the well digger.  Part of Headrick was blown down, the g------ and the barber  shop. 

May 20th.  Oscar and Neva and I went to Bro. Hawkins   pasture and gathered a tubful of plums.  We spent a little while at Mr. Youngs and some at Bro. Hawkins.  Had some instrumental and vocal music.  

May 21st.  Oscar went to Headrick and played ball.  Jesse Young came home with us and stayed all night and helped Neva hoe cotton today until noon and then helped Neva wash my fruit jars.

May 22nd.  Neva and I went to Sunday  School.  I gave the bible class a question.  “who was David’s mother?”

May 24th.  Rufus is 41 years old today. 

May 25th.  My father died 26 years ago today. 

May 28th.  Monroe and I went to Navajoe today and bought some dry good from Bailey and Miller, for the first time this year on time.  We have paid for all we got up til now. 

May 30th.  Mr. Young came by.  Wants us to go to Dryden with him.  We may go if horses foot  gets well.  I want to see the children so bad. 

July 1st.  Looks a little like rain. We sure need it.  Hope the good Lord will be gracious to us and send us a rain at this time. 

July 3rd.  I cut and made Neva’s red striped pecal.  Made it “empire”.  I must finish my letter to Pink Christenberry in the matter of keeping mama.  Mr. Clary and Rena and Be came home about 10 p.m.  Oh, brought the sweet baby Eva.  So glad to have them come and be with us a while. 

July 5th.  Rena’s breast caked up this morning.  We are putting medicine and wilted cabbage leaves on. 

July 11th.  We all went to the picnic at Mr. Pounder’s. A S.S. picnic,  Navajoe school and Center Ridge and a union S. S. all combined.  Had a nice good singing and a good quiet time. 

July 12th.  Mrs. Miller sent for me.  I went and stayed all day but it was a false alarm.

July 13th.  Mr. Miller brought me home, and I found Mr. Clary sick.  Had the doctor with him last night.  Had cholera morbus.

July 14th.  I put up 9 gallons of plums and made jelly and plum butter. 

July 18th.  Be wrote to her fellow at Dryden. 

July 19th.  Monroe went to Leger.  Got 1 sack Snowflake flour, oat meal, coffee, salt.  Myrtle came home with Monroe to stay a week.  Boss came too. 

July 22nd.  Mr. Miller came and got me and I went and stayed all day.  She had a fine boy born after 6 p.m.  I stayed all night. 

July 23rd.  Bro.  Wilhelm and family came and spent the day and the men and children went and gathered plums.  Nettle came home with Be, Rena and Sister Wilhelm and I stayed here and had a good time. 

July 25th.  Will and Pink and Enoch Matthews came in just at night.  They came all the way today. 

July 31st.  Rena and Be went to Byrum’s.  Grandma Byrum died while they were there.  Mrs. Horn and Mrs. Hamilton and I dressed her.  She passed away quietly and was ready and willing to go.  A large crowd of her relatives and friends were there.  Her children taken  her death very hard.  Also her husband. 

August 2, 1902.   Monroe, Pink and Oscar went to the river to get wood and brush to build an arbor.  Oscar Mellville came in from Cheyenne and ate dinner with us.  He and Oscar and Pink went to Headrick.

August 3rd.   Oscar is 15 years old today. 

August 9th.  Monroe and I went to church. Went to Bro. Hawkins  for dinner.  Had beef for dinner.  We bought some. 

August 10th.  Oscar and I went to meeting.  None of the rest would go.  Couldn’t start to Ed’s.  Monroe wasn’t willing for us to go. 

August 11th.  Willie and I and Neva started to Ed’s.  Left all well.  Got to 3 mile of duke for dinner.  Willie got very sick but got better on the way.  We got to Ed’s about 9 p.m.  Found all well. 

August 12th.  I went to Isom’s and Etta’s .  Found all well.  Ed came down and ate dinner.  So  glad to see the children.  Isom has a well with good water.  They are pleased with their new home.  I stayed all day and all night.  Had a good dinner.  Jelly and plum butter and vinegar pie, and butter and biscuits, and coffee and so on.

August 13th.  Isom taken us all in the wagon to Ed’s.  We stayed all day and all night.  We aim to start back home in the morning.  Got to Bro. Wilhelm’s at night.   Found Monroe and the children and Dan there ready to go to Ed’s.  Dan came in to the house on Wednesday.  Will be here a while visiting around.  We stayed all night at Bro. Wilhelm’s

August 15th.  We all started back to Ed’s this morning.  Had a nice time on the way.  Got to Duke by dinner.  Boys bought tomatoes and canned peaches for dinner.  Also salmon.  We went on and got  to Ed’s before sundown. 

August 16th.  Monroe and I walked sown to Isom’s.  Stayed all day.  Went to Ed’s at night and all went to church at Ivy. 

August 18th.  We all started home from Ed’s.  He went home with us.  We ate dinner at Duke.  Had tomatoes and sardines and strawberries.

August 19th.  Luther came and stayed all night.  Mr. Clary started to Dryden. 

August 20th.  Dan and Luther started home.  Will have school meeting this evening at Headrick.  Monroe and I went to Headrick and voted to bond the district for school.  The women turned out and voted very well. Mr. Clary got in from Dryden on horseback.  Left his wagon.   Aims to go back with the boys. 

August 24th.  Lula snell here with Be.  Neva gone to Mr. Will Snell’s to spend the day.  Be has a rising on her hand/

August 25th.  Jessie Young and pearl and Becky came and spent the day.  Monroe went to Headrick to get a tooth pulled. 

August 26th.  I am cooking beans and okra for dinner.  Looking for the reapers for dinner.  The reapers came but got done before dinner and went to Rob Snell’s for dinner.  Monroe went to Headrick and got ointment for Be’s hand.  Relieved it greatly. 

August 28th.  We sent for Tolleson this morning.  He came and lanced Ada’s hand.  It run a good deal.  She is resting well.

September 3rd.  Monroe and I went to Mr. Young’s to spend the day.  Had turnip greens and fried chicken for dinner. 

September 5th.  All of us went to Holiness meeting last night.  Had a big time.  Bro. Abercrombie’s folks were there also Mr. Young’s.  Preacher preached a good sermon on “Agree with thine adversary quickly whilst thou art in the way with him”.  Matt. 5:25.  My mother is 83 years old today.

September 6th.  Lula came home with Be and they cooked a nice cake and dressed it in white. 

September 7th.  Monroe and I went to the Holiness meeting and taken our dinners and stayed all day.  Had a lecture on the rescue of girls.  Raised $107 for the Home and $108 for the preacher and organist and wife.  Had a good meeting at night service.  Several converted.  One man struck down for some time but got up without change seemingly. 

September 8th.  Monroe called us in the morning and family payers.  So much enjoyment and pleasure in worshipping God in our home.  May the Lord bless us in our duty. 

September 9th.  We all met again around the family altar this morning to give God thanks for his kindness and to ask for grace for today to “Help us walk in the light as He is the light”. 

September 11th.  Mr. Marble’s came a brought my specs home.  Said the baby was better.

He brought a letter to Be. 

September 14th.  Oscar came in home and so Neva.  We went to S.S.  Be went to Mr. Yocum’s and spent the day.  Monroe stayed here all day and watched the fields and read the new Testament.  We went to Center Ridge to S.S. in the evening. 

September 16th.  Monroe went to Headrick to see about selling his cotton.  Wouldn’t offer but  $2.75 in the seed. 

September 17th.  I fixed my arbor over the door. 

September 18th.  Monroe went to Headrick and mailed a letter to the boys and a package of Nature’s Remedy to Mat. 

September 20th.  Oscar gone to the mountains looking for a sheep for Rex, the hotel man.  Found it dead.  Jesse Wells had killed it. 

September 23rd.  Katie stayed all night here last night.  Neva and her are gone to Navajoe horseback to trade some for Nina.  I think Nina will marry tomorrow.  Miss Nina Wyley left for Altus this eve with Mr. El Berry where they are to marry.  Ida Willis married Doctor Shaw last night.

September 26th.  Mr. Young came with beef..  I bought 16 pounds for $1.30 .  had pumpkin and beef and okra for dinner. 

September 27th.  I went to church.  Bro. Barnes preached a good sermon on “Be ye steadfast and unmoveable”. Had conference.  Called a pastor.  Made the call unanimous for Bro. Harris except two brethren objected  and the church rescinded the action of calling a pastor .

September 28th.  Jesse and Fannie here today.  Neva taken them part of the way home in the buggy. 

September 29th.  Ada made a little shelf for Pa to put his Testament on.

October 1, 1902.  My brother W.A. Christenberry is 55 years old today. 

October 3rd.  Walter and Ethel all came in the evening.

October 4th.  Bro. Wilhelm and wife and 4 of the children came and stayed all night.  We sure had a good time. 

October 5th.  Bro. Wilhelm and family and Monroe and I and Neva went to Bro, yocum’s and spent the day.  Had a good dinner and a nice time.  Be and Oscar and Nettie Hawkins were there all day.  Lester Taylor and George Young were there for dinner also.

October 10th.  Pink came in last night just at dark.   Lena Young and Ruth Wyley stayed all night last night.  Pink and Monroe walking around  the farm.  I got cabbage, okra, sweet potatoes for dinner.  Be cooked a nice cake.  We also had onions and canned peaches.  Seemed that all enjoyed dinner hugely. 

October 13th.  Pink bid us goodbye and started home. 

October 16th.  Monroe and I wrote Dan today.  Monroe made him an offer to lease him some land. 

October 17th.  Monroe started to Leger to settle with Johnson and Funderburk.

October 19th.  Monroe and I married 37 years ago today.

October 23rd.  I sent a letter by Oscar to mail to W.W. Christenberry and a letter with $1 to mail to the Indian Territory Baptist Register.  Got a letter from Charlie.  He is well and states he is selling Bibles, representing a Bible house. 

October 24th.  Oscar and I went to church.  We called Bro. Morgan as pastor. 

October 27th.  Geneva is 13 years old today. 

October 28th.  Got a letter from Dan stating that he could not take his Pa up on the proposition on the land.  We mailed letters to Willie and Charlie. 

October 29th.  Charlie is 26 years old today.  Monroe went to Navajoe and got his peach trees and came home and set them out.  Be and Neva and I went to Headrick and done some trading.  Got them a hat and a dress apiece and some other trading.  Monroe went and got a barrel of cement to fix the kitchen floor. 

November 1, 1902.  Got a letter from my brother Pinkney bearing the sad news of his oldest girls death. 

November 2nd.  Rained all night and today.  Now 2 p.m.  Just milked the cows.  So wet and the dugout leaks.  Makes it so disagreeable.

November 5th.  Oscar  redaubed the dugout..

November 6th.  Monroe fixed up the team and went to Mountain Park after lumber, but got sick and didn’t get any lumber.  Got in at supper time. 

November 9th.  I went to Mr. Fayette Hawkins and sit up.  Malcom had a fever, very sick.  Got a letter from Willie and Kate Curb.

November 10th.  Oscar didn’t come home until this morning.   He went and hired to Mr. Ferrell.  We miss him so much.  I carded bats and put up a quilt.  Quilted 4 shells and Neva 2.  Be pieced over 20 blocks on her quilt. 

November 11th.  We got a letter from Charlie.  He is to be married the 13th.

November 13th.  I put up my friendship quilt. 

November 14th.  Monroe gone to the Nation hunting wood.  Will and Pink came this morning all dressed up.  Pink had his picture taken.  Boss Wilhelm here. 

November 16th.  Charlie Curb married today to Miss Martha Kilgore at Denton, O.T. at 3 p.m.

November 17th.  He started today for Petersburg, I.T.  and  went by Ruth Springs.  May God’s richest blessing rest on them.    May their work be crowned with success.  May the smiles of their Heavenly Father approve their work in the Grand  Missionary  Cause and may they have souls for their labors.  A mothers prayer.  

November 19th.  Little Eva’s birthday.  One year old. 

November 24th.  Oscar quit working.at Mrs. Ferrell’s today. He set in the 10th of this month..

November 27th.  Neva cooked us a good Thanksgiving dinner.  We all went to the railroad in the evening.  Not much going on..

November 29th.  No hearing from Charlie today.   He wrote us a month ago today.   Sunday meeting at Reed today and tomorrow. 

December 1st.  Monroe got a job at Captain Peter’s to build a lot of fence at $1 a day.

December 4th.  Will is 24 today.  He has a place of his own near Teacross is doing well.

December 5th.  We went to the debate between the Holiness and the Campbellites.  The first proposition:  Lawson affirmed baptism for remission and sins,  Freeland denied.  Monroe and Oscar finished the job at Captain Peter’s. Got $4.  Be and Neva and I went to the debate which closed the discussion.  All went off nicely and no hard feelings.

December 7th.  A “sanctified” preacher preached at the tabernacle today.  Malvern Hawkins died today about sundown.  Walter and Jim young came to tell us.  Monroe and Oscar went and stayed all night. 

December 8th.  Mr.. Dobbs, Bro. Day’s nephew,  left for Tuscaloosa, Ala. This morning, his former home. 

December 9th.  Oscar gone to Headrick to get him a suit. 

December 15th.  Monroe gone to Headrick early this morning to get oil cloth to put inside of the roof to keep the drip off the bed.  Corb Chaney and Jess Wills came and invited Be to dance at Mr. Chayney’s.  She didn’t go.

December 17th.  Will Gregory is to be married to Miss Annie McElroy.

December 19th.  Mr. Headrick came over and wanted pasture for 24 head of horses.

December 20th.  Be and Neva picking cotton at Will Snell’s for 75 cent per hundred.  Oscar not at work.  Not feeling well.  Is reading his history through. 

December 21st.  Walter came by.  Said he helped a gentleman and a lady out of a mud hole. 

December 22nd.  Monroe went to railroad early before breakfast to see them laying track.  The track is laid now about to Headrick from McElroy’s tank.   We all went to see them at work.  Mr. Coleman spoke of coming with a man to look at the place but didn’t come.  Mr. Beseirs spoke of coming to look at the place. 

December 23rd.  The track is laid to Headrick tonight.  Everybody seems proud. Several came to see them laying it.  Pink came in from the sand hills last night to take Christmas with us.  The iron horse is whistling at Headrick.  The track gang is moving their tents getting ready for Christmas. 

December 24th.  Monroe and Oscar and Geneva went to Headrick to buy some Christmas.  Pink and Be went to Mr. Chaney’s to a party tonight.  I made Be a red dress trimmed in black ribbon.  Oscar and Geneva went to Bro. Abercrombie’s. 

Christmas Day.  None of the children home this morning except  Pink and Be.  Pink and Corb and Monroe went to Headrick.  Be went to Mr. Young’s.  I am here all alone.  Hope all the rest of the children are well and will have a nice time.  Jimmie Poundera is getting married today, so they day. 

December 26th.  Mr. Day and wife came in tonight to get a horse  to go for a Doctor for the Marple’s baby.  Monroe went for the doctor.  They stayed with us until morning and I went  over there and stayed all day and all night.  The baby was better. 

December 27th.  Got a letter from Kate  Curb and Be and Neva went to Mr. Young’s to a social., they thought.  They turned it into a dance.  The children wouldn’t dance and came in home  by 11 p.m.

December 28th.  Pink still here.  Mr. Burton came and taken dinner. 

December 29th.  Pink and Monroe started to the sand hills at 7 a.m. in a hack.  Worked Willie and Street and led Clyde.  A man came in a new wagon and a nice span of horses to make a land trade with Monroe or to buy his claim.  He came in and stayed an hour or more.

January 1, 1903  Monroe is at Ed’s and Will’s in the sand hills.  All of our lives have been spared another year and one more called to the ministry, viz, Dan.  Hope and pray he may prove to be a steadfast and true as old prophet Daniel and also pray that as this year closes that the balance kof the children will come back to the fold and be useful in the vineyard of the Lord. 

January 2nd.  Thirty years ago today little Lena died of diphtheria.  Mr. Perry’s son came after me to go see his step-mother who lives across the river from here about 7 or 8 miles.  I went although it was very cold.  Found her up but not well.  I stayed over all night with them.

January 3rd.  I came home from Mr. Perry’s this morning.  He paid me $1.75 for my trip.  I came by and sent Dr. McLaughlin over to see her.

January 4th.  I am 57 years old today.  The train is coming from the east now, 11 a.m.

January 5th.  Monroe went to Dunbar to see a man on a land trade.  Came back by headrick.  The man had bought. 

January 6th.  Monroe and I went to Headrick.  I bought a tub, gave 90 cents and gave 20 cents for a frying pan. 

January 8th.  Mr. Drake and Mr. King came in after supper and sit awhile. 

January 10th.  Monroe and Oscar went to Headrick to meet the excursion train of home seekers.  Some of them bought some lots.  Monroe came home for dinner and went back.  Found no buyer.  Mr. Linscomb promised to bring a man next week.  Jesse Thompson came and stayed  all night. 

January 11th.  Corb Chaney came and took Be to a singing at Mr. Young’s. 

January 16th.  Monroe and Geneva and Ollie went to Headrick and bought her school books and Neva went to school for the first time. 

January 21st.  Monroe went to Headrick and swapped shingles for planks to cover the dugout.

January 26th.  All fixin to go see the children.  Oscar going after the hack to go in.  Been cooking cakes all morning.  Be and I and the children on our way to Bro. Abercrombie’s on our way to see the boys. 

February 2nd.  (Monroe kept the diary while Fannie was gone to the sand hills.)  Fannie and the children didn’t come in last night.  Am very uneasy about them.  I fear there is something serious the matter or they would come home.  Surely wouldn’t  leave me alone so long.  (Fannie gets home and takes over the diary)  We got home about  7 p.m. Found Monroe well.  Met him between here and Headrick.  Was glad to met us.  Had about 7 gallons of milk saved up.

February 3rd.  Oscar went to school.  Geneva never went.  Monroe took the hack home and went to Headrick and got a sack of flour.  Geneva sold flower seeds. 

February 4th.  Lula came after me at noon.  Mrs.  Snell is very sick.  Be and Lula went after the Doctor.  He came and gave directions for treatment.  Got me to stay and treat her as directed.  I am still here tonight.  Mr. Snell went to Mountain Park. 

February 5th.  I came home from Mr. Snells’s a while,  Found Be at home.  Oscar and Geneva at school.  I am going back directly to Snell’s.  Mr. Snell phoned for Dr. Fowler and her sons and mother.  The Doctor came about 2 p.m. She is getting along nicely. 

February 7th.  Be and I went to Headrick and we bought nice cape for Beata for $2 and a waist for 50 cents.  I went to Mr. Snell’s to stay all night.  She had Dr. Fowler again today.  Seems to be doing well.  Mother and son came in about 10 p.m.  Louis in forenoon. 

February 8th.  Monroe and I went to Mr. Perry’s today.  Found Mrs. Perry sitting up and nursing her baby.  Seemed to be getting on nicely.  They are using the Quaker bath treatment and she improves wonderful each treatment.  Mrs. Nixon prescribed it. 

February 12th.  Oscar and Geneva went off last night.  She went to Mr. Young’s, he to Bro. Day’s.  Pearl came home with them. 

Febraury 14th.  Will and Add Carrick came in this morning.  Gone ober towards Chancy’s in the buggy. 

February 15th. Willie and Mr. Carrick stayed at Mr. Snell’s  until 9 p.m. last night. Willie up there all afternoon until 10 p.m. tonight.

February 17th.  Willie and Add riding a little.  Be at Mr. Snell’s spending the day with Lula.  She is making her wedding dress.   I sent my dime to the rescue home.  Got a letter from there.  Mr. Snell came down and paid me $2 for nursing Mrs. Snell.

February 18th.  Will went to get a Surrey for Pa and I to go see him and Miss Lula Snell married this evening.  Be helping Lula finish her dress.  At 4 p.m. we all started to Headrick to see Willie married to Lula.  Married near 5 p.m.  by Captain Peters in the office. 

February 19th.  We all came back to Mr. Snell’s  yesterday after the wedding and warmed and chatted a while.  Left the groom and bride there.  They were sure nice.  Think they have both done well.  They came by here this morning and spent a short time with us.  And they and Mr. Carrick started for home in the sand hills.  I pray that the blessings of God may be with them wherever they go and their lives may be full of peace and joy and happiness, and both will be useful in church work, is a mothers prayer.

February 21st.  Monroe and Oscar gone after another load of wood.  Taken 4 horses.  Dave McElroy came inviting the children to a candy breaking at Mr. Young’s. Ollie and my children went.

February 23rd.  I sent Mrs. Young a setting of eggs today. 

February 25th.  Monroe dug the sod down from the house.  I lined overhead with oil cloth.  Am so glad it is quit raining.  The children came home wet and cold.

February 26th.  Still raining, too wet for children to go to school.  Water running in the dugout and kitchen.

February 27th.  Mr. Perry came for dinner.  Monroe and he and Neva went up to Headrick this evening.    Neva will go to literary.

March 1st.  Monroe and I and Oscar went to church at Bethel.  Bro. Crump preached from the text, Mark 4:28, “First the blade, then the corn, then the full corn in the ear.”  Preached a good sermon.  Came home for dinner.  Found Dee and Gladys and Ethel andGorda here.  Corb came and stayed a while, also Walter and Gaston.  Monroe went to Mr. Pierce’s to stay all night on his way to Leger. 

March 2nd.  Monroe made arrangements at Leger to get provisions for the year.  Brought home 50 cents worth of coffee and the same of sugar , and 25 cents of rice and the same of soap. 

March 3rd.  I churned this morning in the tin churn.  Got a nice print of butter.

March 5th.  Rena is 20 years old today.  Monroe hauling clay to cover the kitchen.

March 6th.  I set the hen again in the crib on 17 eggs.  Got our first number of the Orphan’s Friend yesterday.

March 7th.  Bro. Abercrombie came and notified us that Bro. Kuykendell would preach at Mt. View tonight and tomorrow in the Commanche country. 

March 8th.  Luther stayed all night with us.  Monroe and Dee and Neva started over the river to church but the river was too deep.  So they went to Bethel and heard a good sermon by the presiding elder on the Holy Ghost.  Monroe got in last night with $20 worth of groceries.  Enough to run us 3 months. 

March 12th.  I went to Headrick with Sister Day yesterday evening.