Calhoun Co. AL - Diary of John Manly Watson ==================================================================== USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: ASHLEY WATSON ==================================================================== The following is part of a diary kept for more than 30 years by John Manly Watson. At this point he is teaching school in Silver Run and preparing to marry Fannie Tallula Williams of Oxford. This excerpt begins February 5, 1883 5--Hackneyville, Pinckneyville & Millerville, all lay in my route today. I am tonight stopping with Mr. Wm. McCaffrey's. Nothing but disappointment has been my lot during the past week. My horse's right hind knee is badly swollen from a sprain I suppose. No mail, no luck but bad luck it seems but it will all work out all right in the end and happiness will drive all the shadows away leaving me in the sunshine of prosperity and contentment. 0, who could be contented and always be among strangers" 6--I arrived at Silver Run at 4 P.M., taking Hugh on surprise. "Hugh, have you any mail for me?" was my first query, and I was made very sad by receiving a negative answer, but in less than five minutes a little girl came in from the P.O. bringing me the very letter I most wished for. Hugh & I are together at his boarding place. We have had some good violin music and Mr. Charles danced some for us. The weather is warm and cloudy. My horse is no better. 7--Spent the morning writing letters to Al, Mr. Hooper of Ga., Miss L. W. & the P. M. LaFayette. It has been misting rain all day. Hugh & I are at Mr. Linder's tonight. My horse's knee is some better. A card from Al says he will begin another school at the same place on next Monday the 12, inst. This doing nothing don't suit me at all, but my horse is in no condition to travel, though I must travel next Saturday, for "she" is only seven miles away and of course I can't stay here idle. 8--Cloudy all day. I spent the day at Mr. Linder's and am tonight with Hugh at his home. It has been a day pleasantly spent in reading of the lives of Jackson, Marion and LaFayette- - most especially the account of the latter's visit to America in 1824. 9--Spent the forenoon at Mrs. Conalley's and the P.M. at school. Rain all day. I have been very restless all day since I left Mrs. C's, where I had spent the morning reading, and writing to Jim & Xie. Hugh & I are at Mr. Ganaway's, a patron of Hugh's. 10--Hugh & I drove out to Oxford this A.M. I left him there and drove out one mile east to Mrs. Casey's where I found Miss L. W. awaiting my coming. To say I spent a pleasant day would not express my feelings. The day was spent in driving, hearing music and in conversation until 4:40 P.M. which had come unawares, as I promised to be back at Oxford at 3:45. Bidding Miss F. T. W. Good bye, I found Hugh at Oxford from which place we started at 5 P.M., and have stopped at Mrs. Lindsay's to spend the night. A most pleasant family is Mrs. L's. 11--Hugh & I went to Lebanon Sunday School today. It is cloudy & warm. We are at Mrs. Conalley's. I had retired, happening to think of my diary I got up to post it. It has been a very long day, spent in reading from my beautiful Christmas gift--Byron's poems. My thoughts were of F. T. W. 12--Cloudy & warm A.M. I entered upon the duties of assistant teacher of Silver Run school. Mr. Grundy & Polk McDonald called at the school-house today at 12:30 P.M. Rain most of the day. I am at Mr. Hendrick's. Wrote to Lula, 10 P.M. At Mr. Hendrick's. 13--Clear & warm. I mailed a letter to Lula this morning. School is full. I am spending the night at Mr. Hendrick's. I have sold Reckless (my horse), on conditions, and shall say no more about it or close the trade tomorrow eve. 10P.M. I retire to think, to dream. 14--St. Valentine's day! Cloudy. Recd. a letter from W. J. & W. P. yesterday. I am at Mr. Hardie's. I named my host's little 16-month's-old girl: Lula Xie Hardie. By solicitation, I went out with Mr. Hardie, to the colored school house to draw up a contract between teacher and patrons. 11:45, I go to bed. 15--Thursday. Fair and beautiful. I sold my horse today for $105.00 cash. At 4 P.M. I received the nicest letter imaginable. Hugh is with me at Mr. Mattison's. All is well with me. 16--Last school day for this week. I am at Mr. Hendrick's tonight. All well. 17--Miss Lula W. and I drove up to Mr. Scarborough's. We had a most delightful ride, though like all earthly pleasures there was a tinge of sadness--just enough to make our happiness more hallowed. When we arrived here we found our old friends Mr, Sim Weaver & Mr. Hilton. We have had a jolly evening. Miss Cadie is gay and so is [my Lulal. 18--Cold. Mr. Sim & Hilton left at 1-1/2 P.M. Miss Lula and I at 2-1/2. We had a very pleasant drive down to the widow Casey's where we found company from Oxford. I bade them all good evening and drove to Mrs. Connally's where I found Hugh by a good fire awaiting my coming. I shall rest now and dream of the pleasures of the past two days. Oh that earth were full of such days. I am now at Mr. Hendricks 10 P.M. 19--Clear & beautiful. About 50 students today. A most beautiful and unexpected letter from my little Lula. My host is Mr. Wm. Wright. 20--Clear & pleasant. Wrote to Miss Lula and also to bro. Will. Hugh & I are at Mr. Staples'. 21--Clear and spring-like. I am with Hugh at Mrs. Connally's. School is full. No mail at all today. I have been reading the life of one of the noblest men the world ever produced, Jas. A. Garfield, the canal boy, student, professor, lawyer, soldier, law-maker & President. 22--A beautiful day! Nothing has happened worthy of note, and now, at 10 P.M. I shall retire. Hush! I hear strains of sweet music--Mr. McClerkin says it is from the band at Alabama Furnace. Music is so closely connected to my happiest thoughts that I shall listen awhile. My host is John McClerkin. 23--At Mr. Hardie' s. It is but a few hours until I shall be happy in company with the one of my choice again. It is raining and has rained all day. I closed my second week's labor in the school room at Silver Run. 24--Went up to Mrs. Connalley's early. Hugh & I drove to Oxford in the rain. I took the train for Weaver's Sta. All well. Paid Mr. Malone Ledbetter $60 to be paid to Mr. Wakefield for my horse. Went to supper with Mr. Haden, then called upon Miss Lula. We had some excellent music and a most pleasant visit. It is now just 12 P.M. I am at Mr. Haden's. I now retire to slumber to forget the world and even, for a while to forget the one to whom I owe all the happiness the future holds in store for me. Will it be much or little? 25--Arose at a late hour. Called on Miss L. W. at 10:45 A.M. and we reconsidered the time for our marriage, setting March 8, 1883 at 8 P.M. as that momentous time. That God may give us health & happiness is all I could ask of Him who has been our all in the past. Enclosed $5 in a letter to Mr. Sim Weaver. I took the 1:08 P.M. train for Silver Run; at the depot I found Louey McClerkin waiting for me. Attended the organization of the Sunday School at Silver Run at 3:15 to 5:00 P.M. Hugh & I took a stroll across the fields conversing about my change in life. Clear. 26--Monday. School is full. Clear & cool to day. A letter from Sim Weaver in answer to mine of yesterday. I am at Mr. Jenkins'. My host is very entertaining and has kept me up till a late hour. 27--Hugh & I went to hear Luther Benson of Indiana lecture on intemperance. We heard him at Coldwater Church. The house was packed. A more solemn, earnest appeal to the reason I never heard--he is an orator whose presence demands attention. No mail today. 28--Arose late and assisted Hugh & Curtis McClerkin to carry a blackboard to the school house from Mr. Staple's. A fine day. Calhoun Co. holds an election today for Prohibition or no Prohibition. Report has it that the "Right" has gained the victory by 4 to 1. If it is true the people of Calhoun Co. ought to set apart a day for thanksgiving and thank the Giver for such a blessing. Mr. Sam Stewart of Silver Run is my host. February will leave us in three hours from now and March will come bringing with it my new, happy life. Fare well Feb. Welcome March. Thursday, March 1, 1883--Welcome March! It has been a lovely day, bringing with it a most interesting letter from Miss L. W. This day week I am to change my life entirely. Ah! What a happy change I anticipate! A change that, through all the past years, I have looked forward to as bringing contentment and happiness, but my contemplated happiness was far short of what I have already enjoyed. Should the change prove as fruitful of happiness as I intend it shall, this life would answer the purposes of the blest without seeking the one beyond the stars. "Life is what we make it." Let it wax brighter and happier. At Mr. Ganaway's. 2--Clear & beautiful was today. Third week here closed. Hugh is not well, though he & I are on our way to Talladega. We are at Mr. Linder's and intend to take the 3 A.M. accommodation train tomorrow. Good night! 3--Hugh & I arose at 2:08 A.M., walked out to Ala. Furnace 1-1/2 miles; just as the train rolled up we got there. Arrived atTalladega at 4:45 A.M., attended to our business (the purchase of some goods) and took the N. bound train for Silver Run at 12:40 A.M. All well at Mrs. Connally's where we are spending the night. Letters from home and Rev. Mr. Wright. Clear and cool. 4--A beautiful Sunday. Went to Sunday School at Lebanon A.M. and to Sunday School at Silver Run. P.M. at 2:40. Hugh and I are at Mr. William Wright's. We took dinner at Dr. Bailey's, where we heard some good music. 5--Received a letter from Miss L. W. and one from Hamilton & Co., Edwardsville. Filled out a letter of enquiry for a lost letter which bro. Hugh mailed to Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co. The woods have been burning for several days causing the smoke to be almost suffocating. I am at Mr. Hendricks. I am suffering of cold. 6--It has rained all day. Recd. a letter from Jim & Mollie. 50 in school. I am spending the night with Mr. George Wright. Oh, what a rainy time is this! Let us hope that March 8 will be a prettier day. It seems more like a sweet reality than ever before, that my happiness is truly to begin with my marriage day. After tomorrow--just 48 hours more of single life. How strange it sounds for haram-scaram me to talk of such a change. "Life's fitful dream will soon be 0' er" and I am only preparing to make it a happy one. 7--Wednesday--cool and cloudy. Recd. a little card from the one who is to bear my name ere another twenty-four hours comes and goes. Time, though it passes ever so slowly, wafts us onward ever penetrating the gloom of the mystic future, now revealing some hidden sorrow and now bringing into light the bliss of the hopeful morrow. Imagination fails to draw a picture of the scene to be acted just 24 hours from now, a scene in which I am to be one of the principal actors--may the play be long and curtains be lowered at its close by the angels of peace--Scene: Drama of Life. 8--6:15 A.M. Cool & cloudy. This is my marriage morn. I am preparing to go to Weaver's Station by private conveyance. I will start in company with bro. Hugh at 11 A.M. Office of Rev. J. C. Wright, Oxford, Ala. 12:50 P.M. Clear & cool at this writing. Mr. Wright has gone, but card on the door bids me welcome. 1:10 P.M. made Mr. Wright's acquaintance and we then started for Weaver's Station. 4:35. Arrived at Mr. J. M. Ledbetter's where I dressed and at 20 minutes before eight bro. Hugh, Sim Weaver and I drove over to Mr. Elgin's. We found all ready for the ceremony. Mr. T. A. Wiggs, Miss Cadie Weaver, brother Hugh and Miss Bettie McGehee were the attendants. At 8 P.M. the ceremony was performed in presence of a few special friends, including Misses Pauline, Dixie and Mrs. Mollie Williams and Mr. Cis Roberts of Oxford, Ala. The other guests were of this place. Rev. J. C. Wright of Oxford officiated. God has exceedingly blessed me by giving me the purest, best of women for a wife. And now "Life is real, Life is earnest." Ah, life lies before us and we can make it what we will-God helping me it shall be happy. 9--Lula & I drove down to Mr. McGehee's to dine. A most sumptuous feast was spread by that excellent lady Mrs. McGehee. Rain all day. We returned in the evening and stopped at Mr. Hayden's to spend the night, where we had a party given us. We were awaked, about midnight, by the soft strains of music from a band of serenaders. 10--Lula & I left the Station at 12:30 P.M. came three miles down the road and took our first dinner alone as we sat in the buggy. Spent the night at Mrs. Casey's. 11--Stopped half hour at Oxford with Lula's grandparents and stepmother. Dined at 1 P.M. at Mrs. Connally's. At 5 P.M. we drove to Mr. Wm. Wright's where we found a number of friends and a most excellent supper awaiting our arrival. We enjoyed the hospitality of the family, the society of friends and the music till a late hour. 12--Monday. I am not well today. Lula came over to school at 12 N. I have gone to work again in earnest. Lula & I came to Mrs. Connally's after school, where we will board while at Silver Run. 13--A lovely day. Lula and I took a ramble through the woods and across the fields in search of flowers which we found to be very scarce. 14--Rain before noon, but this evening was warm and pretty. am not well by any means today. Lula came to school P.M. and we spent an hour with Mrs. Ellington after school. I received a letter from brother Will urging me to come home. Also a letter from sister Xie written on the day of my marriage. 15--Clear. I had a chill A.M., with fever all day. Lula entertained me by reading a novel, Ishmael, until 9 after school. Then she read the 11 chap. of St. John after which retired. 16--A clear, beautiful but cool day. At 1 P.M. Lula and I drove over to the depot waited fifteen minutes for the N. bound train which Lula took for Weaver's Station where she will spend 24 hours and return tomorrow. I shall go to Shady Glen tomorrow and return Sunday. I am lonely. 17--Hired Mrs. Glover's pony and started for Shady Glenn at 7:45 A.M. Came by way of Coldwater, Bynum's Store and Laney's Mill. Arrived at Mr. Willbank's at 12:35 P.M. Mr. W.. & I found Dr. Brothers at Mrs. Downing's, where I drew up an article for a six months school and then Mr. Willbanks and I started to see what could be done. Now, at 10:15 P.M. I retire, having rode until 40 minutes after nine. I am at Mr. Willbank's. I took dinner at Mr. John A. Watson's. Imagination hurries me off to the side of the little girl at Silver Run. May God watch over her. 18--Bro. Hugh's birthday. I left Mr. Willbanks at 6:50 A.M. and by following trails through unbroken pine forests for six miles I struck the main road at Bynum's Store. I got to Silver Run at 11:30, where I found the little girl of whom I think most, awaiting my coming. With her was her sister Pauline blushing and beautiful. Sister P. spent the day with us, leaving at 5 P.M. with Mr. Roberts. Hugh has been with us. We all went to Silver Run Sunday School. I am to know the coming week whether I shall teach at Shady Glenn. Clear & Beautiful. Al wrote me from Larkinsville. 19--Rain fell before noon. Clear P.M. and cool. After Lula and I read several chapters of Ishmael, Lula read some in the Testament--last 3 chapters of John. We then retired. 20--Clear, cool and beautiful. School is full. Lula & I went to walk this evening. We read several chapters of Ishmael and one chapter of The Acts, and then retired to dream of the future. 21--Lula went with me to school P.M. It is now raining. Read Ishmael and 3d. chap. of Acts. Good night. 22--A beautiful day. Lula & I are at Mr. staple's tonight. 23--Cloudy. A letter from father, one from Warren and one from Dr. Brothers of Cane Creek. I finished my labors at Silver Run today. I would love to live here had I paying employment--the people are so hospitable. Mrs. Connally and family especially will long be remembered.