DIARY OF WILLIAM GREADY HOPE, Woodville MS>Sumter Co. FL, 1816-1897 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Brett Hope, Jr., bhope@gbso.net USGENWEB 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 cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. This file may not be removed from this server or altered in any way for placement on another server without the consent of the State and USGenWeb Project coordinators and the contributor. ************************************************************************* William Gready Hope was born May 29, 1816, in Woodville, Mississippi, the second child of Captain Adam Hope and Jane Gready Hope. He lived in Woodville as a boy and young man, and volunteered for the Mexican War, serving in a regiment known as the Wilkinson County Volunteers, Colonel Jefferson Davis commanding. Colonel Davis, later President of the Confederate States of America, while a native of Kentucky, came to Woodville as a young boy, and lived there in his boyhood before being sent away to school and later West Point. After the regiment went to Mexico, William Hope became ill and was mustered out due to illness after two months, thereby missing any of the battles with the Mexicans. He returned to Woodville, ran for public office twice, losing both times, and then to moved to New Orleans where he worked as an accountant. He married Caroline Belle Newell, daughter of a prominent Woodville planter, in 1848 and took her to New Orleans. Caroline's father, William Newell, died in 1834, and her mother remarried to a Hiram Freyard. In 1855 William and Caroline entered suit against the Freyards over Caroline's father's estate, and received a judgement from the court. They ended up owning thirteen slaves, and bought a farm in Amite City, Louisiana, where they remained until after the end of the Civil War. The family then went to McKinney, Texas and owned a farm there until about 1889, when William left for Sumter County, Florida to live with his oldest son, George Cleveland Hope(2), my grandfather. It seems that William left Caroline in Texas, why we do not know, but she died in 1896 and is buried in McKinney. The remainder of this document is a transcription of William's diary from November, 1894 until shortly before his death in May, 1897. He was buried in the Stewarts Chapel cemetery about 2 miles south of Webster, Florida. His grave marker has been lost, but we are sure of the site since older family members knew it well. The original diary is a large bound copy book with lined pages. The pages are yellowed, and some of the writing barely legible. I have tried to photostat it with no success, hence this transcription. (2)Frequently referred to in the diary as "George" In making this copy, I have tried to preserve the character of the original document, including spelling and punctuation. William had a habit of using a dash instead of a period at the end of a sentence, and I have used this convention in the same manner. Footnotes are indicated as a number within parentheses i.e. (12), and all comments in these notes are by the editor. A list of persons mentioned herein is included on the last page. Newell Brett Hope, Jr. e-mail address: bhope@gbso.net Interlachen, Florida October, 1995 - July 1997 1894 Nov 7 - Today I commence keeping a diary - or sort of a record of daily events such as may come under my own personal observation - and to be remembered? Yesterday 6th moved from my "Den" near Mrs. Young's here to Henry Carter's, where, by fixing up the old "Log Cabin" in which he resided for years, think I can make myself comfortable during the winter. (Note written beside above paragraph:) Never was more mistaken, came near freezing to death.(8) 10 Went to Linden & back by noon, shooting a little on the way - bagged three quail. - tired - bought rounded shot to I. L. Browns $1.02. 12 I was greatly shocked and grieved on learning this evening of the death of the baby boy of my friends Jimmie and Wm. Collins - which occurred yesterday, 11th. Less than a week before I had the little fellow on my arms, apparently in perfect health - "In the midst of life we are in death" - 17 Had "Doll" out for quail - bagged 5. Cloudy & dark bad for shooting - had 9 shots - Mr. Carter came in from a camp hunt - killed one deer and brought home some nice venison. 21 This afternoon Wm. Carter & I started to walk to Linden, but coming to Robert's & finding he had his little pony mare hitched to the wagon to go the same road, accepted his invitation to ride. About half a mile or less perhaps "Doll" came to a point on a nice covey of quail close to the road - ?Robt had never seen a pointer work and was surprised and delighted - After giving him a few minutes to enjoy the sight and decline to take a shot, as I wished him to, Wm. and I went to flush the birds and missed - at least I did with my single barrel. Dropped one with the first - at the second rise four birds started and we bagged one each - left the other two for "future reference". Returning from the station, as Robt. was to leave the wagon there, Wm. and I walked on ahead, and had just found some of the birds when he overtook us, riding the pony. It was getting late and too dark to shoot - we missed and went on. Before getting to Robert's, had to cross a little slough where the water was two or three inches deep in the road for a distance of twenty or thirty yards and when we got there I knew I could not cross on the foot bridge (unreadable) the road in a thick dark cluster of bushes & vines, without wetting my shoes, to say nothing of "Moccasins" - not the foot gear the Indians, (when there were any) used to wear, but the other kind. The bridge consisted of a few floating chunks of rotten wood and some small slick poles so scattered and disconnected, that any ordinarily active squirrel might have a pretty fair chance of falling into the prevailing ideal of one of the church ordinances if he should so far forget his self respect as to attempt it. And here again was manifested in Robert that kind consideration for the comfort and safety of others, and general goodness of heart which is characteristic of some people_even in this day and time of almost universal greed and_selfishness; for he immediately dismounted from his pony and_insisted that I should ride over the water; assuring me of what I had already observed, that I would be absolutely safe in doing so. I climbed up on a big log sat down very gently on the pony's back, took the reins, and was soon across the water and as safely landed as the girl that Patrick (the Irishman) took upon his back when the ship was wrecked - I felt so elated, so proud of having accomplished such an extraordinary feat of horsemanship, that I believe I made some fabulous, even reckless offers to purchase the dear little "critter", which I am glad now to believe Robt. accepted in about the same spirit in which they were offered - When I say that about ten years has passed since I last bestrode one of the species I hope I will be pardoned in some degree, for the little bit of pride and exultation I indulged in and enjoyed - Dec 1 Walked to Linden & back before noon - going to walk to George's this evening and expect to get back somehow, in the future - Killed one quail - got there about sunset - Tired, but not more so than I expected - Rested all day Sunday - walked back this morning (3rd) before noon. Geo came half way & we hunted some but found no birds until we were just separating when his dog flushed a covey about 100 yds. from where we were standing - he may have been pointing them - but they went into thick hammock and I did not follow. Geo did & got two shots with what result I do not know. Saturday 1. Wm Carter went hunting with a neighbor today and got a fine buck - so we still have venison on the table - 4. Wrote to Millard(1) advising shipment of nine boxes of oranges from Linden on the 1st - letter mailed today at same place. 5. I have been suffering for more than a week with a severe cold, headache, sore throat, backache neuralgia and general dibility but am improving some and hope to be able to work a little soon - (1)Another son, living in Texas. (8)The winter of 1894-95 was one of the coldest on record in Florida, and was known as the year of the "great freeze". 6. Went out with Mr. C to see if we could find some quails I heard whistling a few mornings since. "Doll" soon struck a good trail and was not long getting up with & pointing - notwithstanding they tried to run away from her - Flushing them I dropped one & missed one - They scattered well but would not lie - Got one up occasionally & Wm. C bagged one very nicely - Followed them a long distance but finally turned back and kept finding sometimes a single & sometimes two or three - I had several shots but missed - Too dark for me - Mr. C missed only one - Bagging five out of six shots, while I got only one out of seven - I was not disappointed as I did not expect much - "Doll" did her part well- 7. A J Jones went with me on the tram car across the swamp to look for quail - Found a fresh scent just in front of Mr. Parish's house- "Doll" was very cautious at first, but the birds had been feeding, and not finding them as soon as she wanted to dashed off to make a circle to find which way they had gone when coming down the home stretch at a great pace, being downwind too, flushed them - Mr C being close by Mr. J saw two on pine limb, which by moving some he could line, & I wanted him to do so, seeing one in the meantime just over his head on another pine - He got in good position and dropped his two, and I without moving, dropped mine close to him - Both of us, well pleased with the start - Soon began to find the others of the covey which J. had marked down with good cover - "Doll" got down to her work and there was soon a lively little sprinkle of no. 10s in the neighborhood - Mr. P. had declined our invitation to join us under various excuses "very busy" which we did not doubt as he was "at it" "could not shoot", which was quite satisfactory to us seeing that we were there for that purpose, "had no ammunition" - we would have divided with him cheerfully as we had plenty; but getting down to "rock bottom", had no gun. -So we "rested" the case without further argument, and assuming the functions of the court, the bar decided unanimously that whatever he might be "shy of", time, ammunition, gun or what not. he evidently was in full possession of enough knowledge of law, as laid down in the first book ever published entitled "The Law of Self Protection" by Mlle (or Madame) nature - page & paragraph, which rendered into plain backwoods English reads "get in, or go in, out of the rain as quick as ever you can if you don't want to get wet" - I say he had enough of that knowledge to go and do the same likewise also too. For to our unspeakable regret, the bright and (unreadable) ways of his manly & hospitable countenance have not up to the present moment of time, fallen upon and illuminated the dark and rugged pathway by which and on which we are striving_to find that fabled, but yet unfound spot supposed to exist somewhere in this lovely land of flowers, which when found I trust may prove_"a thing of beauty_and a joy forever", which we read about sometimes. 7. Mr. Carter celebrated this day too by going deer hunting with Mr. Parker the preacher who came the evening before and stayed all night to make sure of an early start. They got the early start and I believe they got a start on a deer and an outsider got a shot, but they got back about dusk tired, deerless and disappointed - But "such is life", I quote the preacher. 8. Helped Mr. Carter and his little girl a little about cutting his sugar cane, and we hurried and got done by noon - After, he went with hounds to take a little hunt & I took "Doll" and went for a quail shooting - soon found a covey and bagged one on the first visit - they went into a thicket and I left them - heeled her in and walked a mile or more when I made a cast soon stuck a quail, and soon lost her - Hunted a long time, tired, down - Found her on a covey, bagged one and then missed 5 or 6 shots - Quit started back - Met Mr. C., who had come in from his hunt with only a fresh trail, and was on his way to Linden. We did not sit up late - - 11. This morning Mr. Carter went with the entire family to his brother Eli's mill to grind his cane & boil syrup - Started away before daylight - Leaving me alone - George came about 9 o'clock to go shooting but I had some work on hand which I wished to do besides told Mr. C. I would hold up the house while he was away so did not go - He stayed until 1 or 2 o'clock - Told me the sad news of the death of my dear friend Mrs. Lawler, wife of the Rev. S. W. Lawler. She leaves five little children - the youngest only 4 or 5 months old - I have a photograph of the two oldest, twin girls, 5 or 6 years old, which I prize more than ever now - Mrs. L. was a true and kind friend, a consistent Christian devoted wife & mother and altogether an amiable and loveable woman - 15. Went to look for quail after dinner, hunted until nearly sundown, & for the first time this season did not see or hear one - "Doll" worked hard, but if she got a smell of one, did not report to me - I saw one snipe and one rabbit but did not shoot. Mr. C. started about sunrise for a deer hunt. Gone all day and brought in no meat - didn't get a shot, but let one buck slip by him without a sight even. 19. Mr. C. & I went this P.M. to shoot quail - found a few scattered, and very ill behaved birds - had four shots each with no better result than a few feathers I knocked out of one a t me second shot - 20. Mr. C. had to butcher a hog this morning but hurried through so we could try the quail again, but just as we were finishing came Mr. Lee and after consulting a little while they decided to go and get some venison to mix with the sausages and detailed me to look after the bird which task I accomplished and am safe back to my den - having heard one bird whistle one note but not a single one gladdened me with "its soft black eye" - Now nearly sundown and I postpone the remainder of this report until the sausage meaters(3) come in - They got in just before dark as empty handed as I did - didn't even hear one whistle but killed a good big rattlesnake and gave me his rattles - 10 rattles & a button. (3)Note in the margin: This is a new word and I rather like_it - don't you? 22. I went to Linden & Mr. Carter went deer hunting - I got back to dinner - He has not come yet, middle of the afternoon, will finish this entry after - Worse than ever - Started a big buck & came pretty near getting a shot but did not - the dogs followed out of hearing - Mr. C. got home a little before sundown - the dogs have not come in yet Sunday morning 9 or 10 o'clock, and he is getting uneasy and talking of starting out to hunt them - brought home and gave me the rattles (9 and a button) off another big rattlesnake - They (Mr. C. & friend) saw a most remarkable sight in the woods where they were hunting, a cow which had apparently only a few hours previously, given birth to three (3) calves - one was dead, another nearly so & one living - I want to ask him for any additional facts bearing on the case that he may have observed, and will note them - he was tired and worried about the dogs and I did not press him - I asked yesterday, Jan 15th, if he had heard anything since, or remembered any thing further regarding the matter but he had not and did not - He had no idea that the third calf, or even the cow herself had survived the event. 24. Mr. Carter went deer hunting again today - came home *aout sunset with nothing - not even the rattles - reports starting & running several_deer but none of the party had a shot - 26. Went with Lyman Lee and had an hour or two good shooting - bagged 1/2 doz. fine fat birds and a good dinner - 27. Newell(4) got here from Texas - He, Geo. and I, and later Mr. Carter, shot some with only tolerable success; getting 6 or 8 birds all told - 28. Too cold for shooting - Mr. C went with the hounds for deer, intending to camp & hunt tomorrow, but it turned so much colder gave up the camping & came home. He had a shot at a deer and snapped at another but missed both and came in empty - 29. George walked here this morning & Newell went with him back home - and I walked up there in the afternoon - took plenty of time and stood the walk pretty well. Stayed Sunday Monday and Tuesday and Jan 2. came back this afternoon (2 Jan 1895) - Monday_the boys put the boat in the "Lizer Hole" and yesterday (1st) Newell & I had some sport shooting water rails - bagged_nine - fine fat ones and such a dinner we had today before I came away. (4)William Newell Hope, son of William G. and brother of George Cleveland. As a young boy, I visited Newell Hope at his home in Centrahoma, Oklahoma. JANUARY 1895 4. I commenced this morning clearing a little plot of ground near my "den", which Mr. Carter has kindly given me the use of for a watermelon patch - I am cutting the briers, bushes, weeds, and grass so as to get it ploughed early, and hope and expect to make a good crop of melons and things this year - This evening after sunset the sad news of the death of "Uncle Geo." (Collins) reached us - He was out last saturday bird shooting, when his gun was accidently discharged, inflicting a terrible wound in his side and one of his arms, resulting yesterday morning , in his death - 9. Newell came home with Mr. Carter today 11. remained until this morning and walked back. Yesterday morning we were out between showers and he killed one quail & one woodpecker, In the afternoon he, Mr. C. and self went with two (unreadable) - found one fine covey, and bagged seven and a dove - I took only two shots, killing two - they the balance 12. This morning Wm. and W. Jones went with me about Mr. Parrish's, found two coveys & bagged 3 each - he got 2 doves - I killed 3 out of 4 shots all on the wing. Mr. J. killed one of his on a tree, but got one his doves on the wing a very pretty shot - Out only a couple of hours. Mr. Carter two of his friends went hunting for wild cats turkeys & things - found & shot a number of times - 5 or 6 at turkeys, 3 or 4 at wild ducks and I don't know how many more at what else - got home at dark tired hungry and entirely empty handed - 13. I transplanted a cattlery guava - 14. Yesterday afternoon Newell came in a wagon and I went back to George's with him. Slept there and this morning we went to Webster to meet the train on which he started back to Texas. The train was on time and after seeing him aboard and fairly off, we (Geo. Neil(5) and I) came back to Georges and after dinner I started home_- Had "Doll" and gun and hunted leisurely along , found a small covey - Bagged two _got a robin, missed a snipe, and reached here about sundown tired enough. 16. Cleaned out my spring, or well, or water hole or whatever else you choose to call it - 17. Went to Webster to get papers (unreadable) for increase of pension(6) - 18. Mailed same to Comm'r of Pensions Washington City D. C. Sent to Linden by Mr. A. J. Jones in time for this morning's mail - Mr. Carter went wildcat hunting - gone all day & came back empty in every sense - at work a little, clearing the ground for my patch - results - present, tired -Prospective, great big luscious melons etc. At it again this morning but thinking some about squirrels quails doves, etc. for tomorrow - 19. Mr. C. went hunting for wildcats again - came home early in the afternoon with his horse & gun but no cat and no dog - The dog got in later - but the other fellow is still out whether his mother is aware of the fact or not - I took a little turn, looking for squirrels but found nothing. 23. Mr. Jones (A.J.) went with me this morning Mr. Parrish's grounds or fields rather, another top dressing of No. 10's - some of them, we thought needs it, didn't ask him to take a hand but had a pleasant chat with him a little while - soon found a covey or two and thinned them out some and at noon had as many birds as we had counted on when we started - After refreshing with a nice lunch which Mrs. J. had thoughtfully bagged for him, started out again but found only a gray squirrel which we brought along as he seemed to us to be having a lonely time of it away out there by himself - tramped over the sand hills then to Mr. Eli Carter's place on the railroad, before we were gladdened by the sight of anything worth shooting - there Mr. J. tooka a few shots at doves, when hearing the whistle of a quail we left them all but one, and after a great deal of good honest work "Doll" came down to a point at the water's edge of a little pond on a fine covey - flushed - Mr. J. knocked one down but it got up immediately and flew off - I relieved one of a handful of feathers, but it went on - Watching our birds, trying to mark them down - lost sight of both and the covey as well, we felt badly tired - After dragging along a hundred yards or so, "Doll" was encouraged by finding and retrieving my bird with a few loose feathers hanging to him and a little further pointed another which both of us fired at - getting a few more feathers. I walked on up - got it, and then got home - 10 quails 1 squirrel and 1 dove - 2 and 1 dog t i r e d - 28. I finished this morning cutting the briers,_bushes,_palmettos, etc. in my patch, also cut up the few logs on the ground, and as soon as there is good day time will burn everything off and have it ready for plowing - we have been feasting today and yesterday on wild meat. Mr. C. & his friend having the good luck day before yesterday to get some _they call it wild cat - The day before, he got a nice Florida fox squirrel - they used to abound here, but have been hunted almost to extinction. (5)Cornelia Clara Hope, 2nd daughter of George C. Hope, then about 9 years old. (6)His military records contain much correspondence re increase in pension. Copies, obtained from the National Archives, are in family records. 29. Mr. Carter is planting beans - squashes yesterday - All of this weekend & up to Feb 3. this morning, I suffered severely with neurlagia in my face & head - one side of my face being very much swollen, and scarcely slept any at all day or night for about 72 hours with very high fever at night - I walked up to Georges to see his new baby boy(7). He is a great big strong ugly and apparently healthy and physically sound baby, and during the two nights I slept there, he was quiet and as well behaved as the average boy of his age - being then as I was informed, two weeks and two days old - having been born on the 18th day of January 1895 - This is my second grandson in the male line and entitled to the name; the other being MIllards boy (9) about two years older - I have not seen him, but his father reports him a remarkably bright and handsome boy - I was glad to find George's ugly - as a rule, boy babys ought to be, and are, mostly ugly and I like them that way, because as they grow older, they sometimes try to hide their ugliness by hedging with good qualities so as to make them tolerable - I most sincerely hope that in this case there may be no exceptions, and that he may grow up to a full realisation of the duties of his life - to his parents, to his country and his God. 8. This morning or rather about noon today the wind commenced blowing from the S.W. changing to west and increasing to a gale and turning cold as it continued changing to the N. W. and by night the cold got down to freezing and in the morning everything was frozen hard. Some of smaller ponds were frozen entirely over- there was ice in shady places for three days and nights and a light frost Monday 11th. 12. Cold W. wind commenced blowing in afternoon and 13. this morning the thermometer was below freezing, cold wind all day and still colder at night 14. and this morning down to 19 (13)- N. E. wind moderating about dark - commenced raining soon after - rain all night - with wind blowing a hurricane till after daylight from S. E. 15. Cloudy and showery until noon today and until night - not a glimpse of sunshine - 16. Turned cold last night, and a cold wind blowing fom N. West this morning and almost freezing, and the clouds having a very snowlike appearance. There was a little break in the clouds at about 8 or 9 o'clock, through which the sun peeped for only a few minutes - Just now there is another little break (abt 11 o'c) and the wind seems to be shifting southward and the cold moderating some - (7)Newell Brett Hope, Sr. b. 1/18/95, d. 11/14/93, my father. (9)Refers to Tom M. Hope, Sr., born 1892 (13) This was referred to as the "great freeze of 1895", not to be exceeded in Florida until the killing freeze of 1982. 20. Promising to be a good afternoon for quail shooting, and Mr. C. being very deeply interested in preparing for the reception of an addition to his family, which took place at about 10 or 11 o'clock A.M. I took myself "Doll" and gun and went over to Lyman Lee's so as to be out of the way of the excitement. Found Mr. L. sunning himself on his front piazza looking like all he lacked in the world to make him supremely happy was someone to come along and ask him to go hunting or fishing until his ground gets dry and warm enough to plant his crops. So I was just in luck, and after dinner which was ready before I had time to get rested we started and "Doll" as usual was not long about finding a good scent and in very promptly working down to a point - Flushing a fine covey 3 loads of no. 10 were turned loose and as many birds were turned down - one to Mr. L. single shot and two to my double - all clean and nice - balance of them scattered in all directions. "Doll" wild with delight - soon had to hold herself down to another point - going in espicting (sic) a single bird were surprised when another big covey flushed and our three shots rang out in about the same order and with exactly the same result - 3 clean -neat points, 4 or 5 birds, and we broke the charm by both firing at the same time - which of course was double clean kill? - then the birds began to run as they do here flushing wild one (undecipherable) another one two or three there - We began to miss & kept it up till we were tired of it & quail separated and I came on back very tired. Found two remnants, 4 or 5 birds each - got one bird, out of 4 or 5 shots -Very Tired. Found Mr. Carter up in the elevator, a richer, if not a wiser and better man, by the advent of a son, at about noon - and I am going to Mr. Lee's again this 21. morning - Went after dinner (10) . Found Mr. L. busy, so I took a little turn around his field getting one quail. He finished what he was doing on hand before sundown, and we went out - found a pretty good piece of a covey, & had some shooting but he was tired and missed. I had unusual success, getting 1/2 dozen out of 6 shots - Coming 22. back this morning I got another 1/2 dozen .. 10 shots. I am going there this evening and we will be shooting tomorrow if the weather permits. it is getting quite warm though and may rain. (10)"Dinner" usually referred to the noon meal 23. A splendid morning. We struck out in the direction of Mr. Norman Akins' place (11) half a mile off, a place I had been long wanting to go to, expecting to find birds & shoot them till we get tired of picking them up - Took our time as the days are getting longer - reached the place - hunted it closely and just as we were turning the last corner struck a good trail. Followed it half a mile, more or less, lost the dog - found him at last on a point - birds had got tired and ran away, scattering all about. I got two shots and two birds. Mr. Lee, two or three and none. Hunted back - got to his house, tired, hungry & disappointed. After dinner and an hour or two resting 23. went out again to look for a covey Mr. L. had seen near the house. Couldn't find them, but after a long tramp found a small covey. I got two shots and one bird. Mr. L. got three birds, didn't count his shots. Hunted till dark and if the moon had been shining, I think Mr. L. would have wanted to keep on till he was sleepy. I don't think he ever gets tired. 24. Sunday -I walked up to George's, stayed that night, walked to Webster, 25. back before noon and after dinner to Linden - resting a half hour at Jimmie Collins, and a few minutes at Linden, and then to Mr. Carter's before sunset - tired? 26. Going to Mr. Lee's, where I left my gun and things - there is only today and two more before the season (12) closes, and the weather now is all that could be wished for.- clear cool calm. Mr. L. and I hunted some before noon - found only one covey and they behaved badly - running and scattering so we got only three - Mr. L. 2 and I one. Coming back when I go to my gate "Doll" was missing. Went back a hundred yards & found her pointing a fine covey - got four shots and three birds - Knocked the other down but couldn't get up with it. 28. Promised to go to Wm Wade's last night but was too tired - went this morning and closed the season - found birds, but they would not behave well - I had three shots - got 2 birds - He got 2. One of them had been crippled there on the ground. March 1895 Friday 1. Rested before noon, worked at my patch afternoon too much. 2.. Went Lyman Lee afternoon & back - found some birds. Got four shots- knocked them all down, but lost one - saw it running next day while geting some wood, winged. 5. Went to look for the same covey to get one or two for Mr. Collins - found them - got four shots & three birds again - believe I killed the other but was sick and tired & did not find it - 6. Went to see Robert and got him to haul me up to George's where I am taking medicine and improving some but still 14. very weak & worthless - poked around this morning & shot a rabbit & 3 snipe. (11)Reference to a farm or home as the "place" was a common Southern phrase. (12)Apparently there was a hunting season in Florida even back then. 24. Up to this date I have been gaining a little, I think, in health and strength and have been out occasionally with the gun, finding nothing but a few snipe and getting 8 or 10 all told. They are about leaving or have already left these parts, on their return to their northern homes - 26. This morning my long time and always good and kind friend, Mrs. Young was married at his old home to Rev. Sam'l W. Lawler and with him and Esther, her baby, left for Titusville, Fla., his present field of ministerial labor. 30. George commenced pulling my house down this morning, preparatory to moving it here to his house to build a room for me and which I expect to occupy for a time more or less long or short - depending upon circumstances which nobody can foresee or control or direct even in a manner entirely satisfactory to everybody. 30/31. Heard quail calling "Bob White". April 1895 Monday 1. Heard a "Chuck Will Widow" this morning. 2. Nothing worth noting. 3. The same may be said of this day - and days and days for a long time. People are busy with their crops which are promising - The season has been so far a favorable one; no killing frosts and long droughts - and althogether the outlook is hopeful - July 12. Nothing worthy of note in all this long time up to now I have discontinued my notes, being all the time either sick, weak or tired - Sometimes I would feel a little better and on the 4th there being no celebration of the day, in accordance with a long established habit I took the gun and went to take a stroll in the woods - Found an alligator's nest but nothing to shoot, strolled a little too far and set myself back for several days. On the 10th, the neighbors got up a little picnic for the sunday school children at a nice shady place about a mile from here, and I thought it might be good for me to walk there early in the morning - and so I did. Had a nice pleasant time and enjoyed it very much, and the children and everybody did - and I walked back slowly and feel better. This morning I walked out a mile or so thinking I might shoot a mess of curlews but didn't find any - saw a prtty brood of young quail half grown- Had not seen one, old or young since March. Jul 10. George and I went to hunt curlews, rabbits or anything in the line of game. Found a variety of Heron which I had never seen before and shot a couple of them (1 ea.). He also got a dove and another little heron - so we had a game dinner today fit for a king - or any other fellow. 20. Walked to "Lizer Hole", dragged boat a 100 yards and George fished some but got nothing. 22. I went to Webster - went to see Bessie and house and spent the day pleasantly with her and Esther - Smith brought me back in his cart. 25. Mrs John Boyd died yesterday and is to be buried in the Stewarts Chapel burying ground. The family had been living at Webster for the past several years and had commenced moving to "Clearwater" on the Gulf. Part of them having already gone to make preparations for Mrs. Boyd and the children and she had started to meet the RR train at Linden - was taken sick on the way - stopped at Mr. Whitehead's and died there. 31. There has been and is still a good deal of sickness in the neighborhood and the Doctors (?) are the busiest class of the community; going night and day sowing for the harvest - Bye and bye the reaping - Then they will be found stirring again, hunting up the sheaves of fodder, a bushel or two of corn or potatoes, a shoat, a yearling, and sometimes a cow and calf - anything, anything - truly they have hard times and the dear people ought not to get sick as long as they can find anything else to do. August 1895 Thursday 1. I shot another of those fine new herons this evening and saw two more that I didn't shoot - will see them later perhaps. 7. Shot a fine curlew and had it for dinner stewed and it was good.- saved some for George but he didn't come home, so we had some for supper and it was better - all game and fresh meat is better cold - and healthier. 8. Shot a big wild he housecat that I have been trying to get a chance at for some time - got him this time. Got two curlews this morning - 9 Shot a dove - the first one this year - 10. Rode to Cedar Hammock this morning with Jesse as he was going to mill & hunted for squirrels until he came back, but didn't find any - 16. Commenced on p. of "McCnk" xyp to - o. Attended burial of Wm Wright Akins's baby girl about 6 months old at the "Stewart's Chapel Cemetery" this morning - 17. Walked up to Webster this morning and bck by noon shooting some on the way but without much luck - met Mrs. Lawler & Esther and had a a pleasant afternoon. This morning Norman Akin's youngest child, a girl about 4 months old, died and is to be buried at the Linden Burying Ground tomorrow morning - another of his children is dangerously ill - 18. Better today and likely to recover. 21 I shot a few water turkey this morning & we had turkey for dinner today - a rare treat. 22. I made two very pretty shots this morning and got a brace of - - - larks. 24. Shot a curlew on the little pond in front and found a guinea nest full of eggs at the parsonage. 26. Shot a white curlew. 27. Walked up to Webster to see Bessie's baby and spent the day very pleasantly - The baby is a pretty and sweet little girl and they are all quite proud of it - Mrs Lawler, the grandmother, is there, and will remain a week or ten days longer, when Bessie, Esther and the baby will go home with her to Titusville and remain sometime. 30. Rec'd letter from int. dptmt - U.S.(14) Sept. 4. Went to Webster & mailed letter to C.W. Hope(15) Wayside, Miss - Want to find out if he is kinsolks - while up there went to see the baby again and found it growing and getting prettier - Bessie does not look well yet but is improving. Her mother has been quite sick but was up and at work but is not going home until next week. Bessie is not going with her as she intended on account of reported sickness there (ed. note: Titusville). 6. Mr. Collins and I took a little time for curlews this morning - found half a doz. - 3 white and 3 brown ones - he crept on the latter and had a shot but they all flew away - he rode round and got a shot at a white one with no better results - When he fired, I saw two other browns light on a tree & went for them - got one - 8. Got one - not a c (rest of sentence unreadable) Sunday 10. Walked to Webster and rode with C. F. (??) to his W. P. hammock and looked at a house and place suitable for a chicken ranch, and if I can get it on favorable terms may go there (14)Copy of this letter and other correspondence re his Mexican War pension are in the family archives. (15)C. W. Hope is not known to be a relative of the family. 12. Rec'd letter from W. C. Hope, Greenville, Miss. (ed. note: may be same person as C. W. Hope mentioned earlier). Saw three snipe (scalopax Wilsoni) today. 14. Saw four today, shot one, and heard of several more - never saw any as early as this. 16. George & all his family left this morning for a weeks fishing at Villa City. Jimmie Collins & family went with them. Tillie (??) and Minnie Collins started this morning also to Asheville N. Carolina to school and will be gone unil next summer. 19. Com'd on p. of m of a x (cent sign) tbo. - (Ed. note: this is as near to the written line as possible - meaning is unclear.) Walked up to Webster and back before noon - flushed a fine covey of quail but did not shoot as they were too close to town. 20. Mr. Collins, Jesse and I started before daylight, in the wagon and big Tom Mule to some ponds near Cedar Hammock to kill wild ducks. Mr. C. kiled one of these little nondescripts known here as "die dappers"(16) - a very young one, not full fledged - ugly! Jesse caught a female mallard which had been crippled so long ago that the woud was all healed up but still the poor thing could'nt fly and never could have done so - (note in margin: "It fell out of the wagon and was killed") I shot a redbreast hawk - broke one of it's wings and finished him on the head with a lightwood knot.(17) Then we found a persimmon tree loaded with fruit - some of it ripe and good - ate as many as we wanted - made a fire and made supper - broiled some bacon - had plenty of biscuits - gathered a bucketful of persimmons to take home and had generally a jolly good time - but no ducks. 22. Killed a curlew this morning. 24. Caught a fine fat rabbit and shot a dove. 26. Killed one dove - got only one shot. 27. Shot 2 curlews and 5 snipes - fat & fine. I exhausted my ammunition or might have got more of them. There were quite a lot of them and they were just getting to "lie" when I had to quit. Out of ten shots I bagged five - one of them was the fattest snipe I ever saw. 28. There were only a few this morning and I didn't get a shot - George got one snipe and three grey plover, which were fat - They were a new kind to me, not a large as the "papabot" but very pretty. (16)Coots, my father also called them "die dappers". (17)A section of heart pine after the soft outer wood has rotted or been burned away. Also know as a "lighterd knot" Oct 2. A good many snipe but my eyes were not clear and I could not hit them. Got only one out of 5 or 6 shots. 3. Got a fine rabbit early this morning and saw lots of snipe & curlews and a pretty flock of those little plover - but didn't try to shoot any. Came in sick. 4. Shot 3 curlews, one got away. Killed 4 pretty little gray plover at one shot - and got two fine fat snipe - 5. Hunted all day. 3 shots at doves on wing got none - late in evening raked a c on foot - (undecipherable) - excusable under the circumstances. 4. Bought me a horse, and now want something to feed him on and a saddle or a cart or light wagon - and then will be fixed to go. 9. Shot two curlews - then Geo & I went for doves. Got 5. Went again this morning and he got 7 - I 2 and a big heron and crane. Had a 14 dove pie for dinner, and two stewed curlews - pretty good for hard times. 15. Commenced raining slowly about midnight and is increasing beautifully this morning, and everybody and everything is glad. 18. Went to Gant's lake looking for ducks but didn't find any.- Geo. got 2 sqls, 7 snipes & 4 plover - 24. Went to the bay to hunt squirrels - George's dog treed off the road some distance and after trying to call him in, he concluded to go & see what it was - It proved to be a big fox squirrel up in the top of a big pine tree. I stayed in the wagon and had the pleasure of hearing him shoot 6 times after which he brought him in - went on and bye and bye the dog announced something else - it was a gopher(18) - didn't want him - Later he treed a grey sql. in the edge of the hammock - George turned off there to go to Mr. Carter's and I stayed to watch for the sql & after waiting an hour or so I saw glimpses of him slipping away from a tree some distance from where the dog said he was, and before I could get there he got somewhere and haven't seen him since - better for all parties concerned - as a young brood probably depended on him (it might have been a her) for subsistence - so I felt consoled. Geo. found some larks and got a brace, as also the same of doves and before dark a couple of young grey squirrels. So he was consoled and after dinner today 25th we will be satisfied. 25. Mr. Collins oldest sister "Aunt" Jane Akins, died today after a brief illness and will be buried this 26. afternoon at the Stewarts Chapel Cemetery. Nov. 14. Moved to Webster 18. Sick. 27. Smith killed 3 hogs. Hurt my back. Dec. 17. Have suffered terribly with my back - Sometimes not able to turn over when lying down at night - feeling a little better some days and then worse again - last Saturday evening 14th walked around a little with Esther to practice shooting as it has been ayear and half since she had shot any. (I taught her to shoot about 3 years ago.) She missed a single dove the first shot and I saw that she had forgotten how to aim right - After showing her how she had missed, she got a good chance for a shot and killed half a dozen very nicely - then a single one - getting late she shot at one too far and did not get it- I walked very little and slowly, but enough I suppose to find me a little backset, from which I am just beginning to recover. 28. Last Wednesday 18th broke down in my back entirely, and have been down until this afternoon, and have just ventured to Wal and to the drug store. Still very weak, but gaining slowly - This month as been unprecedently cold and disagreeable, only the first three days and those after the 16th eccepting (sic) the 28 & 31st being even tolerable. January 1896 8. Moved into my new house - it is not finished (I never did finish one) but is snug and will be comfortable as long as the weather is not too cold. 10. Rained all day yesterday an some time in the night- House didn't leak a drop. 14. I was getting along pretty well with my back until yesterday morning when splitting some wood with a very heavy axe I gave it (my back) a little twist somehow and suffered severely all the afternoon - feel better this morning and hope to go on improving now - 16. My back has been bad today - am suffering this afternoon severely - I think owing to the weather - Yesterday was a very damp drizzly and altogether gloomy day and today has been alternately sunshiny and showery - some very heavy showers alrady, and more in prospect. 18. This morning my back was very bad - got up but it was so painful I could scarcely stand and laid down again - after awhile I got up again, suffering terribly - took five Hoods pills which operated promptly in two three hours, and have experienced a very marked change for the better, for which I am duly and truly thankful. 23. Yesterday afternoon it commenced raining slowly but increasing steadily, accompanied with lightning & thunder, until abt midnight when the showers became very heavy - and daylight this morning - an unusually heavy fall - must have been several inches - quite cloudy and prospects good for more rain - it is warm, though, and I am thankful, as cold is not good for my back, which is not as painful but very weak. 23. I have just now, about 2 O'C. PM planted 3 eyes of Ribbon Cane (sugar) north of the smoke house just to see if they would come up and grow - they were the three top ones and looked sound; the others were all killed - (Note in margin: "have never seen or heard of them again - Nov. 27 1896") The rain commenced again today about noon and has been pouring down - and is still at it without any sign of holding up in the near future - There has also been also a good bit of Lightning & thunder - hope it will not turn cold - 25. Bessie, with her baby and Esther, started this morning before day to Kissimmee, on a visit to another grandmother, Mrs. Rev. Saml. W. Lawler. Expect to be gone a month - Esther may remain 26. longer - Smith and I are lonely already. 28. Heard from them - Reached their destination safely - without accident or incident and we are glad. 31. Planted 56 peach seed, east side. Feb. 3. Sent order to Saml. Wilson Mechanicsville, Penn. for garden seed - three dollars. 4. Sent my P. papers.(19) 5. Yesterday morning was cloudy damp & showery; later occasional glimpses of sunshine - then windy - heavy gusts sweeping the ground and raising clouds of dust and sand - continuing and increasing into the night when flashes of lightning were seen at intervals in the west n. west - then dashes of rain and later very heavy showers - and terrific gusts of wind - following the heavy showers the wind lulled - there were very vivid flashes of lightning & distant thunder was heard - everything seemed to settle down and become quiet, and everybody, I expect, went to sleep - I know I did, but some time before daylight the wind rose again making things rattle at a great rate, and up to this time, 9 or 10 AM, the wind is still blowing hard - but gradually subsiding, clouds clearing away and by dusk everything was quiet - Expect to hear of losses on the Gulf - About here trees & fences were blown down, but have heard of no serious damage yet.(20) (18)The common land tortoise of Florida was called a "gopher" by the early settlers. (19)No doubt referring to his Mexican War pension. (20)A very unusual storm for February in Florida, seems more like a summer squall line of thunderstorms than a winter storm. 7. Bessie's baby is six months old today and not named yet - they got back home day before yesterday - having had a pleasant visit - Left Esther at Kissimmee now going to school - I planted two live oak acorns - one each at S.E & S.W. corner of my house. 8. This afternoon has been a pretty fair duplicate of last Wednesday excepting this evening is quite warm - commenced blowing this morning - by nooon blustery and now about 4 O'c P.M. there are violent gusts of wind at short intervals raising clouds of dust and sand, and shaking up things generally. 10. There is a fair prospect this morning for a day or two of settled weather - The clouds all cleared away before daylight this morning, and now about 8 O'clk, the sky is perfectly blue, the sun shining brightly, the atmosphere clear and pure with a gentle, bracing breeze from the north - 11. This morning I shot my first quail of the season - "Lassie" flushed it - it lighted on a low bush & that was all of it. 13. Rec'd seed from S' Wilson - all but Texarcana potatoes & savatilla peanuts - to come on later - all right 15. This evening took "Lassie" out hoping to find a rabbit but she trailed some quail & presently flushed two of them out of range - I hurried on supposing there was a covey - but there was only another bird which I brought to bag quite nicely - 'twas very cloudy & dark and I was quite proud of the shot - 16. Smith's got measles 21. Out at the store - 26. Went out quail shooting a little while this evening with Lass - found two coveys - had five shots - bagged five pretty good - the atmosphere was smokey and there was a strong breeze blowing. February 1896 26. Sent Fanny(21) some seeds by mail. F'Ville(22), Texas - This morning we are all glad to get some rain and looks like we may have more - 29. And we did, coming about midnight with light showers increasing to very heavy ones. Some wind, Lightning, very heavy thunder and a pretty sharp little sprinkle of hail. (21)His daughter, Fanny Hope (22)Farmersville, Texas Mch. 4. I took a fresh cold somehow on the 1st or 2nd and have been coughing terribly all day yesterday and last night - and suffering severely with my back - every time I cough it hurts my back so that it almost takes my breath from me - had a miserable night - but feel a little better now. 8. I suspected it was whooping cough from the first - now I'm quite sure it can be nothing else, notwithstanding I had it bad in the winter & spring of 1854 & 55 - I ought to have been and was anxious to be planting my garden seeds all the past week, but since the 2nd have not been able to do anything, and unless this cough lets go, cant say when, or whether ever - I slept some last night between spells of coughing which were not quite so frequent but very severe, and have some hope that I may have weathered the point and may be better. 9. Had a terrible night - coughing almost continually - very sore & weak this morning - 10. Some better today - but a bad spell at night - 11. Bad last night - some better this morning. 13. Better this morning - Sand hill cranes going north - this evening took Lassie & went quail shooting found a covey but Lass didn't do well scattered 'em everywhere - got only three shots - bagged four quail and a young rabbit that she caught in a hole 30. I walked down to George's after breakfast and back by noon - pretty tired but hope to be rested by tomorrow morning and feel benefitted by the walk - found the family well Apr. 8. Wrote to George and sent papers to Esther. 15. Rec'd letter from George - 17. Finished hoeing Smith's cucumbers 19. Mrs. Wm Robinson died leaving a houseful of little children including twins - only a few days old - a pair - 26. Shot two butcher birds (23) - heard bull bats B. B. T. May 5. Commenced Hood's Sarsaparilla again - 6. I planted some sugar crowder peas on the 20th of April and a few of them came up - only 12 or 15, and am glad this morning to find the others (I planted two rows) all coming up nicely - 7. Buried one of "Lassie's" babies under the apple tree - 23. Bessie taken suddenly sick this evening - 24. Better this morning - 29. This is my 80th birthday and I am writing without glasses or any artificial help for my eyes - hoed a row of peas before breakfast and enjoyed it as much as I ever did - (the breakfast) June 4. B's b. C. "Mary Kathleen" - Rev. A. Off'd.(24) 5. Another bottle Hood's Sarsaparilla - about this date 22. Letter to Newell - Saw Geo. a few minutes - 28. Walked to George's before breakfast which I relished and enjoyed - ate watermelon - then dinner. On my return stopped awhile at Mr. Collins. Saw only Mrs. Collins & Esther besides Mr. C. Fannie was at George's and I had her company going up to Mr. C.'s - Esther had been sick & was still looking unwell - Jesse's gone to Dade City - Mimmie is in Leesburg - don't know where David & Elmo were - July 1896 11. Today they are changing the guage of the railroad here at Webster from narrow to standard, and there are no trains running - (undecipherable) and a train passed. 15. Comd on 3p P. J. 15 c today. (Ed. note: best I could do!) Aug. 1. Letter from Fanny (21).- heard George is sick 3. The packing house here is being pulled down today to be moved to "Clear Water" or somewhere near there where it is going to be used as livery stable by Mr. Kimbrough. 4. I walked down this morning to see George - but restless by reason of medicine - seemed to be resting better but inclined to sleep - All right I think if he is prudent Letter from Kate Price informing me of the death of my sister Frances Adaline Hope. 26. I was pretty sick this morning and the baby (24a) had a very sick spell late this morning. Sep. 13. Rev. Mr. Lawler stopped on his way home yesterday evening, spent the night with us and left this morning by way of Mr. Collins & the "Stewart's Chapel", where a protracted meeting was and stil is going on - 16th - 16. I have just finished a shed over the well and am right proud of it 27. George came for me this morning to to and eat a game dinner - I went and the game dinner was there, but I was suffering all day with a terribly sore mouth and almost yelled with disappointment and rage because I could not enjoy it to the full - October 1896 5. I shot a brace of doves this morning in the peanut patch on the wing making a couple of nice clean shots - first since last spring they were fat & fine- A few days later found a covey of quail rooting up the peanuts at a great rate and lit in on them - took four shots and bagged three fine fat ones. 15. Nailing my floor to keep the cold wind out. 18. Walked to George's in the morning & back in the evening - had a good dinner of birds, squirrels & C(25) and I enjoyed it - was tired when I got back - then this morning 20. he(26) came with the wagon for me to go with him back home where they were having a quilting - when I go to a quilting (& I never fail to go) I always expect something else - and sure enough when dinner came on there was a fine young bronze gobbler right on top of the table all stuffed and just as brown as he could be - the reader, if there ever should be one, has my consent to finish this paragraph to suit him or her self - 26. Mrs. Henry Sigler, Jr. - (Cot) died today after a long illness- Nov 3. This is presidential election day and I have just voted for Bryan(27), in my opinion the only chance to defeat McKinley and save the country - too many candidates and too many voters who think they are better qualified for the office than any of the candidates - I went shooting - got one quail and two doves - had four shots - lost one dove killed - 6. Got a young rabbit a quail & a dove - 7. Another rabbit & two doves (note in the margin: Lass caught both these rabbits 13. One quail - 20th 1 quail & 4 doves (21)Fanny Hope, his daughter. (23)Butcher birds are reputed to rob other bird's nests, and were considered a pest in frontier Florida (24)Probable translation: "Bessie's baby christened "Mary Kathleen" - Reverend A. officiated" (24a)Probably refers to Newell Brett Hope, Sr. (25)Probably refers to Cornelia Clara Hope, his granddaughter (26)No doubt refers to George C. Hope (27)William Jennings Bryan, who was not elected 20. George came for me this morning and I went home with him - We intended to hunt in the afternoon, but I forgot my primers & couldn't load any shells till Neil ran back here & got them - then had only time to load - got all ready and got to the hammock before daylight - 21. It was a splendid morning for squirrel, but I didn't find any - Geo. had his dog & found some - got 5 - but the wind began to blow, and we hunted back for quail but found none - after dinner hunted back here to Webster with same result - I didn't fire a shot - 26. Thanksgiving - had a good dinner Dec. 7. I shot a half grown rabbit today the first and only one for more than a year past - 14th - B & B to Kissimmee 22 - back - 16. Smith killed 4 nice fat hogs - made about 150 lbs. lard lots sausage & C & C. 25. I killed a nice young rabbit - good shot - 27. Walked to George's & back and was pretty tired & didn't sleep well January 1897 Jan. 3. Went to church this morning and in the afternoon to "Clear Lake" to witness the baptism by immersion of a young friend. 8. This is the 82nd anniversary of the great battle of New Orleans and is a state holiday in Louisiana - We had the prettiest white frost here at Webster, Fla. that I ever saw - This is also the birthday of my oldest sister who is 82 years old. 20. I shot a fine rabbit - 21 - cooking him - Apr. 3. Heard quails calling "Bob White" (Editor's note: The diary ends suddenly here, a rather fitting ending for an old man whose passion was hunting - hearing quail calling to him.) INDEX OF NAMES Jane Collins Akin (death and burial) 17 Norman Akin - 11 14 (death of child) William Wright Akin (death of baby) - 14 Mrs. John Boyd - 13 (death) I. L. Brown -2 "Bessie" - 18 Henry Carter - 2 William Carter - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 George Collins - 7 (death) Jimmie Collins - 2, 11, 15 Minnie Collins - 15 Tillie Collins - 15 William Collins - 2, 12, 16, 17 "Robert" - 2, 3, 6 C. W. Hope - 14 Frances Adaline Hope (death) George (George Cleveland Hope) - 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17 Milliard (Milliard F. Hope) - 3, 9 Neil (Cornelia Clara Hope) - 7 Baby Hope (Newell Brett Hope, Sr.) - 9 (birth) Newell (William Newell Hope) - 6, 7 Milliard's boy (Tom Hope, Sr.) - 9 "Jesse" - 14, 16 A. J. Jones - 4, 7, 8 Mrs. Jones - 8 (Mrs. A.J. Jones) W. Jones - 7 Mr. Kimbrough Mrs. Lawler - 5 (death) - 14, Rev. S. W. Lawler - 5, 12 Mrs. Rev. Saml W. Lawler - 18 Lyman Lee - 6, 10, 11 Mr. Parker - 4 Mr. Parrish - 4, 7, 8 Kate Price (letter from) Mrs. William Robinson Mrs. Henry Sigler (death) "Smith" - 18 William Wade - 11 Mr. Whitehead - 13 Esther Young - 12, 18 Mrs. Young - 2, 12