JOURNAL: Steven C. Clemons, 1900, Estill & Clark Counties, Kentucky ===================================================================== Contributed to the Clark County Ky Archives by: Steven Craig Clemons 1642 Florida Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20009, phone: 202-986-0342, fax: 202-986-3696, e-mail: scclemons@yahoo.com Date: September 2000 File: C455001.txt ===================================================================== INTRODUCTION: William Franklin Clemons, Private Journal, 1900 (An index follows the text of the Journal) Cover of the Journal: Physician's Daily Memorandum for 1900 Inside Cover: This book belongs to W. F. Clemons, Winchester, Kentucky If found, please return to owner. [This document may be copied and reprinted with permission on the condition that proper citation is made that this journal, in part and in its entirety, was written by William Franklin Clemons, and that the editor and holder of copyright is Steven C. Clemons. This document may not be sold or resold without permission of Steven C. Clemons, contact information above]. William Franklin Clemons was a popular minister in the Estill and Clark County regions of Kentucky. He was also a pharmacist and kept a daily journal in a small red book, marked "Physician's Daily Memorandum 1900." I believe that his family lived for some time in the Millers Creek region of Estill County. However, he also lived in Clark County and had relatives in Powell County. William F. Clemons' parents were Leroy Clemons and Eliza J. Kerr. I've been trying to piece together more information on both of his parents, but that has not been easy. Eliza Kerr Clemons is buried at the Log Lick Church Cemetery in Clark County, along with some other Clemons family members. However, William F. Clemons first two wives (of three) are buried at Mt. Tabor Cemetery in Estill County. William F. Clemons married his third wife, Nettie Craig McGuire on September 16, 1901 and moved to Nicholasville , Jessamine County for about a year, after which he moved his family to Bartlesville, Indian Territory (later Oklahoma). On July 17, 1904, William Clemons tragically fell from his buggy when traveling with a friend and his family to a Sunday School which he was establishing in Wann, Indian Territory and was killed. He was one of the first ministers at the First Christian Church in Bartlesville. The Bartlesville newspaper lists survivors as Nettie Craig (McGuire) Clemons, his wife; Leon Clemons, his eldest son (by an earlier marriage to Betty Fluty); Homer Clemons (by his earlier marriage to Betty Fluty); and William Wheeler Clemons, his one year old son by Nettie Craig (McGuire) Clemons. It also notes that he was survived by a sister in Winchester, Kentucky, Mrs. J. Price Osborne, whom I know was Fannie (Clemons) Osborne. There may have been other half brothers and half sisters who survived him, but these people were not noted in his obituary in 1904. William Franklin Clemons and Nettie Craig McGuire Clemons are buried at the White Rose Cemetery in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and his picture still hangs in the First Christian Church in Bartlesville. His journal entries below don't offer much about his thoughts and emotions like a modern journal might offer. However, he shares quite a bit about his daily activities, where he traveled, whom he met, where he slept (he seemed to be moving around as a minister and pharmacist quite a bit), and what the weather was like. There are numerous names which will interest other Kentucky researchers, and I will do my best to offer correct spellings. I cannot read all of his writing, and as things, or his writing, become clarified, I'll try to repost this data so that it is increasingly correct. If you have any comments, questions, or leads which may be useful to me on knowing more about the people in this journal, please contact me. I am very interested in learning the connections between some of the relatives noted in this journal and my Clemons line. He notes some people as cousin and uncle or aunt, but I don't know the linkages. I think it would also be terrific just to know more about the people with whom he spent time. William Franklin Clemons was my great grandfather. He died when my grandfather was just one year old. My grandfather died when my father was just six years old, so this newly discovered journal goes a long way in filling in massive gaps in my awareness about my own family's background. I hope that you enjoy this information and find it useful in your own research. By the way, I will note editorial comments of my own about various journal entries with an asterisk (*). An index follows at the end of the journal. JANUARY Monday, January 1, 1900 Stayed in store. Tuesday, January 2 Went to Town in wagon Took Storm and Leon to town.* *Leon is Leon Clemons, the eldest son of William Franklin Clemons and Betty Jackson Fluty (b. February 19, 1861 d. February 14,1896). I do not know what the reference to Storm is. Wednesday, January 3 Went to town Settled with Adenrose* * This reference is difficult to read, and I am sure that I am not spelling this person or activity correctly. Thursday, January 4 Stayed in Store Friday, January 5 Stayed in Store Saturday, January 6 Stayed in Store Went to church Bro Lowry Preached. Sunday, January 7 Went to church. Bro Lowry Preached. Bro Lowry and I went to Jas Crawfords for dinner Came Home. Went to church at Night. Came back Home. H.H. Eliott. Stayed all night. Dark and Cloudy Monday, January 8 Stayed in Store Boxed household to move to Clark* * I believe that W.F. Clemons is moving from Estill County to Clark County in this reference. His second wife, Mattie Clay Reed (b. June 25, 1860 d. August 17, 1899) had died just four and a half months before and I believe that they had lived together at the Reed Homestead in Millers Creek. This Homestead was referred to in Mattie Reed's obituary which I have posted previously and which was sent to me by Wavelyn Ginter. I think that Homer and Leon Clemons, both still young boys, were living with Mattie's mother whom he refers to later in the journal as "Ma." His own mother, Eliza J. (Kerr) Clemons (b. June 14, 1834 d. December 16, 1897) was no longer alive. Eliza Clemons is buried at Log Lick Church Cemetary in Clark County, Kentucky =96 and her gravestone notes that she was the mother of Elder W.F. Clemons. There is no sign of her husband and W.F. Clemons' father, Leroy Clemons, at this cemetery. Many of the early references in his journal are to just staying in a store which he owned. He sold this store to T.H. West on February 20, 1900. Tuesday, January 9 Stayed in Store. Moved Household to Clark Wednesday, January 10 Stayed in Store. Thursday, January 11 Stayed in Store Friday, January 12 Stayed in Store Saturday, January 13 Stayed in Store Sunday, January 14 Preached at Tabor* Came Home A.C.E.** and wife came home with us *Tabor refers to Mt. Tabor Church in Millers Creek, Estill County, Kentucky. This church was one of two with which William F. Clemons was closely affiliated as a preacher and elder at this time. The other was Log Lick Church in Clark County. He preached at both of them frequently. **A.C.E. refers to A.C. Estes Monday, January 15 Stayed in Store Tuesday, January 16 Stayed in Store Wednesday, January 17 Stayed in Store Thursday, January 18 Stayed in Store Friday, January 19 Stayed in Store Saturday, January 20 Stayed in Store Sunday, January 21 Preached at Tabor. Came Home. Monday, January 22 Stayed in Store Tuesday, January 23 Stayed in Store Wednesday, January 24 Stayed in Store Thursday, January 25 Stayed in Store Friday, January 26 Stayed in Store Saturday, January 27 Stayed in Store Sunday, January 28 Went to Clarence Estes Stayed for Dinner. Came Home. Made fire in Store to sun eggs. * Cold Weather *This sounds as if he has made a fire in his store to "sun eggs." I don't know if I am misreading the word "sun" or not. It might be some kind of expression which I don't understand. Monday, January 29 Stayed in Store Cold Weather Tuesday, January 30 Stayed in Store Cold Weather Goebel ____ at Frankfort. Wednesday, January 31 Stayed in Store. Cold Weather FEBRUARY Thursday, February 1 Stayed in Store till 10 O'Clock. Walked to Irvine. Deposited $140.00 with W.T.B. Williams. Then took train for Richmond. Bro Shepherd took me to Kirksville. * Stayed over night at Mrs. Dave Willis'. *Both Richmond and Kirksville are in Madison County, Kentucky. Friday, February 2 Came from Kirksville. Bro Shepherd Brought Me to Richmond Took train. Bro Lowry came with me. Walked from Irvine Cool Saturday, February 3 Stayed in store some. Auctioned Sale for H.E. Neal (sent check to J.M.R.N&O $399.22 * Went to church. Bro Lowry preached Sub. Prayer and Duty. Went to A.C. Estes with Bro Lowry all night. *I do not know who H.E. Neal was, but Mattie Clay Reed's first husband was Benjamin C. Neal (b. November 16, 1856 d. April 01, 1894). This auction may have been related to the sale of assets, or a home that may have belonged to the Neal family. Even though Mattie (Reed) (Neal) Clemons had married William F. Clemons, it is obvious from the journal that William F. Clemons was on very good terms with the Neal family. Sunday, February 4 Came from A.C. Estes'. Raining Rained all day! Stayed at home. Bro. Lowry, Bro Mc and John McIntosh, Chilton, Retha & I stayed No Meeting. Turned Cold. Bro Lowry stayed all night. * *The reference to various brothers must mean that these people were active in the same Christian Church in which William F. Clemons was active. I am not sure, but I believe that "Bro Mc" may reference one of the McGuires with whom I know that William F. Clemons had acquaintance. I think that the Chilton referred to is Chilton Neal. Neal was probably related to Mattie Reed's first husband or may have even been the son of Mattie Reed and Benjamin Neal. Later in the Journal, William F. Clemons refers to executing a bond as Guardian for Chilton Reed. Clemons stayed at Chilton Neal's home many times. The "Retha" who is referenced is Retha Estes. She married Chilton Neal on June 22, 1899. Monday, February 5 Bro Lowry went Home Stayed in Store. Received present of Pr. Sox from Mrs. M.A. Neal Made up Pain Paint.* *Mrs. M.A. Neal must have been a relative of Mattie Reed'sfirst husband, Benjamin Neal. In recording the words "pain paint," I may be misreading this but I don't know what other options there would be. Tuesday, February 6 Stayed in Store Cool Cloudy Wednesday, February 7 Stayed in store Rained all Day Letter from G.B. Shep=97* and from J. Wagers *This letter is from G.B. Shepherd, but I do not know if this person is the same as or has a relationship with Brother Shepherd, referred to earlier. Thursday, February 8 Stayed in Store. Sent A. a letter To G.B. Shepherd A., M., N. Came Co in Slair ment. * Clear till Eve Rained late in eve Battled Pain Paint W B C * I have no idea what he is referring to in this section and although I can read the letters in his words, I have no idea what he is trying to say. He is abbreviating something with the names and has created little numbers above each of the letters A., M., and N. and drawn a semi-circle from N =96 marked with the number 3, to A =96 marked with a 2=,to M =96 marked with a 1. Friday, February 9 Stayed in Store Cold wave Fair Trade Saturday, February 10 Stayed in Store good trade Cool Cloudy Closed out notions Bill to F.P. Newell + morning # Sunday, February 11 Went over to see Uncle G.B. Kelley Took dinner at A.C. Estes. Came Home. Shaved & c. Wrote to W.G. Whiteman, John Wallace, G.B. Shepherd, J.W. Koonts Monday, February 12 Stayed in store. Sold A.M. Durkin Bill Rained Hard rain in the P.M. Boxed some things to move # Tuesday, February 13 Stayed in Store Boxed shoes Wednesday, February 14 Boxed goods in Store Worked all day Thursday, February 15 Boxed Goods Worked on Store Went to E.B. Scrivner Stayed all night Big snow fell. Friday, February 16 Came from E.B.S.* Boxed goods. Snowed No letter from any one, but,Business of Standard Oil Co. & New York Life Insurance Co. *E.B.S. is E.B. Scrivner. Saturday, February 17 Boxed up finished ready to load very cold Neal Settled with me * *This "Neal" refers to Chilton Neal I believe. Sunday, February 18 Stayed at Chilton's till after Dinner. Went Milty Estes. * Stayed all night. Cold. Weather Snowed. Cleared off at night. *I think that this refers to Chilton Reed and believe that "Milty" is "Milton" Estes. Monday, February 19 Came from Milty's. fix up in office letters to C.L. Valkenburg cash Standard Oil Co. Annie Fluty * A.M. School Healing Courier J. Pub Co Word & Works The Democrat E.P. Wilson Sec., M.M. Associates J.M. Powell W.B. Belknap W.T.B. Williams J.P. Osborne* *I believe that Annie Fluty is the sister of Clemons' first wife, Betty Jackson Fluty. **J.P. Osborne =96 actually J. Price Osborne =96 was William F. Clemons brother- in-law and married to his sister, Fannie Clemons. I still don't know very much about J. Price and Fannie (Clemons) Osborne. Tuesday, February 20 Loaded goods in boat. Sold out to T.H. West * Moved them back in the house. Warm weather. Snow melted. Cloudy. E.B.S. & wife here. *This is Thomas H. West. Wednesday, February 21 Invoiced Goods all day (rained in P.M.) Stayed all night with T.H. West. Thursday, February 22 Invoiced goods (rained & snowed) Stayed all night with T.H. West. Turned cold Friday, February 23 Invoiced goods all day. Went to Mr. Wests. Spent the night. Weather medium. Temperate Rained late in night. Saturday, February 24 Came from Mr. West's Went to Irvine, Ky. Executed new Bond as Guardian for Chilton Neal. came home. Stayed home. terrible snow storm. Blowing terrible. very cold at night Sunday, February 25 Went to M.A. Neal's took Dinner (1)2 Came to Green Estes spent the night cold weather Monday, February 26 Came from Green Estes' finished invoicing goods Went to Mr. West's, spent the night. Cold weather Tuesday, February 27 Cleaned up and finished up store business. went to Milty Estes' spent the night Wednesday, February 28 Came from Milty's Came by E.B. Scrivner's Came to the store. fixed up for to leave. MARCH Thursday, March 1 Went to Store. Went to C.W. Sales* & to G.B. Kelley's & to Jas. Crawford's. Came back to Store. Stayed with Chilton all night. Snowed. *Mattie Clay (Reed) Clemons' mother was Elizabeth (Sales) Reed, and C.W. Sales may have been a relative of hers. Friday, March 2 Left Millers Creek Chilton brought me to town; took train to Rich*, Nicholasville, Lex & Winchester. ----Stayed at the Winchester Hotel Cold, snowed. *This refers to Richmond, Kentucky. Saturday, March 3 Went from Winchester to Pine Grove. Went to P.W. and B.F. cut calves moderated thawed snow went off. Stayed at Phillip. * *I do not know who P.W, and B.F. might be at this point. I believe that Phillip is Phillip Webber, a witness at his first wedding to Betty Jackson Fluty, and possibly a relative. Pine Groveis located where Todd's Road, Colby Road and Combs Ferry Road intersect near the Clark/Fayette County line. All that is there is a grocery store and post office now. Sunday, March 4 Stayed at Phillip's. Cleared & clouded & cleared. cool Monday, March 5 Came from Phillip's to Winchester. on train obtained livery and came to Price's. * Warm Cloudy rained some. *I do not know for sure who Price is, but I strongly believe that his many references to Price are to his brother-in-law, J. Price Osborne. As mentioned previously, J. Price Osborne was married to Fannie Clemons, William F. Clemons' sister. I believe that after William F. Clemons' second wife, Mattie Reed Clemons, died, he sold his store and moved his children and household from Estill County to Clark County. I believe that Price and Fannie Osborne's home became his home base for a while and that Fannie played the role of surrogate mother to Homer and Leon Clemons, his two sons, until he remarried in 1901. Tuesday, March 6 Opened up things in the storehouse, to air. Cloudy. cooler. Em, man * *I do not know what he is referring to with this notation. Wednesday, March 7 Stayed at Price's. opened up goods to air. Cool. Thursday, March 8 Spent the Day at Price's in straightening out my things in store. Cloudy. . .cool Friday, March 9 Straightened up things in store house. Cloudy & cool. Saturday, March 10 Went to Log Lick to Church.* Followed Bro Doug. Came back to Price's. Bright & Clear *This refers to Log Lick Church in Clark County, Kentucky. Sunday, March 11 Went to Log Lick to Church. Introduced Bro McIntosh. Preached Came back to Price's. Clear & bright. Monday, March 12 Went to Commodores to have Deed signed. Straightened up in store house. Went down to mill. Clear Pretty Day. *I believe that this is Commodore Richardson. Tuesday, March 13 Went to Winchester. Dined with Bro. Lowry Went to P.G. all Night * Fair. *I think that P.G. refers to Pine Grove. Wednesday, March 14 Went to Lexington. Pd Insurance. Cool to Cloudy. Ret to P.G. Thursday, March 15 Stayed at P.G. Snowed, all day. Friday, March 16 Stayed at P.G., Cold & snowy. Eve. K.R. Saturday, March 17 Stayed Coop Place, P.G.* Cold and Snowy. *This refers to P. Cooper. Sunday, March 18 Stayed at Cooper P. P.G. Rained and Dark Monday, March 19 Came to Winchester Stayed with Bro Lowry Rained. spent the night with Bro Lowry. Tuesday, March 20 Stayed in Town till noon. Came to Price's. R.T. spent the night. Cold Eve. M. Wednesday, March 21 Stayed at Price's. Wrote following letters 2. Geo. Henderson Lomso 1 Jas. Clemons* D.R. 1 Jas. Ashcraft 1 W.F. Kerr** 1 G.B. Shepherd 1 J.D. Simpson 1 H. Stedman 1 W.G. White & Co. 1 W.T. Ogden 1 J.M. Robinson, Norton & Co. 1 Pocahontas Lab. Works Co. *I am not sure of this, but I suspect that this is James Clemons who, at this time, lives in Grant County, Kentucky. I believe that this James Clemons is William F. Clemons' eldest half-brother. Later in the journal, William F. Clemons travels with his boys to visit the Clemons family members in Grant County. **William F. Clemons' mother's maiden name was Kerr, and this W.F. Kerr may have been a relative. Thursday, March 22 Came up to the Post Office Went to Vienna. Could not find the River. Went to the mouth of the Red River. Crossed the river. Stayed at Jas. Jordans* all night. Fair weather, cooler. *Carolyn Chism found a reference to James Jordan at RootsWeb.Com under VIOLENT KENTUCKY DEATHS in which it states that Lucy Stepp (negro) shot James Jordan at Richmond. He clubbed her for spreading false rumors". I do not have a date for this incident. Friday, March 23 Came to Irvine and to Chilton's. Kitten* and I went to E.B. Scrivner's. Stayed all night received letter from Minnie. Cool. *This reference to "Kitten" is someone named "Kate," although I do not know her last name or anything else about her. I suspect that this may be Kate Sales who was a relative of his wife, Mattie Clay Clemons. Saturday, March 24 Came to Chilton's. brought Kitten. Went to Fitchburg. H.C. Norton's & M.A. N's.* Took dinner. Went to Green Estes'. Went to Chilton's -- spent the night. Rained at night *This is M.A. Neal. Sunday, March 25 Chilton, Retha, Kate and I went to M.A. N's.* Took dinner. Rained all day. Left M.A. N's for Bro McIntoshes. Spent the night with him. Rained all night. *These people are Chilton and Retha (Estes) Neal and M.A. Neal. I do not know who Kate refers to but suspect that this is Kate Sales. Monday, March 26 Left Bro McIntoshes Went to Town of Irvine put the Live Policy of S.B. Neal for collection Adjusted some matters in Town Came back to Chilton's spent the night. Clear & Frost night. Tuesday, March 27 Left Chilton's. Went to E.J. Broaddus & to Mrs. Neal's. Secured power of attorney to collect Life Policy from Mrs. Neal and E.J. Broaddus. Clear and bright. Stayed with A.C. Estes all night. Wednesday, March 28 Went from A.C. Estes' to store. Then to E.B. Scrivner's took dinner. went to G.B. Kelley's & Anderson Crawford's. Then to Jas. Crawfords. - - -Then to store Home with Thos. West. spent the night. Cleared off. Thursday, March 29 Came to Irvine. M.A. N., E.J.B.* fixed power of attorney. Came to Price's. Rained. Stayed all night. *These two people are E.J. Broaddus and M.A. Neal. Friday, March 30 Stayed at Price's Cold. Snowed Saturday, March 31 At Price's. Went to P. Office. Came back to Price's. Cloudy. Cool. APRIL Sunday, April 1 Stayed at Price's. C.T.A. & W. all day. Clear, Bright, Cool. Monday, April 2 Went to Winchester (To Lex) To P.G. to Waw, A. Fac, spent the night Bright Tuesday, April 3 Came from W.A. to P.G. Stayed PW Went to Mrs. Camels & I stayed till 8 O' Came to P.G. Cloudy Wednesday, April 4 Went to Winchester from there to Lexington Ky and to P.G. over N----W.F. also stayed all night. Clear, Bright, Cool. Thursday, April 5 Went Lex - Nich - Rich Irvine.* Spent night B.H.S. Fair, cool, warmer After noon. *Went to Lexington, Nicholasville, Richmond, and Irvine. Friday, April 6 Came from Irvine to Rich, Nicholas - Lex Stayed over night Jas. T. Adams Fair & Bright Saturday, April 7 Came from Lex to P.G. Horse back to Winch.---+ went to Price's fair Suits for children * Suit & case. Spent night at Price's. *His children were Leon and Homer Clemons. Sunday, April 8 Stayed at Price's till 10 o'clock Came to Winchester. Went to George Goosey's. Spent the night. Warm, Hazed up Clouds in Eve. Monday, April 9 Left George Goosey. Stayed in town Went to Winchester Hotel. Stayed one night. Hazy Cool Tuesday, April 10 Went Dawn in Town. Main Came in. Went to Lexington. NYL Office went to Southern Depot. Missed train. Went to Bro. Adams. Stayed till 6:45 Came to Richmond. Stayed Bro. Hamiltons. Rained. Wednesday, April 11 Stayed in Richmond till Noon. Gave inscriptions for Monument.* Came to Irvine. Drove out to Dr. Marcum's. Came back to Wallace Hotel. Went to Church. Came back to Room. Wrote up. Wrote letters. *I think that the inscriptions that William F. Clemons refers to are the inscriptions for Mattie Reed's tombstone at Log Lick Church Cemetery. The monument when completed read: Mattie G. Clemons, wife of Elder W. F. 6-25-1860-- 8-17-1899 Inscription: "Confessed her Savior 1874. Farwell Husband I'll wait for you there. Our unnamed babe born and died 8-5-1899." Footstone inscription: "She done what she could." Thursday, April 12 Stayed in Irvine till 1:15. Came to Lexington. Train on S.C. behind. Had to stay in Lex. Over night, Palace Hotel ----- 1-4 McG* Cloudy, Cold *This is probably some kind of reference to someone in the McGuire family. Friday, April 13 Went from Lexington to Clay City. Went in Buggy to Stanton. Bro Marcum and I saw cousin Bettie H.* Returned to Clay City. Took dinner. Came back to Winchester. Prepared. Went to P.G. To P.W. and spent the night. Cool, Cloudy. Saturday, April 14 Went to Lexington. K. & I stayed all day. Came back to P.G. & P.W. spent the night Bright. Warmer. Sunday, April 15 Stayed P.G. & P.W. Cool. Fair. Read Tempest Sunshine, spent night. Monday, April 16 Came from P.G. to W---- from W--- to R.T. & Price's. Rained. Spent the night. Recd L from M& L and 1 rec from J.C. * *I think that this reference is to his older half-brother, James Clemons. Tuesday, April 17 Spent the morning writing. Wrote to Chilton, Ma, and children.* Went to Indian fields & to Winchester. Spent the night with Bro. Lowry. Let from M.E.L. Cleared up bright in P.M. *I believe that "Ma" refers to Mattie Reed's mother, Elizabeth Sales Reed. His two children are Leon and Homer Clemons. Wednesday, April 18 Stayed in Winchester. Clear and bright. spent the night with George Goosey. Thursday, April 19 Went from Winchester to Lex to Nich.---Rich--& to Irvine. Came back to Lex. & to P.G. Clear & bright, Warmer Clouded up in night. Friday, April 20 Went from P.G. to W----. & then out to Price's. Rained in A.M. Cleared up in P.M. Stayed all night. Saturday, April 21 Stayed at Price's all day. Rained Cleared spent the night. Sunday, April 22 Stayed at Price's till p.m. Went to T.J. Bushes, Came back to Price's. spent the night. Cle