ALANSON WOOD MOORE DIARIES, Franklin Parish Louisiana
Submitted by: Barbara Tuttle
Nov. 1999


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1st January, 1898, Saturday
A cool, though otherwise, pleasant day. Got a meat hog dressed,
weighed 130 lbs. from I.M. Fife. E.M. King dined at my house.
Miss Bessie Bonner came in and remained at my house tonight and
likewise Miss Lady Frazier on the way to school at Ruston. Mr. G.B. Frazier
came up and remained awhile at my house and had a cup of coffee and a bit of cake.
I went out to Bro. H.H. Slaughter's. All holes and ponds of water covered over with ice.

2nd January, 1898, Sunday
Remained at Bro. Slaughter's till 3 o'clock P.M. Did not go to the school house
for church service, too cold and the people were not expecting me. Hec. Slaughter
and Elisha Williams came then and remained till afternoon. We discussed the
probability of building a church house in the neighborhood and concluded that
it could be done. I got to the depot about sundown and learned that a Mr. Kennedy
had shot and killed Charlie Starts yesterday eve about 3 o'clock at the mouth of
Boeuf river. J.S. Copeland wanted to go and attend the funeral at his late residence.
I boarded the train and went to Elam, remained at Mrs. Allen's.

3rd January, 1898, Monday
In company with Willie Starts went over to Charlie's and found quite a large
concourse of people. Had the services at the house and buried him about
10 o'clock P.M. on the place. Took dinner there, and then got in Willie Starts'
buggy and went to my friend, A.J. Ensminger, for the night.

4th January, 1898, Tuesday
Mr. Ensminger carried me to the Elam station in his buggy and I came home.
Spoke to S.H. Cordell about sending me some corn, which he promised to do
when his wagon came to town. Police jury adjourned.

5th January, 1898, Wednesday
W.H. Burn, son of Uncle Alex, and father of Ed Burncame in this morning.
He lives in Mississippi, but has contract to build several cabins and a gin
house at Bullet's Bayou on the Mississippi river in Concordia Parish. Pleasant,
sun shiny day. Had Jack Lamson prepare two rows in the garden to plant english peas.

6th January, 1898, Thursday
The annual conference meets today at Crowley. A good deal of rain fell
last night. Uncle Alex Burn, who borrowed my horse, bridle and saddle
yesterday for Billy to ride out to his house, brought them home today.
Tony White brought a load of wood to my house. Mrs. Walter and H.J. Lea
came into my office to consult me in regard to the tutorship of the minor
children of James Calloway, her deceased brother.

7th January, 1898, Friday
Parish School board in session today. A full board. A warm day though a
little cloudy. Held a family meeting today composed entirely men in the
interest of colored children, all colored.

8th January, 1898, Saturday
A legal holiday. Ed Ferguson came in today and signed a deed of land he is
purchasing from the heirs of Dr. Ballard and also signed two notes representing
the deferred payments maturing respectively the 15 Dec 1898 and 1899 and paid
me $49.50 the cash payment. I bought a postal money order for $49.36 and
forwarded it with the two notes to W.W. Vance, Baton Rouge, La. Drew up agreement
between E.M. King and John Shivers in reference to the latter farming on shares
with the former.

9th January, 1898, Sunday
Cloudy and a little showery. Went to Oak Grove to my appointment, had no service,
only 5 or 6 there and I don't suppose they went out for church service. Took dinner
at Mrs. Mary A. Brannon's, a resident of the Little Brake settlement since 1842.
It is interesting to hear her talk of persons and neighbors occurrences in the
early settlement of this part of the country. She is the only one except her son,
Richard Wiggins, and her brother-in-law, Johnson Wiggins, now living, that were
here in 1845. Mr. John D. Robinson, who came to same section of country in 1847,
is here, but the past two weeks has been quite sick, not expected to recover
but is reported better. He is at his son's Phillip Robinson.

10th January, 1898, Monday
Cloudy, rain in light showers. Resalted my meat. J.W. Womble, Sheriff, and Willie Starts
went to Monroe to arrest Kennedy, who shot and killed Charlie Starts on the 1st inst.
at the mouth of Boeuf river. E.M. King sent for Lucy and Mrs. Wylie, saying his wife was
sick. A son was born to E.M. King and his wife, Mrs. Georgia E. King.

11th January, 1898, Tuesday
Election today. For or against a Constitutional Convention and for one delegate
from this Parish and 36 delegates at large. A very warm day. Rev. I.L. Bronson
returned from Conference.

12th January, 1898, Wednesday
Heavy thundering in the southwest about daybreak. After sunup, a very dark cloud
rose from the west and soon after a heavy rain fell.

13th January, 1898, Thursday
Clear in the morning and warm. Clouded up about noon and rained in the evening.
H.J. Lea and I went to Gilbert to hold family meeting in the interest of minor
children of James Calloway, but concluded not to do so, not property enough to
pay expenses.

14th January, 1898, Friday
Not much of importance to note today.

15th January, 1898, Saturday
The freight train derailed 9 box cars south of the Winnsboro depot opposite
the old brick yard at the lower end of the field south of the grave yard.
Cause, rotten ties and the rails spread. They remained there 26 hours before
the cars were put back ready to move on.

16th January, 1898, Sunday
I went up to the Baskin platform, a place the people have fixed up for
church and Sunday school for Jesus; the day was clear but rather cold.
A good congregation of men and boys but not many ladies. The people in
that neighborhood mostly walk to church. The ground, being wet and cold,
was a little disagreeable for women and children; but we had a good
spiritual time. Came on to Geo. Milby's for dinner. There I saw and
talked with Uncle Doll Burn, an old man and afflicted with kidney troubles.
He said he could not last much longer, he was nearly done with his life.

17th January, 1898, Monday
Cloudy day. Bro. A.D.O. Moore presented me with a nice cane. Made a
partial examination of land title for Dr. Guice.

18th January, 1898, Tuesday
Went to L.J. Baum's to attend the wedding of his daughter, Lenora,
and Una Covington. A good many people were there notwithstanding it
was a very rainy day. Hard rain all evening and pretty much all night,
so much so that I remained there all night; and those who did leave went
off in the rain. Everything passed off pleasantly.

19th January, 1898, Wednesday
Still cloudy and rainy though not cold. Everything-sloughs and creeks
and ponds, full of water. Heavy thundering yesterday eve and last night.
Jas. S Copeland was to have come to town today and he and myself were to go
to Holly Grove to get proof of the death of Charles E. Starts so that his widow
could collect the insurance money on the life policy of the deceased, but he
had failed to come. Suppose the morning looked too unfavorable.

20th January, 1898, Thursday
Mr. Frank Andrews of Madison Parish, in town today and reported that
Mrs. Vick died this morning. A good old lady is gone. Today is a beautiful
day, tho wet underfoot from the rain of yesterday and the day before.
J.S. Copeland and I went to Elam Sta. He, his sister, Mrs. Florence Starts.
I to Mrs. L. Allen.

21st January, 1898, Friday
In company with J.S. Copeland,who came for me, we went to Mrs. F.T. Starts to
get up proof of death of C.E. Starts to enable her to collect the policy of
$5000.00 on his life; the witnesses were F.T. Starts, M.B. Gordy, S.H. Trahan
and A.W. Moore. At Geo. Yantis' store, I saw Dr. S.C. Trahan the first time
I had met since last August soon after he got his ankle broken by a fall from
his horse. He will not be able to walk on it again. Remained at Mrs. Starts' all night.

22nd January, 1898, Saturday
Very heavy rain. Copeland and I came to Elam Sta. in the rain. The train was two hours
late on account of a wreck near Vidalia the day before.

23rd January, 1898, Sunday
Clear, pleasant day, but rather cool. Preached at Lone Cedar. Pretty good congregation.
Dined at C.A. Tarver.

24th January, 1898, Monday
Dist. Court opened. S.H. Cordell, foreman, Grand Jury. This adjourned Friday evening,
having been in session 5 days.

25th January, 1898, Tuesday
Having some appearance of rain, not much cold. Oyster supper at Mrs. M.E. Buie's for
the benefit of the Methodist parsonage. The net proceeds $19.35.

26th January, 1898, Wednesday
Cloudy, but no rain and not very cold.

27th January, 1898, Thursday
Rev. Mr. Burke, Baptist, preached a pretty good sermon at the Baptist church at 7:30 P.M.
Pretty good attendance.

28th January, 1898, Friday
Baptist church Conference this eve. They called Rev. J.A. Snyder for their pastor this year.
He served this church last year. Phillip Kenton, Free Methodist, preached at the
Baptist church at 7:30 P.M.

29th January, 1898, Saturday
Busy time in town. Many people here. The Episcopal minister, Rev. Mr. Browne of Bastrop,
was to preach at the Baptist church at 7:30 P.M. but Phillip Kenton took his place.

30th January, 1898, Sunday
Pleasant, spring-like day. Rev. Mr. Browne preached at the Baptist church at 11 A.M. and
also at 7:30 P.M.

31st January, 1898, Monday
Lucy was quite unwell today. Did not get out of bed till after breakfast. Today is very
warm and pleasant. The winter, so far, has not been a cold one, but we have had a great
deal of rain and wet weather. With today January 1891 ends.

1st February, 1898, Tuesday
Went to see E.C. Munson in reference to claim against him in favor of Stern and
Block of Toledo, Ohio. The day is cold, brisk wind from the north all day, but clear.

2nd February, 1898, Wednesday
Clear and pleasant, but cold and windy.

3rd February, 1898, Thursday
Rev. B.F. White, P.E., and his wife came in this morning and held the first
quarterly meeting for this year at 3 o'clock P.M. and at night at the Methodist
church. She read a paper on temperance and he followed with a talk on the same
subject.

4th February, 1898, Friday
Went to 3rd justice circuit and tried the case of T.A. Scott vs. Martin Laborde.
Got judgment for plaintiff. Clouded up in the eve and rained a little at night.

5the February, 1898, Saturday
A good many people in town, not much doing. The weather has been clear, but pretty
cold all the week.

6th February, 1898, Sunday
Attended church at Ogden School house, large congregation. Rev. Roark, Free Methodist,
preached there last night and also tonight. I stayed at H.H. Slaughter's.

7th February, 1898, Monday
Lucy made a trade with Allen Buie, exchanging Bossie, a heifer, for white face,
a better looking and larger heifer.

8th February, 1898, Tuesday
A little rain this morning. Cloudy and warm. Farmer's club met at Courthouse.

10th February, 1898, Thursday
A pretty hard rain today about 12 o'clock.

12th February, 1898, Saturday
Mr. John D. Robinson, a citizen of this parish for more than fifty years,
died very suddenly today about 12 o'clock at his son's, W.E.  Robinson.
During the past summer and fall, the old gentleman had had two pretty hard spells
and it was thought by his family and physicians that he could not survive.
But had recovered and was in his apparent good health this morning. Eat his
breakfast as usual, walked out in the garden, came back to the house, sat down
and was taken ill; by the assistance of his daughter-in-law, W.E.'s wife,
he got to bed and died. He was between 76 and 80 years old and had lived near where
he died since 1851. He was a good neighbor, a good citizen, addicted to no bad habits,
strictly honest but very ever seen at church. What his religious opinion was I never knew.

13th February, 1898, Sunday
Mr. Jno. D. Robinson was buried today at his old homestead beside his wife who was buried
in 1876. I did not attend the funeral, though my inclination and desire was to do so and
I suppose that it was the wish of the family that I should do so. But I have long since
made up my mind not to officiate at funerals unless invited to do so. I had an appointment
at Oak Grove today and I fully expected a message there to attend funeral, as it was not
to take place until eve, and it's only 3 miles. But to my surprise, there was not
a person at church. About 12 o'clock I was sent for but the messenger did not find me.
I regret the thought of not getting the word.

14th February, 1898, Monday
Mrs. Ella V. Wiggins, wife of N.A. Wiggins, gave birth to a daughter. A beautiful,
warm and spring day. J.H. Thomas is opened up his grocery store in full blast.

15th February, 1898, Tuesday
Set up some new posts in my fence in place of rotten ones and commenced spading in
my garden. It is reported that Olie Scott is going to Port Gibson, Miss. to take
charge of the telegraph office at that place at a salary of $75 permonth less $7
per month office rent. See what a boy can do when he will try.

16th February, 1898, Wednesday
Spaded in garden a little.

17th February, 1898, Thursday
Wrote J.C. Baskin on the subject of wife's separation of property. Allen Buie and
De Scott got into a little tussle and the latter got his arm pretty badly hurt.
Suppose broke and dislocated. J.W. Womble, Sheriff, received the Governor's-Murphy J. Foster
warrant for the execution of John Grayham, convicted of murder of the 1st inst. and
the 4th of March is the time fixed.

18th February, 1898, Friday
Dr. W.M. Guice came to my office this A.M. and asked me to go with Prof. Landis this
P.M. to McDuff's school house and make a talk on education. Geo. Potter also called in
and spoke to me about a blue speckled heifer at his house marked a crop and under half
crop and split and underbit  in the other. He supposed it my wife's.
This P.M. Dr. Guice, Prof. Landis and myself went to the "Eden" school house and made
talks on education to about 40 children and 8 or 10 patrons of the school.
Rev. F.M. Clark, Baptist preacher, came to town with a "Graphaphone" and gave songs
and speeches. Pretty good.

19th February, 1898, Saturday
Heavy thundering in the S.E. and S.W. between daylight and sunrise. Commenced to rain
about 8 A.M. about 10 o'clock the sun shone out. The evening was very warm and pleasant.
A good many people in town. E.M. King and wife came in this eve and brought me
a 1/2 hog dressed, the former went back home, the latter stayed at N.A. Wiggins.

20th February, 1898, Sunday
Clear day, but a little cool. Nolan and myself went to Sissie's-Will Guice, Jr.
in the eve.

21st February, 1898, Monday
Clear but a cold day. Pretty clear day day but a big frost this morning, turning
warmer in the evening. Mrs. Etta King, who came out to town, with her 5 weeks old baby,
last Saturday 19th, went home this eve.

22nd February, 1898, Tuesday
Gen. Geo. Washington's birthday. If he had lived till today, he would have
been 166 years old but has been dead 98 years on the 14 December 1797.
I went to John L. Ross' this evening. The Winnsboro high school took recess today
in honor of the day.

23rd February, 1898, Wednesday
I went to Mrs. S.I. Bonner's to pass act of donation from her to her daughter,
Sallie Bonner, of all her interest in her mother's estate. Mrs. Sarah Reynolds,
situated in Claiborne Parish, La., John L. Ross and Richard L. Turner were the
attesting witnesses, I am notary public. The buffalo gnats were thick and annoying
to the stock about the prairie. Came home and learned that Will and Roaches
dwelling at Crowville had burned with all its contents, except a few articles
of minor value about 3 o'clock yesterday eve. No one was at home when the fire
was discovered. At the time I left home yesterday to go to the prairie, my wife
called my attention to a volume of smoke rising above the treetops in the direction
of Crowville and I now suppose it was Roache's home, but at the time I thought
nothing about it. Dr. D.L. Denson and A.D.O. Moore went to Natchez this eve.
Mr. Morris Juvenot's baby, an infant of 5 or 6 months old, died about
2 o'clock P.M.
There is great excitement throughout the U.S. and the territories about the
explosion or blowing up of the U.S. warship "Maine" at Havana a few days ago.
At first it was thought an accident but later developments and investigation
has about exploded that idea and it is getting to be believed that it was
blown up by design; and it is about to be charged to the Spaniards and
laid at the door of the government of Spain.

24th February, 1898, Thursday
Judge S.L. Elam, Attorney, at Vidalia, La. came out this morning and he associated
me with him and we got an injunction against the sale of the real estate in succession
of Jos. Killian for H.&C. Neuman. Mr. and Mrs. Juvenot's baby was buried today.
A very pleasant day, but few people about town.

25th February, 1898, Friday
A pleasant spring day.

26th February, 1898, Saturday
Quite a number of people in town. W.M. Guice, Jr., Will Townsend, Clay Ward and others
drunk. Some time in the night Clay Ward went to Bob Moore's house for the rest of the
night. Quite a windstorm, heavy thunder and hard rain tonight.

27th February, 1898, Sunday
At home all day. Mrs. M.E. Buie spent part of the day at our house. E.M. King
brought Gracie, his daughter, to our house, to board and go to school.

28th February, 1898, Monday
The lumber and materials brought in this morning to build the "gallows" and the
wall around, for the execution of John Grayham, Col'd. Recently convicted of the
murder of Gip Taylor, Col'd. last August. R.M. Steele, Contractor, Wm.H. Burn, Builder.
To be erected in front of the jail. Work commenced.

1st March, 1898, Tuesday
The month opened mild; I borrowed $1.15 of E.D. Walter to get some books out of the
depot for Lura. John Adlo Brown brought me a load of stovewood. Jno. C. Humble of
came in from New Orleans yesterday eve.

2nd March, 1898, Wednesday
Cold north wind all day, but clear. Transplanted two peach trees from the garden
to the little patch, they were in bloom. Several people from the country in town today.
Loaned Allen Buie, per John Buie, my saddle and bridle to ride to Chas. Elam to get a beef.

3rd March, 1898, Thursday
Cold north wind all day. Spaded up my onion bed. W.H. Burn finished the gallows and
the wall around it.

4th March, 1898, Friday
Today is the day for the execution of John Grayham, Col'd. by 10 o'clock, the people
from the country, commenced coming in town and by 12 o'clock there were several hundred.
Mostly negroes. E.M. King hauled to my house, a load of wood. Misses Della and Amy King,
cousins, are at my house for dinner. How still and solemn everything seems to be this
morning and all day! On almost any other occasion with a like number of people in town,
everything would be noise and commotion. No loud talking; no rapid driving of buggies
or wagons through the streets. The day is bright, clear and calm, but rather cool.
At 1 o'clock P.M., the Sheriff and the condemned man and the preacher Flood, Col'd.
and Dr. W.M. Guice ascended the scaffold. After prayer, the Sheriff told the convict
if he had anything to say he could now say it; he said nothing of importance or
consequence save that he did not do the deed for which he was now to die. Dr. Guice
put his hands on him and said, John, tell us the truth now about this matter,
your time has come. He reasserted his innocence but never told who did the act.
He frequently said, prior to this time, that when he got on the scaffold he would
tell who it was that killed Gip Taylor but this he did not do.
I had, all the time, entertained the idea that it was possible that he may not have
been guilty of the crime; but since he suffered his opportunity to pass without
disclosing who the guilty party is, as he has said all along that he knew and
would tell at the proper time, I now entertain less doubt of his guilt than ever
heretofore. The testimony against him was all circumstantial; nothing direct and
positive. His failure to make any reasonable statement of his innocence convinces
me that he had none to make and of his guilt; and that he met his just dessert.
At 1:30 P.M. the Sheriff said, "Goodbye John, may the Lord have mercy on your soul."
and pulled the lever. The trap door fell and the condemned man was suspended
in the air and was no more. After 18 minutes, he was cut down, dead. This seemed
to break the spell of solemnity which was manifested by everybody up to this time,
and from now till night, drunken men, white and black, and loud talking could be
seen and heard all over town.

5th March, 1898, Saturday
A big frost this morning and a great deal of ice. George Potter brought me a nice,
fat hog, dressed and would weigh about 120 lbs. after salting it away. I went
out to H.H. Slaughter's and stayed there all night.

6th March, 1898, Sunday
Pretty cool morning and a good frost. Good congregation today at the Ogden
school house. Had no preaching this morning, but read and commented upon
"The General Rules" of the church. After which held a church conference and
a reorganization of the church. Dropped some names who had moved off and
some who had withdrawn. Elected two class leaders, D.E. Williams and
J.E. Haddox: one steward, J.N. Williams: and one Sunday school superintendent,
J.B. Williams. At 7 P.M. preached to a large and attentive congregation at the
same place. Stayed at H.H. Slaughter's.

7th March, 1898, Monday
Came home. W.H. Burn took down the gallows on which John Grayham was hung on
the 4th inst. There was a little rain this morning and cloudy all day, but not
cold. W.H. Burn did not take down the gallows but simply the enclosure around
the gallows.

8th March, 1898, Tuesday
The Medical Association met today. Clear, pretty warm day, but few people in town.
Filmore Earle drunk today. There is a good deal of talk through the newspapers
about war between the United States and Spain; it may possibly be declared but
I have not made up my mind to believe that there will be a war between the
two nations; I don't want to be forced to believe it, for I greatly and
seriously fear the consequences.
It is my serious and considered opinion that a war with Spain would prove
disastrous to the American government. Dr. L.M. Griffin and Mrs. M.E. Buie
are of the opinion that Spain cannot cope with the U.S.; and that U.S. would
get more assistance from other nations than Spain. I cannot entertain this idea.

9th March, 1898, Wednesday
W.H. Burn took the gallows down. A nice spring day. Done some plowing in the
garden and Irish potato patch. Bought a new set of plow gears.

10th March, 1898, Thursday
Done some spading in the cabbage bed and set out a bed of onion sets; the day
was pleasant, but steady south wind. Jas. M. King at our house on his way home
in the evening. R.H. Meredith came to the garden where I was at work to get
$2.00 he claims I owe him for some wood he had hauled to my house.

11th March, 1898, Friday
Put in most of the day in the garden. Did not go to town today. Law business
is extremely dull. Pleasant day; a little cloudy and south wind. Worked out
onions and planted a few small seeds. I understand that Rev. David Day,
Free Methodist, came in from Mississippi today. The supposition is he came
to hold a meeting. The future will tell.

12th March, 1898, Saturday
Replowed a few rows preparatory to planting Irish potatoes. Still cloudy,
with a brisk south wind. Gus Sullivan dined at our house today. E.M. King and
John Brownell hauled 1 bbl. flour and 1 bbl. meal to my house.
About one week ago, H.H. Slaughter marked 6 pigs.The next day he saw those
pigs sucking a sow in Pres. Hampton's mark; he and Hec Slaughter then went to
Hampton and told him about marking the pigs and asked him to come and see them:
the next day Hampton rode over to Slaughter's and recognized the sow as his,
by both the flesh and ear marks. He put the pigs in a sack and the sow in the
wagon and carried them home. Today D.C. Scott accosted Hampton and claimed the
sow and pigs as his. Stating the sow to be one that Hampton, about one year ago,
sold Martin, a laborer on Scott's place, but had gone to Texas last fall and
that Slaughter knew the true owner of the sow. Hampton claims the sow he
left Martin had a bob tail, and his sow has a long tail, and that he told
Martin to change the ear mark, which he stated to him and Charley Hampton
afterward, he had done. The ear mark in this sow has not been changed.

13th March, 1898, Sunday
A little rain sometime during last night. Clear early this morning,
but some clouded up, by 12 o'clock, cleared. Snyder, Baptist, preached
two excellent sermons today. Subject, in the morning, "A Christian
ought to walk as Christ walked". In the evening his subject was
"Obedience, a Comment on the first chapter of 1st Samuel". The congregation
was not as large as might have been and there was a little misbehavior in the
back part of the audience at night, which required a reprimand by the preacher.

14th March, 1898, Monday
Between daylight and sunrise, there was heavy and loud thundering, in the S.E.
and S.W. and pretty soon a very heavy rain fell, filling all the ditches and
low places with water. Cloudy all day. Dr. W.M. Guice drew up, on my table,
a petition to be circulated for signatures, to the Police Jury, asking it to
order an election throughout the Parish to vote on the license or no license
for the sale of whiskey in Franklin Parish after 31st December.

15th March, 1898, Tuesday
Heavy thundering in south about daylight and cloudy. Dr. C.L. Ramage castrated
a colt of E.D. Walter's. The "sign" is in the "secrets' today: not rain today
but cloudy and warm.

16th March, 1898, Wednesday
Very cloudy and warm this morning. A little worm, like the one called
"measuring worm", 1/2 inch long and of dark color, is destroying the peach
and plum crop. He does his work in the blossom, destroying the fruit germ
causing the whole thing to fall off. I am told the same kind of worm is
destroying the blossoms and fruit germ on all the forest, fruit or mass,
bearing trees. Dark cloudy all day till about 4 o'clock P.M. The sun shone
brightly. Gus Sullivan hauled some fence railing for me today.

17th March, 1898, Thursday
Still cloudy and warm. Very threatening rain this morning. H.H. Buie came up
from Natchez this morning. Mrs. J.C. Baskin came in today to consult me about
getting separation of property for his wife, Mrs. Tekla P. Baskin nee Mauk,
from his and securing to her management her paraphernal property. No rain today.

18th March, 1898, Friday
Clear and warm morning; about 9 o'clock sun shone out brightly. This is fine
weather for vegetation to grow. The afternoon, a bright warm eve, but rather windy.
Very quiet, very few people in town from the country.

19th March, 1898, Saturday
Still cloudy and warm. Spaded a little in garden: ground just dry enough from last
Monday's rain, to work and pulverize well.
It is reported here this morning that Gus Grimble, a negro living at Jno. V. Munn's,
some time last night, inflicted on the person of his wife which will likely produce
her death. It seems that during the early part of the night, they were quarreling
and fussing to such an extent that John V. Munn went out and ordered quiet. He
heard no more from them; but this morning early she was found lying on the gallery
of their cabin in an unconscious condition, though breathing. Upon examination,
her skull was found fractured by some blunt instrument and her throat cut, to
what depth my informer did not know. Gus Grimble could not be found and Munn's
buggy animal, a nice large mare he had recently bought, was also gone. The man
was tracked down the road a short distance, then through the woods to Turkey
creek above town. The supposition is, Gus rode the mare and swam the creek.
It seems he left his house with his clothes, but failed to bundle them securely
and several articles were found along the road and from the appearance of the
mare's tracks along the road, she was going at rapid speed.
News came in the Gus Grimble did not ride Munn's mare, as was first thought,
but he rode Dr. Cicero Guice's horse and that the negro woman is dead. The
report came in town from Ogden's place, the former home of Gus Grimble this
P.M. that he had suicided by cutting his own throat.
H. Block came in town today from New Orleans to look after his ownership
interest in the Mills property. A very pretty warm eve. A good many people
in town today. News afterwards came in that Gus Grimble had not suicided,
but attempted to do so and was prevented. He was arrested by Isaac M. King,
Constable, of the 8th Ward and lodged in jail.

20th March, 1898, Sunday
Cloudy morning and warm, in the evening very bright and pleasant, south wind.

21st March, 1898, Monday
Still cloudy, though pleasant, with a south wind. Commenced to tear away the
old and build a new fence on the east side of my garden. About 8 o'clock P.M.
the appearance of a big fire was seen in a northeast direction from town,
something like a house on fire. There was a kind of magic lantern show in town tonight.

22nd March, 1898, Tuesday
Cloudy this morning and warm with south wind. D.F. Wiggins and sons made first
payment on the land they bought of the heirs of Dr. W.H. Ballard by W.W. Vance,
agt., in A. Landauer's (office). Draft on First National Bank, Natchez, Miss. for
$228.78 less $5.00 my fee in the matter.
J.H. Young, General Agent, Mutual Reserve Life Association of New York at Monroe,
solicited me to take the agency of this Franklin Parish. Jas. M. and E.M. King,
Dr. W.H. Thompson and Mamie Brashear went to Natchez this eve. Jas. M. King took
my watch to have it repaired.

23rd March, 1898, Wednesday
Morning cloudy and south wind. About 11 o'clock A.M. the wind shifted to west
thence north and temperature cooler. Clouded up and appearance of rain this evening.
Rained sometime during the night. At 8 o'clock P.M. Mr. E.M. Adams and miss
M. Ione Hamilton were married at the church Rev. I.L. Bronson officiating:
the church was crowded with people to witness the ceremony. Miss Effie Scott
played the wedding march on the organ, as the couple marched from the door up
the aisle to the altar.

24th March, 1898, Thursday
Quite cold this morning and cloudy. Wind from north. Fire and overcoats are
pleasant and desirable. Jas. M. and E.M. King returned on the morning train.
D.W. Ensminger came in this eve from Monroe. I set out 90 cabbage plants.
H.J. Lea paid me $6.40 and gave his bill of cost of $3.60 making $10.00 refunded
being amount Mrs. Sue L. Harris paid on filing suit Miss Rosa Anna Griffing vs.
E.C. Abell, Adm.: dismissed because of the minority of the plaintiff.

25th March, 1898, Friday
I mailed to Mrs. Sue L. Harris, Duncansby, Miss. a postal money order for $6.40
and H.J. Lea's bill of costs $3.60. Quite cold and cloudy this morning. H.P. Wells
came in this evening and at 8 P.M. gave a performance at the Court House, on the the
theatrical order, and I" m told he performed pretty well.

26th March, 1898, Saturday
Cloudy, but a little warmer than two or three days previous and has much appearance
of rain. E.M. King hauled a load of wood to my house yesterday evening. Flossie went
home with Eunice Fife today and Nolan went home with sister's children. About
11 o'clock cleared off and a brisk south wind. Flossie came home on the evening train.

27th March, 1898, Sunday
Cloudy all day, but no rain. Lura started to Vicksburg, Miss. to begin traveling
to sell a scrub brush for O.W. Deland at a salary of $12.00 per month and expenses.
Hope she'll succeed.
I went to Coke's Chapel today and preached to a pretty good congregation, took
dinner at D.T. Wiggins',  who is living in a newly settled place and I hope he'll
succeed in paying for the place. His son, Jesse, brought a horse for this A.M.
and he also brought me home this P.M.

28 March, 1898, Monday
There was considerable change in the temperature between 9 o'clock P.M.
yesterday and 6 o'clock A.M. today. Then it was warm, cloudy and south wind.
Now it is cloudy, raining and north wind. Very dark and gloomy; overcoats and
fire desirable.Eunice Fife, who has been boarding at our house since 13th
September, 1897 leaving for home today. I engaged Dr. Thompson to send her
trunk to the depot, which he did. She has been with us 6 months and 15 days.
She is a nice, agreeable girl, easy to get along with. We all like her very much,
and she seemed to be, and so expressed herself, pretty satisfied and contented
with us. By 11 o'clock quite cold and a continuous slow, cold and winter-like rain
all the balance of the day and night.

29th March, 1898, Tuesday
Rained all night and still raining this morning, densely cloudy and cold rain:
has the appearance of sleeting. No one from the country in town today.
I remained at home all day on account of the cold rain. The children did
not go to school, too wet and cold.

30th March, 1898, Wednesday
Still cold and cloudy but not raining. E.M. King came in this morning and
reported that some of the tenants on the place were getting into a mess.
Some were talking of leaving and others wanted to abandon their rent contract.
Mrs. Nancy wanted to abandon the land she had rented from him and Will Townsend
wanted to take her place and Newt Townsend wanted to sell his horses and leave
 the land he had rented. I drew up a rent contract for him.
I read an account in the Globe-Democrat of date 29th Inst. of two men on a
passenger train, in Georgia, fighting a duel with pistols in the aisle, while
the train was in motion, result, one died instantly, the other at the next
station, Millen. In same paper, of two men, strangers, had misunderstanding
in reference to the relative war strength of America and Spain. They came
to blows with knives. Result, both dead.
Received 1st letter from Lure at Vicksburg: she is well pleased with her
landlady, Mrs. Hunt.

31st March, 1898, Thursday
Clear this morning, but cold east wind. No frost nor freeze last night.
A lady, Mrs. Jackson, near Gilbert, died yesterday morning. From the newspaper
reports of the stages of water in the upper rivers we may anticipate high water
in the Lower Mississippi valley.
We have passed one more month on the road to eternity. Have been blessed with
good health and peace of mind. The first half of this month was mild, pleasant,
warm, spring-like weather: the latter half was cold, rainy disagreeable weather
for outdoor work. But only one hard rain! The month is notable, 1st for the legal
execution of one criminal and 2nd for the wrongful killing of one person,
a negro woman, by the negro man living with her as her husband. And 3rd for the
removal by Jno. Munn of Miss Sallie Adams school house from its former site on
the east side of Winnsboro and Rayville road to the west side and converting it
into a dwelling, and 4th the school board examination of teachers.

1st April, 1898, Friday
The morning a little cloudy and cool. The evening clear and warm. School Board
in session today. I presented a claim to the Board at their January meeting for
the payment of 2 Bell's common school charts $50.00 and today, they declined payment.
The charts were shipped in January 1894 to be paid "on or before" 1st January 1895
from Kansas City, Mo. Uncle Alex Burn said this morning, we might expect bad weather
during the next twelve days, as April usually borrows from February to kill old cows
and blow down old trees.

2nd April, 1898, Saturday
A very pleasant day. A good many people in town. I went to Florence this P.M. Dr.
Usher met me at the depot and directed me to the store of Bro. J.F. Marshall,
a Methodist preacher of whom I had often heard for the past 25 years but never
met before and whom I found a very social, intelligent, Christian gentleman.
I there also met Miss Lillie Robb, whom I found a very social, intelligent,
Christian lady. She was there with a buggy to take me out to Bro. Gottlieb Krause's,
to whom I had written, but he being a little ailing, Miss Robb came in his place.
She is boarding at his house, teaching school at Florence.

3rd April, 1898, Sunday
Bro. Krause and myself got in his buggy and went out to Keystone Lodge No.213
F.& A.M. there we met 10 brethren members of that lodge. Had no work to do,
but we spent about two hours pleasantly in lecturing on the workings of the order.
Back to Bro. Krause's for the night. I was never treated more kindly than by Bro.
Krause and his family. He is a well to do farmer, lives well and has plenty of
everything around. The day was pleasant, only a little cool. In the evening,
clouded up a little and rain fell.

4th April, 1898, Monday
In company with Miss Robb, and then of Bro. Krause's children we got in the
buggy and came back to Florence. They to their school and I to canvassing the
town for applicants for life insurance, failing to find any, took dinner at
Knight's hotel. Spent some time in the evening with Bro. Marshall. Hard rain
about 4 o'clock P.M. About 10 o'clock A.M. 5 boxes of the north bound freight
train derailed near the Tensas river. I was coming home on it, but it did not
pass Florence till about 9 o"clock P.M. About 5 o'clock P.M. Bro. T.H.
McClendon came along and invited me to his house. I accepted. Hired buggy
and horse from Millen livery stable to carry me to the R.R. crossing on
Big Bayou; thence footed to his house.

5th April, 1898, Tuesday
Up the R.R. afoot, 2 miles to Peck station, thence home. Cold day,
overcoats and fire pleasant. Sold one cow and yearling to H.H. Buie for $20.00.

6th April, 1898, Wednesday
Frost last night; sufficient to kill tender vegetation. Cold this morning
and a little cloudy. Farmers have generally planted corn and it's up and
looks well and some has been worked out. I hear of a little cotton planted.
Very dull about town. Mr. Jno. A. Baskin in town today. E.M. Hicks from Ark.
City, dispatched J.W. Womble to send J.C. Humble and three others, at once to
guard the levee.

7th April, 1898, Thursday
Jewel brought a colt this morning. A light sorrel, a little blaze on face,
white feet, horse. J.C. Humble, P.B. Brown and Joe Bryan came in on their
way to Ark. City in obedience to Hicks' dispatch. Cold, northeast wind,
some frost, clear. Ben Phillips, the colored barber, who had been gone to Miss.
for seven months, came in today.

8th April, 1898, Friday
Good Friday. Frost this morning, moderating, turning warmer. A car load of
furniture, wagons, buggy and general farm implements from Toledo, O. for a
man whose name I don't know from that place, going to Oak Grove plantation,
on Bayou Macon, above Crockett's point; came to the depot yesterday.
William S. Kenton, a young man raised in this vicinity, afflicted to no bad habits,
recently embarked in the mercantile business, and more still in matrimony,
was closed out by attachment, by four of his creditors, for an aggregate indebtedness
of about $657.00.

9th April, 1898, Saturday
A little cool this morning, but no frost and perfectly clear. The little white
face, red and white spotted cow I got of Allen Buie, brought a bull calf about
10 o'clock this A.M. Rather warm today and a good many people in town. I went to
H.H. Slaughter's and remained there all night. Went out of town in company with
D.C. Scott, W.A. Tarver and I.N. Williams. Ike Edwards brought me two posts for big gate.

10th April, 1898, Sunday
Easter Sunday. Preached at Ogden School house. Large and attentive congregation.
I had a good-feeling service. After dismissal, the people lingered around as though
they did not want to leave the place. To H.H. Slaughter's for dinner; after dinner,
Bro. Snyder, Baptist, preached in town tonight, I felt tired and worn out and did
not go, would like to have gone because he is a good preacher and I believe a good man.
A little rain sometime during the night.

11th April, 1898, Monday
A little cloudy this morning, and a little cooler than yesterday. Mrs. Comfort
Riggs, nee Buie, came out from Vidalia last Saturday the 9th Inst. on a visit to
her mother, Mrs. M.E. Buie.
W.P. Power went over to Natchez last Friday, the 8th Inst., and returned today,
all O.K.

12th April, 1898, Tuesday
Cloudy this morning, and all day. Rained a little drizzly pretty much all day and
by 12 o'clock M. cold enough for overcoats and fire. I planted my first beans and
squash today and hoed out my cabbage.

13th April, 1898, Wednesday
Still cool and cloudy; about 12 o'clock M. cleared off, sun shone out with
constant N.W. wind, but weather warmer. Towards night turned considerably cooler.

14th April, 1898, Thursday
Cold, but clear; on account of the wind there was neither dew nor frost last
night. Dr. Thompson had fence taken down on the west side of Moore's street.
H.S. Davis laid the foundation of Charlie Moore's house. H.P. Wells spent the
day in town yesterday. The day is too cold to sit in the office without fire,
though the sun is shining brightly.

15th April, 1898, Friday
E.M. King and John Brownell plowed and planted my patch in corn, also plowed
up the west half of my garden. And marked and castrated one yearling. I got
corn of Dr. Guice to plant. He said it was fine corn. What we used to call
"the Oliver corn". White grain and red cob. The day, after the morning passed,
was warm and springlike. A little rain would be beneficial.
Resolution adopted by the House of the U.S. Congress by a vote of 322 to 19,
April 13, 1898, viz:
"Resolved: That the President is hereby authorized and directed to intervene
to stop the war in Cuba, to the and the purpose of securing permanent peace
and order there and establishing, by the free action of the people thereof,
a stable and independent government of their own in the island of Cuba: and
the President is hereby authorized and empowered to use the land and naval
forces of the United States to execute the purpose of this resolution".

16th April, 1898, Saturday
Pleasant day-a good many people in town. Mostly negroes. Frank Carroll
and ---------Gibson had a fisticuff, in which the former was considerably worsted.
A little after dark, Allen Buie beat and bruised Will Taylor, the bicycle man,
in Tom Hendry's store. This was the result of a drunken row. E.S. Abell, Al Buie,
Taylor and others were in the mix-up. About 9 o'clock P.M., Mrs. M.E. Buie plodded
to town in the darkness of a moonless night to get her Allen home: her younger son
John had passed our front gate crying, which attracted our attention. Lucy went
out on the gallery and asked Mrs. Buie, "What's the matter?" She replied,
"I don't know, Lucy." I predict a homocide in this town before long.

17th April, 1898, Sunday
Went to my appointment in the "Howington" neighborhood, a good congregation
and good attention; took dinner at my good friend's, T.J. Howington. He arrived
in Winnsboro a few days before Christmas 1849 and my father from Miss. a few days
before Christmas 1850 and we have been neighbors and friends ever since.

18th April, 1898, Monday
Cloudy in morning. Rained a very light shower. Planted butter beans.

19th April, 1898, Tuesday
About 3 o'clock A.M. there came a heavy rain with considerable thunder
and lightening. Ground wet this morning. Rec'd. the "Proceedings of the
Grand Lodge of Masons" of La. for 1898. The Confederate veterans had a
reunion and  organization today. The Court House was full. Cap't. W.P.
Power presided after signing the roll, went into the election of officers.
W.P. Power, Commander; John M. King, Adjutant; John F. Trezevant, 1st
Lieutenant; J.W. Shanklin, Quartermaster; Dr. W.M. Guice, Surgeor. A very
pleasant gathering together of the old soldiers, some of whom were from
the state and some from Mississippi and other states. J.W. Denson was
elected Secretary of the meeting. Quite a discussion as to what the name
of this camp should be. Fitzhugh Lee was suggested, likewise R.E. Lee,
R.L. Gibson, Stonewall (Jackson), Joe E. Johnson, General Taylor and
Franklin Sharp Shooters but they decided on no one, but finally decided
to adopt the last suggested name. Adjourned to meet again the 1st Saturday
in May. T.J. Howington took dinner at my house. A very pretty day.

20th April, 1898, Wednesday
Pleasant day. Planted bunch beans on my "lazy" bed. T.J. Howington brought
me some pole beansand I planted a part of them, two rows, near the peach trees
on the west side of my garden, and also set out one row of tomatoes.
Clarence Walter commenced digging the holes for big gate posts in northeast
corner of my lot.

21st April, 1898, Thursday
A warm, pleasant day. Clarence Walter finished setting gate posts, hung the
gate and repaired the fence. Geo. B. Frazier in town. The first time I have
seen him for several months. Dr. Bates of Amite Co., Miss. who, sometime ago
bought the "Clark place" is in town today. He appears to be a nice gentleman.

22nd April, 1898, Friday
Cloudy all morning. About 10 o'clock turned a bit cooler than in the early morning.
About 12 M. began to rain and at 3 o'clock P.M. a pretty hard rain fell. Dark,
cloudy and rainy all evening. Mrs. Idabella Phillips called in out of the rain
and spent an hour or more with Lucy. She seems to be in trouble about her son,
"Dick", who moved to Monroe about two months since and was doing very well. She
got a letter from his sister Emma Hampton, a few days ago asking if he was here;
and stating that he left home and went up to Monroe and the horse he rode came
home but no tidings from him had they received. No one knows the yearnings of a
mother's heart for her wayward child. Just finished planting six rows of white
crowder peas in garden as the rain came up at 12 M. Lucy made and put yesterday
and today about 20 lbs. mayhaw jelly. Rained pretty much all night.

23rd April, 1898, Saturday
The morning cool, fire needed. Everything wet and cloudy, streets muddy.
Cloudy all day. Account of the rain yesterday, Willie King did not go home,
but stayed at his uncle's, John King's. Today about 12 o'clock, his pa, E.M.
King came to my house looking for him. A good many people in town today, but
have seen no one drunk up to this writing, 4:30 P.M.

24th April, 1898, Sunday
Pleasant morning. Went to my appointment at "Lone Cedar". 25 or 30 people present.
Took dinner at Uncle Ales R. Burn's. Rained in the afternoon, stopped at
Geo. W. Milley's during the rain; came to town in company with W.H. Burn,
Duncan Buie, E.C. Abell, Jr. Started to talk U.S. Cuban war. Everything with me,
today, seems like a dream. My mind is wandering, can't concentrate it on any
subject long at a time.
Yesterday eve, Emma Hampton, sister of Dick, came in on the train and revealed
the secret of Dick's not returning from Monroe where he had gone one week ago.
On last Thursday, 21st, a negro went to his fishhooks tied in the Ouachita river,
about one mile below Monroe, and found a human body caught in one of the hooks.
Upon examination, it proved to be that of Dick Phillips. His skull was crushed
above the eyes and likewise his nose face below the eyes. Evidently done in by
foul means and the body thrown in the river. It is said a pint of whiskey in a
bottle or flask was found on his body. It is also said when he left Monroe was
riding a horse not the one he rode there. These circumstances lead to the
conclusion that the owner of the horse pursued him, dispatched, put him in
the river and left him.

25th April, 1898, Monday
Civil term of district commenced; very little on the docket for this term.
Cap't. H.P. Wells in town. A very pleasant day, sun shines brightly. Mrs.
Nancy Parker and two of her children and Mrs. Etta King and two of her children
took dinner at my house today. W,D. Kenton moving out of town today. Mr. Rose,
Representative of the R.G. Dun and Co. in town. Contemplates a trip with team
to Como, Gilbert, Oakley, Wisner, Elam, Holly Grove, Peck and to Florence.
Etta King and two of her children at my house tonight.

26th April, 1898, Tuesday
Cold, northwest wind, but clear except a little cloudy in the east. A. Landauer
brought my watch from Natchez, not fixed, jeweler, stating "it is worn out,
can't be repaired". It had been gone since 22nd March. Miss Lou Carraway and her
mother and brother, John, in town: came to have settlement with Mr. Landauer.
Mr. John A, Baskin, a very old gentleman, in town. Judge S.L. Elam of Vidalia
in attendance in court. Lucy and Etta went to their sister's, Mrs. Sarah Wylie.
Wm. E. Womble took the train, started to the U.S.-Spain war. He makes the
5th volunteer from this Parish viz. Fred and Jack Whitney, D. Buie, E.C. Abell
and W.E. Womble.

27th April, 1898, Wednesday
Morning nearly cold enough for frost. Fire needed. Milder and more pleasant toward noon.
Judge S.L. Elam returned this P.M. W.H. Burn putting up picket fence west, but close to
the Earle house. Court is dragging, doing little. Train of 11 cars of stock cattle went
north this eve.

28th April, 1898, Thursday
A little warmer today but having much appearance of rain. Carried in garden 6 1/2
bushels of manure and put it on the row between the butter beans and the pole beans
and prepared it to set collards in. Hoed out cabbage early this morning.

29th April, 1898, Friday
Court adjourned sine die. Heavy thunder in S.W. between daybreak and sunrise and
some rain in the first part of the day. Cloudy all day. Set out two rows of
collards. W.A. Pearson signed three notes each for $59.66 as purchase price of
land he bought of the heirs of Dr. Ballard. I mailed these notes and money for
$70.20 to W.W. Vance, Baton Rouge, La. The purchaser made cash payment of $80.00.
My commission $8.00. Paid clerk, H.J. Lea, $1.50 to record in mortgage book.
Post Office fee for order $00.30.
E.C. Abell and D. Buie came in yesterday eve and went back this morning.
T.H. Lowery sent one bbl. meal to my house. Price $2.35 cash.

30th April, 1898, Saturday.
A little cloudy, wind from southeast. Pleasant morning. A good many people in
town today. Mrs. E.A. Hansbrough came in my office to sign deed to land in
Tensas Parish she is selling to Jackson et al, before me as Notary Public.
Mrs. Minerva McKinsey, widow of Allen McKinsey, who was accidentally killed
25 Nov. '97, to consult about her suit A. Landauer has brought against her
and her children on notes of her husband secured by vender's privilege on
land. I see Henry H. Titche in town. Tom McClellan considerably under the
influence of liquor today.

1st May, 1898, Sunday
I was at home all day: very pleasant day, a little cloudy in morning.
In the evening E.M. King and Eva came out. Rev. David Day, Free Methodist,
preached at Kenton  chapel. All quiet about town.

2nd May, 1898, Monday
Cloudy morning. Richard Turner, Col'd. of Ward 5 came down to see about his
annual account as tutor for the minor heirsof Adam and Lou Turner. I wrote
one week ago to be here last Friday to try the case: he did not get my letter
till Saturday night. too late, court adjourned last Friday. Up to about 2 P.M.,
very warm, then the wind shifted to north and northeast, turned cloudy and
threatened rain. Rev. D. Day in town. C.A. Tarver carried 1/2 sack corn to
my house.
3rd May, 1898, Tuesday
Cloudy early this A.M. Warm and a little wind. Tom McClellan came for a coffin
for Mrs. Enoch Brown, who died sometime last night. John Munn carried some flooring
to my house yesterday evening. Mrs. Minerva McKinsey and little son at my house today
to see me in reference to the suit A. Landauer has instituted against her and her
children for debt he claims her husband owed him. Very quiet day: but few people
from the country in town.

4th May, 1898, Wednesday
Cloudy this morning. Much appearance of rain. W.H. Gillispie to see me today about
suit Mrs. L. Allen had instituted against him, on note $140.00, 8% interest,
since Jany. 2, 1895 and open A/C/ $56.00, 5 % interest, since Jan. 1, 1898.
He took dinner at my house. About 10 o'clock clouds passed away and sun shone
balance of day. First naval battle between the U.S. and Spain took place about
4 o'clock A.M. on 1st Inst. at Manilla, Phillipine Islands, Spain defeated. But
both America and Spain claim the victory.
Rev. David Day preached in the Methodist church here at 8 o'clock P.M. Good
congregation. Text: Matt. 26:60, "What think ye?" Subject, human thought. He
made a good sermon. At the conclusion, he said, "I throw out there random thoughts
for you to think about" but I don't believe that he can handle the subject better
than he did.

5th May, 1898, Thursday
A little cloudy in the morning, but warm. Replanted pea bed in garden and hoes
butter beans. W.E. King and wife in town today. Miss Sallie Fife dined at my house.
Densely cloudy, thundering and rainy in eve. Hard rain and considerable rain from the west.

6th May, 1898, Friday
Cloudy, threatening rain and cold enough for a fire and winter clothes: ground
wet from yesterday's rain. Flossie found a gold finger ring on the school playground
yesterday and gave it to Prof. Landis for him to find the owner.
Disagreeably cold. Cloudy and wind from the west all day. Jas. M. King in town
today and said his wife, who gave birth to a son a few days ago, was not doing well
and he came to get some medicine for her and was in a hurry to get back.

7th May, 1898, Saturday
Almost cold enough for frost last night. On some things there was the appearance
of frost this morning. But the sun rose clear this morning and there is very little
wind. As usual, there are a good many people in town.
Yesterday eve, I got a letter from Lura, dated, "Yazoo City, Miss. 5 Inst".
I answered this morning. A warm, pleasant day. Tried a case today of J.C. Neilson
and R.M. Dunn vs. C.A. Tarver before T.P. Duncan, J.P. 7th Ward, for the value
of 50 canady butts at 15 cents each, $7.50.
The testimony was conflicting. But I don't think the plaintiffs made their case
certain. However, judgment was rendered against the defendant for 13 1/2 cents
equal $6.75 and costs. There is no appeal, be the judgment ever so unjust.
Confederate veterans had a meeting today.

8th May, 1898, Sunday
Went to Ogden school, large congregation, good spiritual time at the morning
service. Took dinner at Newt. Williams': had service again at night, large
congregation, but they were sleepy. To H.H. Slaughter's for the night. A very
pleasant day.

9th May, 1898, Monday
To E.M. King's: John Brownell and I drove up some cattle. I banded one black
and white heifer and banded and castrated one red yearling. Came home by Bob's,
his wife, Rachel, was sick.

10th May 1898, Tuesday
Plowed out my corn patch, four furrows to the row, throwing the dirt to the middle
and hoed ten rows. I bought a new plow of Tom Lowery, price $2.50. Tom Turner carried
it home for me.
Rachel confined last night: the child was removed by force. The doctors C. Guice
and Thompson, said it was jammed and could not be delivered. By forcing it, killed it.
Lucy went down there this eve. The child was buried. Cloudy all day. No sunshine.

11th May, 1898, Wednesday
Finished hoeing my corn and harrowed the middles down. It is now in nice condition.
I see by the papers that the Arkansas and White rivers are fuller than they have
been since 1844 and rising at the rate of one inch an hour.
All the low land is inundated and thousands of acres of corn and other farm crops
are destroyed. The lower Mississippi river, being tolerably low, is favorable for
the Tensas basin, but I fear if the reports are true, we will have high water
before the freshet passes out.

12th May, 1898, Thursday
Cloudy pretty much all day. I spent a considerable time today looking over and
answering letters. Have been out of my office since last Saturday and letters
have accumulated. I see Cap't. D.W. Ensminger on the streets today. He came in
during the week. Everything is extremely dull in town today. It is noticeable
this spring, that the ground in the fields and gardens, gets dryer and harder
and a thicker crust forms than is usually the case. It is troublesome,to get
seeds to come up through the crust on top: Under this crust, the ground seems
moist and loose enough.

13th May, 1898, Friday
Went out to the Hampton, Burn and Desha old fields, found some cows and yearlings.
Drove them to E.M. King's. Castrated two yearlings and Mac caught one calf in the
brake above Tony's and marked it. This calf is not branded. It is white except its
neck and head which is something of a strawberry color and it is a bull about two
months old. Took dinner at Mac's and came home by way of Bob's and found Rachel not
doing so well. About dark, took Jesse Neilson's harrow on my shoulders and carried
it home. Crops and gardens are needing rain.

14th May, 1898, Saturday
In office all day. A good many people in town. A warm, nice day.

15th May, 1898, Sunday
Much appearance of rain till about 10 o'clock when the clouds disappeared and
the sun shone the rest of the day. Did not go to my appointment at Howington
church. At home all day. Mamie at our house this eve, Bob came up later and
reported Rachel doing very well. She was wanting something to eat for the first
time in three or four days.
The report came in that two little boys at Mangham were practicing with a gun
when it fired and its contents took effect in the head of one of them killing
him instantly. They were small boys. The coffin ordered of J.D. Neilson for the
dead boy was only four feet long. Whose children they were, my informant,
J.D. Neilson, did not learn. The sun set behind a fiery, red sky.

16th May, 1898, Monday
Morning cloudy, and scattering and flying clouds pretty much all day.
Considerable south west wind. Rain is badly needed. J.W. Shamblin and W.H. Burn
met at Charlie Moore's house this morning, to arbitrate the value of the carpenter's
work done. They did not decide. My friend for the past forty five years, Joe Bryan,
took dinner at my house today. Charlie Moore moved in his new house.

17th May, 1898, Tuesday
Plowed my corn. Two furrows to the row, with a small sweep. A little cloudy
in morning but sun shine and quite warm in eve. J.H. Oaks came to my house to
see me about getting the money he heired from J.F. Oaks, Dec'd. out of the State
treasury. E.M. King brought a load of wood to my house. Rain is being needed.

18th May, 1898, Wednesday
Morning cloudy, appearance of rain. Warm and a little windy. Hoed out and stuck
my butter beans. The ground is dry and crusty on top, but a little under is loose
and moist.
Business of all kinds is very dull about town. But few people come in. Paid
J.W.Womble, Sheriff and Tax Collector, $3.30 on the taxes due by H.L. Mossler,
on the "Scott property". Rev. E.E. Riggs of Vidalia and Gilbert circuit, preached
in town at 8 o'clock P.M.

19th May, 1898, Thursday
Cloudy pretty much all morning, and about 4 P.M. had a pretty good rain, tho not
enough to wet the ground and put a season it . Considerable thundering before and
during the rain. A.D.O. Moore went to Boeuf prairie this A.M. I plowed 7 rows in
my southeast corner patch. The ground hard and dry, had not been plowed since 12th March.

20th May, 1898, Friday
High south east wind and cloudy. Plowed the west side of my garden this morning.
The little rain yesterday made the ground plow and pulverize well. Remarably
few people from the county in town today. The spring has been a little backward,
but the crops were easily managed, has been enough rain to keep the plants growing,
but no floods to pack the ground and prevent farm work.

21st May, 1898, Saturday
The woods are full of locusts, they keep a continuous singing noise and have been
for the past three weeks or more. This morning I hear a louder and coarser noise,
but of the same character, they seem to be more numerous that I have ever heard before.
Some kind of a little black, hard-shelled bug has been more destructive of corn this
spring than I ever heard of, except the spring of 1882, then they were confined to
sections of the country that had been overflowed, for we had very high water years,
but this year they are in sections that water never bothers.
Went out to look for a cow that Ed Parker told me had a young calf, found the cow and
calf on the Townsend old field, after much trouble, succeeded in putting her and the
calf in the lot at Tony White's. In the evening, got Mac King and John Brownell to
help me drive her home. Got her in the lot at home about sunset. Had a little rain
during the night.

22nd May, 1898, Sunday
Very cloudy this morning, but no rain today. Mamie and the old lady Brashear spent
the evening at my house. Nolan and myself went to Bob's a little while this P.M.

23rd May, 1898, Monday
Very foggy about daylight. Plowed a little in my southeast patch. Stuck some
tomatoes. Clouded up about 1 1/2 o'clock P.M.

24th May, 1898, Tuesday
Went out about Mac King's and on the old fields around there looking for a
yearling castrated a week or ten days and it's reported he is not doing well,
but failed to find him or the other cattle except for 3 or 4 head. It is strange
they have quit the old fields where they have ranged for years. A little showery.

25th May, 1898, Wednesday
Put two furrows to my corn with a turn plow. About 2 hours after I finished a fine
rain fell. Wet the ground well. Planted 16 hills watermelon and a few hills squash.

26th May, 1898, Thursday
Pleasant day after the rain yesterday, tho it seemed to be local. Very little fell
at P. Hampton's and E.M. King's. It is reported here today that it rained in
torrents in the Holly Grove neighborhood Sunday morning the 22nd Inst. and
also in lower Boeuf prairie.

27th May, 1898, Friday
Winnsboro high school closes today. Several people in town. Cap't. W.P. Power
winding up a three or four day drinking spree. Today hot and sultry. E.M. King
and all his family at my house for dinner. Misses Eunice Fife and -----Freeman
came in on train this P.M. 600 or 700 people at the school house tonight. Children
acted their parts well. After this, Prof. Showalter of Bastrop made an address on
subject of education. After fiddling and dancing began. After dark, H.F. Smullen
and H.H. Hair, had much of a fight, both considerably bruised but no particular harm done.

28th May, 1898, Saturday
Warm, clear morning. Mrs. Sarah Wylie and Miss Eunice Fife and Freeman at my house
last night and for breakfast this morning. Cap't. Power not quite sobered up, has
a woebegone look this morning.

29th May, 1898, Sunday
Went to Jas. M. King's, found his babe quite sick, and it died about 45 minutes
after I got there. It seemed to be congested. A good many people came in during
the eve. W.E. King came after its coffin and Lucy and Nolan went back with him.

30th May, 1898, Monday
Buried the little babe at the prairie church graveyard. Quite a concourse
of people at the burial. Lucy and Nolan came home in the buggy with little John King.
I rode Ruby. R.W.C.T. Hines, grand lecturer of Masons, visited Winnsboro lodge, No. 246.

31st May, 1898, Tuesday
Grand lecturer Hines left this eve, 4:15. Very warm and dry. The locusts are
not so noisy and numerous as they have been. Picnic at the Pettit old field.
This ends the month of May and likewise this tablet.

From July, 1898 to Dec. 24, 1898
Owing to carelessness on my part in not supplying myself with a tablet,
there is an intermission of the record of events, in the order of their
occurrence from the 31st May last. Today is 4 Oct, 1898. But I will go back
and collect a few facts in a disconnected order.

31st July, 1898, Sunday
Protracted meeting began at Boeuf prairie church. Rev. A.W. Turner of Columbia
doing the preaching till 7th August. On Tuesday, 2nd August, I went to the
"Randolph place" to look for a cow and took the fever which lasted till the
6 August. On the 20th August went, in Rev. Bronson's buggy, with Rev. B.G.
White, P.E., to the 3rd quarterly conference at Boeuf prairie and preached
there at 11 A.M. but few out. Held conference and to J.C. Potter's for the night.

21st August, 1898, Sunday
On the 21st (August 1898) good congregation. The P.E.(Pastor Emeritus) preached
at 11 A.M. and also at Winnsboro at 8 P.M.

5th September, 1898, Monday
On 5 Sept. (1898) I started, horseback, to Sicily Island to assist Rev McClendon
in a meeting. I stopped at E.C. Munson's for dinner and to feed my horse. After
eating, my horse showed signs of its recovery being sick: and for 6 or 7 hours
was quite sick, so much so I despaired of its recovery and went in to supper
having done all I could, but on coming out discovered it up and eating grass.
On the morning of the 6th I came home and took the evening train and went to
Florence. There I learned McClendon's meeting had closed four days previously.
On the 7th I came home. On the 10th Saturday, I received a postal card from
McClendon to come down that evening on the train to begin a meeting at Florence.
Went to Tom Higgins' that night, found one of his children quite sick of fever.
On Sunday (Sept. 11, 1898) I preached at "Pine Hill" church and to Bro. G. Krause's
for dinner. Found Bro. Krause suffering considerably from piles or fistula or some
disease of the rectum which gave him a good deal of pain and trouble. Had spent
a good deal of money with doctors and had had two operations performed but he
 was none the better. Went to Florence and preached there at night, then to
Mr. J.C. Miller's for the night.

12th September, 1898, Monday
Rained all day, had no church service. At G. Davis' for the day and night.
Held church service every day and night up to and including Sunday the 18th.
Not much visible good was done. A great deal of sickness in the vicinity.

19th September, 1898, Monday
Came home and commenced to put up the west string of fence.

20th September, 1898, Tuesday
Congressional Convention in Monroe today and nominated Hon. T.S. Baird of Bastrop
as the Democratic candidate for Congress for the 5thDistrict. There was no opposing
candidate.

21st September, 1898, Wednesday
Convention in Monroe today to nominate Democratic candidate for railroad commission
for the 3rd Railroad District. At first there (were) nine candidates before the
convention. But one at a time each dropped out till E.L. Foster of Shreveport,
and S.H. Cordell of Franklin Parish were the sole occupants of the field: when
the 65th ballot considered in favor of Foster by a vote of 95 to 65.

25th September, 1898, Sunday
Bishop Raglin, a boy of 16 or 17 years old, a race rider by profession, while
practicing a horse, near Elam Station on the N.O. & N.W. R.R. was thrown from
his horse and received injuries from which he died in a few hours: John Gilbert,
a turfman, got a fall from his horse, near Wisner, and had his collar bone broken
and his shoulder dislocated. Both instances the fruits of desecrating the Sabbath.

29th September, 1898, Thursday
The Bayou Macon Baptist association commenced at 7:30 P.M. at the Baptist church.
A.B. Armstrong, moderator in the chair. And continued in session until Saturday
night the 1st October. The attendance was small on account of the disagreeable
weather and muddy roads. Thursday, Friday and Saturday were very rainy days.
At 6 o'clock A.M., Sadie Berry died of swamp fever. Sadie was an amiable good
girl of about 14 summers. During the few days preceding her death and even before
she took to her bed as
she was confined there only about 48 hours, she told her mama and other members
of the family, that she would not get well, but would die, she had been unwell
for about one month.

30th September, 1898, Friday
Sadie Berry was buried today. Quite a crowd of people were gathered at the
Methodist church to attend the services held there. Conducted by Rev. Bronson.

1st October, 1898, Saturday
1st passenger train derailed near Florence about 8:30 A.M. and remained in
the ditch about 7 hours. Judge S.L. Elam came out from Natchez and reported
several cases of yellow fever at Norristown. Dr. W.M. Guice fell out of his
gallery backwards and hurt himself so I feel he will never recover. He is
getting too old to bear up under such jolts. He has reached 70th mile post
along the pathway of life. Estimating a year for a mile. This is the fourth
fall he had had in the last two or three years and all of a serious character,
the first: he was jerked down in a ditch against the ends of a plank on a
bridge and seriously hurt his hip; from which he has not recovered and
never will; the second, he was attempting to open the window blinds at
the school house, from the outside, and putting his foot on a round pole,
which rolled, he fell, and broke one of the bones in forearm at the right
wrist, the third, occurred in A. Landauer's in Natchez; he walked out in
the yard one dark night and stepped in a hole and fell and was carried in
the house and it was thought by those who were present and by himself too
that his knee was broken; this opinion was not changed for sometime afterwards,
and the fourth at his own house about as follows: he was sitting on the gallery
in one of those double rustic chairs with the back toward the outer edge:
thinking a banister rail was behind him, leaned back and no railing being
there, he had a clear fall of about 30 inches from floor to ground, the back
of head and shoulders coming in contact with the ground first.

2nd October, 1898, Sunday
Rev. C.T. Kincannon preached at the Baptist church at 11 A.M. and also at
7:30 P.M. He is a good preacher and I believe he is a good man. He took
dinner at my house and he and Bro. Madison of Oak Ridge took supper with
us.E.M. King's little boy stuck a nail through his foot. The passenger train,
or the engine pulling it, derailed somewhere between Oak Ridge and Bastrop.
Ed. D. Walter, last Thursday, started with his sister, Mildred Turner, to school
at Brookhaven, Miss. and accompanied her as far Harriston, Miss.; where a team met
her on to the school and he remained there until after midnight, returning home
Friday morning. When he was at Harriston, there were two cases of fever, which
proved to be yellow fever, and it was reported, this morning there are twenty
cases of yellow fever and one death. This alarmed the people of our town and
they concluded to have Ed leave till further developments. He retired to John
Osborne's two miles away. I suspect Ed feels lonely and somewhat melancholy at
his isolation from his home, associates and business.

3rd October, 1898, Monday
Police jury in session. Passenger train on the N.O. & N.W. R.R. made last trip
this P.M. till the yellow fever scare subsides.

4th October, 1898, Tuesday
Business very dull. Exceedingly few people in town. Weather very warm. F.N.
Abell told me that A.J. Ensminger got one of his fingers cut off by a mowing
machine. Rod R. Taliaferro commenced putting up brick chimney to the north end
of his house.

5th October, 1898, Wednesday
Rev. E.E. Biggs and family moved from Vidalia to his mother in law's, Mrs. M.E. Buie,
of this place. I put up four panels picket fence today. Weather very hot.
Taliaferro finished his chimney. Ed. C. Dixon doing the mason work.

6th October, 1898, Thursday
A very heavy rain from 5 to 6 P.M. Flossie and Gracie Moore went down in town
after school and, on account of the rain, did not get back home till next morning.
Petition in circulation to raise funds to build a sidewalk from the corner of
Pine and Prairie streets to the depot. There is some complaint through the country,
of the continuous and heavy rains, injuring the cotton.

7th October, 1898, Friday
Cloudy and rainy morning. Rob't. T. Meredith hauled, to my house, a load of stove wood.
Some of the citizens convened at the Court house to appoint a committee to superintend
the building of the sidewalk to the depot. Train got in trouble about Wisner and did
not get up here until about 9 o'clock P.M.

8th October, 1898, Saturday
Cloudy, gloomy morning. Tom Duncan reported to me early this morning that the news came
over the wires, last night, that yellow fever was in Natchez, Alexandria and Monroe.
Quite a flutter among the people here. Miss Espie Ellis, of Harrisburg, having bought
Mrs. Ione Adams' millinery stock, moved in and opened business yesterday.
At the last meeting of the Police jury on the 3rd Inst., they appointed a
Parish board of health, consisting of one member from each of the nine Wards,
as follows viz:
1 Ward:T.B. Gilbert, Jr.
2 Ward: Dr. W.W. Lee
3 Ward: R.M. Ward
4 Ward: Dr. J.L. Denson
5 Ward: Dr. Nash Collins
6 Ward: R.M. Baskin
7 Ward: Dr. C.L. Ramage
8 Ward: Dr. T.B. Poindexter
9 Ward: W.B. Grayson
They had a meeting of the board today: the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 9th wards were
not represented: and the 8th only by proxy. Elected Dr. C.L. Ramage, President;
which makes him health officer of the Parish. They passed strict quarantine
resolutions against all places affected with yellow fever, and prohibiting any
and all persons from coming into town who had been exposed to the yellow fever
or had been at or near places affected with that fever; fixed the salary of the
president, appointed 8th -------etc,etc.
Adjourned the meeting and came out in town and, lo, and behold, there were six
soldiers coming from the depot, just from Florida, where the yellow fever was,
came through Jackson, Miss. where it was an epidemic. The health officer and all
the members of the board met them, greeted them, shook hands with them and quite
a crowd gathered around them and they promenaded the town at will and finally
dispersed to their respective homes.
So much for the quarantine resolution! Poor Ed Walter was driven out of
town. Oh, constancy, thou art a jewel!

9th October, 1898, Sunday
Cloudy morning and warm. Everything quiet about town. Miss Jennie Rapp died
yesterday morning at her sister-in-law's, Mrs. R.G. Rapp. She died of cancer
on the breast. Last July or August, she went to Atlanta, Ga. for treatment;
and, I understand, had an operation performed and she seemed to be improved
and returned and resumed her school at Gilbert, where she had been teaching two previous sessions; but
the return of the cancer forced her to abandon the school and she did not survive the ravages of the
disease long. I did not know her precise age, but judge her to be near sixty years. Have known her
about forty years and she was fully grown when I first knew her. Then, she was very spare built and of
delicate frame, but of late years got to be quite corpulent. Never knew or heard anything derogatory
about her. In her death, the Methodist church has lost a consistent member; the good order of society,
one of its standard bearers; the profession of pedagogue, one of its devotees.
The citizens of town had an informal meeting this P.M. and asked Dr. C.L. Ramage,
Parish health officer, to put out guards. Judge C.J. Ellis would have nothing
to do with this meeting. The P.H.O. appointed two guards viz. Horace Wiggers
and Ed Burn.

10th October, 1898, Monday
Clear, pretty day, but warm. It is reported that cotton is sprouting in the boll,
as a result of so much rain and warm weather. The question is now being agitated
as to the probability of a scarcity of planting cotton seed next spring. It is
reported here that yellow fever is in Monroe and also that Billy Buie, who got
in from Jacksonville, Fla. Saturday the 8th Inst. now has fever at his pa's,
Mr. Wm. Buie. It has not developed into yellow fever but the people are
suspicious that it will. Mrs. Hope Moore sent out by Geo. Potter and Jno. L. Ross
for her daughter, Grace, to go home from school. She went home.

11th October, 1898, Tuesday
Considerable windstorm blew up from northeast about 3 o'clock A.M. and some rain,
but not very hard. About 9 o'clock A.M. the sun shone out clear and turned
considerably cooler. The two story house, the corner of Main and Pine streets,
finished today: and the contractor, Mr. Brown, leaves for his home in Natchez.
It is a very nice and well built house. Mrs. Lucy Moore spent the greater part
of this evening with Dr. W.M. Guice, who is confined to his room from the
combined effect of fever, general debility and a fall he got from his gallery
on the 1st Inst. Her visit cheered him up and she left him feeling a little better.

12th October, 1898, Wednesday
Considerably cooler, no frost but fire was pleasant. No additional news from
yellow fever districts. Joseph Bryan came in to make application for "pension"
under Art. 303, Constitution of 1898, and Act 125 of 1898. Weather warm this
evening. Mailed application to Baton Rouge.

13th October, 1898, Thursday
Not quite cold enough for frost in morning. Turned clear and warm in evening. Put up
3 panels of picket fence today. Did (not) go downtown till late in evening. Yellow
fever in Natchez reported abating. A.D.O. Moore went to the prairie today.

14th October, 1898, Friday
Put in 5 panels of fence. Jas. M. King and wife in town. Nearly cold enough for frost
this morning. Cool, pleasant day. Steve Scott stayed at my house tonight. A
nna Taliaferro's baby, "Reyman", quite sick: it is supposed he had a congestion chill.

15th October, 1898, Saturday
Got our new buggy home. Lucy, Nolan and myself went to Jas. M. King's,
driving Jno. M. King's mare, "Patsy".

16th October, 1898, Sunday
Remain there until 3 o'clock P.M. and then came home. Fred Scott and Archie Abell
came out there about 10 A.M. We left them there. It is reported, as these boys came home,
near the 5 mile board, 5 or 6 pistol shots fired in rapid succession, frightening the
women and children at Charlie Wigger's and Dave Hendry's, as the shooting was near
their houses. Mac King, hearing their screams, with John Brunell, ran over there to
learn the cause; the supposition is the boys did the shooting. Then they must have
had pistols. Nice adorning this, to go out on a Sunday morning, in a civilized and
Christianized country, to make a social call on young ladies!

17th October, 1898, Monday
High wind and a heavy rain came up from the west at 3 o'clock A.M. Pine tree fell
across my fence, breaking three panels. My first job to repair this break. Commenced
to build my carriage house. Charlie Moore commenced hauling sand and brick for chimney.

18th October, 1898, Tuesday
Worked on carriage house all day. C.E. Dixon commenced building Charlie's chimney.
Cool and pleasant for outdoor work.

19th October, 1898, Wednesday
Worked on carriage house. About sunset, "Ruby", a colt I had let Floyd King take
to ride and gentle, came up to the gate and I turned her into the lot.

20th October, 1898, Thursday
Rained pretty much all day and part of the time pretty hard. Done nothing on the
carriage house except put up the rafters. Mr. Royal came to see me on some business
and he helped me put them up.
Turned considerably colder. It is reported that "Handy" Ward, son of R.M. Ward,
died this morning at 7 o'clock of swamp fever.

21st October, 1898, Friday
Cold day. North wind. Heavy clothing and fire needed. Charlie's chimney finished.
The report came to town that T.J. Matthews was quite sick; erysipilus in both legs
and has fever threatened with swamp fever. Depot agent told me he had order from
J.M. Barkley, Agt. N.O. & N.W. Ry. to pay me $40.00 for A. Royal's horse killed
by the train 15 Sept. last but the money was not in the office.

22nd October, 1898, Saturday
White frost this morning, sufficient to kill vegetation. Quite cold and clear.
Considerable number of people in town today, but not much trading; owing to the
quarantine, town is getting out of many things needed by the people. News came
from Sicily Island that one of Zeb York's children died this morning. About
1 o'clock P.M., Mrs. Sallie Earle, grandma of the child, left here in a hack
from the livery stable to attend the funeral of the child on Sicily Island.

23rd October, 1898, Sunday
Zeb York's child brought up to town on a handcar and was buried in the cemetery
here about 4 o'clock P.M. Services were conducted by the writer, at the Methodist
church at 3:30 P.M. Not very large attendance, the family objected to having the
church bell rung. Little Minnie, aged 3 years, was laid away.
Rev. J.A. Snyder, pastor of the Baptist church, held services morning and night.
In the afternoon, he organized a Baptist Sunday school with Prof. B.S. Landis,
Superintendent, and H.A. Wiggers, secy. and treas.
About 8 o'clock P.M., a wagon came up from Hon, T.B. Gilbert's for a burial
casket for his mother, Mrs. Louisa Gilbert, who departed this life this P.M.,
at the ripe age of a little past 92 years.
It is reported her that a Mr. Crysel, in the Lamar neighborhood, struck Jeff Johnson
on the head with a billet of wood yesterday and it is thought that the skull is
fractured and may result in his death.
It is reported that J.T. Matthews is not doing very well.

24th October, 1898, Monday
Civil term district court opened this morning with the smallest docket the
district court ever had in this Parish. The day is warm and pleasant; no
frost this morning.
W.H. Burn commenced work on the scaffold or gallows on which Gus Grimble
is to hang next Friday the 28th Inst. W.H. Brown went with a two horse
carriage to meet Billy Earle, who had been in the U.S. army over a year
and was in the cavalry at the engagement at Santiago de Cuba and was
wounded in the hip, sent then to New York and it is reported that his
wound is incurable, but it has got well enough for him to come home,
tho he will be a cripple. He is at home.

25th October, 1898, Tuesday
Burial casket went out this morning for Mrs. G.W. Hodges of Crowville
who died during the past night. There is considerable appearance of
rain this A.M. Turned off clear and pleasant. A burial casket also
went out for a Mr. Gordy, who lived near T.E. Drexler's, died during
the last night or this morning, both of pneumonia.

26th October, 1898, Wednesday
Quite cold this morning. Some say there was ice, but I saw none. Some
frost, but not so much as there was a day or two past, owing perhaps to
the high wind It is reported that J.W. Womble and T.B. Gilbert, Jr. were
quite inebriated this P.M. The train did not come up till 10 o'clock P.M.
Burial casket went up to Mangham for a Mr. Hixon, who died there this A.M.

27th October, 1898, Thursday
The biggest frost of the season up to this date. Pump was frozen; had to
thaw it with warm water. Very pleasant day after the morning past.
Cap't. Power came over to my house about 8 o'clock P.M. and sat for an
hour or two and very pleasantly. The purpose of his visit was to employ
Lura to assist him in the post office from 1 Nov. to 31 Dec. 31 at $10.00
per month, then, if all suited, to continue longer at better wages.

28th October, 1898, Friday
On the 4 March last, John Grayham was hanged, by the Sheriff in the front
of the jail; see an account of it in my diary of that date. On the 19th of
said month, Gus Grimble, murdered his wife, see an account thereof in my
diary of that date. Today is the time fixed by the governor for him to pay
the penalty on the gallows for the dead of 19th March. But the hanging
will be within the four walls of the jail unlike that of the 4 March.
There are very few people coming to town. No one seems to think or care much
about the transactions of today. By 11 o'clock there was quite a gathering
of negroes in town. The day is bright and clear, tho a little cool.
I estimate 200 negroes in the court house square at 1:30 o'clock P.M.
But all quiet and orderly. The hanging took place about 2 o'clock P.M.
The convict died hard, tho he had frequently said he was ready and anxious
for the day of execution to come. This can be accounted for from the consideration
that the event was inevitable, the last spark of hope for deliverance had been blown out.
Under such circumstances, the mind can be wrought up to that degree of frenzy as to
assume the attitude of perfect indifference and quiet resignation to the pending fate.

29th October, 1898, Saturday
Some frost this morning, tho not very cold. Moderated about 9 o'clock A.M.
Got old man Jack Lawson's horse to drive to the prairie. Went to W.T. Morris'
for the night. Good many negroes at his store. Had horse race at Whatley's
place this evening. They had a fair at John Crosby's at night. Three negro boys
from near Crowville with chums to give music for the crowd.

30th October, 1898, Sunday
To church at the prairie today. Good congregation. Dinner prepared for all.
Rev. A.W. Turner preached a good sermon. Subject: "Death Rev. 6:8". It was listened
to with marked attention. Dinner over, preaching again by Rev. E.E. Riggs, this one
too long, the first part very well, the latter part killed the good effects the
first part may have produced.
Came by W.T. Moore's, got his daughter, "Gracie", and came on home getting home
about 7:30 P.M. Riggs preached a temperance sermon at Winnsboro tonight.

31st October, 1898, Monday
Lucy and I went to E.M. King's. Met him coming to town. Found all well.
Early King picking cotton there. Cold frosty morning. The baby of Bob's
quite sick today. This winds up October 1898.

1st November, 1898, Tuesday
Big frost this morning. Prof. A.C. Calhoun, candidate for Railroad Commissioner,
for 3rd District on the Populist ticket, made speech at the courthouse advocating
his claims for the position. Not very large attendance.
A small drove of Texas ponies in town, the first of the kind that's been here
for several years. Lura commenced with Cap't. Power in the post office.
Bob says his baby is up this morning. A negro convict, working out his sentence
on the public road, made his escape about sundown this P.M.

2nd November, 1898, Wednesday
Warm, pleasant morning. Very little frost, tho clear. Passenger train came up
this morning, the first since the 3rd Oct. A. Landauer came in today.
Jas. G. Taliaferro, the candidate for Congress on the Populist ticket,
came in town today. Was to have been here yesterday with Prof. Calhoun,
but was sick. I commenced to flat brake my corn patch this evening.
Houston Burn took the fever on 29th Oct. and it was at first thought
to be yellow fever, but it has now developed into a case of pneumonia.
We are now having delightful weather for gathering crops.

3rd November, 1898, Thursday
Pleasant morning. Owing to the quarantine, our town is about out of
provisions of any and all kinds. Houston Burn is reported as not doing
so well. It is also reported that A. Landauer is sick. There was yellow
fever in Natchez when he left there. Miss Kate Guice went to Natchez this eve.

4th November, 1898, Friday
Cloudy about daylight, but it soon cleared off. No frost this morn. H. Block in town.
Jim Dillard's finished hauling to my house, two cords wood. Tom Howington's wife,
Laura, and three children at Charlie Moore's tonight. H. Block at Mr. McDuff's tonight.

5th November, 1898, Saturday
A light shower of rain during last night. Quite warm this morning. Floyd King
came after Ruby. John King told me he thought Herman Wiggers was approaching a
case of swamp fever. Several cases of yellow fever reported in Natchez. Mrs. E.M.
Scott intended going to Vidalia this P.M. but the report caused her to abandon the trip.

6th November, 1898, Sunday
At 2 o'clock P.M., Alonzo and myself started to T.J. Matthews, getting there
between sunset and dark: found Drs. L.M. Griffin and C.L. Guice there: he had
been sick abed about three weeks, was first attacked with erysipelas in feet
and now to his body. Has constant fever and now has symptoms of swamp fever.
Remained there all night.

7th November, 1898, Monday
He is nearly clear of fever this morning and say he feels better, feels
like he could eat a little beef. We left about 9 o'clock A.M., went down
to the "John Buie place", up by W.B. Grayson's store, there saw G.B. Frazier
and J.C. Humble and on home by train time 4:15. Dr. Griffin went home this A.M.
to return tomorrow eve. The cotton fields are white to the harvest. Roads are
very dry and dusty. I learned for the first time today, that Miss Mary Buie had
cancer on the breast and it would perhaps prove fatal before long. In Matthew's
case, the doctors are fearful that either blood poison or swamp fever will
develop itself and in either case, they dread the consequences.

8th November, 1898, Tuesday
Election day: for Congressman: on the hog law: on school tax of 5 mills in the
7th Ward: and on prohibition.
News came up here that T.J. Matthews was not doing so well this morning as he was
yesterday morning. Also that Gottlieb Krause, of Sicily Island, is very low,
if not dead: see this diary of 11th Sept. Rain this eve. Has been warm and
cloudy three or four days.

9th November, 1898, Wednesday
Very rainy day, cold and disagreeable. I remained in the house, at home,
all the evening. It is reported that Mrs. Lela Archibald, daughter of the late
W.A. Bell, died at her home at Archibald, Richland Parish, of swamp fever,
a day or so ago. A full account of yesterday's election will be given under
date of Friday the 11th. Mrs. E.M. Scott went to Vidalia.

10th November, 1898, Thursday
It is reported that one of the brakemen of the freight of the N.O. & N.W. R.R.
had his leg cut in two, by the cars, at or near Oak Ridge, this P.M.
E.M. King brought, to my house, two hogs, dressed. John Brownell assisted him
in dressing them and he gave him one shoulder of one of the hogs. That was all right. Cold and cloudy
day, but no rain. The two hogs up and salted them down.

11th November, 1898, Friday

This is a very disagreeable, cold rainy day, sleeted a little this eve.

					Congress
		Ward 1 S.T. Baird 23		Ward 2 S.T. Baird 47
								   J.G. Taliaferro 7
								   H.B. Taliaferro 2

		Ward 3 Baird 85			Ward 4 Baird 88
		Ward 5 Baird 11			Ward 6 Baird 24
			   J.G.T. 10				   J.G.T. 2
		Ward 7 Baird 65			Ward 8 Baird 18
			   J.G.T. 40				   J.G.T. 4
			   H.B.T. 3
		Ward 9 Baird 15
			   J.G.T. 2
				Railroad Commissioner
		Ward 1 W.L. Foster 21		Ward 2 W.L. Foster 41
			   W.B. Martson 2			   A.C. Calhoun 9
								   Martson 1
								   W.H. Hough 2
		Ward 3 Foster 84			Ward 4 Foster 84
			   Calhoun 3				   Calhoun 1
			   Martson 1				   Martson 2
		Ward 5 				Ward 6 Foster 20
								   Calhoun 6
		Ward 7 Foster 60			Ward 8 Foster 20
			   Calhoun 46			   Calhoun 6
			   Hough 2				   Martson 1
		Ward 9 Foster 15
			   Calhoun 2

				License		No License
 	Ward 1		15			39
	Ward 2		21			42
	Ward 3		52			36
	Ward 4		68			22
	Ward 5		2			26
	Ward 6		13			11
	Ward 7		71			61
	Ward 8		6			23
	Ward 9		1			26

				Hogs For		Hogs Against
	Ward 1		39			12
	Ward 2		35			26
	Ward 3		24			56
	Ward 4		81			7
	Ward 5		19			10
	Ward 6		20			2
	Ward 7		114			4
	Ward 8		25			0
	Ward 9		27			1


				Recapitulation
S.T. Baird-Democrat-Congress-376
J.S. Taliaferro-Populist-Congress-65
H.B. Taliaferro-Republican-Congress-8

W.L. Foster-Democrat-R.R. Comm.-347
A.C. Calhoun-Populist-R.R. Comm.-98
W.B. Martson-Ind. Democrat-R.R. Comm.-10
W.H. Hough-Ind.-R.R. Comm.-4

For License-249			Against License-285

For Hogs at Large-386		Against Hogs at Large-188

12th November, 1898, Saturday
Cold, cloudy day. Wilbur Wiggers opened up a little fruit stand in
the beef market in Prairie Street, with a capital of $9.00.

13th November, 1898, Sunday
Cold cloudy rainy day. Rev. B.F. White held his last quarterly conference
and made a random talk, which he called a sermon, but nobody else did.
E.M. King brought his daughter, Gracie, to board at our house and go
to school.

14th November, 1898, Monday
Today is my three score birthday. What changes and revolutions have taken
place in this little world of ours, since I have been an inhabitant on it!
My general health is good and I do not materially feel the weight of three
score years upon, but to a limited extent do realize that this frame is failing.
Mostly however, in my eyesight. I do not recover from fatigue, or tire, as
soon as I used to. I am now suffering a little with rheumatism in my right
shoulder and arm. I can't see, but my mind is as active as ever; and I do
see that I can think more systematically now than some years back. Spiritually
I feel as young and vigorous as ever. I never had a tooth ache though have had
two teeth extracted and have another one that will soon have to be taken out.
I called to see Houston Burn this morning, who has been sick of fever and
pneumonia 22 days. His mind is a little flighty and is by no means out of
danger. Mrs. E.J. Scott returned from Vidalia. Had a birthday supper, instead
of dinner. Jim Hilliard hauled in a large pine.

15th November, 1898, Tuesday
About sunrise this morning, I saw, in the west, a big rainbow. It had clouded
up and turned colder and the clouds had the appearance of snow.
Goodman Twine hauled a load of sand to my house. No rain today.

16th November, 1898, Wednesday
A clear bright day, the first since a week ago today. Went to E.M. King's so see
about getting some boards and found him picking cotton. Mr. Watkins is building
the brick flue in T.B. Gilbert's storehouse; now occupied by D.E. Walter and the
woods very boggy.

17th November, 1898, Thursday
Rain last night and this morning. Very cloudy, tho not much cold. Carried the
children to school in the buggy. Jeff B. Posey's wife died this morning, miscarriage.
Ralf Colvin finished hauling me ten cords of wood. I have had hauled this fall
13 1/2 cords fire wood and one load pieces for kindling fires.

18th November, 1898, Friday
This morning  a little cloudy, but the sun shone out about 10 o'clock and
the day appears to be a fine one.
Wiley Grayson reports that Tom Matthews is improving, am glad to hear it;
he has been sick 4 or 5 weeks and he thought his chance to recover was slim.

19th November, 1898, Saturday
A very pleasant, bright day. I have all my wood and pine for the winter.
At the cost of $20.00 and it's all paid for. Quite a number of people in
town today, but all sober, and of course, no noise and confusion. E.M. King
hauled me a load of wood, the saps and refused staves. It is dry and makes
excellent stove wood.
Sam Shamblin put a patch on one of my shoes. He did a pretty good job.

20th November, 1898, Sunday
A pleasant day tho a little cloudy. I hitched Jewel to the buggy and took Nolan
and Flossie and went to Will Guice's and I found Bob and Rachel and their two
children there. We spent most of the day there. Jewel did splendidly going,
but acted badly when I hitched up to come home, and also acted provokingly at
my lot gate. She would back, but would not go forward till Mr. King, with a rope,
twisted her nose. Mamie, Mrs. Brashear, Mrs. Anna King and Maud were at our house this eve.


21st November, 1898, Monday
Cloudy and high wind from south. About 12 M. rained and the eve very dark and gloomy.
Today the fair begins at Natchez.
It is reported that last night, after dark, some of the mischievous boys around town,
stretched a wire across Prairie street, east of N.A. Wiggers dwelling. Soon,
thereafter two men in a two horse buggy came along and the wire tripped the
horses and overturned the buggy. These men were Louis Lowentritt and Will Davis.
Rev. David Day, Free Methodist preacher, came in today. About 2 P.M. the wind
shifted to the west and blew quite a gale and a very hard rain fell; but the sun set clear.

22nd November, 1898, Tuesday
Coldest Monday. Thickest ice and hardest freeze of the season up to date, tho
the day is bright and clear.
It is reported here that a negro girl, at Henry Buie's, the nurse for his baby,
was near the fire and her clothes caught on fire. Henry, being in the house,
took the baby from her and put it on the bed and attempting to extinguish the
fire got his hands badly burned; the negro girl was also badly burned, to what
extent I did not learn.

23rd November, 1898, Wednesday
A very cold morning. Work commenced on the "plank walk" from the depot to
Landauer's store yesterday. Between 6 and 7 o'clock A.M. Bob Moore's house
burned down, but little was saved from the ravages of the fire. Bob was at
the saw mill, a mile away, at his work. No help came until his 9 year old son,
Fred, ran to the mill and told his pa and he and some of the mill hands could
get there. When they got to the place, the roof was falling in. His wife,
Rachel, had got out some of the beds and bedding, the sewing machine and a trunk.
Some of their bedding, bedsteads and clothing were lost. John M. King got his
commission of justice of peace for Ward 7.

24th November, 1898, Thursday
National thanksgiving day. Had service at the Baptist church. Rev. J.A. Snyder,
the pastor,  preached a pretty good sermon on the occasion. Public collection
taken, received $2.50. It's a cold day but clear and bright.
The passenger train derailed at Gilbert the A.M. and delayed about 45 minutes and
it was also derailed at Rayville and was delayed about 5 hours.

25th November, 1898. Friday
Sleeted a little this A.M. and has much the appearance of snow. Tony White, a
good old, darky, living on E.M. King's place, and has lived there the past
6 or 7 years died last night of some kind of bowel trouble.

26th November, 1898, Saturday
A cool, but clear day. A good many people in town. Flossie, Gracie and Ida Moore
went to every house in town taking contributions for Rob't. Moore and family
and got enough dry goods to supply their loss by fire and T.P. Duncan went among
the stores and got enough dishes to set them up again. Steele and Johnson sent,
by George Roberts, 1000 lbs. of cotton seed to feed cows and calves. Bob moved everything home.

27th November, 1898, Sunday
Rev. Mr. Brown, an Episcopalian, preached in town and had communion service today.
The day is very cold. Mrs. Steele is quite sick.

28th November, 1898, Monday
Very cloudy, rainy cold day, sun did not shine today.

29th November, 1898, Tuesday
Very cloudy and cold till about 2 P.M. when it cleared off and the sun shone out
brightly and the evening is very pleasant, but the ground cold and wet.
Mr. Dillard brought a load of wood to my office. Henry hair called in to see
me on some law business.

30th November, 1898, Wednesday
Not very cold, a little cloudy, but the clouds soon passed off and the day was pleasant.
Mac King came to help me cover my buggy house and brought his wagon and Harrod King
to take a gin stand to Jas. King from the depot. But after putting it in the wagon
was afraid to risk it and the team with Harral alone, so he went with the wagon
and I saw no more of him; and I went to work on top of my buggy house alone.
All of the help I had was my grandson, Freddie, who carried a few shingles up
on the house and went to town and got me a few nails.
November is ended. More rainy bad weather has been during this month than any
previous November that I now remember.

1st December, 1898, Thursday
Continued to work on top of the buggy house. Was hindered about one hour by
Mr. J.A. Morris who came to see me about a law suit of M.E. Cordell vs. him,
but done nothing. Today was the agreed time to have a race by P.B. Brown's mare
and Dr. D.H. Catlett's horse, on the track on the Burn's field. Both racers,
riders, owners and quite a number of persons were there, but the race was not
run; for the cause, as I understand it, the ground was too wet or muddy.
Mr. Walker commenced scraping the paint on my old bureau, preparatory to
repainting it. Today a little cool, but no rain.

2nd December, 1898, Friday
Finished putting top on the buggy house and recovered gallery east side of
dining room. Mrs. Etta King and three of her youngest children at our house
tonight. The day cool and clear. W.T. Moore paid $5.00 on Gracie's board.

3rd December, 1898, Saturday
Heavy thundering; dark cloud in the west. Early, about 9 A.M., hard rain.
Rain in eve, brisk west wind all day and during the day considerable gale
and very cold. Etta King and three children at my house. Wilbur Wiggers taken
sick, threatened with pneumonia.

4th December, 1898, Sunday
Very cold day. Snowed a little in the morning, strond west wind continues.
No Sunday school today, too cold. The passenger train derailed about Gilbert
and did not get up here till about 4 o'clock P.M. Passed down at 9 P.M.

5th December, 1898, Monday
A beautiful, clear morning, but very cold. A big frost, ground froze.
Wilbur Wiggers no better, but worse if anything.
Oscar Lewis drove two horses and a wagon to Neilson's shop early this morning,
unhitched the horses from the wagon, tied them to the wheel, got drunk, and the
horses stood there all day, all night and were there the next morning, stood
there without food or water.

6th December, 1898, Tuesday
Oscar Lewis hitched up his wagon and horses and started home about
10 A.M. A cold morning, some clouds visible, indication of rain soon.
It is reported that W.H. Burn started home today, having not been here
eleven months. Came in 5 Jan. last under pretense of buying lumber to finish
some building he was putting up near Bullet's bayou on the Miss. river.
Carrie, daughter of W.H. Burn, who had been at her brother, Ed's, for
several months, also went home with her papa.

7th December, 1898, Wednesday
The weather is moderating considerably. No ice, but little frost.
Sun shines, but there are some little flying clouds.

8th December, 1898, Thursday
Cold and cloudy all day. Toward evening turned very cold and sleeted
during the night. Considerable snow fell.

9th December, 1898, Friday
Snowed pretty much all day. Everything covered to the depth of 1/2 inches.
Cold north wind. A mink got in the coop where Lucy had put a hen with nine
little chickens and killed all of the little ones.

10th December, 1898, Saturday
Sun rose clear upon this part of the earth covered with snow, but it's
quite cold, though very little wind. Charlie King, son of Jno. M. King,
came in from Galveston, Tex., came in on this evening's train. W.L. Whitney
made an assignment to his creditors. Dr. W.M. Guice had a hard chill tonight.
His daughter, Kate, went to Monroe Thursday, and left him alone with a negro girl.

11th December, 1898, Sunday
A very cold day. Miss Bessie Rop of Floyd, La. came to our house this P.M.,
traveling and selling a patented "fire kindler". It's a good thing, but she
had poor success here.

12th December, 1898, Monday
The day is cold with north wind.

13th December, 1898, Tuesday
The train derailed near Collinston on its north bound trip about 11 o'clock A.M.
and did not pass down till about 4 o'clock Wednesday morning.

14th December, 1898, Wednesday
The hardest freeze of the season. Alternate cloudy and sunshine all day.

15th December, 1898, Thursday
Mr. H. Block in town. Had the lampers cut out with hot iron out of Jewel's
mouth. Mr. Jno. M. King performing the operation. Pretty cold day.

16th December, 1898, Friday
Cold and cloudy. Mr. H. Block and Mr. A.W. McDuff came to my house to see
me on some business. Sun shone brightly for an hour or two, then cloudy the
rest of the day.

17th December, 1898, Saturday
Very cloudy. Moderately warm with much appearance of rain this morning.
A good many people in town; but trade is very dull.

18th December, 1898, Sunday
Rained till 3 o'clock P.M. and part of the time quite hard. The sun
set clear. The elements were covered with clouds, elsewhere than the setting sun,
all of which presented a beautiful pink color.

19th December, 1898, Monday
Morning cloudy, but sun shines in eve. Not very cold. Went to Gilbert this P.M.
to see Mrs. N.E. Lusk about paying for a "computing scales" she had purchased of
"Ludlow and Co." of St. Louis. She reshipped the scales back to the co. and also
to see S.N. Thomas about a debt he owed Jos. Bowling Co. Lt'd. and which he had
promised to compromise on 25 cts. on the dollar and they had agreed to accept
his offer; but he did not pay, pleaded dull business rendered him unable to do so.
Stayed all night at Mr. S.T. Yancey's.

20th December, 1898, Tuesday
Clear pleasant day. Came home on the train. Met Mr. Gunning, an old gentleman
resident of Natchez, Miss. since 1843. Now on his way to Texas to spend the
winter with his nephew. Wilbur Wiggers started to his mother's in Miss. this A.M.
The Misses Maud and Anna Hadnot of Red River, near Colfax, Grant Parish, came
to my house this P.M. They are two interesting, intelligent ladies, and the
relations of Mrs. Matthews and Mrs. Pearce of Boeuf prairie. In changing cars,
from the Iron Mountain depot to the V.S.& P. depot at Monroe, their trunk failed
to be transferred, which fact they did not ascertain till they had got to Rayville.
Rev. I.L. Bronson returned from conference.

21st December, 1898, Wednesday
The Misses Hadnot trunk did not come in this P.M. tho it had been telegraphed for.
E.M. King brought a shoat weighing perhaps 40 lbs., to my house. Quite a to do by
the school children at the basement story of the Masonic temple tonight, and by the
sale of oysters, candy, Mother Goose eggs, Post Office, lemonade by "Rebecca at the Well"
there was realized $71.36 to be applied to the payment of seats recently purchased
for the school house. The Misses Hadnot went over and spent the night at A.D.O. Moore's.

22nd December, 1898, Thursday
Considerably cloudy this morning. H.H. Hair sent me a hog, dressed. A good many
people in town. What a hurly-burly among the people getting "Christmas" things
for their children.

23rd December, 1898, Friday
Cold, frosty morning; clear; after the morning cool passed off, the day was
bright, clear, warm and pleasant, very much like a spring day. People, black
and white, male and female, as thick as bees about a hive: and tramp of feet
and voices in one continuous buzz. Some little trading but mostly things of little
value. Miss Cora McCoy of Gilbert, came up to dinner with Miss Ollie Wylie today.
One plank under my hearth dropped down this morning, which necessitated its
replacing before we could, with safety, have a fire. Some of the young people
put up a tree in the basement of the Masonic Temple on which to hang Christmas
presents, usually Called a "Christmas tree".

24th December, 1898, Saturday
Cloudy and cold pretty much all day: Oh, what a hurly-burly bustle in town today!
A goodly number drunk. Sun shone in the evening. Christmas tree decorated.