Entries in 1877 Diary of Isaac McComas; Baltimore, Frederick and Carroll Counties, Maryland July - December Contributed to the USGenWeb Archives by Charles McComas Robb Copyright. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/md/mdfiles.htm ********************************************************* 1877 Sunday, July 1 Weather quite warm. I did not go away from the house except to Church all day stayed home & read & slept. Sallie is quite sick all day she did not get up untill evening. They had an all day meeting at our Ijamsville Church today but I did not go but once in the afternoon. All well except Sallie. Monday, July 2 Weather not quite so warm today. Charlie & I fixed the little brake in the Mill & went to grinding corn. Today was Pay Day on the R Road as we was busy in the evening. We had two little Pigs kiled on the R Road this morning they was not cut bad so we cleaned them for the table. Bro. James came up on the Mail this AM. All well. Tuesday, July 3 Weather pleasant out in the shade as we had a good breeze. We was very busy all day not so busy grinding but attending to business. We ground Rye most of the day. I want to make Hog feed out of it as that kind of feed is most [in] demand. Harry McComas came up this eve. Bro James is still with us All well. Wednesday, July 4 Weather warm but just the weather that is needed now for farmers to get there wheat in and plow the corn. Bro. James & I took a ride as far as Urbana. James is very much pleased with the country about here and also the Mill. We have been grinding corn all day. Business tolerable good. No Way trane running so I could not send out our Meal. All well. Thursday, July 5 Weather pleasant. Have been running on corn all day. Bro. Jas. & I rode up to Frederick. I went on business James wanted to see the place was never there before was very much pleased with the place & country. We are out of wheat & want some very bad. All well. Friday, July 6 Weather pleasant but we had more rain last night but has the appearance of dry weather now. We need dry weather now for a while so farmers can get there wheat in out of the field. I went to Frederick to try and get some wheat but find there is none comeing in for the same reason too wet. James went home this morning. Saturday, July 7 Weather pleasant. I was very busy all day. I commenced to tare down & build up the arch way over the fore bay. It was about ready to fall down. The first new wheat came in today M Kanod(?) brought it @ 1.40. I want to get to grinding Monday or first of the week. Business tolerable good today. All well. Sunday, July 8 Weather pleasant.. We had our new Book at Sunday School today. After school we had a good Conference Meeting. I do not know what I would do if there was no Methodist meeting as we have no Church of our own. I did not go away from home in the afternoon. I spent the time reading. Family well. Monday, July 9 Weather quite warm. I helped to fix the repairs at the fore bay. We worked very hard & got through about 8 o’clock. I am very glad it is fixed as I have been very fearfull about it as it was cracked very bad & I have been thinking about it so long. We made a good job of it. Business tolerable good. All well. Tueday, July 10 Weather pleasant. We weighed out the first new wheat of the season this morning @ 1.40. After dinner we commenced to grind it. We mixed it with some old wheat & with that it is grinding very well. Business just tolerable good today no reason to complain. Sent one Bbl family to Ellicott City @ 9.00. Family all well. Wednesday, July 11 Weather pleasant but warm in the Sun. We worked at the bal. of the anchors have them all in now. After water got up went on wheat untill afternoon corn while we took the wheat Bur up to wash. I worked about the Mill off and on fixing up all day. Family all well. Thursday, July 12 Weather quite pleasant all day. I repaired the chimney to the Mill the first thing we done today then we cleaned a lot of windows and I done a lot of painting and cleaning up. Charlie & Harry McComas is helping us. He is stoping with us for a while. Our car load Sunberry Coal came today 5.65 per ton 2240”. All well. Friday, July 13 Weather very pleasant. Mr. N. B. Dorsey came up to see me about a claim he held against the old firm McComas & Bro. It is in consequence of him endorseing a Note of the latter firm while I was in Cal & at the settlement of Jacob & I. Jacob agreed to pay the above Note. The Note was held by H??ges. I gave N.B.D. $125.00 and he released me from the Note. Business tolerable good today. All well. Saturday, July 14 Weather quite pleasant about the mill they say it is warm in the Sun. We have been running on chop & Meal all day. We sent away 500” Meal to E. Owings Woodbine. He is a very good customer for Meal. Business was very good today. We are getting short of family flour. I am very anxious to get some wheat. Family all well. Sunday, July 15 Weather warm and dry. I did not go out in the forenoon as there was no meeting at the Church till afternoon. Sabbath School at one and preaching at 3 O’clock by Bro. Jas. Crawford. We all like him very much. He is a good man & a very good preacher. Family well. Monday, July 16 Weather warm and getting very dry. I sat up Mr. Riggs on the Dam to reapir it some. After the water got up we started on corn and have been running on corn all day. No wheat as yet. We are almost out of flour. I rode to Frederick after wheat today. I have been working on an improvement on the white Mid spouts. Business good. All well. Tuesday, July 17 Weather pleasant. We had a gust last night but did not rain very much about here. I ran all night on corn and worked on my alteration of the White Mid spouts. I am trying to save labor and dust. I got through it today and am giving it a try now. I find it works very well. Family all well. Wednesday, July 18 Weather warm with a good shower in the afternoon. I ran on corn all last night again. Today we have been grinding over all day. I expect some wheat from Frederick tomorrow so I am in hopes we will not run out of flour. There will soon be wheat thrashed in this neighbourhood. Business was rather dull today. We sent Owing 500” Meal. All well. Thursday, July 19 Weather cloudy and wet most of the forenoon and rained all last night just what we wanted. We had been working on corn most all day. Geo. Rinehart fixed some Cogs in the wheat fly wheal. I bought a dimond Burr dresser today paid 30$ for it. I hope I will be pleased with it. All well. Friday, July 20 Weather pleasant after the rain it has been cloudy all day. Owing to the strike on the B&O R Road business has been dull. Some cars are running today but I think they are by the officers & new men. We had a little lot of wheat come from Frederick. None have thrashed about here yet, have been choping new Rye. All well. Saturday, July 21 Weather Hazey but pleasant. The Strike on the B&O R Road is getting to be more general then was first supposed would be no tranes running except some Pasinger tranes except some few on this end of the road. No Way trane up today from Balto. Last night some 20 kiled solders ordered out. Sunday, July 22 Weather warm and close all day. I was at Sabbath School & Class meeting in the forenoon but did not go out any more all day. Stayed home and red most of the time. There was prayer meeting at Bro. Anderson’s and prayer meeting at the Church at night but I did not go. All well. Monday, July 23 Weather close and warm has been cloudy all day & sprinkled a little. We have been grinding wheat most all day. We have a little on hand. We have a car load at Lime Kiln but owing to the strike I do not know when I will get it. It is getting now general all over the Country and is doing a great deal of damage. All well. Tuesday, July 24 Weather cloudy with a little rain in the afternoon. The weather keeps close and warm. We could not do much today on account of no wheat in the Mill & have pleanty of Meal ground & no way to ship it owing to the strike on the R Road. The strikers are doing a great deal of distruction in different parts of the country. Wednesday, July 25 Weather pleasant. 40 odd Bus wheat came in today so we are grinding it. My retail business is very good but I cannot ship any thing on account of the strike. There are no tranes running yet nor do any expect to untill the thing is settled. I cant ship any Meal afraid it will spoil on my hands. All well. Thursday, July 26 Weather very warm. Maggie & I went to Frederick on the cars. The strikers let the trane and some of the Pasinger cars run but no freight. The thing is still unsettled yet and no one knows when it will be. I have no way to ship any thing away same all over the country. We did not grind much today. All well. Friday, July 27 Weather continues very warm. I thought it best not to do anything today we have aplenty ground & we cannot ship any away owing to the strike and there is no sign of a compromise yet nothing done on either side but I hope they will have it settled soon so we can get to doing something. All well. Saturday, July 28 Weather unsettled rained some this afternoon. We have been grinding most all day on wheat & midlings. The freight cars commenced to run this aftrenoon late but the Co. had about a dozen solders on each trane to gard it. I do not like to see it. I am afraid they will impose on them men. Business tolerable good. All well. Sunday, July 29 Weather very warm with a gust in the aftrenoon but most of it went South of us but at the same time we had quite a good rain. The cars has been running most all day going East. The gust came up about school time so I did not go nor was there any school today Family well. Monday, July 30 Weather warm but not quite so warm as yesterday. The cars are running but by new men with solders to gard them on there trane. A small load wheat came today 15 Bu but Mr. Thomas Crawfrod has promised to commence to hall tomorrow. We had an order of J.S.G. & Son for 20 Bbls family will try & send it as soon as posible. Tuesday, July 31 Weather pleasant. We ran on corn all last night & all the forenoon. Thomas Crawford brought over some wheat today. I want to get to work on it as soon as the water gets up but been low most all day. Wheat is worth about 1.40 per Bu at this place. The tranes have got to running all right. Family well. Wednesday, August 1 Weather cloudy and wet in the afternoon. Nelson Jones came to help us today. Thos. Crawford brought one load wheat only this morning. We had to go to grinding as we has three orders 500 such all white. We sent J.S.G. & Son 5 Bbls flour & 400 Meal wanted 500. I ran all last night on country I am glad to be busy. All well. Thursday, August 2 Weather cloudy most of the day with some rain. We were very busy all day. We had to take up the corn Bur & deepen the furrow & ground wheat all day. We are running on corn now have an order to fill tomorrow of 600 to J.S.G & Son. Business tolerable good today but most of it was on time. We sent away 1000” Meal. All well. Friday, August 3 Weather pleasant. We have been busy all day on wheat since breakfast. Ran on corn all night. I am trying to get flour enough to fill J.S.G. & Son order. Owing to the farmers thrashing so late has put me back but I am in hopes to kech up soon. The gang was up from below that made it very busy for a while. All well. Saturday, August 4 Weather quite pleasant. All day. We ran on wheat night and up to noon today but could not get enough to fill Mr. J.S.G. & Son order but sent them 10 Bbls. We had to stop grinding chop &c. I agreed to take Mr Thos. Crawford crop of wheat price it one half in 60 days the balance March first next or at any time he may think proper between the times named. Sunday, August 5 Weather pleasant. At Sunday School and Class meeting in the morning and we all to prayer meeting at night had a large meeting. Our black cow the one we bought of Mr Ramsberg had a calf about 3 O’clock yesterday afternoon. It is a Heffer and all white or nearly so. Famil.y all white. Monday, August 6 Weather pleasant. We commenced early on corn and have been running on corn all day. Some three or 4 loads wheat came in today paying from 1.20 to 1.40 per Bus. Some of it is very good wheat. The 1.20 is good but has Garlick in it. The flour and wheat market is very flat. Business not very brisk. All well. Tuesday, August 7 Weather warm and close cloudy and sprinkled some. We were busy all day on wheat & midlings. Ran both Burs at same time. Water was low all the forenoon but had a good head in the afternoon. Wheat is comeing in now quite free but not as free as last year holding off for higher prices. Business is tolerable good. All well. Wednesday, August 8 Weather hazy and warm has little appearance of rain. I was up all last night running on wheat. Water has been low most of the day. We are choping this evening have a lot and they are in a hurry for it. We sent away 8 Bbls family today 5 Bbls for J.S.G. & Son and 3 R. Sellman Mt. Airy. Aside from that business has been dull. All well. Thursday, August 9 Weather hazy and warm. Mr. Thos. Crawford has been halling in wheat all day. Wheat is worth here now about 1.30 per Bu. Water is still low but we are still grinding but tight [--]. We ground corn all night. Sent away 1000’ Meal to E.U. Owings to day. Business otherwise has been dull. The Camp folks are getting ready for the Camp. Lumber came today. Friday, August 10 Weather warm and dry. We had to stop last night most of the time on account of the water and done but very little today owing to the weather. The two Crawfords has been halling wheat to the Mill most all day. We are getting in a very pretty lot of wheat. Business was very dull today. All well. Saturday, August 11 Weather pleasant. We had to stop again last night on account of water being too low. Had to stop grinding wheat and go to grinding corn, Rye &c. on the country Bur today is our day for that kind of work Some more wheat came in today. I am paying 1.35 today for the best wheat. Business was brisk today. Family all well. Sunday, August 12 Weather warm little gusty in the evening with some rain. We need some rain now for corn &c. At Sabbath School and preaching in the aftrenoon. I did not go out any more today except about home. I want to start the mill after 12 to night as [we] are busy now in the Mill. Family well. Monday, August 13 Weather cool and pleasant. I started the Mill at one this morning on corn after 9 we started on wheat. Some Rye came in today paid 50cts per Bu for it. Business was tolerable good today both in flour and Meal. Got an order of Gary & Son for 1000” Meal. Sent 500 today will try and send the bal tomorrow. Family all well. Tuesday, August 14 Weather pleasant little gusty but we only got a little sprinkle we want more rain now. Three loads wheat came in today not priced yet. Wheat is worth now at Ijamsville about 1.30 to 1.35. Business not so brisk today. We sent 500” Meal to J.S.G. & Son delivered @ 1.38 per 100#. Charlie is keeping store today for Thomas. All well. Wednesday, August 15 Weather cloudy with some rain but not very much about here. We ran all night on Mid & feed. Got through grinding over & then went on corn as we are out of yellow Meal. We will run the balance of the week now on country work. I have not hered from that Note yet but I am in hopes it is all right. No wheat came today expect tomorrow. Business not brisk to day. Thursday, August 16 Weather pleasant just hazy enough to make it pleasant. We are still running night and day when the water is high enough to run. Have been running the country Bur on work for our selves. Wheat and flour is still on the decline one dollar 25 cts is about the highest now for good wheat flour $8.00 for the best. Family all well. Friday, August 17 Weather cloudy and wet in the evening heavy shower only. We are still runnng night and day. I ran all last night on Rye chop for our selves. Ran on wheat part of today. Business not very brisk. The Camp Meeting near here starts today. I have just been helping Charley to fix up a Booth. Him and Tom C. are going to run it on shares. I am afraid they will not do very well. Saturday, August 18 Weather pleasant. Camp meeting is under way now so it is getting to be quite lively about Ijamsville. I Rec’d the Checks all OK from Dr. J.S.B. today. I wrote to Mollie Gees to lone us some money enough to pay off the Mortgage. She may do it. I think it best to do so and not not use any more money in the Business. Family a;ll well. Sunday, August 19 Weather pleasant except about one O’clock we had quite a shower on the Camp ground. I spent the morning there & went over again after tea. They are having a very large Camp Meeting. I never saw more carrages at a [--] very much crowd. I hered a good sermon this morning and again at night. Family well. Monday, August 20 Weather pleasant. The rain of yesterday layed the dust and made it much more pleasant. I have been about the mill all day. Did not go over to the Camp. We have been grinding wheat all day. We started on corn about midnight but had to stop on account of low water. Business not very brisk today. Family all well. Tuesday, August 21 Weather pleasant but quite warm in the Sun. I ran the Mill last night but ran out of water about 3 this morning. Water is very low idle most all day today. Owing to the water we cannot get ahead with our grinding but so far we keep up with the demand but business is very dull and wheat declining every day & also flour. Wheat here today about 1.20 flour 7.75. Wednesday, August 22 Weather pleasant. Water is still low ran a while and then stoped. Have to wach night and day and start when water is high enough. Sallie, Ella, Maud & I went up to Frederick. We want to get Ella in school. We expect to send her to the Female Seminary. We feal very anxious to educate our children the best we can. Business dull. All well. Thursday, August 23 Weather pleasant a little cloudy & thretning. I went up to Lime Kiln this morning to see Mr. Jarboe. I want to pay 3000$ on the Mortgage. I think I can make the [--] to do it. Will have to borrow 2500 and then pay off the 5500$ that will lessen the present amount 3000. Business dull and water is very low. Wheat is a little higher. All well. Friday, August 24 Weather somewhat showery today but I do not think we will have much rain at present. The Camp is still underway. Bro. James came up last night he is doing the Brick work for the school house in this place commenced to lay brick today does it by the thousand 2.25. Business tolerable good. Water is still low. Family all well. Saturday, August 25 Weather pleasant. We had a good head water all last night and today have been running two Burs all the afternoon could have run longer but I am afraid of the gearing. I want to get in the new wheat &c as soon as I can. Business was very good today in feed & Meal. I engaged some wheat today at 1.28 part white. All well. Sunday, August 26 Weather pleasant but warm in the Sun. Bro. Jas. & Harry is up with us. Jas. Is doing the Brickwork of the School House Building here. James & I walked over to Camp and remained there untill evening. We had excelent meetings and a very large gathering. I went over again in the evening and stayed untill meeting broke up. All well. Monday, August 27 Weather pleasant. We started about midnight. Have had a good head water. Have been running two Burrs all day one on wheat & one on chop & Meal. Mr. McDonald and two daughters came up Saturday eve will stay with us for a few days. Sister Martha’s daughters came down to see us today but did not stay long. We sent off some flour today to Jas S. Gary & So9n. All well. Tuesday, August 28 Weather warm in the Sun but pleasant in the Mill. We ran the Mill till noon then we commenced to put in the new wheals in the pit gearing. We got along very well getting the wheal off. We will soon be ready to put the new one on. I am in hopes they will fit. Business just tolerable good. Wednesday, August 29 Weather pleasant except in the Sun is very warm. We went to work early this morning on the work we commenced yesterday putting in some new wheals on the Shaft in the Pit gearing & while driveing the wheal that turns the [--] shaft it broke & I had to go to town & order another cast. I was in grate trouble cant do anything till I get it Saturday. Thursday, August 30 Weather warm all day but I am satidfied as we cannot do anything till we get the Mills fixed. I was in Frederick to get or make arraingements to borrow 2500 [--] and with that I want to pay off the present Mortgage which will reduc it to 2500. Business dull today. Friday, August 31 Weather warm. Sallie & Mr. Gideon Bussard went to Frederick with me today. We paid 3000$ on the Mortgage had it taken up & Borrowed 2500 of the Central Nat. Bank and gave a new Mortgage. Mr. B gave his name to help us. We are still idle at the Mill wateing for the new Wheal. I am going after it tomorrow in the Buggy. All well.. Saturday, September 1 Weather pleasant. We are still broke down but Charlie & I went up to Frederick and got the wheal and brought it home so we are ready soon to put it in and to go to work. We are almost out of flour, Meal feed &c. Nelson was very busy while we were away takeing in grane & wateing on cottonius(?). Family all well. Sunday, September 2 Weather pleasant. Bro. James & family is with us on a visit. James went with me to Sunday School and Class. We had a very good school & Class this morning being after Camp Meeting all felt well. I went to prayer meeting in the evening no one else except Charlie had a very good meeting. We do not have good order at our prayer meetings. All well. Monday, September 3 Weather cool and pleasant. We started at our work ay about 5 this morning got along very well untill we came to the wheal that goes on the end of the chopper shaft. That was too small. We had to leave it off and finish the other work and then we went to grinding wheat & Mid. Will have to file it out. We are very busy now. All well. Tuesday, September 4 Weather cool and pleasant something like fall weather. We ran on wheat most all last night. The water is very low. Can only half-grind running on Mid today. Wheat is advanceing some with in Balto. highest for best 1.50. Flour our grade about 7 or 8 dollars per Bbl. We got the last wheat in today so we are fixed up again all right. Family all well. Wednesday, September 5 Weather pleasant and thretening rain just what we want. The water is and had been so low we can scarcely grind and have got very much behind with our grinding. We have not yet filled J.S.G. & Son’s order yet owing to the water. I went to Frederick today with Sallie & Ella to get her ready to go to school. All well. Thursday, September 6 Weather cloudy and wet all day just the weather we want both farmers and millers. We have been making good use of the water so far can use it all up to advantage. The water has been raiseing graduly all day but not runing over the dam yet. We ran all last night. We sent some flour to Gary & Son but not enough to fill the order. All well. Friday, September 7 Weather cloudy and wet all day. We sent Gary & Son 7 Bbls family & 600 Meal on the order sent up last week. We have a good head water now ran two Burs all last night and all day today one on corn and one on wheat. If the water will pick up we will soon get up with our grinding. All well. Saturday, September 8 Weather not so rainy today it rained a little in the morning but stoped about noon. We ran two Burs untill the middle of the forenoon the water got rather too low. Have been choping on the corn Bur all day. We sent off J.S.G. & Son some more flour & meal today. A load white corn came in this evening & 3 loads wheat garlicky but good. Wheat is up about 15cts. All well. Sunday, September 9 Weather pleasant and cool the evening is getting fall like. At Sabbath School and preaching in the aftrenoon but did not go to prayer meeting this evening. My sleap is so much broken lately thought I would stay home go to Bed. Bro. Jas. And Harry is still with us. Family well. Monday, September 10 Weather cool and pleasant. We started about midnight last night on chop for our selves. We are quite busy now we want to chetch up & get a stock of flour, feed &c. on hand as soon as we can. Our stock of ground produce is very low. More wheat came in today bal. of a lot I bought some time ago. All well. Tuesday, September 11 Weather cloudy and wet part of the day. Sallie & I went to Frederick with Ella to enter her in school at Mrs. M. W. Hackleton’s Female Seminary. We are in hopes she may do well. Mr. Jas. Crawford commenced to deliver Mrs. Hanford’s(?) corn today. She has about 700 Bus. I am to take it but not price yet. Business not very brisk. All well. Wednesday, September 12 Weather cloudy and wet part of the day it rained very hard this morning caused the crick to raise quite high so we have had more water then we needed and have been running two Burs one on wheat & one on white corn. More white corn is comeing in now then I know what to do with. I want to keep all I can in the Mill. All well. Thursday, September 13 Weather cloudy and wet most of the day. Charlie & I went to Frederick this afternoon. I went on business & Charlie wanted to get a vest. We got a little wet comering home. We are takeing in Rye at 50cts per Bu. That is about all Rye is worth now. Business not very brisk. Owings 500Meal. All well. Friday, September 14 Weather quite close and warm. We are still running night and day when we have water. Part of the time we can run with two Burs. We shipped 2000 Meal to Jno W. Adams & Co today and want to ship him as much more tomorrow if we can get it ground. I am a little fraid it wont suit the Balto. market will see. All well. Saturday, September 15 Weather warm and a little cloudy. We are still running night & day part of the time when the water will allow with two Burs. We sent another ton Meal to Mr. Adams & Co. Balto. A lot more of white corn came today. Business not very brisk altho we are trying to get some grinding ahead. Water has kept up tolerable well this week. All well. Sunday, September 16 Weather warm and close. I was at Sunday School but did not stop at Class nor did I go out anymore during the day. I felt very tired after being up half the night during the week. We are doing all we can now when we have water every night and day. Sister Eliza is stoping with us on a visit. All well. Monday, September 17 Weather thretening in the forenoon and in the afternoon we had quite a rain with some thunder. We have been busy all day takeing in white corn grinding & we have aplenty of water since the rain. Running two Burs one on wheat & one on corn. We sent a ton Meal and 4 Bbls fine flour to Gibson & Probist Balto. today. Family all well. Tuesday, September 18 Weather cool after the rain. We are still running of nights. We had good head water all last night & today. We sent off another ton Meal today to Gibson & Probest. I did not know what they will allow for it. Meal is high now in Balto. 1.70 per 100”. Business tolerable good. We finished the Bridge below the Mill. All well. Wednesday, September 19 Weather cool and pleasant. The farmers are very busy now getting there [--] away from the depot. We are still running night and day. The water got a little low for a while so we had to take out one Bur but after midnight it got up so we put the other Bur in again. Business just tolerable good. All well. Thursday, September 20 Weather cool but pleasant. Bro. James got through with the Brickwork of the School House and went home Himself & Harry. I took sister Eliza over to see the new School House & went as far as Urbana. I would like her and Sam to move up in the Spring if Sam can get a school. Business not very brisk today. Family all well. Friday, September 21 Weather cool fall like will have frost I think if the weather continues long. We shipped John W. Adams & Co. 4000” Meal & 2 Bbls flour. We are still grinding corn. Will grind and ship as fast as we can as we have a large lot of white corn on hand. Have just finished takeing in 744 Bus white corn. Family all well. Saturday, September 22 Weather pleasant but cool. We had frost last night for the first time this season but not enough to do much harm. Water is very low. I went to Frederick today after the mail to get the trough that is under the Master Wheal mended. We did not ship anything today. I find it a hard matter to get ahead on account of low water. All well. Sunday, September 23 Weather cool and pleasant. Today was preaching day so our Sunday School came at one O’clock and preaching at 3 O’clock. Rev Feelemyer preached. Quite a good turnout today. Also very good Sunday School. We are to have a Festifull in about three weeks. Family well. Monday, September 24 Weather cool and dry. Water is getting low again. Running on wheat today also corn while the water was up early this morning. I commenced to put in a Buck Wheat schreen to take out the Huls. The one Geo Rinehart put in wont work. Business very dull today. I am in hopes it will get better soon. Family all well. Tuesday, September 25 Weather cool and pleasant. Business very dull today. I fixed the Master Wheal while the water was too low to grind. We will keep on grinding corn and ship as fast as we can get it ready. We could do more business if we had more flour. All well. Wednesday, Septmeber 26 Weather cool and pleasant. We sent off another ton Meal to Balto. today. I do not know what it will bring. Sallie, Maud & I went in the Buggy to Frederick this afternoon. Ma wanted to see Ella and get her some things & Ella wanted to see her. Ella is getting along very well & well satisfied. All well. Thursday, September 27 Weather thretening rain with some showers in the afternoon. We have been running all day & all night on corn but the water is very low so much so that we can scarcely grind . We sent E. U. Owings 100 Meal. Aside from that business is very dull. Some work comeing for exchange. All well. Friday, September 28 Weather cloudy and wet part of the day but not enough to raise the water. The water continues low. We was quite busy for a while this morning. We had an order of J.S. Gary & Son for 30 Bbls family & 1000” Meal. We also shipped one ton meal and 300 Rye flour to Mr. Geo. Ehrman Balto. Business was very good today retail. All well. Saturday, September 29 Weather pleasant but has the appearance of falling weather. We have been grinding on custom work all day as this is our day to do that kind of work. Business was not very brisk today but no reason to complain. The water is still low. We still run of nights. Family all well. Sunday, September 30 Weather quite warm in the morning. After Breakfast Mr. Poole & Nelson Jones walked over to New Market to attend the dedication of the M.E. Church. First time I ever was there. They have a very good House and also a Grave Yard attached very nice. They took up a collection and raised enough to pay for the improvements 70$. Family well. Monday, October 1 Weather pleasant not so warm as yesterday. We are finishing up a lot of 50 Bu Rye. Mr. Linthicom ran two Burs for a while this morning while the water was up. Water is still very low. I am thinking of trying to put in steam. Tomie C and I rode down to Mr. Davis Mill to see about some Bacon. Engaged 300” at 10cts. All well. Tuesday, October 2 Weather warm and dry. Water is very low but I am in hopes it will be better soon. Business not very brisk. Have been grinding chop all day. Will run on Meal tonight. I went out gunning a little while this eve and did not get anything. I am not fealing very well the last few days. I must take medison. Wednesday, October 3 Weather dry and warm but has the appearance of rain. We Millers are in want of rain but farmers are not as they are busy seeding yet most of them about here. We had to stop a while today on account of low water but we have a good head water this afternoon owing to the Mill above us running. Business not very brisk. I am not very well. Thursday, October 4 Weather thretening rain but water low all night or just enough to run the corn Bur. But about noon it commenced to rain and continued to rain and increased untill we had one of the highest fluds that has ever been since the big flud of 1868. At this time it is very high and I do not know what damages it has caused and the rain is not over yet. Friday, October 5 Thanks to the good Lord. Weather cool and windy it cleared off last night with the wind from the North and it got cool. I found on examination that the flud did us but very little damage. We got to running about ˝ past 6 this morning but I came very near getting drowned. I fell in the Race at the wast gate and had to be puled out got very wet. Business tolerable good. All well. Saturday, October 6 Weather quite pleasant with some North wind. We are having a good head water now and have been running two Burs all last night and all day one on wheat & one on corn. Will soon get a stock wheal if the water keeps up. I went to Frederick this afternoon to get some things. Saw Ella she is at school there. All well. Sunday, October 7 Weather pleasant. I was at Church in the morning and a Sunday School meeting to arriange for the festival. I did not go out at night spent the balance of the day at home. There was an all day meeting at our little Church today. Sacrement in the morning after preaching quite a good turn out. They are to have meetings all this week at nights. Monday, October 8 Weather cloudy and commenced to rain in the afternoon. We had very bad luck today lost one of our Cows a Cow we bought at the Ramsberg sail paid 54$ for her and has only been fresh about 8 weeks. I thought a great deal of her was a very fine Cow. I am afraid I fed her too much yesterday. Family all well. Tuesday, October 9 Weather cool but pleasant. We had high water again last night but not so high as a day or so ago. We raised the wast gate this help the race very much. If it had not been for that we would have had to stop the Mill. Charlie & I went to Frederick today. I wanted to get some things Stove &c. Business just tolerable. All well. Wednesday, October 10 Weather quite pleasant except in the evening it rained some. I spent the day at the County Fair. Sallie went up with me but did not go to the Fare. She went to get some things and bring Ella home as there is no school for a few days. She is very much pleased with the school. I enjoyed my self very much at the fair. It was very well attended today. All well. Thursday, October 11 Weather cool & a little windy and cloudy. Today is the great day at the Fair. The President and cabinet is to be there. A good many went from Ijamsville. Charlie & Nelson went. I alone in the Mill. We sent to A.W. Reed & Co today 8000” Meal & 4 Bbls Super flour for them to sell. We have been running on wheat & corn all day. Family well. Friday, October 12 Weather cool but pleasant. The Excitement of the Fair is now about over. Today is the last day so we will settle down to work but we did not stop the Mill at any time have been running night and day & two Burs all the time one on corn & one on wheat. Business was not very brisk today. Saturday, October 13 Weather pleasant. We are still running night and day. We are getting ahead in flour have about 50 Bbls now on hand but we ship off the Meal as fast as we grind it and are doing very well with it. The freight is no more to Balto now since I asked for a reduction then it is to Ellicott City 12 ˝ per 100 lbs. Bus good. All well. Thanks. Sunday, October 14 Weather pleasant. We had no Sunday School today had Class and Preaching in the morning and preaching again in the evening. I went to preaching morning and evening but did not go to Class today. Sallie and all the children except Ella she is away to school went to meeting with me at night. The afternoon I spent at home. All well. Monday, October 15 Weather quite pleasant rather too warm good weather for wheat to give it a start. A load of white corn came of 52 Bu. We put it up above for Hominy. Bus just tolerable today. Have been grinding Mid and corn all day. I started last night after one o’clock but had to stop for 2 or 3 Hours water got too low but has been very good all day. All well. Tuesday, October 16 Weather very pleasant. We are having very good weather for farmers to finish seeding. They are not all finished about here yet alltho a good deal of wheat is up and looking very well. Business was very good today as it is pay day on the R Road. We are still running night & day but are not so busy now as we were getting ahead. All well. Wednesday, October 17 Weather quite pleasant. We are still running night and day but we are not very busy now. We are about through with what white corn we had on hand about 1000 Bus. I want to get another lot of white corn that is in the Neighbourhood. It does not take as much money to handle corn and there is at present as wheat as much money in it as there is in wheat.(sic) All well. Thursday, October 18 Weather warm and pleasant. We did not run last night water is low and we are not very busy now. Have been running on corn all day white and yellow. We are about through with all the corn we have on hand except about 55 Bus I am saveing for Hominy we want to Beet some tomorrow. Business was so brisk today. Friday, October 19 Weather warm but pleasant a little foggy this morning. Sallie went to Frederick on the train went alone to see Ella & get her some things returned on the Mail. We are not very busy now have been grinding corn & chop. We put the hominy Mill in and have been running that most all day. We finished grinding all the corn we have in the Mill. Saturday, October 20 Weather pleasant with a gust in the evening that pased to the South of us but did not rain much here. I went to Watersville this afternoon to try and settle an ap there. I suceeded and then walked from there to Mt. Airy but did not get anything there. Came home in the evening on the trane. Business tolerable good today. All well. Sunday, October 21 Weather cloudy and wet most of the day. I did not get away from home all day spent my day reading. There was to have been a meeting all day at the Church but owing to the weather I do not think they had any meetings at all. We are all enjoying very good health this summer thanks to the good Lord. Monday, October 22 Weather has got cool after the rain of yesterday & last night. There was considerable Lightning & thunder last evening with the rain. It is thought we will have some cold weather now. We have been running two Burs all day one on Rye and one wheat. Business is very dull today except some exchangeing. Family all well. Tuesday, October 23 Weather pleasant. We were quite busy all day takeing in corn and wheat. Mr. Addison finished halling his white corn and N.J.W. halled a lot of yellow corn. I paid 54 for white & 50 for yellow and 1.35 for wheat. We are running on wheat and yellow corn but are not busy. Business rather dull today. Wednesday, October 24 Weather pleasant. Business has gotten quite slack with us and I have about 60 Bbls flour packed and I do not care to have so much of it on hand. It is in the way and the most of it is in Old Bbls and I am afraid it will spoil. I will not use any more old Bbls so many at one time again. We are only running one Bur on Rye now. Family all well. Thursday, October 25 Weather quite pleasant. I went to Baltimore today returned in the evening. I stoped at Ellicott City sold some flour & Meal. I stoped to see Mother she has been quite sick and is still unwell. I am afraid she is not long for this world she is getting old. I did think I would stay in over night but I got through and thought best to go home. Friday, October 26 Weather pleasant but cloudy and thretening rain. I sent off what I sold yesterday. We are not very busy now but are running on wheat only to keep at work. The Boys are at work on the chopper sinking the furers(sic) I got a pare of Ricks yesterday of Mr. J.R. Hidgins(?). They appear to work well. Business not very brisk. All well. Saturday, October 27 Weather cloudy and damp but so much so that one can not work out. Business very dull today. We are grinding Buck Wheat now then a small crop around here this season. I think as there is but very little comeing in yet. I received a letter of Ella. She is at Mrs Hackleton’s F.F. Seminary Frederick. All well. Sunday, October 28 Weather pleasant. At Sunday School and Class in the morning and preaching in the evening. Had a very full meeting James Crawford preached text. Though full they are having very good meetings have been underway now for about two weeks and they still intend to continue them for a while on I presume as long as the interest keeps up. All well. Monday, October 29 Weather pleasant. We finished grinding Buck Wheat and then turned on Mids. Miss Crawford & Cecil commenced to deliver the balance of there crop wheat about 500 Bus they say is tolerable good fultz. Business is very dull. We have a good deal flour Barreled up and as some of it is in old Bbls I am afraid it will sour. Will not use old Bbls any more after those are gone. All well. Tuesday, October 30 Weather cool but pleasant. We were quite busy for a while this morning filling an order of J.S. Gary & Son for 25 Bbls family. We delivered it at 7.50 per Bbl. Mr G.W. Bell commenced to hall wheat this afternoon. We have plenty of wheat at present but must take it while we can get it. Family all well. Wednesday, October 31 Weather cool and wet all the forenoon but cleared off about noon and got cool. We have been very busy all day takeing in wheat. Paying 1.35 for the best but it is not quite worth that. Have been grinding over all day on feed. Business is very dull excepting exchangeing very little cash. Family all well. Thursday, November 1 Weather pleasant for a November day. We had one of the coldest nights last night we have had this season quite a heavy frost and about the first we have had to do much damage. We have been working on Midlings bur all day. Crawford & Cecil finished halling there wheat today. We are very full up at present. Sallie & Maggie went to town & got left. Charlie went after them. Friday, November 2 Weather cloudy and wet most all day the water got up pretty well. We have been running on wheat all day. We finished the dress on the Mid Bur. Business is very slack today except some exchangeing. Ma got home this morning her and Maggie. They got left yesterday. Charlie went up after them in the Bugy but it was late and they were afraid to come home in the Buggy. Saturday, November 3 Weather cool but clear and pleasant. Business was not very brisk today. We ran on wheat till afternoon then went on some country work. Charlie & I made the Hog pen in two parts so we can get the pigs from the house will be a better place for them. I Bought 10 Bus Potatoes at 50cts per Bu. Family all well. Sunday, November 4 Weather pleasant. After Breakfast Mr. Lem Poole, Charlie & I took a walk. In the afternoon Sunday School and preaching by Mr. Jas. Crawford also in the evening by the same man. Mr. Jimie was very earnest in his preaching and the Congregation was very attentive but he could not get any to come forward. Lord save the People. Monday, November 5 Weather cloudy but not wet has some appearance but it is too warm for snow. I fixed up a little, Charlie helping me about the House & stable. Business is very slack. We are running on corn to fill up the time. We have aplenty ahead now of everything. Wheat is comeing down and flour very dull. Family well. Tuesday, November 6 Weather quite cool and windy. We sent 13 Bbl flour to Clark & Coover today. Business is very dull. Nelson & I rode up to Monrovia on the Hand Car to vote. We thought it would be better to go that way then to ride. We was gone about two hours. Charlie stayed in the Mill while we were gone. All well. Wednesday, November 7 Weather cool dry and clear quite cold last night. Ground froze some about the first freeze we have had. Business keeps very dull. We sent 10 Bbls family to J.R. Hudgings & Co. today on trial. I want to get the flour introduced to increase our trade. I planted 6 Peach trees back of garden and commenced to plant dorf Pares in front yard. Family well. Thursday, November 8 Weather cloudy and wet most all day. I finished planting my dorf Pear trees in the front yard this morning. Business was very dull today but this is the dull season. Mr. Harvey got ˝ Bus family and 100” Meal. Did not send any flour to Balto today too wet. Family all well thanks to the good Lord. Friday, November 9 Weather quite pleasant this morning but got cold in thje evening. We had very heavy rain last night caused the stream to get up considerable. Had to raise the wast gate. We have been grinding Midlings all day. Charlie & I went to Frederick this afternoon. We sent 10 Bbl flour to [--] and Co. today. Business not very brisk. All well. Saturday, November 10 Weather cool and has the apearance of rain or snow soon. Business was tolerable good today some cash and some on time. A.A. Fahey got 500” Meal & 5 Bbl family today. He has been a very good customer of mine so far. We are not very busy in the Mill but have been running on corn all day pretty much. Family well. Sunday, November 11 Weather cool but pleasant. At Sunday School and Class in the morning. In the afternoon I rode over to the new School House near Bartonsville to preaching but preaching was over before I got there. After I came home and fed up I did not go out any more. Charlie went over to Mt. Carmile. They are having a good meeting there. All well. Monday, November 12 Weather cool but pleasant for this time of the year. We had a little sprinkle of snow last night but not enough to lay on the ground. But there has been snow in some of the N. West. Business not very brisk. We are grinding over the feed today. Charlie & I turned the Cabbage this afternoon. They are not very well headed. Family all pretty well. Tuesday, November 13 Weather quite pleasant but frost and some ice last night very healthy weather. Business tolerable good today. We sent Owings 500 Meal and 100 B W Meal to Fahey. Some little trade about the mill. Business on the whole is dull but I am in hopes they will get better soon. Flour is moveing very slow in Baltimore. Family all well. Wednesday, November 14 Weather quite cool and frosty in the morning but pleasant in the after part of the day. I went to Frederick to get some money & took up the Shaft of the Crusher to get a new one to crush corn. We made preperation today to kill our Hoggs. We have nine very good ones to kil. The 9 will weigh about 1850. Thursday, November 15 Weather pleasant. We Kiled our Hoggs today 9 averaged 220 lbs (1983). We commenced this morning about 3 O’clock got them all kiled and scraped by 8.30. We cut them all up this afternoon. We are still at work at the sash and pudings. We got nearly through this evening. We had 4 or 5 to help us. I am very glad we are about through. Many thanks. Friday, November 16 Weather quite pleasant. We still had plenty to do today finishing up the Hogg Killing. We salted the Meat down this morning. We have a very nice lot of Meat. I hope nothing will happen to it. I am a little fraid as the weather is so warm. The meat appears to have all the heat out of it. All well. Saturday, November 17 Weather very pleasant remarkable so for this season of the year. Business is rather dull but kept doing something about the Mill. We are about through with the Hog Killing. Sallie is very much tired out as my self. I am not fealing well. I took Blue Mass yesterday. I am in hopes I will feel better soon. Children all well. Sunday, November 18 Weather cool but pleasant. Sabbath School and preaching in the afternoon and at night prayer meeting very good attendance both at preaching and prayer meeting. The forenoon I spent at home reading principaly. I have been not so well for the last few days but am feeling better now. Monday, November 19 Weather cool and pleasant. The Publick New School was opened today by the Head of the School Bord. Sallie & I attended also Charlie, Willie, Maggie & Maud were there. They have given us a very fine school building. I went to Frederick also to get some money from Bank to pay for wheat. All well. Tuesday, November 20 Weather very pleasant. Business very slack excepting the Rail Road men as today was pay day on the Road. It made it a little more lively in the evening on that account. Our corn crusher came today and we have been puting it in place. It is larger then the old one so we will have considerable work to get it in. Running on wheat all day. Wednesday, November 21 Weather cool and feels like snow. Nelson & I put up the corn crusher today. Business is very dull but I am in hopes it will get better soon. We ran on wheat all day will try and get some flour ahead. The flour Market in Balto is very dull. We have a good stock of wheat on hand. All well. Thursday, November 22 Weather cloudy and wet all day. Running on wheat all day but business very dull. I have been busy all day with my Book running up accounts & making out some Bills but it appears almost imposible to collect anything. I am in hopes it will get better soon.I will feal better when I get out of debt. Family all well. Ella is still in school in Frederick. Friday, November 23 Weather cloudy and wet all day.We tried our new crusher today it works very well. Have been working on country work all day. We were quite busy on that kind of work today. The weather being wet provides more time to go to the Mill. Aside from that business is very dull. But we must live by hopes the good Lord will provide. All well. Saturday, November 24 My Birth day I am 49 today. The weather has been very unpleasant very stormy and the water high but I hope it does not do us any damage. It is not as high as it was some time ago. We ran the Mill all day on corn but the wheat has been wadeing water all day. It has now the appearance of clear weather. All well. Sunday, November 25 Weather rather pleasant altho it was a little cloudy and thretening at times but did not rain but very little all day. We did not have any Sabbath school today owing to the bad weather But had prayer meeting in the evening but not very many out but had a very good meeting. Sallie & the children were with me. Ella is still at school. Monday, November 26 Weather cloudy and wet most of the day water still keeps up. The water has been very high up the R Road and has done a great deal of damage about Harper’s Ferry. Water has been very high there. No tranes running through on that account. Business continues dull. Grinding over and making Hominy today. Tuesday, November 27 Weather has cleared off and wind is quite cold. We had an order today of J.S. Gary & Son for 10 Bbl flour I delivered it at 7.25. Aside from that business has been quite dull. I went to Frederick in the Buggy this afternoon and had quite a cold ride of it. I stoped at the school to see Ella. She is not looking so well will be home in a day or two on a visit. Wednesday, November 28 Weather cloudy and cool and has the appearance of more falling weather. We had another order today of J.S.G. & Son for 10 Bbl family. Business aside from that tolerable good. We are running on wheat getting a stock of flour ahead. It is better at this season to get ahead on account of the weather it mite freeze up. Mr. Aden Anderson brought in a load wheat to [--] ap and balance for flour. Thursday, November 29 Weather cool and cloudy and a little wintery. We ran the Mill all day on wheat. Business continues dull except a little home trade. Sat the price of Mr. J.E. Dorsey’s wheat the Rye wheat at 1.25 about what it is worth. Jas. Crawford brought a small load BW @ 60 cts per Bus. Ella came home today on a visit. Friday, November 30 Weather quite cold and windy. It froze quite hard last night for the first time. We have been running on wheat all day. Had another of J.S.G. & Son for 10 Bbl family. Aside from that business is not very brisk. Got another little lot of Buck Wheat in at 60cts per Bu. Ella is home on a visit. We are very glad to see her. All well. Saturday, December 1 Weather quite cold froze quite hard last night and I found some ice on our water wheal this morning. I went to Mosberg’s sale today did not by anything. I collected 2 Bills while there. Another came of Messers J.S.G. & Son for 10m Bbl family today making 40 for this month. I hope we will be able to always please Him. All well. Sunday, December 2 Weather cold and windy. Sabbath school and preaching this afternoon and prayer meeting at night but I did not out at night. Sallie & the children went. I was at Sunday School and preaching. Our school is getting small owing to the weather getting cold. Ella is with us but returns to school tomorrow. All well. Monday, December 3 Weather cold. I took Ella up to school this morning in the Buggy. It was a very cold ride but I saved some expence by going in the Buggy. Business was rather dull today no orders. I am in hopes business will get better after a while. Wheat and flour remain about the same wheat about 1.30 to 1.35 here flour 7.25 to 7.50 family. All well. Tuesday, December 4 Weather cloudy and cold and about sundown it commenced to rain. Business tolerable good today [--] the money is all right. We filled an order for the Store Keeper at Soap Store [--]. He may be a good customer. We have been grinding over all day. Some small Bills were paid today. I am in hopes to get them all in after a while. Wednesday, December 5 Weather cloudy and wet all day. We sent 5 Bbl family and 500 Meal to A.A. Fahey today. Business has been tolerable good today. We ran on corn untill about noon while we took up the Midlings Bur washed and dressed it. At noon we went to grinding wheat. The Bur dos better since we sharpened it up a little. All well. Thursday, December 6 Weather cool and windy little snow but not enough to make a show. We have been running on wheat all day. Business very dull today had some exchangeing and some little trade but I find Bills hard to collect. A good deal of complaining about hard times at present but I in hopes times will get better. All well. Friday, December 7 Weather cool but pleasant. We have been running on wheat all day. Since we dressed the Bur it is doing first rate. The Bur got too smooth. Ground without any life in the flour. Business continues dull. We had some trade but not much cash. I bought a little lot Rye 50cts Bu good Rye. Family all well. Saturday, December 8 Weather windy and cold. Business is very dull yet I do not know that I should complain as we are doing something most all the time. I will be very glad so we can live and keep out of debt for a while any how. Charlie & I rode to town and back this afternoon. Family all well. Sunday, December 9 Weather cool and windy. We had Sabbath School this morning and Class but not very many out either at school or Class. Owing to the weather being cool I presume kept the most away. Prayer meeting at night but I did not go Charlie was the only one that went from our house. Mr. & Mrs Riggs spent the evening with us. Family all well. Monday, December 10 Weather continues cold but pleasant. It did not thaw much today only a little in the Sun. I was alone today Nelson being away to help Bucher at home. I have not been very busy some little trade. Have been running on corn all day will go on wheat tomorrow. The flour market is very dull shiping mostly wheat will not be a very good year for Millers I don’t think. All well. Tuesday, December 11 Weather pleasant today. Sallie & Willie went to Frederick came back on the Male. Nelson got back this morning. He was helping his father to Bucher. We have been running on wheat all day. While the weather is good want to get a stock ahead no troble to do that as the flour market is very dull. We had some little trade again today. All well. Wednesday, December 12 Weather very pleasant like a Spring day. Business very dull today. We have been running on wheat all day to fill in time principally as we have aplenty ahead. The flour market continues very dull owing to shiping mostly wheat in stead flour. Milling so far this season is not very profatable. Family all well. Thursday, December 13 Weather quite pleasant like a Spring day. We ran on wheat untill after Breakfast then we went on Midlings. Took the wheat Bur up & washed it. I cracked it a little. We have some little business today. A small load of Hominy Corn came paid 50cts per Bu for it. We have a good little stock of everything on hand now except Buckwheat that is very scarce. All well. Friday, December 14 Weather cool but pleasant. We were busy all day but very little trade. We sent 25 Bbl flour to Clark & Coover, 10 family, 7 Ex & 8 super but there is nothing in flour shiping to market at the present prices. We finished grinding over then took to corn. We took the mid Bur up and dressed it. All well. Saturday, Decmeber 15 Weather cool but dry and pleasant. We were not very busy today but ran the corn Bur all day on corn most for our selves. Business is very dull. Have almost ran out of something to grind. Have plenty of everything on hand & very little sale for any thing. I do hope times will get better soon. Family all well. Sunday, December 16 Weather very pleasant like Spring weather. I took a walk in the morning and at one went to Sunday School Preaching by the Minister the Rev. Feelmyer very good attendance. Mr. Lucket & I called to see Geo Rinehart. He is very sick not expected to get out again. Evening went to prayer meeting. Monday, December 17 Weather quite springlike but has the appearance of rain. Business is very slack very little doing. We finished grinding what Buckwheat we had on hand then went to grinding wheat to keep at something. I do hope that times will brisk up some after the holladays but I must not complain. We have aplenty to eat & all well. Tuesday, December 18 Weather not quite so warm but very pleasant. We have been running on wheat all day. We took up the corn Bur and put her in face. I got my hand full of steal and it is fealing quite bad. Our trade was tolerable good today at home. I am in hopes to get an order soon of Mr. Tabler of Ellicott City my old customer. He has gone in Bus. again. Wednesday, December 19 Weather quite pleasant. We have been running on wheat all day filling in time. The flour will not spoil now. The wheat is dry and good and if it freezes up we will not be caught without flour. Business was not very brisk today but a pleasant day as I collected in a Bill or two and settled in some long accounts. Family well. Thursday, December 20 Weather very pleasant very much like Spring too good to last long I am afraid. We have been running on wheat all day. We sell more or less every day from the Mill. Most of the time we have a very good retail trade. George Rinehart is still very low not expected to get out again. We have not been very busy today. All well. Friday, December 21 Weather not quite so pleasant but has been cloudy and thetening all day. We have been running on wheat till noon then we commenced on country work. Retail trade very good today but I find Bills standing out very hard to collect. Money matters apears very hard. Geo. Rinehart is still very low. Saturday, December 22 Weather cloudy but pleasant has the appearance of rain or snow. Have been running on corn all day. We are not very busy now grinding and business is not very brisk. But I am in hopes will get better after a while. Ella came home today and brought Miss Maggie Slack with her to spend the holladay. All well. Sunday, December 23 Weather cloudy but pleasant. Sunday School and Class in the morning and prayer meeting in the evening. I went in the morning but did not go out at night. We are having Ella’s friend Ms. Maggie Slack of New Jersey Monday, December 24 Weather cloudy and wet all day. I did not get away from the house all day. I spent the day the best I could reading in the evening. We had some singing till bead time. Ella and her friend Miss Slack is with us. Many thanks. Tuesday, December 25 Christmas Day. Weather rather cloudy and glumey. I thought a rather dull day about Ijamsville. I spent the day about home. Ella and Miss Slack is still with us. There was a prayer meeting at the Church but I did not go. Thanks. Wednesday, December 26 Weather cloudy and misting all day. We have been grinding over and making Hominy all day. Business dull today only a little retail. Nelson went home this afternoon to spend his Christmas holladay. I told him to take his time as business was very dull. Family all well. Thursday, December 27 Weather cloudy and wet part of the day. Nelson went home to spend the Holiday and will not be back untill tomorrow night. Charlie & I finished grinding over then went on corn to finish up the day. It has been very dull all day. Friday, December 28 Weather pleasant except cloudy and murkey. We have been cleaning and grinding wheat all day. Charlie helped me today. Nelson is not home yet. Business better today. We filled an order of J.S. Gary & Son 15 Bbl family. Aside from that business was dull. Mamie came up today. All well. Saturday, December 29 Weather pleasant except a little cloudy. Geo Rinehart died last night just at 12 O’clock. Sallie & I were there all the evening and night and I helped to lay him out, is to be berried tomorrow. He leaves a wife and 4 children. Business very dull today. Nelson came home this morning. We have been running on wheat. Family well. Sunday, December 30 Weather pleasant except a little cloudy. George M. Rinehart was berried today. Berried at the Ijamsville Church. A very good turn out. Bro Feelmyer preached the sermon about the best I ever hered him preach. We sent 15 Bbls to Messers J.S. Gary & Son again today. Very good day today thanks to the good Lord. Monday, December 31 Weather cool and windy but no rain today. We have been grinding wheat all day but there is very little demand for flour or feed or any thing about the Mill. But I am in hopes it will get better soon. That seems to be the opinion of most of the business men. I am thankfull the good Lord has kept us all through another year. This year we have had no sickness in the family and He has helped us with all the comforts of life that is needfull for us. And I do pray that his helping will continue with us and I hope we may all appreciate His helping and be truly thankfull.