Diary of H H Walters - 1873 Donated by and transcibed by Lori Craynor ************************************************************************ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ************************************************************************ March 4, 1873 Tuesday Billy Henderson came to my school just before noon and informed me of the shooting of my brother at 4 P. M. the day before. I dismissed and rode home with him. Found my mother and remaining brothers at home in deep distress. Rode on to Maysville and found the coroner holding an inquest over George's body at the courthouse. Here I learned that he had been killed the evening before at the house of the widow of David Groomer in the northeast part of the county. He and John Thompson, deputy sheriffs, had arrested Wm. Groomer, one of the widow's sons and during the proceedings, George was shot. The shooting was charged against Christopher and David Groomer, brothers of Wm., and they left the country. A reward of $500.00 was offered for their apprehension at the time. I felt very much depressed by the turn affairs had taken. ***** March 5, 1873 Wednesday A large crowd attended George's funeral today. His remains had been taken to the M. E. parsonage the evening before. Shortly after noon the coffin was taken to the M. E. Church and the funeral sermon preached by Rev. G. S. Stocking. The interment took place at the cemetery northwest of town about the center of the enclosure. I rode back to my shcool in the evening. ***** March 6, 1873 Thursday Went down to Mr. Tookey's and found him disposed to discontinue the school. As I did not feel in a condition to enter the school room again, I made out my report, went with him to Stewartsville and received my pay and a certificate of honorable dismissal. I had finished the three months I had been employed to teach and had taught a few days on an additional month, receiving in all $117.25. March 23, 1873 Sunday My twenty-first birthday. Attended Sabbath School in Maysville and took dinner at John Taylor's just south of town. After dinnner, I attended preaching at the Beatty schoolhouse. Found myself quite boyish to be of age; not yet having my growth, my light complexion and blue eyes made me appear young enough to pass for eighteen. I was to remain at home during the summer while Edward was to work at Bloom's. July 4, 1873 Friday Worked in the harvest field at Mr. Beatty's, binding rye. It was very warm after dinner, but grew cooler toward sundown when there came a heavy gust of wind and rain. Harvest hands were very scarce, nearly everybody going to Stewartsville to celebrate the day. Oct 20, 1873 Monday Commenced my second term of school, 7 miles northwest of Cameron, Mo., teaching in the Garden Prairie district. Engaged for 4 months at $35.00 per month. Boarded at Crockett Owen's paying $2.50 per week. Had a hard shake and fever in school. 1873 The year 1873 was not a prosperous one. The winter was severe, the cold weather being constant. During the winter an epidemic called epizooty made horses unserviceable for some time. The season was warm and very dry, making the lightest corn crop that had been known for years. In September, a financial panic prostrated business almost entirely causing great suffering among the working classes. In magnitude, it has never had a parallel in the history of our country. It was caused mostly by extensive speculation in railroads. The rebellion had caused an inflation of the currency, which in turn had brought about habits of extravagance and a mania for speculation. The storm that had been gathering for years finally burst and swept away the fortunes of many in a day. Others with a better financial footing were enabled to make a show of stemming the current, only to become bankrupt in a short time. Only the few that were free from debt remained unharmed. As a family, we felt the hard times keenly. Toward the close of summer, Edward and I were attacked by fever and ague and were unfit for labor for some time; and it was with difficulty that I undertook my duties in the schoolroom. The experience of that year will never be forgotten, and, though very inconvenient at that time, taught a valuable lesson for future benefit. (End of 1873 Diary transcription)