Diary of H H Walters - 1874 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. ************************************************************************ Jan 1, 1874 Thursday Taught school as usual through a holiday. Fine winter weather, the sun shining all day. Took dinner at Mr. David Creasons. Feb. 18, 1874 Wednesday Last day of second term of school. Had no exercises outside of the regular routine of school duties. A number of my pupils and acquaintances met at Mr. Owen's in the evening. We had a nice time. March 14, 1874 Saturday Went up in the Groomer neighborhood on horseback to see the place where George was shot. Found the house where the tragedy occurred. Was in the room and saw marks of his blood on the door near where he fell. Left the place shortly before night and reached home late in the night which was very dark. Day, damp and foggy. July 4, 1874 Saturday Thomas Butler, Alvin Lee, and I clubbed together and took Misses Sally Scarlott, Ida LeRoy and Laura Lee down to Stewartsville in a wagon. Witnessed a balloon ascension on the grounds. A large crowd was present. Came home in the evening getting in by 11:30 p.m. August 26, 1874 Wednesday Left home on horseback for Nodaway Co. to make an application for a school. Was induced to go there by R. S. Mayburgh(?). Passed through King City on my way. Called on the directors that evening and spent the night at I. Richard's, Conception. ***** August 27, 1874 Thursday Met the directors at S. H. Wethermans and drew up contract for a five month's term of school at $45.00 per month. Engaged board at his mother's at $10.00 a month. After finishing my business I left for home. October 7, 1874 Wednesday Thomas Butler and I left my home and went up to my school in Nodaway near Conception. We made the trip with a team and spring wagon. October 8, 1874 Thursday Hired a horse and rode to Maryville, arriving by noon. Took dinner and rode 6 miles northeast of town to see my old school mate at Macon, J. W. Ware. Found him at home and spent the night with him. October 9, 1874 Friday Went back to Maryville to pass my examination. Was busy all day. Found my friend Bob May_ugh who was teaching near town. October 10, 1874 Saturday Finished my examination by noon. Rode back to my boarding place in the afternoon. October 12, 1874 Monday Commenced my third term of school. Had only four scholars. My patrons were nearly all Catholics, my school being just on the outskirts of their settlement. The house was a very poor affair 21/2 miles east of Conception. Christmas Spent Christmas eve in Maryville. ***** 1874 The year 1874 was an improvement on its predecessor, but that is about all that can be said in its favor. The winter of 73-4 was very mild but the summer was hot and dry. Crops were light owing to the drouth and the ravages of the chinch bugs. I spent the summer studying and helping the neighbors besides doing some work at home. Times were very dull owing to the financial reverses of the year previous. The grasshoppers destroyed the crops in parts of Kansas and Nebraska. Up to this time I had not accumulated anything, save a few books, but I now determined to make some provisions for the future. There was need for a change, for by the time I commenced my school, I found myself over $50.00 in debt and no assets worthy of mention. I still cherished my plan of going to school and wished to create a fund to help me carry out my designs. I was beginning to learn the value of money, as I saw on every hand the great inconvenience resulting from the scarcity of it. My views were becoming more practical and they have continued so to grow ever since. Had I known then how to invest money as well as I do now, I would be worth double what I am today, Jan 6, 1882. I have found that knowledge is not confined to text books. (End of 1874 Diary transcription)