Diary of H H Walters - 1876 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, 1876 Saturday Spent the day at home. First heavy snow of the season fell in the afternoon. February 10, 1876 Thursday Last day of fifth term of school. Had two visitors. Had a few speeches and dialogues in the afternoon. Joined church in the evening. May 1, 1876 Monday Commenced my sixth term of school having secured my old school at Garden Prairie for the summer. Engaged for three months at $30 00/100 per month. Board while teaching at Crockett Owen's. Spent Saturdays and Sundays at home. July 2, 1876 Sunday Attended the wedding of Dr. James Harmon and Miss Ora Bray. Had Miss Laura Lee for my company on the occasion, or perhaps, I might have been called her escort. Ceremony was performed by Rev. Bo(?)nner at Mr. Bray's. July 4, 1876 Tuesday Alvin Lee, Clarence Bray, and I respectively took Misses Christy Gottlander, Ida LeRoy, and Laura Lee to Maysville and spent the Fourth. Being the first centennial of American Liberty, the day was one of unusual interest. July 21, 1876 Friday Last day of sixth term of school. Several of the young folks were out. My school was not large toward the close owing to the hot weather. Rode to Cameron the next day and drew my money. ++++++++++++++++++++ Transcribers' Note: Just an observation - it seems the 4th of July was considered a very important holiday. If I understood correctly, he taught on one Christmas and New Years. August 3, 1876 Thursday Borrowed Uncle Billy Scarlott's saddle and started on horseback to visit my friends at Isadora. Took dinner at Mr. George Taylor's near King City and supper at Mr. Jacob Pugh's. Spent the night at my old boarding place at Mrs. Wetherman's. Was very sore riding as the day was warm. August 4, 1876 Friday Renewed my journey, going my old route through Sweet Home. Arrived at Isadora by four o'clock. August 8, 1876 Tuesday Having finished my visit among my Iowa friends, I left Browns after dinner for home. Arrived at Wetherman's at 9-30 P. M. August 9, 1876 Wednesday The morning being very foggy, I got lost on the prairie south of Wetherman's. Rode too far east and struck a strange settlement. Passed by the farm of my future father in law and had a chat with him as he was fixing fence by the road. Had no idea then that here would be my future home. Passed through Island City and got home by 9. P. M. Sept. 18, 1876 Monday Commenced my seventh term of school, having secured a five months term at Amity, five miles west of Maysville, at $45.00 a month. Had eighteen pupils in attendance. Went to school on foot, boarding at home. Dec. 27, 1876 Wednesday Alvin Lee and I took a trip to Plattsburg in his wagon, stopping at Crellin's and Garyer's. Took in the town the next morning and started for home by 2. P M. Cold and windy, going and coming. 1876 As 1876 was the Centennial year it was one of unusual interest. The winter was mild and the spring cool and wet. The summer was pretty much the same, there being no continued warm weather. Crops were pretty fair, much corn not maturing as the season favored late growth. The great topic of the season was the centennial at Philadelphia. Everybody had something to say concerning it and many attended it. I spent the year at home, excepting the time spent in teaching. I assisted my brothers about the place and put in considerable time in mental improvement. I was also greatly concerned about myself religiously, and joined the M. E. Church in February. In the latter part of October, I again became greatly concerned and determined to follow the dictates of my conscience. Feeling the peace of mind resulting from such a course, I became a working(?) member and tried to discharge my duty as such. Since then my views have undergone a great change, but I still endeavor to do what I believe to be right. Financially, I greatly improved my condition, buying and selling cattle on a small scale having at one time as many as thirteen. My notion of attending school was still cherished but at one time I had about concluded to learn the printer's trade. Strange as it may seem, I have ever since I commenced teaching had thoughts at times of following some other calling, but as yet I have never made much headway in anything else. (end of 1876 Diary transcription)