Diary of H H Walters - 1877 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, 1877 Monday The new year found me at Mr. Samuel Bray's where with some young folks and I sat up till midnight. Taught school. Feb 9, 1877 Friday Last day of seventh term of school. Several of my patrons were present including all of the directors. Feb 12, 1877 Monday Left home after dinner and started for Gallatin on horseback to attend Circuit Court. My object in going was to attend the trial of Christopher Groomer, who was charged with the murder of my brother George. He had been arrested some time before and had been confined in the St. Joseph jail. and through a change of venue was tried in Daviess Co. I staid all night with E. Y. Wilder, seven miles west of Gallatin. where I arrived at 8. A. M. next day. Feb 16, 1877 The trial came off in the forenoon having been postponed till then. Groomer was acquitted through lack of evidence, but he was considered guilty by many. I had a talk with him through the grated door of the jail; and though I felt satisfied he ws the murderer of my brother, I could not help feeling pity for him in his miserable situation. He was tried for murder in the first degree and though acquitted, I felt satisfied after knowing how keenly he felt his situation. He acknowledged to me that sometimes a man would commit a deed without reflection that would blast his after life. Left for home, stopping to call on my friends, Mr. and Mrs. Harmon, at Alta Vista on the way. April 16, 1877 Monday Walked over to my old school house at Ogle Grove and drew up a contract for a three month's school at $35.00 per month before school time. Had 33 pupils in attendance. Secured boarding while at my school at Mr. E. B. Ogle's. My eighth term of school. July 4, 1877 Wednesday Edward and I spent the Fourth at Maysville. The celebration was held in the grove east of town. Did no engage the company of any lady friend for the occasion. Enjoyed my self very well. July 6, 1877 Friday Last day of eighth term of school. Made out my report and went over to Mr. I. V. Moore's and drew my money. July 9, 1877 Monday Left home, going northwest in search of a school. Stopped at Mr. Ogles, where I had boarded but did not apply for my old school. Struck out west and then north stopping at Mr. Stephen's, father of my friend C. H. Stephens, where I found my friend and Clarence Bray. Staid all night. July 10, 1877 Tuesday Hadley Stephens and I rode north to look for a school for me. Took dinner at Mr. John Boner's. Applied for the school in the district which I had passed through the summer before on my way home from Iowa. Drew up contract for 6 months at $40.00 per month. We attended a singing in the evening at Mr. Wm. Stansbury's where I saw Miss Minnie Fisher, my future wife for the first time. Of course, neither of us was aware of the fact at the time as we did not fancy each other at the time. Spent the night at M. D. Allen's. +++++++++++++ Transcribers' Note: I believe the transcription from the original small notebooks into the journal I now have was begun in 1884. It becomes current about halfway through. July 11, 1877 Wednesday After securing a boarding place at Mr. Wils Stockton's, Hadley and I went to Albany passing through Mt. Pleasant where we took dinner. Secured a certificate without an examination, though I was willing to stand it. We staid in Albany all night but parted the next morning; Hadley going north and I going home by way of Gentryville, Berlin and Ogle Grove. Sept. 1, 1877 Saturday Edward took me up to my school at Island Branch by way of King City. Arrived at my boarding place by sundown. Sept. 3, 1877 Monday Commenced my ninth term of school with an attendance of twenty-one. Secured boarding for $10.00 per month. Sept. 15, 1877 Saturday Made a trip to Maryville riding up to Pugh's the evening before after school. Arrived in town by noon and after attending to my business, I rode out to see my old friend, J. W. Ware. Spent a very pleasant evening with him and left next morning for my school. Nov. 24, 1877 Saturday Having finished the first half of my term, I dismissed for two weeks to allow my school boys a chance to gather corn. Edward having come up for me the evening before we started early for Albany going through Mt. Pleasant. After drawing my money at Albany, we struck south for Maysville. Stopped at Greenwell Ford and took dinner with Will Brown. Were late getting home. Edward took me back after vacation which I spent visiting schools. (end of 1877 Diary transcription)