Diary of H H Walters - 1878 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, 1878 Tuesday Spent the day at Mr. Fisher's. Miss Susie Cogdill was a guest also and Mr. E. F. Lilley and wife. March 1, 1878 Friday Last day of ninth term of school. Several of my patrons visited my school during the afternoon. Everything passed off pleasantly. Rode over to Albany the next day for my money passing by Grand River as by way of Greenwell crossing. March 3, 1878 Sunday Struck out on a mule to visit some of my old friends. Took dinner at Mr. Fisher's and spent the night at Mr. Pugh's. On Monday I spent the forenoon at Mrs. Wetherman's and after dinner I left for Isadora going by way of Sweet Home. Arrived at Brown's by sundown. Will and I called on Mr. Kings in the evening. Tuesday forenoon we visited the school in town taught by Mr. Leech. After dinner, we rode up in Iowa to Mr. Hickenlooper's and then to Mr. Seismiller's where we staid all night. On Wednesday morning we called on Drake's and Eaton's and visited my old school taught by my old pupil, Miss Lizzie Judy. Left after recess and went down to Mormontown and took dinner at Mr. Golden's. Visited the town school, taught by Mr. Campbell, in the afternoon. Here will and I parted, he going to Isadora while I went back to Mr. Judy's where I staid all night. Thursday morning, I rode northeast visiting the school of Miss Laura Eaton, another old pupil. Took dinner with her landlady, Mrs. Hoover and rode back to Isadora where I rejoined Will. Rode back to Island Branch the next day by way of Oxford. Ed took me home the next Monday. ++++++++++++ Transcibers Note: The wife of E. F. Lilley (Ennis F.) was Laura Ellen Fisher, b 1850 Fairfield Co., OH. The Fishers moved to Gentry Co. in 1865. March 13, 1878 Wednesday Edward and I took a trip north to buy a few cows. Stopped at Mr. Fisher's and staid all night. Rode as far north as Oxford the next day but not finding any to suit us we came back without making any purchases. Staid all night with Wils (P. W. Stockton) (my old boarding place) and went home the next day. May 2, 1878 Thursday Hired a horse from Alvin Lee and went north. Met C. H. Stevens at King City and spent the night at his home. Visited his school the next forenoon near King City. Went to Island City where Minnie was teaching. Visited her school and took supper at her boarding place, Miss Richard's and went up to Wil's to stay all night. On Saturday, I looked around for a school without success and staid all night at Mr. Fisher's. Went home the next day going with Minnie as far as Island City. June 20, 1878 Thursday Hired a livery nag and struck out north again. Passed through Fairport and spent the night with the Hartwell boys settling our business. Left the next morning, passing through Berlin and by Gentryville taking dinner at Greenwell Ford. Continued my journey and staid all night at Fisher's. On Saturday I secured my old school for five months at $42.50 per month. Spent the afternoon at Fisher's with Minnie and the night at Wil's. Attended S.S. at Island Branch Church and also at Island City. Left Wil's on Monday for home calling on on Minnie at Island City and on Stevens at his school. Left my horse at Maysville. ++++++++++++++ Transcribers Note: Minnie Fisher, b 1861 Fairfield Co., OH, was 17. This was likely her first school. July 4, 1878 Thursday Edward and I spent the day at the celebration in the grove southeast of Maysville. Enjoyed myself as well as might be expected under the circumstances. August 7, 1878 Wednesday Will Brown came down on horseback to give me a visit. He staid with us till the 19th. During his visit we enjoyed our selves first rate calling on our friends many of whom Will had known on previous visits. Having been kept busy all summer, I was prepared to take a season of recreation. October 12, 1878 Saturday Ellsworth Eldredge took me up to my school in a spring wagon. Stopped at King City and also at Island City. Arrived at Mr. Fisher's about 4 oclock. Ellsworth went back the next day and Minnie and I went to church. October 14, 1878 Monday Commenced my tenth term of school with an attendance of eighteen. Secured board at Mr. Fisher's at $10.00 a month. 1878 The year 1878 brought good crops, with the exception of oats, to the farmers of North West Missouri. The winter was one of the mildest and the spring very early. After closing my school, I went down home and secured in all twenty five cows to sell milk to the Clover Hill Cheese Factory. Though my health was improved very much, the venture did not prove a success as it did no more than pay expenses; owing to the hard times and the bad management shown in disposing of the cheese. By fall I was thoroughly convinced that I was losing money in cattle and so sold out to Edward what I had left for $700.00 on time bearing 10% interest from date. I still thought of making teaching my permanent business but intended to prepare myself for teaching in graded schools. I had also some thoughts of settling down in the near future and be single no more. The summer was very warm and no great quantity of rain fell but there was no drouth. There were showers all through the season., Financially, affairs were in a bad condition. Farmers sold their hogs on foot for $1 75/100 per cut(?) (looks likt ewt.) Everything was bought and sold at very low figures. This was the last year of suspension of specie payments and many who had managed to keep their credit so far were now driven into bankruptcy. Finance was almost the only issue in politics and it was discussed on all sides. Silver was remonetized, owing to the strong popular feeling in that way. I took part in several discussions at neighboring school houses and gained much useful information in so doing. The causes of the hard times were investigated and those supposed to have been instrumental in bringing about this state of affairs were severely censured. As my funds were out at interest and my salary good, I did not suffer at all, but rather was benefitted by buying necessaries at the lowest figures. Winter set in early and was severe. +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Transcibers Note: Can anyone explain "suspension of specie payments"? I have a vague recollection of studying this in school, but I don't remember enough. I don't understand what he means. (end of 1878 Diary transcription)