Diary of H H Walters - 1884 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 5, 1884 Saturday At 5 o'clock in the morning was the coldest that I have ever experienced, the thermometers ranging in the thirties below zero. Fr. Feb 22 1884 Friday Last day of my 16th term of school, finish my fifth term in the Stockton district making 27 months in all. Ed came up and made us a visit of a few days on the following week. March 26, 1884 Wednesday We moved to Stanberry occupying part of Mr. Fisher's house, and renting our place to Samuel Stevenson., I reserved seven acres to put in potatoes. My object was to raise a crop of potatoes and also assist Mr. Fisher while not working for myself. July 4, 1884 Friday We attended the celebration in the grove east of town. There was a large crowd in attendance and the usual programme of races and shooting. Fire-works at night. Aug 21 1884 Thursday Borrowed Bud's horse and rode down to my old home in DeKalb on a visit. Found the "Teacher's Institute" in session at Maysville and was present on Friday and Saturday. Attended a pic-nic in Beatty's grove on Tuesday. Returned home on the following Thursday. Stopped about 4 hours at King City owing to the excessive heat. and also owing to the picnic held there that day. Heard A M. Dockery M. C. make a speech. Saw a number of my old acquaintances. ++++++++++++ Transciber's Note: Bud was E. F. Lilly, his bro-in-law. ++++++++++++ Sept. 1 1884 Monday Commenced my seventeenth term of school. with an attendance of 39. Boarded at my home in town walking out to my school and back each day. Distance 3 1/2 miles. Oct. 17, 1884 Friday Ed came up and spent a few days with us. He took home 25 bushels of potatoes as we had plenty and they had none. Nov. 4, 1884 Tuesday Dismissed school for two days and served as clerk during the election. Cast the first ballott. There were 684 ballotts cast. The Republicans had a plurality of 36 over the Democrats and Prohibitionists and 41 over the Democrats alone in this precinct. The entire Democratic county state ticket and national ticket was elected. We counted tickets till 3-30 the next morning and then adjourned till 8 oclock. Finished about noon. There was a great deal of betting done and of course much excitement attended it. I made no bets as I never favored the habit. The election was very close on the national ticket and resulted in the defeat of Blaine and the election of Cleveland by a small plurality in New York. Dec 23 1884 Tuesday Dismissed school for the remainder of the week. having taught for two days of the present week to make up for the time lost during election week. Spent my vacation at home. Minnie was sick during the month and was confined to her bed during the greater part of the time. We had a servant for nearly 4 weeks. With this exception, the health of the family during the year was excellent. ++++++++++ Transcibers Note: A book of Gentry Co., MO records states that there was a stillbirth during December 1884. This was the cause of Minnie's confinement. ++++++++++ 1884 The winters of -82-83 and -83, -84 were very severe, being a departure from the usual routine of a cold and mild winter in succession. In fact the two seasons were very much alike. being cool and wet during the spring and summers and very cold during the following winters. The Ohio River was the highest on Feb 14 that was ever known, beating the record of the proceeding spring by over 3 feet. During the month of March we moved to town and I was in the employ of Mr. Fisher during part of the spring. I put in 7 acres of potatoes on our place and spent nearly half of my time during the spring and summer in cultivating them and in repairing and making fences on the farm. About 2 acres of my crop was drowned out, but the remainder did very well and yielded nearly 1200 bushels of potatoes. Potatoes were very plentiful, but my venture was a success notwithstanding; and I realized nearly $100 00/100 after paying expenses which included my own labor. The season was very favorable, there being plenty of rain for all crops. There was no continued hot weather. The corn crop in the western states was immense. I secured an eight month's term of school in the Wilson district 3 1/2 miles north and east of my present home. I have boarded at home so far, walking back and forth every day. The district allowed me funds to employ an assistant after my seventh week and I have retained her ever since. There are two rooms on the same floor, both furnished with patent(?) desks and I find myself much pleased with the arrangement. I have concluded that it is best for me to follow teaching for a few years at least, as the new school law is very beneficial to experienced teachers; making it possible to secure longer terms than formerly. The past year was one of great financial depression and many factories and mills were closed. The cause of this would puzzle any political economist. Crops were enormous and there was an overproduction of manufacturers. Wheat was lower than any other period within the last hundred years. There was plenty of everything but there seemed to be a scarcity of money, though there was more money in the country than was ever known before. The trouble was in a great measure due to the lack of confidence on the part of capitalists. The political campaign was very exciting and many speeches were made, both for and against the tariff. The race was a close one and ended in the defeat of the party that had been in power for nearly a quarter of a century. Time will tell whether a tariff is beneficial or not. and it is not to be wondered at that capitalists are cautious about investing their money from the turn affairs have taken. Many railroad projects were abandoned for the time. The Narrow Gauge, built from Albany to St. Joe was widened this year. The campaign was memorable for immense(?) torchlight processions of men in uniform(?). Clubs were raised all over the country by both of the leading parties. The Republican Club enrolled over 300 at Stanberry and I acted as secretary for the same. Though beaten, we are not despondent. +++++++++ Transcibers Note: I have his Republican Club notes, which include a list of the members.