RHEA COUNTY, TN - MISC - Diary of William Raleigh Clack (1839-1919) Part 1 0f 4 ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Edna Clack Woodchippy@AOL.Com ==================================================================== Contributor's Note: The following is Part 1 of a diary kept by WILLIAM RALEIGH CLACK (1839-1919) from 1899 through August, 1914. This is a complete transcript from the original. Independantly proofed by Carol Moyers. William Raleigh Clack (1839-1919) 1899-1914 Diary - Part 1 of 4 Copyright 1997 Edna Clack Raleigh lived in Tow String, the very North end of Rhea County. He lived by the side of the main road leading to Roane County. His farm lay on the banks of White's Creek, now mostly covered by the waters backed up behind Watts Bar Dam. When he refers to Papa and Mama, he is speaking of himself and his wife, Sabria Newport Clack (1849-1934). Aunt Amy is his sister, Amy Clack (1829-1906). The other Amy is his daughter, Amy Lamira Clack (1873- 1946). Baxter - Hugh Baxter Clack (1868-1949), their son. Mack - Raleigh Micajah Clack (1880-1966) their son. Sally - Sarah Clementine Clack (1876-1968) their daughter. Bettie - Margaret Elizabeth Clack (1871- ), their daughter. Vesta - their daughter, Vesta Virginia Clack (1866-1962) D.J. and A.J. are their nephews, the Stineciphers. Uncle Billy Clack is William Miller Clack (1819-1910). There are hundreds of other names in it, but this should help keep his immediate family straight for the reader. The physical book is approximately 5 x 11 inches, lined paper, bound with thread or twine. The letters that have been added to the diary as a point of interest are in the possession of William Baxter Clack of Spring City, Tenn. (Edna Clack Sachs, 1986.) Diary beginning, January 1st., 1899. Jan. 1 We (including Aunt Amy) all took dinner at home today-in the afternoon. Mama took daughter Amy to Roddy enroute to Evensville to school. Mack went to his Uncle Spencer's and Baxter to Iron Hill--nice day. (Uncle Spencer was W.R.'s brother, Spencer Guess Clack. -EC) 2nd. Baxter moved Mack to Evensville to attend school--leaving here at 12:45 p.m.--Pleasant with sunshine. 3rd Aunt Amy and Papa made a trip to her farm on business - and Baxter returned from Evansville. 4th Papa went to Billy Smith's. John Lindsey & Bob Majors here this evening. 7th Bettie went to the post office - received a letter from Nashville ..... Baxter ... Papa subscribed for the ...American"--$1.00. 8th Bettie is visiting Amanda Stinecipher. Papa went to the Post office in the evening to mail a book to daughter Amy. J. H. M. here. 9th Mama gone to see Amanda, she is sick.- Brown Ray and A. N. Cawood is here this evening-Baxter returned from Rockwood in the evening. (Another day but date isn't legible-ECS. ) James Wallis is here inviting us to his corn shucking. Sent Dr. Tage (? not clear-ECS) 10 lbs honey. Took up Baxter's I. (irish-ECS) potatoes. D. J. & A. J. S. - and E. K. Stout is here. Baxter is gone to the corn shucking this evening. (Another day, date not legible-ECS) Baxter is gone with load of potatoes to Rockwood. 12th Mama went to Roddy and to Billy Smith's returning in the evening-- rec'd a letter from W. H. Johnson of Texas. 13th Baxter went to the Po. Off. and to A. J. S.-returning at night caught a possom. Papa went to the Po. Off., received a letter from Amy & Mack --Ira Stout et als at E. K. Stout's--In the evening Baxter attended the singing at Jim Wallers-D. J. & A. J. S. here. 15th Mama & Aunt Amy is visiting Mrs. McCaleb who is in feeble health. Baxter is gone to Stout's. Bettie & Sallie at Stout's this evening. 16 Billy Smith is here for dinner. 17 Ira Stout & sister is here for dinner and Mrs. E. K. Stout & son Raleigh is here for dinner. Took a boat ride in the evening. Jesse B. & John Majors here. Baxter gone to a singing at Mrs. Krichbaum's tonight. 18 Another fresh cow (Moon). A. J. S. & Bob Italy are here. Papa & Baxter is sawing wood. 19 Bob L. Majors is here for dinner. F. M. and Henry Majors called at gate. Baxter gone to A. J. S.'s tonight. 20 Baxter went to Mr. Ewing's this morning after Aunt Amy - Afternoon Papa & Baxter went to Roddy to pay Taxes for 1898- -Mama visited the widow Fritts. 21st Papa took dinner at C. Smith's & Bro. J. B. McCallon came home with him. 22nd Went to Church at O. Fr.--Billy Smith & Miss E. Waller (Wallis?) is here for dinner. Mr. J. Manis called in the evening. Baxter went to the Gillespie Bend. 23 Papa went to Rockwood in the evening, returning at 6 o'clock p.m. 24 Killed a beef in the eve--E. K. Stout & A. J. S. here. 25 Papa took the beef to Jas. Anthony at Rockwood ($18.50)- Baxter went to Rockwood in the evening to have some dentist work done. 26 Papa is having some fence built on the Johnson farm-- Sallie is attending meeting at Old F.--Baxter returned from Rockwood in the Eve. 27 Papa went to mill--Baxter to Old F. to meeting returning at night-- Sallie to Po. Off.--Mack came in from Evensville at 5 o'clock p.m. and Sallie went to Roddy after daughter Amy and returned with her at 7 o'clock p.m. (all at home tonight) 28 Papa, Baxter, Mack, Bettie and Sallie attended meeting at Bethel-- Aunt Amy is still confined to her bed. 29 Baxter, Bettie, Mack and Amy at Bethel meeting-Rev. J. L. E (page torn-ECS) and James Ackerson lodged with us last night--Rev. Z. T. Manis, H. R. Jolley, Miss Maggie Allison and Jas. Manis took dinner with us today--Mack returned to Evansville this Eve by rail; Sally took him to Roddy. Snowing lightly. The following letter is NOT part of the diary but is inserted here as a point of interest. Amy Johnson, Amy Clack Johnson, wife of the late James Johnson, sister of W.R. Clack ---ECS Jan 29, 1899 Mrs Amy Johnson Roddy Tenn Dear Amy as Lizzie is not vary well to night I will drop you afew lines we are always glad to here from you and will say that we would have writen sooner but wanted to wait & see how your sister improved as I no you want to no how she is getting along I will write to night she has had ahard time & is vary poorly yet thoe I think she will get up she seams to have abad cough I spent the most of the day thaire today M. Hurst has got well N.B. Johnson is still well I suppose you have seen the account of the murder in Dallas I have to say that I was well acquainted with 4 of the men that done the crime all of them from Wilmer & Hutchins there was six arrested & now in jail of course they have to stretch the rope you will remember that they robbed Mr. Bain & then burned him by putting oil on his colthes M. M. Miller of Lancaster is the foreman of the grand jury I see him most every day & I am satisfied they have proof to hang them I have to say that I wish you was her so we could tell you all of office and Amy and family could have been here and spent the day with us all the last we heard from Amy was not at home and not very well show her this letter when she comes home we would like to here from you all when you can write. Crops are only fair in this part of Texas but I guess we will pull through some way it looks now like cotton will be good price please write love to all Rsp W.H. Johnson (W. H. Johnson was step-son of Amy Clack Johnson-ECS) 30th Daughter Amy returned to school this morning; Baxter took her to Roddy-Bob Majors here after a hog ($3.00)- S. G. Clack was here for dinner -Baxter returned at night, R. L. Majors came with him-Bill Smith & Starbird here in the eve- 31st A 2 inch snow fell last night. Baxter is gone to Rockwood to have his teeth fixed; Robt. L. Majors went away with him--about 1 inch snowfall in the evening. Feb 1st., 1899 R. F. Robinson here in the morning. D. J. & A. J. S., Bill Smith & M. ..... in the eve-Bill Smith got a fat shoat & 1 pig ($4.00) 2nd Baxter returned from Rockwood in the evening; he attended the Robbs sale. Cloudy & drizzle. 3rd E. K. Stout called at the gate- rain with thunder last night & today-Aunt Amy went to dining room to her meals. Dr. W. M. Wilson here for dinner. 4th Papa's birthday-A. J. S. here in morning-Papa gone to the saw mill & Po. Off. returned home for dinner. 5th Heavy rains last night; backwater in sight this morning- Baxter is gone to Evensville & Dayton this morning. Sally took him to Roddy. Papa & E. K. Stout have brought up Baxter's boat which was surrounded by water last night- E. K. Stout & family and Jim M. are here this evening: Lillie Garrison went down to see the sick folks at the widow Garrison's. 6th The backwater is in our spring at 7 o'clock a.m. and rising 2 inches per hour. Rain last night and this morning, light rain all day- Starbird & George Boles here in the evening. 7th Backwater is over the springhouse door at 6 o'clock a.m. & rising 2 inches per hour--North winds, temperature 30 degrees above zero. 8th 9 o'clock a.m. backwater has just met around the big white oak tree--temperature 14 degrees above zero. Water is rising one inch per hour. Water at its highest at 2 o'clock p.m. Baxter returned from Dayton at 5 o'clock p.m. - E. K. Stout was here. 9th Temperature 9 degrees above zero--Raleigh & Emit Stout is here- about 1 inch of snow fell last night, clear this morning. Ice all over the low lands. 10th Temp. 4 degrees above zero--D. J. & A. J. S. here for dinner, E. K. Stout here in the evening-We went to the Bluff in the morning, found bridge in road. 11 T- 21 degrees above zero and cloudy-one inch of snow fell this eve- Baxter and E. K. Stout went to Roddy-rec'd a letter from Mack. 12 Tem. 7 degrees above zero-snow about 5 inches deep at 8 o'clock a.m. - Baxter is gone to D. J. S. - for dinner. Returned at 4 o'clock p.m. 13 Temp 5 degrees below zero. Baxter is hauling wood at 10 a.m.: In the evening he went to Roddy and Papa went to Stinecipher's 14 Temp 7 degrees below zero - A. J. S. is here this morning - Baxter is gone a rabbit hunting, he killed 18 rabbits and 7 quails - wrote to S. J. Galloway. 15 Temp 11 degrees above zero., Mama is gone to A. J. S.'s. Papa & Baxter is cutting and hauling wood - E. K. Stout, Lea & Tobi Tallent are here. The ground is still covered with snow. New calf (Red's) 16 36 degrees above zero - raining this morning and snow is melting - cloudy in the evening - the snow is nearly all gone tonight. 17 37 degrees above zero - thick cloudy - the low lands are still covered with ice. Baxter got up some hands and replaced the Bluff Bridge which had floated out of place in the recent freshet. Papa went to mill in evening. 18 39 degrees above zero - raining this morning, some ice on the low lands yet, at 10 a.m. Papa went to church in the M. and to the Po. Off. in the eve. D. J. & A. J. Stinecipher here in the eve. 19 30 degrees above zero - frost & sunshine this morning. Papa, Baxter and Sallie attended church in the morn; - Papa went to the Po. Off. in the eve. 20 35 degrees above zero, highest 69. Bettie went to D. J.'s - Papa went to the saw mill, in the eve, Papa and & Baxter built fence in the forenoon. 21 49 degrees above zero light rain, put up wire fence around straw stack. A. J. S. is here - Baxter went to the Po. Off. 22 Papa went to Rockwood - Baxter at work on bridge to keep it from floating out of place. 23 33 degrees above zero, Baxter is gone to Billy Smith's - heavy snow storm at 10 a.m. - Luther & H. Majors here time of storm. 24 28 degrees above zero, Rev. Peace is here for dinner - E. K. Stout & Walter Ray here in the evening - Killed one hog weight 272 lbs. 25 Papa & E. K. Stout took hog to Joseph at Rockwood, price $10.75. Mama went to John Ewing's this eve - (pointing hand) Mrs. Jane McCaleb died about 11 o'clock a.m. Baxter went to the saw mill and Po. Office in afternoon. (NOTE: To draw attention to or to mark important events, W.R. drew a hand with a pointing finger for these entries. A death always had one, usually the expenditure of money had one, etc. The previous entry is the first occurrence of the drawn hand. From this point on, I will indicate his drawing with (pointing hand). The reader can then know which items he chose to point out.) 26 51 degrees above zero - heavy rains, 1 1/4 inches fell today. E. K. Stout here in eve - Mama has not returned home yet. 27 37 degrees above zero - sunshine with clouds at 8 o'clock a.m. Mama came home at 9 o'clock a.m. - and Papa, Aunt Amy, Baxter, Bettie and Sallie attended the funeral of Nancy J. McCaleb - services were conducted by Elders McCallon and Manis. After which all that is mortal of a good woman was with tender hands layed to rest in the McCaleb cemetery amid a throng of sorrowing friends and relatives - (at about 3 o'clock p.m). March 1st., 1899 Papa at Billie Smith's last night and sold him a wagon ($38.00). 2nd Papa is gone to Rockwood - he sold Mama's d. apples at 6 cents per lb. 3rd Raining this morning. Baxter is gone to Stinecipher's - Papa & Mama went to Roddy & Billie Smith's this morning. 4th Papa & Mama returned home in evening learned that Mrs. S. Clark had made a suicidal attempt of herself & family last Monday or Wednesday morning by putting "Rough-on Rats" in the pie and coffee - 75 degrees above zero. 5th 39 degrees above zero - backwater in sight of house. Will Garrison here for dinner. 6th Walter Ray commenced work for W. R. Clack at the rate of six ($6.00) dollars per month. about 2 inch snow fall this morning - David McCullough is here. Baxter is gone to Roddy. Backwater is near our spring and rising slowly. 7th 6 degrees above zero - snow last night - back water into the spring and done rising at 12, M. 12 (pointing hand) Aunt Martha Hinds died. 14 N. Ernest Clack of Delta, Colo arrived here late in the afternoon in the rains. 15 N. E. Clack lodged with us last night and left here at 3 o'clock p.m. for Rockwood -Baxter is gone to the Po. Office - the backwater is in sight again. Coleman Smith is here for supper. 16 "Backwater" over our spring - Papa is gone to Rockwood on train - sold 2 pigs at 4 1/2 cents per lb. 17 Backwater is falling this morning - Coleman Smith lodged with us last night, he got 1 1/2 bu of I-potatoes. Papa, Mama, Aunt Amy and Miss Sallie visited Mrs. Joseph Clark, who is sick - we crossed over the backwater in a boat. Baxter plowed in the eve. 18 Raining this morning - W. D. Smith here for dinner, rained all day. 19 Heavy rains early last night - backwater is rising again this morning. A. J. & D. J. S. is here - Papa went to Po. Office in the afternoon and Baxter is gone to see his girl. Jas. M. & R. & E. Stout here. Backwater is over our spring at 6 0'clock p.m. - rising 5 inches per hour. 20 8 o'clock a.m. - backwater is rising 3 inches per hour - 2 inches per hour at 12 M. Ollie & Amanda S. came up in the afternoon and joined Bettie, Sallie, Mama and Aunt Amy in their boat rides. They vied with each other in rowing their boat. 21 Backwater rose slowly until 12 M. commenced receding at 4 p.m. The water was 1 foot deep above big white oak at our spring. Baxter, Bettie & Sallie went to Roddy in the Boat. Killed two pigs. Weight net 163 lbs. 22 Papa took his pork to Mr. Anthony received pay $7.35 - I paid Baxter $2.00 for his pig - Paid W. D. Smith 50 cents for hauling pork to Rockwood - we landed our boat at our spring at 6 p.m. Baxter, Aunt Amy and Mama met me at the spring - ford with the boat, pleasant voyage. 23 Backwater is falling fast. Rebuilt our fence near our spring. Cut down the locust trees in yard. 24 Baxter hauled his wheat to Roddy to ship to Dayton, Tenn. W. D. Smith & Dr. Wilson here for dinner - I sold W. D. Smith a pig, 43 lbs weight - Papa & Mama went to Rockwood in the eve. 25 Papa & Mama returned home in the afternoon & Baxter went by rail to Evensville, Tenn. 26 Raleigh and Emit Stout was here in eve - enroute to Roddy to S. School - Walter Ray to Cuba. 27 Papa & W. D. Smith hauled 20 bales of hay to Rockwood at 60 cents per bale. 28 Papa & Mama went to Evensville to visit Amy & Mack and to hear Dr. Holt lecture. subject "Environments." 29 Papa returned home at 8 a.m. Mama will come home Friday - rebuilt our fence on the creek in the eve. 30 Papa & W. D. Smith hauled 25 bales of hay to Rockwood received $14.60 for it- -rec'd a letter from Harriet E. Harmon. 31 Mama returned from Evensville. Papa met her at Roddy, 8 a.m. April 2, 1899 Papa & Mama visited J. L. Roddy's and attended S. School in evening at Roddy School house. 3 Papa went to Dayton, got an appropriation for Bluff road & Bridge from Co. Court $15.00 4 commenced making boards for Buggy house. 5 Mama's birthday 50 years of age. English Pickel here for dinner. Bettie & Sallie went to John Ewing's this evening. 8 Rev. B. McCallon passed here enroute to Hinds Valley - Papa went to Rockwood. Cleo & Sallie Brady is here in the eve 9 Cleo, Sallie, Baxter, Bettie and Sallie attended S. School & preaching at Roddy (Rev. Z. Manis preacher) 10 Papa went to the saw mill in the morn - in the eve he and Aunt Amy went to W. D. Smith's to deliver corn - J. James. 11 Planted early corn - Papa and Aunt returned ............ 12 Mama & Bettie went to Rockwood. W. D. Smith here in the morning. Rev. Ledford here for dinner. Planted 1 bushel of Irish potatoes today. Bedded sweet potatoes. W. E. Williams here in the eve. 29 Bettie went by rail to Evensville to attend the closing exercises of the school. - Papa, Baxter, W. D. Smith and W. G. Roddy went to Spring City. Baxter went to Evensville on the local freight. Elds J. B. McCallon and Whaley stayed with us last night enroute to Hinds Valley. Mama & Aunt Amy went to H.- Valley to meeting. 30 Tom Gibson of Meigs county went to Hinds Valley to meeting. May 1, 1899 Papa went to Evensville in wagon. 2 The Evensville School closed last night. R. M. Clack's oration was highly eulogized by the audience. Papa and Mack returned home about 4 p.m. Betty & Amy got home about 9 p.m. 3 Baxter commenced planting corn. Temperature 89 degreesabove zero. 4 Papa went to Rockwood, heavy rain about 6 p.m. 5 cleaned out spring & house. Papa took Aunt Amy to S. G. Clack's in the eve. 6 Papa returned in the morning and brought Maggie with him. Mack & Amy went to Yellow Creek - light rain in eve. 11 Mack went to Rockwood and took Miss Maggie C - Bill Woody of Meigs County took dinner with us. 12 Papa and Amy went to Glen Alice & John Holloway's on business - Heavy wind storm late in eve & rain. 13 Mama, Baxter & Mack went to church at Old Friendship - Mack, Amy and Sallie are planting corn in the bottom this eve - Made order for bee fixtures. W. D. Smith is here -for Ledford et als. 15 Bob Majors worked our Irish potatoes 16 Baxter finished planting corn 17 Papa & Sallie went to Rockwood. Miss Kate Odom is here. Mack et als planted the apple tree ...... in corn. 18 Papa took Miss Kate Odom to see the Directors of the Glen Alice school - Miss Kate went to Evensville in the eve. 19 Miss Odom returned at 8 a.m., returned to her home in eve. Mama, Mack & Baxter went to "Ten-Mile" to church in the evening - Papa is plowing. 20 Mr. Rader, a fruit agent for the Knoxville nursery is here. 21 Bettie, Amy & Sallie is attending S School this eve - light rain with thunder. 22 Commenced plowing corn. 23 A party of fishermen from Rockwood, Capt. James Tarwater, Capt. W. E. McElwee, Gen. Jock Owings, Tom Peterman, W. S. Edde, Polk Tarwater - Warner, H. Evans, - -Baker, & C, struck camp on White's Creek yesterday evening. 24 Papa went to Rockwood. Sowed Millet in the ev. Baxter's birthday. 25 Finished planting corn. 26 The fishing party returned to Rockwood this morning. Sowed peas in "Sheep Lot" and old ......... 27 Baxter & Amy went to Uncle Spencer's in the evening. Baxter & Mack went to Rhea Springs in the morning to mill and brought home a little over 400 lbs of flour. 28 Papa and Sallie attended "Children's Day" at Hopewell. Papa returned home in the evening. Mrs. Sarah Clark committed suicide last night by cutting her throat with a razor at her home in this county. 29 Papa, Mama & Mack attended the funeral of Sarah E. Clark at 10 o'clock a.m. Rev. Evans officiated. Had a gentle ........ 31 Papa went to Rockwood and brought Sallie home. June 1, 1899 S. G. Clack brought Aunt Amy home returning same day. He brought Stark Miller with him. Papa went to Billie Smith's in the evening. Rain. Jack S. is here. 3 Mama & Aunt Amy went to Yellow Creek in the afternoon. 4 Raleigh & Emit Stout here for dinner. Bettie is gone to Asa N. S. - Amy, Sally & Mack attended S. School at Roddy in the eve. - Amy & Sallie had a buggy wreck on their return home. 6 Mama & Aunt Amy returned from Yellow Creek in the eve. 7 Papa went to Rockwood, renewed Certificates of Bank deposit. Baxter went to Spring City. 8 Papa sold Bob Wood 7 1/2 bushels of corn at 50 cents per bushel. Due in 12 days. 10 Meeting at Old Friendship Eld J. B. McCallon & H. C. Ewing here and stayed all night. 11 Eld Whaley came in from Hinds Valley this evening and stayed all night. A nice, gentle rain this evening. 12 Rained all night and is raining this morning, the ground is thoroughly wet. 15 back (Buck?-ECS) Hydes cut our wheat at the rate of 1 bu wheat per acre. 16 Aunt Amy went to Billie Smith's 18 Mack took Aunt Amy & Bettie to C. G. Gipson's - Papa is suffering from a wry neck or neuralgia. 25 Papa & Mama went to the C. G. Gipson springs on a visit. Woods Wilson's residence was burned on the morning of the 23rd June 1899. 27 Hauled & stacked our wheat. 28 Mama & Sallie went to Rockwood. July 2, 1899 W. D. Smith went to Ell Wolf's. Baxter & Miss Sallie R. returned from C. G. Gipson's in the eve. 3 Papa took Sallie to Dayton to attend the Normal Inst. 4 Baxter went to Rockwood on his Wheel. 5 Planted corn near our spring. Papa went to the saw mill - Mama to Tiney Easts to get Nora to stay with her a while. Will come on 7th. 6 Mack took our butter to Rockwood - Amy went to Dayton. 7 Baxter went to the Gipson springs with Mrs. Jno Roddy etals - Walter Clack lodged with us last night. Ell Wolf was here this morning and contracted to blow off the Bluff at the rate of $1.50 per day. To commence work on the 24th inst. Miss Nora East is here this eve. 8 Birton McCaleb & wife and Rev. J. B. McCallon took dinner with us today. 9 J. B. Graves lodged with us last night. - Baxter & Mack took in the steam boat excursion yesterday evening. 10 Noah & Andy Cate is here and said they wished to leave their organ with us a while longer. Road working day. 11 Miss Nora E. is gone to the post office - Mrs E. Worth is at S. G. Clack's. 12 Papa went to Rockwood. 13 Hotest day - Temp 95. 14 Papa went to L. G. Talents - A. N. Cate hauled off the organ. 15 L. G. Talent & Jesse Bowles is here. Mrs. Della Frills is here in eve. Mack is gone to the mill and Baxter to the post office. (pointing hand) Temperature 96 degrees above zero in shade. 16 Papa went to the Gipson springs returning in the eve with Bettie. 17 Simpson threshed wheat at A. J. S.'s and Storels. 18 Threshed our wheat, had 100 bus. Simpson, Brady and Crosby lodged with us last night - Thresher left here at 2 p.m. for Roane County. 19 Papa went to Rockwood. Bought 2 boxes dynamite, $13.00 and 1 coil of fuse or 100 feet for 50 cents. 20 Papa went to the Po. Office & Baxter to Spring City. 21 Mack went to Dayton in the buggy, took J. C. Abel 26 lbs honey $2.50 - a nice gentle rain is falling today. 22 It is raining - 1 p.m. ground is thoroughly wet - Papa went to the Po. office, rec'd letter from Amy. 23 Mack & Sallie returned home in the evening. 24 Amy returned by rail this morning. Ell Wolf was here, we agreed to commence work on the Clack Bluff next Monday. 25 Papa sold M. G. Roddy 10 bu corn at 50 cents per bu $5.00 26 Papa went to Rockwood. Baxter sold his hogs to L. G. Talent. Price paid $19.72. Cloudy with showers. 27 Road working day. Mrs. Amanda Wilson spent the day with us. 28 Papa and Amy went to S. G. Clack's. 29 Papa and S. G. Clack went to Kingston in the morning. In the evening Papa & Amy went to Mr. Thompsons and thence home - signed school contract. 30 Bettie returned to Gipsons on 30th. 31 Commenced work on Bluff road with Ell Wolf as foreman $1.50. Hands H. B. Clack, Jas. Cunningham, Disk Clark, R. M. Clack, Bob Bowles, George Bowles, Andy Bowles, Ed Tredway, Wm. McCaleb & A. J. Stinecipher. August 2nd., 1899 L. N. Odom married Miss Baxter. 4 Ell Wolf went home after noon. Mrs E. Worth of Col. Mrs. Ramsey of Texas and Mrs. Amanda Wilson spent the day with us. 5 Baxter went to Rockwood. Mack took Amy to Fairview, Roane county to teach school - Salary $28.00 per month. Mrs. Saunders spent the evening with us. 6 Mama visited Mrs. W. M. Wilson. Aunt Amy returned from the Gipson Springs with Mack this evening. 7 A fine rain fell about 12 M. 8 Commenced work on bridge. 9 Finished the work on bridge. 10 Hands worked 6 hours on the road at bridge. Papa went to Rockwood today - rain. 13 Eld. J. B. McCallon lodged with us last night. 14 Papa went to Dayton, had the claims issued for work on road and bridge - $150.00 15 Ell Wolf cleaned out Mrs. Johnson's well ($1.00) (paid). 16 Baxter walled around the ......... and boxed it ($1.00). Papa & Mack went to Rockwood. Mrs. Nellie McGee came home with Papa. 18 Mama & Mrs. McGee is visiting Mrs. Stout & Stinecipher. We finished hauling millet and had 7 large loads - Mrs. Ramsey & Mrs. Worth is here. Nettie returned to her Mama. 20 Ernest Hurst of Texas at Roddy this evening. 21 4 o'clock p.m. temperature 92 degrees above zero in shade. Mack started to the Gipson Spring at 4:30 p.m. for Miss Bettie Clack. E. Hurst here this evening. 22 Papa went to Spring City co Wan. E. Hurst visited old place, he is 24 years old. 23 E. Hurst left here this morning for his home in Texas. 25 L. N. Odom & wife took dinner with us - paid him $12.50. Aunt Amy & Bettie went to S. G. Clack's this morning. 27 Aunt Amy & Bettie returned home. 30 Papa went to Rockwood. 31 Worked on Bluff Road. September 1, 1899 Worked on Bluff Road. 2 Papa & Amy went to Rockwood. 10 (pointing hand) Mrs. J. R. Holloman died. 13 Baxter & Myrtle Eldridge came in from S. G. Clack's. 16 Myrtle E., Baxter, Mack and Bettie went to Yellow Creek to the Association. 17 John Brown & Johnson here. 19 Light rain. Baxter & Mack is painting back room. 22 Papa, Aunt Amy and Mack went to Meigs to the Baptist Association. 27 (pointing hand) Mr. J. R. Hollomon died. October 3, 1899 Commenced work to build barn. 6 Rev. J. P. Sharp here for dinner. 7 A gentle rain is falling in morn. 10 Aunt Amy & Bettie went to S. G. Clack's. 11 Maggie C. came home with Bettie & Aunt. Rev. S. A. Waller took dinner with us. 22 Papa and Aunt Amy went to Chattanooga. 23 Aunt Amy left Chattanooga at 9:10 p.m. for Lancaster, Texas. Arrived there Wednesday morning the 25th. 29 Mama & Bettie visited Amy at Bledsoe's in Roane County. November 3, 1899 Sallie came home with Bettie. 4 Finished framing barn.. I mailed J. D. Camman of Ossion, Indiana a letter today. (pointing hand) N. B. Johnson of Lancaster, Texas died on the 8th of Nov., 1899. 17 Amy Clack's school closed at Fairview. Kate Odom's school closed at Roddy. 24 Sallie Clack's school closed at Iron Hill. 30 Thanksgiving Day. December 2, 1899 Finished gathering corn. Finished roofing one side of barn. 7 Finished roofing the other side of barn. 9 Papa went to Rockwood and paid G. D. Morgan $74.65 for iron roofing for barn - and sent J. D. Cammorn cashier's check for $111.54 balance on land sold to W. D. Smith. 10 Mrs. Cora Stepps, formerly Miss Cora Brady, lodged with us last night - raining this morn. 11 Raining all day - Tem 60 degrees above zero. 16 Received a letter from Aunt Amy. The following is NOT part of the diary but is inserted here as a point of interest. There was no envelope with it. ---ECS, 1987 Lancaster, Texas Dec. 13, 1899 Dear Brother & Sister Your very welcome letter was rec'd in due time and should have been answered sooner but have been visiting around for some time. Am at Lucy's now have been to see most all of the conection except Brother Cage and Farel Brady. Surina was to come to town last night and we was going to Farl's today but she failed to come because looked like rain. I suppose she may come in a day or two. I am so glad I came when I did so I could be with Barnett in his last hours he seemed so glad to see me when I came I stayed a week with him first then he said for me to go to see Sister I stayed several days and he took worse while I was away and only lived few days after I returned I was sorry I did not stay with him while he lived he went so soon after he was confined to the bed. We all miss him so much Lucy is taking his death very hard she never seemed to realize his dangerous condition till the last. I was sorry to hear of Mrs. Evans and her grim death. I am anxious to hear from you all to learn if you are well if you see tell Brother Spencer tell him to write to me often and give him my love. I aim to get off to see Brother Cage in about two weeks would be glad to hear from you before I go tel me how you are all getting along have you completed the barn yet? What are you all doing now? I had a letter from Jim and Mary Hood last week they insist I shall stop off and see them as I go home they spoke of receiving a letter from Bettie stating you were well. You asked what my ticket cost I give Sam $23.50 if it cost any more he did not say anything about it. Write love to all I close as ever Amy J. 19 Received a letter from S. J. Galloway stating that little Jesse had small pox. Paid E. Pickel bal. due $7.30 for work on barn. Total paid to him $26.30. Paid Bob Majors for 12 days on barn $9.00 21 Killed 2 hogs for bacon. 22 Baxter & Sallie went to Rockwood. 23 Baxter went to Dayton. Raining. 24 Papa, Bettie & Mack went to Roddy to attend preaching by Eld. Z. T. Manis. 25 Xmas day - All at home for dinner except Baxter & Sallie, Mack went to Uncle Spencer's in the evening returning on the 26th. 26 Baxter returned from Dayton. The following letter is Not part of the diary but is inserted here as a point of interest. It was in the same envelope as those below postmarked Jan 12, 1900. --ECS. Roddy, Tenn 12-26-1899 Mr & Mrs M. R. Clack and Mrs Amy Johnson, Royce City, Texas Dear Brother & Sister: I will try to write you a few lines and send it with daughter Bettie's letter. I would have enjoyed it so much if I could have been with you on Xmas day. I know we would have had a good time. We had a real nice dinner, Baxter was at Dayton and Sallie at Brother Spencer's last evening, he reports a nice time at the Xmas Tree, and that brother Spencer & family were well. Baxter came home this morning. Amy‚ I have not sold Old Bill yet. I have been pressed so with other things I could not give that much attention. I have sold 1400 lbs of your hay. I don't think it will be much trouble to sell the hay. Corn is selling at 38 cents per bu. Hay 50 to 60 cents per Cw't. Bill Smith has sold 4 of his steers and finished paying for his farm. They are well. Did Sam & Nerve say anything about the tax on their lot. Tax for 1899 will soon be due. We were all invited to a Xmas dinner at Jesse Roddy's but owing to the cold day and nearly half of us gone we failed to get there. Which we regretted very much. Wishing you all a good time & a happy new year I close. Excuse pencil & short letter. Write to us, Yours lovingly, W.R.Clack S.C. Clack 27 Papa went to Rockwood, returned in the evening with Sallie. 30 Sallie went to Tom Manis' in the evening, finished paying up her board bill ($8.00). The following letter is NOT part of the diary. It is being inserted here as a point of interest.---ECS West Plains, Mo. Dec. 30, 1899. Dear Amy, Bettie, Sallie and all, - What a great time we are having during holidays! Sam came down yesterday and asked us to write to you, as Vesta would not let him for fear he would send you the small pox in the letter. Jessie is getting along nicely, will soon be well, all the rest have been vaccinated and are fat and saucy, so Dr. Shuttee don't think they will have it at all, it being seventeen days since Jessie took it. You must not be uneasy for it is in a very light form and if they should get sick we will write you often. A dull time indeed, nothing going on, haven't even heard a church bell ring for nearly three weeks. We spent Xmas at Uncles Jim's and had a very good time. Lige came home Xmas eve night and we were much surprised for he had writen he could not come. He looks as well as ever, Amy. I am expecting one of you girls to come out in the spring, how glad I would be. Now for something else: Poor Will Humphry is slowly dying with consumption like his mother, he is not able to work and has no one to take care of him and grieves continually because he has to die a pauper, so they have formed a society and asked me to help write letters no. one, so I am going to send one to you, either of you can do the writing, that wants to. The letter I send will give you instructions. Write me a long letter, and by that time I think my will permit to write a more pleasant one than this in reply. I haven't used my arm for three days and it is paining me very much just now, will leave you to guess what is the matter with it. Your affectionate friend, Cinda 31 Mr. & Mrs. A. J. Stinecipher and Mrs. E. K. Stout here for dinner. Mrs. Bill Miller gave Mama a pig - Sandy weight 5 lbs (1899-1900) Jan. 1, 1900 All of the children at home for dinner. 5 Miss Ora Saunders here. 6 Received letter from Aunt Amy & Uncle Micajah of Royce City, Texas. (The following letters are Not part of the diary but are included here as a point of interest.----ECS, 1987.) Royce City, Texas Jan 1st 1900 Mr. W. R. Clack Roddy Tenn My Dear Brother & Family, As this is the first day of a knew year I havant eny thing to do I thought I would write I don't know whither I am due you a letter or not. but this will be for all I am now at Br M.R. Clack house & feal at hom we are all well at present I have enjoyed good health all this time for which I do feal thankfull well I have been to see most all the kins folks except Farley Brady I aim to go to see him later on I came hear Xmas day I am enjoying my visit the best I can I have had sorrow & pleasure mixed all a long the way I donot know just when I will go back to Tennessee but must stay a while with sister Lamira she said she would go with me when I go to visit Farley Brady & family oh Raleigh I wish you & Sabrea was hear with us fore awhile we sure wood be glad. Well Sallie‚ I received your good letter last Thursday I am always glad to hear from home and hear you were all well but it was a shock to me when I heard about little Jessie Galloway having the small pox I do feal uneasy about them but I hope they will come threw all right. I was sorry to hear that Amy eyes were hurting her hope they are all rite againe tell her I don't know whether I answered her letter or not but this is for all where is Dear Baxter and Mack tell them I think of them often is it cold back home we havant had any winter weather hear yet except when a northern comes we are having one now. Come on last knight well Mrs Marg Roddy did come wish I could a been with you all well I received a letter from Mary & Jim Hood‚ they were all well they insist that I shall come to see them on my way back home well Raleigh I want you to stir Billie * Hue Rhea up & have them to plow every day they can if that is not asking to much of you. so will close by asking you to write soon. Loveingly your sister Amy Johnson ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Royce City Jan the 1 1900 Mr. W. R. Clack & Brother with pleasure I avail my self of the oppornity to rite you after so long a silence we are all well & feel very thankfull to the grat Supream being for his kind & grate mursyes thru another year & the new year has come is brite & clear with a light norther. I am so glad & thankfull to have sister Amy with us she thinks we are having a mild winter. I am so glad she keeps so well & harty I was surprised when I received a letter from her stating she was at Lancaster Tex & she had come to spend the winter in Texes she is with us now I did hope her & Leamiary wod be hear & take Chris meal with us but Amy cold not get Leamiry of with her so she came alone got hear Chrismi eavening. I hope we will all have a plesant & happy voigon the see of time this year & live to see the end of the year in peas & hapeness well as sister is ritin I will close by asking you to rite & pleas give me green Bary Parkera adress sister tole me he was still liven I want to rite to him. Excus this love to all & a hapy new year M.R. Clack Royse City, Po offis Box 132 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Royce City, Texas Jan the 2nd 1900 Very Dear Bro W. R. I have just received your & Bettie's good letter this after noon was truly glad to hear from home & to hear you was all well & having a good Xmas time Brother M.R. & I had just been writing you. Yesterday but I will say a little more to you well Maggie Short and I I came up hear together came on the train went to Mary Ault & it rained while I was their & it was so bad muddy that I could not travel I staid ten day with Frank & Mary they treated me so kind wanted me to stay longer. Mary maid me a present of a nice par of over shoes cost one dollar Frank .... me to cadde mills 4 miles then Bro Cage met me at Royce Xmas day do not know just when I will go back to Lancaster we went and took diner with Duke & Mr Fre Black (Clack?) they are doing well Manda and her little one is here Maud is her name & she is pretty & smart. Well I was truly glad to hear that little Jessy was better hope they will all get over the small pox soon Well Raleigh Sam nor Vrinue have not said anything about their taxes but I guess they have forgot that they have any to pay you write them or me what it is & I will have them to send the money to you I want you to look after my taxes if you please I'll remember you for all your kindness towards me. I think a great deal more than I can say you don't know how bad I hated to part with you at Chattanooga. Cousin Sam went with me to the train ........................ left at nine o'clock I have had good kind treatment everywhere I have been have Billie Smith & Hue Rhea to brake their ground this winter if it can be done it will be so much better give my regards to Billie & Magg tell them often think of them So I must quit write often as ever yours Love to all Amy Johnson 7 John Brown of Evensville, Tenn, here - Baxter & Mack went to Roddy in evening (can't make out the next line--ECS) Renewed my subscription to "Nashville American" for one year. 8 Miss Amy's school commenced at Roddy. Papa & Baxter is gone to Roddy to pay tax for 1899. Papa's tax $13.20, Aunt Amy's tax $16.17, C. G. Gipson's tax $5.78, Sam Roddy (col) tax $.50. Total paid by Papa $35.65. 9 Mack & Sallie went to Rockwood. Papa plowed in the afternoon. 10 D. J. & A. J. Stinecipher is here. Baxter & Mack is at work on barn. ECS, 1987---The following letters are NOT part of the diary but are inserted here simply as a point of interest. The envelope is post marked Roddy, Tenn, Jan 12, 1900 (two cent stamp). It is addressed to Mrs. Amy Johnson, 'care M R Clack, Box 132, Royce City, Texas. The first letter in the envelope-- Roddy, Tenn Jan. 11, 1900 Mrs. Amy Johnson, Dear Aunt: - Your kind and affectionate letter received and read with great pleasure. Are indeed glad to learn you are enjoying good health and having such a pleasant time. We are enjoying very good health at present. We received a letter from Miss Cinda Cox of West Plains, Mo., a few days ago, stating that little Jessie was almost well of the small pox and that the Doctor thought the rest of the family would escape having it, as it had already been seventeen days since Jessie broke out. The West Plains paper gave an account of several cases of mall-pox in West Plains but the disease was in a very mild orm. Amy commenced teaching a subscription school at Roddy ast Mon. She is boarding at Billie Smith's. Billie wanted er to board up there so that Hattie would have some to go ith her to school. Amy wanted to know if you would care for her occupying your room while she staid there. Lizzie Montgomery, sister to Jim Major's wife‚ died last week of consumption and was burried Sunday up at the Bean Graveyard. I spent Xmas at Uncle Spencer's. Had real nice time. Well, Aunt my Montana fellow sent me a nice gold pen for an Xmas present. Pappa said he would write some so I will close. Write soon to your niece, Sallie Clack. P.S. Give my regards to Uncle Micajah and family. Can't you persuade some of them to come home with you? We would be so glad to have them come. Lovingly, S.C.C. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Roddy Tenn 1-11-1900 Mr & Mrs M R Clack and Mrs. Amy Johnson Royce City, Texas Very dear Brother & Sister: Your kind and interesting letters of January 1st & 2nd was duly received. We were proud indeed to learn that you are well and enjoying each others presence. I wish I could be with you, it would be a grand treat to me. Amy, I am real proud to know that you are welcomed and kindly received where ever you go. Yet, I would have been greatly disappointed if I should have heard that you failed to be royally treated any where. Yes, we have had some cold weather, the coldest 5 degrees above zero. The ground has been frozen so we could not plow for 2 weeks or more. It is raining today - Amy is teaching school at Roddy, Baxter & Mack is at work on the barn, Bettie is making her dress, Mama is assisting her and Sallie broke out with measles last Monday the 8th and the measles may stop the school. The patrons are anxious for the school to go right on any way. Mack & I plowed some last Monday & Tuesday but the ground was still froze so we could not do much good. Billie Smith is ready to plow when ever the ground is in right case, I told him to be in readiness and when ever the ground would do to pitch right in. I don't know what Hugh Ray will do. He has bought Aaron Ray's lot at Roddy and is building and will move there soon. I don't know yet whether he will cultivate any of your land or not. However, rest assured that I will do the best I can for you & that it will all come out right in the end. If Ray don't turn the land, I think I can rent it to some one else. Last Monday was tax paying day at Roddy. I paid yours, my own, Sam Roddy's and C.G. Gibson's taxes. Your tax was $16.17, Sam's was only fifty cents, I paid 40 cents tax for them last year. Makes them due me for taxes 90 cents. So we are all right for another year. My tax was $13.20, Gipson's $5.78. Total paid by me Monday $35.65. Dear Brother I would like very much to be with you at your next Lodge meeting. It is good place to make new acquaintances and I would be so glad to be at your house while Sister Amy is there. I am real glad that she has been blessed with the opportunity of paying you a visit. Can't you & sister Margaret come home with her. G.G. Parker in Boon county, Ark. I have forgotten the name of his office. Did you receive the "Dayton Weekly Herald", a paper published in Rhea County last spring for 3 months. I told Morrison to send it (P'd. 25 cents) We are receiving the Royce City News regularly. Next Sat & Sun is Bro. McCallon's time at Old Friendship again. Amy the Clark children had another dance Xmas. This leaves all well. Write soon. Kindest regards to Manda and all the other children. Your affectionate Bro & Sis. W. R. Clack S. C. Clack 12 Sallie brought Amy home from school this eve. Baxter hauled the 5th and last load of corn to Davis - price paid for corn .37 cents. 13 Papa, Baxter, Sallie and Mack attended church at O.F. 14 Papa, Baxter, Bettie, Amy and Mack went to meeting today. Temperature 65 degrees above zero at 3:30 p.m. - & clear - Mack took dinner at Pickels. Baxter is gone to P. Office 3 p.m. Bro J. B. McCallon came home with Mack. 15 Bro. McCallon lodged with us last night. 16 Finished painting barn roof. 17 Mack commenced turning land for corn. 18 rain last night 19 Amy came home this eve. 25 Rec'd letter from Bro Micajah. Sister Amy has returned to Lancaster, Texas. 26 Baxter is gone to Dayton. Amy walked home from school. 27 Mama & Amy are visiting A. N. S. 28 Mr. & Mrs. D. J. & Mr. & Mrs. A. J. Stinecipher are visiting Mr. & Mrs. Starbird. Mama & Amy returned home in eve. Mack went to Roddy in evening. 29 Sallie took Amy to her school. 30 Wm. Goebel Governor elect of Ky. shot. 31 Mr. Parrish here this morning. Mrs. Jacob & Mrs. Bob Roose in eve. (this is Ross, my gr-grandmother & great-aunt.--ECS) Feb. 1, 1900 Temperature 10 degrees above zero and clear. Ray & Roose fight yesterday eve. 2 Baxter returned home, been away 8 days, went from Dayton to Morgan county. 3 Mack is cutting wood for the school at Roddy. Papa is cutting corn stalks. 4 Papa's & Mack's birthday. All at home & had a nice dinner. Raleigh Stout, L. J. & A. J. Stinecipher & John Garrison visited us today. Rain in the morning, cloudy & sunshine in the eve. 5 John Garrison lodged here last night. Baxter commenced work on Stinecipher barn at noon. W. D. Smith is here this eve. 6 Mack & Emit Stout took 10 bu sweet potatoes to Rockwood, got .90 cents per bu. (pointing hand) Gov. Wm. Goebel died Feby 3rd., 1900. Col. D. M. Key died Feby 3rd., 1900 aged 76 years. (Col. Key was with the Tenn. 43rd. Regiment, W R Clack's outfit. The Col. was from Hamilton County, Tenn. -- Glenn A. Chattin) 8 Papa & Mack laying loft in barn. Cloudy with wind & Tem at 61 degrees above zero in the fore-noon. Heavy rain at 4 o'clock p.m. with wind. T 68 degrees above zero. 10 Rain in the morning - Mack attended church at Old Friendship 11 Elds McCallon & S. H. Waller lodged with us last night - Papa, Mama, Baxter, Mack & Sallie attended church today. 12 Amy has sore throat, and Sallie is in charge of her school for awhile. 14 Amy took charge of school again and Sallie returned home this morning. 15 S. P. C. Robinson here, cattle buying. 16 Received a letter from Aunt Amy. 17 All at home today. A light snow fell last night. T. 16 degrees above zero. 18 T. 11 degrees above zero at 7 a.m. - at 3 p.m. 28 degrees above zero. E. K. Stout, D. J. & A. J. Stinecipher here at 3 p.m. (pointing hand) Mollie McCart died Feby 11, 1900. 19 Baxter took Amy to school at Roddy. Papa sold his bull to S. P. C. Robinson for $18.00.