Bitter
Creek, Jan. 1st 1897
alone
all day and lonesom Hauled 2 loads of hay on the Handsled and
put it on the Stable eat a lunch and a hunting but didn't see
any thing to shoot Had the toothache all day feel
better tonight
Jan.
2nd '97
got
up at 8:30 this morning with a lame tooth got a bite to eat.
Hauled a load of wood on the Handsled nursed my tooth with
a nail took a shave eat a lunch and went down the
river had a good visit with Ellen she advised me
to get a woman and I think it wouldent be a bad plan but whare will I find
her Whare oh Whare
Jan
3rd '97
up
at day light intended to go to the store it stormed
so Hard I gave it up went and cut a stick for ox Helver (?)
and blocked one out done my chores Smoked and read
the paper eat a lunch Hauled a load of wood on
the Handsled then went up the swamp looking fence poles Dident
get back till dark. Havenot seen anny one to day it still
stormes the wind howls and I am lonesom Have read till my eyes
ache and I guess I will go to bed
Jan
the 4th '97
Went
to the postoffice to day seen lots of Folks came
back to Hirams took dinner rested a While then
came Home Brown came after a load of Hay helped
Him to get it then it was dark eat my supper smoked
my pipe and read the paper
Jan.
the 5th '97
am
tired to night Mr Brown was here twice to day after Hay
helped Him load Mr Jackson and Ron Keezer (?) stoped as they came
along. it was a nice day it is lonesom to night
I have nothing to read and so I will go to bed early and try to forget
cares for it is Hard to tell what will Happen tomorrow
Jan.
the 6th '97
Went
up to Mr Browns this morning got Him and team went over to
Mr Sawyers and got a load of Hay came back and took dinner with Mr
Brown then came Home Helped Mr Brown get a load of Hay then it was
night Well We had a picnic I went up to Mr Sawyers
House and asked where Mr Sawyer Was and told the Ladies that I was after
a load of Hay Which I Had bought from A. Sutton they forbid
me takeing it as there wasnot anny more than Mr Sawyer needed and that
A Sutton owed them a board Bill. I told the Ladies that I knew nothing
about Suttons Bills that I Had bought the Hay and Should take it and Started
for the Hay Stack and the old Lady after me and the way that I climed that
Hay Stack would put younger men to Shame. for I thought a live coward
is better than a dead Hero. Well When the Old Lady saw that I was
safe She told me to tell old Sutton to kiss Her Backsides and then went
to the House. and there stood that dam cuss Brown nearly busted from
laughing at me
Jan
the 7th '97
didnot
get up till sunrise this morning felt to tired fed the
Horses got my breakfast Split some wood Mr Brown came after
Hay I got dinner then we loaded His load then I started up the river
seen two of Jonsones men Hauling Hay went over and Had a talk with them
come Home it was night. no fun to day
Jan
8th '97
a
nice morning it is the smae old story lots of company.
Hiram and Bernard stop they are going up the river Brown come
after his last load of Hay Mr Jackson was with Him We loaded
the Hay then Brown and Jackson went up the river to look after Hay and
I got dinner ready for them when they came back as we were eating Hiram
and Bernard come back Bernard stopped and took dinner but I could
not get Hiram to stay. Well after dinner Brown and Jackson went home
and Bernard went after a deer that came and looked for me last night.
I went up the river and set some mink traps it was dark when I got
hom
Jan
9th '97
Was
up at day light got my Breakfast done the chores smoked
filed the saw. Went to my traps but didn't catch anny thing
met Brown and Jackson going after Hay com Home eat a bite and
Went up the swamp cutting wood got back at dark and I am so tired
that I can't see the back of my kneck. my tooth aches and I have coughed
till my lungs ache and I am going to bed right now
Jan
10 '97
didn't
get up till sun up done the chores got my chew mended
my mitor (?) and went down to Hirams found the Folks all right.
Smoked my Pipe crossed my legs and was sociable. eat dinner
played Sinch 3 grames started for Home looked out of the Window
and saw Old Jim Thurston comming didn't stop for Him came Home
fed the Horses and went to my traps didn't catch Him yet but live
in Hopes. got Home after dark got a bite lit my pipe
and read a story
Jan
11th '97
Was
up this morning at day light done my chores got my bite
smoked my pipe then Hiram came to Haul Hay for Jackson but Jack didn't
come He waited 2 hours then went Home and I went up the Swamp to
cut wood Just got a tree down when neighbor Jackson and Brown came
along well Jackson took what wood I had cut and hauled it Home for
me may God Bless Him it was a kind an neighborly act.
I saw Mr. Benny today He Hauled His first load of logs to the river
Well this after noon I went up the river to dead Water and set some traps
and I am tired to night I have coughed about 500 miles and still
keep it up I think that I will cough my liver out and get a wooden
one now I am off for Bed
Jan
12 '97
got
up this morning sick a bed made up my mind to do nothing was
toasting my shins when Brown came in and wanted me to go with Him after
Hay Well I put on my big coat and went with one of His teams and
had to drive His team Home and unload eat supper and came Home
got Here at 10 So am tired and will go to bed Soon. met J. Fuller
with His first load of logs
Jan
13 '97
alittle
warmer to day went with Brown after Hay again to day went Home
with Him got our supper unloaded 2 loads of Hay by mon (?)
light fed His Horses and He cmae Home with me put the team
up and got to bed by 12
Jan
14th '97
got
up at lay light this morning got breakfast then Brown and I went
up the river He Hauled me a jag of Hay came Home I got
us some Dinner then we went up the Swamp and cut a load of wood for Him
He went Home and I came Home I am tire don't know How He feels
Seen J Fuller He is Hauling Logs and Heard that Old Sutton and George
Ingalls Had reported the (looks like) east int as sterting lies anti that
grand I will get my name up yet if I keep on smiling. Well
I guess this will do for to night
Jan
15th
a
dark lonesom day havnot seen anny one to speak to this long day.
wellI split some wood this forenoon and this afternoon I went up river
to ____ water and got my traps dident catch even a mouse. it
was dark when I got Home it is warm to night and looks like a Storm
well let it pound I am out of Horse feed and chicking feed and don't
find anny Birds to buy anny with Well I will go to bed and Hope for
better luck to morrow
Jan
16th '97
got
up this morning not feeling very Husky was Having a good time
with Lafayette and the Girls last night but it was in my Dreams Well
Havent done any thing to day. Marian came over this after noon
We Had a good talk He stayed to Supper but would not stay all night.
it is snowing at a 2 forty gait the wind howls and it is a large
night have not got anny thing to read and I think the best thing
for me to do is to go to bed.
Jan
17th '97
another
lonesom day have not seen a soul to day stormed all day but
is clear to night and colder I have been keeping the stove warm and
gathering streangh and smokeing and reading all day and it has been a long
one I am glad that stormy days only come once in a while if
they was every day I think that I would last quick the wind blows
and the stove pipe whistles and that means for me to go to roost
Jan
18th '97
it
has been a cold lonesom day have not seen a person in speaking distance
saw Jackson and Fuller go by but was in the House well I Split Some
wood this forenoon the rest of the time I got the snow off the House
and Stable if I don't get a doing something before long I will die
of lazyness Well it is right smart cold night and I am off for my
roost
Jan
19th '97
annother
cold day but not as cold as yesterday and not as lonesom J. Fuller
stoped and chinned with me then Hiram came up and smoked and talked a while
then Jackson and Chet came along and I stared them and shot my mouth at
them. made a bargin with Jack fo rhis old sleds Well I split
some wood and ground my axes that is all I got done to day but I expect
to do a big thing to morrow sure
Jan
20th '97
a
little warmer to day got up this morning aching with streangh
well I took my ax and started for a tree and down it came as I was cutting
limbs Jackson came with the sleds for me Well we chinned a few minutes
He went after Hay and I went at my tell and got a log cut then I went down
to Hirams after some cross chains found them all well but Lib she
is sick. came back and stoped and gassed a spell with Marion
He was at work on His House then I came home and went a blacksmithing fixed
the chains ready to put on the sleds in the morning and now I am agoing
to my roost (rough drawing of a man)
Jan
21st '97
got
up at sun rise fed the Horses fried my pancake and went to
work on the sleds got them all right went up the river looked
out a road got Home and it began to snow it is 4:30 and still
snowing haven seen anny boddy today to speak to it is dull
times and poor pay Well I will go to bed mabe that I will dream of
some old maid who knows mabe I will get a hug at her and then
Jan
22nd '97
to
cold for annything Just about the same old story only a little different
Marion come up Here this morning with a pair of blankets over His head
I thought it was to keep from freezing but He said He wasent cold.
and I guess He wasent. Well I went up the swamp and cut a stick for
a rocker to the sled then I trimed up a tree top and the rest of
the time I have been soaking in Heat. only doing the chores.
it was to cold for the east end not a log landed or a lock of Hay Hauled
Hopeing it will be wormer to morrow I will try my old bunk and forget
trouble a while.
Jan
23rd '97
colder
than blazes all day well I dident rais Hell to day or anny thing
like it. Mr Jackson and Ron Chester stoped in this morning.
Mr Jackson wrote a couple of notices which I will put up on Marions landing
tomorrow if nothing happens We talked town affairs over then they
went after Hay and I went up the Swamp to cut some wood it was so
cold I didn't cut much. it is lonesom to night nothing to read
and nothing to do only to keep fire and toast my shins that is lonesome
work but I am uset to it
Jan
24 '97
the
coldest day yet havent done anything only the chores couldent
stand it dident see a person to day couldnot get far away from
the fire Hope it will get warmer got lots to do but cannot
work when it is so cold no news to day. dull
Jan
25th '97
a
little warmer to day went up the swamp this morning cutting wood
Mr Jackson came along after Hay and Hauled me a good load of wood to the
House. This afternoon I went and put up notices on Marions landing
and then I went down to Hirams found them all well but Lib. She is
bad sick. Bernard is a going to Grantsburg in the morning.
Well I eat supper at Hirams and smoked then came Home got Here at ten
fed the Horses built a fire and got warm and now Hurrah for bed
Jan
26th '97
cold
enough yet the flies dont bother. Went down to Hirams this morning
think Lib is worse. Roy and I went up to the store nearly froze the
nose off from me We done some tradeing got to Hirams 2:30
eat dinner Hiram then came up to Marions landing after a load of
Hay Helped him to get it then came Home done the chores
then it was dark got supper smoked read the paper
cussed a little spat on the stove grunted some and now I am
off for bed to dream of some cross eyed old maid
Jan
27 '97
weather
moderating slowly cold as the Devil yet a mark on the stove
pipe Roy cam up this morning for the first time this year old
Doll was sick He wanted some medisen I went Home with Him.
Lib is better to day Mr Jackson and Chester stopped in this morning
to warm their noses Chester and I smoked our pipes while Mr Jackson
read the news. I took dinner with Hiram again to day then came home
stopped at Marions Castle and He came down to my Palice with me He
intends to stay at the Castle
Jan
28th '97
quite
warm to day got the rocker on the sleds to day. nothing to
do now only hitch up chopped a tree this after noon for logs.
Marion came down from the Castle and stoped a few minutes He was
on his way to one Mr Jacksons I havent done much to day my
right arm is quite lame it pains me since last night and I don't
know what ails it it is after ten and I feel tired to night
have coughed a goodeal to day
Jan
29th '97
nice
day Hiram and I went up the river and got a load of Hay this forenoon
came Home and cut some logs Saw Mr Jackson Ron Chester and Marion
Kezer on a load of Hay Mr White and Mr Crown stoped and got the old
wagon box that Brown left here last fall. heard Marion getting his
gun off this afternoon. Well I am going to bed soon had beans
for supper and my crop is to full to sit up verry late
Jan
30th '97
Went
up river again this morning got a good load of Hay this time
Saw J Fuller talked with Him He told me Sawyer Had a warrent
for me and dont I scart. Marion came down and we went on a rabbit
Hunt dident see anny Saw Mr Jackson and Ron Chester and Mr
Davis it is the first time I have Had the Honor of seeing the Gentleman.
and I don't feel much small than I did yesterday
Jan
31st '97
a
dark stormy day but it isent cold. had the Horses hitched up for
the first time this year Some rearing and cicking but oh they went.
Marion was down and took a shave and had dinner with me then He went
to see his best Girl. Mr and Mrs Penny came along just dark on their
way to Hirams they stoped and chinned a few minutes with me.
I dont expect to see anny more people this mnth but hope to see lots of
folks next Just 9 by the watch ok I say I mean I are off to my roost
CHAPTER 2
BITTER
CREEK
Feb
1st '97
This
has been a warm day Hiram and I went up river and got a couple of loads
of Hay came Home got dinner unloaded He went Home I went
down to the river to try the ice came back choped some wood
Marion came down from the Castle We chinned a while He went
to the post office and I went at my chores am tired to night or lazy
don't feel good worth a dam am going to bed to rest my Face and streatch
my legs
Feb
2nd '97
didnot
feel attal good to day. Went up the swamp cutting wood this morning
got back at 3 got a bite to eat done the chores then went up
to Marions He was on the landing but Chester and His Lady was there
they moved last night. had a good visit with them came Home
and now I shall seek my little bed and Hope that I will feel better in
the morning.
Feb
3rd '97
felt
a goodeal better this morning Went up the swamp cutting wood
came Home at noon Hungry got something to eat then Hitched up the
Horses and Hauled a load of wood Home and one up to Marions then I went
down to Hirams found them all well but Lib she is bad off and I pitty the
poor woman and wish that I could do something to help Her Why o why
must poor mortals suffer all but Death and then die at last. got
a letter from Minnie to day after so long a time
Feb
4th '97
havent
felt well to day tired and sleepy bones ache. Went up
the swamp cut wood till noon came Home and cut wood J. Fuller
stoped in had a smoke and chinned a spell with me. cooked beans
for supper wrote to Minnie dident Hear no news nor have no
fun to day. feel to night like the north end of a Horse going south.
Feb
5th '97
havent
done much to day hitched up the Horses and Hauled a couple of load
of wood this forenoon this after noon I went up the river after my
wolf baits came Home and cut some wood then it was night it
snows and it is warm I have read till I cant Half see. no fun
to day every thing dull
Feb
6th '97
Stayed
to the House all day and cut wood and dident cut much either have
not seen any boddy to day nothing to say a word to but the Horses
and Chickens and if they know what I say they have the Start of me for
I cant talk Chicken worth a dam it has been a dark and dismal day.
the sun has not shone out bright for six long days
Feb
7th '97
Sunday
got up at 9 sharg done the Chores and went down to Hirams
got my Hair cut had dinner Smoked crossed my legs and
was sociable. came back to Marions stopped a while and Heard
Mr. Durand yard it came Home it was dark that is all
Feb
8th '97
Went
to cutting som logs this morning. Mr Sawyer came along but dident
have his Gun so I dident get shot yet tried to reason with Him
could do better reasinging with a damd Hog I forbid Him crossing
my place four different times to day and if I Had the money to pay my fine
I should Have thumped the Shit out of Him. Went down to Hirams
eat supper with Him then came Home and read the paper and now it is 10:30
and I am off for the roost
Feb
9th '97
got
up this morning sick Have been sick all day I started for Mr
Spaffords this morning with blood in my eye met Mr Sawyer comming
with logs I stopped Him and asked Him what in Hell He meant
He wanted to know if He hurt my land and I told Him not damd bit.
but He couldn't ride me for a minute and that I was on my way to sue Him
for trespass but if He would be a man and stop the warrent I would come
Home and let Him go across with His logs Well the poor son of - though
it was His best way so now we are on kissing tearms. well I choped
two trees down and nearly coughed my liver out doing it. Hartly Chase
came this after noon and we Had a good talk
Feb
10th '97
was
sick all night an am sick to day Have done nothing but the chores
Have been a bed most all day. hante seen no one to day
Feb
11th '97
feel
better to day but Havent done much just the chores and cut 2 logs
it Has stormed all day Havent seen anny one to day havent no
neighbors noboddy cares a dam whether I live or die but I will fool
them a trip I ante agoing to die I shall live till I
have plenty of money and then wont I have lots of Friends and visitors
to inquire after my Health
Feb
12th '97
feel
a little better do day but feel like Hell yet. done nothing but cut
a little wood havent seen anny boddy to day. guess they are
all dead but me and I am just alive well it is ten oc I have
just filed my toe nails with the saw file and now I am agoing to bed.
Feb
13 '97
feel
a little more like living to day Have done nothing the wind
Has blowed a gale all day I couldn't walk straight. See 2 persons
and a Horse to day Old ross and boy and Horse on their way to Spooner.
Chet Kezer came down from the castle and stoped and gabed with me a few
minutes. the wind still Howls and it is snowing it is a large
night to large for comfort and to cold for fun so I will Sleep
on it or on the bed and let Her blow
Feb
14th '97
a
nice day Had lots of company to day Mr Brown Mr Jackson
and Mr Kezer all took dinner with me. we Had a good chat all round
and a smoke all round except Mr Jackson He chewed and spit.
nothing of a startling nature Has Happened to day
Feb
15th '97
went
down to Hirams stayed till after dinner come Home have done no work
to day dont feel good cough most of the time and spit the rest
Feb
16th '97
am
tired to night. havent done much to day cut some wood this
forenoon and this after noon cut a couple of pine for logs and it has tired
me out that and the cough to gather. havent seen a person to day.
dull on Bitter creek
Feb
17th '97
tired
to night. ben cutting logs to day all alone and lonesom.
havent seen any one to day I guess every boddy stays at Home this
mean weather hope it will clear up and not be so dull and dreary
it makes me have the blues
Feb
18th '97
a
nice day the Sun shone all day. the first day that the Sun
has rose and shone clear all day this month. this forenoon I cut
logs and this after noon I cut stovewood. havent seen or heard anny
boddy to day
Feb
19th '97
Well
there is a change in the weather cloudy again Roy was up to
day we had a good visit or I did sure of that. He stayed and had
dinner with me WEll I was chopping and piling pine tops and rassing
logs to day am tired to night am going to bed early to night
and rest my old bones if I can
Feb
20th '97
a
dark stormy morning dident get up till 8 cut stove wood all
I done today dident see anny boddy to day wrote a letter to
Minnie to night am going to bed right off.
Feb
21st '97
went
down to Hirams this morning Hiram had gone after Hay with Mr Brown.
dident see him stayed till after dinner then came Home. Bernard
came along and stoped and chined and smoked He had been up to Sand
Lake nothing exciting to day the wind Howels and the snow blows to
night
Feb
22nd '97
a
stormy day. Went up the swamp making road and cutting wood and fencing
saw Mr Sawyer He was breaking the road out and was as good as Hell
He had a big smile on his fiz like a boot jack and I think He feels better
since He had his boy
Feb
23rd '97
a
nice day but colder than blazes dident do much to day only
cut 3 logs am lame in my hip from wading in the snow yesterday
havent seen anny boddy to day. feel lonesom to night and tired out
Oh it is Hell on earth living as I do will it always be the same
I wonder
Feb
24th '97
dident
do anny work to day it snowd this forenoon and this after noon
I started to go up to Mr Browns and got as far as Mr Spaffords Mrs
Spafford told me that Mr B. was not Home. So I just crossed my legs
and was sociable for a spell and then came Home like a good Boy and now
I am a goint to bed.
Feb
25th '97
dident
get up til sun rise went down to the loggin road to see Brown but
dident See Him came back stoped at Marions Castle and hat a chat
with Mrs Chester Kezer then came on Home met Mr Sawyer and stoped
and chinned with Him this after noon I went over the river and dug
a Hay stack out from under the snow then went down to Marions landing got
Home at sun down am tired Hard work wading in the snow
Hope it will get warmer for it is to cold my Hip pains me to night.
Feb
26 '97
dident
rest good last night got up tired this morning dident do anny
thing this forenoon and not much this afternoon I went up the
swamp to cut some wood it was so cold I nearly froze up dident
stay long got back to the House with my nose froze and the rest of
me so cold I couldnot spit havnot seen any one to day and if it dont
warm up I guess everything will freeze I am half sick it is
so cold that I cant work and the time seems so dull no one to speak
to all I hear to night is the wind Howling down the stove pipe and
the fire a snaping and roaring it makes me lonesom I wish I Had even
a dog for company but I am to poor to own one but I will hope for better
days my back aches to night I will go to bed mabe I will have
a better time a sleep who knows.
Feb
27 '97
got
up this morning when I got ready dident do a tap (?) this forenoon
this afternoon I went down to Hirams found them all smart stayed
a little while and came Home and went patching. Chet Kezer came in
and chinned a while with me it is still cold and I am to lazy to
do anny thing till it gets warmer
Feb
28 '97
Sunday
and a little warmer well I went up to Marions Castle to day and had
a good visit with Chet and Neva Stayed and took dinner with them
then came Home and read the news my knee pains me some to night and
I guess it will storm again or thaw one I hope thaw. no more
this month
Chapter 3
Bitter
Creek
March
1st '97
a
nice day Went up the swamp this morning cutting wood Seen Sawyer
and White Hauling logs met Mrs Kezer as I came Home and talked a
minute with Her. Chet was here this morning He stoped in
he went up to Mr Jacksons. this after noon I went down to Marions
landing came back and went a Hauling Hay across the river on the
Hand Sled am tired to night
Mar
2nd '97
a
stormy day. went and go the rest of the Nay across the river this
morning. then went over to the Swamp an austin lake cutting fence
poles. Saw mssrs Brown and Spafford chinned a while with them.
came Home it was night nothing speical to day
Mar
3rd '97
wetn
over to the swamp this morning cutting fenceing went from there down
to Hirams and took dinner then He hitched up and brought me Home and broke
the road out. I got a letter from jin (?) today so I have heard from
nebraska once more
Mar
4 '97
went
down to Hirams this morning and got Him and His team and went up to Hat
Beers old place and got some leven that I got from Mr Brown came
back to Hirams and got dinner then came Home and He set a shoe on old Dan
then went Home and I went to the river shoveling snow so I can get some
Hay I am tired to night my back aches and it Hurts me to cough.
seen lots of folks to day but hadent time to chin much
Mar
5th '97
a
stormy morning I dont feel extra to day hitched up the Horses
and drawed a couple of loads of wood this forenoon this afternoon
dident do nothing Marion came down and we had a visit He stayed
and took supper with me and I say we was sociable. nothing exciting
to day.
Mar
6 '97
went
down to the river tramping a road to get Hay when I got Home Marion
was Here He stayed and took dinner with me. the rest of to
day havent done much Husked a little corn and cook beans for Sunday
nothing alarming to day
Mar
7 '97
went
down to the river after a jag of Hay this forenoon got both of the
Horses in the mud but got out all right with about 200 of Hay this
after noon it snowed so like blazes I dident do nothing only mump
Mar
8 '97
a
warm day it thawed some today it is warm to night. went
down to the river this morning and went to hauling Hay on the hand Sled
out of the marsh and I hauled all day and got it out and I am so tired
to night that I cant see the back of my kneck I havent seen anny
boddy to day.
Mar
9th '97
was
Hauling Hay this forenoon with the Horses this afternoon I got the
snow off the House and stable then I done some washing then I went
up the Swamp and shot a rabbit and fried it for my Supper havent
seen anny boddy to speak to this long day
Mar
10th '97
dident
feel good this mroning cut some wood this forenoon this afternoon
went down to Hirams Mr & Mrs Dumont was there we had a good time
dident get Home till after dark
Mar
11th '97
dident
do a stop to day it has been a howling blizzard most all day and
kept it up to night the snow is drifted so that I can hardly get to the
stable and still keeps piling up the worst storm this winter.
have not seen any one to day a bad night things look dreary
on Bitter Creek
Mar
12th '97
a
nice day. Well all that I done to day was to shovel snow and cut
Stove wood. the Stable door was drifted nearly to the top and the
creek was buried up level and I had to dig to find it. I hope that
there wont be anny more blizzards this spring Seen no one to day
Mar
13th '97
another
Stormy day all I have done to day is to cut a little wood I
dont feel right atal my legs and back aches all the time for the
last 2 days and I hante the ambition of a louse to do anny thing.
havent seen anny one to day
Mar
14th '97
a
nice clear day but cold nothing a going on to day I split a
little wood this forenoon this after noon I though that I would try
the snow so I started and for Marions Castle the snow is puk deep
Well I went up there no boddy Home all looked dreary no tracks
only mine and they looked tired. Well I came back Home and I guess
that I looked tired for I was wore out. havent seen no boddy to day
all I have seen out side the family was one little red squirel and one
poor hungry wood pecker
Mar
15th '97
annother
nice day Hiram came up this morning on snow shoes to see if I was
still on the top side He found me fresh as a juniper bush.
He stayed a little while then I went with Him up to Marions He was
Home nursing a frozen toe that the frost catched for Him. Hiram went
on Home
I
stayed and took dinner with Mr Kezer then I came Home but we had a good
chat just the same. well there ante nothing in the House to read
and all ther is for me to do is to mump and grunt and I am good for that
if nothing else.
Mar
16th '97
warm
and clear to day this fore noon I choped some wood this after
noon I Had visitors Mr Marion Kezer from the castle and Mr Wm. Penny
from the east end. we had a great visit Mr Penny Stayed and
took Supper with me but mr Kezer said He hadent time as he had to cut wood
for night nothing in the way of news to day
Mar
17th '97
a
rainy day havent done enough to day to take the cuss off cut
a little wood and went up to Marions but He wasent Home I found His
tracks and his pocekt book then I came Home. it is still raining.
havent seen no one to day
Mar
18th '97
a
warm cloudy day Started to go to carcus (?) got to Hirams
He was gone so I dident anny farther stayed and took dinner
Had a good visit then came Home and done my chores that is all
Mar
19th '97
a
lonesom day it has rained all day. the House is a mud puddle
there is a little spot it dont leak and ther is where I have been most
of the day. the stable is a pond and I don't know what to do and
so I dont do nothing if I could fly I would find a dry place to roost
to night Hante heard nor see no boddy to day
Mar
20th '97
it
stoped storming some time last night but it has been a dark day.
I went up to Marions to day found Him at Home stayed and took dinner with
Him dident Hear nothing of importinence to day
Mar
21st '97
a
nice warm day dident do nothing to day was alone all day
dident see no one lonesom and lazy. dont know what to do out
of every thing and no money to get anny thing with and if that ante Hell
what is
Mar
22nd '97
a
nice day. cut a little wood to day thats all Marion came down this
morning and ground his ax then he came and got old nell to draw logs
for a Hen coop then He came to bring her Home and stayed and took supper
with me and it hante fun so lonesom to day
Mar
23rd '97
nothing
done to day Mr J. Fuller was Here to day and took dinner He
was as full of talk as ever Marion was down this after noon
we went down to the river where I was marking logs but it was to cold and
we dident stay long nothing of nate to day
Mar
24th '97
dident
do nothing to day. J Fuller took dinner with me again to day
Will Penny was Here to day I went up to Marions to night Stayed
and took supper with Him and done lots of chinning
Mar
25th '97
Went
up to J Fullers this forenoon after a bushel of corn hauled it Home
on the Hand Sled Ray was up this afternoon He brought me a
letter from Minnie Well I dident do nothing this after noon but I
am tired just the same
Mar
26th '97
hauled
Hay on the hand Sled this forenoon this after noon I cut wood but
dident get much cut the snow is so bad that I cant half work and
I am to lazy to hurt my self dident see anny boddy to day it
all went my way on bitter creek to day
Mar
27th '97
Worked
at the Same old trade of doing nothing to day but it dont pay. Marion
was down this morning and Roy was Here to day nothing special to
day
Mar
28th '97
it
has been a long lonesome day I havent seen noboddy to day every
thing has been quiet on Bitter creek to day I have prowled around
where the snow is off there is a few little patches bare and the
rest is snow and water. Saw three ducks to day and looked for more
but didn't se ann
Mar
29th '97
was
Hauling Hay through the water on the hand sled this forenoon Marion
came down to the stack the water was over his rubbers He stayed
on the stack till I got what Hay I was agoing to haul then He got on the
Hand Sled and I hauled Him ashore. This afternoon I cut some wood
and chored around. saw 2 chip stanks 1 flock Bird and a white hawk
to day
Mar
30th '97
Went
down to Hirams this morning had a good visit Darious came down
there and brought me Home and we had a good chat then I went up to
Marions and some fun with Him. Hartley Chase was Here this morning
He was on His way to find work if He could
Mar
31st '97
hauled
Hay on the hand sled this forenoon. this after noon I was clearing
up pine tops Marion was down this morning after some corn for His
chickens He dident stay long the rest of the time I have had
it just my way. Oh I am boss on Bitter Creek and dont you forget
it. Old march is played out to night the stove pipe is
howling the wind is a blowing and I am off to bed
