Saturday 1 1902 Thaw
Rain all last night. Charles shoeing horse till noon. Water rose fast and Charles and I had to clear out ditch across road in a hurry and built dam around hatchway to keep cellar from filling. As it was there was 7 or 8 inches of water caved in.
Sunday 2
Thaw
Rain by spells all last night and all to-day, lost of bare ground and more coming fast. The snow on lake all dissolved and gone under the ice. Charles and Tess at Edson's this evening, had to go for Charles, as there was trouble at the barn. He and Edson came down and found it was Charles horse, but he had just got on his feet. Raining very hard to-night.
River breaking up and a big freshet may be looked for without doubt.
Monday 3
Thaw
Warmer and a pretty good day.
Card from Chet, coming tomorrow.
Tess away all day with Ned. Charles chopping. Tess brought Jim home. Regulation day in room. Winnowing and put away pop-corn. Made a bag to transfer things in. Mail on wheels, first time. Great damage everywhere by great thaw. Hardy’s this evening. Sent for Mrs. H to Larkin Soap, and Co.
March, Tuesday 4, 1902
Light flurrys of snow from N. in A.M. with some sun. On the whole, quite a comfortable day though thawing only in some places.
Chet comes on horseback. Arm pretty sore. Intend to go to Randolph Thursday if feeling able.
Expected to go to W. Point to look after boats, but did not feel able. I must go to-morrow myself. Don’t know as I will go to the Island to live after all. I think I shall change my mind.
Wed. 5
Cloudy and cold. Freezing all day.
Went to W.P + put both boats out of danger for the present,
at least. Started to go on ice, but was
finally trapped in swamp + had to come back, away round the swamp.
Found one of Porter's dead colts, drowned down in the woods.
On way home stopped at Porter’s barn on Point. Ten bushels of barley all over floor and ground outside. Handy + wife + children were going away. At Goodspeed's, he was just going with Charly to work on road of the intervale. Water all gone down to road dry now. Labels for W.R. Cream are not here yet.
Thur. 6
A pleasant day, but freezing except in exposed places. Chet came unexpectedly. To see Charlie + taking order for soap. Will go to R tomorrow. Charlie went to city with Ned. Edie came after more cabbage. Labels for White Rose Cream came but formula did not. Went over to Handy’s this evening. Edson, Beth + Thora here this evening.
Friday 7
Cold and disagreeable day. About sick slept very poorly. Charlie drew load of sawdust from mill to the Point and back here as he could not get onto the ice from the Point. Pounded my thumb splitting wood. Jimmie still here. Hope he will go home soon as I am nearly crazy from his devilish noise. Violet she came to-day. Took first tree down this P.M. and Evening.
Called at Barstow's, this Eve. Edson’s folks there. Mr. Barstow is having one of his poor spells.
Saturday 8
A good day. Feeling quite unwell yet. Boiled a few
potatoes, roasted a little meat + made 3 loaves of oat flake bread. Fire in the
kitchen. Swept out kitchen and room up stairs. Edson and Charlie drew wood and
logs with Edson’s house + Ned and towards night. Charlie went to city +
brought Isham and wife home. Picked apples over. Cut out the rotten ones and
took them over to Handy’s this evening. Jim went home, but the cussed pow-wow
with the dog goes on just the same. Isham and wife here.
Sunday 9
Stormy, snow + rain. Dog + cat and baby-talk every minute.
Kept my room all day. They went home to-night.
Monday 10 21 days more
Fair and pleasant. Thawing quite a little. Edson drew logs with his horse and Black. Charlie went to city with Ned to carry chickens. Not here yet 9 P.M. Picked 9 roosters at A.M. Found that my bbl of old rubbers has been disposed of in some manner, as they are missing. Would give a dollar to know what became of them. Took supper at Edson’s and spent the evening there.
Tuesday 11 . 20 days more
9:20 P.M Fair A.M. But trying to rain all P.M. Charlie got sawdust at mill + he + Edson took it to Benlaw for Watkins with Ned +Bhk. Tess + Rejre did working. I just sat round till P.M. when I went over to Porter’s with my pail for milk. Made the acquaintance of Mr. Jones from Arkansas who was putting in ice. Two teams came home; at 5 P.M only one of them loaded with ice. We have started in again for another big thaw I think and guess it will rain before morning, all night. Got 4 gals of milk, + 2 for Mrs. Hardy. Took supper there. Intended to saw some wood for him but his saw wasn’t there. No mail to-day. Hope Chet will come down or that I shall hear from him or Cap'n to-morrow.
Wed. 12
Rainy and thawing all day. Ned made two trips up-street first Charlie, then Tess, who did not come back. No mail. Sawed a little wood for Hardy. Bruno had one of his spells. Miss Johnson visiting at Barstow’s.
Thurs. 13 18 days more
Rain S. A.M. Snow N. P.M. Freezing at night. Mowing machine was put under cover. No mail. Made fine johnnycake. Took part of fresh meat out of snow and put into salt. Four qts. milk 5 cents. Saw Jones’ menagerie. Hardy's this evening. Home at 9.
Friday 14.
Fine day and one of loveliest evenings ever seen. Wrote a letter to Chet this A.M.+ just as I finished it he came in sight. We went to W. Point and pulled his boat up the bank + tied it to a tree, came back put horse in barn and got dinner. Hadn’t much time to visit. He came from Randolph Tuesday. All sick with whooping cough. Lotti pretty bad. Cass + Martin may get here sometime to-morrow. Hope Cass will come and visit me.
Cap'n wants me to stay here and look after things when Charlie is gone. I think I shall be glad to do it. Drew tap water from cistern P.M. + trimmed the apple tree and cherry trees.
Called at Sid Tatro’s, this evening + he wants to plant three or four acres of corn at halves.
Charlie cutting wood for this place to-day, and went after Tess to-night + got here. Must try and do something to-morrow that will show a little.
Saturday 15
Fair day. Sid + I cleaned out and I trimmed trees + cleaned up front of house, a nasty mess, found butter paddle in mud, lots of tin cans + a tin can of Button's seeds under piazza.
Raked up around hen house+ burnt grass. Over to Hardy’s this evening.
Letter from B.S.P. at Westmoreland, N.H. also heard from Dr. Shoop. Two B. Journals. All of Prince Henry + the flood. Charlie + Edson went to city. Blackhawk + Edson’s horses.
Noticed Big rope in exp. wagon + a hitch-rope off the same rope apparently.
Sunday 16
Showers, cloudy. Charlie + Tess gone all day. Noticed the big pulleys brought home. I put in Sky Parlor. Made coal fire in kitchen. Soaked piece of beef in soda water for to-morrow. Fresh Pork frozen in snow solid + so let it remain, for another day at least.
Milk at Jones. Divided with Mrs. Hardy + took supper there. 9 P.M. raining.
Took walk up to woods lot this
P.M. Found 2 cords of four-food wood cut and piled up in the very best part of
the lots.
Monday 17
Thawing all day. Rain last night, raised puddle + I intended to fill cistern but Charlie got mad + wouldn’t let me. Thought I was trying to run his business, accused me of picking on his wife all winter, but wouldn’t tell how or what. Told him it wasn’t so, to my knowledge, but he said she told him I had + he would believe her before he would me. Of course if I wasn’t to be believed it was no use to say anything.
So I carried Barstow’s spout home, made a fire in my kitchen until about 8 P.M. then went over + worked on Hardy’s grape vine. Got milk. Left 25 cents. Home now had 2 pails of milk on it. Got milk for Hardy which I am to pay for also as Mrs. H. gave me the money to-night.
Have quite a severe headache and am feeling nearly sick.
After putting Charlie up to give me hell on her account, she had the gall to come into my kitchen and ask me to let her have some sour milk, but I did it just the same.
Pretty good [?].
Tuesday 18
Cold + windy + cloudy. Edie came over this mng. with 3 children + stayed till nearly noon.
The Harrow came home + the new wagon-box was taken apart and put into the barn.
Chet came along on foot this P.M. and managed to pour oil on the troubled waters so that the trimmings of the trees will go on again to-morrow as usual. At Hardy’s this evening, and authorized him to negotiate with Mr. Gay for the corner lot opposite Mrs. Bean’s.
Last night commenced letter to B.S.P and wrote more on it this A.M. and will do a little more to it now before I got to bed.
Chet is with me to-night once more. I wish he could stay until after Smith goes.
Wed. 19 12 days more
Blizzard from N. or N.W. all day nearly.
Chet left here at 10 A.M. + snow came soon after, and has been coming all the time since. The wind has been something terrible. Freezing all day. Charlie and Tess away all day with B-hawk. Tess visiting at Luther Spears. Coal fire in kitchen all day but could hardly keep warm. Put new wicks in oil stove + filled it but could not warm my sleeping room with it for as many holes and so much wind.
News folks came from Jericho to Jones’s to-day, or rather they got here to-day.
At Hardy’s this evening.
Adrian may go to city to-morrow and see about buying my land.
Thurs. 20
11 P.M. A stormy day + evening though there is a good moon. Tess away nearly all day.
Charlie gone some but I straightened out some around here.
Asked him this morning if I could help him and trim tree and fill cistern. Said he didn’t care. But I did nothing. Today it was so stormy. Letter from captain containing argumentsaying I could trim trees all I wished and Smith had nothing to say about it.
Stayed in my kitchen most of the day reading farm papers.
Friday 21
Foggy and stormy in the morning, clearing at night.
Charly and Edson sawing wood for Barstow.
Letter from Captain authorizing me to take care of things and send power belt to him as soon as Smith leaves. Haven’t done much today. Got spout to fill cistern, but found something had been put in or got in that must be cleaned out before I filled it. At Hardy’s tonight. Adrian was full last night and lost some money. Not a great deal I guess. Ratte's this evening. Played and sung a little. They told me that Smith is going where Peter B. Cross lived and that he expected to move on Monday or Tuesday. I wish Captain was here and would put an attachment on this hay in the barn, for rent is still due. Swill tab stinks so that one can hardly live here. Quite warm tonight.
Sat 22
Damp and foggy day. Smith finished sawing wood for both Barstow and Edson and put power in the barn. Tess away for the night. Mrs. Hardy (old) and Perly came over after carrots and turnips. I had pancakes for dinner. Over to Hardy’s this morning and he showed me the lot. I am thinking of buying it. Felt almost discouraged about it as some of it isn’t cleared. But I think I will buy it just the same if I have the chance.
Adrian went to city and saw Mr. G, but could not ascertain definitely as to whether I was sold or not. But will do so on Monday if he is able to go again. He was taken with a chill and came home quite sick. I was there again this evening. He was having a sweat. The baby also is quite sick. I feel sorry for them. I trimmed and scraped a few apple trees, and also trimmed out part of the locusts. It already begins to look better, but I intend before many weeks pass, to have this place look much better than it has ever done before, if I have my health. Found my chamber door unlatched tonight. Wrote to Chet this morning. Violet looks quite sick tonight.
Sunday 23rd
9: 20PM Nice warm lovely day, nothing like it before, not this
year. Cat caught a young rat I guess last night and ate it and was quite sick
this morning and I guess she has been today, and she certainly acts so tonight.
This morning, I went over to Hardy’s; found him and the baby both a little
better. Stayed an hour and went up street. We walked together, when I stopped,
trimmed his grapevine and took dinner. Then
went over to Ratte’s. Visited. Took supper and visited, had music and Mrs.
Ratte and I visited. Charles came just after I did, so I suppose he has been
away part of the day at least. Violet
still quite sick. Found my chamber door unlatched again tonight.
Monday 24 7 days more
Clouds and sunshine, cold
and warm! North wind light. Lake open between Stave and Valcour and up
Plattsburg’s way. Wrote to Chet to come right down. He sent pruning sheers
today. Charley and Goodspeed sawing
wood for Porter + Jones. I haven’t done much. Nearly sick or crazy. Something or
somebody has poisoned the cat and she has been very sick yesterday and today.
Vomiting yellowish green slime and froth. Won’t eat, but drinks
frequently, weak and staggers, eyes look dull. I hope she is a little better.
Took her down to the kitchen and have kept her locked in there all day when she
wouldn’t get anything to eat that she caught not at home. Adrian was better
and worked today. The baby is also much better. Violet seems better a little I
think tonight. Cooked supper at Hardy’s. Had some lovely strawberry
cake.
Tuesday 25
Another very fine day. Chopped up a little wood for Barstow and split some wood for Adrian. That is all I have done today. Somehow I can’t feel like doing anything and don’t think I shall overcome this feeling until the Smith family gets out. Their damn swill-tub is enough to bread the small pox or cholera. Anna and Burt called to see me tonight. And spoke about the big blocks and ropes and other things. Chet and Ruth alas called a few minutes ago. The Chateauguay is to make her first trip on April 7. The lake is open north of Hogback and the Light House will have to be manned pretty soon.
Wednesday 26
And still another lovely day. Warm, sunny, and very little wind. Smith drawing away the hay. Tess picking up things ready to move and I am letting them. She had to come today to see me, once with broken glass and once with an old broken comb, and to tell me that she wasn’t going to carry away a ra or even a pin that didn’t belong to them. I had a mind to tell her there wasn’t a damn one left here for anyone to carry off. She didn't feel that way probably when she sold Chet's belt to the Jew Peddler a short time ago.
She would have liked to get into a jangle with me but I didn’t care to please her.
I took my glass and went down and visited Merrihews’s and Hall's camps last night.
At Hardy’s this evening from 8pm to 9:20pm. Can see that the sick ones seem to be feeling better.
Guessed by looks that Smith will move some of his goods tomorrow. I hope the whole outfit will go. Swill tub and all for it nearly takes my breath away while I work.
Thursday 27, 10PM
Looked stormy all day and we have had showers 5:20. Have done pretty well today. Cleaned up among the locusts and trimmed and scraped some apple trees.
South wind fairly fresh and I think it will break up the ice on the lake without doubt.
The Smith family still here. I hope it won’t rain to keep them here tomorrow.
Thought perhaps I might
hear from B.S.P. by this time but haven’t yet.
Friday 28 11PM
Fine day but air feels like rain. Smith commenced moving. Two loads. The R.R. magnate assisted.
Made quite good progress. Clearing out the locusts, almost finished. Jim Sumner came over and dug the first lot of fishworms this season. Gave him a few parsnips and tap onions. Went to Jones for awhile and Chet found me there. We went to West Point and pushed the merry go round into the water and rowed in round to the cove and left it. He and Ruth expect to come down tomorrow with load of goods for the light house and I shall be here to assist in getting them there.
Started to bake beans but fire went out and I just left. I
stopped at Hardy’s to see Smith and settle up with him.
Saturday 29
Chet came and we went to the light house in row boat, and he left me there with the cat.
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