March 1903

March-1 Sunday       1903

Very pleasant. Thawing a little in sun on So. sides.

 Watch run down so didn’t know when to get up.

 Hung shed door at end of piazza.  Finished making coal-bin and emptied coal from bags into it.

 Got dinner sometime this P.M. and called at Raytee's this evening to consult with him as to best way of having Button’s swamp lot laid out.  He thinks Col. Munson and Mr. Spear of Burlington can do it all right so there will be no dispute about it.  I will act on his suggestion + see them at once.

 The gales of yesterday + last night blew almost the entire fishing shanty village away, some of the shanties going clear over to the Head and beyond.  No callers.

Monday Mar. 2. 

9 P.M. Cloudy all day.  Freezing some.  Snow storm from 2:45 to past 4 P.M.  Depth half an inch.

 Split a lot of my big wood and filed wood-saw.  Boiled kettle of hen-feed.

 Put hook on inside of big door- woodshed.

 Mailed P. Card to Col. Munson to meet me at Winooski to-morrow and note to Chet referring to same.

 Starlight.  No callers.

Tue.  Mar. 3

Morning like one in May only quite cold.

 Started for town meeting but as we couldn’t find any one except myself + Joe Bessett to fill up the wagon we came home.  I stopped at Henry Thayer’s and took dinner, and at Raytee’s for supper.

 My day’s work has amounted to nothing.

 Am disappointed at not being able to meet Mr. Munson + Mr. Spear today.

 Fixed my coal fire at 8 a.m. and on my return at 9 this evening found it in good condition and house warm and comfortable.

Wed. Mar. 4                Went to Colchester

Chet came with buggy about noon + found me splitting wood.  We went to Pt. put horse in barn + fed her and started for station.  Wind nearly a quarter of mile and found further progress so dangerous that we came back.  Gale of Sat. had broken ice very badly + water between cakes had not frozen enough to be safe to walk on.

 Went to Colchester to stay over night at Carey’s + interview Col. Munson about the “Swamp Lot.”

 He gave me very little encouragement to proceed with a survey.

 Albro sawed quite a large pile of wood.

 Mrs. Carey was worse from Pleurisy.  Very bad.

 Warm + comfortable.  We put boats out of danger.

Thu. Mar. 5

Very light snow all day.

 Telephoned for Dr. to see Mrs. Carey.

 Chet took me to Winooski.  We looked over the mortgage given by Button to Riford.  I then took car for B-n.

 Had hair cut + then interviewed Mr. Spear regarding Swamp Lot.  He can give no assistance.

 Walked from Manuel’s to brick school house, rode to 4 corners + walked home.

 Frank Akey will show us the west line.

Fri Mar. 6

A warm lovely spring day.  Sunny all day.

 Finished a 16 page letter to Cap.  Commenced it at Carey’s Wed. night.  Enclosed with it a letter from Munson to myself.

 Sawed + split some wood + commenced picking over a bbl of apples.  Very cold out of doors to-night but a coal fire makes it quite comfortable inside the house.  Am not feeling very well to-day.

 All the fish-shanties were taken in today.

 Porter commenced on ice.  It looks very poor.  Thawing every day gradually.  Water in lake has risen about two feet.

Sat. March 7

Still thawing.  Sawing + splitting wood and shelling beans.  Porter gave up getting ice.

Sent letter to Chet letting telling of interviews with Spear and Akey.  Gave bowl of Sweet Pickle to Sid.  Gave Mrs. Hardy some vegetables + accepted invitation to dinner.

Sun. Mar. 8

Still thawing.  Picking over apples.

 Chet + Ruth came about 2 P.M. on their way to the Point.  Took my glass but went only to Porter’s barn as it was so foggy they could not see far.

 They came back and it commenced raining + they started for home at 3 P.M.  Rained till quite late.

 Baked beans + Johnny cake and stewed apples for pies.  Barrows’ horse got loose.

Mon. Mar. 9

Still thawing.  Finished sawing wood I drew from Raytee’s.

 Shelled pan of beans.

 Dennis Berger came after hay.  293 lbs.  Paid.

 Geo. Sumner called on me and I gave him some apples that were not very good but as he hadn’t any they were better than nothing.

 Gave some apples to Mr. Howard, the mail carrier.

Tue. Mon. 10

Warm and pleasant all day.  The finest yet.  Looks as if spring was here now.  Ground bare and birds singing.

 Farnham says lake looks open from lower barn.

 Mailed notice to Chet + to Alois P. Swoboda.

 Finished splitting rotten pine wood from Raytee.

 Raked up the yard and it looks- cleaned up somewhat.

 Bought pants $2.00; 3 pr Stockings 25 cents + 1 pr mitten of Pedlar His name.  Black + lives on High St. Burlington, 9 children.  Fed his horse.   Letter from B.S.P.

 Pkg of garden seeds from D. J. Foster; M. C. Beet, Cuc, Radish + lettuce + parsnip.  Shelled beans while resting.

 Worked hard all day for me + am pretty tired to-night. 

9 P.M.  Hazy this eve. Circle round moon.  Lots of shooting stars to-day.

Wed. Mar. 11

Rain last night + to-day.  Nearly drowned out.  Roof leaking very badly again.  Saw Raytee.  Can get no money to buy shingle.

 Picked over a bbl. Of apples.  Chet came over with load of stuff to take to the Point. 

 3 P.M. To L.H. tomorrow if pleasant.

 Called at Barstow’s this evening.  First time since Crow-Row.

Thur. Mar. 12

Another lovely day.  Mailed 6 pager to Cap’n.

Picked over another bbl of apples, got dinner and started at 12 for the Pt.  Got milk at Barstow’s + took spy-glass.  Met one of the new family at Porter’s + got a little acquainted.

 Marked road after crossing R.R. track so Chet would know I had passed.  Proceeded to the Neck where Chet + I left the boat and waited for Chet who went to B this mng. + had teeth filled and came from there on foot by Rail-road + reached the Neck at 1:30 P.M.

 We launched the boat with little trouble as there wasn’t much ice in shore and as Chet was tired I rowed to the Pt.  We found Mr. Stone + a friend at his cottage.

 They helped us launch the big boat and after loading Chet’s things we took both boats to Station and landed without trouble as there was no wind.

 While there the lake became perfectly calm and being nearly clear of ice every detail of sky-line, trees, clouds + everything was reflected on all sides, away around as perfectly as though the lake itself had been an immense glass mirror.

 It was the grandest still scene of that description that I ever saw in my whole life.  Left Station at 5:20 P.M. landed without trouble, secured boat + came along home.  Stopped short time at Porter’s + got more acquainted with new family.  They asked me to take supper but I declined with thanks.

 Stopped at Hardy’s till 9:30 + came home.  Hardy wants bbl of carrots for horse.  He will try to sell some apples + vegetables for me.

Fri. Mar. 13

Fine weather, A regular spring day.

Water rising fast + ice will soon go out. I think.

 Mailed letters for Chet.

 Brought up and sorted carrots for Hardy + Cap'n.

 Cabbage + O.K. though small. Carrots commencing to rot a little. Have to pick over everything in the cellar right away.

 Edson came down early to tell me that he had sold this place again. That it had been taken out of Hunt’s hands + placed in Reynolds + the man + wife + baby was here with Reynolds were young people + liked the place very much. Etc.

 Edson came down again this P.M. and weighed out 500 lbs of oat straw + paid me $1.25 for it. His father got mad at him and left some two weeks ago.

 Joe Bessett called for a drink of cider, + I gave him some parsnips to take home.

 Baked beans, + pancakes.   Have quite a bad cold which keeps me coughing a good deal. Barstow’s folks have a new dog.  + Edson is going to kill his before next dog tax is assessed.

 P.O. Card to B.S.P. this evening.

Sat, Mar. 14.

A good freeze every night lately, but warm nice days as was to-day after fog lifted.       

 Dug few parsnips + gave to new neighbors Senna.  Will give me buttermilk anytime. Mailed letter to Cap. + 3 or 4 cards. Rec’d letter + two papers for Chet, + one paper myself. Wilford Lacey who went with Jones, came from Hardy’s with me + took dinner. Had very pleasant visit.

  Picked over carrots after he left.

 Haven’t accomplished much.

 Edson came for straw while I was away.

 Cloudy to-night. Hope for still day to-morrow so I can get to Station.

Sun. Mar. 15

Another fine day thawing very little, however.

Gave Mrs. Senna some cabbage, + the little girl some pop-corn. Joe + Gene went with me to Station.  Carried a lb of butter to Chet. We had half an hour’s hard work to get the boat through the ice-jam into open water. Was glad both boys were with me for it needed us all. Chet had things torn up and didn’t care to show the boys around until some other time. 

Had a hard time landing, but ice was going out slowly when we came ashore. Very little ice floating + no flood wood in sight.  Took dinner at Senna’s. All very kind and urged me to take dinner or supper there any time when I might happen to be there. Wanted me to stay over night, even. She gave me a lot of nice buttermilk and I got home about 7 o’clock. Have got a cold that keeps me coughing a great deal.

 That pain in my chest is a source of great pain and annoyance to me. Whenever I walk any distance or hurry, or work a little quicker than my regular gait. It grows no better and I am afraid it grows worse.

Mon. Mar 16

Midnight. Raining for last hour, but had a pleasant day. Picked over the last of the carrots and some more apples. Had a bbl of carrots and 3/4 bbl apples for Handy who he came and took this P.M.

 Geo. Senna had 9lbs Flour. Paid 24 cents.

 Mrs. Alec Guyette had Apples 25 cents + Cabbage 25 cents.

 Mrs. Bean Had cabbage 10 cents. Paid.

 Failed to mail letter for Chet to Ruth and am very sorry.

 Rec’d Mail, Letter from Ruth to Chet. For myself. Circulars from Alois P. Swoboda. + D. K. Thompson Book Agency. Also two sample copies of “ Public Opinion.”

 Roof leaking all over the house + its awful discouraging.

 Showed first [navigational aid]  light at Station shortly after 6 P.M.

Tue. Mar. 17,    

9P.M.  Raining easily all day. Heavy fog since 6 P.M.

Nearly sick all day. Have done very little. Looked over a few apples and stewed some for pies.

 No callers.  Mailed Chet’s letter + card with it to Ruth.  Mail rec’d for Chet.  Gov’t mail + wored.  For myself a letter from Jones.

 Senna’s called there this evening + took supper.

 Hardy came after milk.  Frank Gravel + wife + her mother + one boy + dog came also.  Left pail + money for milk in mng.  Going to ride part way to Pt. with Farnham in mng.

 Ice going very fast here in the bay.

 Public Opinion, 2 sample copies lent to Farnham.

 Moonstone by Collins, borrowed of Farnham.

Wed. Mar. 18

A warm lovely day.  Still A.M. but fair S wind P.M.

 Took breakfast at Mr. Snay’s and rode with Farnham to lower barn on my way to Station.  Gave Snay’s folks some parsnips and to Chet I carried parsnips, a few apples and mail and sweet milk.

 Found him well.  Took dinner with him and came ashore about 1 P.M.  Worked a good hour for Stone hauling flood wood ashore.  Hard work hauling boat up but did it with anchor rope and pulley.

 On way home stopped awhile where Joe + Gene Snay were chopping and finally took supper with them + spent the evening.  Nothing done to-day.

 Mrs. Geo. Prim became a mother to-night.

Thu. Mar. 19

Another fine warm day with S wind.  Ice melting fast.

 Button’s two bbls all packed + ready for shipment.

 Got Joe Bessett to help me secure my dock + rack to pull boat out on.  Paid him 10 cents.  Should have lost them otherwise.  Sid getting boat ready for flood wood. Rode with Farnham from J. Sumner’s to Hardy’s where I took supper and spent the evening.

 Gene Snay came in and spent the evening also.

 Hardy is to come over at 8 a.m. to take me + my stuff to Colchester.

Fri. Mar. 20

Fine warm day.

 Hardy came at 8 a.m. and we took 2 bbls of apples and vegetables to Colchester depot + shipped them to Cap’n.  Got there just in season (10:30) form mng. Freight.

 Called at Carey’s got cider to drink and mild for Chet.  Left some parsnips there + at Will Parker’s.

 Dinner at Hardy’s  Edie + I made quite a visit at Snay’s  Got home about dark.  Built fire, swept up + Geo. Sumner called for about half an hour.

 Got supper (pancakes) about 7:30, read till sleepy and went to bed.

 Architect Smith + R.R. Director Goodspeed seem to be making preparations to build R. Barstow cottage.

Sat. Mar. 21

8 a.m.  Cloudy, cool and showers this mng.

 11 p.m.  Raining hard.  Just home from Senna’s

 This mng. washed dishes and cleaned up generally.

 Edson came in + offered me a soup bone while I was getting an early dinner so as to go to Station when mail came in.  Ate dinner, got soup bone + went to Station stopping at Hardy’s for bottle of milk, can of pickles, pork + hammer.  Carried also part of my bone to Chet.  At Senna’s took some buttermilk.

 Charlie + Johnnie went with me + helped carry things.  Johnny was afraid at first but got over it.  S wind going + changed to NE as we got back.  Commenced to rain about 4:30 + has rained since steadily.  Occasional showers in a.m.   Stopped at Porter’s Hotel on hour for rain to let up while Charlie + Johnny came along.

 I started at 6 + stopped at Senna’s for supper + have been there since until now.

Sun. Mar. 22

Fine day.  Warm and Sunny.  Secured a log of flood wood.  Charlie + Johnny Snay came after the lantern I had last night. Joe, Jimmie + Bum came after worms.

 Gave Geo Sumner some apples for children.

 Gene Hall + Dr. Sparhawk some cider + parsnips.  Made the nicest vegetable soup I ever ate but it took all day to do it.

 Baked 4 apple pies and two plates of biscuit.

 Finished an 8 page letter to Jones and in morning shall have 7 pieces to mail.

 Moses Bessett and Frank Berger called to see where Jones lived, they said, but I think to get cider but they didn’t get it.

Mon. March 23

Mended pants.  A.M and filed Stone’s saw. P.M.

Cloudy +cold + rainy.  Joe Bessett and Henry Cole here + took my matches and a big sq. stick of flood wood that belonged here.

Tues. Mar 24       

9:30 p.m.   Foggy until 10 a.m then warm and sunny.

Went to station.  Gene, Charlie + Johnnie went also.

Commenced to rain as we reached the Point and rained ever since till now.

Found Chet living upstairs + in pantry.  All the floors down stairs being painted.

Water very high.  The Point is now an island.

Can’t get there again without rubber boots or getting my feet wet.  Hauled Hiram’s + Isham’s boats into the horse shed for safety, and pulled my own onto the highest ground possible.

 Soaked with rain coming home, but got dry + took supper at Snay’s.  Returned Stone’s saw to cottage.

Wed. Mar. 25.           

9 P.M.  Snow squalls everywhere.  All day with sunshine once and a while.  Quite hard west wind for a time.

 The rock at the landing was covered by high water today.

 Getting soaked yesterday nearly used me up for today and I haven’t done much.

Went over to Snay’s this morning after my pail + oar-lock which I forgot to bring last night.

 Edie came in and roasted Caroline + George Sumner for an hour + a half about hair in the butter.

 Came home in season to mail a letter for Chet and a card to Hi, telling him about the boats.

 Jimmie Sumner saved Hall’s box of decoy ducks this a.m.  This p.m. P. Cole, Joe Bessett, Dr. Berger + George Sumner all called at one time. Henry Cole + Dorothy came in morning for a bu. of oats + Pete took another this p.m.

 Hardy came after swill + we hauled in a couple of logs.

 George Sumner took supper with me.

 Very dark + cloudy tonight.

Thu. Mar. 26

Fine day.  Froze last night.

Hardy came with horse + we pulled in and pulled up several large sticks of flood-wood.    I hurt my back lifting + I am afraid I shall not sleep well tonight.

Barstow came to tell me I must not obstruct his little “right of way” I wish I owned this place long enough to find out if he has a right of way or if he is only putting up a bluff.

I think it’s a bluff, pure and simple.

Hardy + I put chest of something up on to Hall’s piazza.

 Jimmie Sumner captured it yesterday.

 Mr. Barstow bought 13 cents worth of cabbage.

 Dr. Berger bought 275 lbs hay + paid $1.37 for it.

 Joe Besset called + peeled 3 perch poles. Told about getting a lot of old man’s cider + putting soda in it.

 Washed dishes +swept up + called at Snay’s this evening.   Just home, 10:15 p.m.

Fri Mar 27    At Station.

Left camp at 7. a.m.  Breakfast at Senna’s.  Rode to Porter’s barn with Farnham.  South wind blowing waves and flood-wood across south beach.  Went as far as oak trees and I dared go no further alone.  Came back to farm on foot and rode to Senna’s with Farnham.  Got Gene to go with me and went back.  Wind had shifted to North and spray was flying high over the beach.  We crossed, but found water quite deep at further end.  Reached the point and found boat safe.  But Stones’ dock was in danger so we moved it and Chet’s duck boat to a safer place.  And after some trouble we launched our boat and rowed around Benlaw and saw door of boathouse hanging by the lock, but wind was so hard we could do nothing with it.  Reached Station safely.  Gene + Chet left me about 1 P.M. + came ashore.

Sat. Mar.28                  Return from Station

Cloudy and light N. wind.

 Chet and Ruth returned at 4 P.M. Wind commencing to rise. I left soon and came around though the cove to Hatran shack at white gate. After hauling boat to a safe place I felt almost as if I should drop dead.  Had a terrible feeling for sometime and to sit and rest before I could start for home.

 Started at 5:15 and reached Senna’s at 6. + took supper. About 9 or 10 wind rose to a gale.

 Borrowed lantern + came home. Arrived just in time to see Jimmie Sumner’s boat stove to pieces + to pull Rusty’s boat out of danger.

 Chet tells me he is not to have the place.

 I think it is as well and better.

 House broken into + cider stolen while away.

Sun. Mar. 29    

11:20 a.m.  Sunny this morning and quite cold, freezing last night. Wind N. had much easier, Glad I came home last night. The landing looks badly turned up.

 Lots of the bank has gone and more is going. Only three cherry trees left now, and the sumac bushes nearly all gone near hen house.

 I feel much resigned to Chet’s not having the place than I did at first.

 Weighed out 2 bu. oats for Antoine Bessett and he came for them around 10:00 a.m.

 Joe Bessett and Jimmie and Sumner’s kids came down to see the wreck but didn’t stop to see me.

 Hall and Hendee brought resin + tar, but tar no good.  Gave them drink of cider. Hendee said “best cider he ever tasted at this time of year.”

 11:30 p.m. Feeling shiftless. Reading and sleeping and resting

 Charlie Senna came over about 5:00 p.m. and said his mother sent to have me go over to supper. I went and carried a pail of salted cucumbers.

 Caroline and Clara were there making a call. Mrs. Senna asked advise about hiring Clara. I gave it.

 Since I came home, have been writing to Cap'n, urging him to help me settle the question of Barstow’s right of way.

Mon. Mar.30

Writing letter to Cap last night until 3 this morning. Finished in time for mail, and sent it. Guess he will think he has heard from somebody, when he reads it.

 Went to have Handy help get flood wood, but he was away at the city.

 In evening we went over to Senna’s and left pail for Milk

Tues. Mar. 31

Find day, warm and sunny. No wind A.M. Light No. Wind in P.M.

 Went to go see Hardy again but he is engaged for two days. My back is troubling me so I can’t do much, but as no wind was blowing went to station.  Joe went with me and we pulled boat across south beach at this end and rowed from there, and back through the cove leaving boat at the same place.

 Chet and Ruth O.K. Several papers but no letters from them, but they sent one to Mrs. Cary by me. I wrote one to Mrs. Cary, but neglected to mail it this mng. Carried buttermilk.

Supper at Senna’s and lantern to come home with. Had a bundle to bring from Station to camp for Button’s folks. Joe kindly brought it for me as far as his house.

 Gravel’s two boys, and Harry Liberty came there after supper we play cards.

 Went up and borrowed Henry’s saw, and found Aunt Em sick abed and she looked quite feverish.

 Alma is worse Dr. says consumption.   Frank at home doing homework. Look dinner there by his invitation.

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