Saturday, October 1, 1904
Wind, Wind, Wind a gale N.W. all day, Rain, clouds and sunshine (very little sunshine) Boat blown ashore on crescent beach at Howard Park and others narrowly escaped disaster yesterday A.M. when wind shifted suddenly and gale commenced, day all most as bad.
Put up 13 bottles of plain tomatoes; 7 of sweet corn and two 1 quart cans of pears; 1 can of pear juices.
At Henry’s this evening, Bert Hines there.
I am feeling very anxious about my boat at the Pt. I fear wind may have blown it off shore, or that waves from W. or N.W. may have carried away. The lake is rising fast I guess. And I shall go down early in the morning and see about it.
Sunday Oct 2
Wind + rain, clouds, sunshine and gale are usual. Sick last night, colic. Went W.P this morning, Not very rough when I got there but wind was W + N.W. and I could see combers coming from Plattsburg. I was in no condition to race with them and decided not to attempt it. Chet was well and probably disappointed at not getting his mail, but I wasn’t able to go over. Fifteen minutes later the lake was white and I would have been caught half way even if I had gone. Left papers in box but brought letters + check home. Two men from cities were working on duck blind below Porter’s barn. A rainy squall drove us all under shelter, me the barn them under some trees. Stopped at Geo Sumner’s, Her uncle visiting there, Stopped + saw Farnham to send word to Porter about building shack at point.
Caroline gave me some cranberries.
Hardy gave me some ripe cucumbers.
Farnham called to say Porter would be down Wed. I sent a bushel of green tomatoes by Farnham to Caroline in sack to be returned to Hardy. At Henry’s this eve. Bert there. Harvested my onions. I spread them on chamber floor. Wind all gone down now 9 P.M.
Monday October 3
Windy as usual N.W.
Dug potatoes pulled turnips picked sweet corn, sorted tomatoes and did everything possible to prepare for an absence few days at the station.
Left here at 4 P.M but didn’t reach the point until after sundown. Signaled with lantern to Chet that I would be there all night, as wind was too high to get there then.
Tue. Oct 4 At Station
The morn wind was easier and I reached station before sunrise Chet did not go.
Had a fine day though and quite calm.
Wed. October 5 At Station
Chet started with sail for Colchester after his folks. Wind N.W. and fair, but rose to a gale before he reached his destination. Halliard broke, and had to bail the boat two or three times.
Thurs Oct 6 At Station
Hell of a gale from the south all day. Not a boat in sight.
Fri Oct 7 At Station
Another Calm day.
Sat Oct 8 At Station
N.W. breeze, fresh all day, Chet signaled at 1:30 pm.
Sunday Oct 9 At Station
N.W. wind light all day and calm at night.
Chet and baby + Miss Carey came at 4 P.M. and Chet brought me ashore. I helped him take Potatoes + Apples from cottage where he left them Sat. to the boat.
I stopped at Geo Sumner, Hardy’s, and Farmer’s and got home at 9 P.M pretty tired and glad to be home.
Monday, Oct. 10-1904
Another S. gale. The Chataugay dared not cross the lake from Port Kent to Burlington.
Finished digging potatoes. Pulled carrots and planted my Egyptian onions.
Started some bread with my Golden Rose flour for the first time.
At Henry’s this evening. Bert there. Henry had new pair gloves. Let Clara have some white sugar for brown. Hiram not working today.
Very dark and looks rainy to might but is quite warm.
Uncle Reube is coming with horse today to Henry’s. Day after tomorrow to live.
Snakes in the well.
Medicine for baby and photo proof came.
Tuesday, Oct. 11
N. wind fresh nearly all day.
Baked bread, not very good luck. Forgot shortening. Made sweet Cuc. Pickles. 1 Gal. Good too.
Went to W. Point after dinner.
Wind too hard for Chet to get away, so left things in box with pail sour milk.
Porter and man cutting ensilage. Silo will hold 200 tons. Paid Mrs. Summer $1.28 for ½ bu. of Cranberries. Didn’t stop at Hardy’s for first time in quite a while. Stopped at Farmer’s and started for home just as Frank Gilmore and the Warren boys came in.
Completed Signal Code, last night and left Chet’s book in the Box for him as here after. I think our range of conversation will be much more extended. It has been quite a job but I am no sorry I undertook it.
A man said to be 110 years old died this morning up somewhere near Milton. His name was King.
Wednesday, October 12
7 a.m. wild geese 6 of them went south just now. The first I have seen this season.
Big flocks of ducks are also flying. 2 or 3 hundred in flock last night when coming along south beach. Am afraid cold weather is coming soon.
9 p.m. Quite cool and cloudy all day wind nothing and a fair breeze most of the time. Quite easy towards night.
Farmer brought his clock for me to clean this morning. His boy has bad cough, and I gave him some Turpenhydrate and helped him find smartweed to make a tea for boy to drink. Fred feeling pretty good on boys account.
Helped Henry husk corn after 9.30 a.m.
Clara had some very nice brown bread for supper.
Brought home some water to drink.
Picture of A.B. Parker (Dem. Candidate for President) and family today with thrice a Week World.
A hell of a thing. About on the same plane as the caricatures the “World” has been printing for at least two months of Roosevelt.
I think it would be a good time now for them to stop. Rainy tonight.
Thursday Oct 13
8:30 P.M. Quite cool and cloudy with but very little N. wind.
Sorted about two bu. of potatoes, set a rat trap and did a few other chores, and went over to husk corn with Henry in the barn. 2 loads. I saved a bag-full of husks, enough to make two good mats.
Uncle Reube called a little while. Henry gave up a drink of Howard’s cherry cider. The best I ever saw.
Bert there this evening.
No Free Press. Guess time must be out.
Friday Oct 14
Cold and windy. Gale from N. W. the P.M. though this mng. there wasn’t much of a breeze.
Haven’t been over to Henry’s for a while today or tonight.
At home all day. Sorted Potatoes and put most of them in bbls (Barrels), as rats would eat them. Caught three mice in three days, boxed my carrots, and tomorrow hope to get vegetables all fixed up for winter.
Fred Farmer came about 1:20 + stayed a couple of hours. Gave him a few carrots. My mullein+ smartweed prescription for his boys’ cough he says seems to be doing the boy a great deal of good. Glad of it.
At Pete Cole’s this evening. Mrs. C. not feeling well, cold. George+ Jimmy Sumner + Henry + Joe Bessett playing cards. Got matting for floor.
Pete said he said Chet on shore with mail yesterday.
Essex Record only today. No war news in that.
Sat. Oct. 15.
Fair day. The first for some time. Fair N. Wind all day.
9 PM Wind shifted to S. at 7 PM.
Finished putting vegetables away of reach of rats, I guess.
Alas stopped a big rat hole.
Henry Cole here to supper. Went home with him at -7. Got drink of new cider.
Chet came after mail about Noon as I had little chance to read war news. The Japs [Japanese] are giving Kuropatkin Hell. Bully for the Japs. Hope they will annihilate the whole lot.
Sun. Oct. 16.
A beautiful day. Warm and Sunny, but the hardest frost last night that we have had here.
Breakfast at Henry’s. Came home + pulled Farmer’s dock to pieces + then went up to Uncle Reube. Aunt Em + Clara were there picking up things. By + by we had dinner. Picked up some more and we all came away around home.
Took supper at Henry’s + talked over family affairs.
Henry wants me to figure interest on note of $300, given by Homer + B.H Porter Sept. 10, 1891. Endorsed Sept 10, 1892 for $76.33.
Mon. Oct 17, 1904
Another beautiful day. The third fair day, very light S. wind and quite warm some of the time.
Cleaned Fred Farmer’s dock + put it together. I broke the little thermometer on it.
Painted my cellar wall outside on N. end + E. side and drew quite a lot of dirt for banking.
Uncle Reube brought some things for me. I wanted to help him move but he’s such a contrary old cuss that he won’t do anything. Let him go it.
Figured out Aunt Em’s note and took rest I figure over this evening. Took supper also.
Burt Hines came in for the evening as did also, Ida Morrison, Tom + the little one.
Brought home a pail of water. Pretty tired to-night, Sky to-day full of horse tails and warm sunset this evening. Am looking for a big S. wind tomorrow.
Tue. Oct 18
A third beautiful day. Warm as summer though somewhat cloudy. Wheeled dirt for banking for an hour, got my breakfast, and went over + husked for Henry all day. Uncle Reube came also.
Patsy came home this mng [morning] from a two day wake and drunk. Hiram worked. He + Patsy drew corn and stacked stalks + the rest of us husked the big wagon box full between 20 + 40 bushels.
Dinner + Supper at Henry’s, and this evening Lou Morrison + Alger. (Will Coates wife’s sister) came in. Clara gave me a lamp and porcelain shade. It needs a new burner + then will be as good as a new one.
Only a very light wind to-day but very shifty coming from all quarters.
Quite still, warm and cloudy this evening.
Wed. Oct 19
A fourth beautiful day. Warm + Sunny with fair S. breeze. Quite heavy fog this mng. But cleared about 7 am.
Wheeled dirt a little while and started for the Pt. to take in Stone’s dock as I feared wind might blow and carry it away. I met Chet on S. Beach and came back with him, as he said he would pull in the dock.
I feel sorry for Chet.
I cleared my lower orchard of apples except a crab tree. I had a bu to half of good apples and about 2 bu of cider apples. Will finish my orchard to-morrow if fair.
Fred Farmer called a few minutes.
I went down to Pete Cole’s this evening. Got a drink of new cider. The evening is bright and almost as warm as summer. Feel pretty lame tonight.
Thu. Oct. 20.
And still another (the fifth) lovely day, like Summer. Somewhat cloudy part of the time but as comfortable as a summer’s day.
Husked for Henry all day. Uncle Reube, Patsy + Hiram were there and Aunt Em + Clara came down for an hour this P.M. Yesterday aunt Em got a piece of salt pork + a piece of beef shank for me. She cooked the beef for me so I could husk today.
Wind S. all day but not very hard until this evening, it seems to be rising, and I think it feels like rain.
Fri. Oct. 21.
Rain hard and steady all day.
Saturday. Oct. 22.
Windy and cloudy. Letter from Govt. relative to Cumberland Head. Went to West Point.
Sunday. Oct. 23.
Good day. Chet came about noon, after mail and I went to Station with him.
Monday. Oct. 24.
Chet + I sailed away at 8 A.m. with a good westerly breeze for Cumberland Head. Two miles away the wind left us and we rowed the other 13 miles. Had a nice quiet voyage + reached destination about 11:15 A.M. The station is of stone, a stone tower connected by an alley. Rather a nice place. 7 acres of land. A barn for keeping horse and cows, and a good wood shed. Station faces S. Woods a little back of it. Keeper died last Tuesday. Office may be vacant soon. Tabarrah.
Left C.H. at 12:15. Good sailing about 2 miles + then we rowed home. Arrived at 4:15 P.M. Took supper and then Chet put me ashore. Landed at W. Pt just as moon rose, Ang got home about 9, feeling pretty tired.
Tuesday. Oct. 25
9.pm Heavy damp S. wind + rain at night.
Went to city with Henry. Shoes to be tapped. 85¢, Bought 4 lbs nails, 14¢, Lamp burner and reducer 15¢, Paste brush 5¢, Quinces 1 PK 60¢ x 5 gal of K. oil., Pork Bbl 25¢. Cheese 23 Onions 25 beer 10¢.
For Chet Onions 25¢, Ingredients for Arsenical Soap 30¢
Fire at Van Ness Stables last night burned 7 horses.
Henry Cole staying with me to-night.
Wed. Oct 26
Another wet disagreeable day. Baked bread + made a lot of doughnuts Mrs. Smalley’s recipe. Fine Luck.
At Henry’s this evening. Bert there.
Gave Aunt Em + Clara half a dozen quinces, and three doughnuts.
Sample copy of the Daily News + “Madame” came, card from Myrtle saying Bessie had left baby at Randolph + had gone back to Glen Cove to take care of Cass who is sick with malarial fever.
Thu. Oct. 27.
.
8.20 P.M Very cold day. Snow covers many of the mountains E. + W. of us. Gale from N.W. all day and still continues.
Sky pretty clear and a good morn. Full the 24st Inst.
Another gov’t letter asking if Chet “desires or declines to have his name considered for transfer and appointment to the position of keeper of Juniper Island Light Station Vt. With pay at rates of $500. per annum + an annual allowance of fuel”
Had a very pleasant call from a mutual friend of ours, who enlightened me on few points relative to certain people of my acquaintance. Oh! How I wish things could have been different. I hardly know what is my duty sometimes but I hope it will be made clear to me and that I may be enabled to do it. Whatever it may be. Faithfully to the end.
I mopped out the two small chambers and closet I transferred quit a number of my things to one of them leaving the other clean for such things as Uncle Reube or Aunt Em may care to put into it.
Washed out my new pork barrel and got one good hot meal. At Peter Cole’s this evening. Pete brought my shoes home from city, tapped and heeled. 85¢
Fri Oct. 28
10 p.m. Rather a cold day. Fresh S. Wind, Sunshine and cloud reached the point a few minutes before sunrise. Signaled Chet in the tower. All well as usual.
Chet answered letter relative to Juniper, declining to have his name considered for appointment and I mailed it this morning. He shot a bird the size of a duck Wed p.m. Don’t know what it is and I brought it home to sent to Conger to be set up. Going with Handy in morning. My hog to be killed Monday. She’s a beauty.
Pretty tired when I got home. Ate dinner and took a nap and picked up apples p.m. have a bushel and a half of apples that look like greening.
Grandma Cole borrowed my whitewash brush.
At Henry’s this evening. Uncle Reube is there now to stay, got a little milk for myself and birdseed for Chet.
Expected him today. But wind was too strong, Henry is moving Uncle Reube’s things, Finish tomorrow.
Sat. Oct 29
8.P.M. A S. Gale until evening. Wind shifted to N. W. with a little rain. Threatening rain all day. Growing colder again. Hardy decided not to go: to windy so I went on foot.
Antoine Cross carried me part way and Mr. Jerry brought me part way so I got home all right about 5 P. M.
I carried the bird (young male red-necked grebe) to Conger, Bought woolen over-shirt 75¢, two pair woolen socks 25¢ each, dinner 27, Carfare 5¢, Bird seed 1 lb for Chet 10¢
Henry and Uncle Reube, moving. Brought bed-stead and a few things here. Aunt Em sent me a sofa, Am glad to have it.
First letter from B. $8.63.
Sun. 30
Cold and blistering, N. W. Gl. Sun and cloud all day. Picked up apples. Made some sauce. Henry brought water barrel. At Henry’s this evening. Picked 2 ½ bushels beans, dozen apples and put in pan so they wouldn’t freeze. Lot’s of stars tonight.
Mon. 31.
Quite a nice day. Left here for the Pt at 7:20 When I got there Chet had come over here with his book. So we missed each other. I asked station if all were well and found they were I signaled that I would be around an hour or two and then piled Stone’s dock up in a safe place.
Chet came about 1 PM and we went to station for dinner. Hadn’t eaten anything since last night and was hungry. Baby appears to be well but looks pale I think.
Chet and I rowed to Law’s Island to inspect a green skiff that was left there one day last week. Looks like Porter’s but coming home asked Farnum and he said Porter’s boat was in the barn for the last two months. Stopped at Hardy’s and saw hog killed this PM. Took supper at Farmer’s Joe. Bessett called. Discussion how many cubic feet are in a cord of wood. Went around with Joe and he let me take his lantern home.
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