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Wednesday, 15.--Frosty morning. Went to town to haul some flour and a sack of salt, but owing to the villainous and balky character of Sam's team, broke the wagon tongue, so we left the wagon in town and came home for dinner and at the same time to devise other means of getting our load home. I have it. We will take the ox team, Brin and Brown. Never stall, so now for the bull team.
Just returned with my flour and salt. No accidents this time. Spent this day to but little purpose.
Thursday, 16.--Beautiful morning. Looks like Indian summer. Called upon the Grammar school. Went to M. Mudeater1 and engaged ten bushels of potatoes.
1) The name Mudeater is an honored one in the Wyandot Nation. There are different accounts of the manner in which it became fixed as a family name. Alfred J. Mudeater, Esq., of Wyandotte, Indian Territory, gave me substantially the following:
A war party of Wyandots went up the Big Sandy River about the time of the Revolutionary War, for the purpose, as he said, of falling upon the Cherokees, but much more probably for the purpose of raiding the settlements west of New River in Virginia, or along the Watauga in what is now East Tennessee. This party went down a valley after passing the head waters of the Big Sandy River. This valley was inhabited by white settlers who fled at the approach of the Indians, who passed on and went far beyond it. They were gone for about two weeks, when they returned up this same valley to again reach the waters of the Big Sandy, which they would descend on their way home.
As they were marching up this little valley they saw a small boy run down to the creek some distance ahead of them and disappear in the bushes that fringed the stream. Some of the warriors hastened to the point where the boy was last seen but he was no where to be found. The other warriors of the party came up and a close and systematic search was instituted for the fugitive. One of them noticed that the creek had cut in under the roots of some trees, leaving a mass of roots and earth overhanging the water. He plunged into the stream and looked under this overhanging mass. He saw a boy's legs at the farthest corner of the cavity thus found, and, seizing him by the feet, drew him forth.
The child, for he was nothing more, being only about six or seven years old, was famished and emaciated. So extreme had been his sufferings from hunger that he had been eating the soapstone found along the bed of the creek. This soapstone and clay were smeared about his mouth and over his face. The Indians, with that aptness for which they are famous in the bestowal of names, called him Mud Eater, a name which he retained ever after.
The warriors gave him food, and carried him with them to their town on the Sandusky. He said that his people had either abandoned him or forgotten him in their hasty flight from the Indians, and he had been left to starve, or to whatever fate might befall him.
The Indians adopted him and he grew up among them and married a Wyandot woman.
The Hon. Frank H. Betton, of Wyandotte county, Kansas, who married Kim
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Friday, 17.--"St. Patrick's day in the morning." Wrought in my garden digging up stumps, and laying off walks, etc. Sent by Mr. Graham my letter to John Greer, written yesterday. I very civilly gave my opinion of his conduct in regard to my sale of a tract of land to him.
Mr. Mudeater brought the potatoes I contracted for yesterday. Warm day, pleasant evening. Dr. H. (God bless his memory) forgot to bring our mail from the P. 0.
Saturday, 18.--Yonder comes the powerful king of day rejoicing, in the east. 10 and a half o'clock. Thermometer nearly "summer beat." Working with my fruit trees, covering their roots with broken stone and compost of leached lime and sand. The little leisure I have I devote to reading the memoirs of Aaron Burr by M. L. Davis. What a man! A strange medley of opposite qualities, great and good in some things and treacherous and heartless in others.
Sunday, 19.--Staid at home, read and wrote. Mr Gil-
Susanah Mudeater, the sister of Alfred J. Mudeater, Esq., who gave me the foregoing account, believes it possible that the name may have been bestowed from the habits of the turtle which burrows in the mud, and which might be said to be a mud eater. This is a plausible and tenable theory, and it is quite possible that it is correct, if the boy was adopted by the Big Turtle Clan, or the Mud Turtle Clan.
He related to me another tradition. A party of Wyandots went to visit another tribe, perhaps the Shawnees, or the Delawares. Arrived at the spring at which the village supply of water was obtained they beheld an emaciated white boy eating clay from its banks. He was a captive and had been adopted and had almost starved. The Wyandots from compassion bought him and adopted him into their tribe, and gave him the name of Mud Eater, from the circumstance which caused his purchase and adoption into the Wyandot Nation.
The improbable part of this version of the matter lies in the assertion that he had been starved after adoption. This could not have been, unless the whole tribe was starving. It was contrary to all Indian customs to withhold food from anyone. While one had food all had it.
This man Mud Eater had a son named Russia Mudeater, who married a daughter of Chief Adam Brown. One of their children was Matthew Mudeater. He married Nancy Pipe, a direct descendant of Hopocan, or Captain Pipe, Chief of the Wolf Clan, and afterwards Head Chief of all the Delawares, and who burned Colonel Crawford at the stake in what is now Crawford County, Ohio. Of this marriage were born: 1. Silas, died in infancy; 2. Susanah, born in Ohio, March 5, 1841; 3. Thomas Dawson, born February -- , 1843; 4. Zelinda, born in 1845; 5. Mary, born in 1847; 6. Irvin, born in 1849; 7. Benjamin, born in 1851; 8. Infant that died; 9. Alfred J., born in 1855; 10. Matthew, born in 1857; 11. Ida, born in 1859.
Matthew Mudeater died in the Wyandot Reserve in the Indian Territory.
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more of Independence came and staid all night. Went to see Isaiah who was seriously hurt by the falling of his horse while going at full speed on Saturday. Badly hurt.
Monday, 20.--Rained last night. Clear this morning. Went to town after writing to Mr Reese concerning the Chick lots in Westport.
Sowed two beds of a mixture of salad and radishes and other work in de jardin.
C. Graham received a letter from Esau, written from New Orleans, which I perused. He is on his way to Mexico, wishing like many others to revel in the "halls of Montezuma."
Tuesday, 21.--Cold and cloudy morning. Reading Burr's memoirs. Truly he was an unfortunate man. In the meridian of life his star began to wane and through the bitterness and rancorous hostility with which he was pursued, day and night, he fell from his lofty position like a boulder from the clouds. How true the saying and truly its application in Col. Burr's case is just. A French criminal judge says "Give me four lines in writing of the most honest man in the world, and I will undertake to have him hung."
Continued cold windy and cloudy. Worked in my garden.
Wednesday, 22.--Cold and dark morning. My execrations upon that sacre menteur coquin of a Frenchman, Pierre Ballenger, for not coming to work for me as he promised. Continued my gardening operations. Planted early potatoes, but in consequence of my crippled back I was compelled to lay aside my spade, shovel and rake and stop operations. Mild and pleasant this afternoon. Je suis fatigue au jour d'hui.
Just heard of the ratification of the treaty of peace between the U. S. and Mexico.
Thursday, 23.--Clear cold and frosty morning. Mrs W. gone to Westport. Writing a letter to Esau in Mexico. Le
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memo tems Je ecrite une o pour Madame Guthrie. Planted some more early potatoes. Mrs W. returned from Westport and brought my mail.
Friday, 24.--Hauled some hay. Then hauled some wood from the woods pasture. Planted a Balm of Gilead.1 Done various other things. Mr Barstow's school closed to-day. Called upon by James Washington on public business. Agreed to meet to-morrow.
Saturday, 25.--Sprinkled a little rain last night. Cloudy and threatening rain. Let it come and welcome. Dispatched my letter addressed to Esau by C. G. to the P. 0. Settled with B. F. Barstow for tuition in District No. 3, amount, $58.33.
Planted a fine lot of top onions. M. R. W. set out to-day for Wolftown in company with Mr Boyd. Requested him to attend to some business for me. Went to town to meet the sub-agent on public business, but [he] was not at home; gone to Fort Leavenworth.
Sunday, 26.--Cold, cold morning. 1o below freezing point. Went to see the Widow Mudeater, who is said to be dangerously sick. "Nigh unto death." Some prospect of her recovery yet.
Monday, 27.--Wrote two deeds for the Deacon. Resumed my gardening operations. Worked hard all day with spade and rake in hand. C. G. sick. Did not come home but staid all night at his cheerless and lonely house. Dr. H. received orders to come to St. Louis for the semi-annual annuity.
Tuesday, 28.--Clear and frosty morning. Must attend Council to-day. Business of importance. Just returned from Council. Transacted a variety of business. Appointed a National Council for this day a week at the school house in town, to meet the disorganizers. To-day at 12,
1) Formerly a favorite tree to plant about the house for shade and ornament.
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o'clock the widow Mudeater departed this life, a worthy and good woman gathered to her fathers.
Wednesday, 29.--Clear and frosty morning. 4o below "freezing." Attended the funeral of the widow Mudeater. Mrs W. went to Kansas and returned. Wrote to Andrew McElvain in reply to his letter of the 10th inst., upon the subject of his wishing, or rather application for [the] Wyandott agency.
Thursday, 30.--Blustery, windy, and such a whirling of dust, leaves, and trash! Whew!
Cloudy, prospect of rain. Oh! Boreas send us a refreshing shower! Dry, dry. Watered our fruit trees, for truly they are suffering. Planted a sugar sprout in the yard. Dr. Hewitt set out for St. Louis. At 5 o'clock, planted some May peas and some beets. In the evening the sky became cloudy with very strong indications of rain. At nightfall it commenced raining and rained till midnight.
Friday, 31.--Cold morning. Thermometer, freezing point. Repaired my meadow fence. Packed rails on my shoulder. Wrote a long letter to Tho. A. Grun. Winding up the day by burning up logs in my field. Continued cold all day. Probably frost to-night. Planted two more sugar sprouts.
APRIL, 1848.
All fool's day. Cold frosty morning. I fear for the fruit. Quarterly meeting commenced to-day. The presiding elder Mr. Stateler on the ground. Hauled some wood. Hauled rails and went to town. Came home and positively determined to work no more to-day, lest I should be made [a] "fool" of before the day closes. Bring on my mail! The mail came and all I got was two Independence papers. The treaty with Mexico confirmed by the Senate. 37 Ayes and 15 Nays! Revolution in France. Abdication of Louis Phillip and departure from Paris. The chamber of depu-
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ties refuse to settle the crown upon any of the royal family, all in a hub bub. France must undergo another depletion.
Commenced a letter to the Arch Bishop of the Ohio State Prison, J. B. F.1
Sunday, 2.--Went to church. Heard a sermon from Rev. Mr Stateler.
Monday, 3.--Orange D. Wilcox left for Independence. Mr Stateler called upon us and spent the morning. Chunked up my log heap. Finished my letter to the Arch Bishop. Prospect of a rainy day.
Must attend a special session of the chiefs to-day at 1 o'clock P. M. to prepare for the convocation of the nation to-morrow.
Tuesday, 4.--Cold morning. Employed T. H. Noble to clear an addition to my field.
Attended the grand convocation of the nation at the school house. A warm discussion took place upon our national politics. Came home at 5 o'clock.
Wednesday, 5.--Frost. Planted our garden peas. Made a summer house of my wild rose.
Thursday, 6.--Cold morning. Santissimus virgo ora pronobis! Hired James Jackson to work for Mr C. G. and myself jointly. Went to town, bought 102 pounds of bacon from C. G., and brought my seed oats home. Ira Hunter commenced work in the shop. Hauled rails and fenced in the orchard. Je suis fatigue au jour d'hui comme un cheval.
Friday, 7.--Frosty morning as usual. Le meme chase. Sowed my orchard with oats. Looking every moment for Harriet.
1) James B. Finley, the Methodist Missionary to the Wyandots; he founded the Mission at Upper Sandusky, Ohio. He was adopted into the Wyandot Nation by the Bear Clan and named Reh'-wah-wih'-ih, meaning "he has hold of the Law." He was given a nickname, Hah-gyeh'-reh-wah'-neh, meaning "big neck." He wrote the " History of the Wyandot Mission" and "Western Methodism." His History of the Wyandot Mission was afterwards published almost entire as "Life Among the Indians."
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She came about two o'clock, having come in a carriage with S. Armstrong and H. M. Northrup.
Planted some more onions. Sowed parsnips and beets, also cabbage seeds. My hand, Jimmie Jackson, getting sick of work and wants to quit and go home. So he may go. Cloudy night, looks like rain, send it, do, oh do!
Saturday, 8.--No rain, but cloudy. No frost. Mrs W. went to Kansas, but brought no mail. Set out the shrubbery brought by Harriet from Lexington, viz: a variety of roses, honeysuckle, and flowering almond. Sowed some timothy and clover. Planted some watermelons. Blocking out a memorial to the general conference about to convene at Pittsburg praying that body to refund the proceeds of the Mission farm in Ohio, to be applied, if refunded, to finishing the new Church.
Sunday, 9.--No rain; ground dry and parched. C. G. and myself went to the Holy Catholic Church near Kansas, and heard a sermon from Father Donnelly, an Irish priest; was introduced to him; a quite pleasant and agreeable man. Got home at 1 o'clock P. M. Received a letter from John Wheeler. Answered it forthwith; a sort of a salmagundi communication. Several of our neighbors called upon us this evening.
Monday, 10.--Cloudy; some signs of rain. Oh let refreshing showers descend upon the parched earth. Cloudy and cold all day, but no rain, Mr T. H. Noble making rails, and I doing a little of everything.
Tuesday, 11.--Cold; thermometer "freezing" point! Clear and all hopes of our rain dissipated. Sad disappointment! Steamboat making a rambunctious noise upon the river. Beautiful and enchanting morning. Of all the green groves of the wide spreading forest, there are none so fair or so charming as where the beautiful Kansas doth glide.
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'Tis the home of content,
'Tis the wild Indian's home,
In his rude pitched tent
Is his time honor'd throne.
See him reclining beneath his shade tree,
His eye wandering through the dark green wood,
He thinks of his foe, the lurking Pawnee,
Vows vengeance upon him by Keesis his God.
12 o'clock. Just finished extirpating all the stool grubs out of my orchard. Watered my shubbery in the garden.
Wednesday, 12.--Awoke at the dawn of day, but alas! no rain! dry, dry. Wrote Joseph Ridgeway upon the subject of the Burlingame claim. 11 o'clock, "summer heat" weather, well calculated to give the lazy and indolent the spring fever. Made a hot bed for sweet potatoes. Mr. Noble commenced relaying the fence.
Thursday, 13.--Cloudy, but no rain yet. Dry, dry, everything parched up, yet 'tis a beautiful day.
The spring is coming, delightful spring,
When the bright waves dance and the sweet birds sing,
Ten thousand notes from the forest trees,
Are wafted along in the gentle breeze,
And glittering insects here and there
Are humming their notes in the soft spring air.
I am tired, I will quit work for to-day.
Friday, 14.--Severe hoar frost. I fear for the fruit. Received a letter from J. W. Garrett dated March 28, in reply to mine of the 28th of November. Further news from the French revolution. Mob reigns in Paris. It is utter nonsense for France to talk about a republican government. Nothing short of the iron rule of a Bonaparte will keep the French quiet and in subjection. They cannot appreciate a wholesome government. To-day Thom. H. Noble finished his job of clearing and fencing. Sold him my small wagon at $40.00 in work, trade, etc. Cold and cloudy. Wind from the north. Answered J. W. Garrett's letter.
Saturday, 15.--Severe morning, heavy frost, cold, cold.
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Went out to hunt for my oxen. Hunted till one half past 11, but could find nothing of them. The rascals knew there was work on band, and have concealed themselves. Mrs W. and Harriet gone to Kansas. Everything in the vegetable line drying and wilting up. No prospect of rain. Looking for further news of the French revolution. Anxious to know what it will end in, what will be the finale of this uproar. Received the "Nat. Int." and Ohio "State Journal" but no news of importance. Received two letters from George Dickson of Wolftown. My curse upon those Wolverines who set the prairies on fire and burnt a part of my fence.
Sunday, 16.--Frost again! Oh when are we to have warm, weather? Missouri rising. Went to Church.
Monday, 17.--No frost this morning (please fortune) but warm and pleasant. Went in pursuit of my work cattle. Found them. Commenced plowing my old ground. Missouri booming up, rising, rising. Where does this water come from? Cloudy; prospect of rain. Send down the refreshing showers. At one half past 7 P. M. commenced raining.
Tuesday, 18.--Stormy night. Froze. Cold. Wind from the north. Everything vegetable frozen stiff. The Council meets to-day, and I must lay my implements of husbandry aside, and attend to affairs of state. Proceeded to town. Convened the Council. Signed a memorial to the general conference praying that Rev. Body restore to the Wyandott Church the proceeds of the Wyandott Mission farm in Ohio, to aid in building our Church. Disposed of a multiplicity of business, and adjourned sine die. Came home and found Dr. L. Twyman1 at our house. He staid all night.
Wednesday, 19.--Frosty morning. 30 below "freezing." Hauled in from the clearing the fire wood. Commenced
1) Of Independence, Mo.
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breaking up my new ground. Failing to get a hired hand, I resolved to do it myself. Got Mr Peery's black boy Elijah to drive, and I held the plough, and a mammoth one at that; plowed till sunset. Tired enough.
Thursday, 20.--Resumed the plough and finished at 2 O'clock P. M. Went to M. R. W.'s for a load of corn. Weary as a hound after a long fox chase. Beautiful evening, but rather cool and chilly.
Friday, 21.--Beautiful morning, no frost, glad of it. Harrowing my field preparatory to planting corn. Fine day for work. Moderately cool. Planted some beans, cucumbers, and beets. Elijah furrowing out the corn ground. Weather getting warm. Thermometer 85o.
Saturday, 22.--Ready to plant my corn. Dry weather. Repaired some fence. 12 o'clock. This being Saturday, I have after mature consideration, come to the conclusion I would work no more to-day. For verily the outward man begins to feel the effects of earning my bread "by the sweat of my brow." Blistered hands and crippled back, aching bones and a sunburned face. Ah me! Martha and Sophia gone to Kansas on a visit. Got no mail. Snakes and Scorpions! This is too bad. Miss Lucy Jane returned home.
Sunday, 23.--Cool morning, but no frost. Dry, dry weather. Went to Church; heard a sermon from the Deacon. This evening it is reported the Doctor has returned home, bringing with him the semi-annuity.
Monday, 24.--Phoebus! but it is cold! Cloudy, looks like a snow storm was approaching. And yet I am ready to plant corn; but here I am, roasting my corporeality before a blazing fire. Plant corn indeed. No I will wait till summer. From the National Intelligencer it appears that Senator Atchison has reported a bill confirming the land purchased by the Wyandotts from the Delawares.1 Went
1) This bill was passed and became a law.
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to town. Called upon Dr. H. Had a conversation upon the approaching payment. Council to convene to-morrow. Cold all day. Cloudy, dark and lowering--Occasionally a few drops of snow falling. In the evening commenced planting corn.
Tuesday, 25.--As usual cold and dreary. Commenced operations upon my pigs. Planted more corn. At last the sun has made its appearance. Attended Council. Appointed next Monday for the payment of the semi- annuity.
Wednesday, 26.--Cloudy, dark and uninviting. Planted more corn. Harriet set out for Lexington. [She has] gone back to school again. Sent some shrubbery to the seminary. Sent the memorial to general conference to the care of Rev. J. B. Finley to be presented by him.
Thursday, 27.--Fine morning. Sent my oxen to Guthrie's to plow his field, by Mr Hightower. Continued planting corn. Council met and proceeded to make out the pay-roll for payment of the semi-annuity and finished [it]. Adjourned till Monday. Joel Walker returned from New York. Strong signs of rain.
Friday, 28.--Raining; welcome, welcome, a hearty welcome to these refreshing showers. Finished planting corn in the evening.
Saturday, 29.--Went to Kansas. Got no news by mail. Came home at 1 o'clock. After dark three weary travelers from Fort Leavenworth, having got lost, called for lodgings, which we afforded them. They were a Mr Childs, a Doctor from Dover and an Indian trader.
Sunday, 30.--Our guests left after breakfast. Cloudy;--staid at home. Wrote to A. Trager; J. Walker called.
MAY, 1848.
Monday, 1.--May-day, and such a day! Cloudy, dark, and cold, threatening rain. The rain would truly be accept-
245
able, but weather so cold should give way to the more genial warmth of summer. The semi-annual payment commenced to-day. Paid out two boxes, $2,000. At 8 o'clock at night it rained for a half or three-fourths of an hour, and stopped.
Tuesday, 2.--Beautiful morning! Everything glittering like silver spangles in the sun. Last evening's shower has caused nature to put on her most pleasing smiles. Resumed the annuity payment and closed in the evening. Adjourned to meet on Thursday.
Wednesday, 3.--Clear and warm morning. Planted some Indian corn, watermelons and cucumbers. Settled with Mr Goodyear for lumber got for the use of the ferry by the Council, $27.50. Thermometer 86o. Cloudy all day. In the evening strong threats of rain. At 8 o'clock rain set in accompanied with a hard wind. Occasional showers through the night.
Thursday, 4.--Bright and clear. Windy. Blowing a continual gale. This day two years ago war broke out between the U. S. and Mexico and the finale "is not yet." Council met and proceeded to pay off the public liabilities. Paid our own noble selves, and our clerks, sheriffs, and ferryman. Transacted a variety of business and adjourned till Tuesday next. Mrs W. went to Kansas and returned.
Friday, 5.--This day 21 years ago Napoleon Bonaparte breathed his last in the Isle of St. Helena. Went to Kansas and paid off B. F. Barstow, schoolmaster. Came home at 3 o'clock P. M. Found one of my young sows with six young pigs.
Saturday, 6.--Cool, but beautiful morning. Heavy dew. Growing, time. Have a severe nervous headache. Staid in the house all day. Wrote a letter to Harriet. Got no mail. I am in want of news in these exciting times when Europe is all in convulsions and spasms. Thrones crumbling and falling. Kings abdicating and becoming suppliants to their
246
subjects, some ingloriously retreating from their excited and infuriated subjects and seeking asylums in foreign countries.
Sunday, 7.--Mr Hightower brought my oxen back, having finished ploughing Esau's field. Went to Church. A Tuscarora preached.
Monday, 8.--Went into the upper settlement. Saw John Cotter, who had been assaulted by Milton Karraho and John Williams, and severely beat. Got the particulars of the scrape. Came home. In the evening Mr G. brought our mail. Ira Hunter moved to-day.
Tuesday, 9.--Cold and cloudy. Went to Council. Tried a case. Widow Charloe vs. Estate of H. Jacquis; claim of plaintiff rejected. At 2 o'clock P. M. a cold rain set in. Adjourned, 4 o'clock. Came home.
Wednesday, 10.--Rose at daylight, and Phoebus! what, a frost. Sophia commenced her school to-day in the basement story of the Church. In the afternoon a stranger called upon us who proved to be an American German from Philadelphia, a professor of music, a pianist. Tuned our piano. Gave the girls a few lessons on music. Staid all night, and in the morning "put out."
Thursday, 11.--Cold morning but no frost. Our German set out for the fort. Chilly and cold all day.
Friday, 12.--Some frost. Fine day. Staid at home, did small work about the house. Wrote to H. Barrett. Warm and pleasant day.
Saturday, 13.--Clear and beautiful morning. Went to Kansas in company with M. R. Walker, Joel Walker, Dr. Hewitt, C. Graham. Staid till the mail came in. Received a letter from H. Barrett. J. Walker opening a large stock of goods in Kansas. Came home in the evening, 8 o'clock at night. Beautiful moonlight night! "Oh, 'tis my delight of a shiny night, to ramble o'er the grassy lea."
Sunday, 14.--Fine morning. Went to church. M. R.
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Walker and Adam Hunt set out for the Pottawatomie payment. Sometime after midnight it rained a heavy shower. What could have come more opportunely? 9 o'clock, showery. All nature seems to have put on her best array, her "best bib and tucker." How beautiful is the forest! M. R. W. and Adam Hunt did not go further than Westport, learning [there] that the payment did not take place till next week.
Monday, 15.--2 o'clock in the afternoon, another rain and [it] continued till night.
Tuesday, 16.--Clear and beautiful morning. I must attend the Council to-day. An assault and battery case must be tried. John Cotter vs. Milton Karahoo and John Williams. The parties not appearing, the case was postponed. Declared Smith Nichols of age and released him from his guardian.
Wednesday, 17.--Wrote to Miss Jane R. Long and inclosed $40.00 in Missouri paper, viz.: one twenty dollar bill and two tens, to go by to-morrow's mail. Gave a turkey roast to our neighbors. Dined at half past three. Had a pleasant party.
Thursday, 18.--Dark, foggy morning. Prospects of rain to-day. Staid about home all day, not feeling very well.
Worked some in my garden. Shut up Barnabas Barebones to fatten for a particular occasion, for a select dinner party.
Friday, 19.--A small shower at 9 o'clock A. M. Mr Noble called, chatted awhile. Engaged him to do some more work. Worked in my garden.
Saturday, 20.--Warm morning. Mr Hunter called and brought a letter from Jesse Stern which informs me that he has had an offer of ten dollars an acre for the whole tract.
Sunday, 21.--Staid at home all day. Warm day. Dr. Hewitt called to see Dorcas. Bled her. In the evening C. Graham called.
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Monday, 22.--Daylight, raining furiously. Rained till one o'clock and held up. Set out some sweet potatoes, [and] some cabbages. About 9 o'clock at night it resumed raining most furiously, and stopped about 10 or 11 [o'clock].
Tuesday, 23.--Answered J. Stern's letter. Sophia unable to get to school owing to high water. Got her "dander up" and returned determined to cross the Jarsey at all hazards. Deacon gone to Kansas. Showery. Set out some more cabbage.
Wednesday, 24.--Rain, rain, the rainy season set in. Sticking peas to-day. Dull times, no company.
Thursday, 25.--Dreary, cold, and cloudy morning. If it does not rain I shall go to Kansas to mail some letters and get some if any come, and learn the news. Returned from K. Our mail was a complete "water-haul." Nothing for our place. John Garrett from Ohio landed last evening. Warm and sultry. Look out for more rain.
Friday, 26.--Clear and beautiful morning, but oh 'twill be a warm day. Wrote a communication to J. Shrunk for publication. John and C. B. Garrett came over and spent the evening.
Saturday, 27.--Mrs W. went to Kansas. Received a letter from Mrs Nancy Garrett. Warm and sultry day. Pruned my trees.
Sunday, 28.--Cloudy. Warm. M. R. W. returned from Pottawattomie last evening. In the afternoon a violent rain set in which lasted two hours. Curly Head and John Solomon called and staid for dinner. Mr G. from Independence staid all night.
Monday, 29.--Clear and fine, though cool. At 10 o'clock went to Kansas. Got my mail. Received a letter from J. Ridgeway, jr. Jesse Stern and his father arrived at Joel's. Dined with them. George Dickson from Wolftown arrived. Set out some more sweet potatoes.
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Tuesday, 30.--Prepared for the session of the Council. John Cotter vs. Milton Kayrahoo, postponed. Adjourned to two weeks from to-day.
Wednesday, 31.--Mr. Stern called upon us, and staid till evening. Went to J. M. A.'s.
JUNE, 1848.
Thursday, 1.--Went to Kansas. Bought two bushels of corn meal, one-half ream of letter paper, and some rat poison. Sent another communication to the telegraph.
Friday, 2.--Cloudy morning. Prospect of rain. Weeded my garden. Went for a bag of corn. Mr Noble ploughing my corn. It looks fine and thrifty. Sent Dorcas to Kansas. In the evening a heavy rain fell.
Saturday, 3.--Clear, cool and pleasant morning. Caught a tartar! Stept into the garden and found that that most troublesome of all "warmints" had been ploughing up my beds again, and thanks to my lucky stars I caught Mr ground-mole upheaving the earth. By the dextrous use of the hoe I brought the digger out of his tunnel. Mrs W. took him in her hand and held him till he died for the purpose of testing the truth of the saying that it will cure the rheumatism. She held him about an hour before be died. Set out fifty cabbage plants. Went to Kansas in company with Jesse Stern. Called at the P. 0., got my papers and a letter from John T. Walker. J. Stern returned home on board the steamer "Kansas." I came home. In the evening rained furiously.
Sunday, 4.--Clear and beautiful morning. Mrs W. and Sophia went to Kansas to Church. I staid "te hum." Warm day. Mrs W. and Sophia state that on their return from K. they found at the ferry a dozen or more people waiting to cross, and among them was John Charloe, very drunk, and had been severely beat. His face appeared to
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