1953 March 4th Wednesday

Sun shone and Dan is planning to drive Ford Tractor but they fed cattle in a.m. and Wm L and Billie Francis Abbott with their Big M.M. Tractor and snow plow went by to Whiting Store, brought our mail and 8 records, mostly Polkas and Waltzes so told Dan to bring Betty & Calvin up in eve and we played them, not so hot but we had fun playing a close game of Samba.Betty & I won after nearly losing game about half way and we won 500 game. We had ice-cream for lunch and cookies before they went home. It was 10 p.m., so listen[ed] to news as Joe Stalin, Russia’s Premier, is near death.

1953 March 5th Thursday

Sun shone and bright. Dan went on Ford Tractor to Store yesterday and in our Pick Up this p.m. and he, Tom Whiting, Kleins, Daywitt all are clearing out Road to 18. Billie Abbott went with their Truck to Whiting Store and all gone so stopped here on way home and in eve said they [are going] to town to-morrow if Roads passable and Dan said they were when he got home as Maintainer helped, as he came from South where it was broke down. I took a bath this a.m. and Will one [on] Tuesday eve. Next will be washing the clothes. I finished blue partly nice dress. Men gave cattle hay this a.m. Usual eats and pastime for me.

1953 March 6th Friday

After a few clouds of morning was bright, nice day. I washed clothes and Will put on line. He and Dan went to Mission and it clouded this eve. I guess I washed yesterday and bathed Wednesday, for to-day I ironed and mended. I am a little mixed about the days, guess I have to write often in diary so not to forget the doings. Betty came up this a.m. and played 4 new records they just got, all songs of a new type.

1953 March 7th Saturday

Bright, nice day. Men fed cattle alfalfa and Dan took Cat & Dozer to clean out Road to Store, then he and family to Thomas’s and got Mail. David came with them and later the family in their car to Wales, stayed until Midnight. Dan brought us Milk. Wm L. Abbott came with their snow plow and Billy & his Mother (?) in car to Winner for overnight. Yesterday Billie, Mr. & Mrs. to Valentine. I am fixing a Dress I wore last Summer to Town but it isn’t much now, but I can wear new, and then Will was fixing Sickles and Talked to Wm L. Abbott as he went back home from here as Dan cleaned road to Highway by west bridge. Betty no come up this day. I got eats of roast beef & gravy & pickles & bread & prunes.

1953 March 8th Sunday

A beautiful day. Men gave cattle hay and Wales went away so Will stayed indoors. I cooked Beans and Pork Hocks and made Raisin Pie and it made me tired. I wrote in diary and accounts to date and Will and I played Canasta in p.m. He turned on Electric Pump to Cattle Tank in p.m. We ate Raisin a plenteous (?) this late p.m. and Dan went west with Ford Tractor to fix fence west side [of] Wheat Grass. Our line between us and Kleins. He brought Milk up in eve. We played Canasta before Bedtime so makes 3 games this p.m. and eve. Got news before Bed-time. Stalin’s Funeral tomorrow 10 a.m. their time. 3 p.m. ours. Never saw any one going any Place but Wales.

1953 March 9th Monday

Bright, beautiful, got to 50 above, was 30 when I got up. Men started to give cattle hay and broke the winch and Cat and Dozer balked some, but they got cattle fed by cabling part of Stack at a time and came in to say that Will and Dan were taking part of winch to Mullins Bros., Valentine to get it fixed. They had dinner in town and I guess I am mistaken, they went after eating Dinner at 2:10 p.m. and left part there to take rest in tomorrow, so came just at dark, had supper and then took winch apart and put in Pick Up. I sewed some on black Dress, in fact finished it so can wear if I need something on cold days. I never saw Betty until time to get meat for supper and she hurried up and back but men came then. I got eats this eve. We had potatoes and beef dried with gravy, pie and milk, played some solitaire and we read. Billie Abbott went by with his mother going home from end [of] week at Winner.

1953 March 10th Tuesday

Bright, got to 55 above, towards late p.m. was 60 above. Dan gave cattle hay by cabling it off a slide, fixed road some place west [of] here with Cat & Dozer. Will took winch to Valentine and home before dark, no bring it home. Got Battery for Ford Tractor. Wm & Inez Abbott came in Truck in eve. Billie in their car to go to Pierre with some boys tomorrow. Dan’s family up so we played Canasta until Midnight. Betty washed clothes.

1953 March 11th Wednesday

Bright, nice until 4 p.m. began to cloud was 53 above this p.m. and not cold last night but near 30 above. Will and Dan gave cattle hay and went to Valentine to get winch in our Pick Up so I am alone, have pains in head so only washed dishes and made out orders for things we need, ate only a lunch at noon. Betty and Calvin at home I guess. Men came home after dark, got stuck up west side [of] our wheat grass and Dan walked in, got Cat and Dozer to pull out and they got home with the winch and we had supper and then chored, to milk cows, get eggs and fuel. I fixed this and that, just small repairs on my clothes, got myself lunch at noon and 2 meals [for] others and ironed a few pieces as I washed Will’s everyday work Trousers. I never saw Betty nor Calvin this day.

1953 March 12th Thursday

The bridges on Antelope and Keya Paha are surrounded with water, but men crossed and very deep this side of Bridge west [of] here but after feeding cattle, Will drove M. Tractor and Dan rode on the Back of Thomas’s, no chain for winch, that is some links, and they went to Whiting Store. Dick took Tractor, Bud in his car and Mailman went North through Hills North [of] Thomas’s to 18. Bud is going to Pierre Clinic for an appointment at 10 tomorrow. Athel asked if they could bring down their Pork until can take to Clarence’s to store in their freezer. They have Kennie & Roger Whiting, Pat Heiden, Doris, David and Jimmie, so a lot to stay home from School, all go but Jimmie on account of water.

1953 March 13th Friday

Some clouds in a.m. but p.m. fair and not cold, about 50 above, got cooler in eve. I got eats and sewed on my nightgowns, played solitaire and visited with Athel. She brought some of their Pork to leave in Freezer until they get to store it at Clarence’s but now roads are not passable. She drove Ford Tractor on wagon, had Kennie, Roger, Jimmie, Doris and David Whiting, Pat Heiden. Will had a spell with heart so just sat and read then laid down late p.m. Betty brought milk up.

1953 March 14th Saturday

Rain and Snow in a.m. [so] that Dan and Will got wet feeding cattle hay in a.m. P.M. was snow and Northwest wind so nearly a blizzard at times and quite windy towards eve when Will got Milk Cow and Abbotts’ Jersey Calf in barn, not get calf that is hurt, at return to barn. Will cleaned front real nice and laid down to towards eve. We had potatoes mashed, fried steak, onions, jell, bread and several malts this day. Will had to take heart pill in eve but played Canasta in p.m. and after supper. I wrote in diary during first of week so not so hard to write if I keep news to-date and work we do.

March 15th Sunday

Snow quit last night and some clouds in a.m. but p.m. clear and no snow fell this a.m. Men never went to feed cattle until after 10 .m. I got breakfast of Oatmeal, Orange and Grapefruit, Toast, Butter, Coffee, Milk, Bacon and Eggs. Then made an Apple Pan-dowdie, apples with an upper crust, and leaving out Pork Chops for dinner. Writing in diary. Sun is shining, is 53 above zero now at 3 o’clock p.m. I am tired from sewing too much at machine yesterday but am finishing things now, nightgowns and a robe of print goods for myself. May make quilt tops of pieces left when I clean out our room. Will wants to clean house now when weather is bad at times so can work outside and not fuss indoors. We had mashed potatoes last eve and enough for patties [for] one meal today. Billie Abbott went Horseback to Hidden Timber, got his Dad cigarettes but no Mail since last Thursday. He stopped awhile when Will [was] making malts, so had one. Dan and Betty and Calvin came up this eve and played their new records, 8 different pieces. We played Canasta and 500 after Will and I had Milk Toast for a lunch. Calvin dances a lot when phonograph is playing and passes time if he is sleepy. We had Malts at 10:30 p.m., also some Apple Pan-Dowdie, then quit for night. Men lost 500 game.

1953 March 16th Monday

A few clouds in morning but rest day was bright and nice. Men fed cattle and Dan and Betty, Calvin went to Mission. They stopped at Thomas’s and brought a box [of] meat for them to put in freezer until they can get to Clarence’s to pu in their freezer, for we will butcher a beef soon and it will fill our freezer. Lemoyne got Roger and Kennie Sunday p.m., came with a tractor. Pat Heiden stayed at Thomas’s but no school yet since high water. Bus McKee came on his tractor to get Electric Drills to fix something, stayed for dinner and Will on our M. Tractor went with him to My Creek on N.W. Sub Marginal Land to cross it, which he did and Will came back. Dan & Family stopped at Thomas’s on way home from Mission and came home late p.m. and is filling Bridge in East [of] Store and some crossing there, but Mailman only came to School House either Fast or Down and went back, so we have no mail yet. I get eats and played solitaire, am fixing nightgowns for Will and I. They are too small, have to put a strip to enlarge under sleeves and down to hem, 2 for Will and 2 for me and 4 new Slips (white, 2 Nainsook, and 2 Broadcloth). I use Broadcloth for Everyday and Nainsook for better wear.

1953 March 17th Tuesday. St. Patrick’s Day

Bright and N.W. wind. Betty washed clothes and was so nice to dry. She said Calvin walked up to Garage where men are fixing sickle and mower things. Dan got rest of corn to husk that was at yard S.W. [of] house in wagon and put that was husked in granary. Will keep it to feed chickens and uses that need corn. Dan got the mail, walked from bridge to P.O. Left our Pick Up at Bridge as filling not so good yet. I got dress etc. from Lane Bryant, Cincinnati, Ohio, and it is black, white check made of Orlon and Nylon, can be washed through suds, needs no ironing, just what I need for hot weather. Got so much mail, have enough to read for several days and hope for more then.

1933 March 4th Saturday

Started to snow in nite and continued from S.E. all day and was wet and large flakes so there is plenty of snow and still snowing at bed-time. Will, Lemoyne, Narve and Wm fed stock and chored and Wm got the mail in p.m. I got meals and baked bread and cinnamon rolls and still cooking lard and all played cards.

1933 March 5th Sunday

Brightened a little in a.m. but again foggy and north breeze moved some snow or else it snowed a little. The men chored and gave stock alfalfa and Wm, Narve, Lemoyne went horseback to store on to Brown’s, Armbrusters and Ross’s where they traded and then back home. Ben came and Will, he and I ate a chicken dinner at 4 p.m. then boys home so they ate supper alone, then cards.

1933 March 6th Monday

Bright warm day so snow melted some. The men chored and Narve and Wm went to Moore Creek to feed horses hay from stack over there. Will and Lemoyne fed stock here alfalfa then ate a lunch and Lemoyne went home and Will went in wagon to store and on to Ben’s where they hauled a wagon box of hay for Ben and Narve and Wm home for late dinner. I got meals and not much else.

1933 March 7th Tuesday

Another bright thawing day and some clouds in eve and a strong N.W. wind before bed-time and a sprinkle of rain so men got in small calves in barn. The men chored, fed stock and worked with bronchos also named some and WIll washed and oiled one harness in p.m. I got meals and necessary work.

1933 March 8th Wednesday

Bright, cool day, a north breeze and some clouds in eve and a few flakes snow at bed-time. I got meals and washed clothes for Narve got in most of water. Wm went to Moore Creek to feed horses hay and in p.m. he and Narve went in wagon to get a lame colt. Narve watered colts and Will slept in a.m. and then they fed stock alfalfa. I got some clothes dry. Ben Clausen came for a pitchfork. Will got the mail as road is clear now.

1933 March 9th Thursday

Bright, cool North breeze. I got meals and hung rest of clothes out to dry as I dried table cloths and pillow covers yesterday. The men chored and Will slept until noon and Wm and Narve worked at Bronchos and Will hauled feed in p.m. oats hay and alfalfa to stock.

1933 March 10th Friday

Bright until in p.m. got a little cloudy, a south-east breeeze. I got meals, baked bum-bread and fixed towels so they would dry and men got them in later. Ben came and took up all the traps and wrapped 2 mink hides so as to ship and John Sundquist came horse-back so he and Will went to store in wagon late p.m. for Will and Narve fed stock and cleaned barn. Wm went to Moore Creek to give horses hay.

1923 March 4^th Sunday. A cold S. W. wind but bright, little piles of snow here and there. Will got up at midnight, went to hog house to see [how] hogs getting along, and a cold to-day so chored and slept until 3 p.m., dined, and did up evening chores again. I started to fix mincemeat last eve and finished today.

1923 March 5^th Monday. A bright day but S. W. wind cold and change to N. W. so a little warmer. We did morning work, went to Spencer and the Wills went to Butte on Peavine and Lazzes to see about railroad deed and Loan. I washed clothes at folks and Nell canned mincemeat and Fred came last evening from Rochester, so had teeth taken out. Mamma quite well and I feel bum, but Will is better.

1923 March 6^th Tuesday. Cloudy in morning, cold N. W. wind but warmer when brightened just before noon, and quite nice in p.m. Will hauled alfalfa and put hogs back in pasture. I made mince pie and did up work. We went to Spencer in p.m. and William came out with us in evening. We made application again for Farm Loan to Fremont Joint Land Co. William & Will hauled corn to hogs before supper and got Sherlock’s wagon. William went to town after supper.

1923 March 7^th Wednesday. A cold N. E. wind in morning but changed to south before noon, and still cold but bright all day. The men hauled oats from Bristow, 2 loads in forenoon and 2 in p.m. and took some corn to hogs in evening. I ironed clothes and mended but headache, not much in ways of mending, so laid down awhile in afternoon.

1923 March 8^th Thursday. A bright day but south wind got real strong in the afternoon and dusty. The men hauled 21 loads of oats in forenoon and in p.m. snapped a load of corn out between creek & railroad on Bradstreets. I am sick, so not much done. Will got breakfast but I got rest of meals.

1923 March 9^th Friday. A little cloudy in forenoon, but bright p.m. and cold N. W. breeze. William fixed wire around stack and Will cleaned separator, and after dinner Will went to Mrs. C. M. Furst sale. William & I went up town and William went for Louise and then came out here, and he & Will did chores and then came back for me as I stayed to help Nellie pick up things.

1923 March 10^th Saturday. A bright day and quite nice but breeze cool. We did up work and went up town and Will & William took Fred’s & Nell’s things to Depot in the evening, and we came home. I walked down hill to Mill and Will caught up to me. I still have a headache but Will seems pert. Charles Ward & family came back from Mullen, Nebr. last Tuesday and he was down last evening to see about renting Bradstreet home.

1923 March 11^th Sunday. A bright warm day. Will did up chores and went to A. Wards to see Charles about helping him. I started to walk to church but Sherlocks caught me at railroad crossing, so I rode and came back. Langans at 10 o’clock Mass. In p.m. we rested and went to spring for water. William came for Peavine and brought him back in evening. Phillip Drickey came out in car and took him back to town in evening. Marvin Coen & Brother brought horses from Todd Co. in evening. Will will keep one of William’s to break. Fred, Nellie, Lee, Boyd & Baby Fred went on early train to Mo. where they will reside for awhile. They came to Spencer to stay some 2 wks. ago, but when Mamma better, couldn’t stand the racket of the boys, so they went away.

1923 March 12^th Monday. A stormy day, snowed and was quite wet until towards evening colder and froze. Marvin Coen & Brother & Will went to Spencer to get Ed Kirwin horses and William came back, and Coens and William went to Ft. Randall with horses and Will & Charles Ward, who came down today from Alex Ward to help Will haul hay and get work caught up. I still have a headache.

1923 March 13^th Tuesday. Cloudy most of day and cold, sun shone only awhile at mid-day. Charles & Will hauled in a load of hay in Knolls’ rack as Ward got it yesterday and in p.m. corn to hogs and Charles cut posts and Will went to Spencer to mail Dave Whiting a letter, and to get repairs for Bradstreets’ pup. William Whiting came from Ft. Randall in evening and after supper, he and Charles walked up track, Charles to Wards and William home. I did only ordinary work but in p.m. made a cake.

1923 March 14^th Wednesday. A stormy day for snowed all day from the N. E., but not much fell and wasn’t very cold. The Men fixed well at Bradstreets and hauled stove over for C. Wards, as we put cook stove in basement when Will was going to put corn in shanty. I cut out shirts for Will to be made for warm weather. In forenoon I just did up work on account of headache. Charles went to Alex Wards in the evening.

1923 March 15^th Thursday. A strong N. W. wind, sun shone part of day but breeze cold. Will felt bad with a cold as he was in damp well yesterday, so just chored and took corn to hogs in evening. I sewed and finished all but buttons & holes on Will’s Tan Shirt.

1923 March 16^th Friday. Was a nice day but south wind blew quite strong at times. In morning Geo. Knoll came and Will decided to sell hogs so Otto Boettcher came with Team and Chas. Ward who moved family yesterday across to Bradstreets helped and they cut hogs out in forenoon. In afternoon Rudolph Johnson from Albeidingers came with 2 wagons and they got Sherlock’s wagon so hauled 8 loads of hogs to Nye Schneider Jewks Co. Spencer at $7.30 we sold 14,100 lbs. or 58 hogs. I got meals and sewed a little on Will’s work shirts.

1923 March 17^th Saturday. A stormy day, started to blizzard at 11 a.m. and could scarcely see for about 4 hours at 3 p.m.., a little clearer but so cold all day. Will chored and took cows over the river to put in barn and put everything in shelter and stayed indoors until evening chores. I sewed on Will’s work shirts all p.m. St. Patrick’s Day.

1923 Jan. 28th Sunday

A stormy forenoon but beautiful day the rest. Louise & I went to church and Will & Dave went out home and did the chores. Uncle Chris & Louise went home. Langans and Angels stopped to see Papa as he is quite low. Will & I went home for night.

1933 Jan. 28th Saturday

A very Strong south wind, dusty and cold indoors and some clouds. Wm did the chores and got in some wood. Mr. Lattimore, Loren Walton and Will went to Mission. Loren and Harley Brewer brought corn and Harley & Wm went to store. Ben here in p.m. I baked bread, cinnamon rolls & got meals.

1943 Jan. 28th Thursday

Was 18 above when we got up and got to above freezing but none too warm, got cloudy towards eve. I got meals, laid down in p.m. but men came in late to dinner for Will took W.D. to work at his shed or small barn at Wagner Place and went on to look at the cattle and Horses. Scotty the Stallion was out in Winter Pasture and he got him back to Lunderman Place, had to bring [two] Mares with him. Will also talked to Lew McKee who was out in his pasture in a wagon to get a salt box and they visited a long time so we got finished with dinner [at] 3 p.m. Men went back to build Van Epps barn, put [on] south side as North is finished.

1953 Jan. 28 Wednesday

Some clouds near noon but got nice in p.m. Sun came out as it was early a.m. but N.W. wind Strong and chilly. Men fed cattle and Will and I to Valentine in Pick UP, got Lice Dope, Repairs at Mullin Bros. for Mowers, groceries, Cotton Batt. Thread, Scissors, Flashlight, Batteries, Some drugs, Hamburger & Malts & Pop. Came home to get mail and when here Dan was working at Shop. They put the Lice Dope in Garage. It is a stinken Mess. Betty brought Milk this eve. Will makes Malts so takes a lot of Milk but they are good to take. Met Athel & Jimmie going for P.D.& D. at School.

1923 Jan. 13th Saturday.

Was cloudy fore-part [of] day at times and p.m. bright. Will helped Geo. Knoll haul hogs and had dinner there. I baked bread and made some jell. Billie Knoll came to tell Will haul hogs. On Will’s return we took ducks and chickens to car on track and got 2 Light Brahma Roosters. Papa just sleeps and talks out-of-head when he awakes. Louise has sore tonsils. Dr. Himrod Barney had a sale to-day and is going to Milford Soldiers State Home as a physician. We got a good price for poultry. Old Brockle-face-cow and Red Heifer with Horner had calves. Old cow’s a dandy but heifer lost hers. Sow in hog-house has 6 nice pigs, fat as butter and a couple weeks old.

1933 Jan. 13th Friday.

Snow at times quite a bit then would quit but a clear eve and wasn’t very cold. Wm and Flu. Will fed stock kept in yard and put rest in field and chored late as Mr. W. J. Brown, Dist. Farmer of O’Kreek came to tell of leases cancelled but ours non as we sent in all money in Nov. and Oct. 1932, so he went on to see others. I got meals and baked bread and cinnamon rolls. Ben Clausen was here for dinner. John Sundquist got our mail at store. Will went to the hills and got a load of hay in p.m.

1943 Jan. 13th Wednesday.

Some clouds but warm, a Northwest wind quite strong towards eve. Elsie and I did usual work. She washed some clothes. I baked a spice cake, laid down in p.m. Cough still hangs on so I take all kinds [of] cough dope. The men caked cattle, and doped some cows with Sabadella Seed and Sulphur for Lice. W.D. and Hank gave cattle 2 loads sudan. Will and Hank went to Wagner House in p.m. to pull nails and get walls & ceiling ready for wallboard. Van Epps went with trailer to Claude Van Epps to get some Lumber to fix south-side of east half Wagner-house. Bob Meyers [from] Winner came in a new Govt. Car, took our Range description. Will and He [went] to Whiting Store.

1953 Jan. 13th Tuesday.

Bright nice so Men hauled in 3 stacks old Hay from Strids and put behind the Hill South East of house. Cattle in River Pasture. Began to look snowy as clouded towards eve so Men got a cow & new calf and Heifer North of Bull pen and calf couldn’t be found as they got mail but cow must know, it is only a few days old. Men leave Gate open to here so cattle can come in, and they did so Men shut Gate to River Pasture and the whole herd except Bulls and calves are in now. I am sewing on a new dress, Brown with mixed white Red small figure. I will try to make several everyday dresses because my old are old dresses. Got eats and played solitaire.

1923 Jan. 7th Sunday.

A bright, warm day but damp as snow melted quite a bit. We did ordinary work and planned on selling our place and moving to Todd Co., as the pigs have the flu, and several died. In p.m. we went up town and Will took Louise out to L—-‘s where she starts to each in morning and mud on hill north of town caused buggy single-tree to [break]. It didn’t take him long so we came back to chore and talk about going to Todd Co., S. Dak.

1933 Jan. 7th Saturday.

Bright, nice day. I got meals and baked a cake and fixed some clothes. Will & Roy hauled oats-hay and finished in p.m. Wm went to where Mose Boyd was husking-corn for Elshires on Dave’s land and in a.m. looked at cane on Ben’s to see if any Ross-cattle. Cecil & Pete Haukaas came in p.m. and said that Jeanette died yesterday morning at 4 a.m. and her body is at Grandma Pawnee’s, St. Francis, awaiting burial Monday at 2 p.m.

[Lisa’s note: Jeanette was Harriet’s niece.]

1943 Jan. 7th Thursday.

Elsie and I did the usual work. Cloudy, snowing when we got up at 8:15 a.m. was 10 above, creeped up towards 30 above by noon. Wm Van Epps chored. Billy Chauncey came horseback and Wm V. E. and Will helped him get his team of Mares, he bought sometime ago. He had trouble to make them lead so Will & W.D. went in car to east horse pasture gate to help him, then again Will went in V8 and helped him to Wm Chauncey’s Sr. home. Will had dinner there but was sick with cold so [did] not eat much. He came via Whiting Store, got mail and Parcel Post of things I sent for before New Years, and both Sears and Wards no got several things. I just laid down when Will came in so have a sore throat and it is going down to my lungs so now I cough as Will has done for 2 weeks and he still coughs terrible at nights and has a headache to-day. He painted some windows. He has east and 2 west windows of Wagner house and 1 coop in here fixing, putting in some panes and painting. Wm Van Epps gave cattle here and in bull-pen some sudan also those at Wagner Shed, had to put some calves back in bull-pen and fix fence and feed bunks.

1953 Jan. 7th Wednesday

Bright, nice day. I am fixing income and quit a little to lunch and rest as it is so tedious. Men fed cattle and I think Will got mail and mailed letters for 5 Dress Shirts for Will from New Process Company, Warren, Pennsylvania and Sub. to Household Magazine, Topeka, Kansas. Income is near completed, am I glad. I got eats and read a little after supper and some solitaire.

[Lisa’s note: New Process Company was the original name of the Blair mail order company. For a peek at a 1954 issue of Household Magazine, click here.]

1923 Jan. 4th Thursday.

Was cloudy in forenoon but p.m. bright, cold all day. The men snapped 2 loads near creek and Elmer Nelson came with corn so after dinner William took Sherlocks wagon home and Will went with Elmer to get 2 loads corn. I am sick and a headache make[s] me feel so miserable. William went back [to] town.

1933 Jan. 4th Wednesday

Bright, nice day but not so warm as yesterday. I got meals and looked in junk in west room and found my overshoes[,] also gathered up feathers that were stored in sacks and made a feather bed and put [it] on Wm’s bed. Will & Roy put 4 loads oats-hay in barn and fed calves some and Wm went to store got mail and home via can-field but no stock in field so he came back and Will and Roy thought stock [were] in field so Roy started over there. Wm put manure on hog-shed in p.m.

1943 Jan. 4th Monday

Was a cold night so I kept a fire all night[,] got up at 1 a.m., 3:30 a.m., 5:30 a.m. and 7:40 to stay up. Will had a bad cough all night so staid indoors and slept and read, got in coal and fed chickens in eve. I and Elsie got meals, we had a chicken this day. Elsie swept floors, washed some clothes. I hemmed some wash-bags out of old towels, laid down in p.m. for my throat is sore. Wm Van Epps chored, gave cattle at Wisenburger Pasture and Shed at Wagner’s a load of Sudan from the field and he put siding on east side of Wagner house, needs another piece so we will get it when we go to town. He gets kindling in, in eve and put their oil-heater upstairs.

1953 Jan. 4th Sunday.

Bright, nice day. Calvin feels bad with a cold. I guess last eve to show at Mission. We staid home and never saw anyone. I don’t know what Days Men cake cattle but it is every other day. Usual pastime and Meals for me.