Was 28 above in a.m., break until 10 a.m., cloudy and again in p.m. was bright and warm. Maggie did all the work, got dinner for last time, for Henry Sells, Dorothy and Gerald came after Maggie and she will stay while Mrs. Sells is at Winner for confinement. Tracy Snyder and daughter Lois came for their cattle, and Orvill Hepburn came from Wm Pierce’s and helped them get started on his way back. Elsie and Isaac Fraid of Bear came about lease. Fritz hauled hay to stock from big stack in a.m. and then he and Will got Ben’s wagon and p.m. Fritz got a load of hay in the hills. I just figured, for Elsie and Maggie fixed receipt book. Will got Sophie Bordeaux at Ed’s.
Sun shone until late p.m. clouded and snowing at bed-time. I got meals, with Will’s help we churned butter in eve. I finished rendering lard and Will and I ground sausage for he went to Ott’s Thursday for their grinder and he got Christmas tree at church to-day. He and Fritz finished shoeing Croppy, then Fritz gave the cattle a load of cane and Bawly got a shoe loose so they put it on him after dinner. and Fritz got a load of cane and left on rack. Lewis Lattimore, Ivan and Melvin came to spear fish so Will went down and we had 5 catfish and 1 Buffalo for our supper. In starting to clean them I [ran] a cat-prong in my finger so Will finished cleaning the fish, and he swept up some of the dirt. Harry Arcoren came [for or with?] potatoes, first time here since Tuesday.
Strong south wind, got real dusty and was chilly, below 60 at noon. Will chored, fed bulls, looked at cattle, took Van Epps, who walked down to skin that dead cow but it made him sick, so he went home. Will got ready, took eggs to store and mailed letters which I finished writing this forenoon to mail and on to Valentine to get car tuned up at or before 11 a.m. and he got back at 8:30 p.m. just at dark, so chored then we ate hamburger gravy, bread, ice-cream and cold and hot water. This is May Day and for so many days it has been strong winds from south, southeast and northwest and dusty and gets real chilly at times [so] that we have to have a fire in heater. This is Kate Smith’s Birthday, radio entertainer. I sewed on Will’s nighties and ate lunches, no Will home until evening. He said that he saw Nellie and Janie Hollenbach at Valentine and took them home from downtown to Effie Gasons.
1943 May 2nd Sunday
Was quite a nice day after chilly night and sun shone all day. I got meals, laid down in p.m. Went with Will both morning and eve to look at cattle, counted the Big Stuff in morning and all are here.
After Will chored in eve and we looked over cattle, we stopped at Van Epps. W.D. was getting ready to chore and showed us the little chicks, they have wing feathers, also tails and are doing fine. Joe (Josephine) Gehlsen, Rita, Bobby, Mary Armbruster, Bill, Elsie, Billie and Margie went to Elmer Chauncey Place to paper the kitchen, and Bill came home to chore and the others later in Carl Gehlsen’s car as he is operating the White Eagle Filling Station east end [of] Mission, where Turgeons were. They will move to Burke, S.D. and Gehlsen Family will live in house near station. Will and I went to Wm Pierce Place. Mr., Mrs., Leah and Bobby Pierce were there. They had been cleaning the house. Will brought home a pork roast, we had it for dinner and ate sandwiches for supper out of it and Grape-nut Flakes after we came from Pierce’s. We stopped at Wm Abbotts and Mr., Mrs., Cora Ann, Billie came out to car. Delores was washing dishes. Mrs. Anderson (Mrs. Abbott’s mother) is at Abbotts for Brownie Anderson and Mrs. and 2 small daughters brought her out. She came to winner by bus from California, Missouri and Omaha, where she has been with children.
1943 May 3rd Monday
Sun shone, was quite nice out of wind which came from the west. I got meals, sacked up cobs with Will’s help and he then helped Van Epps turn yearling steers out of pen. Van Epps creosoted posts to be used at his yard fence, and Will built a hot bed for tomato plants south of shanty, also cabbage plants. Van Epps went to get a trailer wagon load of hay for our bulls and dragged the cow that died west of his place near road to a ravine north side of Wagner and State Land Pasture. He then went to Joe Hoon Place where Claude Van Epps lives, no one home so he loosened the Porch and room that is his from other buildings to bring home to Wagner Place. Elsie, Billie, Mary Armbruster went with Elmer Chauncey to his Place to finish papering pantry and laying rug in kitchen. W.D. had dinner here. I sewed on Will’s nighties and finished all but buttons and cut out mine.
1943 May 4th Tuesday
Was very cloudy, no moisture so sun shone later. I got only breakfast for Will went to Winner to get car repaired, the fenders, brakes adjusted and came home at 10 p.m., brought ice-cream so I got up to eat at 10:20 p.m. and ate, for only lunched to-day. No chored in eve, but I got water and some wood in. Sewed on Will’s nighties and not much done. Standard Oil Winner left 105 gals. gas. Mrs. Merritt here looking for Will and W.D., went to Joe Hoon Place to see W.D. and Van Epps.
1943 May 5th Wednesday
Wind blew from the south but sun shone and Will chored, went to Van Epps for W.D., Elsie and Billie were at Claude Van Epps to-day, put their house and porch on Chauncey’s hay sweep, and Bill used Chauncey’s tractor to pull them home and never saw them until evening when I went out to get wood at wood-pile, so to-day Will and I went to Whiting Store, got some groceries and no one home at Van Epps, for saw Bill take Chauncey’s tractor home. He used it to pull house to their place, but when we got back they were home, for Elsie and Billie took car down for Bill to come back, and Elsie is in bed with the measles and very sick. Will brought me home and went back to help W.D. take porch off the hay-sweep and he came home for dinner and back again to work. I laid down and sewed on everyday dresses for myself, also got meals and read some.
1943 May 6th Thursday
Northwest wind, dusty and not nice but sun shone. Will chored and went to Van Epps and they moved kitchen off of the hay-sweep and Elsie is real sick so he came home for dinner. I got meals, laid down in p.m., sewed on everyday dresses for myself. Marjorie stayed home from school yesterday and so doubt will [stay home] all this week to care for Billie as Elsie has to stay in bed and W.D. and Whitcher are working at the house.
1943 May 7th Friday
Sun shone but was windy and dusty. Will took crate [of] 12 doz. eggs to Whiting Store and got some salt for the cattle and the mail late p.m. and he and Van Epps got their kitchen up to the rest of house and porch in place, ready for cement floor. Elsie is still not so well but thinks she will get better. Margie takes care of Billie. I sewed on everyday dresses and laid down in p.m., just for a minute, got meals as Will comes home at noon for dinner.
May 1, 1923: Started to rain during night and rained off and on all forenoon and cloudy until towards evening, when sun shone bright. The men did chores and took hogs over river and dug horse-radish and in p.m. went to Joe Edwards to get flint or squaw-corn and drove Ginger. I baked and fixed a little horseradish. In evening 2 boys came for gas as they ran out near our place.
May 2, 1923: A bright warm day. The men worked, Chas. at fence. Will finished plowing south of house and in p.m. they moved closet and planted potatoes in garden, plowed garden. Will started to plow on Dave’s. I cut potatoes and we fixed a place for flowers, also put in set onions.
May 3, 1923: Started to rain in morning and all forenoon but p.m. got bright. Ward to work on section for summer and Will not much until p.m., fixed fence on Knolls and carpenter work for me. We went to Wards for water & to feed hogs. I made button holes on shirts.
May 4, 1923: A bright day but cool and not much breeze forenoon but p.m. quite windy as I washed, and clothes had quite a shaking out. Will plowed on the orchard and got quite a bit finished. He used walking plow so all in as I am also. Mr. Pryne of Poddock came looking for a sorrel pony.
May 5, 1923: Bright but quite strong south wind all day and towards p.m. nice and warm. Will finished plowing the orchard and took a rest before dinner and awhile in p.m., all in from walking, then he cleaned barn and fed hogs, went up with cream after supper and got alfalfa seed. C. Ward came for fish lines in evening. I cleaned basement & mopped kitchen & dining floors, and in evening fixed horse-radish, so am all in at night.
May 6, 1923: A bright nice forenoon, but towards p.m. clouded, was cold then. We just stayed home and in evening went for water at Wards. Mr. & Mrs. M. Langan, Dave, Pat, Loretta & Mildred stopped awhile on way home from church. The Frank Motts stopped to see about Will getting sudan seed.
May 7, 1923: A bright cold day and evening N. W. dust storm. Will put in alfalfa in orchard and started to plow across track in p.m. I got eggs at Sherlocks, ironed and put in garden seed. Mr. Pyne of Holt Co. stopped to see where pony was. I planted flower seed also.
May 8, 1923: A bright but so cold day, as was some snow last night and things froze. Will moved hog waterer and plowed corner lot and went to McDuffees and got loose ground planter and had dinner there. I had a headache, so only bread made today. Will plowed across track on his return for alfalfa.
May 9, 1923: A bright day but I was sick so nothing done, but took hens to shanty in evening. Will got harrow at Ableidingers and put in alfalfa across the track. Floyd Sherlock came for their harrow.
May 10, 1923: Cloudy most of day but sun shone warm at times for awhile. Will harrowed place south of house and took harrow back to Ableidingers towards evening. I am better so gave hens eggs and took care of them and fussed with chicks and went with Will to Wards in evening to take Biddy, Lasses & Snip to pasture and got water also in morning. Will fed hogs and got disc at Knolls and Charlie Ward went along to Knolls. Baker salesman stopped on route.
May 11, 1923: Cloudy all day, started to rain at noon and a regular rain in p.m. Will disced place in corn field and started to plant but p.m. rested. I cared for chicks in a.m. and had a headache all day so not much done.
May 12, 1923: A bright day but cold. We went to Spencer in a.m., returned in p.m., had dinner. Will went to plant corn south of house. I mopped and got eggs at Sherlocks. Chas. Ward brought his cow here.
May 13, 1923: Mother’s Day. Was cloudy nearly all day and sprinkled at times and cold. Chas. Ward & Mr. J. Ableidinger came and they helped Will take pigs and old sows over, and brought stock hogs to alfalfa and was some job, so they were all in in evening. I only got meals and in evening went with men to Wards to get water. Mrs. M. Langan & Pat stopped on way to Spencer for a few minutes.
May 14, 1923: Cloudy most of day, sun shone only at times but not cold, so had chicks outside. Will ran a pitch-fork in foot, the right one, that is leg above shoe top last evening, had Dr. Linburg come out this a.m. at 7 o’clock and he cleaned it out. Will rested most of day so better in evening. I went to Wards at 4:30 a.m., got Chas. to milk cows, on to Crabtrees and got Mr. to list in corn this day, then fed hogs and baked bread, so all in when evening came. Kirstines put in corn near house. Mrs. Chas. & Clarence Sherlock came for eggs in evening, had little daughter with them.
May 15, 1923: Cloudy in morning & evening but day bright & very cold N. W. wind, so cold, couldn’t let little chicks outside. Will finished corn and took McDuffees’ loose ground lister back home, also Ableidingers’ double trees, then went to Spencer and got repairs for lister. I didn’t do much, only fed hogs as all in from yesterday’s overwork. A Mr. Coleman came for eggs in evening.
May 16, 1923: A bright nice day but a little cool in breeze. Will & Mr. C. Crabtree plowed on Dave’s all day, walking gang plows. I washed clothes and got them out to dry before 1 p.m., as was in a hurry as Mrs. J. Ableidinger stopped for me to go to field-meet at Spencer, returned late in evening.
May 17, 1923: A bright day but cold South wind and towards evening cloudy. Mr. Crabtree & Will plowed and harrowed as Mr. Crabtree got Sherlocks’ harrow this morning. I am all in from hurry & wash yesterday, that I didn’t do anything this day. Mr. Coleman and wife stopped for eggs but I didn’t have any. Rudolph Johnson came for Knolls’ grass seeder.
May 18, 1923: Bright forenoon but clouded p.m. and a sprinkle, clouded in evening so rain. The men plowed & harrowed and I cleaned things, made pie and in p.m. put in a few seeds.
May 19, 1923: Muddy early morning so men raised tank and took out some pipe then finished plowing and harrowing on Dave’s in evening and after supper went to Spencer. I went in p.m. with Sherlocks and took things I baked to sale, and was so windy but bright.
May 20, 1923: Bright N. E. breeze cool. We did up work, took a nap and Mr. & Mrs. Charles Sherlock came, also the D. McDuffee family in p.m., talked ice-cream by Will but nothing doing, started too late. We went to Wards in evening to feed hogs.
May 21, 1923: Started to rain during night and continued all day. We got 3 sows with pigs in Barn at Wards and Will got wood from creek and got manure out of shanty on hill where I set hens. I didn’t so much but fussed with chickens.
May 22, 1923: Another cloudy day and rained at times all day. Will hauled corn to hogs across & here and I still only chick-work, put 6 hens in shanty to set.
May 23, 1923: Cloudy all day, stopped raining at noon. Will went up town in p.m. and cleaned coop. We did ordinary work, set out tomato plants.
May 24, 1923: A bright nice day after the rain. Mr. Crabtree rode from town with Will last evening and no work, so came back today to help. He got scrapper at Sherlocks so the men filled in around well and fixed chicken fence and started shed for hogs. I planted squash and melons. Mr. Oscar Carlson for dinner yesterday. Floyd Sherlock, Estell Angel & Romain Rhody visited with Will today. Will has a cold & headache all day, and I am so tired in evening can scarcely move.
May 25, 1923: A bright nice day. The men fixed lister and Will started to list on Bradstreets and Mr. Crabtree started to plow near hog fence southeast corner of place. I washed clothes and not much else.
May 26, 1923: Was another nice day. I baked bread, went to Sherlocks, got eggs, took Mrs. Widdens’ setting eggs up for them to town, and in p.m. mopped & cleaned & made a cake. The men put in alfalfa in S. E. corner as Mr. Crabtree got drill at Ableidingers and Will broke — so got one at Crabtrees. They finished plowing in B.’s alfalfa.
May 27, 1923: A beautiful morning, but wind blew quite dusty before noon and towards evening cloudy but no rain. I went to church at 8:30 a.m. Will did up work, after rested as I rode part way with Sherlocks and got sugar there. They had Tony & family & Wm Gallentine family for visitors. We went to Wards in evening to feed hogs.
May 28, 1923: Cloudy a little in morning, bright midday, cloudy towards evening. Will listed corn on B.’s S. W. corner I helped chore. In p.m. 2 boys & a girl canvassed.
May 29, 1923: Rained terrible during night. Will went to Wards, a Mr. Wesley Hodge, cousin of Mrs. Ward came back with him. We went to Spencer to clean cemetery. An awful shower in p.m. Stopped at Sherlocks to get Floyd’s leggings.
May 30, 1923: This is decoration day, a bright day, quite warm midday. We went to Memorial Services in forenoon and in p.m. walked up track to World Bros. Circus, as we came back at noon rode with Langans in evening. Will had headache last couple of days but better now. Chas. Ward came in morning for tobacco.
May 31, 1923: A bright day and quite warm. Will listed on B.’s over south and W. Hodge plowed hog pasture across the creek as he came this a.m. to help Will. Mrs. C. Ward came over for oil & matches. She is getting ready to wash clothes. I fussed with chickens & cleaned up a little but all in from last 2 days and Will is all in from Lasses’ throw.
Video: Whitcher Place (house and barn), Hidden Timber, S.D., c. early 1960s (video credit: Bill Furrey)
1953 April 6th Monday
Was cloudy and damp, sun just peeped through at times. Dan came up when we [were] eating breakfast and said that he would give cattle hay this a.m., look at cows to calve and fix fence, so Will and I went to Winner in our Mercury Car and got groceries, some print & plain Percale to finish a block quilt top I am making. Left 3 dresses and my summer coat at Dry Cleaning south [of] Winner Plumbing and can get it this week-end. We got home at 4 p.m. Saw Mr. & Mrs. Wm Chauncey, Sr. They live 13 mi. s.W. Winner on Lawrence Drey Place. Lawrence Klein & wife live at their Old Place Down River and Mrs. Drey lives in Sioux Falls, S.D. She was out to Roy’s for awhile back. Henry Sells and wife in town. Will visited with Mr. and guess all their boys are away, Gerald in Germany, Howard in Army in States, Donald at School at Lincoln, Gerry Dean in first year at Mission High. Never saw Betty nor Calvin. I cut out blocks from new goods.
1953 April 7th Tuesday
Some snow and Rainy. Men gave cattle hay and looked at cattle and pulled some fence East [of] Old South line of Bull Pen and South [of] our Road out to Klein field. They used the Ford Tractor to pull out of ground these posts. These days all the new news is that relatives of Sitting Bull, 3 Granddaughters of his from Wounded Knee, S.D. in Shannon CO. and a few other Indians of Mobridge, S.D., want his bones moved to 5 mi. west [of] Mobridge and the Sculptor of Crazy Horse who works a carving out of Stone images of Noted folks will carve Sitting Bull Monument. I cannot spell his name. Never see Betty as Dan brings milk, for he and Will drink malts. I mix my own in bowl.
1953 April 8th Wednesday
Still rainy and chilly but not all the time, just in short showers, but men gave cattle hay and looked at them and not so many each 4 to 6 but have to watch them just the same. I am finishing the print & white black quilt top this day and play some solitaire and get eats and read. Will & I played some Canasta as [it is] rainy outside. Dan comes for eggs but no Betty nor Calvin. Will laid down in p.m. as he feels not so good.
1953 April 9th Thursday
Sun shone part time but getting warmer. I got eats, played solitaire, started mending that is piled up. Men gave cattle hay, looked at cows and fixed some fence North Wagner Land. Betty no come up. Will was down and said Calvin has new Toy from Coles Sunday.
1953 April 10th Friday
Some clouds but South wind enough to dry clothes. Will put out on line this a.m. and he got them in late p.m. as scattered clouds passed, sun bright so they dried nicely. I played solitaire and got eats. Men gave cattle hay and measured Place west [of] Trees west of house to plant 4 to 5 acres more, so Will went in Mercury to Mission through Hills North [of] Thomas’s, ordered from Soil Conservationist. Dan fixed at fence at Bull Pen. Will got staples, heat bulbs. Had dinner at Mission. Our supper bass fish and potatoes, a sauce of chili for spaghetti.
1953 April 11th Saturday
Some clouds and chilly north wind but no moisture here. Snow fell to 7 inches west Nebraska, So. Dak. and in N. Dak. Men gave cattle hay and Dan worked at fence between us & Dan’s south line, also up My Creek. Will looked [at] cows, had dinner and Stanley Whiting came to take alfalfa to McKee’s to fan. Mr. helped Will & Stanley fan this alfalfa and it looks nice. They had a lunch at McKee’s for Betty & Patsy are cooks. Mrs. called Tuesday to Hasting, Nebr. where her brother, wife & daughter [were] hurt in auto wreck and 5 yr. old son killed. Harley Davis, her brother, broken back and and other places. Jim Hawk was at McKees so he and Bus to South [of] Paulsons to 18 to O’Kreek to see if any news of above folks, as Judy is there. Karen Hawk is with McKee girls as dad at O’Kreek and she helps with work. They have to travel South [of] their Place to McKees and then some way around Paulsons to 18 to get out from muddy roads. men took 8 sacks alfalfa to fan and Stanley 75 lbs to sow and return when he raises seed this fall. Wales went to Mission this eve and Thomas & Athel took Doris, David & Jimmie to Stanleys for the night. Will & Stanley met LeMoyne and Family going out through hills.
1953 April 12th Sunday
Jake and Leo Whiting Birthdays
Bright, nice day. Men looked about cows and calves and in p.m. Thomas, Athel and Jimmie came to Wales, they no home so they came here. We played pitch and men won. Jimmie played to himself. Dan & Family went to matinee at Star Theater, Mission, in p.m. and came back as Thomas’s went home late p.m. They stayed home rest of eve. We read and I played solitaire as Will not too well so no play Canasta but he read awhile and early to bed. Doris and David went with Stanley’s to Mission to show this p.m. They all, Jimmie also stayed at Stanley’s last night and Athel went for them this morning after they [would be] at 8 a.m. Mass but none so Athel brought Jimmie home and they to be home this late p.m.
1953 April 13th Monday
Bright, nice so Dan came up and said he would look at cows and calves and give cattle a stack of hay so we could go to town. We left in our Mercury before 9 a.m., got groceries, some quilting material, a lunch at West Side Cafe and saw Mr. Sells, Mr. & Mrs. Wm Chauncey, Sr., they now live 13 miles S.W. of Winner on Lawrence Drey Place, which they bought recently. They have a new pick up. We went around highway to 18 and came back that way at 1 p.m. and left Gro. etc. home, to Stanley’s and Abbotts to tell them we dehorn, brand 1.D on Heifers, castrate these not done a year ago. Abbotts’ Jersey milk cow’s steer calf was to be branded also. Men worked on Corral late p.m. and finished double gates North of Wind Mill at N.E. Wales yard. Only 2 meals for me and I never sewed any but read and solitaire for we got the mail.
1953 April 14th Tuesday
Cloudy. N.E. wind and not chilly. Men gave cattle a stack of hay, got in yearlings that were with cows in a.m. [In] p.m. W.L. and Billie Abbott came in their Buick and Stanley in his pick up, so they got busy and worked the yearling steer and heifers, branded heifers 1.D and dehorned some of these. Betty and Calvin went to get mail and stopped at Thomas’s. Pearl came in their car to get Stanley to come for a calf not to be born so he went home in a hurry and back after he pulled this calf to finish dehorning a few head. Dan, Billie, W.L. and W.J. worked them. I gave Pearl a mince pie so Stanley wouldn’t miss his lunch but he got lunch here. All went home. Betty brought mail, left Calvin in the car and he plays with everything on seat and the floor. He and Betty came up to give Stanley a cactus plant and get things out [of] deep freeze for supper. We had a sandwich of roast beef for our supper and a malt before bedtime. Mrs. Abbott isn’t out here but in town as Mrs. Anderson, sister, of Naper, Nebr., passed away last Friday.
1953 April 15th Wednesday
Snowed last night but rained first and to-day is damp and cold so Dan and Will had to get in some new calves to warm them by putting in pick up cab and heater on as the bulb he got for heater broke. Was bright and began to melt snow in p.m. but a coat of ice on ground so Will started in our car and no get anywhere, came back to Thomas’s to wait for Tom Sr. to come by but Bud came in his and said that Dick took Tom in their pick up on west road. Thomas, Larry Daywitt and Bud & Tom Sr. went. No meeting last evening and they got stuck in hills. Dick had nobby tires so he brought them home. Men gave cattle hay first this a.m. I boiled beef and when Will came back at 1 p.m. he had a lunch so I got only 2 meals. I am sewing on the finishing of block quilt with cotton flannel interlining, blue lining and tied with light blue knitting cotton. Played some solitaire and read. Never saw Betty nor Calvin this day.
1953 April 16th Thursday
Not so bad and bright so snow is gone and some wind and mud is drying. Men gave cattle hay and went to Whiting Store to mail sample of alfalfa to Brookings to have purity and germination test at Agronomy Seed Testing Laboratory and got mail, the records from Wards were only music, no songs, so waiting so long for what no get. Men have to watch cows and calves so much.
1953 April 17th Friday
Very chilly north wind but sun shone some of the time. Will & Dan fed cattle hay and Dan fixed at fence west side of New Tree Plot west of our trees west of house. Betty washed clothes to-day so no see her. I cut out 2 everyday dresses of Dark Peach Print blocks with flowers and sewed at them. Got 2 meals of fish, etc. but corn for Will’s supper.
Note: In April of 1923, the Whitchers lived on a farm about a mile from Spencer, Nebraska. They had already begun to make plans to move to Todd County, South Dakota.
April 1, 1923: Easter Sunday. A bright day until towards evening cloudy. South wind cool in a.m. but afternoon quite warm. We did up work and Will started to trim those few cherry trees and cut his hand. William Whiting came out about 11:30 a.m. and he and Will went for a ride in the afternoon via Ableidingers, Chas. Clouse and via Dist. 14 school house and on home. I just read and did a little work after.
April 2, 1923: Cloudy & cold N. wind all day and a few drops rain in a.m. The men hauled old hay on fields, got ready to butcher. Mr. Ableidinger came and butchered in a hurry, then Will went along to town via Ableidingers. Mr. Anderson and family, Joe L. stopped for eggs. I fixed curtains.
April 3, 1923: A bright warm day. Will cut hog so I could handle then went with Mr. Ableidinger to feed yard and got a cow, had dinner down there. Chas. cleaned old hay stack butts and in p.m. the men put three loads hay in barn. Mr. Geo. Knoll came looking for cows and hogs. I put up curtains in south room and started to render lard. William Whiting came out and stayed all night as he is getting ready for Todd Co.
April 4, 1923: Was cloudy in night and early morning but bright day and cold, so I started to cook meat but didn’t have to worry, also baked bread. The men hauled all hay from wild stack in, and went to Spencer with hogs in evening and brought Charles’s Hampshire back. William Whiting left for Todd Co. this a.m.
April 5, 1923: A beautiful forenoon but in p.m. wind & small clouds at time and wind quite strong and dusty, a little sprinkle once in p.m. Charles helped Mrs. wash clothes in a.m., and p.m. plowed on B.’s in hog lot. Will got water and disc at Wards in morning and disced rest of day on Dave’s near orchard. I washed clothes and finished canning meat and mince meat, and we all so tired in evening. Part of Langans returned from Colombe, S. D. today as they went to Mrs. John Langan funeral yesterday. She died at Norfolk Monday morning of pneumonia.
April 6, 1923: A cloudy day and cold N. E. wind all day. Will disced in forenoon but so cold, had to go to Sherlocks to warm and in p.m. took disc to Spencer to get sharpened. Chas. plowed at hog lot on B.’s all day. I ironed in a.m., and in p.m. mended Will’s overalls and in evening felt bad and so tired.
April 7, 1923: A little sleet during night and snow early morning but not much. Cloudy & cold until middle p.m., then bright but still cold. The men cut poles & wood and I was so sick, stayed in bed all the afternoon. Mr. & Mrs. Anderson and family stopped to pay for eggs.
April 8, 1923: A bright day, a little cool in morning but warmer as day passed on, a beautiful evening. Walter Ableidinger came for Mr.’s knife, and Will went with him on with Mr. to Petersons, had some time to get on Lazzes as he threw himself. After dinner Will took nap, then rode Lazzes to Knolls and he got Will off, skinned his face, hurt finger and shoulder & hip. Billy Knoll came for Lazzes and he got away again, but Will rode peaceably in evening. I did only necessary work as I still feel bum.
April 9, 1923: Another quite nice day but a little cloudy in evening. Will went to Spencer to see Doctor about finger, and his little finger on right hand is broken. He took eggs, got 21 cents per doz. I started my jacket suit. Charlie worked across creek and in p.m. Will helped him put in hog fence.
April 10, 1923: A bright day but cold N. E. wind. Will went with Charles to hog fence and worked a while, then went to L. E. Lentz Sale at Fr. Randall with Messrs. Bradstreet and Scanlan. Charles worked at fence and had dinner at noon, and in p.m. unloaded hay, hauled alfalfa and cleaned barn & disced a little near orchard and took Knolls’ spreader & rack home. Will came back about 6:30 p.m. and felt sick on account of jolt Sunday. I sewed on suit all day and got so much finished, as I didn’t get dinner.
April 11, 1923: A bright day and S. E. wind a little in morning, but warm toward evening. Will went to Spencer, got Barley and sowed it across road on B.’s in p.m., and Charles disced cornstalks south of house all day, but towards evening started to disc barley. I still sewed on suit this day.
April 12, 1923: A bright day and quite warm, in fact hot in p.m. and strong S. wind. Will disced barley and Charles harrowed hog pasture and put in rye, and in p.m. disced and Will sowed wheat & oats, oats which he got at Ableidingers at noon, finished at 7:30 p.m., sowing. I baked bread, churned butter and took jars to basement and in p.m. started a waist.
April 13, 1923: A cold N. W. wind, bright until towards mid day, clouded and rained now and then in p.m. Charles disced oats and Will stayed in until Dr. Hines, L. I. came to see if Biddy was stifled, but only a little. Will took 3 Legs out and worked on disc, and in p.m. Will disced and Charles started roof on corn. Will drove 3 Legs alone in evening on disc and Charles did up chores, after supper he went to Spencer. I put hooks & eyes & buttons on suit. Floyd Sherlock got the seeder in morning.
April 14, 1923: Bright early morning but such a dust storm during midday, could hardly face it and quite cold, but evening better. Will disced oats until hurt broken fingers then came in to bed, and Chas. made place to feed pigs, finished oats discing at noon. In p.m., Will to Spencer. Chas. cut posts. I finished jacket and made petticoat and hemmed skirt. Anderson of Holt stopped for eggs.
April 15, 1923: Was cold in morning and cool all day but bright N. W. breeze. I walked to church at 8:30 a.m. and returned, washed dishes, got a bite and Will chored, in p.m. we went to Wm. Dreher funeral. He died at Dallas, S. Dak. very suddenly. We stopped at H. Bradstreet’s, and I & Langans at folks.
April 16, 1923: A bright but cold day and very little breeze, what was from North. Will harrowed then went to feed yard to see about buying heifers, but nothing doing. Chas. then harrowed and in p.m. dug post holes, and Will harrowed. I didn’t do much as felt all in from walk up town yesterday. Rudolph Johnson came for Ableidingers’ walking plow.
April 17, 1923: A bright day and forenoon quite pleasant but a little cool and p.m. wind blew from the south quite hard at times and dusty. Will finished dragging oats near Sherlocks and after chores Chas. got water for me to wash clothes, and they finished at 10:30 a.m., then fixed things around here, and in p.m. Will sowed oats on B.’s and Chas. disced them in. Will went up town to take abstracts to Mr. C. S. Sutton, also Buggy wheels to Joe Machu. I washed clothes and they dried in a hurry on account of dry wind, and baked cake in evening, and Will helped me get ready to set a few hens. Floyd Sherlock brought seeder back and got his buggy in a.m. Mr. Barden brought registered letter.
April 18, 1923: A bright day and a.m. south breeze not warm, but p.m. quite warm. Will finished putting in oats on B.’s and Chas. fixed hot pasture on B.’s and at noon on way home to dinner, Chas. had runaway with Biddy & Duke, but jumped so O.K. The men hauled poles, in p.m. Mr. Knoll came for cattle. I sewed a little, made Bread & Butter.
April 19, 1923: A bright day until towards p.m. clouded, a strong south wind and quite dusty, just before a few drops of rain in evening, wind blew so hard from S. W. Will got plow ready and started to plow on B.’s but it wouldn’t work, so he came to southeast of house. I started to clean kitchen, got alastaine on. Geo. Knoll got disc. Chas. worked at home.
April 20, 1923: Cloudy and a little rain at times all day and cold. Will did up chores and got alfalfa for cows and some fox tail to cover the corn, also some posts from across and took Cows over the river, as was cold towards evening and damp, different than last couple of nights, for was so warm had to put sheets on and used oil stove yesterday. I didn’t do much as was all in from yesterday.
April 21, 1923: Sun shone bright today in p.m. but forenoon rainy at times, N. W. wind this day. Will did up chores, got cows over the river and some alfalfa, then wagon ready. He helped Ableidinger haul hogs in p.m. to Bristow, and came back at 5 p.m. and went to Spencer. I cleaned a little wood work in kitchen and put part curtains back.
April 22, 1923: Sun shone at rising and a couple of times early morning but cloudy all day and cold and sprinkle in p.m. Will did up work, also got his breakfast as I went to 8:30 a.m. Mass, walked up and back, went to Communion. We both were tired so rested in p.m. Will fed hogs in evening across river. Have incubator hatch today.
April 23, 1923: Cloudy & misty all day. Chas. dug closet hole partly and Will plowed in p.m. They got trees to set out in yard. I sewed buttons and fixed a little mending, wasn’t very pert.
April 24, 1923: Was a beautiful bright day but a little cool. Chas. got place south of house ready for Will to plow, which he did all day and Chas. set out trees. I fixed things a little and cleaned stove. Mr. & Mrs. B. Ellsworth came for eggs for setting.
April 25, 1923: Cloudy all day and forenoon misty at times, and p.m. a regular rain until evening, first of season and I caught enough water to wash clothes. Chas. put in his potatoes, that is worked at them between showers. He went with our oats to get ground and brought Flour home before planting. Will plowed forenoon and p.m. didn’t go out in rain until evening to chore. I baked bread and fussed with setting hens and made a cake in evening. Will after supper sat down to read. I looked over his shoulder. He turned quick and knocked my chin with his shoulder. I nearly went the trip as couldn’t breathe, talk or swallow. A man came here in rain, looking for C. Ward.
April 26, 1923: A bright day but a little cool on account of dampness but breeze dried clothes I washed with first rain water of season, it frosts every night. The men went to Spencer in a.m. after feeding hogs & chores and in p.m. shingled chicken coop. Mr. & Mrs. Geo. Knoll came in p.m. for H. Bradstreet’s incubator. Mrs. C. Sherlock came in evening for eggs.
April 27, 1923: A nice day. Chas. finished his potatoes and got Knolls’ spreader, feed at Mill and cleaned barn and Will plowed all day. I didn’t do much as was tired from washing.
April 28, 1923: A nice day. Chas. dug post holes forenoon and p.m. plowed where Will couldn’t with gang plow. Will plowed a.m. and we went to Spencer p.m. Andersons stopped for eggs.
April 29, 1923: Was a beautiful day. We went to Wards for water and posts, and had dinner, rested, did part chores, drove up to McDuffees, stayed until 9 p.m.
April 30, 1923: A bright day but S. E. wind started to blow hard about 10:30 a.m. and a regular dust storm in p.m., that is dust would come in streaks and towards evening began to cloud. Will plowed and just before noon broke double trees, so after went to Spencer to get one, then plowed rest of p.m. Chas. shut hogs out of barn over river and worked fence around Knolls’ land between here and track. Will got smoke-meat in for me from hole and I wrapped it up and not much else, as I am bum. Mr. C. Johnson was buried at Spencer this p.m.
Another Bright day but wind got Strong, I think from South. It dried the wash in a hurry. Will put [wash] on line S.W. Corner [of] Yard and the Porch. He took out the water and drained some with Short hose to outside. He brought clothes in and I ironed some but went all in so got supper of Fish (Catfish, fried) and Fried Potatoes, was I all in but read some and played solitaire. I made a Robe of some Print I had cut out for some time and it was finished so washed it to-day. Will and Dan fed cattle hay and worked at Sickles and other Mower Stuff. Wales went up to Thomas’s in eve until 11:55 p.m. just before midnight Wednesday night.
1953 March 19th Thursday. St. Joseph’s Day
Patty Joe Brandon’s Birthday
A South wind quite strong and a little hazy at times and clouds in North. Sun shone here. I am writing in diary and this a.m. got to 60 above, was 63 Tuesday but cooler yesterday and this day not so warm, 50 above near noon and I will put in what [it] is this p.m. About 60 above and cloudy, got real cloudy late p.m. but no moisture here. Will and Dan gave cattle 1 Stack alfalfa, went to North [of] Thomas’s through Hills to Highway to Winner, got Lights, Tent at Andrea’s Garage, Carter, License for Mercury Car at Winner Court House, Percolator at Winner Gas and Electric and it was all new but Body for we kept them here, wanted Heating unit and sent to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and they sent new parts but no Bill yet, also had Car greased and new Filter. Got groceries and Mower Repairs. Had dinner at 5 Spot South [of] Outlaw. Came home via McKee’s and tomorrow they will go to help McKee’s butcher a hog. I got 2 meals and sewed on an old coat to make a jacket for Rough wear. Betty never came up so I thought she and Calvin went with Men to Winner but no. Never saw anyone but strong South wind wasn’t very pleasant here, was stronger on way from Winner.
1953 March 20th Friday
Partly cloudy at times. South wind Strong in p.m. Betty and Calvin came up and was too windy to get mail but Will and Dan brought it on way home in late p.m. They gave cattle Stack of alfalfa then ate dinner and took welder and McKee’s Sausage Grinder in our Pick Up, also 2 Skinning Knives to McKee’s by Old Arcoren Place South of Clarence Paulson’s and they with Lew and Bus McKees butchered a hog for them to have part cured at Winner Ice Plant to-morrow and I guess the Family will go in, Lew, Bus, Judy, Betty and Patsy. I sewed on My Old Black White Flowers and bluish green foliage. I also got eats and played some solitaire. Dan has a cold in Head and feels tough and Will is getting it. I feel kind of bad but still can sew some.
1953 March 21st Saturday
A few clouds in a.m. and windy but p.m. was fair. Men gave cattle a Stack [of] hay in a.m. and Dan gave them one after dinner while Will took a nap. I also laid down awhile. Will has a bad cold in head, sneezes, nose runs and some cough but he helped Dan in a.m. and after nap went out to Garage and worked at Sickles. He got fuel and Eggs in eve. We had Milk Toast for a supper and I boiled a half Kettle of Gizzard that put in Freezer when Will & I dressed 40 Roosters a yr. ago last Fall, and Betty brought Milk, got Potatoes so she took some to fry for dinner. They left in their Pick Up for Ainsworth, Nebr. about 2:45 p.m. to visit their folks. I haven’t been out, very little this winter so guess if weather gets nice I will go places. I got eats and played some solitaire and finished the Black dress with White Flowers and bluish green foliage and washed in Ivory Snow in eve and it dried O.K., was a very Jersey and had to pull Skirt to come down and Stretch a lot, but it is Brighter.
1953 March 22nd Sunday
2nd day of Spring. It started 4 p.m. March 20 and yesterday was 1st day. Some clouds in East but fair Rest of day and wind from Northwest. Will fed chickens, Milked cow, Swept floors and took a bath before noon. I washed dishes and am all in for Will took Cello Glass off of East Kitchen Door and I have so much air, my Head feels bum, had scarcely a little air all winter so Nose, Throat and Lungs are raw, but will heal now with plenty of air. Will laid down awhile in p.m. and about 4 p.m. We went in Mercury Car to Thomas’s to tell them we need their pork out of Our Freezer so they will get it tomorrow. Joe Lolley’s were there so Athel, Jimmie, Doris, Pat, Elva, Mary & Jerry came to Car, Will to Thomas, Joe and David in house. David fell on a Scraper Blade, cut his head, deep gash in right Side behind Ear to half way center [of] Head. They had him come out to Car and I saw the gash as it wasn’t bandaged as Athel just cleaned it. We went North [of] Thomas’s through Hills to Highway 18, down it past O’Kreek to Mosher, Kriz road then South to Nelson School, East to Furreys. Met Gerald, Anthia and Loretta a half Mile west [of] Furreys, and stopped to speak to them, they [are] going back home to Perebooms North of Gehlsen’s. Mr. is Dead some time back at Kimball, S.D. where he got heart attack at a Service Station, taken to Hospital, died in a week, buried at Burke, S.D. Gerald and Family moved to Perebooms before they went to California on a vacation to see their son Bob who is in Service and since Father’s Death is home on furlough. We visited awhile with Harry, Mary, Louise and Billie. Louise said that Nellie has infected place in each leg now and is still at People’s home and getting better but they took her to Rosebud Hospital and no stay. Geo Klein is at Winner Hospital with Gall Stone Removal. Ben has Cancer of Prostate Gland. We got home at dark, ate a lunch, read & retired.
1953 March 23rd Monday
Bright windy N.W. wind quite strong so men fed cattle, had dinner. Bus & Lew came in Pick Up and they Butchered a 2 yr. old heifer for us in our Garage and hung it up there for the night. I made a banana cake and meat loaf for sandwiches, Coffee and Malts, also some chocolate syrup so they had lunch. Will, Dan, Bus & Lew, Athel, Doris, Pat & Jimmie just ate [a] bit. They came to see Bus about School Warrants for Pats (?) Board. Betty brought up Milk but all to their Place except Men. Usual Eats and card playing, solitaire for me.
1953 March 24th Tuesday
Bright, nice but cool, was very cool last night, around 20 above so Beef is O.K. Dan and Will gave cattle hay and after that cut 1 front quarter beef before dinner, wrapped and put in freezer. After dinner they cut other front quarter and 1 hind quarter and got all in freezer early before chore time. I boiled some neck meat for Mince Meat and got Eats and played solitaire some.
1953 March 25th Wednesday
Very cold night and Day bright but not so warm. Dan and Will gave cattle hay and cut last hind quarter before dinner and wrapped after dinner, put in freezer. Dan has a cold but He and Will managed to get some Pork Side Meat from Hog that was froze, ground in McKee’s Electric grinder, also the beef for Hamburger. We mixed Pork with some of Hamburger and Men put all in boxes and in freezer. Betty, Dan and Calvin went to Whiting Store and got some groceries but not much mail. I cooked more Mince Meat, Neck and Mixed it with fruit & spices after men ground cooked meat and left it [to] stand for night. I cooked Raisins and Apples to put in it, also I washed all meat kettles, large pan and cleaned all things late p.m. but was all in, in general, so had to sit down. Got eats and read in eve, some solitaire. Dan & Betty had to fill some in culvert in Klein’s field on way to Store and Men will fix later.
1953 March 26th Thursday
Warm bright Day. Men fed cattle and Will & I filled Mince Meat in boxes and put in freezer. I baked 1 pie and 1 blackberry late p.m.. Fried some Noodles but no good, got eats, laid down in p.m., played solitaire, looked at pieces that were upstairs in trunk and they will make another quilt top. Dan and Will put wooden culvert North [of] barn, filled it in, also to Road in Klein’s Field and smoothed it out but no get mail. The Track by Wood Lake is mashed or settled down and Train no cross so not much mail these days. I played solitaire.
1953 March 27th Friday
Bright warm day. Men gave cattle hay and Will went to Valentine to get some iron posts and wire (?), groceries. Parts to make gates for corral. He was sick with over work and heart weakness but still he rushes to do things. Had dinner in town. Dan took Tractor (M) to McKee’s to get welded, the Hitch was near broke. Guess Merchants are not so rushed so complain a lot about no Machinery being sold and this makes Will about all in. I got 2 Meals and sewed at quilt Blocks, finished 1 piece of 5 block for a cross, a quilt. Will got mail so I got package from South Carolina Mills of Percale, Nainsook, Pillow Slips, Cheesecloth & Handkerchiefs.
1953 March 28th Saturday
Very Strong South wind, bright nice until late p.m. got a little hazy. We have another calf out in herd and one in barn is slow eating or taking milk from cow but takes from bottle. Men gave cattle hay and husked the corn that was in wagon and put in Pick Up and finished in p.m. Will gave us Malts and Calvin & Betty got Mail, first Wales went to Mission, Star Theater to The Greatest Show on Earth this evening. Will looked at cows, fed calf in barn and it sucked cow some. Wm & Billie in town for Mrs. Frank Abbott’s 75 Birthday Party this eve. Eats and washed clothes. Will hung [them] out, brought in, I ironed in eve and made another 5 blocks for quilt.
1953 March 29th Sunday
Beautiful forenoon but p.m. hazy not exactly cloudy here but North Edges. Men gave cattle hay and Will took junk to junk hole west [of] here and looked [for] cow to calf North of here in field. Dan put Lard in basement for Betty fried it last few days, they more than did jobs around their Place. Will went to McKee’s via west road to get welder to make 2 gates South [of] Round Corral to N.E. [of] Wales Yard. This opening wide enough to drive hay sled through. I played solitaire in p.m. and got to 73 above so was sick, had to open North Door and sit there until Will came home. He looked at cows, turned cow to calf in box Stall. We had a lunch and went on highway to Tates to see Ray, but Mr. & Mrs. took him to Sioux Falls Hospital to leave for 2 months to have brace made for his afflicted Limb. Mr. & Mrs. got back just an hour before we got there but finished choring, visited with Geo. Klein out by calf pen East [of] house awhile, that is J.H. and Will. They came in but Klein went home first. Mrs. gave him a letter from Cora Kositzky of Winner, now Nurse at this Hospital. We had a lunch [at] home at 9:30 p.m. Thomas, Athel, Doris, David & Jimmie were at Wales, also Stanley, Pearl, Gary & Curly & Illeen Whiting. We went to bed before 10 p.m. as was tired.
1953 March 30th Monday
Bright nice day and not so hot as yesterday. Men fed cattle and worked at Gates for a Double place by Water Tank. I got eats. Dan went for mail but none as Track washed out at Wood Lake, Brown Co., S.D. I sewed on quilt blocks.
1953 March 31st Tuesday
Bright, warm day. Men gave cattle hay and worked at gates. Stanley Whiting came this p.m. to say he would Dehorn his yearlings tomorrow p.m. Doris Whiting came with Jada Anisphar (?) of west of Whiting Store who collected for Red Cross. Betty and Calvin came up in Pick Up this p.m.
Sun shone but Northwest wind blew strong and was chilly but got to 20 above in p.m. I got meals, laid down in p.m., cut out 8 bloomers for myself, made out [of] soft muslin. Will has a bad cold but he helped W.D. chore and they gave cattle at Wagner Shed hay and watered horses and Van Epps hauled 3 loads hay for bull-pen and 1 here and got a load of sudan for here. He still has a cold and Will laid down in afternoon on account of cold in chest and head. This is St. Patrick’s Day but quite calm for noise.
1943 March 18th Thursday
Sun shone until late afternoon clouded and began to snow. The men caked cattle and watered horses. Their colds are still bad and my lungs and shoulders pain but I sewed at panties for self and laid down in p.m. W.D. took Margie to school and she walked home 3 p.m. so he went to school and Abbotts not knowing.
1943 March 19th Friday
Sun shone and was 4 below zero but rose to 32 above in p.m., snow is settling now. I got meals, never laid down as I sewed on panties, played solitaire. Will’s cold is bad but he chored and went to Hidden Timber in p.m. and got stuck, had to shovel out 3 times, so had to come east road via Highway, and laid down as evening work finished. W.D. cleaned the barn and cold is still bad.
1943 March 20th Saturday
Was zero at 8 o’clock but sun shone and began to rise in a hurry. W.D. came this morning and he said Margie walked home last night and this morning has the measles. Will sweated a lot last night and never coughed from mid-night until 4:30 a.m. but last night was a steady cough so I hope he is getting better now. My lungs don’t pain so bad this morning but I am sick all over. W.D. has a sore throat but is better now. We did the usual work, meals, chored, feed stock.
1943 March 21st Sunday
Sun shone but was cold. I got meals but my lungs are sick for that same old feeling is worse to-day and I have to have a fire so towards evening I thought I couldn’t breathe. Will felt better so he wanted to go some place all day so towards eve I mustered up courage, wrapped well and we went to Wm Abbotts to tell them that we butcher Tuesday and started to play cards, Mr. and Will against Mrs. and I, and played 500 until got home near midnight, saw a light at Wm Van Epps for Elmer and Mary are there. They took Neil Chauncey to Presho. He to enter Army at Rapid City. W.D. and Will chored to-day. W.D. then home.
1943 March 22nd Monday
Sun shone and got warmer but had to have winter wraps after choring. Will and I went to Winner, got Wm Abbott and we ate at Ryan Cafe, did our trading, especially jar covers and rubbers and got pork chops at meat-market for we will butcher to-morrow and it may be last meat we can get before rationing next week. Wm Van Epps staid home and fed cattle hay and hauled Sudan to bull pen and here at barn yard and chored. We got home before supper and are feeling better for colds.
1943 March 23rd Tuesday
Sun shone, was a nice day so men chored and W.D. took Margie to school and said Abbott to come over after awhile to butcher and he, Mrs. and Cora Ann came. Will, W.L. and W.D. butchered our fat cow and Wm Van Epps’ Big Fat Sow. So Margie walked home and Delores and Billie came horseback. All went home after supper and we have a lot [of] meat now. Mrs. Abbott wanted to make Cora Ann a dress out of an old [one], so a blue skirt with straps and it is nice.
1943 March 24th Wednesday
Bright, nice day. The men chored, got in beef and pork to shanty. W.D. brought Mrs. and Cora Ann to his place so she, Elsie and Billie and Cora Ann came late to cut meat and wash jars and cook meat. We finished Cora a new blouse. W.L., Billie, Delores brought Margie home, took Mrs. and Cora Ann home after supper.
1943 March 25th Thursday
A very hot day, got to nearly 90 above and sun shone but not much breeze. I got meals, laid down in p.m., also Billie Van Epps took a nap for W.L. and Elsie, Will and I canned beef. Men cut in pieces and put in jars and these days Elsie washes all jars for we have a dusty place for them in basement. We cook in cooker and oven. Men also chore and cake cattle late p.m. Mrs. Abbot came to-day.
1943 March 26th Friday
Another hot day and fair but we canned meat as usual and men chored and looked at cattle. Margie walks from school. W.L. took her in morn. and said Abbotts going to Winner.
1943 March 27th Saturday
Bright late p.m. for clouded in forenoon and looked like rain but Will got in water and he, Martha Whiting and myself washed clothes. Seth, Ed and Jim Gunhammer brought Martha and Carol Jean, Norma Fay and Helen Marie this forenoon as they went north of Mission to cut posts. Seth came in eve for Family. Martha got in clothes and folded them. I also got meals, laid down in p.m., visited with the folks. Martha washed the dishes, swept front-room and mopped kitchen. W.L. hauled a load hay to bull pen and one here and the Wills went to Whiting School-house to an A.A.A. meeting.
1943 March 28th Sunday
Was a nice warm day. Sun shone hot. I got breakfast. W.D. and Will chored. Will took me to 11:30 a.m. Mass and he went to Jay Tate’s. We then went to Furreys, at a lunch, then to Wm Fronek’s west of O’Kreek about 4 miles. Mr, Julia (Mrs.), Donna the teacher of Haukaas School their daughter, twin sons Robert and Ronald were home. Men breaking a broncho, then men for we took Harry, Louise, Harley, Dorothy and Billie along, brought them home and ate some more, came to Abbotts to ask for wide mouth jars, had only 2. Home to find chores finished and Van Epps gone to Chaunceys and Claude Van Epps, also Wm Abbotts family went there in eve. We went back to John Boyds and staid until 9:30 p.m.
1943 March 29th Monday
Bright, warm day. W.D., Elsie, Billie and Rita Marie Gehlsen came so we canned their pork to-day and Elsie cooked a lot of lard last few days. Men gave cattle cake and chored.
1943 March 30th Tuesday
Bright, warm. I got meals and Elsie and I canned meat, she fried steak and we canned it in oven. Men chored and went to Hay Stack Butte but men gone so they on to Mission and no see Spring Development. Came home in p.m. Rita & Billie played. Margie here in eve, walked from school.
1943 March 31st Wednesday
Another warm day. I got meals. Elsie, Billie and Rita Marie Gehlsen came and Will and Van Epps helped us, also men chored and fed cattle cake. Margie went to school [on] foot and walked home with Cora Ann, Delores and Billie for Wm Abbott came this forenoon in their car and he waited most of forenoon while Van Epps and Whitcher cut and put meat in jars. Elsie got jars ready, helped me with meals and cooked the meat in jars in boiler, Van Epps cookers and oven. Margie and Abbott children came at 2 p.m. and went home before supper. Men vaccinated 34 head of our yearling calves and castrated Van Epps and Abbotts pigs in p.m. Cora Ann put Billie Abbott in kettle of coffee grounds in the hall, then upstairs, they were using matches so Elsie sent them outside.
March 18, 1923: A bright day but cold N. W. wind and blew quite hard at times. Will went over the River for cows and Chas. Ward came back for milk and stayed until p .m. and they played rummage. I made a pumpkin pie and fixed dinner and towards evening wrote to Walcott & Walcott Sears for catalogue & J. K. Waring, Geneva, Nebr. Had headache.
March 19, 1923: Bright in forenoon, cloudy in p.m. and sprinkled, but evening clear. Will hauled bedding & alfalfa for hogs and in p.m. went to town to M. L. S. Co. Sale. I finished machine-work on shirts.
March 20, 1923: Bright at times and cloudy in evening but warm all day. Will & Chas. Ward took hog to Ableidingers and weighed it as Ward wants to butcher it today, they also took barrel over and got some water for us. Will went to Ableidingers to help castrate calves and stayed for supper. I tried to work but finished bread and not much else as had cold in head until it ached. Chas. Ward came for food chopped in evening. Floyd Sherlock came for Ramclouskek bull this noon. Guy Coen brought horse here.
March 21, 1923: Cloudy all day and snowing forenoon but p.m. stopped, damp and appearance of rain. Will did up chores after he found cows at Schummers and took them over the river after Mr. J. Ableidinger & Rudolph Johnson vaccinated our 6 young cattle, and he got in horses and in p.m. went up town and got some coal and took cream and got a new 3 gal. cream can. I wrote letters in forenoon and p.m. washed the clothes as my head & cold is getting better. Will is so-so.
March 22, 1923: Cloudy in morning and quite cold, but rest of day bright and warmer, so a nice evening. Will went over and got cows at Brads and Charles came back with him to phone for alfalfa and then Will went over for water & bedding for pigs in barn, and in p.m. laid down awhile as he had a headache & cold. Towards evening he took alfalfa to hogs so I went alone to Wards as hung out clothes & mopped in the a.m., and cut out dress in p.m.
March 23, 1923: Quite windy forenoon and dusty, clouds passed over but nice towards evening, a cold N. W. wind all day. Will finished chores and started to fix coop, that is nests and put lathe on hog-shed cracks and took a little rest as he had a headache. I sewed on dress, light green one and finished all but three snaps. Will went over to put hogs back in evening.
March 24, 1923: Ford Day at Spencer and a bright day, except in morning a little cloudy and a little cool. Will took corn to hogs in forenoon and in p.m. went up town to get things and see who got the Ford. Chas. Benedict got the car. I cut and sewed a gingham dress for self. Will had a headache all day, also a cold. I am so so.
March 25, 1923: Snowed quite a bit early forenoon but stopped at noon and clear toward evening and was cold. Will did up chores and rested. We ate at 3 p.m. and lunched in evening. I picked out some goods for coat & dress and it made me tired. Will still has a headache and sore throat.
March, 26, 1923: A bright, warm day. Will did chores and started to pick seed-corn, then went to Spencer to get incubator soldered and flour at Mill before dinner. Charles came at noon so he & Will finished seed corn for present and started to haul corn from ground to pile, after supper they rode up town on Peavine & Lazzes. I made 2 sun bonnets and looked over old clothes. Will has a sore throat and Chas. no appetite so grape juice tonic for us all.
March 27, 1923: A nice day all day and quite cool at times. Chas. finished putting corn on pile. Will did the chores, then they took corn to hogs and Will went on up to Knolls for spreader while Chas. got water for here. In p.m. they cleaned barn and went to Spencer to get incubator and take in Bailey fire sale of goods. I made 2 waists, baked bread, churned butter. Will still has a sore throat.
March 28, 1923: Bright day but south wind cold in a.m. and quite strong at noon and warmer in p.m. Men finished cleaning Hog house and Barn manure then plowed lot. Mr. S— appraiser, came in evening. I started to clear south room.
March 29, 1923: A bright day, warm in forenoon but cold N. wind in p.m. Chas. helped Mrs. wash clothes. Will fixed incubator, finished plowing lot and got water & hauled alfalfa. I finished Alabastine south room. Rm. & Mrs. B. Ellsworth came for eggs to set hens in forenoon and Pat Langan stopped awhile waiting for Mr. Ableidinger.
March 30, 1923: A bright day and very cold N. wind in forenoon and p.m. a little warmer. The Men cut posts in forenoon and p.m. took oats to Mill to be ground and went on up town. I mopped floor in south room and varnished it.
March 31, 1923: A bright day and very cold South wind and quite strong at midday. Chas. came over and went to Knolls for hay rack and got some alfalfa and then some wood where the men cut posts. Will helped me with separating and then covered arm chair and in p.m. they drove 3 hogs to Spencer and the mill and to Alex Wards, got ground feed at the Mill. I finished putting things in place in south room and mopped the kitchen and ironed the clothes.
Cloudy in forenoon and cold & damp, at noon started to snow and was still snowing at bed-time and very windy from the North. William cut up a cottonwood tree on Bradstreet and Will finished the chores and took wagon over to haul wood home. In p.m. we all went up town in the snow. William and Lee started for Louise and Fred’s car balked on hills near Depot so they walked in and got dray to haul car in and Thomas Garage to go for Louise and we came home.
1933 March 3rd Friday
Partly cloudy, S.E. breeze – The men chored and Lemoyne came so Narve, Wm and Lemoyne went to Moore Creek and got some horses and cut some out and took rest back. Will got a load of hay in hills. Narve cut hair for Will and he shaved and got ready for town to-morrow. I rendered lard and got meals. Carl and Hays Gehlsen and Ralph Armbruster came to see about work on road and Otto Rothley and Delia Lattimore were married Wednesday so neighbors are to charivari them to-nite.
1943 March 3rd Wednesday
Bright but cold. Will and I went to Wm Abbotts last eve for we got letter from Wood Bros. that Insurance on cow (dead) was sent to Harry Hansen, Winner, but Mr. & Mrs. and Cora Ann were at Winner and Delores and Billie were getting in their cattle for night to a place northeast [of] house and they gave us a check that Harry Hansen gave them to-day, it was to Abbott and he. Mrs. and Cora Ann came this forenoon to sign it and after dinner he went to Whiting Store and then they went home. John and George Jansen came with 100 bu. cobs from Herman Schneiderweits and Will and Mr. Jansen went to Winner to buy 200 bu. Milo and see Dr. Linker about our losing calves. Wm. Van Epps helped George load iron.
1953 March 3rd Tuesday
Snow quit but Men fed cattle and Dan got a wind brake fixed on Ford Tractor. Will is fixing sickles and came in House for awhile. I sewed a little on underwear and found some old dresses I will fix a little for summer everyday wear. Got meals and played solitaire. I sew on a dress that was cut out last fall for kind of nice wear so must finish before hot weather. Betty came up to get meat and bring milk.
