Irene Dixon Bamford 1899 August to 1900 January,
Diary Transcription
5034_4-1-11

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itemTitle: August 30th 1899-January 18, 1900
date: 1899-1900
Title: 5034_4-1-11
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[File Folder]
Irene Dixon Bamford
Diary
August 30th 1899-January 18, 1900
[Stamp]
Queen’s University Archives
Locator 50034.4
Box
File

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August 30th 1899 - January 18, 1900

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Re-read
’76 - ’84

4
Wednesday Aug 30th 1899
A very hot day & dry smokey
#3 [stamp: Date 1899 Sealed with Gulfwax] Interesting
Thursday Aug 31st 1899
[left margin tape has covered writing down the entire page]
A beautiful dry hot smokey day.
Grace goes to Kingston 8lbs butter at 25¢
per pound. Hubert came up for me
said his ma is sick and wants me so
[?] hitches up Bess and away I go and find
[her] in bed with pain in side and shoulder
cant move. So I doctor her with
burdock leaves & hops & vinegar & salt
She gets better towards night and can
[get] up and walk some but it would
[not] mattter if she was going to die why
[?] would have to suck and maul her around and
[?] thin as a skeleton. I churned and [?]
the butter [?] down cellar and set top the cellar steps and
the cellar [?]

5
Re-read
’76-’84
Friday 1 September 1899
Stay with Eveline all day
she is better but will persist
in doing work but I keep
her quiet as possible. A fine day.
Willie working for Geo R. They
are threshing for Niles.
Saturday 2 Sept 1899. A fine day.
Stay with Eveline all day and
help her all I can. Eveline gets
well to fast: her ambition
greater than her strength poor dear
girl. We fill a straw bed at the
stack with new threshed oat straw
and then Eveline & the children and
I go to the garden to see the
vegetables—cucumbers, tomatoes, melons,
squashes, beans, corn, pumkins, cabbage
carrots, potatos, Eveline leads Dan to
[tape covering bottom of page, covering last lines of page]

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Sunday 3 September 1899. 3
A fine day Arthur came for
me last night with Bess and
the buggy. Sorry to leave Eveline but always
happy to come home.
Monday 4 Sept 1899
A fine dry day. Wills children
carrying all their water from the river and drove
their cows to the concession to water.

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Re-read
’76-’84
4
Tuesday 5 Sept 1899
A cool morning. Grace goes to Evelines
to pick cucumbers found her sick in bed
so staid [sic] and done the work and took
care of her. Babcock picks the cucumbers.
Frank Woodman threshing peas in field
with their old horse power.
Wednesday 6 Sept 1899
A fine day but cool. Grace
went this morning to wash for Eveline
gone till 2 o’clock pm. Came back
bringing Evelines butter which I work
out the brine and make 6 prints, and a piece
which I send back for Arthur. Irene churns
and make 8 lbs for ourselves. Grace just going
to take a nap when behold! Jen &
Mary Anne come over visiting and
so we had to gossip and music and
get extra tea. Mary Anne has
a fearful bad cold in her head
and a cough. Jen carries away her apron.

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5
Thursday 7 Sept 1899
A very fine day. Arthur drives
to the dock with Grace—8 lbs butter for us
and 6 for Eveline. Willie sends Babcock
to draw Volties grain to scow he works
here all day and I get his dinner and tea.
Arthur having a high time to day.
I churn for supper and milk three
cows. Maud goes canvasing for "Family
Herald & Weekley Star" gets 4 subscribers.
Arthur drives to dock at sundown. Grace
comes home after dark bringing sugar,
onions. John brings the grist for the
boys and flour from the mill.
Mary Anne Duggin goes home this morning.
Jen goes to Kingston too and they
all meet in kitchen of the Pierpont.
R says she is sorry she ever said any
thing about Bob said it was said in
ignorance but the better way would
have been to have said nothing for words
once spoken can never be recalled, they
are there for eternity, they may be forgiven
but never forgoten [sic], speak well of every
one or dont speak at all.

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Friday 8 September 1899
A warm morning, clouds
moving southward, cows all here
lying on the point. Sun shining
out through clouds. John Babcock
assisted by Hubert and Arthur cleaning
and drawing oats to the scow at dock.
Dick Larush Passt. Maud at school
didn’t want to go. Charley Dixon came
over at noon stays and turns mill
2 hours. Arthur got a spell don’t like
to work very prankish. Bob says
keep him away from the grainery for
he hinders work. Muriel came up
bringing a basket of flower cans and getting
subsribers for the "Ladies World". She has six
subscribers already. Muriel says Ethel told
her mamma (Eveline) that Grace pd. 30 cts for
butter yesterday. Grace got 25 cents only. Grace
sold E’s butter on market "Don’t cher know".
Shell came down to practice her music on piano.
Ethel & Lottie came over and brought the drippings
that R. gave Grace yesterday on the boat. Asked
Ethel about the price of butter said he
told Eve so for Jen has said it was
30 cts in market. Work at grainery goes
very slow pretty near 4pm and only 1 Load

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Grace has to go to grainery to help clean
grain. A warm quiet day. We make peach
preserves. Grace sends Mrs G a postal about
those cucumbers for mustard pickles. It
looks like rain. Ethel said her
grandmother is sick, they brought
a basket for apples and piled it full.
Babcock worked at clearing oats for Wellie &
Voltie till after dark. Arthur & Hubert went
with John B to the dock. Mail a letter from
Voltie with order for $25 dollars, a letter from
Rathbun Company, one from May Wormwith,
Whig, Family Herrald, 2 papers from Dick Brown
England.
Saturday 9 September 1899
Wind North a cold morning.
The first one out is myself with fire built
and bread mixed. We have our breakfast,
I wash dishes and clean pantry. Maud
fixes the house rooms all up tidy
and cleans floors. Grace & Arthur digs
potatoes. We think & believe our potatoes
have been dug by thieves afraid we
will not have enough for Winter.
I saw wood & get dinner. A beautiful day
clear cool but dry

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8
Sunday 10 September 1899
A fine day very warm and
dry, arose at 6 A M. I employ most
of the day writing letters. Write a long
letter to Dick Jackson, London, England.
Grace takes a long nap on the couch in
parlor then gets dinner. After dinner
I walk over to Wills to see Gran. Charley
came out to meet me and when nearly
there. Bernard Morgan & Flora McDonel
passed us in Buggy and after saying how we
do said they were going down the island
for a drive and were coming to our house
when returning homeward. Found Wills
folks well and Jen baking the greatest lot
of bread and buns. Flora & Bernard after
a short drive came back and stoped at Wills
and we all staid to tea. And Oh my what
a spread! hot buns & butter, honey, plums, preserves,
pumpkin pie, lemon pie, pickles & port,
cream and sugar and a powerful
cup of tea then Bernard, Charley & Will
went & milked the cows & fixed the fence.
And of course Maud came over as
usual. Flora, Jen and I drive over
here home in Bernards buggy leaving
Will, Bernard and Charley to follow after
with Maud & Flora in the rear.
When we arrived at home we found Wellie &
Eveline and their children here with Grace
and Arthur and we had a very

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social time till 11 pm. Eveline
and Wellie and kids went home earlier got
to bed about 12 midnight circle around sun
Monday 11 September 1899
A cloudy morning sprinkled
several times during the day. Arthur
drew a barrel of water for Grace to wash,
done great washing; all the lines full.
Maud at school. Hurbert at school.
Arthur draws a barrel of water for hogs and
picks up apples. I milk 2 cows and
Grace gets breakfast. Arthur and I clean
cider mill and try to make cider but
dont know how the mill works at all so
leave it in disgust; afterwards put the plow
in the machine shed, feed the hogs and
come to the house again.
Tuesday 12

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10
13 Wednesday
Thursday 14 Sept 1899
Arose at 4 am.
Another market day carrying butter for Eveline
and ourselves and apples and nuts for
young Gaskin Jack.

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Friday 15 Sept 1899
Arose this morning with
the consciousness of having to go to Kingston
to the dentist. I dont like it but I’ll go
if Dr Daily pulls my off. Lisa fine day wind
south and breezy roads fine and hard
as asphalt. At one pm Arthur drives to
door with Bess and I mount in and away
I go. Bess on trot pass to vehicles on
the road, one Mr Dick Irvine. Examine
all the orchards along the road. Apple
crop poor, saw some men plowing in field
a few turnips growing & tomatoes ripening.
When in sight of Bells knew they had
threshing machine going in full blast so horse
did not go to Kingston tomorrow.
Saturday 16
Bell arose early got
breakfast for threshers, had hard work to
get Mac McClaren up to breakfast.
Threshers staid till after dinner, ate
nearly all the big roast of beef. Isadore Simons
went home mad, because some
of the intelligent white irish called Isadore
a "nigger"!! After dinner we employ
the remander of the day washing dishes,
cleaning up the rooms. Belle glad they
are gone had them 4 days with boys
8 horse power and the homliest dirtiest
lot of men I ever saw

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Sunday 17
A pleasant day looks like
rain after we get the breakfast work
done and beds made. Charley goes over
to brophys point for nuts. Joe said no
one to get my bill he has a hundred qts.
The girls and Charles junior went along &
picked some from their one tree by
their garden. I read most all day
and time passes on.
Monday 18 Sept 1899
The warmest september
day I ever remember as hot as August
and no wind. Charley threshing for Brown.
Marjorie, Beatrice, Irene & Charles Jr at school.
Belle done (and me too) lot of talking
to day about several things. Belle makes
her catsup (tomato) 30 bottles; fine gave
me a bottle, and peppers. After school
Bill goes away down towards the river where they have
a garden and brings potatoes, great yellow cucumbers
for sweet pickles and water melons. R
going to [?] over her head
expecting her intentions of picking all the nuts.
[print faded - illegible]

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Tuesday 19 Sept 1899
Awoke this morning to
find the rain pouring but I’m going
Cityward all same so after breakfast V
and I start for the villiage driving Bess
over the mudy roads and through the rain.
Call at Griffins and order Bess shod forward
drive to Costello’s and round to the back door
as here we alright and proceed in doors
and are very cordialy received by Mr and
Mrs Costello. Mr C cares for the horse, and
Mrs C invites us to a hot cup of coffee and a
substantial lunch of toast, bread & butter, cake,
grapes &c. Afterwards admiring the paneling of her
rooms, the flowers, the antics of her kittens
when the pierpont arrives at landing and we
go on board through a wind and rain and after
a few minutes proceed to the lower regions of
the domicil of the cook where we are invited
to another breakfast but decline with thanks,
Arrive in Kingston and is [illegible]
Proceed to the market for tomatoes, [illegible]
70 to 80 cts per bushel we dont buy. next go to [illegible]
from there to Haines and Pocket where Bell buys a
pair of rubbers and then to the bank where she gets
[?] cashed for $25 dollars and then to [illegible]
dentist where we wait two hours for customer [illegible]
sit in dentist chair and bare all my teeth pulled out
but one [illegible]

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Wednesday 20 Sept 1897
Awoke this morning to
find the rain tumblng down in great
force: all the same I’m going home after
breakfast. Charley hitches Bess before the
buggy and Bell and I pack my articles
onions, tomatoes & aggate [sic: agate] ware and other
duds and I bid Bell & children good
bye and drive out the big gate. Bess very
ambitious when she found she was headed
for home but stoped her trot before reaching
the school house and walked every step of
way home like going through porridge,
roads all water and mud. Passed several
milk wagons on the road and children going
to school. Wind North and chilly. I arrive
home at 1/2 past 11 am. Waited at the gate
till Maud ran up to open gate to
let Bess through: found Grace washing and
found that I had left all my summer savoy
and peppers at Bells but I am so glad to
get home. Willie away up the Island threshing
for darkie Wells. Charley Halliday gone to
the city to day. Afternoon I wash dishes and
cook tomatoes for catsup and Jen and Wall Niles
came and Grace gone to Evelines to see about the
pickles and Hubert & Maud came bringing Eveline back.

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Thursday 21 Sept 1897
The same old thing
get out at four am. Arthur catches tons
and Grace loads in more baskets than
usual. A basket of butter for us and one for
Eveline, a basket of crab apples for Mabel G,
a basket of apples for Nellie Grey and Arthur going
home to visit for the day carying [sic] a small basket of
apples and nuts to his little sister Florrie.
Maud drives them to the dock. Afterward
Maud and I milk cows in stable.
I scratch around and get a little wood
to start fire when Will and Charlie
come over & Will chops wood enough
to last all day. Maud feeds hogs and
I send Maud to Jen’s for fruit strainer
and to Aunt Ruths for vinegar and
make 10 bottle of tomato catsup. Maud
milked all the cows at evening. Will
came over and fixed the strap to harness
and drove to dock for Grace and her things.
Grace today paid in office Kirk and
Rod $106 dollars $7,40 cts to Rathbun
Co 10 to McDowel. sold the butter 11
pounds on Market, bought all her own groceries
& other things sold Eveline butter and bought more
groceries and things. bought all Jens. Hubert
called on Nellie went up to G’s ate her
and super on the Pierpont. Shell & Jen then
went up to day. Shell says she (Shell) is very
proud Oh my

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Friday 22 Sept 1894
A very fine day. Grace
goes to Evelines to make mustard
pickles carrying all kinds of spices,
onions and vinegar. Hubert & Muriel
came up for their groceries, sugar, tea
& spices. After a while Muriel came
back for Maud to go with her to Sam’s
for vinegar but they had none for
her and were sorry for Aunt Ruth had
let me have all they had to spare so
I sent them up to Mrs Niles but she
has none. A very good outlook
three great orchards Niles, Bamfords and
Woodmans, and barrels of cider made from
the three orchards every fall and not vinegar
enough among the trio to make pickles.
I suppose the barrels leaked at the tap.
Oh well cider is more proffitable [sic: profitable] than
vinegar, cant drink vinegar very well and
cider slips down very easily. Well I told Muriel
if they could not get any from Rube, Grace
and Eveline may have the vinegar I am keeping
for cucumber catchup. Arthur brings in 6 eggs
which makes over 10 dozen laid down
for winter. I make pumkin pies and use two
eggs for pies. I wrote a letter to V and one to Sr.
Evening mail Whig, Family Herrald, two from England, News of the World
and comic, a letter from Voltie, one from Bob, postal from

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[Page has faded making many words illegible, these will be indicated with a #]
Saturday 23
Wind north and cool but a very pleasant day. After
breakfast Arthur hitches up Bess and
Grace drives to Rubes for vinegar and
then to Evelines to finish making mustard pickles.
I send Maud and Arthur for hickory nuts
and grapes, down by the cedars and I do
up the dishes, # milk, churning &c. I
look out the kitchen window—and a
cow in here making straight for the orchard.
I drive her out, dog gone after nuts too
soon take another peep out; cows all in
the road, and then go on Niles’ meadows. I cant
go for them. When Willie came back from driving grain
to dock, stops and drives them off their meadow then
up the road they go; some one dogs them back to
the # then Samy dogs chase them down the
road then I go for Arthur and Arthur and
Prince dog them home again and I continue down
to the nut trees. A fine harvest of nuts if only gathered.
Arthur comes home to feed all the hogs, but couldnt
Maud gets dinner. M make a discovery, that Grace
in our abscence [sic: absence] has been home and carried off our
three 1 gallon crocks. Arthur and Maud were still #
had been here till they furthermore discovered a small bag of #
and a lot of geranium cuttings for flower pots soon after #
comes home bringing the three jars filled with beans and #
off the grapes and puts them in layers with sugar & pickles and a
[remainder illegible]

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Sunday 24 Sept 1899
A rainy morning. Wind
South and blowing didn’t get up
this morning till nearly 7 am. No fire
in stove: no wood & first thing done
cleaned out fire place and ash, pm
then skimmed all the milk remaining
in cellar; by this time my precious family
were well out of bed. Arthur fed the hogs.
Grace went to milk. Maud & I went
after apples, through the orchard, the
wind blew down about 2 bushels of
all kinds then I choped wood &
built fire. Grace came in and got breakfast.
I washed pans and strained milk. Grace
cleaned up the nut shucks from the
floor (over a bushel). Grace and Maud washed
dishes. Raining pouring, wind blowing the
leaves from the trees ground covered wtih
falling leaves like November. I suppose
we will not have any visitors to day.
I think Grace & Maud are gone to bed have
not seen any thing of them in two hours. Arthur
shucking nuts most all day, fire in stove
gone out. One Oclock pm. Wallace

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Monday 25
Tuesday 26

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25
Wednesday 27
Thursday 28

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Friday 29
Saturday 30

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22
Sunday 1
Monday 2

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23
Tuesday 3
Wednesday 4

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24
Thursday 5
Friday 6

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Friday 6 Oct 1899
A fine day warm as
June, colored carpet rags and
was sitting on the veranda sewing
and winding balls. She brought the
summer savory. I left them at her house and
pepper and beans and Graces handkerchief
and citrons.
Saturday 7 Oct 1899
Grace and Bell gathering
nuts and apples and grapes.
Bell picked the grapes for me.
A beautiful day warm and lovely
weather.

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26
Sunday 8 Oct 1899
A very fine day Belle
and Grace drive to Wellies to make a
visit leaving Charles Junior here, they
staid till 3 pm and then came back
& Bell loaded up and went home—
pumpkins, squash, apples, hickory nuts,
&c &c. We had a rooster for dinner.
Monday 9 Oct 1899
A beautiful day. Will & Jen and Charley went
to the bay for kerosine, we sent
for 6 gallons oil is 12 cts per gallon.

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Tuesday 10 Oct 1899
A fine warm day
Wednesday 11 Oct 1899
A beautiful day warm and
clear. Grace, Arthur and Maud gathered
apples 3 barrels. Willie came in
evening from threshing & cleaned up
two bags of wheat for mill. Arthur
helping with Lantern then Wellie
carried his bag to the dock in the dog cart
and put our bag in the buggy.

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Muriel went to Kingston. I colored rags.
Thursday 12 Oct 1899
A beautiful warm
day arise at 4 am. Arthur drives to the
wharf with Grace. Maud sweeps, makes all
the beds, cleans floors and after dinner we
three drive to Evelines for pumpkins and
coming home I stop at Wills sending Arthur
home with buggy. Maud & I quarrel and so
Maud walks home. Charley and Jen bringing
water from the river to get supper. The boat comes in
late on account of the Marysville fair.
Friday 13 Oct 1899
A very warm day
sun bright, weather hazy. I write
to Voltie. Grace sewing and doing
housework. Arthur gathering apples
and nuts. Hawk catching our
chickens in the orchard.
No letters from any one.

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27
Saturday 14 Oct 1899
Saturday is a beautiful
fine warm day wind South, grass growing
fresh and green. Washed towels.
Maud went over to Wills to gather
autumn leaves to press. Cloudy towards
eve with a little rain. Jen came over in eve
to learn to point lace & Charley and Will came too.
Sunday 15 Oct 1899
A beautiful warm day while
still but the leaves are falling.
Maud goes to Evelines and to church.
Grace goes to bed. Irene does the
work. But Grace poor girl has to
get most all the wood, we are thankful
for the fine warm weather for we
dont require much wood.

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30
Monday 16
A clear fine day
and warm as June. Jen came over
to get sewing done, night gowns and
night caps full of complaints about
the neighbors, wants to move but cant.
Tuesday 17 Oct 1899
A clear bright day wind
south, blowing at a gale. I write to Wills.
Maude & I gather hickory nuts in the
grove, a pail full. Grace sewing
after dinner. I spend the afternoon
unsnarling and winding a skein
of carpet warp.

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Wednesday 18 Oct 1899
A very fine day
rained in the night, barrel 1/2
full of water. Wind South. Maud
got tooth ache - churned, pared apples,
to dry. Grace carried the carpet balls
and warp to Mrs Niles and then drove
to Wellies for the pickles but couldn’t bring
them home in buggy. Will, James & crossed
the cross cut saw and then went to W’s
to thresh. Willie threshing for Morgan.
Grace knitting petticoat trimmings.
Shell Niles, Wills youngones drawing
their cattle to the concession to water
A beautiful warm month of nights
and the river like a mirror.

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Thursday 19 Oct 1899
A very fine day. Wind South Thanksgiving
day throughout Canada. Arthur drove me
over to Wills had a fine dinner &
after dinner Mrs Morgan came
and Mrs M & the children and
myself went back in the brush
for bitter sweet berries. To decorate
the house at Christmas time.
I colored some carpet rags for
Jen and we stayed to tea and
such a grand meal I dont get every
day. There was mashed potatoes
done in cream and butter, stewed
chicken & briskets stuff & gravy, rolls &
peach preserves, bread & butter, cookies,
jelly cake, and muffin ring cakes, and
chow chows, cream and tea,—before supper
we had wine & cake which spoiled
my appetite. Mr Morgan after dark
came for the Mrs and Arthur came for
I didn’t know as I was sure of a good
nights rest after eating so much but
but I took a big dose of soda water
and went to bed and slept the sleep
of the just & the righteous without any
consequences.

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33
Friday 20
Saturday 21

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34
Sunday 22
Monday 23

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35
Tuesday 24
Wednesday 25

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35
Thursday 26
Friday 27

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Charley with two masks
an Irishman & a negro
October 31st Tuesday 1899
A cloudy morning beginning to
rain. Rains nearly all day and
rains so much at evening, we
don’t send Arthur for the
mail. Grace does the ironing
and gets wood for night
She and Arthur fills the
wood box. Welly finished
threshing for Rattray to day.
The party at Wellingtons
must prove a failure and
Briben cant come for Mary
to take her to the party.
Irene picks the last of the annuals (flowers)
for Grace to take to her friends in Kingston.
Rained so hard in evening. Arthur did not
go for mail till morning.

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40
Wednesday 1 Nov 1899
A cold rainy day preparing
again for market churned and make
13 lbs butter in evening, dress 4 fowl for
market. Grace cleans chamber
Arthur goes for mail and get seven letters
2 from V, one from Sr, one from r.G. one
from Bernard one from Johny one from Laura
John writes that Mrs Lindley has a paralytic stroke.
Thursday 2 Nov 1899
Rise at 4 am
get Grace’s breakfast put up the fowls in basket (the
flowers and butter in basket last night) and
Arthur drives to dock. A cold morning and a
cold day We did not know what we could do for
wood but Arthur filled the wood box full
as high as it could be piled and plenty of chip
at night. Arthur drove to dock for Grace but
she didn’t return, but sent a note that she
going to stay all night in Kingston to do her
shopping tomorrow, she sent home two rockers
and the parlor cutains. Grace send word
that she will come down with the mail.

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41
Friday 3 Nov 1899
Awake this morning to find Grace
gone but we pass a very pleasant
day. Cloudy towards night looks like
rain. Maud and Arthur hurry evening
and get the chores done early. Arthur helped
wash the dishes and then at 7 pm away
they go with the lantern clear and brightly
burning for Grace and the mail and Irene
and the dogs are left alone. They are gone
a long time. I peer out in the darkness
to see the lantern or hear some friendly sound
or more lanterns flitting up and down the
road chasing each other from the church
down to our barn like a will o the wisp
having a ghostly dance. Ten oclock
when they come and for a wonder Grace
was with them but they were obliged
to run for the rain began pouring
down the walk.

43
42
long behind time on account
of Miss Obrien stopping at
the ferry for music lesson. Mrs
Obrien stoped at the ferry to have
her leg doctored, she broke a bone
in her ankle two weeks or more ago
climbing apple trees the fat old fool.
She went once this summer to St. Anne
shrine for some sort of a "complaint".
She was mad because Grace wanted
a passage home with them said the
horse couldn’t carry Grace & Min. Oh no
but the same horse could drag Min
and the Old "Rhinoceras" to the villiage.
Well Grace bought her dress and
other fixings at Steaceys
At 11 pm we went to bed
forgot to say Wellie came up
and drew us some wood from
below the cedars, knocked out
old cedars stumps &c
All our young folks were in
the road playing
tag each with a lantern.

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43
Saturday 4 Nov 1899
It is well for us all Grace included
that Grace came down with the mail
for the rain is a steady downpour
all day, but we have wood and
pass the day very comfortably.
We didn’t hurt ourselves with work
to day. Grace arranged the parlor and
put up the new curtains. Evening time
Will & Charley came over with the new
books, Will is agent for very fine
books; wish we could buy them.

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Sunday 5 Nov 1899
Raining this morning but
clears away so Maud goes to Sabath
school and quarterly meeting. A.K.. goes
too and Sunday peace and quietness
has come to stay for a couple of
hours. I write to Dick Brown and
Grace goes upstairs and to bed
just before dark. Frank Woodman
A.K. = Arthur Knapp

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Monday 6 Nov 1899
A fine Monday wind S.W. Grace
done big washing while I sewed
another ball of hit and miss. Charley
came over for X cut, it is down to Wellie.
Wants to borrow steelyards it is down
to Wellies. Wants to borrow a spool of
white thread No. 40. He got it. Wants
(if I have it to spare) 18 lbs of flour which
they are owing Mr. Niles. He says trade
the flour on a half bushel of beans which
we bought of Will a while ago and which
they have already had 32 lbs. So after
dinner I weigh the flour (sent A for steelyard)
18 lbs and Maud & I with flour and a
quart of kerosine (which we owe Mrs Niles)
and a ball of carpet rags & proceed to
the Niles mansion where we
find Mrs N.

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working our carpet having
at last got Mary Woodmans carpet
out of the loom.
32 lbs flour
18 lbs flour
= 50 lbs flour is I
guess enough for 1/2 bushel of beans.
Evening sunset clear and fine with
a new moon 2 days old some what
cold and not much wood
so go to bed early. Wellie to day
sold old red cow and the yearling
bull & Molly.

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Tuesday 7 Nov. 1899
A fine day. Wind South
but cool; not much wood in the box this
morning but Arthur had picked up
a good lot of chips so we got our
breakfast all right. Arthur mad because
he had to milk and hit the cow with
the milking stool. That was worse than
pounding the cow stable door with a club
last Saturday morning because it could not
stay open on account of wind blowing it
shut as fast as Artimus opened it
but he soon got all right again and
borrowed Mr Woodmans milk waggon to draw
gravel to put around the door. Irene raked
off the yard and moved the plants
into her bedroom. Maud learning to
sew on machine. Grace went out to
get wood for night when Wellie drove in
here and chopped wood. The sunsets
bright and clear.

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Wednesday 8 Nov 1899
A beautiful day warm
sunbright but hazy, grass growing green. I
write to Voltie. Wills, Wellie saws down and
splits the ash tree and stayed to dinner and Charley
too. After dinner Arthur borrowed uncle Sams
milk cart and drew more gravel and then drew
the ash wood. Maud cleaned pantry and
kitchen floor. Grace done housework, churned
and pack butter &c
Thursday 9 Nov 1899
Arose at 1/2 4. Irene
going to Kingston. Arthur drove to the
dock, morning being very dark & foggy,
burning a lantern all the way, found only lantern
on the dock which was Wellie’s.
A great lot of freight to be carried
aboard, cheese, pork, grists, apples, eggs, butter
and the neighbours gathered around. Boat came
late from Gananoque on account of fog.
Pierpont blew the whistle at intervals all the
way from our dock to Kingston arrived
there at 11 am. Went directly to the

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49
post office but found I could
not get the order cashed for it was
in Grace’s name but it was all
right with the dentist, gave him the
order which he accepted for Grace
to sign next Thursday.
Thursday 30 Nov 1899
A long time since I
have written in my diary many
events have transpired but am thankful
to write "Nothing very alarming except
that Mrs Catherine Rattray is very sick
and not expected to live long. She
is afflicted with a cancer. Grace’s
dressmaker has come and gone this
morning through the dark and
rainy November morning—had to
carry a lantern to find the way to

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50
the wharf. During the present month
we have a plowing bee, 8 teams and
their drivers. The neighbours were good
to help us. Charley Woodman, Frank Woodman,
Robert Reid, Percy Gillespie,
Welly & Jack Niles & Herbert Dignam
& Geo McDonel. Welly
and Will butchered for us a week
ago. Sold one hog and salted
the other. We have not suffered for
fires yet. Grace bought one bag
of coal which lasted a week.
The weather has been unusually
warm all through the month of
November. The cows getting a
good feed of grass every day,
only one fall of snow which

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51
did not last long. Rob Ranous
and a Miss McMullen were married
this month and a son born
for Mr & Mrs George Morgan Jr.
Jen had a quilting but I
could not attend but she had
most of her relatives from off
the foot of the Island, the Micheas
& Gillespies and Nesbits and
Mrs. W.H. Woodman & Mrs Frank Woodman.
My mouth been sore all month
cutting teeth so late in life does
not agree with me very well
but "They Say" I’ll get used to
them. Hope so. Frank Bamford
and Jim Maloney came for school tax
on Lindas 85 cts paid and receipted.
Frank came over again and went to Kingston.

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Mrs Niles wove our carpet which
by the help of Will and Welly we
stretched over the dining room floor
and under the coal stove. I colored
rags for Jen violet, green, and
red. Ought to have answered
Bernard Morgans letter but
never have up to the present date.
Sent Johny letters & new papers
but no returning answer yet.
Will Ranous and wife have
adopted a baby. Did not receive
any letter from Voltie Tuesdays
mail and am disappointed.
Wellie came to day and chopped us
wood & Arthur & Maud picked
up some from away down below the
cedars on goose point so we are well
fortified against the weather for a time.

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55
Friday 1 December 1899
This is the first day of the last
month of the year 1899 and not
a very pleasant day, barometer falling
but not very cold day. Grace sewing.
I chop mince meat & apples and "stone raisons".
Grace sewing all day. Evening pleasant
in door but rainy dark & windy outside. Arthur
mad & refused to go to bed but we
manage to get him started at last.
Will went up the Island this morning canvassing
for subscribers for his new books.
Wellie gone to Rattrays butchering
3 hogs for George R came home at
3 pm. Our mail came late tonight.
We received two letters from Voltie, the
latest date 27 Nov one from RG
one from W.F.W. but none from
Wells Sr. The Whig, Montreal Star,
Christian Guardian &
Christian Herald.

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Saturday 2nd Dec 1899
A dirty rainy morning but
not cold. Wind S. Wellie came
up and chopped us a lot of wood.
Maud washed a few things and
cleaned pantry and kitchen floor,
sent Arthur to Mrs Niles to buy
10 cts worth of vinegar. Wallace
sent me a gallon of vinegar
but would not take pay for it.
Wall is a good generous boy.
I prepared the mincemeat
already for pies. Grace made
cookies and sewed. Wallace
made us a short visit in pm.
Gave Wellie a bottle of homemade
wine and some candy for the
children all I had to give. Hubert
brought me some sour krout
which is a feast indeed. A
windy squally night. Grace, Arthur
and Maud go after dark and bring
in all the clothes from the line.

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wringing wet. Arthur as
usual put the dogs in the barn
but our noble prince managed
to get out and whined and barked
and fought other dogs all night
in the door yard & barn yard.
And I sat up till 9 oclock pm
reading the history and origin of
dogs, their education and training.
Their good & bad traits of characters
of all kinds and sort of dogs
mastiffs and curs, blood hounds,
collies, newfoundlands, St Bernards,
Esquimoux, deer hounds, fox hounds,
grey hounds, bull dogs &c &c &c
and then I was anoyed by the dogs
all night and several other
nights previous. If I was in
command I’d keep no dogs &
tiny is a bird yip yip to get
out & yip yip to get in who hears

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Sunday 3rd December 1899
A quiet half cloudy day,
not cold, grass green and
growing. A most remarkable
autumn for fine weather thanks
be to God. Will came over awhile
said he came home long after
dark last night, footed it all
the way from the villiage. He
stayed all night friday with
Belle’s family & has has 20 subscribers.
Bell takes 2 books. Grace
has gone over to Wills to dinner
and from there to Evelines. Flora &
Ethel came over to visit Maud &
Arthur went over to visit Charley.
Maud hung the clothes on the line this
morning then went to Church
evening. Maud & Arthur gone down
to Wellies both lasted to come

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some cutter. Grace and I am alone
[???????]
Monday 4 December 1899
Awoke this morning to find
the ground covered with snow
and not much wood and
no coal but we are well.
I build fire in kitchen stove.
I mend Arthurs sweater and
pants and mend stockings.
Arthur twisted the ring out of
the stove hearth with a stick
which he ought to have laid
to his back. always breaking
something. Wellie came up
and got wood for us. Wellie’s
got a bad cold. Grace fixing
a dress for Maud & Maud is
ironing all the clean clothes. Cloudy
all day looks like more snow but
not very cold. Wellie Sr came

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then rapped loudly on the
door and I bawled out "come in"
and the door was reluctantly opened
by some one and behold! our
old gentleman presented
himself life size and though
we were looking for him each
day for a week, he came rather
unexpectedly at last but none
the less welcome. Grace & Maud
flew around and soon prepared
a hot meal as he had not
broken his fast since leaving
Watertown at 8 Oclock pm.
Well we sat up till 11 Oclock
talking

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Tuesday 5 December 1899
A cold morning. frost on window
and snow on the ground
and a dark threatening
horizon, but awake to find
one of our dear absent ones
safely at home and I am glad.
The day passes uneventfully away
with the usual rotine of getting
the three meals and making a
few mince pies. Grace sewing for
Maud. Arthur choring around.
We hope to get a letter from
V to night and K9 too. Wells
went over the river to Van’s for
his trunk. Wellie went with him
rowed back through a snow storm
No letters from Voltie nor from K9

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Wednesday 6 December 1899
A lovely morning the
snow over a foot deep on the
level and snowing as hard
and fast as ever it can fall.
Every tree, and branch, & twig
and bush, and shrub covered
and loaded down with snow.
the every barn and house roof
covered deep in snow. We shoveled
enough snow from the coal box
cover to fill the tank and kettles
with pure snow water - the trees
and shrubery are beautiful in
their dress of pure white the
river is obscured weird
misterious veil of falling snow.
Arthur out door wading in snow
to his waist after cattle and
horses and he thinks it is great
fun while not a beauty.

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61
wind disturbs the scene, all
nature stands motionless except
fast falling snow not very warm
not very cold. P.M. the storm partly clears
the sun shines fair and clear, a slight
wind sends the snow tumbling from
the trees, soon clouds over again.
Wells Sr put on his every day
attire and prepared for the battle of
domestic care. firstly he put
Jess in stable but young Jess he could
not manage for she has not been
broken to the halter and is wild so
she ran around barn and cantered
& bounded across the fields of snow
at will. Then Sr put all the young stock
in the stables, choped wood, brought
water, fed cows, brought his old cutter
out, hitched Bess up and drove
down the road and over to dock
(or near there) found the snow so deep
couldn’t get through. Grace sewing all
day for Maud. Arthur shoveled
snow paths to barn and river
Irene churned made 7 prints for market.

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cooked and washed dishes. Charley
came over to see his uncle Wells
to pay his respects a complimentary
visit. Maud cleaned kitchen floor
&c &c &c and so ends the day
and we go early to bed for we
must arise betimes 4 O’clock.
Grace & Sr going to the City
Thursday 7 December 1899
Arose at 4 this morning
bustled around and got breakfast
for all hands; very dark morning and
cloudy. Arthur went to the
dock to drive the team back carrying
a lantern. Will came home last night
from a canvassing tour, walking through
the snow. The snow this morning
is sticking to the lower branches of
all the trees. Uncle Sam’s orchard
looks ghostly in its dress of white.
Maud is writing to her papa
would very much to know where Voltie is now
a long time since he went from there

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Arthur whistles and sings so much it is
tiresome and disgusting. Make and fry
cakes and melt snow to wash clothes.
Wells Jr has a tough time getting wood
for stove. It would be a fine—a satisfying
move, to move into the woods. Ah a man
that has to be always on the watchful for
fuel morning noon and night.
"Well, I’ll have to look around somewhere
today and get some wood: dont hardly know
where I’m going to get it." 3 Oclock pm
growing colder. Wind N.W. freezing looks
dark and stormy and winter is here
in earnest after all our recent warm days
and green fields, and Arthur our little
man of all work digs some oak limbs
from under the snow and bravely chops
wood enough to fill the wood box then
brings water for night after melting
snow enough to fill the tank and boiler
so we can wash the clothes tomorrow, milks
4 cows and fills their stanchions and waters
horses & cows, feeds 5 pigs and then brings
Bess to the dock for Grace and her father
and Arthurs boots are not good but

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have holes and his feet
are wet and cold—a pair
of Volties old boots he left
home last spring, poor Arthur.
I’m sorry for him, for he is so
uncomplaining. Maud swept
and straightened the rooms.
We made fried cakes and mince
and apple pie and sauce for
supper. Arthur drives to dock
for Sr & Grace, snow drifted in
roads, Sr walked home all right
but foot sore, had supper all
ready.

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cooked & washed all the dishes
Wells kindled a coal fire which brought on
cheers and warms all the room
and the hearts of all the family.
Evenings mail, a letter from Laura Joslin,
2 from Voltie, "Herald
& Star", "Whig", "Christian Guardian"
War news is that the Dutch are
whipping the "Dickens out of the
English" good for Uncle "Paul".
Beat them back old man. Dont
let the Englishers enroach [sic: encrouch] into
your little Republic and rob you
of your country & homes and gold
mines and diamonds. They already
own enough of this Earths surface, much
more than they can keep clean
There is a darkest England as well
as a darkest Africa

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Saturday 9 December 1899
A bright day. So went to the
villiage for coal, drove Jess & Bess
This first time Jess been in
harness since last May and
she thought because she had
not been in harness so long that
she was superanuated and balked
accordingly and as Bess dont like
to drive double there was war declared
instantly. But we soon brought
them around all right and they
drove home a load of coal at
night. Sr had 4 shoes set on
Bess and called at Charlies going &
coming. We churned, put the clothes
all on the line, cleaned floors and
swept all the rooms and done general
house work. Will came in the evening with his
Canvassing Book, left it here for Sr inspection
and then went to Niles to meet Jen and Charlie
who have preceeded him.

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Sunday 10 December 1899
Weather moderate cloudy
wind S, clothes out on the line,
dry enough to be gathered in. Wells Sr
reading "Herald and Montreal star". Arthur
poking his mouth full of pop corn.
Grace reading while Maud combs Jens
hair. The house quiet no sound except
the ticking of the clock and Arthur munching
pop corn. Never since Arthur came
here, have I ever seen him take a
book in hand to read. I think
he hates books as a cat does water.
I suppose I ought to write Watson
and Bernard. I’m sometimes tired
of writing to [ ?] of my own family
Wells examined Wills books. Will came
over & stays a while. Wells promises
to take a book. hope he will.
Our turkeys this morning are gone
Cont tell

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68
Monday 11 December 1899
Arose at 6 a m Wind south
raining, snow nearly gone
all mud. Was going to wash
but rains heavy so finished writing
to Miss Watson. Wells Sr fixing
up around the barn. Arthur
puttering around. Grace ironing.
Maud washes dishes and
helps cook. Irene make mince and
apple pie. V will be at home in
less than 9 days. A long winter
before - us hope it will be a pleasant
one. 1 pm sun shining out
from behind a dark rain cloud.
Charley brought Jens coloring
for me to do - but, cant color to
day.

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Tuesday 12 December 1899
rained all last night; snow
all gone not a sign of snow
any where. The flat this side of
Consession covered with water.
Wind on the rampage all the
time. Only wish Voltie was here.
I color for Jen and send a
letter to Watson Otawa.
Grace sewing, Wellie didnt come
up to day. He started to go to get
wood from the north shore (Me and
Will) but the wind and rain
coming on they turned back again.
No letters to night only one from
Helen Watson, none from Voltie
or Robert. Will’s book co sent him
a letter adressed Rev WC Dixon
Oh the days are lonely enough

71
Wednesday 13 December 1899
The month is slowly passing
day after day goes by and
Voltie does not come yet. We heard
from him up till the sixth of December
7 days ago, expected a letter last night
but was disappointed. Wind blowing
fiercely from SW - churned and
made out butter for market and
washed dishes. Grace fried cakes and
helped around the house. Maud
puttered around too. Grace up
last night at two fixing R.R.R.
for Maud for she has got the belly
ache. Oh this is a stormy month
of wind snow and rain. The ground
as bare as June and grass is green
since the snow went off. The cows
and horses can pick their living
out in the fields. I think

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Geo Niles has come home - just
now saw a man with a long overcoat
go up along the shore to Niles.
The wind is howling and Grace is
gone down to Wellie’s: another
dark squall arising in the South.
The clouds are blue black like ink.
Voltie wrote he would come home
before the 20 December or about
that time. Sr fixing fence all day,
he cant find things: he cut the
rib and I have it cooking in the
pot. The white cap waves are chasing
each other today, while the river is
is blue, green & purple & mud color
along the shore. Wind blew a
half gale all last night.
Cant get any trace or word of our
turkeys. Grace went down to visit Irene and
cheer her up a bit & carried her a bag of dough
nuts. brought back a pail of pickles. Arthur
went down in eve to accompany Grace home

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Thursday 14 December 1899
Arose at 4 am. Sr kindled
the kitchen fire. (The fire in coal
stove went out Tuesday night).
I got breakfast for all hands.
Arthur drove to dock. ground
frozen some in night. Cloudy
wind north but not heavy,
snow lightly falling. Arthur
thought he would get Maud
out to milk but failed.
Charlie came over to get subscribers
for good litterature but I have
no money & never do have
any. Evening Arthur drove
to dock came back bringing Bob
G with him leaving Sr to
walk with Will & Voltie. Wellie
Sr stoped at Wills and we

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waited a long time for Sr to
come and at last sat down to
the table when they, Wells & Will
came in with each a bottle
sticking out of their pocket
and very funny. It is
surprising how foolish men
can talk when drunk. Silly
senceless twaddle. Old Jim
Barrie came to All of Bery’s to night,
came down on the boat this pm
RG said V would soon be home.
Ill be sure when I see him
walking in
Friday 15th 1899
A clear cold bright day frost
on the north window in kitchen.
A heavy fall of snow last night
wind blowing and snow drifting.
Sr drove to the dock for hog feed
and lumber Arthur, Will & Willie

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went too. Arthur in Marts old
overcoat which comes clean
to his heels and Sr old muffler
on. Nellie sent her
Christmas offerings last night
and I received a letter from
V mailed from Sault Ste
Marie Dated 9 December 6
days ago. Nelly sent a small
Christmas token to Belle and Jen
but nothing to Eveline who
has done so much for her

76
Saturday 16th December 1899
A cold morning river steaming
snow on ground.
Afternoon warmer those
picture frames came to day
came rushing in with an old
womans picture in frame
said it was mine. The picture
looks like the d—l in distress
I am disgusted that I was
such a fool as to patroning
such sharpers. Grace paid
them for the daub $200 it will
do all right framed on a horse
collar and {bring, being ?] for the stable
to —— Wish V was home

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Grace is cooking for the
preacher who is going to
dine dine tomorrow with
the Bamford family.
Im sorry it is going to
thaw. Wish Voltie would come
Sunday 17th 1899 December
Wind South, raw, chilly
day. A night thaw. Maud went
to church. Cloudy weather.
His Reverence dined with
us today. fine good man
He got a cold. gave him
a couple of lemons to make hot
drink for his cough on going to
bed. he said he had always
drank hot buttermilk for cold

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but I thought lemons would
be better. Said he had drunk
some hot whiskey once by
mistake. I said it wouldnt
hurt him any. B.G. asked
the preacher to marry him.
next Thursday at two Oclock.
Wish V would come. Oh lord
why dont he come!
It didnt choke Bob any
to ask his reverence in
my presence to tie the knot
but he came very near choking,
he blushed and stamered like
a school boy.

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Monday 18 Decenber 1899
Walls Sr and and R.G.
went to the city to day
and Jen went up. Drove
over for her this morning.
I wash the clothes and Grace
puts them on the line to
dry. W Sr comes just after
dark bringing Bella home
with him and Jim came and
we all had my dinner together.
Will and Charley came over &
go home with Jen. Didn’t
bring in the clothes. Wells
brings wine, brandy, club
whiskey and old rye. Lemons,
bananas, grapes, oranges, mixed
nuts and onetionary by the
quart. Bell brought the
ladies cake which she had
made three weeks before.

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Tuesday 19 December 1899
Awoke this morning to find
the snow all gone but a patch
here & there and clothes flapping
in the rain. Went and pinned down
them on line the best we could
and Bell baked for the wedding
and frosted the cake. Voltie
dont come, got discouraged
and went to bed had been abed
about 10 minutes when Grace came
to the bedroom door and said
"Voltie is here." Well I never
will say how rejoyced I was
to know that Voltie was home
again after 8 long weary months
gone on the lakes. He had crossed
the river in a punt but claims
the flat covered with water up at the

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Wednesday 20 December 1899
A very fine day. Voltie & Wellie
go over river for Volties trunk
and tow Geo Lidy’s punt home
and Voltie drives to the villiage
taking Belle and Katheleen
home leaving Grace Junior
behind. Tis long after dark
when they start for the drive up
the island and wind blowing sharp
from the South so they carry
lantern which leaks oil and goes
out. Stop at Archie Barrys and
bring a lantern. Roads all mud
arrive at Charlie’s at 11 p.m. Sat
up late to prepare the family for
tomorrow’s wedding. Voltie stays all
night at Belle’s. Belle set the
table before going home

82
Thursday 21st December 1899
Arose at the usual hour
find the weather very fine but
not a flake of snow to be seen
any where. This is Graces wedding
morning and we expect Charlie
and family here by nine O’clock.
They came at ten O’clock am, 8 of
them before Belle, came Jen to
help carve and cut. Next came Will,
Charlie & Flora. Then Wall Niles
abd Shell Niles. Then Wm G
Woodman & family, 6 of them.
Next came the Reverend Mr Wase.
Then Carl brought a load
from Kingston, Bob’s father
and mother, Mr & Mrs Gaskin,
Mrs Charlton and Bob himself.
Then Albert Charlton groomsman,
May Wormworth bride’s maid
Next two of Bobs cousins

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Dunlop and Gowdy then
Voltie and Laura Davis and
last came Muriel. Geo Niles
& Wellie, Eveline and the two
little boys. Hubert & Clyde
although invited didnt come.
Came nearly forgetting Henry
Holliday & Bessie Gibson.
Geo Niles had to go to Kingston
to get him a suit of clothes for
he is going to marry Louise Dixon.
The presents were many and very
beautiful & costly. Well tis evening
and they are married and gone
on their "Lower" and

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87
Friday 28th December -99
Month nearly gone and
I have not written in this diary since
21st December. Wednes & Thursday snowing
fast and furious. ground snow covered
every where. Yesterday V & Sr went
to Kingston. Friday evening received a
letter from Grace & Bob Brooklyn.
Wednesday V & Junior butchered beef
for us and pork for Wells Jr. Jen came
over to day and I colored green for her carpet.
A letter or card from Nelly Guy she cant come down
to visit us; going away to Montana to marry
Brooks.

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Saturday 29 or 30th December 1899
Cold dismal weather; river steaming. Will
and Charley here. Wm going to Niles for
hen feed. Charley came for Jens green carpet rags
and butter milk. June prepared mincemeat
for pies and washed clothes, such as towels,
stockings, tablecloth. Maud done parlor,
dining room, and chamber & cleaned pantry
and kitchen floors. Evening terrible cold
and we all gather around the coal stove
in the dining room and enjoy a season
of conversation and reading ie Wells Sr, Voltie,
Maud, Arthur & "yours to command."
Sunday 31st December 1899
This is the last time or day 1899 will be written for
the year of A.D. while the Earth continues
on its orbit around the Sun. And another such a
day for storm. I do not remember since
my advent on Earth although may have
seen many like this one. Very
cold, snowing, blowing & drifting from
the North all day. V was going to drive down
for E and the children and call for his grandmother
but the storm prevented him. How dreary and cheerless
is the appearance of the landscape. The old St. Lawrence

86
89
seen through the storm looks dark and
frowning. We alone all day not a visitor.
Maud gets the tea and washes dishes.
Monday 1st of January 1900.
The weather is moderate this morning, not
nearly so cold but cloudy, the snow
gently falling. Volty drives down to Wellies
for Wellie and his family to spend celebrate this first
day of 1900. They came and had a
good time & went home at dark. We had
oysters, stew, and mince pie, beef & potatoes,
cheese, cookies, Christmas cake, hot buns &
butter, gravy &c &c. I think Eveline
enjoyed herself most thoroughly and
also the little ones. While Wellie & Voltie
employed their time in the shop making
a sleigh. This is election day sure. The
candidates for council are numerous. Geo
Gillespie, Snub Woodman, Tom Murphy,
Job Watts Briceland, Billy Card are a
few whom are striving with might &
main to secure the coveted & lucrative office
and also for the high honor of the
distinguished title "Councilor".

87
90
Tuesday 2nd Jan 1900
A snowy day. Voltie gone to
the villiage for coal. started early
Will going with him going to cross the
ferry to the city to look after his books.
I am sleepy. Sr. soldering old
tin slop pails. Arthur playing
in the kitchen with the dog.
Maud studying cook book.
3rd Jan 1900 Wednesday
Louise & Geo married at Ed Rattrays
Thursday
Shell came down in pm to learn embroidery
Friday Jan 1900
Sr went to villiage in Cutter sent
Belle been come county. Belle sent me
big piece of cheese, weather soft
Saturday
a most beautiful fine day
sun brilliant and warm & thawing. The
sun sets in dark cloud bank
Sunday 7 Jan 1900
A rainy dark
day wind South and blowing. ice all broken
and swept away by the heavy wind
lonely day I write to Edna Quinn

88
Tuesday 9 January 1900
Arose at 4 this morning for
Voltie is going to Kingston on the half past nine boat
and when returning will stop at the villiage dance
this evening and come home tomorrow morning

89
92

90
93

91
94
Friday 12 January 1900
A stormy day. Snow
falling fast and furious. Irene done washing
and hung them on the line. Maud done general
home work. Voltie working in the shop on sleigh.
Arthur at school. Wells Sr doing chores and building
fires, river again frozen over this morning.
Arthur at school.
Nelly Guy married this day
of our Lord 1900 at Montana USA
to one William Brooks, Oh dear
girls must be scarce in Montana and she
wanted a husband pretty bad to go so far.
Well Do hope she is happy & always will be.
Saturday 13 January 1900
A mild snowy day sun
peeping out between clouds now and then. Voltie working in
shop. Sr hitches up and drives to Geo for some tools to
make window sash. Maud cleans pantry & kitchen floors.
Will went to Kingston with G Niles Sr. Went about those
books but was again disapointed. No books at the express office.
Muriel came up to iron the calico patches Herbert came too.
Sent them home rejoicing with some patches. Hubert came too. Sent them home rejoicing
with some patches and their Auntie
Grace’s old bustle filled with apples. Arthur accompanies
them home. Sat up reading till 1/2 past 10 Oclock pm.
Maud ironed in the evening.

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Sunday 14 January 1900
A snowy day but not cold. After the
dishes are done Maud goes to Eveline’s to skate with Muriel
& Hubert. V & A follow after I had dinner nearly
ready when they return; they came up on the ice
but the snow is fast covering the ice which will soon spoil
the skating. All reading except Arthur who never reads anything.
Arthur feeds his part. We get tea after dark and go to bed
at 1/2 past nine Oclock after reading the War papers &
"beside the Bonnie Brier Bush". A lonesome day
wish Bob & Grace were here at home.
Monday 15 January 1900
cloudy. looks like snow or rain. hazy &
not very cold. James Michea died today of inflammation
of bowels. Poor boy. he leaves a wife & five children.
Arthur gone to school. Voltie working in shop on sleigh
has it nearly done. Irene patched Arthurs pants. Arthur & great
swearer, uses big oaths when outside the house. Will came
over to borrow soap and boiler; boiler at Juniors. Will saw Bob
and Grace on the Pierpoint. Will didn’t get his books yet.
Maud pottering around today. Maud experimenting in
the cake making. Arthur at school.

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Tuesday 16 Jan 1900
A cloudy day looks like snow.
I wash all the shirts and drawers
for our men and hang them on
the line. Voltie & Bob Reid go to
the dance at the villiage with Bobs
horse and Volties cutter and harness
and we are more lonesome than ever.
James Michea burried or laid in the vault
today. 82 rigs in the funeral procession
Arthur at school 1/2 day.
Wednesday 17th 1900
Arose at 7 pm when
just as we were getting breakfast. Voltie and
Bob Reid returned from the dance at
the villiage. After breakfast Bob & Voltie
went to bed and slept till half past
11 Oclock. Wellie came up. I didnt
do much work only tried to churn and
butter wouldn’t come so turned the
cream out into a pan and washed
the churn. Arthur at school. Irene darned
Arthurs mittens after dark.

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Thursday 18 January 1900
Arose at 7 a.m.
Weather changed to warm
wind South and thawing all day. Set tubs
under the eves & full of water in short time,
cloudy and looks like rain. Think the
snow will all go off again. Maud choped
apples and beef for mincemeat pies. Voltie choped
down one of the twin hickories on the flat for
wood and then cut another small tree in
cedars & from there went to Frank Woodmans
to bargain for hay. He did not return till
nearly one Oclock pm. We got an other dinner
for Voltie. I was afraid he had walked up on
the ice and droped through. no ice to walk
on any where. Arthur at school.

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Many a day has gone since then.
When one day to Kingston I had been
and as the Pierport was returning home
and standing by her dock alone I heard a sigh
and looking up what met my eye
Old Geo McKenzie ghost I swear
alone in the gangway standing there

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PHOTOMOUNT
PAMPHLET BINDER
Manufactured by
GAYLORD BROS, Inc.
Syracuse, N. Y.
Stockton, Calif.

97

This document would not be possible without the editorial contributions of the following
people:
Ann Hopkinson, shashathree, carol ann, Ella Deering, MaryV, Judi , 2alina, Ben W. Brumfield,
Giovanna Lim, Reagan MacMillan, Lisa Bremner, Sheila Hewett, and Queen’s University
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