In his ledgers my grandfather, Amos Claycomb, made an inventory at the end of the year. From 1917 to 1921 he lists a blind horse. I have never heard the story, but I’m surprised that he kept this horse. He farmed in Wayne, Nebraska.
There are two pages for each year. The horses are the first listed. I included both pages – there are interesting items on both pages.
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
Part one is here.
George picked Tom up at Martin in Sioux City A.M.
Opened our gifts – Tom George & I.
Went into hospital 10:30 A.M. and opened Amos’ gifts. Difficult for him to talk but when the phone call came about 11:20 A.M. he did very well & enjoyed it. Helen sent some dinner to him and he ate all the liver & oysters. With him in P.M. & eve. The phone call was a conference call with all his children – quite an event for 1958.
Amos about the same. Breathing difficult & speech some times.
Amos about the same but failing slowly.
Spent P.M with Amos and George came after me in eve when he asked for me. Hard for him to talk.
Nurse called about 11:20 A.M. Amos had taken turn for worse but he was gone when George Tom & I got in. They turned him on side after giving hypo and he was gone – quickly & [____]. Called all the children in P.M. John came 7 P.M Monday eve.
Barbara & Roy arrived Omaha 7:30 P.M. Richard 7:30 P.M. John met them in Omaha. Barbara & her husband, Roy Davis, live in Los Angeles, California.
Frank arrived Omaha 7 A.M. Harry Ellis Fisher brought him up. Edward could not come on account of snow in K.C. Had dinner over at John’s home and left from here for service at church at 2 P.M. Flowers were beautiful and a nice service. Margaret Olson played hymns & “Going Home.” Edward is Amos’ brother who lived in Kansas City, Missouri.
Jan. 4, 1959 Frank & George took Tom to Cushing Iowa – John Barbara Roy Richard & I went to Soo City with John – to meet Frank & George at Martin Hotel – John & Helen Bressler went too – dinner at the Normandie & John C. left for home 3 P.M.
Jan. 6, 1959 Frank Richard Barbara Roy & I take Frank & Richard to Omaha – leaving for home – Richard missed his plane but left at 1:30 P.M. Frank at 12:15 P.M. Roy drove home. George’s man gone. I think George could not drive them to Omaha if his hired hand was gone.
Jan. 8, 1959 George Roy Barbara & I to Omaha – Barbara & Roy left at 11:30 A.M. for home. George & I came back to an empty house.
My grandfather, Amos Claycomb, kept diaries for most of his life. The earliest I have is his 1900 diary when he was 14 years old.
He switched from small bound diaries to desk calendars. He wrote less than he had earlier – of course, the temperature and some weather notes, and his main task on the farm.
In September 1958, he was 72 years old, and made the trip from Wayne, Nebraska to Tucson, Arizona for his fraternity reunion. It’s briefly noted on the calendar.
His next entries were on the 8th and 15th of October 1958 – both medical in nature.
Those were his last entries. From now on Grandma (Ruth Bressler Claycomb) wrote on the desk calendar. It’s very touching – and a little difficult to read. She didn’t leave much in writing, a few letters and this calendar. Warning for the family: Get the tissues handy.
John Helen & boys came this eve. John is the oldest son; his family lives in Wisconsin.
John Helen & boys left this P.M.
Took Amos to Hospital before 7 A.M. Paralysis set in.
Took Amos to Meth[odist] Hosp. in Omaha. John Bressler took me down. Dr. Benthack showed x-ray picture of vertebrae disintegrated. John Bressler is Ruth’s brother.
Amos no better and nothing to do. John B[ressler] went home and Helen [his wife] came down to Omaha about 6 P.M.
Amos the same – Helen & I came home in the P.M. Called Barbara – John Frank & Richard called. Barbara, John, Frank, and Richard are their children who live outside of Nebraska. Their son George lives on the farm with them.
John pick Richard up in Sioux City.
John Richard to Omaha and Amos came home to hospital here.
John met Frank in Sioux Falls, S.D.
John left at 4:17 A.M. for Minden. Not sure of the place name. There is a Minden Nebraska, but not sure why John would be going that direction. Any ideas of what place it could be? Windam?
Frank left for Ames. Richard left & met in Sioux City. Frank is going to Ames because his son, Tom, is at Iowa State College for his freshman year.
Frank returned from Ames P.M.
John Helen & boys arrived about 6 P.M.
George took Frank to Omaha to catch is plane. Met Barbara on her arrival.
George and I took Barbara to Omaha to take plane for L.A. Storm warnings. Barbara’s plane late.
George picked Tom up on No. 20 in eve. Tom is Frank’s son.
George Tom & I for Thanksgiving – sent oysters to Amos but he didn’t eat them. The family will recognize this is a very serious event. Grandpa loved oysters that were a special dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Part 2 is here.
There are two entries in the 1911 diary for January 1912; there is no 1912 diary to my knowledge.
Tuesday, January 2, 1912
Snow thawed a little today. Rode up town after the mail this p.m.
January 16, 1912
The snow is partly off the ground now so stock can graze a little. Covered the ground 28 days.
The label on the metal box that holds Amos Claycomb’s diaries
These are the ledger entries for January through February which includes the sale of the remaining property in Texas.
Amos was moving to Illinois in preparation for his marriage to Ruth Bressler. They married in Wayne, Nebraska on June 15, 1912.
They set up household on a rented farm in Marengo, Illinois where their first child, John Bressler Claycomb, was born, April 12, 1913. They later moved to Electric Park Corners in Sycamore, Illinois. Their son, Frank Erwin Claycomb, was born in his grandfather’s (Frank Erwin Claycomb) house in Sycamore on February 2, 1915. The family then moved to Ruth’s hometown of Wayne, Nebraska. George Edward Claycomb was born there December 4, 1916; Barbara Claycomb was born December 12, 1918 and Richard Townsend Claycomb was born October 19, 1922.
Amos Townsend Claycomb died in Wayne, December 29, 1958, age 72.
Ruth Bressler Claycomb died in Wayne also, October 29, 1972, age 86.
Both are buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Wayne, Nebraska.
Just a thought: Grandpa Claycomb rarely wrote more than 2 or 3 lines, but he wrote each day about the everyday things. He rarely told us how he felt or what his goals were, but we still learn a lot about his life. I’ve had many people tell me how lucky I am to have my Grandfather’s diaries. And I am lucky. Wouldn’t most people want to have this glimpse into their grandparent’s life? And yet, do we record the everyday things in our lives – maybe just 2 or 3 lines a day? Yet, wouldn’t our grandchildren love to have that record of our lives? Please consider keeping some form of diary. It is a wonderful gift – in the keeping and in the sharing.
On the 2nd the railroad paid damages for the fire started by a train in October. Most of the month is busy selling off animals and supplies.
Friday, December 1, 1911
Drove home this p.m.
Saturday, December 2, 1911
Picked up maize heads all day with Norman.
Sunday, December 3, 1911
Rode pony up after the mail this a.m. and over to Bushland after threshing help this p.m.
Monday, December 4, 1911
Threshed maize this p.m. and got about 145 bushels.
Tuesday, December 5, 1911
Finished threshing maize today getting a total of ___ bushels off of about 65 acres. [number not filled in]
Wednesday, December 6, 1911
Hauled some grain to Wil- this a.m. and helped Paine thresh after dinner.
Thursday, December 7, 1911
Helped Yeager thresh this a.m. Gray started to haul kaffir this p.m.
Friday, December 8, 1911
Cloudy and misty this p.m. Helped Baldwin haul and stack feed this p.m. with Norman.
Saturday, December 9, 1911
Misty again this a.m. but helped Baldwin. Picked up heads after dinner.
Sunday, December 10, 1911
Rode pony over to Bush- this a.m. and staid at Harker’s for dinner.
Monday, December 11, 1911
Arthur harrowed the plow plowing till noon and then double disced a small piece we did not get plowed.
Tuesday, December 12, 1911
Arthur harrowed and disced all day. I went over to Bush- this p.m. and brought back Harker’s drill.
Wednesday, December 13, 1911
Foggy with light snow today.
Thursday, December 14, 1911
Worked around the barn all day.
Friday, December 15, 1911
Arthur started drilling wheat this a.m.
Saturday, December 16, 1911
Arthur drilled wheat all day. Sold my mules today for $190.
Sunday, December 17, 1911
Rode pony over to Bush- this a..m. and drove over to Faddis’ this p.m. after some wheat.
Monday, December 18, 1911
Drizzling all day. Too wet to drill.
Tuesday, December 19, 1911
Hard now last night and all day with north wind.
Wednesday, December 20, 1911
Snowed a little and drifted more today. Sold Ballew all the rest of my cattle this a.m. for $325 – 6 yearling steers, 2 cows, 2 heifers and five calves.
Thursday, December 21, 1911
Staid home all day. Cloudy and melted very little.
Friday, December 22, 1911
Rode up after the mail this a.m. and took three calves over to Ballew’s after dinner. Sold 25 tons sorghum to Ballew today @ $5.
Saturday, December 23, 1911
Took train to Am- today from Bush- and staid with Arthur Mc- tonight.
Sunday, December 24, 1911
In Am- all day. Came out home tonight.
Monday, December 25, 1911
Rode up after the mail this a.m. and staid home the rest of the day. Misty all day.
Tuesday, December 26, 1911
Had to pull all the sucker rod of the wind-mill this a.m. and put in new leathers. The upper joint of the rod was also broken.
Wednesday, December 27, 1911
Rode to Bush- this a.m. to take train to Amarillo but it was so late I came back home.
Thursday, December 28, 1911
Rode up after the mail this a.m. Norman killed his hogs today.
Friday, December 29, 1911
Rode after mail this a.m. Cold norther most of the day.
Saturday, December 30, 1911
Nothing doing.
Sunday, December 31, 1911
Rode over to Harker’s this p.m. and staid there a few hours.
On the 17th Amos sells 100 tons of grain – doesn’t that seem like a lot? I’ve double-checked his entry and that’s what it says. But I don’t find an entry in the ledger for the $400 that he should have gotten. Maybe there was some trading going on here.
Wednesday, November 1, 1911
Started to shock feed this morning but a norther with rain came up and stopped us. It rained, sleeted and snowed all day.
Thursday, November 2, 1911
Snowed last night and most of the time today and has turned off cold tonight with 3-4 inches of snow on the level. Rode pony up after the mail this p.m.
Friday, November 3, 1911
Cloudy all day and drizzled part of the time but warm enough to melt part of the snow. Drove over to Bushland and stayed at Harker’s all day.
Saturday, November 4, 1911
Clear most of the day and most of the snow has melted. Mended grain sacks with Norman for a while this p.m. and then rode pony up after the mail.
Sunday, November 5, 1911
Rained a little last night but cleared off this forenoon. Rode pony over to Yeager’s this morning and brought back a calf I bought of him.
Monday, November 6, 1911
Arthur and I picked up heads for a while this a.m. and then started to shock the maize which has been on the ground through the three snow storms and is beginning to mold on the under side of the bundles.
Tuesday, November 7, 1911
Finished the maize this p.m. and shocked kaffir for a while just before night.
Wednesday, November 8, 1911
Shocked kaffir all day.
Thursday, November 9, 1911
Shocked kaffir till noon. I finished cutting the 2+ acres of kaffir left standing this afternoon and Arthur picked up maize heads.
Friday, November 10, 1911
Hauled a couple of loads of feed up to the barn this a.m. and picked up maize heads this p.m.
Saturday, November 11, 1911
Took train to Amarillo this noon and came back tonight. Brought back my riding boots which I had made by McLaughlin. A strong south-west wind blew till nearly noon and its then switched to the north and got so cold that it is freezing hard tonight.
Sunday, November 12, 1911
Staid around the house most of the day. Clear and cold this morning but it warmed up a little during the day.
Monday, November 13, 1911
Picked up maize heads today.
Tuesday, November 14, 1911
Arthur picked up heads all day. I rode pony over to the Gray ranch this a.m. and picked up heads after dinner.
Wednesday, November 15, 1911
Started to haul sorghum and stack it in the stack yard this morning.
Thursday, November 16, 1911
Stacked sorghum this a.m. but picked up heads this p.m. on account of the wind.
Friday, November 17, 1911
Stacked sorghum all day. Sold 100 tons of kaffir and maize to Mr. Gray this p.m. at $4 a ton in the field.
Saturday, November 18, 1911
Stacked sorghum all day. Drove up town just before supper to send a telegram concerning a land trade.
Sunday, November 19, 1911
Rode pony over to Bushland this a.m. to engage help for threshing.
Monday, November 20, 1911
Hauled and stacked maize all day. Finished out sorghum stack this a.m. making total of about 35 tons.
Tuesday, November 21, 1911
Hauled and stacked maize all day.
Wednesday, November 22, 1911
Hauled and stacked maize this a.m. Arthur picked up heads this a.m. while I rode around the country getting help to thresh.
Thursday, November 23, 1911
Hauled and stacked maize most of the day.
Friday, November 24, 1911
Men came this morning ready to help thresh but the machine did not show up and the men helped me finish stacking my maize and they hauled up three loads of kaffir which I stacked.
Saturday, November 25, 1911
Started to thresh my kaffir this a.m. but the machine gave trouble all day and we only threshed about75 bushels off of about 10 acres.
Sunday, November 26, 1911
Sold the rest of my kaffir in the field to Ballew today at $3.50 and $4 a ton and then rode down to the Gray ranch and sold some more maize @ $4. Then rode pony over to Bush- after some help.
Monday, November 27, 1911
Norther with drifting snow started last night. Snow lasted till about noon and the wind all day. Drove pony up town this p.m.
Tuesday, November 28, 1911
Hard norther all day and staid home.
Wednesday, November 29, 1911
Drove team to Wildorado this a.m. and brought back a load of coal. Drove pony to Amarillo this p.m. and staid at the Amarillo hotel tonight.
Thursday, November 30, 1911
Ate dinner at the McKnight’s. Went to the Elk’s formal dance tonight with Bess Wheatly. Cabbed with Bill Monning and Miss Gallagher.
Amos travelled to Illinois to look at land and see his family and to Nebraska to see Ruth.
He met a fraternity brother, Art Beardsley in Kansas City on the way. A train starts a prairie fire on his land on the 17th. It’s a very busy month.
Sunday, October 1, 1911
Started to Sycamore this a.m. taking the Rock Island to Chicago. Went to El Reno and took a sleeper from there to Kansas City.
Monday, October 2, 1911
Reached Kansas City about 8:45 a.m. Went to a show this p.m. with Beardsley and took sleeper to Chicago at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 3, 1911
Reached Chicago about noon as we were several hours late. Visited Uncle Will Tapper for a while and took 4:35 train home. Reached there a little after six.
Wednesday, October 4, 1911
Staid in Sycamore all day and ate up at Eleanor’s tonight.
Thursday, October 5, 1911
Went over to Marengo this a.m. with father, Mr. Rompf and Mr. Gross. Looked over farm which we are figuring on trading my Texas land for and came back to Syc- over the new interurban.
Friday, October 6, 1911
Figured with the owner of the Marengo land all the morning but we couldn’t agree and the deal fell through. Started for Wayne tonight on the Northwestern from DeKalb at 7:45.
Saturday, October 7, 1911
Arrived Sioux City this a.m. and met Ruth when she arrived. Left at 4:35 for Wayne and got there about seven tonight.
Sunday, October 8, 1911
Staid in Wayne until 2:15 this p.m. when I left for Omaha. Staid there until 10:45 tonight and then took the Burlington to Kansas City. Went to the Orpheum for short time tonight.
Monday, October 9, 1911
Left Kansas City at 8 a.m. and the Santa Fe and rode thru Kansas most of the day. Ate dinner at Emporia and supper at Wellington, Kan.
Tuesday, October 10, 1911
Reached Amarillo this morning and came out home at 4:20 this p.m.
Wednesday, October 11, 1911
Cut maize all day while Norman shocked some kaffir he had cut while I was gone. He cut kaffir every day last week and maize yesterday and today. The maize is down pretty bad and most of the heads have fallen off.
Thursday, October 12, 1911
Ditto.
Friday, October 13, 1911
Ditto. Very warm this week with little or no wind.
Saturday, October 14, 1911
Finished cutting maize about 2:30 p.m. and started on the kaffir corn again.
Sunday, October 15, 1911
Staid around the house most of the day and drove over to Harker’s tonight. Cold norther most of the day.
Monday, October 16, 1911
Norman and I went over to Bushland this a.m. and brought back a couple of calves which I had bought of Bert, and branded them. We picked up maize heads this p.m.
Tuesday, October 17, 1911
Norman cut kaffir until he broke down this p.m. and I picked up heads. The passenger train started a prairie fire on Sec. 11 tonight and Norman and I worked till 7:30 putting it out. We swept it out with brooms but it burned about 150 acres of grass and a few shocks of feed.
Wednesday, October 18, 1911
Norman drove up town after some binder repairs this a.m. and we fixed up the binder before dinner. Norman cut kaffir after dinner while I picked up heads.
Thursday, October 19, 1911
Norman cut kaffir today while I picked up heads.
Friday, October 20, 1911
Norman cut kaffir until noon and then we both worked on the heads this p.m.
Saturday, October 21, 1911
It started to rain last night but soon changed to snow which covered the ground this a.m. Norman and I had to chase Ward’s cattle out of my sorghum this a.m. and then fix the fence and I fixed fence most of the p.m.
Feeding cattle, 1910. One of Amos Claycomb’s photos.
Sunday, October 22, 1911
Rode over in the Campbell pasture with Ballew, Putman, Meeks, Baldwin and Norman this p.m. to look at a bunch of cattle. Came back by way of Bush- and stopped at Harker’s for a few minutes.
Monday, October 23, 1911
Both Arthur and I cut kaffir all day. Norman used Ballew’s binder which I have rented.
Tuesday, October 24, 1911
Arthur broke down shortly after dinner but I cut all day.
Wednesday, October 25, 1911
I cut kaffir all day while Norman picked up heads.
Thursday, October 26, 1911
My machine broke this a.m. but got it fixed and started after dinner when I was stopped by a norther with rain which is still on tonight.
Friday, October 27, 1911
Snow covered the ground this morning and it has been snowing, sleeting and raining all day. Hauled a load of feed from the field this p.m. for the stock.
Saturday, October 28, 1911
Raining and sleeting nearly all day. Took train to Amarillo this a.m. and staid with Arthur Mc- tonight. Ordered a pair of riding boots today.
Sunday, October 29, 1911
Took train out to Bushland this p.m. and staid all night with Harker. Snow nearly all gone but it is still muddy.
Monday, October 30, 1911
Drove home this forenoon and rode pony to Wil- after the mail this p.m. Norman took Harker’s boar back to him this p.m. Clear most of the day but the ground is still very soft.
Tuesday, October 31, 1911
Rode over to Bushland on pony this a.m. but only staid a short time. Started to shock some feed this p.m. but it was too wet.
Two events of note this month: On the 5th Amarillo citizens voted to go dry. And on the 17th we get the first entry mentioning the sale of Amos’ land. I’m sure these two things are not related. It’s more likely that Ruth was not impressed with farming in Wildorado. She may have wanted to live where there was more soil and rain.
Friday, September 1, 1911
Arthur started to plow the old land again this p.m.
Saturday, September 2, 1911
Finished cutting and shocking sorghum today.
Sunday, September 3, 1911
Drove pony to Wil- after the mail this p.m. Potter came out from Amarillo on his bicycle just before dark.
Monday, September 4, 1911
Drove Potter around today and up to Goodman’s tonight. Norman plowed all day.
Tuesday, September 5, 1911
Potter went back this a.m. and I took the train to Am- and staid all night with Dr. Hanson. Amarillo went dry by 28 votes today.
Wednesday, September 6, 1911
Came back tonight on the train.
Thursday, September 7, 1911
Started to cut maize today but only cut about four acres. Used the row binder which works fine in the tall feed this year.
Friday, September 8, 1911
Norman and I went over to Ballew’s this a.m. and helped him mark his calves and staid there for dinner. Came home after dinner and shocked maize for a while.
Saturday, September 9, 1911
Cut maize this a.m. and this p.m. until a shower of rain made it too wet to cut. Arabel and Lucile G. and Rob out for a while this p.m.
Sunday, September 10, 1911
Rode pony up after the mail this a.m. and staid home the rest of the day.
Monday, September 11, 1911
Cut maize all day while Norman shocked.
Tuesday, September 12, 1911
Ditto. Am working on 15 acres of late stuff which I intend to use for horse feed and so want the fodder cut green.
Wednesday, September 13, 1911
Cut maize all day. Am using both the broadcast and the row binder according to the height of the maize. The latter handles the tall stuff best but the former is faster.
Thursday, September 14, 1911
Helped Norman shock for about an hour this a.m. and then cut the rest of the day.
Friday, September 15, 1911
Cut maize this a.m. and about an hour after dinner when a small rain stopped us. Arthur found two rattlesnakes under some bundles and I killed them with a maize stalk. Each had 8 rattles and one was very vicious.
Saturday, September 16, 1911
Went up town this a.m. Cut maize after dinner while Arthur shocked.
Sunday, September 17, 1911
Drove pony to Wil- after the mail this a.m. and brought Mr. Starr back here who was sent to look over this place by a land company up north with whom I may make a trade. Drove him to Amarillo this p.m.
Monday, September 18, 1911
Staid with Dr. Hanson last night and drove home this p.m. Arthur cut maize all day.
Tuesday, September 19, 1911
Cut and shocked maize all day.
Wednesday, September 20, 1911
Ditto.
Thursday, September 21, 1911
Ditto.
Friday, September 22, 1911
Cut and shocked maize all day.
Saturday, September 23, 1911
Cut maize with the broadcast binder all day. Have about 100 acres cut.
Sunday, September 24, 1911
Staid around the house all day except that I went up after the mail this p.m.
Monday, September 25, 1911
Started to cut kaffir with the row binder but broke down and then tried it with the broadcast but the kaffir was too heavy and I had trouble all day.
Tuesday, September 26, 1911
Cut maize with the broadcast all day. Drove pony up town after supper after some repairs.
Wednesday, September 27, 1911
Cut maize until 2:30 p.m. and then cut kaffir with the row binder till night.
Thursday, September 28, 1911
Cut kaffir today but had some trouble with the binder. Shocked for a little while before quitting time.
Friday, September 29, 1911
Cut kaffir all day.
Saturday, September 30, 1911
Cut kaffir until noon when I went up town after some new packer arms. Arthur and I shocked all the kaffir that was down before quitting.
On the 25th Amos’ prospective father-in-law visits. Probably just checking out this young man.
Tuesday, August 1, 1911
Came out to Bush- this p.m. with John Arnot in his machine. Drove pony home from there.
Wednesday, August 2, 1911
Rained a little last night. Norman drove wagon up town this a.m. after a barrel of lime.
Thursday, August 3, 1911
Sprinkled a little last night. Went over to the spring two miles north of the house today with the Harker family after wild grapes and got quite a few. Cut some green maize stalks today for the hogs.
Friday, August 4, 1911
Little fat sow brought six pigs last night but lost one. Drove pony up town after dinner and had some plow points sharpened.
Saturday, August 5, 1911
Drove pony over to Bush- tonight to an ice cream social.
Sunday, August 6, 1911
Staid home all day except for driving up after the mail and right back tonight. Very warm today with a hot south wind.
Monday, August 7, 1911
Arthur plowed all day. Looked over my row crop this a.m. The maize is nearly all headed, the kaffir has started to shoot and the broadcast sorghum is almost ready to cut as I want it only for roughness.
Tuesday, August 8, 1911
Arthur plowed all day. I sharpened some plow points this p.m. and then rode the pony up town.
Wednesday, August 9, 1911
Hauled some feed up to the corral this p.m. and then drove the wagon up town after a load of coal for Norman.
Amos’ photo from 1910.
Thursday, August 10, 1911
Sharpened some plow-points this a.m. Buck Putman brought the header back this p.m. and I helped him put it under the shed. Ballew and Burks cut 448 acres with it at 25 cents per acre to me. Rode pony up town after the mail this p.m.
Friday, August 11, 1911
Had to quit plowing this a.m. as it was too dry to do good work. Drove pony up town after the mail this p.m. Very warm today with variable wind from south and south-east.
Saturday, August 12, 1911
Nothing doing. Very warm.
Sunday, August 13, 1911
Very warm with a hot southerly wind blowing and all row stuff is firing badly. Went to church tonight at Wil-.
Monday, August 14, 1911
103° above this p.m. Rode pony over to Bush- this p.m. to see Harker about renting his broadcast binder.
Tuesday, August 15, 1911
Nothing doing.
Wednesday, August 16, 1911
Rode pony up town this p.m. and rented a broadcast binder of Mitchell. Drove team up after supper and brought it home.
Another of Amos’ 1910 photos. This is Nicholson’s binder.
Thursday, August 17, 1911
Started to cut sorghum all day but had trouble with the machine and didn’t do much. Drove pony up to Wil- after supper for some repairs.
Friday, August 18, 1911
Cut sorghum all day. Changed off with Norman and shocked part of the time.
Saturday, August 19, 1911
Cut feed. Stopped machine about 4 p.m. and helped Norman finish the shocking.
Sunday, August 20, 1911
Rode pony up thru the maize and kaffir this a.m. The maize is badly burned but the kaffir is not suffering much yet. Eleanor is 27 today. Took the Victor up to Northcott’s this p.m. and then played up at the hotel at Wil- after eating supper there.
Monday, August 21, 1911
Cut sorghum all day while Norman shocked. It started to rain about 5:30 p.m. and stopped us but the rain did not amount to anything. One of the young sows brought five pigs this p.m. but lost one.
Tuesday, August 22, 1911
Cold north wind blowing all day so we did not try to cut feed. Drove pony up town after the mail this p.m.
Wednesday, August 23, 1911
Rained from eleven last night until noon today and showered a little this p.m. Staid in the house most of the day.
Thursday, August 24, 1911
Rode pony up town after the mail this a.m. and got some green maize for hog feed when I got back.
Friday, August 25, 1911
Arthur and I set up some shocks of sorghum that had fallen over, after dinner. The Harkers with Mr. Bressler came along and I went up to the house with them.
Saturday, August 26, 1911
Still too wet to cut feed this a.m. and the wind was blowing too hard after dinner. Rode pony up after the mail this p.m. Norman killed a rattler this p.m. just as it was going under the front porch – 7 rattles.
Sunday, August 27, 1911
Drove pony over to Harker’s for dinner. A hard rain with a little hail started soon after dinner and lasted a couple of hours. A hard north wind with a little rain is blowing tonight.
Monday, August 28, 1911
Rained most of last night and has been cloudy all day. Rode pony to Wil- this p.m. and bought a 2nd hand 7 ft McCormick broadcast binder of Nicolson.
Tuesday, August 29, 1911
Took the rented binder back to Mitchell this p.m. and brought mine home.
Wednesday, August 30, 1911
Took train to Amarillo this a.m., got some things and came home tonight.
Thursday, August 31, 1911
Worked on binder a little today but had to order a new canvas before cutting any more.
Saturday, July 1, 1911
In Am- all day. Went fishing to a place near Hereford tonight in a machine with McKnight and two others. Started about 5:30 and got there about 7:30.
Sunday, July 2, 1911
Fished a while this a.m. and then started back to Am-. First we took a fellow to Hereford and then we drove the 52 miles in less than an hour and 45 minutes.
Monday, July 3, 1911
Took 4:20 train home and staid at Harker’s all night.
Tuesday, July 4, 1911
Harker drove me part way home this a.m. and Norman met me on the road. Staid home all day.
Wednesday, July 5, 1911
Drove over to Renison’s after dinner with Arthur and bought two steer calves – mixed Hereford and Durham. Paid Richards to give my header back and rented it to Ballow and Burks which will give me more money as they have more to cut.
Thursday, July 6, 1911
Brought the calves home from Renison’s with Arthur this a.m. Went up after the mail this p.m. Sprinkled a little this p.m.
Friday, July 7, 1911
Rained a little last night and a gentle rain started about sundown tonight. Fixed some fence this a.m. and went up after the mail this p.m. Rented my header to Mr. Ballew.
Saturday, July 8, 1911
Took train to Amarillo today. Saw Amarillo beat the Sioux Indians 5 – 1 this p.m. Staid with Dr. Hanson tonight.
Sunday, July 9, 1911
In town all day. Saw Sioux Indians beat Amarillo 9 – 5 this p.m.
Monday, July 10, 1911
Registered my brand – C bar – today with no ear marks and had two sets of irons made. Came home tonite and stayed all night at Harker’s.
C right hip or side
Tuesday, July 11, 1911
Drove home this a.m. Drove team up to Wil- after some homco this p.m.
Wednesday, July 12, 1911
It rained from about six a.m. till ten but it was very light. A good rain fell this p.m. between five and six o’clock. Looked over my row crop this forenoon. It was needing rain badly and the green bugs were working on the kaffir corn.
Thursday, July 13, 1911
Cloudy all day and drizzling part of the time. Norman drove “Blanche” over to Womble’s this p.m. Rode the pony up town after the mail.
Friday, July 14, 1911
Branded my yearlings and calves this a.m. with the C on the right hip or side. Was helped by Mr. Allred, B. Allred, Small and Daniels. Hitched both my mules to a wagon after dinner and drove to Wil-. One had never had a bridle on before but they went along pretty well.
Saturday, July 15, 1911
Drove the mules up town this p.m. with Arthur.
Sunday, July 16, 1911
Staid home all day. Mr. Parker and Bill Topp out for a short time this p.m.
Monday, July 17, 1911
Staid home all day.
Tuesday, July 18, 1911
Drove the mules up town this p.m. after the mail. Saddled and rode the filly around the barnyard this a.m.
Wednesday, July 19, 1911
Had a little rain last night and a good one before supper this p.m. Rode pony over to Bush- this a.m. and Harker came back to look at a hog. Rode pony up after the mail after supper.
Thursday, July 20, 1911
Rained again last night.
Friday, July 21, 1911
Cloudy and sultry all day. Staid home all day.
Saturday, July 22, 1911
Took train to Amarillo this a.m. Saw scrub ball-game this p.m. Election, state-wide, today on the liquor question which went wet. Rain again last night.
Sunday, July 23, 1911
In Amarillo all day.
Monday, July 24, 1911
Came home tonight on the train.
Tuesday, July 25, 1911
Rode pony over to the Gray ranch this morning and helped them round up the West pasture this noon and brand this p.m. Staid at the stone house all night.
Wednesday, July 26, 1911
Helped round up the North pasture this a.m. and rode from six till 2 p.m. Branded 162 calves in less than two hours this p.m. with two ropers and one set of men to each roper. I worked on the hind end of the calves with Bodeman.
Thursday, July 27, 1911
Finished branding the north pasture calves by noon. After dinner we took them back to the north pasture and held them till the cows found their calves. While heading a cow on the dead run the pony fell with me but only hurt my knee a little.
Friday, July 28, 1911
Rode the pony home this p.m. and sent Arthur over to the ranch to help them finish.
Saturday, July 29, 1911
Rode bay filly up town this p.m. for the first time but she did pretty well.
Sunday, July 30, 1911
Went into Amarillo on the train today. Big sow had 9 pigs last night but killed 3 of them.
Monday, July 31, 1911
In town all day.
This I Leave 