Amos Claycomb’s December 1904 Diary

Thursday, December 1, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day.
I went up town after supper and went down to the Club for a while.

Friday, December 2, 1904
It snowed last night for the first time this winter here and has been a little cold all day.
I walked to and from school and played billiards for a little while after school.
I went up town on the car after supper and went up to the Opera House and roller-skated for a while.

Saturday, December 3, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day and it snowed a little this morning.
I didn’t do much of anything this morning but this afternoon I helped put cornstalks in the barn.
I went up town on the car to the Club after supper.

Sunday, December 4, 1904
It has been cloudy and cold most of the day.
I have staid home all day studying.

Monday, December 5, 1904
It has been partly cloudy and thawing a little today.
I went to a show called “The Pixies” after supper which was given by school children for the benefit of the schools.

Tuesday, December 6, 1904
It has been a very nice day.
I walked to and from school and went up town on the car after supper.

Wednesday, December 7, 1904
It has been a very nice day.
I walked home from school but rode up.
I played one game of billiards after school.

Thursday, December 8, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day and is snowing a little tonight.
I played billiards for a little while after school.

Friday, December 9, 1904
It did not snow to amount to anything last night and has been mostly cloudy today.
I went up to a church supper tonight and then to a show called “Over Niagra Falls” which was very good.  I have played four games of billiards today, losing one.

Saturday, December 10, 1904
It snowed a little last night and a little this morning but it soon clear[ed] off and has been nice all day.
I helped around home this forenoon but after dinner I went up town and played billiards for a while.  After supper I went out to the Electric Park and roller skated for a while.

Sunday, December 11, 1904
It snowed last night and has been snowing all day but the snow is very fine.
I have staid home all day.
Jay Hurd is here visiting Nell over today.

Monday, December 12, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day and it snowed a little this afternoon.  The temperature was 24º above this morning.
I caught a ride up town but walked home after school.  Eleanor went into Chicago this morning and is going to stay over night.

Tuesday, December 13, 1904
It was only 4º above this morning but was clear all day and warmed up a little.
I played four games of billiards today and lost every one.

Wednesday, December 14, 1904
It has [was] 6º above zero this morning and has been clear and cold all day.
There is not very good sleighing as the snow is too dry.
I went out of school this afternoon to have my picture taken.

Thursday, December 15, 1904
It was six degrees below this morning and has been foggy nearly all day.
I went up town on the car after supper.

Friday, December 16, 1904
It was 10º above and has been partly cloudy.
I went up town on the car after supper.

Saturday, December 17, 1904
It was 26º above this morning and it snowed a little last night.
I helped drive some cattle from the Wood Farm to the Stockyards this morning and had my picture retaken this afternoon because the others were poor.  I went up to the Club after supper on the car.

Sunday, December 18, 1904
It was 20º above this morning and has been partly cloudy today.  It snowed a little towards night.
I staid home all day but went up town visiting after supper.
Grandma suffered a rather bad stroke of paralysis this morning and has not changed tonight.

Monday, December 19, 1904
It was 20º above this morning but a strong westerly wind is blowing.
I started to play basketball tonight.  I went to a lecture on the “Cliff Dwellers” after supper and when the fire whistle blew before the lecture, I started down to it and lost my fountain pen but there was no fire.
Grandma is about the same today.

Tuesday, December 20, 1904
It has been clear most of the day but a very strong north-west wind has been blowing.
I walked to and from school.
Grandma is quite a little worse today and Aunt Jennie is coming from Galesburg tonight.

Grandma Townsend died about eight o’clock tonight a little before Aunt Jennie arrived.

Wednesday, December 21, 1904
It has been a very nice day.
I have staid home all day and have spent the time in chopping wood and translating Latin.
The pen that I lost Friday night George found today, not up town,but in the barn.

Thursday, December 22, 1904
It has been clear, warm and thawing all day but is clouding up tonight.
I have staid home all day and have been chopping wood or translating Virgil most of the time.  I am now in the middle of the third book of Virgil.

Friday, December 23, 1904
It was 50º above zero this morning and has been warm all day.  All the snow, except a little from the drifts, is melted.
I have staid home all day.

Saturday, December 24, 1904
It was 28º above this morning and has been cloudy all day.  It snowed very hard part of the afternoon.
This morning I helped drive our horses back to our pasture that has broken into another field.
Grandma Townsend’s funeral was held this afternoon, first at the house for the family , and then at the church.
Aunt Georgie came from Boise, Idaho this morning.

Sunday, December 25, 1904
It has been about 30º all day.  It was misty this morning and this turned to fine snow which as not amounted to anything.
I have translated Latin all day and am now about five weeks ahead of my class and can wait for them.  I finished the third book of Virgil tonight.

Monday, December 26, 1904
It misted all the morning and rained all the afternoon.
I have staid home all day but went up town on the car after supper.

Tuesday, December 27, 1904
It rained all of this forenoon but at noon a heavy northwest wind came up and the rain changed to snow and a very bad blizzard has been blowing ever since.
I went up town this morning, afternoon and after supper.  I played basketball this afternoon for a while and got a black eye.

Wednesday, December 28, 1904
It was about zero this morning and has been cold all day with a strong northwest wind.
I went up town this morning, afternoon and evening.

Thursday, December 29, 1904
It was just zero this morning but it warmed up and was a nice day.
I went up town this afternoon and up to the Club after supper.

Friday, December 30, 1904
It has been a nice day and has been thawing a little.
I staid home this forenoon but went up town after dinner and after supper when I went up to the roller skating rink for a little while.

Saturday, December 31, 1904
It has been clear and thawing all day and the roads are very muddy.
I helped drive some cattle up to the stockyards this morning and some others back after dinner.
I roller skated a part of the afternoon and went up to the Club after supper and played pool.
Edward starts Monday for Monmouth where he will have his ears treated for deafness and go to school.
I start in the milk business again tomorrow morning and will keep it with George until Edward comes back.  We are now milking five cows and have eighteen customers.

I don’t have the 1905 to 1908 diaries.  The next one will be 1909 when Amos is a senior at the University of Illinois.

Amos Claycomb’s October & November 1904 Diary

Saturday, October 1, 1904
It has been a nice day.
I went over to DeKalb with a load of apples for cider this morning and this afternoon is went over on the car to see a football game.
After supper I went up town on the pony.

Sunday, October 2, 1904
It has been cloudy today and cool.
I have staid home all day.

Monday, October 3, 1904
It has been a nice day only a little cold.
I went up town to a republican rally tonight.

Tuesday, October 4, 1904
It has been cloudy most of the day and fairly warm and tonight it rained very hard with quite a little hail.
I went up town after supper on the pony.

Wednesday, October 5, 1904
It has been partly cloudy and cool.
Marion Webster who is staying up at Grandma’s with Aunt Jennie came out to stay over night.
While studying tonight the fire whistle blew and I went up town on the pony but it was only a false alarm.

Thursday, October 6, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today and very cool.
I walked to school and part of the way home.
Grandma is so weak now that she is in bed most of the time.

Friday, October 7, 1904
It has been cloudy and cold most of the day.
Uncle Will took Marian, Louise and me over to DeKalb in his automobile after school.
I went up town on the car after supper.

Saturday, October 8, 1904
It has been partly cloudy and fairly warm.
I worked at home this forenoon but went to see a football game this afternoon between Syc. and Sandwich H.S.  Syc. won by a score of 46 to 0.
I went up to the Catholic bazaar after supper and danced for a while.

Sunday, October 9, 1904
It has been cloudy most of the day and a strong south-west wind has been blowing.
I have staid home all day.

Monday, October 10, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day and it sprinkled quite a little this afternoon.
I walked to and from school.

Tuesday, October 11, 1904
It has been a very nice day.
I walked to and from school and went up to the Catholic bazaar tonight.

Wednesday, October 12, 1904
It has been cloudy and a little cold all day.
Aunt Georgie Yates had a little baby boy last night.  She lives now in Boise, Idaho.

Thursday, October 13, 1904
It has been a nice day.
I went up town on the car after supper and went up to the bazaar and danced for a while.

Sunday, October 16, 1904
It has been cloudy all day but not cold.
I ate supper at the church tonight.

[This is the end of the October entries.]

Monday, November 7, 1904
Mrs. Hill, Louise, Edward and I started for the world’s fair at St. Louis and got here early this morning.  We soon found a place to stay near the grounds.
We started for the ground this forenoon and visited the buildings of Varied Industries, Forestry and Fisheries and then went thru most of the Philippine exhibit before dark.  After that we went to the Pike for a little while and then came home.

Tuesday, November 8, 1904
It has been a very nice day.
I have been going around the fair all day.
Tonight I watched the election returns on the “Pike” for a while.
Theodore Roosevelt won over Alton B. Parker by a very large majority.

Thursday, November 10, 1904
I have been going around the Fair all day but the weather was cloudy and cold.
Mrs. Hill, Louise and Edward started home tonight and I went with them to the depot.
Then I went to the Olympic Theater and saw the play “Ben Hur.”

Friday, November 11, 1904
It has been a fairly nice day but pretty cold.
I went around the Fair all day and saw the Boer War and several air-ships on exhibition and after dark I went to a few shows on the Pike.  I started home tonight.

Saturday, November 12, 1904
It has been cloudy part of the day.
I arrived in Chicago this morning and staid there all day as I went to see Ezra Kendall play in “Weather-beaten Benson” this afternoon.
I arrived in Sycamore about eight o’clock tonight.

Wednesday, November 16, 1904
Papa, George and Charles Townsend started for the “Fair” tonight and expect to come back Sunday.  Edward and I are doing the chores.

Thursday, November 24, 1904
It has been a very nice day.
We all went up to the Baptist Church for dinner today where we were invited by Grandma.
This afternoon I went over to DeKalb to a football game where I kept time with Ray Love.

[This is the end of the November entry.]

Amos Claycomb’s July & August 1904 Diary

Amos skipped writing many days in 1904.  He’s 18 – maybe he had other things on his mind.

Saturday, July 2, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today and cool.
I picked strawberries for a little while this morning and then hoed corn.
This afternoon I rode the pony up town and also after supper.

Sunday, July 3, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day and it sprinkled a little after supper.
All the folks from Grandma Townsend’s were out for dinner today.
I have given up the milk business and George and Edward now have it with more customers.

Monday, July 4, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today.
I have been up town all day and danced both this afternoon and tonight.  Sycamore celebrated this year and there was a very large crowd.

Tuesday, July 5, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today and very warm.
I have hoed corn all day and after supper I went up to the Club to a reception given by the daughters of the members.

[Here ends July 1904.]

Monday, August 1, 1904
It has been a nice day.
I with Charlie Kellum began to haul tile for Uncle Fred from Cortland to one of his farms this morning.  We rode thirty-five miles on a lumber wagon.

Tuesday, August 2, 1904
It has been a little cloudy.
We hauled tile all day.  I am getting $4 a day on account of the team.

\
\

Friday, August 19, 1904
It has been raining all day.
I staid home all day but went over to DeKalb after supper to see a show.

Saturday, August 20, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today.
I have worked around home all day but went up to the Club after supper.

Sunday, August 21, 1904
It was partly cloudy until the middle of the afternoon when it commenced to rain and is still raining at eight.
I have staid home all day.

Monday, August 22, 1904
It has been a nice day.
I pulled weeds for a while this morning and then helped fix a fence.
I went to the Chautauqua this afternoon and heard Sam P. Parks lecture and went up town after supper.

[The diary is blank until October.]

Amos Claycomb’s June 1904 Diary

Wednesday, June 1, 1904
It has been a very nice day but it is clouding up tonight.
I played ball at the park for a while after school.

Thursday, June 2, 1904
It has been cloudy or rainy all day but has only sprinkled.
I went to a Class party tonight given by Neal Blackford and Spencer Harman and had a very nice time.

Friday, June 3, 1904
It has been cloudy most of the day and pretty warm.  The wind blew very strong from the west tonight and it rained hard for a short time.
I went up to the Club after supper.

Saturday, June 4, 1904
It rained last night and this morning pretty hard and has sprinkled two or three times during the day.
I took the milk up this morning and then mowed the lawn.
I staid home all the afternoon but went up to the Club after supper.
Eleanor came home from college tonight.

Sunday, June 5, 1904
It has been cloudy most of the day and a strong westerly wind has been blowing.
I took the milk up to the factory this morning.
It is George’s birthday and he is fifteen years old.

Monday, June 6, 1904
It rained a little this morning and has been cloudy most of the day.

Tuesday, June 7, 1904
It has been cloudy and cold all day.
I had a hair-cut after school and then went down to the Club for a short time.

Wednesday, June 8, 1904
It has been a fairly nice day.
I rode the pony up town after supper and went to the Club.

Thursday, June 9, 1904
It has been a very nice day.
After school I went to see a ballgame at the Electric Park between DeKalb and Syc. H.Ss.  The former won in a very interesting game by a score of 4 to 3, the winning score being made in the last half of the ninth inning.

Friday, June 10, 1904
It has been a very nice day.
I went to a party tonight given by Professor and Mrs. Adee to the two upper classes of the High School.

Saturday, June 11, 1904
It has been a nice day although a little cloudy.
I took the customers’ milk up this morning but came right back and mowed the lawn.  I went to a ballgame at the Park this afternoon when S.H.S. beat Lewis Institute of Chicago by a score of 8 to 4.  I went up to the Club after supper.

Sunday, June 12, 1904
It has been a very nice day.
I took the milk up this morning and after supper went up to the Bacca       sermon given for the 1904 Class at the Opera House.  [I think the spelling of Baccalaureate was too much for him.]

Monday, June 13, 1904
It has been very warm today although partly cloudy.
I walked to and from school.

Tuesday, June 14, 1904
It has been a nice day although partly cloudy.
I went up to the Club for a little while after supper.

Wednesday, June 15, 1904
It has been cloudy most of the day and it sprinkled a little this afternoon.

Thursday, June 16, 1904
It has been fair and cool all day.
School let out today for the summer vacation and I am now a Senior in the High School.  I went up after supper to hear the exercises for the graduating class.

Friday, June 17, 1904
It has been a nice day.
I took the milk to the factory this morning and this afternoon I went up town.

Saturday, June 18, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today and very warm.
I took the milk and mowed the yard this forenoon and after dinner I hoed thistles.  After supper I went up to the Club.

Sunday, June 19, 1904
It has been partly cloudy but very warm.
I took the milk up this morning but have staid home all the rest of the day.

Monday, June 20, 1904
It has been cloudy most of the day and this afternoon it rained very hard for a while.
I took the milk up this morning and this afternoon I pulled mustard until it rained.
I went up to the Club after supper.

Tuesday, June 21, 1904
It has been a nice day only a little cool.
I cut weeds all this afternoon and went up to the Club after supper.

Wednesday, June 22, 1904
It has been a nice day.
I picked strawberries for a little while this morning and hoed potatoes for a while after dinner.
I went up town after supper.

[The rest of the month is blank.]

Amos Claycomb’s May 1904 Diary

Sunday, May 1, 1904
It has been clear most of the day but a little cold.
I took the milk up this morning and went up town for a little while after supper.

Monday, May 2, 1904
It has been clear nearly all day.
I went into Chicago today to get some new clothes and saw a baseball game between the Pittsburg and Chicago teams of the National League.  Chicago won by a score of 8 to 5.  Uncle Will helped me pick out the clothes but had to go away then.

Tuesday, May 3, 1904
It has been a very nice day.
I played ball for a little while after school at the park.

Wednesday, May 4, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today and pretty warm.
I played ball for a while after school tonight.

Thursday, May 5, 1904
It has been cloudy most of the day and it sprinkled a little last this afternoon.
We began taking the cows to pasture this morning.
I went down to the Club and played billiards for a little while after school.

Friday, May 6, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day and tonight it rained very hard.
I went out to a private dance at the pavilion tonight with Miss Jeness and had a very nice time but got pretty wet.  I staid up to Grandma’s all night.

Saturday, May 7, 1904
It has been cloudy most of the day.
I took the milk up town this morning and after dinner I went over to DeKalb to see a game between the Syc. and DeKalb H.S. baseball teams.  The latter won 5 to 4.
I went up town for a little while after supper.

Sunday, May 8, 1904
It has been cloudy all day and this afternoon it has been raining very hard.
I took the customers’ milk up this morning.
Papa went to Morrisson tonight on behalf of the school board.

Monday, May 9, 1904
It has been cloudy and clear by spells today but rained pretty hard from twelve to four o’clock.
I played billiards and pool at the Club for a little while after school.

Tuesday, May 10, 1904
It has been a very nice day but a little cooler than usual.
I played ball for a little while after school.

Wednesday, May 11, 1904
It rained a little last night and has been partly cloudy today.

Thursday, May 12, 1904
It has been cloudy most of the day and tonight it has been raining quite a little.
I went up town for a little while after supper tonight.

Friday, May 13, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today and a little cold with a strong west wind.
I went up town for a while after supper tonight.

Saturday, May 14, 1904
It has been cloudy most of the day and cold with a strong westerly wind.
I took the milk this morning and then went out in the field on a pulverizer.
This afternoon I worked around the house and after supper I went up to the Club for a while.

Sunday May 15, 1904
It has been a nice day only a little cool.
I took the milk up this morning in the buggy but have staid home the rest of the day.

Monday, May 16, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day.
I staid out of school and went to a May fete at the Waterman Hall this afternoon which was very good.

Tuesday, May 17, 1904
It has been a nice day only cloudy part of the time.
I walked to and from school and played billiards for a little while after school.

Wednesday, May 18, 1904
It has been a fairly nice day.
I stepped on a nail this morning which ran thru my shoe into my foot and I have been pretty lame all day.

Thursday, May 19, 1904
It sprinkled a little last night and has been partly cloudy today.
Papa is having the barns moved around now into better shapes.  The ones that are being moved are the big hay barn and the granary.

Friday, May 20, 1904
It has been clear all day and pretty warm.
I went to a lecture tonight given by Mr. Adee, in the High School, on Yellowstone Park which was very good.

Saturday, May 21, 1904
It has been a nice day and very warm.
I worked around the barns all of the forenoon and this afternoon I went to a ballgame between Syc. and DeKalb H.S. at the park.  DeKalb won a very exciting game by a score of 8 to 5.  I went up to the Club after supper.

Sunday, May 22, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today but very warm.
I drove up with the customers’ milk right after breakfast.

Monday, May 23, 1904
It rained a little last night and has been partly cloudy today.  It sprinkled a little about noon.
I played pool for a little while after school tonight.

Tuesday, May 24, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day and is a litter cooler than usual tonight.
I went up to the Club after supper for a little while.

Wednesday, May 25, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today and pretty warm.
I drove up town in the buggy after supper and staid for a while at the Club.

Thursday, May 26, 1904
It rained quite hard this morning and has been cloudy most of the day.
I went to a reception tonight which as given by the Seniors to the Juniors in the High School.

Friday, May 27, 1904
It has been a very nice day only a little cool.
I went over to DeKalb tonight to an Oratorical Contest among five High Schools.

Saturday, May 28, 1904
It has been cloudy most of the game [sic?] but fairly warm.
I took the milk up this morning and worked around home.
This afternoon I went to a ballgame at the park when Syc. H.S. beat Marengo H.S. by a score of 10 to 9 in ten innings but the game was poorly played.
I went up to the Club after supper.

Sunday, May 29, 1904
It has been cloudy all day and raining most of the time although not very hard.
I took the milk up to the factory this morning but have staid home all the rest of the day.

Monday, May 30, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day and pretty cold.
It is Decoration Day and there was no school and I have been at the Club most of the time.

Tuesday, May 31, 1904
It has been a nice day.
We about finished planting all our corn tonight and have about 120 acres.

Amos Claycomb’s April 1904 Diary

Friday, April 1, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day and a very strong north-west wind has been blowing most of the time.
I played at the Club a little while after school.

Saturday, April 2, 1904
It has been cloudy all day and a very strong north-west wind has made it very cold.
I took the milk up town this morning and then bowled a little.
I split kindling all the afternoon but went up to the Club after supper and played pool for a while.
We tore down our old corn crib today that stood at the south-west corner of the barn and are going to build a new one.

Sunday, April 3, 1904
It has been clear all day only a little cold because of a northerly wind.
I took the milk up this morning but have staid home all the rest of the day.
Today is Easter and as papa is a Knight Templar, he went up to the banquet this noon with Louise.

Monday, April 4, 1904
It has been a very nice day.
I took the milk up this morning but came right back and have worked around home all day.

Tuesday, April 5, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day.
I took the milk up this morning and then worked around home all day.
I went up town after supper and played pool at the Club for a while.

Wednesday, April 6, 1904
It has been only partly cloudy today.
I took the milk up this morning and after dinner went up and played ball for a while.

Thursday, April 7, 1904
It has been mostly cloudy today.
I sawed wood most of the forenoon and played ball most of the afternoon.

Friday, April 8, 1904
It has been hailing, raining and snowing today but mostly the last.
I walked up town both this morning and afternoon.  Tonight I went to a dance given by the girls’ Club and had a very nice time.

Saturday, April 9, 1904
It snowed quite hard last night and it has been cloudy and cold all day and raining or snowing a little.
I took the milk up this morning but staid home this afternoon and slept.
I went up to the Club after supper and played cards.

Sunday, April 10, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day.
I took the milk up town this morning but have staid home all the rest of the day.

Monday, April 11, 1904
It rained this morning for a while and has been changeable all day.  A north-west wind has been blowing hard and it is raining a little tonight.
I walked to and from school and played one game of pool after school.

Tuesday, April 12, 1904
It has been partly cloudy but pretty cold as it froze this morning.
I played baseball for a while after school tonight.

Wednesday, April 13, 1904
It snowed quite a while this morning but did not amount to anything and has been changeable the rest of the day.
I played ball for a while after school.
Papa went into Chicago this noon and is coming out tomorrow night.

Thursday, April 14, 1904
It has been partly cloudy.
I walked to and from school and played ball for a while after school.
I started with another customer for milk today and now have six in all.

Friday, April 15, 1904
It has been cloudy and very cold all day.  A little snow fell this morning and a very strong north wind blew all day.
I went to a banquet tonight given by my class, the juniors, to the seniors and had a very nice time.

Saturday, April 16, 1904
It has been clear all day but rather cold with a light north wind.
I took the milk up this morning and then bowled three games.
I went to a baseball game this afternoon when Syc. H. S. beat Genoa in a poor game by a score of 10 to 6.
I went up to the Club after supper and played pool.

Sunday, April 17, 1904
It has been clear part of the day.
I took the customers’ milk up in a buggy this morning but have staid home all the rest of the day.

Monday, April 18, 1904
It has been cloudy part of the time today and a strong north-west wind has been blowing this afternoon and tonight.
I played ball for a while after school tonight.
Little Mary Tapper was taken sick with the scarlet fever today and I ate dinner at Uncle George Wild’s.  We cannot go to Grandma’s now until she gets well.

Tuesday, April 19, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today with northerly winds and pretty cold.
I ate a lunch at a resturant [sic] at noon today.
I played ball for a while after school.
Grandpa and Grandma Claycomb came tonight for a visit.

Wednesday, April 20, 1904
It has been clear most of the day but cold with a northerly wind.
I walked to and from school and played ball for a little while this afternoon.

Thursday, April 21, 1904
It has been clear most of the day but cold with a strong easterly wind.
I played ball for a while after school but wore my overcoat all day.

Friday, April 22, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day and has sprinkled several times.
I played billiards for a little while after school.

Saturday, April 23, 1904
It was clear this forenoon but clouded up this afternoon and is raining tonight.  It has been very warm all day.
I worked around home party of the forenoon and for a while after dinner.
I rode the pony for the first time up town this afternoon.  After supper I went up to the Club and played pool for a while.

Sunday, April 24, 1904
It rained last night and a little this morning and has been cloudy all day.
I took the milk up in the buggy this morning but have staid home all the rest of the day.

Monday, April 25, 1904
It has rained nearly all day except the latter part of the afternoon and there has been a very strong north-east wind.
I walked to and from school and played pool for a while after school at the Club.

Tuesday, April 26, 1904
It has been clear the greater part of the day.
Grandpa and Grandma Claycomb started back to Monmouth this morning.
I went down to the Club after school and played pool for a while.

Wednesday, April 27, 1904
It has been a very nice day.
Mary Tapper is getting along fairly well.
Louise and Mrs. Hill went into Chicago today and Mrs. Hill staid in overnight but Louise came home.
Papa is building a small brick walk just west of the house which runs straight to the road.

Thursday, April 28, 1904
It has been a very nice day.I played ball for a while after school and went up town after supper to play pool at the Club.
Mrs. Hill came home tonight from Chicago.

Friday, April 29, 1904
It has been a very nice day and pretty warm.
I played ball after school and after supper I went to see a Ladies’ Minstrels consisting of home talent with Miss Jeness.

Saturday, April 30, 1904
It has been a very nice day.
I took the milk up this morning and then helped to plant some potatoes.
This afternoon I went to a ballgame when S.H.S. beat Dundee 9-7.  Then I rode around town on Uncle Will’s horse with another boy.
After supper I went up and played pool and billiards at the Club for a while.

Amos Claycomb’s March 1904 Diary

Tuesday, March 1, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day and warm enough to melt most of the time.
I caught a ride part of the way to school and another part of the way home

Wednesday, March 2, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day and is foggy tonight.  There is a very heavy wind tonight and it has been warm enough to melt all day.
I walked to and from school and bowled a little while this afternoon.

Thursday, March 3, 1904
It began to snow last night and a north-west wind made a regular blizzard this morning.  the temp. was 15º  above but there is not much snow.
I bowled six games after school and after supper went to a Junior class party at Nellie and Anna Bollinger’s and had a very nice time.

Friday, March 4, 1904
The temp. was about 16º above this morning but it has been melting nearly all day.
I helped drive some cows home right after school but and went up town after supper to see a basketball game between the Belvidere H. S. boys and girls and the Syc. boys and girls.  Both Syc. team won.  After this I bowled five games.

Saturday, March 5, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today.  The roads freeze very hard at night but thaw a good deal during the day.
I walked to and from town with the milk this morning and went up town for d after dinner and bowled and won two games.

Sunday, March 6, 1904It has been cloudy nearly all day and has rained most of the afternoon.
I walked to and from town with the customers’ milk this morning but have staid home all the rest of the day.
Grandma is quite a little better today.

Monday, March 7, 1904
It was clear nearly all day except that it clouded up towards night.
I walked to and from school.  The roads are getting very muddy.
Papa goes up town on the car nearly every night and Louise rides it to and from school but we boys always walk.

Tuesday, March 8, 1904
It has been a very nice day.
I walked to and from school.
Grandma was is quite a little better today.

Wednesday, March 9, 1904
It has been cloudy all day and a strong east wind has been blowing all the time.
I walked to and from schools and the roads are almost dry enough to walk all the way on.

Thursday, March 10, 1904
It rained quiet [sic] a little last night and has been raining most of the time today although not very hard.
Aunt Jennie came from Galesburg last night to see Grandma who is very much better.

Friday, March 11, 1904
It snowed a little last night and has been colder than usual today.
Papa and Louise went over to a musical at DeKalb Normal tonight.

Saturday, March 12, 1904
It has been cloudy most of the time today and a little cold with an easterly wind.
I took the milk up town this morning on foot and also went up after dinner and bowled a while.

Sunday, March 13, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day and tonight it has begun to snow.  A cold east wind has been blowing all day.
I walked to and from town with the milk this morning but have staid home all the rest of the day.

Monday, March 14, 1904
It snowed all of last night and has been blowing a blizzard all day with a strong, north wind.
I rode up to school with papa but walked home.
Grandma still continues to improve.

Tuesday, March 15, 1904
It has been partly fair and partly cloudy today but the snow has melted a good deal.
I walked to and from school and bowled seven games after school this afternoon.
Aunt Jennie was out to supper tonight.

Wednesday, March 16, 1904
It has been cloudy most of the day and melting a little but after supper it sleeted a little.
I bowled six games after school tonight and then walked home.

Thursday, March 17, 1904
It snowed all of last  night and most of today although it has been melting most of the time.  A strong east wind has been blowing all day.
I bowled quite a little after school tonight.

Friday, March 18, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today and the snow is melting fast.
I went to a dance at Townsend’s hall tonight and walked home after it.

Saturday, March 19, 1904
It was cloudy this forenoon but it cleared up after dinner.  A strong westerly wind has been blowing most of the time.
I took the customers’ milk up this morning but have staid home all the rest of the day, sleeping all the afternoon.

Sunday, March 20, 1904
It had been partly cloudy an very cold all day.  A very strong east wind has been blowing all the time.
I walked to and from town with the milk this morning but have staid home all the rest of the day.
It is Edward’s birthday today and he is 12 years old.

Monday, March 21, 1904
It rained last night and froze and everythink [sic] was icy this morning.  It has been raining most of the time today with a little thunder and lightning this afternoon and a strong east wind all day.
I walked to and from school.

Tuesday, March 22, 1904
It was cloudy this forenoon morning but it cleared up early and has been a nice day.
I bowled two games after school tonight.

Wednesday, March 23, 1904
It has been a very nice day and warm enough for me to go without an overcoat.
I bowled five games after school and went up after supper and bowled five more.  I got 198 and 181 for high scores but the rest were only fair.

Thursday, March 24, 1904
It has been cloudy all day and tonight before supper a high south wind came up and it rained very hard for quite a while.
I helped drive some cattle home after school tonight.

Friday, March 25, 1904
It has been cloudy all day and rather cold.
I walked to and from school and then up town again after supper.  I bowled two games (180, 146) and then went to a basket-ball game between Syc. H. S. and Waukegan H. S.  The latter won 35 to 16 but were really the best players and played like gentlemen.

Saturday, March 26, 1904
It was 17º above zero this morning and it has snowed several different times.  A cold north-west wind has been blowing and it has been partly cloudy and very cold all day.
I helped pile wood this morning for a while and then took the milk.
I bowled some this morning and also this afternoon.  I played a few games of pool this afternoon at the Commercial Club which I have made out an application of membership for.

Sunday, March 27, 1904
It was only 17º above at seven o’clock this morning but it warmed up a little during the day.  It has been partly cloudy with a cold north-west wind.
I took the milk up this morning on foot but have staid home all the rest of the day.
The roads are very rough now.

Monday, March 28, 1904
It has been a nice day only a little cloudy.
I played pool for a while after school at the club and then walked up after supper.  I played my first game of billiards tonight.

Tuesday, March 29, 1904
It has been cloudy most of the day altho the sun shone some during the afternoon.

Wednesday, March 30, 1904
It has been cloudy all day and raining most of the time although not very hard.
I played billiards for a little while at the Club after school.
I have bought two cows and one calf now from Papa with money taken from my note [as] I have been saving for a long time.  They all cost $65.  I bought one cow a few days ago and the other cow and calf this morning.

Thursday, March 31, 1904
It has been cloudy all day and raining part of the time.
I walked to and from school.  the roads are very muddy now.
I played billiards and pool for a little while at the Club after school.

Amos Claycomb’s February 1904 Diary

Monday, February 1, 1904
It was 10º below this morning but warmed up  a little towards noon.  It has been mostly clear but a strong north-west wind is blowing and it is very cold tonight.
Grandma had a rather good night and is better today.
The sleighing continues to be very good.  there is not very much snow but the road has a foundation of ice and then a little snow.

Tuesday, February 2, 1904
It was about 9º above this morning but a strong north-west wind came up and it has been very cold all day and partly cloudy.
I walked to and from school.
The wind drifted the snow quite a little.

Wednesday, February 3, 1904
It was about 4º above this morning.  A north-west wind has blown nearly all day and this morning it snowed a little while but cleared off about noon.
Grandma is about the same today if not a little better than usual.

Thursday, February 4, 1904
It was 4º below zero this morning but warmed up and has been nice all day.
I bowled four games after school tonight.  Scores: 120, 137, 141, 130.

Friday, February 5, 190It was about 20º above zero and has been cloudy but thawing nearly all day.  A rather strong wind has been blowing from the south-west.
I took the customers’ milk up town this morning and then went up again this afternoon.
I bowled nine games in all today but did not do very well at first.  Scores:  105, 106, 110, 111, 145, 152, 155, 160, 128.

Saturday, February 6, 1904
It was 40º above this morning and has been nice all day.  In the afternoon it was over 60º above but it is raining a little tonight at half past twelve.
I walked to and from town with the milk this morning.
This afternoon at five o’clock I went to a progressive dinner given by a girls’ club.  In the middle of this we went to a basketball game between Syc. H. S. and DeKalb Normal.  Syc. won 17 to 11.
I bowled one game this afternoon and got 146.

Sunday, February 7, 1904
It was 26º above this morning out of a strong north-west wind but has been growing colder all day.
I walked to and from town this morning with the customers’ milk but then staid home the rest of the day.

Monday, February 8, 1904
The temp was 0 this morning but it has staid cold all day although clear most of the time.  A cold north-east wind blew all day and it is snowing a little at ten o’clock tonight.
I walked to and from school and after school bowled one game.  Score 141.
Aunt Georgie is going to start back home tonight at twelve o’clock as Grandma is a great deal better.

Tuesday, February 9, 1904
It snowed a little last night and for quite a while today.  The temp. was 10º above this morning and it has been partly cloudy.
I bowled five games after school.  scores: 143, 189, 122, 129, 153.
After supper I went to a home-talent show in which Louise had a part. It was fairly good.

Wednesday, February 10, 1904
It was 12º above this morning but a cold northerly wind has been blowing all day and it has been partly cloudy.
I played basketball for a little while after school tonight.
Grandma had a very good night last night and is better today.

Thursday, February 11, 1904
It was 0º this morning and has been cloudy more than half the day and snowing a little this afternoon.
I walked to and from school and bowled three games after school.  Scores 151, 162, 147.

Friday, February 12, 1904
It was 1º below zero this morning and has been a nice dal [day?] although partly cloudy with a light north wind.
I went to a basketball game after supper when both boys’ and girls’ teams of Syc. H.S. beat the boys’ and girls’ teams of Genoa H.S.
I bowled eight games in all today.  Scores: 157, 141, 171, 128, 118, 108, 133, 147.

Saturday, February 13, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today but not very cold
I piled wood most of the morning but I walked up town this afternoon and bowled four games.  Scores:  125, 149, 151, 119.

Sunday, February 14, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today with a strong north-west wind but not very cold.
I took the customers’ milk up this morning but have staid home all the rest of the day.
Grandma is a little worse today being troubled by a bad cough.

Monday, February 15, 1904
It was 2º above zero this morning but a cold north wind has been blowing and it is getting very cold tonight.  The day has been mostly clear.
I walked to and from school.
Grandma is about the same today but is very bad.

Tuesday, February 16, 1904
It was 10º below zero this morning but it has been a fairly nice day.
I went to a play given by the High School pupils tonight which was very good.
I bowled two games after the play.  Scores 146, 124.
Grandma as quite a little better today.

Wednesday, February 17, 1904
It was 6º above this morning and has been partly cloudy all day.  A very strong south-east wind has been blowing and it began to snow about supper time.
I walked to and from school and bowled one game after school.  Score was 125.

Thursday, February 18, 1904
It snowed quite a little last night and has been cloudy all day although not very cold.
I bowled four games after school.  Scores: 140, 119, 138, 171.

Friday, February 19, 1904
It was 2º below zero this morning but has been very nice today.
Papa started to Monmouth tonight to stay about a week.
I walked to and from school.

Saturday, February 20, 1904
It was foggy last night and has been cloudy all day with a cold south-east wind this afternoon.  The temperature was 0 this morning.
I took the milk up to the factory this morning and then brought some groceries home.
This afternoon I went up town and bowled five games.  Scores: 120, 133, 154, 127, 183.

Sunday, February 21, 1904
It snowed quite a little last night and has been snowing nearly all day.
I took the milk up to the customers this morning but have staid home all the rest of the day.
One of our best working-horses was taken sick with the colic this afternoon and I have had a doctor out twice.  He is staying here all night and he and I have been up with the horse until now it is past two o’clock.  We don’t now yet whether it will get well or not.

Monday, February 22, 1904
It was 5º below zero this morning and has been partly cloudy today with a strong cold south wind.
I took the milk up to the factory this morning.
After dinner I caught a ride up town and bowled five games.  Scores 120, 119, 139, 186, 153.
The mare that was so sick last night was a great deal better today.

Tuesday, February 23, 1904
It has been cloudy all day but melting most of the time.  It snowed a little bit just before supper.
I bowled 6 games after school but had hard luck by getting quite a few “splits” and “cherry pickings.”  Scores: 115, 128, 139, 114, 151, 157.

Wednesday, February 24, 1904
It was 10º above this morning and has been pretty cold all day.  It has been mostly clear with a medium north-west wind.
Grandma is doing fairly well now.

Thursday, February 25, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day and snowing part of the time.  A very strong east wind has been blowing all day.
Bertine Robinson came out from Austin tonight to visit Louise and I took her to a show which Louise was in tonight.  It is the same one that I went to about two weeks ago.

Friday, February 26, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today.  It was cold this morning but nice this afternoon.
I bowled four games after school.  Scores:  167, 138, 147, 155.
The sleighing is very good now except on some spots on the county roads.

Saturday, February 27, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today but melting most of the time.
I took the milk up to the factory this morning and went up town after dinner.  All day I bowled 7 games.  Scores:  129, 127, 116, 127, 147, 170, 193 in order.
I drove over to DeKalb after supper with Bertine to see two basketball games between Syc. 1st and 2nd teams and Normal’s 1st and 2nd team.  Syc. was beaten in both games.

Sunday, February 28, 1904It has been partly cloudy and melting all day and now at about half past ten it is raining with a strong east wind.
I took the customers’ milk up this morning in the sleigh but have staid home all the rest of the day.

Monday, February 29, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today and colder than yesterday with an easterly wind.  I walked to school but got a ride back.
The snow is nearly all melted now.
I am milking two cows now and started Saturday night.
Bertine went back home just before dinner.
I bowled five games today.  Scores: 145, 135, 127, 157, 159.

Amos Claycomb’s January 1904 Diary

 

Friday, January 1, 1904
It has been partially cloudy all day and rather cold.
I have staid home all day but tonight I went with Louise to a dance at DeKalb and had a very nice time.

Saturday, January 2, 1904
It has been sunny nearly all day but a north wind has made it very cold.
I staid in the house most of the forenoon but this afternoon I went up town and bowled four games.  Scores 153, 125, 142, 112.
It snowed a little before daybreak last night.

 

Sunday, January 3, 1904
It has been clear all day but the temp was 13º below zero this morning and has not varied much during the day.
I walked to and from town this morning to take the customers’ milk and then staid home the rest of the day.
I only milk one cow now and use some of the extra milk for three customers whom I attend to.

Monday, January 4, 1904
It was 15º below zero this morning but it has been a very nice day.
School started again after the vacation and George started in today.
I bowled one game after school but only got 112.
This year Grandma Townsend is sending me two magazines.  One is the “Saturday Evening Post,” a weekly and the other is a monthly, the “Success.”

 

Tuesday, January 5, 1904
It was 2º above this morning but a southwest wind made it seem colder.  The sky was partly clouded.
I walked to and from school.
Eleanor started back to Lombard to school this afternoon.

 

Wednesday, January 6, 1904
It snowed a little last night and most of the time today but the snow is so fine that it does not amount to much.  There is a very heavy fog tonight.
I bowled two games after school tonight and got for scores 167 and 159.

 

Thursday, January 7, 1904
It has been cloudy nearly all day and snowing part of the time.  Until noon a south wind blew and it was pretty cold but in the afternoon the wind went around to the northwest and it became warmer with a misty rain tonight.
I played basketball for a little while after school tonight.
Grandma Townsend was suddenly taken very sick last night and it is feared that pneumonia may set in.

 

Friday, January 8, 1904
It has been partly fair and partly cloudy today and fairly warm.
Grandma T. was quite a little better today.
I bowled four games after school tonight.  Scores were 163, 159, 177, 154.

Saturday, January 9, 1904
It has been partly clear and partly cloudy today.
I took the milk up to the customers this morning but came right back.
This afternoon I went up town and bowled five games.  Scores:  147, 140, 130, 123, 159.
I went over to DeKalb after supper and bowled with the Sycamore High School team against the DeKalb H. S.  I bowled 118, 138 and 143 but were beaten over 100 pins.

 

Sunday, January 10, 1904
It has been cloudy all day and there have been a few snow flurries.
I walked to and from town this morning to take the customers’ milk and went to Sunday School.
Grandma is just about the same today.

 

Monday, January 11, 1904
It has been cloudy all day but not very cold.
I had my hair cut after school tonight.
Grandma is still very bad.

 

Tuesday, January 12, 1904
It has been snowing nearly all day and it snowed part of last night.
I bowled three games after school and got 123, 166, 152.  After supper I bowled in the High School team but lost my nerve and only got 103, 115, and 93.  After this I bowled two games and got 131 and 162.
Grandma is still very bad and hardly notices anyone.

 

Wednesday, January 13, 1904
It was cloudy and snowed till nearly noon and then partially cleared up in the afternoon.
I bowled two games after school but only getting 127 and 118.
Grandma is about the same today.

 

Thursday, January 14, 1904
It was 10º above this morning but seemed colder and it has been cloudy most of the day.
I bowled three games after school tonight.  I won all and got scores 154, 140 and 109.
Grandma was just a little better this morning.

 

Friday, January 15, 1904
It has been cloudy all day but not very cold.
I walked to and from school.
Grandma is very much worse today and is not expected to live very much longer.

 

Saturday, January 16, 1904
It has been a fairly nice day.
I took the milk up to the customers this morning but came right back and staid home all the rest of the day.
Grandma is still alive but is very bad.
Aunt Georgie came from Idaho and arrived this morning.

 

Sunday, January 17, 1904
It snowed most of the forenoon but cleared up about noon and remained so all the rest of the day.
I took the customers’ milk up this morning and ten have staid home all the rest of the day.
Grandma is about the same today.

 

Monday, January 18, 1904
It has been partly cloudy and partly fair today and a strong south-east wind has been blowing.  It was about 18º above this morning.
I bowled five games after school tonight.  scores: left-handed 57, 139, 169, 172, 187 the last four with my right hand.
Grandma is still about the same today.

 

Tuesday, January 19, 1904
It has been partly cloudy today but not very cold.  A strong southerly wind blew this morning.
Grandma was a little better today.
I bowled six games after school.  Scores: 116, 147, 140, 133, 93, 142.

 

Wednesday, January 20, 1904
It commenced to rain sometime last night and has either been raining or snowing all day.
I rode to and from school in the buggy with Papa.
Grandma is a little better today than yesterday.

 

Thursday, January 21, 1904
It barely froze last night and has been cloudy all day and raining part of the time.
I walked to and from school and after school bowled four games.  Scores: 144, 143, 108, 139.
Grandma is about the same today.

 

Friday, January 22, 1904
It has been colder today than yesterday and the walks and streets are very slippery from the rain and melted snow of the last two days.
I bowled four games after school with Uncle Will but was not much good.  Scores:  96, 112, 88, 155.
Grandma is about the same today as yesterday.

 

Saturday, January 23, 1904
It has been partly cloudy and pretty cold all day the thermometer showing below 10º all the time and it is down to zero tonight.  There is a very cold north-west wind blowing.
I staid home all the forenoon but after dinner I walked up town and bowled seven games.  Scores:  148, 128, 115, 96, 106, 114, 128.  These are very poor but I seemed to miss every chance with a little hard luck.

 

Sunday, January 24, 1904
It was 7º below this morning and is 10º below tonight but has been clear most all day.
I walked to and from town this morning to take the customers’ milk and then have staid home all the rest of the day.
Grandma is about the same today.

 

Monday, January 25, 1904
It was 20º below zero this morning and has been very cold all day although clear.
I walked to and from school.
Grandma is about the same today.
A stiff north-west wind has been blowing all day and has made the weather colder.

 

Tuesday, January 26, 1904
It was 2º below zero this morning but a cold north-west wind has been blowing all day.  It snowed a very little last night and also a little tonight about dark.
I walked to and from school.

 

Wednesday, January 27, 1904
It was 10º below zero this morning and has been partly cloudy with a light snow this afternoon.
Grandma is about the same today and is able to talk a little now.

 

Thursday, January 28, 1904
It was 4º below this morning and has been cloudy nearly all day and snowing a little.
I walked part of the way to school and all of the way back.

 

Friday, January 29, 1904
It was 7º below this morning but has been nice all day.
I went up to a basketball game in the old school tonight when both the girls and boys of the S.H.S. were beaten.  The girls by DeKalb H.S. and boys by Elgin Y.M.C.A.
I bowled 11 games in all today and got for scores 191, 142, 110, 156, 150, 115, 104, 120, 143, 142, 85.
The last was played pretty late tonight and I was very tired.
It is my birthday today and I am 18 yrs. old.  I weigh 122 now.

 

Saturday, January 30, 1904
It has been fairly warm today but partly cloudy.
I staid home all the forenoon but after dinner I went up town and bowled five games but got only poor scores which were 117, 115, 146, 119, 147.
Grandma is a little better today.

 

Sunday, January 31, 1904
It has been cloudy most of the day.  The temperature was 6º above this morning but with a strong north west wind it is getting cold tonight.  A little snow fell during the day.
I walked to and from town this morning to take the customers’ milk but staid at home all the rest of the day.
Frederick Yates was out to dinner today.Grandma had a rather bad night but is about the same today.

 

 

Amos Claycomb’s List of Books 1903

In the back of his 1903 diary my grandfather listed all the books he had read during the year.  And there was a page for addresses.

.

.

With Roberts to Pretoria by G. A. Henty
Tom Temple’sCareer by Horatio Alger
Out on the Pampas by G. A. Henty
The Kindred of the Wild by Charles G. D. Roberts
The Shadow of the Czar by John R. Carling
Jack Archer by G. A. Henty
Danny by Aldred Olivant
The Blazed Trail by Stewart Edward White
The Two Vanrevels by Booth Tarkington
The Wrestler of Phillipi by Fannie E. Newberry
The Boys of Fairport by Noah Brooks
The Evil Genius by Wilkie Collins
Pearl Island by Andrew Caster
The Beach Patrol by William Drysdale
D’ri and I by Irving Bacheller
Darrel of the Blessed Isles by Irving Bacheller
That Printer of Udell’s by Harold Bell Wright
Prisoners of Conscience by Amelia E. Barr
The Splendid Idle Forties by Gertrude Atherton
Soldiers of Fortune by Richard Harding Davis

The Lakerim Athletic Club by Rupert Hughes
Lees and Leaven by Edward W. Townsend
The Fifth String by John Phillip Sousa
The Old Gentleman of the Black Stock by Thomas N. Page.
Moran of the Lady Letty by Frank Norris
Shams by John S. Draper
The Blue Goose by F. L. Nason
The Green Mountain Boys by Judge D. P. Thompson
The Ward of King Canute by O. J. Liljenkrantz
The Virginian by Owen Wister
Lin McLean by Owen Wister
Under the Rose by Frederic S. Isham
A Rose of a Thousand Leaves by Amelia E. Barr
Hope Loring by Lilian Bell
The Daughter of a Magnate by F. H. Spearman
Othello by William Shakespeare
King Lear by William Shakespeare
The Abbot by Sir Walter Scott
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
The Conspirators by R. W. Chambers

The Strength of the Hills by Florence Wilkinson
Brewster’s Millions by Richard P. Greaves
The Spy of Yorktown by William O. Stoddard
Brother Jonathan by Hezekiah Butterworth
Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens
Flower O’ the Corn by S. R. Crockett
Glengarry School Days by Ralph Connor
A Forest Hearth by Charles Major
The Dozen from Lakerim by Rupert Hughes
Budd Boyd’s Triumph by W. P. Chipman
Checkers by Henry M. Blossom, Jr.
Wulf the Saxon by G. A. Henty
Captain Macklin by Richard H. Davis
Joan of the Sword Hand by S. R. Crockett