Irene Dixon Bamford

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Thursday 5 March 1910 Voltie and Emma started for Kingston this morn with 5 bushells of apples and 109 sections of honey carrying some apples and honey to Grace. Im sick got the grip, drunken old Van and Rob Percy came from Sylvia's drinking up cider. Mr and Mrs Stewart here in p.m.

Friday 6 March 1914 A very good day. Rachel came over said Lib staid with her all night. Lib told R a miserable take of filth and dirt and poor house hold management. Lib & Alvira Gillespie cleaned the rooms and scraped and washed the walls of the rooms. According to Libs account the disorder of that house was almost indescribable. Voltie and John and Emma got to the funeral. Rachel staid here with me, after the funeral Van drove over for Lib. Ben Percy came also and O such a noise. At last the all got to singing every old song and hymn and old Ben can yell some. He dont know enough to "come in when it rains"; finaly old Ben staid all night.

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Sunday 15 March 1914 A very good day. Sun purtly shining clear. Mr Stewart at Mr Niles phoned to find out my condition. Emma goes to church. Lib and Van here, glad to see them. They staid to supper. Will Niles and his sister Stella here. Sylvia and Maggie drive over to Frank's. Sylvia, Samy and McDermot keeps the road between their place and Franks red hot. Sheridan Maloney drove out with Sylvia to day to Franks. By the advice of Frank, Samy Woodman entered their old horse Joe for the race, by paying $2,50. Old Joe didnt run; the manager said "take that old grey horse out of the way" They are trying to be very gay since their father and grandfather died. Charley died eleven day sago. V discovered this morning that the rabbits have destroyed all his new apple trees. John borrowed 4 traps and set them for rabits. Wallace here till quite late in the evening. John went over to see how R gets along, found her all right.

Monday 16 March 1914 A nasty windy morning. Wind South. V working on Wallace boat. Wallace is here. Sun shines out a sort of a dismal sickly sun light . The weather

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I sent a letter to Belle & Helen Watson by John. I received a letter from Grace. I sent a card to Grace. sent $3,00 dollars to Gladys over alls for V (Voltie gave him the money to get those things) John ate dinner with Van and Lib. Sylvia and Samy went to Kingston market with butter. The day is brilliant with sun light and warm, snow nearly gone and ground all mud. sent Edith to Rachels for pork. Emma cooked beans. Edith chewed 5 sticks of pepsin gun at once. Voltie worked on Wall's boat. Wallace helping him at 3 oclock pm. Wallace here to supper. John brought buckwheat flour and coffee for Rachel. John bought onions of Lib .25 cts. I sewed and Em stitched.

Wednesday 18 March 1914 A cloudy thick misty morning Wallace and Voltie working on the boat. this Grippe cough dont leave me very much. I am trying to teach lazy Edith at home. John doing chores ie feeding her stock and filling her barn with straw. Emma went to Ruth's to get her skirt made. I partly made a night gown. Edith got supper for the boys V & W & J. Emma came home in time to wash (or help) supper dishes. Edith made a custard for supper. Edith worked like a little heroine and done every thing all right.

Wednesday 17 June 1914 A very fine day, cool & dry no rain also this is picknic day in Bob Smiths grove, for the benefit of the English church. John drove up with E & E. They rode back north the Barry's in their automobile. Of the hundred tomato plants V set, only 4 remain. Guess it is grub work. R came over to dinner and washed the milk can and dinner dishes

Thursdy 18 June 1914 A fine dry day no rain circus day. V and Emma gone to the circus. John drove to the dock taking the milk can and driving around by the factory. Not any thing done this day in door nor out. this is cider day, long to be remembered. Van came over somewhat set up, sent him to look for John. Found Joslin Then sent John to look for Edith. I was considerably upset about her after serching and calling found her abed fast asleep on V's bed. The horses standing in the stable all day without any thing to eat wiht harness on. But cider swilling going on and running fish nets two fish. Resolved that if there ever is while I live another barrel of cider made may the lord have mercy on this family. V dont drink it, thank God. Edith dont do much beside chasing hogs out the oats, hens out the strawberries, Lambs out the meadow Dilavan can swear yet most fearfully.

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Saturday 10 April 1915 A cloudy morning. No rain. This certainly is the dirtiest, filthiest house I ever saw and every thing in disorder. V got wall paper for my bedroom but it never will be put on. I suppose Emma does all she can but that other long legged trollop that stops while wiping a few dishes to play with and feel of the cats! oh every thing goes wrong this spring. But that other dear little girl Emma. I am sorry for Emma.

Monday 19th April 1915 nine days ago since I wrote in this diary since then Rachel came home last Wednesday morning. Van & Lib brought her home in Rob Percys old leaky skiff, and last Monday Sylve Woodman and Eddie McDermott were married at the villiage by the Episcopal service. A very foolish marriage I think; she is 21 and he is 19. V went to Kingston last Thursday on the boat, carried 30 lbs butter at ,30 cts per lb. Eggs 18 per doz. Friday night a dance at Jim Kehoes. V went to take Emma, they came home at 12 midnight.