Irene Dixon Bamford

Sept Jen came up with butter and eggs for Grace to carry to market tomorrow Welly came home in afternoon for his papers he forgot when he went away and said he was going straight back again to go to Watertown to get Bill's money from Normandes. he went to Sam's and helped them finish threshing. Johnny came first and watered horses and then took the team and went to Jim's for ice. I worked over butter and made butter prints long after dark. Sylvia & Evaline came home with Welly and stayed the evening Marjorie and Maud carrying on all evening Wells came home half past twelve Wind south changing to west at night I forgot to send Victor's letter to post Wells saw Norman Petrie, Martin Smith, Charley Clinton, Mattie Smith and Charles girl in town.

13 Thursday A very fine day Wind South west rather cool. Rose very early so Grace could go to dock. Maud came in to day for passengers. John went to fair and so is Grace and Bell Bill Smith made us a long call and said Welly neednt go to Watertown for the money for Normander had sent it

29

Saturday 26 September 96 A cloudy forenoon. After dinner Bell, Charley and their children came down home. Charley went home leaving them here. Rain comes pouring filling tub in a short time. Grace got a bad cold. Jess Reid helped Jim, Devolson milk which was a favor for Grace. churned.

Sunday 27 September 96 A dull rainy day but we are comfortably and happy and noisy, the children cant get out door much to day so wet but they venture for a few mushrooms. Evening visitors Jess Reid and Florence Morgan and Wallace Niles

32

& Jim & Bernard Morgan & Mabel & Alice go home in skiff and nearly get swamped. With great anxiety I await Volties return. About daylight he comes thank God. Wet, cold and hungry: none of the party having had a morsel to eat since leaving home last night. Grace & Florence devoured a loaf of bread, 1/2 lb butter and an apple pie. No female women to greet them on their arrival at the grand ball only male men Rick's body guard. But Oh it was providential and I am thankful. At half past 5 wind changed to South and tore things right and left. Such a gale of wind seldom calls here, the river white and flying spray, unroofing barns, demolishing others, uprooting trees, taking every apple from trees, weakening ever obstacle in the way, waves on river running 20 feet high and dashing on the rocks shore with such tremendous force, the water was thrown above the tall cedars

at Morgans. Jim Morgan called here for V to go to Franks to practice their music. Jim stoped all night with Frank. V came home about eleven p.m.

Friday 18 March 1898 A clear rosy morning, warm, birds singing. The ground froze last night which makes the sap run again. Muriel came up with her dress and apron to stitch. Wellie & Voltie went to Geo Rattrays to get provender ground and V carried some corn to grind for Johny cake & came back to late for his dinner till we got him a dinner. Wellie dined with Geo R. Hubert came for Muriel. Grace gave them bread & butter & maple syrup. Edna, Maud, Harriet & Hubert went to the cemetary and found a pansy in bloom, (yellow) & left it there in peaceful solitude. Beatrice is eleven years old to day. P.M. 4 Oclock cloudy & looks like rain again. Volty & Martin set a 2 fish nets. V & E & M gathered brush, carried it to shore & had a big fire after dark. G & M went to N for butter and to the post office. Mrs Scott returned with them, sayed [sic] awhile, M went home with her. Frank W & J Morgan here also.

Easter day is always the first Sunday after the full moon, which happens upon or next after, March 21st & if the full moon happens on Sunday, Easter day is the Sunday after; so that by this arrangement Easter may come as early as March 22nd or as late as April 25

Found the roads very rough. Mrs Morgan requested to come down in buggy, but could not accomdate her brought milk pails for Welly & sugar, brought 10 yds toweling, 8 spools white thread and groceries, sold the eggs for 11 cts per doz at Bakers.

Wednesday 23 March 1898 A cloudy day after wind & rain all night, a quiet morning. Mart & Volty went the fish nets found no fish, wind sprung up and had to come home without bringing the net. V plowing with the new mare. She rather friskey before the plow with old Jim for pard. The te he ing going on in the kitchen again this afternoon. Mart making good bye calls at Will, Wellies & Franks. Maud, Volty and Edna gathering roots and barks for beer. E scraped the bark off and threw the bark in the stove thinking the wood was the part to make beer. The day cold bleak cloudy & cheerless. Wind North. Evening Mart goes home with Wallace to make a good bye visit.

Thursday 24th March 1898 Arose at 4 am got breakfast and V drives over to the dock with Mart & his father. Mart going to Chicago. W Sr