DIY History | Transcribe | Iowa Women’s Lives: Letters and Diaries | Robert Walker Byington diary, April 3, 1883 - August 2, 1884 and Iowa Byington Reed diary, September 20, 1886 -December 31, 1892: Part 1

Transcribe
Translate

Robert Walker Byington diary, April 3, 1883 - August 2, 1884 and Iowa Byington Reed diary, September 20, 1886 -December 31, 1892: Part 1

Page 37

Wednesday, July 4th, 1883 The Glorious Fourth! and it has been appropriately celebrated. Oiled the double buggy and hitched up the colts. Then came to town and got shaved. Ott took Hattie and the children over [Homtown?] then Mother, Ott and I went to the valley to participate in the celebration in Jim Steven's [grove?]. There was a large gathering, including nearly all of our own folks. Listened to some weak 4th of July drivel by Revs [Parsons?] and Mann and a sensible little talk by Prof Fellows. Had a splendid dinner which all enjoyed immensely; nearly all our relatives gathered at one table with Grandmother, Mother, and the Aunts & Uncles. Spent the afternoon socially, [salted?] the stock. Then home via Carey Smith's through the heat and dust. Had quiet and pleasant tea at home [Cammy?] and wife, Hattie and John and the children there- A glorious rain storm came up from the N.W. tonight doing thousands of dollars worth of good. Did the milking and chores to bed early. Weather up till evening terribly hot- then cool. Thursday, July 5th, 1883 The splendid rain continued all night doing a world of good. Cloudy this forenoon and terribly hot this afternoon. Up early and did the milking and chores. The carpenters and mason on hand this morning to push forward the work. Attended mason awhile. Brick did not come so I rode "John D" over to the brick yard to see about them. Home and came to office. Watered stock after dinner then spent afternoon in office. Home via [woods?] where I got dish of cream. After supper, worked in the garden till dark- a fine eve.

Saving...

Wednesday, July 4th, 1883 The Glorious Fourth! and it has been appropriately celebrated. Oiled the double buggy and hitched up the colts. Then came to town and got shaved. Ott took Hattie and the children over [Homtown?] then Mother, Ott and I went to the valley to participate in the celebration in Jim Steven's [grove?]. There was a large gathering, including nearly all of our own folks. Listened to some weak 4th of July drivel by Revs [Parsons?] and Mann and a sensible little talk by Prof Fellows. Had a splendid dinner which all enjoyed immensely; nearly all our relatives gathered at one table with Grandmother, Mother, and the Aunts & Uncles. Spent the afternoon socially, [salted?] the stock. Then home via Carey Smith's through the heat and dust. Had quiet and pleasant tea at home [Cammy?] and wife, Hattie and John and the children there- A glorious rain storm came up from the N.W. tonight doing thousands of dollars worth of good. Did the milking and chores to bed early. Weather up till evening terribly hot- then cool. Thursday, July 5th, 1883 The splendid rain continued all night doing a world of good. Cloudy this forenoon and terribly hot this afternoon. Up early and did the milking and chores. The carpenters and mason on hand this morning to push forward the work. Attended mason awhile. Brick did not come so I rode "John D" over to the brick yard to see about them. Home and came to office. Watered stock after dinner then spent afternoon in office. Home via [woods?] where I got dish of cream. After supper, worked in the garden till dark- a fine eve.