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

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

Page 42

Wednesday, July 18th, 1883 A bright, warm, beautiful day, Lee finished cutting the meadow, working all day at it. Did some milking and chores. Then worked around the barns until 10 o'clock. Came to office and read and wrote till noon. After dinner, rode "Nell" over to town and got some teeth for the rake. We buy of Hen [Karns?] Worked with [McIlroy?] about the barns till 5 o'clock. Then raked up some hay. Had supper late. Did milking, and to bed early. A fine eve. We staked out the new part of the barn today. Four carpenters at work on the barn, [McIlroy?] 1/2 day Thursday, July 19th, 1883 A cloudy day and threatening rain. Got cows up, after breakfast, then cam over to town and got some nails. Worked about the barns till 11 o'clock. Came over to town and stayed in the office till noon. After dinner, we hitched to the hay wagon and we three boys got 3 loads of hay into the [mow?] in the new barn. After supper did the milking late. A fine moonlight night. Friday, July 20th, 1883 A heavy rain fell this morning, damaging a great deal of hay that was cut, ours included. The day has been hot, cloudy and showery. Did milking and chores. Came to town and spent forenoon in the office and running around. Home to dinner and spent the afternoon spreading out hay. Iowa started for Illinois this eve on a brief visit, Worked at hay till late. Did milking. The Misses Hudson and Ella Ham calling the eve. 2 men 1/2 day on barn.

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Wednesday, July 18th, 1883 A bright, warm, beautiful day, Lee finished cutting the meadow, working all day at it. Did some milking and chores. Then worked around the barns until 10 o'clock. Came to office and read and wrote till noon. After dinner, rode "Nell" over to town and got some teeth for the rake. We buy of Hen [Karns?] Worked with [McIlroy?] about the barns till 5 o'clock. Then raked up some hay. Had supper late. Did milking, and to bed early. A fine eve. We staked out the new part of the barn today. Four carpenters at work on the barn, [McIlroy?] 1/2 day Thursday, July 19th, 1883 A cloudy day and threatening rain. Got cows up, after breakfast, then cam over to town and got some nails. Worked about the barns till 11 o'clock. Came over to town and stayed in the office till noon. After dinner, we hitched to the hay wagon and we three boys got 3 loads of hay into the [mow?] in the new barn. After supper did the milking late. A fine moonlight night. Friday, July 20th, 1883 A heavy rain fell this morning, damaging a great deal of hay that was cut, ours included. The day has been hot, cloudy and showery. Did milking and chores. Came to town and spent forenoon in the office and running around. Home to dinner and spent the afternoon spreading out hay. Iowa started for Illinois this eve on a brief visit, Worked at hay till late. Did milking. The Misses Hudson and Ella Ham calling the eve. 2 men 1/2 day on barn.