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 91

Sat. Decr 29th, 1883 A bright day and [not?] cold. Looked after morning work. came to town and did some writing in office. Home, read awhile and looked after evening chores. Ott to the depot at 9 o'clock for Father, who arrived from Kansas on evening train. Talked till a late bed time about his trip. Sunday. Decr 30th 83. A gloomy cloudy day. Helped with chores. Washed and dressed and attended Unitarian Church. Rev Clute preached an earnest discourse. Home and had fine turkey dinner. Hattie, John & the children here to dinner. Spent afternoon and evening closely in doors. Nearly sick tonight. Monday, Decr 31st 83 Passed a restless night and have been doctoring all day for bad cold and billious attack. Weather wintry. After pleasant evening at home. Went to bed and thus closed the active duties of the year of Grace 1883. It has indeed been a year of crowded events and busy exertions. Opening upon us when we were almost overwhelmed with widely scattered and difficult litigation, and about our first exertions were to cut our way out of the maze and again breath free. Ott's trip to Le Mass and brief soujourn there, our great and successful labors during the summer season in erecting our fine new barn at home, and on the West Farm. Mother and Lee's trip to Ohio, and Father's expedition to Kansas, all combine to make it a busy, busy year.

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Sat. Decr 29th, 1883 A bright day and [not?] cold. Looked after morning work. came to town and did some writing in office. Home, read awhile and looked after evening chores. Ott to the depot at 9 o'clock for Father, who arrived from Kansas on evening train. Talked till a late bed time about his trip. Sunday. Decr 30th 83. A gloomy cloudy day. Helped with chores. Washed and dressed and attended Unitarian Church. Rev Clute preached an earnest discourse. Home and had fine turkey dinner. Hattie, John & the children here to dinner. Spent afternoon and evening closely in doors. Nearly sick tonight. Monday, Decr 31st 83 Passed a restless night and have been doctoring all day for bad cold and billious attack. Weather wintry. After pleasant evening at home. Went to bed and thus closed the active duties of the year of Grace 1883. It has indeed been a year of crowded events and busy exertions. Opening upon us when we were almost overwhelmed with widely scattered and difficult litigation, and about our first exertions were to cut our way out of the maze and again breath free. Ott's trip to Le Mass and brief soujourn there, our great and successful labors during the summer season in erecting our fine new barn at home, and on the West Farm. Mother and Lee's trip to Ohio, and Father's expedition to Kansas, all combine to make it a busy, busy year.