|
|
A FARMER'S STORY |
1868
Thursday, March 5
Haul one load of wood. Bundy came and got me to go to Winona and get a load of lumber for him.
Friday, 6 March.
Haul 8 loads of fire wood to day. Nicholas chops up trees and helps me load.
Saturday, March 7
I am compelled to chronicle here the saddest event of my life. Nothing could have happened to me that would have been more so. My wife was taken sick about midnight. About 6 o'clock her child was born. About 9 she died. The poor child is alive and well. O what a day--what is this world to me now. Were it not for my poor helpless motherless children. They must be taken care of.
Sunday, March 8
Lonely lonely day and dreary enough to me.
Monday March 9.
Following dear wife to her grave today. Funeral appointed at 10:00 a.m. sermon by the Rev. Mr. Dudley, Text Saint John 11: 3. "Lord behold him whom thou lovest is sick"
Tuesday March 10.
Spring birds are flying over this morning. Froze quite hard in the morning but soon begins to thaw very much. Haul big load of corn to the yard and Nicholas hauls it. I overhaul the harness and shoulders again this second time. Cut up the meat. Get the old meat out of the cellar. Dreary time.
Wednesday March 11
Spring has come. Hear the prairie chickens for the first time.
Minnesota Historical Society, James M. Drew and Family papers
© 1996, Twin Cities Public Television.