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Saturday, February 20, 2010

Monday, February 20th, 1860


To day I went to Hall's bluff and received the articles purchased at the sale of HERNDON'S est. and from there to Crockett. I visited Mabie's circus & Menagine [sic, i.e., menagerie], at night. I purchased in town for the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] a magic watch from J. R. SIMPSON for $175. The weather was cold with a heavy rain & hail at night.





  • To the delight of children of all ages, Mollie Bailey brought her circus, a Texas institution for four fun-filled decades, to Conroe on Feb. 10, 1913. . . . “A Texas Show for Texas People” followed the trail blazed by pioneer predecessors like John Robinson’s “Great Southern Show,” which thrilled citizens of the recently annexed Republic in 1850. “Mabie’s Circus and Menagerie” amazed audiences eight years later with a trio of elephants, including an enormous bull that nearly plunged to his death after breaking through a bridge outside Waco. . . . This Week in Texas History by Bartee Haile
  • Within Kansas territory people approached the Fourth of July, 1859, with gratitude and with hope. . . . Mabie's circus of "fine living specimens of wild animals" and clever clowns gave three exhibitions at a pavilion. "Our country cousins were in in immense numbers, and the elephants, the tall woman, the fat man, the serpents, and the monkeys were almost stared out of countenance. The circus had a fat day, and the men who had the gold watch and trinket raffles had a rich harvest of halves and quarters." . . . The Fourth of July in Early Kansas 1858-1861 by Cora Dolbee


Friday, February 19, 2010

Sunday, February 19th, 1860


To day sent the cart to the bluff for the articles purchased at sale of HERNDON'S est. considerable error in the bill, and several articles missing. Darby split rails, & made 110. weather warm & clear.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Saturday, February 18th, 1860


To day I went to HALL'S bluff, and purchased a few articles at HERNDON'S sale. The river down & one flat boat from PARKER'S bluff laying there with 307 bales of cotton. Sent Albert to the mill for wheat bran but was disappointed on getting it. still at work in the clearing burning brush. weather to day warm but cloudy and cold with heavy frost at night.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Friday, February 17th, 1860


To day I finished chopping out what new ground designed to be opened for this year's crop. The weather warm but rainy and disagreeable.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Thursday, February 16th, 1860


To day negro Dan, went to Crockett and brought me 1½ gals. of Whiskey, 3 Plows, 3 prs. trace chains, 1 pr. hames, 1 pot & 1 spider. Still clearing. weather warm but cloudy with prospects for rain.



  • Hames :: used to connect the collar to the harness, hames are metal or wooden and come in a variety of styles
  • Spider :: a cast-iron frying pan, flat bottomed, slant sided, and three-legged
  • Trace Chains :: used to connect an animal's harness to a vehicle




Monday, February 15, 2010

Wednesday, February 15th, 1860


To day I again went to the bluff and purchased a few articles at the sale. The river fell about 3 inches. 4 flat boats passed down well loaded with cotton. at home still at work clearing. weather fair and warm.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Tuesday, February 14th, 1860


To day I again went to the bluff to attend the sale and purchased _____ few articles more. the river still rising and two flat boats passed down ladened with cotton. at home still clearing. weather fair and warm.