Thus closes my notes for the month of December and also for the year just passed and gone and now numbered with the things that were. Whether the Almighty will spare me to chronicle the daily events of the incoming year is more than I know but trusting in Him I shall enter upon the pleasing task, which is useful as a reference and may be profitable to those who have an interest in me.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
