Tuesday, April 17th, 1860

Still in Sumpter. Court progressing slowly. at home still at work in the corn. weather changeable & cool.

Monday, April 16th, 1860

Still in Sumpter. The Dist. Court opened to day, and a special venue was [ordered?] in my case returnable on Thursday next. at home commenced to work the corn. weather changeable & cool.

Sunday, April 15th, 1860

Still in Sumpter, I went to see Mat. Bracken and found him very sick with the typhoid fever. I also attended the funeral of Dr. Evans at Sumpter. weather changeable & warm.

Saturday, April 14th, 1860

To day we are still in Sumpter. Madison H. Bracken started down to Sumpter and was taken sick at his brothers at home. finished planting cotton. weather cloudy & cool.

Friday, April 13th, 1860

To day we arrived in Sumpter, and found a great amount of sickness & many deaths. at home still planting cotton. weather clear & warm.

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Also . . . on this date . . . in Sacramento, California . . . A thin dust cloud rising in the distance inspired a wave of elation here today as hundreds gathered to hail the first Pony Express delivery. . . .

Thursday, April 12th, 1860

To day Sam* Sharp and myself left home for Sumpter to attend Court. I this day paid Cooper as Ex. of Peacock $1200 for his Peacock's interest in the Telegraph Mills and took a clear title for the same. In the evening we went to Dan Dailey's and stayed all night. at home still planting cotton. weather clear and cool.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog. He is also the brother-in-law as well as the stepbrother of JMH.

Wednesday, April 11th, 1860

We commenced planting cotton. Today I let John Williams have the use of the mill for the balance of the month, he being at all expense for running of it, for one half of what is made. weather clear but rather cool.