Monday, April 16th, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse loading the propeller Royal Arch. I sent forward to Frank Hitchcock 57 Bales of Cotton by the Royal Arch. The Steamers Shreveport & Indian No. 2 worked their way through the raft and bridge and left for Galveston. The Steamer Arizona arrived from Galveston and proceeded on up the river. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is still doing her own housework. Pet [Florence Mahala Hall] is sick with fever. Weather clear & pleasant.

Sunday, April 15th, 1866

To day I discharged my cook Henry for stealing. In consequence of which the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] was compelled to go into the kitchen and do her own housework. The Steamer Ruthven succeeded in opening her way through the raft at the railroad bridge when the hands belonging to said boat cut the East span of the bridge and let the steamer through. The hands of the steamer Indian No. 2 pulled down the west span of the bridge, but the boat did not succeed in getting through. The Steamers Emery and Ruthven left for Galveston. Weather variable & pleasant.

Saturday, April 14th, 1866

To day I am still at work at the ware house. The Steamer Indian No. 2 came down the river loaded with cotton, and landed with the other boats above the raft. The Steamers Emery and Royal Arch arrived from Galveston with some freight. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] and Florence [Mahala Hall] are suffering severely with colds and cough. Weather cloudy & cool with occasional showers of rain.

Friday, April 13th, 1866

To day I am still at work at the ware house. The Steamers Shreveport and Ruthven came down the river ladened with cotton and pretty well torn up. In consequence of the raft they were compelled to lay up. The river still continues to rise and I am fearful there will be a general overflow. Weather cloudy and rather cool with a very hard rain.

Thursday, April 12th, 1866

To day I am still busy at the warehouse. Col. Wrigley left on the cars for Houston. I landed all the flat boats which I had purchased on the flat in front of the Cotton shed. Weather cloudy and warm with occasional showers of rain throughout the day.

Wednesday, April 11th, 1866

To day I am still busy at the warehouse. The steamer Emory after taking a full load of Cotton on board left for Galveston. The drift continues to increase above the bridge although all the hands belonging to the rail road are using every effort to remove it. Weather variable.

Tuesday, April 10th, 1866

To day I am busy discharging the steamer Emory which had just arrived from Galveston with a full freight. After discharging her, she dropped to Adam Bowen's flat boat and commenced taking on board a load of Cotton. The raft above the bridge has completely obstructed all navigation of the river above this point. Weather clear & pleasant, but cool at night.