Friday, May 18th, 1866

To day the steamer Indian No. 2 arrived from the upper [Trinity] river, with Capt. Thomas Stubblefield on board. he brought several packages and letters from Mother [Mahala Sharp Hall nee Roberts] to the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. The Sheriff arrested negro man Henry off of said steamer for theft at my in[si]stance. The Str. Indian No. 2 left for Galveston. Col. Wrigley arrived on the cars from Houston. In the evening I prosecuted the negro boy Henry for theft & succeeded in binding him over to the District Court. I loaned Asa Abshear 10$ to pay Mrs. Stanwood a medical bill. Capt. John W. Redmond is still at work painting the house. Weather clear and pleasant.

Wednesday, April 18th, 1866

To day I drove up town with Capt. Sterling and while there I instituted suit against Henry my for[mer] cook for stealing. The measles has made its appearance on Florence [Mahala Hall] and she is quite sick with it. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] is no better, and I am satisfied that she too has the measles. The [Trinity] river still continues to rise and is overflowing all the bottom lands. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] is still cooking. Weather variable & warm with occasional showers of rain.

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, February 24th, 1866

The forenoon of to day I worked at the warehouse and the evening I spent at home. I got from Col. Wrigley 100 peach trees and 2 bales of hay. The steamer Col. Stell arrived from Galveston bound up the river. The Steamer Indian No. 2 took on some freight and dropped down the river to the wood yard. Frank [Stewart] is still confined to his room. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] & children are still suffering with sore eyes. At night I sent for Dr. Shelby to visit me professionally. He came and administered some medicine for my Cough which is no better. Mrs. Massie is still here. Negro Henry's wife came over for him on the ? in order to be near her husband. Weather clear & cold.

Wednesday, February 21st, 1866

To day I worked at the warehouse. The Str. T.J. Emery opened the draw of the rail road bridge for the first time in 3 years and passed through the bridge on her upward bound voyage. The Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a small freight on board and left again for Galveston. My cold is no better. Hicks & Albert are at work hauling. Frank [Stewart] no better. The little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp] drove out in the Country and brought Mrs. Massie home with her who commenced sewing for the family. I entered into a contract with Henry a free man of Color to cook for me at 10$ per month gold. Weather variable & cool.

Wednesday, September 19th, 1860

To day I examined the records of the County Clerks office & also settled with Messrs. Henry Sampson etc. on behalf of Messrs. Numsen Thomas etc. and took their note at 6 mos. for $594.00 and left on the Steamer Bayou City at 5 P.M. for Galveston. expenses of the day $6.50. weather clear & a little cool with light North wind.

---

The Explosion of the Steamer Bayou City. - Front Page - NYTimes.com - October 10th, 1860. . . . nytimes.com . . . WASHINGTON, Friday, Oct. 5. The New-Orleans Picayune of the 2d reports the explosion of the steamer Bayou City, running regularly between Galveston and Houston, near Lynchburgh, with a fearful loss of life. The total number killed and wounded is unknown. Those known to be killed principally belong to the boat and were negroes. There was a large list of passengers. As far as known the explosion was caused by incrustation by salt water on the boilers.