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.

Friday, July 18th, 1862

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from & departed for Galveston. I am busy in the ware house with the boys in braking out and shipping freight, all the Galvestonians now in Liberty left on the steamer for home, preferring to take the risk of a bombardment from the Lincoln fleet rather than sojourn any longer in Liberty. Bob is at work with Lieut. Sterling making mess boxes. weather clear & hot. Ther: 94°.

Friday, November 8th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with considerable freight. she departed in the evening and I let Bob go on her as a hand for one trip. Lieut. Sterling of the Guards & Capt. Bolling of the Rifles came up on the Steamer. Business pretty brisk. The boys still at work with the potatoes. Nothing doing on my house. weather changeable and warm.

Thursday, October 17th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston. I received by her an excellent barrel of oysters. The Liberty Guards had a re-organization and new election of officers, which resulted as follows: James Wrigley Capt. Joseph N. Park 1st Lieut. B.F. Sterling ? 2nd Lieut & B. Hardin, Jr. 2nd Lieut. after which they left on the Ruthven for Galveston, to commence their services in the army. Business tolerable. nothing doing on my house. weather cloudy with drizzling rain & strong wind from the North & pretty cool.