Tuesday, June 26th, 1866

To day I attended a meeting of the City Council at which we passed several sanitary ordinances in order to protect the citizens of Liberty against the small pox which disease is now prevalent in the City. In the evening George Gordon and Henry P. Angell came over from West Liberty having walked nearly the entire distance, and being pretty well broken down. Mr. Gordon stopped with Col. Wrigley and Mr. Angell put up with me. At night I attended a party at Col. Wrigley's residence which was quite a gay affair. We danced until about 3 O'clock in the morn. Every thing passing off to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. The hands are still at work on the salt shed. Weather variable and hot. Ther : 92°.

Wednesday, May 9th, 1866

To day I am still at work at the warehouse. The steamer Royal Arch left for Galveston. I am again attacked with the sore throat. The itch is still severe and between the two I am suffering greatly. Ed. Jones arrived home from West Liberty. The children are all well except Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall], who still suffers from her nervous affection. Weather cloudy with rain nearly all day and night and very cold for the season.

Tuesday, May 8th, 1866

To day I am busy at the warehouse loading the steamer Royal Arch. Ed. Jones left on the cars for West Liberty. Capt. John Redmond is still at work painting my house. The children are all recovering. I am still afflicted with the itch. I paid P. ? $12.20 on a/c of beef. Weather cloudy & cold with a hard rain all the evening.

Wednesday, April 4th, 1866

To day I am engaged at the warehouse. Dr. Brashears' sister was buried at West Liberty. Roberta [Downes Halyard nee Hall] does not seem to improve much in her general health. Another flat boat came down the river with 300 bales of Cotton on board, John Murchison in command of it. Weather cloudy and cool with a terriffic rain.

Tuesday, April 3rd, 1866

To day I am at work at the warehouse storing cotton. Two more flat boats came down the river, upon one of which commanded by W.H. Farish I had 28 bales of Cotton. I paid him 112$ gold freight on same. Dr. Brashears borrowed Col. Wrigley's wagon to haul the remains of his sister to West Liberty for interment. Bolivar Sublett came up and took dinner with [his cousin] the little woman [Margaret Hall Stewart nee Sharp]. Weather cloudy & cool with a high wind blowing.

Saturday, July 8th, 1865

To day I drove Mrs. Beale [Elizabeth Lemaire Beale nee Waring] up town and while there loaned her six dollars to purchase two pairs of shoes and one bottle of whiskey. She left sundry articles of furniture with us, for safe keeping. She then left on the train for West Liberty in route for Danville. Louisa is still sick. Weather variable & warm with occasional showers of rain. Ther: 86°.

Saturday, June 7th, 1862

To day I am busy in the conscript office. The steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a heavy freight and the boys are busy storing it away in the ware house. Sam* & Nellie* left in the buggy on a visit to West Liberty. Charley Lund went off to a fish fry, leaving me all alone in the office to transact all kinds of business. My pet babe Fawn is still improving. weather clear & hot. Ther: 93°. 

*This Sam & Nellie are 2nd great-grandparents to the Keeper of this family history blog . . . Nellie's mother (referred to as Mrs. Beale in this Journal) lived in West Liberty.

 

Sunday, January 19th, 1862

To day the black scoundrel who broke open the Ware house on last Thursday night was caught out in West Liberty and severely punished. The steamer Ruthven arrived. I am loafing at home. weather changeable & warm.

Friday, January 10th, 1862

To day the Steamer Ruthven arrived from and departed for Galveston having brought but little freight. I am busy however in the warehouse. Mrs. Stanwood was carried over to West Liberty for burial. weather changeable and very unpleasant.