Saturday, September 16th, 1865

To day I drove up town in my buggy, and while there I purchased from Mr. Bristley one barrel of flour at 11$ one half barrel Mackeral at 11$ one ½ barrel Sugar at 18$ and two decks of cards at $1. I done nothing in the way of papering. Charles Leaverton arrived on the train from Sour Lake, and left immediately on the same train for Houston, and as said train attempted to pass over the trestle work in the river bottom the work gave way and precipitated the Locomotive, tender and one of the platform cars into the bottom although it was a smash up among the cars, it mercifully happened that no person was hurt in the least. A special train came over from Houston after the passengers, and they all left on it. Weather changeable & hot with occasional showers of rain.

The Houston Tri-Weekly Telegraph
September 20, 1865

Wednesday, December 3rd, 1862

To day I am still engaged in packing up my furniture to move up the Country [to Houston County], but in consequence of the sickness of Bob I done but little. In the evening I went up town and there learned that the train of cars from Houston had run off the track doing serious injury to several of the passengers. weather cloudy and rainy making it very disagreeable and a strong North wind blowing rendering it quite cold.

Sunday, August 17th, 1862

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston, bringing but little freight and no passengers. I remained at home writing and reading. weather clear and very hot. Ther: 96°.

Sunday, July 20th, 1862

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston bringing neither passengers nor freight. I remained home writing letters. In the evening Sam Sharp returned on Hawk from his electioneering tour, looking quite well & hardy and not much fatigued from his trip. weather clear & hot. Ther: 96°.

Sunday, July 13th, 1862

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a few passengers but no freight. I purchased 280 Pughes from Jim Rodger's negro man Charley. I took dinner with Grand Ma, and in the evening am engaged in writing. weather clear & very hot. Ther. 98°.

Saturday, May 31st, 1862

To day I am very busy in the conscript office, making soldiers. The steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a large cargo of freight & with a great many passengers. The boys are busy storing freight. weather changeable and showery with a hard rain at night. Thus I close the jottings for the month of May.

Tuesday, May 27th, 1862

To day I am busily engaged in enrolling conscripts for the Confederate army. The Steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a large freight and full list of passengers. The boys are engaged in the ware house under the directions of Sam*, storing freight. The little woman is still confined to her bed, but somewhat improving. weather clear & pleasant.

*This Sam is a 2nd great-grandpa to the Keeper of this family history blog.

Sunday, December 8th, 1861

To day the steamer Ruthven arrived from Galveston with a large freight and a goodly lot of passengers. I remained home reading. weather changeable & warm.

Wednesday, July 17th, 1861

To day but little business is doing. The steamer Ruthven left for Galveston with a goodly lot of passengers. weather changeable and hot with showers of rain.

Monday, May 13th, 1861

To day the Steamer Ruthven came up from Galveston with Charley Lund in company with Miss Lizzie Robinson as passenger. He (Lund) having been absent from home for the past 2 weeks. James Wrigley left on the Steamer for Galveston. business very dull. weather changable throughout the day but a very hard rain at night.