Diary of John Arch Collins
January to June, 1920
January 1, 1920. This morning finds Grace, Ernest, and myself in Kannapolis, and we stayed all day. Went to Concord a little while, but was at Lloyd Troutman's most all day and had some teeth fixed. We got home at six o'clock.
Jan 2. This morning I taken Mother, Grace, and Ernest up to Mrs. Jane Clodfelter's and they spent the day. I was at McLain's, then on to Ostwalt, then on back to Clodfelter's after Grace and them.
Jan 3. This morning I went over to George Putnam's after a cot. This evening I went to Mooresville and on to Davidson to see Stamey Mills about working for me.
Jan 4. Sunday. Stayed around home most of the day. Was up at Arthur Simms a little bit this morning and taken Stamey Mills and wife to the train tonight.
Jan 5. This morning I sharpened a saw and was around the house and went to town about 11 o'clock after the children, but they never come and I come back home.
Jan 6. Sawed logs all day. Webb Mills helped me and we made 8 1/2 hours. Elliott Mills helped me five hours.
Jan 7. I cut logs two hours this morning. Webb Mills helped me, and then we got some ax handle timber till noon, and this evening Grace and I went to Roy Troutman's wife's burying at the Troutman graveyard.
Jan 8. I have been around the house most all day. I done some work on the engine and hauled up some ax handle timber, and then Webb Mills and I hunted awhile.
Jan 9. This morning it is raining and I have been around the house. Made a b............and made a mattock handle. This evening I taken a hog to Ransom Overcash's and then Webb traded hogs with Chall Overcash, and then we hauled two loads of leaves for the stables. Taken the cow, Blackie, to the bull.
Jan 10. We all went to Statesville as Grace had to go to the teachers' meeting and we spent the day. I bought an overcoat from Joe Harrison, give $33 for it.
Jan 11. Sunday. Went to Sunday School this morning. After noon we all walked over to Carrie Collins' and went on to see Mother a little bit.
Jan 12. Sawed at the mill. It was 9 o'clock when we got started, but we got along fine. Webb Mills fired, and Elliott Mills turned logs.
Jan 13. Cut wood off the road and some logs. Webb Mills helped me. We made 7 hours. Elliott Mills plowed for Webb.
Jan 14. Chopped on the road between the house and the creek. Webb Mills helped me. We made nine hours. Elliott plowed for Webb.
Jan 15. This morning I killed a hog. Webb Mills helped me, and this evening Webb's wife got sick, and I went for Webb's mother to phone for the doctor, and the children was born about five o'clock--two twin boys.
Jan 16. This morning I taken the cream up to D. L. Overcash's and taken a barrel home I had borrowed from A. L. Simms, and then I taken some ax handle timber up to Burette Troutman's, and then to Mooresville after Mr. Jim Campbell for Webb Mills, and Webb went along. After we got back to Webb Mills, I taken Mrs. Fate Mills back over to J. H. Troutman's.
Jan 17. This morning I sharpened some saws for J. H. Troutman, and helped Conway hang some barn doors, and was about home the rest of the day.
Jan 18. Sunday. Went up to Webb Mills and come back home, and after dinner we went to preaching at Rocky Mount this evening.
Jan 19. I helped stake a phone line from Bell's Crossroads up to Perth Church. E. O. Lipe and Mr. Marshall Rankin helped me. Elliott Mills worked eight hours and Webb Mills 3 1/2 hours.
Jan 20. We stacked some lumber and made a dam to get water for the sawmill, then worked on the millyard till noon, and this evening it was so bad, I never worked any. I went up to the store and to Troutman and got some stove pipe for the schoolhouse.
Jan 21. This morning I shelled some corn and Webb Mills went to mill, wheat and corn mill, and this evening we hauled wood, and this evening I went over to see F. K. Ostwalt, and Webb hauled wood till night.
Jan 23. I have been around the house all day. Earl Lipe come down here, and we started a windlass to dig a well, and Earl went home at noon, and I finished it.
Jan 24. This morning I went up to Perth Church and helped stake off a phone line. Mr. Marshall Rankin and Lem Brown and Floyd Stinson helped me.
Jan 25. Sunday. We stayed at home until late this evening when I walked over to Mother's a little while. Getting snow tonight.
Jan 26. I went to Statesville to attend court and was there all day. S. D. Dingler went with me. It was after dark when I got home. Paid Webb Mills $10.
Jan 27. I went back to court. Stayed at C. A. Kyles tonight.
Jan 28. I stayed at court till late this evening, and court was over, and I come home awhile before night.
Jan 29. This morning I went to Carrie's to find out how Hamp's all was, and on by the store, and on home. This evening Webb Mills and I cut phone poles and made four hours.
Jan 30. I helped Webb Mills cut wood all day, and we made eight hours. We cut some of the right-of-way.
Jan 31. I taken Grace to Statesville. Ernest went with us, and Mrs. J. H. Lipe went along too. Nellie Blanche and Hazel went over to Kate's and stayed till we come back.
February 1, 1920. Sunday. We all stayed around home most all day, only we went over to Carrie Collins' awhile, and Conway went on to Mother's a little.
Feb 2 . This morning I raked and hauled some leaves for the horse and cow stables. Then hauled a load of slabs for stovewood and some plank to where A. L. Simms and E. O. Lipe are digging a sawmill well. This evening Webb Mills and I went to Statesville to hear the murder trial. Ed Alexander, for killing Jim Rail.
Feb 3 . I went to court and was there all day. Ed Alexander is on trial for his life for killing Mr. Jim Rail the 23rd of December, 1919.
Feb 4 . This morning I went back. Ed is still on trial, and the case was given to the jury at six o'clock, and they was forty-five minutes, and returned a bill of murder in the first degree. Ed is to be electrocuted April 16, 1920.
Feb 5 . This morning I went up to the schoolhouse a little bit to let the children know we would not have any school as Grace, the teacher, is sick, and then Webb Mills, and I staked off the phone line to my house, and then we hauled some slabs for stovewood. Webb some and me some. I went to Troutman a little while this evening.
Feb 6 . I got some logs for cross arms and hauled them to mill, and this evening we cut some phone poles and drug them to the place. Webb Mills helped me.
Feb 7 . This morning Webb and I drug out some phone poles and was about one hour, and then Webb helped Arthur Simms and E. O. Lipe at the well, and helped them the rest of the day, and I taken Mrs. Campbell and family to Mooresville, and this evening I worked at the well and made five hours.
Feb 8 . Sunday. We all went up to Mr. Troutman's and spent the day and got home about six o'clock.
Feb 9 . Worked on the well all day. Webb Mills also helped Will Cook, Arthur Simms, and E. O. Lipe. We are 24 feet in the ground
Feb 10 . This morning I went to the mill and got up steam and ready to saw. Webb Mills hauled wood on the road right-of-way, and after I got ready at the mill we sawed some cross arms for the phone line. Everett Nesbitt helped me saw 2 1/2 hours, and after I got done sawing I hauled wood and logs off the road.
Feb 11 . Worked cutting logs and cleaning off mill yard. Webb Mills helped me and we made ten hours.
Feb 12 . This morning Webb Mills and I moved the engine to the Ostwalt place, and got it in place, and then we dug the dust pit, and this evening we tore up the mill and got ready to move. Harve Goodman helped me this evening.
Feb 13 . Moving and setting down the sawmill. Webb Mills and Harve Goodman helped me. Webb made ten hours. and Harve made 8 1/2 hours.
Feb 14 . Worked at the mill getting ready to saw. Worked till noon. Webb Mills and Harve Goodman helped me. We made five hours. Went to town this evening. I paid Webb Mills $5 and Harve Goodman $3.60.
Feb 15 . Sunday. We all went over to Mr. Tommy Nesbitt's, as Fed and Kate live with him, and stayed all day.
Feb 16 . This morning I went up to Webb Mills and helped him saw some wood. as D. L. Overcash sawed for us-- 1 1/2 hours for Webb and 4 hours for me. I paid him for both. Webb's was $1.35 and mine was $4.15. After we got done sawing wood, Webb, D. L. Overcash and I went to Troutman and made our returns.
Feb 17 . This morning was cold and we went to work at eight o'clock and made nine hours. We put in some skid poles. Then drug in some logs the rest of the day. Webb Mills helped me.
Feb 18 . This morning I went over to Mother's where the men was laying off the allowance, and this evening I went to town for Mother about the land. They had some of it tonight, and I met the board. I got two kegs of nails. Got Waugh and Brown (?) to buy them for me. They cost $13.05. I paid Mr. Waugh for them. I got home a while before night and helped Webb and Elliott put phone poles up.
Feb 19 . This morning I went to Troutman to get some medicine and flour for Webb Mills as he is sick. I paid for the medicine, 35 cents, and had the flour charged, got it at Waugh and Brown. It was $7.00. This evening I helped on the phone line. The main line.
Feb 20 . This morning I finished putting up the phone line. E. O. Lipe and Will Cook helped me, and this evening I worked some on the road, drug it out to the main road.
Feb 21 . This morning I helped Grace wash and hang the meat, and then I went to Troutman and on to Statesville, and it was about night when I got home.
Feb 22 . Sunday. We went over to Mother's and spent the day.
Feb 23 . This morning I made a ladder and put my buttons on my phone poles, and I have been at the house this evening, as it is rainy and was cloudy all day. I went over to Mother's a little while this evening.
Feb 24 . This morning I went up to Webb Mills and got 13 bushels of corn and Webb come home with me, and we taken the cover off the engine and worked on it most all day.
Feb 25 . This morning I went to Troutman and got 500 pounds of hulls at $.80 and two bags of meal at $2 a sack, and this evening I worked on the phone line, tying on the wire.
Feb 26 . This morning I felt t cold and chilly, so I set around the fire, and this evening I sent for the doctor. He come and said I had the flu. I sure had the headache and my back hurt, and I sent for Grace and the children to come from school as I was sick tonight.
Feb 27 . This morning I am sick and in bed most all day. Grace and the children did not go to school today.
Feb 28 . I am still sick and in bed most all day. The day has been pretty and warm. Grace to taken her bed with the flu this morning..
Feb 29 . . Sunday. We are sick with flu. Grace and I was in bed most all day.
March 1, 1920. This morning I am not any better, and Grace is getting worse every day.
Mar 2 . We have three cases--Ernest, Grace and I all have it, but it doesn't seem to be hurting the baby, but Grace is worse.
Mar 3 . This morning I am better. Ernest is getting along fine. Hazel taken sick this morning, but all seem to be getting along all right except Grace. She is no better.
Mar 4 . Still all getting along very well except Grace. She is having trouble with her liver. And the rest is getting along all right.
Mar 5 . This morning Nellie Blanche went to bed sick, so we all have it now, and all getting along fine except Grace. She is worse.
Mar 6 . All getting along fine except Grace. She has symptoms of pneumonia.
Mar 7 . Sunday. We are all getting along fine with flu except Grace, and we all think she is better. She has rested well all day.
Mar 8 . We are all getting along fine except Grace. She is awfully sick with pneumonia.
Mar 9 . We are all getting along fine except Grace. She has pneumonia, and is awfully sick.
Mar 10 . We are all getting along fine. Are up, all except Grace. She doesn't seem to be any better.
Mar 11 . We are all well and getting along fine except Grace. She has pneumonia in both sides. She seems to be getting along very well, but...
Mar 12 . We are all getting up, but Grace. She don't seem much better. Has pneumonia.
Mar 13 . Well, we think Grace is better. She made a turn last night from 9 till 2 o'clock and has rested better today.
Mar 14 . Sunday. Grace is better this morning and has rested pretty well all day.
Mar 15 . Well, Grace is still better today than she has been since she taken sick.
Mar 16 . We are all well except Grace, and she is better but has a little fever.
Mar 17 . We are all in the house, but all up and about, except Grace. She is better. I taken our ..... to Mooresville.
Mar 18 . We are all well except Grace. She is better than she has been, but not well yet. I went over to Tom Eller to phone to Dr. Talley, and he decided to come down and see her.
Mar 19 . We are all getting along very well. Grace is better, but not near well yet.
Mar 20 . This morning Grace hasn't got any temperature and is getting along fine. I have been around the house all day.
Mar 21 . Sunday. We have been at home most all day, only I went to J. H. Troutman's burying. He died in Statesville and was buried at Bethel Church this evening. Grace is better, and her mother stayed with Grace while I went to the burying.
Mar 22 . I have been around the house all day, as we all are not able to work as we have had flu, and Grace is not able to set up yet, but Mrs. Troutman went home this evening.
Mar 23 . I have been around the house waiting on Grace. She is setting up in the bed.
Mar 24 . I have been around the house waiting on Grace, only I helped cut a few logs on the mill yard, so Mr. David Overcash could get some logs on the yard. Mrs. Troutman was down today and Adelia Kyles was here today.
Mar 25 . I have been around the house all day waiting on Grace as she is getting better from pneumonia, only I drug the road out, the sand clay road, and it is raining tonight.
Mar 26 . I was at the house this morning doing the work as Grace is still in the bed, and this evening we have had plenty of company, and I went to the mill and helped Webb Mills put up the dump track .
Mar 27 . This morning I done around the house doing the work, and this evening I went to town to have a roof made for my engine cab, and to get Grace some fish. Was gone just three hours.
Mar 28 . Sunday. Stayed at home all day as it was raining. Conway come over and stayed till about noon.
Mar 29 . I went to town. Went with Conway and Mother as we went to see about Papa's estate, and to give the boundaries of his land. I got some tin for my engine cab, and this evening Webb and I put it on.
Mar 30 . Worked at the sawmill placing the engine and fitting pipes and getting ready to saw. Sawed a little this evening. Webb helped this morning and Will Summers worked for me. Started to work for me by the month at $20 per month. This was his first day.
Mar 31 . worked at the mill all day. Webb Mill fired and Will Summers offbarrowed, and I sawed and turned logs till late this evening. I hired Clarence Gaither for $26 per month.
April 1,1920. This morning it is raining, and we stayed at home this morning. Ground some axes, and this evening I went to Statesville. Webb Mills went along, and I paid him $15--a check--and the colored boy stayed around home.
Apr 2 . This morning it is raining, and rained until about nine o'clock and then cleared off. We rebuilt, or set, the barn lot back. We made eight hours. Will Summers and Clarence Gaither helped me.
Apr 3 . Sawed at the mill till five thirty o'clock, and then we went up to Troutman and got Will a shirt, and ten cents in cash, and Clarence thirty-five cents.
Apr 4 . Sunday. Stayed at home most all day, only I went up to Arthur Simms to see John Simms, as he hurt his arm. Grace is getting better.
Apr 5 . This morning I went over to Conway's and got a boiler glass, and come back and we went to sawing, and I sawed from nine till six o'clock. Webb Mills fired, Clarence offbarrowed, and Will Summers and Patterson offbarrowed.
Apr 6 . Sawed at the mill all day. Webb fired, Will offbarrowed, Clarence turned logs, and D. L. Overcash helped me three hours till we got his ......done.
There was plenty of ice this morning.
Apr 7 . Sawed at the mill all day. Webb Mills fired, Will Summers offbarrowed, and I sawed and turned logs, and Clarence hauled logs.
Apr 8 . This morning I went to Statesville to get a cutoff valve for the engine, and the boy stacked lumber and hauled logs, and after noon when I got home, we fixed up and sawed a little.
Apr 9 . This morning it is raining and rained most all day. We have been around the house, only we cleaned a little on the engine this morning.
Apr 10 . I worked on the phone wire all day and got it up, and Will and Clarence helped, and Webb Mills split wood, and Webb went to mill this evening. The boy hasn't done anything this evening.
Apr 11 . Sunday. We stayed at home till this evening as Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Cartwright and Barron come down and spent the day with us, and after they went home, I taken Grace and Ernest up to Mr. Troutman's and left them to stay awhile. The girls and I came back home.
Apr 12 . This morning Webb Mills hauled some fertilizer and brought me seven bags, and he got eight bags. Bought it from T. A. Jones, and we worked on the wire fence till he got back. Went to the mill at ten o'clock and sawed one hour, and till three this evening and then it began to rain.
Apr 13 . Sawed at the mill all day. Webb Mills fired, Will Summers offbarrowed, and Clarence Gaither turned logs. We got along very well, only everything was so wet it was hard to keep up steam as it rained all night last night.
Apr 14 . Sawed at the mill all day. Webb Mills fired, Will Summers offbarrowed, and Clarence Gaither turned logs, and I sawed. We had ice this morning and a big frost.
Apr 15 . Sawed at the mill. Sawed for Mr. T. A. Jones and D. L. Overcash. Webb Mills fired, Will Summers offbarrowed, and Clarence Gaither turned logs.
Apr 16 . Sawed at the mill till ten o'clock and then Clarence harrowed and I sowed some clover seed and Webb Mills and Will Summers stacked some lumber till noon when it rained. I helped put in some of the telephones, mine and Homer Collins' and E. O. Lipe's. I brought the main (line) up to Mr. T. A. Jones,' and he put Jones' telephone in tonight.
Apr 17 . This morning I helped put in Tom Nesbitt's telephone, and then we went up to Troutman to look over the line, and after noon we taken some of the phones, taking them to town, and brought them back and put them up, and I helped Reuben put his in tonight. Webb Mills and the boy worked till noon.
Apr 18 . Sunday. We went up to Homer's this morning a little while, and then went on up to Mr. Troutman's after Grace and Ernest, and it was late when we got home.
Apr 19 . This morning we cut some fence posts, and some of the boys put them up, and Clarence and I hauled out some manure and replowed the garden and potato patch, and Will and Clarence worked on the fence, and Webb went to plow his garden at four o'clock, and I went to F. H.. Ostwalt's and got some potatoes and other stuff. Got $13 worth.
Apr 20 . This morning we planted some potatoes, and then we was at the house and helped Earl Allison and one of Mr. Rodger's boys, and this evening Will and Clarence and I worked on the fence, and Webb Mills worked on his cleaning up.
Apr 21 . Worked on the wire fence till about 3 o'clock and got it done, and then I went to Robert Brantley's burying at Rocky Mount. He died Tuesday. He was 37 years old. Webb Mills and the boys cut and hauled logs the rest of the evening.
Apr 22 . We worked on the newground. Webb Mills, Will Summers and I worked on the newground, and Clarence hauled logs. I taken Grace to the doctor this morning as she seemed to not be getting along very well, and Adelia came down and taken her and Ernest home with her.
Apr 23 . We cut and hauled logs all day. Webb Mills, Clarence Gaither, and Will Summers cut logs, and I hauled logs, and I went after Grace as she is at Clate's. Clarence drove the wagon, and Webb Mills cut logs.
Apr 24 . Webb and I plowed. Run off cotton rows for Webb till noon, and this evening I got the level and ran off some ditches, and then I went to Troutman and on after some tomato plants, and Webb and Clarence cut logs till noon, and they went with me this evening. I paid Webb $5 and got him 3 dozen tomato plants, and paid Clarence $2 and Will $1.
Apr 25 . This morning we went up to Mr. J. M. Cartwright's to take the children, and it was about night when we got home.
Apr 26 . This morning it is raining, and I worked in the shop some, and changed the harrow teeth.
Apr 27 . I have been out collecting tax. I was out all day.
Apr 28 . This morning Clarence cleaned up some posts and plowed up the cow lane, and then plowed in the bottom the rest of the day. I went to town to take some tax money to the sheriff. Webb Mills and Will Summers worked in the newground all day. Jersey heifer found her first calf today.
Apr 29 . This morning we harrowed and plowed up some ditches, and then the boy worked in the newground the rest of the day, and Webb laid off some ditches,, and then started to plant cottonseed this evening, and I went to Mooresville and got three bags of meal.
Apr 30 . I laid off cotton rows for myself this evening. I run off some for Webb Mills this evening, and Webb planted cotton seed and Clarence and Webb worked in the newground all day.
May 1,1920. I helped Webb Mills four hours this morning, laid off cotton rows, and Clarence helped him six hours, and Webb helped me four hours this evening to plant cotton seed. I bought Clarence Gaither a wheel from Everett Nesbitt, and I am to give Everett Nesbitt $20 off for the wheel and paid him ten dollars this evening.
May 2 . Sunday. We went to Troutman this morning to preaching at the school house as this is commencement week, and this evening we went to Rocky Mount to preaching.
May 3 . Planted cotton seed this morning, and then we hauled out some manure and worked some in the newground.
May 4 . The boys, Webb Mills and Clarence, plowed and finish some cotton land, and this evening we planted it, finished planting for the year. Will worked in the newground all day. Grace and I went to Troutman Commencement this morning and back tonight.
May 5 . I went to J. H. Troutman's sale and bought a horse, Old Belle, and give $41 for it. Clarence and Will worked in the newground. Webb Mills plowed for himself.
May 6 . Plowed on yon side of the creek. Clarence plowed, and Will and I cut stalks and worked on the creek bank.
May 7. I worked in the newground, only I went to Troutman this morning, and Clarence plowed with the two-horse plow on yon side of the creek. Will worked in the newground all day.
May 8. This morning it is raining. It commenced in the night but never rained much today. I went up to the store this morning, and we ordered some potato plants, and this evening I taken Webb Mills and family to Mooresville.
May 9. Sunday. We went to Sunday School and come on to Mother's and ate dinner, and late this evening I went to Mooresville after Webb Mills and family.
May 10. This morning I hauled wood off the newground. Will and Clarence helped me. Webb Mills harrowed some of his corn land, and this evening Webb hauled wood off the newground, and I hauled logs off the newground to the mill.
May 11. I hauled logs all day. Webb Mills and Willie Summers hauled wood off the newground, and this evening we planted corn for Webb. Clarence helped E. O. Lipe in his newground.
May 12. I worked in the newground most all day. Clarence helped me. Will helped Webb Mills plant corn till 3 o'clock, and then Webb planted corn for me till night on yon side of the creek. The upland piece--3 acres. They got it done. I went after the children this evening. Got them in town.
May 13. We fixed a sweet potato patch this morning, and then hauled out some stalks, and then started to break them up. Will plowed with the two-horse plow, and Clarence with the one-horse plow. Webb Mills worked for himself.
May 14. Plowed in the bottoms. Will plowed with the two-horse plow, and Clarence with one, and I was at first one thing and then another, and this evening I went after Clarence Gaither's clothes at Will Ervin's' and on to Mooresville.
May 15. Planted corn in the bottoms till four o'clock this evening. Clarence planted and laid off rows. Will sprouted some, and Will went home at noon. I paid him five dollars. We went over to Kerr Branch School closing.
May 16. Sunday. We went to see Mr. Troutman--Grace's father--this morning as he hurt his arm falling off the barn, and this evening went to Rocky Mount.
May 17. This morning I went to court and was there. Clarence hauled off the newground to the mill and Will worked in the he newground. Webb Mills weeded cotton, some for me.
May 18. Worked in the newground till 3 o'clock when it started to rain. Will and Clarence helped me.
May 19. Went to Statesville. Taken Grace and the children up to Mr. Troutman's, and they stayed there, and Mr. Troutman went with me to town to see the doctor, and we spent the day.
May 20. Worked in the newground all day. Will and Clarence helped me, and drug the logs off and plowed over one time.
May 21. Worked in the newground, plowing harrowing and taking roots off, piled them up and hauled them off. Webb Mills, Clarence Gaither, and Will Summers helped me.
May 22. This morning we planted the newground and got it done, and went on yon side of the creek and broke up a cane patch and planted it. The rest of the piece in corn. Clarence Gaither and Will Summers helped me.
May 23. Sunday. We went to Sunday School this morning, and this evening we went back to a burying. Mrs. Wilkerson was buried at Rocky Mount this evening.
May 24. This morning I went over to J. H. Troutman's place to summons the family about their estate, and then went on to Statesville and back to Troutman to a show, and on home.
May 25. I went to Statesville and at noon went on to Raleigh. Taken M. C. Bass to the pen for five years. Spent the night.
May 26. This morning finds me in Raleigh and stayed there till four o'clock and got to Statesville at eleven o'clock, and come on home about twelve o'clock and found all well and o. k.
May 27. This morning Will and I hauled out some manure and some leaves for the stables, and this evening Will plowed with the two-horse plow in the pasture for peas, and I went to town. Grace went with me.
May 28. This morning I taken Clarence up to help Burette plow, and I come back home, fixed up some plows and started to plowing cotton. The preacher and his family come and spent the day with us. Will Summers plowed with the two-horse plow, plowing under some manure and rye.
May 29. I went to get the mowing machine and mowed clover until late in the evening and then drug the road. Will and Clarence plowed cotton most of the day till they got over it.
May 30. Sunday. Went to Sunday School, and come by Mother's, as Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Barron was up for the day, and late this evening they come by home with us.
May 31. Hoed cotton most all day. The little girls helped all day, and Clarence harrowed this evening. I raked up some hay late this evening. Will Summer was not here today, but I went after him tonight.
June 1,1920. I hoed cotton all day. The little girls and Clarence Gaither helped me. Will Summers harrowed cotton. We also put up the clover hay, three loads, and give Mother one load.
Jun 2. Finished our cotton this morning, and then helped Webb Mills the rest of the day. Went to work at 9:20 with five hands, making 12 1/2 hours this morning and this evening. This evening 21 1/2 hours, 34 hours in all at $.20 an hour, making $6.80, charged to Webb Mills.
Jun 3. This morning the boy helped Webb Mills finish his cotton, and I fixed up and we started to sawing at 8 o'clock, sawed the rest of the day. We stopped one hour.
Jun 4. Sawed at the mill till about noon, and it started to raining and rained off and on all day. Webb Mills, Clarence and Will helped me at the mill this morning.
Jun 5. I went to the primary today and was there most all day. As the day has been rainy, we haven't done any work. We all went up to Mr. Troutman's, and I went to town awhile.
Jun 6. Sunday. Went to preaching and Sunday School this morning, and this evening we was at home, went over to Mother's a little while after supper.
Jun 7. Sawed at the mill. Webb Mills fired, Clarence offbarrowed, and Will Summers turned logs. I sawed most all day for myself.
Jun 8. This morning Will and I hauled out lumber, and Webb Mills and Clarence stacked lumber, and this evening we harrowed cotton, Clarence and Will for me, and Webb plowed in his.
Jun 9. This morning I worked around the house, and then went to Mooresville and got some meal for the cows, and some cultivator plows. Will and Clarence plowed cotton and got over it again, and this evening Will helped Webb in his cotton, and Clarence plowed corn, and we hoed, Nellie Blanche, Hazel and I.
Jun 10. I hoed corn in the bottom. Hazel and Nellie Blanche helped me, and Will helped Webb all day plow cotton and corn.
Jun 11. Hoed corn. The girls helped me, and Will plowed, and we got over till four o'clock this evening, and I drug the road, and Will shoveled out some ditches. Clarence was sick this morning, and this evening he helped E. O. Lipe harrow cotton.
Jun 12. Plowed in the newground till noon, and got it over. Clarence and Will helped me, and I went up to Troutman and got some potato slips and set them out, and then we all went to town this evening. Grace and the children went with me.
Jun 13. Sunday. Went to preaching this morning. Mr. Plyler preached his first sermon today, and this evening we went over to Mother's a little while.
Jun 14. This morning we hoed the newground over, and then the boys plowed in the corn, and I helped cut wheat over at Carrie's, and we went over to Mother's and cut some, but a part of the reaper give way, and I went to Troutman to have it fixed.
Jun 15. This morning I helped Mother cut wheat, then cut a piece for myself. Conway and Reuben helped me. Clarence and Will helped Webb Mills hoe corn, three hours each, making six hours work. They helped me the rest of the day.
Jun 16. This morning I hauled up some lumber sticks to stake some beans and done around them, and went to Walt Goodson's and got some potato plants. Clarence and Will cut some wheat, and this evening we plowed some corn, and come back and hoed then.
Jun 17. Cutting wheat. Conway, Grace and I cut with the reaper. Webb Mills and Clarence cut with the cradle, and Will Rufty tied and shocked, and after noon I helped Conway and the other hands cut some rye.
Jun 18. I went over to J. H. Clontz', and C. H. Cornelius', to see if they have any corn to sell. The boy picked up some hay, and was hauling it up. We finished hauling it up, and thrashed out some clover seed, and got done about four o'clock. It started raining, and the boy went off up about the store, and I fixed some shoes. We made seven hours.
Jun 19. Thrashed some peas this morning. Clarence helped me, and this evening we went to Mooresville, and I bought ten bags of sweet feed, got Roy Parker to bring it to the house, and Clarence went over late this evening and got it.
Jun 20. Sunday. We all went up to Mr. Troutman's and spent the day.
Jun 21. Plowed up some clover land for corn this morning. Clarence, Will and I went over to Tom Sherrill's and got a bushed of corn and went to mill and also taken some wheat to mill. This evening we planted some peas, but it rained, and we never got done.
Jun 22. Planted some corn. Clarence helped me, and this evening we planted some peas, and then Clarence went off, and I plowed the garden, and plowed cotton till night. Will drug logs till noon, and this evening he harrowed cotton.
Jun 23. Plowed cotton till noon, and got over it again. Will Summers helped me, and this evening we never done anything, as it started raining and rained some, and I went after some potato slips and set them out.
Jun 24. I went up to Troutman and on to town, and it was about night when I got home. Will and Clarence went to plow corn on yon side of the creek, but it rained and was too wet to plow, so they haven't done anything today.
Jun 25. I helped cut some wheat at Mother's, and this evening I have been around home. The boys plowed corn all day.
Jun 26. I went over about Monbo this morning, and went to town this evening. The boys plowed corn till noon, and this evening they haven't done anything.
Jun 27. Sunday. We went to preaching at Troutman, and this evening we went down to see Walter Clodfelter's to see them.
Jun 28. I have been around home all day, only I went with Sheriff Alexander down on the Plyler place to see if we could find a still, but failed. Clarence helped Tom Sherrill and Will helped Webb.
Jun 29. This morning we cut and hauled some logs. Webb Mills worked all day. Clarence stayed around till noon, and after dinner he rode off on his wheel, and I haven't seen him any more. Will helped Tom Sherrill this morning and come in at 2:30 o'clock this evening.
Jun 30. This morning I hauled some logs, and I have been around the house, only I went to town this evening.
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July--December, 1923