Diary of John Arch Collins
1923
January 1, 1923. I went to Statesville, and this evening I went with Neal Lillie and another man over in Catawba County with a search warrant for some auto tires (?), but never found them as they was not at home. It was late when I got home.
Jan 2. This morning I went up to B. M. Williams and laid off his homestead, and then went on to Statesville and come home about 2 o'clock and was about home the rest of the day.
Jan 3. This morning I went to cut some wood, and we cut two hours. James helped me one hour and went to have some wood for himself, and after noon I went and served a claim and delivery for a c..........Found it with Troy Freeze and a summons for John Davidson, but failed to find John.
Jan 4. I hauled wood most all day. James Summers helped me 4 1/2 hours this morning, and this evening I hauled more wood. Rev. Peeler come and was here for dinner, but went to preach John Brown's funeral at his home at Ostwalts.
Jan 5. This morning I raked some leaves and hauled them for the stables, and this evening Dave Overcash sawed wood for me, and James Summers helped me. We sawed three hours.
Jan 6. I went to Statesville to attend to some business, and got back to Troutman in the afternoon and was there the rest of the evening. Was at an automobile wreck at Troutman between J. L. Johnson of Catawba Co. and a Mr. Brawley. The Catawba man agrees to pay the damage of both cars.
Jan 7. Sunday. We all went to preaching at Rocky Mount, and this evening we stayed at home.
Jan 8. This morning I taken my car up to Homer's, and he and I pulled the motor out and taken the pan off and taken it to Statesville and had the hangers braced.
Jan 9. I worked on my car all day, and got it done about night. Walter Mills helped me four hours. This evening we put the motor back.
Jan 10. This morning I went to Homer's and got my car and helped do up Dave Overcash's work, as they are all sick with flu. I then come home and went to Mrs. Johnson's sale and got home and drug some road.
Jan 11. This morning I went to the mill at Troutman, and then went on to town, and come back to Troutman and on home.
Jan 12. I taken a load of slabs to Troutman, and after noon I started to the newground and met Tommie Nesbitt carrying the mail, and his car was broken down, and I taken him on the route and in to Troutman, and it was about night when I got home.
Jan 13. I worked in the newground till noon, and this evening I have been around the house, only I went up to the store a little while this evening.
Jan 14. Sunday. We went to Sunday School this morning, and this evening we went up to Mr. Troutman's and come back about 4:30.
Jan 15. This morning I taken Fed Nesbitt's plow home, and when I got back home Oscar Murdock come to look over the Ostwalt timber, and I showed him over it, and then went to work in the newground on yon side of the creek. I worked the rest of the day.
Jan 16. I went to Jim Cavin's sale. Grace went with me and Hazel went along. Nellie Blanche and Clyde stayed at home and..........This evening James and I went back to Cavin's and got one of his horses to plow.
Jan 17. James and I ditched upland on the other side of the creek all day. The day has been a cold and windy clear day.
Jan 18. I took the girls to school this morning and also saw Dr. Talley about my hand. Came home about 10 o'clock and helped James Summers with the rest of the day's work on the ditches across the creek.
Jan 19. I ditched upland on yon side of the creek all day.
Jan 20. This morning it is cloudy and raining, and I was at home this morning, and after noon I went to mill at Troutman and was up there most of the afternoon. Come home, and we all went up to Mr. Troutman's and spent the night.
Jan 21. Sunday. We come home this morning from Mr. Troutman's, Grace's father, and after noon we went to Sunday School and preaching, and after services we come home.
Jan 22. Made ditches on yon side of the creek. James Summers and Millard Bailey helped me. We made eight hours.
Jan 23. I made ditches on yon side of the creek. We worked 2 1/2 hours and it commenced raining and sleeting, and we come to the house. James Summers and Millard Bailey helped me.
Jan 24. This morning the ice is about five inches thick, and I have been at home all day. The children did not go to school today.
Jan 25. I was at home this morning. Worked on my car some, and after noon I went up to Homer's and got some gasoline and went onto Troutman and got cottonseed meal.
Jan 26. This morning I went over to Dave Byers and served a summons on him as R. W. Ziglar sued him, and this evening I hauled Mr. Walter Harwell a load of stovewood.
Jan 27. I was at home this morning, and after noon I went up to Homer's and went with him and Conway to Troutman and come back home before night.
Jan 28. Sunday. We all went to Sunday School this morning, and have been at home all evening. Mr. Judge Perry and family come and spent the evening with us, also Jim Cavin come with them.
Jan 29. I went to court in Statesville and was there all day. James helped Homer cut wood.
Jan 30. I went to court and was there all day. Ate dinner at C. A. Kyles as Grace and our baby was there.
Jan 31. I went to court and was there all day. I taken the children to school and come by for them this evening. It was late when I got home as I seen Oscar Murdock and had some business with him. Traded to saw for him on the Ostwalt place. He is to pay me $4.50 per thousand just for doing the sawing and push it over the pole. He is to do the cutting and logging.
February 1, 1923. I went to Statesville to see about getting some repairs for the sawmill and to attend to some business. Mr. James Cavin is here spending the night with us.
Feb 2. This morning I taken the feed off my saw mandel. After noon I taken the mandel to town and ordered off a Heacock feed from C. H. Turner to get it in two weeks. The cost is $110 cash.
Feb 3. This morning James and I put a flue in the boiler and this evening I went up to the store and was at home. James got an order to Sherrill and Freeze for $3.95.
Feb 4. Sunday. We stayed at home all day, only I went over to see Ralph Overcash and on by Mother's and got back home for dinner.
Feb 5. I have been at home all day sharpening some crosscut saws.
Feb 6. I have been at home all day. The day has been awfully bad, sleeted and snowed.
Feb 7. I killed a hog this morning. James helped me, and then we went to the mill and filled up the boiler. After noon we fired up and run the engine out of its bed on the mill yard, and then we stacked some lumber. We made six hours.
Feb 8. James and I worked 2 hours on the mill yard, and then Grace and Clyde went up to see Mr. Troutman as some of them have been sick. James worked in his newground.
Feb 9. I attended to Clyde while Grace washed, and this evening I served some summons and taken some of the sawmill parts to C. H. Turner to get my feed fixed. James worked in his newground.
Feb 10. I hauled some pine needles for the stables, and James helped me some. We hauled one load after dinner, and then we taken Ralph Overcash some fresh meat and to see how he was getting along. I went on by Conway's to see how Mother was. She has been sick, and it was about night when I got home.
Feb 11. Sunday. I stayed at home and kept the boys as the roads was so muddy, and Ernest is sick. Grace and the girls went to Sunday School and this evening we went over to Conway's as Reuben and wife and baby is there.
Feb 12. I worked in the newground, only it rained, and I come home at 11 o'clock. It stopped and I went back after noon and worked till about night when it rained and is raining tonight.
Feb 13. This morning it is raining, and I have been at home all day, only I went up to Troutman to summons Bob Overcash to Salisbury, and I also taken a horse to Jim and had him shod and taken him home.
Feb 14. I worked in the newground all day and got along fine.
Feb 15. I worked in t he newground till I got done, and then I went to get Peter Vanderburg to help me put up some ceiling, and we worked four and a half hours.
Feb 16. Put up some ceiling most all day. Peter Vanderburg helped me till 3 o'clock.
Feb 17. I moved my engine over to a site on the Ostwalt place to cut a set for Oscar Murdock. We moved it in three hours, and then James hauled him a load of wood, and after noon I hauled two loads and then drug some roads, and then went to the store.
Feb 18. Sunday. We all was at home till after noon, and then we went to preaching and Sunday School, and come back by Reuben's awhile and then on home.
Feb 19. I hauled some wood off the newground to the house till noon, and this evening I went to Troutman to get some cottonseed meal for the cows. This is my forty-first birthday, and Mother come over and taken dinner with me.
Feb 20. This morning I went and started James to dig the dust hole, and then Grace and I went over to Ralph Hanes' awhile. He died this morning at 3:15 with tuberculosis, and this evening I have been at home.
Feb 21. This morning I went to Ralph Hanes' burying. This evening I have been at home, and Dave Overcash sawed some wood for me.
Feb 22. This morning I went to Troutman to mill, and this evening I trimmed some in my orchard.
Feb 23. Today I went to Elmore Hanes' sale as he is selling out to go to New Mexico. I cried the sale, and was there most all day.
Feb 24. This morning I worked cleaning out a way to get in with the mill and then I went to Statesville. Grace and Ernest went with me, and the rest of the children stayed at home. I got some oil and Grace got some things--coats for the girls and her a pair of shoes.
Feb 25. Sunday. We all went to Sunday School, and after noon we went up to Mr. Troutman's, Grace's father, and got back home about night.
Feb 26. This morning I went to move the sawmill, and we got two loads moved, and the rain got so hard we come to the house. We worked two hours.
Feb 27. This morning James and I moved the rest of the mill, and this evening we commenced putting it down. We worked nine hours.
Feb 28. I worked putting down the sawmill all day. James Summers helped me. We made ten hours.
March 1, 1923. This morning James and I worked two hours, and then we killed a hog, and I went to the mill late this evening, and James hauled up some of his corn.
Mar 2. This morning I worked the meat and hung it, and then I laid some porch flooring, and James worked in his newground.
Mar 3. I worked on the porch laying some floors, and this evening I went to serve a summons and on to town. Grace and Ernest was with me.
Mar 4. Sunday. We all went to preaching and Sunday School, and this evening we stayed at home.
Mar 5. I worked on the porch all day laying flooring. Peter Vanderburg helped me four hours, and then went off to make a coffin for a negro baby.
Mar 6. I worked on the porch till late this evening. Peter come at 12 o'clock and helped me awhile. I got done with the flooring.
Mar 7. This morning I taken some lumber to the negro school house to build some toilets, and then worked some at the sawmill, and this evening I went to Troutman.
Mar 8. I went to T. S. Loftin's after some corn. James went with me, and we taken two wagons and got 48 bushels of corn. It was one o'clock when we got home, and then I went to East Monbo to serve an ex....... on P. E. Adams and James hauled him some wood.
Mar 9. I went to Statesville. Made two trips up there. Brought my sawmill feed home and are ready to get to sawing. My feed I got cost $110.00. I also got a cable for $12.75.
Mar 10. I worked putting a belt feed on the sawmill. James helped me, and Tom Ervin come down to help me, but he was sick and went back home.
Mar 11. Sunday. We all went to Sunday School this morning, and this evening we went over to Conway's and Mother's awhile.
Mar 12. Worked at the mill all day. We had to take the feed off and put it back on. James helped me and we made ten hours.
Mar 13. I went to town to C. H. Turner's to see about some belts. Found they were too short. Come back home and got the measure and went back and got them. I also paid C. H., Turner for belt feed and cable $122.75. Grace and Clyde went with me to Mr. Troutman's, and I come and went by for them.
Mar 14. I worked getting ready to saw. Place the engine and started to saw late this evening. A piece of casting that fit on the drum (broke) and we had to stop and take it off. James Summers and Millard helped me.
Mar 15. This morning we put the old cog on the drum of the sawmill as we broke the casting off that I got with the new feed, and then I sawed. James Summers and Leonard Peary helped me. We made ten hours.
Mar 16. This morning I went to the mill and we covered up the belt and made a shed over the engine. Leonard helped me all day, and James worked four hours this morning.
Mar 17. I went to Troutman this morning and went on to Statesville and it was about night when I got home. Leonard cut wood till four o'clock this evening.
Mar 18. Sunday. I went over to Conway Collins' this morning as George and Levada are over there, and this evening we all went to preaching and Sunday School, and it was about six o'clock when we got home.
Mar 19. I went to Troutman and summoned a jury of three men, G. M. Young, A. S. Alley, and T. L. Ervin. We went to P. E. Adams to lay off his homestead, but he was not there, so we come back home and I sawed this evening. James fired, Will Summers turned logs, and Leonard Peary offbarrowed.
Mar 20. Sawed at the mill all day. James fired, Leonard Peary offbarrowed, and Will Summers turned logs.
Mar 21. Sawed at the mill al day. James fired, Leonard offbarrowed, and Will Summers turned logs. We got all the logs off the yard sawed up.
Mar 22. This morning I went to town and got some oil and to summons C. C. Wagner as Earl Lipe and Luther Harrington sued him.
Mar 23. Sawed at the mill till noon, and this evening the boy went to the Neil Schoolhouse, and I taken them down there, and I come back by W. L. Overcash's and got his clover seed and sowed and intended sowing some clover seed, but it rained.
Mar 24. Sawed at the mill till about 11 o'clock and we stopped. Leonard hauled wood off the newground, and I went to Ostwalt and on to town.
Mar 25. Sunday. We all went to church and had Sunday School, and we taken our dinner and stayed and practiced for the Easter service.
Mar 26. Sawed at the mill till 5:30 o'clock, and we stopped. The ...........on the engine slipped, and we made eight hours and Leonard made four hours.
Mar 27,1923. We all went to Troutman to attend the contesting of several schools, and was there till late this evening, and we got a message from J. B.
that Mr. Cartwright was bad off and wanted us to come. We come home, and the girls went up there, and we spent the night up there, and we found him a little better.
Mar 28. This morning finds me at Mr. Cartwright's but come home, and got home at noon. Nellie Blanche and Hazel come with me. Mr. Cartwright seems some better, and this evening I sowed some clover seed. Leonard did nothing this morning, but worked this evening.
Mar 29. Sawed at the mill. James fired, Will come in at eleven o'clock and Leonard and James worked all day.
Mar. 30. Sawed at the mill all day, and I got along fine. James Summers fired, Will turned logs, and Leonard offbarrowed. Mr. Murdock paid me $100 or a check.
Mar 31. I went to Mr. J. L. Smith's to Kannapolis to collect a bad debt, and found the man, and he taken me to Salisbury to get the money, and we got back to Troutman, and I taken supper with Mr. Smith and was out till about 1 o'clock looking for a car.
April 1, 1923. Sunday. Grace and I went to preaching at Rocky Mount, and come home and ate dinner, and we went back to the church for an Easter program. The children stayed at home as Hazel has measles. The ice was 3/4 inch thick.
Apr 2. This morning I went to a mill and on to Statesville with Peter Vanderburg, and this evening I have been at home till late, I went to Troutman and got some cottonseed meal and some other things.
Apr 3. I taken up stumps till noon, then Len Peary helped me, and James plowed on yon side of the creek, and this evening it rained and we didn't do anything.
Apr 4. Sawed at the mill till noon, and went to work after noon and worked twenty minutes, and it rained awfully hard.
Apr 5. This morning it is cloudy and we have been around the house. Sawed some wood. James and Leonard helped me, and this evening I went to Troutman to serve some summons on Walt Pink and Ernest Young.
Apr 6. This morning I went to the mill and started to sawing, and broke a piece of casting on the drum, and I had to go to town to get it fixed, and we sawed this evening. Will Summers worked all day, and Leonard and James worked this evening.
Apr 7. Sawed at the mill all day and we got along very well. James fired, Will turned logs, and Leonard offbarrowed.
Apr 8. Sunday. We went to Sunday School this morning, and this evening we all went up to Mr. J. C. Troutman's and it was about night when we got home.
Apr 9. I hauled some crossties to Troutman today. I made two loads and hauled thirty-three ties.
Apr 10. Sawed at the mill this morning a little while, and this evening Will made eight hours, James five, and Leonard five.
Apr 11. I hauled manure till late this evening I went to mill. Will helped me and we also hauled some needles for the stables.
Apr 12. Dug stumps all day. Will and Leonard Peary helped me. I went to Troutman after noon and searched a house on the cottonmill hill for whiskey, but never found any, and then went on to town and got a case of dynamite, and come on back home.
Apr 13. This morning Leonard and Will Summers and I got some singletree timbers, and Leonard and I made singletrees most all day.
Apr 14. This morning we started to split stovewood, but it started to rain and we stopped. James Summers and Leonard Peary helped me, and I have been home late this evening. I went and served a summons on W. L. Brown and was at Troutman awhile.
Apr 15. We all was at home this morning, and this evening Grace and I went to preaching at Rocky Mount, and the children stayed at home, as Nellie Blanche and Clyde has measles.
Apr 16. I hauled lumber to Troutman and made two loads today.
Apr 17. I hauled lumber to Troutman. Made two loads. James and Will Summers split stovewood all day.
Apr 18. I went to J. C. Collins' burying at Vanderburg Graveyard. Leonard and Will dug stumps till noon. J. C. Collins died suddenly.
Apr 19. I dug stumps till after noon. Leonard Peary dug all day. J. M. Cartwright died this morning at ten o'clock, and Hazel and I went up there and spent the night.
Apr 20. This morning finds me at Mrs. J. M. Cartwright's and stayed for Mr. Cartwright's burying this evening, and we got home at 6:30 this evening. Hazel went with me.
Apr 21. I cut with the disk harrow all day in some clover land I am fixing for corn.
Apr 22. Sunday. I have been at home and in bed most of the day as I am sick. Grace and Hazel went to Sunday School this morning.
Apr 23. I worked at some ditches this morning and hauled out some stumps. James worked till five o'clock, and Leonard worked this evening. I also went to Troutman to get some things and to get a shovel handle fixed.
Apr 24. Dug stumps all day only I planted some potatoes this morning. James Summers and Leonard Peary helped me this morning.
Apr 25. I dug stumps and plowed and harrowed some, and James laid off some corn rows this evening. Leonard also helped me.
Apr 26. Planted cotton seed. James and Leonard Peary helped me. I got my cotton seed planted. We all went to Springdale tonight to a school closing.
Apr 27. I helped James Summers plant cotton seed this morning, or fixed some ditches this morning, and planted seed this evening. Leonard helped him all day.
Apr 28. This morning it is cloudy and I went to Troutman, and went up to the lumber plant and got some money for lumber I sold them. James and Leonard went with me. I paid Leonard ten dollars check and come back home and went to church. And after I got home I fixed a water ditch and was at home.
Apr 29. Sunday. I have been at home all day as Ernest has the measles, and Grace and the girls went to preaching this evening.
Apr 30. I hauled a load of lumber, 2 x 4 x 10, to the Hall & Cole Co. at Troutman, and this evening Grace and I went to town.
May 1, 1923. I hauled a load of lumber to town. Leonard helped James work off the creek banks.
May 2. I went to town this morning with a load of lumber, and got back home about 2 o'clock, and went up to Troutman and had some work done on my car. Leonard helped James work on the creek bank all day.
May 3. Worked on the ditches all day. James and Leonard helped me. James worked till 2:30, then worked on the creek banks the rest of the evening.
May 4. Worked on some ditches on yon side of the creek. Conway and Leonard Peary helped me all day. Conway had his team and helped till three-thirty o'clock and then went home.
May 5. This morning it is cloudy and raining, and we worked one hour. James Summers and Leonard Peary helped me, and the rain got so hard we come to the house, and I went to town. James got 1 1/2 gallons of molasses, and Leonard fifty cents in cash.
May 6. Sunday. We all went to church this morning, and Nellie Blanche and Hazel went home with Annis Ervin, and after noon Grace and the boys and I went up to Mr. Troutman's and stayed awhile.
May 7. Worked on yon side of the creek, making the ditches. James helped me, and we got them done, and we harrowed some.
May 8. Worked on yon side of the creek planting cotton seed for James Summers. I laid off rows, James put in the fertilizer, and Leonard Peary planted seed. I went to Troutman in the car this evening to get some fertilizer, but there wasn't any.
May 9. We made truck patches most all day. Some for me and some for James, and he bedded some potatoes this evening.
May 10. I went up to Troutman and come back by James' and helped him, and Leonard helped James this evening. We went to Troutman to the Commencement.
May 11. I went up to Troutman, and on to Mr. Troutman's and have been at home and helped James plant cotton seed, and Leonard helped him all day. We got done planting cotton seed.
May 12. This morning I went and got Mr. L. A. Jones' stalk cutter and cut some stalks for myself, and two hours for James Summers, and Leonard worked on creek banks and plowed this evening.
May 13. Sunday. We all went to Troutman to the schoolhouse for the Commencement Sermon at 4 o'clock. As it rained so much the car got wet and I could not get it started. Got Tom Ervin's Ford to come home in, and left mine up there.
May 14. This morning I worked on the road awhile, and then we went to the Troutman High School Commencement and was there most all day. Taken dinner at Hub Litton's.
May 15. I went to mill this morning. Leonard and James hauled some leaves for the stables, and after noon we fixed up to saw, but it rained most all evening and we was at home.
May 16. This morning it rained and it cleared off up in the morning, and we sawed. James Summers and Leonard Peary helped me.
May 17. Sawed at the mill till awhile after noon, and we got the yard cleared, and then we went and cut some logs for the county, and got two logs hauled.
May 18. Cut and hauled some logs for a bridge for the county, and after we got them hauled we sawed them. James Summers and Leonard Peary helped me.
May 19. This morning I taken a load of lumber to the road. James and Leonard helped load it, and Leonard went with me, and James worked on the creek banks, and when we got back Leonard weeded cotton till about 1 o'clock, and after noon I went and arrested Hazel Davidson and taken him to town. He got up the money, and he was turned loose. Grace went with me, and stopped at Mabel Lipe Mills. I come by for her. James went to A. S. Alley's and got five bags of fertilizer, 8-3-3.
May 20. Sunday. We stayed at home till after noon. Mrs. Cartwright and the boy come down, and we all went to church, and Nellie Blanche and Hazel went home with Mrs. Cartwright to spend a week.
May 21. This morning I went to Statesville to court. I left James and Leonard at work. They both worked for me this morning, and then for James from about 11 o'clock till night.
May 22. I went to court and was there all day, and Leonard plowed some rye land all day. The creek was from hill to hill last night. The land washed up awfully bad.
May 23. I went to court and was there all day. Leonard was plowing under some rye and got done at 3:30 o'clock.
May 24. I went to court and was there all day. The land is so wet the boys haven't done anything.
May 25. I went to court and was there all day. Grace went and spent the day with cousin, Mrs. T. L. Ervin.
May 26. This morning we went over to the newground, and we cut a cedar tree and raked (?) around the newground. James Summers hauled some posts home. This evening I went to Statesville after the children as they had been up at Mrs. Cartwright's.
May 27. Sunday. We all went to Sunday School, and this evening we went up to Mr. Troutman's, Grace's father.
May 28. I went to court in Statesville, and the boys haven't done anything.
May 29. I went to court and was there all day. Leonard and the children hoed some corn, and started to thin some cotton, but it rained in the evening.
May 30. I went to court and to Memorial Day. We had court this evening. Grace and Ernest went with me, and Nellie Blanche and Hazel and Clyde went over to Mother's and was there all day.
May 31. I went back to court this morning, and got back home at noon, as court cleared, and I plowed some this evening till it rained at four o'clock.
June 1, 1923. I plowed some this morning, and this evening I went to town to serve some papers while M. P. Alexander was gone to Doolie to take some prisoners. Leonard plowed and the girls are hoeing.
Jun 2. This morning I run off some corn rows and plowed some corn. Leonard plowed cotton, and this evening we went up to Troutman and got some ice and made some ice cream.
Jun 3. Sunday. We all went to preaching this morning, and Will Simms and family come home with us, and we was at home all evening.
Jun 4. I went to Statesville to the Recorder's Court, and this evening I was at home. I plastered some..... and then burned off the newground. Leonard worked all day.
Jun 5. Plowed in the newground all day, only it rained after noon, and we didn't get to work till four o'clock. Leonard helped me and we made nine hours.
Jun 6. Plowed and worked in the newground all day. Got it planted this evening. Leonard helped me, and Grace and the children also helped too.
Jun 7. This morning I taken Grace and the baby up to Mr. J. C. Troutman's, Grace's father, and come back, and this evening I mowed some creek banks. Leonard plowed in the bottoms all day, and we planted a piece of bottoms this evening.
Jun 8. I mowed some creek banks and some clover, and this evening I went up to Troutman, and Leonard plowed in the bottoms all day.
Jun 9. This morning I helped James take some fertilizer to the field and get started to plant some corn and peas, and then I went to do some work on the reaper, and this evening, Lydie Ervin come and helped me put up the mantleboards and then I went to town and by Mr. Troutman's after Grace and the baby, and tonight we went down to Mr. R. F. Mayes to an ice cream supper.
Jun 10. Sunday. This morning I taken James Summers' wife and Leonard Peary up to a church near Statesville, and then come home and went to church and was there most all day, only I went back after the negroes late this evening.
Jun 11. Planted corn in the bottoms and got done, and then started to plowing corn, and the sheriff called me to go and arrest a man, so I went and had to go to town, and it was late in the evening when I got home. Leonard plowed all day.
Jun 12. I plowed corn today, and Leonard Peary plowed cotton till four o'clock, and it rained some.
Jun 13. This morning I went over to Mother's and got the mowing machine and fixed it up, and then cut some clover till it rained at two o'clock. Leonard cut some fence posts this morning.
Jun 14. Mowed some clover till about four o'clock. I went to Statesville to get some repairs for the mowing machine, and after I got up there, I decided to buy a new one.
Jun 15. This morning I went to Statesville after a mowing machine. A. L. Summers went with me in his truck after it, and James and Leonard worked in James' newground till noon, and after noon we cut wheat for me, and I cut some clover.
Jun 16. This morning we cut wheat awhile, and then I taken James and Leonard up to Troutman, and I paid Leonard $7 and James $.50. And I was around Troutman, but come home and taken Grace and children to town.
Jun 17. Sunday. We went over to Conway's awhile this morning, and we all went to church this evening to preaching.
Jun 18. I went to mill this morning, and after we got back we raked and hauled six loads of clover hay. James helped put it up this morning, and Leonard from ten o'clock.
Jun 19. This morning I went over to Conway's and helped fix up the reaper, and cut some wheat for myself late this evening.
Jun 20. Cut wheat for myself till about 11 o'clock, and after noon we cut for James and got done till about four o'clock, and Len cut some oats, and James plowed cotton.
Jun 21. I hauled up two loads of wheat and then plowed the garden and some patches, and Leonard cut oats and we hauled them up this evening. James cut oats for Peter Vanderburg all day.
Jun 22. I hauled up some wheat this morning, and Leonard Peary helped me, and then we plowed the rest of the days--Leonard in the cotton and I in the corn. Grace and the children and I went up to Mr. Troutman's late this evening after some vinegar.
Jun 23. I plowed in the corn awhile this morning, and Leonard in the cotton till about 11 o'clock and got done, and this evening I went to Statesville. Grace and the children went to church, and Leonard went off.
Jun 24. Sunday. We all went to Sunday School this morning, and this evening we have been at home.
Jun 25. This morning I went to town with Grace, and this evening we have been around home.
Jun 26. I started to haul some leaves, and then Leonard taken a load of lumber for Tom Ervin, and I stayed to plow some corn, but it was too wet, and I went up to Ervin's sawmill.
Jun 27. We plowed a piece of corn, and then Leonard taken a load of lumber to town for Tom Ervin, and I have been around home. and this evening I went to Troutman.
Jun 28. I plowed corn all day. Leonard Peary helped me plow corn, and this evening we taken some lumber to the church and put up lemonade stand.
Jun 29. I plowed some patches and James and Leonard hauled up some wheat, and then Leonard taken a load of lumber to town for Tom Ervin, and I went to town to serve some papers this evening on some parties at Troutman.
Jun 30. Went to Children's Day, and we was there most all day. I run a stand for the benefit of the church, and this evening after the exercises was over, I taken the things we had over back to Troutman.
July 1, 1923. Sunday. We all went to Sunday School and Fed and Kate come home with us, and we was at home all evening.
Jul 2. I plowed cotton most all day, and come in at eleven o'clock, and then I fixed up a cultivator for James and then I plowed the rest of the day. Leonard isn't here today.
Jul 3. I plowed cotton till noon, and this evening I plowed some corn and plowed the newground late this evening.
Jul 4. I went up to Troutman this morning, and we all went to Mooresville to a picnic, but got home before night.
Jul 5. I taken a load of lumber to Statesville for Tom Ervin, and after I got back I plowed some in the corn. James plowed for me in the bottoms.
Jul 6. I fixed some pasture fence this morning, and worked a little at it this evening. James plowed awhile for me this morning, and then he helped me with the fence till noon and about two hours this evening.
Jul 7. I've been at or around home most all day. Went up to Troutman this evening.
Jul 8. Sunday. We all went to Sunday School this morning, and this evening we all went up to the Troutman Graveyard to one of Grace's aunt's burying. Her name is Charlotte Troutman, and it was about night when we got home.
Jul 9. I plowed some corn today, and James plowed in his cotton.
Jul 10. I hauled lumber for Tom Ervin to town.
Jul 11. I hauled lumber for Tom Ervin to town to the Sherrill Lumber Company.
Jul 12. I hauled lumber to town for Tom Ervin to C. H. Turner.
Jul 13. I hauled a load of lumber for Tom Ervin to C. H. Turner and got back till noon, and this evening I went up to Troutman to serve some summons and to have my harness traces fixed. This evening the creek was all over the bottoms.
Jul 14. I hauled a load of lumber for Tom Ervin. I hauled it to C. H. Turner, and this evening we went over to Bethel to a picnic.
Jul 15. Sunday. We came home from Will Simms this morning, and this evening we went to preaching at Rocky Mount.
Jul 16. I plowed corn till noon and cotton awhile after noon, and then it rained from about four o'clock till about night.
Jul 17. I hauled lumber for Tom Ervin to the Sherrill Lumber Co.
Jul 18. I hauled lumber for Tom Ervin to the Sherrill Lumber Company, and this evening I taken a load of blackberries to town that Grace and the children had canned.
Jul 19. I went to the State Farm Picnic and was there all day. The family was with me.
Jul 20. Plowed all day, only I taken a veal calf to Mooresville at noon. Plowed after I got back home.
Jul 21. I helped clean off the graveyard at Rocky Mount this morning, and this evening I helped D. L. Overcash thrash wheat.
Jul 22. Sunday. We all went to church this morning, and we stopped at Roy Parker's for dinner, and come home and done up our work, and went back to church this evening to preaching tonight as our meeting started.
Jul 23. I went to mill this morning and come back home and went to preaching, and this evening I cleaned up for the thrashers.
Jul 24. I plowed corn in the bottoms till noon. James Summers helped me, and this evening I went to Troutman to serve some summons on J. S. Waugh and Mason E. Brown, and we all went to church this evening.
Jul 25. I plowed in the newground corn awhile, and then went to church and plowed some this evening.
Jul 26. I finished plowing corn this morning, and then went to church.
Jul 27. We all went to church this morning, and after noon we all went to the Lippard Reunion and back to church tonight.
Jul 28. I went to preaching this morning, and this evening I went up to Troutman and on to Statesville a little while.
Jul 29. Sunday. We went to Sunday School and preaching and the preachers come home with us for dinner. We all went to preaching tonight, except Grace and the boys. Clyde is sick.
Jul 30. Commenced work at the sawmill. James and I made a shed over the mill and got ready to saw by noon, and Amos Queen helped us this evening, one of Oscar Murdock's hands.
Jul 31. Sawed at the mill all day. James fired, Rob Vanderburg offbarrowed, and I turned and sawed. Othar Sherrill offbarrowed one hour.
August 1, 1923. Sawed at the mill some. Rob Vanderburg and Othar Sherrill helped me, and we made ten hours.
Aug 2. Sawed at the mill. James fired, Rob Vanderburg turned logs, and Othar Sherrill offbarrowed till noon. This evening Roosevelt and Sherrill both offbarrowed. Just made one hand.
Aug 3. Sawed at the mill all day. James fired, Rob Vanderburg offbarrowed, and I turned logs and sawed.
Aug 4. I went to the mill and started to work and got sick. Come to the house and paid off the hands and went to bed. Was sick all day.
Aug 5. Sunday. I am sick in bed all day.
Aug 6. I am sick but set up part of the time. The wheat thrashers was here and thrashed my wheat. I made 51 .....and 15 bushels.
Aug 7. I am still sick and at home. Was up at the store this evening.
Aug 8. This morning I went up to Troutman and served some summons and started to see Ward Gilliland to get him to saw for me, and broke an axle out of my car, and it was night when I got home.
Aug 9. This morning I worked around the house, and this evening we sawed four hours, and James and Bob plowed for me this morning.
Aug 10. Sawed at mill all day. James fired and Rob Vanderburg offbarrowed, and Jerry Byers worked this evening.
Aug 11. This morning I went to get some corn at Lois Loftin's and then went and looked at some timber at Roam Clark's, and this evening we went to Statesville.
Aug 13. Sawed awhile this morning, and the governer stem gave out and I went to town to get it fixed and put it on.
Aug 14. Went to the mill to saw, but could not get the governer stem to work. I called J. J. White to come and fix it, but when we got it off, he had to go back to town, but got it fixed by dinner, and we sawed this evening.
Aug 15. Sawed at the mill this morning, but we had no logs this evening, and Grace and I went to Aunt .........Collins' sale.
Aug 16. Sawed all day at the mill.
Aug 17. We all went to the Troutman Reunion and was there all day.
Aug 18. I have been around home all day as I am not well. I hauled some pine leaves for the stables.
Aug 19. Sunday. We went to a reunion at T. J. Ervin's this morning, and then we went to preaching this evening.
To other diary pages
Home
The Rev. Clyde Collins (of blessed memory) remembered one day in 1923, when his father, John Arch Collins, asked if anyone in the family had seen his fountain pen. No one had. Repeated searches yielded nothing. The pen was gone. Collins had been keeping the diary faithfully with the same pen for many years. Without the pen, no further entries were made in the diary. John Arch Collins lived another three decades: But with the loss of the pen, the diary, already so laden with treasures, fell silent, having ended the same way it began, with a family reunion...