April 1, Tuesday
Wind blows hard all day Sew_ Go to Institute_ Conducted by J Q Emory_ good. Stay until [?] go to see Mrs Butler about making my dress. P.M. Miss G_ & I go to Inst Do not join_ It is extra good. Smith thinks & says 'somehow I am shy of him' Get another dress Take it to Miss Van de Bogarts to be cut
April 2, Wednesday
Go to Mrs. Butlers get dress fitted Call at Jewells, P.O. home cold. P.M. Go to Inst with Mrs. Gates awhile Go to Mates dress fitted, Lute comes for Nell & I to go home. Go with wagon wind blows so hard, cold, roads ruff
April 3, Thursday
Cold Nell spins I knit on Miss G_ mittens cut out skirt. The folks get along about as ever.
April 4, Friday
Cold. Go up to Palmers to see Grandpa. Aunt [Alma ?] taking care of him. Three toes entirely dead. He knows us all & is quite bright. Towards night Lib comes we go to Mrs. H. Jacks & stay until eve
April 5, Saturday
Sew finish my skirt & Miss G mittens visit, pop corn, read &c. Lute & Willie gone to town with colts. Lute brings my mail_
April 6, Sunday
Up late breakfast. Go to graveyard_ see Frona's¹ tombstone & so many others_ Call at Mrs. Levi's Mira going West to M[...?] home go with Lute & Libbie to see Grandpa He is worse today_ Back to Lutes stay all rest of day
¹ Frona Dilla Mills, Lute and Lib's seventh child, 1870-1878
April 7, Monday
Up four make fire_ Get ready for town Lute going to Hortonville I go with him to Station. He so cross to Willie¹ about putting up grist & Hackworthy comes out to town. School 33 scholars today very pleasant Saw Rolla² tonight
¹ Willis Luther Mills, Lute's son, aged 18 at the time.
² Rolla Walter Hardacker, Dilla's youngest brother.
April 8, Tuesday
Beautiful day School Am going to have my hands full this term
April 10, Thursday
Go to school storm wind blows so hard & rains_ 10 absent today_ Clears off before night_ home. Finish Miss G. mittens, the trimmings.
April 11, Friday
Pleasant, cold, Go to school Give Miss Gifford her mittens Mr. Churchill over, tell Catlin some complaints etc. Home write to Jennie Mills & Henry Send Flory her zephyr¹_ Willie 12 today Smith here tells me about teachers not good enough for new building &c
¹ Probably a zephyr shawl, a kind of thin, light, embroidered shawl made of worsted and cotton.
April 12, Saturday
Pleasant bathe, Go up town with Miss Gifford get $30 school money P.M. Miss Gates & I call at Mrs. D.C. Babcock A.C. Cooleys, Mrs Oscar Burns, Mrs. Bedells, Miss G
April 13, Sunday
Pleasant cloud up before night Go to M.E. Church with Miss Gifford. The church is trimmed beautifully with plants & flowers Evening go with Mrs. Gates to M.E. Church
April 14, Monday
Pleasant Go to school
April 15, Tuesday
School
April 16, Wednesday
School
Evening do my ironing iron tucked skirt so tired
April 17, Thursday
School
Mrs. Gates & I spend evening at Mrs. Jewells
April 18, Friday
School Pleasant day
April 19, Saturday
Warm & pleasant. bathe &c P.M. Go up town Pay up Clark & E get some buttons & ribbon home go to Mrs. Butlers get my dress. home Go to Odd Fellows Hall with Gracie to see Phonograph.¹ Gates & Cooley Profs.
¹ The
phonograph had been invented less than two years ago.
April 20, Sunday
Warm & so pleasant Up very late. Miss Gifford comes to go to Church before I get up from breakfast table. Ames[?] from Menasha preaches. Write to Will & Kate
April 21, Monday
Get postal from Henry saying Grandpa Wickware died yesterday at Mr. Palmers. Go to school Get one of the Barteau girls to teach for me tomorrow Go to Hortonville on train 8:30 PM stay all night at Drs. Rolla there
April 22, Tuesday
Very warm all day Up early Henry has men here working on house. Funeral at Grange Hall Elder Olin preaches. Large attendance Back to Henry Come to town on freight train 5 P.M. Tired & so warm & dusty
April 23, Wednesday
Pleasant go to school. Emma B taught for me she got along nicely_ P.M. Mrs. Ballard Mrs. Gallagher Louise Schultz & Miss Ballard visit school home Get rest of my dress 20 years today since Albert¹ was buried.
¹James Albert Hardacker, Dilla's eldest brother, 1838 - 1859.
April 24, Thursday
Pleasant very warm School This sultry weather makes one feel dull P.M. looks so much like rain but get home first
April 25, Friday
Warm rain. Ever so much rain fell last night. Clears about eleven o'clock_ Some of the children absent on account of the rain. Home read Mr. Gates gone this week
April 26, Saturday
Pleasant A.M. mend_
P.M. bathe Go up town with Mrs. Gates go to Flemmings get my walking hat trimmed in brown silk Wear my suit for the first Get postal from Will. Call at Mrs. Jewells Flora & I go to call on Eliza Blackwood She not at home
April 27, Sunday
Pleasant Go to M.E. Church with Miss Gifford Wear my brown suit P.M. read Call at Abbies. read. Elder Hubbs sermon "Every man his works" was excellent
April 28, Monday
Some cooler but pleasant Ride to school with Mr. Catlin School goes good today_ Don't believe but teaching is a good thing. Home callers. sew some Write to Laura
April 29, Tuesday
Cloudy & cold. Go to school get along quite well today Stop at Mr. Caverts play croquet rather cold Home read Write letter
April 30, Wednesday
Pleasant rather cold Go to school Get letter from Jen she has been down home Miss Caverts & Miss Clark visit our schools
May 1, Thursday
Go to school get letter from Herm all well School as usual After school call at Mrs. Ketches Home tired read do my ironing_ bed early
May 2, Friday
Pleasant go to school Get along very well pieces in P.M. Home Bathe, Eve to Opera "Pinafore" with Miss G & Mrs.Gates. Play by Oshkosh Amateurs. Half crowded_ I like it very much. Sick headache after I get home
May 3, Saturday
Mr. Gates goes away up North Miss Gifford stayed all night with me We go up town get our school money Go to shop. Home visit awhile Go piece with her call at Cooleys_ Home don't feel good take nap Evening go Mrs. Burns with Mrs. Gates
May 4, Sunday
Rained some last night don't feel well doctor some but don't have to call for any extra help_ much to my satisfaction_ Take nap read &c Get ready to go to church but looks so much like rain don't go_
May 5, Monday
Pleasant Go to school Full school today home write to Jennie Mills Read "Mistakes of Moses" by Bob Ingersoll & others
May 6, Tuesday
Go to school get letter from Will & postal from Kate School goes very well today Roads so dusty. Home read and visit until ten Conkey visits schools this P.M.
May 7, Wednesday
Pleasant get letter Go to school. Children uneasy get some tired. Call at Mrs. Kellys. Have very pleasant call Home_ Read
May 8, Thursday
Pleasant_ Go to school All goes well today. Stop to play croquet with Susie Churchill awhile Stop at Adsits Opening home awful tired_ Supper read until bed time
May 9, Friday
Beautiful morning Go to school trees leaving out nicely see some apple blossoms the first most everyone making gardens school good today_ Stop to play croquet at Susies Flora comes & spends evening
May 10, Saturday
Up a little after six. Do my washing here at Mrs. Gates Get all done by ten, She has her washing done out of the house Go up town. Call with Mrs. Gates at Miss Pratts & at Green House weigh 112 lbs. very warm all day night thundershower
May 11, Sunday
Very warm. Go to M.E. Church with Miss Gifford. Home read write to Kate & Will V_ Cloudy toward night. Go to P.O. but looks so much like rain do not go to Church. Thunder shower during night
May 12, Monday
Take off my wraps today Pleasant Go to school Hear good many school children sick with measles but not any of my scholars School goes nicely today Home tired so warm bed early
May 13, Tuesday
Pleasant Go to school so warm do not wear anything around me today_ School does well today. Annie & Alice go to Greenville today. Lib in town but does not come to see me. Betsy Sanders died today
May 14, Wednesday
Rained hard last night. Ever so much cooler today a fire quite comfortable_ school full today all there but one (33) Think school teaching about the nicest employment yet. Home sew, visit with Mrs. Gates
May 15, Thursday
Cool but pleasant_ Go to school. school rather noisy A.M._ P.M. punish one & have it very quiet rest of the day Wish they could have a little more sense about doing right_ Home read sew some
May 16, Friday
Go to school. Get along nicely today, have pieces in P.M._ Home have headache_ Miss Gifford has party but don't go. Think too far for little fun
May 17, Saturday
Beautiful morning. Get ready go uptown decide to go to Herms in the train. Walk up to Junction go to W. Greenville Surprise Herms folks a good deal both of the babys have grown so much Rolla gone to Dakota Herm very busy with spring work
May 18, Sunday
Colder than usual this morn Visit with Herm & Em They bring me to town Let[?] Jack comes too. Have such a nice ride roads so smooth, Herm pays me $10 visit money Evening go to M.E. Church with Mrs. Gates
May 19, Monday
Pleasant up late. Go to school we ride with Mr. Catlin. Miss G tells me about her party &c_ School goes quite well today several out Children bring me such lovely flowers, Apple blossoms & lilacs & pansys
May 20, Tuesday
Pleasant School Get letter from home see Lute Call at Mrs. Banters & Mrs. Will Churchills_ Home_ tired bed early
May 21, Wednesday
Pleasant But the roads so dusty. School_ Having school yard cleared off going to have pictures of building_ call at Mrs. Johnsons Home iron Mrs. G_ goes to Dr. Livingston sociable
May 22, Thursday
Cool and pleasant School Almost all of the children present today_ Call at Mrs. Bentleys she sick a bed_ Call on Barteau girls Home play croquet on new grounds
May 23, Friday
Pleasant roads so dusty Go to school get 3 letters, Kate & John pictures. letter from Dr. V._ Home supper Lute calls wants to know if I want to go home say yes. Ride in wagon & load of lumber & shingles home about half past ten
May 24, Saturday
Did not sleep much last night Visit dress Jen's doll read play croquet_ make some button holes. Lib not very well girls have to do so much work. Man comes Mon to fix house
May 25, Sunday
Cloudy wind blows hard all day Want Willie to bring me to town He won't ask for horses &c Lute, Libbie, Jen & Norm bring me home with colts. Nell goes riding with John Jack_ write to Jen Hardacker. So cold Bed early
May 26, Monday
Cool. Go to school. Children rather noisy. P.M. Spicer takes view of school & children Call at Churchills. Home Miss Gifford stays all night. we play croquet Mrs Gates & Mrs Burns play too
May 27, Tuesday
Warm & pleasant_ Go to school Get along nicely today. P.M. fire down to the dry house at the Chair factory. Home stop a [store?] Catlin brings Dictionary for me $3.00 Home sew finish a garment bathe
May 28, Wednesday
Cloudy. looks some like rain. Up late. Go to school. Feel tired do not get along extra well. Adolph Tock visit school We stop at Mrs. Browns to tea. Pleasant time. Home play croquet_
May 29, Thursday
Quite warm Get letter from Mate Chase School A.M. get along quite well. P.M. have to punish Nellie Maxwell she getting the girls into a quarrel. home bind calico dress
May 30, Friday
A.M. Do my 3 weeks wash P.M. Decoration Day Mrs. Gates & I walk down to Cemetary listen to speeches & see them decorate the graves. Worms so thick sick headache mist all night
May 31, Saturday
Rainy up very late Do my ironing Get letter from Fl[orence?]._ P.M. saw Mrs. D.C. Babcock here Evening Mrs. Gates & I go up town has rained nearly all day Read_
June 1, Sunday
Windy & cold. Do not feel very well get ready to go to Church but Miss G does not come so don't go. Write to Kate & Delia Patch read visit Mrs. Gates & Grace go to Church I stay home
June 2, Monday
Pleasant & cool School. Get along very well but do not teach much Don't feel good Home. sew & play croquet with Mrs. Burns & Gates. Go to Green House with girls
June 3, Tuesday
Pleasant. Go to school. Have full school today. After school, Call at Mrs. Knickerbockers, Mrs. Fists, Mrs. Lawlers, Mrs. [blank] Home supper call at Mrs Stows with Mrs Gates
June 4, Wednesday
Pleasant School as usual Miss G & I take tea at Mrs. Vanderhidens_ Home so tired read play croquet Flora comes I go & stay all night with her
June 5, Thursday
Did not sleep much last night breakfast before seven come home. Go to school don't feel good. Go to Mr. Besserdicks to tea have pleasant time Willie brings us home
June 6, Friday
Slept so good last night. Go to school. Have full school today Catlin in awhile. Call at Conkeys Office get Checks for $50. home read & sew Write to Will at school house today sent the flower to remind him of old times &c
June 7, Saturday
Pleasant. Bathe. Sew. visit 3 P.M. Go up town get money home meet Nell, Willie & Henry Go with them to Springs¹. Have boat ride. Back by Fourth Ward S.H. Do some trading. They come here to tea.
¹ The springs at Telulah Park on south side of the Fox River in Appleton were a local attraction.
June 8, Sunday
Pleasant Up late. Go to M.E. Church with Miss Gifford. Good sermon Home rest. Go to Church in evening with Mrs. Gates Sermon on swearing & using by words &c
June 9, Monday
Pleasant & so warm Go to school
June 10, Tuesday
Pleasant Wear calico dress today School. After school. Go to Mrs Gallaghers to tea Home Had good time we meet Mrs. Conkey she don't speak
June 11, Wednesday
Pleasant. Go to school. Get along well. Have another picture of the house. I call at Mrs Bentleys Nell Hackworthys. Get caught in the shower Stop at Dr Reeves Take tea at Cooleys. Home
June 12, Thursday
Pleasant School about as usual. Home Evening Miss Gifford and I go to Second Ward Alumni Meeting Frank Harriman speaks, singing, supper, tosts [sic] &c Quite pleasant time Miss G stays all night
June 13, Friday
Pleasant & warm. Go to school Last day this week & last day for all the schools but ours. How I wish we were through. Go home with Miss Gifford & stay all night
June 14, Saturday
Rainy. Miss Woods Picnic today & Excursion to Oshkosh_ rains so don't go to either Home about 11 o'clock. P.M. Alice Cooley comes & Mrs Burns we play croquet_ Evening Mrs G & I go to College to hear Philip Philips sing
June 15, Sunday
Cloudy, Windy_ Go to M.E. Church with Miss Gifford come home in rain. Write to Mate Chase read visit Colder than usual
June 16, Monday
Pleasant. But awful hard work to go to school when the others are all out_ Mrs Lawfer visits us. Call at Mrs. Payss Mrs. Sailers take tea at Mrs Guttshaws. Call at Mrs Gasses Home tired
June 17, Tuesday
Cool but pleasant. Go to school. Have full school Jen Catlin & Ida Bauter visit us a little while. Call at Mrs. Munts & Mrs. Degmires See Son Perrot Call at Mr. Bates Stop at Munches they want us to have glass of beer
June 18, Wednesday
Pleasant Go to school Mr Conkey visits us A.M. P.M. Miss Strong Mr Catlin & Miss Gifford & I stop to tea at Mrs Caverts play croquet until most dark home tired so can't go to M E Church to sociable
June 19, Thursday
Pleasant. School A.M. Make out reports. Close for the year Go to the Park for the Editors Convention hear Peck. [H..ard?], Gunther, Miss Slater speak extra good walk home, get here by 3. get letter from Will V. So tired
June 20, Friday
Pleasant. Walk to school house Children ready. Go to Telula Park have Picnic. So many of the parents come. Have dinner peanuts & candy boat rides, croquet Ride back to S House. Make out report call at Lawlers [...?] school so much wriggling &c
June 21, Saturday
Rains until about 10 o'clock A.M. do my 3 weeks washing P.M. Mrs. Thompson & Miss Sarah Smith here toward night go up town. Go with Mrs. Gates to Preparatory Ex. It is real good Homer Cooley spoke
June 22, Sunday
Up late. Go to M.E. Church with Miss Gifford Rev. Fellows of Ripon preached Miss G. stops here to dinner We go to C. Chapel & hear Baccalaurate sermon by Dr. Steele his last stay home evening
June 23 Monday
Pleasant very warm 94° Iron P.M. go up town order bonnet. see Lute is going to haying right away &c measles Mrs Gates & I spend P.M. at Mrs. Randalls. Evening go to Prize Exhibition. Frank Cooley gets 1st prize
June 24, Tuesday
Pleasant Warm. Do up work Write to Florence. Miss Gifford & I go over river get orders signed Mrs Besserdich takes us to the Lake¹ Do not go in bathing. Willie brings us home. Get ready to go to College Miss Gifford does not come Cant go
¹ Lake Winnebago, a popular day-trip destination.
June 25, Wednesday
Rainy Go with Mrs Shomlding to Reunion of Phoenix Society also in Phil. Hall P.M. Go to Miss Giffords. She has been sick Evening go to Alumni Meeting Clithro [?] Orative, Miss Kenmah [?] P.M. Go to visit with Miss G.
June 26, Thursday
Do not hardly [... ?] Have head ache It rains early. Home get ready Go to Chapel LaClair girls sing_ Exercises long. Home most sick. take nap. Henry calls is going to Dr. Steeles this evening. He does not think I am sick enough for measles
June 27, Friday
Up early. Go up town see Dr & [La... ?], home go with Miss G. & get our money_ Conkey says just as the people wish schools will be decided. Bid Catlin Good bye He tells us the school plan &c. Go home with Miss G. P.M. We spend with Cooley girls
June 28, Saturday
Up late, face broke out a little more. cant hardly think I am sick enough for measles Pack trunk P.M. Call at Abbies. Flora & Steffen come home with me play croquet Evening come to H. on train to Drs. Mr. S. very kindly carries my satchel &c
June 29, Sunday
Dr. gave me some brandy & my face is all covered with measles Stay in bed all day & keep warm have head ache, cough, & an awful sick spell for little while But could not have a better place to be sick
June 30, Monday
Pleasant. Stay in bed all day. Measles out good. Henry gives me some cough medicine.
