W. E. Costley on the breaks of Middle Bosque Creek.
Friday November the first AD 1900 hundred Opened up quite a nice clear cool
morning wind Still from the north perfectley clear The thermometer registered
this morning at an earley hour at 42 Degrees tempature. We we (were) out of
our bed of repose quite late this morning on the account of being So cool but
in the coure of time after i a woke i arose from my bed put my clothes
on the(n) built a fire on in the fireplace for my wife to getup by She then
a rose from her bed of Slumber dressed her Self then went to work to prepare
our mornings meal as i had the fire built in the stove that is all that i did
before i eat my mornings meal when the meal was Served and placed on the table
we taken seats to the table then portaken of our mornings meal when we were
through my wife taken care of her breakfast table then put her Kitchen and
dining in good order for the next meal. then taken care of her dwelling and
Sleeping department. after getting through She then went to the wash tubb too
wash our clothes whilst i walked too the woods to chop a load of wood after
i had chopped untill 12-Oclock then cut off work walked too the house after
resting for a bit i then walked up too my upper field brought my teem too the
house i then fed my teem come in doors washed my hands and face then we all
eat our noons meal as my wife had it Served and on the table all readey when
we were through with our meal my wife taken care of her dinner table put evry
thing in order a gain then went too her wash tub to finish her washing whilst
i taken my pen in hand and began to record the work that had been done in the
forenoon of to day after i were through i then caught and geered my teem hitched
them to my wagon then drove too the Bosque to water my teem and to hall a
barrel of water after the teem drank i filled the barrel with water then drove
to my place then diped the water out of the barrel and empted it in one on the
ground in order that i could get the wagon to hall a load of wood too Crawford
i then greered the wagon then drove for the woods after arriving at the pot
i loaded on the wagon then drove for my place after arriving at my place
i then ungeered my teem then fed them as it was too late to go on too Crawford
John Costley Jack Costleys boy accompanied me after the wood. after feeding of
my teem i taken a Sack walked out in too my corn field and gathered a Sack of
To feed on to night and in the morning i then part of the corn that i
had gathered and fed my wifes Turkeys and chickens then fed the hogs.
afterwards packed the wood that i had cut for our house in doors to have it
handy to burn So that ended our labors for the day we then portaken of our
evenings meal when through with our meal my wife taken care of her Suppertable.
when She was through She then washed out John some clothing to ware to morrow.
whilst we are gone too Town during all this while. --I was at work recording of
the labors of the day of my wife and my Self. and also the condition of the
weather. this has been a beautiful day all the way through . not a cloud to
be Seen in the elements. in the after noon of too day. my wife also churned
the milk after doing up her night work Now as our days wor(k)is finished we
will go too our bed of repose by first asking the Lord to gard and protect
us through the present night as he has through the day just passed and gone.
And when done with our frail bodys of ours to hand us down too our grave in
peace with the (Thee) and all man Kind and in heaven Save us is my prayer
to night-Amen
W.E. Costley at home near Middle Bosque Creek
Saturday November the 2th AD 1900 hundred Opened up quite a cool morning
wind Still from the north very cold, the thermometer Registers at and
earley hour this morning at even 40 Degrees tempature we were out of bed
quite late a gain on the account of being cold. but at last i a rose from
my bed renewed the fire place then my wife and little John Costley a rose
from there bed clothed them Selves the i built a fire in the Stove for my
wife to prepare the mornings meal by So She then went to work and Soon had
the meal Served and on the table readey for to be eat, we then Seated our
Selves too the table and portaken of our mornings meal when through my wife
taken care of her breakfast table and put her Kitchen and dining room in
good Shape again also (t)he Sleeping department then to her dailey work of
advocation She went again to milking of her cows whilst i walked up too my
upper field and brought my teem down then fed them but Walker would not eat
i then was bothered very much as it was the first time of his life and i
raised him that i ever Known him to fail to eat either corn or oats but all
through to day he has refused both but he drank water this evevening (evening)
after Judy was through eating i geered and hitched Judy too the buggy then
John and i mounted in the buggy i then drove for Crawford to get my mail
and Some molasses and carosene oil after obtaining the a mount of articles
that i went after we mounted in my buggy i then drove for my place of abode
we dismounted from the buggy i then taken Judy from the buggy and fed her
and offered Walker Some feed but he would not notice it he had Some thing
like the botts as he did not Swell any. after eating our noons meal my wife
and my Self doctored walker by giving him Some molasses and water mixed to
drench him with after drenching of him i put him back in the Stall to a wait
the affects of the dose that we had just adminersted to him. I then hitched
Old Judy mare too the buggy then i and John Costley mounted in the Buggy
drove out for Crawford to take Some Eggs to market for my wife. taken Seven
dozen for which i Sold too the market man at ten cents per dozen cash paid
in hand. i then drove down too the postoffice to See if there was any more
mail for me as the South bound train had passed down after i left the town.
but about the time i was nearey to Start Zellar Clarry passed going down
to her place of abode and Said if i would go by her place She wood (would)
go home with us So when i was readey i drove by her place She then mounted
in the buggy i then drove for my place of abode. after i arrived at my place
we dismounted from the buggy i then taken the mare from the buggy then tied
her too the post of my yard fence i then brough Walker out from the Stall
and watered him he was rather dilicate in drinking but by giving him plenty
of time he made out to drink about one gallon of water i then taken them
too my upper field and turned them in to graze to night. after fastening
the gate i then returned back too my house then brought wood in for
and morning by that time my wife had the evevening (evening) meal prepared
and on the table So we Seated our Selves too the table then portaken of the
evenings meal after we were through with our meal my wife taken care of
Supper table then we moved in too our bed room by a good fire and Zelar Clary
and my wife. began a conversation upon the acts of christanity whilst i
began to record the labors of the day and weather. this has been a clear
nice day cool wind from the north East but no clouds to be Seen at or near
8-Oclock. James and John Costley drove up from Waco to See the old folk at
home, and after there teem was cared for and they had had eat there Supper
they moved in too our bed room by a good fire then John and his grand ma ma
raised the Subject about Setting hens . there plans how to brake them was
good and that was to put them in a wash tubb cover then cover the tub over
to Keep them in then poor in water untill it comes too there Knees in debth
let them remain in the water for 24 hours then turn them go and they will
be all right for a time to come. Now as the work is done we will retire
too our bed of repose as it is growing late at night by first asking the
lord to gard and protect us throught the present night as he has through to
day just passed and gone and when done with our frail bodys here on earth
to hand us down too our grave in peace with the (Thee) and all man Kind
and in heaven Save us is my prayer to night-Amen
W.E. Costley at home near Middle Bosque creek
Saturday November the 3dh AD 1900 hundred Opened up a very nice cool morning
wind Still from the North east rather cool the thermometer registers 40
Degrees tempature. we were all up out of our bed of Slumber rather late
this morning on the account of being up late this last past night. but when
we did arise after clothing of our person i then built a fire in the fire
place then my wife built a fire in the Stove then went to work to prepareing
the mornings meal with the help of Zellar Clary whilst James and the too John
Costley taken the little wagon then walked out in too the cornfield and
gathered corn to feed there horse on after feeding of it they come in doors
washed there face and hands whilst i did not any thing before i Eat my mornings
meal but in a Short while my wife and Zellar Clary pronounced the mornings
meal Serve and on the table ready for to be eat. we then Seated our Selves
too the table then portaken of the Same the guest Sonsisted (consisted) of
Zellar Clary John and James Costley and our Selves after we were through we
then began our dailey work i brought my horses down from the field then fed them.
after they were through eating i then taken them too the Bosque too water
after returning with them i then geered and hitched my teem too my wagon
the(n) drove.out for Crawford with a load of wood for Edwards the Black Smith
a taken with me from my place Zellar Clary and little John Costley. after
arriving at Crawford Zellar Clary dismounted from my wagon and walked down
too her place of a bode i then drove on up Edwards house and undoaded the
wood after getting unloaded i drove back too the post office to get my mail
after receiving of my mail i then drove for my place of a bode after
arriving at my place i dismounted from my wagon ungeered my teem then fed
them come in doors washed my hands and face then Seated my self down by my
desk and began to record the labor that had been done by my wife and my
Self as we both had been quite buisey all day. and in the course of a half
hour my wife had the noons meal Served and on the table readey for to be eat.
So we Seated our Selves too the table in company with Cora Effy and Kitty Tubbs
as our guest and grandchildren than portaken of our noons meal after getting
through with our meal i then caught and Saddled my horse then mounted on him
then rode back to crawford. to See A.G. Black a bout a mule that he wanted to
by from me. but after i arrived at Crawford i fail to See him as he did not
come in to town. So i remained at town untill late in the evening from
i mounted on my horse then rode for my place of a bode after arriving at
home i dismounted from my horse. unsaddled my horse then watered Judy from
that i taken my teem too the upper field then turned them in to graze after
Securing the gates i returned back too the house. and prepared wood for night
and morning after bringing the wood in doors by that time James and John
Costley returned back from W.R. Tubbs after they had cared for there teem.
we then drove the out horses down to the bottom field of E. D. Costley and
put them in to graze after fastening the gate we then return back too my
house. then made preporation for our Evening meal after my wife had Served
the meal we then portaken of the Same. having James and John Costley and
old man Wiseman to dine with us too night after we were through with our
meal we then moved in too our bed room. by a good fire then had a nice time
taken a good warm. after my wife taken care of her Suppertable She then
prepared the beds for Sleeping then the boys departed to there bed of repose
whilst my wife and Mr Wiseman were discussing the Galveston disaster and i
were buisey recording of the labor that was done by the familey throught
out the day. now as the days work is finished we will go too our bed of
repose by first asking the Lord to gard and protect. us through the present
night as he has through the day just passed and gone and when done with
these frail bodys of ours to hand us down to our grave in peace with the
(Thee) and all man Kind and in heaven Save us is my prayer to night-Amen
W.E. Costley at home near Middle Bosque creek
Sunday. the Lords day we are commanded to neither work nor play far it is
gods holey day November the 4th AD 1900 hundred opened up bright and clear
wind from the South west Thermometer registered at 54 Degrees tempature.
the air very bracing. the entire familey were out of bed quite late this
morning the too John Costley was the first to a rise from there bed of
repose dressed them Selves then made a fire in the fire place then my
wife a rose next after dressing of her person She proceded too the cook
pot. her and John Costley built the fire in the Stove She then went to
work to prepare the mornings meal then James Costley Old man wiseman
and my Self a rise from our bed of Slumber put on our clothes and p
prepared for the mornings meal by the time we were readey for the meal
my wife announced the morning meal Served and on the table readey for
to be eat. we all Seated our Selves too the table then portaken of our
Sabbaths morning meal. when throug(h) James and John Costley walked out
too the cornfield to get corn to feed there horse and the hogs that were
in the pen after they had fed there animal i then fed the hogs. whilst
my wife taken care of her breakfast table and put evry thing in good
order conserning her house not feeling So very well complaining of misery
in her Stomache and bowels Suffering Sharply with it. and as to my labor
during of this time i was noting down in due time the progress of the
labors of the day of the familey. but as it is a day of rest we will
cease from as little work as possible. and try to quiet our Selves
for the day. My wife has been very poorley ever Since Eleven Oclock to/day
She was taken with Something Simular to Colera morbus, and it has been a
tuff day with her. but i am of the opinion that She is Some what better
too night or at least She does not complain like She has been throught
the day I had to go to Crawford this evening after Some medison (medicine)
for my wife as She was So bad off but it soon releaved her but left her
in a faity condition when She Stood on her feet after i returned with the
medison (medicine) i gave her a dose i then mounted on my horse rode down
in too E.D. Costleys bottom field and drove my horses down too the Bosque
to water after they drank i then drove them back in too the field. with a
good deal of trouble i caught Old Judy one of my work animals that i had
turned in too the field as i rode over too Crawford to get the medison
(medicine) but after i caught her i led her too the house then put the geer
on her and Walker hitched them too my wagon then Emit Brooks as him and
his mother had drove over in a buggy to See us and John Costley mounted in
too the wagon then drove to the bosque after a barrel of water after getting
of the barrel filled with water i then drove back too my place after arived
at the place i taken my teem from the wagon ungeered them then tied them up
we then come in doors Seated our Selves for a rest and a Sociable conversation
for Some too hours or more we then taken a walk down too my rockquary to
take a look at it after we viewed the Situation of the Same we walked down
in too the valley North of my house and gathered Some corn for my hogs then
brought it too the crib. Then Emmit brooks hitched up his teem too his buggy
as he had taken the mule from the buggy before he went with me after the water
as he was fearful that he would broke the Shavels of his buggy. then him and
his mama drove for there place of a bode. whilst i turned my teem in too the
upper field to graze too night after Securing of the gates i then walked back
too my house watered the fowls then fed and watered the fattening hogs from
that i milked a couple of my wifes cows as the third one was not up. as She
had three that She Kept up. after getting through i then Strained and put
away the milk from that job i prepared the evenings meal for. Old man wiseman
and mySelf after getting of it Served and on the table we then Seated our
Selves too the table then portaken of the Same. after we were through i
stackedup the dishes to a wait untill to morrow morning to wait for fur
then proceedings as my wife was Still Sick we then moved in too my bed room
by a good fire i then picked up a paper that Mr Wiseman had brought from
Crawford and viewed it over the(n) layed it down taken up my pen and
finished recording the action of the day also the weather as the day has
passed a way, this has been a nice Sabath day all the way through wind
Soft and mild and Sky bright and clear and remains So to night up too about
Eleven Oclock from which i departed to my bed of Slumber, by first asking
the Lord to gard and protect us through the present night as he he has
through the day just passed and gone and when done with these frail bodys
of ours to hand us down too our grave in peace with the (Thee) and all man
Kind and in heaven Save us is my prayer too night-Amen
W. E. Costley at home near Middle Bosque creek
Monday November the 5 th AD 1900 hundred oppened up quite a cold morning
very cloudy Sound or echo very distinct wind from the South west The
Thermometer at an earley hour registers 42 Degrees tempature. the
familey was late in rising from our bed of repose. on the acount of the
cook being Sick, but however i arose from my bed of Sleep clothed my Self,
then made a fire in the fireplace. i then proceeded to the Kitchen built
a fire in the Stove and to work to prepare the mornings meal as i was the
onley chance to take the cooks place but however i went to work and Soon
prepared a Snack to eat Such as it was, as no one could Expect much from
Such and old decripidated person as i am to prepare a strait meal to eat but
however after getting of it prepared and on the table. we Seated our Selves
too the table than portaken of our mornings meal when through then the tug of
war began as i had messed up evry thing in the Kitchen and had to wash evry
thing pertaining to the Kitchen Cups Saucers Knives and forks plate and all
the cook vesels. after i was through i then milked the cow that lay out last
night after i was through i then brought the milk too the house and my wife
Strained it i then washed the milk vessels from that wok (work) i
then fed the hogs i then fed the cows Some Straw and the calves a Sack of
Shucks, So that ended the beginng of my days work. i then water the hogs.
in Stead of my days work it is the mornings work a round the house. I
then walked up too the upper field and brought my teem down too the house
then fed them. i then prepared Stove wood brought it in doors built a
fire in the Stove then my wife and my Self went to work to prepare the
noons meal after getting it on the table we then Seated our Selves too
the table then portaken of our meal when through with our meal we then
taken a rest for a bit then other work we commenced to do Such as
prepareing wood for the day. i then watered my teem after returning back
too my place i then tied my teem too a post. to Stand to a wait to be
further used then watered the hogs and calves then milked the cows after
getting through i turned the cows out and Started the cows off to grass
i then gathered a mess of Turnup greens for our Supper after i gathered
them i prepared them to put on to cook after i was through with that part
of the work i then churned the milk for my wife. after getting through
with that part of the work, i then geered my teem then hitched my teem
too my wagon then drove to Mid(d)le Bosque to water my teem and to hall
a barrel of water after the teem drank and i had filled the barrel with
water i drove back to my place of abode, after arriving at my place i then
ungeered my teem. then taken my teem to my upper field and turned them in
too the field to graze i then Secured the gates and walked back too the
house then watered and Staked the calves out to graze on the hay Stack,
i then. come back too the wood pile then brough the wood in doors for the
fire place and Stove by that time. my wife had the evenings meal Served
on the table readey for to be eaten So we Seated our Selves down too
the Supper table then portaken of our evenings meal when through with
the eveings(evenings) meal. we moved intoo our bed room by a good fire
then i began to finish up recording of the labors of the day of my wife
and my Self also Setting fourth a discriptin of the weather it has been
quite cloudey all day but not So much as to Keep the Sun from displaying
its light upon the earth but at last Sit behind a cloud. denoting a change
in the weather. it has been a very comfortable day. now as the days work
is done we will go too our bed of repose. by first asking the Lord to gard
and protect us throug(h) the present night as he has through the day. just
passed and gone, and when done with these frail bodys of ours to hand us
down too our grave in peace with the (Thee) and all man Kind and in heaven
Save us is my prayer to night-Amen
W.E. Costley at home near Middle Bosque Creek
Tuesday November the 6th A.D. 1900 hundred Opened up quite a nice
morning although Some what cloudey and cool wind from the North west. the
familey was out of bed as earley as common i built a fire in the fire place
then in the Stove and Started the mornings meal. then my wife was up and
clothed readey to assist me in preparing the mornings meal. after getting
of the meal Served and on the table we then Seated our Selves to the table
then portaken of the Same when through my wife attended to her breakfast
table. and i fed the hogs and fowels whilst Mr Wiseman proceeded too the
Rockquary to getting out rock So this is the beginning of the days work
my wife is not feeling overly well this morning but She is up goind
(going) a head with buisiness again this is the great day all over the
United States as it is the Presidents Election as well as a general
Election through out the United States for all officers that belong to
each and evry State that belong too the United States. After getting
through with the work a round the house i then taken my ax walk down too
the branch near E.D. Costleys bottom field and began to chop fire wood
for the house i choped untill a bout Eleven Oclock then quit off come
too my house taken my bridals and brought my teem. down from my upper
fild (field) and watered and fed them i then come in doors washed my
hands and face by that time the noons meal was Served and on the table
and announced readey for eating we then Seated our Selves too the table
and portaken of our noons meal when all were through with the meal i then
curried geered then hitched my horse too the buggy then Mr Wiseman and John
Costley and my Self mounted in the buggy i then drove for Crawford too
the Election as this is the day that a President is to be Elected as well
as all other officers ofter we had voted i baught Some East (Yeast?) cakes
also Some Irish Potatoes then we mounted in the buggy i then drove for my
place. after i arrived at home we dismounted from the buggy i then ungeered
my horse then John Costley. J.M. Costley little Son and my Self mounted in
too the wagon i then drove too E.D. Costley field near the land line
between him and i. Ad cut a loaded of wood then loaded it on the wagon i
then drove too my place of a bode after arrivng at my place. We dismounted
from the wagon i then ungeered my teem then taken them too my upper field
turned them in to graze i then Secured the gates walked back too my house
then Staked the calves at the Straw Stack South of my house, afterwards i
then fed the fattening hogs and fowls by that time my wife had our evenings
meal Served and on the table then announced, readey to eat So we then Seated
our Selves too the table then portaken of the Same when through with the meal
my wife taken care of her Supper table, after getting. through with her
Kitchen work done we then moved in too our bed room by a good fire, then as i
had brought a lot. of news papers home from Crawford Sent to me by my Son E.D.
Costley Said papers printed in the town of Waco. whilst i was engaged in
making out the report of the Labor done to day by my wife and my Self. this
has been a very nice day for work but qite warm the wind has not been altogether,
stationary as it has been very changeable to day as it was at the Sitting of
that Sun it was from the North west. My wife reports to night of feeling much
better which is good news, Now as we are through with the days labor we will go
too our bed of repose by first asking the Lord too gard and protect us through,
the present night as he has through the day just passed and gone and when done
with our frail bodys here on Earth to hand us down too our grave in peace with
the (Thee) and all man Kind and in heaven Save us is my prayer to night-Amen
It is quite warm to night November the 6th 1900 and fifth AD 1900 hundred
My wife reports to be getting all write as She has been quite Sick. here of late
November the 6th 1900
W.E.Costley at home near Middle, Bosque creek
Wednesday November the 7th AD 1900 hundred Opened up quite a nice day wind
from the South The familey were all out of bed quite Earley this morning on the
acount of having to hall wheat from the Robinson place too Crawford to Sell for
Billman and E.D.Costley after feeding of my teem and eating of the mornings meal
i then geered my teem hitched them too my wagon then drove for the place of loading.
after arriving at the place i found that Mr Billman had loaded his wagon So we then
loaded my wagon then drove out for Crawford drove on too the Scales wayed off then
drove too the grain house and unloaded after we become Shut of our load and wayed
off a gain we drove back too the Robinson place and loaded our wagon with wheat
again then unhitched our teem from our wagons drove down to Mr Billmans fed our
teem then eat our noons meal then drove back too the Robinson house hitched on
too our wagon then drove for Crawford a gain after arriving at the place we wayed
off a gain then drove down too the grain house. i unhitched my teem as Mr Billman
was in front and proceeded to help too unload. Mr Billmans wagon first and tried
from his wagon to get into the grain house and failed from which i walked a round
too the front of the grain house and mounted in too a wagon in front of Said
building as i was in the act of Stepping from Said way on on too the platform of
the grain house the mules too said wagon taken a fright throwing me too the ground
running the wagon wheel over me braking Some of my ribbs in my left Side and
broosing (bruising) me other whares (where) on my person I walked too Mr Thompson
Saloon and there my woons (wounds) dressed then in the course of time i was brought
home in a too horse hack and have been laying flat of my back for nine days. So that
Ended the days work. for that day with misery and pain and has been ever Since.
have not been able to write to give and accout (account) of the labors performed
on the premises each and evry day up to November the 15th AD 1900 hundred. but
during all that while my wife has been quite buisey waiting on me and the balance
on the premises Lum has been quite buisey preparing wood and water for the house.
during this period we have had Some very rough weather a Sharp norther for a couple
or three days with a heavey frost and freeze considerable ice on the night of the
12th of this month . So this ends the Statement between the 7th and the 15th of
November AD 1900 hundred.
I will Say here that the morning of November the 15th 1900 hundred was very foggy
up to a bout 10-0clock in the forenoon of to day.
also the calves and gathered Some turnups for our noons meal
then taken a rest for a bit. but my wife Kept on work(ing) as
She went to work to put on to cook the turnups and greens for
the noons meal and was very buisey untill She finished the
meal and it was eat after all were through and my wife had
attended too her table as i was not able to ride horse back
we put the geer on old Judy hitched her too the buggy we then
mounted our Selves in the buggy led Walker then drove to Middle
Bosque to water them after they had drank we then drove back
too our place ungeered old Judy i then fed them Some corn
then my wife went to work to make a comfort(er) to Keep her
warm in cold weather. and Spent the greater part of the evening
working on the Same. at last untill She had to leave off one
part of word (work) to do another So She then milked her cows
next by that time She had to go to work to prepare the evenings
meal. when She had it Served and on the table She had to
postpone the meal untill frank watered and put my teem in the
upper field to graze after he from the field he then brought
in doors wood for the Stove and fire place for night and
morning then we all portaken of our evenings meal, when
through. my wife taken care of her Supper table and put
evry thing a way in good Shape then moved in too our bed
room by a good comfortable fire to take a general rest those
that had been hard at work to day, as to my Self i was not
to Say very tiard as i had not done a great deal to make me
tiard. but Suferin Some what a cross my back from my hert (hurt)
that i received on the Seventh of November AD 1900 hundred.
Mr Graves finished planting the piece of ground South of my
house late Tuesday Evening November the 20th 1900 planting
wheat with a drill. Then drove up to what is called M V Costley
piece of ground that She was going to have Sowed in wheat then
turned out for to day then left for his place of a bode. After
the time come to retire to our bed of repose we did So by first
asking the Lord to gard and protect us throug(h) the present
night as he has through the day just passed and gone. and when
done with these frail bodys of ours to hand us down to our grave
in peace with the (Thee) and all man Kind and in heaven Save
us is my prayer to night - -Amen
