Saturday December the 8 A D 1900 hundred Opened up very cold but Still
as there was but little movement in air. heavey freeze the wind rose
this morning from the north west . The thermometer registered at an
earley hour this morning at thirty Degrees tempature. I was out of bed
quite earley this morning clothes on ready for buisiness. after
getting on of my clothes i then built on a good warm fire after i got
that built i then parched Some coffee when through with that part of
the work i then made coffee put on bread to - bake broiled our meet
(meat) and made Some mush for my wife as her teeth was in Such a fix
She could hardley chew any hard Substance after getting of the
mornings meal Served we then placed it on a stool and desk then eat
our meal in front of a warm fire, as it was too cool to eat at the
table in the dining room. After we were through with our morning
meal we Stacked the dishes untill i could feed my Stock as i had my
horses tied up. at a late hour last night past they come up out of
the bottom field from which i had turned them in on last evening
caused by too young men passing through my place and leaving the
gates down unshut which also caused John Tubbs cattle to come in
my field and Kept me up in the cold untill a late hour in the night
just passed. I will here relate a Singular dream or a vision my wife
past through on the night. just passed She dreamed as follows. that
I,W.E Costley was going to leave her and marry a a nother lady with
a living husband and that She could not get any clothes Suitable for
me to marry in and She endeavered to ramsack Lum Costleys clothing
for a Soot (Suit) but nothing could be found all dirty and his pants
Stained with blood. and at last with out clothes i Set of in my
drawers to marry at any rate. So at last the lady that i was going
to marry made her appearance the Lady that i was going to mary She
Said was very sweal they and She Said to her Self well you are very
feble and can not work and She can have the work done and that i could
remain in doors and have nothing to do. onley take care of my Self.
but any rate, we did not marry So it passed off in her mind and when
She woke up to find it was not So She was badley bothered in her mind
and gave her considerable trouble thinking that was Something bad
going to happen with in the familey connection So that ended her
dream a plum failure M.V. Costley dream Now i will go on with the
Statemen of the weather and labor that has been performed on the
premises to day after we was through with our mornings meal i then
fed the fattening hogs and my teem from that work i taken a walk
over too Mr Procks to let him Know that the Stock was in his field
last high past but just before i arrived at his rental place he
drove off in the direction of Crawford so i turn my course and
walked a cross his farm down in the direction of Middle bosque on
to a woods piece of land and found the cattle Still in his inclosure
i then drove them out. I then walked over to my farm and down to a
brach (branch) the division line between E.D.costley and my Self to
See a bout my gate after arriving at the place i found my gate wide
open caused by too young men passing through my premises on last
evening and leaving the gate down which caused all my trouble on
last night past. one of the young men was named Ganblin the other
young man i do not Know his name but they were the ladds that caused
the trouble. I put the gate up walked back too my house taken my ax
then went to work to chopping fire wood for the house i cutt wood on
the road from my house too the Railroad crossing in my farm i choped
(chopped) wood untill a bout half past teelve (twelve) Oclock from
which my wife walked out to where i was chopping to let me know that
the noos (noons) meal was Served and readey to be eat, I then left of
work come too the house then we eat our noons meal a lone as we
generall (generally) are here of late all alone after we were through
i then diped the water out of the barrel in order to get the wagon
to hall up the wood that i chopped in the forenoon of to day after
getting the water out of the barrel i geered then hitched my teem
too my wagon then drove up too the East gate to my upper field near
the Crawford road after a cedar post. after getting of it i then drove
back to the wood that i had cut then loaded it in the wagon then
drove too the house and unloaded the Same in yard clost (closest) too
the door to be hand (handy) Should it turn cold. after getting it
unloaded i then put the tooles in my wagon then drove too Middle
Bosque after a barrel of water and to get some gravell to put in a
post hole. as i intended to put in a water gap in the branch below
where we cross it in going from my house to Middle Bosque south from
my house and with the help of my wife did put the fence a cross the
branch out of wire. after finishing of it we hitched the teem to the
wagon then drove home. after arriving at the place i ungeered the
teem then Salted them during this time my wife milked the cows. I
then taken a Sack walked out into the corn field and gathered a Sack
of corn to feed the fattening hogs and fowls as i had fed my teem
after returning from the cornfield i Shucked and Shelled a lot of
corn too the fowls then Shucked corn and fed the fattening hogs.
after i was through with that part of the work i taken my teem to
E.D.S (E.D.'s) bottom field turned them in to grave (graze) to night
i then walked back. to the house put the calves, one in the Stall
and the Stable then then fed them i then walked back too the house
and brought my wood in doors. So that was all to doo (do) out of
doors. I then made a good fire in the fire place i then come in
doors and we eat our evenings meal as usual after we were through
we put evry thing portaining to the eating department in good order
for the present then moved in too our bed room by a nice warm fire
my wife is improving very fast She has done her house work cooking
milking and has Spend (spent) the greater part of the day quiltin
on her quilt besides helping my to fix some fence. now as we are
through with our days work we will go too our bed of repose by first
asking the lord (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 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 December the 11th AD 1900 hundred - Opened up quite a nice
morning wind in the East pirfectley Sun very brigh very cold nights.
with considerable frost. The thermometer registered at 12- Oclock noon
to day at 51 degrees tempature. my wife and my Self were out of bed quite
earley this morning clothes on readey for buisiness after i a rose from
my bed of Slumber i made on a fire in the fire place then my wife went
to work to prepareing of the morning meal whilst i parched Some Coffee
for breakfast after getting of it parched my wife taken a part of it
ground and made coffee for the mornings meal after getting of it Served
and on the table we then portaken of the Same when through with our meal
i then gresed (greesed) my wagon with the help of my wife after getting of
it greesed i then hitched my teem too my wagon then drove back to the woods
after a nother load of wood as i had Ike Bibles cutting wood for me at or
near 12-Oclock noon to day we eat our meals vituals being Second meal to
day in the after part of the day i had a load of wood and a barrel of water
as we were a bout out after halling of the water with the assistance of my
wife we fed our Stock and fowls and my wife milked her cows when through
feeding i prepared night wood for night and morning for the fire place then
brought it in doors to have it hady (handy) Should it turn cold. by that time
my wife had the evening meal prepared on the table readey for eating we then
Seated our Selves to the table. then portaken of the Eavenings (evenings) meal.
when we were through my wife washed then put away the dishes used a bout our
meal when through She moved intoo her bed room Seated her-Self too the fire
as i had a good one and She complained that She was very tiard from her days
labor as She has been on her feet all day hard at work. after I had
finished my evenings meal i then moved in to the fire or rather by the fire
Seated my Self down at my desk which was clost (close) too the fire then went
to work to finish up recording of the labor that was performed by my wife
and my Self through out the day and also the weather this has been one more
nice day. that has past and gone never to return again it vacancey to be
filled by a nother day not Knowing what Kind of a day it will be . well
after my wife had rested for a bit Smoothing irons to the fire and ironed
a part of the clothing that She washed on yesterday being Monday December
the 10-1900 hundred. after we had finished up our work we departed to 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
Wednesday December the 12th AD 1900 hundred Opened up quite a gloomey wet
morning with a rain from the South east cold rain wind from the Same direction
The thermometer this morning registered 48 Degrees tempature. my wife and my
Self were out of our bed quite earley this morning as we rested quite good last
night. after getting out of my bed i then built on a fire then put on my clothes
by that time my wife a rose from her bed of Slumber clothed her Self then we
went to work to prepare our mornings meal. She baked the bread whilst i Served
the coffee also She performed the balance of the work about the prepareing of
the mornings meal. whilst i began to record the movement of the day and the
condition of the weather. at this writing being earley in the morning it is
raining Slow and Sturdey a regular winter rain. after our mornings meal was
Served and readey for to eat my wife and my Self as we are Still alone placed
it before a good fire then Seated our Selves down a round it then portaken of
the Same as it was too damp to dine in the dining room. after we were through
with our meal we then placed our our vessels on the table to a wait time for
washing and puting of them a way as my wife wanted to finish her quilt and i
had to feed before i could do the house work for her. as i had to take the
place of cheef (chief) cook and dish washer for the day. after feeding of
the Stock i then churned the milk the next work i did after getting through.
my wife taken up the butter whilst i fixed the handle in my ax as the ax
continually was coming off of the handle. after getting of it fixed all right
i then choped up Some wood to make fires as the fire was a bout giving out
after i had choped a good lot of it i braught it in doors then made on a good
fire by So doing i got Shut of washing of the dishes for a bout that time
12-Oclock i had to feed So my wife Stoped off quilting then washed the dishes
and prepared our noons meal. after getting of it Served and on the table and
announced readey to be eat we Seated, our Selves to the table then portaken of
the Same. when we were through with our meal. then caught my teem put my Saddle
on Walker mounted on him led old Judy and taken them too the Bosque to water
after they drank i turned old Judy back into E.D. Costleys Bottom field to graze
i then rode over to Crawford to mail a letter and to get my mail and and also
to get my wife Some needles to quilt with After getting all that i went after
i mounted my horse the(n) rode for my place of a bode. after arriving at the
place i dismounted from my horse then looked up Mr Shrines prongs of a pitch
for(k) that had come off of the helve (handle) after delivering the Same to
him he rode for his place of a bode whilst i walked into my house Seated my
Self down by a good fire. and looked over the Waco news Herald for all the
news that I could find Not having time to peruse (pursue) all of its pages. on
its colums.(columns) but as it was getting late i had to qut (quit) off
reading and go to doing up my night Schores.(chores) i then fed my fattening
hogs fowls cows and calves then put up my horse in the Stable and fed him i
then brought in doors the balance of the wood that i had choped (chopped) So
that ended the out days or the work for out of doors for to day. the rain in
the fore part of to day was Slow and Sturdy up to 12- Oclock noon from which
it checked up for to day. but Still remained very cloudey and damp the wind
from the north East all day damp and cool after we were through with our
evening meal we then moved in to our bed room by a good fire and went to work
a gain my wife to Sewing up a pillow Slip and i recording of the labor that
has been performed on the premises to day by my wife and my Self and also a
discription of the weather. Now as we are through with our labors for to day
we will go to 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 to our graves 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. hear. Middle. Bosque. Creek
Thursday December the 13th AD 1900 hundred Opened up quite a foggy morning
nothing to be Seen in the elements as the fog is So thick damp and Some what
cool wind Still from the north east ground or earth very muddy. The thermometer
registers at an earley hour this morning at 40 Degrees even. I was out of bed
quite earley this morning clothes on and a fire built in the fire place i then
put on coffee to boil about that time my wife a rose
from her bed of repose then dressed her person then went to work to prepare the
mornings meal, after getting of it Served and on the table we then alone Seated
our Selves too the table and portaken of our mornings meal neither one of us
feeling overly well. this morning. After we were through with our meal my wife
taken care of her breakfast table and put her Kitchen dining room and bed room
in good repare to begin on. then went to work to quilting on her quilt whilst
i fed my horse as i Kept him in the Stable last night i then fed the milk calves
and fattening hogs. Then come in doors Seated my Self in front of a good fire
then. taken my ax up and a piece of glass and Scraped my ax helve (handle) down
as it was too thick and Stubed to chop well. And after Some litte bit i got it
Scraped down too my notion. about that time. the Elements begain to brighten up
Some what as if the fog would blow a way and give more light in the Elements the
present fog is Simular to a mist of rain. which has benefited the wheat a great
deal as the Earth was getting very dry and neaded (needed) rain badley. before it
come. at or near 12-Oclock i Saddled my horse rode down in too Ed Costleys botton
field caught Old Judy mare then led her too the Bosque and watered then after
they had drank i the(n) rode back too my place bring old Judy with me after
arriving at home i dismounted from my horse put the Saddle in the hall then geered
and hitched my teem too my wagon then as my wife was through Killing a chicken for
our noons meal and had put it on to cook her and i mounted in our wagon then drove
out to the woods where Ike Bibles was cutting wood for me to burn for a load of wood.
After arriving at the place i dismounted from my wagon the old Lady Costley held the
lines whilst i loaded in the wood in the wagon about the time i finished loading my
wagon Ike Bibles finished the amount of wood that i had hired him to cut which was
too (two) cord i then drove for my place Ike coming with us home to get his pay.
after arriving at home i then began to unload my wood and Ike Bibles wakled (walked)
dow(n) to take a look at my rock quary: after returning back to where i was unloading
of my wagon he pronounced it the finest quary of rock that he ever had Seen in life
So i paid him for his labor and he then rowled (? ) out home. after i was through
unloading of my wood, i drove a round to my wood yard ungeered then fed my teem. I
then come in doors washed my hands and face a bout that time my wife called me too our
noons meal it was very late in the evening but we wanted to get the wood as we were
fearful that it would turn cold and Ketch (catch) us with out wood is how we were
So late dining . after we had Eat our noons meal i then walked over to the turkeys
nest to See if they had layed but they had not i meandered a round in the brush hunting
more turkeys nest but did not find any more So i made my way back too the house after
arriving at my place my wife put me at work putting a bottom in a chair one of these
patent bottom mad(e) out of the bark of lin after i had completed the job i then fed
my hogs and fowls from that work i then taken my teem too the Bosque to water after
they had drank i turned them back in too Ed Costleys bottom field North Side of midle
(Middle) Bosque. I then walked back home then helped my wife Stake the milk calves out
at the Straw Strawstack after getting them Secure i then come back too the house and
brought my wood in doors for night and morning to have it handy Should it turn cold
to night So that ended the out door work for to day. I then Seated down at my desk
and finished recording the labor performed by my wife and my Self. during the time
i was at work at my record my wife was very buisey Sewing making her Some pillow cases
as She has been buisey all day cook(ing) quilting milking and other work a round the
premises at a bout three Oclock this evening it blowed off, and become a nice evening
Sun coming out and giving a brilliant ligh(t) and before the Sun Sit it become pirfectly
clear with the Exception of a dark Streek of cloud extending from the west to the South
low down Now as i am Suffering with my bowels to night i will drink Some Soap and then
we will go to our bed of rest by first calling on 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 worned out fraims 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 hear Middle Bosque Creek
Friday December the 14th AD 1900 hundred opened up qute (quite) a foggy damp unpleasant
mornin(g) almost equal to a Shower of rain atmosphere very heavey. Wind Stiring from the
south. The thermometer registers at an Earley hour today at even 40 Degrees a gain. we
were out of our bed of rest quite earley this morning clothes on readey for buisiness
although each one of us feeling very feble my wife has a tooth wich (which) is giving her
great pain and distress as well as a very Sore finger as to my Self i am Suffering with my
bowels they are giving me great pain at this writing and have been for some time past.
although we went to work and prepared a bite to eat for our mornings meal when we got it
Served we placed it before a good fire then eat the Same. after we were through with our
meal my wife taken care of her dishes that we eat out of and put them a way and i fed the
fattening hogs and also prepared wood and brought it in doors for the day as it resembled
rain So much. very dark and dreary up to this writing being near one oclock in the after
noon of to day after prepareing of the wood setting of it in doors i then walked down too
the turnup patch then gathered a mess of turnups and greens for our dinner after bringing
them too the house i assisted my wife in preparing of them to cook after getting of them
readey for the cook pot she then put them on to cook after getting through She remarked
that it was a good idier (idea) to move bed and bed Steads occosionly (occasionally) So She
whirled in taken one of her bedsteads down in her room then move it in too an adjoining
room then brought one out of Same room and put it up in her room to make a change as She
is in favor of a change once and a while to find out what She possesses in the furniture
buisiness and whilst She was engaged in the matter of moving her trumpry i was at my desk
taken down and recording a Sketch of the whole matter in her movement to day. It reminded
me of a woman that had a girl that was going to be married and She was making great preperation
to bed her when necessary when through She placed our noons meal on the table we then Seated
our Selves too the table then portaken of the Same. After we were through with our meal we
then went to work to putting up Some bed steads that my wife had taken down in the move She
had made to day after completing the (w)hole arrangements She then appeared to be pirfectly
Satisfied with the move that She had made in changing evrything about the rooms. and placing
a differet ( different) view upon the (w)hole affair in general, Now as i am through with my
wife assisting of her i will walk down to the bottom field water and feed my teem as they have
not been watered and fed to day. after i returned from watering and feeding of my teem i then
fed the cows calves and fattening hogs then brought in my wood for night and morning. So after
my wife had milked that ended the work out of doors. So then She went to work cleaning up her
Kitchen and washing and putting a way her dishes by that time we eat a cold Snack for our
evening meal. when through we then taken our rest by a good fire for Some too (two) hours be
fore retireing too our beds to rest my wife has been very buisey all day long and is Some what
tiard. and So am i This has been a dark gloomey day all the way through as the Sun has not Shone
it Self to day as it has been So cloudy and just in the act of rain at all hours through the day
long now after my wife had taken a rest for the first times to day She has to bake her light
bread before going to bed as it has just rose and has to be baked and at a bout Eleven Oclock
in the fore part of to night we departed to our bed of repose by firt (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
Saturday. December. the 15th AD 1900 hundred Opened up quite a glomey ( gloomey) dark cloudey
morning looking very much like rain Some what of a mist to be Seen at a distance wind from the
South East Earley in the morning very damp over head and under foot we were out of bed quite
earley this morning clothes on readey for buisiness. after building on of a fire in the fire
place my wife then a rose from her bed of Slumber dressed her person then went to work to
prepare our mornings meal i made the coffee and She did the balance in prepareing our mornings
meal after getting of it Served and on the table we alone as we are in the habit of doing.
Seated our Selves too the table then portaken of the Same. The thermometer at an earley hour
this morning registered 42 Degrees tempature. after we had portaken of the morning meal. my
wife taken up the ashes out of the fire place as the(y) had become in Such a boolk (bulk?) it
was impossible to have a good fire on then went to looking after her breakfast table washing
and puting a way her dishes. that was used at our breakfast table and to put her house in order
for the day. whilst i did the feeding of the Stock and other work around the premises that had
to be done. i then (walked) to a couple of turkey nest to See if the turkeys had layed after
arriving at the nest i found they had not layed So come back too the house taken my bidal and
rope walked down to E.D.Costleys bottom field caught and brought my teem too the house then fed
them whilst eating i curried the mud off of them then put the geer on them. when through Eating
i then hitched them too my wagon i then drove out too the Straw Stack to get Some Straw to put
in the wagon to lay Some Sacks of wheat as the bottom of the wagon bed was wet i then drove back
too the house a round at the north door of my Side room then loaded on a couple of Sacks of wheat
to take to mill at Crawford after getting of them loaded i drove round to the front of my house
then put the coop in the wagon whilst my wife caught a couple of turkey to Send to town one for
Mrs. Elic (Alex) Armstrong the other for Professor Ellis the gentleman that is teaching the
public School at Crawford So when everthing was made readey to Start to Crawford i mounted in my
wagon then drove out for Crawford going too the flower mill first in order to get my wheat too
the mill after getting of it unloaded i then drove for William Tadlock Store after arriving at
the place i unhitched my teem and tied them. then walked too the Postoffice and obtained my
mail then delivered the turkeys to Mrs. Alex. Armstrong and Professor Ellis and as i had drove
to Crawford to Snee (see ?) Virginia Frownfelter on the train it being too (two) hours late i
had to wait the traines arrival and when it did come i Soon found out that Virginia. Frownfelter
was not on the train Baby Sick and could not come. as She was coming on a viset (visit) to
Spend Christmas with the old folks at home. So i hitched my teem too my wagon then drove for my
place of a bode after arriving at home i ungeered then fed my teem then come in doors then Eat
my noons meal as my wife had it Served readey although very late as She was expecting her
Daughter and familey to dine with us to day as She had put the little pot in the big one to
have Something Some what fresh. So She was very much disappointed in her expectations. after
we were through with our meal She went a head then put evry thing a bout her eating department
in good order a gain then milked and fed her cows whilst i taked a good Smoke then walked out
too the cornfield and gathered a Sack of corn to feed my wifes fowls and also to feed the
fattening hogs. after getting of it gathered. i then fed them i then taken my teem too the
bottom field and turned them in again to graze I walked too my place then Staked the milk
calves out on the Straw Stack to feed on it to night. My wife is complaining of her back
hearting (hurting) of her to night. to my opinion She has lifted Something that She aught not
to have done to bring it on as She is not very Strong in the back any way. This has been one
of the days that you read of it has been a full match for yestarday as it has been very dark
and cloudey and besides all that has been misting of rain often and on through out the day.
and Still remains so to night up to ten oclock when i departed to my bed of repose. My wife
went to her bed of Slumber quite earley to night on the account of not being well Now as our
days work is done i will go to my bed of rest 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 here on earth 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
Wednesday December the 26th AD 1900 hundred Opened up quite a nice morning wind from the South. but
clear. The entire familey that was with us to day were as well as common all up earley for buisiness
this morning after the woman folks arose from there bed of repose clothes on they then to work to prepare
the mornings meal after getting of it Served and on the table we then Seated our Selves to the table then
portaken of our morning meal when through with the meal i brought my teem down from the upper field then
fed them after they were through Eating i then geered and hitched them too my wagon then my wife and
Virginia Frownfelter and Annie Edna and Loueasey Leng and my Self mounted in the wagon i then drove over
to Crawford to have Loueasey and George William Frownfelter likeness taken after they were through we all
mounted in too my wagon then drove for my place of abode after arriving at my place we all dismounted from
my wagon then ungeered my teem put then up in the Stable and Stall then fed them. the ffamiley or women
folks then prepared the noons meal being rather late in the after noon. after the noons meal was Served
and eat by the familey Lum and J.M. Costley geered Walker hitched him too the buggy then Jim and Lum
mounted in the buggy then drove up to Dock Coffmans to a Shindig and Stayed all night at the dance and
returned the next day at about half past one Oclock P.M. of the after noon of to day. after we were
through with our noons meal it being quite late we went to work to do up our night Schores and after
we were through and the dawn of night appeared we Submitted our Selves to the will of the higher power
asking him (Him)to gard and protect us in the future as he has in the past 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 tonight. Amen
W.E.Costley at home near Middle Bosque creek
Thursday December the 27th A D 1900 hundred Opened up some what cloudey. but not as much So as to Keep the
Sun from Shining out nice and clear the entire day untill a late in the evening from which it become Some
what cloundey (cloudy) and the Sun Sit behind a cloud as though there would be a bad Spell of weather and
that in a Short while at about Seven Oclock this morning the thermometer registered at 48 Degrees tempature
but after the norther blew up it began to fall rapedly late in the evening The familey with the exception of
my Self was out of bed quite earley this morning , clothes on readey for buisiness. they then prepared the
mornings meal when Served and on the table i a rose from my bed of Slumber clothed my Self washed my hands
and face then we all Seated our Selves to the table then portaken of the mornings meal, when through the
woman folks taken care of the breakfast table then put the Dining room in good order for the present. then
moved in too the bed room, then Willey Frownfelter taken a Severe Spell of coffing . and continued for ever
So long before he become quiet and at ease or could rest with out coffing (coughing). My wife churned the
milk after She . was through, with her night work. as to my Self i went to work to recording of the of the
labors of the day. at or near three Oclock this evening Lum returned from his night and day stay a way from
home after he returned home and taken the buggy geer off of Walker i then put the wagon geer on Walker and
Judy hitched them to the wagon then drove them too the Bosque to hall a barrel of water after getting of
the barrel filled with water i then drove back to my place unhitched my teem from my wagon then fed them
during of the time they were eating i diped the water out of the barrel in order to get the wagon to hall
Some wood after the horses was through eating i then hitched them too the the wagon then James Costley and
i halled a load of wood from the branch above the well that Lum had cut for me whilst i were halling of
the water, after getting of the wood loaded on the wagon i then drove for the house after we had arrived at
the place we unloaded the wood then Jame. M. Costley assisted my wife in feeding of her cows whilst i
finished recording of the days work for to day of my wife and my Self and Grand Children now as the days
work is done we will depart to our bed of repose by first asking the Lord to gard and protect us in the
future as he has in the past, and when done with our frail bodys here on earth 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 hear Middle Bosque creek
Friday December the 28th AD 1900 hundred Opened up quite a disagreeable day very cold high north wind
resembles Sleet or Snow. The thermometer Registers at an earley hour this morning at 40 Degrees tempature.
The familey was out of bed quite earley this morning clothes on readey for buisiness the woman folks
prepared the morning meal. after getting of it Served and on the table they then with there guest Jame
Costley and one of Louis Billman Seated there Selves too the table then portaken of the mornings meal,
as too my Self i eat my mornings meal by the desk and by a good warm fire when we were through with the
meal the children washed then put a way the dishes cupps and Saucers Knives and forks then put the Kitchen
and dining room in good Shape for the present then went to work and put the bed rooms in good Shape for
the day. Then Annie Edney Loueasey and Maud Billman prepared them a good fire then went to work to enjoying
of them Selves at there usual Sport of a musment that children are given too. The old Folks went to there
usual work of the Such as Sewing and patching garments for the use and benefit of the familey. James Costley
after he had portaken of his mornings meal walked down to Mr Louis Billman to See his boys and pass off the
day. in a musements of the Christmas holidays. Lum has not returned from the party that he went too on last
night near old Crawford at a mans house by the name of Talor but as it turned out they failed in there
expectation as it was given at a man by the name of Smith in the town of Crawford. and at 25 minutes past
12-Oclock to day Lum Costley returned from the dance wanting Sleep badley but after taken a Short rest i got
him to walk up too my upper field and bring my teem down too the house. as i was not feeling the best in the
world as my bowels was giving me much trouble. after Lum Costley returned from the feel (field) with my teem
i put them one in the Stall the other in the Stable then fed them Some Shief oats when through eating i then
caught and led them to middle Bosque to water Stoping at the branch on the way and Setting fire too a brush
heep in the branch and burning of it up in order to Keep it from washing down on the wire fence that i had
built a cross the branch, after it was a bout burnt up i then led my teem too the lot put them up then fed
them, i then come indoors renewed the fire in fire place then Seated my Self down by the fire and taken a
good warm as my feet had become very cold, after i become warm i then began to record the labors of the day
and the labor that has been performed by my familey and my Self. Virginia Frownfelter and my wife has been
very buisey the entire day making a new frock of a late fashion of the day with the Exception of what time
they were engaged in preparing the meals vituals for the day. She also milked her cows and had them fed by
Lum and Virginia her Daughter and Son, I did the feeding of my teem hogs and fowls. and prepareing of the
wood for night and morning and brought it in doors. to be dry as it has been Showering of rain, and is yet
through out the evening and Still continues to mist with Something Simular to frozen rain, and continually
turning colder evry hour as the day passed off or away, now the woman folks has prepared the Evening meal
and the familey has all dined we now enjoy the Sitting by a good fire for Some too (two) hours or more then
all depared ( departed) too there bed of repose by first asking the lord (Lord) to gard and protect us all
in the future as he has in the past , and when done with us hear (here) on Earth 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
