Saturday. December the 29th AD 1900 hundred Opened up quite a cold morning wind from the north with a Slow
Shower of rain cloud very heaven and low Thermemeter registers at an earley hour to day at even 40 Degrees
tempature. The familey as a general rule was out of bed quite Earley this morning clothes on readey for
buisiness. all too my Self i was out of my bed of repose Some what late as i was not very well rested
rather poorley through the last past night. but after So long a while i a rose from my bed of repose put my
clothes on then fed my teem and the milk calves by that time the woman folks had the mornings meal Served
and on the table readey for to be eaten So the familey and guest Seated there Selves too the table then
portaken of the Same all but my Self. I eat my mornings meal in my bedroom by a good fire by the writing
desk Virginia Frownfelter is Suffering Severely this morning with the toothache can See no peace for the
misery She is having in her tooth to day. The children taken care of the breakfast table this morning for
there Grandmama. after the morning meal was over with in Lum and James Costley. E.D.Costley Son geered my
teem then hitched then too my wagon then drove out in my pasture after Some wood that i hired Old Uncle Ike
Bibles to cut for me some time back after they returned back too my place i then ungeered the teem for the
boys as they were very cold after getting ungeered i then put them up in the Stable and Stall then fed them.
after getting through I come in doors taken a good warm. after getting through I come in doors taken a good
warm. after getting thouraly warm i then walked out too the wood pile and choped up wood for night and
morning and then Lum and Some of the children hope (helped) to bring the wood in doors in a Short while, my
wife began to prepare our noons meal being rather late in the afternoon of the day after getting the meal
Served and on the table and announced readey we then Seated our Selves to the table then portaken of our
meal, after we were through i then taken a warm by a good fire, as it was very cold after i was warm thourley
, I then caught and geered my horse. hitched him too my buggy then annie and Edney and Loueasey Leng mounted
our Selves in my buggy and i drove for Crawford as the children was wanting to pay Zellar Clary a viset
before they left for there place of a bode, at Joshua Johnson County Texas as they aime Starting for there
home on to morrow morning or rather on the North bound train late at evening. being the Santafe train after
arriving at Crawford annie dismounted from the buggy walk into Wesley Tadlocks Store and purchased a couple
of pare (pair) of Stockens after purchasing of them we then drove on down to Sam Clarys after ariving at his
place annie and Edna dismounted walked too there door gave Several rapps on there (their) door facen and no
one responded too the call So they mounted in the buggy i then drove for Sam Clarys Saddle and horness Shop.
there the Girls dismounted and and walked in too Clarys Shop to remain untill. I could have Some work done
on my buggy. after getting the buggy mended. I then mounted in my buggy then drove down to Clarys Shop then
the girls mounted in my buggy. I then drove for my place of a bode after arriving at the place I taken my
horse from the buggy then ungeered my horse put him in the Stable then fed both of my horses that i Keep up
to work, during that time Virginia Frownfelter milked the cows. after She was through i taken the calves too
there post then tied and fed them. my wife prepared the Evenings meal for the familey. after getting of it
Served and on the table and announced readey to be eat the famely (familey) Seated our Selves too the table
then portaken of the Same when through with our meal after we were through with the meal the woman folks
taken care of the Suppertable and put evry thing in good Shape again then moved in too our bedroom by a good
fire and had Some nice Songs and Some nice Speeches delivered by annie Edna and Loueasey Leng our Grand
Children after all was over with we departed to our bed of repose as i had finished recording of the labor
performed by the familey to day. So we will all retire 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 these frail bodys of ours here on
earth to hand us down to our grave in peace with the (Thee) and all man Kind and in heave (heaven) Save us
is my prayer to night-Amen
On Sunday December the 30th 1900 hundred Virginia Frownfelter and children left for Joshua Johnson
County Texas the place where they reside when at home W.E. Costley
W.E. Costley. at. home. near. Middle. Bosque. creek
Sunday the Lords day we are commanded to neither work nor play for it is Gods Holdy day December the 30th
AD 1900 hundred Opened up quite a damp dreary morning raining from the South at and Earley hour to day as
it was raining in the Earley part of last night and in the latter part of the night just passed, wind rather
cool from the South, but in a short while. the wind changed too the South west The thermometer at Eight
O'Clock to day registered 62 Degrees tempature at 12=6 clock All of the familey was out of bed quite
Earley this morning clothes on readey for buisiness all apearantly well but my wife and my Self. my wife is
Suffering with a Severe cold and a choking or Smothering Sensation through the night just passed but Some
what better to day. I am Still Suffering with my bowels. I prepared the fire in the Stove for the woman to
Serve the mornings meal by and whilst they were prepareing of the mornings meal i fed my teem calves and
fattening hogs. then come in doors washed my hands and face by that time the mornings meal was Served and
on the table so the familey with the Exception of my Self Seated there Selves too the table then portaken
of there mornings meal and i dined at my desk by a warm fire. as the table was filled a round its
Surrouding with out me. after all was through with there (their) mornings meal my wife went to work washed
and put a way her dishes cupps and Saucers Knives and forks then put her Kitchen and dining room in good
order for the day. also her dwelling house then taken a rest for a while. after getting well rested my wife
and Virginia Frownfelter went . to work to prepare a earley noons meal to day as it was the day that She was
calculating to go too her place of abode. at Joshua Johnson County Texas and during the time they were
preparing the noons meal James Costley annie an Edna and Loueasey Leng and my Self mounted in the wagon and
drove to Middle Bosque to water the teem and to hall abarrel of water as we were about out of water after
the horses had drank very hearily and James Costley and Annie Leng had filled the barrel with water i then
drove back too my place unhitched my teem. then hitched them in the Stall out of the cold wind. then James
Costley annie leng diped the water out of the barrel in order that we might have the wagon to take Virginia
Frownfelter too the train at Crawford as her and familey is going home on the north bound Santafe pasenger
train this evening at Joshua Johnson county Texas. Lum Costley walked over to Crawford to the Methodist
preach preaching or meeting at an Earley hour to day promising Virginia Frownfelter that he would meet her
at the train this evening his sister to bed them good by After the woman folks prepared our noons meal and
had portaken of the Same we then made preperations for going to Crawford to be there at the in coming train
going north as Virginia Frownfelter and children was going home on the Same . after arriving at the depot
we all dismounted from my wagon unloaded Virginies trunk and other tricks on the platform to be checked then
walked in Side of the Sitting room to a wait the the coming of the North bound pasenger train which was Some
what late So it was reported. however we remained about one hour and it Still, hadent arrived So my wife and
my Self mounted in our wagon . i then drove for my place of a bode both Sad and dreary as we could be as we
had had So maney (many) of our children with us for the last ten days and all at once of a Sudent. be left
entirley alone nearley heart broken. but such is the fruits of life either a feast or a fammen with the
presence of our off Springs , and departure of the Same, but at last it is all over with. and all that we
can Say or do is to indure all the troubles that is placed up on us old people as well as we can. After
arriving at home i ungeered my teem then led them too my upper field and turned them into graze about that
time the north bound pasenger, train passed through my farm but i could not See any of my people as the
train was so much crouded (crowded) but on they went just the Same, i then returned back too my lot then
Shucked corn and fed my fattening hogs. and the cows, afterwards i cutt and prepared wood for night and
morning then brought it in doors for to be conveniant to get at when neaded (needed). during that time my
wife was prepareing our evenings meal, after getting of it Served and on the table and announced readey for
to eat we then Seated our Selves too the table a lone as usual then portaken of our evenings meal, when
through with our meal my wife taken care of her Suppertable and put evrything in good Shape a gain, then
as She is accustom of doing she moved her Self in too her bed room Seated her Self down by a warm fire and
taken a rest as She felt Some what wearried from her days labor and Said that She felt Sick at the Stomach
as She had Such a bad cold. as to my Self i went to work to finish up recording the labor that has been
performed on the premiseses to day and also the different changes of the weather, through out the entire day.
at or near ten Oclock in the fore noon of to day the clouds began to pass off and in a Short while it become
pirfectly clear and bright and remained so the balance of the day the Sun Sit clear and nice Some what cool
having a west wind blowing the most of the day.Now as i have a letter on impartant buisiness to write to
night to E.D. Costley of Waco i will come to a close on this part of the work 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 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
Monday December the 31st AD 1900 hundred Opened up a cold freezing morning very clear the Sun rose very bright and nice not a cloud to be Sein (seen) after the Sun rose but just after daylight this morning the cloud that come up with the norther on the night just passed. passed a way Southward but about 9 nine Oclock AM the Slo (slow) cloud made its appearance in the South East low down in the Elements the north wind Still contunues to blow cold and brisk The thermometer earley this morning registers at 24 Degrees tempature. my wife and my Self were out of bed quite late this morning on the account of being So Cold and disagreeable but however after So long a while we Sumed up courage enough to a rise from our bed of repose clothed our person then went to work again after our usual way of doing as we were a lone we prepared our mornings meal by our fire Side in our bed room, and after getting of it Served we then portaken of the Same Sitting by a good fire after we were through with our meal my wife taken care of the vessels that we used in eating of our meal then put her house in order for the present day whilst
i went to work and recorded what had been done up to the present time being about nine Oclock in the
forenoon of to day also in connection of a discription of the weather so far up in the day. after i was
through with this work i then fed my fattening hogs fowls and milk calves and other Stock a bout the
premises. when through with that work i then brought my teem down from my upper field then fed them, and
taken them to middle Bosque to water after returning from the creek i then put the horse in the Stable and
Judy in the Stall, then fed my fattening hogs from that part of the work i then choped up wood for night
and morning. then brought the calves in Side of the enclosure taken them too the lot tied them then fed
them and the cows i then brought my wood in doors that i had choped in order to have it handy as it is too
cold to go out after it when wanted as it is freezeing weather. it has become to be very cloudey and cold
in the later part of the day. and appearantley growing colder It is reported to day that on the line of
Texas north that the snow on the ground was too (two) feet in debth.(depth) and Still Snowing at a rapid
rate and was making South in its course or direction. now as we are through with our labors for to day and
being the last day of 1900 hundred i will write a Short Sketch of its latter days now just passed and gone
never to return any more. as follows. Behind us is a year and a century: we turn to face it one last time in
retrospectin_ and behind us is a nother. century. and here upon the threshold of the New, with but a Step to
lead us forever from the old _ full handed with favors of th.e. past and hopeful indeed of the future. as
this is the last day of 1900 hund (hundred) which from age have to give way for a nother century to take
its place i will now close with the past and 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 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 usis my prayer to
night _Amen
W.E. Costley at home near middle Bosque creek.
This cold freezing Spell blew up from the North at a bout ten Oclock at night. December the 30th AD 1900
hundred
Jan. 2 - Jan.5, 1901
W.E.Costley at home near Middle Bosque creek
Wednesday January the 2th A.D. 1901 hundred and one opened up quite a cold morning
wind from the north very cold and cloudy Still, at although the Sun gives Some light
occasionley (occasionally) thermometer registers this morning at 32 Degrees tempature
ice this morning. my wife and my Self was out of our bed of repose tolerably earley
this morning clothes on readey for our dailey work i built the fire in the fire place
this morning and She prepared our mornings meal by the Same with my assitance
(assistance) as i made the coffee for her after getting of it Served with chairs
and Stools for our table we Seated our Selves in front of a good fire in our bed
room then portaken of the Same. after we were through with our mornings meal. my
wife taken care of the vesels that we used in eating of the morning meal, after
She was through She then put her house in order for the day then to work She went
again to Sewing on Miss Maud Billmans new frock that She was making for her,
whilst i russeled a round and fed the Stock and fowls and attended to Some other
work a round the premises, and as the day advanced it appeared to grow colder as
the north wind grew Stroger (stronger) with the advancement of the day and Some
what more cloudey than it was in the earley morning of to day. Now this is a
Statement of facts of the labor performed and the weather as it is up to nine
Oclock in the fore noon of to day My bowels are giving me much trouble this mornng
as they are full of pain passing of blood. My wife appears to be alright to day
with the exception of a Slight cold. at or near Eleven Oclock in the fore noon
to day My wife and my Self walked down to the Section house to See old man Finnie
as he was Sich after arriving at the place we found the old man in the bed and
Doctor A.M Armstrong at his bed Side attending him as there familey Physican
after remaining for Some three quarters of and hour with the familey we then
returned back home, after arriving at home my wife went to work Sewing again.
untill about one Oclock in the evening from which She left off with her Sewing
and prepared our noons meal, during the time She was at work i was mending her
Shoes and one of mine by tacking the Sole on one of hers and a piece on the heal
on one of mine and So Soon as She had the meal prepared we Spread it out in front
of a good fire in our bed room then eat the Same as it was rather too cool for us
old people to eat a way from the fire after getting through She taken care of the
vessels that we used in portaken of the meal, after getting through entirley with
the clearing up of evry thing about the eating part we then went to work a gain.
my wife to Sewing again whilst i watered and fed my teem, after i was through i
then put up a traugh in my Stall to feed one of my horses in after I was through
i then prepared wood for night and morning and brought it in doors in order to have
it handy. at any time that i Should nead it, i then fed the milk cows and fattening
hogs and at the wind up of the days work i coppied off some poetry out of a Dallis
(Dallas) paper in too my diary whilst my wife was Still Sewing on Miss Maude Billmans
frock. after we were through with our work we then departed too our bed to rest 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 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
Thursday January the 3dh A.D. 1901 hundred and one Opened up quite a cool morning
heavey freeze wind from the north East at an Earley hour to day. The thermometer
registers this morning at 29 Degrees tempature very cloudy but no rain or Sleet
So far up in this cold spell. my wife and my Self was out of bed quite Earley to
day in order that we could have an earley Start at buisiness to day after arising
from our bed of repose and my clothes on i built the fire in the fire place then
my wife arose from her bed of rest clothed her person and went to work prepareing
the mornings meal with my assistance as i had to parch the coffee after getting of
it Served She Spred it out on a bench by a good fire in our bedroom as it was too
cool to eat in the dining room at the table then we enjoyed the warpth (warmth) of
a warm fire in portaken of the mornings meal, when through my wife taken care of
the dishes ued (used) at our mornings meal and washed and put them away then put
her house in good order for the day. whilst i did the feeding of the Stock after
getting through i then went to work to chopping Some wood for the place to burn
and halling of it too the house at or near ten oclock in the fore noon of to day
the Sun began to Show its Self Smartly as though it might clear up in a Short
while and become Settled weather once more but at the turn of the day it become
much cloudier and colder as the wind Shifted too the North East . I cut wood
untill about half past too_Oclock in the eavening (evening) then left off work
come too the house fed my teem then Eat my Second meal for to day as we had our
dinner rather late on the account of having late breakfast, this morning, after
the meal was over with i then geered my teem hitched them too my wagon then
drove down too the rock quary South west from my house and loaded on the wood
that i had choped to day and halled it too my house after arriving at the place
i unloaded the Same as i had too have the wagon to hall water with. I then put
the barrel in the wagon then my wife and my Self mounted the wagon. i then drove
to middle bosque to water my teem and to hall a barrel of water after getting of
the barrel filled, i then drove back to my place of abode unhitched my teem from
my wagon then ungeered them put the horse in the Stable and old Judy mare in the
Stall. i then drove the calves up off of the wheat south of my house after getting
them too (t)he house my wife milked her cows whilst i fed my teem fattening hogs
and the cows by that time night fall Sit in i then brought my night wood in doors
and that ended the out door work for to day. this by the whole has been a tolerable
fare day for work. but rather cool and cloudey wind Shifting too the North east
causing a very disagreeable wind much like Snow but not a drop fell on my place
through out the day. Now i have gone to work and have a bout finished up recording
of the labor performed on the premises to day by my wife and my Self and also have
gave a Skitch of the movements of the weather through out the day Now we will go
to our beds to rest by first asking the lord to gard and protect us in the future
as he has in the past, and when done with these frail bodys 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
Friday January the 4th A.D. 1901 nineteen hundred and one Opened up quite a cool morning
wind from the South W. The thermometer at an Earley hour registers 42 Degrees temperture
very cloudey much like a continuation of unsettled weather my wife and Lum Costley were
out of bed quite earley to day clothes on readey for buisiness my wife prepared the
mornings meal whilst i remained in the bed very Sick at the Stomache after Serving of
the meal She then placed it on the table then her and Lum Seated them Selves at the
table and portaken of the Same when through with the meal my wife taken care of her
breakfast table and washed then put a way her dishes cupp & Saucers Knives and forks
afterwards put her Kitchen and dining room in good repare fror (for) the present then
Stratened (straightened) up her bedroom after So long a while i arose from my bed
dressed my person i then washed my face and hands then eat a bite or So and drank,
Some coffee whilst Lum Costley geered his poney hitched him too the buggy then drove
out for Crawford to See what could be done in the way of work. and parties. After
i fed the Stock i the(n) ground on my ax a bit then walked down to the Rockquary and
began to chop wood for my fire place and choped untill a bout too oclock in the after
noon from which i Stoped off work then come too the house Seated my Self down by my
desk and began to record the work that had had been done on the premises to day up
to too_Oclock in the after noon. this So far has been the warmest day we have had
Since Christmas day. Still cloudey but not So much like rain as it was in the fore
noon of to day, my wife has been quite buisey all day attending to affares a round
the house. at about too oclock my wife prepared our Second meal for to day after getting
of it Served and on the table we then eat a portion of the Same. after we were through
with our meal. my wife taken care of her dinner table and put evry thing in good repare
then taken a walk down too the Section house to See old man Finnie as he was Sick and
it was so that i could not go my Self as i had to water my teem and chop Some wood I
then watered my teem turned them loose in E.D.Costleys botton field to graze for a bit
then had a Short conversation with Mr Louis Billman as he was plowing in the Same field
I then. then come up on top of the hill by the rock quary and went to chopping wood a
gain and choped untill the Sun was quite low. then quit off and come to the house, and
hope (help) my wife turned the yearling out Side. I then walked down to the botton field
after my teem then prepared wood for night & morning. i then fed my teem and hogs about
that time, my wife come and brought a pig a round too the coop and put it in in order to
find the owner as it had just come on the place as a Stray not Knowing who it belong too,
after we was through we come in doors and my wife commenced to prepare our evenings meal.
about that time Lum come in from his trip up to Maddoxes. After my wife had Served the
Evening meal, we Seated our Selves to the table then portaken of the Same. after getting
through my wife taken care of the Supper table and put evry thing in good order, whilst
i finished recording of the days work that has been done on the premises to day by my wife
and my Self and the weather of the day at about half past four Oclock in the after noon
there was a cloud rose in (the) South and passed off to the East. this has been the
pleasantest day that we have had in Some time past. Now as we are through with our days
work we will go too our bed of repose by first asking the lord to gard and protect us
through 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 near Middle Bosque Creek
Saturday January the 5th AD 1901 Opened up quite a cloudey cool damp morning wind from the
South much in appearance of falling weather dark and gloomey. The familey in general were
out of bed quite earley this morning clothes on readey for buisiness. i prepared the fire
in the fire place for my wife to Serve the morning meal by She then went to work and by the
time that i had fed the Stock She had the mornings meal Served and on the table readey for
be eat. So we Seated our Selves to the table then portaken of the Same during the time
we were preparing the meal and feeding. Lum was playing the fiddle for his past time
after all were through my wife attended too her breakfast table and put her house in order
for the day whilst Lum and i ground the ax. So i could chop more wood for the fireplace to
day. then Lum went to work to fixing of the yard fence putting up wire in order to Keep the
Stock from passing from one field in too the other whilst my wife prepard to wash our clothes
She washed in the house as it was too cool to wash outdoors as the day advanced it appeared
though the weather was going to be much more disagreeable as it apears to be turning a great
deal cooler than it was in the earley part of the day. I hope (help) Lum fix the yard fence
after geting of it fixed Lum then dress him Self walked over to Crawford to meet the South
bound train as he was going to waco to get in too work whilst i taken my ax walked down near
my rockquary South west of my house and began to chop wood for my fire place, i choped untill
about 12-Oclock from which i Stoped off work come to the house built a fire for my wife to
prepare the noon meal by as She was washing of her close (clothes) So She Stoped off washing
and went to work to prepare our meal vituals and during of the time i fed my teem then diped
the Water out of the barrel and taken the barrel off ove (of) the wagon in Order to get the
wagon to hall a load of wood, about that time my wife called me to my dinner and at once i
responded too the call we then Seated our Selves too the table then portaken of our meal,
when through my wife taken care of her diner table whilst i caught curried then geered and
hitched my teem too my wagon i then drove down to the woods South west of my place near my
rockquary and loaded on the wood that i had cutt for the house then drove back to my yard
and unloaded the Same, after getting the wood off of the wagon i then drove round too my
water barren loaded it on my wagon then my wife and my Self mounted in the wagon i then drove
to Middle Bosque to water my teem and to hall a barrel of water after the teem had drank and
had filled the barrel with the water out of the Bosque i then drove for my place of a bode
after arriving at my place i taken the geer off of my teem then put Judy in the Stall i then
placed the Buggy geer on Walker hitched him too the buggy mounted my Self in the buggy then
drove out for Crawford to get Some oil Soda and my mail and by the by i baught Some Pecans
i then placed my Self in the buggy and drove for my place of abode after arriving at home i
ungeered my teem put him in the Stable then fed him and his mate i then fed the hogs afterwards
brought in wood for night and morning . during all that while my wife was engaged , milking of
her cows and prepareing the evenings meal, after getting of it Served, we Seated our Selves
too the table then portaken of the Same when through with our meal my wife taken care of her
Suppertable, and put evry thing in good Shape a gain then come in too her bed room Seated her
Self by a good fire then began to read the news papers that our son Ed Costley Sent to us by
mail from Waco a Georga paper one from West in the County and a couple from Waco McLennan
County Texas. All full of good and bad news. And She did the reading whilst i did the
recording of the labors performed on the premises to day and gave the different changes of
the weathe(r) of the Same day and date, at or near four Oclock this evening it become very
cloudy in the north and west and denoted Signs of a heavey norther and at that time the wind
Shifted from the South too the west and become much cooler but before the Sun Sit the wind
changed back too the South. and the dark angry clouds passed onward and disappeared in a
northerly direction. but yet it Still remained cloudy but not So much as to prevent the
Sun from Showing it Self occasionley untill it passed out of Sight, to be Seen no more to
day. Now as my wife was compelled to retire too her bed of repose quite earley to nigh on
the account of being So wearried from her days labor, and i am about
through with my part of the work for to day i will Shortley close the
lids of this book and follow Suit of my wife as i feel Some what wearried
my Self 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 and all man Kind and in
heaven Save us is my prayer to night Amen
