William Sanford Titus, my great-grandfather, was born on 24 December 1857 in Adrian, Michigan. His parents were William Sanford and Elizabeth (Niesz) Titus. Will, as he was known, saved documents. Many were given to his daughter, Tzilla Lila (Titus) Miller. She kept them and preserved them for his descendants. A diary for 1881, the year Will turned 24, tells about his experiences at Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan and life with his family in Charlotte, Michigan. [1]

Will recorded the highlights of his days so that we can see what life was like in a small denominational college and "down on the farm."

The printed introductory pages in the diary provide information that was useful for the owner. They are also useful to family researchers who want to know what life was like for our ancestors. For instance:

In 1878, an average weekly wage for a baker was $5.00 to $8.00, a cabinet-maker earned $9.00 to $13.00, laborers brought in $6.00 to $9.00, painters made $10.00 to $16.00, and a printer made $8.00 to $18.00. Roast beef cost 12 cents per pound, bread was 4 cents per pound, coffee was 20 cents per pound, eggs were 25 cents per dozen, soap was 6 cents per pound.
Detroit, Michigan had a population of 79,577; Chicago, Illinois had 298,983 people; New York City was approaching one million with 926,341; and San Francisco, California had 149,473 inhabitants. Michigan State had 1,184,059 residents, Oregon only had 90,923. Washington was still a territory and had a population of 23,955. It cost one cent to send a letter across the country, and the president of the United States was Rutherford B. Hayes.

Saturday, January 1, 1881:

After one year rest from this kind of work, guess I will commence keeping diary again. John and I divided a load of wood up from the woods west of town, went to town in the afternoon and got me a suit of clothes. Carl rode home with me. Heard that Net Smith #*#, #770, [0u, [L, 8¢7 V10# [l #1Ci#8Hb. I wish to God it is so, but don't believe it is. This is the second time I heard that. [Note: he used code when he did not want uninvited eyes to see what he wrote. Many of the entries have been decoded, but not this one.]
Expenses: diary 50¢; peanuts, 15¢; pitcher, 25¢; collar, 20¢; cigars, 35¢

Sunday, January 2, 1881

Stayed at home in the forenoon. Siss and I went up to the church to meeting in the afternoon.
Manda & Byron came just before dark. This is the first time the whole family has been together since Manda was married, had a regular old family reunion.

[Home is Charlotte, Michigan. Siss is Mary Melissa Titus, born 12 August 1845 in Hancock County, Ohio. Amanda Titus, (aka Manda) was born 10 September 1854 in Adrian, Michigan. She married Byron Culbertson.]

Monday, January 3, 1881

Went back to John's place with him, got there about two, fixed up the wagon box to put the pigs & sheep in, went down to Waches. They all went to meeting and we went along. Stayed all night at Waches.
Expenses: coat binding, $1.45
[John is John Meyers, husband of Barbara Ellen Titus. Barbara was born on 18 September 1850 in Hancock County, Ohio.]

Tuesday, January 4, 1881

Started for home. I drove the sheep a ways and then went on home, and John came part way with the sheep and stayed over night.

Markham & I helped Pa butcher in the forenoon, went to town in the afternoon and got my clothes changed. Sold my hay & corn & oats to John. 4 tons of hay, 231 bushels of corn & 16 2/3 bushels of oats. Hay $7.00 a ton, corn .25 a bushel, oats .30.
Income: $35.00, for pay; $10.00, corn; $5.00, oats
Expenses: cap, $3.50; gloves, $1.15; cuffs, 25¢; cuff studs, 10¢; cigars, 10¢

Helped Pa bring the cook stove down to the house and came back to Olivet this afternoon. . . . There was about twenty of us students on the train.
[Note, he attended Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan. It is a co-educational school and was founded in 1844 by the Congregational Church.]
Expenses: cigars, $2.00; suspenders, 25¢; haircut & shave, 30¢; car & bus fare, 45¢; matches, 15¢; tuition & room rent, $19.50; chemistry, 95¢; hat & neckerchief, $3.35; post office box rent, 10¢

Went down town after chapel, met Miss Hart and walked up to the hall with her. Did not have any Rhetoric class today, walked over to the hall with Miss Smith after Chemistry class. Miss Upton moved her seat to another table, that spoils all the fun.
[Rev. Henry M. Goodwin, D.D. was Professor of English Literature, Logic, and Rhetoric. [2] ]
Expenses: board, $8.00; cotton batting, 10¢; atomizer, 20¢; zinc, 84¢; oil, 12¢; lottery, 10¢; postage stamps, 28¢

Echer was in to see me this forenoon. John C. and I went down town, came back with Miss Stevens. Went over to the L. H. to see Prof. Howard, went to prayer meeting in the evening, and then to choir practice, went home with Kittie.
[George H. Howard, A.M., Professor Music, L. H. is the Ladies Hall. It contained boarding rooms and the ladies' society-room and the art gallery. [3] ]

Went to church in the forenoon, did not have any Bible class. John & Tom came over and we played Sixty-Six. Went to church in the evening.

Went to Rhetorical in the forenoon, sent a note to Kittie by Stella H., don't know what the hell I did do in the afternoon, only go down town once or twice.
Expenses: music tuition, $4.00; rocking chair, $3.50;

Went to classes as usual, don't know as any thing worth writing took place. Ed LaSell and I went down town in the afternoon and after supper.

Went to classes as usual. Ed LaSell & I went down town in the afternoon, got a note from Kittie, went to society in the evening.
Expenses: Society tax, 50¢; perfume & shave, 30¢; bus & barber, 45¢

Went to classes today. Ed and I went down town in the afternoon, that is all.

Did not hear the bell nor notice what time it was, so was late to bookkeeping class, did not have any Rhetoric today. John & I went down town, went to orchestra practice and got left. _______ She can b81tV it up her *bb for all _l 47

Copied some music this forenoon & then went down to Prof. Howards. Went home on the afternoon train, found our folks situation in their new home, went down street after supper and got shaved, snowed some today.

Siss & I went to the Congregational Church and S. S. in the forenoon. Prof. Esterbrook preached, was in Hon S. S. Section, S. S. class, took a walk in the afternoon, went to the M. E. Church in the evening. Snowed some today.
[Methodist Episcopal Church.]

Pa and I went out to the farm in the forenoon and brought the organ back, came back to Olivet in the afternoon, went to orchestra meeting in the evening.
Expenses: car, 45¢; rhetoric, $1.20

Feel like a d--d fool today, did not have any chemistry today, went to drawing class in the afternoon. Ed & I went down town, met Stell & Nettie. . . walked up street with the girls.

Am completely knocked up today, feel like a d--d fool or else want to give some one a damming, have made a mistake and lost something I can't get back. I went to Society tonight. Took some apples over to the girls.

Went to classes, all but Rhetoric, that did not recite, went to drama class in the afternoon, went to hear our elocutions in the evening.

Went to all of my classes today. Went to orchestra meeting to see Contraite [sic] but did not stay, came back to my room and copied an essay.

Went to class today, went down town in the afternoon, took a lesson on the Cello this afternoon, went to prayer meeting in the evening.

Went to Church in the forenoon and also to Bible class, walked down to the Hall with Nettie from Bible class. Wrote some letters in the afternoon, went to Church and jumped it and Ed & I went to the M. E. Church, took a walk after it was out and had a smoke.

Went to Rhetorical and read an essay in the forenoon, went up to the society room and practiced singing and then went down town, about a dozen of the girls were down, had some fun with them.

Went to classes today, went over to the hall and called on Kittie in the afternoon and then went down town. Ed & I went down town after supper and took a little walk and I had a smoke, that's all, wrote a note in the evening.

Went to classes as usual, received a note from Miss Norris. John & W went down town, got some oysters and took them over to the hall and gave them to Stell, had quite a little chat with her. Went to Society in the evening.

No recitations today. Ed & I went down town twice in the forenoon, walked up to the hall with Nettie & Stella, went down town in the afternoon, came back with Annie, the Benedict girls, and her. I went over to their house. John came there and we all went to FitzReeds. Stell & Net came there while we were there. Morris & I took a little walk.
Expenses: drama tickets, 80¢; handkerchief, 50¢; paper, 25¢; S. S. collection, 10¢

Went to classes today and down town once or twice, went to the Drama in the evening with Miss Norris.

Went to Recitations today as usual and took a Cello lesson in the afternoon, went to prayer meeting in the evening, missed by not going to chapel meeting.

Went to meeting in the morning and jumped it when they were singing the hymn, wrote a couple letters and played seven up in the afternoon. Went to meeting in the evening. Norm T came to my room after meeting and I went down to Hodgins with him to see Ivanhoe, had quite a fine time.

Went to Rhetorical class in the forenoon. John & I went down to Reeds, went down town in the afternoon, went down to Orchestra meeting and stayed a little while.

Went to classes as usual and etc. and so on ad infinitum, went to drawing class in the afternoon. Miss Norris & I went down to Reeds.
Expenses: postage, 15¢; cigars, 35¢

Went to classes. Went downtown in the afternoon and to Society in the evening and from there to the Loroman [sic] Public, went down to the Hotel after it was out and visited with F. Latta. He and I called on Miss Savage.

Took a note to Miss Upton, went to classes and went over to the hall & called on Annie in the evening.

Don't know what the devil I did do today, only went to orchestry meeting in the evening.
Expenses: carfare, 70¢; string, 40¢; haircut & shave, 30¢; peanuts, 15¢

Went to recitations today and went home in the afternoon. Annie went to Ch. also the Billings girls, went down to the Barber shop in the evening.

Went to church in the forenoon. John & Ell came down, got livery and started for Green's, passed our folks, went to Green's & got Annie and we went riding, drove up town and then back and over to Olivet. I got my scarf, then back & stopped to Churches, then I took her back to Green's. She is a brick and don't you forget it.

Went out to the farm, saw Volney, came back home then went over to the Depot. Anna was there, went up town after my scarf, then back to the Depot, had to work there about an hour, was raining when we got here. I expect I have got Annie, if not myself also, into trouble for coming over here yesterday, I expect. Went to orchestry meeting.
Income: $25.30
Expenses: Champagne, 75¢; cigars, 60¢; bus fare, 75¢; livery, $3.00; candy, 10¢

Went to classes today, got a letter from Annie. Ed & I went down town in the afternoon, walked up with Annie and Ed with Miss Benedict. Nettie gave me her watch to fix. Wrote a letter to Annie.
Expenses: stationery, 60¢; oil, 12¢

Went to classes. Had my head phrenologized this afternoon, went over to the Soronian society, don't know but I made Annie a little off, but I guess not. [The Soronian Society was a literary society for young ladies. It had a library and special assembly-rooms.] [4]
Expenses: Pumbarella, $1.60; pants fixed, 50¢

Got a letter from Annie. God, she is a trump though. Went over to Bellerves with Orchestra to play for the drama, had an eminence old time, pretty near got off my base, got back home a little after twelve.
Expenses: cigars, 25¢

Wrote a letter to Annie, but did not get it finished before class. Went over to general exercises but did not stay, went down town, met Annie there and walked up to the hall with her. Got Net's watch fixed.
Expenses: watch fixed, 15¢

Went to classes today, took a Cello lesson this afternoon. Ed & I went down town, went to prayer meeting and then to Choir meeting. Nettie bounced me about knowing something about her, of course I did not tell her. Great God, but I would like to tell her and get the same.
Expenses: board, $5.00

Went to Church and Bible class and to church in the evening. Ed & I went over to the M. E. Church after Church was out at the Cong[regational].

Went to Rhetorical in the forenoon, was to have a part but did not have it, went down town before dinner, went down town in the afternoon and walked back with Annie, got a letter from her. Went to Howards in the evening to practice quartet and wrote to Annie after I got back.
Expenses: postage, 43¢

Went to recitations as usual today. Went downtown in the afternoon and I also after supper. Played sixty six with Smith in the evening.
Expenses: society tax, 90¢; cigars & tobacco, 15¢; board, $2.50; gave Annie $2.00

Went to recitations, went to society in the evening. Annie was there. Went home with her. We went the shortcut way around, of course.

Went to recitations, went down town in the afternoon, don't know what else I did. Wrote a letter to Annie.

Went to recitations. Went down to Prof. Howards in the afternoon to practice our quartet, then went to general exercises and played it, wrote Annie a letter.

Went to recitations, went down town at noon, took my overcoat to the tailors to get it fixed, went down town in the afternoon and walked up with Annie, went to prayer meeting and choir meeting in the evening.
Expenses: candy & matches, 40¢; coat fixed, 20¢; tobacco, 10¢

Went to church in the forenoon, did not have any Bible class, wrote a letter to Annie in the afternoon, went to church in the evening, and gave the letter to her after meeting.

Did not get up until nine o'clock, did not go to Rhetorical, went downtown in the afternoon.

No recitation today, don't hardly know what I did do, went down town in the afternoon. Annie and I walked around a while, went to meeting in the evening, had called meeting of the society today.
Expenses: flower pots, 14¢; blank book, 5¢

Went to recitations today, did not have any society this evening on account of the meetings, went to meeting in the evening.

Went to recitations today, went to a lecture in the evening with Annie. The lecture was given by Pierson.
[Rev. Arthur T. Pierson, D.D., of Detroit, member of Olivet Board of Trustees. [5] ]
Expenses: tobacco, 20¢; paper, 10¢; cuff buttons, 10¢

Went to recitations today, went down town in the afternoon, did not go to meeting tonight. Wrote a letter to Annie

Went to recitation today. Crawford, Callop, Vagbart, Smith, LaSell, & myself went to Marshall [Michigan] to hear the Mendelsohn Quintette Club play. Got back about twelve o'clock at night.
Expenses: supper, 25¢; concert ticket, 50¢; cigars, 20¢

Went to church and Bible class in the forenoon, wrote a letter and then went to sleep and slept the rest of the afternoon. Went to meeting in the evening.

Went to Rhetorical class, spoke a declination, went down town in the afternoon, walked up with Annie, went to Orchestra meeting in the evening.
Expenses: bracket, 50¢; soap & tobacco, 25¢

Went to recitations today, went down town in the afternoon, walked up with Nettie & Carrie Hoyt, got some candy for Net, took a Cello lesson.

Went to recitations today, went to the Adelphics public exercises in the evening.
[The Adelphic Society, a literary society for young gentlemen. It had a library and special assemby-rooms. [6] ]
Expenses: candy, 40¢

Went to recitations today, went to Orchestra meeting in the evening. It was in the church.
Expenses: oil & cigar, 17¢

Went to recitations today, went to general exercises in the afternoon, did not play in the Orchestra, had lots of fun with Carrie Hoyt, walked over to the hall with Kittie, went in the hall and down to the dining room with her. Went to meeting in the evening.

Went to recitations today, went down town in the afternoon, walked around with Annie a while, went to meeting in the evening and then to Choir meeting. Annie & Cad & I started downtown but they backed out. I went down & got some crackers & then came back, went home with Annie.
Received: $10.00
Expenses: candy, 10¢; overshoes, 80¢; crackers, 20¢; cigars, 30¢

Went to meeting in the forenoon. Graham, Smith, Patton & myself played cards all afternoon, went to a meeting in the evening, wrote a letter to Annie.

Went to Rhetorical class in the forenoon, had a discussion, went down town in the afternoon.

Went to classes today. Annie came over before Rhetoric and gave me a letter, she is not coming to Rhetoric any more. Went down town in the afternoon, she and I took a little walk.

Went to recitations today, went to society in the evening, it did not commence until half past seven. Annie was there, went home with her. She stopped in my room a moment.

Went to recitations today, went down town in the afternoon, walked back with Annie, went over to the hall in the evening to call on her, had the parlor all to our selves. Yum.

Went to classes today. Took a Cello lesson in the afternoon, then went to general exercises. Carl Markham came here today, went down town after supper, went to orchestra meeting in the evening.
Expenses: cigars, 25¢; stamps, 15¢

Went to recitations today, walked over to the hall with Annie, went over to see her a few minutes in the afternoon and then went home, played a game of billiards with Carl, went down town after supper.
Expenses: car fare, 20¢; watch fixed, 50¢; shave, 10¢

At home: went to church and S. S. at the U. B. Church in the forenoon, took a walk in the afternoon and went to the Congregational Church in the evening. Saw Mrs. Green and talked with her a little. [William S. Titus, Sr. was the minister at the Charlotte United Brethren Church.]

Went down town in the forenoon. Got Annie a ring and got her watch fixed. Came back to Olivet in the afternoon, went down town, went to Howards in the evening to Piano Recital.
Income: $30.00
Expenses: haircut, 20¢; necktie, $1.00; handkerchief, 70¢; ring, $3.75; watch fixed, $1.00; medicine, 50¢; cigars, 25¢; car & bus fare, 70¢; coat bound, $1.05

Went to classes as usual, went down town in the afternoon with Annie. Mrs. H. came pretty near catching us on the back street.

Went to recitations today, went down town after supper, went over to the Soronian society in the evening.
Expenses: fare, 50¢; paper & envelopes, 25¢

Went to classes as usual, don't know what I did the rest of the day. Went to the lecture in the evening with Annie. Prof. Esterbrook lectured.
Expenses: board, $11.00

Went to recitations. Went over to General exercises in the afternoon. Went to a concert given by Miss Root and Prof. Williams in the evening with Annie.
Expenses: Blacking, 10¢

Went to classes today, went downtown in the afternoon, went to prayer meeting in the evening went home with Annie.

Went to church in the forenoon, walked over with Annie, she gave me a letter. Read in the afternoon and went to church in the evening.

Did not have any rhetorical today, got some straw and filled my bed, went down town after dinner, met Annie. When I was coming back, turned around and went down town with her, gave her some money.
Expenses: postage, 10¢; candy, 18¢, concert, 50¢, gave Annie, $5.00

Went to classes as usual, went down town in the afternoon. Went to the M. E. Church, entertainment and sugar social in the eve. Jay & Cad and Annie & I went out walking, did not get in until after ten, the door was locked. Mrs. H. opened it and let the girls in.
Expenses: wood, $1.25; lamp burner, 35¢; gum, 10¢, sulphur, 50¢

Went to recitations today, don't know what the devil else I did do, only go to society in the evening.

Went to recitations today, went to general exercises in the afternoon in the church, went over to the hall and called on Annie, we went down town, went down after supper. Jay & I played sixty six.

Went to recitations. I guess I have got todays doings down in yesterday's space so I will change it around, went to the lecture in the evening with Annie.

Went to recitations, went down town and came back with Annie, went to choir meeting, went home with Miss Chatterton.
Expenses: Bologna, 25¢

Did not go to church in the morning, played cards all afternoon, went to church and skipped, so did Annie. She gave me a letter. Jay & I went to the M. E. Church. Jay went home with Cad. I did not go with Miss Strong. Something begins today, about the girl.

Went down town in the morning after an express package for Annie. Went downtown again after chapel, was examined in chemistry in the afternoon, went down to Reed's with Annie and to the concert in the evening with her.
Expenses: lead pencil & etc., 25¢

Was examined in Bookkeeping & Rhetoric in the forenoon. Annie was over to Rhetoric, came home in the afternoon, went down to the train in the evening to see some of the girls off on the train.
Expenses: express, 30¢; bus & carfare, 95¢

Went down town in the forenoon, went over to the train and got Carrie Hoyt's trunk and had it taken over to the other Depot, went down in the evening and sent it off, went over to the Valey House.
Expenses: bus fare on trunk, 25¢; coat lining, 20¢; watch chain fixed, 10¢; sundress, 30¢

Called on Effie Benedict in the forenoon. Siss & I went to the farm and stayed until evening and then drove over to John's place, stayed there all night.

Stayed to John's until afternoon and then came home, went up to see Effie, but she was not there, met her on the street and went up to their rooms with her, stayed and visited with her a while. She gave me a note from Annie, also gave back the one I sent to her.

Went down street and looked around a little and came back home. Byron & Manda and Siss & I went down to J. Tirrils until almost evening and then came home. I went up street, saw Markham.

Siss & I went to the Cong. church in the forenoon, layed around and read and slept most of the afternoon, went to the Cong. Church in the evening and stayed a little while and then went over to the hall.

Layed around the house and read most of the forenoon, went up town in the afternoon and voted and then went up in the evening and got some cigars.

Read most of the forenoon, went down town and looked around and one thing and another and went to the show in the evening. Widow Bedok was ------. It was good. Did a little tracking before I went to the show.
Expenses: theater ticket, 50¢; cigars, 25¢

Went down town and stayed most all forenoon, came back home, helped Pa fix the stable door, went down town in the afternoon and did a little tracking again, in the evening saw her. I will have her yet.

Took Mrs. Dodge down to Whetches [sic], took the horse and carriage back home and then went down town and had my picture taken and hair cut, came back to Olivet in the afternoon, went walking with Annie shortly after I got here, it seemed mighty good, too.
Income: $50.00
Expenses: pictures, $1.75; autograph album, 85¢, bus fare, 25¢, post office box rent, 10¢

Went to Const. History in the forenoon as we did not have any books, we had no recitation. Went to Geology class in the afternoon and down town, two or three times, went up to Slosson's room in the evening.
Expenses: tuition & etc., $10.00; medicine, 35¢; post office money order, $1.00; sundries, 25¢; board, $10.00

Did not have any chapel exercises nor any recitation in the forenoon. Went to Geology in the afternoon. Went down town, stopped in Smiths a while, started to the hall, met Annie, went back down town with her, wish I could be with her all the time.

Ed & I went walking after breakfast, did not go to church in the forenoon, wrote a letter to Annie, went to church in the evening.

Went to Rhetorical class in the church, went down town before dinner, studied some, went down town, came back with Annie. Went up to Teiber's room and got the Tenor Horn.
Expenses: washing $1.18; const. history, $1.20; sundries, 20¢

Went to recitations, got one in the forenoon and one in the afternoon, practiced two hours on the horn and one hour and a half on the Cello, went to orchestra meeting in the evening.

Went to classes today, went down town once or twice. Conkright was up to my room this noon. Went to society in the evenings.
From Will's autograph book:
"Will you?"
"Wont you?"
Your neighbor,
Ed. L. LaSell,
Portland,
Mich.
Olivet, April 13. '81

Montgomery was sick today so I did not have any recitations, studied on my dictation most all day. Called on Annie in the evening and went down to Brown & Graham's room.

Did not have any recitations today, studied on my dec. part of the day and practiced the rest of the time on the Cello and Horn. Went to orchestra meeting in the evening.

Went to recitations today, went down town two or three times, went to choir meeting in the evening. Annie was there, went home with her.
Expenses: cigars, 25¢

Went to church and Bible class and slept most all afternoon, went to church in the evening.

Went to Rhetorical and spoke my little pieces, went down town with Mae Stevens and Annie. Fooled around most all afternoon. Ed and I went down town, walked with Mae and Annie, went to orchestra meeting.
Expenses: wood, $1.25; candy, 20¢; cigars, 25¢

From Will's autograph book:
April 18/81
Dear Friend
Upward steals the life of man
As the sunshine from the wall.
From the wall into the sky,
From the roof along the spire;
All, the souls of those that die
Are but sunbeams lifted higher."
Yours Across the Hall
John Crawford
Olivet
Residence Greenville,
Mich.

Went to classes as usual. Ed and I went down town after dinner, also just before super. Went to Band meeting in the evening.
Expenses: pins & court plaster, 15¢

Went to recitations today, went down town once or twice, went to society in the evening.
Expenses: society fees, 45¢; sundries, 40¢

From Will's autograph book:
My Friend,
"The mill-stream
that turn the cloppers of the
world arise in solitary places."
That you may arise, is
the best wish of your friend.
C. H. Brown,
Constantine,
Mich,
Olivet College
April 20th, 81
Your Friend,
A. H. Graham
Olivet,
M.
Apr 20, 81
Home - Hong Kong, China

Went to classes today, went down town after dinner, also about half past three, walked up with Annie and Ed with Mae, went to singing class, went to the lecture in the evening with Annie.

Went to recitations. Ed & I went out to the lake this forenoon. Went down town in the afternoon twice, played ball a while after supper, went to orchestra meeting in the evening. John and I took a walk and a smoke after orchestra meeting.
Expenses: oil, 15¢; shoe patched, 15¢

Went to recitations. Went down town after dinner, played ball in the afternoon, went walking and smoking with G., met the two Annies. Graham went to meeting with me. Went home with Annie. Graham went with Miss La H.
Expenses: cigars, 50¢

Ed and I went walking after breakfast. Did not go to church. Locked myself out of my room. Graham and I went back of the yard and smoked and told stories, went to the M. E. church, but skipped out and got caught talking with the girls in front of the hall. Laura Porter.

Went downtown and then to Rhetorical, walked over to dinner with Annie La H. She is a brick, Started out to play ball but G & I turned around and came back, told stories and made arrangements for future work, went to singing class, went to band meeting in the evening.
Expenses: cigars, 25¢; athletic fee, 25¢

Friend Will,
Fall from the housetop and break your neck.
Fall from the mast-head to the deck,
Fall to the earth from a height above.
But never never fall in "Love."
Advice of your friend
Annie Norris
Chicago, Ill.

Went to recitations today and went down town two or three times, did not go to orchestra meeting tonight. Graham and I had a smoke.
Expenses: beef & crackers, 18¢

Went to recitations as usual, went down town once or twice, went to society in the evening. The Soronians were over tonight.

Went to classes, got a letter from Annie, wrote one back to her and gave her a hell of a blowing, ought to be ashamed of myself, but was terrible mad. Played ball in the afternoon, also went to singing class.

Went to recitations, went down town two or three times, played ball in the afternoon, went over to general exercises, went to orchestra meeting, the band went out. Prof. Howard treated us after we got through.
Expenses: cigars, 50¢

Went to recitations and down town several times, played ball in the afternoon. G & I smoked on the street after supper, went to choir meeting. The orchestra played, went home with Annie.

Did not go to Church or Bible class today. Played seven up and trunk in the afternoon, went to church in the evening, the orchestra played this evening.
Expenses: sugar and lemons, 30¢

Went to Rhetorical and read an essay, went down town after dinner, saw Annie. The Freshmen played a match again of ball with the Sophs in the afternoon, beat them two to one, went to band meeting in the evening.

Went to recitations, did not go to chapel, went down town two or three times, did not go to orchestra meeting. G & I went and had a smoke and talk.
Expenses: stationary, 15¢

Did not go to chapel this morning, went to recitations, went down town in the afternoon, walked up with the two Annies, went to society in the evening.
Expenses: gave Annie $5.00

Did not have any history today, went down town once or twice. The band played in front of the hall and then we got our girls, and I went down to Howard's and had a good time, did not get in until half past ten.

Went to geology today and down town a couple times, went over to the hall to see Annie La H. Graham and I went to Bellevue in the evening and had a time, got back about half past ten.
Expenses: champagne, 62 1/2¢; candy, 70¢; cigars, $1.00, livery, 75¢

Went to recitations today, down town once or twice, went over to the hall to see Annie, had a fine time, went to Charlotte in the evening. Graham went to Lansing today. Lent him five dollars.
Expenses: cigars, 50¢; champagne, 75¢; hair cut and shave, 60¢

Did not go to church today, slept most all afternoon, went to church in the evening, walked part way home with Annie

Went to Rhetorical and got sent away for reading, went out to the lake swimming in the afternoon, went down town two or three times, went to band meeting in the evening.
Expenses: sundries, 75¢; livery, 50¢

Went to Const. History in the morning, walked over to Daniels with Annie. Graham and I were suspended today for what we did last Friday night, the girls were determined they would go too. Annie seems to feel awful bad about it, went down town with her and Annie La H.
Wednesday, May 11, 1881

Went down town in the morning and telegraphed to G., read most of the forenoon, wrote a letter home, went down town two or three times, got Dick and gave him to Annie, walked up town with her twice, went to society in the evening.
Expenses: telegraph, 35¢

"We are both up a tree"

Friend Titus,
there's many a slip
betwixt the cup and lip.
Anna La Homadin
Metamora,
Mich.
May your footsteps ever be guided
with true and noble paths
To the sincere wish of your friend.
Nettie L. Smith
Olivet, Room No. 9, L. H.
Lansing
May 11, 1881

Took some of my plants over to Annie and bid her goodbye, went down town, met the old gent there, went back to my room and talked with him a while, wrote a letter to Daniels, came home with Pa, went to a concert in the evening.
Income: $10.20
Expenses: cigars, 25¢; concert, 35¢; fan, 15¢

Wrote a letter to Net Smith, also one to Annie. Then read the rest of the forenoon, slept a good share of the afternoon, went down to the Post Office, but did not get any thing, took a ramble in the evening.
Expenses: postage stamp, 18¢

Went up town once in the forenoon and then read the rest of the time. Tramped like the devil in the afternoon, went down town, got a letter from Daniels which cooked my goose forever as far as Olivet is concerned.
Expenses: shave, 10¢

Did not go to church this forenoon, went and took a little walk down the railroad track, read most of the afternoon.

Went up to the farm and took old Red, came back and went to Olivet. Annie had gone, packed my trunk and sent it home. Ed and I took a ride, went to band meeting, stayed all night with Ed.
Expenses: washing, $1.50; cigars, 50¢; board; 62 1/2¢

Went over to the hall to breakfast, talked with Net a little. Stor rode home with me, read most of the rest of the day, went over after my trunk, but did not get it, went down town.
Expenses: horsefeed, 50¢; trunk fare, 25¢; glycerine, 15¢

Read part of the day and helped the rest. Siss and I went to meeting in the evening.

Read most of the day, washed the buggy.

Dug a cistern in the forenoon, read the rest of the time, commenced to build a porch in front of the house, went uptown in the evening.
Expenses: candy, $1.00; cigars, 25¢; undershirt, 75¢; cigars, 20¢

Helped plaster the cistern this forenoon. John and Ell came just before dinner. John and I went down street, went down town in the evening, saw quite a number of the Chester boys. Jack and I commenced a game, but did not finish.

Went to church at the U. B. Church in the forenoon, read most all afternoon, wrote a letter to Annie, went to the Cong. Church in the evening.

Worked at the porch most all day, went down town once or twice, got a letter from Annie

Finished the porch this forenoon, started to go to Vermontville, but got left, talked quite a while with Harry, went down to the depot in the evening.
Expenses: cigars, 25¢; postage, 42¢

Read most of the day, don't remember what I did to the rest of the day. Siss and I went riding in the evening.

Read most of the day, washed the buggy, went down town several times.

Made some lattice work to fence in the porch. Siss and I went to John's in the afternoon.

John and I walked around over his farm in the forenoon. We all went to Potterville in the afternoon. John and I went through the bed factory.
Income: $50.00
Expenses: shave, 10¢

We all went to S. S. and meeting in the forenoon and class in the afternoon. Siss and I started to go home but it looked so much like rain we backed out.

From Will's autograph book:
"Hi"
May 29, 81
Yours muchly
T. R. Patton
A "Greenvillian"
Spring Term

Your friend & Wellwisher
R. H. Sherwood
Watervliet
Berrian Co.
Mich.
Olivet College, May 29, 81

Came home from John's this morning, saw Stell Hart at the Sherwood House, went over to the train with her, went down town and got me a pair of shoes. Saw Wad and Clara, went up to Fontses with them and Jemina.
Expenses: cigars, 25¢; ice cream, 20¢; shoes, $3.75; hat and collar, $3.25; gloves, cuffs, & etc., $2.25; 2 pair hose, 90¢; a pair drawers, $1.00

Pa and I went out to the farm after a load of hay. Came back home with the horse and carriage, got home about half past nine.
Expenses: cigars, 50¢

Washed the buggy. Went to Lansing, went through the capitol building, also out to the Reform School, there was a fire there, stayed all night at the Hudson House. Frank Dean and I stayed together. The band played in the street.
Expenses: shave, 10¢; carfare, 60¢; bus fare, 25¢

Went up to the capitol building and fooled around town until noon and then came home, made some lattice work to put under the porch, went down town and my hair cut.
Expenses: soap, $1.50; cigars, 50¢; stationery, 10¢; car fare, 60¢; hair cut, 20¢; sundries, 35¢

Made a platform over the cistern in the forenoon. John was here today. Siss and I went to the farm in the afternoon. Byron and I went down to Gibbons in the evening.

Pulled Canada thistles part of the forenoon, went to Vermontville to see Grist, came back and stayed at the farm until dark, then Siss and I came home, went down town in the evening.
Expenses: cigars, 35¢; shave, 10¢

Went to the Cong. church in the forenoon. Siss and I went to the farm in the afternoon and to church in the evening.

Made a cultivator and cultivated the potatoes and fixed the filter over the cistern in the forenoon. Went to Olivet in the afternoon, went to band meeting in the evening.
Expenses: Cigars, 25¢

Stayed all night with Ed, came come in the forenoon, went down town once or twice. Siss and I went to Red R meeting in the evening.

Made a ladder in the forenoon. Lathed for Smith in the afternoon, went down town twice in the evening.
Expenses: hatchet, 85¢; drawers, 75¢

Lathed all day to day, was pretty tired when night came.

Lathed in the forenoon, read part of the afternoon, went down town in the afternoon, also in the evening, walked home with the Benedict girls. They gave me a note from Annie.

Wrote letters most of the forenoon, went down town, stopped at Benedicts a minute. Went down town and stayed pretty nearly all afternoon. Went riding in the evening.
Expenses: Perfumery, 25¢; hair brush, 30¢; cigars, 20¢; shave, 10¢; straw band, 15¢

Went to church in the forenoon, took a walk in the afternoon and read and slept the rest of the day, went to church in the evening.
Expenses: cigars, 25¢

Commenced building a shed over the cistern, worked at that most all day, went down town in the evening.

Worked at the shed in the forenoon. Pa and I went to the farm, went down town in the evening.
Expenses: candy, $1.33

Shingled the shed this forenoon, layed around and read and slept most of the afternoon, went down town. Siss and I went riding after supper.
Expenses: cigars, 25¢; strawberry, 10¢

Wrote some letters and fooled around the rest of the forenoon. Siss and I went to the farm in the afternoon, tryed to fix the windmill, but did not succeed. John & Ell were at the farm.

Went down town once or twice, washed the buggy in the forenoon, read and wrote to Annie in the afternoon, went down town twice in the evening.
Expenses: watch fixed, 50¢

Cut boards into wood part of the forenoon and read the rest. Went to the farm after mother in the afternoon, got caught in a shower, washed the buggy, went down town in the evening.
Income: $2.50
Expenses: shave, 10¢; sundries, 25¢

Went to church in the forenoon, wrote letters in the afternoon and took a walk also, went to church in the afternoon.

Helped Siss wash in the forenoon. John and his mother came, went down town with John, got me a hat and pair of pants and went home with John.
Expenses: postage, 15¢; pipe and tobacco, 28¢

Planted corn all day for John

Planted corn a little while in the morning and then went to Potterville, took the train for Olivet, met Miss Chatterton on the train, went to the B Rhet. exercises, played seven up after supper. Rock and I tryed to tumble on to something, went over to the church, went walking with Mae Smith.
Expenses: dinner, 25¢; carfare, 45¢; cigars, 45¢

Tom stayed with me last night in my old room, went over to graduating exercises in the forenoon, went to the A Rhetorical exercises in the afternoon, went walking with Kittie, went to the concert in the evening, took a walk after we was out.
Expenses: concert, 50¢

From Will's autograph book:
Yours with out a murmur
Rock E. Carrington
Saginaw City,
Mich.
Olivet, June 23/881

Got up at nine o'clock, went down town, came back to my room and had a smoke, went over to L. H. to bid the girls goodbye, went to Annies and then down town and back to my room and then went to the depot, had to wait an hour for the train, had a fine time talking with Kit and her cousin.
Expenses: bus and car fare, 70¢; cigars, 30¢

From Will's autograph book:
Elva Lorraine Chatterton

Olivet, Mich.

Went down town and got me an umbrella and coat. It rained like the devil, went over to the depot and got on the train and went to Potterville. Sold Ed two birds, came out home with John.
Expenses: shave, 10¢; car fare, 20¢; dinner, 25¢; candy and peanuts, 25¢

Went to meeting in the afternoon with John. We took a ride around the square after meeting.

Rained this morning. Ell and I went over to Byron's and stayed until about four o'clock and then came back to John's.

Rained again this morning. Commenced turning over hay about nine o'clock, worked at it all the rest of the day.

Worked at the hay all day.

Worked at the hay all day.

Worked at the hay all day.

Worked at the hay today. This is getting to be a good deal like Mark Twain's Diary, pretty much the same thing every day, have put in nearly a whole week working for John, don't see why in hell don't get a couple letters.
Expenses: candy, 20¢; cigars and tobacco, 35¢; sundries, 10¢

Hotter than Billy hell this morning, went to S. S. with John's, some pretty dammed fly [sic] looking girls around, suspect I will have to try some of them and see what they are made of.

Made hay today.
Expenses: candy, 20¢; cigars and tobacco, 35¢; sundries, 10¢

Worked at the hay again today.

Worked at the hay today. It was most fearful hot today, thermometer 96o F.

It rained this morning so we could not work, so Ell and I went to Charlotte, got a letter and picture from Annie and wrote a short one to her.
Expenses: haircut and shave, 30¢; cigars and tobacco, 30¢; sundries, 60¢; watch fixed, 10¢

Cut and bound wheat all forenoon, turned over some hay after dinner, and then finished the patch of wheat. Drawed in a load of hay and then commenced cutting the wheat in the corner field.

Bound wheat all day today, was most awful tired when night came, cut and bound about five acres, John reaped in the forenoon and then picked up in the afternoon.

We all went to Potterville and from there to Byron's, started to go down to see Davenstout but met Harrison before I got there, came back to John's.

Drawed hay all day.

Unloaded one load of hay and drawed in another one, then bound wheat until we finished the corner field, then unloaded the last load of hay. Took Fred & John's buggy and went over to the farm.

Harrison Davenstout reaped my wheat and Byron and Aaron and Collins and myself bound and set it up, got through about seven o'clock, went down town and got me another pair of gloves, then went back to John's, got there about eleven o'clock.
Expenses: tooth brush, 35¢; cigars and tobacco, 20¢

Bound and set up wheat for John all day today. John broke his machine and had to go to Potterville to get it fixed.

Bound wheat all forenoon, took some pills last night and the damned things made me sick so I did not work this afternoon.
Expenses: candy, 20¢; cigars, 20¢

Bound wheat this forenoon and about half the afternoon, finished John's harvesting this afternoon. John and I went to Potterville after suppler

Did not go anywhere today, layed around and slept most of the day.

Helped John draw wheat all day today.

Drawed in one load of wheat this morning and finished the wheat stack, then John and I went huckleberrying, got about twelve quarts, Carl left John's this evening.
Income: $23.30
Expenses: washing, $1.12

Commenced working for John by the month. Raked the stubble in the corner field in the forenoon and cultivated the corn a little while, drawed in the raking and then it commenced to rain, so we did not work any more, wrote to Annie.

Plowed this forenoon, went to Charlotte with John's team, went down town in the evening. Settled with Joe Lang.
Expenses: horses shod, 75¢; washing bill, 45¢; cigars, 25¢; pants and hat, $1.25; umbrella, $1.65; undershirt, $1.00; suspenders, 75¢; shirting, 85¢

Went to Olivet this forenoon after my things, saw several of the boys, got back home about three o'clock, unloaded my things and went to the farm and got twenty bushels of corn for John and then drove over to John's, got here about half past eight.
Income: $2.50
Expenses: cigars and tobacco, 35¢; lemonade, 10¢

John and I drawed the rest of the wheat today, did not get through until after dark, was pretty dammed tired.

Stayed around most of the day, went to meeting in the afternoon.

Finished topping out the last wheat stack, drawed in the hay from around the fence corners, then went to plowing and plowed the rest of the day.

Plowed all day.

Plowed all day.

Drawed a few big stones, then plowed the rest of the day.

Plowed until about four o'clock, then drawed stone the rest of the day. Pa and Ma were there today. Received a letter from Annie.

Drawed stone until supper time, then Ell & I went to Charlotte, went down town in the evening, saw Dr. Patterson and got some medicine. Got a letter from G. with $2.50 in it.
Expenses: medicine, $1.35; shoes, $1.50; cigars and tobacco, 75¢; candy, 25¢

Wrote a letter. Ell and I went to the farm, stayed until about five o'clock, then came home.

Finished cultivating the orchard, then John and I went to digging and drawing stone in the east field, worked at that the rest of the day.
Expenses: postage, 30¢

Dug and drawed stone all day today.

Drawed stone today.

Drawed stone this forenoon, did not feel very well so did not do anything in the afternoon.

Drawed a few stones in the morning and then went to plow in the east field, plowed the rest of the day.

Rained this morning so did not do much of anything until about ten o'clock, then went to plowing and plowed the rest of the day.

Read and slept all forenoon and part of the afternoon. I wrote a letter to Annie & Net.

Plowed all day, the damnedest stoniest piece of ground I ever saw.

Plowed a little while this morning and then helped thrash at Bosworth's until about two o'clock, then plowed the rest of the day. The thrashers stayed all night here last night.

John thrashed this forenoon. I cut bands, got through just before noon, plowed in the afternoon.

Plowed today.

Cultivated the orchard twice over and then plowed after supper.

Plowed all day.

We all went over to Byron's today. Byron had thrashed my share of the wheat, was fifty-eight bushels.

Plowed today.
Expenses: tobacco, 30¢

Plowed today.

Plowed today.

It was wet and raining all day. John and I took the horses over to Nixons, had a hell of a time getting them in again.

Drawed stone this forenoon and plowed in the afternoon.

Drawed stone in the forenoon and part of the afternoon until Elbert came here, then I plowed the rest of the day. By God, I will never handle stone for any man after this.
Expenses: matches, 8¢

Layed around and rested all forenoon, went to meeting in the afternoon. I'll be damned if I will go to that school house to meeting again, it makes me more tired that to work half a day.
Expenses: collection, 25¢

Dragged all day, had the Squires horses, John went to Charlotte.
Expenses: medicine, 75¢

Drawed stone part of the forenoon until I squished John's thumb, then went to plowing, plowed the rest of the day.

Plowed all day

Plowed all day.
Expenses: tobacco, 20¢

Plowed this forenoon and dragged in the afternoon.

Dragged all day, was hotter than hell this afternoon, rained a little this morning, received a letter from Annie.

Layed around and read and slept all day.

Dragged all day.

Dragged in the forenoon and drawed stone in the afternoon.

Cleaned seed wheat in the forenoon. Dragged in the afternoon until suppertime, then cultivated the rest of the day.

John sowed the orchard and dragged it in, then went to cultivating and cultivated the rest of the day. John and Ell and Elfa went to Charlotte.

Finished cultivating the corner field, then fixed up the seeder and commenced sowing it.

Sowed wheat all day until supper time, finished, then did not do much of any thing after supper, only other chores.

Did as usual today, layed around and read.

Fixed the roller this morning, then went to rolling the corner field, got through about supper time. John and I went to the school house to school meeting in the evening.

Helped Parmateer thrash this forenoon, mowed clover seed in the afternoon.

Mowed clover seed in the forenoon, helped Squires hull clover seed in the afternoon.

Helped Squires hull clover seed all day.

Raked clover seed a while in the morning, than mowed the rest of the forenoon. Helped Squires thrash in the afternoon.

Mowed all day until about five o'clock when it commenced to rain, rained quite a shower.
Expenses: tobacco, 20¢

Byron & Mandy were over here today, read and visited with them much of the day.

Husked corn most all day, split a little wood. John mowed today.

Finished mowing the clover seed this morning, then picked stones the rest of the day.

Sowed wheat with the seeder.

Rained all day today. John and I papered the bedroom, split a little wood.

Sowed wheat all day with the seed.

Dragged all day today. Sowed wheat for John.

Read most all forenoon, went to meeting in the afternoon, heard Pa preach.

Logged a little and moved some fence, picked stone in the afternoon.

Picked stone a little while in the morning, then went to fellowship, plowed the rest of the day.

Plowed this forenoon and husked corn in the afternoon.

John and I took a load of wheat to Diamondale. I went from there to Eaton Rapids and from there to Jackson, wandered around on the streets for a while, seeing what I could see, went to Hall to the theater in the evening.
Expenses: carfare, $1.50

Stayed all night at the Hurd House, went down to the fair grounds and saw what there was to be seen, went back up street about four o'clock, came home on the evening train.
Expenses: boarding and lodging, $2.50; theater, 75¢; fair, 50¢; cigars, $1.75

Stayed all night at home last night, went down town in the forenoon and had my picture taken, went down town in the afternoon, saw quite a good many Chesters. Carl and I went back to the school house to examinations.
Expenses: pictures, 50¢; sundries, 75¢; trunk lock, 40¢

Had the shits today so stayed at home all day, felt pretty d--d slim all the night.

Did not feel much better today so I did not go back to John's, went down town once or twice, went down to the train in the evening, went to Memori [sic] at services on Court House square in the afternoon.
Expenses: cigars, 30¢; papers, 10¢

Read most all forenoon, went down town and got a paper, went down town in the afternoon and saw several that I know.

Read part of the forenoon, went down town, went down to the fair grounds a while in the afternoon, came back up street, saw Effie Benedict, called on her and Ettie in the evening.
Expenses: fair, 25¢; bus fare, 20¢; cigars, 25¢

John came down today, went down to the fair grounds a while, then came back home and came home with John.
Expenses: cigars, 25¢; sundries, 30¢; cigars and tobacco, 35¢

Husked corn a while this forenoon until it commenced to rain, rained most of all day, split some wood and cleaned up some wheat and husked a little more in the afternoon.

Husked corn all forenoon, went to Charlotte in the afternoon after Mother bought a cornet of Alge Britz.
Expenses: cornet, $10.00; cigars, tobacco, & pipe, 65¢; birdseed, 5¢; matches, 10¢

Got up at two o'clock and went after the doctor. Ell had a kid, now I have got a nephew. He came about six o'clock, layed around and slept and read most of the rest of the day, practiced a little on the cornet. [Orvis Meyers, son of Barbara Ellen (Titus) and John Meyers.]

Husked corn all day.

Dug potatoes in the forenoon and took a load of hay over to Potterville to the preacher in the afternoon.

Turned over clover seed all day today.

Went to Potterville and took the train for Lansing, met Jay Smith and Ed La Selle, had a jolly good time with them, went to the theatre in the evening, saw "100 Wives" play. It was sung pretty good.
Expenses: carfare, 35¢; entrance to fare, 50¢; board and lodging, $2.60; cornet book, 45¢; theater, 50¢; cigars, $2.00; pocket book, 25¢

Stayed all night at the Hudson house last night, went down to the fairgrounds about nine o'clock, stayed there until evening, then we all went to town, went to restaurant and got our supper, went to the theatre in the evening.

Stayed all night on the fairgrounds with Jay and Ed, rained like the devil in the night. Jay and Ed went home, and I rode up town with them. I came back to Potterville on the noon train, walked from there to John's.

Layed around and I read and played on my horn all day.

Drawed clover seed today. Squires boys helped me in the forenoon and we helped them in the afternoon.

Rained so we did not do any thing in the forenoon, husked corn in the afternoon.

Husked corn part of the day, rained so I did not do any thing the other part.

Turned clover seed this forenoon, rained in the afternoon.

Gathered apples in the forenoon and part of the afternoon, husked corn the rest of the day.
Expenses: tobacco, 32¢

Layed around and read and slept and played on the horn all day, rained most all day.
Expenses: postage, 27¢

Rained most all day, husked a little corn.

Covered over the corn crib in the forenoon, husked corn in the afternoon.

Dug potatoes in the forenoon, turned clover seed and drawed in potatoes in the afternoon.

Finished digging the potatoes in the forenoon, burned the potatoes and hauled corn in the afternoon.

Husked corn in the forenoon, turned clover seed in the afternoon and drawed in a load of corn.

Helped hull clover today, got through about four o'clock. That the Lord that job is finished.

Went down home and stayed all night, rained in the evening so I did not get a chance to go any where.

Rained nearly all day, went down town in the forenoon, met Charles. He went down home with me, came back to John's in the afternoon.
Expenses: haircut and shave, 30¢; cigars and tobacco, 75¢

Rained some this forenoon, husked corn most of the day, took the tanks over to Houghs.

Husked corn most of the day, drawed in corn in the afternoon.

Husked corn all day. John went to the Lodge.

Husked corn until about the middle of the afternoon when it commenced to rain, went to Squire's and got the Bucks, then commenced to make a work bench.

Husked corn in the forenoon and drawed in corn in the afternoon.
Expenses: sundries, 15¢

John and I went down to the woods in the forenoon, went to meeting in the afternoon.

Husked corn all day.

Husked corn in the forenoon and drawed it in the afternoon.

Husked corn in the forenoon, finished today, drawed in a couple loads in the afternoon, then it commenced to rain.

Commenced fixing up the upper story of John's house. We worked at that all day, getting ready to lath it.

Worked at the house again today, lathed most of the afternoon.

Lathed all forenoon and part of the afternoon, then worked in the other room the rest of the day.

John and I went to the woods in the forenoon.

Worked upstairs today, lathed part of the time.

John went to C. today, took Siss home. I cut wood part of the day. Cleaned up tree tops and then came to the house and nailed on a few laths.

Lathed all forenoon and part of the afternoon, finished all but just a few laths.

Cleaned up our mess up stairs, then went down to Squires and got the kids, then went after a load of sand, made a bed of mortar in the afternoon.

Cleaned out and patched up the cistern in the forenoon, wheeled some dirt to the house and handed that up, then it commenced to storm, so finished the upstairs. Now it is all ready for plaster.

John and I sawed wood in the forenoon, drawed it up to the house in the afternoon and split part of it up.

Layed around and slept, did not do anything, only read and smoked.

Hewed timber today.

Covered over the potatoes that were buried and buried the apples. John went to a funeral. We drawed a load of corn stalks when he got back, than I cleaned out the basement of the barn.

Scored and hewed timber in the forenoon and cut some more timber.

Mixed mortar and tended mason today, went after a load of sand.

Cleaned the floor up stairs in the forenoon, went to the woods and made a toad and cut some more timbers.
Expenses: tobacco, 12¢

Drawed up what timber we had cut today, snowed like the devil all afternoon and got cold as the devil. A regular winter.

Layed around as usual all today. Cold as britty hell.

Scored timber all day.

Scored timber all day.

Framed timber today.
Expenses: gloves, $1.75

Framed timber today.

Framed timber today.

Went up to Wergints after the old sow, went down to the woods after a load of wood, then framed timber the rest of the day.
Expenses: tobacco, 24¢

Layed around all forenoon, went to meeting in the afternoon and flirted with a girl. She was pretty fly, would like to catch one, wrote a letter in the evening.

Went to Grand Ledge today after a load of lumber for John.
Expenses: cigars, 55¢; candy, 40¢; dinner, 25¢

Went to ask some hands to the raising and worked getting ready to raise the shed, had the raising in the afternoon.

Worked at the shed today, putting on siding most of the time. John went to Potterville.

Worked at the shed today.

John and I made doors for the shed and commenced to put a new track and rollers on the south stable door.

Finished the south stable door and fixed the other doors. Got some potatoes and apples out of the pits in the afternoon. John went to Potterville.
Income: $2.75
Expenses: cigars, 25¢

Layed around and read and played on the cornet most of the time.

John and I sawed wood today.

John and I went to Potterville, took the train and went home, met Jay on the train. Jay and I went down town and played pool in the afternoon, called on the Benedict girls in the evening.
Income: $40.00
Expenses: cigars, 50¢

Jay and I went down town and played pool all forenoon and a couple games in the afternoon, then went to Olivet, went to the society meeting in the evening.
Expenses: cigars, 50¢; car fare, 35¢; bus fare, 25¢

Went around and visited the boys and played cards all day today, went to the opera rehearsal in the evening.
Expenses: Sundries, 65¢

Visited the boys until nine o'clock, then went to the Depot, but the train had gone so I walked home. Then took the train there and came to Potterville and walked from there to John's. [From Olivet to Charlotte - about ten miles.]
Expenses: book, 75¢; mitts, 25¢; tobacco, 60¢

Went to Grand Ledge today after a load of lumber for John. John and I went to meeting in the evening.
Expenses: dinner, 25¢; cigars, 15¢

Layed around in the forenoon, went over to the farm in the afternoon after my red shirt and cap.

Put some of the roof board on the shed today. John and I went to meeting in the evening.

Worked some at the shed today, went down to Squires and got some shingles.

Shingled today, went to meeting in the evening.

Separated the sheep this morning, drawed in some fodder and drawed some wood up from the woods, went to meeting in the evening.

Went to Grand Ledge today after shingles, took some wheat along, went to meeting in the evening.
Expenses: overshoes, $1.25; collar, 20¢; dinner, 25¢; cigars, 40¢

Shingled all day.

Layed around and read today.

John and I sawed wood today, went to meeting in the evening.

Rained so we could not do anything, so we went to the sale. Went to meeting in the evening.

Chored around today, but did not do much of any thing on account of it's raining. Went to meeting in the evening.

Split wood and chored around in the forenoon, sawed wood in the afternoon.

Sawed wood and logs today.

Sawed wood in the forenoon and split it in the afternoon. John went to meeting. We all went to meeting in the evening.
This is my birthday, twenty four years old, and what in hell have I ever done, or what will I ever do, God only knows.

Went over to the Myers school house to meeting and down to the ---- school house to meeting in the evening.
Expenses: collection, 40¢

John and Ell and Elfa and the baby and myself went to Potterville and all of us came home except John. Siss and I went to the M. E. Church to a Christmas tree in the evening.
Income: $29.25
Expenses: car fare, 20¢; indelible ink, 35¢; hair cut and shave, 30; sundries, 25¢

Wrote a letter and went down town in the forenoon, went down town in the afternoon once or twice, got me an overcoat and some underwear.
Expenses: stamps, 18¢; overcoat, $10.00; diary, 50¢; shoes fixed, 75¢; horn, $4.00

Went down town and to both depots this forenoon, went down town, met Griffith and we played sixty six most all afternoon, stayed at home in the evening.
Expenses: cigars, 55¢; oysters and crackers, 50¢

Put up the stove in my room and blacked it in the forenoon, went down town in the afternoon, went to the Theater in the evening.
Expenses: cigars, 20¢; sundries, 25¢; theatre, 25¢

Went down town in the morning, then went over to the trains with Ell, also went to Potterville with her, came back on the passenger train, went down town in the evening.
Expenses: car fare, $1.75; theatre, 25¢

Read part of the forenoon, went down town, got some cotton flannel for Siss, stopped and talked with Frank P. a while, went uptown in the afternoon, met Carl and had quite a chat with him about old times, met Lill Green, also one or two other Chesterites, came pretty near selling my horn to Carl, went to the Church with Siss in the evening, then down town and to the Theater. Thus endeth the year tomorrow. I will begin over again and see if I can make as miserable failure of it as I did this year.

[1] Will S. Titus, Charlotte, Michigan, Diary. Excelsior Diary for 1881. In possession of Connie Lenzen. (2002)

[2] Samuel W. Durant, History of Ingham and Eaton Counties, Michigan (Philadelphia, PA: D.W. Ensign & Co., 1880), 533

[3] History of Ingham and Eaton Counties, p. 533.

[4] History of Ingham and Eaton Counties, p. 533.

[5] History of Ingham and Eaton Counties, p. 532.

[6] History of Ingham and Eaton Counties, p. 533.

© 2002-2006

Connie Lenzen, CG^SM

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