Bennett Luther Dean
Personal Journal, 1909

February 1909

Monday February 1     Coldest day of the season, 1 below, but bright and clear, about 6 inches of snow on the ground and I feel that the worst month of the year is started. Clarence Wilfords house burned yesterday mooring.

Tuesday February 2     Warmed up in great shape to day, about 22 above A.M. and got quite warm and thawy. Bright and beautiful, the Ground Hog saw his shadow nearly all day, so I suppose that means another 6 weeks of winter for of course the Ground Hog knows.

Wednesday February 3     Warm but cloudy, looks like more snow but I hope not we have enough now. The sleigh bells are ringing merrily to night, folks are taking advantage of the snow. The baby likes to stand at the window and watch the sleighs. Nother say Mama.

Thursday February 4     Very warm, thawing fast, snow going in rivers, fearful walking. Went up and got my house plans again. I had taken them back for a few corrections. I wonder if they will ever be a reality, it seems like a mith so far.

Friday February 5     Still very warm, snow nearly gone to night and it rains a little once in a while, funny weather for February. Went over to Engine House 12 on Grand River corner of Warren to see Capt Sullivan and see what he thought of my plans.

Saturday February 6     Colder, about 30, a little snow A.M., cold wind, but came out bright and warm. Gave plan to Mr. Lorish. Mr Hayes called and I let him take a set of plans to figure on.

Sunday February 7     Beautiful day, bright and warm. Home all day did not go out of the house. Anna went up to call on the Frys on 24th but they were not at home, so she went and called on the McLeods, they are thinking of building too and talk of nothing else.

Monday February 8     Colder, got down to nearly 20 and windy and blustery, a little snow in the air but the ground is bare now and I am riding my wheel again. Anna said Bennett counted up to 65 counting blocks and she counted them to see if he had make a mistake and there was 63. He hears Howard count and spell and he wants to know too.

Tuesday February 9     Well well of all the days this has been the worst. When I got up and looked out of the window it was snowing blowing and drifting fearfully and cold about 20 above. My but I did hate to get out into it but out I had to go. It snowed 4 or 5 inches then turned to rain and rained all the rest of the day. Slop and more slop wet and more wet slush and more slush. I would hate to be out in a worse day. The kids were on a tear to night some times they are about all we can stand they are so noisy and they wont stop untill we spank them, then they make just as much noise by crying. Bennett never will stop when he is told, he just must hit once or twice more or jump once more and he gets spanked and spanked but he will keep at it. And then he cries untill I should think the neighbors would think he was being murdered. And Laurence has been full to night his eyes just sparkle and he is so cute with his mischief that he usually gets hugged instead of spanked but they are in bed now and I can actually hear the kitchen clock tick.

Wednesday February 10     Cold, about 18, fearful cold wind. Howard had the croup last night and did no go to school this forenoon but went this afternoon. Dr Bell run in to day to see how we were, he was fearful the babies ear would not heal all right that he came in to see how he was but I guess his ear is all right it has not discharged for a week or more. I went down town and paid the gas after work, it was $4.00 and it seems as tho it is too much I think they forse the gas through and make it as much as they like. I know our bills get higher every year. They came down from 90 to 80 cents gas but the bills are bigger than they were at 90.

Thursday February 11     Clear beautiful cold day, about 20 A.M., some high snow came last night and covered up the slippery places and one was pretty apt to go down when they walked on to one. The walking was perfectly awful this morning.

Friday February 12     Beautiful day, warm and bright. Lincolns birthday and because it [is] the 100th anniversary of his birth the country is celebrating more than usual and the P.O. declared it a holiday so I only make one delivery and was home soon after 10 oclock and from 3 to 5 the P.M. was given a reception for himself and intended bride so I went down and shook hands. Howard had a fracas with a dog over on Lysander. He was going to the store and this big pup came out and grabbed ahold of his coat and pulled and Howard yelled scared to death and [a] man driving by got off his wagon and drove the dog off but his new over coat was torn clear around on side. I suppose the dog only meant to play but confound a dog any way, the city is no place of them. The owner Mrs Goodrich and a letter carriers wife at that came over and said she would pay for the coat but I do not expect she will. I took the coat to a tailor and it cost a $1 to have it fixed.

Saturday February 13     Raw and chilly to day, but it is so I can ride my wheel again. The children are celebrating St Valentines day to day. Several valentines have been put at the door and the bell rung then the kid runs. Bennett started out for the first time with Valentines. I brought them home when I came from work. Bennett took one to Emily Hulburt then he came back and got another and took that to Georgie Helm, then one to John Zimmerman and Bobby Z and he walked down the street as stately and serious as a senator. Howard waited untill after dark to distribute his.

Sunday February 14     St. Valentines day and a fearful day it has been. It has stormed every since I got up this morning, sleet snow, it is like walking on corn meal, about 20 above all day. Every body worked at the P.O. to day, home all the rest of the day.

Monday February 15     About 20 above, it snowed and froze yesterday until this morning you can walk on top of the snow, it is pretty slippery and treacherous walking to day and a cold wind blew a j...ny all day. I got Mr Lorishs bid on my house to day $2690 and Valentine bid $2728 it is running about 200 more than I expected and I am so disappointed and discouraged I do not know what to do. It does not seem as tho we could afford so expensive a house and I would have to put in another $100 to finish it that makes it too much. I think I will cheapen it by cutting out some of the expensive parts.

Tuesday February 16     About 18 above and one of the worst days we have had in many a moon, it has snowed all day a steady down pour of fine snow there must be nearly a foot of snow on the ground with an ice foundation. Every thing has moved very slow to day, we have not had such a snow storm in a long time.

Wednesday February 17     Cold about 10 above but got bright and warmer, beautiful day but the snow lays in piles and heaps and the kids just roll in it. Howard came in as wet as tho he had fallen in the river and they call it fun.

Thursday February 18     Warmer about 24 to start on but it got so warm that I went bare handed and that makes it sloppy and soft, the walking got worse instead of better and I am tired completely out, all in.

Friday February 19     Well of all the days of all the days. It has rained a steady gentle warm rain all day and with 8 or 10 inches of snow on the ground you can imagine the condition of the streets. When you step on what looks like a bunch of snow you go down into a lake of water one can scarcely get across a street with out swimming. This week has been a corker. I get so tired that I cannot rest over night my legs ache when I get up nearly as bad as when I went to bed.

Saturday February 20     About 32, the water run off a little during the night and it has stopped raining so it was a little better walking than yesterday but it was bad enough. Anna went down town after supper and make a few purchases we have been mighty pinchy with money this winter and we need a good many things especially in the clothes line, we all need clothes.

Sunday February 21     Beautiful warm day but still bad walking. I worded to day, and this after noon Mrs Anlette and Josie and Raymond called and then when they departed we all went over to Hardenburghs although they live just across the street and are my cousins we just dont get over there hardly twice a year. We usually hear that they are talking about us never coming, then we go. And it is a shame we might have good times but the time goes by and we are tired or busy then the kids it is a big job to take them any where so it gets to be a long time between visits.

Monday February 22     Warm delightful day, just grand. Streets slushy and wet. Got through work about 10 then went up on Seward to see Dust the carpenter. He can build my house as planned for 2500 then I took a walk out through the LaSalle gardens, went across open fields west of Hamilton on what would be Lathrop, there is only 4 houses I think on the LaSalle Gardens, then I came by the New House of Providence not yet finished and home on the 14th car. Anna children and I took a walk in the P.M. over to Grand River and back and so goes Geo. Washingtons birthday.

Tuesday February 23     Well I declare when I got up this morning the rain was beating and blowing against the house in sheets and I had to get out into it and go to work and it kept it up the best share of the forenoon. It does not seem possible after the day we had yesterday that it could be so bad today, but this month will be noted for its changes and storms and I presume its warm temperature too. The war vessels have completed thier famous cruise around the world they have been gone 11 months.

Wednesday February 24     Not so bad a day, got cold and windy at night.

Thursday February 25     About 18 above this morning and windy. Fair day, snow nearly gone. Anna gone to a church consert to night. The kids are all in bed. They have been cutting up at a great rate but every thing is quiet now so I guess they must be asleep. A couple of young fellows by the name of Beebe called on me, wanted to sell me a lot on Calvert 850, 40 feet second east of Cass north side.

Friday February 26     Beautiful day, warm and delightful. Got my wheel out again this morning. Some ice and snow but not much. Auntie [T] came in to day but went down to Aunt Dills to stay. Anna and kids went down to make a call with her. Took a ride on my wheel out through the north end looking for lots but came back discouraged. I cannot decide.

Saturday February 27     Not so nice to day, pretty near rain but I guess it did not rain. Went down town to the Dime Savings Bank to day noon to see if they had any lots I could buy but they were all to high for me. I guess I cannot find a lot that will the location and price will suit and I cannot get a loan either. I feel rather discouraged with the whole business. The house is going to cost more than I want to pay. I suppose they always do. I have been in a stew all winter trying to get the thing a going.

Sunday February 28     Beautiful day, bright and clear but colder. It was about 15 above this morning. I thought I would go to Plymouth this morning and see Mother and Father, I get out there so seldom that I am ashamed but I did not get up very early on account of not working and I was slow getting ready so I gave it up and went to church. Bennett and baby have just enough cold to make them as cross as bears and they have make the day any thing but pleasant, mercy but how they can demand every ounce of patients and strength any body has got. Anna has declared a dozen times that she would get out and run and never stop but the kids keep right on.

Thursday April 1     Beautiful day, about 40. The real estate men are coming thick and fast to day, two here to night and one has talked untill 9-30 but I am hard to sell I guess because they do not arouse the least bit of enthusiasm in me at all. I am getting rather off the notion of building and it is hard sledding for the real estate men.

Friday April 2     Not so nice, threatening. The mail is something fierce these days, I never saw it so heavy. I never am able to carry [route] 129 in 8 hours, I made it last Tuesday in 8 hours [but that] is the only time I have made it with out help.

Saturday April 3     Cloudy, rain last night and a few drops today. Deeps raw and cold. Heyns Bazaar burned last night and was completely destroyed, it must have been a bad fire and a hot one. Auntie Tee came to night, she has been helping the Harts move. They have lived on 6th St. for 17 years and now they are moving out on Kirby 1048 to be near where Inez teaches.

Sunday April 4     Beautiful day, cloudy at night. No work, no church. Auntie Tee here and she staid with the children and Anna and I went up in North Woodward and took a long walk looking around at lots and houses. We took the car to Calvert then walked through to Hamilton to se lots between 3 & Hamilton but it is all woods up in there, they are building a new school house on the corner of third and Hamilton and it is in the woods and between Calvert and Glynn Court which is not yet cut through to Hamilton it is all woods and Anna did not like it. And then we walked out through to Highland Park and to Grand Ave, it seems nice out there all new houses and new streets and of course mud, mud where it is not sand, then we came home and declared we would not build now out there we would wait untill they get it cleared up.

Monday April 5     Warm, almost hot, clothes stick today for the first time. I went up to McLeods to night. I was awfully tired but I wanted to see him and see if there was any prospects of a change over to the Grand River Sta. but he thought it would be hard to get a change because every body liked it there. I feel that I must get away from where I am, I do not like my work or the Supt.

Tuesday April 6     Warm, hot, some rain. Nothing doing to day, the kids Howard and Bennett and the baby are all on the floor playing with blocks and making more noise than a steam calliope singing hollaring and quareling.

Wednesday April     7 Colder, fearful high wind all day, it would just about blow you off y our feet. I never knew it to blow so hard for so long. The papers say it blew 70 miles an hour at times and it did considerable damage, 3 men at Wyandote bet $5.00 that they could row across the river to the Canadian shore and they tried it and all 3 were drowned, but I guess the world will wag along without such fools as that. I went down town after work and paid the gas.

Thursday April 8     Well bright fine day, seemed cold this morning, about 34. Well the wind is gone to day, the papers are full of the damage done through out the state. Auntie here again to day. Mrs Walker called. Aunt Dill and Inez called.

Friday April 9     Cold, about 28, like winter again. Howard is having a vacation this week.

Saturday April 10     Fearful cold, 18 above this morning, fine day. Sent the money to day to pay up back dues in the building and Loan. I had with drawn but had not taken the money and now that I have given up building for a while I wanted to get back in again.

Easter Sunday April 11     Cold in the morning but got warm by night. Worked. Gummie came in, Auntie Tee was here, not much doing. The children got lots of cards and candy and a bunnie rabbit toy. I was at home all day except when I was working. Auntie and Howard and Bennett took a walk and after the children were in bed the women folks went up to call on the Harts and Frys.

Monday April 12     Warm and fine, windy, the mail was fearfull to day. I could not get home to dinner and bought a lunch. The Post Card nuisance has reached huge proportions, this morning I had 18 lbs of first class mail 7/8 was Post Cards and 40 lbs of papers that I carried out and delivered.

Tuesday April 13     Cold rain nearly all day, some of the time it was mixed with snow, a most awful disagreeable day.

Wednesday April 14     Bright fine day, rather cold. The first Ball game of the season today, Det. vs. Chicago. Det. won 2-0 but it was most to cold I should think to play good ball.

Thursday April 15     Fine day but cold, about 30 this morning. Auntie Tee here yet.

Friday April 16     Warm, some rain. Auntie Tee in Royal Oak.

Saturday April 17     Warm, Hot, clothes feel heavy and sticky. Rain in the morning, fine afterwards. Auntie Tee came back.

Sunday April 18     Very warm, rain at night. Auntie was here to stay with the children so Anna and I went to Church. It was very rare for us to get a chance to go any where together. Mrs Aullette and Clara called as we were eating dinner but did not come in, they are house hunting. The McLeods called this afternoon.

Monday April 19     Cold again and damp, a little rain.

Tuesday April 20     Cold and raw, about 35 above. Went out in Highland Park during my noon swing and looked at houses but found nothing that I can afford. I feel that a $3000 house is my limit and I want a house that every body asks in the neighborhood of $4000 for so I guess I will look a good while. I am fearfully tired to night. Anna went down town to day. Auntie [T] staid with the kids.

Wednesday April 21     Rain all forenoon, in gusts and squalls, fearfully high wind P.M.

Thursday April 22     Cold and raw, not very summery. Howard is just beginning to play marbles with the boys for keeps and we have had a very much marble day. He had to have a bag made before he could start for school, then he bought a cents worth from Harold then Bennett and the baby had to have a bag and marbles and we have had to keep them straight. They have had to be counted a dozen times and quarrels had to be stopped and it did not let up untill the trio was in bed. Howard is rather selfish and nothing escapes him or gets away with out a fuss and Bennett delights in bothering the life out of him. Bennett had a penny and he stopped the pop corn wagon and bought a pop corn ball which amused us greatly because he is so bashful about such things, and he did this without any bodys knowledge or consent.

Friday April 23     Cold, down to freezing and it does seem so cold and unspring like, every body complaining about it.

Saturday April 24     Cold, down to freezing again, quite a snow storm today, not enough to show on the ground though. Down town today noon signed the pay roll and over to Paige Chope where Edna works for some toilet paper and tablets etc. Anna, Auntie [T] and children spent the day up to Aunt Dills it was a surprise on her in honor of her birthday although her birthday is Monday I guess. This is Ernies and Lydia Joys birthday too.

Sunday April 25     Not quite so cold, about 40 above, bright nice day. Worked and we all sat around like bumps on a log or took naps all day. The children were noisy and quarrelsome and it seems like we have to jaw them all the time. I read them the funny page in the paper and a story now and then from Uncle Remus or Some thing, but just as soon as it is through they go to racing and yelling. Howard and the baby are both cutting teeth. Howard his second ones and the baby his first, I wish we had a place for them outdoors, our yard is so small and our neighbor so near we feel that Sundays at least we have to keep them inside.

Monday April 26     Cold clear fine day, 28 above, white frost. Every body freezing and wondering when we are going to have summer.

Tuesday April 27     Cold rain, about 40 above.

Wednesday April 28     Cold, began snowing in the evening and when we went to bed the ground was covered with snow and the trees, houses, wires, etc. were hanging full of snow heavy and wet. Auntie [T] went up to Aunt Dills.

Thursday April 29     Well of all the days this takes the cake. It snowed, rained, thundered and lightened all night last night and rained in gusts and sheets all this forenoon and some this afternoon. This A.M. the ground was covered with about 2 or 3 inches of slushy snow and it was raining to beat the ban and it kept it up nearly all day, a cold miserable rain and it did not melt the snow either just kept it full of water untill evening when it got warmer then the warm rain began to melt the snow. At noon I was wet to the skin and had to change every thing.

Friday April 30     Warmer, up to 60 A.M. but got colder again at night. When we went to bed last night the wind was blowing so hard and the house rocked so that we were actually frightened and the rain beat against the windows untill we were sure they would break in. The storm did lots of damage through out the country. The snow was gone this morning and it was quiet a nice day to day but mercy what a wind up for April. Auntie [T] here at supper then went back up to Aunt Dills.

May 1909

Saturday May 1     This would be bad enough for March but to think it is the 1st of May. Cold, down to freezing and it has blowed and snowed and blizzared all day. One just hates to be out. Our fire up stairs has been out for a week or more and we just suffer going to bed and getting up in the morning.

Sunday May 2     Another cold windy day, I dont know as I ever knew the wind to blow so much and so hard before. No work, No Church. This forenoon we saw people going by running and hurrying and then we heard the Fire Engines and we could see smoke rolling up into the sky North and West of here. So Howard and I got ready then Bennett cried so to go that I took them both, the baby Laurence cried to go too but he was too little. We wore overcoats and mittens and went to the corner of 14th and the R. R. Daileys Pickle factory was burning. I never say such a smudge as it made, the wind was blowing a hurricane and the smoke just covered the whole city nearly east of the factory and crowds and crowds of people. Engines puffing and tooting both Fire Engine and R. R. Engines, Bennett said he was sick of the noise he ment he was scared. We did not stay long, it was the first fire they had ever been to and you ought to have heard them tell thier Mama about it. Then Laurence had to tell what he seen too some time in his short career.

Monday May 3     Down about freezing but a fairly decent day. Fearful heavy mail and of course I am tired out. I am feeling as tho there was not much in life but hard work and I am so discouraged that I am black in the face. The cost of living keeps increasing and it makes it harder and harder to make ends meet. 3 children now and we are deathly afraid we have prospects again and it puts us both down so far in the dumps that we would sell out mighty cheap. We just got our debts paid up this spring and were planning a little ahead when this scare came up and it happened that way when Laurence came so it puts us away back. We can have nothing new, I need a suit of clothes badly, the children need clothes and our furniture needs replenishing and a thousand and one things are needed but I guess nothing can be had and I feel all hope of getting ahead any being knocked down and out. How little one gets that they want or have hoped for in this life. Every hope and every want goes a glimmering and life becomes almost a monotonous grind. I feel as tho I could take to the woods and live on herbs and bark and dwell in a dark cave. Whew.

Tuesday May 4     Fine day, but it stood at freezing this morning. I have had a fearful time with a corn on the side of my right foot, the first I ever had that bothered me seriously. I have suffered today with every step I have taken and I have taken a great many too. Added to all of our burdens we hear our landlady is thinking of asking us to move so she can have the house for her self. We would not care so much if we could find a place to go in a decent neighborhood and with rent we can afford to pay. Rents are so high like every thing else, if we could only build or buy but that seems impossible and too I am uncertain that I will stay at the Sta. where I am and so we do not know whether we want to move out that way or out some other way. If we could find a place we would be glad to move as the old crank has never made it very pleasant for us and would never fix the house up decent. We like the neighborhood and hate to leave that but old lady Burns is certainly a twisted crank.

Wednesday May 5     Well it came out so hot today that people were complaining with the heat. And rain at night. Took a long ride on my wheel out Grand River way looking for a house, the old lady Burns told us today that she wanted the house. I met Curd out on Missouri.

Thursday May 6     Hot again and heavy rain in showers and I went down after supper to see Dr. Bell and got caught in a fierce shower and got wet to the skin, and he was not in at that. Bennett must have a little operation. He gets sore and we notise in his actions that it iritates him, it just seems as though I could not stand the expense but I suppose I have got to.

Friday May 7     Warm and beautiful. The trees begin to look green, tulips and dandilions are coming out and it seems like summer. I took a long ride up through the North end looking for a house to rent or buy but it is discoraging business, there is something the matter with every house to rent and the price always seems too much for the house and it is the same with houses to sell. Then I rode down on 4 below Bagg to see Dr Bell and we make arrangement for him to come tomorrow at 9.30.

Saturday May 8     Warm, some rain. Well the Drs. came today and did the job on both Bennett and Laurence they thought it might as well be done on both of them at once and have it over with. Dr John Bell and a Dr Martin. The kids did fine and took the cloroform while Dr Martin was telling them a story about monkeys. Anna was here alone and when the kids woke up and felt the pain they made things lively for awhile. Mrs Burns came in and helped. When I came home at noon it looked like a hospital around here but they got along fine and were as good as any body could expect. I had to go down town this evening and get Howard some shoes and a pair of pants he was certainly destitute and out all around. Bennett and Laurence do not seem to realize that the Dr made them sore they think that something is the matter with them and that is all. Bennett thought he wanted to sleep alone, he thought Howard would hurt him so he asked Howard to sleep in Aunties room. He said he was afraid Howard would catch it if he slept with him.

Sunday May 9     Warm and rain. Worked. The kids are better today and only make a fuss when they have to go on the chair or have the place dressed and by night they were hard to keep still. They are in thier nighties and the baby stays in the cart and Bennett on the couch. They eat lots and are doing fine. Dr Bell called to day and said they were all right. This afternoon I took the car out to Highland Park to look around, but it rained so I did not stay long. I cannot find any modern house with furnace, laundry, bath and hard wood floors and finish that look good and decent for less than 3500 and I do not want to pay over 3000 and modern houses 7 or 8 rooms that sell for that or less look so cheap that I cannot stomache them.

Monday May 10     Cold, rain nearly all day, miserable nasty day. Ex Mayor Maybury is buried to day. A big funeral but a nasty day. Bennett and Laurence are still invalids, Bennett has stayed on the couch and Laurence in the cart all day just as good as can be. They improve wonderfully fast. I took another long ride on my wheel again to night out through North Woodward but it is the same old story to much for my pocket book. Edna up for the first time in a long while.

Tuesday May 11     Beautiful day for a wonder. The children are improving fast abut they still stick to the couch and cart. They do a whole lot of wiggling but are as good as can be. They walked a little to night just to see if they could and they make believe it was very hard to learn to walk again. Auntie [T] here today. And another long ride this noon, I did not come home at noon.

Wednesday May 12     Beautiful day, bright and cool. The children were dressed to day and running around and too they are cross. The Dr. came to day and said they [are] all right but wished they could be kept still a couple of days longer but I guess he would not care for the job of keeping them still.

Thursday May 13     Fine day. Anna and I went up to look at 1456-12 but we did not like it. 309 Hecla is going to be sold at auction and I went through that is it is a fine old place and kept up in the pink of condition. And I thought it would do us fine and I offered him 2700 but he would not take it. Then after I thought it over I was glad he did not, it is foolish to buy an old place unless you can buy very cheap. He said he had put 3500 in it but he will never get it out. Gummie here to day.

Friday May 14     Rain and then more rain, but a warm rain. Gummie and Auntie went back to Northville this after noon. A Mr Garlick called on me to night and talk house. The first of June is rolling nearer and nearer and it seems impossible to find a desireable house in all this city.

Saturday May 15     Warm and rain, rain all the time rain, I guess the country will get enough of it. Kenneth Monroe found Howards little gold ring on thier lawn this morning. It has been lost for a long time it seems as though it must have been last summer. We have been [having] what we call bad luck all winter and Anna [said] the finding of the golden ring would bring back our good luck.

Sunday May 16     Fine day, no work, no church for me. Anna took Howard to Sunday School to get him started, he has never been but a few times and he did not like [it] and he make an awful fuss about going but when he came back he said he liked it. Howard and I took a long walk up through 14-15-16 Linwood Milwaukee away out to the Boulevard then we cut cross lots over the old D. W. Ferry seed farm to Grand River then took the car home. It was the same old story not a decent single house to rent, lots of flats, terraces etc and lots for sale. How discouraging it is. Howard kept wanting to know how far we were from home and if I knew the way back, he thought he was pretty near out to Gummies. There was a lot of men playing ball out in the fields and making lots of noise and Howard asked me if it was not Sunday out here. I said no we had gone so far we had left Sunday behind.

Monday May 17     Beautiful day, cool and bright. The children are nearly well from thier operation and for a couple of days now they have played and ran as usual. The Dr. came twice.

Tuesday May 18     Fine day. I am running my head off these days try[ing] to find a house to rent or to buy but in either case any thing decent enough to live in they ask rediculas prices for. Anything modern rents for at least 23 or 25 and from that up. And a 7 room modern house from 2800 up and the 2800 ones look cheap. A decent one costs from 3200 up according to location. Anna and I went to look at one on King Ave to night. I think it is the best for the money I have found, he asks 3500 but I got him jewed down to 3300 but even that seems so much for me to handle that it completley discourages me.

Wednesday May 19     Another fine day. Today noon I rode my wheel over to the Blvd. to Grand River thence down to Warren and then up and down streets between Warren and Grand River back to the corner of Warren and Grand River but nothing did I see that I wanted to live it. I met Inez Hart out near the school where she teaches. It is fine countryfied out there but nothing to rent. I am so sick, tired and discouraged to night that I do not know what to do. Auntie Tee came back yesterday. Edna was up this evening.

Thursday May 20     Fine day. Well Mr. Chipman the builder and owner of that house on King lives in my route and he was waiting for me this forenoon and we finally arrived at a bargain and I said I would take it. I am to pay 3212.50, he to complete the house in first class shape and build a cement walk from the street walk to the front steps then around to the back steps. I am to build the fence and grade and sod and build a coal bin and furnish Gas & Elec fixtures. I am to pay 500 down and $25 a month to include interest. Interest to be computed each payment that is made once a month but I made this bargain on supposition that the house was not assessed for taxes this year but now I am affraid that it has and I do not feel very jubilant over it. Some way I do not feel very good over it because I have always said I would not pay over 3000 and it seems such a large debt for one in my circumstances to assume, but lots of carriers are paying even more than that. So to night I am in as much a state of mind as ever and added to my troubles I have one of the sorest corns on the joint of my little toe and I can hardly put my foot on the ground some times. Anna and Auntie went to Grand River to see what they could get to relieve it and the Drugest told them to paint it with Iodine to take the soreness out of it.

Friday May 21     Chilly and cloudy. I am about sick I have run so much looking for houses that I am pretty much all in.

Saturday May 22     Cool, somewhat threatening but fine untill evening then we had a big storm. Anna took the children and walked up to 309 Hecla and I met [them] there and we looked through the house, it is for sale. It is an old house but has been well kept up and the owner has always lived there since the house was built and he has put in steam heat and electric lights and modern bath, so it is very nice. He will sell it for 2600. That seems cheap but again every body says not to buy an old house and I partly agree with them. If I take it I will have [to] back out of my King Ave. bargain and I hate to do that and maybe that would be as cheap in the end as the Hecla Ave. house. I wish I could decide and feel decided but I do not. I hate to pay so much as the King Ave. house 3300 and I dont know whether it would be sensable to buy an old house.

Sunday May 23     Fine day. Worked, home all the rest of the day. I ought to get out and hunt for a house. I do not feel satisfied with the King Ave house. I do not know just why either. I have spent the day worrying and feeling like a man that does not know what to do. A very miserable frame of mine to be in.

Monday May 24     Fine day. Nothing doing to day. Went over to the King Ave. house but no body was there. Spent the evening cutting out Queen Anne wrappers.

Tuesday May 25     [no entry]

Wednesday May 26     Fine day, but it keeps cool. A little fire goes good in the morning. Our baseburner has been out a few days now every bit of coal is gone. I went over to the King Ave. house to day noon, Chipman was there and I told him he better sell it to some body else it was too much for me. He thought I ought to handle it all right and that is the [way we] left it. But I can hardly give it up it is not just what I want but it is new and clean and it is tempting any way, but I do hate to go in so deep. I do not know what to do and am in a terrible state of mind and I guess it is making me sick. Auntie [T] is sewing for Edna these days.

Thursday May 27     Fine, some times showers, some times. Well something went wrong with me this morning. I got up at 4.45* shaved and ate my breakfast, Anna came down and wanted to know what was the matter then I discovered I was 1 hour behind, it was 7 instead of 6 so a sub. done my work and I am out a days pay and I tell you I feel as though it was a calamity. I came home and dug out the cellar and cleaned both baseburners. This afternoon Anna and I went down town and picked out a set of gas and Elec. fixtures in case we buy that King Ave. house, then we did some other shopping. Auntie stayed with the children and she went to Northville to night.

Friday May 28     Well a new phase of the house game developed today. The 309 Hecla Ave. man offered me his house for 2,450 and he would pay for a new hot water boiler. He has come down from 2800 because he has bought a small farm near Leamington Ont. and wants to go there immediatly. I said if he would make it 2400 I would put in the boiler and [he] took me up. And he got his title papers and brought them to me this evening for me to examine or take to a Lawyer for examination, of course I will take them to a Lawyer. And as he was leaving the King Ave. man came to induce me to not give up taking that house and I really want the King Ave house because it is all new and fine and the Hecla one is old but I think I ought to take the Hecla Ave one because it is nearly a thousand dollars less money and easier payments but of course it is an old house and not so good a location. Well I hope if I do buy it I will never be sorry because I have my hands full to support my family under favorable circumstances with out loseing on unwise deals of that kind.

Saturday May 29     Almost hot to day and winter under wear felt burdensome. Threatening. Edna took the papers of the Hecla Ave house to Lawyer Gay Wasey her brother in law by marriage and he is to examine them and see that the title is all right. I do not feel comfortable over the deal at all, I guess it is impossible for me to feel comfortable over anything. I am full of fears and misgivings. I want the King Ave house but am buying this one because I think it is cheap and I am fearful that in the end it may not be cheap after all because it is old now. Then too I promised the King Ave man once I would take his house and then I backed out and that worried my conscience. I feel like 36 cents.

Sunday May 30     Warm, some rain this evening. Went to church this morning and heard Mr Bruske pres. of the Alma College and it was a grand good serman. This afternoon Edna and Clarence and my family and I went up and went through the Hecla Ave house. They thought it a bargain and liked it first rate. I could not see anything but that it was an old house and I am actually sick over the business and I wish I were in gundy[?].

Monday May 31     Beautiful day. Quite warm. Work forenoon and in the afternoon I worked around the house getting ready to move. Gummie and Auntie [T] came this afternoon.

June 1909

Tuesday June 1     Heavy rain all forenoon, pleasant after noon. Auntie [T] went out to Royal Oak today, Uncle Azel [Blair] is very bad, gone insane and I guess has not long to live. Anna and Gummie working thier head off to get ready to move.

Wednesday June 2     Well things begin to look like moving every thing in a heap, boxes and barrels and bundles.

Thursday June 3     Beautiful day. 8 years ago today we moved into 210 Avery and today we are moving out because Mrs. Burns wants the house. We do not dread to leave this house because it is not much of a house, but we are sure we will never find another neighborhood that we will like as well as this, so we are not very happy over our move but the day and hour has come and the moving Vans came about 10 A.M. and transferred our good[s] in two loads and sat us down at 309 Hecla. Gummie and Howard went on ahead and Anna stayed to clean up after the goods were out. I went to work as usual but worked for two hours at noon and this evening we find our selves amidst boxes and barrels and tired unto death, strangers in a strange land beginning five at 309 Hecla. We have no gas to cook with and had to go out to the neighbors to get hot water for tea. We have the lights but we went to bed on the floor feeling rather queer and home sick.

Friday June 4     Hot. And here we are in our new home and feeling any thing but at home. It is beautiful around here, fine country looking fields green and lots of native trees. The house is not all that we would like it to be and is not new which we always wanted to move into was a bran new house. It will take time to tell whether we have made a wise move or not but we did not seem to have much choice we could not find a decent house to rent at a rent we could pay so we felt as tho we just had to buy and no time to choose. I am nearly tired to death running and worrying and trying to do the best thing so I hope we will never be sorry. Gummie has fallen in love with the place, says it s paradise to be on Avery Ave. We have a fine back yard here with flowers all around it and that took her eye and she started in immediately to groom them. We have the Elec. lights but no gas and have to run to the neighbors for hot water. The gas man came this forenoon and turned it on so we can swim alone now.

Saturday June 5     Beautiful day, hot. Well we have the dining room floor painted and rug down and it looks quite fine but otherwise we are still in a state of confusion. I guess we will be a long time settling because all the floors have to be painted and it looks like a big job to me. Gummie went home this afternoon and I think Anna will have her hands full here alone the house is large and a world of things to be done. Fred Fry called this evening.

Sunday June 6     Fine day. Worked A.M. Anna went out to Royal Oak to Uncle Azel Blairs funeral. They had the funeral at the house but took him to Northville on the funeral car. The McLeods came this afternoon to see what the Deanses had bought, they have bought a house too at 97 Scovel Place and I expect it is some thing pretty nice. They paid 3600 and got all the latest crinkles. Well I would like them too but then you have to pay for them

Monday June 7     Rain and some more rain and it does not clear up. The boss went over my route with me this forenoon but what he thought I do not know as he did not open his head once. He is mad at me and I made up my mind I would not speak first, it was rather painful and I was glad when it was over and we both got good and wet. I painted the parlor floor one coat this evening. Howard is having a homesick spell and wants to go back to the Avery Ave. house and see the boys it [is] rather pityful and I guess we all have some of those feelings too, but when you have to get out what else can you do.

Tuesday June 8     Damp and fearful chilly my it is so cold it makes one huddle down into bed like winter. I am trying to get the floors painted but it is a big job to do them right and so many little dabs of things to buy. I signed a 3 months contract for the Phone to day, it was in the house when we came.

Wednesday June 9     Fine day. When it is fine it seems beautiful out here. Howard and Bennett like to go with me while I am delivering mail. They can go quite a piece with me and still see the house so there is no danger that they cannot get back but an occasional cow that is being pastured scares them and they give it a wide circuit. Mrs Burns was up this afternoon and told Anna all the old neighborhood news. Anna washed to day but I guess we will have to get some body to do that, it is too much. I filled cracks in the front room and when I went to bed I was so tired that I did not care if I never came back. Baby Laurence spends a good share of his time back by the back fense digging. I ought to get some sand.

Thursday June 10     Wet miserable day. I guess it rained all night, it did not rain hard to day but was one of those misty wet days. I rode my wheel over on 14th and Stanley and paid our gas bill at a drug store there every thing is so new and strange here that we do not know how to do the things we used to do in thier routine way. Auntie Tee came back from sewing at Frank Blairs to night.

Friday June 11     Well it is fairly decent day to day but I think we are going to have one of those wet summers that we seem to have about so often. This is my last day at work for 2 weeks as my vacation begins tomorrow and I tell you I feel as tho I needed it. I am tired and worn out and as lank as a shoe string. I weigh only 147 lbs. and I can remember when I weighed 190 lbs. I think my best weight should be 160 any above is too much, any below is too little and I feel as tho my back bone could not hold me straight all winter and all spring I have looked and worried over the house business and I am afraid I am not over it yet as I do not feel contented with this place.

Saturday June 12     The sun has come out nice and bright this morning. I am on my vacation now and I wish I could enjoy every minute of it and when it is over be glad to go back to work but there is a world of things to be done around the house here. We are just moved in as you might say scarcely not settled at all. Anna has got several rooms cleaned but the floors have to be painted for rugs and that is a long job because you have to wait so long and so my times between coats for them to dry we got up about 6.30 this morning the baby has had a howling spell and Bennett a howling spell just now about 8 every thing seems normal. Anna said if I was around for 2 weeks I would get all the howling I wanted. Anna and Auntie Tee are up stairs discussing ways and means of fixing up the old shebang. The kids are running back and forth, baby Laurence just said what is the, "dark oak paint: and Bennett says "no light oak paint" they are in the parlor where I have been painting so you can see what we have been talking about lately.

Sunday June 13     Not very bad but rather threatening. Anna took Howard to the childrens day exersizes at the Trumbull Ave. Presb. Church. Howard graduated from the Kindergarten to the Primary, he took part or that is he stood in line on the platform. Sam, Bell and Elmer Hardenberg came up this afternoon to see us and the house. They said they liked it. After they departed we hustled into our things with Laurence and Bennett in the buggy and walked up to the McLeods new mansion at 97 Scovel Place. They have a fine new house and beautifully decorated it makes us a little envyous but still I dont know as I would like a house just like it, it is most too small. We nearly ran all the way home it looked so much like rain and the wind blew but not a drop fell.

Monday June 14     Cloudy. Norine appeared this morning and she and Anna went down town. I Jap-a-Laced the parlor floor and tried to keep the kids from smashing things to pieces. Got Morgans gas range into the shed and ours conected. Went to the Go Cart Co. got our Go Cart mended and a tire on the kids Velosopede and I painted the hall floor.

Tuesday June 15     Beautiful day but chilly some say there was a frost. Anna washed and we put down a carpet in the south room or the little room as we call it. Not much else done. We were to take the children to the Pony show but could not get ready in time.

Wednesday June 16     Beautiful day but none to warm. Well to day Anna and I took the 3 kids and went down to the Peoples State Bank got a draft for $225.00 made out to Geo. A. Morgan of Leamington Ont. and then to the Hammond Bld. to Guy Waseys office. We both signed the Land Contract for the House and lot at 309 Hecla which had been already signed by Geo. A. Morgan and his wife and we left the draft for $225.00 with Mr. Wasey so that business is fixed up we hold a copy of the contract and a copy is sent to Mr. Morgan so now I suppose we can start in to pay for the place at the rate of $20.00 a month. We had made a deposit of $25.00 making the payment $250.00 up to date. And from there we went to the Gentry Bro. Pony, Dog, Elephant, Monkey Etc. show at the Cor. of Brush and Willis. The children enjoyed it fine it was good but got tiresome to us then we went to the Hardenbergs house and staid to supper. Father and Mother were there and Aunt Lizzie. Uncle Asa started for Kansas on an extended visit this afternoon. We saw our old house and neighborhood and it looked good to me. It does not seem as tho I could ever like any other place as well as that neighborhood. Then we wound up the day by coming home getting a qt. of ice cream and eating it and putting a lot of tired kids and ourselves to bed.

Thursday June 17     Cold and raining this morning, cleared up by 10 A.M. but it is so cold and chilly. I guess it is trying to beat the Ice trust as they have raised the price of Ice. Barnums and Bailey Circus here to day. I guess I would have gone at least to see the parade but Father and Mother came to spend the day so I did not go. Aunt Lizzie and Edna came to dinner.

Friday June 18     Fine but cold, it is actually uncomfortably chilly. Father and Mother departed for Geo.s place Cor. of Woodward & Milwaukee this A.M. then I believe they are going home this afternoon. They liked our place here first rate in fact every body thinks it a fine old place. Nothing done much today, went after my money sent Dr Martin $7 he asst Dr Bell when he operated on Bennett and Laurence and I sent 4.65 to pay for Summer uniform pants. The money is going this month.

Saturday June 19     Bright morning but cold. We are trying to get ready to go to Northville this forenoon. Anna is giving Howard & Bennett a bath in the kitchen with the oven going for a fire, we have been unable to make the water heater work so far. My what a job it is to get kids ready to go any where. By the time you get them all ready you want to stay at home and go to bed to rest up. Well we finally got away on the 12 oclock car with our fists full of cookies for our dinner. When we got out there they dished us up what was left from thier dinner.

Sunday June 20     At Northville and a fine day and actually Hot. Laid around all day, nothing exciting going on here. Auntie Tee here.

Monday June 21     At Northville and Plymouth. A little rain. Anna and kids went to Plymouth to see Father and Mother. Howard and I staid all night. Anna, Bennett and Laurence went back to Northville.

Tuesday June 22     Hot. Howard and I went over and called on Maggie then took the car to Northville by noon then we all came home on the 3.30 car. It does not seem like coming home to come here on Hecla at all and I wonder if it will ever seem like home. We found every thing as we had left it but it was so hot the house was fearfully close and stuffy. I Jap-a-Lac ed the hall floor before I went to bed but I did not do the job to suit me very well.

Wednesday June 23     Hot day, a little rain. Children cross all day life hardly worth living. Anna washed. I put in screens, painted the sitting room floor and went down town in the after noon.

Thursday June 24     A little cooler this A.M. Anna about sick and things do not go very smooth. I saw an add in the morning paper of more land being thrown open to settlers in the west and it makes me feel as tho I would like to go. Worked all [day] but it seems as tho I accomplished nothing, filled cracks in sitting room. Aunt Lizzie Joy and Maggie Dickerson "nee Joy" called. I with Howard on my wheel rode down on Merrick and I got a hair cut and bought Howard and Bennett a pair of overalls. Howard has been teasing for a month for a pair and they were happy all the rest of the day and went to bed good natured. I guess it was worth the price.

Friday June 25     Rained this morning. Never left the house all day, worked and tinkered around but not much of any thing accomplished. My vacation is nearly over and it seems as tho it has been only an aggravation. I want so much to go especially on the boat but Anna cannot get the kids ready for any kind of a jaunt without it is more work than it is worth and I do not want to go unless she can go too.

Saturday June 26     Cooler, some rain. Painted floor in the sitting room again, took a ride with Howard on my wheel down on Grand River. Went down town in the evening.

Sunday June 27     Heavy showers. Home all day. Children noisy tiresome nerve racking. I guess we will have to farm them out they drive us distracted we do not seem to be equal to the situation. Anna gave up and went up stairs and shut the door. Howard seemed to realize a little and began to cry and finally said he wanted to run away and die but Bennett and Laurence kept right on. I wonder if every family has such hard times with thier patience and endurence. I dont believe our children are so bad or worse than the ordinary but it is certainly discouraging to think what we have to go through and then to know that we have prospects again. Whew! I think we better take to the baloon.

Monday June 28     Rain early, threatening but we got ready and all went to Belle Isle. We took the car to the boat and the boat to the Island. It rained with the sun shining for a few minutes but it did not rain again. We went over on the Canadian side and ate our lunch. The children took off thier shoes and stockings and went in wading and had a great time. We got there about 12 and after we left the Island we rode on the boat for 2 or 3 hours and got home about 9 oclock, and we all felt as tho we had had a good time. The children were pretty tired but were soon in bed and asleep.

Tuesday June 29     Cooler, threatening. This is the last day of my vacation and it has seemed awfully short. I think I would it to be 6 months twice a year. I put down matting in the front bedroom and went down town in the afternoon. Howard went with me and we brought Bennett a ball bat, Laurence a toy carpet sweeper and Howard got a ball glove. The papers say Inez Nichelson nee Rockwell died yesterday. She had been ill and was in the habit of taking chloroform to ease the misery and she took too much.

Wednesday June 30     Cool, almost chilly last night. Got hot today. Back to work again and I am tired out and sore to night. I finished laying the matting in the front room up stairs to night and I never saw such contrary stuff in all my life. There seems to be a social of some kind back of us on 12th under the trees. Japanese lanterns and music.

July 1909

Thursday July 1     Fine day, very warm. I feel as tho I was in the old rut again, work, tired, eat, and sleep that is about all there is to it. I guess I am rather discontented. I wish I could either find a more contented position or be more contented with the one I have got. The work is a little too tiresome to enjoy life at it. Anna washed and I dont see how she can do that and I do not think she ought to either but we are to far from our old wash woman and have not got another as yet. Mrs Burns up.

Friday July 2     Cooler, a little rain towards night and lots of wind, got chilly at night. Nothing exciting around here it is so quiet I wish we could hear the cars rattle by as we used to. We can hear the chu chu cars here and lots of whistles and bells but that is all except the noise the kids make

Saturday July 3     Cool delightful day, but was to chilly for comfort at night. Got my pay to day and sent Morgan $20, my first monthly payment on the house. I suppose I am started on a long climb up hill. Sometimes I am sorry I bought this place especially when I find some thing that ought to be repaired, then I wish I had bought a new place and I sent the Northville Building & Loan $5.00, two weeks pay. From now untill the first of January will take more than I can earn I think. I wanted to go down town to night but I am to tired. Several people were injured at the opening of the new 10 cent store there was such a jam that some fool yelled fire just to clear the way and they all made a grand rush for the stairs and the railing gave way and the gang fell to the floor. I hope the fool that yelled fire was on the bottom of the bunch but I guess no body knows who it was.

Sunday July 4     A fine day but rather cool. Worked to day. Some people around here fire an occasional cracker but as a rule it is very quiet. Anna and Howard have gone up to the Harts and Bennett and Laurence are up stairs asleep. Clarence called me up and told me Maud Marker was there and wanted me to come down but I told him I was alone with the kids and might come this evening. I have not seen her in 20 years, I guess she lives in Colorado or at least her folks do. I dont know where she lives. Soon after I wrote the above Edna called up and she and Maud would be up after lunch. Then Lydia McNab "nee" Joy came and she decided to stay to see Maud. And they came after six and Clarence with them but Anna did not come home untill after they had gone. Maud is chief nurse and assistant supt. of a nurse school in Saratoga N.Y. get 1100 a year and board Etc. she looks fine and prosperous and I think I would like her better than I used to. In fact I never liked her very well and used to think she was very disagreeable.

Ida 'Maud' Marker [daughter of 'Nettie' (Dean) Marker and Eugene Marker]. Maud was born 1870 is a 1st cousin once removed from Bennett L. Dean.

Monday July 5     The day we celebrate the 4th. A beautiful morning , rather cool. It is now 6.30 A.M. and I have the breakfast cooking and can hear poppings all over every where but none right near. The children are stiring up stairs and I suppose will be down and wanting to go right out and shoot Howards .05¢ worth of fire works. We gave him 5¢ Saturday and he went and bought 3 boxes of torpedos and 20 fire crackers and you would think he had bought out a whole arsenal. When I came home at noon I brought each kid a flag and we all went over on 14th at 1.30 to see the parade and then at 8 we all went up in the La Salle Gardens and saw the fire works. This section of the City contributed and got up the doings. The children enjoyed them and we enjoyed the children.

Tuesday July 6     Beautiful cool morning. We had beautiful cool weather for the 4 & 5th and I guess every body enjoyed it. Mail very light to day I was through this A.M. at 10-30 and went down town and paid Lawyer Wasey for looking up title to this place $5.00. I paid the Gas and Telephone bill, bought some groceries at Peter Smiths, came home got my dinner and walked to work. Anna washed to day.

Wednesday July 7     Bright fine but very chilly for this time of the year. There is so much to do around the house and I have no ambition to do it. When I am through with my days work I am so tired it is very hard to do anything extra so it is not getting done very fast.

Thursday July 8     Bright and cool morning. We were having so much rain but now we need rain it is getting fearfully dusty and dry. Got at the dining siting room floor this evening and Jap a lac ed about 1/2 of it.

Friday July 9     Bright and beautiful this A.M. Got very warm to day. Finished the sitting room floor. Mrs Burns up this evening. She says the old Lady Burns our old landlady is sorry she made us leave there. She does not find it so fine leaving there alone. I would like to [be] back on Avery but I would not care to move back into that house.

Saturday July 10     Warm and sultry this A.M., got fearfully hot to day. One of those dragged days when your strength all goes some where and you feel like a dishrag. Threatened rain but none came and we need it so much.

Sunday July 11     Hot, threatening but no rain. Al Whitehead the tinsmith I learned the trade of in Northville called on me to day. He has just lost his wife and is pretty well broken up over it. I pulled a tooth for Howard to day, the first one he has had pulled. There was a tooth coming in behind it and we thought the old one ought to be gotten out of the way. A black linen thread did the business. Howard did not make any fuss at all. It rained a little this evening but not half enough.

Monday July 12     Very warm, looks like more rain. This must be Fathers birthday, 81 years, and he [is] as healthy and spry as I am I guess. Rained some this afternoon and got a little cooler. The papers say this has been the hottest day of the year, up to 90.

Tuesday July 13     Cool, cloudy and threatening this A.M. Rained a few drops this forenoon. We need rain very badly. Our back is getting dry, we ought to have a hose but our money is short and our fall expense is going to be very big this year and I cannot figure our way clear and of course I am black in the face over it. Mrs Craine up to day, took dinner and staid the afternoon. Anna washed and every body tired out.

Wednesday July 14     Heavy shower about noon, it did a heap of good but did not cool off much. Mr and Mrs Burns called this evening they are full of farm and want to go to Spokane Wash and register for the land distribution to take place there this month.

Thursday July 15     Showers and fearfully hot some times, cool at night, not very nice weather to work and carry big loads but such is life in a big city. Ella Bradley of Northville died last Saturday and was buried Monday.

Friday July 16     Cool beautiful morning, rather damp outside. Gets very warm during the day.

Saturday July 17     Cool fine morning. Beautiful day. Howard and I went down town this evening, we went to the P.O. for me to sign the pay roll. I took Howard through to see them working the mail and down the winding stairs to the basement. We saw Sam Hardenberg at work in his coop. The P.O. looks old and dirty to me, when I was down there we just moved into that building and it was all new and fine, that was 12 years ago this coming November. Then we went to see the new Electric sign built up on top of McMillans grocery store opposite the City hall South and this sign is said to be the largest in the world, it represents a chariot race of moving figures all in colors and is very fine but Howard did not think it was large enough to be the largest in the whole world. Well I dont know as it did strike me that way either. Cut Howards hair short.

Sunday July 18     Beautiful day, but I declare it got so chilly at night that I thought I would freeze right in the middle of July. Worked this A.M. Well we had a real peaceful day, the children were good except of course on occasions. Everybody had a good nap this afternoon and woke up good natured for the rest of the day. I read Mother Goose or mostly sang all the evening and the kids kept saying sing it again papa and so I sang it again and again.

Monday July 19     Beautiful day, the nights are so chilly one is uncomfortable. Anna and Howard took a trip down on Avery this evening and called on the Hardenburgs and Burns and it made them wish they were back there. I do too we will never like this place very well because living down there so long spoiled any other place for us but I guess we cannot do any thing but wish and that never accomplished any thing.

Tuesday July 20     Cool fine day, threatened rain towards night but no rain came and every thing is drying up. The country is fearfully dry they say. Painted the hall at the head of the stairs and the childrens bedroom to day.

Wednesday July 21     It looks a little like rain this A.M. but I am afraid it will not rain. No rain to day. Gummie and Auntie Tee came in to day and every body went to the Island this evening and ate our supper on the shore and Edna, Belle, Sam, Elmer, Delia [Hopkin?] and Lydia were there to meet us. We had a fine time but oh so tired my legs ached as tho they had been pounded. We all [ate] our lunch and then went and heard the music and watched the cannes. The Canne business is a fad and hundreds of them paddle lazily back and forth, thier cannes filled with cushions usually a lady lying amongst the cushions and the Gent paddling and smoking a pipe. Some have a phonograph playing and it is really a wonderful sight to see them in such numbers.

Thursday July 22     Rain, good and heavy and lots of it. Auntie Tee went up to Harts. Gummie and Anna and children went to Northville this afternoon and I am alone. When I got home after work Auntie had been here after her suit case and gone away again so I took it up to Harts on Kirby near 24th and coming back I got caught in a heavy shower and took shelter on the porch of an empty house on Linwood and I guess I was there nearly an hour and my how it did rain and blow, it came down in buckets full and coming home from there the streets were like rivers in places and I rode through water that covered the street from curb to curb. Then I sanded the floor in the boys room and puttied the cracks and went to bed tired out.

Friday July 23     Cold, cloudy, threatening and windy. From inside it sounded like winter and it felt pretty much like it outside. All alone to day, not much to eat and the dirty dishes piling up. I dont like to wash them and put it off as long as I can.

Saturday July 24     Rather cool but beautiful day. Came home at noon shaved, took a bath, got dinner and ate it. Then washed the dishes and just had time to get back to work. Came home at night changed my clothes and cought the 6 oclock for Northville, got a seat and had a beautiful ride out there. Met my whole family, I had what we call a bag of wind for each kid, just some nonsensical little thing in a bag and they were happy.

Sunday July 25     Fine day. At Northville.

Along the Trolley Line "Phoenix Tunnel" Between Northville & Plymouth , Mich

Along the Trolley Line Ice House Curve between Northville & Plymouth, Mich

After dinner I went to Plymouth on the car but only staid over one car then went back to N. and came home on the 5-30 car we decided to come back by way of Wayne, because we would have to change cars at Farmington that way and we knew the chances for a seat when we changed would be small and we had two heavy satchels and 3 kids to manipulate. Well we had a seat all the way but it took us 2 1/2 hours to get home while the other way we would have been home in 1 1/2 hours.

Monday July 26     Cool fine day, some what threatening. This is Earnests daughter 3rd birthday and I never have seen her. They visit Mother and Father now but so far have not been to any other member of the family. I just missed them yesterday at Mothers they were there and just gone when I came. I wish I could have been there sooner and saw them.

Tuesday July 27     Beautiful day. Very warm. Anna washed. Every body tired out and cross at night. I brought a hose home from Gummies when we came home Sunday and that has kept the kids busy and in trouble every since. I have felt bum to day dont care whether school keeps or not.

Wednesday July 28     Fearfully Hot and close. Auntie Tee here to day but gone again. Rain in the evening.

Thursday July 29     Fearful rain storm last night, must have been almost a cloud burst, every thing flooded, cellars all over the city were flooded but our cellar did not. And Hot and Humidity mercy I guess it was the worst day I ever put in. I came home at night Hot and sticky every dud I had on wet with sweat. I got into the bath tub in almost cold water and cooled off and felt better the rest of the evening. Auntie [T] here to day.

Friday July 30     Cooler, fine day. Mrs Crane and Mrs Meder here at dinner. Auntie [T] here and Mrs Simmers across the street with Mrs Duntly called this evening. Anna used to know Mrs Duntly when Anna was a little girl.

Saturday July 31     Fine day. Took my lunch so I could go down town at noon. Paid the water tax for 3 months up to Oct 1.82, the rates have been raised. I have been buying a cobblers set and I tapped my shoes this morning.

Sunday August 1     Fine day. Worked. Lydia Joy McNab and Jim Joys little girl Ruth were here a little while this after noon. Home all day. Pulled another front baby tooth for Howard to day.

Monday August 2     Fine day. Nothing exciting going on that I know of. Life is the same old grind. I worked in the basement this evening and fixed up a sort of a bench and got my tools aranged so I could get at them when I wanted them.

Tuesday August 3     Fine day, some what threatening. Belle Hardenberg and Mrs Burns called this evening.

Wednesday August 4     Cool fine, threatening but no rain. Nothing doing. Sent Mr Morgan $20 on contract, money is getting pretty scarsce around here these days and we need so many things too. My salary is just about half enough.

Thursday August 5     Heavy shower about 4 P.M. Herbert and Dorothy came for a visit to day and staid to night. May could not leave her Mother at Northville, her mother is very sick and has been for some time.

Friday August 6     Hot but a fine day. Herbert and Dorothy here again to night. He went to se Geo. at noon and Dorothy staid with Edna. Herbert brought me a new Electric drop light to read by.

Saturday August 7     Hot day, clear and bright. Herbert and Dorothy went back to Northville this morning. I went down town at noon and paid taxes on House and lot $20.96, Telephone 2.00 for Aug., Gas 2.64 for July and Electric light 1.27 for June and July. There is where the money goes. I owe Dr Bell 20.00 and that ought to be paid too but the money is all gone except enough to live on untill next pay day.

Sunday August 8     Bright and very Hot, we left our thermometer down on Avery when we moved and I must get a new one so I can know the temperature. This has been a fearfully hot day and staid hot all through the Eve. Home all day. I cannot get enough sleep or rest. I dont see what makes me get so tired I am so tired every night that I am miserable. I guess I will go west and raise fruit, we hear and read so much about the wonderful fruit countries and the immense crops and profits to be made. I wish I had the courage to strike out and make a go of some thing like that, my work is so monotonous and uninteresting that it gets almost unbearable.

Monday August 9     Fearful Hot, forenoon dreadful, so muggie and close, a little rain this morning. I am still filling cracks and fixing floors, I guess I never will get them tended to. Pretty tired to night.

Tuesday August 10     Well it got cool cooler coolest and by night was actually uncomfortable. It do beat the dutch how it can change from Hot to cold and cold to Hot. Anna washed to day a good big washing. I got the floor in the front hall ready to pain at last, I have puttered with [it] off and on for two or three weeks.

Wednesday August 11     Cool, threatening, rain evening. Busy today. Painted front hall floor up stairs and shaved at noon and mowed the lawn at night and it had gone so long it was a big job. Howard had the back yard mowed when I got home and he done a good job too. I paid the kid 5¢ for the use of the mower. I wanted him to mow it but he has been a week or so trying to get at it. I guess he is tired of the business, he used to mow it all right. A little extra work besides my days work puts me on the bum and there is worlds of it around here to do.

Thursday August 12     Rain last night, cool and threatening to day. Auntie Tee came for a while to day then went back to the Harts. Mr McLeod came over on his wheel this evening to tell us he could not come to supper tomorrow, he is on his vacation and we invited them to come but he will come next week.

Friday August 13     Cool fine day. I went over this evening and called on Mr Whitehead. I used to work with him at the Tinsmith trade in Northville. He lives with his son in Law Leadbeter on Vermont south of McGraw.

Saturday August 14     Got hot close and threatening. I carried out 75 lbs. of mail this morning and it made me sweat, mostly magazines. Nothing doing to day. I never go any where or do any thing for ammusement scarce ever, gets monotonous.

Sunday August 15     Fearfully hot and close. A big wind and rain squall came up about 5.30 P.M. and it was fierce for a few minutes it have made the excuasionists hunt shelter pretty lively. Home all day except while at work. A strange cat blew in the back yard this morning and the kids have watched every move and hugged and hugged that cat all day. Anna gave it some milk and the kids I guess never saw a cat eat or lap milk before and they thought it wonderful and watched and laughed and talked about it.

Monday August 16     Heavy showers, we are getting lots of heavy rain storms. This hasen a hard day all around. Anna washed. I had a heavy day and the rain makes it harder.

Tuesday August 17     Cool, cloudy and threatening. The Det. Folding Go Cart Co. are moving to Pontiac and they gave me a set of wheels and I made the kids a cart, just a board with wheels on both ends but my they thought it a dandy. I made the baby a swing on the back poarch and he was happy he does like to swing so well and takes a good deal more enjoyment out of it than the others. The McLeods were down to supper and spent the evening, we had a fine visit with them.

left to right: Laurence, Bennett and Howard on a cart their Dad made

Wednesday August 18     Fair day, cool evening. Planted radishes and lettuce to day noon in a bare spot of the flower garden. Edna came up this evening. The Ball team are in second place to day and the fans are miserable. The Detroit Team have won the Pennant twice and were in first place all the season or nearly all up to now.

Thursday August 19     Cool and mostly fine. We had a little thunder shower about 5 P.M. the sun was shining and no body thought of rain when a clop of thunder and a little rain came out of a clear sky except one black cloud. The other day I saw it rain hard in just one spot a few yards wide. I was only a little ways away and not a drop fell where I was and with all the heavy showers we have had lately they say it is as dry as a pepper pod in Northville. Aunt Dill and Auntie Tee here today.

Friday August 20     Cool, fine day, very cool at night.

Saturday August 21     Cool fine day, to work and lots of work. Very chilly at night we just about freeze nights. Auntie Tee came over this eve. and she and Anna went down town to lay in a supply of dry goods which are very much needed around here.

Sunday August 22     Cool beautiful day but so chilly nights it seems as though there must be frost it is so cold but I have not seen any or heard of any. Anna went up and called on Lydia McNab nee Joy but she was not at home then she went to Aunt Dills and staid to supper and brought Auntie Tee home with her to stay with the kids while she went down town tomorrow morning after bargains advertised in to days paper, that is the way a family of our size and dimentions have to figure ways and means to exist ourselves and pay our tribute to the monopolists power to charge exorbitant profits on every thing we need.

Monday August 23     Warmer, got hot in the sun, fine day. Anna went down town this morning and bought an Axminsta rug 9 X 12 for $14.98, they had them at 9.98 but there was none that she liked at that price they were 7-6 X 10-6, the rug came this P.M. and looks fine we are getting settled very slowly but it begins to look as tho some body lived here. There has been nothing on the sitting room floor since we came.

Tuesday August 24     Warm day. I am a little on the bum to day do not feel at all like work my stomach bothers me eating makes my heart beat hard and flutter. I got the gas plate down [in the] basement so it would work to day. Anna thinks maybe she can wash easier down there. Auntie Tee helped her to day. She is going to stay a while and help Anna sew.

Wednesday August 25     Very warm and muggy, a little rain in the evening, hard for me to keep going. I wish I was rich enough so I could feel as tho I could afford to lay off when I feel as I have for a day or two but sick or well I feel as tho I must keep going. Mrs Burns called this P.M. Cut Bennetts hare to day. Papers say hottest day of the year up to 100 in the Kiosk.

Thursday August 26     Very warm, seemed hotter than yesterday but was only 96 in the kiosk. To day was a great day for Howard. Donald Burns and Elmer Hardenberg came up after him and he went with them down on Avery where we used to live and staid all day took his meals at Burns and played with his old chums. Mrs Burns, Belle H. and the boys brought him home in the evening. I varnished the parlor floor this Eve.

Friday August 27     Very warm but a better breeze. Varnished the dining room and hall this Eve. We have got to varnish over all of the Jap a Lac that is no good. I went to bed so tired I could hardly crawl. Auntie Tee was invited out to attend the Theater this evening and departed hence after supper.

Saturday August 28     Whew but it is raining to beat the band just now, 6 A.M. After the rain it came out hot, fearfully hot and muggy. I came home ringing wet with sweat. Auntie came back this afternoon too tired and hot for any painting or down town to night. Lay on the couch untill bed time then took a bath and went to bed.

Sunday August 29     Beautiful day, got chilly by night it does beat all how it can change. Last night so hot we could hardly breathe and to night so cold we can hardly stand it. Worded to day for the 3rd Sunday in succession. My alternate being away on his vacation I have to do his Sunday work. Home all the rest of the day. Auntie and Howard took a walk up to Aunt Dills this P.M. Bennett has a sick spell to day and has slept nearly all day.

Monday August 30     Beautiful cool day. Varnished the sitting room this evening.

Tuesday August 31     Fine day, very cool and cold, evenings and night I nearly freeze nights. Inez Hart called they are getting up a surprise party for Auntie Tees birthday tomarrow and they are having great times keeping it away from Auntie. Bert Hart came up with some provisions thinking Auntie was some where else. Anna had to watch and waylay him from the balcony.

October 1909

Friday October 1     Fair day, 4 above freezing this morning, got warmer by night. The Detroit Base Ball Team have won the Pennant for the 3rd time in succession and it whoop La all over town by the fans. Anna cleaned house a little to day.

Saturday October 2     Beautiful day, 34 above A.M., got quite warm by night. Anna put up lace curtains to day they have not been up since we were here. Peary and Cook the rival North Pole discoverers are having a great time trying to decide who is entitled to the honor. Peary claims that Cook never went there and says he can prove it and he does not act very much the gentleman about it and people are rather disgusted with him. In the mean time Cook is giving lectures and getting all out of it he can. His story of the conquest of the Pole is running "Copy Wrighted" in the papers. He tells a fine story but I some times think it is too fine and am suspitious of him. Nobody doubts that Peary got there but they do not like the way he acts towards Cook. There seems to be some doubt of Cook but of course they await his proofs.

Sunday October 3     Beautiful day. Home all day. Will Hopkin, wife and two boys called this afternoon. Mrs Crane came up expecting to find Auntie Tee here but Auntie never came. Auntie has decided to go back to California starting next Wednesday. Mrs Crane fell down stairs while she was here, Anna and I were upstairs putting Laurence and Bennett to bed, Mrs Crane was going to surprise Anna and have the supper dishes all washed when she came down she went to get the pan that hangs in the cellar way and fell all the way down stairs but she make light of it and said id did not hurt her a bit. Any way no bones were broken, she went home later all right.

Monday October4     Fine day. Auntie here for a little while to day. Carrie Angell was with her. Anna called up Mrs Crane to see how she was after her tumble, she was a little sore and lame but that was all. Howard is quite sick, head ache, Stomach ache, sore throat, did not go to school this P.M.

Tuesday October 5     Beautiful day, warm in the sun but cold in the house. Howard sick and out of school to day it seems as tho he no sooner starts for school in the fall than he begins to have sick spells, colds, stomach and headaches. I think he is so shy and bashful that it is a nervous strain on him to go to school and if the Teacher finds fault with him it nearly puts him out of business. Anna just has a time with him every morning, he does not want to go and he finds fault with every thing he has to wear or has to do, then he comes home half sick. The boys push him and chase him and he thinks they mean to hurt him and he runs and runs it makes me so mad to think he does not knock thier heads off. I dont know what to do but I suppose he has got to learn and take all there is coming to him while he is learning. If he is that way we cannot change him. Painted the play room floor this Eve.

Wednesday October 6     Beautiful day in the sun but very chilly in the house. Howard went to school to day but he is not well at all has head ache and stomach out of order, does not eat much. He came home this afternoon panting and nervous and his head aching enough to split. Some boy had been chasing him and teasing him all the afternoon. I wish he would fight but he wont, maybe he will get mad enough to fight some day and clean up on a dozen or two and I wish he would. I suppose it is some kid that wants to play and does not mean anything at all but Howard just thinks he has got to run and keep running. Auntie Tee here at supper and then went over to the Harts and I suppose that is the last we will see of her as she starts for California on an early morning Train tomarrow morning. Mrs Crane was here too.

Thursday October 7     Fine day. I suppose Auntie Tee started for California this morning. I went down town after work and paid Telephone, Gas, Electric lights, Etc. then I bought 3 lbs of candy to send to Mabel in Cal. Delia Hopkin is going to take it, she is to start Sat. Auntie would have taken it but it was not got.

Friday October 8     Beautiful day, warm. The Det. Ball team are playing in Pittsburg Pa. in the Worlds Series and they got beat.

Saturday October 9     Beautiful day, warm and fine. The Det. Ball Team played again in Pittsburg Pa and this time they won 7 to 2, the fans are all happy to night. We cut baby Laurences curls off to day, the first time he has had a hair cut and the curls hung way down between his shoulders. We just gave him a Buster Brown cut and he looked a great deal better, only it hurt us some to cut his curls off. Then I trimmed Howards hair a little and he looked better, then they all had thier supper and then into the bath tub then into bed.

Sunday October 10     Fine forenoon but rained towards night. Worked. Home all day and not a soul came near us. Mrs Crane called up on the telephone but that was all.

Monday October 11     Cold, some rain, a miserable rain in the Evening. The Tigers got beat to day in the World Series game 7 to 0. Dr cook the North Pole discoverer lectured here to night. I would liked very much to hear him but the cheapest seats were 1 dollar and dollars are scarce. Filled cracks in the play room this evening.

Tuesday October 12     Very cold, about down to freezing and a fearful cold wind. I suffered this forenoon as much as Dr Cook did on his polar trip with the cold. This afternoon I put on my winter coat and gloves and was a little more comfortable. The Tigers won today 5 to 10 but I do not see how they could play ball [in] such cold weather and to think of the 16 or 18 thousand people sitting on the bleachers and watching them, they must be bugs for sure and good and crazy ones at that. A few flakes of snow to day.

Wednesday October 13     Cold this morning about 30 above and the ground was quite white with snow. Old Lady Burns died early this morning. We used to rent of her when we were on Avery and I suppose she died in the house we lived in. There will not be many tears shed over her death. She was very peculiar to say the least. The Tigers got beat to day in Pittsburg. I sent my old Yankee watch away to be repaired about a week ago and to day I got a bran new watch in its stead.

Thursday October 14     Cold and frosty morning but a beautiful day. The Tigers beat [Pittsburg] to day they are going the limit and will have to play the 7 games. They played here to day and will play here again on Saturday. Howard has a bad cough and is now in bed barking away and we are wondering what to do for him. He is the worst kid to have colds and coughs and stomach trouble, he seems to catch every thing going.

Friday October 15     Cold and disagreeable. Painted the play room or half of [it] this evening. I am awfully tired these days, the mail is heavy and there is much to do around home that I am always at it and it seems as tho life was nothing but hard work.

Saturday October 16     Cold and cloudy. The Tigers lost again to the Pittsburgs 8 to 0 and for the 3rd time lost the Worlds Series. It looks as tho the National was too much for the American League, but while the fans are fearfully sore and telling how it should have been done, the sting is only momentary to me. I am not much of a fan only just interesting that is all.

Sunday October 17     Not quite so cold but rather cloudy. Home to day. Nobody called.

Monday October 18 Rain slightly early but quite a fine day. We advertised the stove in the Sunday Free Press but not a soul came except one woman this afternoon, Mrs Mathews, but she did not take it. I guess it is a Jonah. Mrs Slater the nurse called. Bennett has a cold and the greasing business has set in for the winter.

Tuesday October 19     Beautiful day but we have a fire all the time just the same. I went down town to sign the pay roll after work. Mrs Mathews came this evening with Mr Talbot to see the stove but they did not take it.

Wednesday October 20     Beautiful day. Mrs John Kerr called.

Thursday October 21     Rained last night quite hard, quite warm this morning, turned out to be a fair day.

Friday October 22     Fine day. Dr Bell called. Mrs Mathews who keeps a little store on the corner of Marquett and Vermont bought the Baseburner to day we sold it for $14.00 and the Talbot boys came to night and took it away on a wheel barrow. I am glad it is sold we thought it worth more but we advertised it 3 times and could not sell it for more.

Saturday October 23     Cold rain, a perfectly miserable day. My feet were wet and cold and my clothes wet when I came home, if we had many such days I would want to migrate.

Sunday October 24     Fair day, cold, about freezing. Worked. Home all the rest of the day. Inez Hart and Berts wife and baby David called. Laurence is very bashfull in company but he thinks tiny babies are wonderful things and he silently watched the baby to day all the time it was here and never said a word and when the baby was ready to go we told Laurence to go and kiss the baby and to every bodies astonishment he got up and marched over and smacked the baby on the cheek and the way he did it brought down the house.

Monday October 25     Cold clear fine day.

Tuesday October 26     Warmer, beautiful day. Anna washed. I put down a carpet in the play room at noon.

Wednesday October 27     Beautiful day.

Thursday October 28     Beautiful day.

Friday October 29     Fine day.

Saturday October 30     Beautiful day, warm. Went down town in the evening bought Bennett a pair of shoes and Laurence a little red chair and a few Halloween jiggers.

Sunday October 31     A perfectly beautiful day, warm. I actually went to church this morning. Heard a good serman, saw Belle and Sam and Mini Hopkin and walked up Avery Ave with them. Avery looked so nice and home like. I wish we were back there again. And our old house was for rent. The old Lady Burns is dead and burried and the house for rent but that does not help us any.