~ Boyd County, Nebraska
November 6, 1920: Was a cloudy, damp day. Will dug post holes around a stack, went to Spencer in p.m. on Duke, took 6 ears seed-corn and got a pair of mittens free. I made snow-coater and mopped kitchen. Mrs. H. and Mrs. M. Bradshaw went to Spencer, took Freda to hospital, and Forest stayed here with me and we had a big time. Mamma was sick last night and John Langan got hurt in ball-game so Mrs. Langan is at folks. Mamma is better this evening.
November 6, 1922: A bright day but strong N. W. wind and blew so hard all night corn is nearly all down. Will fixed a little fence and we husked one round in field and p.m. got a load of corn but was so miserable.
~ Hidden Timber, South Dakota
November 6, 1927, Sunday: Real cold south wind and cloudy, sun shone only at mid-day. We got up late and were just eating a waffle breakfast when Mr. Joe Hoan came to sell Will some corn in a field near A. Elshire’s. I fixed a chicken for dinner and Louise finished her dress-skirt, remodeling of flannel, and after Will chored, he went to sleep, and Mr. and Mrs. Sam McEachran came from Mission for their calf, and while we were eating dinner, Charles Pierce and Lester Crosset came for a horse trade. After all left, Will, Louise and I were alone, so I made out an order.
November 6, 1930, Thursday: Bright but a real cold south wind all day, and in the evening a little warmer. Wm chored, drove out hogs and looked at traps, and took a fork along and got 17 carp fish, and in p.m. he hauled hay, talked to Noble Moore and gave him 2 fish. Ben came for dinner and got Topsy and Nell and the wagon to husk corn, and Wm also got 2 ducks, so he gave them to Ben also, and in late pm. he took 4 carp to Lattimores and he cleaned the others in the evening, except I gave Mr. Carl Dietz of east Todd Co. 3 of them, as he and an agent for Carbon Light were here in the evening. I ironed the clothes I washed Monday and made bread and the meals.
November 6, 1933, Monday: Bright sun early at rising, clouded and snowing in p.m., but quit in evening. I started to tie a worsted quilt for Nell Larmer, sewed lining and a piece on the edge. Maggie helped put it in the frame, and I tied a little. Maggie got the meals and started to sew on her dress, but had no place to work, for Will used the kitchen table to fix windows and went to help Narvin put wagon in the barn and put paper around the house.
November 6, 1934, Tuesday: Bright, nice. Will went late p.m. yesterday and ballots on the mail, and at 7 a.m. left for O’Kreek to be Judge of Election. Harry Furrey and Noble Moore, the Mrs, daughter and baby son came for Maggie and I, so we went to O’Kreek to vote, had dinner at Furreys, and then went on to O’Kreek for Louise, Harley and Dorothy went along.
After voting, Harry brought Louise and the children home, and Maggie was here, and Harley and I stayed in the car, and we went to the store, told Stanley to tell his mother to be ready, so we went to Lattimores, but Mrs. did not want to go and Mr. was at the store, so we took Sadie and a box of fire crackers to put on a parade or bombardment as the case so sees fit. After Sadie voted, Harry and Harley went home, for in the early morning Harry took his car to O’Kreek and used ours this day, so Noble drove our car back out here for supper, and Maggie had the washing finished and supper ready, so we ate and went back to O’Kreek for a radio program and card party. Fritz and Elmer worked at hay until late, so went to bed. Henry got his car and family, but too late to vote, and stayed home for the night.
November 6, 1941, Thursday: Will washed dishes and we went to Ben Clausen’s, got him, but first stopped at Whiting Store and mailed letters. We got Billie Abbott, stopped at Carter. Billie Abbott had tooth pulled and cried for a long time, but we gave him a half aspirin, got water at Harry Hansen’s for Billie.
We stopped at Furreys, got my overshoes that I left there October 19th. Louise said that they plan on a trip to visit Harry’s relation at Sparks, Nebr., going tomorrow evening and will make a week of it. We left Billie Abbott at home and Abbotts’ groceries, the box broke and Will spilled groceries everywhere on their east porch. Mrs. Wm Abbott and Cora Ann came home last evening after several weeks at Winner with her sick mother.
November 6, 1955, Sunday: Bright but real cold, wind from the N.W. so chilly it nearly froze Will’s left hand at the spray pen. He had to come to the car and get warm. Chester was here in a pick-up, took saddle horse to Abbotts, helped Wm, Leo and Cora Ann take their cattle to the spray pen. Men cut out the steers and heifer calves, about 140 in 2 semi trucks.
Will and I and Cora Ann got Mrs. and coffee and sandwiches, took them out to the men. Harry Hansen and his semi, Leo Yanak’s semi, Curtis and another one drive by Arken (Harvey Bros.). Bill Abbott went with them to Sioux City. We took Mrs. and Cora Ann to the store, came back here for Will to put gas in the car and shave. We ate a lunch of friend chicken, went back to get Mrs. and Cora Ann, and to Mrs. Key’s Rooming House with Cora Ann’s things, and she to school. Mrs. Abbott brought their clock from Germany that was sent by Billie Abbott. Billie will be home by Christmas from Germany and the Army.