New Year's Eve Love

I'm sure this isn't where their story began, but it feels like this is about the time that my wife's great grandparents, Raymond C. Wisner and Beatrice Hawver, started to get serious.

In 1918, Ray was 18 years old and Bea was 17. Ray and his parents moved to California from Illinois around 1910. They started off in the Lodi area and then homesteaded in the foothills near San Andreas. Here is a picture of the Wisner Homestead.


Another thing that I'm not quite sure on is the timeline of when they moved from Lodi up to San Andreas. I think they might have gone back and forth a couple times? Or maybe they still had a house in Lodi and San Andreas was their ranch?

When they moved to the homestead, they must have made some new friends. Maybe with neighbors, or maybe at church? I'm not completely sure that they were going to church at the time. Anyway, some of those friends to the Wisners, were the Hawvers. The Hawvers had lived in the area since around 1904. They sent this nice note to the Wisners, inviting them over for a New Years celebration.

Mr. & Mrs. Wisner,

You are invited to gather at the Canadian Valley farm to participate in a joint celebration, first enjoying yourself and to bid farewell to 1918 and welcome 1919. Second to bid farewell to our beloved neighbors Fishers. Also congratulate Miss Beatrice Hawver on successfully reaching the age of 18. Come early in the afternoon of Tuesday Dec 31.

B.M. Hawver

The picture below is from around 1918, of the Benjamin Hawver family, at their home in Calaveras County. Ben had lost his wife Magdalena in 1917, so it was just him and his 5 kids, Beatrice (17), Ruth (14), Gus (8), Judy (4), and Edith "Bobby" (3).

I came across another picture, that is the Hawvers with their neighbors. I'm wondering if these are the neighbors that they are saying goodbye to on New Years? The Fishers? It looks like everyone is wearing the same clothes as in the picture above.


So apparently, that get together on New Years was a great time for everyone, both young and old. A few days later, Ray wrote a letter to Bea, telling her lots things, including how his parents had a good time, his career goals, and also how much he likes her. Below is a transcription of that letter.


Jan 4, 1919

My Dear Friend:
I will write you a few lines to let you know that I arrived safely and to make a good beginning on my promise.

I am awfully lonesome just now. Have been just listening to a Victrola and you know that usually makes me sad and lonely. One of the pieces we played was " I'm sorry I made you cry." I think that's one of the prettiest songs I've heard for a long time. I can see you now, in my mind's eye, that afternoon after your father came home. I know how your heart must have ached, but you stood it all so bravely. The sight of those tears made me feel like crying myself.

I wouldn't make you mad for anything so I'll try not to write any more silly stuff in this letter anyway.

I had a long, slow and tiresome trip down here. I had rather rode a good horse. I got here at about 6:00 PM. I was awful cold then and is yet and has been for the last two or three weeks. I got my supper at the "Coffee Club" and then went and found a place where I could get board and room for $7 a week in advance so I paid for it last night & today. But I thought I could do better than that so today I russled around and found this place. I think I told you something of them. The people who live here I mean. The folks of those two boys whose pictures I showed you. I sleep in the attic with the boys. I had rather have a room of my own but we can't always have just what we want. I'm just like one one of the family here. I play the Victrola & piano whenever I feel like it. I pay $5.25 a week & my washing won't be over 50¢ a week. 



Jan 6, 1919.
Well, I started this letter and company came, so I didn't get to finish it. And yesterday I helped these people trim up some brush & in the afternoon we took an auto ride, they have a Ford. In the evening I took a little joyride with one of the boys. It was some ride too, believe me I told him I didn't want to "go west" just yet. I don't either. I feel that I have a great deal more to live for since I spent that last night & day with you. It seemed to me that we had a kind of understanding between us that last night when we said good-bye. I know I understand you better than I ever did before, and it only makes my friendship grow truer and tenderer. I wish I could be with you more, but I suppose you don't. At least that is the impression I got from what Percy said about you a Danie that afternoon when I left San Andreas. I was the happiest person on earth, in spite of leaving everything behind, until I saw him, and then most of my doubts came back again. I surely hope there's nothing in it.

I hope all this doesn't make you mad. I am trying to write with the Victrola going. It's a pretty hard thing to do.

I went to work today. It seems kind of good to be back in the mill again. I may go into the butcher business. It's harder work and longer hrs. but more chance for rapid advancement. I could have gotten into the market up there if I had known of it, is what started me to thinking of it.

You wouldn't have any objections to a fellow who was a butcher would you? Please answer this. It may make a lot of difference in my plans. It would be easy to write if I knew how I stand, with you. If I could only be sure you cared. I wish I could see you and talk it all over with you. Maybe you think I am too young. I know I am awful thoughtless and babyish sometimes. I hope to outgrow that though. I out growed an awful lot of it that last day with you. Life seems so much more serious now.

I remember you saying you wanted to knit your father a sweater. I asked mother to knit me one but she thinks she can't. Would you knit me one if I sent you the yarn? The yarn costs about $3. I would love to have something like that made by your hands.

I don't believe anything has done the folks so much good, as that little New Year party, since they have been up there. It all started by you & Ruth & Maurice coming over that Sunday. It has all put a lot of life back in her. She loves Ruth and Maurice but she more than loves you (if that is possible). I don't give her any credit for that though, I don't see how anybody could help it. That makes me worry sometimes too. Mother said you were awful sweet and pretty & she didn't blame me for liking you, but thought I had good judgement. She said I looked awfully happy that night. I couldn't help it, I don't remember of ever being happier. Well when you get this read I suppose you'll think you've read enough for once. If it makes you mad just tell me and I'll try not to let it happen again.

Yours forever,
Ray

P.S. This is an awful messy letter but I haven't time to copy it so please excuse this time. Please write right away & please don't be angry with me. You know I'm lonesome. If you didn't get my card my address is: 505 Hilborne Street. Lodi, Calif.
Please write. I gave up going on another joy ride tonight to finish this. Yours ever, Ray.

Amanuensis Monday - Martha Morey's Last Wishes

I came across a note that was written by Martha (Morey) Wisner to her husband Lawrence S Wisner and her son Raymond C Wisner. It appears to be her last wishes, but based on some info she gives in the letter, I think it was written at least 20 to 25 years before she died. She says she wants her son Ray to get married in a few years. He was married in 1921, so it had to be written before that. She died in 1939.

Also in the note, it says that "...if I had been well all these years," which begs the question was she sick? Sick for a long time? Or maybe not quite right in the head? It's hard to tell. I was not aware of any circumstances like that. My first thought was that she might have caught the Spanish Influenza during the outbreak in 1918 or something and thought she might die. But based on the sick for a long time comment, I'm not sure.

Another possibility about her nature could stem from the fact that her 2nd son Frank M Wisner died when he was 3. That was in 1906. Maybe due to that loss her temperament or nature changed. It the note it mentions that she used to rock Frank in a rocking chair, and she wanted Ray to have it. It also made me curious as to where that ended up.

      
To Papa & Raygie, to read later

My Darlings,

If it is God’s will that I shouldn’t come back to you, I want you to get the place – you be a comfort to each other & be good to each other & always stay together & never be separated. I want Ray to marry some nice girl in a few years & have a home & be happy, & papa live with him.

Don’t be an old back, please, read your Bibles & go to church. It makes no difference to me where I’m buried, I like Lodi tho. Cremation would be cheaper. What ever you think best. Don’t mourn. If I go it is for the best. God knows best. I love you both dearly & want you to be good & all in all to each other.

I know I fell short many times but I believe if I had been well all these years, I would have been happier & better natured. You both have been good to me. A woman never had a kinder or more thoughtful husband than you have been to me hubby.

Hope Ray is as good to his wife & I think he will be. Always have good habits Raygie & go with good men & go to church & work in it.

God bless & keep you both
-wife and mother

Any of my things Ray wants he can have. Let Mrs. Lattin have anything of mine I have here she wants. The table cloth with fringe & any waists or dresses. She’s been good to me. Or shoes or slippers. Keep the quilts. The curtains in front room she gave me, she can have them back if she wants them.

I want Ray to always keep my little rocker. I rocked he and Frankie in it when babies. Keep the carpets, Ray will need them some day. I sewed the rags for them all. Raygie is to have the tablecloths & things like that, that are home & anything else he wants. Papa is to always live with Ray.

God bless you both. Both go east some time to see my relatives. Read your Bible, go to church & be Christians – that’s the only way & best way to live.

mama

Amanuensis Monday - Elsie Eddlemon History

A few months back we had the opportunity to empty out my wife's grandparents house, after the passing of her grandfather. One of the things that we came across was a stash of letters. One letter had 2 enclosed written histories of my wife's grandmother's mom. I found them interesting because there were many details that I didn't know.

As I was transcribing them I had the dilemma of trying to write them as close to how she wrote them, misspellings and all, or to correct the grammatical errors. I decided to try and write it how she did. My favorite error that she consistently did was to spell the word "there" as "thire." Never having met her, I can just hear her Arkansas drawl as she would spell "there" phonetically. Also she must have been one of those people to put a "t" at the end of some words, like "clost" - so she would write something like "We live clost to the woods."


3-1-65
My dear children, 

Always happy to receive a word from you so will try to keep them letters coming by ans. with a few lines this beutiful, beutiful sunshiney blue sky morning. My how fast these two last months have past. Seems summer is just around the corner, as the sayin goes.

Elvie and family came up yesterday. She read the letter so I'm sending to you as you suggested with another one that I had written 12 years ago. I could write a lot more about my life history but I don't guess it will do any one any good. But as I'm living in the past anyway I think of so many things. I'm mentioning the high points. I may write more sometime. Elvie said Barneys mother is writing on her life story too.

Well I'll close this and get some more things done before I have to go to town. I trust you are all well and happy. I'm feeling old.

My my, Dick must be swimming in money to pay $20.00 for a hair permanant for just how permanant. Any way you know they don't last long. The best of them. Well thats him not me.

bye now,
as ever mama

Here is the first of the 2 histories that she wrote. One of the interesting facts that I learned from these letters is that she had a child that died as an infant. Not only that, but tomorrow would be the 102nd birthday for that child. This first history focuses more on when Elsie was a young girl, while the 2nd history is more of her life post marriage.


Elsie Lee Eddlemon-Orrell was born Aug. 6, 1890, was left an orphan at the age of seven yers. Lived with my aunt, "my fathers sister" until I was (11) elevon yrs. old. When I had my (12) twelveth birthday I was living at Butrans, a couple of old people that lived up on Walnut Creek about 60 miles west of my aunts home. When I had my (13) thirteen birthday I was living up about ten miles further up in the (ruts?) clost to Crystal Springs with another old couple that needed someone to do earounds for them and work. Had my 14th birthday back down in the settlement where my aunt lived with some nabhors that needed a girl to work for them, and too, they could see what was going on. They felt sorry for me, so they said. But it was a younger couple with three children and thire was plenty of work to be done on farm. Same thing happened with another young couple when I had my 15th birthday. Soll Dadd was corting me then. My first sweet heart. 

I staid with first one and then another, working mostly for my bord and room. When I did a days work in field I got .50 a day. When I did hs. work and took care of babys, I got $1.50 a week. At the time I had my 16th birthday I was staying with Sols brother Lige and his wife (thats where Sol was living). I was making $3.00 week and my room and bord, which was a plenty to buy what clothes I needed. But that fall, in 1906 my love affair was blasted, with my fioncia being aflicted a terible sickness. And when it was over, everything else was over with he and me.

That fall my brother Henry came and perswaded me to go over to Mazarn about 10 miles away and live. So my three brothers and my only sister and me, moved into a house there clost and made a crop that year. I became 17 years old that year and there is where I met Lewis A. Orrell at church. He fell in love with me so he said at first sight. And it wasent long untill we were going steady for two years and married in 1909 Oct. 31st. 

In Sept. 3, 1910 our first baby came, and didn't live. In 1912 our 2nd baby Elvie came on July 18 at Shorts Timber Co. down clost to Shirdan Ark. In 1915 our son John Albert came on John Mathews farm, clost to Red Field Ark.  1918 Edgar came. We were living in the old Orrell house clost to Pearcy Ark. And in 1923 Allene came to live with us in the old Vanderberg house near Royal Ark., Hot Springs being our home town in Ark. 

Elvie marred first time Apr. 29 - [19]34, 2nd time Dec 21st 1948. J.A. marred 1st time to Evangelen Mudge Sept. 25th 1937, 2nd time to Jennie Wheeler Nov. 14 1954. Edgar R. O. marred Pauline Jones Aug. 30 1940. Jennie Allene marred Lawrence Wisner Feb. 8th 1944. 

Husband-father-grandfather-and great grandfather passed away Oct. 3rd 1964. Mother-grandmother-great grandmother written Feb. 6th 1965. 



We married in 1909, Oct. 31st. Our first house was a 10x12 foot tent. (no 1) We moved from Mazarn up into a milling country. I forgot the name of the place, but we lived thire, I think, about three weeks. Lewis was aiming on started in the butcher business. Made a failure of that. (no. 2) We moved back to Mazarn up in the hills clost to Gossitts Mill on the hill. (no. 3) Moved from thire down to the bottom of the hill. Still living in the tent and he cutting timber with Dow Buck. (no 4) In March of 1910 we moved back on Mazarn on his dads place. He cut fire wood for his dad. And that summer his dad put up a two bot'd house (no. 5) and we moved out of the little tent into the house. For out tent was just about gone for we had gone through two or three storms and one fire by this time and it was pretty well shot to pieces.

In Sep. the 3rd 1910 our first baby came, only living 12 hours. The year of 1910  Lewis made a little crop of Cotton on the Wilson place, my bro Charlie helping. (no. 6) In 1911 we moved to Grant County to Farrells Camp, he working cutting tember. (no. 7) 17th of July that year we moved again. Elvie was borned the 18, 1912, the next day after we moved. (no. 8) When she was three month old we moved to Newport Ark. on the White River out in the country, he still cutting tember. 

(no. 9) In Feb of 1913 we moved in to town and he worked at a handle factory for a while. (no. 10) Then we moved again while thire. (no. 11) Then we moved back down in the country near the river (oh yes he dug mussel shells a while when we were thire the first time). (no. 12) Then we moved again and he cut timber a while. Elvie now was eleven months old. (no. 13) When she was 17 months old we moved back to Farrells Camp and he worked in the tember again. (no. 14) Until in Feb. of 1915, we moved on John Mathews place near Red Field Ark. to make a cotton crop. Albert was born July 4th that year. 

(no. 15) In Sept. following we moved to Shiridan Ark. for Lewis to go to school to finish a degree so he could teach school. (no. 16) In 1916 we moved back up to Mathews and made another cotton crop. (no. 17) In June or July of that same year we moved over clost to where he taught his first school. When that was out (either two or three months) (no. 18) we moved back to gather our crop on the Mathews farm. (no. 19) Then we moved down below Shiridan where he taught his 2nd school that winter (about 5 months I think). (no. 20) Then when school was out we moved up on the highway and again( no. 21) we moved down on John Mathews farm and made another cotton crop, for the same man but a different place.

(no. 22) In Jan of 1918 we moved back to Mazarn on the old Orrell place. This is where our boy Edgar came to live with us on Nov. 8 1918. Lewis taught his 3rd school thire at Mazarn that winter. (no 23) In Oct. 1919 we moved to Texas Elleott. (no. 24) From thire in 1920 we moved Wagner Refinery, (no. 25) then moved back to Bugscliffe. (no. 26) Then to Fortworth Texas. (no. 27) Then back to Ark. on the Vanderburg place, he working at saw mill. This was Nov. 1923. This was where our daughter Allene was born Nov. 18, 1923.

(no. 28) In Jan 1924 we moved over in the log house clost to Lewis's mother. (no. 29) Then we moved up on the river at Sharts Mill and he worked thire that winter of 24. (no. 30) Then we moved back in the little boy house.

(no. 31) Then we moved out west, stopping a little while at different places for a short time picking cotton, untill we got to Rogers Ark. (no. 32) We moved from thire to Faithill. (no. 33) We moved from thire to Sherman. (no. 34) The taking a long detour around, we moved to (Weeds?) Bible School in Arizona.  Moved seven times in Arizona and 4 times I forgot (ma....). (no. 45) from thire (no. 46) we moved to California to Elmonte in 1936 Nov. which was a bad move because we lost all of our children thire. (no. 47) Well we moved from there in 1943 to Hemet. (no. 48) in 1944 we moved back to Elmonte. (no. 49) In 1945 we moved to Fetterly ave in east LosAngeles. 

(no. 50) Moved form thire to Juneau Alaska in 1949. (no. 51) Moved back to Fetterly. (no. 52) 1950 moved back to Hemet in Jones Court. (no. 53) Moved from there to Mayberry. (no. 54) From thire to Warthx. (no. 55) moved from there to where we, or I live, at 719 E Whittier. This date is now Nov. 22 1953 Hemet Calif. 

At the present time I'm all alone. My children and my husband all have left me but I'm happy in the Lord. That means more to me than anything else. Alot of things I don't understand. I have quit trying to understand. I'm just trusting in Jesus.

Mom Orrell

Amanuensis Monday - JC Hawver's 1878 Diary - August & September

These are the last few entries from JC Hawvers diary. I wish I had more to transcribe. Maybe someday I will find more from another diary.

8-12 Went to Damascus by having Young our landlord wake us early. We had packed all we could last eve. So we were soon ready to start after breakfast. I gave a team a quarter to bring our valise up at it was coming today. The place is a cool one being in a ravine with north side hill so steep that the sun does not shine over the hill until eight oclock. It must be dreary in the winter. Met a friend who, in 1873 drove the store team from McKillicare and for the last twenty years. But at present is not paying expenses.

8-15 Drove down to Iowa Hill to get the mail as there seemed to be no prospect for anything to do today. We started at about eleven and reached there about one. It was very cloudy going down so it was very pleasant. But coming back it was very sultry until a thunder shower started. It came near giving us a wetting but did not as the top of the buggy is good. About nine of us turned out with a large saw and went for the big bee tree in earnest, then we had to send for wedges to get it down. Lots of cross bees, but little honey.

8-19 In the evening we went to Iowa Hill, got there just about dark after a splendid ride of about ten miles. This forenoon I put on some old clothes and rode into a mine through a tunnel over a mile long. The ride was nice and the mine extensive being drifted but the walk back out alone through the water was tiresome.

8-20 I have been around town all day trying to get something more than promises and talk. But have nothing to do. What a pile of mail mother sent last night. Among the rest we got our cards to Order of I.O.G.T., a letter from home and from Luties home also.

8-21 Got through work by a squeeze and started for Sunny South about four pm. It was good and dark when we got to the boundary house at the foot of a hill steeper than a house.

9-6 We attend the school party and dance it being in the house where we stop. It being the first dance Lutie and I have attended since our marriage. I may ask her to attend another but hardly think it for she will take no interest in the dance and requires more coaxing than the pleasure justifies.

9-12 Packed our traps up to the buggy and started to leave, but we were persuaded to remain to dinner. On settling with Abrams, his bill was fifty cents more than mine which was $59.50. We have been in Sunny South about three weeks. I cleared while here about $50.00 having done some good work. Now tonight we spend our first night in Towers Hotel, Michigan Bluff.

12-26 Auburn-1 granate dish pan, 1 corset #22 without pads, 3 prs ladies woolen hose and 1 pr #4 C shoes. Sacramento-Yardage & findings for dresses.

Lutie = Lucretia Backus, JC's wife
Stasia = Anastasia Hawver, JC's sister

Henry = Henry Hawver, JC's brother
Prince = JC's horse
Dr. JC Leonard = JC's teacher of dentistry

Amanuensis Monday - JC Hawver's 1878 Diary - June & July

Here is some more out of the diary of Dr JC Hawver. There were no entries for May transcribed in the document that I found, so either he didn't have any or there were some missing pages in the original when it was transcribed. Here are his entries for June and July 1878.

6-9 Stasia’s Birthday. Mrs. Beach and four children, K. Backus, M.J., Annie & Alice N. and others came down and we ate dinner under the apple trees in the orchard when the hay had been cut off.

6-10 Left home intending to ride to N. Bloomfield with Cunningham was too late so I rode up with the butcher, got up too late to do any work. Commenced board at Mrs. Victor’s again.

7-4 Father and Henry work on the road while the rest of us stayed at home having no way of going banbury. Fathers often and gay on a sled, but we will wait and take our Fourth when we get our horse and buggy and start out on the road. I hardly expect to get much of a Fourth.

7-7 Leonard got down from Downieville about nine oclock, bringing Prince and the buggy with him. This morning we hitched Prince up and drove to North Bloomfield to see Mr. Clerendall. Found he had gone to Nevada City with the remains of Wm. Nab who died last night from being thrown from his carriage, but we waited and rode home by moonlight after seeing him when we got home.

7-8 Took Leonard to N San Juan when I bought Prince and buggy from him, giving him my note with father to back it for $200 and Crandall to back it for $300. Father’s due in five months and Crandalls due 2-1-1879. Had prince shod as I came through Cherokee.

7-9 Father takes mother up to No Bloomfield in the buggy in the afternoon. Mother enjoyed the rest.

7-14 Father and all hand laid off the road today, to finish tomorrow. Henry hitched up Prince and took Stasia up to Mrs. Nichols and around for a ride. I filled several teeth form Mr. Talbot.

7-15 Father finished his road at six and got home at supper time. He said a month ago that he would finish the 15th of July but I guess it was more of a happenstance than anything.

7-17 Mother made us a good dinner and as we had all things ready, we started on our first pilgrimage from home about two oclock. Lutie did not seem to mind the start much but it was hard for me to say goodbye and start out from home. Henry seemed to feel it as much as anyone. Everyone has been made so pleasant for me at home that I feel humbled too much to try and express my gratitude in words. So here we are in Nevada City, 10 miles away from there. Tomorrow we will put 14 miles more between us as we will drive to Colfax.

7-18 Made Colfax by late supper time. The road was terrible coming from Grass Valley. The influence of the railroad has been against the major road so now it is in poor trim. Have found a good place to stop at the Exchange Hotel.

7-19 Spent the day resting and looking around Colfax thinking that if work enough came in we could stay here a day or a week but as I have found nothing we will break for Iowa Hill in the morning. Colfax being a railroad town it had excitement enough to keep it up but should judge that the real business done amounts to but little.

7-20 Reached Iowa Hill 10 miles from Colfax between twelve to one. Got dinner and put up at J. Youngs Star Hotel. We have either to make some money in Iowa Hill or pull out fairly soon because our dollars amount to but a very small sum. I think though that I will get something to do.

7-22 Extracted a lower right desideous lateral incisor for Mr. Young ad fifty years of age. The tooth had a perfect root but the crown was curious. It was the same length as his permanent teeth and shows plainly where tobacco has been chewed with it for years. Of course it had been the cause of a crowned denture, but was extracted on account of it’s decaying.

7-29 Everyone today had a piece of smoked glass. Watching the eclipse. I smoked the two front lenses in my small telescope and had a good view of the transit.

Lutie = Lucretia Backus, JC's wife
Stasia = Anastasia Hawver, JC's sister

Henry = Henry Hawver, JC's brother
Prince = JC's horse
Dr. JC Leonard = JC's teacher of dentistry

Amanuensis Monday - JC Hawver's 1878 Diary - April

Here are some more entries from the 1878 diary of JC Hawver, a dentist in the Nevada City area in California.

4-3 I have been home a week tomorrow and all I have done is to cut brush and burn it but even that has made real improvement in the looks of the hill above the house. We trimmed up some more small pine trees at the upper edge of the grove.

4-4 Dr. Leonard came up here when we arranged our account and we went home leaving me to do any work in this section would find to do, having finally made up his mind to sell his house and furniture and leave for the Black Hills. He now has my note for $200.00 and I our line besides that $86.

4-5 I went up town to get to do some work for Richardson but we bring in Cherokee jailed. I came home and spent the afternoon chatting with Lutie, Mother and Clara Hawley who came down to find Stu Evelvilles girls. Stasia is stopping with Mrs. Brigham for a few days doing some sewing for her.

4-9 Father hitched Tom to the Spring Wagon and I took myself and Traps to N. Bloomfield where I had a pleasant reception from all I met. Father, Mr. Creagan and myself had to give up bonds for the building of the road from Columbia Hill to Lake City. I thought they would let me off but not so. Today I start out in a world for myself with just $1.00 in my pocket and owing $300.00 with but one third of that amount coming to me that I could collect.

4-13 I packed my things away in a rush this morning to get a ride down home with Parzetti on the store team, it was going down to Talbots. Reached home in good season, but found Father was up town and been drinking badly for a few days. Mother was not yet returned from Corral where Father took her last Wednesday. Lutie and Stasia went with him but they came home Thursday. I found Lutie two days before the ususal time.

4-14 Somebody said it was ten when Lutie and I got up this morning but no one seamed to care much about it. The rest of the day was spent in taking a good bath and being Luties beau.

4-15 Henry and I hustled from home this morning over the Kennebec to take the stage for Humbug. We got there in time and our patience gave out waiting for it to come. I rode on the seat with the driver, sorry later when the snow blew thick some of the time. We found five inches of snow all over the ground this morning.

4-16 Took impression with plaster of paris, neither one of their plates are just what they aught to be for all they would do if no better could be made. Plaster surely takes a better impression of a flat mouth than the moulding compound does. I wrote to Leonard’s Folks to know when he would be home, desiring to go down there and have him show me how to set teeth.

4-17 This morning I was surprised to have a man come to the door and say “You are Dr. Hawver I suppose. I have a tooth and I want you to fill it for me.” It pleasured me sure. But I filled it and five more, he left me $12.50. It is sure like old times to fill a tooth again, but I do good work. This evening I finished reading the Crossing Voyager, sequel to the Young Hunters, written by Captain Maynard Reid.

4-18 I got Austin to take me and my traps to Relief Hill having given him $2.50 for the same. He is leaving me at the Relief Hill Hotel run by Mr. Lund which as I wrote before, I have found to be a well kept house with but one boarder besides myself, an old acquaintance named Milton Bau a fine young man. Attended a revival preaching.

4-19 Worked all day and attended Revival again. Preaching what I think.

4-20 Worked filling teeth, mostly with gold and cleaning tartar off teeth. It now strikes me that the higher up on this ridge I go the more tartar I find and the deeper yellow it shows. Rode with Mr. Panzetti from Relief Hill to Humbug.

4-21 Just after making up my mind to stay up and not go home today, Henry came up on Tom and we took him to the stable and Henry to the Barber Shop and had his hair cut. After he took dinner with me he took Tom and started for home. I did some work then struck out on foot for Relief Hill.

4-22 Work

4-23 Work then attend church to hear Mr. Redding preach his last sermon before he goes to N San Juan. His revival some days has resulted in twenty or more people joining the Church.

4-24 to 26 Work on plate. I finished Mrs. Lund’s plate and put them in. She seemed very much pleased with them though I was not when I put them in and found they were not as tight as they aught to be being a partial set, and she having good use of them. We settled up him paying me $16.00 for my work and I paying him $11.00 for my hotel bill. Road with Mr. Parzetti to Humbug and lodged at Victor’s Parish House.

4-30 Went with Lutie up as far as her mother’s gate where we had often met and often parted. I kiss her there and returned to meet the stage from San Juan to meet Stasia.

Lutie = Lucretia Backus, JC's wife
Stasia = Anastasia Hawver, JC's sister

Henry = Henry Hawver, JC's brother
Tom = JC's horse
Dr. JC Leonard = JC's teacher of dentistry