3rd, put up hay. Labor Day became an official federal holiday in 1894, but in rural, mid-Missouri on the Bench farm, it was a Monday just like any other.
Sunday, September 2, 1900
2nd, went out to Cliff Bagleys in the morning & stayed until half past 3. Nellie & Rosa Wells were there. According to the 1900 federal census, Cliff Bagley lives with his parents and siblings in Green Township, Livingston County. Jesse’s cousins Nellie and Rosa Wells live west of Dawn, in Monroe Township. That’s a long carriage ride. The question…
Saturday, September 1, 1900
Sept. 1st, made hay & picked up a load of corn. Jno, Frank, Geo., & I went to Chillicothe to the M.W.A. log rolling. On September 14, 1900, the Chariton Courier from the neighboring county wrote of the MWA event in Chillicothe: Modern Woodmen day at Chillicothe, September 1, was attended by about 6,000 visiting brethren and several thousand citizens.…
Friday, August 31, 1900
31st, made more hay today. Frank & Emitt Hall & I went to cottage prayer meeting out at Sister Nellie Rockholds. She is going off to school Monday next to Kirksville. Emmett Hall just turned 19 years old when Jesse mentions him on August 31, 1900. Emmett was born in Utica, Missouri, and was a lifelong Livingston County resident. In…
Thursday, August 30, 1900
30th, made hay. Jno & Frank went to a festival at Utica. I put up 3 stacks or (25 tons) of hay today. Unfortunately there isn’t any easy information about a festival in Utica, Missouri.
Wednesday, August 29, 1900
29th, made hay. Ran into about a thousand bumble bees’ nest. Got 5 stings. Frank got 6 stings. Went to prayer meeting in evening.
Tuesday, August 28, 1900
28th, made hay. Sister & Maggie DeLapp here today.
Monday, August 27, 1900
27th, went over the river to put up a load of hay. Didn’t get to put up much. Only topped a few stacks out & then it began to rain. Got wet & came home. Jen, Hazel, Maude, & I went to Utica for mail. Came home & Charley & I gathered a load of corn off Wes Duncans new…
Sunday, August 26, 1900
26th, went to S.S. & Church & then to BYPU. My last Sun. as pres. Arthur Wilson was elected new pres. for next term. Ate dinner at Sister DeLapp’s. This is Jesse’s only mention of being the church superintendent.
Saturday, August 25, 1900
25th, made hay. Pa starts for Chicago to the Nat.Encamp. tonight. James Bench attended the 34th Grand Army of the Republic National Encampment in Chicago, Illinois. It was a two-day event on August 29 and 30. He was one of the 276,612 Union Civil War veterans attending. The Grand Army of the Republic was like the American Legion or Veterans…