John Jay Johns Journal, 1883
From Gauss and his Children
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John Jay Johns Journal, 1882<---->John Jay Johns Journal, 1884
Journal, 1883
January
Jan. 1, 1883. We now enter upon a new year, the old year was crowned with blessings and what will the new year bring. I know not and it is well that I know not. All our ways are with the Lord. My desire is that our little church here and the church universal may grow and prosper but there are many bright spots too and they are increasing rapidly. Thousands of missionaries are preaching the Gospel among the heathen nations, may God speed the work. Called on Mr. E. C. Cunningham who has been sick and also on Mrs. John Redmon. Called in afternoon at Mr. Robert Parks, occasional social calls on old friends, very pleasant. Mr. Martin called on us in morning.
Jan. 2, 1883. The trees are covered with brilliant frost work, mercury 7º early morning. Young and old Mrs. Sheppard called in afternoon, the old lady is going to St. Louis to live with her granddaughter. Poor unhappy old lady, she has a good deal of money but doesn't know what to do with it, she refused to give a present for the pastor. Called on Mrs. Ross and Miss Charlotte Shaw.
Jan. 3, 1883. Called on Mrs. Watson, she lives alone in that great house, plenty of money but very few enjoyments. What a pity that an old person cannot make her house and herself pleasant so that her own kindred could live with her in her old age. Eleanor Martin spent the afternoon with us. Received letters from Fred and Annie, they seem to be delighted and happy in their Texas home.
Jan. 5, 1883. We miss the Journal this morning, it has been a welcome visitor for two years. Newspapers are nearly as essential to our comfort as our daily meals. George is settling up his business, he went to St. Louis.
Jan. 6, 1883. Arthur and Dolly came on the 6 o'cl train. Arthur seems to be very well. The house raised his salary to $1500.00 this year.
Jan. 7, 1883, Sabbath. Arthur and Dolly went to the city on evening train. Mr. Goodlet came to tea. Reverend Mr. Marshall of the Northern church preached in our church tonight.
Jan. 9, 1883. This has been a very remarkable day, at one time tremendous gales of wind and snow and then intervals of calm and sunshine, in evening by 9 o'cl mercury went down to 18º, Great many getting ice. George went to St. Louis in evening.
Jan. 11, 1883. Killed two hogs, very fat. George returned from St. Louis on accommodation train at 8 o'cl. Called on Mr. Stonebraker (Alf).
Jan. 13, 1883. Robert Pourie called early this morning to tell that John Pourie was dead, he died yesterday of pneumonia in the Prairie, 68 years old.
Jan. 14, 1883. At 2 o'cl p.m. the funeral of Mr. John Pourie was preached at the church. My wife had a bad night with rheumatism and neuralgia in the face.
Jan. 20, 1883. Cold, stormy morning, mercury 2º below zero and the fine snow or sleet pouring down, winter. Terrible cold weather in northwest and even down in Texas. I did not go out in the yard today.
Jan. 21, 1883. Clear and cold, mercury zero by my thermometer but others as low as 4º below. We could not use our audience room at the church today because we could not heat it sufficiently. I have been reading a life of Whitefield by - - - - What a wonderful man, he had the spirit and almost the power of an Apostle. At 22 years of age he turned this world around London upside down by his eloquence and zeal, his missionary spirit lead to America where he preached with great power from Boston to Charleston.
Jan. 23, 1883. George went to St. Louis this morning on Moberly train, the trains from west all behind time and George went on cannon ball just before twelve. Called at Mr. Gausses this afternoon. They are getting ice now 12 inches thick. Sis Gauss has been here this afternoon, she has been in Sedalia for five weeks.
Jan. 25, 1883. My wife sick last night, stomach disorder, she was in bed all day, little fever.
Jan. 26, 1883. My wife better and up. Minnie McDearmon, George's intended, took tea with us and spent the evening. She is a very fine girl, quite accomplished, fine singer, very bright and very domestic and good principles.
Jan. 28, 1883, Sabbath. Had a large congregation at church this morning, the Lindenwood girls fill up a large space. The goodness and beauty of the Lord was the theme of the sermon. I have nearly finished reading the first volume of the life of Whitefield. He was a wonderful man. Before he was 26 years old he preached with the most wonderful success all over England, Wales, Scotland and America. The world never saw an evangelist before nor since among uninspired men. George expects to go to St. Louis to engage in journalism, we shall miss him very much.
Jan. 29, 1883. George went to St. Louis on accommodation train this morning to commence work in the Post Dispatch office. I called on Mr. Martin in afternoon.
Jan. 30, 1883. George came up from St. Louis last night to attend a party at McDearmon's. He went back to St. Louis this morning, he commenced reporting for Post Dispatch yesterday. I made deed to Mary Pearce for the land I bought at sheriff's sale, being part of tract Mr. Ben Pearce now lives on near Wentzville.
Jan. 31, 1883. Eleanor Martin came out in afternoon.
February
Feb. 2, 1883. Ground covered with snow and sleet. George came from St. Louis.
Feb. 3, 1883. Rain, thunder and lightning continued and this morning. The ground, trees and everything covered with ice, the mercury is 32º. Strange weather for the time of year, ice and thunder, the water all runs off the gutters are full of ice. George is remaining here today. It has gotten colder during the day and the sleet continues to fall. What a wintry scene, the trees are bending and breaking with the weight of ice, every branch and twig is covered with ice hald an inch thick with long icicles hanging down. George went to town on skates after dinner. In the northwest this storm is terrible, hard on stock everywhere. This blizzard has been very disastrous and destructive.
Feb. 4, 1883. Sabbath. The Jefferson Street church people with their preacher, Mr. Hoyt, came over to our church this morning and he preached a good sermon on prayer. Their house smoked so they could not use it.
Feb. 5, 1883. George went to St. Louis on accommodation train. Mrs. Durfee is better. The poor stock must suffer a great deal, the fodder is so covered with ice that cannot be handled. Eleanor came out.
Feb. 6, 1883. About 10 o'cl this morning Mrs. Durfee was up in her room alone and her dress caught fire from the stove. I heard her cries and ran up and found her in a blaze, threw her down and smothered it before it burnt her although all the dress was burned behind, what a narrow escape she made.
Feb. 7, 1883. Clear, splendid morning. As the sun shines so brightly the whole scene is one of surpassing beauty, every tree has a thousand sparking diamonds, mercury 18º. Dr. Fergurson and wife, Mrs. Gauss and Mrs. Alderson called in afternoon.
Feb. 8, 1883. Called on Mrs. Rector and her daughter, Mrs, Franys to see shat can be done to get some money from car shops for the death of Mr. Franys.
Feb. 9, 1883. I had to serve on a jury -- an assault and battery case -- Miller and Sheafer. No such cases, unless serious ought to be brought to court, both sides are generally to blame. We were kept in the court house until 11 o'cl at night.
Feb. 11, 1883 Sabbath. Mr. Rathburn called to see Mrs. Durfee on church matters. Mary went to the country.
Feb. 13, 1883. Wrote to Fred today. Mary (servant) went to the country to see her folks but has not returned as she promised. Mrs. Durfee sold a little strip of the Van Meter land, about 25 acres to H. C. Lackland for $200.00
Feb. 14, 1883. The ice on the ground sleek as glass. William Parks and Reverend Mr. Creighton of Farmington, Missouri, took tea with us.
Feb. 15, 1883. Collie came on the morning train. Unprecedented high waters on the Ohio River -- great destruction in all river towns. Sent a box with some provisions to Mary.
Feb. 16, 1883. Commenced raining by 9 o'cl this morning. The Missouri river rising rapidly, the flood gates let loose all over the country, the low lands in the prairie covered with water, great destruction. My wife has a severe attack of rheumatism. Got a letter from Fred.
Feb. 17, 1883. Mercury dropped to 15°, will do good in checking the rise in the river. The Misses Prayser and Minnie McDearmon, Lottie Stonebraker and Eleanor Martin called in afternoon to see Dollie. George and Arthur came on early train, George has the prospect of a good position on the Post Dispatch.
Feb. 18, 1883. Eleanor Martin came out in afternoon. Jack Martin returned from Florida last night. Mrs. Alderson called in afternoon. Had a talk with Dr. Irwin this morning on church matters. He wishes the two Presbyterian churches here could unite in some way to worship together and support one minister, no organic union but each manage its own affairs -- but worship together. I see no serious difficulty in it.
Feb. 22, 1883. Called on John E. Stonebraker this afternoon, he is quite sick. Called on Mrs. Alf Stonebraker and her mother also. Had my meat hung up in smoke house today.
Feb. 23, 1883. Called on Mrs. Milton Spencer who is low with cancer, I tried to talk to her on religion, but her mind is entirely averse to it. Shirley is sick today, disordered stomach.
Feb. 26, 1883. Called to see Mr. Stonebraker and Mr. Cornwell today, both better. Eleanor Martin was out to see us this afternoon.
Feb. 28, 1883. Mercury up to 55°. Took potatoes out of the kiln, kept well. Eleanor was out in afternoon. A letter from Mattie and postal from Lizzie, they expect to come down by 15th March.
March
Mar. 1, 1883. Sent Mary Pearce a lot of chickens by express.
Mar. 2, 1883. Called on Mrs. Spencer this morning, found her calmer, talked to her on religion, her mind very unsettled, read some of out precious hymns to her and prayed with her. Saw Mr. Stonebraker, he is quite sick yet. Called on Mrs. Frayser and her daughters in afternoon.
Mar. 3, 1883. Narcie King is dangerously ill, Sis Gauss went to St Louis this morning. Miss Aurelia McDearmon called in afternoon.
Mar. 4, 1883. Sabbath. George came last night. Mr. Stonebraker is perhaps a little better today, Mr. Cornwell thought to be dying. We had a Missionary Meeting in afternoon, it is lamentable how many Christian people take no interest in missionary operations, they never read on the subject. It is the church's great work for God's cause. Went to the Methodist Church at night.
Mar. 5, 1883. Narcie King (Robinson) died in St. Louis last night. Mr. Ben Pearce came to dinner. He reports Tom and Mary doing well. He came back to supper and Mr. Ward who married his niece and stayed all night.
Mar. 6, 1883. Grat Provines came up from St. Louis this morning to make arrangements for the funeral of Narchie King tomorrow. I went ou to the cemetery with him to select a lot . Grat dined with us.
Mar. 7, 1883. The funeral of Narcie King takes place today about 11 o'cl. The train arrived an hour and half late, it was nearly 3 o'cl when returned from the funeral. Grat Privines, Mr. Jewett, Cabell and Chapin, pallbearers took dinner with us. What a sad state the Kings are in, all earthly treasures gone. Mr. Conrwell died last night, Mr. Stonebraker is better.
Mar. 8, 1883. Mr. Stonebraker not so well this morning. In afternoon Mrs. Alf Stonebraker and her mother, Mrs. Watson called. I called on Mrs. Robert Parks.
Mar. 9, 1883. I called on a Mrs. McAfee who wants her child baptized on Sunday. Had ashes spread on garden.
Mar. 10, 1883. Wigginton, the Canada weather prophet predicted the most unprecedented storm to occur yesterday all over the country and even around the world but so far nothing has occurred.
Mar. 11, 1883 Sabbath. Mrs. McAfee had her child baptized today. Mr. Stonebraker is down again. At night the annual meeting of the St. Charles Bible Society was held in our church. For the last year a colporteur has been supplying the destitute of the county with Bibles.
Mar. 14, 1883. Mr. Stonebraker is no better. Mr. James Lindsay took dinner with us. He is 78 years old and is very stout.
Mar. 18, 1883. Sabbath. Henry Gauss and family came last night. Lizzie looks very well, more fleshy, she has a fine baby boy. George came from St. Louis today and returned as he has to go up to Jefferson City tonight to report for the Post Dispatch. The Jefferson Street Church invited our church to join them in communion today which we accepted. They have a young minister visiting them, a Mr. Ayres.
Mar. 21, 1883. I called to see Mrs. Spencer, she is getting very low. Poor woman has no Christian hope. Called at Mr. Stonebraker's, he is mending slowly. Called out at Lindenwood in afternoon, met Reverends Mr. Ayers and Steed, there. The school is very large and flourishing and a great deal of religions interest among the girls. Eleanor Martin was out this afternoon, Lizzie spent the day.
Mar. 24, 1883. Winter lingers in the lap of spring. Attended a lecture by Professor Ives of St. Louis last night in our church on art as seen in Louvre, Parris -- gave us magic lantern scenes of the palace and the rare statures [sic] in it.
Mar. 25, 1883. Sabbath. Arthur and Dollie came up on the early train last night. Henry and Lizzie and children took tea with us yesterday evening. George came in at 10 o'cl. We had communion in our church today, preaching by Mr. Ayeres of Chicago. Two of our boys joined the church, Robert Parks, Jr. and Hugh Roberts, on profession. Henry and Lizzie took dinner with us. Went to hear Mr. Alexander lecture on Christian liberality in the Methodist Church tonight.
Mar. 26, 1883. Arthur and George went to the city on early train. Dollie remained with us. Henry Gauss went to Sedalia.
Mar. 27, 1883. Saw Mr. Goodrich from Wentzville today, he told me Mr. Ben Pearce was very ill with pneumonia. Dollie returned to St. Louis on evening train, I called to see Mr. Stonebraker in afternoon, he is improving gradually. Mr. Temple had a very sudden and violent attack of something like meningitis this morning.
Mar. 29, 1883. Saw Mr. Ward who said Mr. Pearce was some better. Eheker, one of my tenants, says about 12 acres of his wheat is killed. It was sowed very early and pastured a good deal.
Mar. 30, 1883. Ladies Sewing Society met here this afternoon. George came on the 8 o'cl train.
April
Apr. 1, 1883. I suffered a great deal last night with toothache from cold.
Apr. 2, 1883. George left on early train. I sent a sketch of Thomas Lindsay to Dr. Farris for publication in Synodical minutes, semi-centennial.
Apr. 3, 1883. I had the fence between the garden and the front pasture moved today. Called at William Parks in afternoon. Received a letter from Mary Johns today. Lizzie spent the day with us. Mrs. Frayser called in the morning.
Apr. 6, 1883. Called on John Stonebraker, he is improving very slowly. James Dougherty says the wheat in the Prairie looks a good deal better.
Apr. 7, 1883. Rode to the Prairie with Shirley and Eugene in afternoon and to Mrs. Durfee's farm, wheat looks well on her place, my place the wheat is injured about one-fourth, killed in spots. Farmers sowing oats and planting potatoes. Good many lady callers in the afternoon, Mrs. Watkins, Miss Aurelia McDearmon and Miss Lucy McDearmon and Mrs. (Dr.) Johnson. Eleanor M. was out in afternoon.
Apr. 10, 1883. Mrs. Alderson and Fannie Durell took tea with us.
Apr. 12, 1883. I called in afternoon at Dr. Johnson's, Mr. Stonebrakers, Theodoric McDearmon's and Dr. Rives.
Apr. 14, 1883. George came up last night on the 6 o'cl train to attend the Pink Tea party for the benefit of Miss Howatt. I expect to go up to Wentzville today with Shirley and Eugene, on the 5 o'cl train. Found Mary and her children all very well and comfortably fixed. It is a great improvement over their Arkansas life.
Apr. 15, 1883, Sabbath. Henry Gauss and Lizzie were over in the afternoon. Went to the Jefferson Street Church tonight and heard a very good sermon from a Mr. Singleton who says he was here and preached for us in the old Blue Church twenty-two years ago.
Apr. 16, 1883. Henry Gauss and Lizzie came over in afternoon. I called on Mr. Stonebraker, improving slowly.
Apr. 18, 1883. Presbytery meets tonight in our church. Reverend Mr. Hollifield and Elder Ware and Reverend Barnett came to our house in the evening. Mr. Hollifield preached tonight.
Apr. 19, 1883. Dr. Brank had to leave the Presbytery in the afternoon to preach the funeral of Dr. Grasty at Mexico, Missouri. Reverend Thomas C. Smith took tea with us.
Apr. 20, 1883. Reverends J. A. Smith and Banks dined with us today. The Presbytery adjourned about 4 o'cl p.m. We were delighted with Mr. Hollifield and Ware.
Apr. 24, 1883. Mercury 35° in morning. The papers say there were heavy snow storms in Illinois and north of us yesterday and on Sunday terrible tornadoes in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, killing a great many and destroying whole towns.
Apr. 29, 1883, Sabbath. Mercury down to 42°, we keep up fires all day. Mr. Martin went to Dardenne Church to preach and we had no service in our church. Heard Mr. Singleton in the Jefferson Street church preach. Ice.
Apr. 30, 1883. Arthur, Dollie and George left on early train this morning. Circle around the sun, sign of rain. Called on Robert Parks in afternoon.
May
May 2, 1883. In afternoon Mrs. Durfee, little Annie Gauss and I went out to her farm. The wheat in many places is too thin and looks feeble. We called on John Lindsay on our return home.
May 3, 1883. Mrs. Glenday, Lizzie and Eleanor Martin went to St. Louis today. Mercury now up to 85°.
May 4, 1883. Saw Robert King of Jerseyville, Illinois yesterday. He is going to California to live.
May 5, 1883. Went with the boys down to the Marias Croche Lake to fish. The lake is very full. George came on early train.
May 6, 1883. Sabbath. Dr. Irwin preached in church today. Dr. Martin expected to go to St. Louis yesterday to assist in the ordination of Mr. Douglas but was taken sick. The Circuit Court is now taking the final steps in the church law suit which began here in 1867, sixteen years ago. The Court will decree the title to new trustees in place of Alderson and Walton so we have the property entirely under the control of our church. What a sad chapter in church history! What bitterness and waste of money in law suits which all might have been avoided by compromise, which we offered them time and time again -- we offered them one-half.
May 7, 1883. Lizzie has a severe attack of dyspeptia [sic]. Dr. Bruere was here twice. I called to see Mrs. Ross.
May 12, 1883. Dr. Alexander Martin arrived at his brother's last night. He is a very fine looking man.
May 13, 1883. Sabbath. Dr. Alexander Martin preached morning and night, very fine sermons. George came last night.
May 26, 1883. I returned home today from Lexington, Kentucky. In my absence my wife made the following notes:
May 15, 1883. Mr. Johns left today for Lexington where the General Assembly meets and to visit Rutherford Douglas. May 19, 1883. Some appearance of storm around us and terrible cyclone in upper part of county. Rain in afternoon and some hail. Apr. 20, 1883. Cold and little rain. Apr. 21, 1883 Very cold and cloudy. Apr. 22, 1883. Heavy white frost and thin ice. Apr. 24, 1883. Sick. Apr. 26, 1883. Rain last night. -----
May 26, 1883. I left home on morning of 15th and St. Louis that evening at 7:45 reached Louisville at 7 o'cl a.m. on 16th. Missed connection and stayed over till 2::40 p.m. and then left for Lexington. We passed through a beautiful country and reached Lexington at 7:00 p.m. Rutherford Douglas's son George met me and took me to his father's, 5 miles in country. Rutherford Douglas has a large highly cultivated farm with large fine house. His is a lovely family. This is a beautiful and rich country, the celebrated blue grass region -- great many fine blooded horses and cattle. Lexington is a beautiful little city, great many wealthy and cultivated people. The cemetery is beautiful with monuments of Henry Clay in the center, nearly 100 feet high. The General Assembly met on Thursday at 11 o'cl. Old Dr. Pryor of Virginia was elected Moderator. The most interesting event was the reception of the Delegates of the Northern Presbyterian Church. Judge Strong of U. S. Supreme Court, Judge Moon of Chicago, Dr. Prione of New York, observer St. Michells of St. Louis. Their speeches and the occasion created the most intense excitement. I attended the meetings of the Assembly for a week and a great many interesting subjects were discussed. I met Judge Buckner a brother of our Dr. Buckner who treated me with great kindness.
May 27, 1883. Sabbath. George came last night. Had a good sermon today from Dr. Martin on the sealing of the Holy Spirit. Travelling is very pleasant in many respects but it is a great comfort to be at home among the dear ones.
May 30, 1883. Henry Gauss returned from Colorado this morning. Eleanor Martin, Lizzie and Henry took supper with us. Called on Mrs. Ross.
June
June 1, 1883. Received a letter from George, saying that Mary Johns and Bonnie had passed through St. Louis on their way to Providence, Rhode Island. In afternoon I rode out to Mrs. Durfee's farm with E. C. Cunningham. The wheat in her lower field is turning yellow and the blades drying up. Some persons think it is a worm at the root but couldn't see anything. No other wheat seems to be affected.
June 2, 1883. George with his classmate and friend Mr. Blair came on the early train. He is a son of Montgomery Blair of Maryland.
June 3, 1883. Sabbath. No service in our church today as Dr. Martin is in Troy, Missouri. Went to hear Dr. Irwin's Baccalaureate sermon to Lindenwood graduates.
June 4, 1883. George and Mr. Blair left on accommodation train. Took out an insurance policy on my house ($2,000) vs tornadoes. Called on Dr. Martin in afternoon.
June 6, 1883. Attended the Lindenwood Commencement this forenoon, 9 graduates. Henry and Lizzie and Eleanor Martin took tea with us.
June 7, 1883. Attended the exhibition of the St. Charles College in Methodist Church last night.
June 9, 1883. Heard a very fine lecture last night to the students of St. Charles College by Reverend Godberry on character. George came on early train.
Notes:
- Copyist's note: Records from this date to 1 January 1885 are missing. Someone must have them other than members of the Gauss Family as they tried to keep records intact. --Florence Johns
- Transcriber's note: The rest of this volume has come to light in the Virginia Stash, and will be transcribed at a later date. --Susan D. Chambless
Tran
Source:
Location of handwritten original unknown. Transcription and excerption by Florence Johns. Transcribed to softcopy by Susan D. Chambless, April 21, 2001.
John Jay Johns Journal, 1882<---->John Jay Johns Journal, 1884
