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Mar. 31.-- This is a fine day. Many of our people have the farming fever. To this time the
farmers have done no work. It is a day occasionally that will do to work out of doors. In a short time
the farmers can do much.
About eight o'clock I start for Boone. I get to ride a part of the way. I am in Boone and am
ready to work. This has been a busy season for me. I do not have a minute that I can call my own.
I have some work pushing me all the time. I must be busy.
APRIL
Apr.l.-- This is known as All Fool's Day. Some of our student[s] take advantage ofthe situation
in order to advertize [sic]. A few tried to start something all day, but they do not have any success.
I have always been of the opinion that a man is foolish enough without putting forth any effort.
At night I do some work. I am trying to complete my course in the University before this term
of school ends.
The hardest work that I have to do is paper work. A man can get so tired over old dull papers.
I wish that I could be relieved from this job.
Apr. 2.-- We are at our school work again. Our duties do not decrease. They multiply with the
year. At times they seem more than I can bear.
The weather is rather cool. I am loosing [sic] my courage. It seems that we can have no more
good weather.
The work of the school is getting heavier and heavier upon me. People expect more and more
from a man. I try to be happy in the work. It brings something new to me every day.
Apr. 3.-- This is one of the finest days on record. The groco (?) is in the pines near the school.
They do not have a voice for singing. It always seemed to me that they are like some people--love
to quarrel. It does seem so good that we can get out in the open air. We have been in the house so
long.
In school we do not find things going so easily. We have a crowd that do not care to work. They
want to idle all the time. They do not care to work and do not care whether any one else works or
not.
Apr. 4.-- To our surprise we have snow today. It is the large-flaked kind. The ground is covered
to a depth of three inches. The bushes and trees are covered completely. Late in the day the snow
turns to rain. It is indeed a slushy time.
After school I take a notion to loaf. I go to Cottrell's store and remain for more than one hour.
I love to see the people come and go. I soon return to my room and engage in work. I enjoy writing
in my book. I find so many things to record. I take some pride in writing of events.
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. AprilS.-- This is a damp cool day. It is very dark and gloomy. In fact it is a dark, inhospitable
time to work. I find that it is surprising how much the weather does affect us.
In the afternoon I start home. I have three rides in a car and two rounds of walking. I find the
road in a bad condition. After all the people keep going. By some means they do not let the bad
section of road stop them for a minute.
I arrive home. I am almost too nervous to rest. I must confess that I have had a hard week of it.
When I arrive home, I find some matters waiting my attention.
Apr. 6.-- The weather is threatening all the day. At times it rains; and at times the sky shows a
little. We are not able to tell what will happen.
I attend Sunday School at Willowdale. We have a good crowd present. There are always a few
who are interested in the work.
In the afternoon I make a collecting tour for the church. I do not have any success. I am pained
to see how little some of our people are. They have the weakest excuses that men can invent. How
horrible it is to see a man wrapped up in selfishness.
April7.-- This is a fine day. It seems that spring has come to stay. The farmers are on the move.
All are working at a crop.
I go to Boone. The town is full of farmers. There is a great meeting to persuade the
Commissioners to keep the County Agent. Much hot talk is indulged in. It seems that all is lost.
We have many people who do not want any progress. They wish to stay in the old ruts. In the
afternoon I come to my room and work. I have much writing to do. I push my affairs as fast as
possible.
April 8.-- The work for the week comes upon us. I find many things to do. The hardest thing
that we have to contend with is the indifference of many students.
This is a fine day. It makes is 120 glad because we do not have fire in our room and we can sit
comfortably on the porch. It has been a long time since we could do that.
After school I work. I find that I have a heavy program for this week. Some one is making
demands on me all the time. I do not get time to rest.
April 9.-- The good weather does not last all day. In the afternoon we have some showers.
When the roads become good, the rain soon puts them out of commission.
The first game of base ball is played on the local diamond. The rain puts an end to it.
After school I go to town on business. I am surprised to see the building program for this town.
A new building is started every few days.
At night I go to the home of Supt. Hagaman on business. I have more than I can look after.
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�Aprill 0.-- This is a dark day. At times the fog is so dense that we can not see far. There is some
rain.
In school the work is trying. I am too nervous to make any progress. It seems that there is more
trying things than I can stand. We have so many people who do not care if they fail in their work.
After school I take a bath. This revives me a little. I return to my room and write far into the
night. I love to fix facts in my mind.
Aprilll.-- This is an awful day. We have had some snow. It is the big flake kind. It melts as
soon as it hits the ground. The remainder of the time it rain[s] . It seems that good weather is never
corrung.
I have been doing many things. I am telling a few. The last thing for the day is a test for a
Geography class. I find that many of them have been playing on the job. There are not many people
who take their seriously. They want some one to give them a lift without merit.
April12.-- The weather is fine. It seems that spring has come at last. It is so lovely that we want
to be out of doors. It pleases us that we do not need fire in our rooms.
After the work of the day is over I start for home. I do not have to walk far. I ride in a car the
greater part of the way. The car made time going down Brushy. At times I wanted the driver to go
slower.
I am glad to get home. I spend some time in reading. For a short time we visit Uncle John
Smith. It seems that I do not get time to rest much.
April13.-- This is the finest day that we have had in a long time. The mud is going rapidly. I
am rejoicing that we can come out of our winter harness.
At Sunday School we have a large crowd. Som of our people are learning that a Sunday School
is worth something to a community.
In the afternoon I make a trip in a car to Zionville. I have a fine trip. I am so tired that I want
the trip so that I can rest. It is good for a man to have a change of scenes. It is a fine way to rest.
April 14.-- I am out early and ready to work. The first job that I have on hand is sowing
fertilizer. This is no light job. I soon conclude.
In a short time I am on my way to Boone. I do not get to walk very far. I ride the biggest truck
in our end of the county.
After transacting some business I go to my room and start some work. I have many little things
to do. The end of the school is near at hand. I work far into the night. There is not much hope that
I shall ever be even in the work that I am doing.
AprillS.-- This is a fine day. It does seem so good not to have fire and wraps. We have been
looking for a long time for this event.
I have had a fine day in school. There has not been any thing to defeat our progress or our
pleasure. We have found out that a man can get pleasure out of his work.
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. Late in the day I go to the store for a rest. There comes a time when a man needs to loaf some.
It takes his mind from his work and gives a rest. A man can not be high all the time.
April16.-- I am happy, because the weather is so fine. It is giving the farmers a fine chance to
do some good work on the farm.
In school we have a number of people who decide that they are in charge. To their surprise they
find that others have charge of them. The worst thing that can happen to a boy is for him to think
that he is too big to be under rules.
I have arrived in a place where I can push my work. All this year it has been the reverse. I have
had more than I can do. Large classes are hard on a man's nerves .
April17.-- The weather is not so fine. There are indications that foul weather is at hand. It
seems that is is a difficult job for good weather to come. It has been bad for almost four months.
The farmers are far behind with their work. The time for planting com is almost at hand.
In school we do not have as much work as we wish. Our people are becoming careless.
The Junior-Senior reception is at hand. It is pulled off at White Hall. The usual hot-air is
consumed. A man must grant people the right to act a fool occasionally.
April18.-- The whole school is dull from last night's revalry [sic]. Those who did not indulge
where 12 1 doing some idle act. The whole school has not made any preparation. Sometimes I think
that a big "blow-out" is not worth what it costs. I manage to come to the close of day in fairly good
..
.
condition.
At night I do a little work. I find that I need to sleep more. A man can not work all the time.
In case that a man neglects his health he will have to pay the penalty. The law was made to be
obeyed.
April19.-- The morning is clear. We find all the students in an uproar. It is Easter and many
are planning to visit. In fact many of them think that they are excused from all duties.
I meet my first class and then I start to Cove Creek. I go to town. The jitney line is in operation
and I am soon at the end of my journey. Before noon there is a class day exercise. It is done in good
style. Dinner is served on the ground. In the afternoon Dr. J.D. Rankin delivers the address. The
diplomas are awarded, medal and certificates are presented. Ralph receives the medal for
scholarship and industry.
April 20.-- This is a fine day. The air is cool. The mud is going rapidly. I go to the school to
hear the sermon. It is preached by Rev. G. C. Teage, of Lenoir. It is on "Heart Culture". The
impression is great. There are many people present.
In the afternoon I attend church at Willowdale. The preacher has it up his sleeve for us. We get
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Were?
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�a general tuning up for going to close of schools. There is a general impression that a man is wicked
that takes on any of the amusements of life. A sickly piety is to me contemptible.
April21.-- I have it in mind to go to Boone early. I manage to get there by noon. I see many
people in the town. There is great business activity in this place. Many new buildings are going up.
The people keep coming this way.
In the afternoon I work in my room. I have much work that needs attention. I am anxious to get
all my papers graded. I am so tired that I do not work late. I manage to reture so that I canget even
with my sleep. I am not able to work hard unless I have good rest at night.
April 22.-- This morning I thought that rain was at hand. The clouds were low and dark. In a
short time the sun shines. A stiff breeze blows and makes it a little unpleasant to be out.
I have it rather easy with my classes. I find that no one has made much preparation for class.
After a debauch we are not in shape for close mental work.
The time for going home is at hand. We are beginning to pack our things. We must not wait for
all to be on hand at once.
April23.-- The breeze is a little strong today. In other respects it is a fine day. It has been a long
time since we have had so much pretty weather at one time.
The world has been good to me this day. All my work has gone well. It seems to me that life
is wmth living. If a man is all right physically, he can do his work with pleasure.
We are longing for the close of the school to come. A man certainly does get tired on one year.
It is do the same thing day after day. The grind is hard on one' s nerves. There is no chance to rest.
April24.-- I am on duty at the usual hour. I am not able to sleep the number of hours that many
people can. I must come with the birds.
The hardest time of the year is at hand. There are so many students who wish to loaf on the job.
They do not care whether they do any work or not. In fact some of them are defiant in their attitude.
I get "blue" in regard to the work in school. There are so many that just want to get by. I am sure
that work to-day counts more than it ever has.
April25.-- I am having a hard time. There are more things to do than I am able to comprehend.
It is a difficult matter for me to keep every thing going. Pupils are hard to keep at work. They want
to relax.
In the afternoon I take a final examination on a University course. It takes me more than two
hours to clear up the affair. There are so many talking in the room that I do not get on easily.
By night I am too tired to rest well. Of late I am in such a position that I am not able to rest as
I ought. I am nervous all the time.
April 26.-- This is another fine day. I meet the duties of the day as they come to me. There is
not a moment that I can call my own. Some one is making demands on my time all the time. I have
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no time that I can call my own.
In the afternoon I make a start for home. I do not have to walk far before I catch a way home.
I am delighted to see my people. Sometimes I wish that I could be at home all the time. It seems
that I am not able to rest as I ought. I am running on high.
April 27.-- I try to read some on Sunday mornings. Often I have company to break into this
arrangement. My time is not my own. It seems to belong to others.
I attend Sunday School at Willowdale. There is a good crowd. We have some interest in the
work. At times we seem to prosper; at others we seem to be going the other way.
In the afternoon Rev. F. M. Huggins, of Boone, preaches for us. He delivers a fine discourse.
Perhaps this is the last time that preaching service will be held in this building. It is soon to be tom
down.
Apri/28.-- I am up in the first part of the day. I go in a truck to Boone. In fact I get there in time
for breakfast. This is moving too much for a man's good.
This is, indeed, a rough day. It rains almost the entire day. The Freshmen do not get time to take
their trip. This is doubtless disappointing to them.
The day has been a busy one for me. I have been reading papers. Some time has been spent in
the bed. At times I find that I must rest. I can do this better in the bed.
Apri/29.-- We find some better weather. It is some cooler, but the rain has banished. I promise
to go on a trip with the Freshmen. It seems that they are not able to agree. Therefore I am relieved
of a job.
At night I attend the Festival at the Courthouse. It is a musical number. I am sure that it is worth
attending. It is given by four young ladies of Georgia. I think that the entire audience completely
enjoyed every number on the program. It is late when we get in our bed. We are not able to rest as
we ought. It disturbs me to be up late.
Apri/30.-- We have some bad weather. There is some rain. It seems that we can never get rid
of the mud in this town.
In the school room we find many things to do. We are looking forward to the end. The work
of the year will soon be over.
In the evening I take in the second number of the Festival. This program is given by four Welsh
Singers. There are many spicy things on the program. The most attractive thing to me is the singing
of sub bass. This is the first that I have hear[ d] from the person performer.
MAY
May 1.-- Summer is coming soon and there is no farm work done. It is a late spring. There has
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�been only a few days that the ground was dry enough to plow. I am not surprised that the farmers
are discouraged.
I take in the third number of the Festival. At this time we have a play with music. In many
respects it is fine. It show[s] just what some people will do to get possesion of a title of nobility.
I think that it is difficult for a teacher to take in a program and do their school work. It consumes
all the time that I have.
May 2.-- This is a fine day. We have many things that we can do. Duties come to us on every
hand. I have more than I can do.
After school I send my things home. I am leaving for the summer. It takes much of a man's time
to pack and get ready for a move. A man has more little things to move than he is aware.
The last of the Festival comes to-night. In my opinion I think that it is the poorest of the
programs. I think that many of the items on the program are not true to life.
May 3.-- This is the last day of the week. I have not had any idle moments during the past week.
I am looking forward to some rest soon. I have done much work during the past year.
In the afternoon I start for home. I love to get away from the grind and push of the school room.
A man needs a change. In fact he must have it. At night I am at home. By some means I am too
tired to rest well. There are so many things for me to look after. I do not have time to care for my
family.
May 4.-- Sunday morning greets us. We find it necessary to study our Sunday School lesson a
little. A man can not do good teaching unless he knows something about the lesson. Mr. Ramsey
from Boone is with us. He leads the singing.
In the afternoon I go to Mabel in a car. We stay more than two hours. At this place we find them
singing. They are getting ready for the County singing. This is a fine esercise to hold a community
together. In many respects it gives the young people a job.
May 5.-- During the night we had a death in the community. Aunt Jennie Dugger passed away.
She has been sick for a long time.
Early I catch a way out to Boone. I arrive in time to do a day's work. I have more on hand than
I can do. I work at making out grades and inspecting note-books.
At night I attend a musical recital. In many respects it is fine. It is a little lengthy. Some airs
are put on and displayed. For many this is a great day. The name is the desired prize.
May 6.-- The work of the last week starts. It seems that there are many people who are taking
it lightly. At no time are the teachers worked harder. Many items must be summed up. All the year
the grind has been going on. Many of us are willing for it to end.
After the work of the day the deportment of the students is gone into. We find that the year has
had many failures along this line. In this respect we have good years and bad years. The crops has ·
not been good this year.
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May 7.-- The examinations start. I have three. This gives me all that I can do. The hardest work
than any teacher has is reading and marking papers. It has been my lot to do much of this kind of
work. After we have done our best, we are made sad by seeing so many of our students failing.
The weather is fine. I am glad for the time to come so we can be out in the open. We have been
in the house all the winter and spring. There has been no time for tramping and exercising.
May 8.-- The final examinations come to a close. We manage to have the most of ours on record
by night. I am glad that the long grind is over. I feel that I have done the poorest work ever. Some
of the students have been hard to deal with. They have been indifferent to their work.
At night I attend the play given by the Senior Class. I take the tickets at the door. I do not have
the pleasure of giving close attention to all the details in the play.
May 9.-- This is a great day for us. It is our Commencement day. Great events are on the
program.
At eleven o'clock Dr. A. T. Allen, Supt. of Instruction of North Carolina delivers the address.
There are five graduates from the Normal School.
In the afternoon the High School Department gives a program. This is one among the largest
classes that we have had. This brings the school year to a close.
Late in the day I get conveyance and go in home. I am glad that it is all over for the present.
May 10.-- It seems strange that I have no school work on hand. I am not sure that I have any
plans to rest and gather strength. By some means I have lost the art of resting. I permit little things
to get on my nerves and destroy my peace of mind.
The weather is bad. There has been much rain during the day. Truly it seems that warm weather
is never coming. The spring is more than ten days late. Many of the people have no plowing; some
have nothing planted. There is no need to worry about it.
May 11.-- We have a rainy day. At times there is a little snow. Occasionally the sky can be seen.
In all it is a dreary day. I am discouraged as to our progress in farming. The weather is making every
thing so late.
At Willowdale Sunday School we have a small number present. There are so many people who
are easily discouraged. They think that there will be no one there, because the weather is so bad.
In case that all think this we can have no meetings . All will remain at home. We must push.
May 12.-- This morning we have rain. It seems that good weather is never coming. In a few
high places snow is reported. At noon the indications are that we are going to have some fair
weather.
This is one day that has been hard on me. I have been almost too nervous to get on well. A few
aggravating things have come my way. It seems that these things come our way when we are the
least able to stand it. We need rest from all hateful annoyances.
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�May 13.-- The weather is much better. I decide to make a trip to Tennessee. I catch the jitney
at Vilas for Elk Park. This is a section of country that I have never been over. There are some heavy
grades. At noon I am at Banner Elk. I arrive at Elk Park in time to catch the train for Elizabethton.
At three thirty I am in the city. I see that many improvements have been made in the streets. From
here I go to J. F. Egger's. I find him in the bed. I see many people that I have not seen in a long
time. I hear fox news and other things of interest.
May 14.-- I did not rest well during the night, but I am out early. With J. F. Egtgers I go to James
Blair' s. He is a man eighty years old. At one time he lived in North Carolina. In company with him
we board the train and go to see J. B. Williams in Sullivan County. We have a fine time. Mrs.
Williams serves a good dinner.
The day has been rainy. The clouds have been low all the day. It seems that we can not have
good weather. The spring is very late.
May 15.-- Last night I stayed with Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Eller. We have a pleasant time. Of
course the ideas that they have do not agree with mine.
Before noon we go to Grant Laurance's just north of Elizabethton. We find them very well
situated. Our next stop is at John Sherrill's in the lower part of the town. Late in the day we visit
the home of Charles Swift. We find them in a good home in a favored part of the town. At the close
of the day we returned to Mr. Eggers' in a tired and hungry condition.
May 16.-- This is a day full of events. I walk to Abner Egger's in lower Turkey town. In the
afternoon he drives me to Johnson City, Tennessee. This is a fine town. We visit the Normal
School. I see several of the buildings. The Department that interest[ s] me most is Manual Training.
Prof. Wilson shows us all his tricks. I think that this is one among the finest things that I have ever
seen.
At night I take my first fox hunt. It delights the hunting instincts in a man.
May 17.-- I walk from T. A. Eggers' to J. F. Eggers'. The night was a little cool and in many
places there was frost. I remain at Mr. Eggers' until noon and then I make a start for home. I catch
the one thirty train for Elk Park. At three I transfer to the jitney at Elk Park for Vilas. We have a
good long run. On the way we see much scenery. Some of the road is very narrow and crooked.
At five o'clock I am at home.
At night we attend the Bible study at our church. It is the first .day that we have used it.
May 18.-- The new day greets us. We have Sunday School for the first time. We have ninetytwo present. Our collection for the new church is thirty-five dollars.
At eleven o'clock Rev . Urriah Farthing preaches on the Communion. He holds the fort for one
and a half hours. Many of us are tired.
At three and at night we have a Bible study. This is a fine thing, but only a few are able to take
a part in it. We do not have many people who make a study of the Bible.
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May 19.-- We commence a new week by working. We plant a crop of beets in our garden.
These are are [sic] to feed our cow. There are many things that will help us out in putting a cow
through the window.122
A part of the day is consumed in hoeing potatoes. I find that we must commence in time to keep
the weeds from our crops. We complete our crop before night.
Today we have our first ground for com broken. It has been a terrible time to get plowing done.
The weather has been bad and teams are scarce.
May 20.-- We plant our first com today. In the morning we plant in the garden. We also plant
some more potatoes in our garden. It seems that we can never get all our crop out.
In the afternoon we plant some com in the Oklahoma field. We do not plant just a little more
than one acre.
In the afternoon there is a church wedding at Cove Creek Baptist Church. This is the first one
in the new church. The parties are Miss Goldie Moody and William D. Wilson. This is one of the
great events of our community.
May 21.-- I have a busy day. I am on the go. I walk to Mabel this morning. In that place I find
a new store. I visit my old home. By some means I am not content. The rain keeps me in for sime
times. At three o'clock I start for home. I am so nervous that I walk rapidly. By the time that I get
to Sherwood I am almost too tired to rest. Miss Grace brings me home in her new car. After all the
best of any trip is getting home. I am tired enough to rest, but my trouble is that I become too tired
to rest well.
May 22.-- This is a fine day. It is one in which we can work if we wish. Before noon we plant
some more com. This finishes our crop.
At noon I go to the store. I find that I owe the merchant much. This troubles me much. It seems
that it is hard for me to keep even with the world in finances. There are so many things that we think
that we ought to have. I see no chance for me to have an easy time. My rood looks dark and gloomy.
May 23.-- This is a fine day. The sun shines warm, but the breezes are a little cool. This
morning we have some frost, but as far as I can learn there has not been any damage. It is rare that
frost comes this late in the season.
Before noon I engage in my favorite past time, cutting stove wood. This is one game that I am
very much in love with. I love to see the wood house full of it.
In the afternoon Mrs. Greene and I plant some pumpkins. We put these in the famous Oklahoma
field. We are looking forward to some good eating.
May 24.-- I am off to Boone on a business trip. Mr. James Miller carries me over. I do not have
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Surely he means winter.
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�to stay long until I am ready to return. I start for home walking, but Thomas Banner takes me home.
• I am home before the day is half gone.
In the afternoon I go to the store. This is a good place to hear the gossip of the neighborhood.
In truth it is about the only place that we have for the exchange of social fellowship. The country
store has its place in the community life.
May 25.-- This is a fine Sunday. The weather is cool and pleasant _ll the day. My first duty is
a
to prepare the Sunday School lesson. At School we have a good crowd. There is some interest
among the people. We have a few who are pulling in the opposite direction.
In the afternoon I visit Mr. J. B. Elliott. We have such a fine time that I stay until almost night.
It does seem so good that we do not hear the noise of cars. A man loves to have some quietude at
times. We are certainly going at a break-neck-speed. Where shall we stop?
May 26.-- The first thing that we have on our program is hoeing potatoes. We make a finish of
these before noon. Often I think that it is fine to be a farmer.
The weather is fine. It is a growing day. Late in the evening there is an indication of rain. It
seems that we have the most changes.
Just afternoon I sweep the church house. This is no bad job. In doing this well there is much
skill. I find that it is no light job. This work is important, because it must be done before better
things come.
May 27.-- We have some rain. It is too bad to do any work on the farm . The rain is cold.
Vegetation will not grow under this kind of conditions.
In the afternoon I go to Sherwood's store. I have a fine time. It has been a long time since I have
been in such congenial company at the store. In fact the company is so fine that I have not enjoyed
myself so well in a long time.
Upon my return I get in the rain. I am wet a little when I arrive at home. It is a hard job to cross
the hill when it is slick.
May 28.-- To-day I remain in my room and study. I have not done much in my books for a
month. I have not had any place to study. At last I have a den and am able to have a place for study
without so much noise and confusion. It seems that I have more to contend with than any one.
In the afternoon I go to Sherwood' s store again. I need some things in my work. A man cannot
write unless he has some paper. Before night I am at home again.
May 29.-- We have a variety of weather. Late in the day it is the warmest that it has been in a
long time. By night there is a fine breeze. In the early morning we have some thunder.
During the day I work some. I put out some sweet potatoes. It is no time for planting and
cultivating crops. I find it no easy job to keep all the work going.
In the afternoon I go hunting for a short time. The wind blows too much for game. I enjoy
seeing the refreshing woods. Nature is fine.
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May 30.-- This is a cool day. It seems that it is hard for the weather to become warm. Nothing
can grow under conditions like this.
I have not been able to work much. I saw some wood and make one trip to the store for some
flour.
I commence a fourth course in the University. This is Educational Sociology. I feel sure that I
shall enjoy it when I get started.
Graydon Eggers leaves our place for Cincinnati, Ohio. He seems to dread the trip. It is a hard
undertaking for him.
May 31.-- This is a fine day. I attend to some business. There is much for us to do. A man
never gets his work complete. The older that he gets, the more that he is expected to do.
Today we have had bean planting on hand. This is the latest that we have ever planted this crop.
It does not take us long to put this crop out of our way. Before breakfast I sow fertilizer. This
give[s] me a good appetite for eating. In just a short time we are at other things. In the afternoon
we help Uncle John Smith hoe com.
JUNE
June 1.-- This is Sunday. It is one among the hardest days that I have. It is going against one
thing after another.
At Sunday School we have a good crowd. We have some interest in this kind of work in our
community.
Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Brown have dinner with us and spend the afternoon. We have a splendid
time.
Late in the afternoon I go to my old home at Mabel. I go in a car. I am there in a short time. The
people seem glad to see me. We have a splendid time.
June 2.-- During the night there is some rain. The ground is too wet to work for a short time.
I rest and try to content myself. I commence to hoe potatoes. At noon I do not have half of them
worked. I take a long rest. By a little help I finish at five o'clock. I am very tired, but I make a trip
upon the hill to see how the farm is. By the time that I regum to the house I am tired enough to rest.
I have a good supper and soon retire for the night. I have had a good day.
June. 3.-- This morning I am out early. I have a good breakfast. In a short time I am on my way
home. I walk to Mabel. I remain here only a short time. On my way down the highway I am picked
up and carried home in a car. It is surprising how far that a man can go in a day.
Upon getting home I find my mail waiting for me. I spend a part of the day in reading it. After
all the best of a journey is getting home. A man never knows what it means unless he has it broken
up.
913
�June 4.-- I am at home all the day. I have a pleasant time. Some of the time is spent with my
books and papers. This is a great pleasure for me. I try to read some each day. Another job that I
enjoy very much is cutting wood. I have a part of my time for this word. 123 Beside the enjoyment
and the usefulness of this job it contributes to health. Much can be added to our well-being by
physical exercise. In all we are figuring that manual labor is one of our wholesome exercises.
June 5.-- To-day we have several things on our list. The first that comes our way is hoeing Irish
potatoes. By noon we have a complete job. Our crop is fine and we have some encouragement to
work. The sun is warm, the land is rich, and the crop is growing. What more do we need to make
us happy?
In the afternoon we rest some. I visit the home of J. B. Elliott. He is sick. He has not been well
for a long time. It seems that he is not able to regain his health fully. By night I return home. The
day has been real warm.
June 6.-- This is a fine day. In fact we have had no finer in a long time. It is a splendid time for
crops to grow.
Today I hoe com for Mr. Elliott. We have a fine time. I hoe much more and much longer than
I expected. The piece is too large for us to finish in one day.
Upon my return home I find Mr. Speer. He is a painter from South Carolina. He has traveled
much and delights in telling what great things that he has seem. In due time I should tire of his gab.
June 7.-- I am in Boone early. This is the Primary for the state. The candidates for the fall
elections are chosen today. There seems to be a few who want to run the affairs of the party. How
wise many of them are! By nine o'clock I am at home.
In the afternoon Mr. Mast and I put up a scaffold in order that the painter may finish our church.
It seems that we have a tough time in getting a few little things done. What is every body' s business
is nobody' s business is an adage worth remembering.
June 8.-- Sunday is one among our most busy days . We organize a Bible class for the young
people. We know that youth is the time to learn many of the good things of life. In Sunday School
we see this exhibited. A crowd of men do not know much about the book.
We take tinner with Mr. W. H. Brown. We remain until late in the day. The afternoon is
pleasant. This is our best way to rest. I cannot get much rest in a crowd. A noise does not
contribute any thing to our pleasure. We love a quiet comer. We abhor a crowd.
June 9.-- The weather is fine. It is exceedingly warm. In the afternoon we have a light shower.
It seems that summer time has come at last. We have been longing to have hot, sunshiny days.
The first thing that we have on our program is hoeing in the garden. We have some com and
123
Work?
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potatoes. At no time have we had finer vegetables in our garden. At noon we go to Oklahoma to
hoe some corn. Uncle John Smith does the plowing. Before the rain runs us out of the field we have
the plowing done and a greater part of the hoeing. This is a fine piece of corn.
June 10.-- Early this morning we go to Oklahoma field and finish hoeing our corn. The rain of
the past evening did not wet the ground very much. From here we go to Uncle John Smith's corn
and finish hoeing it. When we get a number of hands in a field it does not take long to do the work.
At noon the boys go to Mabel to work their potatoes. They seem anxious to make the trip. It
seems that we have many things to look into. During the afternoon I remain at home. I spend some
time on my books. It seems that I have so many things to do that I can not study much.
June 11.-- The weather is not settled. We had some rain during the night and some during the
day. The ground is not in good condition for working. It does not remain in first class condition
very long.
To-day I remain at home. I cut some wood. On my wood yard I put the limbs to be cut in one
pile and those to be sawed in another. By some means I love to work at wood. Using an axe is
attractive to me. We do not find any exercise that is better. I suppose that it is in a man to be
destructive.
June 12.-- The first thing that we have on hand is the fixing of our grinding stone. Father
Walker and son can do things in the shop. They make a hoe for me. The blade is made from a
bandsaw. I have never seen any thing that cuts better.
In the afternoon I go to Sherwood's store. I have a pleasant trip. While I am there, it rains. Mr.
Sherwood is a lively chap. He meets all the drummers and the customers good-naturedly. He has
the qualifications for a successful merchant.
June 13.-- This is a day long to be remembered. The day is fine until late in the day. Before
noon we read a little. At noon we commence to hoe our corn, but we have to stop owing to rain.
We have a storm of rain, hail and wind accompied [sic] by thunder and lightning. There is rarely
a farm that it does not wash. Much damage is done to growing crops. Near Hunter, Tenn. about one
dozen people lost their lives. The railroad was torn up so that the train can not run. This is one
among the worst storms that has come to this section in a long time.
June 14.-- The day is pretty. The effects of yesterday's storm may be seen on every hand. In
a few days the wounds will be healed and we shall not lament our loss.
This morning I go to the store. I return and work until noon. I engage in reading.
In the afternoon I attend service at Willowdale Baptist Church. We have a good crowd present.
Many people come to see our new church. After this is over I go to the Store again. Here we find
many people coming and going. This is a center of travel.
June 15.-- Sunday has come and it is a day full of events. The first thing that I have on the
915
�program is a Bible class. This is composed of children. The Sunday School Lesson is next. We find
it an interesting one. Attorney John Houston Bingham delivers a fine address. Rev. E. C. Hodges
preaches at the eleven o'clock hour. From here we go to a birthday celebration at John H.
Bingham's. About one hundred people take part in the celebration. We have a fine time during the
afternoon. We assemble in groups and have a fine social hour. To all the day passes too soon.
June 16.-- I am at home the greater part of the day. Before noon I read and prepare a lesson.
There are many things that I can do, but I am not in a mood to work.
In the afternoon I go to Boone with Mr. Charles Tester. We remain for some time in the town.
We see many people that we know. Late in the day we start for home. It does not take long to make
the trip. The car has brought us very near each other. The principle items of the trip are Bordeaux
dust and flour. We have two things out of the way for the present.
June 17.-- Before noon we hoe some corn. The late rain has caused the soil to run together, and
this makes it very hard and difficult to hoe. I hoe until noon without water or resting. This is more
than a man ought to do.
The days are exceedingly hot. This makes it very uncomfortable. In fact it is too hot to sleep
well at night.
In the afternoon we hoe corn for Uncle John Smith. We have an interesting time. The greatest
curiosity is the begging of Stacy Grayson for his grandpa to allow him to go swimming.
June 18.-- The first dive that we make is hoeing our corn in the garden. We do not complete it
until Uncle John is on hand to plow our beans. By noon we have them finished. There is one beauty
about this crop, it does not take many working[s]. The beans are looking well. This crop is fine for
the land.
After we eat dinner, we hoe in Uncle John Smith's Corn. Long before night we have it finished.
I must confess that I am tired enough to rest. It has been almost too hot for me to work. I am sure
that it is a growing season.
June 19.-- Our boys take a hunt. I suppose there is no one in all the land that enjoys a hunt as
well as they do. It is not long until they return with some squirrels. In the afternoon Ralph brings
a big groundhog in. It seems that we are well-supplied with meat.
This morning I go to John Bingham's to get some honey. I find him at home and in a congenial
mood. He takes great delight in showing me his lands. By ten o'clock I manage to make my escape.
I must confess that it is a hot time to come home.
June 20.-- We engage in hoeing until noon. The first is some corn, the second is our bean
botton, 124 and finally we finish the corn in the field of clay. All our crops are looking well.
124
Bottom?
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Uncle John Smith invites us to a groundhog dinner. To say the least it is by no means bad eating.
In addition to this we had many other good things to eat.
Upon my return I remain at home and studied my books. I went to the church and swept it out.
It is no light task to keep a public building in good shape.
June 21.-- This morning I make a trip to Dock Mast's store. I do not feel like traveling much.
I do some shopping. I have a pleasant stay at the store. I make an effort to get home before noon.
In fact I am too sick to be going. At noon I commence to write, but I leave the job and go to the
store. For some time I remain at the store and see the sights of the town. I return home very sick.
It seems that I have much trouble. It is just one thing after another. I do not feel well any more. I
am sick during the night.
June 22.-- This is a fine [day?]. There are some clouds, but we have no rain. The day is warm
and growing.
The day has been hard on me. I have been sick almost all day. I do not think that I have been
so sick in a long time.
I begin the day by studying. I have to make some preparation before I teach a class. At Sunday
School we have a fine time. The Bible class has many interesting doings.
In the afternoon we remain at home. How good it does seem for us to remain at home with no
one to bother us! It seems that we have little family life.
June 23.-- I have been on the sick list. I find that I need a doctor. I call in Dr. G. D . Bingham.
Je gives me some medicine and I get easy. In the afternoon I feel worse. I suffer some late in the
day and at night.
During the day I manage to read some. In the afternoon I finish writing a lesson. By some means
I am not able to study as I like. As one becomes older, it seems that he has less time for study and
meditation. Our duties, as well as our troubles, multiply. The burdens of life become heavy.
June 24.-- To-day we have had some rain. The gentle showers refresh all the earth. In the
intervals between showers we have some intense sunshine.
I have been in all day. I have not been so sick as I was yesterday. A man can get in bad shape
in a short time. I need some rest very much .
During the day I have read as much as possible. I find many interesting things in the current
magazmes. It seems to be a part of my nature to read good books. There are many fine things for
us to read.
June 25.-- I am not able to do much. I am at home taking some rest and medicine.
In the afternoon I go to Mabel. I go in a car with two men from South Boston, Virginia. They
are very much interested in the mountains.
At Mabel I see the same old crowd. This is a town that does not improve much. By the time that
I get home I am too tired to do any thing. I am not strong enough to exert myself much.
917
�June 26.-- The first job that I have on hand is dusting potatoes. It is wet and disagreeable.
I go to Mabel to see the tour from Winston-Salem. This is get-acquainted-crowd. There are
about fifty cars and one hundred seventy-five people. They seem to be having the time oftheir lives.
At noon I come home with the mail. We have many places to stop. I think that we have more
offices than any county in the state.
In the afternoon I remain at home. I read and try to rest. I do not feel able to work.
June 27.-- The weather has taken a change. We are having some fine days. The ground is dry
enough to work.
·
Before noon I help pick some cherries. I must confess that this is a man's job. I finish the job
at noon. We have all that we wish.
In the afternoon we hoe some com. It is warm and we expect it to rain, but the rain does not
come and we finish long before night. Some of this com is fine. It looks as if we might reap for our
labors.
June 28.-- I am out real early. I go to Boone on a truck. At six o'clock I am at the Old Muster
Field. From here I walk to Meat Camp. I am at my journey's end early. The Fifth Sunday Meeting
is to convene here.
At ten o'clock the meeting comes together. L. C. Wilson is chosen Chairman and the writer
secretary. Rev. G. W. Trivett preaches. The discussions during the afternoon are good.
After the meeting I go to Seymour Jones' for the night. Aunt Betty Greene lives here. She has
been sick for more than a year.
June 29.-- At Meat Camp Church I teach a class in Sunday School. We have an interesting
school. Rev. Uriah Farthing preaches. At the noon hour there is a fine dinner on the ground. There
is a large crowd of people present. The afternoon session is good. Many good speeches are made.
After the close I come to Boone with F. M. Huggins. From here I come a part of the way with
Joseph Hayes and a part with Russell Henson.
Late in the day we have a storm. In some places it is severe.
June 30.-- This morning I dust my potatoes. This is a hard job. The vines are wet and a man
comes out in a mess.
In the afternoon I go to Boone in a car with Dr. Dick Bingham. We have a fine and successful
drive to town. After attending to some business we attend the Democratic Convention. The party
puts a full ticket in the field. It is composed of good men. It seems that thee are not many men who
are intensely interested in politics. We have a faithful few that keep the ball rolling. We return
home before night. This has been a pleasant day.
JULY
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July 1.-- I am at home. I am not feeling well enough to do much work. I do some little jobs
about the house. We have so much rain that we are not able to do much on the farm. I do some
work about the garden. There is always some little job that a man can do to make it look bettern.
Late in the day the potato inspector comes. He finds ours in good condition. The vines are a
little heavy. This makes a condition that is favorable for blight.
July 2.-- The people are anxious for the Democratic Convention in New York to name a
candidate. This is the whole theme of the papers. It seems that a deadlock is on hand. The life of
the party is at stake.
We do many things at home. We have some work that we are trying to get off. I am not able to
work at it as much as I wish. The bad weather keeps us from working at our crops. By some means
we are not able to get as much done as we once could. We do not have the patience.
July 3.-- The weather is still dark and gloomy. It rains just enough to keep us from working our
crops. It is not good policy to cultivate when the ground is too wet.
In the afternoon I go to Boone for a load of coal. I ride on a wagon. It is not such good sport as
going in a car. Weh ave much fun. The most pleasing sight is the potato crop. The acreage is large
and the growth of the crops has never been better.
July 4.-- I visit Aunt Polly McBride. She has been sick for a long time. By some means she has
always seen the dark side of life. From here I go to the cheese factory. A crew of hands is building
an addition for the manufacture of Swiss cheese.
There has been much passing today. This is a holiday and many people have taken an advantage
of it.
In the afternoon I visit the store at Sugar Grove. There is nothing here to excite us. It does not6
take me long to tire at a store.
July 5.-- The first job that I have is doing some work on the church. Mr. Mast and I tear down
a scaffold and clean up the yard. In our opinion we think that it improves the looks of the situation.
In the afternoon I attend the Masonic Lodge at Sugar Grove. I have been a member seventeen
years, but I have not been in the Hall in fourteen years. There is work in two degrees. We have a
splendid time. It is late in the day when I arrive home.
July 6.-- We have a fine Sunday School at Willowdale. Attorney John E. Brown is with us and
makes a brief talk.
At noon we dine alone. It seems so good for us to have a few minutes to ourselves.
I visit W. W . Campbell. The rain keeps me there for some time.
W. Y. Perry and family come to see us. We have a pleasant afternoon.
Rain commences about one o'clock. It is one downpour until night. We are sure that the ground
919
�is too wet for some time. Crops must wait.
July 7.-- I work at a lesson. There is so much talk that it disturbs me in my work. I love to have
a quiet time for study and meditation.
The papers do not bring us any news of importance from the Convention in New York.
In the afternoon I go to Mabel. This is a long hard trip. It is almost night when I get there. We
have some rain late in the evening. It seems that clear weather is never coming to us.
July 8.-- This morning I have a tough time. I dust some potatoes. It is the wettest time that I
have ever been out. It is as difficult as wading a stream of water.
Upon the completion of my job I start for home. I walk about three miles. I catch a car and come
home. I am satisfied that I have a good place to live.
In the afternoon I read and do some work about the house. We visit the neighbors. There are
many things for us to do. It seems that we are not able to keep even.
July 9.-- This is one day that I do not do much. We are at home. I am at a loss to know how to
rest. There are so many sorry little things to provoke a man. I long for the time to come when I can
rest from all my cares. It seems that the older a man becomes, the more that the cares of life pile
upon him. I can see no end to my cares.
For many days we have had much rain. The ground has been too wet to work our crops. The
weeds are doing well.
July 10.-- Before noon we do not do much work. We are waiting for the ground to dry. It seems
that our crops have had to wait a long time.
In the afternoon we plow our com and beans. Doughton is plowboy. It is not long until he is at
the top of the hill. Before night we have the com hoed. From the field of labor the boys go to the
cherry trees. A boy can rest so quickly. He relaxes his muscles a few minutes and he is ready to go.
This is not true with a man. He has long ago lost the art of resting.
July 11.-- The first job that I have on my program is picking cherries. Doughton and I pick and
bring in nine gallons before noon. They are nice ones. These are the kind that keep well, and the
kind that I love to eat.
In the afternoon Doughton and I work in our beans and com. We finish the garden.
Mr. De Vane, from Red Springs come[s] to see us. We visit the Yates' place. Upon our return
we eat at W. J. Mast's our first mud turtle meat. Just at night Roe Warren, Homer Eggers, and J. F.
Eggers from Elizabethton come to see us.
July 12.-- I mow a little clover this morning. It is heavy cutting. The heat almost gets the best
of me.
At crowd from Elk comes along and I go with them to see a ball game at Mabel. Just as we
arrive there there is a hard rain. It looks as if there will be no game. In the afternoon the rain ceases
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long enough to play. The game is exciting and full of humor.
The run in the truck is exciting. We come down Cove Creek at an [sic] rapid rate. I am glad
when it is time to stop at my home.
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Andrew Jackson Greene Collection
Description
An account of the resource
The Andrew Jackson Greene Collection consists of more than 160 diaries written by Greene who describes Watauga County's education system, including Appalachian State Teachers College, cultural and religious life, and agriculture from 1906 to 1942. <br /><br /><strong>Biographical Note.</strong> Andrew Jackson Greene (March 2, 1883-August 12, 1942) was a life-long resident of Watauga County, North Carolina and instructor in several Watauga schools including Appalachian State Teachers College (A.S.T.C). Greene worked as a farmer, public school teacher, and college professor. Greene was an enthusiastic diarist maintaining regular entries from 1906 to the day before his death. He also recorded A.S.T.C. faculty meetings from January 9, 1915 to May 3, 1940. He married Polly Warren, and they had three children, Ralph, Maxie, and Lester.
Contributor
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Greene, Andrew Jackson, 1883-1942
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://appstate-speccoll.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/190">AC.105: Andrew Jackson Greene Collection</a>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1906-1942
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">No Copyright - United States</a>
Document
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Number of pages
55
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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Diary of Andrew Jackson Greene, Volume 50 [March 31 - July 12, 1924]
Creator
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Greene, Andrew Jackson, 1883-1942
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a title="Andrew Jackson Greene Collection, 1906-1942" href="https://appstate-speccoll.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/190" target="_blank">Andrew Jackson Greene Collection, 1906-1942</a>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1924
Extent
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51.3 MB
Language
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English
Identifier
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105_050_1924_0331_1924_0712
Description
An account of the resource
This diary was kept by Andrew Jackson Greene from March 31st through July 12th in the year of 1924. In the daily entries, Greene includes information about what he has accomplished that day, his opinions about certain events of the day, and who he has visited with recently. He also gives insight into what is happening in the school, the church, and throughout the community.
Subject
The topic of the resource
Watauga County (N.C.)--Social life and customs--20th century
Baptists--Clergy--North Carolina--Watauga County
Greene, Andrew Jackson, 1883-1942
Type
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Text
Rights
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<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">No Copyright – United States</a>
Format
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Diaries
Is Part Of
A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included.
<a title="Andrew Jackson "Greene collection" href="https://omeka.library.appstate.edu/collections/show/39" target="_blank"> Andrew Jackson Greene collection </a>
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Watauga County (N.C.)
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
<a title="https://www.geonames.org/4497707/watauga-county.html" href="https://www.geonames.org/4497707/watauga-county.html" target="_blank"> https://www.geonames.org/4497707/watauga-county.html</a>
Boone
Cottrell’s Store
Cove Creek Baptist Church
Dock Mast’s Store
Elk Park
Festival at the Courthouse
Graydon Eggers
J.B. Elliot
J.B. Williams
J.F. Eggers
James Miller
Jennie Dugger
Junior-Senior Reception
Masonic Lodge at Sugar Gove
Meat Camp
Normal School
Rev. J.C. Teague
teacher
Uncle John Smith
Vilas
Weather
Willowdale