Sharing the First and Second Parts of the "Edward Lusk Diaries" - from Mr. Scott Kneer - Auglaize County, Ohio

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Scott Knerr – March 2, 2019

 “ The Edward Lusk Diaries Part 1”  

"In reading over Edwards’ diaries I feel it’s more important to let him tell you his stories. I think trying to rewrite his words would take away from them. I’m going to date and write his exact words as we all learn about this wonderful man and throw a few of my own thoughts in along the way. But one thing is for sure your going to love meeting and following Edward through his life here in Auglaize County from the years 1889-1909. Hope you enjoy.

Edward Lusk was born June 14th 1865 in Clay township. Tragedy hit early in his life. When he was just 11 years old his father William died. This event had a huge effect on his relationship with his mother Sarah. The bond these two had after Williams’ death was of a deep love for each other. In his diaries he often talked of his mother. 

Gary Denig told me in the original diary as he was writing about his mothers death in the middle of the page there is a spot where the ink is all smeared. It was determined that Ed was crying over his diary as he wrote about her death and a tear was what smeared the ink. 

Edward grew up on the farm with his mother and the rest of his siblings until adulthood. He then went to Ohio Northern University in Ada to study being a teacher. After getting his degree he came back to Clay township and became a one room school house teacher. It is at this time he started to write the diaries."

Monday Nov. 4th 1889:

School. Had 33 scholars today. Weather clear and warm. Some scholars are still barefoot. John Darnell brought out from Wapak 2,500 shingles. Due for shingles $7.50 paid.

Saturday Nov. 9th 1889

At home in the forenoon killing beef. Drew my first month’s school wages $42.50. Bought at Wapak shoes for Ina 2 pairs $4.50. 1 pair mother $2.25, 1 pair for myself $2.50, overshoes 50 cents, dry goods 85 cents.

Tuesday Dec. 24th 1889

School. I treated, gave eight sticks of candy to each scholar. All seemed well pleased. My treat, 20 lbs. cost $2.25. A very nice day.

January 11th 1890

Ina ( my wife) and I went to Wapak. Left the children at her pa’s. Ina got 4 teeth pulled. Spent $1.50 getting teeth pulled. We were up at Lou Faler’s a little while. Almost everyone has La Grippe, a new disease just imported from Russia. 

January 20th 1890

School: Not a very full school on account of La Grippe. Jim Brentlinger took mumps today at school. I went and saw directors of Dobie school. Put a bid at $1.40 a day for the coming summer term.

January 23rd 1890

Mary wife of Amos Brackney died very suddenly this evening of La Grippe and Quinsy. Went down to tell Mrs. Kemper of Mary’s death. Got home at 3am.

*Note*: La Grippe was a strain of flu from Russia. Edward logged many days about the affects this was having on our county. At one point he said most of our county was sick from La Grippe in 1890. We lost many citizens over the winter of 1890 to this strain of flu.

June 14th 1890

My birthday 25 years old. At work hauling and splitting wood, and cleaning old rails out of the road( Thrush road was a pike road at this time). Went to New Hampshire to get mother’s buggy. Cost $8.00.

June 25th 1890

School. William Shockey plowing today with one horse. Paid him 75 cents for today. Mr. J. Davisson and hands came this afternoon to finish building wildcat fence.

June 27th 1890

Hauling rails this morning. Men finished fence along the road. John Darnell and I went to Wapak in the afternoon. John bought a Jagger wagon from Kreitzer’s for $135.00. Harness at Nagel’s $10.00.

Oct.4th 1890

Started at sun up for Van Wert County. We reached Lima at about 8:30 am and Elida about 10:30am. Stopped and fed “Mollie” ( his horse) at a Mrs. Ford’s then started on at 1:00pm. We reached Delphos at 2:00pm. Then a long drive to Van Wert which we reached at 5pm. It got dark early and we did not reach Convoy until after night. Inquired and finally had to get a man to guide us to John Rader’s which we found at about 8pm. They were very much surprised. Rainy all day.

Nov. 29th 1890

A big Quail supper at dance at Schultz’s saloon in St. Johns. 

Nov 27th 1890

No school. Thanksgiving day. Borrowed Dode’s gun and went out hunting with Jim, Dwight, and John Darnell, Will Morris, and George Lusk. Had lots of fun and I got 1 rabbit. This is the first one I have ever shot. Mother and Ina at Dan Runkle’s. I cannot be to thankful for my good luck, good health, ect. Weather cloudy with snow in the morning.

Dec 11th 1890

Old Captain Hugh Elliott was struck with Paralysis or Apoplexy. He is in precarious condition. (*Note* I added this log because I couldn’t find much on Mr Elliott. I wonder what he was the captain of? Does anybody know anything about Hugh Elliott?)

Dec. 31st 1890

School. Weather misty and rainy all day. So ends the old year. I guess I have done some good, at least in the way of schools. Anyhow, I hope I have. I am no better morally for it seems I give up to my temper to often. I have made some money at least enough to feed and clothe my family decently and have saved some money as well.        

Scott Knerr – March 2, 2019

 “ The Edward Lusk Diaries Part 2”

"This part covers from January to July of 1891 due to some things happening that you will read below. 

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January 14th 1891

Began school but felt so very bad that I dismissed at a little after 10am. 

Ina and mother at church at Bethel today. I went to Dr. Lusk in late afternoon for medicine. 

Got medicine for myself and for Edna’s face. Paid Dr. Lusk 50 cents. Paid the peddle wagon debt to Charles Martin in full $11.17. Borrowed from mother $10.00. Feel very bad.

January 15th 1891

Still feel very bad all day, but up most of the time. A whole house full of visitors all day and evening. Dr. Lusk called. Dwight’s stayed all night. 

January 16th 1891

 My back feeling worse most of the day, but my head is better. Sent Manford to get groceries in St. Johns. Several visitors again today.

January 18th 1891

Feeling a great deal better all day. Dwight’s, Granville’s and Aunt Cynthia all here today. Willie and Rissie called in the evening. I have been taking no medicine today and shall begin school tomorrow if nothing happens. 

*Note* I added this part to show how people from all over the area stopped in to check up on Edward while he was sick. I kind of felt sorry for him too with having to sit up with so many guests while feeling so bad. But this part really shows how people cared about Edward. 

January 28th 1891

School. 

Charlie Campbell tried once more to run the school- to do as he pleased etc. But, I set down on all such doings. In fact, I almost set down on the boy. 

I was mad- too mad. 

Perhaps, but I cannot and will not be imposed upon in any such manner. Went over to Jerry’s in the evening and Jerry told me that I did quite right. That Charlie must obey my rules. 

Feb 2nd 1891

School. 

Very warm and bright most of the day. The old groundhog could see his shadow.

Feb 7th 1891

At work. Hauled in a load of hay and did other chores in the forenoon. John Darnell helped me. Went to Waynesfield in the afternoon. A grand fox hunt took place through here centered in Clawson’s woods, but not one fox caught. 

March 28th 1891

Went to convention in the afternoon and received the nomination for Clerk. 

(Edward is running for county clerk). Went on to St. Johns and got my hair cut.

April 6th 1891

Election Day. 

At the election all day. I was defeated by five votes, think I did very well and am very pleased. Weather snowy in morning, but rather pleasant the rest of the day. 

May 19th 1891

School. 

The first day I have done without fire at the schoolhouse all day. Weather warm with a small shower of rain the the afternoon. 

May 20th 1891

School. 

The horses out on the road this morning and I had to run after them. Weather warm. 

May 22nd 1891

School. Went to school in the buggy today. 

June 1st 1891

School. Morgan Harrod raised his barn today. John Gross replanted corn until noon for me. Weather very warm with rain in the afternoon. 

A strange wind cloud, very low, passed over here from the west, with a great noise while in the Southwest it seemed to simply hang as on a pivot. It was a splendid sight. 

June 18th 1891

School. 

Carl Gray got a frog up his pants and thought it was a snake. We had quite a time. Ethan is to move on Elliott’s farm tomorrow. I am sorry to see Ethan leave, as he is the best hand I ever had. 

July 3rd 1891

A good sized rain last night. There are to be some some big races by gas light at the Wapak fairgrounds tonight.

July 4th 1891

Independence Day! 

But, it seems that I can never get time to have a holiday. I was helping J.W. Darnell shock wheat all day. We didn’t quite get done with his wheat, he has a splendid crop of wheat. 

Weather pleasant and windy. 

Big races at Wapakoneta. 

July 16th 1891

Helping Ab thresh today. 

( But a terrible accident happened)

“ A Heart Sending Accident” 

At about 5:20 pm and after we were entirely done threshing except to gather up some shattered rye. Ab climbed upon the separator to get a half bushel and in attempting to get down over the feed board, his right foot and leg caught in the cylinder and was torn into shreads, but he caught a hold and saved himself. But, Oh! Such a sight. Several men, John Idle, George Brackney, Dan Runkle, and I caught him and I bound two handkerchiefs toward the end of the leg to stop and prevent the bleeding, then sent for Dr’s Van Trump and McCally while I ran to the barn and got the horse and buggy and brought Ab to the house. Dr. Van Trump arrived first then Dr. McCally, but as neither had a case of instruments, Br. Bryan and he arrived shortly before midnight. 

The Dr’s amputated the leg about 4 inches below the knee. 

The amputation continued from midnight until 1:30am Friday morning. Ab roused from the chloroform and was talking very rationally when I left at about 2am. I came home and staid by myself as Ina and the children are at Dan’s tonight. 

The news of the accident is spreading rapidly and the most intense excitement prevails. 

People are coming from far and near. 

I never expect to banish that awful sight from my memory!

July 17th 1891 

Albert W. McCally died today at about 9 o’clock from the injuries received yesterday. We went down there this afternoon, a great number of people there. Lib entirely prostrated with grief. The undertaker embalmed Ab’s body this afternoon. 

July 19th 1891

A.W. McCally buried today at St. Johns Cemetery. The largest crowd that I ever saw at a funeral and said to be much the largest that was ever in St. Johns. People from almost all over this county and many from adjoining counties. The text for the funeral, “I shall be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness.”

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"Well due to the length of this part I’m going to stop here for now. Much more to come. 

Thanks again to Bonnie and Gary Denig for letting all of us see these wonderful diaries. 

Until next time…"