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Scott Knerr – March 2, 2019
“The Edward Lusk
Diaries Part 3”
Hello all: Wasn’t that a terrible accident that Ed witnessed and was part of in
part 2? His diaries reflected that over the next several months. But life goes
on. That fall Ed talks of picking apples and taking them to Waynesfield to make
cider. He talks of making apple butter and ending with nearly 11 gallons. He
takes a trip in Sept. of 1891 by train from Belle Center to Columbus. Let’s see
what he has to say about his trip.
Sept. 17th 1891
We started from Belle Center at 10:45pm last night and arrived at Columbus at
between 2 and 3am. We laid around at the depot until nearly daylight then
started for the business part of the city. We located at the Farmer’s Hotel on
Market St. We went to the State Fair and saw a fair of which in my opinion any
state might feel proud. After supper, we went up to the state house to see the
wonderful display of fireworks. It was indeed a grand sight. Very warm.
Sept. 18th 1891
We visited the Insane and Idiotic Asylums and Penitentiary in the forenoon. In
the afternoon, the Blind and the Deaf and Dumb Asylums and State House.
Everything about the Asylums is very grand and inviting to the senses. While
the schools of the sane institutions are seemingly most thoroughly conducted.
The Ohio Penitentiary has at present 1,528 prisoners of which 33 are women, 400
are colored, and 150 are life prisoners. Weather extremely warm.
Sept 19th 1891
We started home from Columbus at 8:10 am and arrived in Belle Center at noon.
We have had a pleasant trip and a very enjoyable time. We arrived at home at
about 5pm. I am glad to find my family all well, and pleased to be with them
again.
But time to move on in Ed’s life. The year is now 1892. Let’s see what happens
next.
Jan 25th 1892
School. I went in the sleigh but this evening sleighing is getting poor on the
east and west roads while on the north and south roads the sledding is good.
Weather much warmer.
Feb. 13th 1892
At home hauling wood and feed, broke my sled down today and had to borrow
John’s. I went to New Hampshire in the evening and settled some accounts. A
most curious and wonderful spectacle was perceptible in the northern heavens. A
bright red light and yellow streaks of half the width of the heavens from the zenith
to the northern horizon and extending east to west. It seemed to be in motion
and probably lasted for two hours. I do not know what it should be called
unless the Aurora Borealis ( northern lights). *Note* This must have been one
awesome sight and light show in Ed’s life with no artificial light to interfere
with the colors and ribbons of light.
July 4th 1892
Independence Day! One hundred and six years since our country has been declared
“free and independent states” and during that time she has never failed to
prosper and today ranks foremost in civilization and prosperity among all
nations of the globe. Weather clear and pleasant.
Sept 7th 1892
Mowing weeds then husking corn this afternoon. Today’s fight was fought at New
Orleans, the great heavyweight battle between Colbert and Sullivan for the
championship of the world and $45,000 in which Sullivan was whipped in the 21st
round.
Oct. 21st 1892
No school. Columbus Day! A grand celebration all over the land commemorating
the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus. I went to Wapak
this morning. A great parade exhibiting all the industrial pursuits of the
town, also the schools, orders, societies ( Elks, Oddfellows, Moose), ect. A
grand display and the largest crowd I almost ever saw at Wapak.
Nov.8th 1892
No school. Election day. Voted straight democrat ticket. Grover Cleveland and
Benjamin Harrison were the leaders in the Democratic and Republican parties.
Cleveland and the Democratic ticket all elected.
Dec 22nd 1892
School. A big racket at our
school today. Charlie Campbell hit the teacher, Silas Brackney over the head
with and iron poker and downed him.
*Note* After 1892 Ed didn’t keep a detailed diary for several years. His logs
were mainly of going to school and farming. He takes on being the Clay township
clerk during this time also.
The next log I picked comes in
Oct. of 1896.
October 1896
Here I am again after 6 months of negligence from my old diary but I have been
very busy. Gave up the of the office of Township Clerk August 31st and very
much relieved. First frost Sept. 20th and it was a big one.
*Note* We now jump to 1899. Ed seems to be discouraged with himself for not
keeping up with his diaries. But 1899 is a hard year for Ed as you will read
below.
June 30th 1899
A big frost this morning. Corn in low wet ground badly nipped. Very cold this
morning but hot in middle of the day.
Nov.27th 1899
School. Mother much worse. The doctor here this morning. He thinks she can’t
last long.
Nov. 28th 1899
No school. Mother seems to be fading very fast. A great number of people here
today. Mother is in a great deal of pain.
Nov. 29th 1899
No school! A day that I shall remember all the rest of my life, for today at
about 5pm my very best Earthly friend, Mother, passed to the great beyond. She
suffered terribly all morning and forenoon but in the midst of it all she
started shouting praises to him who doeth all things well.
She clearly realized that the end
was near and she talked of the happy meeting with father and the little ones
who have gone on before. In the afternoon she gradually sank into
unconsciousness and peacefully breathed her life away. Her last intelligible
words were in harmony with her life, being of the little children and of their
comfort. Blessed Mother! Her life was worthy of imitation. Lord, help me her
weak and worthy son to follow in the footsteps of my Father and Mother, and
above all may I glorify my heavenly father and follow in his footsteps.
(*Note* The family told me that in
the diary the page is smeared due to Ed crying over his diary as he wrote about
his mother).
Nov. 30th 1899
A long lonesome day. Several here today. Rev. Aten here this afternoon and
wrote obituary of mother’s life. The neighbor men repairing road into cemetery
and digging grave. They are all very kind and sympathetic. The undertaker here
this morning and we selected a casket for mother. Price $65.00
Dec. 1st 1899
Mother’s remains laid to rest today. A large crowd present. I hope I can have
said of me what was said of my mother today. My sisters and their families all
here for dinner.
I think this is a good place to
end part 3. We are now half way through the diary years. Ed sure seems to be
one great and caring man. I hope your still enjoying following Ed through his
life here in Auglaize County.
Until next time…
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Scott Knerr – March 2, 2019
"Edward Lusk - Diaries Part 4”
Hello all: We left part 3 with the death of Ed’s mother in 1899. Her death had
a big effect on him. In his diary of 1900 many of his entries are just one or
two sentences. But still he pushes on through life as you will read below. Also
I added some pics so you can now have a face to the writer of these awesome
diaries. And one more thing before we move on. I have not read ahead on these
diaries. I've been writing these posts as I go. So your literally reading these
right along with me. I'm sure going to miss Ed when this series ends.
Dec. 7th 1899
School. Much warmer today. Snow almost gone. The days go slowly.
Dec. 15th 1899
School. Snow pretty deep. I went in buggy but several sleighs are out.
Dec. 20th 1899
School. Went to St. Johns and got treats, 37 lbs. @ 6 1/2 cents for my scholars
tonight.
Dec. 23rd 1899
School. Treated my scholars and had a nice time. Scholars seemed pleased and I
hope they may enjoy many a pleasant Christmas.
Dec 25th 1899
Christmas! And the children are
all happy. They didn’t get as much as they sometimes do but I guess they got a
plenty. God bless them. I was at work about all day. Weather clear and cold.
Jan 1st 1900
No school. New Years day! The
children got candy, oranges, and a few presents. Ina went visiting today. I
staid home with the children. We got along first rate.
Jan 2nd 1900
School. Children seemed to feel
first rate over their holiday. George Lane and Pearl Baggs having been visiting
in Franklin County are to return home tonight. The boys say the intend to give
them a belling tonight.
Jan 3rd 1900
School. The boys belled George
and Pearl but they say they are not married. Weather a little warmer.
March 3rd 1900
Dode and I went to Wapak in his
rig as my horses could not stand on the roads this morning due to ice. (*Note*
This is the first time Ed mentions in his diaries about being in a auto*). But
the ice has been going fast this afternoon, almost all off the roads tonight.
Finished paying a note to Dr. Van Trump and settled mothers doctor bill giving
note for $26.80.
March 24th 1900
My school closed today. A very
large and orderly crowd. Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves but I am sorry to
leave my scholars. They were very kind to me.
*Note* I believe Ed’s one room
schoolhouse closed down for good at this time. He did not write again in his
diary until the following November.
Nov. 1st 1900
School at New Hampshire. Weather
pleasant but dry.
Nov. 6th 1900
School until noon then went to
the election in afternoon. A very nice day but somewhat cool. Staid at Township
house until vote was counted out. Clay Township total vote 422. ( D ) William
Bryan 226, ( R ) William McKinley 186. Late new this evening is encouraging to
Republicans.
Nov. 7th 1900
School. Weather cold and raw.
Some snow this evening. Republicans feeling good over McKinley’s reelection.
(*Note* McKinley won big in his
reelection. The electoral votes were McKinley 292, Bryan 155). Rented my Marion
house this evening to Owen Hurley at two dollars a month. But he is to have the
first month free providing he cleans up the house and yard. ( Owen Hurley was a
farm hand for Ed and helped him in many ways).
Nov. 14th 1900
School. Owen took team of horses
and went to Gutman and got a barrel of salt (for curing meat), also got two
shoes put on Nellie ( his horse). He got home about 11am then went to hunt my
calves. He found them away over to the south. Didn’t get them home until 3pm.
He then hauled up a load of wood for me. Weather cold and disagreeable.
Nov. 29th 1900
Thanksgiving! No school! Owen
husking this forenoon then he and I took a load, 41 bushels, 38lbs. To St.
Johns at 30 cents per bushel. Owen and wife here for dinner and supper. Mother
died a year ago today. God bless her memory.
Dec. 27th 1900
Took Ina (wife) and Don(son) to
the station at St. Johns. They went to Van Wert today.
Dec. 29th 1900
The little boys and I went to
Gutman this forenoon and got Nellie’s shoes reset in the front and hind ones
taken off. Went out to meet Ina and Don at train but they got left in Lima.
They phoned to me. ( *Note* This is the first time in the diaries Ed mentions
using a phone).
Jan. 1st 1901
New Years Day! The children only
got candy ect. But they are happy. Not doing much this forenoon but hauled up
wood for me and Owen this afternoon. The whole family went to Alfred’s this
evening in bobsleds. A good visit. Weather cold all day and very cold tonight.
Jan. 12th 1901
Went up to New Hampshire this
morning and got two teeth filled. Ava went along and had a tooth pulled. Got
home at noon, then went to quarterly conference at Bethel this afternoon and
then out to lodge this evening. Was installed Noble Grand tonight. Cold. Cold.
Owen’s brother, John’s baby was buried today.
Jan. 21st. 1901
Butchered today, 3 hogs and 1
calf. Got 26 gal. of lard. Sold hind quarter of beef to Alfred Dobie’s, wt. 84
lbs @ 8 cents = $6.72 paid. Front quarter 77lbs. @ 6 1/2 cents = $5.00 paid to
R.D. VanTress. Adam Rinehart helped butcher. Paid him $2.15. Sold calf hide 43
1/2 lbs. @ 6 cents = $2.61. Manfred and Owen helped also. They got done a
little after 2 o’clock Weather pleasant.
Jan 25th 1901
School. I staid at New Hampshire
and got my teeth worked at Dr. Griffith crowned one tooth and bridged another.
Paid him $5.00 more making $10.00 paid him. Children went to Wolf Creek
tonight.
March 30th 1901
Dode and I went to Wapak today. A
great number of people there today and politics are rampant especially the
fight for Auditor. Both candidates A.E. Schaeffer and Wm. Meyer are fine
fellows and I am taking no side whatsoever. Damp and disagreeable today.
June 14th 1901
My birthday! 36 years old today.
Plowing potatoes in afternoon. Dode Thrush came past this evening and he and I
went to Geyer and we got home( about 9 o’clock) our house, yard, and orchard
were all full of people to surprise me, which they did to my satisfaction. More
then two hundred people here and we had a general good time. I shall never
forget it. God bless them all.
I’m going to end here for now due to the length of this part. But I’ll be back
with more later. Again a special thanks to Bonnie Lusk Denig and Gary R. Denig
for sharing these with all of us.
Until next time…
