2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
War-date Kentucky merchant's diary for the year 1865, with excellent war-related content pertaining to Rebel guerrillas, feeding the Rebels, Union gunboats on the river, the close of the war, Abraham Lincoln's assassination and his slow business after the military ceases to need his services, accompanied by nice tintype of him 3-1/2"x5", c. 1880. The diary, ID'd on inside cover "C.E. Richardson, Saint Louis MO" and with his stamp "Charles E. Richardson", it reads in part: "…[1/4/65] Went over to Dr. Jenkin's (one of our neighbors) & beat about a half a barrel of cider…Had an interesting game of Euchre…[1/7]Read a little in the 'First Year of the War.'…[1/10]I went out this morning with the hands, and cut wood awhile…[1/11]In the morning I helped to fix the hearth in the negro cabin…[1/14]The negroes are going to have a frolic here tonight…[1/16]There is a rumor that the Rebels intend conscripting here, some few in now…[1/17]There is a rumor afloat that Lincoln has sent Delegates to Richmond for the purpose of making propositions for peace…[1/23] finished the 'First Year of the War' by Edward A. Pollard of Richmond, Va. Liked it very much, will commence the 'Second' very soon…[1/25]All hands of us, spent nearly all day in getting ice, got the ice house full. Ice is a great luxury in the summer season of the year…[1/30] Myself & our two negro men, Bill and Monroe, finished gathering corn…[2/3]stripped tobacco all day…[2/4]G.H. Thompson & J.B. Bishop came back…they have been to Saint Louis tending a Medical School…[2/6]I assisted our Col' man Bill, in cutting some large trees in the Lawn for fire wood…went over to W.H. Reeeve's to sit up with his son, who was shot accidentally…[2/8]Some Rebels called here tonight to get their suppers but they did not get it…[2/9]I was very suddenly surprised this morning by 4 Rebels calling to arrest myself & E.B. but we managed to get away…I come over to Cairo…I am stopping at the Grant House…[2/11]Uncle McCutchin met with a sad accident at home…he got his stable burnt to ashes…supposed to be set on fire…[2/12]Nearly all the Rebels have left the country, they are coming in again soon…[2/17]I went round to the "Barber's Shop' and had my hair trimmed and Whiskers blacked, and then went to a Gallery and had my Photograph taken…[2/24]I heard from home today…plenty of Rebels in the county yet, no chance for home yet…I took a boat and came up to Mound City…[2/27]I spent the whole day in the store business is very flush, I like selling groceries very well…[3/1] at night went to a 'slight of hand show,'…[3/7]The river is still rising, I am afraid it will flood the City before it quits…[3/10] Skiffs are running to and fro all over the city. We have to go in a skift from the store to the dwelling house. 'Hurrah' for Abraham…[3/17]I learned today that the Mississippi was rising again, if that be the case, farewell Mound City…[3/24]Trade has been exceedingly good today, better than it has for some time past…[3/25]Trade has been very good Cash sales amounted to $250…[4/4]Everyting is in Jubilee about the fall of Richmond, 10 cannon were fired, and the whole city is illuminated tonight…[4/7]The flag ship Black Hawk returned this evening from St. Louis…[4/8]The papers say Gen. R.E. Lee and his whole army are captured. I think Uncle Abe is about to get the upper hand of Old Jeff…[4/10] A salute of two hundred guns were fired over the fall of Richmond and the capture of Lee and his army. The city is also illuminated tonight. A string band gave us some fine music…[4/12]R.H. Morton sold his share of the stock of groceries to his partners, C.A. Scott & Co. We have been very busy this evening invoicing the stock…[4/15] I see in the paper that Pres. Lincoln was shot through the head while in a Theatre at Washington, also Secretary Seward was assassinated about [the same] time. Horrible state of affairs…[4/16]The whole city is in mourning, and the Flags are at half mast over the deaths of Lincoln & Seward…[4/19]We did nothing today in the store, as there was an order produced to close the doors, and spend the day in prayer, for the loss of the President…[4/22]The Flag Ship 'Black Hawk' burnt up to day about 11 oclock, three lives were lost, it made a large fire sure…a barrel of oil ignited and set her on fire…[5/6]I took a negro boy and wagon and went over to Uncle Mc's old place after our wheat…[5/21]Went to preaching at 'Pleasant Hill' today, sermon by Bro. Barnum, he seems to be a very good preacher…[5/25]I took two of the negro boys and burnt the wheat stubble out of the way of the ploughs…[6/13]We planted about seven acres of tobacco today…[6/19] I assisted in setting tobacco, we have about twelve acres set in all…[7/4]I went down to a Pic-Nic on the Mississippi River 2 miles below Cairo - given by Fire Company No. 4…[7/17]I assisted in replanting tobacco nearly all day, our tobacco is very much pressing…[7/30]I went to preaching at Hurricane school house, sermon by Rev. Covington, a Methodist. Rev. Swayne preached there this evening, I did not attend, Swayne is a Baptist…[8/5]I assisted a little in pricing Tobacco, we finished our entire crop…[9/6] I assisted Mr. Radford in setting up a couple of hogsheads, which occupied the whole day…[9/11]Commenced reading 'Raids and Romances of Morgan and his Men' I like it very much, Morgan was certainly a brave daring man…[9/12]I spent the whole day reading 'Morgan and his Men' by Mrs. Sally A. Ford, I like it better and better, the farther I advance in it…[9/17]Trade very dull today as usual, the people can't get to town it rains so much…[9/30]Right smart of trade going on today, a good deal of Cotton and Tobacco coming in…[10/6] A good many wagons into to day with cotton and tobacco, apples, hay & c. There is a large circus in town tomorrow…[10/19]Cotton is declining, the buyers here are not so rampant as they were some time back. The sun and moon were in partial eclipse this morning…[10/21]We bought four bales of cotton today, cost nearly a thousand dollars. Underwood has been chilling it for the last 2 or 3 days…[11/2]Trade very good, cotton dull and declining. We disposed of B.D. Thompson our clerk, as there is not enough business doing to require his services…[11/3]a good deal of cotton in, it sold from 42 1/2c to 43c a little dull at that…[11/4]We bought seven bales of cotton today at 41 ½ to 42c…[11/9]Business very good. The coal that we have been expecting so long for this place, made its appearance this morning…[11/10]We received some common whiskey and cheese this morning from St. Louis…[11/16]this has been one of our your busy days with us, Our sales amounted to ($450)…[11/26]Went to the Baptist Church to preaching in the morning and at night Uncle McC sister and I went to the Methodist Church, sermon by Rev. Wilherson, a good many in attendance…[12/2]Business has been 'bullly' the best we have had. Cash sales amounted to $600…[12/20] All hands busy weighing, cutting out, and salting up hogs again today…[12/25]The negroes have a big frolic here tonight…[12/31]This ends my diary I shall not keep one next year for the simple reason it don't pay. I am in hopes whoever may view this will do so with a 'Crickets' eye…" Loose at spine, else about VG.
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