Madden Diary: Time to thaw out
We rejoin George and Lizzie Madden in the spring of 1858. They have gone through the winter without a single loaf of wheat bread and George, weary of stuff made with last year’s somewhat moldy corn, has wheat on his mind and is anxious to get to the field.
Saturday, March 20, 1858. We set out about 85 cottonwood trees. We plant them to protect us from the cold north wind. Lizzie helps me. Plow not working well.
Sunday, 21st. We did not get to go to church meeting although we got ready to start. Our horse broke loose and could not be caught.
Monday, March 22. Went to town to get my plow sharpened. After I came home I tried some prairie and it works pretty well this time.
Tues. March 23. Cutting posts, making rails and putting a fence around my fodder.
Thurs. 25th. Four years ago today I entered some land in this county the first land I ever owned. Making posts.
Friday 26th. Finished making posts. 75 in number at 6c a post, delivered to Mr. Hinman.
Saturday, March 27. We have been married seven months today. Hauls some wood and sell 26 more posts to Hinman. Also fixing up to plow for wheat on Monday.
Sun. March 28. Lizzie, father, mother and I go over to Uncle Isaac’s new farm. We pass by cousin Thomas Prickett’s. They all get in our wagon and we go on over together. They are fine people. Beautiful day but rather cool. Some grass is showing on the prairie. Some have sowed their spring wheat.
Monday, 29. Rain. Begin plowing in wheat.
Tuesday. Plowing in wheat. Some rain.
April 1, 1858. This morning we arose before day and heard the merry birds singing and carried some water for Lizzie to do the wash. There is frost on the ground and a heavy fog. I think spring must be a month earlier than it was last year. Plowing wheat.
Friday, 2nd. Plowing. It is very windy. A fire broke out on the prairie or was set by someone. It is burning through some of father’s timber. Had some trouble getting it out at Schooley’s.
Sat. 3rd. Plowing in wheat. Wind blowing hard. Very cool.
Sunday. Elizabeth and I go to church meeting on horseback. Cool. A Sabbath School is organized. The officers are Geo. McComber 1st Supt, Mr. Thompson, Asst. Supt., Mr. McKerron, Librarian, Mr. Gilcrease, Secretary, Mr. Buling, Treasurer. Tomorrow I will sow more wheat and then begin harrowing it in.
It will be mid-April when Madden finishes harrowing his wheat.
He will have spent most of his working time for more than two weeks planting about ten acres.
Unfortunately the wheat crop will fail, and this was only part of the woes awaiting George and Lizzie in that summer of 1858.
Roy Marshall is a local historian and columnist for the Red Oak Express. He can be contacted at news@redoakexpress.com