Whitford Diary 1889
January 31, 1889
A nither (another) fine morning & I started to up to Sampson his place & went on to the mass(?) & sae (saw) him & I cume (come) hume (home) & sume (some) (?) one (?) here & sume (?) fire wood. Still fine this evening nut (not) culd (cold) at all & the evening looks fine.
February 1, 1889
A nither finemorning & I worked at a c(?) to day & the Indians choped (chopped) fire wood here & sume cume to see Mr. Lucas & sume d(?) fire wood to day. Still fine. Wither (weather) looks nice this evening & we (??) day with the Indians.
February 2, 1889
A nither fine day & the (???) they dune (done) (?) loads to day & I made a (?) for to make asmples(?) & the men cut fire wood all day. Still fine.
February 3, 1889
Sunday. Cloude (cloudy) this morning & I (???) to day a (?) storm.
February 4, 1889
A nither fine day & we started in to (??) rations & after we gut there I (?) the (??) & the Indians went to cut wood to make singles (shingles?) the whole day but they did nut make many they are nut (?) to the camp. Still fine to night.
February 5, 1889
A nither fine day & me & Mr. Lucas started for single wood & we gut sume & cume hume & the Indians worked here all day sume cutting fire wood & sume (??) a cross the river & we dune our thing on a nither(?). Still fine to night.
February 6, 1889
A nither fine day & a lot of Indians came to work to day & Mr. Lucas started to Wolf Creek & he did nut cume till late to night & the Indians cut a lot of fire wood to day. Still fine to night. Clear & bright.
February 21, 1889
Still culd this morning & we made redy & we cume of & we (?) in town before (?) & we made redy all evening & we gut all our stuff (?) & I (?)ted for the (?) & I (?????) & just 5 we made a start & we cume on to Mr. Donalds for the night. Midlin culd.
February 22, 1889
Midlin culd this morning & we made redy & Mr. Lucas started a hed (ahead?) & I cume of & I cut (caught) up to Lucas at the telegraph (?) & we on & (??) & all (?) & we made (??) the wway & I lost 3 (??) in the road & we (???) & we on & gut here in good time (??).
February 23, 1889
Nut so culd this morning & we are (??) the Andrews all day & Mr. Lucas give them 2 sicks(?) ftour(flour?) & 50 Mr. Lucas & they started home five this evening. Nut so culd to night.
February 24, 1889
Sunday. A nice morning & we started to church (??) we had the sacrament to day.
February 25, 1889
A nither fine morning & I started en (in) to gut the (?) & bacons over at Mr. Stone house & we cut it up & before we gave out rations the Indians wanted to have a (?) & they spoke well & are pleasant & Mr. Summerset(?) & Mr. R(?) cume & I fixt (fixed) up the lumber the Indians. Still fine to night.
February 26, 1889
A nither fine day & we started the Indians to make singles & sume cuting fire wood (?) all day & the men worked well all day & (??) from a (?) Mr. R(?) & White made (??) with (?) just him(?). (?) fine weather yet to night.
Febraury 27, 1889
A nither fine day & the men worked at the singles & boute (about) 14 worked here all day cuting fire wood & sume (?) from across the river & sume (??) for us to day. Sampson went with the (?).
March 4, 1889
A nither fine day & we sent 3 men for single wood & I dune flour & bacon to the rations house & we started en to give out rations. I took 15 sacks & 5 11 (?) bacon & sume other Indians cume from Wolf Creek for (?) & a (??) started to day & George been cume to day.
March 5, 1889
A nither fine day & Luke & (?) started en to cut ice this morning & we went to see them but they had none yet so we cume home & after noon we went after single wood & we gut 3 logs & we cume hume & (?) the boys what to (?) to cut rocks. Still fine to night.
March 6, 1889
A nither fine day & me & Mr. S(?) to work to (?) ice to day & sume worked at single & Mr. (?) went to cut rocks & we dune ice & we dune 5 (?) to day. Hard work. We are tired this evening. Still fine this evening.
March 7, 1889
A nither fine day & the boys started a cross the river for to cut spruce ruts(?) & sume was (?) singles here all day & I fixt up Mr. Lucas him little (?) & I dune it well & I gave the Indians what they wanted. Still fine this evening & the (??).
March 8, 1889
A nither fine morning & the Indians started to Mr. (?) & me & the doctor started to see the sick & we went on to (?) bulls(?) (??) & see the sick & we cume hume & the Indians were wanting for to git sume thing to night.
March 9, 1889
A nither fine morning & Mr. Lucas & the doctor started to Wolf Creek & I started to see Sampson at the bush(?) & I cume hume & see the boys & I cume hume & Mr. Lucas cume. Still fine to night.
March 10, 1889
Sunday. Bad weather to day & I (?) to the Indians to day. I hope we will (?) good.
March 11, 1889
A nither fine day & we started en to give rations & we had a take(?) with the Indians & we gut through(?) with them & the doctor started down to Battle Lake to see (??) & he is (?) sick & we cume hume & we gut here just dark.
March 12, 1889
A nither fine day (?) culd (?) & me & the doctor started to see the Indians (?) one sick & sume of them are (?) sick. we went as far as Sampson his house & we cume hume & the doctor gut redy after noon & he started for Edmonton. Culd to night.
March 13, 1889
Culd this morning & I am working at the flooring of the kitchen. George part helped me till noon to day & he gut 20 (??) to return (?) to day all evening & 2 went to cut posts. Still culd to night.
March 14, 1889
Still sunny this morning & I went at the flooring yet to day & Sampson & little James(?) & Bufflo(?) cume & (???) & (?) went for hay for us the rest cut fire wood here & I (?) the flooring after noon & I worked at making (?) for at Collens. Still culd.
March 15, 1889
Snuing (Snowing) this morning & I worked at ox(?) Collens this morning & I entered for to see Sampson & I started with the (?) & I had dinner at Mr. I (?) & after noon I started on (??) & I fixt 2 (??) & I cume hume & my son is (?) sick to night.
March 16, 1889
A nither fine morning & I set the men to work & Mr. S(?) cume out (?) & lots of Indians cume for rations. Still fine to night.
March 17, 1889
Sunday. A nice morning & am starting up to the (?) to do the (???) to git (?) to (?) medison (medicine) from Edmonton & I cume hume. Still fine to night & my son is not so bad to night.
March 18, 1889
A nither fine day & we started en to give rations out & after noon I started the Indians to work & we (?) to them for to (?) lumber & they (?) they would cume en (??) & sume are to plough this land. Still fine this evening.
March 19, 1889
A nither fine morning & the men cume these (?) wants to help us & we made redy & started to the bush & we commensed to chop & we worked hard all day & we made 24 (?) to day & we cume hume & my son is (?) sick all day. Still fine.
March 20, 1889
A nither fine day & we are thankful that my son is spared this morning & we started to work again to day & we made 20 (?) to day & worked very hard all day & we cume hume & a boy cume for me. He said that my son wanted me (???) bad to night.
March 21, 1889
A nitherfine day & we made rey(?) & went to work again & we (?) & dune 25 to day & we worked very hard all day & we cume hume & my son is nut so bad to day. I he will git better & lots of Indians are here this evening. Clear & bright.
March 22, 1889
A nither fine day & we made rey(?)started to work again & we worked very hard to day & we made 2 to day & we cume hume & lots of Indians are here after (?) & my son is nut so bad this evening (?) at nights he is (?). Still fine to night.
March 23, 1889
A nither fine day & I worked at the logs yet to day & we fensed (fenced) all of the house lumber we dune 23 to day & we cume hume. Still fine to night & my son is very bad this evening & I took en 16 S flour & 5 20 (?) bacon.
March 24, 1889
Sunday. A nice day & we went to church. A lot cume.
March 25, 1889
A nither fine day & we started en to give out rations & the Indians very nice to day & after noon we made redy to start to the lake & I started alone & I gut there just dark & I camped at George his tent for the night & Mr. Lucas did nut cume.
March 26, 1889
A nither fine morning & we gut up early in the morning & we wanted for Lucas & he cume & we commensed to cut the (?) & we cut 13 & I gut redy & cume of & brought Mr. Molson his cume with me & I cume on & gut here in good time. Still fine this evening.
March 27, 1889
A nither fine day. A little culd to day & Mr. (??) are running all around & a (?) cume (?) to the by(?) Stan & we put it out & we commensed to Clem(?) Worth(?) for seed & did nut finish this evening. Still fine to night.
March 28, 1889
Stil culd this morning & we commensed to Clem Worth again this morning & Mr. Ross cume for flour to day & we finised in good time & I went after a (??) & I made it this evening & sume Indians cume Sampsan. Still fine to night.
March 29, 1889
A nither fine day & I started to see the (?) farm & (?) the (??) & the Indians (??) land to da & I (??) I (?) sume for (?) & (?) & John Lucas(?) & (??) & I cume hume. Still fine this evening.
March 30, 1889
A fine morning & I started out to see the (?) & after noon we started down to the lake for to see the seeds(?) & we p(?) out the (?) & cume hume.
March 31, 1889
Sunday. (?) to day & I started to see my (?) & cume hume.
April 1, 1889
A nither fine day & we started en to give out rations & Mr. Lucas taked (talked) to Sampson & Sampson is nut pleased to day so he started for hume & the other Indians are wel (well?) pleased to day. Still fine this evening & after dark it (?) to (?).
April 2, 1889
Midlin culd this morning & I gut redy & started to Mr. John Ross his place to after bulls & we went on to (?) bulls & I cut(?) 4 & we cume on to (??) & I cut(?) 9 & I cume hume & the snuw (snow) is all gone this evening.
April 3, 1889
A nither fine day & we worked at out things on a (?) & the Indians are working at them (?) & my poor son is very(?) sick to day.
April 4, 1889
A nither fine day & we started to put wheat en & we (?) at late(?) this work & the Indians are working (?) well all around(?) & they cume for (?) rations. Still fine this evening & my son is just the same to night.
April 5, 1889
A nither fine day & we s(?)d wheat to day again & dune one thing or a nither here all day & my son is very(?) bad all day. I dont know what to do. It seems nothing culd help him.
April 6, 1889
A nither fine day & John (?) & his wife cume to see us & my son is very bad to night & we sat up all night & my poor son left us to night 12 pm. He past away in peace thank God.
April 7, 1889
Sunday. A nice day & Mr. R(?) cume to make the cofin & we went to the (?) this after noon & we cume hume with sume in(?) (?).
April 8, 1889
A nither fine day & the Indians cume for the rations & we gave them rations & after noon we started to see about(whats?) for Sampson & we (???) & we cume hume. Still fine this evening.
April 9, 1889
A nither fine day & we commensed to see (?) I saed for John Pat(?) & (??) & little B(?) & (?) & cume hume & after noon I (??) how to see his oats(?) & I cume hume & cleaned oats for Sampson & Mr. Lucas (?) for (?). Fine to night.
April 10, 1889
A nither fine day & I s(?)d sume to dday & we are busy all day & I started to do Sampson s(?)d his oats & (?) on to Sampson & s(?)d him how to (?) his oats & I cume hume. Midlin fine this this evening & (?) for (?) & (?).
April 18, 1889
Culd this morning & we gut redy & cume of & we kild(?) a fur dress in the way & we cume to Sampson & we (?) there & after we gut redy & cume of & we (?) hard & we cume to Little Lake & we hunted but no luck 4 us. Camped here for the night. Still culd.
April 19, 1889
Culd this morning & we e(?) to start on a hunt & we (?) the (??) & we hunted all evening but no luck & it cume a heavy snuw storm & it cleared up towards evening & we started to look for Mr. Lucas & we found him & we camped for the night. Very culd.
April 20, 1889
A fine morning & we e(?) to hunt a while & they started of & I (?) camp a flock of (?) cume over & I kild one & after I cume on hume & I kild a nither & we cume hume. All night the old men cume to see us.
April 21, 1889
Sunday. A fine day & we started church & we had a good (?) to day. I hope the Lord will bless us all. Still fine to night.
April 22, 1889
A nither fine day & we started wn to give out rations & we had (?) with the Indians & after noon we started them to sae the grain. They complained about th rations that they getting so little but we selled(?) them.
April 23, 1889
A nither fine day & we are e(?) to start to see the Stones & the Indians cume here for one thing or a nither & we made redy & we started to Wolf Creek 11 pm & we gut there after one a clock & we had a long take(?) with the Stones & we cume hume. Still fine.
April 24, 1889
A nither fine day & we commensed to clean grain to day & we finised up this evening & I gave the Indians the seed & they started for hume. A nice evening (?) bloing (blowing) hard all day.
April 25, 1889
A nither fine morning & I cleaned John his grain & after I started to sae John (??) to sae his baby & I cume hume & I worked here & I planed this to (?) & I (?) it (?). Still fine this evening.
April 26, 1889
A nither fine day & I went to sae by (??) to sae his (?) & I cume hume & the old man cume to see us & he camped here for to night on his way out to hunt. Still fine (?) to night.
April 27, 1889
A nither fine morning & I started to sae(?) for Sampson how to sae(?) his grain & I cume hume & I worked at the (?) & sume men (??).
April 28, 1889
Sunday. A nice day & we started to church & after Mr. Glass asked me to go with him to (?) & I (?) to the people. I hope they will (?) good. I hope the Lord will bless them.
April 29, 1889
A nither fine day & we started en to give out rations & after we had a very long take with the Indians. we st(?) till after 4 pm & I cume hume & Sampson had dinner with me & after I started to see the Indians gut oxen(?) for them to use & I cume hume. Still fine to night.
April 30, 1889
A nither fine day & I started the Indians to work & went around to see them to sae the Indians (?) to sae the grain & they are working prety hard sume at f(?) & sume at th(?) (?) & sume started of on a hunt rats are good for (???).
May 1, 1889
A nither fine day & I started to see the Indians & I gut men for to work at the fence for the (?) 5 or 6 (?) me.
May 2, 1889
A nither fine day (??) all day & I started to see the Indians about the work & I cume hume & I dune one thing or a nither all evening & Indians cume to see Mr. Lucas. Still fine to night. Indians made the fence.
May 3, 1889
A nither fine day & the Indians worked at the (?) & they finised it to day & we e(?) going to the lake to day & we cume (?) with the Indians so we did nut start. Still fine to day.
May 4, 1889
A nither fine day & we made redy & started down with the (?) & we had no luck & we cume hume.
May 5, 1889
Sunday. A nither fine day & we started to church & a lot cume out to day & we went again this evening. Still fine to night & a (?) cume to see Lucas & his family.
May 6, 1889
A nither fine day & we started en to R(?) & Mr. Lucas told the Indians nut to bother him after 4 pm & after noon I started to Mr. Ross his place for the (?) & I sae the Indians in the way cuming hume. Still fine to night.
May 7, 1889
Culd to day. Very cloude all day& the Indians (?) en to clear up the place here & I started to look up the beef steer & I found him & brought him hume & h run away & I gut him again & I kild him & he weight 373 lb. Still culd to night.
May 8, 1889
Still culd this morning & I fixt up a store for Mr. Lucas & after I started up to I (?) for to (?) him how to cut his bulls but they did nut find them Mr. (??) cume & I fixt the store house. Very culd to night.
May 9, 1889
A heavy frost last night & it (??) & I f(?) up the store house & Mr. John Ross cume going on a hunt & the Indians cume & sume ploughed for Ms.(me?) to day & after noon I started to see for Simon & S(?) & old James & S(?) Stone & I cume hume & I had to del(deal?) with them. Still fine to night.
May 10, 1889
A nither fine day & little James started up to plough & I started to see if I could git sume old women, for to (?) potatoes & I gut 6 & James Al(?) cume with his (?) & I sed (??) to cut them & he dune 3 & I dune one. Still fine to night.
May 11, 1889
A nither fine & I gut redy & we started 4 we commensed to plant & little Betice(?) herd (& we finised up & we cume hume.
May 12, 1889
Sunday. Clear this morning & Mr. Glass cume over to see (?) if I would (?) to the Indians.. So I told him I would & we had meting(?) & we cume hume. Culd to day & it raind to night.
May 13, 1889
A nither fine morning & the Inspector Mr. (?) cume (?) & we commensed to R(?) & we gut dune noon & after I started to see (?) & he had his grain sed(?) & I went on to see Ch(?) & I cume hume & sae(?) & gut him to cume in the morning to work & it is fine to night. (?) I (??) cume.
May 14, 1889
A nither fine day & I worked at one thing or a nither here all & the doctor & (?) cume to day & they are getting redy for the charges Mr. Nelson put to Mr. Lucas & they will be in the (?) this morning. Still fine to night.
May 15, 1889
A nither fine morning & Mr. Nelson & Mr. Mc(?) cume over & they started en to took(?) & the Indians cume to see us & I had to (?) to them my self & dune the best I could do & I dune one thing or a nither.
May 16, 1889
A nither fine day & started en to take(?) & I was told that I had to stay close by that I was to be pick for Mr. Lucas but the day passed away that way & I (?) to the Indians all day & dune one thing or a nither around here.
May 17, 1889
A nither fine day & sume Indians cume to work & I set them to work & the people gathered & they commensed & the doctor was caled (called) en & they had a long take with him they did nut (?) it till evening & the Indians cume for rations.