Hiram E. Leonard Diary, January 5 - 11, 1876

CONTENT WARNING: This week’s edition of Hiram’s Diary discusses suicide. We understand this material may be upsetting for readers. Hiram diary entries have been transcribed exactly as were written and are shared each week for an educational purpose of our community’s history.

If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, experiencing a mental health crisis, or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988, the Illinois Suicide & Crisis Hotline. No matter the situation, a trained Crisis Worker will listen and offer support.

“5th Wednesday  warm muddy cloudy weather  I did my choars was at the office all day closed up at 8 and went to bed at 9 nearly tiered out etc.

“6th Thursday  Warm muddy some cloudy weather  I did my choars was at the office all day closed up at 8 & went to bed at 9 nearly sick with the rheumatism & a cold  Miss Adda Starring was married today in Chicago to a lawyer living in Springfield, Ohio.

“7th Friday  A cloudy damp muddy day  I did my choars was at the office all day closed up at 8 & went to bed at 9 nearly worne out with the rheumatism.

“8th Saturday  A warm cloudy muddy damp day  I did my choars was at the office all day closed up at 8 and went to bed at 9 sick with the rheumatism.

“9th Sunday  A short thunder shower early in the morning & several light showers during the forenoon & a cloudy damp day  I did my choars was at the house the most of the day went to the farm, & went to bed about 9  It rained & thundered a little about 3 or 4 oclock this morning.

“10th Monday  fine weather for the season  I did my choars was at the office all day closed up at 8 & went to bed at 9 nearly worne out with the rheumatism.

“11th Tuesday  fine winter weather but rough roads  I did my choars was at the office all day closed up at 8 & went to bed at 9 nearly sick with a cold etc  John Bently A T Jones wife father hung himself in an apple tree this morning about 5 oclock, killed my pigs today they weighed 266 & 263.”