Hiram E. Leonard Diary, February 9 - 15, 1876

“9th Wednesday  fine mild winter & the roads are verry muddy  I did my choars was at the office all day closed up at 8 & went to bed about 9 as usual or nearly 10  There was a _________ thunder shower commenced about ½ past 8 there was one tremendous heavey clap of thunder & sharp lightning  the lightning shocked Jerome Beardsly & Ed Rogers they were up to D. Kenyons & it went between them it thundered & rained amost all night.

“10th Thursday  it rained some in forenoon & the river raised all day & night  I did my choars was at the office all day closed up at 8 & went to bed at 9 as usual afflicted with the rheumatism etc the river was verry high & still raising at evening.

“11th Friday  A cloudy damp morning & verry muddy  I did my choars was at the office all day closed up at 8 & went to bed at 9 as usual the damb broak away today & injured the damb conciderable & the river fell conciderable  Sam Netsler & his wife came up to Connels afoot today.

“12th Saturday  More pleasant but muddy  I did my choars was at the office all day closed up at 8 & went to bed about 9 nearly sick etc  They commenced repairing the damb by drwg trees brush corn stalks.

“13th Sunday  rather a fine day & verry warm in the forenoon & cloudy in the afternoon  I did my choars was round home all day & went to bed at 9 nearly sick with the rheumatism.

“14th Monday  fine weather for the season  roads rough  I did my choars was at the office all day closed up at 8 & went to bed 9 nearly sick.

“15th Tuesday  fine winter weather & no snow  I did my choars was at the office all day closed up at 8 and went to bed at 9 nearly worne out with the rheumatism.”