A very unpleasant wind blows......March 25

Wednesday March 25 1914

"A bright morning but soon clouded over, and a very unpleasant wind blowes from South East. I think Harry seems a little better. I feel a little tired and sleepy tonight, have some cold. Sewing and reading after my work done this morning. "The Pagent of the History of Chester County" is given in the Opera House in West Chester last evening and this evening for benefit of Chester County Hospital. We could not attend, had we been well, as the Trolley leaves at Ten O'clock and the exhibition would not be over."

Some background on the former Opera House.

Chester County Hospital

Cases of Small Pox near Kennett Square.....March 24

Tuesday March 24 1914

"Clear, cool, not much better traveling. Harry does not seem any better tonight, but has been at work all day. I was in West Chester for an hour this afternoon, bought a Corsett for Margaret. Changed stockings I bought on Saturday for smaller ones. Margaret Ironed. George Cox moved from the farm he sold to Marlboro Villiage today. I hear there is some cases of Small Pox near Kennett Square. I am feeling much better."


Longline corsets popular in 1910 - 1914

The horrors of Smallpox

All were well....March 23

Monday March 23 1914

"Clear cold morning. Margaret got the clothes dried. Harry has a very bad cold, sore throat. Got medacine for it last night so hope he will be better soon; has done the work but realy was not in condition to do it. Has gone to West Chester tonight and has taken 1 1/2 Doz Duck Eggs to a man at Lenape. I received a letter from brother Sam. All were well."

Possibly what some of her ducks looked like.

I am not out of medacine......March 22

Sunday March 22 1914

"Snowing fast untill Eleven O'clock; almost gone tonight. Harry went for the papers this morning, a quiet Sunday. We passed the day reading and sleeping. Harry has quite a heavy cold, gone to Unionville this evening to get medacine, and report to Klevan my condition. I am not out of medacine."

Almost afraid to start......March 21

Saturday March 21 1914

"Quite cold this morning, but almost clear. Margaret baked. I went to West Chester 2:20, got home 4:30, was almost afraid to start. I felt so miserable after my last trip there. But today I was not tired, or nervous. I am so very glad I am stronger. I received letter from Bella; bought several articles I needed, met some aquaintances. Harry gone to W. Chester tonight."

 

I thought they would be concerned about me.....March 20

Friday March 20 1914

"Cold, snowing all morning. Clear this evening. I sent 17 lb Butter, 1 Doz Eggs, 3 1/2 Doz Duck Eggs to Osbornes. Harry went to Kennett Square to the Bank this morning. I sent Card to Bella telling them I feel better. I thought they would be concerned about me, knowing I have been unwell a few week. [sic]  Harry gone to West Chester tonight, has been quite a cold day for the 20th of March. Freezing all day."

1914 ad for the National Bank, Kennett Square, PA.

Joseph James was buried today....March 19

Thursday March 19 1914

"Cold, overcast, ground frozen this morning. We churned 17 lb Butter. Harry busy with the Seperator and his other work. Joseph James buried today, former warden of Chester County Jail. Not much to record. I am feeling better, made the butter today and was not too tired, but did not feel so well at this time last week when I went to West Chester in the evening but came home completely upset, and have been weak and nervous ever since. Untill the last few days.  Harry gone to West Chester tonight. I hear a Automobile, on the lower road tonight, first to pass for several weeks."

Women with a milk and cream separator


A photo set of cars from 1910 - 1914


   http://courses.wcupa.edu/jones/his480/reports/prison.htm

Life inside the prison, as well as its history, proved an interesting exercise. Built in 1838 at the corner of Market and New Streets in West Chester, it remained in operation until a new prison was built in 1959 (Daily Local News May 05, 1955). It was designed to hold approximately 100 inmates after which it was deemed `crowded (Daily Local News November 14, 1958). In 1900, the facility was basically a family run institution. The prison officials were political appointees, and at the turn of the century the staff consisted of Warden Joseph James, Matron Mrs. Joseph James, the warden's wife, and Prison Clerk Miss Mabel H. James, the warden's daughter. Also on the staff were `keepers (presumably guards), a prison physician Dr. Joseph Scattergood and the county solicitor Thomas Baldwin (Daily Local News January 04, 1900). The prison housed a carpet making facility for which inmates, deemed able to work, were required to produce a minimum quota of five pounds of carpet rags a day. Those prisoners who exceeded this quota were paid a 2 cents per pound bonus (Daily Local News July 25, 1900). Spring was the busiest time of the year for the mill, presumably due to `spring cleaning and the need to replace musty carpets at this time (Daily Local News March 22, 1898). In addition to the carpet making facility, the prison also housed broom making and weaving departments as well (Daily Local News January 17, 1895)