19 December 23. Clara home for Christmas vacation. December 25. Martha comments on her School House Sunday School. There was no rural mail delivery yet–had to go to Cedarville for mail. There were a few telephones in Cedarville, but not yet on the farm. 1899 January 1. Martha writes poetry that inspires her; then tells who is on the farm and where the others are located. January 3. Clayton returns to Cedarville College; Clara back to Monmouth. January 13. Clayton has chicken pox. May 11. Clayton and Jason go to “Buffalo Bill Show” June 8. Cedarville College commencement–6 graduates, included Jessie Morton, Belle Winter, Mary Little and 3 others. June 15. Clara home from Monmouth. July 8. Fannie and children arrive for summer visit. [The notes in these brackets were not part of Rankin MacMillan’s. He failed to mention that Martha again went on a trip and turned over the keeping of the diary to Clara while she was away (the handwriting changes on June 29). Martha travels to Lyons, Indiana, to visit brother John Murdock and sister Mary. An account of Martha’s visit is in the back of the diary. (Smaller pages are sewn into the back of the diary dated June 29 to July 26). Martha resumes her entries in the diary on July 27.] August 27. Martha’s remarks on keeping of the Sabbath–page 198. [Note: the entry below was not included in the notes] “A man that lost a horse called with his friend for information regarding it when I tried to inform them that this was the Sabbath day and they were on the wrong road. The owner of a lost buggy came to make inquiries. I took occasion to inform him he was off the track too. If he had any business to attend to, to call around tomorrow. No wonder that Jesus commanded the disciples to watch–for Satan is around on every hand.” September 4. The MacKenzies return to N.Y. September 5. Jason takes work with surveyor’s crew. September 18. Clayton and Jason move into Aunt Mary Murdock’s in Cedarville–will attend Cedarville College. September 23. Martha waits up for Clayton on a Saturday night. [Note: the entry below was not included in the notes] “All are in bed–it is now nearly ten. I have a fire in the grate although I am very tired I have a feeling that it is best that I should sit up and wait for Clayton. Saturday night is the last night of the week a girl or boy should have arrangements to be away from home. It is now after ten. Clayton is home.” November 23. Clara has a party for her friend. December 12. Fred home, first time in a year; returned to his work, December 19. December 23. Homer arrives home-first time since Aug. 1898 (1 1/3 years) December 25. Homer, Harlan, Clara, Clayton, Jason, Paul home for Christmas.
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