1894

Another year of hard work on the county roads, “helped Graham lay planks on long bridge at Wilson’s mill; measured planks at Alley’s mill & gave county orders, started 1:30 o’clock in the morning for St. Helens, made road supervisor report”; laid planks on bridges below school.

Apparently there was much county road work to accomplish as the January 2 journal entry indicates “Dora came home, got lost.”  A journal entry of December 31 noted she had gone to Rainier for Rudolf, and presumably stayed with her Winchester family a few days before returning home.  Did Dora, pregnant with William and accompanied by young Rudolf, get a ride to a neighboring homestead then lose the trail home in the receding daylight??

Dora was continually plagued with dental problems and during the year made another trip into Rainier to have a tooth extracted.  She and Josef added a second son to their family evidently tending to the birth themselves: On May 2 “At 11:15 o’clock p.m. William born.”  Josef took over the household chores during that week while Dora recuperated as evidenced by his journal entries of “done housework” until May 12th when it is noted  “Dora resuming business.”  On May 8, “Mother came out.”  Grandmother Winchester must have thought mother and baby were fine and the domestic duties in order, as she only stayed overnight. 

As road conditions improved, it appears the neighboring women began to venture from home in search of companionship.  During the year Dora was visited at different times by Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Bailey, Mrs. Washburn, and Carrie Kilby, first indication of women traveling alone. 

In the spring there is mention of an ox which Josef “broke”, and used to harrow his clearings and do some hauling with the aid of the newly completed cart/wagon.  Perhaps the ox was the yearling calf from the previous spring.

Josef went to great effort to ensure a supply of fresh milk and butter as he “went with the cow” to neighboring homesteads on three separate trips during May and June.  

Ora Gillham was the school teacher and came to board during the school term of September 1 – November 23.  It is noted that the “well play out” on July 11 and remained dry until September 25.  September must have been an especially trying time for Dora with insufficient water to meet the needs of her household which included she and Josef, their two small children and the teacher.
“The year 1894 was financially poor, extreme in cold, heat, thunder and snow, high water and fire; good crops were harvested everywhere.  Barn completed, ¾ acre grubbed, ¼ acre cleared.  Work very much eased by the use of an ox and cart.”