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DIARY OF JOSEPH ALMOND 1866
Jan. 1 The Year began with a very raw Cold Norther which soon turned to Rain and kept at it until near night. When we got the Sheep out for a while, which was a great advantage.
Jan 2 Kept on [40]Boiling tobacco and dripping Lye. Heard that there was some lambs in Mr. Dobies Flock.
Jan. 3 Too cold to dip the Sheep so Mr. Brandis and I went over to Mr. Dobie s and got the lambs (14). Made arrangements for the Wagon to come with Lumber for a Coffin for the remains of Mr. Stuart.
Jan. 4 Saturnino left this morning. Went to seek him. After spending nearly all day, found him on the Agua Dulce. He had engaged with Julian Longoria. With some trouble, got him to come with me to Dix ’s where Ben gave him to understand that he was in my Debt and could not leave until the debt was paid. He went off to get the money to pay me, leaving his horse saddle and Bridle with me, until he brought the money.
Jan. 5 Dipped the Sheep in the evening. Made a coffin for the remains of Mr. Stuart.
Jan. 6 Got one Bushel of Corn from Mr. Dix being one of four which he owes to the Stuart estate. Went off with the Wagon and got the remains of Stuart. Took them to Mr. Dobie s and there they are buried. Dix’s man came with the buggy to take Lizzie over to go with them to Francisco a Costas’, to see some of their Catholic proceedings.
Jan. 7 Had Bob Adams to see us in the evening. Irving & young Borden came. They are on an excursion for Mexican Shepherds.
Jan. 8 Irving & Borden left for Spences and Bob went to Curtis’. Saturnino not returned yet.
Jan. 9 Started about three o’clock in the evening for San Antonio. Camped four or five miles on this side of the Nueces, below the Oakville crossing, Wednesday night. Slept at Votair s (Rockey) who has charge of Brady’s Sheep & Goats. Thursday night, got to Grey’s. Made San Antonio on Friday about three o’clock. Went and saw C. Johnson and from there went to Nathan Goodwins and stayed with them until Wednesday 26th. When I left about two o’clock with a Wagon and pair of Mules. Got home on Monday the 29th. Borrowed a Barrel of Flour from Curtis .
Feb. 2 Started with the Wagon and Joe for Banquetti. Did not see either of the Doctors. Went on from there to Johns. Left Joe and went down to Corpus on Saturday. Came out to Pages in the night. Got to Johns again on Sunday evening where I stayed until Wednesday and hauled the old Lumber up from the Motts. Got home on Wednesday night.
Feb. 9 Went over to Brydens Ranche to see Reynolds about a Shepherd. Did not see him nor get a Shepherd.
Feb. 10 Mr. Brandis and I hauled two big [41]Mesquete trees and other pieces to fix a Jack Roll for the Well. Dr. Cox called and left some powders for Joe.
Feb. 12 Fixed the Jack Roll on the Well. Spent the week in hauling firewood and other things about the house.
Feb. 19 Commenced cutting and hauling Curbing for the Well. Worked at it all the Week. Saturnino came back and commenced shepherding on the 22nd. Mr. McLaughlin brought me a letter from Father.
March 2 Took the Ewe Flock down to Casa Blanca. Made brush pens for the lambing.
March 16 & 17 Tailed & Marked 262 Ewe Lambs & 270 Wether do.
March 21 Mr. Brandis went to Rocky with Brady.
March 23 Brought the flock from Casa Blanco and cut out the ewes that are in lamb and put the rest of them with the Wether flock. Curtis came at night, trying to get a Shepherd.
March 25 Eight o’clock at night, a thunderstorm has just passed over us but not much rain.
April 4 & 5 Tailed & Marked 88 Ewe Lambs 108 Wedders & 3 Bucks
April 7 ------- ----- ------ 124 --- --- 133 ----- -- 3 -----
April 10 ------- ----- ------ 9 --- --- 8
April 17 19 Tailed & Marked 13 --- --- 23
April 19 ------- ----- ------ 7 --- --- 7
April 26 Marked 4 --- --- 5
April 27 ------- ----- ------ 3 --- --- 4
May 11 Commenced Shearing this morning (Friday). Got the Manada finished on Saturday night. Got a heavy rain on Sunday which stopped the Shearing until Monday, near noon. On Tuesday night, another big rain came and prevented them from Shearing on Wednesday. On Thursday 17th, finished our Flock and got 100 more of Sherman Dix ’s in. Friday, got about 400 more of Dix’s Sheep in but another rain came and stopped them before they got quite through with them. On Saturday, it was very late before they could start again and they sheared only about 150. Brandis went to John Dix’s. Number of Sheep Shorn in our Flock 2447.
May 21 Finished Mr. Sherman Dix’s Sheep and the Shearers left for John Dix’s Rancho.
May 23 Left for Corpus with 2 Barrels of Flour, returning to Headons. Got back on Saturday 26th.
May 29 Took the Manada up the Creek. Made a Coral.
May 30 Took Mr. Dix ’s Flock up the Creek.
May 31 Dipped five Bucks belonging Mr. Dix.
June 2 Started for Corpus to attend the Grand Jury. Stayed all night at John’s. Went as far as George Reynolds , on Sunday evening. Stayed all night. Arrived at Corpus on Monday morning.
June 10 Got home this morning before day light, after travelling all night.
July 25 Brandis left for the “Coloradoâ€, the second time. He came back with the chills, the first time.
July 27 Started for Corpus with the Wagon. Got to John about Sun down. Got into Corpus on Saturday about 2 o’clock. Stayed at Mr. Ranahan’s all night. Started early on Sunday morning. Got home on Monday night 30th, with Sarah and Children.
Aug. 1 Mr. McKenzie called on his way home from Mr. Bryden s Rancho. Saw the portrait of his “Tottingham†Buck which he is expecting from New York. His cost will be about $1600.00 when he arrives at his Rancho. He informs me that he has another, which cost him $450.00 and has had him with 75 Picked Ewes for about three weeks.
Aug. 15 John Wade came. He had been taken from home by Mr. Bryden to turn over the grey horse. In the evening, commenced taking the Ewes out of the Wedder Flock.
Aug. 16 Finished cutting out the Ewes and cut out the lambs. There was 976. Put all the Ewes in one Flock. They number 1710 Ewes, 678 Wedders, making a total of 2364. The Lieutenant that Bryden brought up, called this morning and took the grey horse and John left for his home with order to report tomorrow at Head Quarters in Corpus.
Aug. 26 Cut out the Wedders and a portion of Buck Lambs from Mr. Dix’s Flock. Counted them in the presence of Mr. Theodore Dix. The Lambs 114, Wedders 193, Buck Lambs 100, making a total of 1027.
Aug. 27 Cut out of 464 Ewe Lambs from Saturnino’s Flock and put 275 Wedders and Buck Lambs into it from Mr. Dix ’s Flock.
Sept. 24 Put the Bucks into the Flock with above.
Oct. 8 Put the Bucks into Mr. Dix’s Flock.
Oct. 15 Put about 500 more Ewes into my Flock with the Bucks.
Oct. 20 Went over to Dobies and bought 5 Barrels of Corn.
Oct. 27 Just returned from Corpus after selling the Wool to Mr. Headen. Came home by Banquetti. Saw Bennett who is very sick. Called at Dr. Cox’s and settled with him for self and John.
Oct. 29 Put one Buck among sixteen fine Ewes we bought of Mr. Jacobs, delivered on the 23rd Oct. 1866.
Nov. 1 Went out to seek the horses down the Burris Ranche. Heard of them been on the [42]Ticolati Creek. Went and found them. Got home the same day.
Nov. 13 Started with Mr. Brandis for Santa Gertrudis by way of McIntyre s. Had dinner at McIntyres. Left at the Franketos. Went to Kings Ranche early in the morning, had breakfast, and left about eleven o’clock for John’s. Came by way of Dr. Cox’s. Called to Lee Bennett. Found that he owes John one Dollar and me six Dollars. Got to John’s just at Dark.
Nov. 15 Left Johns this morning after having breakfast. Got home early in the evening. Heard that Saturnino had lost some of the Sheep.
Nov. 16 Took the Bucks out of the Flock. Counted all the Sheep. Ewe Flock 1710, Dix’s 973 and Wether Flock 1556.
Nov. 17 Started the Ewe Flock and Dix’s off to the Agua Dulce. |