Diary of Joseph Almond 1872

Aug. 29 Left Corpus Christi in the ambulance with Willie on our way to the Carro

soon as they got their mules up. Went to Sarah’s and had breakfast, then went on to Mr. Reynolds. Stayed all night.

several block for underpins. Left the ambulance and took the Wagon over to the Carro, then sent Willie back with the Wagon and he brought the ambulance.

Sept. 2 Early in the morning, got the Shepherd to give us a lift with the end

all night and started Willie to Corpus with a message to his Mother, informing her the house would be covered in by Saturday. At noon on Tuesday, the 3^rd, Commadore and a Mexican arrived with two Wagon loads of Lumber.

and top of the Shop formed part of the loads. John came with them and we put the Shop sides and ends together with the help of Mr. Hennard and Commadore. After they left, John and I put one side of the roof up.

Sept. 9 Got the Shepherds, a few minutes, and put the other side of the roof on.

Then put the ends up, ourselves. Worked at the house and Shop until Thursday. John, occasionally, going out shooting.

(side margin) On Thursday, Tom O’Docherty and Joe Buck arrive from the River and I engage them to dig the Well. Which they commenced with, Friday, the 20^th. John brought home word that his uncle had got home from Kansas.

Sept. 12 Thursday, Commadore and [47]Ned Taylor arrived here with the furnituire.

and went to Corpus on Tuesday morning. Got the Wagons loaded up and left Corpus after having supper at Mrs. Brydens. Expecting to camp with Mr. Henard but did not see them and went in his house at the Motts.

Sept. 18 Got home about 5 o’clock with stove pipe, etc, and found that the cover

Sept. 23 John started for Corpus with the ambulance. Got back on Wednesday the

25^th, with stove hole covers and other things. Told us he had engaged to go back to Mr. Woessner ’s.

Sept. 30 Left for Corpus with John who engaged to commence with Mr. Woessner

on the first of October. Took dinner at Mr. Wades with Messrs. Des_?_rl_?_bis, Gellet, Brown, and Uncle W^m Headen, who were there attending the Camp Meeting. Arrived at Corpus same evening and slept with Wades.

Oct. 18 Got a pen made. Still no Water in the Well. The men have concluded to

Oct. 19 Penned the Sheep this morning and tied 13 Bucks so that I might alter

but I left them at the [50]pinetas. Arrived at Lagarteville about two o’clock. Saddle not done. Pink McMaster had just finished shearing and was paying his men at Mr. Lewis’ Store. Saw Mr. Stillwell. Came home by Mr. Reynolds, arrived about 7 ½ o’clock.

went out with the flock, as Shepherd came home about two o’clock, and I sent Willie out to the Sheep.

Oct. 21 Started about eleven o’clock with the grey horses for Corpus. Called at

Mr. [51]Adamies and bought two work horses, one for $35⁰⁰ and the other, $25⁰⁰. While stopping there, it had been a very heavy rain about the Leona Motts. Mr. Adamie helped me as far as the Gourd Motts. I went on to Tom Wrights old place and camped.

there was quite and excitement in Corpus with the Candidates bringing in Mexicans to register. Stayed at Mrs. Brydens both Tuesday and Wednesday night, the 22^nd & 23^rd.

Oct. 24 Left Corpus about one o’clock with a new Wagon loaded with 423 ft.

fencing and other tricks. Got stalled just at the Old Boiler at the Motts. Had to stay there all night. Got off about 10 o’clock on the 25^th. Took dinner at Mr. M^cIntyres and camped at the Kinte Hollow. Got home about noon on Saturday the 26^th. Willie came and met me at the Motts and informed me that Mother had engaged a Shepherd and that Tom had not got back and that Joe had gone to seek him. When I got home, I found that Tom and Joe had not got back. Saw W. Adams as I came. Said he had put 5 more bucks up to the Flock, making 32 in all.

Lambs which I altered. The Mexican I had digging the post holes left. He would not work for less than $3⁰⁰ per hundred. Went over to Reynolds and saw W. Adams on the way. Told him there was a buck of his in my Flock.

Oct. 28 Unloaded the Wagon and fixed all ready to go for wood in the Morning.

About five o’clock in the evening, Joe arrived leading a Mare with a Colt following, but Tom not with him. He says that Blunzel will be here to-morrow to help him with the Well.

Oct. 29 Joe, Willie and I went for a load of firewood. Got back about 4 ½ o’clock.

Oct. 30 Went to work fixing Sheep pen in the evening. Willie and Mother rode

out. No one come yet to work in the Well. A Mexican called from the Ranche of Juan Baptiste who agreed to bring posts for me at $10⁰⁰ per hundred and, also, to bring a man to work at the Well. Joe’s horse and the two I bought of W. Adamie are missing this evening.

Oct. 31 Had a little spell at the pens in the evening. Went over to W. Adamie’s

after the horses. Got my horses but Joe’s was not there. W. Adamie had started on Monday for Corpus with Tom Wright , Fred Franks, and Geo. Reynolds, for corn and had not yet arrived home.

Nov. 1 Joe [52]Buco has not found his horse yet. He started today to the River to

bring a man and to seek his horse. Worked at the posts for fence, in the evening. It threatened to rain so I fixed [53]morals, etc.

Nov. 3 (Sunday) Mexican came with one Cart load of forked sticks suitable for

the shearing pen and brought a man with him to work for me. Joe arrived after Sundown with Blunzel to work with him at the Well at $2⁰⁰ per day.

Nov. 5 The Mexican would not dig post holes. Joe started him at the Well, after

we rigged the Jack Roll for two boxes. Mexican came with 28 forked posts and 10 others.

eleven o’clock. The Creek overflowing this morning and formed an island where the Sheep were but did not reach them. Paid the Mexican 6 Dollars for posts and his brother 75 cents for Joes Well work.

Nov. 7 Another wet night. Commenced raining about 11 o’clock and rained the

whole night and to about two o’clock. Blunzel started for home. Joe started to seek his horse. Our horses have not been seen today. Kept the Sheep on the hill this night. I stayed with them until about 10 o’clock.

Nov. 8 Clear morning but very cold. The sheep went down to the Creek about 12

o’clock last night. This morning cut out a little Manada of 7 Ewes and lambs. I started afoot to seek the horses. Found two of them on there way home. Had one of them saddled and went to seek the others. Found the greys beyond the Jocelyn Ranche. Brought them in. Had dinner and started out again but could not find the Adamie horses. I met Joe as I came in with the greys. He went no farther than Mr. Adamie’s, last night. He started this evening for the head of Lu Garter. I saw the Shepherd with Adams’ Ewe flock this morning. He told me that the wolves had got into his flock in the night and he had followed them all night, and was now taking them to the Ranche. I see there is a lame Ewe of theirs in my flock, also a wether.

Nov. 9 Got the buck out of the flock this morning. When I went to get the bay

horse, he ran off with a Manada of George Reynolds and I could not cut him from them on foot. So I left him and when I got to the house, I saw the Adamie horses coming home. Got up the other horses and had the bay horse cut out from the Manada. Took the bucks and one lame Ewe over to Adams . Went over to Reynolds for my Mail but George had not got it. Met a Mr. Mathis there who is buying Muttons. He bought George’s at two Dollars. He left for Mr. Shaeffer s. On my way home, I met Bob who told me they were 85 head of Sheep short of their number. He told me they had taken the bucks out of my flock on Tuesday, the 5^th. He said there was 1627 Ewes in the flock. When I got home there was a young man named Richardson from the Banquetti on his way to Culvers Rancho.

Nov. 11 I sent Willie over to Mr. Reynolds yesterday evening to learn when they

intended to start for Corpus but he did not see Mr. Reynolds. So I am no wiser on that. Willie and I went for a load of firewood today. Got home about five o’clock and found Joe had come back but Blunzel not with him. Mr. Chas. Smith had been here while I was away for wood. I expect to see him in the Morning at Bill Adams, when on my way to Corpus.

with me over to Adamies. He said he intended starting for Blanco, the next day. I borrowed 8 qts of Corn from Mrs. Adamie. Stopped and fed the horses a little below the Puerto forks. Then went on to the Motts and stopped all night at Mr. Wades. On Wednesday morning, we were late in finding the horses and did not get to Corpus until after one o’clock. A

norther blew up about seven o’clock in the evening. I slept at Mrs. Brydens. Thursday morning the norther was still blowing and the cold was so severe that I did not make up my mind to leave that day until afternoon. Willie took dinner at Mr. Woodmans and I ate at Mr. M^cClanes. Judge Borden and old man Myers dined there that day. I could not get any 6 X 6 [54]Scantlings so I put on about three hundred feet of Lumber for the Well. Which with the stove, the Corn, & Corn Meal made a load. I left Corpus a little after 4 o’clock and got out as far as Mr. Matthew Codys where I stayed all night. Friday morning was severely cold but we started between eight and nine o’clock and got up to the Motts, just at dinner time. Took dinner with Sarah where I left 10 qts of Corn which I borrowed on the way down. Drove rather late and got to the place where we stopped in going down. Had a severe cold night. On Saturday morning we were late in starting. Got to Adamies about one o’clock. I looked at his two mares but did not buy one. Got stalled in crossing the Agua Dulce Creek. Had to send and got Mr. Adamie to help me to unload the Wagon. The [55]hame string of the grey horse in the tongue, broke. This cause us to be late. It was Sundown before we got to Adams ’ Ranche. When I got home, I found Joe still there. He had employed a Frenchman to help him with the Well but they had been stopped with the cold weather. The Frenchman had left, after stealing $3⁵⁰ out of Juan’s Wallet.

Nov. ? Sunday, and the norther still blowing. The sun not seen until just when

setting. I put the stove up in the bedroom on Monday. There was very little done today. I fixed another Crank on the Jack roll and Willie and I went to work helping Joe. He bored about 8 ½ feet down . At night the hole had seven feet of water in it.

Nov. 20 Left home for Mr. Campbell’s Rancho about half past nine o’clock.

Arrived at Mr. Campbells about Sundown. He was away with his flock, lambing them about seven miles up the Spring Creek. Left next morning. Saw Mr. M^cKenzie about five goats he had now, except the old [56]Billy which he offered at $60. Went from there to Mr. Campbells Camp. Engaged 20 Bucks. Mr. Anderson accompanied me as far as the Colored Man’s Ranche and I went on to Pink M^cMaster s, where I was very kindly treated and stayed all night. Friday morning, I went on to Mr. Stillwells who was not at home. He also was away at his Sheep Camp. Met a Mr. Jordan (an Englishman) at Mr. Stillwells. I also saw him at M^cKenzies. He wants to be in the Sheep business. He has been at Australia and California.

Went from Mr. Stillwells to Lagartoville and got my old saddle at Mr. Vondys. Got home about 4 o’clock.

Nov. 24 Sunday. Juan the Shepherd wants to leave. He wants to do other kind of

Nov. 25 Curbed the Well at the top in the afternoon. I went to work hauling the

Nov. 26 Still at the Well in the evening. Mr. J. J. Dix arrived to survey the pre-

on his way to San Diego and other places, collecting taxes. In the afternoon we went to work at the Well. Juan has just been up and says he will leave in the morning.

Nov. 28 Had another day at the Well and not yet down to Water. S. G. Henderson

and Barney Mullen called on me today and gave me a letter from Mr. Wm. Headen. Settled with Juan this evening.

Dec. 2 Monday. Put more curbing into the Well toward night. Fixed the bottom

Well deeper at some other time if not water in it. He left after dinner for the River. I sent a letter to Mr. M^cKenzie by him. In the afternoon, I went to work at the pen and, at Sundown, I [57]tailed & marked 12 Buck Lambs and 6 Ewe Lambs.

Dec. 4 Finished the pen about 10 ½ o’clock. Mr. M^xIntyre called on his way Mr.

Grey s’ Rancho with Bucks. I did not see him but he promised Lizzie he would call and stay all night, as he comes back in the evening. I went over

to the Precinios to seek men but did not succeed in getting any. When I came home, Julian Longorio was here. The boys and him penned the Flock. He was hunting horses.

Dec. 5 The gate had not been properly fixed so the Flock got out of the pen in the

Dec. 6 Penned the Flock this morning and altered 28 Goats, Tailed & Marked 8

Ewe Lambs and 5 Buck Lambs. Marked 3 she Goats and 3 he Goats. Juan left on Tuesday, the 3^rd but came back on Wednesday (4^th) and commenced digging post holes for a pen at $2⁰⁰ per hundred. A Mexican from Mr. Jocelyns came to seek work today. I hired him and went over to see Mr. Jocelyn and found out that the Mexican is leaving before Jocelyn was done with him but he said it made no difference.

Dec. 7 Got the horses up to go for firewood but it turned out such a wet morning

Dec. 8 Sunday: We were obliged to pen the Flock this morning to get a Wedder.

Altered three more goats. Wet weather still continues. Got an early dinner and went to the [58]Amaragosa to see Jan Allegrea about some posts he has but did not agree about the purchase.

Dec. 9 Another very wet day. Juan left after getting paid for making 50 post

Muttons. Bill Adams also called on his way home from the river. I asked him if he had any objections to me selling muttons. He did not object, so Mr. Holt came on home with me for the purpose of going to see the Sheep.

been at Mr. Irvings. Bought the Goat for $50^oo in Gold. Next morning, went up to Mr. Campbells but he was not at home. He had gone to Oakville the evening before with Mr. Anderson, to the Lodge, and had not returned. I went back to Mr. M^cKenzie and met P. M^cNeil . Left about 2 o’clock and stayed all night at Olwyn Dix’s.

Dec. 21 This morning looked a little better. Philameno and I started about eleven

o’clock for firewood. While getting it, a fresh norther blew up. Did not get home until about seven o’clock.

Dec. 22 (Sunday) Started a little before twelve o’clock for Corpus took a Goat and

Dec. 23 Arrived at Corpus about half after twelve. Went to Mr. M^cLane s and

my taxes. Stayed to dinner. Was introduced to his brother in Law, Tommy Morse . Found I could not get out again that day, so I bought 20 lbs hay and stayed all night. Met with Mr. Bryden who had returned from Kansas last Friday. Left there about half after four. Went out to J. W. Dunn and stayed all night. Got off next morning, Christmas, about 9 o’clock. Arrived at Mr. Adamie’s about dark, after stayed at Mr. Wades and had dinner. Called at Mr. M^cIntyres and had egg nogg. Mr. Adamie and [59]Daniel Reid accompanied me over the Agua Dulce Creek. Very late when I got home.

Dec. 27 Bad weather still continues, Christmas Day being the only fine day we

Dec. 28 Still bad weather. Anastero & Willie start for the Amaragosa Creek about

Dec. 30 Monday Tailed 29 Ewe and 31 Buck lambs in the evening. Willie tailed 2

Dec. 31 About 3 o’clock in the afternoon, Anastero and I started for Corpus with

the Wagon Camped a little below the Kinte Hollow. The next day, made Mr. Dunn s (Saw Mr. Wade as we came down. He could not let me have the pony). Put the horses into the Pasture and I went on into Corpus. Had supper at Mrs. Brydens and slept with John in the Warehouse.

[47] Ned Taylor - Edward Taylor, uncle to George Reynolds, taught school at Nuecestown

[48] augur - auger, a large drill for drilling hole for water

[49] Lagarteville - early name for Lagarto

[50] pinetas - Pinetas Creek

[51] Adamies - Adami’s, William Adami, a neighbor, emigrated from Germany, horse breeder & sheep raiser

[52] Buco - Buckow

[53] morals - morrals, bag for carrying horse feed & sometimes rations for travelers

[54] Scantlings - upright timbers

[55] hame string - part of the horsecollar harness

[56] Billy - male goat for meat or breeding

[57] tailed and marked - cut (docked) off lambs’ tails and marked with paint or tar in place of branding

[58] Amaragosa - Amargosa Creek

[59] Daniel Reid - Wm. Adamis’ brother-in-law and Corpus Christi mayor (1907 - 1909)