Sebewa Recollector
Items of Genealogical Interest
Volume 19 Number 3
Transcribed by LaVonne I. Bennett

     LaVonne has received permission from Grayden Slowins to edit and submit Sebewa Recollector items of genealogical interest, from the beginning year of 1965 through current editions.

THE SEBEWA RECOLLECTOR; Bulletin of the Sebewa Center Association;
December, 1983, Volume 19, Number 3: (Submitted with written permission of editor, Grayden D. Slowins)

HOW TO LIVE IN THREE CENTURIES ~ Grayden Slowins has pointed out that there is a possibility, however slight, of some Sebewa resident, born before 1900, by living a little over a hundred years, might well have the distinction of having lived in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Sebewa has less than a dozen candidates who were born since 1890 and before 1900. All are women with the exception of one man, Leland Ralston. Ralston lives in what was once the Johnson Schoolhouse. Perhaps that will give him an edge on Longevity. It is more likely that we shall need the population base of the entire county to get one or two three-century persons.

At the other end of the scale, babies born near the end of the 1990’s wil have that chance for the three century honor is another hundred years. Advances in medical care should give that group a better chance to succeed unless the UNTHINKABLE we seem to building to DOES happen.

CHARLES ESTEP DIARY (Continued)

When I finally finished typing and sometimes puzzling the Charles Estep 1883 diary, I had 72 typed pages, rather too much to be included in these pages. From here on some of the routine will be omitted and only topical excerpts included.

Monday, April 9, 1883. Father and I expect to start for Missouri in the morning.
Tuesday, 10th. We started anyway this morning. Bion, Will, Father and I went in one buggy and Foe and Mother in another. Our tickets clear through cost $19.65 each. We took the train at 5:15 P. M. and arrived in Lansing at 6 P.M. We took supper in Lansing across the road from the depot. We took the train at 10 P.M. and arrived in Jackson at 11:20 P. M. We took train immediately---not much sleep during the night---and arrived in Chicago.
Wednesday, 11th. At 8:20 A. M. day dawned while at Michigan City. We had a fine view of Lake Michigan. We took the train at 10:05 A. M. When we arrived at the Michigan Central Depot we took the omnibus line for the Chicago—Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. We rode about one mile through the city. It is very grand. We took breakfast in the dining room in the depot building. It was a good breakfast. We had a pleasant ride today. We had a view of Starved Rock where one band of Indians drove and held another band until they starved them to death. We passed through the place where the Hall Massacre was perpetrated about 28 years ago. We took supper or dinner at 3:15 P.M. They were plowing all through Illinois. Some are planting potatoes. We cross the Rock River at 5:50 p.m. We cross the Mississippi River at 6:35 p.m. Just as we got to the river, the bridge opened with one part swinging each way and a large boat passed through. We arrived in Iowa at 6:40 p.m. at the city of Davenport. We did not take a sleeper but slept some on the train. The road was a little rough.
Thursday, 12th. I lunched at 12:30 a.m. Father was asleep so I did not ask him to partake but he ate some after we passed through some beautiful country this morning. We arrived in Cameron at 6:45 a.m. and took breakfast at the Cameron House. I wrote a postal to Foe and one to Bion. It is rainy and cold this morning. We hired a rig for $1.75 to take us out to Uncle Jake’s. They were quite surprised and, of course, very much delighted to see us. We took dinner there. This afternoon we looked over Uncle Jake’s stock. He has 26 head of very fine steers, quite a number of stock cattle and about 200 hogs. Uncle Jake took us over to Uncle Zack’s. We took supper there. He also has some very fine steers and hogs. He has about 200 acres of land. Uncle Jake has about 800. We stayed all night at Uncle Jake’s.
Friday, 13th. Uncle Jake took us over to Uncle Josh’s this morning. He was not at home. Father stayed there. I went with Uncle Jake, attending a very strange funeral. It was for the child of a very poor man and poor men are not considered of very much account here in Missouri. There was not a prayer offered for the child. A small number---a dozen or two---were present. I had dinner at Uncle Zack’s. It is very windy and very warm. The thermometer stands at 97 degrees. I believe I wrote a letter to Foe today. We stay at Uncle Zack’s tonight.
Saturday, 14th. It rained a little this morning and we stayed at Uncle Zack’s all forenoon. Cousin Emmett and I went to Turney. I mailed a letter to Foe. We also went to Lathrop, a town of some size surrounded by beautiful prairie country. We stay at Uncle Zack’s tonight.

Sunday, April 15, 1883. I went to Sunday School with cousin Minnie today. Cousin Emmet came home today. He has a nice little wife. Father and I stay all night at Uncle Josh’s. The Sunday School today was at the schoolhouse. Quite a number of young people and children were present.
Monday, 16th. It is a nice warm day today. I have the headache today. I went to bed at Uncle Josh’s after dinner. We went over to Uncle Jake’s. We are going to Cameron with him but he had gone. Then we went over to Uncle Zack’s to stay tonight.
Tuesday, 17th. We took dinner at Cousin John’s today. I went with him to the sawmill on Cousin Frank’s farm. I took supper and stay at Cousin Ida’s.
Wednesday, 18th. Uncle Jake and Aunt Martha took us to Mr. Hemlet’s today. We came back to Cameron and took supper at Squire Provolt’s. We stayed at Uncle Jake’s tonight.
Thursday, 19th. We took dinner at Cousin Frank’s. Uncle Josh and Aunt Rhoda were there. We stay all night at Uncle Josh’s.
Friday, 20th. Uncle Jake, Aunt Matilda, Father and I visited Cousin Emmet today. We called on Dr. Kishpan this afternoon. I stay all night at Uncle Zack’s. Minnie went over with me. Uncle Josh’s young folks were there this evening.
Saturday, 21st. All the uncles and aunts took dinner at Uncle Zack’s today. I am reading a book entitled “From Jest to Earnest”. Towards night Uncle Zack, Father and I went to Turney. I did not get any mail. Emmet and I went to meeting at Plainview schoolhouse this evening. We stayed all night at Uncle Zack’s. It rained some today.

Sunday, April 22nd. I got up before any of the rest and got over to Uncle Jake’s before they were up. I changed my clothes and went with Cousin John and his wife and Cousin Esther to a Methodist Quarterly Meeting at Manable. It is quite windy today. We took dinner at Uncle Zack’s. We stay all night at Uncle Josh’s.
Monday, 23rd. Uncle Jake sold a carload of hogs today @ 7 cents a pound. It came to a little less than $1,000. I got a letter from Maud. We took dinner at Uncle Zack’s and stay all night at Uncle Josh’s.
Tuesday, 24th. Uncle Jake took us to the depot today and Minnie went along. I bought Foe a nice necklace in Cameron. I bought Ella Tiney a book and Cousin Minnie a neat fan. We took the train about 9 a.m. I traded Ellie’s book for one entitled “The Life of the James Boys” and gave 50 cents boot. We crossed Des Moines River at 4:04 p.m. We crossed the Iowa River at about 9 p.m. We crossed the Mississippi River at about 9 p.m. We took dinner in the dining car. We had a splendid dinner---price 75 cents. I am suffering with a fearful headache. We arrived in Chicago at 6:30 a.m. We got breakfast at the dining hall in the depot and boarded the train about 7:35 a.m. and arrived in South Bend, Indiana at 11 a.m. over the L. S. M. S. Railroad. We took dinner at St. Jacobs Hotel. We hired a man to take us out to Aunt Maria Giger’s for $4.00. We arrived there at 4:20 p.m. I would not have known Aunt Maria if I had met her away from home.
Thursday, 26th. Father and Uncle Jake Nun arrived today. I visited with Aunt Maria and it rained some today. It is still cold.
Friday, 27th. Uncle Jake took us to South Bend this noon. Aunt Maria went along. She and I went up the standpipe 200 feet high, 270 steps. South Bend is a fine town. Studebaker Bros. employ 1170 men. We took the train about 11 a.m. and arrived in Lansing about 5:45. We took supper at the Roe restaurant. We went up to the state house. It is the nicest building I ever saw. We took the train again at 8:45 p.m. and arrived in Portland about 10 and stayed all night at the Welch Hotel.
Saturday, 28th. It rained quite hard last night. Ward arrived from Lacota this morning. We rode home with Steve Otto. I found everything in good shape at home.

Last update October 20, 2021