Thomas Wright's Diary

October

                         1, October 1858

Friday just arrived the old place. Ma sent Betsy with me, not sure on this. Truly ain't maybe a mistake on Ma's part. Poppy was sent ta pick up some parts in New Richmond, Mister Bowman has new saw blade for his mill their. Ma is here at the old place helpin gettin it ready. Been a chill in the air past few days. Not cold mind ya just late fall weather.

Old place is nice main room big kitchen two real bedrooms. New place small one big room kitchen one bedroom lower level. My room more like a storage place curtains cover my bed. Betsy sleeps corner by the ladder. Guess since Poppy didn't truly own the land per say. Wasn't really ours now it is, that Bowman won't get a lean on it again!

Ma left sometime before 4 not wantin ta be out in the dark. Never know what might come at ya. Especially a lady an all, hate fer Ma ta get hurt.

Betsy fixed up some rabbit stew, cornbread. My she can cook. Crossed over ta Ripley filled a wine bottle up with lager. My that lager is fine, not it's name that's on the company sign in the Saloon.
Big Brewery out of Cincinnati. Think of the name when I don'ts need it. Moerlien Brewin! Well remembered it sooner than I thought. Betsy followed me ta bed. Didn't even ask.

                           3, October 1858

Had a discussion with Mister Bowman about the money. He was a little set back by it. I gots my way clear the lumber close ta the house and older barn.
I gets the wood from that won't get board feet trees ta small want the firewood. He agreed no charge.
Told him could have half the worth less scrub for firewood. Get firewood and cleared land. Might proud of that. Goin be slow goin figure well inta November before it is done.

Poppy came by after supper, told me Mister Bowman thought I was quick on my feet. Make a hell of business man. Poppy smiled ya got what ya wanted, watch out next time. He is shrewd as all gets out. Before he left said hoped this was done before it gets ta cold. Poppy he ain't dumb, thinks he don't trust Bowman, honest I know I don't. Do my best ta out think him, as I said he won't get more Wright land. Betsy is a right nice bed warmer, doesn't moves a lot. Soft ta touch quiet sleeper.

                             10, October 1858

Sunday, Slaves and the rest left yesterday evening.
Cold taday, feels like snow. Tad early fer it not due a visit from Ma and Poppy. Early mornin figured jot down my thoughts. Hard work clearing those big old growth trees. Near lost few yesterday, tree fell wrong it kind a kicked back as it fell. Near crushed the one's cuttin it down. Lost couple mules, broke leg and one just gave up as Poppy would say. Theys not laying down, just harder than even Poppy thought it be. Sent word they best send more help.

Figure better tell so ya don't think Betsy is uppity.
She only talks ta me, like I tell whens we alone. Not when other people or slaves around. Maybe she just tryin ta get the best of me. Ya know run off an all, could be she has feelins too. We spent the day just walkin, told how I'd like ta farm corn, beans, maybe few apple trees. Rotate tobacco on occasion.

Told her one day I'd get all our land back. Ta go from over 260 acres ta 140, that Bowman stole from Poppy.  Don't care how much he owed. Finally after I was a thinkin she wasn't listenin she asked me Mister Thom she says. Does you want someythin from me? My ya talk ta me like a person, not a slave, what ya want? Mister Thom me ta spread my legs? I thought some, then figured ya know. Betsy, I say thinkin I may just lust, or love ya. Don't rightfully know, what it is. That is bein honest.

She giggled some, Mister Thom she say ifin it's love well best set that side. White man and nigris just don't think folks take ta that. Don't know what lust is. Told her it was, wantin something more than anythin best I could put it. She say, ya just ask if want me. Ya are the Masser, now ain't ya.

Later that night, I didn't asks she just kissed me and dear me, it wasn't the act of procreation. Lan sakes, never even new lady do that. Never even thought of that. Don't think it's lust, give it day or two will see.

                             12, October 1858

Taday was tragic, lost a fella rigger chain snapped while he was pullin a tree out ta be cut up. Jim Tucker, leaves behind a wife no children. One of Mister Bowman's mule drivers. I took him home personal. Good fella only 17, we fished some together when we was younger. Lordy she was lost upset, didn't want ta leave her. Took her ta her family, only thin I could do.

That Patten fella brought out few more hands. Called a stop at four. When I gots back, the crew even the overseers looked weakened by the loss
Had that Patten check all the chains and ropes.
Don't need another death out here. He didn't much like workin and the rest not. Told him he wasn't here so he gets the job.

He mumbled somethin about me gettin pay back.
Do what ya wants is my thoughts. Soon shoot as as fight ya. Know how ya like ta use that whip ya got.
Most everyone sat and talked, ate supper put them ta bed about 9 it was well after dark. That Patten was lookin hard at Betsy. Think this come ta head soon. Late best get some sleep.

                                13, October 1858

Bit cold out needs a coat, had Betsy make coffee try warm thum up some. She totted a bucket with a ladle pourin coffee. Must a made ten trips out. That Patten was yellin he wanted some. Told the fool go get some. Ya can leave the job nigras can't. They gotta stay on the job. Betsy went a head an stopped give him some coffee. Patten poured the coffee out said no more they can keep workin. I've never been that mad before well when I shot Talbert that was different.

Then he went an slapped her, called her a fool nigger. That about did it! I shouted Betsy get more coffee! Patten get up off ya'urn ass and check the work! Fool didn't move. He yelled somethin about payback. I lost control, never have I been so dang mad. Disobey the Boss on the Job, who does he think he is.

Tully in a low voice say, Masser Thom, that one a kill ya. Best let it be, he will get up in a bit. Looked around all the Overseers are waitin ta see what happens, even the slaves have stopped close nough
ta hear.