Thomas Wright's Diary

December

                         18, December 1858

Might cold today, Poppy and Ma headed ta Maysville ta just have a good time. Going ta dance and have dinner stay the Inn, in town. Been helpin out at Joes Saloon cleanin up before they open. Pay is dollar a week. Better than no pay, I reckon. No runners haven't had see another beatin. Been real upset about that whippin, Grace she died from it. Upset Ma a bit too, Poppy if it bothered him didn't say. I think it did.

Betsy even bein cold an all, been outside most the day, she was close ta the fire. Burning blankets and such, Slave got sick don't know what killed him. His daughter packed his stuff in burlap Betsy is burning each bag of his and her clothes and such. I was worried for her, she said long as she doesn't touch thum it a be fine. Hopin it was just a freak thin nothin ta worry about. Don't want ta make a trip ta lexington or Louisville ta bring slaves back.

Thinkin I move ta the old place end of January. So I'll be ready house set up for spring plantin. Ma still bit worried about it, Poppy hell said he was off on his own at 14 came here alone ta Kentucky. I can do this, hell ifin I can protect my family an Betsy I can do anythin.

Saw a paper at the Saloon Kansas bloody or bleedin is what they callin it. Been goin on while, free state slave state. Missoura crossing over pro slave people they fightin and killin each other my think it was war. Kansas has both pro slave an abolitionist. Border war goin on, been goin on sense 1854, damn peoples right ta choose. Misoura stay out it. Still remember readin about that John Brown in Pottawatomie, they killed 5 pro slavery people in Kanasa hacked thum up. Not more than 2 year ago.

Let's just hope we come ta some kind of peaceful agreement ta stop this killin. Might just tear the country apart. Well gettin late Betsy been eyein me.

                                19, December 1858

Thought I would add this, that Bleedin Kansas thin
why I am just findin out about this now don't know. Back in May this year. Called the Marais des Cygnes massacre. Fella by the name Charles Hamilton, captured 11 Free staters none were even armed. They don't think any participated in the ongoin violence. 5 were killed out right one escaped with out wounds rest were wounded.
Lan sakes like Poppy said it's in the wind.

Early Sunday Betsy isn't up yet, some how woke before her. She is up well before daylight. Gettin biscuits ready and other thins started for the day. I has my coffee stepped out inta the cool mornin air.
Lit my pipe, just started this pipe. Some tobacco Poppy keeps back fer his use. Don't know bit harsh may not keep this up. Speakin of Poppy he say they won't be back till late evenin. Best get back inside bit cold now. Do know one thin, that John Brown and this Charles Hamilton feller need ta meet and kill each other, before this spreads like fire.

The work needed done finished,  Betsy is fixin Chicken an dumplins fer supper. Smell has filled the house all day. Looks like weather movin in, might get some snow by night. Think I'll do some deer huntin tomorrow, get some meat in.

                        20, December 1858

No deer taday, did gets couple rabbits. Saw the Sheriff out huntin had five rabbit he did. Light snow fell, overnight wet snow. Near fell three times. Sheriff asked how I was doin. Told him right fine, hope ta be in the old place soon. He told me good ta see a Wright movin back inta it. Praise be didn't ask about that Patten feller.

Least no runners, cold wet weather like this. Be one pain ta track thum. Be tendin bar at the Saloon
instead of cleanin up, started taday. Works from noon till five. Joe takes over at 5. Most those folks come in nice people. They gets ta arguin over slavery and other politics. No fights most just talkin ta feel better. Hell theys  known each other all they lives.

                           21,22,23, December 1858

Been busy, Ma an Poppy really happy past few days. Ems sent word, she had a child. Little girl names Becky. Ma is real happy fer her. Poppy know he is. Think it pains thum some. Know Ma lost two. They always excited though when a child comes in. Thinks that why Poppy always rides out ta the old place. Both buried out at the old place.

That Mister Sophor, no longer needs Betsy. Good thin, goin ta need her. Why can't move with out her. Hope she been alright, Sophor had her stay out his place. Past four days, didn't like that a all.

Near Christmas, we don't make a big deal out it. Ma fixes pork what ever else we have. Poppy say quick prayer. That be it, this year Mister Bowman invited Ma and Poppy ta his party at Rivers Edge. Ma say it just ta show off how rich he is. Has that tanight 23 of December. Poppy say they goin need ta keep him on they good side. Ma say, we could make it, with out his likes. Then she shook her head, that fool man my sister married also.

Past 6, Ma still frettin over her dress, Poppy pacin the room, he just said Kate best be leavin. Worried Betsy ain't back yet. Bout ready ta go look fer her. Well, Poppy got Ma out of the house. Finally I hears Masser ya here? Mister Thom? Betsy I shouted, up in the loft! She say we alone? Yes I shouts back. Met her at the top of the ladder.

Has ta write this down now, before I sleep. I have never missed a person exceptin Ma or Poppy likes I missed Betsy, her smile lit my heart. Her eyes felt like they was mirrors, almost see myself. When we hugged then kissed. I knew then, like I have always known. She is my soul, life with out her wouldn't be right. Her tan eyes coal colored hair, with just a little curl on the end. I know now, we both my die for our love of each other. Ifin I live only few weeks or months, least ways I have known Betsy.