Thomas Wright's Diary

The Journey

           4, January 1859

That Mister Davis nice fella, owns small leather an tack shop. Two we a getting be what Mister Bowman needs a ta replace two he lost. Leather worker an a house slave. Thad an Marla be they names. Poppy paid him, we made are way back.
We will try fer a straight ride back home. No stoppin. Liked my visit ta Cincinnati, just ready ta go home. Trip home was uneventful. Exceptin the rain fer the most part of the journey.

Wasn't freezin rain, just rain still made it a mess of a ride. Slowed us down some too. Poppy decided ta stop just east of Augusta. Say he was tired of fightin the horses and the muddy road. Hell I wanted ta just get dry and feel a little warmth, from a fire.

Fire felt nice, dry clothes on boots are soaked. Have them next ta the fire. About time we decided ta sleep. The rain stopped, Poppy smiled say least that rain is done. Be muddy mess gettin home still better than bein wet and no sun ta ease the wet.

5, January 1859

Mister Bowman might happy, with his new slaves.
Poppy and I got our pay, plus his expenses. Might happy ta see Betsy and Ma. Put my pay back always hold back some. Told Betsy about the city an all. Don't think she believed me, think she thought I was tellin a tale or somethin. She say Thom ya sure now, Saloon every ten paces? I say best I could tell they was. That many people an all,
think that city I wouldn't like it. Told her don't think I wanta live in a city myself.

Checked in with Joe, asked if I would stay help close up, start my normal time next day. Sure why not need the extra cash. Never asks and I won't about that Patten feller. Ya know just how he ended up Kentucky side dead in his boat. Patten was probably a terror in Ohio likes in Kentucky.

Likes most Folks, some they just gets under ya crawl  ta the point of wantin ta beat thum. Fella done that while I was helpin Joe lock up. We had ta force him out the place. Then he got all nasty, wanted ta fight. Town Constable least was checkin when he got out a hand. That is when the other thin happened. Well he asks ifin Joe ever seen that feller that Patten got in a ruckus with again. I didn't say a word except, hi and waited fer Joe ta say we done an all.

Joe he kinda shrugs his shoulders, nope ain't seen him again. Told ya don't think he was from around these parts. That Constable said, just checkin is all, Sheriff over in Mason County asked is all. After he left Joe, say best keep an ear out. Ya didn't kill him, he woke mean as hell. He did, another fella shot him. We took him across the river. Few of us all agreed ta not say a word about it. Well least I know it wasn't me that did it. Still best keep an ear out ta make sure.  They don't come lookin fer me.

                           7, January 1859

Been cold, kind that gets the shivers goin. River is startin ta freeze. Ground is hard as rock, wind is just howlin like runner after somethin. Betsy been workin on some shirts fer me and Poppy. Ma been feelin a little poorly as of lately. Betsy say just bein cooped up, is all is wrong not ta worry.

Work well it's been work. Told Joe about the free sausage thin in Cincinnati. He say people drink up his beer, make no money on it. I say think ya misunderstood me, buy one sausage get one beer free. Rest they pay fer Joe. We tried that at dinner and supper. Had more than normal fer both. With it bein this cold. That was my day, needs under the covers, still cold from crossin that blame river.

                                   9, January 1859

Not near as cold, Poppy and Ma decided warm nough to attend Church. Wasn't much in the mood fer Church I decided ta not go. Only day out the week not workin, Joe has me workin six days now.
Leastways I am able ta put back more. Betsy been busy, Mister Bowman been losing slaves ta an illness. Doctors nor healers know what is doin it.

Betsy is over helpin with that. They callin it a Fever. Most been sick about two weeks then die.
Might worried about Betsy gettin sick herself. So Far over the past month he has lost near ten slaves. Fed and broke the ice on the water fer the animals. Breeze off the river might cold. Must been really cold east a here near Northwestern Virginia.
Big hunks a ice in the current.

Big scare up North ways, that John Brown pickin up more followers than he, had been. They startin ta think change only come by force. I thinks it come when it's not needed any longer. How long that a take not sure. We can decide as we always have done. The states should decide, right or wrong, we are free ta decide that ourselves.

The Supreme Court even say it. The the state or territories right to decide fer or against Slavery. They are the voice of the Laws. Startin ta worry some this may come ta head, split this country in two parts, Slave an  Non slave. Some are already yellin fer it.

Ma and Poppy made it back, seems the Reverend won't be goin ta Rivers Edge. That Fever he won't go near it. Must be worse than Mister Bowman led us to believe. Poppy say his errand runnin he ain't really been close ta the slaves an all. Well guess I am done fer the day.

Short Part, hope all are enjoying. Thomas still hasn't said how he stands truly on Slavery. Vote comment message me if you have questions. Again thanks for reading.