Thomas Wright's Diary

June

                              24, June 1859

Storm came through taday, gracious thought it goin ta rip the house down. Crops made it through not many of them damaged nough to hurt the harvest. Poppy an Ma still in Wheelin. Think they be back another day maybe two.

Been carryin the Griswold full time, ain't no one takin Betsy or comin on my land. With out a fight.
Sad when ya gots ta worry about such thins. Heard Ma Bowman, beat another slave near dead again.
Sense Grace an Tully died, don't talk much ta they kids, me an Tuey were close. That's one they sons.
Mister Bowman named him that born on a Tuesday. Don't think it be right ta talk ta him. Killin his Ma an Pa an all. I know I had a part in that.

Ever since the child was put in the ground. Been feelin the need ta get Betsy with child again. Can'ts explain it. Just have this over whelmin urge ta have another. Took ta callin her Star, guess because we buried her under the Stars. Betsy don't want more than ta cuddle little touchin, hope this passes soon. Never have I felt such pain as I do, the thought of wrappin her up in that blanket layin her in the hole I dug. Sorrow, hate, guilt over still livin an her gone. Poppy told me before he left ya feel that loss ya whole life. Ya just gets used ta it.

Wouldn't even wish this, on that dead Patten death of a child. Thins ta do in the morning, know I won't sleep best try.

                                25, June 1859

Decided didn't like the wood frame around the well. Took ta  buildin a stone surround. Why I want this not sure. To much planted acreage fer me ta handle. Hates doin it, Mister Bowman's slaves handle that. Part of the deal gets an eighth of the take. Ain't buyin no slaves, bad nough got own Betsy. Betsy could probably pass as white.

Do I wants ta move, then we gets caught, they probably hang the both us. Thinks it's best ta stay put. Saturday called an early day fer myself. Me an Betsy just walked the farm some. No purpose other than looking the crops over. Little leisure time.
Asked about Church, told her far as I concerned she can go every Sunday, don't expect me ta sit through it. She say Thom ya need some of the Lord in ya. Nope don't need none now, may never. Call it a day.

                                 26, June 1859

Ma an Poppy made it home, that Fancy girl well fine lookin girl. Mister Bowman should likes this one. About Betsy age, even dressed nice. Better than Betsy ever did at the Home Stead. After droppin that one off at the Plantation. Ma an Poppy stopped in. Guess they had ta, considering we went with thum ta Rivers Edge. New Fancy girl, her name is Wenna guess like most Masters can't think of good names.

Her an Betsy didn't talk much, Betsy she tried. Thinkin she didn't want ta talk with us white folk around. Had a small supper, beans an ham cornbread. Me an Poppy had a drink an pipe after.
Ma never been on a River Boat, lan sakes she was all excited about how easy a trip it was. Few trains none this aways yet, like ta ride on of those myself.
Trains an River Boats, goin ta make this country grow an tie us all tagether. I just knows it will. That's my thoughts not anyone elses, least I ain't heard it said. Don't think I have, done fer they day.

                                  28, June 1859

Tuesday, worked on some fence, few boards missin on the corral. My how the month ran away, seems like just yesterday it was first of the month. Gots a letter from Theo, didn't much care his Pa is happy he is doin well at school. He say folks are might touchy on Slavery down his way. Hard ta hold a conversation on it, without it becomin an argument. Thinkin could of told him that. Math is givin him fits. Wish I were there ta help out. Well I am thinkin, I wouldn't understand that math. Still no demerits, the Military part an the rest he is doin good. So happy ta hear that. Me an Theo done a lot tagether, along with Tully.

Went fishin taday, caught few bass. Had that fer supper. Betsy still not wantin ta do more than kiss or hug. This is startin ta bother me. Does she still care fer me. Think we needs ta talk, Star is gone. Gots ta try an move on. Still gets a might sad about it, we has ta try and gets past it. Ma is stayin here till Poppy gets back. He went out on a chase. He say my part be stayin here ta watch over Ma. Figure by August ifin those that were killed. Families done nothin it be over, don't need no blood feud goin on. No we don'ts need that.

Betsy an Ma sleepin, I am tired myself. The crops lookin good. They came out ta weed an few other thins ta keep those slaves busy. Looked like some rain most the day. Didn't get any, well best get some sleep.

                           30, June 1859

Thursday stayed near the house, to worried somethin go wrong. Don't think Poppy meant that.
Don't want nothin ta happen if I was more than a good shout away. Sheriff stopped by taday, think he is tryin ta make me nervous admit ta killin that Patten.  Asked few questions on it, like he knew wees got inta fight. I say, we gots inta a ruckus, common knowledge.

When I left he was down. Joe sent me on my way, damn Patten had lot of people hate him. He asks why his boat was near the new place. Tells him, Patten kept his boat at Rivers Edge, new place has River Edge land two sides of it. That why, do I needs ta get Mister Bowman Esquire? He say no, Thom can't prove it, know ya done it! Then he left.

Ma an Betsy were a might worried. The Sheriff in Ohio hasn't been lookin inta it. Figures like me, man had a lot of enemies. Or he figures body found in Kentucky none his business. Ta late ta go ta Ripley, be well after dark time I cross the river. Don't need two ladies out in the dark. Not now I don't. Needs ta talk ta Joe on this. Just finished up my walk around the house, checked both barns an the tool shed. Smoke house, all looks clear. Best get some sleep.