Thomas Wright's Diary

July / August

15, July 1859

Sheriff was at the door about daylight, knew he would show up. Word had ta get ta him by now,
just figured it be after breakfast. He was rather nice, say I am sorry Tommy have ta chain ya the ride back ta Maysville. I just nodded asked for word sent ta Poppy, as ta what was goin on.  He obliged sent word once we got ta town.

He was nice took Betsy with us, say I might have angered a few more. Don't need any more trouble.
Poppy an Mister Bowman, came about nine I recon. Bein locked up in a cell no bigger than three steps wide maybe seven deep. Might terrible tell you, no room ta take nervous energy off.

Mister Bowman say he would be back, needed ta talk ta a Judge Samuel. Told me ta keep my mouth shut, then looked at the Sheriff, say favor ta me leave Tommy be till I gets back.

Mister Bowman returns with Judge Samuel, seems he worked out a deal. I get charged with a minor crime, of disorderly conduct. Twenty dollar fine, the Sheriff is ta quit harassin me about the death of Patten. Unless he has proof shown him. I pay the fine. Sheriff say, he would still look inta Pattens death. I say fine, didn't kill the man. Made it home late about eight at night. Long day needs rest.

                            20, July 1859

Month about gone, been gettin beans in past few days. Looks ta be a good harvest on them. Betsy an myself been real happy. Think I learned ta control my temper some. Promised never ta duel again, unlessen it's beyond my control. That made her happy. Decided we needed ta court some like most young couples. We made picnic lunch, brought couple bottles of lager. Had a day off back near Lees Creek, small grass openin near an old Walnut tree.

Pleasant couple hours, no worries. Just me an her on that blanket. Holdin hands cuddlin bein normal. Felt good it did, ta act like a real set of love birds. We had biscuits preserves strawberry, love strawberry preserves. Little bit of cheese an some ham.

                            1, August 1859

Monday, Slaves back harvestin beans. Just about tired of countin bushel baskets of beans. My makes ya mind go numb. Hired a man ta help out some.
Jim Stanford good man trusts him ta keep count.
Only wants meals place ta stay dollar a week. Think can afford that.

Sheriff ain't been back, good think maybe he figures I didn't kill ole Patten. Believe me when I say I wanted ta kill him. Worked from daylight till dark, even with Jim a helpin I am tuckered. Think it best ta sleep.

                               7, August 1859

Sunday, Betsy is ready fer her time with God. Think I'll just fish some, catfish or bass sound good fer supper. Time ta head over ta Rivers Edge.
Had a good time Tuey came down ta fish some. First it was a might awkward, Tuey tell me he don't blame me. Ma Pa ran off on they own.

We had good time fishin he caught three cat, I caught five bass. Gave him two help feed his family an all. Three be plenty fer supper. Of course on the way home Betsy gave me her Sunday talk. About how I needs ta be closer ta God. I give her my normal response, God an I goin ta talk. He may not like what I have ta say. Till then don't need him in my life. Betsy just shook her head, smiled say Thom may not see God. That kind of thinkin.

Well, she maybe right don't really care. Fine supper we had grits with cheese that bass. Just a bit tired. Think I'll relax just a spell.

                            12 August 1859

Most the beans in, those ready are. Slaves moved back out ta Rivers Edge. Jim got him finishin up
few thins on the well surround. Betsy picked few green beans about four ears of corn, out the garden. I shot few dove, had that fer supper. She made fine biscuits an gravy fer dinner. Jim wanted ta go inta Dover have a beer. I tagged along, Betsy be fine fer an couple hours. Thins gone back ta normal an all. Had two beer an it felt good just get away from The Old Place. Few fellas wanted buy me a drink. Heard about the duel an all.

Said thanks maybe next time. Me an Jim best head back. Grand time I had, should go ta town more often.

                       14, August 1859

Sunday, Dover an Ripley played base ball taday. Dover Nine took on the Ripley Niners. I played some lan sakes, what a good time. Hand left one little sore. Caught a hard drive, should of let it bounce.  Might fun time, Ripley won 27 ta 10.

Maybe next time, Betsy an some other Slaves watched an cheered. Had a good beer after.
Mister Bowman even played some. Poppy he just watched. Ma she seemed ta enjoy it. Think both places, needed ta have this. Ease out the troubles from past few months. Joe gots hurt hit pretty good by the ball in the head. He was out least a minute.

After the game, we had pot luck food. We made a day of it. Both sides went home full happy an tired.

                              15, August 1859

Joe gave the paper from Ripley yesterday. Had an article about a Coffle of slaves out of eastern Georgia goin ta Mississippi. My it was large they say least thousand slaves. Mostly Bucks, goin ta walk ta Mississippi. My that is goin ta be journey.
Didn't say why, guess they been bought.

Aunt Ems is sick again, not sure if Ma is goin ta Virginia or not. Poppy just said they gots the letter yesterday. Lan sakes hope she is goin ta be fine. I liked her, treated me good. Weren't fer her, never have Betsy. Jim finished up the well surround. No Field work taday. Beans should be done end of the week. Start the tobacco next week more than likely. Money put back is still good not worried much. Harvest so far should come out on the good side.

A Coffle is a large group of Slaves. No tidbits this time. Thanks for your support. Vote comment if you please. Coming up on very defining moment in History. One that starts the climb to War.

Thanks again Dram12