Colorado College Tutt Library

Helen Hunt Jackson 1881 diary transcription

Ms 0020, Box 5, Diary 6, transcribed by Gloria J. Helmuth, June, 1998

Saturday, January 1, 1881.
Went to Boston - Hot car - Steam pipes under each seat
zero outside.

Sunday, January 2, 1881.
Terrible cold. In room at Parker House. ill.

Monday, January 3, 1881.
ditto

Tuesday, January 4, 1881.
ditto
[drawing crosswise on page of "Lunch Room" - has antlers above sign, a large open central place with "Hot Coffee" on one side and "Limonade" on the other.]

Wednesday, January 5, 1881.
ditto.

Thursday, January 6, 1881.
Took drive of an hour

Friday, January 7, 1881.
went to Cambridge. - to the Horsfords

Tuesday, January 11, 1881.
Reception in Evening. 60 people

Friday, January 14, 1881.
Went to Mr. Houghtons. -

Saturday, January 15, 1881.
Merc. 37 degrees above zero in my room at 4 Am
Took another cold! - secured medicine from Dr. Nichols at 11 Am - Took five doses of it - relieved

Sunday, January 16, 1881.
Nearly well! - medicine was phosphate of iron.

Monday, January 17, 1881.
Went to Boston. Night at Mrs. Goddards.

Tuesday, January 18, 1881.
Went to N. York. Shore Line comfortable cars - arrived at 8 P.m. - took no cold. -

Wednesday, January 19, 1881.
Waked at 4. P.m. - a strange country - lying in alternate levels of green & gray - rapturous sparkles of waters - between two rivers - & in the horizon - tiers of black & misty ruts - stribling lines - sharp points. -
- Espinola - land of the track - white cotton shapes & saloons - 4 saloons in a store. - ---- & threw a tree - cottonwood - wild apricots - Indians on fossils - - painted faces - rein up -- head horses to car windows - gaze gravely at us. - fine beads - ------ with bead work & fingers - placed on plaid shirt with vest out side - hair bradided in front heavy down in each side of face - one with bead dirk nodole - the third woven in with fir - effort of a sabot of cats tails! - Malibart is an Expense

Thursday, January 20, 1881.
office. - ran back to Chamita - green meadows - carriages to San Juan - forded Rio Grande - climbed up into San Juan - brown as solid ant hill - bla---- on top - need horses - overs - endows outside - Uretch flat roofs over 2nd story - rounds of boughs laid down in front strikes -
- woman hearing in doorways - shy

Friday, January 21, 1881.
Went to Phila.

Saturday, January 22, 1881.
Went to Washington.

Sunday, January 23, 1881.
Adobe church. New, low long arch of white at entrance. - bell ringing as we drove in - parties of Indians - under trees fording stream - on roofs of houses - Scarlet against drab roofs: - Eldolts - long low building - store - lattice in front - mysterious bedroom in rear - as we went to it - door opened in wall - out stepped ac-o-l-d- big Indian in scarlet blanket - face all scarlet! - Smile. - across stable yard - the court yard of church - bare clay - - - green brush in enclosure - side door to church - through crowd - up to steps & chancel - shawls over heads - black - red - plaid - drawn over mouth - babies - old men - old man with fiddle between his knees - on highest step close to the chancel

Monday, January 24, 1881.
rail - ragged - dusty big hair - tattooed on forehead - another with long gray hair - face upturned to priests - old woman against wall on right - furrowed face - gray shawl - bony arm resting on knee - fingers clutching shawl - fierce eyes - crossed her arms over breast. -

Shrine - gay with tiles & flowers in high carts - pictures of Christ - Virgin & Apostles - candles burning all round the chancel - four little ones on floor outside the chancel - woman squatting on floor, knees drawn up - Indian in scarlet blanket, blue & white beads - hair tied with purple ribbons - yellow ----- - swinging ----- -
another in black blanket - hair tied on one side with shred of fur in a big knot - round this bibloe - blanket slipping about - woman?
ringing girl - long hair braided at front - priests in white robes & gay vestments - ten of them -

Tuesday, January 25, 1881.
Old priest with fine b------ face - after theS-t-r-a-p-s- a sermon in Spanish - impressive - wine & ------- - eyes upturned to him - Little child laughed at me - 1000 people - crowded far out side door. Standing under umbrellas -
________________________
Sunbonnets over dress - white with apron & cape fastened as with steel buttons -
___________________
found themselves with their shawls - on right side -


Wednesday, January 26, 1881.
baby under doll out of its sunbonnet -
_________________________
pistol shots at intervals at door -. -
little child trotting abouto-u-t- in antechamber - cupboard of vestments - doors open
____________________
little birds flying in & out in or top of the cross -
___________________
after the sermon. the communion -

Thursday, January 27, 1881.
Indian town - new floor - wall - round posts - white work -b-e-d-s- beds called up to slats all round - gay blankets - skins - vessels of wat4er - fire place in corner - a terrace of ground - roofed - over -
mills - 3 stones in a trough - small stones to rub on it - grind mal

[drawing] bordering a ----- ---- - ----- --------

woman white ------- ------ - moccasins - black petticoats - white blouse - grey belt - -------- ------ & hands blue & red - hair over eyebrows -

Saturday, February 19, 1881.
Went to N. York -
Brevoort House. -

Sunday, February 20, 1881.
In room all day

Monday, February 21, 1881.
"

Tuesday, February 22, 1881.
"
Saturday, March 5, 1881.
Moved to Berkeley. -

Sunday, March 6, 1881.
In room still.

Tuesday, May 24, 1881.
Left N.Y.
Kate Horsford with me

Thursday, May 26, 1881.
Chicago. -
Tremont House.
Mr. Lloyd -

Friday, May 27, 1881.
Kansas City.
Coates House.
Duke of Sutherland & Sister

Sunday, May 29, 1881.
Pueblo - at 3.30 P.m. Set out for C.S. at 1.30A-m-

Monday, May 30, 1881.
Reached C.S. at 3.30 A.m.

Thursday, June 2, 1881.
Dinner at Risleys
Dr. Brauman - Mrs. Parrish - Mr. Jauvier

Friday, June 3, 1881.
Nelson Clark & wife & Dr. Brauman to dinner

Saturday, June 4, 1881.
Horse & buggy in P.m.- for errands -

Sunday, June 5, 1881.
Carriage for day -

Friday, June 10, 1881.
Went to Denver -
Windsor Hotel -
Risleys there


Saturday, June 11, 1881.
Kate went over smelting works -

Sunday, June 12, 1881.
Went to Georgetown - Drive to Green Lake in P.m.

Monday, June 13, 1881.
W. set off at 7 - for Denver -
K & I went up to Kelso's cabin. -
11.300 feet up - 3 miles from top of Grays Peak -

Tuesday, June 14, 1881.
Drove down to Georgetown - Fearful dust - arrived at 2 P.m. - left at 4. - for Idaho. - arrived at Idaho at 5. - Berber House. Comfort

Wednesday, June 15, 1881.
Rested. Drove up Bellevue Mt. in P.m. - Kate used up. -

Thursday, June 16, 1881.
Went to Denver -

Friday, June 17, 1881.
Returned to Springs -

Saturday, June 18, 1881.
Sollys & Mrs Bass to dinner
Whist in Eve. -

Sunday, June 19, 1881.
Stirle & Rotherik to dinner -
Drive after dinner

Monday, June 20, 1881.
Drive to Strettells in P.m. - Col Risleys in Eve.

Thursday, June 23, 1881.
Set off for San Juan. Mrs. Mellen & family
Gen. Palmer - Dr. Lamborn
Wellesley Mellen Thompson -

Friday, June 24, 1881.
Reached Chamita at 8 Am - San Juan at 9. - Mare in church - Indians - War Dance - Foot Races - Returned to car at 4 P.m.


Saturday, June 25, 1881.
Reached Pueblo at 2. P.m. Col. Springs at 4. - Mercury 95 in car. -

Saturday, July 2, 1881.
Set off for Poncha Springs at 11.35. - Arrived in eve - met at S.A. Kargas by Haines & Boyd with four horses!

Sunday, July 3, 1881.
Quiet day in house - Rev. Mr. Douglas from N.Y. -

Monday, July 4, 1881.
Drove up to Hot Springs - & around Poncha. Dr. Fiske to dinner

Tuesday, July 5, 1881.
Set off at 8.30 for Leadville - whole day - & night at S. Arkansas! -

Wednesday, July 6, 1881.
Went to Leadville in A.m.

Thursday, July 7, 1881.
Drove to Twin Lakes in P.M. - Charley Cavender.

Friday, July 8, 1881.
Drove up the gulch in Am. - Set off for Springs in P.m.

Saturday, July 9, 1881.
Arrived at 3.30 Am. at Springs. -

Sunday, July 10, 1881.
In house all day -

Friday, July 15, 1881.
Went to Alamosa - Fearful heat -

Saturday, July 16, 1881.
Drove to Zaapato -
Mrs. Adees Ranch.
Mrs. Adee -
Mr. "
Mrs. Durkee -
Mr. "
Prof. Smith
Miss Wood.
Miss Durber. -

Sunday, July 17, 1881.
In house all day - Hot as Tophet.

Monday, July 18, 1881.
Mexican Fandango -

Tuesday, July 19, 1881.
Went to Alamosa

Wednesday, July 20, 1881.
Returned to C.S. Mr. Durkee came with us.

Thursday, July 21, 1881.
Dinner at Parrishes -
Rain all day -
W. had buggy in P.m. - took Mr. Durkee to Cheyenne Canyon

Friday, July 22, 1881.
Cool - & rainy in Am.
Had fire inp-a-r-l-o-r- sitting room -
Stirle to dinner -
Called at Sollys & Risleys in Eve. -
Will doubled up with pain - in stomach & bowels. -

Saturday, July 23, 1881.
Risleys & Miss Seward to dinner. -
W. better - but still suffering. -

Sunday, July 24, 1881.
Spent day in Monument Park. -
W.b-e-t-t-e-r- ill all the way to the Park - better there - ill again in eve. -
Clear cool weather -

Monday, July 25, 1881.
Clear & cool.
Drive to Bluffs. in P.m.
Cold Rain in eve -

Tuesday, July 26, 1881.
no Carriagei-n-P- .M-
- Rain - cold
Pouring rain all night -

Wednesday, July 27, 1881.
Cold. cloudy. - Rain.

Friday, July 29, 1881.
Mr. & Mrs. Wood & Mrs. Erhart to dinner. -

Saturday, July 30, 1881.
Went off at 7. A.m. for flowers -
Basses & Mr. Stirle to dinner.

Sunday, July 31, 1881.
Day with Will - on road up to Crystal Park.

Monday, August 1, 1881.
Day alone in woods at mouth of Cheyenne Canyon. Called at Basses & Parsons in eve -

Tuesday, August 2, 1881.
Fearful day - electric air - had not slept half the night -
- no drive. - gadded all day! -

Wednesday, August 3, 1881.
Air cleared - felt better but weak -

Sunday
Saturday, August 20, 1881.
Went up to Crystal Park - Night on floor of cabin -

Monday, August 22, 1881.
Drove over to Springs in Am.

Wednesday, August 24, 1881.
Went to Poncha - Mr & Mrs Parrish & myself in party.

Thursday, August 25, 1881.
Went from Poncha to Gunnison by train - Marshall Pass.

Friday, August 26, 1881.
Drove from Gunnison to Fawcetts - 12 miles this side Lake City -
Miss Violet Fawcett
Care N.A. Fawcett
Lake City.

Saturday, August 27, 1881.
Drove to Gunnison - to Frank Parrishs cabin in Pm. Up Henson Creek. -

Sunday, August 28, 1881.
Day at cabin. Drove down to Lake City in P.m.

Monday, August 29, 1881.
Drove from Lake City to Gunnison -

Tuesday, August 30, 1881.
From Gunnison at 11.30

Wednesday, August 31, 1881.
Got home at 3. Am

Saturday, September 3, 1881.
Mr & Mrs Rollins came -

Sunday, September 4, 1881.
Picnic on Cheyenne Mt. - The Nicolays - Miss Seward - Mr & Mrs. Rollins - Enchanting day

Monday, September 5, 1881.
Cold - Rainy - horrid - Rollins s drove in P.m with Will. -
Prof. Murrays reading in eve. -
Fires.

Tuesday, September 6, 1881.
Rollins s left -
Carriage in A.m. to train - & for calls - Cold as Greenland - Fires

Wednesday, September 7, 1881.
Sun came out at noon - snow on Peak - still cold -

Sunday, September 11, 1881.
Went up to Seven Lakes
Mrs Hamp -
Miss Taylor -
Dr. Bell. -
Superb day
Left at 9 - reached the Lakes at 5. -

Monday, September 12, 1881.
Came down - left at 10.30 Am. reached the Springs at 5.30 Pm. Superb day

Tuesday, September 13, 1881.
Prof. Bryce < of England> to dinner -
Lamborns -
Glorious day -

Wednesday, September 14, 1881.
Drove out to Strettells - Mrs. Clark & Mr Strile to dinner - splendid day.

Thursday, September 15, 1881.
Still glorious weather -

Sunday, October 30, 1881.
Will set off for Col - I for Boston - by boat. -

Monday, October 31, 1881.
Parker House 7 A.m. - Rain -
In house all day - sore throat - Mr. Niles - Goddards in eve.

Tuesday, November 1, 1881.
Cold Rain. Mr. Fiske in A.m. -

Wednesday, November 2, 1881.
Still Rain - Better - In house -

Thursday, November 3, 1881.
Still Rain - In house - Mr. Houghton - Separ[?] Abbott - O'Reilly - Niles

Friday, November 4, 1881.
Rain. -

Saturday, November 5, 1881.
Cleared a little - Sun shown in P.m. for short time. - Drove a hour

Sunday, November 6, 1881.
Lovely bright sunny day. Drove with Cousin Ann. Mr. Hale in P.m.

Monday, November 7, 1881.
Clouded again - raw east wind - threatening of rain. - Out two hours - called at Goddards - Mrs. Clements - Niles S - Mr & Mrs. Lathrop in eve. - Mr. Fiske. -

Tuesday, November 8, 1881.
Rain - horrid -

Wednesday, November 9, 1881.
Rain - horrid - coupe' three hours!

Thursday, November 10, 1881.
Clear in Am - clouded at noon - cooler - Drove 3 hours -

Friday, November 11, 1881.
Clear - Glorious day -


Friday, November 18, 1881.
Went to N. York -

Saturday, November 19, 1881.
Arrived at Berkeley -

Friday, November 25, 1881.
Jessy & Mr. Lloyd arrived - Gilders - Hagues - Gilders & La Farge to dinner

Monday, December 5, 1881.
Jessy left

Saturday, December 10, 1881.
Set off at 6. P.m. - by Chicago Lake Erie & Western for Los Angeles -

Monday, December 12, 1881.
Reached Chicago at 8.30 Am.
Saw Mr. Lloyd -
Left by C.B.&G. - at 12. for Kansas City -

Tuesday, December 13, 1881.
Reached Kansas City at 10. A.m. (hour late. Went to Coates House bed - took train for Deming at 9 P.m.

Wednesday, December 14, 1881.
Will joined me at La Junta - at midnight -

Thursday, December 15, 1881.
Reached Las Vegas at 4.30 P.m. - drove about town -

Friday, December 16, 1881.
Drove out to Hot Springs in Am. - In P.m. Will took train for East - I went West.

Saturday, December 17, 1881.
Deming - at 9 a.m.
Arizona - Great Colorado & Desert

Sunday, December 18, 1881.
Reached Los Angeles at 5 P.m. - Pio House. - Telegram from Will. Miss Karns called

Monday, December 19, 1881.
Drove all over L.A. in search of sitting rooms - could not find any - settled in room at Pio.
Wrote 30 pages to W. in eve. -
Glorious sunny day - but cold in shade. -
Saw Mr. Scanlon at Bank. Mr. Rose here -

Tuesday, December 20, 1881.
Sunny - bright - warm - Charlie Karns called - walked in P.m. -
Made arrangement with Ferguson for driving -

Wednesday, December 21, 1881.
Glorious & bright - Drove to E. Los Angeles -

Thursday, December 22, 1881.
Clear & bright - drove in P.m. out toward ocean - warmer & warmer as we drove towards it - chill on returning to town. - Letter from Will -

Friday, December 23, 1881.
Drove up to the North along the Los Angeles River - flocks of Orioles - superb sunset - Warm air - bright

Saturday, December 24, 1881.
Called on Mr. James Schuyler at the Cosmopolitan - Mrs. S. & children -
Took dinner with them in P.m. - wonderful orange groves. - Superb day - Mrs. strong called in evening.

Sunday, December 25, 1881.
Day at Sierra Madre Villa.

Monday, December 26, 1881.
Drove up Los Angeles River -

Tuesday, December 27, 1881.
Drove to S. Los Angeles. -

Wednesday, December 28, 1881.
Moved to Kimball Mansion -
Drove out to Pasadena - for the day - Dr. Congers - Mrs. Carr -

Thursday, December 29, 1881.
Drove out to Mr. Scanlons - in P.m. - called on Mrs. Hillerman

Friday, December 30, 1881.
Drove up L.A. River - home by road among hills.
Called on Judge Sepulveda


MEMORANDA.
Mrs. Bass s carpet -
Betty s Ulster -
36 inches bust -
CASH ACCOUNT. JANUARY.
From Y.C. $ 45
Atlantic 300
Ind. 25
Roberts 29.99.
399.99


CASH ACCOUNT. FEBRUARY.
Brot over $
399.99
Churchman 100.00
C. Union 100.00
599.99


CASH ACCOUNT. MARCH.
Brot over $
599.99
Critic 7.70
Scribner 150.00
Roberts 400
Harpers (E.E.H.) 150
Ind. 25
Scribners 300
1632.69


CASH ACCOUNT. APRIL.
Brot forward
1632.69
Scribners 40 00
Atlantic 15.00
1687.69


CASH ACCOUNT. MAY.
Brot over 1687.69
Critic 28
Wide Awake 40
Critic 12
C.U. 90
Ind 15
Harpers Weekly 20
1892.69

CASH ACCOUNT. JUNE.
Brot over -
1892.00
Harpers Bazar 30
1922


CASH ACCOUNT. JULY.
Brot over 1922
Roberts - 26 93
1948.93


CASH ACCOUNT. AUGUST.
Brot over $ 1948.93.



CASH ACCOUNT. OCTOBER
Brot over
$ 1948
Scribners - 40
Critic 06
1994


CASH ACCOUNT. NOVEMBER.
Brot forward
$ 1994
Critic 5 -
Wide Awake 30
Critic 06
Atlantic 275
Truths Companion 30
Century 45
St. Nicholas - 40
2425 -

C.U. 30
2455

Ind. 15
2470 -


[on flyleaf pages]
Berry Lacy
274. 10th Av. -

Walnut Av. Cong. Ch.
11.30 - A.m.

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