1887 The winter was short but rather severe followed by a very early spring. Farmers planted considerable corn before the middle of April and this made the best corn crop. The season was very much like the preceding one being very dry. A severe drouth in the same localities that had suffered the preceding year caused much inconvenience to farmers in those parts. Crops in Missouri were fair. After closing my school at Fairport, I moved our household goods down to my mother's where I spent the summer . The house we had occupied took fire and burned down on the afternoon of March 4th. Cause, a defective flue. Mrs. Walters and the children spent the summer at Stanberry where she attended school until taken with the measles which proved rather severe to her and the children. Her eyesight was impaired for three months by reason of her sickness. I spent the summer working on the farm and doing some insurance work, making two trips in search of a situation for the coming school year. I secured one for myself and Mrs. Walters at McFall, MO. Being in Gentry county where we had both formerly taught, we could do better than we could have done at a distance, owing to the condition of her eyesight. We disposed of our land in the spring and at present have no real estate. Our intention is to follow teaching together for several years as such a course seems to be best suited to us. Her health has been completely restored. Dell was quite sick for a week just before Christmas, but is now well again. Our school has three departments this year and we have the upper and middle rooms. Jan 1, 1888 ++++++++++++++++++