1885 Another very severe winter succeeded the two previous ones, and made the memory of mild winters less vivid than formerly. For two months, the weather was very cold, running as low as 25 and 30 degrees below zero times. I boarded at home all winter though my school was 3 1/2 miles north of Stanberry, where I lived. I walked over 1100 miles back and forth during the eight months of my term of school. The last two months of my school was taught without an assistant. About the sixth of March, I chanced to receive a circular from the Northern Indiana Normal School and Business Institute and, on looking over it, found that an old classmate of mine, O. P. Kinsey, was Associate Principal. After corresponding with him, I determined to attend with the view of completing a course of study. After closing my school, I made some improvements on my farm, planted 2 1/2 acres of potatoes and made arrangements for attending school. My family was to remain at Stanberry with my wife's relatives, while I was gone. I left Stanberry, May 29, and arrived at Valparaiso the next evening. Finding my friend Kinsey at his office, I spent two days with him until I had secured lodgings. I had not seen him since we had attended school together at Harlem Springs, Ohio eighteen years before. I took board at East Hall, which was under the management of Mr. Kinsey; and secured rooms at Mrs. Dowdell's. I concluded to take the Scientific Course and remain until August 1886. During the two weeks of vacation in August, Mr. Kinsey went East and left me in charge of East Hall. After his return, I made arrangements with him to deliver coal to his roomers during the coming year. as a consideration for my board. I engaged rooms at Heritage Hall for the entire year, having H. W. Graham as a room mate. My health has been excellent since coming to Valparaiso. I find that I can study fully as well now, as at any time in the past. I am confident that my coming here will prove a great benefit in preparing me to take better positions in the school room. and thus enable me to better provide for my family. I rented my farm to M. C. Martin, who took possession March 1st. He cultivated my potatoes and left for Nebraska about Sept. 1st. His son-in-law, French Sherry took his place and at present is living at the farm. Crops throughout the country were good; the corn crop being the largest ever known. But it was light in Northwest Missouri; owing to excessive wet weather in June and dry weather in July and August in that locality. My potato crop fell short of 200 bushels, but as the crop east of the Mississippi was badly damaged by wet weather in August, I may realize a fair profit. Farm products are dull, and business has not been brisk during the year, but the indications promise better times. I only ask for a continuance of the good health that has been granted me in the past, in order to successfully fight the battles of life in the future. ++++++++++++