Jan 17, 1885 Saturday Hellman's bakery in Stanberry took fire about 2 A.M. and burned down. No other buildings were burned as the snow prevented the spread of the flames. April 17 1885 Friday Last day of my seventeenth term of school. As many of my larger pupils did not attend during the last month, the exercises for the last day did not vary much from the regular order. May 18, 1885 Monday I took the train for Darlington prospecting for a school during the next winter. I found that the school-board were not prepared to make any engagements and so I did not make any defnite arrangement. May 29, 1885 Friday I took the 7 P.M. train for Valparaiso, Indiana. Arrived at the Gallatin crossing shortly before 9 P.M. and at 10. P.M. took the night express for Chicago on the Rock Island road. Reached Chicago at 2-30. P.M. next day. Took the 4. P.M. train on the Grand Trunk(?) for Valparaiso, arriving at 5-30 P.M. July 4, 1885 Saturday Spent the greater part of the forenoon in the museum department of the school with some friends. Enjoyed myself very much. In the afternoon, went over to Sager's Pond. (note: Flint Lake is written first and crossed out.) +++++++++++++ Note: The next few pages of the diary tell of his trip to Indiana.