July 4, 1878 Thursday Edward and I spent the day at the celebration in the grove southeast of Maysville. Enjoyed myself as well as might be expected under the circumstances. August 7, 1878 Wednesday Will Brown came down on horseback to give me a visit. He staid with us till the 19th. During his visit we enjoyed our selves first rate calling on our friends many of whom Will had known on previous visits. Having been kept busy all summer, I was prepared to take a season of recreation. October 12, 1878 Saturday Ellsworth Eldredge took me up to my school in a spring wagon. Stopped at King City and also at Island City. Arrived at Mr. Fisher's about 4 oclock. Ellsworth went back the next day and Minnie and I went to church. October 14, 1878 Monday Commenced my tenth term of school with an attendance of eighteen. Secured board at Mr. Fisher's at $10.00 a month. 1878 The year 1878 brought good crops, with the exception of oats, to the farmers of North West Missouri. The winter was one of the mildest and the spring very early. After closing my school, I went down home and secured in all twenty five cows to sell milk to the Clover Hill Cheese Factory. Though my health was improved very much, the venture did not prove a success as it did no more than pay expenses; owing to the hard times and the bad management shown in disposing of the cheese. By fall I was thoroughly convinced that I was losing money in cattle and so sold out to Edward what I had left for $700.00 on time bearing 10% interest from date. I still thought of making teaching my permanent business but intended to prepare myself for teaching in graded schools. I had also some thoughts of settling down in the near future and be single no more. The summer was very warm and no great quantity of rain fell but there was no drouth. There were showers all through the season., Financially, affairs were in a bad condition. Farmers sold their hogs on foot for $1 75/100 per cut(?) (looks likt ewt.) Everything was bought and sold at very low figures. This was the last year of suspension of specie payments and many who had managed to keep their credit so far were now driven into bankruptcy. Finance was almost the only issue in politics and it was discussed on all sides. Silver was remonetized, owing to the strong popular feeling in that way. I took part in several discussions at neighboring school houses and gained much useful information in so doing. The causes of the hard times were investigated and those supposed to have been instrumental in bringing about this state of affairs were severely censured. As my funds were out at interest and my salary good, I did not suffer at all, but rather was benefitted by buying necessaries at the lowest figures. Winter set in early and was severe. +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Note: Can anyone explain "suspension of specie payments"? I have a vague recollection of studying this in school, but I don't remember enough. I don't understand what he means. Lori