Hiram E. Leonard Diary, July 15 - 21, 1874

“15th Wednesday  A fine hot dry day  I did my choars was round the office all day closed up at about 8 ½ & went to bed about 9 ½ sick etc another fire the west side of the river & north side of the Galena railroad on the Millwauke Avenue quite a fire.

“16th Thursday  A fine hot & verry dry day  everything drying up  I did my choars was round office all day closed up 8 ½ & went to bed at 9 ½ nearly sick with the rheumatism etc  Frank Wellman came back from Chicago tonight about 8 oclock.

“17th Friday  fine hot dry weather but cool at night  I did my choars was round the office all day closed up at 8 ½ & went to bed at 9 ½ nearly sick with the rheumatism & a cold  I sold my three calves last night for 22 dollars & a good stake and cars tookk them away this morning   Joseph Hawbecker left a keg of beer at D Kenyons & I had some.

“18th Saturday  A verry hot dry day  I did my choars was round home all day closed up at 8 & went to bed about 9 ½ nearly sick etc.

“19th Sunday  A verry hot dry day with a good breeze everything is a drying up I choared some up to my place & was at home the rest of the day  I did my choars was round all day & went to bed about 9 ½ nearly sick with rheumatism  The Thurmometer was 100 degrees above zero in afternoon it looks like showers all day.

“20th Monday  Fine hot dry weather  I did my choars was round the office all day closed up at 8 & went to bed at 9 ½ nearly sick.

“21st Tuesday  A fine hot dry day  I did my choars was round home all day closed up at 8 & went to bed at 9 ½ sick with rheumatism.”