January 1871
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
January 25, 1871
Yesterday at recess—the children came running in yelling that the roof was on fire. I could not get up or do anything to put it out. Then I asked George to climb up the lightening rod. By holding to the places where it was fastened to the house. I helped him up to the first place—and then he could reach the rest. When up he pounded the fire out with his hat.
George is the N. Y. boy, he was here early this morning and we had quite a visit before school time. The children have been bringing cat tales to school, and he told me by soaking them in coal oil, they make good torches. He also said he had gathered and stripped them for pillows.
When I told about the fire at the supper table, I learned there was much bad feeling about the location of the school house, some wanted it moved, others did not, and some wished it would burn down. Well, I thought—not while I am teacher if I can help it.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
January 27, 1871
My school is larger than it was, have 19 pupils, and that just fills the room. A school south of here closed, and several from there, now come here. Alas my “good order” is not so good. I am glad that in two weeks, my four months are up.
The other day I met a so called phrenologist, He was a great talker. Bess had told me about him, and that should I meet him, I was not to take him seriously, as he was daffy on the subject.
He soon introduced the subject, and after a time I asked how he accounted for it when the bumps on one side of the head were larger, than on the other. He answered “if larger in the right side, all interests centered in self. If larger on the left side, it denoted great generosity.”
He went on to tell me, that my mental faculties were no better developed than those of the majority of people.
I was well balanced, a lover of order, have a good memory, do not like to see people ridiculed, thought a comfortable living indispensable to happiness ct. ct.
I wonder what more he would have said, had not others come, and the subject was changed.
Last night we went to a Spiritualist meeting at Fees Hall.
To me it appeared to be all slight of hand, but many around here believe in it.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)