Feature on Harry Williams. Topic: CIVIL WAR &
PEOPLE
Written by Barbara Adams & Jim Sayre
in April, 1998
SIDNEY, OHIO'S LOST CIVIL WAR DIARY COMES HOME...Pg 2 |
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| No Escape from Weather. He left the next day for home in New
Carlisle where conditions proved just as bad if not worse. "Climate is too
variable" and he ran into 8 inches of snow. That week, he recorded a "Terrible
accident on the C.H. & Dayton Railroad" By mid-January, Williams reported the
"Snow 15 inches deeper…God help the Poor now Fuel will be an essential of
life." He resumed his Sidney law studies with Conklin on March 1, a "Cold pleasant day Conklin has taken a partner – a Mr. Finley from Jefferson County I am glad of it" he said. His approval of new blood in the office may have stemmed from his own disapproval of Conklin himself: March 14—"Conklin went to Wapakonneta" March 15—"Conklin away" March 16—"Conklin not back" March 19—"Conklin came back on train Drunk – shame" Commenting on a Sidney murder case, Williams claimed that "Conklin is not the pleader I supposed he was" (April 6). Williams’ dreams of love overshadowed his coverage of Conklin’s drinking habits. Diary readers are jolted by this February 10 entry during Willliams’ sojourn in New Carlisle: "Spent the evening with L.A. Propose to marry her soon Let Fate do her worst" We can only assume L.A. (really Miss Eloise J. Anderson who would brighten the Williams home with Maggie, Minnie, Gracie, and Harry Loyd) never peeped at his diary. He "Spent the evening with L.A….and settled the question of marriage" on February 14 and "This is my last night of single blessedness" on February 24. "Unpleasant in the afternoon" reported the weather-conscious Williams on the 25th. "Started to Springfield at 9 for the purpose of being married to Eloise J. Anderson the woman of my choice" On the 26th, he wrote "Feel that a change becomes necessary on apprising the relationship of a husband Had some fun to night." |
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