The Tiner Diary
One of the interesting manuscripts in the Sutherland Springs Historical Museum's collection is a copy of Mr. J. L. Tiner's Diary from February 15, 1886 to February 9, 1889.
Mr. Tiner farmed and raised livestock in Sutherland Springs, and he was a contemporary of J. H. and Mary Polley. In fact, J. L. Tiner's wife, Connie, was the granddaughter of Joseph and Mary Polley. This dairy recounts the death of Mary Bailey Polley. The Tiner's house in Sutherland Springs still survives, although it is in need of restoration.
This diary describes the addition of the "new house" to the existing kitchen and dining room. It also tells about a fire that started in the kitchen and would have destroyed the whole project, if it had not been detected and put out quickly.
The diary provides a fascinating look into the culture of the time. Mr. Tiner was very involved in local government and kept up with the national and international news. The diary has many of his financial accounts in it. There was a lot of bartering going on.
Here are some excerpts from his diary in February of 1886, 1887, 1888, and 1889.
Thursday Feby. 18 1886
I went down to where Dr. D. B. Wissinger is putting up some wire fence between our lands on the Cibolo opposite the Ladies Bathing Spring.
Monday Feby. 22nd 1886
This is Gen'l Geo Washington's day. He is known as the Father of our country as he gained our Independence on 4th day of July 1776.
Thursday Feby 25 1886
Mr. M. O. Oneal, of Wilson County came to see me today and I gave him a deed to the 549 acres of land on Mercillina Creek where he now lives....Self and Oneal agreed today to meet at Mr. J. J. Copes east of Stockdale at noon next Monday week, then to go on to Leesville and get the 75 head of cattle I'm to take from Oneal as part payment on the 549 acre tract of land above mentioned....My Father made it a rule to commence [planting corn] the 15th of Feby. in sandy land one year with another and he hit the season good deal oftener than he missed from the spring of 1852 (the first crop he planted in Texas.) to the time he carried on farming the way he wished. Say, 30 years and the whole time on the same farm at the old Gonzales Crossing of the Cibolo. It is the crossing of the first trail from Gonzlaes to San Antonio say 50 years or more ago from the no. of old musket balls we used to pick up around near the old crossing when we were little chaps. I think it must have been a general camping place for old Gen'l Sante Anna. (Mexican) before the Battle of San Jacinto when Gen'l Sam Houston captured old Ante Anna and gained the Independence of Texas. Since that Battle Texas has been prospering and today bids fair to be the greatest state in the Union in 50 or 100 yrs. more. She is fast settling up with famers, mostly Germans.
Feby. 28 1886
We are apt to have a change to bad weather as they are having very bad weather in Norhtern States even as far as New York. Snow plenty in Nebraska....I received Notes from the Sheriff Collector of Taxes for Wilso Co. [my husband's great-grandfather, R. R. Creech] (by request of myself) that my taxes for 1885 in $79.52. It is some $15.00 more than I expected
Tuesday Feby 8th 1887
...corn is very scarce more so than for many yrs passed. So [many] people out now....
Feby 13 1887
I have about 10 acres which I sowed [oats] last Oct. which has had a hard time to live it being to very dry all winter. Just enough to keep them alive & that's all.
Monday Feby 28th 1887
The Legislature of Texas made an appropriation of $100.000 for the Drouth Stricken Dist which takes in some 30 counties. It is to buy clothing and seed to plant this spring also for the poor & needy. Our W. S. Congress voted an appropriation of $10,000 for buying seed for Drouth sufferers but when it came to the President (Cleveland) he vetoed the Bill and therefore was killed. Our state could give $100,000 but the great U. S. of American could not afford to give the small amt of $10,000.00 although Texas gave Cleveland the largest majority in the U. S. 2 yr ago.
Saturday Feby 2nd 1889
I never saw such a rainy season I think during my living of 37 years on Cibolo. Dr. Messinger has made 4 visits to this date & he -2ocl to see my wife & child. Missy Brooks has a right bad case of Whooping Cough. Lane has it but not so bad.
Tuesday Feby 5th
Dr. Messinger made 6 visits to Connie & the Babe. Connie & Babe doing very well now & the Dr. has quit coming to see them.
Wednesday Feby 6th
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