The Diaries of Ralph Leland Goodrich, 1859-1867

January 1, 1865

Sunday. About one o’clock this morning, I was awaked by the fire bells. I went down [the street] with Lange. Weidemann’s house & Kancarter’s drug store was up in flames. All helped. Lange went off with my key & I could not get in until four o’clock, almost frozen – rascal as he was. At saloon. Lange wasted away all we had. He started today with Koenig for Fort Smith on an expedition for stuff. We all got a little boozy. Mary still sick, but I think a little better. I hope she is recovering & will be soon well. Oh God, grant that she may recover her health. Oh God, spare her to her mother & me.

January 2, 1865

Weidemann’s house was burned also. At saloon. No business. Up to see DeKay to see about the house of Bridges & he told me he would have nothing to do with it. Saw Bernard [who] said my mother could not get a permit. Went up to 1st Missouri Cavalry to get Weidemann’s specs. Got them. Mary still sick but I think she is a little better. God, grant that she may recover and grant that I may be able to get into some business.

January 3, 1865

At saloon. Up at Treasury Department. Took out Lange’s permit. Bernard thought agent said I could get Lange’s license as DeKay would be removed. I hope so. Business dull. I hope I may be able to get a license.

January 4, 1865

At saloon. Business dull. Mary seems to be worse today. Oh, I do hope that she may recover. Oh God, grant that she may be restored to health. Wrote letter to Delano Dodge today. I do hope that I may be able to do enough to provide for myself.

January 5, 1865

Rainy. At saloon. No business at all. Mary about the same. I hear that DeKay, the Provost Marshal, is removed. I hope so, but I do not know whether we will find a better one. Jesse Nozer got me some flannel undershirts today.

January 6, 1865

At saloon. Business dull. Got drunk. Got letter from [my cousin] Lucy Stratton. Fauche sold out up here. Staid all night.

January 7, 1865

At saloon. Business dull. Fauche here. Schreifer moving tonight.  Mary about the same. Don’t seem to get any better or worse. I hope she may recover. Borrowed 26 dollars of Fauche today.

January 8, 1865

Sunday. At home. Down at saloon with Schreifer. Got drunk at evening.

January 9, 1865

At saloon. Lange came back & in afternoon up at house [with] Fouche.

January 10, 1865

At saloon. Got license out today. Business pretty good. Lange & I came to terms. Fauche drunk.

January 11, 1865

At saloon. Business so so. I bought a pair of soldier’s boots for 5 dollars.

January 12, 1865

At saloon. Lange gives whiskey to everyone. Old Moore said if he did not stop, someone will tell on us. I hope we may get along well. Rough crowd. Saw Dr. Heartt today. He came to see Mary again.

January 13, 1865

At saloon. Lange sick & mad at me. Koenig & I went to a eating house. Came up drunk. He has been sleeping with me for several days.

January 14, 1865

At saloon. Saw Mr. & Mrs. Botsford today. I feel sick & despairing. Mary about the same. I do not think she will…

[Page missing]

January 23, 1865

…business I think. I hope we may. We get along pretty well so far but he is cross sometimes & disagreeable.

January 24, 1865

At saloon. Business pretty good. Got boozy. Mary about the same.

January 25, 1865

At saloon. Business dull. At Treasury Department to see about a _______.  Night, got drunk. Mary about the same. Very cold weather past few days.

January 26, 1865

At saloon. Business dull. Lange mad. I am not so drunk today as I was yesterday. Very cold weather. Mary seems to be about the same.

January 27, 1865

At saloon. Business dull. Weather moderated a little today. No news.

January 28, 1865

At saloon. Business dull. Mary about the same. I have no more money than at first. Sold nine dollars & a half in gold for nineteen dollars. Gave Fauche ten dollars [but still] owe him thirty-eight dollars.

January 29, 1865

Sunday. At saloon. Business pretty good. Nothing new. About drunk today.

January 30, 1865

At saloon. Business dull. Sold twenty dollars in silver for thirty-eight dollars [and] paid Fouche ten dollars.  I owe him now twenty-eight dollars. Nothing new today. Mail in but I did not get a letter. Wrote letter to [Nathaniel] Davis today. No news.

The Ralph Goodrich Collection is the property of the Arkansas History Commission.