John Jay Johns

“ My wife and Shirley left this morning to visit Fred at Boonville and Lizzie at Sedalia. I shall be lonely indeed. How dreary and comfortless the home is without the wife and mother. May the Lord bless and prosper them in their absence. ”

“ Durfee's this afternoon with Shirley Borden, Shirley Winston and Albert Gauss.
July 10, 1878. Very hot. Wilson Parks, son of William Parks, about 19 years of age, died this evening after a brief illness of four days of disease of the bowels. He was a very fine young man. Connected himself with our church when ten years of age. He was the main support of his family. What a strange Providence, but God is good and wise. ”

“ What a lonesome house without my wife and Shirley.
Apr. 4, 1878. Went to funeral of Frank King's child at Robert Park's. Went to St. Louis on church case.
Apr. 7, 1878. Mr. Gauss' lumber yard near Clark Street was burned last night. I saw the fire and heard the bells about half past one this morning. Loss about $3,500.00 fully insured.
Apr. 8, 1878. Planted four evergreen trees on my lot in the cemetery. The bodies of our dear children are resting quietly in their graves and their redeemed spirits are in the happy land of which they sung so often. ”