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Alfred A. Benitz | Page last updated: 05 April 2012 |
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Alfred A. Benitz | Page last updated: 05 April 2012 |
The estancia day-books were kept by Alfred, and in his absence by whoever he left in charge, usually Herman (he died 31 Jan., 1893) or Donkin. Like the others, it is a record of their daily activities, their hunts, and their visitors. And like the others, they were not maintained particularly well when Alfred was absent.
On April 8, 1889, Alfred rented the Mistolar-Palmares camp through Boutell (commission agent?). Located along the far side (“outside” - west) of the Rio Calchaquν and south-western shores of Laguna Calchaquν (a.k.a. las Aves), it became his estancia “Los Palmares”. He stocked it with cattle from Laguna Yacarι, herding them over during the last days of 1889.
This day-book covers eight years, the last days of October, 1891, through November, 1899. We are missing the day-book for 1890, if one ever existed. The year 1890 was a rather crucial year for it is the period when Alfred moved his operation from Laguna Yacarι to “Los Palmares”.
During the decade of the 1890's, Benitz Hermanos expanded their operations to include more camps. In May, 1892, Alfred signed a 5-year rental contract with the Santa Fι Land Co. for the 8 leagues of camp that became “Los Palmares”. In October, 1895, he proposed buying it, but apparently was voted down by his brothers. Instead, in June, 1896, Johnnie purchased 3¾ leagues in Cσrdoba (“Los Algarrobos”); and Alfred negociated a new 5-year rental contract. He also began renting other camps, one near Alejandra, and another east of La Guampita.
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“In the northern part of the of the lands Mr Benitz, who is a tenant of the company, has a large estancia with 8,000 head of cattle, between the Calchaqui and the Salado” — p. 388 Handbook of the River Plate, M.G. y E.T. Mulhall, 6ta ed., Standard, Buenos Aires, 1892 [The company mentioned is the: Santa Fe Land Company, later known as: La Forestal.]
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Background: The photo is of Alfred taken by Johnnie at “Los Palmares” on 24 April, 1902. (From Auntie Olga's album, kindly lent to us by Susan Horner).
Transcription Notes: The day-book has been transcribed as written, without intentional corrections to spelling or grammar. Anything we have added or corrected is enclosed within [square brackets, with our comments in italics.] Newspaper clippings, notes, business cards, and any other items found inserted in the diary we have placed where most relevant. Items for which we could not determine dates, we placed where we found them. (Transcribed by: Michael Mohr-Bell.)
Written in English by Alfred, Herman, & others, the day-book is full of Spanglish terms. To interpret, we have added:
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[The first ten months are missing, or were never recorded.]
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October, 1891
Horses taken
from the indians
April'91
[Likely author: Alfred]
Mistolar.
Butchered a novillo. Rained a bit this morning early, so the men worked around place. Soto began work. Fixed arkones, filled up pantanos, & cut alfa. Alfredo recorrered way north west. Fine weather, cleared up.
Soto and Peicho brought 10 long palms from Palmar for cumbreras etc. Nicolas cutting alfa. H. & A. were at puesto. Fine day N-east wind
Put on Palmar rodeo and capared 23 bulls making 445 bulls capared so far. Horses missing again at puesto. Soto and Peicho bro’t 11 long palms again today. Nicolas bro’t in big load of alfa, and covered up rest as looks rainy again. Mosquitos bad tonight.
Soto & Peicho bro’t load of wood. Set up the 12 arkones for galpon. Bro’t in rest of alfa. Milch cow died; some lung disease. Heavy weather, looks rainy, mosquitos.
Put up cumbreras on galpon etc. Windy dry day.
Peicho and Soto bro’t load of long (9) palms. Capared 39 bulls on Salado rodeo. Nailed on some tiles on galpon roof. Warm day. Indian tracks seen in monte near puesto. Butchered old milk cow.
November, 1891
Sunday. Nothing going on. Hot sweatty day.
Nicolas left. Old Juan and family gone on paseo to Calchaqui in trap.
Peicho & Soto bro’t load of long palms. Drizzly murky day.
Had rain at madrugada, and a temporal all day. Cut up hide to make conjuntas and dorzida.
Butchered cow that had lost its calf. Mr. Sim from Landa came with Pilz Litzman & Hauser and stop a few days on a hunt. Old Juan came back from Calchaqui bro’t nails mail etc. Soto & Peicho sobando cojuntas etc. Fine cool day strong south wind.
[no entry for 5 Nov.]
Yesterday Alfred Herman Sim Pilz Hauser and Litzman went on a hunt on other side of Palmar river and slept up at Estero Tejas where cart had gone to hunt up tiles and came back this evening. Bagged 3 lions and one live tiger cub and one which got killed. Cart bro’t 101 tiles. Yesterday capared 25 bulls at puesto. Fine weather.
Had on Palmar rodeo and capared 29 bulls, making 538 capared so far. Pilz Litzman & Hauser left at noon for Calchaqui. Rained a bit this afternoon. Peicho cut rest of alfa.
Sunday. Drizzly forenoon. Cool weather.
Sent cart to bring rest of tiles to be found. Herman and Sim hunting in mente [monte]. Butchered novillo. Fine day.
Cart came back bringing over 100 tiles. Working on roof of galpon etc. Elia came back from Espin. Encargared the indio Elia to take care of mares, counted them were 114. Fine warm day. Elia bro’t matches & cigarrillos
[no entries Nov. 11 & 12]
Alfredo, Herman, Sim & Pedrito came back from up costa Salado where had gone day before yesterday, beastly trip on a/c of heat and strong north wind got as far as Pencal, and only killed one venado. Cart made two trips to bring palms for trascorral. Capared bulls yesterday on Salado rodeo. Awful hot wind regular sirocco.
Had a heavy storm towards daybreak, and a tremendous rain, guess will make Calchaqui rise. No work.
Sunday. Fine day. Nicolas came back from Costa, bro’t news of ciclon in Calchaqui, smashed hotel & killed Pilz. Zacharria also came. _ _ _ Lots of water in camp.
Cart made another trip to get palmas. Herbert & A. nailing tiles on new galpon. Fine day.
Nicolas and wife left for Tostado. Soto sick. Dispatched Chamorra (lazy). Worked on galpon all day. Warm weather.
Hacintha began to fix cart; x he had worked about one day to cut the timber. Soto sick. Peicho worked on wall of galpon. Hot day.
Sent Pepita to Calchaqui to bring out Sim’s things with pack mule. Sim also went. Went as far as paso (which is crecida) with him. Hot day. Hacintha & Peicho reforzando cumbreras of galpon. Very hot day.
Awful hot day with fine rain at noon. Josι worked at house, also Hacintha, Pepita and Sim came back at noon bringing Sim’s luggage, & some sugar etc.
Another very hot day. Put up back wall of house & caballeta. Juan (indio) turned up.
Sunday. Madrugared to hunt in the monte but mosquitos drove us back. Hot day.
Peicho, Soto, H. & A. worked at corral of galpon. Sent Soto to puesto for plow. Sim hired Juan (indio) to hunt for him. Tormentaish day.
Sent Pedro to Espin for the mellada tropilla for ‘apartes’. Finished the yard for galpon, plowed and transplanted patatas. resowed some maiz. Duck shooting by H. and Simm. Fine day rather warm.
Hacintha made gate for galpon yard. Resowed some maiz & cut some alfa.
Carpired saballos & sandias, and cut alfa. Sent Elia, Pancho, Soto and Andon to apartes to Biscacheras etc. Warm day.
Hacintha and Peicho bro’t 10 long palms from Palmar. Lots of calves imbechados. Warm day bit cloudy.
Went to Fuerte Union and bro’t over carrots. Peicho & Hacintha went. Afterwards bro’t in the dry alfa. Disembechando. Warm.
Sunday. Gave 2 K. yerba to puesto. Hot. Nothing going on.
Disembechando at puesto rodeo, and capared the last 2 yr. old bull._ North wind. Cart broke in bringing palmas, train of back part. (1) Butchered old cow.
December, 1891
[no entries Dec. 1 to 3]
Alfredo had gone to La Camila day before yesterday to see the gente apartar, went also to Dos Mercedes, La Blanca, La Sin Nombre & Calchaqui and came back tonight. Apartadors come tomorrow. Had Chamorra who had not returned horse ‘demandared’. Broke wheel of cart in trip to Palmar. Old Juan went to Calchaqui and brought out irons to fix other cart. Hacintha and Peicho cut alfa today. Perico came to see about taking tropa down next week. Hot weather and had a dust storm.
Fixed up two wheeled cart. Jose Manuel went to Calchaqui. Butchered a novillo and disembichared calves. Soto came back from apartes. say had parted about 40 altogether. parted at Michelas Biscacheros, La Camila, Dos Mercedes y San Agustin.
Sunday. Gave Elia 10 kilo yerba.
Had rodeo on at puesto to ‘disembichar’ and capared some big ugly bulls._ Peicho & Hacintha cut the alfa, and Soto digging cellar._ Strong stormy south wind. Getting dry but only want rain for chacra.
Herman and Sim were hunting. ‘nada’. Got up leρa. Soto finished digging cellar. Got in two loads of alfa. Two paisanos Doming & Cruz Iguano came back from nutrieras Palo Pelado. Fine day.
Desimbechared in Palmar rodeo and butchered a novillo. Finished cellar and bro’t up rest of alfa. 1½ loads. Fine day, looks rainy.
Peicho brought load of pasto from puesto. Cleared up dirt & rubbish from cellar etc. Perico & 3 men turned up to part tropa. Close day and looks stormy.
Put on Palmar rodeo and parted 231 novillos 5 of which afterwards disechared or escaped in locking in at puesto. Perico, Maclungo, Pancho, Pedrito, & two other peones worked on their own horses, & parted also Alfredo and Elia. Frightful hot close day. Looks stormy. Butchered old cow. Nicolas & gente from Mercedito turned up to part. Some more indias nutrieras turned up. la fotografista with Hauser also Donkin came in cart._
Storm came up just as we put on puesto rodeo with hard rain. Blanco hooked at puesto by novillo. No work._
Parted the novillos at puesto. Ponce also worked on horseback. Dispatched the tropa which rondaer at 4 arboles. Counted them (432) novillos 7 calves to eat on road. Pd’ fotografer $20.00 on a/c pictures he took yesterday. 2 views ½ dozen each. Hauser and fotografista left. Hot sweaty day again.
Arreglared Soto. Got cart ready to go Calchaqui tomorrow. Had rodeo on for Nicolas. Butchered old cow. Chacra looking fine, 1st choclos _ Packed skins up _ 4 tiger. 14 aguara 18 lion 1 gato once 1 gato overo, 1 pig 1 gama 2 zorro, 2 quillape, 2 plumeras, wrax, palo negro, tiger head._ 7 ciervo.
[Likely author: Donkin]
Cart went to Calchaqui Herman, Sim & myself [above line: A.] packing up Portmanteaus Start tomorrow Planted 3 Paraiso trees in front & 2 in the garden.
Donkin took charge of the Chacre Alfred, Herman & Sim & peon left for Calchaqui taking horses with them to be left at Espin. Pepita working round the house. Don Pedro Grand & companero arrived in the evening to see Alfred about carneando a novillo (2 by 3) by mistake.
Cool morning & evening hot middle day. Don Pedro brought noticia about tropa, used his corrals last night, also left a bravo novillo at his place, & took another instead.
Don Pedro & companero went back home about 10 leagues same camp as this is. Elia came over for the string for his cinche. Went back with him & brought back one of the most cussed cheeses I ever saw in my life. Juan & his gente Killed old cow. Went into the chacre and took off lady birds from the patatas. Pepito round the house & also picked beans in the garden. Cool morning & evening hottesh middle day.
Peicho arrived with the cart with the following things viz. 1½ bag of biscuits, 10 K. sugar, 10 K. rice, 1 bag yerba, 1 bag of Salt 14 bars of Soap, 5 empty boxes, 2 K. tobacco 2 shirts, mustard, potatoes, & beer, for me. Mending fence round kitchen garden. Pepito round house. Gave Juan his ration 10 Kilos of yerba. Rained part of morning fine afternoon.
Cleaning the weeds in the patatas. Elia & Juan parado rodeo near the house to cure the imbichados Pepito helping. Peicho cleaning back of the house for ploughing. Gave washing to Dρa Juana. Fine day.
Fine day
Paolo came over to take cart & oxen to haul firewood for the puesto also gave him 12 small Winchester cartridges for Elia his ration of yerba 2 Kilos 3 Kilos of rice for Elia 4 bars of soap for Elia. Peicho & Pepito went out leche-iguana hunting brought home 4 nests, Juan in camp.
Cloudy morning rained heavily in afternoon.
Transplanted papata vine in Chacre 3 rows finished, weeded & earthed. Peicho commenced ploughing back of house for potatoes Juan & his gente Killed old cow. In afternoon also sown lettuce & beans in the garden Fine day & Cloudy. Gave leave to Peicho in the evening to go to puesto to recojer with Elia tomorrow on the Wampita side. Gave him 6 Remington Carts.
Mended fence round chacre, & tightened it. Pepito round house. Juan in camp. Elia & Juan went to Wampita.
Eat the first melon too ripe.
Fine day so’therly wind.
Put up six boxes for hen’s nest also fastened up Chacre gate an ox knocked down & got in. Peon that helped Alfred take tropilla to Espin arrived with 3 newspaper (Independiente) & other things for Elia & Pepito Pepito round house.
Esteras drying up fast.
Eat the second melon? not ripe enough?
Cloudy day few drops of rain in afternoon.
Pepito watering patatas. Wrote a letter to Alfred sent it by Hacinto who left in evening for Elia en route to Calchaqui also sent Elia his rations of yerba 10 Kilos by him Peicho came back from Wampita saw nothing Juan taming mare for his carriage Gave Peicho his rations 1½ lb yerba. Stormy morning, cloudy afternoon, cool evening.
Christmas Day. Usual. Presents. Dried beef a la mτde & rice pudding burnt. Juan off to other rodeo curing also he & his gente Killed old cow. Pepito on the sick list. Two Mendozinos stopped the night left a horse & dog here last time they pass. Elia & Jacinto called in afternoon. Gave Elia $120 (Vale NΊ1 on Cappata) of which $20 of it was Domingo’s his brother in the name of Jacinto Roja.
Close hot cloudy day.
Mendozinos left for puesto Cooked my Xmas dinner steak, onions, & potatoes & Beer. in the evening stewed steak & Beer Bean in the garden sprouting also Patata vines looking up.
No work rained all the morning.
Rained 1/2 the night & all morning
Fine afternoon with high South wind.
Juan & his gente went leche-iguana hunting found 2 nests. Gave vales to the following persons.
| No 2 Vale Jose Pepito | $5 |
| ” 3 ” Peicho in Juan B. name | 5 |
| ” 4 ” In Juan Benevides name for washerwoman | 2 |
The last was for washing Alfreds clothes which he left dirty. Dρa Juana said she got the Indian woman to do it as she was not hired to do so. Andon came over from Puesto. Juan getting ready to go to Calchaqui.
Fine cool day.
Juan & two girls left for Calchaqui early. Peicho ploughing all day. Sowed pease where the early maize was sown Old girl & her daughter paseando to the Puesto. Antonio Indian & six others arrived in the evening from outside nutriando.
Fine day warm middle day.
Juan came back with all the vales Cappata refusing to cash them also brought papers & letter from Mrs. Benitz Wrote to Alfred about the refusal of vales. Elia came over & is going to send it off tomorrow to catch the 10 train. Peicho & myself putting down cellar floor Peicho also finished ploughing.
Peicho finishing cellar putting up shelves for milk &c. Juan & his gente Killed old cow. Antonio & his Indians left for San Martin left a lance for Alfred.
Very hot close day.
Peicho hauling palms for the fence round the plough land at back of house also string up the onions Elia & Juan parado the rodeo near the house to cure. Elia & his gente called & took away the adze Sorting & putting in order all the periodicals.
Fine morning stormy afternoon with slight rain.
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January, 1892
---------- 1892 -----------
except the D__d Indians round about here
Peicho cutting Alfa South end the guzanas got in & eating the leaves. Looking to see what insects was killing the melons. Also taking off the lady birds from the patatas. Arranging periodicals.
Fine day southerly wind.
Peicho & myself went to puesto to fetch the cart. Paolo had taken it to build his rancho at the 4 arboles. Brought in the Alfa on Juans carriage also Peicho went to the Monte & cut branches for the beans. Found a lot of unripe water melons the rodeo side of the fence opened but not eatened, found out it was Juans children general d _ w good hiding all round.
Fine day High S.E. wind.
Elia went to Calchaqui to look for a rancho for Dρa Angela, who is enceinte. Found 8 melons great rejoicing.
Very hot day.
Peicho left.
Peicho left for Livi to bring back the mare also to call at Calchaqui on the way back for Alfreds answer to my letter Made butter for the first time. Working in garden. Juan enlarging his corral. Any amount of melons. Pepito brought in 10.
Very hot day
[Vertical in left margin.] Killed (Juan) old cow.
Juan & his gente regulating his corral. Pepito firing camp west side of the house. Elia came over with letter from Alfred & also Dictionary. Francisco the Paraguayan brought them also 15 head of cattle 9 cows 6.calves. Which Alfred apparently promised him $1 a head he claimed the $1 for the calves told Elia to regulate with him as Alfred said nothing to me about it also told Elia not to pay $1 for the calves till Alfred came.
Fearful hot day heavy clouds from S coming up.
Juan & his gente finished corral earthing up the beans in the garden. Peicho came back but no letter left the mare al Espin wasnt the madrina but another.
Rained all night & greater part of the day.
Peicho cleaning out dining-room & bedroom & redunging [? ] them also regulating cellar. Made a mold for the bricks & planted 3 beds of beans. Elia came with 2 Papers for Alfred from Todd Juan went to the Palmar with carriage & brought back palms for his coral.
Warm day but pleasant
Peicho went to the algarroba monte to cut horquetas for the fence round garden wanted 26. Cleaning up the garden & peach trees Juan working at his corral Indians stealing melons &c D n them
Warm day but pleasant.
[Vertical in left margin.] Killed old cow.
Peicho went to the Algarrobal to finished cutting horquetas cut 27. hauled them all to the road in afternoon he brought more branches for the beans. Domingo came for melons for Puesto all robbed in the night Cleaning round the pease & taking lady birds off the patatas
Very hot close day
Peicho making a trough to tan his carpincho skin in. Domingo came over from the puesto paseando.
Hot day Rained very heavily in the evening maved [? ] the Galpon
Also 2 Indians arrived with women & family from out side gave them leave to stop a day or so till their companeros arrived.
Too wet to work Wrote
letters to Mrs. Benitz &c One of the
dogs bit the lion & lamed him very severely last night
All hands working at hide made about
a lb of butter. Rained on &
off all day.
Pedro & Pancho arrived in the night bringing tropilla from South left them at the Puesto Elia brought them over 10 mules 5 mares 6 Potros 4 Horses. Left at Calchaqui tired 1 Toruno Elia going to Calchaqui tomorrow so he left them here to descansar The other peones of the tropa stopped at Calchaqui. They also brought letter from Alfred Sent Peicho to the Monte to cut a new fork for the water barrel Juan saddled the picasso potro John gave him laid down exhausted also one of the mares chucked Mr. Calario Serve him right cruelty.
Very close hot day Tormenta S ri___ [wind?]
[Vertical in left margin.] Killed old cow (Juan).
Fixing fence round garden Hacienda knocked some of the rails down Pedro went to the Puesto to catch Elia. Alfa looking bad from the guzanas. Zaino horse came up with tropa Kept going to the Palmar so tied him up.
Heavy rain all night & morning afternoon cloudy.
Peicho went & brought the sleigh for the water barrel Putting up sticks for the beans. also my mosquitero Juan and his gente domando
Part of the cellar fell in Hacienda all round the house all night from mosquitos Gave Juan 10 Kilos Yerba. New bicho eating the Pumpkins & Killing it. What a dn country. Warm day. Mosquitos out.
Peicho fixing up new sleigh for the Barrel. Rained heavily in the afternoon. No work. Meat went bad. Cloudy morning. Wet afternoon.
[Vertical in left margin.] Killed
Peicho & Indians bringing pumpkins to the house with Juan carriage The Guzanas eaten all the leaves & the pumpkins themselves the furthest row brought up about 250. beastly shame Very much de mosquitos.
Very close cloudy day rained in the afternoon.
Peicho & Pepito went leche iguana hunting. In the afternoon the locust arrived from all quarters all gente out fifling [fighting?] them but no use saved a little maize & the sweet potatoes. Elia came over with noticia that Alfred was coming. he went to Espin to fetch a horse for him also sent Peicho to Calchaqui to bring back the cart. Elia took away four potros All the Indians from Puesto arrived & settled down with asking permission Paolo came over to settle his account told him to wait till Alfred came.
Warm day. & Mosquitos.
[Vertical in left margin] Died Torito
Elia & his gente (Paolo, Pancho) came over & domared some of the mules, mares & potros in the morning & afternoon. Another manga of locust came & passed over but stopped to lunch finished off my garden of beans in ½ an hour during dinner Indians from the puesto left for Calchaqui In shutting in at night one of the macho mules got away went towards puesto.
Warm day with Mosquitos
Elia stopped the night & domared all the mules. his gente came latter on for the mares went before 12 no meat. Cautivo & 3 men arrived paid in $1.50 owing to Alfred bought 50 cts of Salt. went away in the afternoon. Tostado horse of Alfreds very lame from a kick from one of the mules.
Very hot day. Mosquitos awfull.
[Vertical in left margin.] Killed (novillo negro).
Elia came over & domared the mules & potros & afterwards took away the mules leaving the two tame ones. Guzanas commencing on the other patch of pumpkins. Curing Tostado horse. Cleaning my clothes with the gall [? ].
Very close day. Mosquitos.
Brought in pumpkins damaged by guzanas. Lena for firewood. Tostado very bad. Collins capataz of Christobal came in the afternoon to see Alfred leaving Gillingham &c at Fort Union. expected to meet Barrington stopped the night Paolo from puesto came to settle his account couldnt do it.
Hot dusty morning. Rained heavily in evening.
Peicho arrived with the cart stopped at the Puesto over night brought
3 Bags Yerba
2 Barrel of Biscuits
1 Bag of Sugar
1 Bag of Salt
1 Bag of Rice
23 Bultos for Sir Vincent Barrington
1 Trunk 1 box 1 Valise for Alfred
1 Demijuan
2 bots of Vinigger 1 lb pepper 1 tin of Oil
2 bags of Potatoes (Half rotten)
Cleaned out the stove room & put all in Capataz of San Cristobal left early to join Mr. Gillingham at Fort Union. Elia sent Andon over for yerba gave him a little that was left & also some salt.
Hauling Zapallos.
Peicho sick got horned by a bullock Juan broke his pole hauling leρa Also a greyhound came by the Cart.
Fine day
Bringing up pumpkins to the house. Juan & gente went to puesto parado rodeo there Putting the potatoes in the sun to dry half rotten. Fearful row in our kitchen Donna Juana found siesteando with Peicho fearful results old John pretty nearly killed her with the maize pounder. Such is the frailty of our nature Mule from puesto arrived with recado threw Domingo. Pedro caught it & old John knocked it senseless. must have fancied it was his old girl
Fine day. Mosquitos in evening.
Sir Vincent Barrington and Alfred arrived late last night. Alfred arranging everything Sir Vincent photographing the house. The three of us went to the Palmar & took other photographs. Elia came over.
Fine Day few Mosquitos.
[Vertical in left margin.] Killed.
Put the Estancia rodeo on Sir Vincent taking photographs of it Peicho cutting alfa. Juan hauling pumpkins to the shed. Getting ready to go to San Cristobal.
Close hot day.
Did not start for San Cristobal on a/c of threatening weather. Harrowed potatoe land. Dust storm.
[no entries Jan.27 through Feb.1]
February, 1892
Butchered yesterday. Alfred, Donkin and Pancho came back from San Cristobal this evening. Sir Vincent went on. Alfred took valuation of stock at San Cristobal fee $100.00 Had fine weather. In going down went by terraplen and slept at Collins and on way back slept at Villalbas and came by Playa Gde. Made arrangements with Gillingham to lease camp for 5 years and fence in part of land. Ewaldino and Juan Antonio here. Peicho cut the alfa. Butcher from Calchaqui (Hilario) parted 22 old cows at $18.00
Peicho brot in rest of alfa he cut, and harrowed and plowed potatoe land. Peicho brot orkitos for fencing in potato land. Gave Old Juan notice to quit in 15 days. Cause butchered 10 animals in 35 day, lying, general rowing. Very hot day.
Sent Peicho in cart to Calchaqui to bring out remains of other cart. Domingo of puesto goes with him. Pancho finished harrowing potato land and digging holes to make fence round it. Cabals apartador turned up at puesto rodeo tomorrow. Stormy night but little rain.
Had on both rodeos for Alegre parted one novillo which he left. Offered him $15.00 for it. Put up part of fence round potatoe land. Very hot day. no rain to speak of last night.
Old Juan went to Calchaqui. Pancho filled up cellar. Arreglared with Eulogio Sanches to come and work with carts. Hot day.
Sunday. Looked at place to make a bridge across Salado to haul wire from San Cristobal. Peicho came back from Calchaquν with compostura of other cart, starch and bucket. Old Juan also came back from Calchaqui (Elections at Calchaqui).
[Vertical in left margin.] !!Indians stole 16 horses at puesto.
Butchered an old cow. Sent cart to Palmar and received 400 kilos algarroba seed from paisanos 260 + 140 [above numbers: Jose Manuel Pedro] also brot orketos and finished palm fence around potato land. Storm blew past.
Put together 4 wheeled cart, and poisoned hides. Arreglared with Old Juan to go to Palmar with family: pay him $25.00 per month, he uses his own horses, and give him 6 old mancs [mares?]. 5 kilos meat per day & 5 kilos yerba per month & salt. Maiz cuando hay [maiz when available].
Counted all the cattle today. 5581 marked and 2334 orechano. a very rough count. Indians seem to have stolen horses of puesto. Told Elia to look tracks up tomorrow. Hot day and looks stormy.
Had a nice shower of rain last night and today was murky and looks like more rain. Nothing going on.
Another muggy day with odd sprinklings. Brot two loads of firewood and did odd jobs. Butchered old cow. began to give old Juan rations 22 kilos meat 4 days.
Planted bag of potatos back of house. Dug well south of galpon seems good water. Alfred looked for indian track up Calchaqui as far as lake; no signs.
Sunday. Sent Elias to look for indian tracks down Calchaqui. Hot dampish day.
New man Eulojio began work; he is boss of carting etc. He, Peicho and Pancho cut some timber for making estantes of house (galpon). Cleared out alfa of small house to make room for Eulogio & wife. It was a rousing hot sweaty day.
Had on puesto rodeo to disembichar, not many to cure. Carts (2) brot timber for estantes of galpon. Eusebio Saavedra came to part cows .for Hilario tomorrow. Sprinkling of rain and stormy. Barvie sent a man recommended as capataz; told him would let him know if needfull.
Saavedra parted 15 old fat cows from Palmar rodeo, and locks in at puesto. Carts went, cut and brought quebracho from in front of puesto. Heavy storm last night but no wind. News that indians also had stolen at Levis about same time as they stole the 17 horses from puesto Feb. 7. Butchered cow.
[Vertical in left margin.] Butcher parted cows.
Men put up part of estantes of galpon and then went with carts to bring up posts on other side of Calchaqui near puesto. Jose Manuel brought large tiger skin, two lion and 1 ciervo. Pd him. Hot day.
Carts came back at noon from puesto with forty posts, oxen rather heated. Men worked at estantes this evening. Recorrered camp. Chasqui from Calchaqui to say Bermudez had horses for sale. dont want any. Very hot day.
Carts made a trip and got posts 40. Recorrered camp south. Nothing going on very hot.
Sunday. Very hot nothing going on. Peons saw baguales in Monte Aguara.
Had on rodeo, disembichared and butchered old cow. Carts brought about 50 posts. Very hot day.
Sent cart to cut and bring quebracho latas for revocando. Had on puesto rodeo. A. recorrered Palmar way.— Tremendous rain this evening after a very hot day. Got the paisanas to cut 50 to 70 palms to make trascorral [? ]. $8 per 100.
Made pisadero for revocando galpσn and put up rest of estantes. A. & Donkin took a turn along proposed fence from laguna to Salado. Fine day, looks like more rain. Fires north west.
Peones revocando galpon. A. and Donkin tried to cut canutillo by Palmar lake. Hot sweaty day. Overo indian man died of some peste. Burned body.— 3 days sick.
Peones revocando and making mud. Butchered old cow. A. was at puesto brought mail. Donkin cutting canutillo.
Peicho went with cart and received 466 kilos algarroba beans from paisanas. Pd. them. Eulojio cut timber for making pertico and yokes & afternoon went to Clachaqui. Pancho made mud. Rained about 3 hours today and afterwards freshened up.
Alfred left for Calchaqui early. No work Sunday. Boys from the puesto came over to play carnival Eulojio arrived from Calchaqui at night. Fine day.
Eulogiio, Peicho & Pancho revocaring galpon second hand finished it. Donkin cutting canutillo in the morning.
Fine day.
March, 1892
Eulojio, Peicho, Pancho, in the morning went to the monte to bring timber to make yugos perticos &c & working on the same in the afternoon. Donkin cutting canutillo. Dr. Pedro Grand arrived to see Alfred. Like his luck. Gone.
Fine day.
[Vertical in left margin.] Juan came across 1 torito overo & ternerito dead hide lost.
Pedro Grand stopped all day. Donkin cutting canutillo & stacking it. Eulojio, Peicho, Pancho helped Juan to Carneado. Pedro & Hicario parando Puesto rodeo in the morning & Estancia rodeo in the afternoon for the recero. I dont know how many (24) he took. Eulojio, Peicho & Pancho working on pertico in the afternoon. Came across horse (malacara) lanced by the Indians when they robbed the tropilla Juan (Indian) came over with skins and bear & gato onza sold them to Dn Pedro for $4. Gave Elia his rations 10 kilos. Troup of Baguales seen near the pass (10). Eulojio & gente after them no good tame horses Juan (Indian) & gente caught two on foot.
Hot day
[Vertical in left margin.] Killed old cow
Dn Pedro & companero went home again left word that he had 2 novillos in his rodeo & knew of 3 in Domingo camp which he wishes to buy Juan, Pedro, Eulojio Peicho went after the Baguales returned in the afternoon Eulojio, Peicho, & Pancho fixing cart & pertico, Donkin stacking. Donna Anita washerwoman arrived Fearful amount of Tavenas in camp. Terrible Hot Day.
Eulojio, Peicho & Pancho working on yugo, & cart all day.
Received from old woman stopping with Juana 5½ arrobas of algarrobas which she juntar paid $1.65 .
In the morning heavy black clouds which passed over leaving a fearful hot close afternoon with an insufferable amount of Tabanas & mosquitos.
Rained a good part of the morning Eulogio Peicho Pancho working on the yugos & cart Donkin went out and bagged 10 ducks.
Warm afternoon with Mosquitos.
Sunday. Alfredo came back from Costa way. Been gone 8 days. Calchaqui, San Pedro, Espin and Margarita. Traded the big toruna overo Colorado, at Morcillas for overo horse, and at Margarita (rodeo Torres) traded two old cows & calves with C.Cappato for 3 horses to be sent by him to Yacarι:
1 tuviano negro, 1 petizo saino, 1 rosillo
and brot one of the mules
Gomez was taming. Bought at auction of Grants
testamentaria. 1 cart $100.00
1 wheelbarrow 1.30, 109 bolts $11.00 .-
The two cart went to Palmar and brought 15 palms for corral. Had rodeo on at puesto. Planted onions, cabbage, turnips, carrots, beets. Fearful day, hot & sweaty. Storm in evening, but only few drops. Wrote to Gillingham about altering contract, and also to Sir Vincent.
Had on Palmar rodeo, and butchered novillo, & cut up hide for cojuntas etc. Sent Pancho and Pepito with cart to Calchaqui to bring out other cart and etc. Had a storm again and a little shower. Peicho brought load of wood. Old Juan making toldo to move to. Maiz getting fit to be gathered.
Overcast and cold day. A & Dn cut canutilla all afternoon. Cart with Eulojio and Peicho got sticks for yokes etc.
Indian women began to pick maiz 40 c per fanega. Eulojio & Peicho made cojuntas, dorsales etc. and yokes. Cart came back from Calchaqui bringing, galletas, soap, potatoes, onions, new cart, whlbarrow etc. Benavides and family moved to Toldos. Cut some alfa. A. got very bad cold. Ezekiel and family came to work. Peicho was also here looking for work.
11 Mar.'92
(left margin)
Young Bulle (Cesario) came with 49 novillos which he and Fred. Senuels trade for 49 yearling bulls; put on
Palmar rodeo where he parted 22 novillos bulls and the rest he will part at puesto. Ezekiel
began work. takes charge of camp work. Took Buille & Perico on a paseo to Palmar lake.
Bulle parted 27 bulls (young) from puesto rodeo. making 49 he took. Elia goes to Calchaqui and gave him paper for certificate. 24 bulls for Bulle, and 25 for Sinueles. Two carts went to Palmar and brot 18 long palms. Berli, Stineman & young Wasser came at noon to tratar for bulls. Told them would trade bulls in spring when new bulls come. Say that they have about 22 very good novillos to trade. Fine day. He says Perico parted cow and last yrs calf out at Steinmans. P. said nothing about it.
Sunday. Nothing going on. Berli & Co left at day break. Fine warm day.
Killed a descuadrillado novillo for the hide to cut up, and butchered a novillo in the afternoon. Carts brot rest of palmas cut. (19)
Cut alfalfa. Warm day.
Brot 4 algarroba logs for tranqueras of corral. Brot in alfa into galpon. Hot day. Donkin cut alfalfa.
Cut more alfa. Peicho and Pancho brot in four loads of maiz from field. Cut up hide and made straps for carts etc. Very hot day and looks like storm.
Got in rest of maiz 45 barrels altogether guess about 21 fanegas paid for 15 fanegas at 40c for gathering. Also brot in load of alfalfa before rain. Drizzled bit today, but not much, another storm coming up from westward.
Began making tras corral this morning, but rained nearly all afternoon, but not enough to juntar water.
Worked at corral all day. Eulojio, Pancho, and Peicho. This evening there turned up from San Cristobal J.Anderson, Waddington, Bruce, King, Collins and peon, and stop a few days. Fine cool day.
Sunday. Mounted the Ingleses that came yesterday and tool them up Palmar and also showed them where fence was proposed to start off from lake. Tonight a baile and general spree, especially by D........ Butchered a fat cow. Fine day. Sent off to Mrs. Agar some skins by Old Juan who goes to Calchaqui tomorrow. 1 tiger, 1 aguara, 5 lion, 1 gato onca. Peones killed a large lion which had killed calf up in Palmar.
Visitors left again for San Cristobal rather fagged out after baile etc. But guess had good time. Eulojio, Pancho and Peicho worked at tras corral. Men went to parar rodeo at puesto but did not as there was some mistake.
Same work as yesterday. Old Juan brot mail, also news that indians were about a good deal towards Calchaqui. (false news) Cart (2 wheeled) broke axle near Calchaqui. Elia had sent it in to bring out Doρa Angela. Paisanos came back from towards Tostado, had caught 3 baguales and two tigers.
Working again at corral. Drizzly weather. Hired Serapio zxcvbn adero at $18.00
begins work tomorrow when he goes with Elia to Espin to bring out the redomones.
Rained at siesta, hard, and looks like more rain. Eskiel and Alfredo took a turn up to Union recorrienda on proposed fence. Pancho sick. Eulojio and Peicho working on gate posts of corral.
Had a tremendous rain last. The esteros are all full of water and the Calchaqui rising. More water about than for last two years. Eulojio and Peicho making gate posts for corral. Pancho sick. Butchered novillo.
Another drizzly wet day. Say that Calchaqui rising fast. Same work as yesterday off and on. Indians: Ewaldino, Juan & Jose Manuel & families went to Palmar to cut 1200 palm posts of 99 inches (11 qts.) at $5.00 per 100. Nicolas Figueroa and 3 companions turned up from Las Jacanitas. Santiago says Creciente of Salado is at 3 Quebrachos now. Say that Winchester Black Bill stok is embargared at Las Jacanitas. Comisario ----- Ortiz.
Another murky day, but no rain to speak of. Calchaqui Palmar
falling again. Nothing going on. Everything damp in house.
Cleared up a bit in afternoon. Elia and old Serapio came back from Espin bringing the redomon tropilla and the 4 horses Alfredo traded recently. Say tremendous lot of water every where, Laguna de Las Aves full and Calchaqui very high. Nicolas & companions left again for Calchaqui. Pepita and Pancho filling up round house. Peicho finished gate posts. Eulojio making sarza[zaya? ] for carts. Lion killing calves up Palmar way.
Alfredo and Donkin took turn down to Paso Mistolar (very high) & had a swim. Peicho brot load of leρa. Same work as yesterday. Brot meat from puesto. Warm clear day.
Heard a tremendous firing up in Palmar, thinking it was the choppers fighting the montarase [? ] went up to see what it was, when it turned out to be about 25 nutrieras from Reconquista under Cesar Carnelli and another Italian who stop here over night. A tremendous rain set in at noon and continued until night. Camp all below water. Eulojio stopped work. No good.
[Vertical in left margin.] Butchered cow and gave ½ to indians.
Gente stopped here all day. Bialba & family came from Monte Aguara & want to stop. Say tiger killed calf down Salado.
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April, 1892
Petizo Italiano left with paisanas to go up Salado. & Cesar Carnelli left for puesto to go to Calchaqui with Eulojio who left with wife. Doρa Anita cooks now. Doρa Angela came up today had row with Elia. Also Ezekiels wife had row with Ez. Looks rainy again. Guess in for regular creciente. Say Calchaqui very high now. Cacique Valentin came to puesto. Bought from Carnelli his stores he does not need any more viz: Tab.hoja 9½ kilos 22.80 55 kilos Sal grueso $4.40 Sugar 28 kilos $22.40 arroz 27 kilos 10.26 Yerba 48 kilos 37.44 Wooden matches 28 doz. 9.24 Alpargatas 19 pr 19.00 4 Camisas 7.00 4 pants 7.00 22 pqts stearine candles 14.30 in all $153.80 gave vale on Hilario Saavedro. Butchered cow.
Pancho and Peicho filling up galpon. Dρa Angela went back to Elia. Fine clear day. Cacique Valentin & family came this afternoon.
Sunday. Kicked black cook out. No good. Eusebio Saavedra came to part reses for Hilario. Nothing going on. Went up to paisanos cutting pasto. Fine cool night, warm days.
Put on Palmar rodeo and marked 6 calves
and 3 for Tregathen. Butchered
26 novillos at $25.00 and 1 old cow at $20.00
14 of the novillos were of Bulles mark Warm day.
Peicho and Donkin cut alfalfa. Butchered a novillo. Pancho put up tranquero of tras-corral. Hot day. Pedro went to Calchaqui.
[Vertical in left margin] Pampa cow of Tregathens died.
All hands put on rodeo at puesto and marked 6 calves of Donkin and 12 last years calfs of ours. Cut alfa this afternoon and put up other tronquero of tras corral. Warm day north wind, and looks rainy.
Donkin and Peicho cut alfa, and Pancho hauled in two loads this forenoon and afterwards fixed up fence to enlarge garden. Hot murky day and looks like more rain. Plenty of mosquitoes.—
Peicho and Pancho brot 12 palms for Tronquera. Recd 1200 posts (palm) the indians cut @ 5.00 per 100. There are about 100 over. Had a little shower of rain last night, and a tremendous lot of mosquitos. Indians came down from palmar on a/c of the mosquitos.- Murky day.-
Arreglared with the paisanos for the cutting posts. They stop on here. Butchered an old cow this evening. Fixed tronqueras and brot up leρa for marcacion. Close day. Tuviano cleared with cabresto towards Palmar.
Sunday. Chased tuviano all round camp and at last caught him at puesto.- Lorenzo brought the mail he comes to work at marcacion with Damasio. Hot day looks rainy.
Marked at puesto. Parted out on rodeo and marked 381 in corral. Damasio & Lorenzo worked: outsiders. And the rest were Elia, Hacintha, Domingo, Tomas, Serapis, Ezekil, Peicho, Pancho, indios: Juan, Ewaldino, Pedro, Alcario, Romana, Bivalva, Juan Antonio boy. As soon as finished had heavy rain which continues. Juan (indio) got bad cut sole of foot. About 50 calves got away in locking in.
Nothin going on. Damp day & mosquitos.
Looked for lion that kills calves up in Palmar unsuccessfully. Hot day. Butchered novillo. Brot up leρa etc.
Marked again at puesto, parted out and marked in corral 188 calves, about 20 escaped. Same gente as other day, more or less worked. Plenty of mud in corral. Hot day.
Hot forenoon and looked rainy but in afternoon south wind came up and cleared up. No work today Good Friday but rest horses to mark again tomorrow.
Put on Palmar rodeo, about 6000 head came on and we run out [about ?] 800 calves very easily, but only locked in and marked 302 calves. The paisanos not much good to drive cattle. It was a cool pleasant day. Butchered an old cow.
Sunday. Nothing going on. A. recorred up as far as mojon Salado.
Marked again. Parted about 325 calves and marked 313 calves from
Palmar rodeo. Had a good lock in and made big cerca, & had 4 drivers
best way! Serapis takes pack-mule and goes to Calchaqui to bring out more
caρa etc. Strong north wind. Butchered cow.
Elia Salteno came back last night late, and this morning
Paolo and Eubio Entrekiano came to help mark. It was a hot close day so only
parted and marked 259 calves, a few escaped in shutting in. Same gente more
or less worked. Butchered cow.
Elia Salteno left again for Espin paid him up to June 1. Arreglared with Tomas & wife who leave puesto. Nothing going on. Cold weather & clear, guess will have dry time now. Zerapio came back from Calchaqui brot demijohn caρa, flour & comino for pasteles......
Had an indian alarm last night about 9 oclock the horses and mares near rodeo began clearing about so we went out and locked all the horses we could find in the corral, and this morning 3 mules and 5 mares [above line: & 2 horses from puesto] are missing besides 16 of the paisanos horses [above line: altogether 26]. Could find no tracks, [above line: (horses found afterwards)] but the paisanos look again tomorrow. Cool afternoon hot morning.
Put on Palmar rodeo and parted and marked 327. Not bad lock in. Outsiders who worked Damasio, Lorenzo, Entre Rios Paolo, Zappato. Romano found no tracks of indians yet. Pleasant day. Butchered fat cow (old).
Finished the Palmar rodeo, parted and marked 216 calves. Good lock in. Same gente as yesterday worked. Had a shower of rain in afternoon. Horses supposed to have lost found again back of esteros towards puesto. Butchered cow.
Sunday. Had a storm and some rain last night, but today was a beautiful day. Had pasteles end of marcacion. Will finish up at puesto tomorrow.
Men went and put on rain
rodeo at puesto but rain came on so
could not mark. Arreglared a/c with Damasio who leaves with Lorenzo. Rained
some and was a misty cloudy day.
Peicho and Pancho making mud for adobes for fire place. A & Donkin were at puesto, mark again day after tomorrow weather permitting. Warm day. Outsiders left are Juan Zappato and Paolo. Butchered cow.
Alfredo & Donkin went along line of proposed fence, lot of slush. Peicho and Pancho making adobes. Warm day.
Had rodeo at puesto and marked cows after parting them out 82 and also marked tambera calves 32 at puesto. Had mail by Lorenzo & wife who begin work. It was a treacherous sort of day rain in sprinkles and some sun but looks like lots of rain. Paolo & Zappato left. Marking about finished except to do rodeos.
Rained hard nearly all day. Guess fencing will be out of question this winter. Nothing going on.
Had a tremendous rain last night & Calchaqui rising. Looks rainy yet. Peicho & Pancho brot load of leρa. Butchered fat cow.
May, 1892
Sunday. Pepipta
left. Misty day. Alegre turned up from La Blanca to look for stray cattle.
Tigers plmasant killing again.
Alegre stopped here all day. Looked for a tiger that is killing calves at Chilcal. Ewaldino killed it, a very large one on other side of river. Sent Pancho and Zerapio to bring broken cart from Calchaqui, also the cargo from Santa Fe. It was a warm pleasant day.
More rain and looks like temporal. Alegre here yet. Ezekiel recorrered up to Rinconada Palmar. No cattle tracks up that way.
Strong southeast wind blowing & cold. Butchered the white indians ox. Alegre here still and tonight old Bernesconi came up from puesto.
Had on Palmar rodeo and marked 54 calves on rodeo. Drizzly & cold weather. Alegre & comp. left for La Blanca again.
Another murky day. Cart came in afternoon from Calchaqui, but did not bring cargo from Santa Fι as it had not arrived only brot Cappats, bag yerba, bag maiz (Elia) 40 kilos rice, etc. - - -
Young
Tremolliere came brot letter from M. Leiva asking me to contribute for
expedition against indians. It was
Another murky beastly day.- Men this afternoon fixed up garden & moved fence, and this afternoon pulled out maiz stalks. Tremolliere still here. Eduardo & wife began work.
Sunday. Nothing going on. Tried fishing on Salado. Lorenzo took 8 long palms to make corral at his puesto: cuatro arboles. Murky day and no sun but mosquitos to make up. Butchered cow.
This forenoon finished pulling out maiz stalks. Brought leρa in afternoon. Paisanos left for San Martin. Ewaldino and parientes go to make 400 tiles at Palmar. Started Eduardo at plowing for alfa. Peicho desbarbando the adobes. Robson turned up from down south to look at Mte Aguara camp for Dickinson. Hot day and rains tonight.-
Tremolliere left with the horse Robson brought. Sent Pancho and Zerapio to puesto to cut & bring ostromanes for making galpon. Weather cleared up at last.
Marked (finished) calves on puesto rodeo today 90 calves, making 2270 marked so far. Only want the tamberas yet. Robson sick (head). It was a fine clear day.
Alfred & Elia & Peicho left for Espin to mark the mares. Pancho & Zarapio cutting orquetas. Eduardo finish ploughing. Gave Segunda for Ewaldinos account. 16 Kls of meat. 1½ Bags of maize. Fine day.
[Vertical in left margin] Killed old cow.
[Change of author]
Marking out and digging a place for new W.C. Rubio (Eduardo) regulating mud for the Adobes. Peicho & Zarapio brought back 12 orjones for Galpon. Hezequiel left on foot dog or fox eat the soga.
Fine day cloudy South.
Putting brocal to W.C. faulting about 150 adobes also knocking down old one. Hezequiel & Eduardo helping. Zarapio & Pancho taking the bark off the horjones & also brought a cartload of leρa. Peicho arrived in the evening from Calchaqui bringing 1 bag of Biscuits, Soap, Tobacco, 1 Box & Robson pormanteau & correspondence.
Fine day with clouds rather heavy.
[Change of author to: Alfred]
Sunday. Alfredo came back from Espin with Elias Ledesma bringing the 5 colorados, potro alasan ruano, yegua mellada, & 2 picaso torunos, Marked in Espin 37 colts, 15 machas & 22 hembras. Gave Hilario Saavedra certificate for 37 reses as the one Damasio took in got lost. Also reglared with him & got pd. in full. Rivers high & Calchaqui seems rising. Coldish nights.
Peicho & Eduardo making adobes. Pancho reglared orkones, & Zerapio worked W.C. etc.- Fine day.- Butchered cow.
Put on puesto rodeo for butcher Hilario Saavedra. He parted 16 (17) novillos
(4 were of Bulles mark) at $25.00 and 14 (13) cows
at $18.00 He promised to send out any letters from San
Cristobal. Pancho & Zerapio dug out patatas, 1 of 13 Hs, and 1 of 12 Hs.
Peicho & Eduardo working at adobes. Donkin cut alfa. Beautiful day.
Making adobes & brot in patatas, about 80 arrobas. Buried shoots for planting. North wind.-
[Change of author]
Went to the Palmar in the morning with Robson & Donkin. Butcher sent out letters none from Cristobal getting ready to go tomorrow. Butchered old cow.
North wind.
Benitz, Robson & Pancho started for San Cristobal via Lorenzos puesto taking the Colorado tropillo & mule. Peicho & Eduardo cleaning & standing up the bricks.
Warm day rather cloudy.
Peicho & Donkin finishing the W.C. putting brocal & seat etc. Eduardo & Serapio went to get the cart from the other side of the Calchaqui. Ezequiel & Zarapo in Camp.
Jacinto, Serapio & Elia arrived with oxen from Puesto. Jacinto getting his tropa
together. Indian boy came as bongboyero to tropa. They also took the
lona gave them all their rations of yerba, rice, & maize. Juan viejo help to
kill with Pedro Segunda came to sharpen axes.
Very cold morning with S wind but nice afternoon.
[Vertical in left margin] Killed old cow.
Making door for W.C. Hacinto Peicho, Serapio, Eduardo & boyero left early for the Palmar. A Lieutenant & six soldiers stopped the night en route to La Verde to join a Major & 150 soldiers.
Cold cloudy day
Lieut Pedro Ygeroba left with his soldiers lent them a hide (cow mora) to cross the Salado said they would leave this side of the pass. Missed 3 horses (2 potros 1 mare). Working in the garden. 1st frost slight.
Warm day but cloudy.
[Vertical in left margin] Killed (cow)
Filling up old W.C. & digging in garden. Hezequiel & Zapato looking for lost potros didnt come across them also cleaning the adobes. Domingo from puesto came over for monkey wrench reported 14 oxen came back from Palmar Segundo (indian) took away ½ bag maize.
Nice day little cloudy.
Digging in the garden Hezequiel & Zapato in camp latter went to Puesto to see if the Potros were there also took the monkey wrench. Jacinto looking for his oxen.
Nice day.
Went to Puesto came back with Zapato & Domingo & 1 potro & horse belonging to Serapio. found them in the monte near the pass faulting a potro. Mrs. Angela seedy gave Domingo pills for her. Segundo came with lion skin gave him 3 kilos of yerba Jacinto came took away adze, saw, & big bit to make a new yugo (broke one).
Warm day lots of mosquitos.
Digging in the garden and setting fire to grass round the house. Eduardo came with cart in the morning in order to take back meat tomorrow,
Hot day with mosquitos.
[Change of author to: Alfred]
Sunday. Butchered cow. Alfredo & Pancho came back from San Cristobal. Robson had left for Las Lomas. Alfredo slept 1st night Lorenzos puesto. 2nd night Mte. Aguara opposite Estero gde. 3rd night Michelas. 4th San Cristobal—. 5th Pelado station. 6th Estancia Pelada. 7 Maria Luisa, R.R. & San Cristobal (Lassners). 8th San Cristobal. 9 Villalbas. 10 home. Signed contract with Gillingham for land here (8 leagues) from June 1st 5 yrs, Went to La Pelada (Mrs. Kroeger) to see cattle for Johnnie but could not trade.- Cattle very thin everywhere, and camps dry up (south wards). Salado still high. Hazy warm day & mosquitos.
South wind & coldish. Carts hauling posts. Have camp up in Palmar. Lake still high. Ezekiel reports creciente coming in camp westward of lake, Pancho doing odd jobs around.
Marked tambera calves in afternoon 32. Some left yet. Marking reached 2302 this year. A recorrered at south puestos. Cold south wind.
June, 1892
Butcherd old cow. Cattle looking very well yet. 1st heavy frost. Warm day. Nothing going on.
Yesterday morning early, Alfredo, Donkin, Zappato, and Juan Antonio went to recorrer up at Lagunas Dulce beyond Palmar lake, and came back tonight by way of Fortin Union. Saw no cattle track, no game, and fearful lot of water & mosquitos. Cold weather. Two animals died of mancha.
Marked 8 more tambera calves. It was a pleasant day. Frost. Making preparations for making chimney.- Planting onions.- Carts came from Palmar to begin hauling posts towards Fortin Union. Tire of wheel (2 wheeled) of cart broke.
Butchered old cow. Sunday. Nothing going. Regulating peones a/c.
Eduardo and Pancho went with cart to Calchaqui taking broken wheel, plough etc to get fixed. Measured out line from Salado (Fortin Union) to beginning of swamp towards Palmar 4100 metres and put canes every 100 metres to dump posts at.— Sinn turned up had rough time as he had slept near paso as Fraitres was afraid to pass over. Elia passed him over. Sick in bed he is.- Warm day & plenty of mosquitos.
Sinn still sick bad cold.— Made chimney in house. Peicho cutting alfa. Windy & looks like rain. Lions & tigers killed 15 animals last 2 months. Donkin transplanting onions.—
Sinn little better. Got in part of alfa. Old Juan brought mail. Change of weather to cold. Nothing going on.—
Received 400 techas from Ewaldino & Co. (about 30 over). Brot leρa. Fine warm day. Sinn little better.—
Making preparations to go south tomorrow. Alfred, Donkin & Sinn. Serapio goes along to take lion and bring back horse, Indians that were cutting tiles all turned and regulated a/c.— Cart also turned up from Calchaqui bringing wheel fixed, plow ditto, yerba, soap and Tobacco. Peicho and Hacintha brot quebracho seantlings for making box of cart to haul wire, Fine day.
[There are no more entries for June. The next entry is July 2.]
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January, 1893
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January, 1894
