Benitz, John E. - Diary, 1908

Jan	10	The purchase of the land from Urdaniz is posponed untill the 1^st of February as the law courts will be closed untill then and the land is in question with the sellers Gibson Hnos.
	18	Returned at 11 P.M. from Cruz Grande.
	20	Received back from Vicente Soto ~~650.~~ $700. on account of the loan of 4.000.$ of October 24^th.
	28	Left for Cordoba and Cruz Grande via Bell Ville
	29	Attended Margarita Thomas wedding at the Observatory
	30	Arrived up at Cruz Grande.
March	12	Left Cruz Grande for Cordoba + Los Algarrobos.
	13	Had an interview with the Ministro de Obras Publicos [Minister of Public Works] about roads.
	14	Arrived at Los Algarrobos from Cruz Grande.
	19	Went to Bell Ville and back. Had an interview with the Gefe Politic [Jefe Politico – county political leader] and the Sect. of road Com. Beyados about roads. also attended a meeting of a Comision apointed to take up a Census of all the live stock of the Republic. Received from Vicente Soto 1.500.$ on account of loan of 4.000.$ to him on Oct. 24^th.
	20	Began to make the inventory of the Algarrobos.
	25	Went to Bell Ville, attended Remate Feria [cattle auction]. stayed the night.
	26	Discounted two bills [took out two loans] in the Banks in Bell Ville. one for 25.000$ at the Banco de la Nacion for 180 day, and the other also for 25.000.$ at the Banco Aleman Transatlantico for 180 days. took this 50.000 and the 54.000$ from the La Blanco for the novillos [steers] sold. to Rosario to take up the bill of 100.000.$ taken up for the purchase of land from Urdaniz. but which purchase did not come off. went to Rosario in the afternoon.
	27	Spent in Rosario the day.
	28	Left Rosario for Cordoba. had an interview with the Ministro de Obras Publicos [Minister of Public Works] about the Roads, in Union + Punilla.
	30	Left Cordoba for La Cumbre and Cruz Grande.
April	7	Backed a bill for Harley Storey for $5.000. at the London Bank for 6 months. date not fixed on pagare [note].
	13	Left Cruz Grande with my family and four servants. stayed the night in Cordoba [city]. Signed the title deeds of the bit of the Cruz Grande lands taken back from Josephine. Mr Marty signed as apoderado [legal representative] of Josephine. Received from the Escribano [notary], the Poder General [general power of attorney] that Alfred gives me for looking after his place in the mountains. also the title deeds of the land he purchased from Mauricio Zapata and from Mercedes Gonzales de Zapata.
	14	Arrived back at Los Algarrobos found the camps beautiful
	20	Took the plan of the new Administracion building to "La Minnesota." put some peons [workmen] to work clearing off the ground where it is to be built.
	21	Marjorie and little Elsie went to Buenos Aires via Bell Ville to attend Emmas [Schreiber] wedding. The Engineers of the F.C.C.O. [Ferrocarril Central Oeste - see glossary] passed the El Victoriano with the survey for the new R.R. line to be built from Juarez Celman due west. the line passes just infront of the house. on the north side of the division fence between La Minnesota + El Victoriano.
	22	Sent Josephine a cheque for a thousand dollars in payment of the land at Cruz Grande bought back from her.
	23	Marked out the La Minnesota Administracion building foundations.
	27	Proffessor Herbert Mumford of the Illinois Agricultural College, U.S.A. spent the day here looking over the place.
May	1	Received from Vicente Soto 1.000. on account of the loan of 4.000.$ on the 24^th October last.
		Went to Bell Ville + back. had a meeting with Carlemagno and Fco. [Francisco] Tase about naming a Secretary to help the honorary Sct. Beyados.
	3	Received the first notice that the El Victoriano was to be liquidated, from James Agar
	8	Marjorie returned from Buenos Aires. A Polland China boar sent out from the States by Miller arrived.
	10	Alfred sailed from Buenos Aires for the States.
	15	Made up all the manadas [brood mare herds]. began to serve, with 6 stallions. three by hand in corral and three loose in camp with their manadas.
	17	Went to Buenos Aires over Monte Maiz.
	22	Left Buenos Aires for La Cumbre + Cruz Grande.
	23	Arrived at Cruz Grande.
	27	Left Cruz Grande for Cordoba.
	28	Stayed in Cordoba all day. saw the Ministro de Hacienda [Minister of Finance] + Dr Thome.
	29	Left Cordoba and arrived in the evening at Los Algarrobos. while in Bell Ville saw Beyados about roads.
	31	Sent the pedigrees of Bay Don + Talisman to Higham + Vincent to have them registered in the Sociedad Rural Argentina. as the mares - being served by these two stallions are registered in the Registro Preparatorio [pedigree breeding registry?].
June	9	Drove to Bell Ville + back. attended to a meeting of Estancieros to form a Sociedad Rural in Bell Ville. drew up the summary acta [proceedings] and paid my subscription of 100.$ as Socio Fundador [founding member], am vocal [board member]. Also attended a meeting of the Road Comision. received the first instalment of funds, $5,000. from the Receptoria [treasury]. which I handed over to Fco. Carlemagno, Cajero [cashier]. drew up a programe of work to be started on at once.
	24	Signed a bill for 85.000.$ to the Banco de La Nacion of Rosario. this is to part pay for the land to be bought from Gibsons. this bill is discounted on the [ blank ] and due on the [ blank ] .
July	2	Drove to Bell Ville + back. attended to meetings of the Sociedad Rural and Comision de Caminos [Roads Commission].
	7	Left for Buenos Aires, with Marjorie, Elsie Jo + Marjoriedaw who will sail for England on the Aragon on the 10^th. Jo + Elsie will remain at school. St Katherine's Lodge St Andrews Fife N.B.
	10	Began the foundations of the new galpon, barn with loft, measures 10. m. x 40. m.
	13	Left for Rosario (from Buenos Aires)
	14	Held the anual meeting of the Sociedad Anonima Ganadero "Los Algarrobos" [Los Algarrobos Cattle Company, Inc.]
	15	Left Rosario for Los Algarrobos. Mr Marty came along.
	16	Sold to La Blancos buyer, now of Los Algarrobos El Victoriano + La Minnesota.
	19	Left for Cruz Grande + Cordoba, in Bell Ville attended a meeting of the Sociedad Rural [Rural Society] of Union and Comision de Caminos [Roads Commission] del Depto Union.
	20	In Cordoba had an interview with the Ministro de Obras Publicas [Minister of Public Works]. Achiaval about roads in Union + Punilla. received from him 1.300. Subvencion [subsidy] to Punilla Roads and 2.000.$ to Union Roads.
	21	Left Cordoba for Cruz Grande.
	22	Received La Quebrada for Alfred from Belorasio Cabanillas and Excegces Casaros with an order from Merzedes de Gonzales, to whom I gave a check for $2.702. on the 20^th July. in the office for the lawer B. Paz. Started cuadrilla [crew] making the road to La Quebrada along side of mountain.
	25	Left Cruz Grande for Bell Ville. stayed the night in Bell Ville.
	26	Attended to meeting of Sociedad Rural + Com de Caminos and drove out to Los Algarrobos in the afternoon.
Aug	1	Attended reception of the Governor of Cordoba and his ministers in Bell Ville. with banquet + dance at night.
	2	Returned to Los Algarrobos Received from Higham y Vincent the pedigree of Bay Don. Shire stallion. which they had registered in the stud book of the Sociedad Rural Argentina.
	8	John Law arrived from La California, he is a nephew of R. Agar and will stay at Los Algarrobos untill the administration building at La Minnesota is finished.
	28	Mr Hinners went to Rosario to attend to the Show and to Select costoneras [rafters] for Cruz Grande and Los Algarrobos.
	31	Mr J. Law fell from horse and broke his Collar Bone, sent him to Bell Ville.
Sept	1	Could not attend the Show in Rosario on account of an attack of influenza was named Judge of Durhams. but had to resign.
	4	Mr Hinners returned from Rosario.
	5	Wrote to J. Moore, Sharsted Works. Kensington London S.E. England. asking him to send me two best Hampshire Rams for plantel [pure breeding stock].
	6	Made up the account of all the trees planted and replanted in place of dead ones in triangulos [field corners?] and represas [water tanks]. planted by Mr Turner and his men. 1930 trees planted by the gardener. 147 trees total == The Polland China boar sent out by Miller from the states died today.
	7	Went to Bell Ville. attended to meeting of the Road Com.
	8	Returned from Bell Ville. had lunch at La Minnesota. Sent to Mr Marty two signed bills. one for 40.000.$ one for 10.000. to be discounted at the London Bank. to take up the two bills falling due on the 26^th at the two Banks in Bell Ville for $50.000.
	15	Went to Buenos Aires. via Bell Ville. attended to business at the office of the Road Com. in Bell Ville.
	16	Bought all the things for the Gas instalation at La Minnesota.
	18	Bought a Plantel [breeding stock] Bull for La Minnesota for 4,400.$ bred by Martinez de Hoz. Bulls name is "His Grace." <13368>
	25	Bought from M. Cobo. Belen to select at his estancia. 15 pedigree bulls at 600.$ each.
	26	Arrived in Bell Ville. was judge of the cattle at the Show held by the Sociedad Rural Union. the first show. was judge together with Crispin Carballo and Madrid.
	27	The Show in Bell Ville was inagurated. we won 1^st prize with 5 Hampshire Ewes of two teeth and with 5 potros [untamed colts] for Army Remants [remounts] won Coronel Rodriguez prize, a gold medal. donated the five ewes and a fat pig to the ladies who are collecting funds for a hospital. total proceeds of sale $4.200.
	28	Returned to Los Algarrobos.
	29	Saw announcement of Dr. Thomes death in the Standard.
Oct	2	The red bull, His Grace bought at Palermo Show for La Minnesota at $4.400 arrived at Los Algarrobos from Monte Maiz. The 15 bulls arrived at Los Algarrobos, bought from M. Cobo La Belen at 600.$ each. were selected by Mr Warnack. Backed a bill for 5.000.$ for Harley Storey for 6 months. London Bank.
	7	Magnificent rain. 79 ^m/_m in the day. Drove to Bell Ville in the evening. slept there.
	8	Went from Bell Ville to Cordoba. had interview with Ministro de Obras Publicos [Minister of Public Works] about roads in Depto Union. accepted the Presidency of the Comision Departamento de Caminos de ~~Union~~ Punilla [Roads Commission of Punilla].
	9	Left Cordoba for Cruz Grande.
	14	Held a meeting of members of Road Com. of Punilla at Cruz Grande. organized the work + members - as accts + treasurers.
	16	Left Cruz Grande for Cordoba + San Genero. frost in the morning
	17	Arrived at La California from San Genaro. frost in the morning.
	18	Attended Sale of stock at La California. bot 40 heifers at 69.$
	20	Returned to Los Algarrobos over Armstrong + Bell Ville.
		The first locusts arrived at Los Algarrobos this year.
	23	Began to make the roof trunes [rafters?] of galpon [barn]. with 3 carpenters.
	24	Locusts began to lay eggs. never have seen them so bad.
	27	Mother left for Cruz Grande. accompanied by Mr Campbell.
	29	Sent Mr Turner to Rosario to select 10.000 K. Cortoneras [beams?] for the Comision Departamental de Caminos de Punilla. to be sent to La Cumbre.
Nov.	6	Went to Bell Ville and back. attended to meeting of Road Com. Depto Union Mr Turner returned from Rosario.
	10	Took Romulo the tin smith to "La Minnesota" started to put in the gas and water piping in the new administration house.
	11	The two Pauls returned from the Chaco. Finished putting the zinc [galvanized corrugated iron] on the roof of the galpon. Went to La Minnesota again.
	12	Drove to Las Lagunitas Estancia and back. attended remate feria [cattle auction] there.
	13	Marjorie and Marjoriedaw leave England today on the R.M.P. Avon.
	15	Drove to Bell Ville in the evening. stayed the night there. Received a telegram from Alfred that he had arrived back from the States.
	16	Drove south + S.W. of Bell Ville with Sect of Road Com. inspecting the roads and the work being done. Drove back to Los Algarrobos in the evening.
	21	Drove to Leones + back today. attended the Liquidation of D. Berm**tos cabaña [pedigreed herd]. bought 29 pure bred vaquillas [maiden cows] and ~~three~~ five pure bred bulls.
Dic.	1	Left for Buenos Aires. via Bell Ville to meet Marjorie and Marjoriedaw who are to arrive on Saturday by the "Avon."
	8	Arrived back at Los Algarrobos bringing Marjorie and Marjoriedaw and a Miss Flattoe. a young sister of Mrs Wilkinson, comes on a visit.
	9	Started to cut oats with our combined header + binder.
	19	Mr Campbell the assistant book keeper left. returned to Buenos Aires. Drove to Bell Ville to attend meeting of the road Com. returned.
	22	Started to remake all the mattrasses.
	24	Mr. W.H. Warnock died at 5.30 P.M. in Bell Ville of gastric fever. + complications he had been manager at La Minnesota for 2 years 10 month Mr William Paul arrived from England. on a visit to his nephews. Mrs Bischoff. Mrs Fernald + Mr Marty arrived in big carriage from Bell Ville. also a lot of English neighbors and natives to attend the criolla [creole] dance held in the galpon [barn]. Yearly dance to the peones [workmen] and house warming of galpon. Killed three cows for carne con cuero [side of beef barbecued with the hide on] 5 lambs. 22 kegs beer 30 doz ginger beer. 2 boxes ice big pots of chocolate + coffe going on all night and five musicians from Bell Ville
	25	Buried poor Mr Warnock in Bell Ville cemetary.