1891-92 DIARY OF E. O. FISHER, AN AMBITIOUS SCHOOL STUDENT FROM RURAL IOWA, DESCRIBING HIS DAY-TO-DAY LIFE AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TECHNOLOGY EXPANSION IN THE "GILDED AGE"

On offer is a handwritten diary covering the years of 1891 and 1892 that gives an excellent insight into a broad range of interests and aspirations of a schoolboy from a small rural place in Iowa. The variety of topics he is writing about is remarkable - from day-to-day farming activities and school studies to political and business life in the state, and technological advances. E. O. Fisher, who was sixteen at the time, lived on a farm near Shenandoah. The book is the second volume, according to a note on the first page, and starts with a description of 1891 autumn fair in Iowa: "The fair interested me greatly this year that is, the racing does...One of the novelties is a steam swing. The moment it stops there is a scramble for seats."The diary conveys atmosphere of economic growth and rapid development: "Shenandoah is booming..." Several entries are devoted to erection of the electric light plant: "I was all afternoon up at the light plant. They were putting up two chimneys, about 200 hundred people gathered to witness it. The engine is the largest in town and the pipe, a large one had to be so carefully put up to prevent its breaking the cornice off the roof". He also reports political events, giving his opinion on Republican and People's Party candidates: "Governor Boies spoke in the Opera House this afternoon. Should have liked to hear him but could not leave school... I was up to hear congressman Dolliver. In my estimation his was the best speech I ever heard". In 1891 reporting two major events, erection of a light plant and Boise election, he writes: "Shenandoah can be proud of her electric lights, but she cannot boast of her temperance any more", referring to the defeat of Republicans, brought by their standpoint in prohibition debate. He does quite a lot of farm work, like digging potatoes, picking tomatoes, threshing and loading, putting up millet, one of his main interests are horses: "We went up to Mr. Harris's and trained the colts, our colt and Mr.Harriss's. I believe Mr. Harris is as good a horse trainer (tamer) as can be found in the country. He can tame an ordinary horse perfectly in half an hour". Fisher is also a competitive student who expresses his admiration of well-read people, enjoys studying philosophy and elocution: "Our philosophy recitations are becoming quite interesting, we have quite a dispute every day...If it were not for algebra, would stand pretty high in my class, hope that shall not be lower than 3rd or 4th anyway", and is also keen on learning technology: "I have so many things to think of and make that I don't know how. I want to make a dynamo, a "magneto", a telegraph instrument, a wind mill, a small saw, a mandrel; to help Pamake a wagon brake." In August 1892 Fisher enlisted to local militia: "I am going to try enlist in the Militia. I am underage, but I am large and strong enough", several pages document the details of their train trip to Sioux City and camping. The last entry is dated October 12th, 1892. The diary contains many details related to the local history, names of local residents, information about cultural events, sermons at the Free Methodist church, political campaigns, business activity, and accidents, including a fire that destroyed Western Normal College in Shenandoah. Physical description: A diary is a notebook in a pink cover, with an image of a girl with a shepherd's crook standing in the field in the center, sheep in upper corners, and word "Composition" in the right lower corner. There are initials E.O.F. at the top of the first page. Out of 142 pages, 91 are densely filled.; Manuscript; 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY, FISHER, E. O., 19TH CENTURY AMERICAN HISTORY, SOCIAL HISTORY, "GILDED AGE", 1890S IN THE UNITED STATES, IOWA, SHENANDOAH, SIOUX CITY, 1891 GOVERNOR ELECTIONS IN IOWA, FREE METHODIST CHURCH, FARMING, IOWA FARMERS, AGRICULTURAL FAIR, ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT, WESTERN NORMAL COLLEGE FIRE, HORACE BOIES, LOCAL MILITIA, IOWA MILITIA, IOWA AGRICULTURE, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DIARY, DIARIES, FARMER'S DIARY, AMERICANA, HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, AMERICANA, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, DOCUMENT, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT, MANUSKRIPT, PAPIER OGGETTO D'ANTIQUARIATO, ATTO, VELINA, DOCUMENTO, MANOSCRITTO, CARTA ANTIGÜEDAD, HECHO, VITELA, DOCUMENTO, MANUSCRITO, PAPEL