Photocopied diary, 1882-1904

The Julia Gage Carpenter Papers consist of a photocopy of a diary from February 9, 1882 to March 19, 1904. Recorded are the details of daily life, particularly pioneer life and homesteading, hardships, farming conditions, weather reports, holidays and trips of family and friends. There are longer passages on the deaths of her father, mother, and infant son, James. Included in the diary are genealogies of Frank’s and Julia’s families. Mentioned occasionally is the author, L. Frank Baum, who married Julia’s sister, Maud.  Baum is known for his series of books that were the basis for The Wizard of Oz. The collection also includes two photographs of the Carpenter family.