Harford Toland Diary

              3 [crossed out] 
A 
Memorandum Book 
by 
Harford Toland 
1853 
On Dec 13 th [superscript] Father proposed that 
each of us should keep a memoranda 
of all such events as would most 
interest us in after life. 
Accordingly, 
while on a visit to Columbus he bou- 
-ght from J. Reily & co a blank book, 
for each of us to keep such a me- 
1854 	-moranda in (Jan 11 th [superscript]) 
It is intended 
only for such as may transpire, or 
in some way be connected with this 
village, our family, and myself. 
And perhaps, [underlined] a few of the more important 
ones; transpiring through the whole USA, 
and the whole World.  Commencing 
Jan 20 th [superscript] there is now raging a violent 
storm accompanied by thunder & lightning 
a very uncommon occurrence for this time 
of the year.  Jan 21 st [superscript] there was yesterday a very 
great tornado near Mt Vernon, O. by which 
the city was flooded with water and a small 
town near there was almost entirely destroyed 
the houses being blown from their places 
and some carried a considerable distance 
off [illegible] Several lives were also lost. Flour is 
now selling at from $7.00 to 7.50 per lbl