Diary for October 30th 1871

1) Berty & Minnie went to church here last Eve heard Mr. Hazeltine Preach. Minnie & Netty both have their heads tied up with head ache. We take Breakfast again at home 11Ocl. Mr Simkins comes to Dinner. he is going to *Grand Meadow.

2) I go this Eve to see Mrs. G OThout. find her much better.  Mrs Billcock is washing there. I go to Mr. Ramshaven store & get Clothes for *Rapper are $3-5. It is 9 yds *Reps at 30 per yard $2.70 (4 Spools thread) 35cts also 9 yds Calico for lining at 12 1/2 per yard. $1.18. Coming home I go round to Mrs Ramshaven. Pa comes over after I get there Borrows 2 woolen Blankets for a fewe days until Mr R gets Some in his Store. three Boys help Berty husk corn today.

"Rapper" in middle of the image near the far right margin

 I sit outside today and read the Diary. Good lighting is key to transcription. Normally the indoor light is sufficient but as you can see above there are a number of new words and names to figure out. I am guessing that "Rapper" is probably Ralph or Ralphie but the letters are not clear. It could be a last name, or two words instead of one (I am pretty sure I see an arrow pointing to the cost of the cloth). And, because of the as yet undetermined decision-making process for Capitalization, I am not 100% sure it is, in fact, a name. It may be an archaic term. "Rapper" may also be some sort of event or type of garment. But I am just making wild guesses here at this point. Any and all ideas are welcome.

*Reps or Rep is a fine cloth made from wool, cotton or silk and used in the making of dresses
*Grand Meadow was a township in Iowa

Victorian Dress for Housework

*Update: Two friends have contributed some suggestions. One said that this was likely a "wrapper" which was a type of semi-fitted dress. Women would wear them in the mornings or evenings over their nightclothes or over their underpinnings. I consulted another friend who is a seamstress and has a particular interest in 19th century dress who said "If it’s 9 yards for the ‘Clothes’ or cloth, then it is probably an overdress, especially if it’s to be made from wool and lined with calico.  Your friend probably has the right of it."

Well! There you go!