In 1961, the original diary of Frederick William Hurst. Sr. was in the hands of Samuel H. and Ida Hurst. With the help of family and friends they transcribed the diary entries and prepared them for printing. Later, in 2001, another descendent, Joyce Holt, keyboarded the Diary to produce an electronic copy.

“Now the Diary is in a shape to be turned over to the family as a possession of anyone who desires it. This is a great relief to me, though it has taken much patience, and tedious work to put it into its present form. Most of his writing is over one hundred years old, and was written in a style that is not common today. Naturally, age has left its effect upon it until in a few places it could not be read, therefore, a few lines have been left out. As is mentioned in the diary that is now ready, pages are missing from the original writings. It is quite probable that names of people and places, at times, are not properly written because of not being able to distinguish the letters properly. It is hoped that these things will be overlooked, but that the spirit and the message that runs through its pages have been preserved.

The diary is as it was written by its author. There are places where he is rather outspoken regarding people and practice. These have not been left out or modified, for these statements express his personality as much as any other expressions, and if full credit is given to circumstances prevailing it will be understandable why frankness of expression was used even though it may not have been the wisest course to follow.”

Samuel H. Hurst
June 26, 1961
("The Diary of Frederick William Hurst, Sr.," p. i-ii)

Read the "Diary of Frederick William Hurst, Sr."