Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1885

40 Cloudy S E Ther. THURS. APRIL 16, 1885 Wea.

Dull morning W rode to school. Jno took C down to the store Mrs Sophie Robinson called to see Harriet & Dora. Edward still in bed. After dinner Lizzie Stabler called and took Dora to "Harewood" Mr. E R Dorsey (Midler) came after me to attend his wife in confinement. I went up to his house, & at 2.45 p.m. a daughter was born to him and I was to home again by 3.30- leaving everything "all right."

38 Cloudy E Ther. FRI. APRIL 17, 1885 Wea.

Another dull morning. Albin Mitchell's son "Tom" here for advice & medicine. I walked up to Sandy Spring & paid Saml Wetherally 5.00 ballance due him on harness. Took spring wagon to Budds shop to have axle "set." Henry Kruzen paid his bill. Was sent for twice to prescribe for Robt: Sullivan who was taken sick at Jno Thomas' & sent home from there. Went again to see Sullivan. Sarah Stabler called & took Dora to "Fulford" to take tea. After dark Charley & Willie went over to "Riverside" with "Fox" to C's buggy.

45 Cloudy S E Ther. Sat. April 18^th , 1885 Wea.

Dr D Dwyer sent my teeth back, & they are perfectly satisfactory. I drove to see Robt Sullivan & C Hamond Jr's child called to see Mrs. Dorsey (Miller's wife) Afternoon Willie went to a "Fair" at "Brookeville" Jno, took "old Polly" & her colt over to "Riverside" & left her there for Ernest who is to take her upon same conditions that Mr Lawford & E Gilpin had her. I walked to Ashton & to S.S. Edward came down stairs to dinner.

42 Clear S E Ther. SUN. APRIL 19^th, 1885 Wea

Bro Richard called on his way to meeting. I drove over to Cissell's tennant house to see Rachael Bell. Charley Willie & Edward Chalfant went over to Jas P Stablers with the "bicycle." home to dinner. Afternoon Charley went away with Frank Snowden in F's buggy. Willie & Dora took a ride driving the roan mare to C's buggy.

43 Clear Variable Ther. MON. APRIL 20, 1885

I drove "Fritz" to the "spider" wagon up to Fulford and left an inhaler for Fanny Dickinson. Little Edward is in bed again the other side of his face being swolen with "mumps". Mrs Sally Leizear here for advice and treatment. afternoon. I walked up to Knuzens & prescribed for his daughter "Maggie". Mailed money order $200) to Perry Mason & Co for a "Weeden" Engine" & "village black smith" for Edward.

30 Clear N.W. Ther. TUES. APRIL 21, 1885 Wea

LIttle Edward suffered very much last night with his face and head I was awake most of the night watching & waiting upon him. This morning I drove up to the village & called to see "Maggie" Kruzen. drove over to see Josiah Bowen. Afternoon walked up to the store. This has been a lovely day, the perfection of "spring weather". Finished "fixing up" the raspberry bushes & some getting ready for gardening.

66 . Clear N.W. Ther. WED. APRIL 22^d, 1885 Wea.

Another lovely day but quite warm; the change coming so suddenly. Cleaned up around the house. Annie Hill here for advice & medicine Afternoon Johnson came & plowed & harrowed the lot for us. The roof of the mill caught fire from a spark from the Engine, but they got it put out before it did much damage. Edward is better, but still in bed.

65. Clear S.W. Ther. THURS. APRIL 23, 1885 Wea.

Still another beautiful day, with a nice breeze from S.W. Worked in the garden. H planted peas, beets, carrotts, onions &^c. Afternoon sent John to Wm S Bond's for 100 lbs of "fertilizer" for the garden After supper Charley & Willie went to the river taking Douglas Miller & Frank Snowden with them to try to catch eels.

66° Cloudy and Foggy S.E. Ther. FRI. APRIL 24^th , 1885 Wea.

Settled with Jno W Johnson & let him go; he & Charley having had some words last evening. Jno not attending to our affairs as he should do but doing "milking" each evening for other people just a time when we often need him to hitch up a horse &c. Edward's Steam Engine came by mail broken and I immediately sent it back by mail. The "Village Black Smith" that was ordered & paid for failed to come with the "engine". Bought 50 Herring of "Dick Matthews". Set up the "water cooler" for ice water. for the first time this season. Using the small one I purchased last summer. but it tastes of the Zinc lining & I do not like it much.

60 Cloudy S.E. Ther. SAT. APRIL 25, 1885 Wea.

"Mel" Shaw brought Ernest Cissell here for advice &c. for sub acute Rheumatism. Lizzie Franklin brought her daughter Annie & I opened an abcess on her left knee on inside above the "cudgles". Afternoon Willie took a party of young men over to Brookeville to play "baseball". Harry Lea with Helen & all four of the children arrived from Lawrence Mass: Edwd Bently brought them up from Laurel & called for a moment at the gate on their way to Fulford about 7 p.m. Repaired and set up the large "stone jar" water cooler.