Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1887

40^o Clear & Clouding E January, Tuesday 4th 1887.

After dinner I drove in the sleigh with both horses to "Unity" to see John D Dwyer but he was "not at home" & I drove to "Elton" and had a pleasant call. I also called at Brighton as I came home. Reached home before dark almost chilled through. The sleighing was better than we expected to find it especially as we came home it having frozen hard. There was more snow fell beyond Brighton in the last snow than we had here.

20^o Snow N.E. January, Wednesday 5th 1887.

It commenced snowing sometime during last night and has continued at intervals through the day and about 4. o'clk pm it began in earnest and has continued as fast I ever saw it fall up to bed time to-night. Willie took "Fritz" to Jas Marlow's shop and had him "rough shod". I walked up to the mill & got some horse feed which Willie brought home in the sleigh as he came past.

18^o Clear NW January, Thursday 6th 1887

Daniel Burk's boy "Ellie" came to see me for advice as to his returning to his place as "waiter" in a "restaurant" in Washington. Albert Chaudlee was also here for advice &^c. Fanny Pierce came Willie took Dora and Bessie in the sleigh to "Scotts' for the butter. and also took Dora & Fanny Peirce a "sleigh ride" down to the "bone mill". Sophie and Alice Pierce called and took Fanny home with them. The sleighing is excellent. I have seldom seen it better.

11^o Cloudy E January Friday 7th 1887

Arch "Bishop" came to get ice. John W. Johnson also came at 9.o'clock. Willie helped them cut at Stablers pond. Jas T Henderson's team hauled six loads to his ice house that my hands cut and helped to load for him. Willie says there are at least ten more loads out on the bank that our force has cut ready to haul home, and we will commence hauling tomorrow if the weather is fit. Bro Richd brought Hannah Chandlee to make a call in the afternoon. Martha A Wright was here for advice & medicine. Willie took the sleigh and went to Olney "Good Templers" Lodge.

2^o Cloudy N.E January, Saturday 8th 1887.

Willie hired Ed: Gilpin's wagon with "hay flat body" on it and with "Fritz & Kit" commenced hauling ice from Stabler's pond. John "Shipley" Johnson & Arch Bishop continuedccutting & loading the wagon when it came to the pond.

12^o Cloudy & Snow. N.E. January, Sunday 9th, 1887.

Dark and cloudy early in the morning, and commenced snowing about 10.o'clk and continued at intervals all day. We had an entire day to ourselves, and all remained at home. I feel extremely stiff and sore from breaking ice in the ice house yesterday.

22^o Clear N.W. January, Monday 10th 1887.

"Arch" Bishop came to work again, he & Willie continued hauling ice, and brought home four loads before dinner and four in the afternoon. Which together with what was hauled on saturday filled the house as full as we could get it. It would have held several loads more if we could have broken it all up quite fine as it was put in, but as the ice is unusually good being at least 9 inches thick and perfectly clear. I hope it will keep as well as usual and last as long as we used A. next autumn.

13^o Clear S.W. January Tuesday 11th 1887.

Willie went to school again I took down the "slide spout" from the ice house doors, and patched the roof with boards temporarily until I can get the right straw to make a good "job" of it After school Willie went in the sleigh to "Eldon" & brought Dora home. The sleighing is very fine and many persons are enjoying it. Davi's called to enquire for Edwd:

26^o Clear S.W. January, Wednesday 12th. 1887

The weather has moderated and with the wind S.W. the sleighing is going quite rapidly. Afternoon I drove over to Rachael Thoma's in the sleigh taking Dora with me. Albert came over to consult me again meeting us on the road. Wrote to Charley & sent him some postage stamps. After supper Willie & I walked up to the store & got sundry articles for house use P.T Stabler's team brought us 1/2 cord of pine wood (throwing if off at the gate.

30^o Cloudy S.W. January, Thursday 13th. 1887.

Cloudy & threatning rain or snow. The weather having moderated, the sleighing is "going" very rapidly & unless we have more snow & colder weather it will be "done for", for this time. Afternoon P.T. Stabler's team brought us a load of wood. "half oak & half pine." After supper Willie went with Ed Gilpin down to "Frog Pond" to a "good templer's" meeting taking one of our horses & E.G's buggy.