Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1887

28^o Clear. N.W. DECEMBER, THURSDAY 22^d 1887.

Much colder & more pleasant weather. I drove down to Ashton (after going up to the mill for flour etc.) and got groceries etc. also up to Sandy Spring (E with me)

19 Clear. S.W. DECEMBER, FRIDAY 23^d 1887.

The Banks boy "Ellie" brought us a turkey which weighed (at the mill) 14. lbs alive. I walked up to the store & met Mr: Manakee at Fairall's shop: towards evening Edwd & I walked down to Dick Proctor's for the butter. Recd a letter from Charley. I was much disappointed that Willie did not come home today, & would have gone or sent to Elton for him had I been sure of finding him there, as he may have gone to Washington for Ernest.

19 Clear. N.W. DECEMBER, SATURDAY 24^th 1887.

I drove to Ashton in the spring wagon & got 109 lbs of coal from A. G Thomas for the parlor fire @ $9.00 pr ton. Mary Hill called & paid me $1.50 (a ballance due). After dinner I started Richd Retzer (with Fritz & the mare to the carriage) to Laurel to meet F Tyson & Charley he left here at 1.40. p.m. After which I tried again to hire some one to go to Elton for Willie, offering to "find" a horse & buggy & give $1.00, but could not find anyone to go. I shall be "out done" if he does not get here, it will spoil my "Christmas". He came about dusk, having come with Ernest & Minnie to Riverside turn in the road & walked from there. Charley & F Tyson also arrived at 6-15 pm: Charley going straight to bed with intense pain in his head, back, & limbs. I drove down to Ashton for medicine for him.

20 Cloudy. N.E. DECEMBER, SUNDAY 25^th 1887.

"Christmas day". I was up all night with Charley, who suffered greatly, giving me fears of grave "meningitis". I drove down to Ashton again for stove pipe for stove for Dora's room & moved him in there. F Tyson went over to "meeting". We dined at 3.p.m. Willie going (after dinner) to Richd Griffiths to tea, first calling at W.B. Chichesters, driving the mare to the buggy. Charley in bed all day, but seeems much easier. Willie came home at 11.15 p.m. I ate too much "mince pie" & was very sick in the evening I was called out to see and prescribed for "Gus" Bulwar's child about 10.o'clk p.m. & rode down on horse back, home about midnight.

28o Cloudy. S.E. DECEMBER, MONDAY 26th 1887.

I drove down to Ashton to see Bulwar's child again & put some nails in Fritz's shoes. F Tyson walked up to "Marden" & back to dinner Charley is much better and came down stairs to supper. Rachael Powell was here & had a tooth extracted. We had some music in the evening & a game of "whist". Sat up very late talking with F Tyson about "old times".

29^o Cloudy. E. DECEMBER, TUESDAY 27^th 1887.

Sat up late last night talking with F Tyson about "old times" & old friends & acquaintances. Up early this morning & got F Tyson off in the stage for Laurel & Balto: W^m Griffice was here to see me about his wife. also a boy (Herbert White) from Amanda Decblie's for advice & med: for her. Bro: R came to take dinner with us. Towards evening I drove down to see old "Bettie" Griffin" & up to Sandy Spring, Willie going with me. After dark I walked up to the P.O. & mailed letter from H to H. H. J. Kirk.

33 Rain. Rain. S.E. DECEMBER, WEDNESDAY 28th 1887.

It commenced raining sometime during last night and continued until after noon when it cleared off with a high wind from N.W. and became cold freezing the roads hard & rough. After tea Charley & Willie went to Olney Grange Hall to a "dance" much against my judgement and wishes, so far as Charley was conserned so soon after his recent illness, especially as they drove the mare to the buggy. I was extremely anxious about them & did not sleep until they returned at 1-30 after midnight, and only then when it was time to "get up".

2^o Clear High Wind N.W. DECEMBER, THURSDAY 29^th 1887.

"Bob" Johnson (from Riverside) was here before we were up (having brought Fred Iddings out to the stage) bringing me a message from "Homewood" and after breakfast I drove over & prescribed again for cousin Mary Chandlee who has taken some cold. It was extremely cold and blowing a "gale" from N.W. After reaching home I was sent for & taking Charley with me drove down to Sam; E (alias) "Em" Green's & home to dinner, calling at Ashton as I went down.

13^o Clear. N.W. DECEMBER, FRIDAY 30^th 1887.

Clear & cold again, but the wind is not blowing so violently as yesterday. I drove down to Jno Cook's + to George Fuller's to see the latter about bringing us some wood, and from there (calling at Ashton) to "Homewood" to see cousin Mary Chandlee again & home to dinner, Willie going with me. Afternoon, W took both horses up to T Marlow's shop & had them "rough shod". I walked up & had an iron made with which to mend the buggy tongue or "pole" & brought Fritz home with me. Charley & Willie went to "Olney" Grange Hall & to Elton & Richd Griffith's expecting to attend a dance at Grange Hall tonight.

20^o Cloudy. S.E. DECEMBER, SATURDAY 31^st 1887.

I slept badly last night having suffered from "night mare", and looking for the boys to come home until after midnight. This morning I rode "Fritz" down to "Em" Green's & thence to "Cincinnatti" to prescribe for Jascale Hill again, his father having been after me this morning. Charley & Willie came home after I had gone away, they having staid all night at "Elton". It commenced snowing about noon & turned to Rain & sleet about dusk, continuing up to bed time.