Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1887

32^o Cloudy & Drizzle N.E. February, Thursday 3.d 1887.

I awoke this morning with a bad "headache" which continued throughout the day. Andrew Shafter ("mill-wright") working for Jas Henderson put his horse in my stable. Edwd was in next door most of the afternoon. After supper Willie went to the Lyceum to a "Negro Minstrel" performance. in aid of the "Spenserville" Hall" fund.

33^o Clearing N.W. February, Friday 4.th 1887.

About home all day Cleaned off after midnight last with a heavy blow from all around settling in the N.W. After school was over Willie Rode to "Elton" on horseback to spend the night.

29^o Cloudy N.E. February, Saturday 5.th 1887.

Considerably colder & some snow falling at intervals all day. Jno: Ed: Hill was here after me early this morning. I rode over and prescribed for his infant son "Harold" before dinner. Remus Hill Jr. was also here to see me on business for Miss Mary E Gilpin. Afternoon I drive to Ashton in the buggy for some provisions and medicines.

32^o Cloudy S.W. February, Sunday 6.th 1887.

Cloudy & disagreeable I got up earlier Than usual and went to the stable to feed Fritz and "clean up" generally in the harness & feed Room &c. Greased the axle of the buggy. After Lea was here for the school house Keys but Willie was away. Lewis Pigeon & David Bronson called to enquire about Albt Chaudlee. Mrs Elijah Leizear was here for examination & treatment. Willie returned from Elton about 12.30 in time for dinner. Mrs Robison came in about supper time to borrow some old Harpers Magazines. After supper Willie & I went to the stable to take care of the horses.

55^o Cloudy S.E February, Monday 7.th 1887.

Very disagreeable and damp. the frost all out of the ground. Ernest sent for me via Riverside "Bob" bringing the note over to me. I left home in the buggy driving "Fritz" & went calling of Ashton & Brighton. The roads were in a "fearful" condition. Found Ernest suffering greatly with "Strangulated hernia" complicated with a testicle having receded into the canal or oriface. I succeeded in reducing it by "taxis" after considerable perseverance. I concluded to remain at Elton all night. Ernest was able to come down stairs & took tea with us.

60^o & Cloudy S.E. February, Tuesday 8.th 1887.

Slept on a "cot" before the open fireplace in dining room at Elton. After breakfast I left for home bringing a ten pound bag of "natural leaf" tobacco from Jno: Howard's come past Brookville finding the road better than the other way besides having so much more turnpike. I met Howard store keeper at Brookville on the road & paid him $4.50 on the "fruit trees." Willie has stopped going to school having found it impossible to give satisfaction in Keeping up the "Furnace fire"&c.

50 Clear & Cloudy S.E. February, Wednesday 9^th 1887

Bro Richard called on his way to meeting. Willie & I patched the ice house Roof with Rye Straw I drive to Ashton for twine or "spun yarn." Martha A Wright was here & paid me $1.00. Afternoon W took J Hendersons cart & bought us a little hay. I drove to Ashton again & perscribed for Emma King.

30. Clear N.W. February, Thursday 10^th 1887.

Ground frozen again this morning I went down to prescribe for Sarah Johnson & to Ashton to see Emma King again. Willie spread manure around the house. Elvira Hill was here for advice & medicine. W^m S Bond called about dinner time. Geo: Gibson was here for advice & medicine Robt: Sullivan was here for medicine for his daughter Emma.

50^o Cloudy Variable February, Friday 11^th 1887.

Cloudy and warm. Willie took the spring wagon to the "Burnt Mill" hoping to have Hanery Hardy repair it but he was not able to do it & Willie brought it home again. Afternoon Jas Grady came for me & I went and dressed his infant son Samuel's hand One of his brothers having cut two fingers off. The "little" finger entirely except a thread of skin through the knickle joint & the "ring" finger nearly as bad. but I will try to save it. After tea I walked up to see Emma King who is much improved since she is at home.

29^o Clearing N.W. February, Saturday 12.^th 1887.

The wind blew with considerable violence throughout last night and much of the time today. There being of great change in temperature. Within the past 24 hours. I was sent for to prescribe for Harry S Leas youngest daughter "Anna" at "Bloomfield" Helen having arrived there last night from "Lawrence" Mass: I drove down after dinner Taking Dora with me. I also went to J Grady's to see his little boy whose fingers were cut off yesterday. . Later in the afternoon I drove down to Ashton for some "provisions, groceries &c. Chas: Palmer called to see Willie. Just before dark "Jim" Powell (Ernests colored man) came bringing us a 2 horse load of corn (in the ear), he put his horses away in our stable and got his supper here. Jus T Henderson's new "roller machinery for making "patent flour" arrived Albert Chandlee sent me a sample of urine for examination William Wright was here after dark for advice & medicine for his wife.