Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1887

20 Clear N.W March, Tuesday 15^th. 1887.

Cold with high wind from N.W. After dinner I took Harriet and Edwd in the buggy over to Thos Lea's, and called at Ashton for some Bacon and Herring and to have the horse "Fritz" shod "in front." Charley drove over after his mother and Edwd and brought them home to tea. After supper time Willie walked down to John Bentley's to spend the evening. Lizzie Scott called for an hour or two. afternoon.

22 Clear N.W. March, Wednesday 16^th. 1887.

Another blustering cold day. I suffered somewhat with "ear ache" last night the first time since I was a child that I remember. Afternoon Martha Fennel who lives at Jno Thoma's was here for advice and medicine. Ernest was also here for advice and meds for his wife. he took the "Kate" mare and drove down to W Canby's to bring his wife's sister "Georgie" back with him if she is there. Willie rode Fritz to Ashton for some groceries. Ernest came back from Canby's after dark (without his wife's sister) and remained until after 10.o'clock.

28 Cloudy W March, Thursday 17th. 1887.

Elijah Leizear called early in the morning. Charley took Dora in the buggy and driving "Kate" went to "Elton" to spend a day or two. Robt Blair sent his boy here & I paid him 85 ct. It is quite cold & looks at sun down very much like our having a "snow storm." I am feeling quite unwell having a heavy "cold" which makes me feel generally miserable: with head ache & threatended "ear ache," which is neuralgic

19^o Cloudy & Clearing N.W March, Friday 18th. 1887.

Elijah Leizear brought his wife here to have a "silver supporter" applied which I had obtained for her from N.J Taylor in Boston Mass. The ground is covered with snow and real winter is upon us again. Afternoon I was called hurriedly to see Jas T Henderson who was suffering with another of his attacks of "bilious diarrhea & cramps. Mrs Robison was in to consult me about "her folks." after tea I went again to see J. Henderson. Willie rode C's bicycle to "Olney" to a "Good templer's" lodge much against our wishes & advice as it is dark and he is obliged to use a lantern. Mrs Robison was in again for medicine for "Phil" who has "whooping caugh"

33^o Cloudy & Clearing N.W March, Saturday 19th. 1887.

Rather warmer but still windy & disagreeable. Luther Muncaster (a school chum of Willie's) dined here & after noon they went away together on bicycles Willie returned before night I drove down to Ashton for coal oil &c. and called at Kate Stabler's to see Nell. Jas Henderson is much better today & came down after me & I went up to his house and prescribed for Mrs Henderson. Thos: Budd Sr. called to see me. After supper Willie & I went up tot he shops and brought the carriage home

35 Clear & Cloudy N.W March Sunday 20th. 1887.

The Wind "got up with the sun" again this morning Bro Richd called on way to meeting I went up to see Mrs Henderson (her little daughter coming after me) Mrs Robison was in for medicine for "Phil" again (Fl Ext Chestnut Leaves.). Miss Lizzie Scott was here for advice & medicine for her sister Ella. "Nelly" came to spend the night with us. Bro: Chas: called and spent an hour or two. Willie rode away on the bicycle with "Frank" Hoff and came home after dark. Charley also came home on horseback having left his sister at "Elton".

32^o Cloudy S.E March, Monday 21st. 1887.

Cloudy & rather warmer and without the wind we have had for about a week. I walked up to the mill to see "Henderson" & borrow his harness for the wagon and after dinner Charley & Willie took Ed Gilpins wagon and "Fritz & Kate" & brought home a cord of pine wood sawed into store length's from W^m S Bond's Bone Mill. I went in next door & perscribed for "Bessie" Robison & "Phil" Willie drove Fritz to the buggy up to Brighton to Edwd Peirces' to notify Alice & Fanny that Dora was not at home to go to the sociabl this evening, he came back before dinner. It commenced raining about 4-30 pm & showered at intervals until bed time. It is fortunate that I urged the boys to get the wood at once as I fearned we would have more bad weather. and we were out of wood.

35 Snow. Cloudy E. March, Tuesday 22d. 1887.

Dan Banks was here early for advice & medicine for his boy "Garfield." The snow is about 6 inches deep. quite disheartening for my Rockville trip today and after getting ready to go it still continued snowing & the traveling would be so bad from the wet snow "falling" in the horses feet. I gave it out and Charley went to "Elton" to bring his sister home in the buggy driving "Kate." Glad we succeeded in getting the wood house full of nice saw'd wood before this storm came on. Afternoon Lizzie Scott called again on account of her sister "Ellie" Willie went upto the store for sundries. Elvira Hill was here to see me after supper. The roads are very bad again but probably will not remain so long as the wind & sun will dry them up sooner than earlier in the season

29 Clear N.W March, Wednesday 23d. 1887.

Ground frozen hard this morning. Bro: R called on way from meeting. Dan Banks was here for advice for his boy. Charley & Dora came here at about 5.o'clk p.m. After ten Dan Bank's boy "Ellie" came for medicine for his brother.

31 Clear & Cloudy S.W March, Thursday 24th. 1887.

I drove to Dan Bank's & Jno Ed Hill's Charley going with me. Sarah Jane Powell sent her boy "Dan" for advice & med: Afternoon I went in next door to see "Phil" Mrs Robison was in for advice & med: