Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1892

(Left side of journal)

Clear 29^o Ther. SUN. nov. 6^th, 1892 Wind S.W. Cold & frosty this morning. I set up the "little" coal stove in our room & made a fire in it, which make's it very comfortable. Bro R called on way to meeting. Dora walked to Edwd Peirce's to attend church, she went before dinner and I drove over (in the Surry) after her towards evening. Edwd going with me. Chas Addison brought his son (Chas: Jr:) to the office this morning & I opened an abcess (seropuloids) behind his right ear. Eli Bidwell drove the boy over in his wagon.

Cloudy Ther. 35 MONDAY 7^th Wind S. Cloudy & rain. Chas J Hill came for me & I rode over & prescribed for his infant son, called at Thos Lea's on my return. Afternoon helped cut down a large "Spanish oak" tree that was dangerous to our house. as it was unsound & leaned towards the house., although standing on Henderson's side of the line. Alice & Fanny Peirce called. It rained several times during the afternoon Margt Powell called & paid me $1.00 she owed for office consultation & c

(Right side of journal)

Clear Ther. 40^o TUES. NOV. 8^th, 1892 Wind N.W. "Presidential Election day". I drove to Olney as early as I could get off and cast my vote for Cleveland: We had the "Australian ballot law" in force for the first time in this County, there was much crowding from bad management. Eleanora was had for H. Edwd Gilpin's team brought us a ton of small "nut coal". After dark I walked up to the telegraph office to hear formthe Election, but did not wait long enough to get the returns from the pivotal states.

Cloudy. Snow rain & sleet Ther. 30^o WEDNESDAY 9^th Wind N.E. Chas Henry Johnson was here for me to fill out & prove his "pension papers". I took them to the bank & paid A.J. Farquhar to attach his seal & c. We hear glorious news from the Election, Cleveland is said to be elected again & both houses of Congress democratic. C Johnson put the coal in the cellar & cut some wood at the wood pile. Chas T. Hill came & plowed part of the lot for rye but it became so stormy that we did not get it sowed. I{t} has rained snowed or sleeted all day since 9.o'clk this morning.

(Left side of journal)

Cloudy & Clearing Ther. 35^o THURS. NOV. 10^th, 1892 Wind N.W. Clearing weather with high N.W. wind I drove to Ashton "Phil" going with me. Sent John W Johnson to Riverside & Thos Lea's for seed rye: he obtained it a the latter place. Allan Farquhars team brought me 1535 lbs of mixed hay, for which I paid $9.21 or 60 cts pr: hundred weight. John W Johnson helped unload the hay The school teacher at "Sharp St" sent a colored girl "Sarah O Hill" to the office with an ugly gash cut in her head by an accidental blow from a "base ball bat" I dressed it taking a stitch in it.

Clear Ther. 28^o FRIDAY 11^th Wind N.W. Clear & cold Chas G Porter was here & I paid him ten dollars. Dep. Sheriff Sullivan also was here with a summons for me as witness in the "Evan Campbells" murder case before the Grand Jury. Fanny Peirce came before supper to spend the night Mr M K Evans sent for advice and medicine.

(Right side of journal)

Cloudy Ther. 33^o SAT. NOV. 12^th, 1892 Wind Variable John W Johnson came before breakfast. I sowed rye in the lower two thirds of the lot & john harrowed it in with "Frank", getting the ground in very good order, he left after dinner. Fanny Peirce also left for home after noon. E Alcorn was here & had a tooth extracted. Edwd & I walked up to the store after supper. Sister Lizzie called in the afternoon and spent an hour or two hear.

Clear Ther. 29^o SUNDAY 13^th Wind N.W. Clear & cold this a.m. Dora and Edwd walked to Mechanicsville church in the morning. Afternoon "Hense" Johnson came for me & I drove over to Chrles Addison's & prescribed for his son who has "pyemia" & will not be likely to recover. "Phil" went with me.

(Left side of journal)

Cloudy Ther. 33^o MON. NOV. 14^th, 1892 Wind S.E. Cloudy and "Raw" S.E. wind all day I gathered the weeds & c from off the rye patch & piled them up in the garden to burn when dry enough. I also broke clods & leveled up the patch. Went up to the mill afternoon met Saml Hopkins there. I have felt quite unwell all day & low spirited. After supper Saml. S. Bond Jr: came to consult me for an infused wrist and spent most of the evening with us. Edward (with "Phil's" help) put new strings in his "tennis racket".

Rain Storm Ther. 40^o TUESDAY 15^th Wind N.E. It commenced raining a& blowing from the N.E. before sun rise this morning and continued all day. I left home for Rockville at 10. o'clk a.m. "Phil" going with me. I was summoned to appear before the Grand Jury in the "Sharp St" murder case, but could not give any testimony of value as there was no post mortician examination made. I also attended the annual meeting of our Co: Med: Society: we had a disagreeable stormy day's drive. Reaching home at 5. p.m.. Violent s{t}orm of wind & rain continued up to mid night. I pity sailors in the coasting trade on such a night as this. Many will suffer & some I fear be lost.

(Right side of journal) Clearing Ther. 50^o WED. NOV 16^th, 1892 Edwd went to the store before breakfast for coffee. Large tree blew down across the telegraph wires on north side of turnpike, this side of John Bentley's gate. Afternoon Elmer king was here to consult me professionally.

Clear Ther. 50^o THURSDAY 17^th Wind S.E. Beautiful day. I drove over to Angelins Thomas's (back of J. J. Shoemaker's) collecting. Phil went with me & went from there "gunning" with "Hillis", who met him there. After noon J J Henderson & I went to the school house & signed Miss Davis' "Report". Jas: Scott called at the office "to see his account". Alice Peirce came before supper time.

(Left side of journal)

Cloudy & Rain 47 Ther. FRI. NOV. 18^th, 1892 Wea. Changeable It rained very hard & we had quite heavy thunder about 11. o'clk this morning Mr Jos Williamson was here & dined with us. I bought some medicines from him After dinner I walked to Ashton.

Clear & Cloudy Ther. 30 SATURDAY 19^th Wind S.W. Edwd Gilpin was here for treatment, advice & c Afternoon Edwd & {I] went to P J Stabler's to play "Lawn tennis" Fanny Peirce came & took Alice & Dora to "Homewood" where Dora and Fanny are to spend the night. Alice to take the horse home. Levi Hill called to see me. Luther Muncaster also called about dusk for a few minutes. Edwd did not get home until about dark. I had started to go after him.

{First paragraph for right side of journal crossed out}

(Right side of journal)

Cloudy Rain & Clear Ther. 29 SUN. NOV. 20, 1892 Wind Changeable I slept "next to none" last night (coal gas escaping from our stove) and feel very bad to day. in the evening The Democrats of our end of the County had a grand bon fire & torch light procession. There were more than 300 houseman. besides quite as many torch bearers on foot in line with full brass band: they met in front of our house & many were in our lane & yard, giving us full benefit of the whole affair. About house all day.

Ther. MONDAY 21st Wind Slept badly last night and feel quite unwell to day. In the evening the Democrats has a Grand "torch light procession" and bon fire. There was a large turn out both horse & foot. We had our house illuminated for the occassion.

(Left side of journal)

Cloudy 30^o Ther. TUES. NOV. 22, 1892 Wind N.E. Edwin Davis & his assisstant repaired the top of chimney on the west end of the house finishing it about dinner time. Afternoon Emma King sent for me & I drove down & prescribed for her. "Phil" went with me. I have felt miserable and chilly all day.

Cloudy 28^o Ther. WEDNESDAY 23^d Wind It looks & feels like snow. I feel miserable, sore & rheumatic all over. I walked to Ashton to see Emma King again before dinner and afternoon cleaned out the stable & raked up leaves for bedding. It commenced snowing violently about 3. o'clk p.m. & continued for an hour from N.W: after which it cleared off cold. I feel much better this evening, the excercise in walking & working has done me good; for the time, at least, Walked up to the store for coal oil about dark.

(Right side of journal)

Clear Ther. 20^o THURS. NOV. 21^st, 1892 Wind N.W. Thanksgiving Day, clear & cold Edwd & the boys from next door put up some shelves in the pantry & moved the corner cup board down & the "Red book case" up stairs into our room & Angelina thomas called and paid the balance of her bill. "Phil" Hollis & Frank Robison took supper with us. I am feeling much better than for some days past for which I hope I am Thankfull. with other blessings.

Clear Ther. 29^o FRIDAY 25^th Wind Emiline Hopkins was here before breakfast for advice & medicine for her boy "Teets" (sore throat & c) Edwd: walked to Edwd Peirce's to take photographs of Edwd: & Sophie P. He came home about dusk. Hannah Chandlee called Mrs Saml Wetherald called for advice & medicine for Emma King. Mrs Robison & "Phil" were here in the evening.