Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1892

Rain Rain S.E. Ther. 35° SUN. MAR. 27^th, 1892 Wind

Rained at intervals all last night & continued throughout to day. I drove down to see Dorcas Cook's boy again. "Phil" Robison going with me. Clifford Waters went home after breakfast. Dora & Fanny Pearce read aloud to Willie & Edward most of the day. It has been a regular settled rainy day. I walked up to Henderson's for milk & the papers through the rain.

Clear - N.W. Ther. 35° MONDAY 28^th Wind

Cleared off at last. Dorcas Cook sent me word early this morning that her boy was "very much better": I sent some tonic medicine for him. Willie & I worked at altering & "fixing" the curtains & top of the "Surry" wagon at the paint shop. Dora did the stiching & sewing on the old machine wich we brought down stairs. Afternoon Willie borrowed Henderson's cart & brought a load of straw from Bentley's for bedding for the horses. Phil helping him. After Supper I took Mrs. Robison's clock home having "fixed it" so that it will keep time again. Willie and Clifford Waters went to "Sharon" to spend the evening.

Clear N.W. Ther. 32° TUES. MAR. 29, 1892 Wind

Ground slightly frozen this morning. but it turned out a beautiful day. I drove down to Dorcas Cook's before dinner & afternoon to Marden to see Roland Moore's infant daughter & son Henry both of whom I believe have taken "measles" After supper I went over to Mrs: Robison & met Mr: James Duck & his son John. Willie went with me this morning and painted at the outside of the house in the afternoon. After tea he drove "Fritz" to F.J. Lea's.

Cloudy Ther. 33° WEDNESDAY 30.^th Wind N.E

Raw & Cloudy all day. I drove down to Dorcas Cook's Willie with me before dinner. Had a shoe put on Frank's off hind foot at Ashton Afternoon Willie & I tinkered at fixing the curtains to the "Surry" at Oldfield's shop. Madgie Moore sent "Turner" for medicine for the children. Bro: Richard called this morning on his way to meeting with a "Sore throat." It commenced raining about dusk. Willie went to the store after supper with Clifford Waters

Rainy day N.E. Ther. 37^o Thurs. Mar. 31, 1892 Wind

Another extremely disagreeable day, "Turner" brought me a note from M Moore, & I drove up to "Marden" to see "Henry" & the baby. The latter is broken out with measles completely, but Henry's eruption has not come fairly out as yet. "Phil" went with me. It rained more or less all day. W went to the store to help "unload goods" before supper time; he is suffering from a very bad cold. "Clifford" went away after dark without eating supper in the rain & storm, having been complaining of a heavy cold for the past two days.

Cloudy & Rain S.E. Ther. 45. Friday, April 1 Wind

Still another wretchedly disagreeable day. I felt miserable all day. Owen Hardys boy here for medicine, also Jas: Bond Jr: Mary Bowen was here for advise & medicine for neuralgia Willie went to Riverside & brought Bro: Richard's horse cart home with him. Afternoon. W went to E Peirces in the road cart, expecting to go to "The Lodge" to night but it is so stormy I hope they will not be allowed to go. Willie having a bad cold. M K Evans sent for medicine. Clifford Waters also went away somewhere after dark in the rain.

Cloudy - S.W. Ther. 42 Sat. April 2, 1892 Wind

Still dull weather with showers. I drove down to Chas: Howards and prescribed for Amanda Dublin's boy "Melville". and to Dorcas Cook's to see her son. Willie going with me. Called at Ashton to see A.G. Thomas & conferred with him about Edward's going to "Sherwood School" next term. Martha Ann Wright was here to see me in the afternoon, also Ruth Ann Bowen. I am feeling much better today & hope I will be all right again by tomorrow.

Cloudy & Clearing Ther. 63 Sunday 3^d Wind SE

Bro: Richard was here and I extracted a tooth for him. He looks badly. Ellie Chandlee & Alice Peirce also called on way to church. Amanda Dublin called at the office. Willie drove "Fritz" to Brighton & was gone all day until about sunset. The weather is very warm & "close". Thermometer 80^o at 1- o'clk. Caleb Pumphrey called after dark to report condition of Dorcas Cook's boy.

Ther. 62^o Clear & "Haizy" SE Wind Mon. April 4^th , 1892

Pleasant morning Alcinda Hill came to wash for Harriet. I slept unusually well last night but feel weak this morning. I drove over to see Sister Beulah & to Riverside to see Bros Richard & Charles. Afternoon Willie hauled sawdust from Joseph Moore Jr's for the icehouse (four cart loads) after supper I was called to see Perry Connell's little daughter who had some obstruction in the "oesophagus." supposed to be a plum or peach seed. I called at Sherwood School to a "book sale" but was called out by a patient. Sarah E Stabler was here for advice and medicine

Ther. 63 Cloudy Tuesday, 5^th N.E. Wind

Was called to see P Connell's little girl (2 years old) last evening. "Turner" brought me a note from Maddie Moore early this morning. After breakfast Willie brought the "Surry" carriage down from Billy Oldfield's shop. After which we drove up to "Marden" to see Miss Canby. there came up quite a thunder gust they first of the season. After dinner I dove down to Chas Howard's to prescribe for his wife "Millie" who has measles. Willie "clipped "Fritz" and towards evening took Bro R's cart home to Riverside, & was to stay with his uncle R until Chas & Lizzie return from the Horticultural meeting.

Ther. 63. Wed. April 6, 1892 Cloudy. Wind SE.

Drove down to C Howard's Willie with me. Afternoon Willie drove to Ashton & got oil cloth for floor of the "Surry" which he & I put in place, he had "Fritz" shod (in front) with new shoes. Edwd went fishing with the Robinson boys - After supper W drove over to Cincinnatti & I expect to Brighton. Edwd brought home about three dozen small fish, and seems to have had a "good time". although he is very tired. The school children planted about a dozen trees & shrubs in the school lot. "Arbour Day".

Ther. 50 Cloudy Thurday 7^th Wind SE

Walter Brooke's son called with a message for me & I drove down to his place via Holland's corner & prescribed for an old colored woman "(Lila" Green) came home by Sligo turnpike & called at Chas: Howard's. Willie going with me. It has been threatning rain all day & this evening it is raining. Alice and Fanny Peirce came to tea. after which Dora, Willie and Edwd: together with Alice and Fanny, all went to the Lyceum to a lecture by Geo: R Kennan the Siberian "prison reformer" & famous Russian Traveler. I am glad the children should have an opportunity to hear him, as he has called the attention of the civilized world to the wretched despotism of the Russian government in this 19th century.

Clear Ther. 60^o Fri. April 8^th , 1892 S.W. Wind

Beautiful spring day. I drove down to Ashton & had a settlement with A.[G.Thomas. as Execut of Nicholas Boswell's Estate. I paid his $28.00 on acct. of a store bill of $32.17 & also $12.00 for corn got of Boswell. & he paid me the balance of $25.00. Afternoon Edwd: went to find "Arbutus". with Bessie Robison & Edith Hutton, They came home in good time, having been quite successful in finding arbutus. Willie also went to the river for the same purpose; driving "Fritz" to the road cart. It clouded us about dusk and rained in the evening several showers. After supper Harriet read aloud from "Elizabeth Drinker's Journal". written before, during & after the Revolutionary war. frequently mentioning some of our ancestors.

Clear & cloudy Ther 43^o Saturday 9^th N.W. Wind

Much colder this morning, with strong N.W. wind blowing a gale part of the time. I drove down to Chas:Howard's in the cart Edwd going with me. The wind commenced blowing strong from N.W. with quite a flurry of snow. Mrs. F Downey and her little boy called & spent part of he afternoon here. Richard Lea called at he gate. After tea Willie & I walked up to the store. Luther Muncaster came to spend the night "Samantha" Holland was here for advice and medicine. from Jos: Tilleone's

Clear & Cloudy Ther 32^o Sun. April 10^th 1892 N.W. Wind

Ice 3/4 of an inch thick formed on the horse bucket left in the yard. Clifford Waters & Luther Muncaster both remained here all last night. Garrett Lea (colored) was here for advice & medicine for his wife. Afternoon L Muncaster went home. Dora & Willie went to St. Luke's church driving "Frank" to the new carriage calling at E Peirce's they took Sophia Peirce & Miss "Carrie" Kummer with them to church, home to supper. The weather has been quite cold, requiring fires in dining room and our bedroom again.

Clear Ther 32^o Monday 11^th Wind N W

Still quite cold. Miss. Elizabeth Holland died last night: of "paralysis." Sam Johns on here for advice & medicine I transplanted a "mimosa" tree, planting it near E end a wood shed. Dora and Willie took a horseback ride after dinner. D^r. R Brooke called, and Dorcas Cook was here & paid her bill. & consulted me for her "dispepsia". Amanda Dublin also called & paid me $2.00 on account. After supper Dora, Willie & Edward went to he annual meeting of the Lyceum Co: & C Walters went home.

Clear Ther 32^o Tues. April 12, 1892 N.W. Wind

Still cold & windy. Willie went with Edwd Magruder to a public sale at W "Frank" Wilson's near the river. Afternoon Dora & I went to the meeting house to the funeral of Miss Elizabeth Holland who died on Sunday night last. I has been quite cold all day, and the wind being strong from N.W. makes it very "searching". I suffered with the cold whilst at the funeral & was glad to get home to the fire. Mrs Musgrove was in the office to consult me this morning.

Clear Ther 30^o Wednesday 13^th N.W. Wind

Willie & I drove "Frank" to Rockville where I attended to some business with the Orphans Court. had new lenses put in my specsticle frames. etc. etc. got home at 5-20 p.m. with a "headache" we had a splended day for the drive, cool enough for the horse & warm enough for us with our overcoats & buffaloe robe etc.

Rain Ther 42^o Thurs April 14, 1892 N.E. Wind

Disagreeable rainy day quite a contrast to yesterday, which was one of the loveliest days we have had this spring. Afternoon I walked to Ashton & obtained certificates of good moral and social standing to send to Charley to use at Richmond Va (if needed). Willie drove "Fritz" to Brighton & home to supper.

Snow & Rain Ther 35^o Friday 15^th Variable Wind

It was snowing rapidly when we got up this morning but changed to rain. & before sunset it cleared partially & the "sun set clear." Afternoon I rode over to prescribe for an infant son of Chas: T Hill's on the "Miller Place, opposite "Grove Hill". Willie drove Fritz up to Brighton again expecting to go to Olney Lodge this evening. Robt Helliller & J. T. Henderson were in the office.