Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1893

Cloudy Ther. 2 Below Sat. Jan 14^th, 1894 SW & SE Wind

The coldest morning s far two degrees below zero , on the office porch at 7.o'clock I rode over to E Davis, on horseback. Afternoon I rode down to Ashton with Mr Jas Duck & home in the stage. I repaired the runner of my own sleigh. The sleighing is very fine on the roads that are broken sufficiently It commenced snowing again towards evening & I am afraid it will spoil the sleighing. Edwd recd by express a complete "oil painting outfit" from Baltimore, a Christmas present from his aunt Mary Parker.

Clear Ther. 12 Sun. Jan. 15, 1893 N.W. Wind

We were agreeably surprised to find only about 1 1/2 inches of snow had fallen last night, instead of about a foot, as we expected from appearances at bedtime. I drove "Frank" over to Edwin Davis in the sleigh, Phil going with me. Afternoon I wrote to D^r. Koeper & walked up to Gideon Gilpins. & to Wm Oldfield's Thermometer was 12 at 8-o'clock this morning and 9 at dusk this evening. I am afraid this will be the most severe night we have had this winter.

Clear & Cloudy Ther. 1° Below Mon. Jan. 16, 1893 W. & S.W. Wind

Still extremely cold, I was about home all day. Alice and Fanny came in the sleigh and dined with us. Afternoon Bro: Chas was here & I have him a sleigh body that we had no use for; it just suited a set of runners shafts etc. that he had bought at auction, & makes him a good sleigh. Dora went home with the Peirce girls to spend the night leaving here about 3.o'clock p.m. This is certainly the longest "spell" of cold weather we have had for years past but it is preferable to soft "muggy" weather. & more healthy for those who can take care of themselves and families, but hard on the very poor, who are out of employment. Mr. C. Colt called this morning & took his "Dayton" & Willie's sleigh home with him.

Clear Ther. Tues. Jan. 17^th, 1893 N.W. wind

I went in the sleigh to Ashton ("Phil" with me) had some nails put in "Frank's" hind shoes. "Phil" drove on to E Peirce's & brought Dora home. Mr Chester M Colt brought me home from Ashton & paid his bill. I called to see Emma King but could get no money from her. Edwin Davis sent me two small loads of oak wood, I suppose intended to be half a cord each. Phil brought horse feed down from the mill on the sled. Gave P.T. Stabler Evans account at Ashton.

Cloudy & threatning snow Ther. 8° Below 0 Wed. Jan. 18^th, 1893 N.W. Wind

Still colder than any previous morning so far this winter it was 10 & 12 below 0 in several places in the neighborhood & looks like more snow . Friend Samuel Thomas was here to consult me about a sore spot on his ear. B. Owen Hardy sent me $1.50 on account of his bill. Afternoon I walked up to the insurance office and paid my annual tax also to the store & to see E. Gilpin again about getting more coal. Mrs. Gideon Gilpin sent for "pills for Gideon" Willie wrote that the thermometer stood at 24 below zero at Wellsborough. The sleighing here is splendid but the weather is too cold for me to enjoy it for its own sake & unless business or duty called me out I prefer my fire side.

Clear & Cloudy Ter. 12° Thurs. Jan 19^th, 1893 Variable Wind

Not quite so old today. Bro: Chas: & Sister Lizzie came & dined with us. After dinner the went to call upon Mahlon Kirk Jr & bride. Thos Lea & sister Beulah & "little Henry" came & spent an. hour or two with us. Ed: Gilpin had a bag of coal brought in the stage sleigh for us promising to bring more tomorrow Martha Bellows was here to consult me about dusk. "Phil" took "Frank" toT Marlow's shop and had new shoes put on his hind feet.

Clear Ther. 10° Fri. Jan 20^th, 1893 N.W. Wind

Bro Chas: came over to consult me in Lizzies case, she still suffering with pain of which she complained yesterday when they were here. I rode with him as far as Ashton when he went home & walked back. Towards evening I loaded "Frank" & the sleigh to "Phil", who took his sister and brother Frank a sleigh ride to Brookeville & back. At noon I went over to the school house to see Miss Dove about the Farmer's Convention, having the school house on the 31st of this month.

Clear Ther. 12° Sat. Jan 21, 1893 N.W. & NE Wind

The thermometer stood at 12° (above) on the office porch, at Grove Hill it was 2° below at the same time. "Phil" took Edwd & Bessie in the sleigh up to Brighton &c" this morning. Edwin Davis sent us another 1/2 cord of oak wood. Afternoon I took Dora in the sleigh & called at Grove Hill to see Lizzie Tyson & also to "Wrenwood" to call upon the Misses Colt. Lizzie Scott called here while we were gone. Edwd Gilpin (of Gideon) brought us another load of coal, said to make a ton with the bag brought on thursday on John Symonds in the stage sleigh. Bro Chas called this morning.

Clear & Cloudy Ther. 0 Sun. Jan 22^nd, 1893 S.E. Wind

Cold & "raw" all day notwithstanding it, softened a little in the middle of the day. I walked up to Henderson's for the papers. Wrote to Mrs Mercy A Young at Custer City Pa in answer to a letter from her asking for aid in obtaining a pension, her deceased husband having served during the late war in my old regiment. Lizzie Scott called again to see Dora. We had a quiet Sunday at home. Edwin Davis sent his daughter over for medicine & advice, for him, as he is "not so well" again, having taken cold. I am afraid.

Cloudy Ther. 19 Mon, Jan. 23, 1893 S.E. Wind

Rather warmer. Ed: Davis' sent over after me before I was up; after breakfast I drove over to see him in the sleigh Phil with me. John W Johnson came & he, Phil, Frank & myself cleaned out the ice house & afternoon hauled 5 cart loads of snow & put into it. I have concluded to fill it with packed snow this time. Fire in the stove in our room went out this morn ing for the first time since it was made in that stove. The coal E Gilpin brought me is too large for it, and is not what I ordered.