Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1894

Clear Ther. 32 Saturday, MAR 24^th, 1894 N.W. Wind

Ice in the buckets on pump curb. The Misses. Colt sent for me & went over to see their aunt (Mrs. Cochrane) who was taken ill again. Mr. C Colt brought me home before dinner. Edwd rode to Ashton after dinner with Wallace Bond & walked home. Little Mary Bentley brought home an atomizer I had loaned them. After supper Edwd and I went up to the store toll house etc. The "Lightning Arrester" from " Bunnell" & Co''s N.Y. came in mail. I bought some beef steak from Geo: Stabler, as he went home in the evening.

Cloudy & Rain Ther. 36 Sunday 25^th N.E. & N.W. Wind

I walked across to "Wrenwood" to see Mrs. Cochrane again Edwd going with me: after reaching home I went to meeting, & heard a short but excellent sermon from Edwd Farquhar upon the "nearness of the Kingdom of Heaven, which we are told is "within us". Afternoon I walked up to the P.O. and called at Gideon Gilpin's . " John " came & got his supper here. Edwd was busy making "Bi Chromate" cells of battery, which he will apply to an incandescent Electric Lamp. After supper I walked up to Henderson's for Saturday's papers. This is Easter Sunday, many persons will be disappointed that the weather is not favorable for "Spring bonnets", especially in the cities.

Cloudy Ther. 22 Moonday, MAR .26^th, 1894 N.W. Wind

Great change in the temperature. "John" came to breakfast & helped me so some timkering to the "Surry", after which he drove me over to "Wrenwood" & home to dinner. Afternoon cousin E Chandlee called & took an "air cushion" to "Wrenwood" that I loaned them. Recd. package of clothing for Edw. from Letitia Rummer (by mail.) It is really very cold today, the wind blowing and occasional snow squalls. After supper Edwd went to Scott's again. Mrs. Robison came in after supper for a short time

Clear 16^o Ther. Tuesday, 27^th N.W. Wind

Extremely cold . I fear the fruit crop except possible apples, has been killed. It is colder than most of the weather we have had during the past winter. "John" came to breakfast, & Howard noon drove me over to "Wrenwood" again to see Mrs. Cochrane, who cannot last much longer unless there should be a change for the better very soon, which I do not expect will be the case. Afternoon Edwd. took Frank Robison & the Fuller boy over to Brookville to a "base ball game" going in the phaeton. Frank Robison went with us this morning over to "Wrenwood." Recd. letters from Charley, Dora and Willie. Charley's announcing the birth of his second daughter, "Catherine," born on Easter sunday evening about 7 o'clock. Both mother & child doing well.

Cloudy Ther 18^o Wednesday, MAR. 28^th, 1894 S.E. Wind

Still very cold. The wind is southerly but very raw. Rachael Thomas' son "Tommy" was here for advice etc. "Julia Berry" was here to consult me. Joe Bond called to see Edwd. Alice & Fanny Peirce were here. Frank Cook's family moved from the house next door (East of us) into F. Leizear's tennant house, recently vacated by "Jim" Abell. We feel the cold as much as at any time during the past winter, the sudden change from the warm; almost hot weather we had less than a week ago, causes us to feel it more that if it had come on gradually. After supper Edwd & I walked up to the store & P.O. Edwd also went over next door to study his algebra with Bessie Robison.

Cloudy Rain & Snow Ther. 38 ^o Thursday, 29^th N.E. Wind

Warmer this morning but still raw & chilly. Rained a little & about dusk commenced snowing in large flakes but soon stopped & continued drizzling. I went up to the store and P.O. afternoon and to the mill. The weather is extremely disagreeable & gloomy. Mrs. S. Ellicott commenced moving into the "Oakley" house. E. Gilpin of Walnut Hill's team taking a load of wood & one of furniture to the house for her. I spent some time at the stable cleaning up & straightning things generally. After supper Edwd went in next door to play chess with Miss Mary Fowler.

Clear Ther. 29^o Friday, MAR. 30^th, 1894 N.W. Wind

I felt quite stiff and rheumatic this morning. Went to the Mill & to Henderson's house for the papers, after which I drove over to "Wrenwood" calling at Ashton & taking Mr. Colt with me. "John" came & cut some wood & put the horse away for me. A little colored girl brought home the shoe Edwd lost from his pocket on Monday night last. Afternoon I drove to Ashton, taking Edwd with me. I bought him a pair of shoes. Frank Robison got some hay from our stable for Mrs. Sally Ellicott's horse. Mrs. E & her daughter staying all night at Mrs. R's. "John" was here to dinner & supper. Mrs. Ellicott's are very busy moving into the "Cloverly" house.

Clear Ther. 32^o Saturday, 31^st. S.E. Wind

Bro. Richard called. I drove down to Ashton for medicine, etc. "John" came cut some wood for us. Chas Addison called to see me about his pension having been suspended for "Review." Afternoon Edwd fixed the "lightning arrester" & office telegraph connections, "John" helping him with the outside work. Dora came in the stage about 4 o'clock. Willie and Fanny Peirce came just as we were done supper, and left for Edwd Peirce's about 8 o'clock. Willie will stay there tonight & come home tomorrow morning. Edwd Rode over "Scott's again to the dance class." "John" staid until after W & F left (to hitch up their horse for them).

Cloudy Ther. 42^o Sunday, APRIL 1^st, 1894 S.W. Wind

Willie & Fanny Peirce came before breakfast from Edwd Peirce's. I rode up to Sharp St. meeting house to notify "John" to come in time to take Willie to the Rail Road at "Silver Sping, " leaving here about noon. The train for Purcellville leaving Washington at 4-35. p.m. We had early lunch. Willie & "John" left for Silver Spring at 12-20 p.m. I went up to F. Leizear's for the papers after dinner. After supper Lucy & Frances Stabler called & some boys came to see Edward & have him shew them his "induction coils" give them some electricity, experimentally. "John" came home about seven o'clock, & got his his supper here. Alice Peirce came after dinner. She & F. left for home about 4 o'clock. We had several little showers in afternoon.

Clear Ther. 30^o Monday 2^d N.W. Wind

Cooler this morning & windy. I took "Frank" up to T Marlow's shop & had two new shoes put on his hind feet. I took the shoes with me. Sister Lizzie called to see me & get some medicine for Bro Richard . Harry Easton & his sister moved into the Henderson house between us & the mill. Afternoon I went up to the store & shops again. "Billy Jack" Squirrel cut wood at the woodshed. Annie Robinson (colored) was here & had a tooth extracted & advice & medicine. Sophie & Alice Peirce were here. Dora went with Alice up to the Bank. D^r. Brooke also called & spent an hour or two with me. "John" came & brought a rope full of straw for bedding from Jos. Stabler's. & got his supper here. After supper Edwd rode over to Scott's again to the "dance class."

Clear Ther. 28^o Tuesday, APRIL 3^d, 1894 N.W. Wind

Was called out of bed last night to see old Mr. John Oldfield "Billy" coming after me. Clear & cold this a.m. Walked up to see old Mr. Oldfield again. "John" came about 10 o'clk this a.m. and at 11 o'clock drove me over to "Riverside" to see Bro: Richard I also called at "Wrenwood" as I returned to see Mrs. Cochrane. called at Ashton both ways. purchased a bag of coal there Mrs. Robison came in at suppertime for medicine for "Bessie." John was here to supper.

Rain Ther. 40^o Wednesday 4^th SE & S.W. Wind

Disagreeable day. I intended to have sent "John" to Silver Spring for some coal but the rain prevented his going. Sarah Stabler called (socially) on way to meeting. Friend Saml Thomas called after meeting to consult me professionally. "John" was here for a short time before dinner. I walked up to the mill for the papers. Afternoon I went up to see old Mr. John Oldfield & to the store for some groceries. After supper I walked up to the P.O. & Edwd went in next door to study his lessons.

Clear Ther. 48^o Thursday, APRIL 5^th, 1894 N.W. Wind

"John" drove "Frank" to F. Clark's wagon down to Silver Spring for 1/4 ton of coal. he left here early this morning & returned by 4 o'clk or so. I walked over to Riverside before dinner calling at Ashton as I went over. I also called at the Cemetery. After dinner I came home with sister Lizzie who was kind enough to bring me. "John" went home after supper. I went to see Mr. John Oldfield again & found him much better. After supper I walked up to P.O. & mailed letter to F. Tyson.

Clear & Cloudy Ther. Friday, 6^th. N. Wind

Clear, early this a.m. but clouded up & wind blew strong from N-N.W. & N. E. turning cold again. Wm. Johnson (colored from back of Spencerville) was here for advice & medicine before dinner. Mrs. Abel sent for me & I went down & prescribed for her daughter "Addie." Afternoon "John" came towards evening & helped me empty the garden house tanks. After supper Mrs. Robison & "Frank" came in.

Cloudy Ther. Saturday, APRIL 7^th, 1894 S.E. Wind

Raw & chilly. Edwd went to Sherwood to fix his fire after which he went with me in the phaeton to Jno. Abel's & Riverside where we took dinner and called at "Wrenwood" on return I left him there to tune their piano & drove on home. he will walk home. Frederic Tyson arrived from Laurel ("Millstead" bringing him up) about 5-30 p.m. After supper I went to see Old Mr. Jno Oldfield. his son "Billy" coming after me.

Cloudy & Clearing Ther. Sunday, 8^th Variable Wind

Walked up to see Old Mr. Oldfield again. F. Tyson & I went to meeting and heard a sermon from Edwd Farquhar. Afternoon I took F. Tyson (in the phaeton) & called to see Lizzie Tyson & also called at Thos. Lea's, & home to supper. I walked up to the P.O. after dark & mailed a postal card.

Clear Variable Ther. 30 Monday, APRIL 9^th, 1894 Wind

F. Tyson drove "Frank" to the phaeton over to Wm.W.Moore's & back to dinner. I went to see Jno. Oldfield again. Afternooon I took F. Tyson over to "Osceola" and made a call & home to supper. After supper we walked up to the store to order the stage to stop tomorrow morning to take F. T. to Laurel. Edwd went over next door in the evening to study his algebra. "John" was here to dinner. he cut some wood & hitched up the horse for us. "Katie" Bell came for medicine for her grandfather & the little dog "Ginger" snapped her fingers as she attempted to pat her.

Cloudyy, Rain Snow & Sleet Ther. 33^o Tuesday 10^th N.E. Wind

Commenced raining before 7 o'clock this a.m. F. Tyson left in the early stage. The rain turned to snow & sleet about 10 o'clock a.m. & continued hailing, raining & snowing all afternoon, the ground being white with snow, hail & slush . After dinner I went to the stable & carried water to the horse & fixed him comfortably, also went to the mill & to Hendersons house for the papers. I have enjoyed the little visit from my old friend F. Tyson, exceedingly; & hope he reached home without having taken cold, the weather being so stormy for his ride to Laurel.

Rain, Snow & Hail Ther. 33^o Wednesday, APRIL 11^th, 1894 NE. & N.W.Wind

Real winter weather again, it has been raining & snowing all day, and is as disagreeable a day as we have had during the past winter. After dinner I rode down to Ashton on horseback through the snow and wind. It is fortunate we procured more coal before this second invasion of cold weather. Edwd "waded" through the snow and slush to & from school. I went up to the mill and to Henderson's house for the papers. Although I am feeling unusually rheumatic and lame & "sore all over," in consequence of the raw, damp, & chilling weather.

Cloudy Ther. 33^o Thursday, 12th Wind

Colored man "Virgil Ward" was here before we were out of bed this this a.m to have tooth extracted. The snow & slush was 6 inches deep. I rode "Frank" up to the village after lunch. "Phil" cut some wood for us. I walked up to the mill & Henderson's for the papers. Bought some herring. After supper I went in next door to see Phil's new watch. Edwd also went over next door to study his lessons, & remained until bed time.