Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1894

Clear - Ther. 65 Thursday. May 3^d, 1894 Wind.

Left F. Tyson's in Balto: after early breakfast he came with me to Camden Station where I took the express train arriving in Laurel in time to take the early Stage for home which I reached safely at 10-30 a.m. glad to be home again after an extremely pleasant visit to my dear old friend who came to see me whilst I was ill last autumn. Afternoon Edwd went to "Wrenwood" & brought home the melodeon. Hillis & Frank went with him in the surry. "Jim" Scott's wife called & paid one dollar on ther bill.

Cloudy - Ther. 58° Friday. 4^th Changable Wind.

Dull cloudy morning looks as if it would rain soon "Phil" & Frank" Robison came & ran out the rows & put in manure for 12 rows of potatoes which we planted. I went to Jos: Stabler's & got the seed potatoes which are a new kind. "New York Early Blush" & said to be an excellent variety. Bro Richd and Sister Lizzie called for an hour this afternoon. Afternoon "Phil" took "Frank" & the phaeton & went down to Edwd P Thoma's for their seed potatoes. "John" came & ran out more rows. & brought a bushel of "Mammoth Pearl" seed potatoes from Jos Stabler's, & cut them, ready to plant tomorrow if the ground continues fit. H. & I planted 4 rows of Landreth's Extra early sweet corn, across the lot neat below the wood house. We had quite a shower about dinner time. After supper Edwd rode over to "Sharon" to a meeting of the "dance class". John" got supper here.

Cloudy - Ther. 60 Saturday. May 5^th, 1894. E & N.E. Wind.

We had two showers between mid night & day-light this morning. "Phil" borrowed the horse to ride over to D^r. Manakee's to have a tooth extracted. After he returned they used the horse to lay off their lot in corn rows. I walked down to Ashton & back before lunch time. Afternoon walked up to Henderson's for the papers. D^r. Brooke called to report the result of an analysis of a sample I gave him for that purpose. It commenced raining about sunset accompanied by some thunder & lightning. Alice Robinson (a colored girl) came to the office to consult me, with "tooth ache" etc. After supper Edwd went to the store. We had a real thunder storm about 9. o'clk p.m. & quite heavy rain.

Cloudy - Ther. 67 Sunday 6^th SE Wind.

It rained several times during last night & is threatning this morning & quite warm. I am not feeling very well, and "stiff" & sore with some head ache. the weather is depressing; damp & warm. Edwd & I went to meeting & heard an excellent sermon from Edwd Farquhar. Afternoon I took a long "nap". after which I took the milk can up to S.S. & mailed letters to C. & W. quite a heavy storm passed around to the north of us, about supper time, it passed quite near to us, & at one time seemed as if we would get a full share of it. We may still have one before morning. Another storm came up from N.W. about 8. o'clock, of which we had our share, and another about 9-45. which was the heaviest electric storm we have had for a long time accompanied by a heavy down-pour- of rain.

Clear - Ther. 67° Monday May 7^th, 1894 N.W. Wind.

Last night's storm was the heaviest rain & electric storm we have had for a long time & extended over a wide scope of the country. the Patuxent River was higher than for some years. Bro C came before I was up & left his horse here until his return from Washington where he went with Chas Brooke. Chas Adams (colored) brought his little boy for advice & medicine Mrs. Hagen consulted me about her pension papers. I drove over to Riverside to see Bro Rand also went to see Sarah Hammond before dinner. Afternoon I used the lawn mower around the house in the yard, went up to the store & shops, & to the mill. Alice Peirce was here.

Clear - Ther. 67° Tuesday 8^th N.W. Wind.

Jas. T. Henderson called for me about 7 o'clk this morning & we went to Rockville using his horse & buggy. We went to see the County School Commissioners & make application for new desks for our Public School house, I called to see D^r Chas Maddox & at drug store to get "Cactina Pellets" for Bro, Richard. We reached home at noon. Afternoon I finished cutting the grass in yard around the house with the lawn mower besides doing some cleaning up, raking of leaves, twigs etc. Walked up to the store after supper. "John" called in the evening.

Clear - Ther. 66° Wednesday May 9^th, 1894. N.W. Wind.

Another lovely spring day. I finished using the lawn mower & took it back to Mr Henderson's, having borrowed his to cut the grass etc. for the first cutting, ours being too small when the grass is long. Afternoon I drove over to Riverside to see Bro: R again. Harriet going with me, we had a very pleasant ride, the weather being perfect. Lucy Stabler called. Miss Grace Harvey was here about supper time to consult me professionally. After supper I went up to the village & brought home the wheelbarrow. W^m Oldfield having repaired the wheel. Jos Bond Jr. called about dusk & took Edward to Alben G. Thoma's to another "dance class" meeting & to tune their piano. Lizzie T. Stabler called & returned books loaned to her father.

Clear. Ther. 67° Thursday 10^th S.W. Wind.

Still another beautiful day. I took Dora down to Ashton store after breakfast. Alice Dickerson (School teacher.) was here to consult me professional about dinner time. Afternoon I went up to the village and met a Mr. A. Tegethoff a Special Examiner of the Pension Bureau from Rockville, who is looking after evidenc in the claim of old Robert Lincoln's widow. Frank Robison helped us put manure in the potatoe rows with the wheelbarrow. Edwd & Hillis also helped drop the potatoes & Gallatt Beall covered them for us with Henderson's horse, etc. "rubbed" the ground over with "Frank. Fred Johnson was here to see me We are greatly pleased to get the potatoes planted before there comes another rain.

Cloudy -

Ther. 65° Friday. May 11^th 1894. Changable Wind.

Cloudy & threatening. I am afraid the Washington excursion of Sherwood School tomorrow, will have unfavorable weather for their trip. H & I planted 52 hills of "Lima beans." I planted the poles & made up most of the hills. Afternoon Edwd & I planted 3 more rows of sweet corn. I threw out more than an wagonload of manure that had accumulated in a pile in the back part of the stable. I am feeling very tired to night. We were anxious to get as much done as possible in the garden, before it rains again, & whilst the ground is in condition. After supper Edwd, Hillis & I washed the surry, & greased it, all ready for a start tomorrow morning. Edwd gave us a "fright" at bed time. In getting ready for tomorrow he set a lamp too near a lace curtain around the "looking glass" in his room, it took fire, but he succeeded in putting it out without doing much damage.

Clear - Ther. Saturday 12^th Wind

It cleared off during last night and this morning promises a beautiful day for the School excursion to Washington. Dora, Edward Hillis Robison & Katy Henderson left here in the Surry at 6 - 10 this morning, intending to drive to "Silver Spring" where they are to meet the others & take the Electric cars to Washington where they will be met by Mr Spofford, who will take charge of them & show them around the city. Alice & Fanny Peirce called here in the morning. I went up to the mill & to Henderson's house for the papers. The children reached home safely at 9-30 p.m. Very tired, but having enjoyed the trip very much. Cousins Clara and Edwd Leadbeater & Hallie Bentley called in the afternoon.

Clear - Ther. 65° Sunday, May 13^th 1894. N.W. Wind.

Another beautiful day. I drove over to Riverside to see Bro: Richard again & home to dinner. Edwd also walked over & dined & took supper there coming home before dark. Mr. A. G. Matthews called this afternoon on his way to Mr Holland's where he expects to spend the night, and go to Washington tomorrow. I am not feeling at all well, having over exerted myself within the past two or three days, and perhaps taken some cold.

Clear - Ther. 55° Monday, 14^th N.E. Wind.

I drove down to Ashton after which J.T. Henderson & I went to the Insurance office, and together with Benj D Palmer "qualified" as District Trustees of our public School making affirmation before Allan Farquhar (Notary Public). This being "Whitsuntide" the colored folks have been on the roads all day, having some kind of a "big meeting" at Brighton It looks like rain; which would be very acceptable as the ground is very dry, & the roads dusty.

Clear - Ther. 55 Tuesday, May 15,^th 1894. Wind.

It "sprinkled" rain last night but is clear this morning. I drove over to D^r R Brooke's, after dining with him we went to Rockville together to a meeting of the County Medical Society: the first meeting this year. I called & left "School papers" with Mr J Higgins in Rockville. Reached home about 6-30 p.m. Bro: Chas called this morning & Lizzie this afternoon. he, after I had gone & she, before I returned. Dora went with sister Lizzie to make a call at D^r Magruder's. this afternoon.

Cloudy & Rain - Ther. 54 Wednesday 16^th Variable Wind.

It rained several times today. I took "Frank" horse up to eat grass above the mill. I also mowed some grass and wheeled it to the stable. I took the "near" hind wheel of the phaeton up to Billy Oldfield's shop to have it repaired towards evening I brought a bunch of hay from Henderson's stable down to our own for the horse. Bro Chas called in passing and reported Bro: Richard as being rather better within the past day or two. After supper I walked up to the shops, hoping to find my wheel finished, but was disappointed.

Cloudy - Ther. Thursday May 17^th 1894. Wind.

We had quite a thunder gust about 2 o clock this a.m. & lasting until after 4 o. clk. It rained hard several times. Bro: Chas: called for me to go & see Bro Rchd again. I drove over to Riverside in Henderson's "buckboard," Frank Robison going with me, we called at P.T. Stabler's to see about Mrs R's flour. Afternoon there was a "match game" of base ball Burnt Mills against Sherwood, the latter winning by a score 27 to 12. Fletcher Clarke was here for advice & medicine for his infant son. Miss Grace Harvey also here to consult me again. Lizzie Scott called to bring us some nice lettuce. We finished the lath screen on east end of kitchen porch. I walked up to the store.

Cloudy & Clearing Ther. Friday 18^th Variable Wind

Fletcher Clark sent for me to go & prescribe for his infant son. I walked across through the woods. Frank Robison went with me taking the horse with him. I borrowed Fletcher's spring wagon, & came home in it. Frank R. went on to Riverside and brought back a barrel of yellow corn on the ear, which I engaged of Bro: Richard, getting back & unloaded before dinner time. Afternoon Joseph Stabler brought two loads of hay to Henderson's & I went up to see him about bringing me a load. Sister Lizzie called & took Dora to call upon Friend Hadasah Moore at Plainfield & came home in time to escape a thunder storm, which, although not severe lasted more or less until dark. I went up to the shops & brought my buggy wheel home.

Clear & Cloudy - 65 Ther. Saturday May 19th 1894. Variable Wind.

Rained very hard last night, several times. I drove over to Riverside to see Bro Richd Edwd went with me in Henderson's "buckboard" which we left at Henderson's as we came home. We brought home some "Pyries Japonicas" which Harriet & Dora planted in the yard. Remus Hill Sr called to see me about some School matters. Afternoon Edwd went to "Cloverlay" for a music lesson. I went up to Henderson's for the papers and borrowed a little hay. It rained quite hard this afternoon.

Cloudy & Showers Ther. 66 Sunday 20^th S.E Wind.

Rained again last night & showery this morning. Edwd drove Dora up to Brighton & left her at E. Peirce's. I went over to meeting but was called away by "Lem" Purvis to extract a tooth for Mrs Purvis. Edwd came home to dinner. Afternoon Flecher Clark was here for advice & medicine for his infant son again.

Cloudy & Clearing - Ther. 58° Monday, May 21^st 1894. S.E. Wind.

Rained again several times last night. I rode down to Ashton on horseback before dinner. Marjory Clark was here. Afternoon, Miss MaryColt called & left air cushion I had loaned them. The sun shone out, and it seems to be trying to clear off: but does not seem to succeed, the wind still holding in the Easterly quarter.

Cloudy & Foggy - Ther. 56° Tuesday 22^d N.E. Wind.

Edwd was up early & fed the horse, & after getting some breakfast went to bring Dora home from E. Peirce's, where she has been since Sunday. Phil Robison went with him to Thos Lea's: they started at 6-30. & returned about 8-o'clk a.m. I am not feeling at all well today, "headache & rheumatic pains" owing to the continued damp weather I suppose. We had fire in the dining room & this afternoon I made a fire in the coal stove in our room, to dispel the dampness that has invaded the entire house "up stairs & down."