Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1896

Wind N.W. Clear. Ther. 25^o TUES. JAN. 14^th, 1896

Clear & frosty. I rode over to John C Bentley's to see about getting some slabs to repair the ice house but he was gone to Rockville. I saw him, however as he came home (at Sandy Spring) having gone up for the mail. Willie called here in the afternoon, having driven to Ashton to deliver a carpet. Went to the mill for screenings for chicken feed.

Wind. Clear. Ther. 24 WED.JAN. 15^th, 1896

John Thomas of Clifton's wife brought her youngest daughter to have a tooth extracted. Bro. Charley & sister Lizzie came and took lunch & spent most of the day with us. Willie called and got his dinner on his return from Silver Spring where he had taken Alice Peirce on her way to make a visit to Alexandria. Lizzie Scott was here to see H about some dress patterns. Mrs. Robison called in to see H. After dark I walked up to the store.

Wind S.E. Clear & Cloudy. Ther. 22 THUR. JAN. 16^th, 1896

I rode over to Jno Bentleys And saw him about getting some slabs. Afternoon "Jim" Powell went with me & getting Bentley's cart & oxen we brought eleven slabs over to the ice house, with which to repair the inside lining. Elias Young was here to see me again I rode down to Ashton. Geo Gibson's wife brought me two dollars from B. Owen Hardy. I went to the mill for horse feed.

Wind. Cloudy. Ther. 29 FRI. JAN. 17^th, 1896

I rode on horseback over to Henson Hopkin's and removed the aparatus, splints etc. from the broken leg of his grand son "Remus". Seven weeks tomorrow since it was broken. I consider it an excellent result, in view of the nature of the fracture & his surroundings. Afternoon Phil Hilles & Frank Robison worked at cleaning out the ice house. I sawed off slabs the right length to use for the lining. I hope the weather will allow us to go on & finish getting the ice house ready to fill whilst the weather is cold. I called at Ashton this morning and got this diary which A. G. Thomas brought from Baltimore for me.

Wind. N.W. & S.E. Clear & Cloudy Ther. 25 SAT. JAN. 18^th, 1896

Beautiful clear day until about sun set when it clouded over & again looks like snow. Phil & Frank Robison worked faithfully in helping me get the ice house ready for filling and we succeeded in getting it all done that can be until I get some corn fodder for repairing the roof. Harry Easton's wife came in & spent an hour or two this afternoon Willie & Fanny came about dusk (before supper). There was a "wonderful trial" at Fairall's Magistrate's Court. "Bonifant v.s. Hill. a collession case on the turnpike between here & Washington Willie & I went up to the store & to Fairall's shop after dark.

Wind NE. & SE. Snow & Rain . Ther. 33^o SUN. JAN. 19^th, 1896

Commenced snowing about sunrise this morning and continued until 10 o'clk when it turned to rain and continued alternating rain & snow all day, without much of either but making it very disagreeable out of doors. I felt quite unwell but went to meeting. Willie & Fanny went back to "Fairfield" before dinner. Old Mr. Oldfield sent his grandson Turner for medicine. Mrs. Robison came in for the papers. Fewer persons passed along the turnpike today than usual on Sundays, on account of the disagreeable weather.

Wind N.E. Cloudy & "Drizzle" Ther. 29 MON. JAN. 20^th, 1896

Another extremely disagreeable day, "raw" dull & chilling all day. I walked up to the store & P.O. & to the mill. Afternoon I walked down to Ashton for medicine etc. and up to the mill again G. T. Smith was also at the mill. I was at Fairall's shop in the afternoon. Traveling is very disagreeable the ground being covered with slush & snow.

Wind. S & S.E. Cloudy Ther. 32^o TUES. JAN. 21^st, 1896

Still dull & threatning; the ground was frozen early this morning, but soon softened, & was disagreeable walking or riding. I went to the P.O. & store both morning & afternoon. This weather increases my reumatic troubles, & is depressing in every way. We received letters from Dora, Charley & "Bessie". Dora is in Philad^a having her ears & eyes treated by a specialist in those troubles: He is a friend of D^r. Koerpen's and is highly recommended by him. We hope she will be greatly benefited, especially her eyes.

Wind. E. & N.E. Cloudy. Ther. 33 WED. JAN. 22^nd, 1896

Still cloudy dull & unpleasant. I walked down to Ashton. Afternoon Old John was here to see me. Willie came & took supper with us. he & I went down to Sherwood School house & back before supper. I went up to the mill for some screenings for the fowls. I called in at Bulwar's when I was at Ashton.

Wind. N.E. Rain. 34^o THUR. JAN. 23^rd 1896

Commenced raining sometime last night, and has continued more or less all day today. with strong wind from N.E. most of the time. I went up to the P.O. before dinner, and walked down to Ashton in the afternoon. Luther Muncaster & Mary Wilson will have a disagreeable wedding day: To be married at 5 o'clk this afternoon. Willie & Fanny were to have attended, but I hope they did not turn out in such a storm to come home after night, such a night as this, which is even worse than most of the time during the day.

Muncaster Willson Wedding