Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1896

Wind. N.E. Rain & Sleet. 32 MON. FEB. 3^d, 1896

"Joe Hill" called me up last night (after midnight) for advice and medicine for old "Uncle Henson" who had been taken sick at his house. Jim Hill was here this morning to say that his father was "better." I walked up to the insurance office & to Allan Farquhar's, called at the store & P.O. mailed post card to sister Harriet. I am feeling quite unwell today, having taken a violent cold. Afternoon I went in to the mill & to the P.O. again. Allan Farquhar sent me 1260 lbs of rather indefferent hay, and Hilles Robison helped "Dick" Matthews put it in the mow.

Wind. N.E. Rain & Sleet. Ther. 32 TUES. FEB. 4t^h, 1896

I was quite unwell all last night and all day today. I am suffering either from "La Grippe" or an attack of sub acute rheumatism or both and was not able to be up & about but did come downstairs. "Phil" Robison took care of my horse for me. Remus Hill Jr. called to tell me that his father was "better". The ground is covered with sleet & snow & it is about as disagreeable out of doors as it well can be.

Wind. N.E. Cloudy & Sleet. Ther. 30 WED. FEB. 5^th, 1896

Still extremely disagreeable weather. I am feeling rather better than yesterday, but am still quite "under the weather." Afternoon Lizzie Scott was here to see Dora, also Miss Mary Fowler: Little Harry Farquhar came here to have his finger dressed, having cut it at Sherwood School with a broken glass tumbler; his brother "Malcom" came with him. Charles Powell (a mulatto) also came for advice & medicine.

Wind. N.E. & S.E. Rain Rain. Ther. 40 THUR. FEB. 6th, 1896

It rained hard all last night & nearly all day to-day. I went up to the mill & signed Miss Ella Henderson's school report. We had our first thunder & lightning about 1:30 this afternoon during a heavy shower. I am still feeling quite unwell with some fever alternating with a chilly sensation & head ache & pains in back of neck, shoulders & legs, the damp weather is hard upon me. Wrote & mailed letter to D^r Koerper. Towards evening it began to blow hard from N.W. & is much colder.

Wind. N.W. Clear. Ther. 39^o FRI. FEB.7^th, 1896

Cleared off last night with a high wind from N.W. which has continued all day. I rode my horse "Frank" to F. Clark's shop & had two new shoes put on his hind feet. After which I rode to Ashton. Bro C. & wife called. Afternoon Lizzie Scott was here. Old John called to see me. Willie was also here & Edward went back with him to spend the night at "Fairfield". Dr. Brooke called, but did not come in.

Wind. E. Cloudy. 30^o SAT. FEB. 8^th, 1896

Alfred Hood came for me, and I rode over to see his mother Old Julia Green. Afternoon I was telephoned for to go to "Wrenwood" and I rode over to see Mrs. Cocherine, called at Ashton Towards evening I went up to the store & P.O. & to the mill. Willie & Fanny came before supper. Edwd coming home with them from "Fairfield". After dark it commenced snowing & sleeting from N.E. Willie & I walked up to the store & back through the snow storm.

Wind. Variable. Cloudy & Clear. Ther. 35 SUN. FEB. 9^th, 1896

Ground & trees covered with sleet & some snow. The sun shone out about 10:30 a.m. I went to meeting we had a sermon from Edwd Farquhar upon " our too frequent misconception of what is "common" in a scriptural sense. Afternoon Willie & Fanny went back to "Fairfield", Dora went with them to spend the night. Frank Hopkins was at the office for advice & medicine again. Mary. E. Gilpin called. It grew much colder towards night, the wind blowing strong from N.W.

Wind. N.W. Clear. Ther. 31^o MON. FEB. 10^th, 1896

Clear & frosty. I rode over to Chas. T. Hill's to see about corn fodder for the ice house roof & was called in to see his infant son again, also called to see Sister Beulah, and at Miss Colt's & home to lunch calling at Ashton. Perry Campbell was here For advice & medicine For his infant. Lizzie Scott called. Afternoon I went up to the store & P.O. Just after sunset I was telephoned for & rode over to "Riverside" to prescribe for Ernests infant son "Llewellen" it was dark when I was at Ashton, reached home after 8 o clk. Mrs. Robison came in & sat awhile after supper.

Wind. N.W. Clear Ther. 29^o TUES. FEB. 11^th, 1896

Clear & cold, with high wind Chas T. Hill sent me 25 bundles of corn fodder on a horse cart. Afternoon, Phil & Frank Robison worked at repairing the ice house again heavy rains having washed it out badly. Edward staid home from school and helped them. Jno W. Johnson was here to see me. Gilbert Smith Sr was also here. Mrs. Robison came in for me & I went over to see Miss Mary Fowler & prescribed for her. I went to the store & P.O. Morris & Rich'd Bentley came up from "Blumfield" & took the rabbit home with them Edward having given it to them the little chaps seemed much pleased with their new pet.

Wind. N.W. Clear Ther.28^o WED. FEB. 12^th, 1896

Another beautiful winter day Wind not blowing as it did yesterday I went in next door to see Miss Mary Fowler again. Miss Rebecca Miller called at the door. Afternoon the boys from next door helped getting the ice house ready for ice, it only needs putting the corn fodder on the roof. I went to the store & P.O. and to the mill.