Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1896

Wind. S.W. Clear. 28^o SUN. FEB. 23^d, 1896

Weather much more moderate. I went to meeting, which was addressed by Edwd Farquhar. Afternoon Willie took Dora, Fanny & Edward a drive with "Frank & Sally" to the Surry. August Bulwar came for me about 4:30 pm, & I left him a fine boy born at 6.o'clk pm. Willie & Fanny went to Fairfield" after supper.

Wind. Variable. Cloudy & Clearing. Ther. 42^o MON. FEB. 24^th, 1896

"Jim" Powell came with his horse early this morning, & after breakfast Willie came with the "Fairfield" horse & cart. we tried to work "Frank" with Jim Powells mare, but could could not induce him to work, after hauling one load and we sent and got John Johnson's mare & had no further trouble. Willie hauled 8 cart loads & Jim (with Mary Gilpins wagon) 5 loads making 13 loads today in all which with the 18 cart loads we put in before gives us 31 loads of ice. Willie took away with him a cart load of manure for their flower garden. I walked down to Ashton to see Mrs Bulwar again. Towards evening W telephoned for me from Brighton to come & prescribe for Sophie Peirce & I rode over & back before supper. Chas E Bond sent us some sawed wood (nearly 1/2 cord). After supper Edwd went to the Lyceum to act as door keeper to a lecture.

Wind. N.W. Clear. Ther. 26^o Tues. Feb. 25^th, 1896

Quite cold again. Willie came for medicine for Sophy Peirce. Bro Chas. came & put his horse in the stable went to the "Farmers Convention" at the Lyceum. I also went over & spent most of the day there. I wrote and mailed a letter to sister Mary. I also wrote in answer to a note from Sister Beulah. Thos Lea called after the convention and went home with brother Charles. "Fred" Scott called to leave a note from his sister to Dora. Edward rode bicycle over to Scott's to take something from Dora to Lizzie Scott.

Wind. S. Clear. Ther. 26^o Wed. Feb. 26^th, 1896

Was called by telephone to see Hallie Lea. Also called to see Old Mrs Oldfield. Chas T Hill brought us 1/4 ton of coal. I rode (on horseback) over to "Eldon" calling at Ashton to see Mrs Bulwar again. Afternoon I went to the store & P.O. Also to the mill for flour. Lizzie Scott was here again. After supper I went up to the store again.

Wind Clear & Cloudy 24^o Thur. Feb. 27^th, 1896

Quite foggy this morning, but gradually cleared off and the afternoon was beautiful winter weather. Bro. Charles came and spent the day with us after leaving Lizzie at "Bloomfield" to an all day meeting of the "Old Ladies Association". Lizzie Scott called in the afternoon Kate Stabler called to consult me & Sarah Stabler called to see Harriet & Dora. I rode down to Ashton. Chas & Lizzie took the turkey hen home with them. I walked down up to the P.O. for the mail. Perry Conell is moving into the "Billy Oldfield" house in the village. Wrote to Charley on business.

Wind. S.E. Cloudy. 40^o Fri. Feb. 28^th,1896

Warmer weather. I walked up to the P.O. & mailed letter to Charley. Afternoon I rode (on horseback) to a meeting of the "Physician's Club". it commenced raining as I was going over, & continued all the evening. I was quite wet when I reached home. There was a lecture at the Lyceum on "Woman Suffer- age". Edward went to it. There were only 5 members of the D^r.'s club present last evening. D^r. Magruder, Dr. Brooke, D^r.'s Farquhar, Green & myself but it was a very pleasant one in every way. The ladies of D^r. F's family giving us an elegant supper. We adjourned rather earlier than usual as some of the members wished to attend the lecture at the Lyceum.

Wind. Cloudy, Foggy. Ther. 40^o Sat. Feb. 29^th, 1896

I have some sore throat this morning in consequence of getting wet last night. Afternoon I walked down to Ashton, called to see Mrs Bulwar again. Went to the mill for corn meal Edwd went to the store for groceries etc. It has been very damp & disagreeable all day a kind of "Scotch Mist" without actually raining . Willie & Fanny came after dark to spend the night with us.

Wind. Variable. Cloudy & Clearing Ther. 40^o Sun March 1^st, 1896

I went to meeting ("monthly meeting,") we had a sermon from Caroline Miller. Willie took Dora, Fanny & Bessie Robison to church at Mechanicsville in the "Surry" driving "Frank" & "Sally". W & Fanny went back to "Fairfield" about 3 o'clock afternoon. Mary E Gilpin called in the afternoon.

Wind.N.W. Clear & Cloudy Ther. 30 Wind. Mon. March 2^d, 1896.

Ground was frozen this morning, but softened before noon. I went up to the store & P.O. both morning & afternoon. Sharp wind has been blowing a March gale all day. Mary Stewart (colored) was here for advice & medicine. I read letter from F. Tyson. Afternoon Lizzie Scott was here again to see Dora. Eleanora Bell & her sister were here, the latter had a tooth extracted.

Wind.N.W. Clear. Ther. 25^o Tues. March r^d, 1896.

Wind blew hard all last night & all day today it "banged" the shutters so hard as to break out two panes of glass in the dining room, I went next door & telephoned to Bro. Charles who came over afternoon and got some money for me as executor of Bro. Richard's estate. I went up to the mill & to the store & P.O. I am suffering with a heavy cold and the cold wind seems to go completely through me. After supper I put in two panes of window glass in the dining room window. Looking out on the road.