Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1896

Wind. Clear. Ther. 10 Sat. March 14^th, 1896.

Willie & Fanny remained here until after dinner, when they went back to "Fairfield", I sent some medicine together with a note to Hallie Lea, in answer to a note from her. by Willie & I who were to leave them at "Eldon". I walked down to Ashton & had my medicine case replenished. Lizzie Scott called & left our butter. Willie & I each bought some beef from "Cuff" this morning. Edward seems much better today. After supper I walked up to the store. Edwd went next door to play chess with Miss Mary Fowler.

Wind.E. & S.E. Snow. Ther.24° Sun. March 15^th, 1896.

Commenced snowing about sunrise this morning & continued all day until towards evening, when it changed to a light drizzle, or misty rain. I went to meeting which was slimly attended by consequence of the disagreeable weather there were about 26 persons altogether. We expected Willie to have brought Alice Peirce over today, to make us a visit of several days, but suppose the inclement weather prevented them from turning out. Quite a number of sleighs were out today but it is not likely that the sleighing will last, as it is not freezing tonight, and the snow is soft & "slushy". If it should clear off cold during tonight there is snow enough to make quite good sleighing.

Wind.S.E. & N.W. Rain & Sleet Ther. 32^o Mon. March 16^th, 1896.

Extremely disagreeable day. Willie brought Alice Peirce over soon after breakfast and left her here. I went up to the store. Afternoon Fletcher Clark was here for advice & medicine for his infant. I went to the mill for some corn and middle nys. Went in next door to answer (over the telephone) a note from Hallie Green who Requested me to Reply in that way. Towards evening the wind changed to N.W. & the Rain changed to snow again. Edwd seems quite unwell again. I walked down to Sherwood School to see Mary Hallowell & explain that he could not attend to his school duties until he is better. I got a belladonna plaster on his breast.

Wind. N.W. Clear. Ther.22 Tues. March 17^th, 1896

"St. Patricks day" has been an unusually fine one, so far as the weather "overhead" was conserned but towards noon the Roads were "slushy" and as disagreeable travelling as could well be. Afternoon Bro. Charles called & smoked a pipe with me: he has one of the worst colds or "grippe" attacks he has ever had. I went to the store & P.O. Reed letter from T.H. Borden. I was sent for & rode over to see Fletcher Clark's infant son.

Wind. NE & S.E. Clear. Ther. 18^o Wed. March 18^th, 1896.

Robt H. Miller sent us 2 cords of chestnut wood, making 3 loads of it with a yoke of oxen and one horse in lead of the cart. Joseph Jackson being his teamster. Hilles & Frank Robison undertook to saw & split it (by the cord). I rode on horseback over to W^m Powell's to prescribe for his wife. After dinner, and down to Ashton. Walked up to the P.O. Mary Hallowell called to enquire after Edward, who is better but still not fit to go out of doors, especially whilst the ground is covered everywhere with snow-slush & mud.

Wind. S.E. Rain Ther. 40^o Thur. March 19^th, 1896

Commenced raining after midnight last and continues all day, afternoon it "just poured down" accompanied with several peals of thunder. I went up to the P.O. before dinner, Hilles & Frank Robison finished cutting the wood in the wood house. This has been an extremely disagreeable day, towards evening the wind changed to N.W. and it tried to clear off. Just at dusk Fletcher Clark sent his little boy over after me. I was afraid to turn out not having been well all day. But sent medicine & promised to go tomorrow morning. I wrote to Dr Geo. Filvis in Philad^a thanking him for his kindness to Dora in treating her ears & eyes. I also wrote to Thos H Bordere in answer to a letter received from him several days since. Walked up to mail letter after 9.o'clk p.m.

Wind. N.W. Clear and Cloudy Ther. 32^o Fri. March 20, 1896

Ground just frozen this morning I walked over to Fletcher Clark's to prescribe for his little girl. "Addie" Willie came for Alice. She drove "Sully" home & Willie rode "Frank" back I will drive him back again bringing Fanny with him. Alan Farquhar sent me 985lbs of mixed hay. Afternoon Willie & Fanny came driving "Frank" to my open buggy. W rode to Ashton on horseback for some articles from the store. Robert M Stabler died yesterday at his home "Edgewood".

Wind N.W. Clear Ther. 20^o Sat. March 21^st, 1896.

This has been a beautiful day. After dinner Willie drove "Frank" to "Fairfield" Bro. Chas came over to attend the funeral of Robt. M. Stabler, who was buried at the meeting house grounds. Dora, Fanny, Willie Bro. Chas and myself went over to the grave yard. Towards evening Willie went with Old John (with the latters horse & cart) over to"Osceola" & brought me what Gilbert Smithe measured for a barrel of corn on the ear). After supper W & I walked up to the store. I rode to Ashton with Bro. C for medicine for Edward. I walked back. Robt Stabler's funeral was one of the largest ever at the grave yard, he was much respected & the day & roads were favorable.

Wind. Variable Clear & Cloudy . Ther. 42. Sun. March 22^d. 1896.

Dora, Fanny, Willie & I went to meeting & heard an excellent sermon from Edwd Farquhar and also one from Caroline Miller. the latter being a funeral sermon, comending the exemplary virtues of the late Robt M Stabler. Afternoon I was called by telephone to Brighton to see a little daughter of Perry Bowman: they feared her leg was broken, but I found no complete fracture & requiring no splints, I simply applied a flannel bandage, and ordered "rest" & the application of Eucalyptus Ext. to the "tibea" & ankle joint, which were the injured parts. I drove Frank W going with me I brought their horse Sully back & hitching her to the plaeton he took Fanny to "Fairfield" about 5.o'clk. After supper I went to the P.O. and mailed a letter for E. who seems rather better today.

Wind. N.E Cloudy. Ther. 35 Mon. March 23^d. 1896.

Raw & chilly this morning, but the ground is not frozen. It rained several showers last night. Richard Proctor (colored) was here before breakfast for advice & medicine. George McPherson was also at the office for advice & medicine for his wife. I walked up to the P.O. for the mail. Commenced snowing about noon. Afternoon Carrie Hopkins & two other Hopkins girls came to have a tooth extracted for the youngest one, but she acted so badly, kicking & yelling beyond anything ever heard that I could do nothing with her, except to give her a good scolding. Our coal having given out, we moved a wood stove into our room, the weather being so stormy & cold. It either snowed or sleeted all the afternoon.