Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1891-2 (July-September)

Left page Ther: 73 degrees Clear Wind S.W. Sunday, Aug 23d

This has been a very warm day. Bro: R called on his way to meeting. Afternoon Willie drove over to Thos: Lea's & home to supper. After supper Charley & Ida drove down to Ashton to church but there was a thunder storm coming up and they came home before the service commenced. Willie walked down with the ladies from next door and remained until after the service was over: it was unwise for them to have started as there was every appearance of a storm before they left home. I have really suffered from the heat more to day notwithstanding there was a nice breeze from S.W. all day, but it was sultry and hot nevertheless.

Right page Ther: 70 Cloudy & Rain Wind Variable Monday, Aug: 24th

Slightly cooler, but still close & "muggy" with a breeze most of the day from S & S.W. Willie started off again distributing the advertisements for the Agricultural Fair to be held at Rockville early in Sept: Charley worked at covering the parlor sofa with "leatherette" Dora helping him. Afternoon about 4.oclock he & Ida left home for "Glenwood" and soon after they had gone it commenced "pouring rain" and continued for some time and rained in showers from then until bed time. Miss Martha Tyson was here to consult me professionally this morning bringing us a basket of the finest Bartlett pears I have seen for a long time. I received a letter from Miss Belle Brown applying for our school; which I answered at once. There is no telling where Willie will 'put up" to night. I am afraid he must have been out in the heavy rain as well as Charley & Ida this afternoon. Willie came home in a thunder storm after 10.oclk wet through to the skin.

Left page Ther 68 degrees Cloudy Wind Tuesday, Aug: 25th

Cloudy & cool this morning. Willie took the horse and wagon home to W. P. Miller's, Edwd driving "Fritz" to the road cart down with him to bring him home after which Willie went to work in the mill for Henderson. Mrs. Minnie Johnson was over for me to prescribe for her infant. Lizzie Stabler was also here for advice & medicine for her mother. Mrs Lou: Oldfield brought her infant son for advice & med: Charley & Ida came home about 2.oclk. Cousin Hannah Chandlee & Fanny Dickinson and little "Robbie" came over, also Alice & Fannie Peirce. Charley & Ida, Willie & Dora went to a dance at Olney Grange Hall leaving here about 9.oclk p.m. Willie driving "Fritz" to the phaeton.

Right page Ther: 73 degrees Cloudy Wind Variable Wednesday, Aug: 25th

Dull "muggy close" day. I feel depressed & unwell. Mrs Robison was over to see me & got some medicine for "Bessie." Afternoon Fanny Peirce came & took Sister Harriet home with her to spend the night. C drove down to "Lou" Oldfield's late in the afternoon. Willie worked in the mill all day. The young folks got home from the dance at Olney Grange Hall about 1.oclk this a.m. Miss Connell (sister of the stage drive) called to apply for our school. Uncle Henson was here & had a tooth extracted also a young darkey named "Fuller." Henry FItzhugh also called for a few minutes.

Left page Ther: 75 degrees Cloudy Wind Variable Thursday, Aug. 27th

Another hot close day. G Matt Beall's wife brought her infant for advice & med: I wrote to B D Palmer enclosing a letter from a lady teacher in Rockville & asking hm to notify Miss Counell of her appointment to our school. Afternoon Mrs M G Tyson sent to me for medicine for Martha. There was a game of Base Ball in Mrs Gilpins field. Willie worked in the mill all day. I have had a "headache" all day and am feeling miserable this evening. Richd P Iddings & his mother took tea with us.

Right page Ther: 70 Clear Wind N.W. Friday, Aug: 28th

Cleared off at last with the wind N.W. & much cooler, my head still troubled me this morning but feels much better since dinner. Willie worked at the mill again all day. Old "Fritz" got down in the stable on the "wrong side" & C & I had to help him up by turning him over. Afternoon Rev: Mr Hammock called. Charley & Ida drove away towards evening to see a patient somewhere. Recd: letter from Benj D. Palmer in relation to "School business enclosing one to Jno J Higgins Rockville which I mailed to him from S.S. this afternoon. It is quite cool this afternoon. After supper Charley & Ida & Willie went to "The Lodge" at Olney. Anything for an excuse to "gad around" away from home seems to be the rule of later times in this neighborhood "Base ball." Entertainment at Lucerne, Sociable, Home intesrest, Farmers Club's etc etc including camp meetings, Fairs, Lawn parties & the master knowss what else besides.

Left page Ther: 60 degrees Clear & Cloudy Wind N.W. & N.E. Saturday, Aug: 29th

Charley & Ida came home from the "dance" about 1.oclk this a.m. and Willie 3/4 of an hour later. Mr "Lou" Johnson (husband of "Minnie" nee Duck) came at 2.oclk this a.m. & drove down to our stable without calling any one and striking a match at the stable. I was very near shooting at him before I discerned who it was. A Miss Bennett called to see me about school matters. Afternoon I drove down to Chas: Hammond's Willie Grady going with me. I also went up to the store & to the mill. Willie worked at the mill all day. Charley drove to Laurel after Herbert Kirk after dinner. They came home about 7.10 p.m. it having rained on them most of the way. Fred & Ernest sent Edward a "sounder" & will send a "key" in a day or two for telegraphing.

Right page Ther: 45 degrees Cloudy Wind N.E. Sunday, Aug: 30th

Raw & chilly early this morning, but much more pleasant than the hot close weather we have had. It rained a good deal last night and there is plenty of mud everywhere this morning. Bro: R called on way from meeting & took Sister H over to Riverside to spend a few days. Willie took Herbert & remained until after dinner. Charley & Ida went over about 4.oclk to take tea there. Mr & Mrs "Louie" Johnson and infant left next door for their home near Baltimore, leaving about 10.oclk this a.m.

Left page Ther: 64 degrees Cloudy & Clearing WInd S.W. Monday, Aug 31st

I drove down to Ashton and had three new shoes put on "Fritz"(two in front & one on the left hind foot). Mr Lycurgus Eagle & his "daughter" Florence came from near Gaithersburg to see me about Miss Eagle's getting our school. They took dinner here. Chas Stabler called to see about getting the dog "Nero" soon after brealfast. Willie worked at the mill all day. Charley took Ida over to the Miss Hollands to spend the day. I received an order from the "tax collector of this (5th district) from the clerk of this County Commissioners for $29.00 "to be paid out of the "surplus."

Right page Ther: 65 degrees Cloudy Wind Variable Tuesday, Sept: 1st

Willie worked at the mill again all day. Miss Martha Tyson was here for advice & medicine for herself & her sister (Miss Alice). Miss Stokes was with her, she brought us a nice basket of grapes. Rosena Bowen sent for medicine. I drove over to Riverside to tea and brought Sister Harriet home with me. She must return to Philadelphia tomorrow, Mrs: Puncoast having been "taken worse" & expressed a desire to see her. Herbert will go with her, but unless Mrs P should "pass away" he will return & finish his visit here. It is unfortunate that both their visits should be cut short by this misfortune. Later in the evening Richard P. Iddings brought Herbert over to be ready to start with his mother tomorrow morning in the stage.