Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1893

(Left side of journal)

Cloudy & Rain Ther. 37^o SAT. DEC. 16^th, 1893 Wind S.E. Cloudy & extremely dark and gloomy early this morning but soon commenced raining & continued all day. John Johnson called. Recd small box of medicine from Mr Williamson in Frederick ordered by Charley about a week since. I am not feeling near as well as I have been having taken some cold I suppose and am extremely stiff & painful in all my limbs. The weather has something to do with it I hope. The boys "Hillis" & Frank helped us burn our chimneys this afternoon. The dining room chimney needed it quite badly, but the kitchen one although it burned very well did not need it as did the other. We will feel much safer in dry, cold windy weather when we need good fires.

(Right side of journal)

Clear Ther. 32^o SUN. DEC. 17^th, 1893 Wind N.W. Clear & bright this morning I am feeling much better today for which I am thankful. Alice & Fanny Peirce came & dined with us after dinner they took Dora with them to go to church and Edwd went after her in the "Surry". I went in to Mrs: Robison's a little while afternoon. The children came home in time for supper just "at dark". Dora took the lantern to the stable for Edward to see to put the horse away.

(Left side of journal)

Clear Ther. 30^o MON. DEC. 18^th, 1893 Wind S Cloudy early this morning but soon cleared off beautifully. Sarah Stabler called to see me giving us a very pleasant call. I walked up to the mill for the paper before dinner. Afternoon I cleaned up & greased my single harness which had not had much care or attention whilst I was sick & been used frequently in wet weather. "John" came & drove "Frank" to the phaeton over to Thos Lea's, on an errand and came back to supper. Recd a nice letter from F: Tyson in reply to one I wrote on Friday last.

(Right side of journal)

Clear & Cloudy Ther. 29^o TUES. DEC. 19, 1893 Wind Variable "John" came this morning & nailed up the cracks & c on the east side of the stable to keep the cold winds out. We received letters from both Charley & Willie, the latter;s letter having been put in the wrong envelope & sent to Fanny Peirce & the one to her directed to his mother. Edward rode up to Brighton & exchanged them: he also went with Frank Robison after "crowfoot" & ground pine. "Frank" took supper with us. Mrs Robison came in the evening & sat awhile with us. H recd a letter from Ellie Wood telling of Edwd Dave's death who was buried today, he having died on last....

(Left side of journal)

Clear Ther. 19th WED. DEC. 20^th, 1893 Wind N.W. I walked up to the mill before dinner. Afternoon Edwd went up to the telegraph office in place of Frank Leizear Jr, who was at work in the Insurance office.

(Right side of journal)

Clear Ther. 20^o THURS. DEC. 21^st, 1893 Wind S Cloudy & frosty this morning. Edwd & "Phil" drove down to Edwd Johnson's to see about getting a turkey or some money, but he was not at home. Afternoon I walked up to Hendersons for the paper's. Chas: Stabler called and spent an hour or two with me. Henry Hallowell delivered a sort of a lecture to the children at our public school this afternoon. I intended to go over, but was detained at home by company.

(Left side of journal)

Cloudy & Rain Ther. 35^o FRI. DEC. 22^d, 1893 Wind The ground was not frozen this morning, but it feels eaw & chilly. Fanny Peirce & Miss Carrie Kummer called. Mr & Mrs Harry Davis called at the gate & left us a nice dressed turkey and some oranges: a christmas present from Mr & Mrs J. T. Moore. This evening recd: postal card from Charly saying he fears he cannot come to spend christmas with us, he being too busy with the sick, we are much disappointed but he may still come as he says "if he finds it possible" he will telegraph to us. There was a Rainbow to be seen in the north extending from east to west. both in the morning & again in afternoon.

(Right side of journal)

Clear & Cloudy Ther. 35^o SAT. DEC. 23^d, 1893 Wind Clear early this morning but soon clouded over. "John" came expecting to go to Rockville for Charley: he took "Frank" to Fletcher Clark's shop & had two new shoes put on his hind feet: flat steel toes. I sent the the shoes with the horse: they were shoes that Willie & Charley bought last summer to "pitch quoits" with. Dora recd a card from Gertrude Mathews, saying Charley was coming there today: little Hallie being sick Ida had written for him.

(Left side of journal)

Foggy & Clearing Ther. 36^o SUN. DEC. 24^th, 1893 Wind Still quite warm for the time of year but we should be thankful that the weather is fine & roads good for those who can go about out of doors Bro: Richard called on his way to meeting. Alice Peirce also called and left various Christmas gifts sent by the friends from "Eldon" "Homewood" Riverside & "Fairfield", indeed we have been the recipients of so much practical kindness of so many different sources thhat we do not know how to express our gratitude. After supper Frank Leizear Jr: came and gave Edwd a practice lesson in telgraphing. I wrote to cousin Mary Dickenson at Wellsborough & Edwd: mailed the letter so it goes in the early mail tomorrow morning.

(Right side of journal)

Clear Ther. 32^o MON. DEC. 25^th, 1893 Wind S. W. Beautiful bright sunshine for Christmas day. We are sorry not to have Charley & Willie here to help us celebrate the day, but have so much to be thankful for we will be cheerful and as happy as we can. Old "Uncle Henson" called for his "christmas gift" and we gave him a trifle. Lucy Stabler called about dinner time. Afternoon Miss Mary Colt was here for advice and medicine for her brother and also for herself. After supper "John" was here & Mrs Robison called.