Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1893

Rain Sleet & Snow Ther. 32^o Mon. Feb. 13^th, 1893 N.E.Wind

Ground covered with snow this morning but turned to rain and continued sleeting all day making the most diagreeable day we have had this winter. We all staid pretty close in the house until afternoon when Charley drove "Frank" down to Spencerville "Phil" going with him. I walked up to the store from some groceries etc. Charley & "Phil" reached home after dark from Spencerville having paid a note held by Mr Griffith Search up on which I was endorser. After supper C went up to see Ed Gilpin about getting another horse to drive with "Frank" to "Glenwood" tomorrow. Chas & Edwd played chess until quite late.

Clear Ther. 33^o Tues. Feb. 14^th, 1893 Wea. N.E.

It cleared off last night, but the wind is still in the East Charley took Ida & the baby and Miss Gertrude Mathews over to "Glenwood." driving "Frank" and one of E L Gilpin's horses to the "Surry" leaving here at 11 o'clk a.m. Afternoon D^r Booke called expecting to see Charley. Miss Dove was not at the School house today. sending word "she was sick" and not able to come to school or teach. I went up the the mill after dinner.

Cloudy Ther. 35 WED. FEB. 15^th, 1893 S.E. Wind

Soft & muddy everywhere. I am feeling quite unwell & suffering from headache & rheumatic pains my left knee being painful & swolen. Edward also is not at all well, having taken cold. We were grieved to hear of the sudden death of Saml: Hopkins, who died about midnight last. Having got up to get a drink of water, & fell dead in a moment. John W. Johnson was here in the evening & waited some time to see Charley whom I expected would return this evening, but he did not come. I walked over to "Harewood" to see Green Howard about exchanging manure for straw, he promised to send a load of straw tomorrow afternoon.

Clear & Cloudy Ther. 38 THURS. FEB 16^th, 1893 Wind

I am feeling much better to day, but Edwards's throat is still very sore. I walked from Ashton having ridden down with Bro Richd who called. I went to Mr. Colts for the "atomizer" & "inhaler" for E's throat. Afternoon Kate Stabler was here to consult me. Charley & Ida returned from Howard Co. at 11 o'clk p.m. Alice & Fanny Peirce came soon after. Alice went home & left Fanny here. Green Howard brought over a load of wheat straw for which Charley paid him. After dinner I rode over to Edwd Boswell's and made a business settlement with him. After supper we went over to Philip T Stablers to see him on business also.

Cloudy Ther. 30^o FRI. FEB. 17^th, 1893 N.E. Wind

Raw and chilly looks & feels like snow again. We were all up this morning by lamplight to get Charley & Ida & the baby off. Jno W Johnson came early and drove them over to Rockville in the Surry with "Frank" & one of E Gilpins horses. They left here at 8-10. I fear it will be a rough experience for the poor little infant. I sent the money to buy a Williamson note $15.30. John got home about 1-15 p.m. It commenced snowing and sleeting & hailing about 11 o'clock with strong wind from N.E. Edward was not well enough to go to school, it is the first day he has missed since school commenced.

Clear Ther. 29 SAT. FEB. 18^th, 1893 Wind N.W.

Clear & cold with strong wind from N.W. Snow enough to made good sleighing. Chas. G.Porter called. I drove to Brookeville in the sleigh to see Eng Ware & paid him $40.00 for Charley on account of a note to Edward Boswell giving new note for ballance at twelve months Frank Robison went with me. Saml Hopkins was buried this p.m. at Woodside Cemetery. Mr. C M Colt brought Willie's sleigh home and paid me his bill $(23.05). Sleighing is quite good on the turnpikes, but was soft on southern exposures in the middle of the day. I walked up to the store after dark.

Clear Ther. 29^o SUN. FEB. 19, 1893 Wind N.W.

Clear and cold this morning Most of the "friends" went in their sleighs to meeting, & some few sleighs continued to pass all day, but it was too soft to be good after noon; it seems to be freezing up again tonight, and may make the sleighing good again tomorrow morning for a while. F. Peiree walked home this morning before dinner. We had a quiet Sunday "to ourselves", and no callers.

Clear Ther. 8^o MON. FEB 20^th, 1893 Wind N.W.

The wind blew almost a "hurricane" last night, commencing about 9-30 p.m. with a "flurry" of snow from N.W. & continued almost all night, the thermometer falling from 45^o at sundown to 8^o at 4 o'clk this a.m. 37 degrees in 2 hours. Edward did not go to school to day as we were aftraid the school house would be too cold for him until he was free from his sore throat and cough. I felt quite unwell with rheumatic pains & head ache Afternoon Chas T Porter called & I paid him $33.00 (thirty three dollars) leaving a ballance of $14.00 (fourteen dollars) due on the rent up to the first of this month. I walked up to the store & P.O. Recd a postal card from C. saying they reached home "all right", and the baby seemed none the worse of the stormy ride.

Clear & Cloudy Ther. 8^o TUES. FEB. 21^st, 1893 Wind

Still cold. I rode over to Edwin Davi's to see about wood. Stopped at S Budd's & had "Frank" "roughed" all around. Afternoon "Phil" rode him to Davi's to see about wood for them & take a note from me to Edwin. Edward went to school again this morning and came home with head ache. I went to the mill & to the store. It looks & feels like more snow before tomorrow morning, the wind East & very "raw" & chilly.

Clear & Cloud Ther. 12^o WED. FEB. 22nd, 1893 Wind NW & SW

It commenced snowing and hailing before bed time last night and this morning there was about 5 inches of snow which was drifting all day from a high wind, first from N.W. which changed to S.W. and again from N.W. I did not venture out except to the mill. E went to school and I hope will not be the worse from it. Edwin Davis sent Mrs Robison a cord of green white oak wood.