Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1898

Cloudy. Ther. 29^o Thurs. Jan. 6^th, 1898. Wind. S.E.

Wash woman (Eliza Matthews) was here & washed for Harriet. Old "Uncle Henson" called to see me. Afternoon Edwd went to the store for sundries & the mail. Mrs Robison was in to consult me about a sore finger. There was no school today in the public school house. After supper Edward went to an entertainment at Brighton by the "Atmore family" which is the second they have given there. Frank Robison went with Edwd in the buggy. It commenced raining soon after they started, and continued at intervals all the evening.

Clear. Ther. 33^o Fri. Jan 7^th 1898. Wind S.E.

It cleared off during last night & it is very pleasant today. Edward came home from "Fairfield" after dinner. Miss Minnie Featherstone called to see Dora before dinner. It has been quite warm; the ground having thawed making the roads more or less muddy. After we had gone to bed (about 10 o'clock) Willie called me up to prescribe for Fanny who was suffering pain & neuralgia & indigested.

Cloudy. Ther.34^o Sat. Jan. 8, 1898. Wind S.E.

Dora went to the insurance office to help "fold statements & was there all day except at dinner time. I was called by telephone & Edwd drove me to "Riverside" to see brother Charles who was taken with hemorrhage from his mouth & throat this morning. It was thought he could not survive but I found him free from pain and although he may be taken from us at any time, he may last for some time yet. I came home about 3 o'clock Henry Miller sent us a load of straw & took manure. Willie came & took tea with us taking Dora back with him after supper.

Clear; cloudy & rain. 33^o Ther. Sun. Jan. 9^th 1898. Wind. S.E. & N.E.

Clear this morning but clouded over about noon & commenced raining about dusk. Edwd & I drove over to "Riverside" before dinner. E. left me there & drove to Fairfield to bring Dora home. I found dear brother Charles had had another hemorrhage at 4 o'clock this a.m. and was very weak. but perfectly conscious & clear & calm in intellect & is not suffering pain. He may leave us at any hour. or may last some time depending upon the extent of the hemorrhages. I walked to Eldon from "Riverside" after dining there. Dora & Edwd called for me at Eldon & I came home with them. Willie family & baby also came to spend the night with us. Lydia Budd sent for advice & medicine. I wrote to sisters Mary & Harriet.

Cloudy & Rain. 42 Ther. Mon. Jan. 10^th, 1898. Wind N.E.

Cloudy & threatning all day. Willie & I drove to "Riverside" driving my horse to his "jagger". home to dinner. Wrote post cards to sisters Mary & Harriet. called at "Eldon" & Ashton store. After dinner I burned out the stove pipe used in our room. Boy from Lydia Ann Budd's was here for advice & medicine again for his mother. Towards dusk Mallie Plummer was here for advice & medicine she lives at "Marden". Mrs Robison sent in for medicine after dark. The roads are sloppy and muddy, Willie & family went back to "Fairfield" about 3-30 this afternoon.

Cloudy & Drizzle. 38^o Ther. Tues. Jan. 11, 1898. Wind. S.E. & N.E.

This has been and extremely disagreeable day. I went to the mill & in next door. Heard from Brother Charles through telephone, his condition had changed little since yesterday. I went to the P.O. Went to the mill for corn for the horse. Mrs Robison sent in for medicine & advice several times today. She is suffering from one of her attacks of indigestion from imprudence in diet.

Fog & Drizzle. Ther. 37^o Wed. Jan. 12, 1898. Wind. S.E.

Weather still very disagreeable all day. Heard from bro C who passed a comfortable night and took considerable nourishment yesterday. Wrote postal cards to sisters Mary & Harriet. Walked to Ashton & rode back with Wallace Bond. Dora went to the insurance office again to help them fold "statements". they finished before dinner. Went to the mill for screenings. Louis Hill's wife (school teacher) was here just before dark for advice & medicine. Willie called in afternoon for a short time.

Clear. Ther. 42 Thurs. Jan. 13^th, 1898. Wind. N.W.

Wind changed to N.W. & cleared off before sunrise this morning. Fanny drove over to bring "Minnie" Featherstone to Mrs Ellicott's. & called here. I rode back with her as far as the "Riverside" turn off and walked home from there to see Bro Charles whom I found very comfortable & even cheerful. Edwd drove us to "Fairfield" to bring Alice Peirce over to make us a visit. I walked home from "Riverside" before lunch time. Edwd & Alice came about 2 o'clock. Jas T Henderson called to see me about some school affairs after supper Edwd walked over to Geo Nesbitt's to a meeting of the "phrenaskia" Society

Cloudy. Ther. 35^o Fri. Jan. 14^th. 1898. Wind. S.E.

Cloudy & threatning all day Ernest called to tell me that his father rested well last night & continued as comfortable as he has been for several days past. I wrote post card to sister H and mailed it. Called to see F. Leizear again went to the mill. Old John called to see me.

Rain Rain. Ther.37 Sat. Jan. 15, 1898. Wind. S.E. & N.E.

Commenced raining at bed time last night & has continued all day today. I was called to see Old Mr John Oldfield this morning and went again after dark. He has one of his threatened attacks of "apoplexia". His son George was there from "Babcock" Wis. The traveling is very muddy & disagreeable.