Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1898

Clear. Ther. 16^o Thurs. Feb. 17^th 1898. Wind. N.W. & S.E.

Clear & cold this morning but no wind to amount to anything. I went to the mill & to Henderson's for the papers also to Mrs Robison's Minnie telephones that Bro Charles passed a comfortable night, and seemed about as usual today. Willie telephoned for advice for the baby who has taken cold. Miss Dora Mitchell called for me to write to Mrs D Luckett to excuse her from attending the "Teachers Institute" tomorrow at Rockville. The wind has changed to S.E. against & it is not so cold.

Cloudy, Sleet & Rain. Ther. 32. Fri. Feb. 18^th 1898. Wind. N.E.

Commenced raining & sleeting towards morning & continued all day. I went to A F Fairall & son's and to the store & P.O. also to the mill where Henderson cashed A.F Fairall's check for $9.60. After lunch I went to Ashton with Wallace Bond & walked back. Edwd went to the store & P.O. I went in next door to see about getting some wood. Rec'd postal card from Frank Hewitt promising to send us a load of wood on Monday morning next. After supper Harry Fairall came to practice telegraphy with Edwd. It continues to rain up to bedtime. Old Mr Geo Jackson died at Ashton at 5 o'clock this morning of "pneumonia".

Rain & "Drizzle". Ther. 35^o Sat. Feb. 19^th 1898. Wind E. N.E. & Variable

Rain & Drizzle all day and up to bed time tonight. I went to the store twice and to the mill & Henderson's for the papers. Ernest reports his father as more comfortable and able to take more nourishment than for several weeks past but in his case we dare not hope for any permanent improvement but be thankful when he is comfortable. Mrs Robison sent for advice & medicine for herself. It is extremely disagreeable out of doors. Willie called this morning & tried to burn the chimney on E end of house, but it would not burn. I cleaned & changed the stove pipe in our room.

Cloudy & "Drizzle" Ther. 37. Sun. Feb. 20, 1898. Wind. N. & N.E.

Another wet drizzly day it continued raining all night last night again. Edwd and Dore went to "Fairfield" before lunch Edwd came home before dark riding "Charley" leaving the phaeton and Dora at "Fairfield". one of the wheels not being considered safe with "Charley" in the condition he is. Willie having driven on just ahead of them with "Sally" as they started home. "Charley" would keep up in spite of rain, bad roads & weak wheels, so they turned back & Dora concluded to stay all night & Edwd rode the horse home. Old Mr Geo H Jackson was buried this afternoon in "Woodside" cemetery from Ashton. Old Mr Oldfield sent Frank Turner for medicine after dark. I went to Henderson's for the papers after dinner.

Cloudy Ther. 35^o Mon. Feb. 21^st 1898. Wind. Changeable

Still cloudy but wind has changed and it does not rain. Edwd went to "Fairfield" again after Dora. I went to the mill & to Henderson's. Sally Ellicott called for some work Dora had finished for her. Dora & Edwd came home to lunch. Afternoon I went to Ashton and put up medicine for Bro Charlie that Minnie has called for over the "phone wires" this a.m. Chas Powell called. I rec'd letter from Mr C.D. Luckett enclosing "check" for Miss Dora B Mitchell which I took up & left with Mrs Henderson. It has been snowing at intervals this afternoon and is still snowing since dark this evening. After supper Edwd went to Mt Airy to a meeting of the singing class.

Cloudy. Ther. 30^o Tues. Feb. 22^d 1898. Wind. N.W.

Still cloudy but clearing. I went to the store & P.O. afternoon Hewitt brought us a load of wood whilst we were at lunch. I went up to the mill for the papers, The roads are in a bad condition everywhere & almost impassable in many places. The stage was late in getting the mails to us both morning & afternoon. After supper Harry Fairall came to the office to practice telegraphy with Edwd again. The weather looks threatning this evening and feels raw and rain like. I am glad to feel that we have plenty of wood in case there should be a snow storm.

Clear & Cloudy. Ther. 30^o Wed. Feb. 23^d Wind. Variable.

Clear this morning, I went to the store & P.O. repaired & renovated several lamps that have been out of use for some time. Went up to the mill. afternoon Kate Stabler and Lizzie Scott called to see Dora. W Henry Kelly & wife brought their little girl for advice & medicine just before dark. Went to store again before supper. Willie telephoned to me about getting some butter for us. After supper Edwd went next door to attend the telephone "switch board" for them.

Clear. Ther. 30^o Thurs. Feb. 24^th 1898. Wind. S.W.

About home all day except going up to the mill. Edwd went to "Sherwood" school house to repair their electric bells and to "Mt Airy" to tune their piano. he came home to lunch. Heard of the death of Joshua Gilpin at the home of his daughter (Mrs John Wilson) near Rockville. He was one of the oldest of the old Sandy Spring neighbours in times gone by. After supper Edwd rode down to "Sunnyside" (Asa Stabler's) to a meeting of the "Phrenaskaie" society. Dora walked to Saml Wetherfield's this afternoon to see Kate Stabler.

Clear & Cloudy Ther. 33^o FRI. FEB 25, 1898. WIND

Clear early this morning but clouded up before noon. I went to the mill & to Ashton & back before lunch. Afternoon old Uncle Hansen was here for advice & medicine. F. Leizear Sr. was unfortunate enough to have his horse die of pneumonia it will be hard for him to replace him. I went to the store before suppertime.

Clear Ther. 22^o SAT. FEB 26^th, 1898 Wind N.W.

Clear & frosty this morning. I went to the mill & to Store & P.O. Willie Fanny & baby came about 10-30. Dora Fanny, Willie & I went over to the meeting house to attend the funeral of Joshua Gilpin whose remains were brought from John Wilson's near Rockville. Afternoon. Willie & Edwd drove up to Fairfield & home to supper. Jimmy Jackson came in afternoon Stage and Ernest took him to "Riverside" before supper. Dora & Fanny and the baby went down to "Bloomfield" & made a call. Edwd took photographs of the baby & one of us grandmother with the baby in her lap. Willie & I went up to the store & P.O after supper.