Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1899

Ther 30° Cloudy & Fog Wind S.E. Sat. Jan. 14, 1899

Another damp disagreeable day Raw & chilly. I walked to Ashton & back before lunch. Went next door for the paper & called at the mill. Afternoon George Oldfield came to see me, and to explain why he had not paid his father & mother's old bill, within the past year, as he had promised to do, but says he has been short on money in consequence of a disputed title to some land involving a law suit which will be settled early in March next, but he again promises faithfully to pay me "any time after the first of April next." He appears to be a worthy enterprizing man, and I have faith in his keeping his promise. Willie Fanny & the baby came about 5. o'clk, to spend the night with us. It cleared off about 3.o'clk p.m. After supper Mrs Robison came in and sat awhile with us.

Ther 32° Clear. S.W. Sun. Jan. 15, 1899

Clear & beautiful winter morning: ground frozen this morning but soon softened, making the walking very disagreeable. I went to meeting & heard a good sermon from E Farquhar. Willie drove "Charley" horse to "Atholwood" & brought us two bushels of very small potatoes. After lunch W, F, & the baby returned to "Fairfield". I walked up to Oldields & sat awhile. George Oldfield expects to leave tomorrow for his home in Babcock Mills, tomorrow. I walked up to Mary Gilpin's looking for our little dog, which followed her dog away this morning. he came home towards evening looking very sneaking and penitent.

Ther. 32° Cloudy. S.E. Mon. Jan. 16, 1899

The ground was slightly frozen again this morning, but soon softened, and afternoon it commenced raining and continued up to bed time tonight. After breakfast I rode over to "Riverside" to see Sister Lizzie about answering a letter I recd from Wm I Parker in regard to the settlement of Bro Richard's estate. I returned in time for lunch. It was fortunate I went before noon as it commenced raining about 3.o'clk. The roads (except on the turnpikes) are very bad. Towards evening I went up to the mill for flour and to the P.O. to mail a bill to J.C. Williams at Olney.

Ther. 33 Clear & Cloudy. S.E. Tues. Jan. 17, 1899

Clear this morning, but was cloudy in afternoon. I rode(on horseback) to "Fairfield" & dined there, I helped Willie finish a boiler house for his green house, he brought one home driving my "Charley" horse, which he took back to "Fairfield" and will keep him for me until I can get some more hay. The roads are in wretched condition, cut up by heavy teams hauling over them.

Ther 33° Clear & Cloudy. S.E. & N.W. Wed. Jan. 18, 1899

Henry Powell was here before breakfast for advice & medicine. Sarah Stabler made us a friendly call whilst we were still at breakfast. I finished a letter to William I Parker & mailed it by the 2.p.m. mail. Afternoon Old "Uncle Henson" was here for advice & medicine I went to the store & P.O. and ato Fairall's office. The wind has changed to N.W. and it is much colder. I am not feeling at all well today, having taken cold yesterday from standing on the damp ground trying to help Willie finish his boiler house. Mrs Robison in this afternoon. After supper Edwd went in next door to play whist.

Ther. 19° Clear. N.W. Thurs. Jan 19th, 1899

Clear & frosty today. "Gus" Hopkin's wife was here for advice & medicine. Willie brought Alice Peirce to make us a visit, driving the two horses, he left his jugger here & took the Surry back with him. I rode to Ashton with him & walked back. I wrote to H A. Parker in answer to a letter from him & mailed it. Went to the Store & P.O. Hallie Bentley called towards evening.

Ther. 17° Clear. N.W. Fri. Jan. 20^th 1899.

Clear and cold today, ground frozen hard. Afternoon Lizzie Scott was here to see Dora. After supper Willie, Fanny, Miss Lucie Brown & Walter I came and Dora & Alice went with them to a lecture at the Lyceum: by a Mr. Van Alstene his subject being "scenes in the Hudson illustrated by sterioptecon views. Willie drove the two horses & left them here until after the lecture. I recd, letter from W. I . Parker, and answered it, took it up to the P.O. after night.

Ther. 27 Clear & Cloudy. S.E. Sat. Jan 21^st 1899

Willie came on horseback after breakfast to attend a "Farmers Institute" at Olney Grange Hall, he left "Charley" horse here & rode with Jim Brown Jr, coming back with Clarance Gilpin, he drove to "Fairfield" in his jugger before supper. Alice Peirce went with him to Ashton & walked back. I went in next door for the paper.

Ther 36° Clear & Cloudy. Wind Variable. Sun. Jan. 22, 1899.

Ground barely frozen on top, but soon softened & became mushy. Willie, Fanny & baby came while we were at breakfast, driving both horses to the surry. I went to meeting & heard two sermons from Mr Van Alstone & Mr Powell, both of whome came to the "Farmers Institute", which met at Olney yesterday. Mrs. Robison came in whilst we were at dinner. Willie, Fanny, Alice & baby went back to "Fairfield" about 2.o'clock After dinner. It has been quite warm all day, and feels like "falling weather"

Ther. 35° Clear & Cloudy. Wind. S.E. Mon. Jan. 23^d, 1899.

It has been clear most of the day, but too warm for the season of year. I went to "Fairalls" shop and to the store & P.O. After supper Edwd walked over to "Mt Airy" to a meeting of the "Singing class", I walked up to the P.O. & mailed letters from Harriet to Charley and to Ellie Wood, and called again at Fairall's Office.