Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1899

26° Sleet & Rain N.E. Ther. Fri. Feb, 3rd, 1899 Wind

I went to the toll house after our little dog "Jett" who ran up there to get warm before our fires were made. It has been an extremely disagreeable day throughout. The coal fire went out in our room & I had quite a time making it up again, the coal being larger than we have been using. We had quite a mishap this evening, which might have been a very serious one: the large hanging lamp (over the table) became detached from the ceiling & fell into the midst of an elegant dish of meat hash etc, scattering glass & coal oil over everything on the table: the lamp falling on Dora's hand, as she was putting it down, & hurting her considerably as part of the lamp is very heavy. I was obliged to go to the store for some eggs etc to make up our supper. After supper Edwd went to "Mt Airy" to a Phrenaskia meeting

35° Clear & Cloudy. N.W. Ther. Sat. Feb, 4th, 1899. Wind

It rained several times last night but cleared off before sunrise this morning, with a strong wind from N.W. blowing all day. Jim Hill's children were here for medicine (eye wash) for "Uncle Henson." I rode to Hareton in Henderson's Mill wagon & walked back before lunch. Afternoon Willie came & spent an hour with us. I went to the store & P.O. Edwd went to "Mt Airy" this morning to finish tuning their piano. The roads are very sloppy & muddy, but not deep, being frozen under the mud still. It is freezing again tonight. After dark Frank R. Hopkins came and paid his bill. I went to the store again after dark.

29° Cloudy & Snow N.E. Ther. Sunday 5^th. Wind

It commenced snowing sometime during last night, and was deeper than any snow we have had this winter when we got up this morning. Edwd went to meeting. Willie & Alie Peircec came in W's sleigh, and staid until after dinner. More sleighs have passed here today than any day heretofore this winter. The fire in our room went out again this morning. It has been cloudy & threatning all day & is snowing again this evening.

28° Cloudy & Snow. N.E. Ther. Mon. Feb 6^th, 1899. Wind

It was snowing again this morning & continued long enough to make the sleighing first rate after the tracks were broken. It continued cloudy & threatning all day, and about dusk commenced snowing again in earnest, and if it continues will make the deepest snow (before morning) we have had for a long time. I went to the store and smithy shop for some rods with which to strengthen the sleigh basket or body. Telephoned to Clarence Gilpin for some wood which his wife promised they would send as soon as possible. Edwd had intended going over to "Mt. Airy" again to a meeting of the "Choral Class". but the weather was so bad that we persuaded him not to go, as he would be obliged to walk, and wade through the snow.

24 N.W. It was clear this morning & continued so all day with quite strong N.W. wind Clarence Gilpin sent us a 1/2 cord of oak wood on a sled drawne by two horses. Before dinner and[] they 1/2 cord in the afternoone. He came himself with the [] load [couldnt?] paid him for the wood (250). I went to the store towards evening Albric Brookes son called to see Edward who has not [?] from cornfield. The sleighing is better than i have endure it to be in this future for many years past the [brush?] being first [] under it ice snow deeper [then] packed than for a long time. Every one seems to be enjoying it to the fall of [Trent?]

o. Clear N.W. Wind This has been an extremely cold day. Our thermonitor hangs in a str-ened situation various other place in the nei ghborhood it registered from 8 to 13 degrees below zero. Willio brought Edward home y took me to Ashton back be for returning to Fairfield he left his sleigh here took mine his being out of order considerably. Afternoon Edward went to Sherwood readjusted the electric bells for Mrs. Thorne. Tonight promises to be ay [uterly?] cold one. I am thankful we have plenty of fuel for the present. I'm riding from Ashton this morn ing facing the wind my ears and nose were nearly frozen.

[?] below 0 Clear N.W. Wind Our thermometer was [?] degrees below zero this morning but at Brooke Grove it was 21 below zero from 12 to to 18 18 in various other places. It certainly was was coldest day we have had for years past wood has not melted anywhere at anytime during the entire day. None of us went farther than next door but kept indoors and kept up the fires. Dora had a bed in the living room last night and kept up the coal fore all night to keep the horses pla from freezing. Fewer persons were out sleighing to day it being too cold for pleasure. We heard of the sudden death of Hood Mathews. He has been sufferer from [?] & kid ney trouble but seemed much better of late

7 ⁰ below 0 Clear & Cloudy N.W. & N.E. Wind Still very cold weather this tem perature being the same this morning as yesterday at the same hour. I went to the store P.D. and left the club book at the toll house for Walace Bond to take to Ashton as he returned from dinner. After noon Edward & I brought the wood in & piled it up in the kitchen porch as it looked as if we might have more snow and (some at bedtime to night it is snowing in good [eas?] west again. The thermometer is 9 [degrees] abover zero at 8 o clk p.m. It was sad to hear of the death of Hope Mathews she seemed much better when we heard las. We miss Willie and family tonight but it was too cold to bring the buggy out and W. is obliged to go [watch?] his green house fire such weather as this

6⁰ Snow N.W. Wind It snowed at intervals all of last night and all day today and is still snowing tonight at bedtime the snow is now about two feet deep on a level which is deeper than any had for many years. Few [persons bussed here?] to meeting or elsewhere. The Brightened market wagon passed this afternoon on its way home from Washington with fewer horses. {Clarence?] Gilpin sent two powerful horses to meet it and together with the two mules it was all they could do to get along through the snow. A colored funeral passed here burying Annie Hill [( [John?] Hill's daughter) there were very few attended it in consequence of the weather & snow. I went in next door for the papers towards evening. I sincerely wish our son Charley had my fur lined over coat for such weather as this