Diary: Caleb E. Iddings, 1899

24 Snow + Cloudy NW Wind Ther. Tues. Mar 7, 1899 Commenced blowing from N.W strong about 9 oclk last night + at 4 oclk this am it began to snow + drift and this morning it is a regular "blizzard" again the wind comtinuing all day drifiting the snow badly. I went the the P.O. to mail letter to Thos H Borden also went to Fairall's Office. The stage only made one trip today. no afternoon mail either way. Mickell Featherstone started from Laurel Milstead sending her + got as far as Burt oursville when they stuck and will remain all night. I telephoned Clarence [Tilpin?] about wood, he sent 1/2 cord to Mrs [Robisowt?] promised to send us some as soon as possible. Wind still blowing at bed time.

22 Fair N.W. S.E Wind Ther. Wed. Mar 8, 1899 Cold + raw all day with the N.W. wind blowing. The noon mail came on horseback, the stage driver (John Bell) coming later in a buggy. I went to Fairall's Office + to the P.O. before lunch. I recd a letter from "Roe" P Iddings asking for some geniological information especially on the Pierce Jackson ancestry. I suffered with cold last night, the fire in our room hav ing gone out. We moved a wood stove into the room, our coal supply having become nearly exhausted. Afternoon I walked to Ashton + back the walking is wretched. Either deep snow drifts or mud + slush. After supper Edwd went to Jno C Bentlys to spend the evening.

28 Cloudy S.E. Wind Ther. Thurs Mar 9, 1899 Cold + raw all day, although it melted somewhat during the middle of the day. I went to the P.O. + to Fairall's Office before lunch. My pension check came in the noon mail. Afternoon I went to the mill + rode from there with (Chas G. Porter) up to the bank in the village + gave him my check for $30.00 on the Sec Treasurer of the U.S in Baltimore. Went again to Fairall's Office. Willie came + spent an hour with us returning to "Fairfield" before supper. After supper Edwd went to "Belmont" to a meeting of the "Choral class"

32 Clear S.E. Wind Ther. Fri. Mar 10, 1899 Another rather dull day. Edwd walked to "Fairfieild" this morning. I went to the P.O. + to Fairall's Office before lunch. Afternoon I walked to Ashton and rode back as far as their [oute] with Florence Bentley. [?] Robison was over to see me. I called at the mill on way from Ashton.

35° Cloudy S.E. Ther. SAT. MAR. 11^th, 1899 Wind

Dull & raw, sloppy & muddy. I went to the mill and to the P.O. & left boot at Fairall's to have toe stretched. Saml Bond Jr. paid me his mother's bill at S.S. Store. Afternoon went to the store again. Willie brought Edwd home and took Dora back with him to attend church tomorrow, it being "Communion Sunday". in lent. I went to the mill for corn meal & to store again for coal oil etc.

55° Cloudy & Clearing SE & N.W. Ther. SUN. MAR. 12^th, 1899 Wind

I went to the baker's & to Frank Leizear's for some tobacco. Did not go to meeting, either Edwd. or I. Charles Adams, (colored) came home from the bone mill for me to go with him to prescribe for his infant, after doing so Mary & Sam Bond Jr. insisted upon my drinking with them, and I enjoyed some fine music on the [blank] as well as their society. Adams brought me home. Willie brought Dora home from "Fairfield". I have been suffering with head ache all day. It cleared off before or about noon & wind blew hard from the W & N.W.

45° Clear & Cloudy Variable Ther. MON. Mar. 13^th 1899 Wind

Went to the store & P.O. called at Fairall's Office. Wrote and mailed letters to Milo B. Stevens & Co. at Washington D.C. and to Joseph P. Iddings, Chicago University. Afternoon I gave Frank Leizear Jr. a copy of some verses I had written critisizing National expansion to the Philippine Islands which he intends sending to the "Balto Daily Sun" for publication. Towards evening it became cloudy and looks & feels like more stormy weather of some kind. I hope it will not bring any more snow.

37° Cloudy SE & NE Ther. TUES. MAR 14^th 1899 Wind

Another raw dull cloudy day. After breakfast I walked down to Ashton & back having first gone to the store & Fairall's Office. Engaged a cord of wood from Soper, who lives near Burtonsville, he is to bring it tomorrow. I telephoned to Philip Stabler & to John Bentley about wood. It has been threatning rain for several days past and tonight it is as near it as it can be without actually raining.

35 [degrees] Rain Rain N.E. Ther. WED. MAR. 15th, 1899. Wind Commenced raining about 4 o' clk this mornning & continued all day, more or less. I went to Fairall's office and the P.O. [...] Soper brought us a cord of pine wood. Afternoon I went up to Henderson's for the papers. It has been very raw and chilly today, and walking muddy & sloppy again after having dried up for the first time for months. I suppose this is our equinoctial rain, and hope it may not turn to snow before it is over.

37 [degrees] Clear N.W. This has been a beautiful day and the roads are drying up very fast. Dora & Edward walked over to Riverside & dined with their aunt Lizzie; & on their way home this afternoon they called to see their aunt Beulah Lea at "Eldon," getting home to supper. Willie came over to the mill for some flour, and took lunch with us, going back this afternoon. I went to the P.O. before and after noon & again after supper to mail a card from Sister Beulah. After supper Edward went to P.J.Stabler's to a meeting of the "Phenaskia" Society. After supper Saml Bond Jr. telephoned to me about Charles Adam's infant.