April 12
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
April 12, 1998
Took Ash home. Worked from 12-3 with Leslie. Came home. Went 2 “City of Angels” with Mom and Kathy. Me, Née and Jon chilled. (Reservoir, Waffle House, Née’s.) Spent night with Née.
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
April 12, 1997
Up at 8:45. Mom picked me up at 9:10. Went to softball but coach didn’t show. Chilled at home. Took a nap. Watched “Now & Then” with fam. Ate dinner. Went to Goodberry’s. Stayed up late for “SNL.”
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
April 12, 1960
Still tired, went to vote at noon. Later went to funeral home to see Clara R. Waite there. Beautiful day. Out to cabin and stopped to see Ole. Seems pretty good, not dressed. Had a lot to tell us. Lo tried to call Maggie when we came home, she was away. Lo to bed early. ’Phone rang, Fla. calling, both talked with M.L. Chica had five puppies. Fran and Dwight both talked to us.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
April 12, 1944
Bright beautiful day. Cool. Card from Mum in morn with notes from A.E. and A.F. — they were having dinner together in Nashville. Got along swell in tennis. More fun! Good lunch. Studied and practiced in afternoon. Finished Philosophy report to hand in! Good dinner. I talked Betty into going to show so we went after dinner. Lovely evening. Milder. Went to Varsity and saw Don Ameche in “Happy Land” — very good. Didn’t cry till end though. Out about 9. Back to hall. Then went down to bus station for rolls. Wanted to take bus ride but decided not to. To bed late. Talked to Mary Jo. Good day.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
April 12, 1941
Beautiful, wonderfully warm. Music lesson at 9:30. Then washed dishes and hair. Thought I’d never get through everything. Mom baked both muffins and gingerbread. After dinner took bath -- just like summer and Miss Tindall came before I was out. We hid the Easter eggs in the back yard. About 3:00 the children started arriving. At last eleven came. Hunted eggs, played games and Mom served refreshments in the back yard. Dorcus Jane Miles so cute -- her mother told us how she had prayed that Jesus would send her cat some kittens for Easter. He did and Dorcus stumpted her mother with the question, “How did Jesus make the kittens?” When Mom asked her if she had thanked Jesus she said no, but she would as soon as she got home. About 4:00 it was over. Sorta fun. I went up and sat with Helen and Barbara for awhile on their porch. About 4:30 Mom, Helen and I drove to town to look at Easter dresses for me. Finally got a sweet pink silk one at the Dress Shop. Had fun. At night I practiced and studied. Ah, tomorrow!
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
April 12, 1888
Have been looking around Mt. Pleasant today. Will and his wife were at uncle George’s both for dinner and supper. I visited a shingle mill this afternoon, and found the location of the T.&A.A. railroad depot also, so I will know where to go in the morning. It has been a very pleasant day.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
April 12, 1887
I got up this morning and found the weather some milder than it seemed yesterday. I went over to our house after breakfast and took some things and then I went up to the store and worked all day. I received a telegram today getting it all right. I think I didn’t have any to send. We didn’t have a very brisk trade at the store. Fred Waters went away to join the survey party. The stage started for Traverse City today but I heard they were having a hard time so I am afraid I will not hear from Kate for a long time. I called at Dr. Taylor’s this evening and visited a little while. Feel tired tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
April 12, 1871
Tomorrow I leave Luken Prairie where I have had such a pleasant visit. The cousins urge me to stay longer, but I think I will hear from brother Philip, and for that reason am anxious to get back to Red Oak Shelter. The weather is delightful.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
April 12, 1862
Muster up on the hill. Mr. Henry up there. Cloudy all day. Ma Crook & A. B. Jones eat dinner here today. We had eat before Mr. Henry & them came down from muster. Had coffee for dinner, our sack of coffee got home today. I was fearful it would never come but it has. After dinner, Atheline & I cleaned up the kitchen. Fannie went to get some sweet potato seed of Mrs. Norman. She (Fannie) made some pies & custards this evening. I swept the yards. It sprinkled rain a little. I finished Peter’s pants before dinner with Atheline’s help. Mr. Henry & I went up to the hotel garden this morning. He wants some rose bushes, lilac & that flowering almond in the garden brought down here. It is in full bloom now. He did not come back with me as they were collecting for muster. The children ran away & came after us & Atheline after them. They were double quicking it when they got to us. Zona said “Papa help me over, Atheline is coming”. He said “no”. She said “yes”. I seen her coming & in a minute Atheline come in sight. I brought down some cuttings of snowball & woodbine. I fear they will not live. It is quite cool, the wind from the South. A man & his little son from Transylvania Co. after flour. They stay here tonight. His name is Heath. Flour is selling at four dollars a hundred without the sack.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Samuel P., age 35, London
April 12, 1668
(Sunday). Dined at Brouncker’s, and saw the new book. Peace. Cutting away sails.
*(The Diary of Samuel Pepys M.A. F.R.S., edited by Henry B. Wheatley F.S.A., London, George Bell & Sons York St. Covent Garden, Cambridge Deighton Bell & Co., 1893.)