February 8
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
February 8, 1997
Good day! Normal day, then at 8:00 I went to Courtney’s to stay the night. Geeze, I ALMOST fell again! We had good bonding time. I LOVE HER!!
Laura M., age 13, North Carolina
February 8, 1996
2-hour delay. I got up an hour early today! Oh well. Dad picked me up at 8:15 and I went to eye doctor. Sean was sweet today. (He’s been like that recently.) Went to Dr. Silber w/ Dad & Sandra today. Boring. Came home & did homework. Went over to Eddie’s & ate dinner & dessert.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
February 8, 1960
Up quite early, Lo as tired as ever. Cold not much better. Washed and turned out to be a nice day. Should have washed spreads and other things. Warmer snow melting. Lo took me up to see Ole. Pretty good. Lo shopped at A&P. After feeding ourselves and stock Lo shopped at Piggly. Then went to Carrie’s. Had gotten coffee for her etc.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
February 8, 1944
Cold and bright. Cloudy in morn. Good breakfast. Shorthand at 8. Out early. Transcription at 9. I’m going to have a time getting my typing speed up again, I can see! Letter from Mum. She doesn’t mind my going out to dinner and shows - she was very sympathetic, in fact!! I was flabbergasted but happy!! History at 10. Philosophy under a substitute at 11. Started study of Spencer. Very nice man but I wouldn’t like to have him all the time! Good lunch. Mary didn’t go. Studied and fought (!) during siesta. Session court, convocation at 2. Practiced. Studied. To town at 5 and got some Halo. Dinner at 6:25. Real good. Mary Jo and Jane sat at our table. After dinner Betty and I had a real fight and she went in the closet and cried. Then we both apologized and made up. Were going swimming at 8 but pool was closed. Studied and thought. To bed early. Awfully sleepy!! Alice Getson had a series of long-distance calls and is going away to get married in a day or two. She’s the corniest person!! Pity the man!
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
February 8, 1941
Bright, cold. Somehow I hate this day -- at least the greater part of it. I sat down at Mrs. Marsh’s for 45 minutes while she visited with some unexpected company, and then had to go back at 1:00 for my lesson. I couldn’t help hearing most of the conversation, a part of which was Mrs. Marsh’s declaring that Wilkie was making a fool of himself in Europe; that England and Europe should fight their own battles and leave us alone; that the Germans couldn’t come over here, anyway, because we’re 130 million strong. Holy! Such ignorance! Mom was so mad when I told her, she almost called Mrs. Marsh up and told her so. Letter from Mary. Funny. To town in afternoon. Typed at Pap’s office. Helen with me. Tomorrow -- fatal day! Will meet Pie. Am going to Sunday School and church with Mary.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
February 8, 1888
Una is the same as she has been of late. I hope she will get no worse, or I don’t know what we will do. I sent ma a postal today telling her about Una. It has been a stormy day and has grown cold, it being 2 degrees below 0 tonight. I did not get the mail tonight as it had not come in when I came home. We pull the bed to the living room these cold nights and keep very comfortable as we have a fire going all night, on account of the baby.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
February 8, 1887
It rained all last night and the snow kept sliding off the roof and making a terrible noise. I did not sleep very well someway. The snow is much reduced today. It was up to about 40o above zero at one time but is colder tonight and the moon in shining beautifully. I called at Dr. Taylor’s after school this afternoon and borrowed a copy of the Sahaksphere [sic], so as to study the part I am to take in the part of Richard III, which is to be given at the Literary. Mr. James Case, Fred Small and Charlie Pitts came here tonight to arrange the parts, and do a little rehearsing. Grace is here and will stay all night. I am not feeling well at all.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Columbus T., age 31, North Carolina
February 8, 1874
Not in good spirits. Remained in my room all day until five o’clock when I walked by the Post Office and depot. Went to Prayer Meeting at Baptist Church about 8 and a half having remained in Dickey & Andersons room singing for Welch and Blackwell in company with former. Recd a request from room below to sing “There is a fountain filled with blood” signed Stafford & Co. I tell them that Mr. Dickey is pretty good on “storming the skies.” His song begins “we’ll storm the skies — we will anchor by and by, by and by.” Had a lonely time with sad thoughts and actions and retired late.
*(Worthy of Record: The Civil War and Reconstruction Diaries of Columbus Lafayette Turner, Ed. Kenrick N. Simpson, courtesy of the State Archives of North Carolina.)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
February 8, 1863
Cloudy with occasional sunshine. The report that the blockade was broke at Charleston is confirmed, so Dr. Love was telling us yesterday. I hope ’tis true. Sam Murray was here yesterday & begged me out of a little coffee for his wife who is sick. I do wish they would let me alone about coffee. I must stop now as I want to eat some apples, walnuts & peach leather. It is now after 12 & soon dinner time. Snow melting very slowly. Mr. Henry staid in the room all the evening as the snow is too deep to travel much.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
February 8, 1862
Mr. Henry came back late in the evening & is to start to Grahamville in the morning with 3000 lbs. bacon to the army. He sold it today in Henderson to be taken to Grahamville. I made George a coat & patterned a pair pants for Pinck. Atheline helped some. Willie is very cross. It rained a good deal last night & this morning also. I was affraid Mr. Henry would not get home.
*(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
February 8, 1668
Up, and to the office, to the getting of my books in order, to carry to the Commissioners of Accounts this morning. This being done, I away first to Westminster Hall, and there met my cozen, Roger Pepys, by his desire, the first time I have seen him since his coming to town, the Parliament meeting yesterday and adjourned to Monday next; and here he tells me that Mr. Jackson, my sister’s servant, is come to town, and hath this day suffered a recovery on his estate, in order to the making her a settlement. The young man is gone out of the Hall, so I could not now see him, but here I walked a good while with my cozen, and among other things do hear that there is a great triall between my Lord Gerard and Carr to-day, who is indicted for his life at the King’s Bench, for running from his colours; but all do say that my Lord Gerard, though he designs the ruining of this man, will not get any thing by it. Thence to the Commissioners of Accounts, and there presented my books, and was made to sit down, and used with much respect, otherwise than the other day, when I come to them as a criminal about the business of the prizes. I sat here with them a great while, while my books were inventoried. And here do hear from them by discourse that they are like to undo the Treasurer’s instruments of the Navy by making it a rule that they shall repay all money paid to wrong parties, which is a thing not to be supported by these poor creatures the Treasurer’s instruments, as it is also hard for seamen to be ruined by their paying money to whom they please. I know not what will be the issue of it. I find these gentlemen to sit all day, and only eat a bit of bread at noon, and a glass of wine; and are resolved to go through their business with great severity and method. Thence I, about two o’clock, to Westminster Hall, by appointment, and there met my cozen Roger again, and Mr. Jackson, who is a plain young man, handsome enough for Pall, one of no education nor discourse, but of few words, and one altogether that, I think, will please me well enough. My cozen had got me to give the odd sixth 100l. presently, which I intended to keep to the birth of the first child: and let it go — I shall be eased of the care, and so, after little talk, we parted, resolving to dine together at my house tomorrow. So there parted, my mind pretty well satisfied with this plain fellow for my sister, though I shall, I see, have no pleasure nor content in him, as if he had been a man of reading and parts, like Cumberland, and to the Swan, and there sent for a bit of meat and eat and drank, and so to White Hall to the Duke of York’s chamber, where I find him and my fellows at their usual meeting, discoursing about securing the Medway this year, which is to shut the door after the horse is stole. However, it is good. Having done here, my Lord Brouncker, and W. Pen, and I, and with us Sir Arnold Breames, to the King’s playhouse, and there saw a piece of “Love in a Maze,” a dull, silly play, I think; and after the play, home with W. Pen and his son Lowther, whom we met there, and then home and sat most of the evening with my wife and Mr. Pelling, talking, my head being full of business of one kind or other, and most such as do not please me, and so to supper and to bed.
*(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.)