February 9
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
February 9, 1998
GOOD DAY. Heard Pat talking to Albert about how much he still likes me. Why? Courtney picked me up at Barnes & Noble w/ Sarah & Melissa. John Baker was supposed 2 come, but he didn’t. :( But he called me & left a message! :) He’s so cute. Courtney told me that Stewart likes me. He’s cool as hell. Made a new friend? Home at 8:30. Cleaned. Homework.
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
February 9, 1997
Dad picked me up at 10:30. Went to Irregardless with Dad, Sandra, Becca, Em, Cap. Good. Came home and slept. Went on walk. Came HOME. Watched “A Time to Kill.” Had dinner.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
February 9, 1960
Had a quick bath. Took care of clothes that had dried. Talked with Mrs. B. She’d had a full morning and was going with Flora to see the aunt. Lo and I up to see Ole. Had a nice chat and home to do some more washing. At 4:00 it began to snow. Lo gave cats and ponies an extra big feed and lucky as it was storming badly and kept it up most of the nite.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
February 9, 1944
Bright, cold and windy. Practiced at 10. Slept during siesta. Studied shorthand and history. Mary came down about 4. We tried to think of a name for Betty’s farm. Mary contributed “Waverling” and I “September Lane.” Sort of interrupted course of study. Letter from Mum and corny one from Alice. She’s a drip. We went to town about 5. Went to Peck’s. I had 2 bowls of veg. soup and Mary and Betty feasted too. We acted up. Got so full! Jane, Mary Jo, Kath. and Mary sat with us at dinner. Didn’t eat much. Found out Alfred Noyes was lecturing at University tonight. Went up to recital hall at 7:15 - Betty came too. Miss Good Smith let me play first and leave. Betty notices great improvements in my playing. Hated to leave but did. We walked over to Jesse Hall - cold! Mary Jo and Jane saved us a seat. Some cute soldiers there!! Dr. Noyes’s subject was “Poetry and Realism” and he really cracked down on modern art and poetry. Got lost from other kids afterwards. Nearly froze going home. Back about 10. Mary Jo and Jane came soon and came in and talked. Then we went in there and had some cookies and chocolate!! In real good mood - to bed about 11. Too sleepy to think.
Marcy S., age 19, Tennessee
February 9, 1941
Cold, cloudy, clear, cloudy, etc. Dreamed about Mary’s departure last night for first time. Up and dressed. Mary and William came at 9:30. Drove to Christian Church. Mrs. Bunch teacher. Very good. Then church. Good sermon by Dr. Bell. Lots of people said they were glad to see me there. At last the moment arrived, and I met him. Help! My knees were so weak. Didn’t say a thing I intended to. He certainly likes Mary -- and vice-versa. We drove a lady out to South Harriman and then drove around town a bit. Then took Pie back to church -- he’s even funnier looking than in his picture. Whew! That’s over. Mom had headache. Nice dinner. Talked about Oliphant. Helen and I went walking in afternoon. Then to Ruth’s, and finally Christian Education. Wrote letters at night. Mary said she was going to show Pie the poem.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
February 9, 1888
The thermometer indicated 2 degrees below this morning. We knew it was growing awful cold during last night as we could hear trees cracking with the front. Mr. and Mrs. Waters came over this forenoon to see how the baby was. Una has very hard coughing spells today but feels pretty good between them. I called at Mr. Waters after school to see Willie who is sick. Went up town tonight and got some homeopathic medicine off Mrs. Packard for Una. It has grown fearful cold and is about 20 degrees below 0 now. I hope there will be a change before morning.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
February 9, 1887
It has been a beautiful day, not cold and the sun has shone all the time. I wrote copies this morning and I commenced to learn my part of the tragedy. I shaved and then went over to our place about noon and as the crust on the snow would hold me I went around and examined the peach trees. I think they are all right so far. Taught as usual this afternoon and things went off all right. The mail had not come in when I came back and so I have no word from home tonight. I have just written a letter to Kate which I will take up early in the morning and see if the mail has come. Have been studying my part some more. I smell pop corn, must investigate.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Columbus T., age 31, North Carolina
February 9, 1874
First sight was the cheerful face of Mr Dickey looking through the door to know “how is Bro. Turner this morning.” We have got up quite a fashion at this house of entitling each other Bro. especially upon the upper floor. Resolution in regard to night sessions adopted amended so as to require a meeting every night, as Senate resolution to adjourn sine die on the 16th Inst. had just been concurred in. By invitation I took tea at Mrs. Fentress’ with Capt Haynes of Haywood and Bryson of Jackson. Heard music on piano & guitar by Miss Blanche. Met Mr Gudger a lawyer from Haywood attending Supreme Court. Effie Fentress seems to be a sprightly little girl. Went to the meeting of House 8 P.M. Many bills passed and more layed on table. Horton and I walked to Yarboro and saw different friends.
*(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 9, 1863
I finished Mr. Henry’s coat today after working faithfully all day. It suits him finely. It looks very well. Mrs. Jamison & Betsey came today just after we had eat dinner. They eat here. They say it is very bad walking. Snow melting some faster. Mrs. Jamison stays here tonight. I do not feel so well tonight. Mrs. Jamison reeled some this evening for us on Mrs. Fanning’s reel (a count reel).
*(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 9, 1862
I feel sad & lonely this morning for Mr. Henry has gone & will be away some three or four weeks. I shall miss him so much. He is always so kind to me & the little ones. It is quite cold this morning, the wind from the North. They loaded the waggon this morning with 3,000 lbs. bacon & a barrel of krout. They had some trouble in getting up the hill the other side of the mill, along the old road. The oxen had to pull up for them. It is cloudy & dull today. I am going to send Charlie to Starnes’ after Sue Sutton to stay with me while Mr. Henry is gone. I wish him a successful trip & a safe return home. I can never wish him anything too good for him, for he is a dear good husband. Old Smith the tanner & Peter Guy eat dinner here. I have written a letter to Dora & Matt & Pa in one. It is now after four. I will take Willie awhile as I have nothing more to write.
*(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 9, 1668
(Lord’s day). Up, and at my chamber all the morning and the office doing business, and also reading a little of “L’escholle des filles,” which is a mighty lewd book, but yet not amiss for a sober man once to read over to inform himself in the villainy of the world. At noon home to dinner, where by appointment Mr. Pelling come and with him three friends, Wallington, that sings the good base, and one Rogers, and a gentleman, a young man, his name Tempest, who sings very well indeed, and understands anything in the world at first sight. After dinner we into our dining-room, and there to singing all the afternoon. (By the way, I must remember that Pegg Pen was brought to bed yesterday of a girl; and, among other things, if I have not already set it down, that hardly ever was remembered such a season for the smallpox as these last two months have been, people being seen all up and down the streets, newly come out after the smallpox.) But though they sang fine things, yet I must confess that I did take no pleasure in it, or very little, because I understood not the words, and with the rests that the words are set, there is no sense nor understanding in them though they be English, which makes me weary of singing in that manner, it being but a worse sort of instrumental musick. We sang until almost night, and drank mighty good store of wine, and then they parted, and I to my chamber, where I did read through “L’escholle des filles,” a lewd book, but what do no wrong once to read for information sake … And after I had done it I burned it, that it might not be among my books to my shame, and so at night 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.)