January 13
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
January 13, 1997
I had an okay day at school. Sean didn’t seem like he was very happy to see me. Went home with Ashley and found out that Leslie is bulimic. :( That breaks my heart. I want to help her. Went to see her game with Ashley and Renée. That was fun. Came home and got a message that Sean called me so we talked!
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
January 13, 1960
Rained all nite and still at it. Mrs. B. to have her hair done then to Milli’s for dinner at noon with the women. Ironed what was dry, then out to feed cats and Lo fed ponies. Home to get ready for Bank dinner at Marian Hi School. A bad nite. They made it O.K. Went with Doc and Helen.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
January 13, 1941
Lots milder. Very pleasant. Mother up all day. History test not so hard. Goody said she wanted to talk with me some day this week. How can I wait?!? Had funny encounter with man on way to Ruth’s. At night Ruth, Mary, and I went to see “Bittersweet” in technicolor with Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. Sort of a letdown from what I had expected. Fun though. “March of Time” on war. Good. Experienced many different feelings. Love today. George said they should be hung for having so many good pictures so close together.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
January 13, 1887
I got up this morning and got my letter to Kate ready before breakfast, and afterward I went up town and mailed it, the stage was there when I got there too. It was a cold morning. I went over to my house and got a satchel full of things this forenoon and also wrote a lot of copies for use in my writing class at the College this afternoon. Prof. Dolby and Dr. Taylor called during my class. The Prof. asked me to think about what to put in the College catalogue about the business department. I wrote another letter to Kate today and tonight. I would like to be writing to her about all the time when I can’t see her. The wind blows strong from the east tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Columbus T., age 31, North Carolina
January 13, 1874
Packed my valise to start to Raleigh. Pa and I went through mud and rain to Statesville. Paid Dr. Campbell $77. Heard of a negro woman at the poor house who was taken there in a dying condition from starvation. Her husband Bill Nichols had deserted her and her baby, and her forlorn condition was not reported or known in time for her to be saved from hungering and starving. Sad neglect in a land of plenty I may say. It too often happens that the col[ore]d people neglect the feeble and suffering.
Took the train at 3 P.M. Met Dr. Ellis Senator from Catawba and Mr. Haynes Rep. from Haywood. Had pleasant converse. Stopped at Boyden House. Took train for Charlotte about 7 P.M. and arrived there about 10.
*(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 25, North Carolina
January 13, 1862
Jinnie & Atheline cleaned feet & head to make souse & made liver pudding today. Drisley all day. Mr. Henry made out his P. O. returns. I moulded candles & done about generally. Willie not at all well. Teething I think. I have headache slightly tonight.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.