January 23
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
January 23, 1997
Good day! Sean was awesome and I went home with Ashley. About half an hour after I left, Sean went to her house to see me! Aaahh… Watched story. Went to Los Tres with Eddie. Watched T.V. Talked to Karen and Courtney 3-way. It was nice. Came home. Sean thinks I’m special.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
January 23, 1960
Baked pie and cooked leg of lamb. Lo took K.J., Harry and I out to cabin, a pretty day enjoyed being there. Harry and K.J. liked it too. Cooks came with G.B. and Lo and all went home in his car as he had snow tires.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
January 23, 1941
Cloudy, rainy, cleared, then mild rain. English exam at 8:00-10:00. Not hard but long. then through for week. Mary and I stood outside and talked till after 11:00. Took Barbara belated birthday gift. She’s so cute. Lunch then back to school at 12:15 and typed till 2:00. Tired. Lovely and mild. Walked to Mary’s. Read magazine review of “The Letter” and others while Mary typed. Left about 4:00. To Ruth’s. Met Helen and Ella. To post office. Back to Ruth’s for class meeting. Given for Marie P. because she’s leaving. Miss D. not there. Games, fortune, refreshments. Fun. At night Mom, Dad, Mrs. McClure and I saw “Northwest Mounted Police” in technicolor. Dusty Rivers, April Logan, Jim, Louvette, Cavour, Ronnie Logan. Very good. Raining when came out. Saw Bunny. Fun today.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
January 23, 1887
It snowed all last night and the most of today. I did not go anywhere today. Played on the organ and tried to sing some. Did a considerable reading, and wrote a letter to Kate. I took care of Fred’s colts. I have to go down in a root cellar under the barn to get them their carrots. I feel tonight as though I had eaten too much for the little exercise, which I have taken. I am going to take a scrub tonight so I must stop writing and be about it and then go to bed.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
January 23, 1862
I made Uncle Sam a pleat-bosom shirt today. Jinnie helped a little. Willie no better. A beautiful day. The hands are making a new road down near the house. Mr. Henry at the mill all day. It saws faster with him to stay there.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)