June 3
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
June 3, 1997
Today was awesome, even though we had Exams. 30 minute break in between. (P.E./English) Eng. was fun. I let Chris borrow my pocket angel and he wrote “I love you” on the back. Took a picture with him, flirted with him, and missed my chance to kiss him. Went home with Renee at 12:00. Watched “Woodstock.” Taught her how to dance “hippie-style.” Came home. T.V., dinner. Talked to Shannon M! We kinda made up and had a good talk. Karen.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
June 3, 1960
Very hot. Cleaning living room. Edna called. Wanted me to go to funeral home for Mr. Sears and then to Dundee. Hurried of course, then Mrs. B. called, went for short cake. She going to F.W. this A.M. Then to Myrtie’s. Lo and I moved wood box. She generated, so late getting home. Drove to cemetery to water box as very dry from wind. Then she went to office to do things, late of course.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
June 3, 1944
Up about 8:30. About 10 we drove down to Worthington Williams and Betty and I got out. Met Jane Atwood, 13 year old granddaughter of Bertha’s sister from Oklahoma. W. got the lunch and we said ’bye to Bertha. Mr. W. was to drive Mr. Warriner’s state car up to the Pickett and leave it there and then we were all coming back in our car. The 4 of us got in — Betty and I in the back seat — and drove over to S. Harriman where we met Mum and Dad and followed them. It was a beautiful morning — the foliage is so abundant and green. Began to cloud up. Went through Rockwood, Crossaille and Jamestown. Betty went to sleep. I almost did. It was so much fun driving along. The road between Jamestown and Pickett was awfully dusty and Worthington kept right on Pop’s tail. It started to sprinkle. We passed the place were the CCC camp used to be. The barracks were all gone and it looked so deserted. We had some good times there. Drove out to lake and parked. Pop went up a path and found a shelter so we followed with the picnic. The shelter was right amongst the trees and had benches around the sides. Just as we made it, the rains came — and how! We moved the lunch a couple of times but the rain followed us so finally we set the umbrella up to shelter it. What a feast. I was full in no time. Jane dropped a potato chip in her lemonade and that started it — sort of broke the ice and she, Betty and I had a gay time the rest of the day. I set a glass out in the rain to get some water and it took about a half hour to get half full — then it had a little bit of nature in it and tasted terrible so I threw it out. We all had a grand time! We’d planned to go swimming afterwards but the rain just wouldn’t stop — and the lightning and thunder were very near. But that didn’t daunt us. Pop had the brilliant idea of having sides and each one tossing a penny to see how near it could come to a quarter — placed in the center of a circle. Well, Mother and I were behind at first but we won in the end! It was loads of fun. Jane is just as crazy as we are! Then we tried tossing a quarter into a tin can which wasn’t easy. By that time the rain had stopped and the sun was trying to come out. We went back to the car — Mum, Jane, Betty and I stopped at a rest room and I lost my lipstick down the drain — but retrieved it! Drove around to the lodge on the lake and Betty and I put on our suits while Mum and Jane played table tennis. Then while Betty and I went in for a swim (me in my glamorous tank suit!), the others went for a boat ride down to the natural bridge. The water was nice, if a bit dirty. Betty and I swam out to the diving board and back till we were tired. A life guard — a boy — sat on the beach and watched us. When the others came back in the boat Mother wanted us to see the natural bridge so Betty and I went over to the dock and hopped in, nearly upsetting the boat. Pop rowed and Jane went, too. We got all turned around once and nearly fell out of the boat laughing. Pop was having a terrible time! Saw the natural bridge and yellow water lilies. It was so peaceful there with the mossy rocks on both sides — one could just picture Indians prowling around. We saw some laurel in bloom. Jane, Betty and I splashed each other. Dressed when we got back. Betty and I had a time with our wet hair. Then we left Mr. Warriner’s car with a Mr. Geer and all got in our car. We 3 girls sat in the back and just about beat each other up. Jane is tall and quite mature for her age. We drove out to the tower — it seemed an awfully long way. The road was bumpy but we in the back seat didn’t mind. Finally reached tower. Pop, Jane, Betty and I climbed it. Back to car and had remains of lunch for supper. Betty and her carrots! Then we got all settled and started home about 7:30. The rain had settled the dust and everything looked so clean and fresh. Betty got out her song book and the back seat gave the front seat a concert (?). Ever so often Jane would give Betty and I a resounding slap on the knee and then we’d have a free for all. Jane is very affectionate and lots of fun — but quite a strain! :) We were driving along towards Crossville and the sun was just setting in Oliphant glory and we were singing some old songs and I suddenly felt so wonderfully alive — as never before! Betty and I favored the others with some Stephens songs and by then it was getting too dark to see so we put the book away and tried to settle down. We practiced our whistle — oh yes — on the road from Pickett we whistled at a man we were approaching and when we passed him we discovered he had a shot gun! His eyes just about popped out! In Crossville we parked on the main street and Pop and Worthington went to see if they could find some ice cream. There were quite a few soldiers around and we had more fun whistling at them! Some didn’t turn around an inch but others waved and smiled!! Mother nearly died! No ice cream to be had so we drove on and finally quieted down with Betty asleep on Jane and Jane draped around me! Then the front seat started whooping it up so we gave them some competition — practiced snoring. But peace reigned presently and we slept most of the way home. It seemed such a short drive. Home about 10. Left W. and Jane at Pres. Church and drove home. To bed late. Had fun today!
Aloys F., age 16, County Cork, Ireland
June 3, 1926
Went to eight Mass and Communion, this being the feast of Corpus Christi. There is no procession to-day, but a large demonstration on Sunday next, all the men, military, police, bands and guards taking part. Though to-day is a holiday of obligation, we had English from 11-2. Was in best form yet for it. Selected as comp. ‘Prejudices’ a very wise one; and I was pleased with myself the way I did it. It was funny, I was writing away in grand style when I discovered that I myself was most biased in what I was saying, and so had to put in: ‘But one can also be prejudiced in writing about prejudice.’ I wonder what Scannie will think of it. The rest of the paper was not very difficult, containing questions as to contemporary abuses referred to by Addison, examples of Addison’s quiet humour, and a few questions on Macbeth, with grammar. Saw the photographs taken of us. They are splendid. Went up to Markie again for more tennis, and had a fine lively time in exercise. It is a great thing to be out in the sun enjoying the beauty of the day without swotting for exams. looming behind. They are over now, thanks be to goodness. – I didn’t do any piano all this while. I must begin again in earnest now.
*(Original Archive Copyright © Estate of Aloys Fleischmann. The Fleischmann Diaries Online Archive by Róisín O’Brien is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Used with permission.)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
June 3, 1887
I did not get up very early this morning, for my sleep was not the best some way last night. I finished cleaning out the woodshed this forenoon, and then I rode Jimmie up town to see if there was any word from Kate, but there was not. I moved our lounge chairs and library over from Neill’s this afternoon; we took them there 2 years ago next fall. I went up and got the mail tonight, but heard no word from home. I ordered a Buckboard of Mr. Spence. I want a light rig for Jimmie. Spent a good share of the evening at Neill’s. I shall look for work from Kate again tomorrow.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
June 3, 1862
Had toothache all day. Did nothing till late in the evening. Began a bonnet for Zona, some that was left of Willie’s dress Sister Jane gave him. Willie will have one like it. Rain all day. Mr. Henry staid with me all day.
*(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
June 3, 1668
Up, and to the office, where busy till 9 o’clock, and then to White Hall, to the Council-chamber, where I did present the Duke of York with an account of the charge of the present fleete, to his satisfaction; and this being done, did ask his leave for my going out of town five or six days, which he did give me, saying, that my diligence in the King’s business was such, that I ought not to be denied when my own business called me any whither. Thence with Sir D. Gawden to Westminster, where I did take a turn or two, and met Roger Pepys, who is mighty earnest for me to stay from going into the country till he goes, and to bring my people thither for some time: but I cannot, but will find another time this summer for it. Thence with him home, and there to the office till noon, and then with Lord Brouncker, Sir J. Minnes, and Sir G. Carteret, upon whose accounts they have been this day to the Three Tuns to dinner, and thence back again home, and after doing a little business I by coach to the King’s house, and there saw good, part of “The Scornfull Lady,” and that done, would have takn out Knepp, but she was engaged, and so to my Lord Crew’s to visit him; from whom I learn nothing but that there hath been some controversy at the Council-table, about my Lord Sandwich’s signing, where some would not have had him, in the treaty with Portugall; but all, I think, is over in it. Thence by coach to Westminster to the Hall, and thence to the Park, where much good company, and many fine ladies; and in so handsome a hackney I was, that I believe Sir W. Coventry and others, who looked on me, did take me to be in one of my own, which I was a little troubled for. So to the lodge, and drank a cup of new milk, and so home, and there to Mrs. Turner’s, and sat and talked with her, and then home to bed, having laid my business with W. Hewer to go out of town Friday next, with hopes of a great deal of pleasure.
*(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.)