June 8
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
June 8, 1998
Took Née 2 work. All other girls went 2 Melinda’s. She had some awesome clothes. Got Sean a pouch for a bowl and an awesome 420 bead. Renée was lonely, so she spent the night. We watched “Pretty in Pink.”
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
June 8, 1997
Up at 10:00. We had breakfast. Showered. Kathy, Steven, Bryan came at 12:00. Finished “Jerry McGuire.” GOOD. Had big lunch. Watched “That Thing You Do.” Took a nap. Ate dinner. “King of the Hill.” Talked to Karen some, and Renee some.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
June 8, 1960
Washed sheets and spread off N.W. bedroom. Cooked chicken and made rice pudding for nite. Did a little outside work. Didn’t do much at cabin only meal and dishes etc.
Marcy S., age 19, Tennessee
June 8, 1944
Another gorgeous day. Slept late. Unpacked trunk and boxes in morn. Then I wrote Jim and we all lounged around ’cause it was so hot. I tried on the old-fashioned lace dress Mrs. Winslow gave me and it fitted almost perfectly. About 3:30 I took a bath and dressed. Betty went to sleep on the davenport. She woke up when I sat down in the chair and went in the bedroom to dress. Mum was asleep in her room. I went in my room and began speaking to Betty in whispers. She got so mad — she said that when anyone whispered it got on her nerves something awful — she was really lit up. I told her she ought to be ashamed — it was so childish. She said I’d make much less noise if I spoke in a low voice. So I obliged and left. About 4 we set out for town. Betty said that I was the only one who would take such as that from her. I kidded her about it — but I’m not sure that was such a compliment. However, it’s silly to get all up in the air just because someone else does. It’s too much trouble. We went around to different stores and looked at clothes. Met Margaret and Mary Lou at the Acme and we all had limeades. Then we walked to the corner and talked awhile. Parted and Betty and I went up to the Dress Shop. Clure said they had very few new dresses in. We walked on up the hill and started to stop to see Mrs. Winslow. But I spied Johnny in the porch swing and Betty and I fled. Which was silly — but he’s so corny. Home in time for supper. Mary called to see if we could come at 8:30 instead of 8 since they’d gotten home late. About 8 we all drove down town and Mum got the cough medicine Mrs. Mildred had recommended and gave poor Betty a dose right in the car. We drove over to the skating rink by the city hall and parked. Pop talked to a boy. Then they let us out at the Hiwassee Apts. and we sneaked up on Mary. We sat in the living room and talked. It looks so pretty. Soon Horace came and we kidded with him. He went to town later but said he’d see us later. Mary showed Betty and I a puzzler about cokes and cars and we had an awful time trying to solve the mystery. Finally Mary showed us. It was about 9:20 then and Betty and I had orders to be home by 10. Mary wanted to take us for a drink so we got in and drove out toward the project. We told jokes and kidded. I felt the way I felt with Mary at Christmas and I didn’t like it. She said once that Kimmie got sweeter all the time. We tried to find a place to turn around but had to drive a good distance before we did. On the way back Mary swerved from side to side and gave us some rather reckless thrills. I felt so very remote from her — but not quite as immature as I used to. She informed me that Cecil had moved to Oak Ridge. I suspected as much. It was after 10 by the time we got back to the apt. I called Mum and got reluctant permission to stay for ice cream. Horace wasn’t back yet. We 3 sat in the living room and had ice cream and cookies. Then Mary drove us home and we said 'night. I felt frustrated at first and then suddenly the master of the situation for the first time. It didn’t hurt any more that Mary and I were different or that she has so much that I haven’t. I suppose I really am beginning to give myself credit for having some good points. But oh how I dread tomorrow! Mary said she was scared, too, the first day she went to work.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
June 8, 1941
I think keeping my diary faithfully for a week merits some kind of celebration. What shall it be?
Nice and sunny first thing in morning. I went to Sunday School and played for the little ones. Geneva was late or else I was early. No Ruth or Pan there. Mrs. Regan took our class. Sat with Ella in church. Another fine sermon by Mr. Jones. Miss Wolfe ordered a song in which she pronounced that word “swong.” Excuse me for laughing. Mr. Jones is coming to Christian Education this afternoon. I’m so glad!
Mom and Dad had gone to Episcopal Church when I got home. I sat out on the porch and read the funnies. It began to cloud up. Regardless of the day, the two older Jones boys had to slide down the red clay bank. When Helen came from church I informed her that she was to lead this afternoon. You may guess whether she thanked me or not. Just as Mom and Dad came it started to rain. I said good-bye to my lovely curls but, strange to say, they didn’t disappear altogether. A glorious blowy rain with dark clouds that made the trees all the greener.
All during dinner the “battle of the elements” raged (mildly speaking) and by the time I had finished the dishes the sun and blue sky reigned supreme. I fetched Helen and we went for a walk. We decided upon Mossop and after a long hot walk we finally got there. We went up the left road to the pool (artificial) and there under the cool wet trees we rested and amused ourselves. I just couldn’t get cool, though. First we “sailed” a long graceful piece of wood. Helen pushed it with a stick at her end and it glided beautifully to my end where I gave it a shove with what used to be a broom. We made it dive down and then it would come up “head first” with a splash. Thrice my foot slipped off the concrete rim and paid an extremely short visit to the neighboring mud holes. We got so tickled. Once I threw my stick in the water at Helen’s end with some force and she got a mild splashing. Only once, though, ’cause she threatened to throw hers at me. We floated a box and at length espied a dilapidated chair nearby. We immediately launched it and, after pushing it back and forth a few minutes, Helen fished it out and was just in the act of setting it right side up at the water’s edge when the chair dove back in, almost taking Helen with it. The second attempt was successful and we left it where we had found it. About 3:00 we departed and left the fogs to croak in peace.
We stopped at Mary’s a few minutes and talked. Helen allowed us approximately three minutes alone together and Mary said that Mr. Byrd would gladly let her off to go to Canada and he’d keep the job open for her. Mary was planning to take a driving lesson so Helen and I speedily took our departure. We arrived at the church before anyone else and I played the piano. Soon Ella, Clay, and Earl came. It was 4:20 before Mr. Jones, who had been out calling, put in an appearance but we waited for him. Helen led. Mr. Jones had his car so he drove us home afterwards. Helen said she was glad because Ella and Clay had been after poor Earl to take me home -- poor helpless little me!
Helen’s parents weren’t at home so she came down with me. George wandered over and presently, Barbey returned with her mother and came, too. When the sisters left George and I sat in his front yard. Then we went down to Bowman’s corner, although George had strict orders from headquarters not to venture near there again today (he had spent the afternoon with them). Little Madge got permission to go up to George’s and I helped them cut out material for a balloon barrage. Soon Mr. Tommy drove up and came over to watch us. Meantime George had asked me to eat supper with him, and all my objections were overruled. Milton was rendering numerous coronet solos, accompanied by Evelyn. Mr. T. remarked that Milton’s playing was better than his singing. About 6:00 George and I went in and ate supper with Mr. Tommy. Somehow he reminds me of Joe Conry -- no offense intended. I left my gum on my dinner plate by mistake and it went the way of all garbage.
After supping I went out en route home. George and Tommy were sitting in the front yard and Tommy called out, “Don’t be in a hurry.” I replied that I was just going to take my glasses home. Mom and Dad were eating supper and reminded unnecessarily that there were only places set for two. (I usually eat another supper when I come from George’s but this time I was full.) When I went back out Mrs. Burgess, Marie, Helen, Mrs. M., and Barbey were sitting on the McCarter’s porch and Barbey called out for me to come up. So up I went.
We girls sat in the swing and talked. Fuzzy was up on the topmost limb of a nearby, rather frail tree, fast asleep. We feared she would fall out in her sleep. Disaster would be inevitable because the tree was pretty high. Getting tired of sitting, the four of us ran out in the yard to catch fire flies, but an evergreen tree at the corner of the manse soon attracted us and, as in old Loft days, we picked the hard little balls and threw them at each other. Barbey participated by getting in our way and heading for the bank at the wrong time.
At about 7:00 we took Barbara up to her mother and Marie, Helen, and I went walking to town. Beautiful night. Marie is too fond of spicy gossip but she’s nicer than a lot of girls. She told us all about Mississippi. Coming back, she related an odd story, fairy, to be exact, that was in an eleventh grade reader. It was about dragons and the power of faith. It will do the next time George begs me for a story.
When we returned we sat on the top step and gazed at the full moon floating through the heavens. George, Mr. Tommy, and some borders were talking in Clure’s yard and George, at the command of Tommy no doubt, kept calling to Evelyn, requesting her to play certain numbers. So we had a moonlight concert. Marie and Helen confessed their hunger and while they went to satisfy it, I kept vigil with the moon. Soon Mrs. Burgess and Marie left but Helen and I stayed on the steps and talked. It was so lovely.
George and Mr. Tommy went up to call on Evelyn when the concert at last ceased. At 9:00 (about) Daddy called me and I reluctantly went in and washed the dishes -- how unromantic! Mom had already retired. The June night was almost as bright as the day, due to the moon.
Aloys F., age 16, County Cork, Ireland
June 8, 1926
Got a terrible fright last evening when I remembered that I forgot to turn off the petrol in the motor-bike yesterday, but it must have been alright, because Fr. Duggan didn’t say anything to-day. The petrol-lever must have been closed. – Yesterday I saw in paper that an Englishman named Parr lies buried in Westminster Abbey who lived to 155 years! He boxed at 120, and married a 3rd time at 135. The king visited him, and after sent him a ‘luxurious’ meal, but after it Parr was found dead. – Worked well in school to-day. Found in the music-room a huge atlas, in which I read some interesting accounts of the Empire of Annan. Scannie asked me whether I was looking forward to hols. on Saturday, as non-exam. fellows are then going home, but I told him I’d prefer to stay with my class until the matric exam. – In reading Mozart again to-day I came across the Sonata I played in public at one of Mám’s pupils’ recitals long ago.– Shivers!61 – Zaghlul Pasha got an overwhelming majority at the elections recently for the Nationalist Party, but he’s a ‘cute bucko’. A fellow friendly to the English is being make premier, but he is a tool of Zaghlul’s who will direct all the moves from behind his cage of retirement. The English actually were going to send warships from Malta, but didn’t then.
*(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 26, Michigan
June 8, 1888
I went to the woods this morning and sawed some wood, but the mosquitoes finally got so thick that I was driven out. I sprayed the most of the cherry trees, and a couple of wild plums. I worked among the young grape vines and berry bushes this afternoon. Watered the plants at the graveyard this evening. Things are becoming very dry. It was cool this morning, but turned hot this afternoon. Cousin Henry Twamley took dinner with us today.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
June 8, 1887
I spent the afternoon in doing various things, mostly working in the garden. Went up town about 10 o’clock to look for word from Kate, but got none. I was dumbfounded and feared something bad had surely happened, so I came home and worked hard until mail time, when I went up and got a letter from Kate saying she had been having the erysipelas, but was better. I shall look for her each day. I hitched Jimmie to the plow again this afternoon and began to plow up in the peach orchard. It is pretty tough work, but I much get it done right away, think I can finish it tomorrow. Been very warm, threatened rain tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
June 8, 1871
P brought letters, papers—and a pack of seeds from the ranch. They talk of making it a post office. I wish they would. Then we would get the mail regularly. Now who ever goes to W takes letters along and brings back mail for the settlers. The sun is setting, and the sky is gorgeous. Yesterday I went down to Lanes— acrost the draw—or branch, which was so high I had to wade. Always a trouble to put on shoes and stockings again. Today I baked and finished reading Leena Rivers. Am now reading Martin Chizzlewit.
One of the boys gave me a bunch of buffalo sinews. They use them for thread, and to fasten arrow heads to arrows. P showed me some bushes—called arrow wood, that the Indians make their arrows from.
Mr. Rose gave me some seed of “pie mellon.” He said P should “ask permission of the neighbors to plant ig as it grew so fast it would soon be over all creation.”
Three weeks since we moved, and in that time there has been but one woman here. No church, no nothing – plenty of time to “comune with nature, and nature’s God.”
Soon after I came, while I was with Mrs. North – a minister came from W to go on a buffalo hunt. He preached Sunday, we went to hear him at Springers. Monday he went hunting with the boys. I saw a deer leaping thru the grass —over toward the garden.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
June 8, 1863
I made Mr. Henry a pair cotton jeans pants & fixed up the mail. Nothing new came tonight from Vicksburg. Willie still wheezes. Mr. Henry & Harrie went to Asheville this morning. Harrie has not come back tonight. He will come tomorrow.
*(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
June 8, 1862
Mr. Henry & I went to preaching at Sardis. House full. Rather cool today. We had a lunch along but eat dinner after we came home. We took a long walk this evening, went up to see the little kids. We have seven. We also called at Bets McKinnish’s as she is not well. Had supper soon after we got back. Jinnie cooked today. John took the children, P. & Z., to ride. They got some flowers at Mr. Reynolds. They were delighted with their ride.
*(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 34, London
June 8, 1667
Up, and to the office, where all the news this morning is, that the Dutch are come with a fleete of eighty sail to Harwich, and that guns were heard plain by Sir W. Rider’s people at Bednallgreene, all yesterday even. So to the office, we all sat all the morning, and then home to dinner, where our dinner a ham of French bacon, boiled with pigeons, an excellent dish. Here dined with us only W. Hewer and his mother. After dinner to the office again, where busy till night, and then home and to read a little and then to bed. The news is confirmed that the Dutch are off of Harwich, but had done nothing last night. The King hath sent down my Lord of Oxford to raise the countries there; and all the Westerne barges are taken up to make a bridge over the River, about the Hope, for horse to cross the River, if there be occasion.
*(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.)