August 3
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
August 3, 1997
Up at 9:00. We went to arts and crafts store. Stopped at rest stop for lunch. Home by 5:00. Chilled. Talked to Courtney. Paged Chris. He called back and wanted to come over, but Mom said no. Damnit! Talked to Karen. Told her about Chris. It was great to talk to her. I love her.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
August 3, 1960
Wednesday A.M. in the tub when Scorel called. Uncle Walker had died real early 12:40 A.M. Had hair appointment 10:45. Became very dark and began to blow and rain glad to be home to close windows etc. Didn’t last too long. Later cleared off and became very warm. In late P.M. drove to Elgin. Didn’t expect to go to funeral home but did. Katherine and Maggie at Zella’s.
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
August 3, 1944
Cloudy and rainy but hot. Pretty busy. Finished depositions by noon. Hope they’re okay. Off a little before 5. Went up to Hamilton’s new shop, just opened today — by Webbo. It’s so clean and bright looking and there’s a lovely green view from the back windows. Mary Gusta waited on me. In a few minutes Mum appeared and we looked at dresses, etc. Ended up buying a dress slip (Mum), jumper, silk blouse, and slip (me). Visited with Mrs. Hamilton. Left about 5:30. Mum stopped at a grocery store but I went on ’cause my shoes hurt. Was accosted as I passed Kim’s. We made plans for the show tonight and she invited me to spend Saturday night with her and have Sunday dinner!! Just as I was leaving I espied Mum up by Presbyterian church. I gave with a yell and she looked right at me and didn’t even see me. A car stopped and she got in, with me running and yelling all the time — and generally making a spectacle of myself! Well!! I was very happy trudging home, though. Mum beat me there, of course, and I reproached her for her conduct! :) Bath and good supper. Wore my new red and flowered jumper and set out about 7:30. Looked like rain. Mum was going to a Legion Aux. meeting at Mrs. Waterhouse’s. Which reminds me, Jim was selected for Officers’ Training and is up in New Jersey. He preferred to go overseas but was chosen. Quite an honor. Pan and Betsy went on ahead of Kimmie and I. The theatre was crowded so they had to open the balcony. Good shorts. Saw “Four Jills in a Jeep.” I don’t like Kay Francis — Kimmie shares the sentiment but Mitzi Mayfair was darling and Martha Raye as crazy as usual. Pretty good. Kay and “Chooceg” came in and sat next to us. Also saw Alice Jones and exchanged words. Out about 10. Went up to Youngs’ and then we walked Betsy home. She and Pan are the greatest cut-ups. Pan and Kimmie walked all the way with me and Pan was sweet. I stumped my toe once and she said “Kiss your thumb and see your beau — Ashley.” Heh, heh. Pop away. Cleared and moon had free sailing tonight.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
August 3, 1887
It has been dry, hot and smokey all day. The thermometer showed 91o above in the shade about 1 o’clock. Didn’t do a great deal this forenoon, but gather some roots for Kate. I started to hoe out some fodder corn, when Fred Neill called me, and wanted me to set up oats, so I worked there the rest of the afternoon. Some clouds again in the west tonight. It seems to be starting in for a hot, restless night.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
August 3, 1862
A very pleasant morning. Preaching at the Academy but we are not gone. Pinck went with Tena & children. Willie’s bowels are a good deal better this morning. We have roasting years for dinner, our second mess. I had some last Wednesday. Jinnie’s Sunday to cook. Old tan Smith is here, he comes too often. I must go now and see after dinner a little. Mr. Henry went up Hominy yesterday, bought some molasses. They are very nice. We have apple dumplings for dinner & lasses dip. Mr. Henry took a nap after dinner & we took a long walk. Went over to old Parker’s (at the Tom Jones’ place). Staid but a short time. I was very tired when I got home & had the headache very bad.
*(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
August 3, 1668
Up, and by water to White Hall and St. James’s, where I did much business, and about noon meeting Dr. Gibbons, carried him to the Sun taverne, in King Street, and there made him, and some friends of his, drink; among others, Captain Silas Taylor, and here did get Gibbons to promise me some things for my flageolets. So to the Old Exchange, and then home to dinner, and so, Mercer dining with us, I took my wife and her and Deb. out to Unthanke’s, while I to White Hall to the Commissioners of the Treasury, and so back to them and took them out to Islington, where we met with W. Joyce and his wife and boy, and there eat and drank, and a great deal of his idle talk, and so we round by Hackney home, and so to sing a little in the garden, and then 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.)