January 17
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
January 17, 1997
Today at school kind of SUCKED ’cause I felt like I didn’t see anyone. But I came home from school and cleaned like nothin’ else! Renée came over and we had spaghetti. Went to Leslie’s little party. Sean tried to kiss me! But I didn’t for Leslie. Came home and me and Renée watched “Empire Records.” Good.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
January 17, 1960
Picked Carrie up, took her blanket and one from here for refugee relief. We rode around a little after taking her home. I called Amy they had been in to see Ole. Bob came to Hosp., too.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
January 17, 1941
Cool, cloudy, windy, glorious. Didn’t finish book. Got Mary Louie to tell me the end. After all that work and rush and bother, Mrs. B. didn’t even give us the test. Curses! Mary got so tickled. Made 98 on regular test. Stayed after school and typed. Mary was to call if she couldn’t come to supper. Mom and Dad left. 6:00 and no Mary. I was just getting up in the air when at 6:20 she came. Excuse: they had a meeting after work. I was very unkind and am ashamed of myself now. Mary told me how so many people had said they like her, because she was so kinda personal. I felt so funny -- like crying. Didn’t want to go to Mary’s. William came at 7:30. Drove over. Ernest Clowers there. We typed. Fun. Car out of gas. Had to walk home. Funny and fun. Mary, William, and Ernest walked with me. Lovely night. So glad I went.
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
January 17, 1887
When we got up this morning we found the wind was blowing hard from the west and piling the snow up in terrible shape. It has blown all day and the roads are bad. I wrote the copies I am to use tomorrow this morning before breakfast. Went over to the Court House this forenoon and talked with the Clerk about doing some writing for him, in Abstract books he is getting up. I agreed to do the work and he said he would send for the books. I finished a letter to Kate and wrote to A. S. Barnes & Co. for information about writing books, then I went up town and mailed them, and called at Dr. Taylor and Mr. O.B. Waters while waiting for the mail to come in. I had a hard walk back.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
January 17, 1862
Willie threw up a good deal last night. I had to get up & change my & his clothes. Harrie coughed a little last night. He has a bad cough & I fear ’tis consumption that ails him though he thinks not. Mail brought no news. I had a letter from Dora & Matt Wednesday night. Mr. Henry took it out at Asheville. All are well down there. The negroes finished stuffing sassauge this evening. Mr. Henry gone to old Case’s to try to get him off that land.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)