January 20
Laura M., age 14, North Carolina
January 20, 1997
TODAY WAS AWESOME! Me and Renée and Ashley got up at 10:00 ish. Ate breakfast and called Justin. Sean was over at Justin’s. :) Renée left. Sean/Justin called — then they came over! Me and Sean made out!! :) It was nice. Came home. Talked on phone. Ate. Sean CALLED. Talked. Watched T.V.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
January 20, 1941
Nice, bright, cold. Mary and I gave our dime for the Beta Club picture but we didn’t go -- despite Goody’s objections and persuasions. Instead we typed the last period. Honest, I thought I’d go crazy -- my fingers weren’t in the mood to type and by the time the bell rang my temper was in a fine state and my eyes hurt. So, I walked to the Presbyterian Church with Mary and we talked. It was somewhat warmer. Oh, Diary! I wish I could understand Mary -- sometimes she is so sweet and sincere and lovable and other times -- just the opposite! I’m so weary of trying to find out why things are and why life is such a mix-up -- if only things would straighten out!
At night Mom, Dad, and I went to Princess and saw Bette Davis (Leslie Crosbie), Herbert Marshall (Robert Crosbie), James Stephenson (Howard Joyce, the attorney), and Gale Sondergaard (Mrs. Hammond) in “The Letter.” There are no words to describe it or its effect on me. It brought up the same old useless questions again and yet I loved it -- I’ll never forget the full moon behind the swaying palm trees; the man who believed and who said, “When you love a person you can forgive anything.” I felt so funny inside. I’m glad Leslie died (killed) and yet I can’t imagine how Robert lived afterwards. I loved Howard Joyce. Bad dreams at night as result. Am I going crazy?
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
January 20, 1887
When we got up this morning we found the weather mild and the thermometer going up fast. It has thawed a good deal today and the snow has gone down considerable. Fred went to the lumber camp this morning, and left the care of his colts to me, but I came afraid his father is going to bother me about the feed etc. I went up town right away after dinner as I heard the mail came last night. I got a good, long letter from my darling Kate, and I feel better for it. I helped the Dr. get a table over to my classroom so the scholars are better accommodated now. I got a Bill of the books ordered of W. & R. Have been writing to Kate tonight, and must write to Will Cooper.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
January 20, 1862
I now begin a large book for a journal. Shall I live to write it through God only knows. I hope I may be spared to raise my dear little family. I made or rather began Uncle Sam a coat. My head pained me a good deal in the evening so I did not finish it. Willie is very bad in his bowels. Teething I think. Hanes can’t do anything with him. I must have Jinnie or Atheline to nurse him.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)