July 16
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
July 16, 1997
Up at 8:30. Em took me to writing camp. A young lady novelist was the teacher. It was okay — but lunch sucked. Me and Mom went shopping a lot but couldn’t find shit. Came home and watched story and Sandra picked me up. Went to Dad’s. Went to Olive Garden. Showered. Talked to Courtney some. Played Spoons with Lillie, etc.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
July 16, 1960
Made pie and fried chicken for eve. Made salad. Cooks ate with us. Later Helen, Lo and I went to Lake Geneva to see K.J. Really funny the folks didn’t go away that nite. “Too tired.” We went into town K.J. with us. Helen took us for a black cow etc. K.J. told all about her talk to Mrs. M. Gave her the works I guess. She was expecting folks Sunday to pick her up.
Marcy S., age 20, Tennessee
July 16, 1944
Beautiful hot day. Up for Sunday school at 9:45. The orchestra played the opening hymns and a special selection. George looked at me so seriously a couple of times. George has great possibilities — he ought to be a leader. Kimmie came and we went in Miss Millie’s class. They took half the class time discussing “business” — which is why Mum stopped coming many moons ago. But when we did get started the lesson proved to be very interesting. I wonder what can be done about the 17 million or so children in this country who have never been to Sunday school. If the church meant more to the people who do attend its services, then I shouldn’t think it would be so difficult to influence others to go. Bobby Farnbarn’s wife was there — very pretty. Dark hair and eyes — a Southern beauty. Kimmie and I stood around awhile outside and talked to Ella. About 11 we went down to the Episcopal. Young Fred Killifer lighted and extinguished the candles. Mr. Eachus read the sermon and was very hard to listen to. Out about 12. Kim. and I parted at the corner. Good dinner. Listened to Wings Over Jordan program. What voices! The Negroes seem to be the only people who are joyous about their religion. I think the majority of us are too afraid of our emotions — I know I am. Then I rushed around getting dressed while Mum made sandwiches for the picnic. At the last minute I mushed radly over to Clure’s to learn that George had won and had departed hence but Clure had made the cake and was putting on the finishing touches. After more rushing back and forth I finally got off and Pop offered to drive me. We got as far as Bowman’s where the car stopped and refused to go an inch further. Pop went back and got our car and we transferred the stuff. The box that Clure put the cake in was addressed to A.H. Pace, so now I know how his name is spelled. But I don’t know whether I should call him Mr. Pace or Ashley. Pop left me at the church. The Regans were there with their car, also Ella. Kimmie came and we went downstairs in the church while Ella tried on my suit. It fit her just about like it fits me but she decided it would do. Then the Stevens came. Kim. and piled in the front seat with Mr. S. He’s so droll. Nancy Speed, Nancy Stevens, Jane Mangrove and Norma Burns were in the back seat. Millie and the others went in Reagans’ car. Martin is sick and couldn’t go so there were no boys — except Mr. S. and Mr. R. :) We stopped at Speeds’ for a tub and at the ice plant for some ice — Nancy thinks of more things. We began to wonder if we would ever get to our destination! It was so hot driving — the wind was like a blast from a furnace. We got to Bowmans and turned off down by the lake. Parked under some trees with other cars. The Regans arrived a minute later. Gee! I wish I could go in! Just my luck! Kimmie and I walked back down the hot road and scrambled down the rocks to the edge of the water. All the kids except Nancy Speed went in. There were quite a few others there, too. Merlene Hickman and her crowd. Kim. and I nearly went up in smoke and so we retreated to the shade and comparative cool of the Regans’ car where we visited with Mrs. R. About 4 some of the kids came out and Nancy Speed joined Kim. and I in the car. Kim. went to sleep! Then she woke up and we kidded with Nancy. She told us she thought we were both pretty. She didn’t think I looked 20! Finally got Bobby Jo and the others out. Bobby’s visiting friend, Betty, almost drowned — Mr. R. was just getting ready to jump in when a boy saved her. It scared us. Ella had had a close shave, too. Betty had cut her foot and it wouldn’t stop bleeding. Kim. and I stayed in their car and we all drove on toward Rockwood and turned off down a country road. Nancy Speed spread herself all over K. and I and we had fun cutting up. Stopped once at a spring and got some water. Hot and dusty road. Then we drove a bit farther to a farm house and all unloaded. Hiked up a couple of steep hills to a large, wonderfully cool cave with a lovely stream running out of it. We explored before eating. The stream was too wide to jump across but Kim. spied what she took to be rocks in about the middle so I went gaily across. Well, the rocks turned out to be floating moss and I sank down to my ankles before I knew what was happening. With a yell I bounded out — Kimmie likened me later to a horse so I guess I didn’t exactly bound! Everyone thought it was a great joke! My sandals were soaked and the white polish came off and floated in a cloudy mist down the stream! Then we roasted wieners at the mouth of the cave and the smoke from the fire ascended and brought little dangling spiders down. Ella had brought a coke for me 'cause I forgot to get one yesterday. We all had fun. After eating we explored with torches as far back in the cave as we could. I had meantime taken off my wet shoes. The earth was cold and damp and the stream water icy! Had yummy watermelon for dessert! A huge amazingly-clean hog wandered up from below and we threw him the rinds. Packed up and left about 6:30. Kim. and I drove back with Mr. Stevens. Home about 7:15. Letter from Mary Lou Connors. I rushed around and got cleaned up. Walked down to Kimmie’s. The sun was a ball of fire in the west. I love the summer even if it is unbearably (almost) hot. Pan, K. and I walked down to Methodist church. Just in time for the choir’s special selection. A lady came in with a man and she looked more like a man than he did. She wore a strictly tailored black suit with skirt and black bow tie, black manish hat, severe hair-do and glasses. No make-up and she sat like a board. Pan and I were overcome with curiosity. Church was out in no time (8:10). Very short sermon. Little Kenny Brewster ran up and took my hand. He’s precious! Outside we talked to Roby. Kenny ran up behind and hit me once — in trying to retreat backwards he sat down! Ohh! I want oodles of little boys!! Lovely evening. Pan, Kim and I walked down to the diner. Ashley was there with some boys who had been at church. They didn’t have anything to drink except tea and coffee so we left, after the waitress had cleaned off the table! Ashley looked so very handsome. I felt funny. As we left and were waiting to cross the street a car passed and a boy looked right at me, a few feet away, and said “Hi.” I really cut him! We walked down to Christian Church but didn’t see the Greers’ car. Through town and up to Youngs’. Mr. and Mrs. weren’t there. Kim. and I got large glasses of pineapple juice and sat out on the porch and talked while Pan read inside. Lovely cool breeze. We talked about the future and out “marital" plans. Kimmie wants to travel and never settle down — she has no desire for a husband. Then Kim. walked up to Marshes’ with me. A beautiful starlit night. I love life — and especially at night. I always feel better at night than in the morn — Kim. says she does, too. I sat out in the yard for a few minutes and felt gloriously free in spirit!!
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
July 16, 1887
I finished stacking hay for Fred today. It has been another awful hot day. We got the stack and got home just before a heavy wind and rain storm set it. I feel pretty well tired out.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
July 16, 1871
A cool windy night, and a good sleep. Some of the boys are down from W. They stop at the North house, which we call Bachelors Hall. They called this a. m. Brought me some mail. They were full of fun. They are working hard to pay for their claims. Wichita is 18 months old, and claims 1800 inhabitants. It is a fast place in more ways than one.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
July 16, 1862
Got to sewing about 9 o’clock. Made George’s & Uncle Sam’s pants. Spent the evening at Mrs. Fanning’s. E. P. Knight leaves tomorrow with the others. We had a shower before dinner today & a little rain after dinner. Pinck & Zona went with me to Mrs. Fanning’s. Atheline & Hanes finished Harrie’s coffee. 14 lbs. can & all. Mr. Henry settled with Jim Parker yesterday evening. Rained a shower yesterday.
*(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
July 16, 1667
Up, and to the office, where Yeabsly and Lanyon come to town and to speak with me about a matter wherein they are accused of cheating the King before the Lords’ Commissioners of Tangier, and I doubt it true, but I have no hand in it, but will serve them what I can. All the morning at the office, and at noon dined at home, and then to the office again, where we met to finish the draft of the Victualler’s contract, and so I by water with my Lord Brouncker to Arundell House, to the Royall Society, and there saw an experiment of a dog’s being tied through the back, about the spinal artery, and thereby made void of all motion; and the artery being loosened again, the dog recovers. Thence to Cooper’s, and saw his advance on my wife’s picture, which will be indeed very fine. So with her to the ’Change, to buy some things, and here I first bought of the sempstress next my bookseller’s, where the pretty young girl is, that will be a great beauty. So home, and to supper with my wife in the garden, it being these two days excessively hot, and so 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.)