June 11
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
June 11, 1998
Thought I worked from 12-3. But I didn’t, so I went 2 Sean’s. Watched more of “The Doors.” Tim came. We went 2 get bagels. Me and Mom went 2 Chinese place for dinner. She let me spend the night at Née’s. WOW. Courtney, Audrey, Chrissi there, too. Picked up Sean from work. He chilled at Née’s with us. Took him home kinda early. Watched “Scream 2.”
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
June 11, 1997
Up at 8:30! (I couldn’t go back to sleep.) Did yoga. It was hard, but nice. Ate with Rosie. Went on walk. Went to Amanda’s. Ashley was there. Mom yelled at me for that, too. Came home, showered. Cleaned Lucy’s pen. Watched story. Went to softball game and lost. (Pitched, 1st.) Saw Shannon W. Showered. Sean told Ashley they should kill Mike. God, help.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
June 11, 1960
Just all in Saturday A.M. a little sick. Lo stayed down for lunch. Didn’t do much work. Mrs. B. came for coffee. In P.M. had a nap and felt much better for it. In bed reasonably early.
Marcy S., age 19, Tennessee
June 11, 1944
Beautiful but hot day. Up about 9:30. Mum and Pop went to the Episcopal Church (Pop went to Sunday school at the Pres., of course) and Betty and I went to the Presbyterian. Met George and Martin outside. George said he’d told Martin that Betty was beautiful but Martin was disillusioned! Just like George! We went in and sat with Clure. I spoke to everyone I knew and they welcomed me back. Ella came and sat with us. She’s working at the project. George, Martin, and Harvey were ushers. Mrs. Reed sat in front of us. The choir wasn’t at its best and Mr. Reed gave a very abstract sermon about living in Christ or something. Betty and I exchanged looks. After the service Mr. Reed had Mr. Sadler read his (Mr. R.’s) resignation to the congregation. It was to the effect that he had found a larger field where he could reach more people. I thought “Aha! running away” but found out later that the Reeds have had a lot of trouble. He received at least one anonymous letter (which is contemptible!) piling abuse upon him. And some people were against him because he was from the North!! Of all corny things — how do they think we’ll ever have a peaceful world if people in this country feel like that towards each other??!! But Mr. Reed is not a preacher — he’s a teacher and should stick to his calling. The Christian Education met for a few minutes afterwards and Mrs. Reed asked Betty and I to bring sandwiches to the picnic this afternoon. We shook hands with Mr. Reed at the door — they’re going to Buffalo, N.Y.! How I envy them!! Alice left last night to get a job there. Mr. Reed said she was sorry she hadn’t seen me before she left. Walked home with George and his horn! Was it hot!! Had cold dinner. Washed dishes and then Betty and I sat out in the back yard till about 4:15. Then we dressed and about 5 went up to see Mrs. Rodgers. Found her in the Julians’ back yard. Lovely back there as usual. We visited till about 5:30. Went home and got our sandwiches and went over to the Manse’s side yard. By the time everyone arrived there were about 15. Clure and Mrs. Ahler were there and the elder Reeds. George, Martin, Ella, the Stevens girls, the Ahler children, etc. We all sat around a long table and feasted on fried chicken, etc. George seemed quite impressed by Betty. We all kidded and had fun. Once Betty said to me “Have a potato, chip.” And I returned with “Have a sand, witch!” George pulled his hair! He and Martin had to show off. They’re leaving tonight for a conference at Ben Lippen, George’s old school in N. Carolina. After supper we went around to the back yard and watched some of the kids play badminton. Mrs. Ahler was so sweet — I felt so friendly. She said my hair just shone — said I should advertise for shampoo. Halo! George, Betty and I threw grass at each other! Then about 6:45 we started down to the church for the program. The boys disappeared and Alberta, Millie, Ella, Betty and I decided to walk rather than ride with Mr. Reed. It was a beautiful evening. Reached church about 7 and sang some hymns. Martin roped me into playing. Then we went into the back room and had the program. Alberta led. It’s all just as boring and pointless as it ever was! Mr. Reed was there but not Mrs. We didn’t stay for the evening service. George and Martin were ahead of Betty and I but they waited at Tarwater’s corner and George informed me that I was going to play the piano. Betty and I primped up while the boys amused themselves in the living room. Martin is so funny — he seems just like a little boy all the time. Then I played various and sundry things upon request with George on one end of the piano bench and Martin on a stool at the other. It was fun. Then we sang some and around 9 the boys decided they’d better go ’cause they had to get up in time to catch the 3am train. George was going to spend the night at Martin’s. Mum teased them when they left and I told them not to flirt any soldiers! Martin thanked me for playing. Betty and I sat out on the porch with Mum and Dad to cool off. Then Mum went in to write letters. This morn at breakfast Mum and I had a big argument about treatment of the Germans and Japs after the war and she referred me to Pop so Betty and I attacked him and we got off on the post war world again. Hated to go in but we did about 10 and to bed. I don’t dread going to work anymore.
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
June 11, 1941
Cloudy. Got in a good practice after breakfast. Helen and her Daddy left on the 6:00 bus in the rain. About noon I took my halter goods up to Mrs. McCarter to cut them out. She decided to make them for me, too. I didn’t object. Barbey was asleep.
In the afternoon I sat out on the porch and read “Little Men.” The sun and blue sky came out and it was so lovely and fresh. Mrs. McCarter and Barbey went to the paper mill. I took some music to Miss Denton’s and as I was coming back I met them returning, followed by a little stray kitten. It was cute but not wanted. We put it off on kind-hearted George who transferred it to the colored girl Elise to deposit in some dark alley. I read some more. The book is so sweet. Mary phoned to say her Mother was rather unfavorable yesterday, fearing that Mary would get sick up there, but that she was in a better mood today. My faith wavered a bit and the sun wasn’t so bright when I came out again but I must believe!
George was quite put out when I informed him that I would have to play nursemaid tonight instead of read to him. We arranged, however, to get together at 8:00 when Mrs. Jones was to return. I went up to Mrs. McCarter at her summons and the halters were finished. Quick work! It was very cloudy by that time and by the time I was through my bath we were having a glorious rain storm, wind and all the trimmings. I sat in the living room and read “Little Men” till George came at 5:30 for me to sup with him. I persuaded him to wait a few minutes longer and then we ran over through the rain. George slammed the door in my umbrella’s face as his idea of a joke. Mr. Tommy told him it was very rude, but I’m used to such treatment now. Looked at magazines till time to eat. George called into use his worst table manners and you can imagine what an enjoyable meal I had. After supper the boarders and eaters all gathered in the living room to “chew the fat” and I happened to have left my handkie on the davenport. A strange man was sitting on it and I had not the courage to disturb him and retrieve it.
A little after 6:30 I went home to find Mom and Dad in the process of dressing for the Tindall’s buffet supper. About ten till 7:00 I took my book and went over to the Joneses’. The rain had stopped meantime and the sky was bright with peach, orange, pink and all colored clouds, rising out of the brilliant west whence the departed sun lay. You would never have guessed that it was nearly 7:00. Mr. Jones welcomed me and made me comfortable in the living room (rather bare compared to Johnstone-days). Soon Mrs. Jones came down from putting the children to bed and told me she thought they would go to sleep but if they should yell loud and long enough for me to go up and talk to them. I had visions of racking my brain for a fairy story while baby Hugh amused himself by pulling my hair. All went well, however, and I enjoyed “Little Men” very much. It didn’t seem possible that tomorrow was Thursday. Tempus fugit.
Presently, though, an unpleasant obstacle presented itself in the form of my having to relieve myself. I wasn’t acquainted with the interior of the house very well and therefore didn’t know where the light switches would be likely to be. I decided that the only thing to do would be to go outside and, after a lot of wandering around in the dark and clicking on the wrong lights I finally determined to get out that front door if it woke up the whole house. It made a terrible racket but I pulled with all my might and was at last rewarded by nearly being knocked down with the impact. I hastily attended to the business of the moment and got safely back in with as little noise as possible. I heard moving-about upstairs and, fearing they would think it was a burglar tip-toeing around, I walked natural and was soon back in my chair with no harm done.
Eight o’clock arrived and no Mrs. Jones. At 8:30 George came out and began signaling with his flash light. He ventured to yell out and inquire into my delay. I in a stage-whisper explained that they hadn’t yet returned -- I supposed she had gone to the rehearsal. He gave up and I read in peace till about 9:15 when she returned. Mom and Dad had come just a few minutes earlier. Mrs. Jones asked me how much they owed me and I said, “Nothing at all -- I was glad to do it.” So! Home I went and Mom told all about the rehearsal, the groom, and other persons of interest. I can hardly wait for tomorrow night.
Aloys F., age 16, County Cork, Ireland
June 11, 1926
First day fairly dry for a week. If this is summer weather, what will it be in August? Poor Mám was very sick all last night. She always has bad luck. – Read in paper that the Syrian rebels have given an ultimatum to the French that the latter give them ₤5,000,000 for the damage done to Damascus and their country by aviation. They order the French to clear out at once, and declare a republic. That’s the stuff! – The buses are running now to Dillon’s Cross and Blackrock. Got results of English. Came 1st with 221/300. Jack MacSwiney next with 183. It is funny – I really thought I had done a good comp. in the exam, but Scannie says there were few ideas, and it was not up to usual standard. He is quite right. Came home to find poor Mám in bed. She had a temperature of 102 to-day. It must be the flu. She cannot take anything to eat. So went for messages, and put off Miss O’Brien, who was coming to tea. Nannie stayed with Mám, and I went to the Washington to see the film of the Eucharistic Procession. It was quite good, but Páp and I don’t appear at all. The big picture ‘The Breed of the Treshams’ was really touching. I was delighted; it was about Cromwell and Charles I, and gives a glimpse of life in the 30-year war. Sir John Martin-Harvey as the ‘Rat’ was wonderful. Pathe-Gazette showed life in Timghad, North Africa. Came home charmed. Poor Mám still fairly bad. Hope she will have a good night’s rest.
*(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 11, 1888
Kate had a very bad toothache last night and her face has been badly swelled all day, and it pains her all the time. I went over to study grammar with Mr. Butler this forenoon, we are getting along very nicely. He gave me a photograph of Mrs. Butler. I think it looks as she did when alive. Had to help care for Una a good deal this afternoon. Sprayed the grape vines and plum trees this afternoon. Set out some cabbage plants this evening.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
June 11, 1887
Have been helping Kate care for the baby the most of today. Dor went to Frankfort with Fred Neill this forenoon and got back tonight at supper time; they bought some of the things they bought at Frankfort. I did some hoeing in the garden. Went to Mrs. Balches to try and get some tomato plants, but there was no one at home. It is getting most awful dry here again. I was up town this morning and found that my cultivator had come, but I couldn’t get it today. The baby has been having several sick spells during the day. This was our wedding anniversary.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
June 11, 1862
I made some tape trimming today. Spent the evening at Mrs. Fanning’s. Pinck & Zona went with me. Atheline sewing on Peter’s drawers. Mr. Henry came home in the evening. I was glad of it. I know he wanted to go on but I am so selfish, I want him always near me. I would have liked for him to have gone, yet I wanted him at home. Dora & Matt stay in Asheville tonight on their way to Tennessee. Mr. Neilson is taking them over. Mr. Henry saw them. I would have been glad to have seen them. All are well at home.
*(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 11, 1667
Up, and more letters still from Sir W. Coventry about more fire-ships, and so Sir W. Batten and I to the office, where Bruncker come to us, who is just now going to Chatham upon a desire of Commissioner Pett’s, who is in a very fearful stink for fear of the Dutch, and desires help for God and the King and kingdom’s sake. So Bruncker goes down, and Sir J. Minnes also, from Gravesend. This morning Pett writes us word that Sheernesse is lost last night, after two or three hours’ dispute. The enemy hath possessed himself of that place; which is very sad, and puts us into great fears of Chatham. Sir W. Batten and I down by water to Deptford, and there Sir W. Pen and we did consider of several matters relating to the dispatch of the fire-ships, and so [Sir] W. Batten and I home again, and there to dinner, my wife and father having dined, and after dinner, by W. Hewer’s lucky advice, went to Mr. Fenn, and did get him to pay me above 400l. of my wages, and W. Hewer received it for me, and brought it home this night. Thence I meeting Mr. Moore went toward the other end of the town by coach, and spying Mercer in the street, I took leave of Moore and ’light and followed her, and at Paul’s overtook her and walked with her through the dusty street almost to home, and there in Lombard Street met The. Turner in coach, who had been at my house to see us, being to go out of town to-morrow to the Northward, and so I promised to see her tomorrow, and then home, and there to our business, hiring some fire-ships, and receiving every hour almost letters from Sir W. Coventry, calling for more fire-ships; and an order from Council to enable us to take any man’s ships; and Sir W. Coventry, in his letter to us, says he do not doubt but at this time, under an invasion, as he owns it to be, the King may, by law, take any man’s goods. At this business late, and then home; where a great deal of serious talk with my wife about the sad state we are in, and especially from the beating up of drums this night for the trainbands upon pain of death to appear in arms to-morrow morning with bullet and powder, and money to supply themselves with victuals for a fortnight; which, considering the soldiers drawn out to Chatham and elsewhere, looks as if they had a design to ruin the City and give it up to be undone; which, I hear, makes the sober citizens to think very sadly of things. So to bed after supper, ill in my mind. This afternoon Mrs. Williams sent to me to speak with her, which I did, only about news. I had not spoke with her many a day before by reason of Carcasses business.
*(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.)