June 15
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
June 15, 1998
We all went out 2 the middle of the lake (pontoon) the whole day. Skinny dipped, wave runner, swam, truth/dare. FUN. Got so burnt, though. Ate dinner. “Got gas.” Watched “Reality Bites.” Bed by 1:00. Miss Sean, Mom, and home. So glad Courtney came.
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
June 15, 1997
Up at 8:30. Went to Tarboro. Very boring. Home by 3:00. Watched T.V., went on walk, talked to Karen. Gave Dad Father’s Day present (home-made stationary). Came home. Talked with Mom/Kathy. “Simpsons.” “King of the Hill.”
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
June 15, 1960
Did a little ironing. Went to Mrs. B’s. Cleaned all around up stairs in P.M. Lo had a ’phone call from K.J. wanted her to come for her in the late eve. as Thurs. is to be her day off. Left from cabin. Was she ever glad we came. She so happy to come home with us. A little late getting to bed, Lo had bath.
Marcy S., age 19, Tennessee
June 15, 1944
Half of June gone. Two weeks ago last night we graduated. It seems ages! To work at 8:30. Nothing eventful that I remember. But whenever I do anything unsatisfactory either in the office or out I say “Next time I’ll do it right” instead of thinking “I’ll never do anything right!” It’s a new approach altogether! Most people who come in the office are very friendly and I don’t feel inferior at all. I read the Robe some more and began to think. In the evening I sat out on the porch with Mum and wrote some more letters — Earl for one. Another lovely sunset sky. But it was hot inside. [In upper margins: “Took book to library and visited with Mrs. Goodwin. This afternoon I saw Mother Marsh sweeping her porch and I went over to say Hello. We talked awhile — she had just gotten back from Ohio.”]
Marcy S., age 16, Tennessee
June 15, 1941
Middle of the month -- how fast time goes! Nice day. To Sunday school and played for beginners. Quite a large class today. Mrs. Spencer taught our class. One hundred percent except for one. Small Sunday school attendance, though. I wore my linen dress and hat. Rufus had on pretty new slippers -- birthday gift.
Between Sunday school and church Ruth, Pan, Ella, and I went down to the former’s house. Back in time for church. Daddy in choir. He sang. Mr. Jones preached a very good sermon. Mrs. Jones was there and the two boys. She was taken into the church and then stood at the door after service and shook hands and was introduced to everyone. Mr. Jones called me “Patty.”
After church Ella and I talked a few minutes. She said that Earl had asked her to try to get me to join the Fellowship Club. I hope this Miles Standish business doesn’t go too far. When we parted, Ella told me to be sure and wear the same dress this afternoon ’cause I looked nice in it. Ahem! Mom and Dad were home when I got there. After dining I lounged around and finally got the dishes done. Went up to ask Mr. McCarter to supper but he wasn’t there. About 2:30 I went down to Ruth’s and studied Christian Education part. Her parents were away.
I was sure Mary had gone to her grandmother’s but I thought I’d better go over anyway, just in case, ’cause I had promised. As I approached I heard voices on the porch. Oh-oh, thought I, company! Turned out to be William and his 12-year-old (about) cousin Sonny from Cincinnati. He was so friendly right from the start. We talked a few minutes and then William got the car and Mary, Sonny, William and I went riding out towards Oliver Springs. Mary begged and begged to drive and finally poor Willie gave in and she drove and drove. I was a bit nervous at first but soon got over it. William offered to let me drive but I wisely declined (luckily for all concerned).
At about twenty till 4:00 we turned around and started back the eighteen miles ’cause Christian Education started at 4:00. William drove then and Sonny sat in the back seat with me. He teased and pestered me all the way and I did the same. It was fun, though. He is cute! and just like a boy! Heavens! Very long with him and even the best animal-tamer would be a wreck.
We drove up to the church at about 4:15 and they were all standing outside waiting for Earl and me. I made a face at Ella and Ruth just as Mr. Jones poked his head out the door -- I quickly changed my expression. I told Sonny I didn’t believe in telling -- er, untruths and therefore couldn’t say I was glad to have met him. He returned the compliment fittingly. I got Pan to go down to her house with me and I called our house three times but the line was busy. If Mr. McCarter wasn’t able to come I could ask Ruth in honor of her birthday tomorrow.
Just as we got back Earl arrived so we went in and started: Clay, Ella, Ruth, Earl, Pan, Mr. Jones, and I. Ella led; the program was patriotic and we were supposed to have memorized our topics. It was much more interesting. When it was over Ella and Clay worked on Earl in private and he came out to say he was going to prove himself not a coward and take me home. Common sense, come to my rescue! I excused myself by saying I had to go down to Ruth’s and telephone. So we four walked down that way, laughing at nothing at all. It was so silly. I phoned Mom and she said Mr. McCarter was coming and for me to hurry home. I left on the run and called to Ella and Clay that they should be hung. Mr. Jones had already gone.
Just after Christian Education Mr. Jones asked me if I were going to church tonight and I said I hadn’t decided (I was thinking of going to the Union Christian Education at Mary’s church) and then he asked if I could take care of the children tonight while he and Mrs. Jones went to church if I weren’t going. I had a terrible time deciding what to do when I got home; Mother advised one thing and Daddy the other. Finally in desperation I “drew straws” and staying with the children won. I went over and told them the glad news. The whole family was out in the back yard visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Theo Sanders. Hughie’s eyes are so blue.
Mr. McCarter came at 6:00 and we were all prepared for him. We had our usual Sunday night dish of milk toast and Mr. McCarter ate everything, talked to his heart’s content, and apparently enjoyed it very much. Immediately afterwards I washed the dishes and at 7:15 went over to the Joneses’, leaving Mr. McCarter and my parents listening to Walter Winchell. The children were just being put to bed and such a racket. For a few minutes after Mr. and Mrs. Jones left there were various sounds upstairs -- sleepy singing and whispers but soon all was quiet. I read “Little Women” all evening and loved it.
About 9:00 they returned and I told them what had happened. Once the telephone rang from some dark, hidden corner of the study and I, not being acquainted with the lighting system, allowed it to ring about three times before I finally got the hall light on and was led to the instrument by its ringing. ’Twas only Mrs. McClure. Home and to bed. Fun today.
Aloys F., age 16, County Cork, Ireland
June 15, 1926
Last evening I went in Fr. Pat’s car out to Wilton. It was a beautiful drive. – To-day the first Intermediate Exam., Greek, was on. I pitied the poor Middle Grade fellows, because the desks in the corridors, the awe-inspiring placard on the door, and the stillness around the ref. where the exams. are being held, reminded me of the shivers and shudders I had last year. We had very little class to-day, and I had time to read a lot of Macauley. It is most interesting, and he wisely remarks amongst other things that if historians of the present day gave even a small account of how the bedchambers of our ancestors looked, it would be more appreciable than all their accounts of political intrigues and coalitions. We had a good game of handball in the alley to-day. Scannie played with us. Got home at 2, and after dinner went up to Markie. Wore my white long trousers for the first time! I had great sets, and actually beat Markie and his sister, Mary, who belongs to a club, by first 5 games to 1, and then 6 to 3. Began Beethoven’s ‘Fifteen Variations’ today. I hope I will do well at it.
*(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 15, 1888
I studied bookkeeping about all the forenoon, nearly finishing the Manufacturing set. I went to Ann Arbor this afternoon to finish paying for my pictures. I got Nellie’s photos. It has been the hottest day we have had this year, it was a very warm ride to Ann Arbor. I put out some more cabbage plants tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
June 15, 1887
Dor took Jimmie and started for Robins, down in the edge of Manistee County. I planted fodder corn among the peach trees. I rested at 11 o’clock and picked strawberries for dinner, finished planting after dinner. Kate took the baby and went over to see Jessie Neill awhile this afternoon. I picked some strawberries and took down to Mr. Hubbell’s and traded them for 18 nice tomato plants. I set out some of them but the gnats and mosquitoes drove me into the house, and I was not free from them there.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
June 15, 1863
Eugenia & Matt, Pinck & Rose went to the View after strawberries today. Got back for dinner. We had cream & strawberries for dinner & some for supper. I have done nothing today. Mrs. Rutherford working with the lye to make soap. Mr. Henry started this morning. I was sorry to see him go.
*(Fear in North Carolina: The Civil War Journals and Letters of the Henry Family, Eds. Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell, used with permission.)
Cornelia H., age 25, North Carolina
June 15, 1862
Late breakfast this morning. Had fish, stewed chicken & etc. I eat a good deal of fish, they were small. Mr. Henry has taken the children off somewhere. I was not in when he left or I should have gone also. It is a beautiful morning, not too warm. E. P. Night made his cow trade so Mr. Henry has taken her back. I have nothing more to write. I am writing in the hall room. My chickens & ducks are growing finely. I have about one hundred young chickens & fourteen young ducks & about thirty young turkeys. Mr. Henry sold two hundred lbs. of lard to Winslow Smith in Asheville at 30 cts. per lb. last Wednesday. That is getting along considerably in price I think. Matilda Morris spent the evening here. She is very good company. It was late when she left so Mr. Henry & I did not go to walk.
*(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 15, 1667
All the morning at the office. No newes more than last night; only Purser Tyler comes and tells me that he being at all the passages in this business at Chatham, he says there have been horrible miscarriages, such as we shall shortly hear of: that the want of boats hath undone us; and it is commonly said, and Sir J. Minnes under his hand tells us, that they were employed by the men of the Yard to carry away their goods; and I hear that Commissioner Pett will be found the first man that began to remove; he is much spoken against, and Bruncker is complained of and reproached for discharging the men of the great ships heretofore. At noon Mr. Hater dined with me; and tells me he believes that it will hardly be the want of money alone that will excuse to the Parliament the neglect of not setting out a fleete, it having never been done in our greatest straits, but however unlikely it appeared, yet when it was gone about, the State or King did compass it; and there is something in it. In like manner all the afternoon busy, vexed to see how slowly things go on for want of money. At night comes, unexpectedly so soon, Mr. Gibson, who left my wife well, and all got down well with them, but not with himself, which I was afeard of, and cannot blame him, but must myself be wiser against another time. He had one of his bags broke, through his breeches, and some pieces dropped out, not many, he thinks, but two, for he ’light, and took them up, and went back and could find no more. But I am not able to tell how many, which troubles me, but the joy of having the greatest part safe there makes me bear with it, so as not to afflict myself for it. This afternoon poor Betty Michell, whom I love, sent to tell my wife her child was dying, which I am troubled for, poor girle! At night home and to my flageolet. Played with pleasure, but with a heavy heart, only it pleased me to think how it may please God I may live to spend my time in the country with plainness and pleasure, though but with little glory. So to supper and 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.)