May 31
Laura M., age 16, North Carolina
May 31, 1998
Went 2 Tarboro at 1:30. Got cramps and cried. Came home at 6:30. Ate. Showered. No Sean. Sad.
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
May 31, 1997
We got up at 8:15 and went to Paradigm. Courtney came to my softball practice and watched. Me and her went to the pool. Becca came later. Her mom (Courtney’s) picked us up. She went home. Showered. Slept. Ate dinner. Went to Caribou. Chilled at home by myself.
Emily M., age 13, North Carolina
May 31, 1990
I saw Jason Warren today!! I can’t believe how much he has changed!! He looks so much older and his voice is deeper! TOTAL AND COMPLETE BABE! I saw him when I went to pick up Trent for confirmation class. He was with some other guy and I should have said something but I was frozen! I was hoping that he would look and see me but he never did! I am determined that before I graduate I will have gone out with him! The chorus performance was good. Gotta go.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
May 31, 1960
Washed, hung out all I had room for, then to have my hair done, a mess. Home to hang out rest. Dried nicely. Met, Hap visited, walked up street. Bertha in the car. Lo didn’t shop until eve. except for meat.
Marcy S., age 19, Missouri
May 31, 1944
Alarm went off about 8. I didn’t want to get up. Beautiful sunshiny morn. Couldn’t realize it was the last day. Up and dressed in white with our caps and gowns. About 9 we went out to line up in Sr. court. Parents were running around with cameras and everything was in a general state of confusion. About 9:30 the procession started for Lela Raney. My partner wasn’t there. Neither were the partners of the girls in front and behind me. It was a long line. Marched into the ballroom and took our places. Then the program started and lasted till 11:30. We were all just about dead. Presentation of awards and scholarships, etc. and farewell speeches by the Jr. and Sr. presidents. Only once did I feel any urge to cry. Joan Craft received the humanities award for art and Clara Watkins had the highest scholastic average of all the Jrs. Got back to the hall and changed clothes. Then Betty and I went out to line up for picnic lunch being served for the whole school and parents and faculty in Sr. Court. Jane and company and Val and company had asked us to eat with them — it’s so funny — Betty and I don’t really have any crowd that we go with all the time — we sort of divide our attentions! We saw Mrs. Watkins and Clara told them we’d be out to see them this afternoon. Finally got our plates which were full to overflowing and went to sit on the auditorium steps with Jacq and her parents (whom I met — Betty had met them before) and Joan. Mr. Berry, Mr. Weaver and some other men were seated behind us and were talking. I went into the conservatory for a few minutes when I’d finished. Miss Haynes was yelling through the megaphone about the fencing contest, etc. Jacq was in it. It was getting cloudy. About 1:30 Betty and I went back to the hall, prepared for an afternoon of work. She went over to see Miss Searcy while I packed the last box. It rained a little. I went over to the conservatory to see Miss GoodSmith but she wasn’t there. So I loaded myself down with boxes and struggled over to the P.O. The string on one box broke and I had to take it back to the hall. [In upper margin: “Mrs. Lamm and Mary came down and Mrs. L. assisted me in tying the last box. Kyle had sent Mary some beautiful ivory jewelry from India.”] Jacq came down and wanted Betty and I to go to town with she and her mother and then go out to dinner with them. We really didn’t see how we could but we decided to go to town since I had to go anyway and then come back in time to do all the tings we had to do. But the boxes were worrying me. Some of Jane’s girl friends had driven down with her Pop this morning and they were all in Mary Jo’s room with her brothers. Through Jane I got Eghert to carry the box with my books over to the P.O. while Jane and the others carried the smaller boxes. [In upper margin: “Eghert thought Betty’s suitcase was to go to the P.O., too, and when he picked it up all the clothes fell out cause it wasn’t fastened.”] I entrusted Jane with my last $3 for postage. Eghert was so funny — I felt perfectly at ease with him. I went over to see Miss GS again but she still wasn’t there. Came back and in a few minutes Eghert (or Podunk as Jane calls him in private!) and company returned. Seems the box with the books weighed too much to go parcel post and would have to go express. Well, it was a great relief to have the boxes off anyway. [In upper margin: “Got letter from family and Evelyn. Didn’t have time to read the latter till I got on the train.”] We met Jacq, Betty Reiser and Mrs. Polk in the parlors about 2 and walked to town. Went to one of the dress shops and Jacq tried on that snappy suit she’d wanted before. Somehow it didn’t fit so well, though and her mother didn’t think she should get it unless she wanted it very badly. It was very hot and had cleared. Then went back up to the dairy and had orangeade. Decided to go to a show. Betty and Betty Reiser went back to the hall to get our glasses, Mrs. Polk stopped at the Uptown to buy our tickets and Jacq and I went to the shoe shop to get my shoes. Then we met Mrs. Polk and went to the 5 & 10 and finally over to the Uptown just as the others were returning. We sat near the back and saw “The North Star” about the invasion of Russia. It was very exciting and maddening, too. Betty Reiser nearly jumped out of her seat in suspense. We missed the first part of it and didn’t stay for it cause it was after 5 then. We went right down to the coffee shop of the Dan’l Boone Hotel and ordered dinner. Jacq’s dad had gone out to the Amos ’n Andy party for the pops at the lake. Betty and I and Mrs. P. had trout while Jacq and Betty had turkey. Very good. Out about 6. Met Mr. Polk. Said ’bye to them and thanked Mrs. P. Then we 4 girls went back to the hall and got ready for the big night. Betty and I packed our overnight bags as much as we could. Joan came down about 7:15. We went over by Sloan and those houses to line up. It was a beautiful evening which meant graduation would be outdoors. Joan and I sat on the steps of a house till the line started to move and then we found our places. My partner was there. She’d gotten her flying license this morn and was thrilled to death. We marched over to Sr. Court and took our seats in front of the stage which had been erected. Parents and guests sat behind the graduates. Then the faculty marched up on the stage in their caps and gowns. I caught a glimpse of Miss GS. We didn’t have any speaker thank goodness — just a few numbers by the Sunrise Choir. Then the voice of the Senior Class spoke over the megaphone — we couldn’t see her but she had a beautiful speaking voice. I can’t describe the feeling I had, sitting there listening and looking up at the blue evening sky above the ivy covered buildings. I wish I had a copy of the words — they were beautiful. I love Stephens now — now that I’m leaving. It’s funny but it just struck me. Then Dean Shofstall and Pres. Wood gave out the diplomas. We each handed the Dean a card with our name and then received our diploma from Pres. Wood who shook hands with and congratulated all 800 of us! Coming back to my seat, I knocked a girl’s cap off and would have forgotten to change my tassel from right to left if a little girl hadn’t reminded me. I wasn’t a bit nervous walking across the stage but did have some bad moments beforehand. Then it was all over and we were marching — or rather scrambling out — to the recessional. People were everywhere. I walked toward the conservatory and met Miss GoodSmith on the walk right in front of it. She told me to get plenty of rest this summer and be sure to write, etc. and then I was just about to run ’cause the tears were coming, but she held my arm and then I broke down and whispered “Oh Miss GoodSmith, I love you.” And she said, “I love you, too, dear, and you remember what I’ve told you and if you want to write and tell me anything I want you to do it.” Or words to that effect. I gave her a wet smile and ran. I don’t know what’s sweet about parting. Back to hall and continued packing. Jane’s mother and dad came in and we met him. Then said ’bye to them and to Mary Jo’s family. When I first came back to the room I felt so weepy but in the rush that followed I didn’t have time to think about it. We turned our caps and gowns in in the parlors. Our diplomas are something — they should be for $5 — leather-bound. It was 11 o’clock before we knew it. Val came by the window en route to say farewell to Pres. Wood and I got her address and said ’bye — she couldn’t get back out if she came in the hall again. Then Betty and I went up to see Jacq and Betty Reiner. Got J.’s address. I took my little graduation book and she wrote in it. Then up to see Connie and Betty Postel. They both wrote in it. Oh, I hated to say bye. Oh, yes, before we’d finished packing Joan came down and we just about wept taking leave of her. She’s swell. [In upper margin: “I wore my rust-brown and white flowered silk dress, white tam and spectators. Betty was in blue and pinned her corsage on her coat.”] To return — we stopped by Mary’s and Kath.’s room — Mrs. Lamm wasn’t there. Kath. was leaving on our train so we parted from Mary. Were just leaving when we found Mary Lou in the laundry room — we hugged her and flew. Kath. came down with us — we grabbed our bags, etc. hugged Mary Jo and Jane, signed out with Mrs. Abbott, got cards from Miss Omer (I rushed out without mine) and headed for the taxi. Met some boys near Hickman who asked what train we were leaving on. Got taxi in front of Hickman. Kath. told us that Mary had gotten mad at her at the last minute and wouldn’t speak. Kath. was disgusted but glad to be rid of temperamental Mary. Mrs. Lamm told Kath. that Mary is adopted. Got to train around midnight and got good seats in the last coach. I just knew I’d forgotten something but couldn’t think what it was. It didn’t seem that we were leaving for good and I couldn’t get worked up. We started at midnight and said ’bye to Columbia.
Aloys F., age 16, County Cork, Ireland
May 31, 1926
We had ordinary class to-day. I am feeling pretty disgusted after yesterday. I intended giving up all Sunday to a good swot at history, but owing to our excursion I could only do about an hour and a half when I came home. In addition, I tore my new suit, a very stupid thing as the cycling didn’t by any means improve it. So to-day I had to make up for lost time, and worked for about 5 hours at history altogether. From 5-7 we had an arithmetic exam in which I didn’t do too badly, getting about 5½ right out of 8. This took a lot from my history for which I have to swot the most, having to do the two books of Mullane’s History of Western Europe, Joyce’s Irish History, and Marioth’s History from 1789-1830. Scannie was laughing at me all along because I am so concerned about the exams, but I hate doing badly in any exam and feel rotten if I do. Poor Pa is sick at present. I had to go to his house to-day to see if he had the maths papers set, but he hadn’t. He lives in a small house with a cross old aunt, poor old gentleman.
*(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
May 31, 1888
It rained hard last night, and I presume it washed the poison off the trees that I sprayed yesterday. Oliver Kimberly, a man of our acquaintance for years who was living now at Ira Backus’s, hung himself in the barn this morning, and was dead when found. I did my best to get up a good specimen for the Art Journal this forenoon and am going to send them right off. I am afraid that I don’t understand how the specimen should be for photo engraving. Pa, Willie, and I have been writing to ma tonight. Kate went to prayer meeting. It is cool tonight.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Henry S., age 25, Michigan
May 31, 1887
I sowed some more carrots and planted some corn this morning, then I hitched up Jimmie and plowed and dragged a small strip of ground for more garden. I took the drag back to Mr. Case’s and went round by the quiet mill and watered Jimmie. Went over to Neill’s and got my tomato plants and set them out. It has showered several times this afternoon driving me in from work, but is grand for plants just set out. I put out the sweet potato plants this evening. I dug around the pear and plum trees this afternoon. Called Louis Johnson in and gave him a pocket full of nuts. Practiced writing a little while it is raining. Went to the spring and got a pail of water tonight. Am staying at home this evening.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
May 31, 1871
Mrs. N moved to town. She gave me her cat. Cats are very scarce here. J. R. an acquaintance of brothers is stoping here. Not very convenient to have him. He has selected a claim next to mine. I am kept busy, sewing for Philip, caring for the garden and cooking. The baking is tedious, can only bake one loaf at a time in the dutch oven. I kneed a loaf out, when that is light, I put it in the oven, and kneed out another and when the first is baked, the second goes in oven, and the third is kneed out. All the time I must keep the oven hot enough to bake and brown the bread, which is quite a task and takes three hours or more. But Philip likes it, and so I enjoy baking. It takes me all fore noon to bake a batch of cookies. Can only bake five at a time.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
May 31, 1863
Cloudy & sunshine this evening. Looks very much like rain if the wind don’t blow too much. Atheline is not well today, has headache. Rose is rocking the baby in the cradle now. Strawberries are beginning to ripen a little. Old Goodlake & Margaret were over here this morning. They brought Matt’s shoes, one pair. She will get the other pair soon. Margaret looks badly. She breaks very fast, has two living children & one dead. Old Goodlake would start before dinner. Margaret wanted to stay till evening. There was a wounded soldier stopped here for whiskey. I think him an imposter. Mr. Henry gave him some brandy. He says he was in the Fredericksburg fight, the last one they had. I will stop now as my baby is fretting. He laughed out yesterday, the first time. Harrie came up to take a nap. I am in his room writing. He is lying on his bed.
*(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
May 31, 1862
Very busy all day cleaning up the yards. Zona & I went to the Academy to preaching. The circuit rider Smith preached. It was very warm going & coming. Mr. Henry went to Asheville today. Got me one bunch of tape for tape trimming. I emptied a kit of lard that was leaking after dinner. Cleaned the smoke house behind the kitchen & I was very tired. The negroes all went off to the wedding. I cleaned up the dishes. Had supper before dark. Mr. Henry went up to Cole’s to see about sending for salt. It was near 10 o’clock when he got back. I sit up till he came. Zona too, for she took a long nap this evening.
*(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 35, London
May 31, 1668
Up very betimes, and so continued all the morning with W. Hewer, upon examining and stating my accounts, in order to the fitting myself to go abroad beyond sea, which the ill condition of my eyes, and my neglect for a year or two, hath kept me behindhand in, and so as to render it very difficult now, and troublesome to my mind to do it; but I this day made a satisfactory entrance therein. Dined at home, and in the afternoon by water to White Hall, calling by the way at Michell’s, where I have not been many a day till just the other day, and now I met her mother there and knew her husband to be out of town. And here je did baiser elle, but had not opportunity para hazer some with her as I would have offered if je had had it. And thence had another meeting with the Duke of York, at White Hall, on yesterday’s work, and made a good advance: and so, being called by my wife, we to the Park, Mary Batelier, and a Dutch gentleman, a friend of hers, being with us. Thence to “The World’s End,” a drinking-house by the Park; and there merry, and so home late.
And thus ends all that I doubt I shall ever be able to do with my own eyes in the keeping of my journal, I being not able to do it any longer, having done now so long as to undo my eyes almost every time that I take a pen in my hand; and, therefore, whatever comes of it, I must forbear: and, therefore, resolve, from this time forward, to have it kept by my people in long-hand, and must therefore be contented to set down no more than is fit for them and all the world to know; or, if there be any thing, which cannot be much, now my amours to Deb. are past, and my eyes hindering me in almost all other pleasures, I must endeavour to keep a margin in my book open, to add, here and there, a note in short-hand with my own hand.
And so I betake myself to that course, which is almost as much as to see myself go into my grave: for which, and all the discomforts that will accompany my being blind, the good God prepare me!
*(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.)