September 24
Laura M., age 15, North Carolina
September 24, 1997
Didn’t see Chris once. Liked it and Didn’t like it. Kid in my French class asked me if I “had any marijuana.” Ha! Leslie told me she’s not doing so well. Damn anorexia. Went home with Ashley and stayed till 4:30. Came home and packed. Did homework. Dad picked me up. Drove to his house. Ate. Did homework right up until bed-time. School keeps me busy.
Anna L., age 75, Illinois
September 24, 1960
Turned windy and very warm thru the day. Mrs. B. came for coffee. I had baked pie and fried chicken later. Prepared vegetables, salad etc. for eve. meal. Cooks to eat with us, also Jim. Stopped at Carrie’s on way out. Began to rain when Lo came home. Had talked with Noah. Much different and reduced rent but no key.
Marcy S., age 14, Tennessee
September 24, 1938
I got up about 8:00 and at 9:00 Daddy drove me to my music lesson on his way to the office. I had a good lesson and when I came back I cleaned part of the house and around 10:30 Mother drove out to the Coleman’s while I washed the dishes. I was nearly through when Helen came down. I swept the rugs and then we looked at the issue of the Hi-Lite until Mother came home, when we went outside. George was there and he gave us each an apple. We sat on his curb and looked at funnies. When we had finished we played in our (my) car which was parked in front of G.’s house so that it would be in the shade. The car was an airplane and we played war. Finally (about 12:00) A.B. and his mother came down but just then Mother called me so H. and G. went, too. Daddy wasn’t home for dinner. Mother and I talked about war while we ate. [In left margin: “P.S. Before dinner I went over to Allan’s (who is sick) and took him some ice cream. Trinket (his dog) was very cute.”] At 1:00 we got Helen and George and drove up to Mother Lane’s and picked her up and drove to Wartburg to the Fair. G., H., and I talked and waved at every car that passed. Mother and Mrs. Lane sat in the front while G., H., and I sat in the back. We parked the car in a road next to the school and all of us went to the fair. We met Daddy and then G., H., and I went off by ourselves. We saw a man’s exhibit, who spoke at school last year. We saw about everything there was to see and then G., H, and I went up town (what little there is, for Wartburg is only a “hole” in the road). H bought some candy. I gave mine to H. and G. because I couldn’t eat it. We met some drunk boys. When we came back we walked around and then while G. and H. were sliding on the sliding board those drunk boys came along with some cheap girls and called out to me “Get out of our d____ way, we’re coming!” I said to myself “As I see only too well” and stepped out of their way as far as I could without colliding with the sliding board. One of the drunken boys put out his arm and said “Hi, there girl.” I just ducked but if he had touched me I’m afraid he would be residing in the hospital now. G., H., and I went over to a filling station and H. bought us some peanuts. We then found Mother and got her to unlock the car. We sat in it and ate our lunch M. put up for us. We then had to get some water. We teased H. about Clay and then (while M. had gone back to see Daddy) we made furniture out of paper. Soon tired of that and about 4:30 (after a few more trips to the fair) we picked up a Miss Petit, who is going to drive back with us. Mrs. Lane is coming tonight with Daddy. She (Miss P.) certainly is a talker, but nice. George was in a “moody” mood coming back and he wouldn’t talk very much. H. and I teased him. We left Miss P. off on Trenton Street and then drove home. M. went to put the car away and when I had finished unloading I went over to meet her. We parted at the alley, however and I went up to Helen’s to get my ring and give her hers. (We had exchanged and forgotten to give them back.) Mr. McCarter gave me a piece of apple pie for supper. I ate supper. Mother went up to Mrs. Rodger’s and George came over to stay with me. We painted (he, an airplane and I a birthday card for Helen). We listened to the radio. When Mother came G. went home and I studied my Sunday-School lesson and then to bed. Daddy came. Warm today and quite dusty and windy. I’m getting hay fever, I think. G. had a very good time today.
Henry S., age 26, Michigan
September 24, 1887
Rested very well last night and have felt some better today. I went up town this forenoon and got the mail. The stove I ordered is at the store I think we will like it. Will Cast came over today noon and brought his books for me to find a trial balance, which he had not succeeded in doing. I got them all straight this afternoon and took them back to him. I wish I could have lots of such work to do. I think I would like to be an expert accountant. It has turned warmer, froze hard last night.
*(R. Henry Scadin Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville)
Abbie B., age 22, Kansas
September 24, 1871
A Mr. Newcomer was here yesterday. He wanted me to stay with his daughter, while they went on a hunt. I cannot do that. I am not going to leave brother now, neither of us strong. Started new hop yeast and baked bread. Made plum jam. Had a chill ct. This morning I felt hungry, had no supper last night. This is Sunday, am comed and dressed will write letters and rest today.
*(kansasmemory.org, Kansas State Historical Society, copy and reuse restrictions apply)
Cornelia H., age 26, North Carolina
September 24, 1862
I have been carding bats today to put in my cactus quilt. Atheline helped some. I got it in & quilted a little on it. The thrashers got done here today late this evening. Willie is getting some better. Dyptheria is raging through the country at a fearful rate now. I pray God my little ones may escape.
*(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
September 24, 1668
Up, and to the office, where all the morning upon considerations on the Victualler’s contract, and then home to dinner, where my wife is upon hanging the long chamber where the girl lies, with the sad stuff that was in the best chamber, in order to the hanging that with tapestry. So to dinner, and then to the office again, where all the afternoon till night, we met to discourse upon the alterations which are propounded to be made in the draft of the victualler’s contract which we did lately make, and then we being up comes Mr. Child, Papillion and Littleton, his partners, to discourse upon the matter with me, which I did, and spent all the evening with them at the office, and so, they being gone, I to supper and talk with my wife, 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.)