Diary Discoveries

This is the amazing story of the most serendipitous experience Sally has had in her years of collecting and researching vintage diaries! It is an almost unbelievable occurance that began in 1938, originating with a diary written by a twelve year old girl.  Send us a textPlease go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

In this episode, we share from a 1940's dream journal. The author kept a record of about a month's worth of her dreams. From strange creatures playing ball to an Italian hurdy gurdy man with an inflated cow like bagpipe organ, she is all over the place! And aren't we all when we dream? We also share some significant dreams each of us have had including a beautifully described dream of Sally's which you may need tissue for your eyes while listening.dream sound effect from:  License: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). http://www.freesoundslibrary.comSend us a textPlease go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

In this final part of Alexander's diary, he has arrived in Boston after his first voyage as a ship's surgeon. He is in America for the first time and has much to write about as he compares Boston to his hometown Glasgow. He tours the city with an expat veterinarian, samples the beer and rye whiskey, and meets an influential law professor at Harvard. Then after returning to Scotland he takes a voyage to Iceland. His story is an amazing adventure and he has "the sight of a lifetime". He writes many pages describing the grandeur before him, his climb of a volcano, the hospitable Icelandic people, and a close encounter with a whale! This mans writing lured us into recording four episodes rather than just the one we had planned. We hope you have been enjoying his story as much as we have.Music in this episode: "The Sea is Calling" by Musictown. Courtesy of Pixabay.Train Bells courtesy of Soundeffectsplus.comSend us a textPlease go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

In this episode, Alexander is going to sea! Fifteen years following the "Fenwick Escapade" his boyhood wish is becoming a reality. His medical training and time at school has finished. You will hear about his last days in training, the wonderful send off he was given, and his beautifully written thoughts regarding Nurse McGee. He transitions to life aboard a ship as the only medical authority on board and the immense responsibility he felt. All activities at sea are new to him so he writes about most of it giving us a great idea of what a voyage in 1888 would be like. He fills the pages with descriptions of patients, crew members, passengers, and shipboard duties. All written wonderfully by this young man of 26.Send us a textPlease go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

In this episode, Alexander is writing down the current events in his life as a student at the University of Glasgow. He has a rich social life with many entries describing events at a country estate named Geilsland. He writes of his friendships with men but it is the women in his life that consume many pages of his diary. He has some strong opinions regarding women and as a young man, he is pondering, reasoning, and refining his thoughts. It is wonderful writing especially from a man not yet twenty years old. One of our favorite entries you will hear is an amazing train of thought where Alexander considers his own future and reasons out his place in the world.Music in this episode courtesy of: Pixabay Send us a textPlease go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

Alexander Watson Dunlop began writing his diary in 1881. He was studying to become a physician at the University of Glasgow but before writing the current events of his life, he recalls a story of adventure from his boyhood that he entitled "The Fenwick Escapade". (Imagine two Scottish eleven year old boys as the cast of the movie "Stand By Me" and you will get a glimpse into this story)His writing is introspective, descriptive, and very well done, making it interesting reading. We have enjoyed this diary from its initial pages and hope you will too.Music in this episode: "The Sea is Calling" by Musictown. Courtesy of Pixabay.Send us a textPlease go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

This episode originates with a diary written in by three individuals and because they did, Sally was able to discover a wonderful story--The House of Seven Gables.This house in West Plains, Missouri, has a long history of occupants and use, including the birth of 167 babies! One family left most of the furniture, and over 600 books to the next occupants of the home and among the books, was this diary. The current occupants bought the dilapidated, nearly condemned, structure and lovingly restored it to beauty and function. We ask this question: Would you ever write in someone else's diary? Fortunately for us, these people did and we can now enjoy this story.Send us a textPlease go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

This episode is from the oldest diary in Sally's collection. You will hear the story of a gifted, influential woman, Margaret Middleton, who behind the scenes, was instrumental in the abolishment of slavery in England. The diary was written by her husband Charles Middleton, who used his influence and friendships for the anti slavery cause but sadly lost his dear wife, the love of his life, in 1792. He grieves for her and writes of his loss and emotions and his prayers to God to "shorten my sorrow". He was a man of great faith as was his wife. Together with other men and women of faith, they formed a group known as "The Testonites". Their main concern was the abolishment of slavery. With amazing grace and many years of effort, they were victorious.Music heard in this episode credited to: PIXABAY.   Send us a Text Message.Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

Two classic pin-up calendar pages with a hand written message on them are what Sally started with for this story. In this episode, we discuss a bit of pin-up art history and then get into the writing on the pages. Five sailors on the U.S.S. Mission Bay signed this "last will" and we'll tell you what we found out about these men. As most WW II Veterans have passed away, and Memorial Day was just weeks ago, we felt this was a form of remembrance --with a bit of a twist.Music in this episode:  Cattle Call - Eddy Arnold.  From: Internet Archive.Send us a Text Message.Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

In this episode we read and discuss the letters between Charles and Dorothy as they start their life together in 1920 -1921. He has recently been divorced in the very public "Girl In Every Town" divorce case  and Dorothy,  21 years his junior, is challenged early on by his absence and her new domestic situation.  100 letters were written between them in the course of a year. In this collection, 5 of the letters were unopened. More than half are on hotel stationary so we can track his whereabouts as he is travelling for business.  You will hear the story of their relationship as they navigate rumors, family matters, questionable judgement, and loneliness while apart from each other. We also discuss a Hollywood scandal and some fantastic performances at a state fair, and we open one of the letters-- sealed since 1921.Send us a Text Message.Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

An antique tin containing 100 letters along with a 1919 newspaper article was the starting point for this episode. The article  titled "Girl In Every Town" described a divorce case in which 17 letters from various women the husband allegedly had relationships with, were introduced as evidence.  As Sally dug deeper, and as usually is the case, the story was so much more! We take you back to the 1840's, Nashville, Tennessee, to discover how it all began.Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

In 1903, Mary Louise Edgar traveled from her home in Wisconsin to visit Scotland. She wrote very detailed and descriptive entries in over 200 pages of her diary. In this episode we share some of Sally's research methods to take you through the process of discovery for this diary given to her while in Oregon. The diary was written by an unknown author (no name in the diary), and has a tragic connection to a young man who went on to become one of America's most well known architects. Bagpipe music heard in this episode from: www.freesoundslibrary.comPlease go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

Union soldier Gillis J. McBane is captured and taken prisoner during the brutally fought battle at Stones River in Tennessee.We will take you to the battlefield and follow his ordeal as he is moved to the notorious Castle Thunder confederate prison in Richmond, Virginia.Forced marches, sleepless nights, starvation, rail car trips in livestock cars, cold weather with little clothing, and all of which occurs before reaching the hell hole of Castle Thunder.Gillis maintained a diary and wrote it all down and showed remarkable resilience throughout his captivity.We would like to thank William Griffing and Dan Masters for their historical knowledge and help with this episode. A special thank you to Scott R Mckinley for his wonderful narration as the voice of Gillis McBane. Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

In this episode we present some of our listeners and their responses to our invitation to share how and why they journal.  We learned some fascinating things and were sincerely moved by what these individuals shared with us.Artworks and music, conversations with God, giving women who had no voice a place in history, connections to and honoring those who lived before us, and sharing stories of resiliance to offer hope to others; you will hear it in this episode. Thank You from the bottom of our hearts to: Linda, Cheryl, Lee, Marlena, and Erica. Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

This is a wonderful Christmas story of a father's love. Go back to 1914 with us to Christmas Eve. A six year old boy is bedridden with illness, so his father, D.D. Sturgeon, a pioneer in the electrical trade, does something never seen before to cheer up his son. Now in modern time, millions of people do what this man did that evening. Christmas music:  Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Kenny G; internet archive.Sleigh bells - www.soundeffectsplus.comPlease go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

In this episode, as a way to remember those who have served our country, we tell a story taken from a letter written by a pilot to his family back home. He had survived a tour of combat in the Pacific and was writing from Texas. Service can take on many different shapes and sacrifices are made by all who serve no matter where they may be serving. Family members also "serve" in a way and sometimes pay a heavy price. We should always remember them.Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

In this episode we discuss diary and journal keeping and some common concerns an author may have.  We read entries from two diaries; the first, from 1937, written by a woman losing her vision, and the second; by a very homesick college girl, where both women expressed their thoughts on what they had written and who may read it.  Sally has read entries like these hundreds of times as diary keepers wrestle with these issues.We also read a letter sent by one of our listeners where she describes how important her diary has become. Stick around to the end to see how Sally and Jeff  first met in a coffee shop, all because someone wrote in a diary... Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

A letter from 1848 describing a heartbreaking tragedy, presented Sally with questions she just had to get answers to. The deaths of three children in a week's time, even then, would indeed be "deep waters of affliction." Who were the three children and what was the relationship between them and the letter's author? Who was "Jane"?Sally found some missing pieces of the puzzle on a website called "Spared and Shared", a site created by William Griffing (Griff).In this episode we discuss the letter, solve the mystery, and introduce you to Griff. You will hear Sally and Griff talk about researching historical manuscripts and learn about this remarkable man and his efforts to preserve history.Please go to: https://diarydiscoveries.com to see episode photos and read our blog. Thank You.

In 1953, a fifteen year old boy wrote of his great outdoor summer adventure that took place in the West and it has to be one of the best summers a kid could ever have! Mt Rushmore, Cheyenne Frontier Days, the Vagabond Ranch, girls, whitewater rafting down the "River of No Return", fishing, flying, and eating the best food around the campfire. What a fantastic experience! And oh yes, he did all of this and had a knife fight in a corn field just to start things off.Music: Internet Archives. 1950's radio hour.For More information go to: https://www.sallysdiaries.com/

Milford W. Howard, an attorney by trade and former United States Congressman, wrote a very interesting feature article for The Birmingham News in 1929. And yes, the article is the one we mentioned in the last episode about our favorite "beehive like structure" dwelling man--Henry Stuart. Milford sought Henry out to get his thoughts regarding the simple life and wrote an amazing article, including poems, personal letters, and of course his own commentary about the man Henry and the idea of the "simple life".  We hope you will enjoy listening to our version of an "audible newspaper article" and perhaps it will provide you some "food for thought".For More information go to: https://www.sallysdiaries.com/

This episode is additional to our episodes #8 and #9. Henry Stuart built a circular, beehive like, hut in Fairhope Alabama.  We completed a kind of circle by taking his diary first to De Lamar, Idaho (episode 8) where he began writing, and then recently stepping foot into his home in Fairhope with the diary. Henry was a very interesting man who had an impact on many people including author Sonny Brewer who wrote "The Poet Of Tolstoy Park", a novel inspired by Henry and his home. We met up with Sonny at Henry's home and enjoyed our visit and tour. In our episode #9 we go into much more detail about Henry and encourage new listeners to hear this man's story.For More information go to: https://www.sallysdiaries.com/

Bonus Audio - Our interview with author Marvin Barrash who has spent over Thirteen years researching the disappearance of the Naval Collier Ship Cyclops. He has written three books regarding the Cyclops and is  probably the world's foremost expert of this ship's history. His work has helped many families of the lost men gain some closure and understanding. If you haven't heard our episode #37 U.S.S. Cyclops,  Bermuda Triangle, and A Gold Star Mother's Diary, you may want to try that first.Thank You to Marvin for spending some time with us.For More information go to: https://www.sallysdiaries.com/

David Wood was a successful pioneer freight hauler who was instrumental in the development of Western Colorado. Prior to that, when he was ten years old, he enlisted in the Union Army to fight alongside his father, Colonel Samuel Wood. In this episode we tell part of his life story and share some of his Civil War adventures!For More information go to: https://www.sallysdiaries.com/

In 1918 the U.S.S. Cyclops and 309 men vanished without a trace at sea in the area known as the Bermuda Triangle. Sally's Great Great Uncle was aboard that ship. Her G.G. Grandmother kept a diary when, 13 years later, she was on a Gold Star pilgrimage with other mothers and wives who had lost sons or husbands in the war.This is the diary that ignited Sally's passion for reading and collecting diaries. Her passion now includes sharing these stories with you on the podcast.In this episode you will learn about the U.S.S. Cyclops,  the ship's mission, and its disappearance, which remains a mystery to this day. We also talk about the Bermuda Triangle, The Gold Star,  and then read Grandma's diary entries.  You will journey with her from New York to Paris and England, and then back home. Her pages contain her thoughts and sadness as she remembers her son and honors the other women's sons and husbands killed in military service. She also had a few humorous experiences to share in her diary.For More information go to: https://www.sallysdiaries.com/

In this episode, you will attend the theatre with Mrs. Bram Stoker of Dracula fame, visit the Bridge of No Return in Korea, hear about a suspect in the Jack The Ripper case, and then tour the underground sewers of Paris. You will also hear about the tragic circus fire in 1944 that killed 170 people, and to finish it off, we will tell you about a diary that contained some coded entries which we were able to decipher and brought to our attention the popularity of roller skating in the 1880's. Six little morsels for your listening delight!For More information go to: https://www.sallysdiaries.com/

The 1891-92 Diary of former sheriff, Frederick D. Schnebly, led us to discover a couple of significant stories we share in this episode--the murder of an innocent newly wed couple and an armed bank robbery in a coal town. You will also hear of "seduction trials", a vigilante mob, a jail break, and regular towns people armed and ready to administer "frontier justice".  All of this took place in the Wild West of Washington State-- not usually the first place a person thinks of in this regard.We also share one of our favorite towns to visit--Roslyn, Washington, the site of the bank robbery and where the bank still exists as a candy shop.Wind sound from: soundeffects+For More information go to: https://www.sallysdiaries.com/

A 1923 Scrapbook diary led to a mysterious connection between the diarist and the author of Mary Poppins--Pamela L Travers. In this episode, we talk about the woman who wrote the diary and to whom P.L. Travers dedicated a book.  Also a very insightful, and interesting entry regarding their first use of a radio in their home, is discussed. Throw in a little time travel with a spoonful of sugar and you have this episode.Music: Wagner: Lohengrin: Prelude To Act lll --Nikolai Sokolof: Internet ArchiveAntique radio sound from: Soundeffects+

Mort Jenkins ended his "running log" with an amazing first hand account of the USS Mount Hood exploding in Seeadler Harbor. In this episode, you will hear what Mort wrote after witnessing this "horrible beauty" of an explosion. He wrote so descriptively and honestly about what he saw and how he felt about it--truly wonderful writing and very real.Thank you to our good friend Keith Adams for  his narration of Mort's entries! The following music was used for this media project:Music: For Originz by Kevin MacLeodFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3771-for-originzLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://incompetech.com

On November 10th, 1944  Mort Jenkins was hard at work on a boat in Seeadler Harbor when a disaster occurred. His eyewitness report of the event is recorded in his diary. In this episode, we are in  the "calm before the storm" as Mort writes about sailing from Norfolk  Virginia, through the Panama Canal, with stops in San Diego and Hawaii, before arriving at Papua New Guinea. His entries are descriptive and often humorous. He lets us in on life aboard the ship, the pursuit of entertainment on liberties, his night of shore patrol duty, and includes a fantastic account of a "crossing the line" ceremony for sailors on their first crossing of the equator. Part two will be a different story.Sounds heard in this media project:Sound effects from: Soundeffects+Music: Take The A Train- Duke Ellington From: Internet Archive

We first told the story of Hazel Ramsey Koenig in #6- Rocky Mountain Legacy. In this episode we talk about actually setting foot in the Colorado home Hazel lived in when she wrote the diary.  We revisit her story with additional insight acquired from our wonderful visit there.Jess and Lance from Colorado State U's Mountain Campus generously gave us a tour of the historical site now part of the Mountain Campus.Stay to the end to hear about a man named Charlie Jones who we met in Salida, Colorado as he played his 1870's era fiddle.The following music was used for this media project:Music: Sentimental Piano Calm by MusicLFilesFree download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7521-sentimental-piano-calmLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist website: https://cemmusicproject.wixsite.com/musiclibraryfiles

Beautifully written entries in this 1884 Diary led to the story of a cold blooded murder in a home invasion type robbery. Our author writes of the case with his mind resolved, yet his  heart in anguish over the killing. The depravity of the bloody work hit close to home as he and the killer share the same last name.

This episode wraps up the Violet and Vic series. We discuss our thoughts regarding Violet's 1934 diary. Who was Violet? Why was it written? When could it have been written? Finally, Sally reveals her theory of who may have written the diary--a story in itself and one you do not want to miss.

Violet's 1934 diary concludes with her December entries. She reflects back on the months she experienced with Vic and looks forward as well. A vacation trip, a budding  romance...the diary ends with new possibilities. If only there was a sequel!

Violet settles in to a less stressful routine. The money she has hidden, opens up some new thoughts and possibilities and speaking of something new, Violet may have a new love interest!Content Warning: For younger listeners--A few entries in this month's episode are sexual in nature but are not explicit.

This episode starts out with a bang--thirty of them to be precise! Violet is told more disturbing news and finds herself feeling very mixed emotions!

In this episode, Violet attempts to put her life in order after deciding to talk to the police. Guns and Cops and second thoughts, all the while Vic is staying away. Where is he and will he make contact with Violet?

The last member of our cast of characters enters the story in this episode. Violet reacts to some disturbing news by taking action and altering the course of her life once again!

In this episode Violet, Vic, and her friends celebrate the 4th of July but the fireworks don't end that night. Someone again is watching the house. Vic leaves for Chicago and while he is gone Violet feels more at ease-- until a stranger knocks on the door.Author and Historian Elliott J. Gorn joins us with some inciteful comments we hope you will enjoy.

Violet's life changes dramatically the first ten days of June! Excitement is followed by worry she is a "kept" woman. Her worry and concerns only increase when Vic gets a mysterious phone call.Thank you to Soundeffectsplus.com for the Doggy sounds.

Violet writes of four deaths in May including one member of our cast of characters! Vic moves ahead with a plan that has Violet excited with possibilities but also causes her some worry. Vic also reacts angrily to some news which surprises Violet.

Violet erased an entry about the Lindbergh Baby kidnapping case which brought up some questions. In this episode we discuss that case and of course read Violet's April entries. A stranger shows up at her apartment. Who is he and what does he want with Vic? Could this be a sign of a storm brewing?

Violet has been receiving expensive gifts from Vic and he even paid some of her bills. She is enjoying him and the attention but is asking herself some questions... This episode contains an entry that sheds some light on Vic's mysterious life and occupation.

This episode is the second of twelve and covers Violet's entries for the month of February 1934.  She has written about her intriguing friends, her work and some of the patients she has taken care of, Sherman the pesky dog who belongs to her land lady, and of course Vic-- the man she met at the New Years Eve party. Romance and love seem to be heading her way!

This is one of Sally's favorite diaries! A young woman begins writing  this diary January 1st, 1934 following a New Years Eve party, where she met a man named Vic. Over the course of a year, Violet's life with Vic is like a rollercoaster ride and something that could be written as a novel or made into a movie! This is the first of twelve episodes--each covering one month of Violet's diary.Some entries may not be suitable for younger listeners. Thank you Stacey Cochrun for being the voice of Violet!

This experience was a first in 35 years of diary collecting for Sally. In this episode we discuss what happened and talk about the interesting story within this diary. The quote Jeff couldn't remember exactly was by Heraclitus: "No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man".

In this heartfelt story, a daughter learns  her mother's lost 1944 diary had been researched and subsequently sold by Sally. Bridget contacted Sally to ask her help in recovering the diary. She explained her mom was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and perhaps the diary could help with her mother's memory.  You will hear how this went-- including Bridget's voice as she recounts the day she placed the diary in her mother's hands 70 years after it was written. Sally has a quote, "There is power in the handwritten word." This story is one of Sally's favorites to illustrate that power.Thank you to Pixabay and artist ZakharValaha for the music heard in this episode: Simple Piano Melody

Sally discusses her trip to Vienna,  Austria to speak at the TED talk about diaries and the untold stories  within them.  We then transition to the early 1900's and Vaudeville, as Sally had an autograph album from 1908 owned by a Vaudeville performer, who asked other artists to sign the pages. Several of the autographs are by famous performers who were celebrities in their time! Enjoy a little trip back into the glory days of Vaudeville. 

In this episode we give an update on ep. #12, share an exciting announcement, and then give a little background on a ghost town trip we took to the site of the 1910 Wellington Train Disaster--which is  the location of the deadliest avalanche in US history.

A 1950 travel diary takes us on a journey by train, plane, automobile, and ship. Our author writes terrific entries describing the journey, the parties, the food and drink, and notes many famous people from Hollywood including her best friend, an Oscar nominated actress. An interesting connection to a famous and beloved race horse was discovered from this diary as well!

A photo album from 1898 was the starting point for Sally to discover the amazing stories of a pioneer family who were instrumental in settling areas near San Francisco--The Mizners. In this episode you will hear about the seven Mizner children, some of the exploits of two who became quite famous, and the interesting story of the middle kid Henry-- the main subject of the photo album. He wasn't as well known as his younger brothers but his work impacted many people in a positive way and attracted a young society lady to fall in love with him. Their love story is remarkable and was truly one of  "love over money".

A young woman named Georgia wrote about her stay in a Tuberculosis Sanitarium in 1927. In this episode we discuss her story, give you some TB facts, recite a poem found tucked into the diary we believe written by our author, and discuss the impressive facility built specifically for TB patients. Music in this episode:Porch Blues by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/4232-porch-bluesLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-licens